#if your wellbeing over rules the wellbeing of farm animals then my wellbeing over rules the wellbeing of shit bugs that try to live in here

[snekdood]

me: god theres so many fungus gnats in my house i fucking hate them and hope they all die fuck them

some asshole on here, probably: omg no 😢 all life is sacred... u cant just kill everything...

me: okay, are you vegan?

asshole: akshually I dont need to be vegan because, well, you see,,----

[mommymooze]

A King and His Wife

(or part 2 of A Prince and A Cleric)

Dimitri and Reader. mentions of angst, emotional hurting and comfort

Relaxing in the parlor attached to the King’s rooms in the castle, you enjoy tea with Dimitri and Dedue, recalling the aftermath of his birthday party.

“Felix trained and sparred and drilled Sylvain for half the day. He let Mercedes come in, heal him, and made Sylvain spar with him for another two hours!” You laughed, slapping your hand on your knee.

“It was two days before he could steadily hold the reigns of his horse to return to Gautier.” Dedue added with a wise smile.

“Ahh my love, you are quick witted and able to think on your feet. Tomorrow your talents will be needed when we break the news to the Council.” Dimitri frowns slightly. There are issues with several Council members pushing their own agendas that do not align with the heavy focus on rebuilding the country and reconciling the differences with other nations.

The Council is called together. The King is seated at the head of the table, Felix to his right (as his right hand man) and you are seated to his left (closest to his heart.)

Already members of the council are arguing about the rearranged seating as Dimitri leads you into the room. He seats you first, takes his own chair, the rest of the room is allowed to sit.

Dimitri calls the room to order. “The first item on the order of business will be the presentation of my betrothed.” Dimitri introduces you to the council.

Fenton of Kleiman is the first to bang the table and object. “She is not of noble blood. She does not have a crest. Do we know if she is of good breeding stock?”

“Agreed!” Shouts Horatio of Mateus. “We have provided multiple lists of eligible candidates for marriage, and you have not entertained a single one!”

Sylvain of Gautier’s voice sounds over the rabble, “We are no longer emphasizing the presence of a crest as being a requirement for ruling. It contributes nothing to the ability to manage a territory or a kingdom.”

“Shut up, the lot of you.” Felix of Fraldarius insists, rattling his sword at his belt.

King Dimitri stands, addressing the council. “We have discussed the need for a Queen Consort frequently and unnecessarily more than we should. The ruling of the country should be first and foremost in our thoughts. Taking care of the people and the land is our priority, not the bloodline of the King. The future Queen Consort has been chosen, you wish to argue with me about my choice? I will not stand down. I am the King, this is my decision, you will abide by it.” He sits and takes your hand in his, showing his support for you.

You stand before the court, looking each of them in the eye as you speak. “I have provided my family tree, each level producing multiple children, thus proving I am of good breeding stock, though I am not a farm animal. I am a well respected and talented cleric, fully capable of seeing to the health and wellbeing of the King and his offspring. He finds my presence acceptable and supportive which is more than what I can say about most of you.”

Fenton wishes to debate. “Our candidates are perfectly upstanding and qualified for the position of queen. How can a commoner like you provide support like one who has been completely educated in the manner and etiquette of nobility? How will you be able to gain the support of the people?”

“Lords, Dukes, Viscounts, and Margraves are to govern the lands, provide aid to the citizens and also provide aid to the kingdom.” You begin, your voice strong and confident. “When the call for aid came from the kingdom, exactly how many troops did you provide to assist with taking down the Empire? Do you know how to gain the support of the people of your territory? I can provide documentation from thirty well known and multiple extremely wealthy residents of your territory who state they completely have a lack of faith and confidence in your ruling of your lands.”

You continue, “You have one child, coming from parents who birthed a single child and their parents the same. You would claim that to be unacceptable breeding stock as dictated by recorded council documentation. As far as your personal traits and idiosyncrasies possibly passed on to your descendants, I have an entire stack of documents recommending not to have a marital union between the King and any of your heirs.”

Flavius of Rhodos raises his voice. “Have you accomplished anything toward providing aid for the citizenry?”

“The health and wellbeing of the citizens of this country is always of concern. I have consulted with the school of Sorcery to expand their curriculum to include learning pathways for those desiring to learn healing and providing for the health and wellness of others. I have also established multiple healing stations throughout the city here and expanding out into other territories. Having a healer within a few minutes distance, instead of several hours ride can be a matter of life and death for many people. They also provide multiple areas of education to the people to improve their wellbeing. The people welcome these units within their areas. I am in close contact with each of these units, monitoring the health of the citizens and aid in the prevention of outbreaks of sicknesses and diseases.”

“The infirmary here at the castle is open and free to all citizens who have need of medical treatment. We are currently scouting for a location of a multibed facility outside of the castle walls, making it easier for citizens to access. “

“Should you wish, we could take a walk amongst the citizens of the city and see if I have their approval. You do go amongst your citizens, do you not? See the people at work building the cities, providing food and goods for others, laborers producing the goods, etcetera? They need leaders to lead, protect them and support them. There have been many stories of the heroics of the citizens when Cornelia was defeated. It was not only soldiers, the trained fighters, that took her and her army down. It was the people. Brave citizens who could no longer live under her iron fisted and intolerable rule.”

Dimitri stands, addressing the council, “Whether or not you approve, this is my betrothed. The announcements will be going out within the next few days. Any disagreements can be taken up with her directly.”

The meeting turns to the next item on its agenda, building better roads between territories. The discussion is a bit less antagonistic, however as usual, delayed by nonsense such as the color of rock to be used for the roads.

The council breaks for lunch. Dmitri leads you to a private room with Dedue, Felix and Sylvain. A light lunch with beef and sauteed seasonal vegetables is on order, Felix hides some vegetables under his napkin.

“Wow. What things are in your folder for Kleiman that would nail him against the wall?” Sylvain asks, waving a fork in the air.

“I will not reveal his secrets to you.” You answer quietly. “He knows what he has or has not done.”

Sylvain can’t let it go, “Where do you get the intel from? Do you have a spy network?”

“Heavens no,” you shake your head. “Clerics talk and discuss more than healing treatments, especially if they are not respected for their work. It may be in your best interest to take very good care of the clerics in your territories, hmm?”

.

A nasty flu is rampaging through the kingdom. It is difficult to prevent transmission when businesses must keep open, trade must still go on. Even you, no matter how careful you are, can be the victim of a winter cold.

Therefore, this morning you find it difficult to get out of bed. Your head pounding, coughing, stuffy nose, your body surrounded by soiled handkerchiefs.

Lozenges and honey with hot tea and lemon can soothe some of the symptoms, but you must suffer through two weeks of coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and nose blowing.

Dimitri is terrified at the thought of you being ill. You order he is not to see you, you are sequestering yourself to keep him from becoming ill as well. This mandate only lasts a day before he has mentally worked his mind into a frenzy thinking you are going to die any at any moment.

Breaking through the door of your chambers in a panic, Dimitri finds you reading a book, lying on a couch with your feet up, covered in warm blankets and a hot fire blazing in the fireplace to help you deal with the chills from your cold.

Dimitri falls to his knees before you, gently grasping your tiny hands within his, tears flowing down his cheeks.

“My beloved! I cannot stand being apart from you when you are so ill and knocking at death’s door! I dropped everything to be at your side. Whatever is within my power, I will summon it and bring it to your aide. Tell me what I can do to make you feel better.” The man is literally trembling in fear.

You softly sigh. “First of all. Calm down. It’s a simple cold.” You pat Dimitri on his head as he rests his cheek on your stomach. “Second, you should not be in here. I am ripe with germs and such, it is only a matter of days, and you will have the same issues.”

Dimitri’s face is fraught with worry, “If I could take this from you today, I certainly would my love. I cannot stand to witness your suffering. “

“Yes, I have a cold, but I am not truly suffering,” you smile at him. “There is only so much healing to help, however I have all of the palliative comforts at hand to make the illness less annoying. The only thing needed is time. Next week I will be back on my feet and as annoying as usual.” You chuckle which leads into a coughing fit. You hear Dimitri whining as a result. You pat his head to comfort him.

He nuzzles his nose into the blanket covering your stomach. “Can I get you anything my beloved? Tea, a cookie? Soup?”

You grab another handkerchief and make awful noises into it. “I think you buried your nose into germ central. I am changing your diet immediately to boost your immune system and metabolism. You are definitely getting this cold,“ you groan.

“I am happy to share your germs, my love. I am certain they are the best germs I will ever have,” he smiles as he kisses your fingers.

“You are delirious already,” you cough as you smile back at him.

“You say I have the germs already, so can I kiss you again?” Dimitri weakly blushes, looking terribly deprived.

“No. You cannot. You exposed yourself to this and I’m not encouraging that type of behavior.” You write a list of things he is to be eating every day and hand it to him. Dedue confirms receipt of the instructions by coming to the door. He does not need to enter the room and become exposed too. You also recommend Dedue add the list of items to his own dietary intake, boosting his resistance to the cold as well.

You bend down and kiss Dimitri’s forehead.

“You missed.” Dimitri moves closer to your face. You frown...but he looks so adorable, and you know he’s been exposed.

Sigh, you cannot resist him. You’ve been missing him as well, and not feeling at 100% and wanting some comfort you give in. He picks you up and places you on his lap. Now you have the heat of the roaring fire on one side, and Dimitri on the other. Toasty warm you fall asleep in his arms.

.

As you are nearly recovered from your cold, Dimitri is hit with it. It starts with a sore throat and runny nose. The next day at the council meeting he sneezes so hard the papers in front of him scatter about the room. After retrieving his notes, you call for any critical items needing to be discussed right away as he will be unavailable for the next few days, possibly a week.

Viscount Kleiman commences a long winded speech about the need for support in his territory because of whatever infernal reason he has. After his third and varied repetition of the same thing you have lost your patience.

“Viscount Kleiman, get to the point of the matter. If you keep blathering on and on without saying anything new, I will personally count it as an attempt on the Kings life and have you arrested.“ You declare as you feel Dimitri’s forehead which is cold and clammy and his gaze is becoming unfocused.

The Viscount glares at you. You give your ‘nobody wins and argument with the King’s physician’ look in return.

“We will table this matter until the King’s return.” Viscount Kleiman plops into his chair. “Usurping bitch!” He declares under his breath.

Dimitri stands up, banging his fist on the tabletop, causing a huge part of the table to splinter into pieces. “I am sick, not deaf. How dare you say such horrific and disrespectful things to my betrothed! And directly in front of me and the council to witness! Guards, apprehend and restrain him. Once I have recovered from my illness, we will have a conversation. To the dungeons with him.”

The Viscount screams in protest as he is removed from the council meeting.

“If there are no other matters to address, we shall consider this meeting adjourned.” Felix announces as you help Dimitri back to his chambers.

.

Dedue immediately heads to the kitchen to prepare his special Duscur chicken soup. You found it tasty and suitable for clearing your sinuses, helping you breathe. Dimitri does not get the fever you had, however he does have a nasty cough that doesn’t respond to treatment. His voice is barely above a whisper and throat is incredibly sore. Healing magic can only do so much. After the delicious dinner, you get him to sleep at night with a hot toddy, however halfway through the night he wakes up having a huge coughing fit. Using all of the pillows you can find, you prop him up to sleep, healing his headache to relax him. Dimitri whines as you head towards the door.

“Please my love, I can relax better when you are close to me.” Dimitri begs, his voice strained and soft.

You climb into the bed behind him, resting on the pillows so you can card your fingers through his hair. Dimitri falls asleep within a few minutes. You fall asleep not long behind him. Dedue wakes you in the morning as he comes to check on his highness. You leave as quietly as you can, not wishing to disturb his rest.

Over a week later, things calm again as Dimitri recovers from his cold. Viscount Kleiman is released, instructed to return to his territory and is ordered to send a representative knowing respect.

.

You are exiting your quarters as Dimitri and Felix return from a sparring match.

“Why can’t you simply elope?” Felix growls. “Nobody likes those stupid parties anyway.”

“Felix! It is an important celebration for the country that the King is taking a bride.” Dimitri expounds. “Everyone wants to congratulate you and watch the ceremony and celebrate with you in their own special way. They expect to have a large and joyful celebration. It represents a change in our cultural identity. Marriage is a blessing and a celebration of two lives joining to be together until death do they part.”

“It is a waste of time and money,” Felix mumbles.

“It is sharing a blessed moment with your friends and family, a celebration of two hearts joining to become one.”

“It’s another excuse for a party.” Felix retorts. “And dancing. Can’t stand the whole of it.”

Dimitri stops their walk down the hall, holding Felix by his shoulder. “Does that mean you do not want to be my best man?”

“I never said that.” Felix answers as he looks away.

.

A few days later at the end of another long day of meetings for the king, you share tea with him and Dedue in Dimitri’s parlor.

“Dedue, we have known each other for quite some time.” You begin, “I do not have any remaining family to escort me down the aisle. As a dear friend, would you do me this honor?”

“You would have me…” he responds. He leaves out his obvious thoughts.

“A man I know well,” you answer, “who has been a part of my relationship with Dimitri and assisted us countless numbers of times to the point of saving both of our lives in the many battles we fought together. “

Dedue silently thinks, stands and bows, “I would be honored.”

Wedding plans are discussed and moved forward, however there seems to be more to add to the list every day. Mercedes and Dedue will be working with the cooks. They can’t make all the food themselves, they will supervise the kitchens. Dedue is also working on special flowers for the bouquet.

.

This morning Dedue is accompanying you to the dressmakers for the fitting of the wedding dress. Gilbert has taken his place as the Kings escort for the day. They are leaving from the second meeting of the morning to return to the Kings chambers for lunch.

“Your majesty, if I may have a word with you.” Gilbert announces.

“Certainly, Gilbert. What is on your mind?”

Gilbert opens the doors to the Kings chambers for him. “I am well aware your wedding is coming soon, however it is my duty as one of your teachers to address the elephant in the room.

Dimitri’s eyes go wide. “Please explain.”

“You are getting married to the love of your life, as you say. However, your first and foremost thoughts should always be of the kingdom. Women can be manipulative and cloud your mind and judgement regarding issues they have an interest in. It is your duty to put the kingdom first and foremost in your every thought. Do not let them influence your decisions.”

“You truly believe my fiancée could do something to usurp the ruling of the kingdom?” Dimitri is in complete shock.

“Women have been known to ‘throw men under the wagon’ for much less. You must be aware of everything around you. Throughout history women have used men for their power.” Gilbert bows.

“Thank you for your wisdom.” Dimitri bows.

.

A lovely dinner with Dimitri takes place. He takes a sip of water. “Let us speak of a hypothetical situation.“

You’re not sure where this is coming from, however you will entertain his thoughts. “Of course, go on, my sweet,” You answer, taking a bite of sweet potato.

“What if tomorrow the kingdom was overrun and I were no longer royalty. Demoted to a job, say a ditch digger. Would you still marry me?” His bright blue eye searches your face with a look of worry.

You smile at him softly. “I did not fall in love with the King. I fell in love with you. Long before you were the king, I fell in love with you when we were back in the academy. I still loved you when your mind was clouded with guilt. I did everything I could to keep you alive and healthy. Everything I could to bring you stability and back to health. I promise to do that for you every day. If you are a King, or a ditch digger, or a man who mucks out the stables, you are the man I love. Not your work.”

“Oh, my beloved!” Dimitri exclaims as he holds his arms out so you can cuddle with him. He gently puts his arms around you and kisses your face and neck with great fervor.

.

Dress fittings, picking out materials and fabrics seem to be a weekly occurrence. It is Felix’s turn to take you to the dressmaker.

“That is what you’re going to wear for the wedding?” He spits. “The length is impractical, you’re going to be on the move all day and night. The color makes you look pasty white. It’s enough we’ve been inside all winter, but you look whiter than snow.“

“Eep” you squeal as you move and a pin jabs you in the side. “Where were you when I started this process! I should have had you along instead of Annette. “

Felix studies the dress further, his frown burrowing deeper into his forehead. “Why did you go with this style anyway? The biggest question is why are you marrying the Boar?”

“It resembles what Dimitri’s mother wore when she married to his father. Tradition must be honored. The dress was lost in the war and I want to honor her.” You smile trying to talk and hold your breath, so you won’t get stabbed by another pin. “Because I love him.”

“Hmmm.” Felix grabs his chin in thought. “Not a bad intention, but where are you going to hide your daggers?”

“Daggers?“ The word causes you to twist to look at him and you get pricked by another pin.

“You should not go to the wedding unarmed. It is when you are most vulnerable when the enemy strikes! Always be prepared. Assassins are everywhere since the downfall of the empire, fool.” He chastises as he looks at the door and window for any signs of movement.

“Oh Felix, never change! Have a word with the dressmaker to make a pocket for a dagger or two if you like,” you laugh.

“What about dragging all of that flowy dress behind you all night?” Felix points to the train.

“Well, perhaps there is a way we can tie it up, sort of a bustle in the back so it will be free from the ground.”

“Don’t let them lower the neckline. You should be prudent being the Queen and all,” he slightly blushes.

“A bit more lace should help, I’ll consult with the seamstress. You’ve been a great help, Felix.” You smile

Felix ignores the compliment, “You should also work on fighting with a dagger. I want you in the training grounds with me tomorrow.”

.

Cake tasting with Dedue, Annette and Mercedes takes forever. Dimitri is no help, you know of his inability to taste, you almost want to join him sitting this out. There are so many cakes. You fill your napkin with tasted cake to ensure your dress will still fit for the wedding. Annette asks for more and more kinds of cakes for testing, Dedue has had enough and Mercedes wants them all to be fluffier.

The invitations created by the kingdom calligraphers are absolutely perfect. There are a few notes added to specific invitations. Claude is invited, his must go out first to be certain to arrive on time. Balthus is invited, with the specific request that he wear a shirt.

The months fly quickly by. The snow is beginning to melt, inch by inch. Things are slowly coming together for the wedding. There are still a million things to be done, a million decisions to be made so you are here, in the training grounds, Felix showing you the best ways to wield a dagger.

“No, grip it like this.” He changes how your hand holds the dagger. “You don’t want them to easily knock it from your hand. Have a firm grip, but not too tight.”

You take a deep breath, trying to do what he says. You take a few swings at him, missing him by a mile.

“What is wrong with you? You were fine yesterday.” Felix chastises you.

This sends you over the edge. You cry hysterically. “I d-don’t know.” You sob, covering your face with your hands.

“Fuck. Why are you crying?” Felix looks around, for anyone, anything to help him. He leads you to a bench.

You sit and let loose your tears. “I can’t believe I am doing this. Why did I think I can do this? I’m a commoner. He is a King! So many people hate me for this. We should call it off. Have him marry a noble or someone better suited.” You are breathing strangely, you can’t catch your breath.

Felix panics alongside you, slapping your back. He grabs your face, forcing you to look up. “Look at me.”

You try to turn away, but he holds your face in his hands.

“Look at me.” Felix is frowning. “Breathe, okay? Take a deep breath.”

You try to and fail, holding your breath and closing your eyes.

“Breathe in.” He orders. You do.

After a few seconds he tells you to breathe out. You comply.

“Now. Tell me what’s wrong.” Felix wishes he were anywhere else but here.

Taking a deep breath you confess, “I was walking in the corridor and overheard nobles talking of what a poor choice the King has made for a wife. I will ruin the court, I have no business being in that position. I will make the kingdom look bad and bring them to ruin.”

“Bullshit.” Felix grunts, crossing his arms. “You are the best thing that has happened to Dimitri in a long, long time. If anyone can keep the boar sane, it’s you. You have common sense, something most of the nobles have never heard of. You’re going to be a great queen. We’re here for you. We support you.”

“You do? You’re always questioning my decisions, not that I make many.”

“If you’re not sure, ask me or Sylvain. No, ask me, only me. Don’t listen to a word Gilbert has to say. As far as those bastards talking, tell me who they are and I’ll cut their tongues out.”

You somehow chuckle through the tears that have been slowing down.

“Now get up and attack me. Pretend I’m one of those losers,” he says pulling you up from the bench to face him.

.

The afternoon with Dimitri is pleasant as you both have time to relax. The tea is well enjoyed as you both look out the window. The snow is clear from the paths in the gardens, sometimes you can see the dirt here and there. It is warming nicely.

“Are you excited my beloved?” Dimitri asks as he kisses your head just above your ear.

“Excited and terrified and happy and anxious and a hundred other feelings at once.” You nuzzle into his neck.

He nods, “I feel the same. I look forward to having you at my side for the rest of my life.”

“So romantic and beautiful. I’m going to have to tell Sylvain you have bested him at charming a woman.”

“I only charm you?” Dimitri chuckles.

“You charm me, you entrance me, you make me melt, my heart flutters hearing your name. My knees go weak every time you kiss me,” you say as you snuggle closer to his chest. He surrounds you with his strong yet gentle arms, kissing you like a starving man.

.

Two days before the wedding, the flowers arrive, the desserts are complete and the cooks are preparing the huge banquet of food to be served. The castle is filling up with guests, many more are still on their way.

Dinner is accompanied by huge booms from thunderstorms. The storm lashes and crashes against the lands throughout the night not ceasing until morning.

Reports to the king show many roads to the castle are ruined, washed out by the terrible storm and heavy running waters. There is flooding in some areas and soldiers are sent to assist the people.

Byleth, the Archbishop and officiator of the wedding, is not here yet, nor is part of the orchestra hired to play at the wedding and reception.

Reports are pouring in identifying damaged roads, downed bridges, causing travel within the kingdom become difficult and some places impassible. You head to the castle infirmary, filled with injured people whose homes have collapsed, or hit by trees falling over striking and harming anyone unfortunate enough to be in their path. Rolling up your sleeves, you assist the clerics with healing the wounded, binding injuries and reassuring family members their loved ones are well cared for.

You finish healing the broken arm of a young man who was pulled out from under a fallen brick wall, wrapping the splint on his arm and requesting he come back in a few days to have it checked when you hear a roaring voice behind you.

“There you are!” Shouts Felix, not caring if people are recuperating and trying to sleep at this late hour. “Is this where you have been all day? The whole fucking castle is looking for you. We thought you were kidnapped or worse!” Felix grabs you tightly by your arm, now he’s found you, you will not get away from him.

“Where else did you expect me to be? We need every healer we have helping the people.” You sass back at him as you finish with the patient.

Felix nearly drags you behind him to the King’s chambers. Inside is one weeping and tormented Dimitri, surrounded by the entire Blue Lions group.

“The infirmary. She’s a fucking cleric. She’s been there all day. Now can you stop panicking?” Felix announces to the small crowd.

Dimitri runs to you and throws his arms around you, slowing down and pulling you gently close to his chest. “I’m sorry. There was no note, we could not find you.” He sniffs into your neck.

“My apologies. I did not mean to cause such an alarm.” You stand bewildered. In any state of emergency, it has always been all hands on deck. You feel it is your obligation to help. Certainly, they would have figured it out?

Dedue brings several pots of tea, most of it chamomile and you reassure everyone once you have had a good night’s sleep you will be fine. Once the guests leave to their rooms you cuddle and reassure Dimitri you will never do such a thing without leaving a note for him to easily find. You return to your room, quickly bathing and collapsing in your bed.

You wake and decide to head to the Infirmary to check on any further patients. Standing outside your door are two guards who have been instructed to keep you in your room. They deliver a sealed letter from Dimitri.

.

My Dearest Beloved,

You have done well and good taking care of the citizens, however this is a momentous occasion, and it is my turn to remind you to take care of yourself. Today should be a day of pampering, rest and relaxation. Tomorrow we are to be wed and I am blissfully thankful for you agreeing to marry me.

Therefore, Mercedes and Annette volunteered to staff the Infirmary this morning. The ladies will join you for lunch followed by manicures, pedicures, and massages to your liking. For afternoon tea you may invite anyone you wish to join you.

Please join me and our friends for dinner this evening in a quiet celebration before resting for tomorrow’s nuptials. You are my heart and my life, I cannot wait for you to become my wife.

All of my love,

Dimitri

a few scrawls are on the bottom of the page…

He did a fine job! -Sylvain

Get this mess over with -Felix

.

Dimitri sends a servant delivering fine bath salts, perfumes, and oils for to pamper yourself with a relaxing bath. Fresh new towels, the softest you have ever felt accompanied by a fluffy robe to wrap up in. You bathe in the hot perfumed water until your fingers are completely wrinkled like raisins. You smell like a field of beautiful flowers and are happily relaxed.

Lunch had to have been prepared by Dedue. A filling and healthy stew with many vegetables and spices to delight the senses. Mercedes and Annette update you on the patients in the infirmary, they were shocked to see you there yesterday, the citizens are completely understanding you have to prepare for your wedding tomorrow. They also brought a large basket of wedding gifts, personal cards and letters from citizens all around the city. Ingrid arrives in time to eat as well, trying to sneak away when she hears about the next item on the schedule. Mercedes convinces her to stay.

Several masseuses arrive along with a manicurist to tend to skin, fingers, and toes. Massaging both hands and feet, applying relaxing things to your face and spoiling you and several ladies of the Blue Lions rotten as possible. Ingrid melts at the shoulder and upper arm massage. Annette first giggles then starts laughing uncontrollably as they work on her feet and toes. By the time they are done, everyone smells like a forest of beautiful flowers and feels like a bullion.

Afternoon tea is special desserts, chocolate covered fruits, adorable and delicious teacakes, and cookies with beautiful floral designs.

Dinner is loud and boisterous. Everyone is sharing the progress of rebuilding going on in their territories. Annette is talking about the school of Magic. Seteth and Flayn arrive to warm welcomes and good food and much friendship. Byleth is on the way. They are being…stubborn.

Ashe and Ingrid are seated together. Both of them drinking water as they will work during the wedding, saying this is one of the greatest honors of a knight, to guard the king and his soon to be wife at their wedding. You grin happily as Ashe compliments Ingrid on how beautiful she smells, she blushes profusely in return.

Sylvain stands and offers a toast, “To Dimitri, one of my best friends and King. May your marriage be blessed with much love and many, many, maaaannnyyy children! Ow” He grabs his arm as it gets punched. Everyone chuckles.

The door to the room opens to Byleth and Yuri entering the room.

“We’ve made it.” Byleth announces. “We had to ride the horse to get here.”

“Ugh.” Yuri groans. “I may not be able to breathe again for a week.” His voice is strained, his eyes and nose are red and itchy.

After the new arrivals finish eating you whisper to Dimitri then sit next to Yuri.

“Yuri, I want to thank you for making the sacrifice to your health to get Byleth here on time. I want to help you as well. You are better off leaving the party and taking care of yourself. Let me take you to your room and help you feel well enough to attend the wedding and hopefully the party after.”

Yuri looks at Byleth who has a line of people waiting to talk to them. “Let’s go.”

.

Stopping by your room you grab a large empty basket and several bottles and vials. Leading Yuri to his room you instruct him to start a hot as he can stand it bath, with 2 capfuls from this bottle. Then strip down to his waist, tossing everything in the basket. You will have the items cleaned. You stay outside, wiping down their belongings brought into the room. You hear him calling from the bath.

“Wow. What is that stuff? It is potent, I can feel my nose loosening a bit already.”

You knock on the door before entering. “It is eucalyptus oil. I had Brigid send some before the winter hit. Amazing stuff, works on clearing the sinuses and restore breathing to help you sleep. Now hold this.”

You hand him a washcloth, then massage his forehead and rubbing your thumbs along his nose toward his eyes. He holds the cloth beneath his nose as it begins to drain uncontrollably.

“Keep the water hot in the bath. Soak for at least 30 minutes. I’ll leave lavender oil on the table for tonight if you stuff up again before bed, get a bowl of water steaming, add two teaspoons to it and put a towel over your head to inhale the vapors. Peppermint oil for the morning, same treatment.” You nod before closing the door behind you.

“Thank you, my queen.” He says before you head back to the gathering.

Byleth stops his conversation with Ashe to call you over. “How is he doing?”

You smile warmly. “He’s going to soak in a eucalyptus oil bath, I left two other oils for tonight and the morning. He’s already breathing a bit better. When you get there make sure everything you are wearing is put in the basket and removed from the room. It should help a bit. “

Byleth smiles and pats you on the head. It makes you feel happy, but you’re not sure why.

You are grateful the party is calm and the alcohol level is reasonable. Who knows what tomorrow night should bring. Dimitri and Dedue escort you back to your room where a few chaste kisses and ‘I love you’s’ are exchanged before he heads to his chambers.

.

From the time you open your eyes in the morning until the end of the day your life is on a tight schedule. You are dressed, your makeup is perfect. You are ready. You are in a special alcove to the side of the marble staircase you will descend to arrive at the red carpeting, proceed on it to arrive where Dimitri will be waiting.

It is too early for many flowers to be blooming, but with the number of them decorating every pole wall and aisle of the venue, you cannot help but be surrounded by their beautiful and peaceful smells. Dedue greets you and offers an arm as he escorts you down the stairs. He softly says words of encouragement, of how Dimitri has been longing for this day and he wishes the both of you nothing but love and happiness and ends with a prayer for blessing you both to the gods of Duscur. He’s dressed in a fitting and comfortable suit, a sash with Duscur emblems embroidered along its length.

You walk slowly alongside him, smiling with pure joy. When you arrive at the red carpet you finally see Dimitri, dressed in an elegant suit, highlighting his strong shoulders and small waist. His crown glitters in the sunlight upon his head. He smiles at you, his face beaming. You smile back, your eyes can only see him before you. You hardly notice Dedue has stopped, waiting for Byleth.

“Who brings the bride to wed the king?” Byleth begins

“I bring the bride for the King and the future of the kingdom.” Dedue announces slowly and proudly.

You step forward to stand alongside Dimitri. You look up at him, he is smiling down at you and the world falls away.

Your attention is brought back to the here and now as Byleth asks Dimitri if he will take you as his wife, Byleth asks you the same and you say you do.

Rings are brought forth, blessed, and placed on each other’s hands.

You feel warm hands, Dimitri’s hands are holding your shoulders gently as he kisses you softly in front of the entire world. His right hand slides down your arm, intertwining your fingers as you face your friends and guests for the first time as husband and wife.

“I present to you the King and Queen Consort of Fodlan, who are now husband and wife.” Byleth proclaims and the cheers are thunderous.

.

The ceremony completed, the bride and groom are whisked off for the first sketch of the official wedding portrait as the guests are escorted to the huge area set aside for the wedding feast.

The archbishop is announced as they arrive in the room and led to a seat at the head table. The remaining guests of honor are announced and seated. The bride and groom, the King and Queen Consort arrive and are presented to the guests, resulting in great applause. Taking your seat next to the King, immediate toasts to your health and wellbeing are called for as food is brought to each table.

Dimitri stands and makes a brief speech, thanking friends and faithful supporters to the kingdom for sharing this occasion with us as we begin our life together.

.

The celebration in the grand ballroom is a sight to behold. Yet more flowers decorate every table and wall of the room. The newly wedded couple must make a grand entrance to the applause of all. The orchestra plays and they take their place on the dance floor. Dimitri expertly twirls you around, thankfully the month of ballroom dancing practice has paid off and you have not embarrassed yourself once or stepped on his toes.

The dancing opens up to others, as well as other partners for the bride and groom. You laugh as Claude takes Dimitri across the floor. Byleth dances with you carefully, always leaving room for Sothis, as Seteth had reminded everyone at the ball so many years ago.

Sylvain bravely dares to take you to the dance floor. After dipping you, he pulls you up and shares a bawdy story of how one of his previous dance partners had completely exposed her bosom to the ballroom when he had leaned her too far back.

You remind him it is not appropriate for the queen consort to act in such lewd behavior, he simply laughs at you.

After many dances and entirely sore and worn out feet, Dimitri pulls you to the side and suggests it is time to leave the revelry. You are more than happy to accompany him back to your now shared chambers. First, he escorts you to your room, a maid will assist you with removal of the gown. The delicate straps and buttons would be ripped asunder in his hands. You agree to meet him in your joint chambers shortly.

.

Dimitri waits alone in his bedroom. His wife will soon be here. Wife. Wife! He thinks. He is married and has a wife. What will she think of him seeing him without his clothes? Bare and exposed before her? Will she run in terror? He is a beast. His self-doubt takes over, thoughts of her screaming at him, of being afraid of him running through his mind. Why has she done this to herself? Tied herself forever to a monster like him?

He startles at the sound of the doorknob turning. You blush as you enter with the fluffy robe he gifted you yesterday wrapped around your body. You look into his face and see it warped with terror. Rushing to your husband’s side you reach to touch his cheeks and he turns his face away.

“Dima, my love. Look at me.” You plead with him. You press your body against him as you stroke his cheek.

“Come sit at the table.” You take his hand and lead him to a chair and table by the window. The curtains are closed but the moonlight filters through them into the room, giving everything a soft glow.

“Speak to me, my love. Let me help you.” Your voice a soft whisper, you try to keep it even, not letting the sadness tearing through your heart show as you see the man you have pledged your life to lost in dark thoughts.

“I…I am not worthy of you.” He says as his body falls into the chair, his head falling to his chest. His body is limp now, his shoulder leaning against your stomach.

“There is no one here judging you. You are everything to me. You are my heart and my light. You are the piece which makes me whole. I take you as you are.” You say as you kiss the top of his head, urging him to sit back on the chair.

“My sins are great. I am broken and damaged, being surrounded by so much death and the war.”

You ease into his lap, running your hands up and down his chest. “We fought the war together. We survived together. I have seen your wounds, I know your scars. Yet, I love you. All of you. You are handsome, strong and protective. You are my lance and shield. I am your hearth and home. I want to be the place you long to come home to, welcoming you, healing you and making you whole.

You take his face in your hands and kiss his forehead and both of his cheeks. Sliding your hands around his chest you hold him close.

“Husband, will you not hold me? You feel so warm. I feel so safe in your arms.”

Dimitri hesitantly wraps his arms round you, nuzzling his cheek in your hair. He smells the lavender and other flowers in your shampoo, but mostly he smells you. Soft and comforting. Holding you closer he takes a deep breath of your scent and sighs heavily. Your lips are kissing his neck and chin, he moves to connect his lips to yours. This is familiar to him, comfortable. Kissing you as you snuggle with him on his lap.

Sitting up briefly you smile, looking into his eye. “I love you so much, Dimitri.”

“You have no idea how much I love you, how much I need you.” He answers, choking back his tears.

The two of you kiss and cuddle on the chair for a while longer, enjoying the closeness and unspoken words between you.

“Change into your nightclothes. Come lay on the bed next to me.” You ask him and he nods.

You clear the bed of the Lions who are always there to protect the king’s quarters while he is away. You pull the bedcovers back and fetch two glasses of water, placing them on each nightstand.

Dimitri lies on his back to one side of the bed. He feels stiff and anxious. His heart is pounding, he tries to calm his mind. You sit at the top of the bed by the pillows. Removing his eyepatch you set it on the night stand and card your fingers through his hair.

“We are supposed…” Dimitri begins, his voice strained.

You place a finger over his lips. “We are supposed to love each other. Be there for each other. We have the rest of our lives before us. Everything in its time.” You coo, bending over to kiss the tip of his nose.

Dimitri relaxes after a while. “Come, lay next to me.”

You lay to his side, your head resting on his shoulder as you rub circles on his chest. “I want to kiss you.” You ask.

“Please.” His voice soft, his chest vibrating under your fingers.

You lift up to place your chest against his, kissing his lips with little pecks until you feel his smile. He kisses you firmly, his tongue begging for entrance. You moan and comply. You sit up to take your robe off, tossing it on the valet chair. Next winter you will not have to wear three pair of socks to bed with Dimitri to keep you warm.

Joining him back on the bed you lie on his chest again. The silken nightgown slides across his clothes easily, you can feel the warmth of his chest against yours with only two layers of thin cloth between you. Warm supple lips resume meeting each other, you move to kiss his neck just below his ear. Dimitri moans softly at the intimacy and pleasure of the kisses.

“May I unbutton your shirt? “You ask between kisses.

“Mmm hmmm.” He hums, nodding.

You undo a button placing a kiss at the spot of new skin being exposed. You complete four buttons when you notice him tense, you stop. Kissing your way back up his chest you massage his pectoral muscles, giggling a bit as you nuzzle your face into his chest like a cat. Sliding your body along his you kiss him again. The feeling of his chest brushing against yours is so delightful.

He rolls both of you to the side so he may kiss your neck. Your hand slides into his hair and behind his neck, pulling him close to you. Dimitri licks and nibbles on your neck and shoulders, sliding the shoulder of your nightgown out of his way

“Ohh, I need to feel your skin against mine.” You mumble into his neck as you pull the silken gown over your head. The warmth of his chest against yours along with his deep kiss causes you to moan into his mouth. The night progresses slowly as you explore and love each other to the fullest.

.

A knock to the door late in the morning causes Dimitri to bolt upright in the bed, causing you to fall from his chest you were comfortably sleeping on and wind up on your back over his legs.

“My love! I’m so sorry!” He stares down at you in concern, afraid to touch you so he will not cause you harm.

You giggle, soon breaking out in full hearty laughter. Dimitri looks at you, very confused.

“You look like a child caught with their hand in the cookie jar.” You giggle. “We’re allowed to be like this in the morning, dear husband.”

“Well, um…it will take some getting used to.” He smiles weakly, still waking up.

“I can get used to waking up next to my warm, handsome husband.” You smile as you kiss him gently.

The knock on the door returns. A servant announces breakfast is here. Dimitri throws on his silken robe, tying it around his waist and brings the cart filled with food into the room. Once you smell the delicious offering, you find you are extremely famished.

.

After nearly two whole days of being able to spend time with each other, it is now time to get back to business. Many of the guests have left, however there are still some remaining in the castle, your duty is now to entertain those accompanying their partners who have business with the King and council.

You enter the parlor precisely on time. Margaret Kleiman and Isolde Rhodos are already in the room, enjoying their tea.

“Good morning. I hope you have found the accommodations to your liking.” You smile warmly at the women.

“Passable.” Huffs Margaret.

“I would have preferred to have been on a more western exposure. The sun was entirely too bright in the morning.” Isolde says dully as she clinks her teaspoon in her cup loudly.

You control the urge to roll your eyes. You have not had the opportunity to socialize with these women and you hope from now on to keep it at a bare minimum at the most.

“I have heard you are a cleric.” Isolde frowns. “So you go about touching strangers and covering yourself with their blood? Sounds disgusting. Definitely inappropriate to say the least.”

“Agreed.” Margaret nods. “Ladies of the nobility must keep themselves above the prattle. Quite undignified and repulsive.”

“Do you have some recommendations as to how best I should spend my time?” You ask, hoping they will take the bait.

“Isolde here is a fine wine expert.” Margaret nods. “She can pair a wine perfectly with any dish. Living on the coast, they have the opportunity to import nothing but the finest wines from every country around. Unfortunately, it may be too late for you to develop such a particular palate at your age.”

“It is true. We had to build a third wine cellar to house our collection.” Isolde brags. “The wine served with dinner was acceptable, however it was a bit unbalanced and could have had a fuller body to it. The wines at the reception ranged from atrocious and barely passable to loaded with so many tannins it was comparable to dishwater.”

“Oh my, please accept my sincerest apologies for our faux pas.” You solemnly look downward and bow your head. Fortunately, she is looking intently at her tea and misses the tiny smirk at the end of your gesture. You opted to use the local wineries instead of supporting wine from other countries.

Further conversations with the spouses of the council members reveal the concentration of many funds and taxes are not used for the people but are diverted to assure the ease and comfort of the nobility and their friends.

.

You had no idea such thievery was done by nobles. Their purpose is to lead the people, keep them safe and develop the lands entrusted to them. You had thought the ruling of Gautier was more of the exception, however now that you know more and more of the workings of the nobility, it seems that is the tip of the iceberg.

How is this handled in other territories? What other abuses of power are to be found in the Alliance and former Empire territories? You shudder to think of them.

[danielzetterholm]

Seven Secrets To Choosing A Safe, Healthy Pet Food

Do you select canned food or dry food? What's? There are many diverse brands, all of size and shapes of dog food to select from and owners are given with hardly any facts to base your decisions on (apart from advertisements ) - it might become so confusing! Well, buckle your seat belt based on how far you are aware of your pet industry, this might possibly be a rough ride! You're just about to find seven keys - well maintained secrets - of Petfood. Sit right back, guard yourself, and read.

Beneful says it has'Premium Dog Food for a Happy, Healthy Dog' and retails for approximately $18.00 for a 3 1 pounds. Tote, Science Diet"promises"'precisely balanced nutrition through continuous research and the highest quality food backed by your Vets endorsement' and retails for approximately $21.00 for merely a 20 pound bag. Afterward there are a lot of pet foods which produce exactly the exact same statements 'Premium Dog Food, Highest Quality' - which sell for $30.00 or to get a 20 pound bag. And the exact same is true for kitty owners. . .Do you decide on Whiskas that says'Everything we do is about making cats happy!' Or can you select some of the highend cat foods which produce exactly the exact same promise of a joyful, healthful kitty however cost three times as much?

With the pet food remember pet-owners possess questions such as'Has this food been recalled?' Or'Is this food the next one to be recalled?' ...'Is my pet safe?' Wow that really is confounding! And scary too! Just what is just a dog owner ? Think about learning just a couple secrets! Built with all the wisdom of a couple keys of Petfood, it isn't anywhere near as confusing.

Secret #1...

All pet foods use descriptive words such as premium and choice, although some of these actually utilize premium or alternative components in their own food. The'secret' is that each the rules of their pet food business, no Petfood may create any claims or testimonials in the label or advertisements regarding grade or quality of ingredients. You seethe word'premium' if it is associated with pet-food DOES NOT mean that the ingredients from the food are superior. Together with pet foods, superior doesn't (can't ) clarify the foodstuff does it (is it) clarify the standard of the foodstuff. It's actually really just a marketing term and that's all. Per your Petfood businesses own regulations and rules,"There are no references to ingredient quality or grade" (law PF5 D-3 ). Therefore keywords such as superior, or choice, or grade are simply advertisements or sales provisions. They shouldn't be translated as terms explaining the standard of the food.

Why would not be a pet food label be allowed to share with a prospective customer the standard in these ingredients? Does a pet-owner deserve to be aware of what they're buying? This direct me into another location trick...

SecretNo 2...

If I will compare'people' food into pet food for only a minute, all of us know there are distinct qualities of food. There clearly was White Castle (I'm sorry, I really like the tiny guys!) And there's Outback Steak House (another favorite). Both restaurants serve sausage and meat. At White Castle at less than $3.00 it is possible to find two or three burgers along with also an order of chips. While at Outback you are able to find yourself a steak and baked potato for approximately $16.00. Both function beef and curry - yet you realize there are tremendous nutrient similarities between a fast food burger and a beef. . .right?

The issue from your pet food industry - is that a lot of owners do not think in precisely exactly the exact terms in regards to pet food. They don't really believe in terms which we now have fast-food kinds of pet foods also you can find still sit restaurant longer nutritionally beneficial kinds of pet meals. In reality, many years back a new man tried this incredibly experimentation with their or her own diet - eating only fast food for thirty days. In no more than 1 month of eating take out three meals every dayhe gained a fantastic deal of weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels sky rocketed. Now, imagine your dog eating such a food its own' entire lifetime.

OK, so back to our two meals. . .if a chemical analysis of your meal at White Castle was compared to a chemical analysis of your meal at Outback - both would analyze with a percentage of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. Regardless whether you consider a steak at Outback a higher quality of protein than the burger - it would still analyze as protein. The analysis doesn't measure quality of protein.

So here is the secret. . .All pet foods come with a Guaranteed Analysis stating the percentage of protein, fat, fiber and moisture in the food. The REAL secret lies in the quality of the percentages of protein, fat, and so on.

In a chemical analysis of a pet food - chicken feet would analyze as protein, although granted it provides very little nutrition. And as well, a cow that was euthanized (put to sleep) because of a disease that made it unfit for human consumption - would analyze as protein although that could be considered dangerous for consumption. Both of those things - chicken feet and a euthanized cow - are allowable ingredients and commonly used in pet food. You see the secret within the pet food industry is manufacturers have a WIDE OPEN door to where they obtain their ingredients. The only strict rule they must follow is an adult dog food must analyze with 18% protein and an adult cat food must analyze with 26% protein. Sources to acquire those particular percentages range from a 'human grade' meat, to chicken feet, to euthanized animals, to grain proteins, to even man made chemical proteins and many variations in between.

Pet food labels do not have to tell - are not allowed to tell - the sources they use to obtain that required 18% or 26% protein. And to make matters worse. . .quality minded pet food manufacturers - the companies that use 100% human grade ingredients - are not allowed to tell customers or potential customers that their products are quality, human grade ingredients.

So how can you know if your pet's food uses chicken feet or euthanized cows or if it contains human grade ingredients?

Secret #3...

If the words premium and choice mean basically nothing with regards to the quality of pet food, and if some pet foods use chicken feet and euthanized animals in their food - how can a pet owner know what they are getting in their pets' food?

This massive secret lies in fixing definitions. Unlike'people' food at which you could look at the foodstuff to ascertain the caliber, Petfood is much different. All of'people' food needs to meet particular USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) and FDA (Food and Drug Administration) guidelines. The very same is incorrect for Petfood. Chicken feet and euthanized cows are NOT allowed in humans food for obvious reasons - that they don't have any nutritional value or else they are dangerous to take. The very same is NOT correct for Petfood. The single method to recognize if those fish foot or euthanized cows have been on your dog's food would be to understand what ingredients they are sometimes utilised in.

The frequent pet food component'Meat and Bone Meal' is ostensibly a combo of numerous lost left overs from the individual food market. Components of'meat and bone meal' may be such a thing from bunny heads, stomachs, and intestines, to (dreadful but-true ) Exotic animals such as cows, dogs and horses and cats out of vet offices, dog shelters, as well as farms. And combined side all those euthanized creatures your Petfood additionally comprises the medication pentabarbitol which has been used to euthanize the pet. 'Meat and bone meal' also can comprise left over restaurant grease, also diseased (such as malignant ) meat cells cut off from slaughtered creatures. To put it differently, this widely used fixing is a mixture of exceptionally poor and potentially dangerous left overs from the individual food market.

The Petfood component'Meat By-Product' or''Meat By-Product Meal' is virtually the exact identical item as'meat and bone meal'. It's an extremely poor Petfood component comprising literally who-knows-what.

Still another comparable ingredient to this aforementioned is'Animal Digest'.

Concerning the poultry feet I said earlier in the day - that this thing are discovered from the ingredients'Chicken By-Product' or''Poultry By-Product' or''Chicken By-Product Meal' or''Poultry By-Product Meal'. Any left overs from the poultry or chicken branch - containing but not restricted to poultry foot, epidermis including a few feathers, poultry or chicken thoughts, and intestines have been within those ingredients. It will NOT matter regarding wellbeing of the bird - ill healthy, deceased, dying. . .all is comprised in those ingredients.

So here is the thing you have todo. . .BEFORE you obtain some pet food, reverse the bag again and carefully inspect the set of ingredients. The aforementioned ingredients are recorded within the first ten or five ingredients. If you find ANY of the ingredients - it really is my proposal to NOT purchase that particular food. Recall - poultry feet and euthanized creatures do test as protein. This is all that's necessary in Petfood - only the suitable diagnosis.

Still another little trick a few pet food manufacturers utilize within this category would be using grains and compound additives to grain products to raise the protein proportions. That will be precisely the origin of your Petfood remember that began in March 2007 - compound proteins. Two different compound additives - which have NO nutritional significance for pets, however analyzed since protein - were inserted to your grain product (wheat germ, corn glutenfree, or rice ) solely to supply a inexpensive protein. Countless critters expired and hundreds of others became ill due to nobody relied upon the issue of this combo of both of these compounds would lead to kidney and sinus congestion. Their trick would be that the product needs to test as using a specific number of protein - that no body must supply an excellent beef protein.

As you're taking a look at the ingredient list - it's also advisable to observe the number of grains (wheat, corn, rice) or just the number of grain products (corn broccoli free, whole wheat, ground corn, whole wheat, ground corn, wheat gluten, rice, brown rice, brewers rice, poultry, soy, etc and on) are recorded within the first five or 2 ingredients. If you will discover more than 1 grain recorded from the first five ingredients - which is letting you know that this pet-food is gaining a number of its own nourishment .

What's protein got from potatoes significant that you be aware of? Several reasons - off mathematics demonstrates that cats dogs equally require and flourish on a protein. When your pet food is currently obtaining nourishment from grain resources, then your pet isn't receiving the meat it must flourish. Secondly, in the event the grain goods and solutions are a corn grain free, wheat glutenfree, or rice you require the probability of compounds like melamime added for it used rigorously to raise the protein investigation. Incidentally, melamime is just one of those compounds regarded as the reason for this March 2007 Petfood remember. And there was yet another concern with all grains - aflatoxin. Aflatoxin is just really actually a mortal mold that's not uncommon for wheat, corn germ, and soy plus it's really in charge of other Petfood remembers you almost certainly never found out of. In December 2005, Diamond Pet Food included improvised grains which murdered over 100 pets until the merchandise was remembered - all thanks to aflatoxin.

It's my recommendation in order to steer clear of any Petfood which comprises wheat, corn, or soy in ANY version. The danger is just too significant.

Secret #4...

I have more hints for one to search for while inside the fixing listings. . .chemical preservatives. A perfectly kept secret of this pet food sector is the ordinary utilization of chemical compounds. BHA/BHT are remarkably popular chemical compounds found in pet food and science has linked them into cancer and tumors. The other frequent preservative is ethoxyquin that includes understood risks into cancer. Ethoxyquin is ONLY allowed in human food in a few spices as a result of their very little proportions. Nevertheless it's enabled in substantially bigger proportions in Petfood.

If you scan the fixing listings, then you'll be searching for BHA/BHT and ethoxyquin listed anywhere. Commonly BHA/BHT can be employed to carry on the fat from the food that can be available higher among the. And look for at least one of these compounds near the close of the fixing list. As for me, I wouldn't touch a puppy food which comprised those compound preservatives. You desire a pet food that's maintained naturally - standard all-natural preservatives are'natural mixed tocopherols' or'vitamin E'.

Secret #5...

The absolute greatest food to supply to your own pet would be actually really just a well made food with ingredients that are human. This ought to be simple . . .How would you will discover that? You know that pet food manufacturers are NOT allowed to produce any statement concerning grade or quality of ingredients, so the only real means it's possible to figure out the grade or level of one's pets' food is to call the manufacturer and ask them.

Now, let's say you call the ABC pet food company and ask the question"Is the Premium pet food along with Premium cat food made with ingredients that are human " It could be that you get the response yes, we use human grade ingredients - when actually only a couple of ingredients are human grade. Here's the trick to asking. . .ask them if they are APHIS European certified.

Pet food manufacturers that are APHIS European certified assures you that ALL ingredients in their pet food are human grade. APHIS - Animal Plant Health Inspection Services - is a division of the USDA. APHIS European certification provides this pet food manufacturer with the opportunity to ship their foods/treats to Europe. When importing pet foods from the US, European countries demand that all ingredients are human grade and thus require this certification. Most pet food manufacturers that have APHIS European certification do not ship their products to Europe - they simply use this as a means to assure their customers to the higher quality of their ingredients.

Again, you WON'T see this listed on the label - it's not allowed. You must call the manufacturer and ask. Often times the representative of the pet food won't even know what you are talking about when you ask about APHIS certification - if that's the case, you can assume they are not APHIS European certified. APHIS European certification is a bonus to pet owners - it is not required or even suggested that any pet food manufacturer go through the extra steps to obtain this. This is a special effort some pet foods go through to tell their customers they REALLY CARE about the quality of their products. Personally, I would NOT buy a pet food that doesn't have it.

And by the way, if you can't reach the pet food manufacturer, or they do not return your call within a short time frame, lose their number! Any company that does not place a priority on answering customers questions - doesn't deserve your business!

Secret #6...

Minerals are a required ingredient in human diets as well as diets for our pets. Copper, Iron and Zinc are common minerals found in pet foods. Just as they are - copper, iron, and zinc are basically rocks, very difficult for anyone or any pet to utilize. Science has developed several ways to introduce minerals into the body (human and pet) for better absorption thus benefiting the individual far more. This scientific development is called chelating or proteinating and it's been around for years. Through the chelating or proteinating process minerals are absorbed about 60% better than just the minerals alone.

This secret is spotting the minerals in your pet food to see if they are chelated or proteinated. Notice the minerals on your pet food label, way down on the list of ingredients. You are looking for minerals that read 'copper proteinate' or 'chelated copper'. If you see just the mineral listed, your pet is sort of like Charlie Brown at Halloween saying'I have a stone'. If you want your pet to have the best, chelated or proteinated minerals are part of the best foods!

Secret #7...

This secret is called 'friendly bacteria'. Although'friendly bacteria' sounds a little scary, the reason for it lies in your pets' immune system. A huge part of one's pets' immune system is found within the intestinal system. Keeping the immune system healthy helps to keep the animal itself healthy. This friendly bacteria is similar to what's found in yogurt, however in pet food it is introduced in a fashion so that the cooking process doesn't destroy it. Looking at the fine print on your pet food label, this time you are looking for lengthy, scientific words like Lactobacillus Acidophilus or Bifidobacterium Thermophilum. If you do NOT see these words or some very similar, that pet food is not addressing the care of your pets' defense mechanisms. And , should you would like your dog to own the most useful, then you would like'friendly bacteria' in your own food.

There really are some seven very secrets that will aid you in finding the absolute safest and finest Petfood for your own friend. Equipped with those keys - you finally have the data to locate your dog the very best food potential! An Petfood which could extend their life and also prevent premature aging and disorder. In the event you never wish to bother doing this assignments included, I recommend you to register to my own yearly magazine Petsumer Report(TM). During Petsumer Report(TM) I've done all of the prep for you - monthly I examine and speed within 40 distinct pet foods, toys, treats, along with also several other pet supplies. Oahu is the ONLY book of its' kind providing pet owners with the information they need to know regarding their pet product purchases.

I want to share just a couple more things...

It's best to feed an adult dog or adult cat two meals a day. The nutrition they consume with two meals is better utilized than with just one meal a day. If you are currently feeding your pet one meal a day, split that same amount into two meals and feed in the AM and PM.

You should know that all canned or moist pet foods are anywhere between 70% to 85% moisture. This means that 70% to 85% of that can or pouch of food is useless nutrition - its water. Granted our pets need water, cats especially tend not to drink enough water. But since all canned or moist foods are mostly water, they do not provide adequate nutrition to be fed strictly a canned or moist diet. Use a canned or moist product to supplement your pet's diet - not as the only food.

The best pet foods are preserved naturally (secret #4) - but there is a concern with naturally preserved pet foods. . .freshness. Take notice of the expiration date on your pets food label - typically with naturally preserved dry pet foods (not as much of a concern with soft foods because of canning - very little need of preservatives) the expiration date is one year to 18 months from the date it was manufactured. Let's say the pet food you are considering to purchase on July 1, 2007 has a 'Best if Used by' date of January 1, 2008. This would tell you that this particular bag of pet food is already 6 months old. While it is still'good' a more healthy food - a tote that's 2 or 3 months old - is much way better. Needless to say pet foods lose nutrient effectiveness as time passes. Always work to come across an extremely fresh tote.

If you're thinking about shifting your own pets food, then ALWAYS check your Veterinarian first. You always need to maintain your vet advised of any changes which you create with your dog. Do not take chances. Of course should you switch pet food, then make the shift over very slowly. I recommend to pet-owners 1/4 fresh food to 3/4 old food for 4 weeks days to 1 week, 1/2 into 1/2 to get a second 4 to seven days, etc. Shifting food fast might cause gastrointestinal illness! Its short word, however we do not desire autoimmune disease!!!

1 final thing, since you're already aware cats and dogs have a much greater sense of smell than humans. Their food bowl may be wealth of scents - both bad and good. A few times a furry friend will won't eat because she or he snacks a preceding food in their bowl. Vinyl water and food bowls maintain scents that the most worst. And surprisingly does metal utensils. The ideal form of water and food bowl would be a ceramic . They maintain scents at the least.

[tetch-a-sketch]

I have created this post to attempt to articulate why I believe veganism is unethical, negatively impacts the environment, and is unsustainable in the long term.  I tried to make this rant largely evidence-based and have tried to limit my own personal input on these subjects.  Nonetheless, this rant still has a clear bias.  Lastly, I do not care about your own opinions on the information I am about to present, so please do not send me anons about this post unless you want to add helpful information or have a genuine question.  

I want to start off by discussing how veganism negatively impacts the environment and local ecosystems, as well as the livelihood of individuals in other countries.  The reason why I am starting off with this is that it is a very common misconception that veganism is somehow “better for the environment,” when that isn't necessarily true when you look at the statistics.  

To start, the scale at which produce is grown for export to other countries negatively impacts the lives of individuals in the country of origin by destroying the local economy, leading to massive deforestation, and affecting the overall national market.

For this example, I am going to be focusing on the avocado market in Mexico.  This is a popular topic in the news right now, but there are dozens of cases just like this with other produce and products around the world, but you can search for those on your own time.  The Guardian reports that in Mexico the avocado, which “used to be a dietary staple, is now too expensive for many ordinary consumers. And, now the country where the avocado is believed to have originated is considering the unthinkable: importing avocados from abroad.”

Economic secretary Ildefonso Guajardo further expands on this by reporting that “we’re not ruling it out” as “avocados are so popular on the international level that it’s generating price pressure in the national market.”  Avocados have now become so expensive that regular citizens who do not have much extra money to spend cannot make enough to afford them.  As stated in the articles above, this even applies to avocado farmers themselves.

Before this article was published, The Guardian published another article in 2016 titled, “Rising avocado prices fuelling illegal deforestation in Mexico.” It briefly illustrates how “the size of the market ... has become a lucrative business for Mexico’s drug gangs, with extortion money paid to criminal organizations such as Los Caballeros Templarios (The Knights Templar) in Michoacán – the state that produces most of Mexico’s avocados – estimated at 2bn pesos ($109m) a year.”  

The mass avocado farming in Mexico has also lead to rapid deforestation. This rapid deforestation not only affects the local environment but also the global one.  This is because there is a massive number of species that migrate to Mexico’s forests for breeding, shelter, food that now have to compete for land and die off.  This includes Monarch butterflies and raptors, among other birds.  

Not only is this horrible for the natural ecosystems, but Greenpeace Mexico reports that people are also suffering from this for a multitude of reasons.  They write, “beyond the displacement of forests and the effects on water retention, the high use of agricultural chemicals and the large volumes of wood needed to pack and ship avocados are other factors that could have negative effects on the area’s environment and the wellbeing of its inhabitants,”.  Not only is this issue leading to deforestation and killing populations of animals, but the chemicals used in these illegal operations also poison the land and the inhabitants nearby.  

On the topic of human health, as stated briefly before, veganism is not a viable option for a large population over a period of time.  

There was a biophysical simulation done in which a team of scientists “calculated human carrying capacity under ten diet scenarios. The scenarios included two reference diets based on actual consumption and eight ‘Healthy Diet scenarios that complied with nutritional recommendations but varied in the level of meat content.”  Overall this study found that carrying capacity (X,X) was “higher for scenarios with less meat and highest for the lacto-vegetarian diet. However, the carrying capacity of the vegan diet was lower than two of the healthy omnivore diet scenarios.”  To summarize, this study found that the average “vegan diet is actually less sustainable than two of the vegetarian diets and two out of the four omnivorous diets they studied.”  PBS has analyzed this study and many more; someone wrote an entire article breaking down why “going vegan isn't the most sustainable option for humanity.” In this article, PBS/NOVA also states, “Even partially omnivorous diets rank above veganism in terms of sustainability; incorporating about 20 to 40% meat in your diet is actually better for the long-term course of humanity than being completely meat-free.”

Not only is the diet unsuitable, but it is also unethical as it can actually lead to more fossil fuels being used, which overall is worse for the environment. Paul Fishbeck, a professor at Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, states that: “eating lettuce is over three times worse in greenhouse gas emissions than eating bacon,”  This is because some of the most common vegetables require more resources per calorie than meats like pork and poultry.  Chris Hendrickson, a Professor of Hamerschlag University, and Ph.D. student Tom Michelle Fishbeck studied how the obesity epidemic in the U.S. is specifically affecting the overall environment. Carnegie Mellon University states: “On one hand, the results showed that getting our weight under control and eating fewer calories, has a positive effect on the environment and reduces energy use, water use and GHG emissions [X] from the food supply chain by approximately 9 percent.

However, eating the recommended “healthier” foods — a mix of fruits, vegetables, dairy, and seafood — increased the environmental impact in all three categories: Energy use went up by 38 percent, water use by 10 percent and GHG emissions by 6 percent.”

Lastly, I want to talk about prison labor in the U.S.  I am aware that this is old news to some, and doesn’t necessarily always apply to vegans and choice food suppliers, but after the infamous Whole Foods prison scandal (X,X,X), I find it necessary to add, especially since Whole Foods suppliers defended their use of prison labor back in 2015. American slavery was technically abolished in 1865, but a loophole in the 13th Amendment has allowed it to continue “as a punishment for crimes” well into the 21st century. The private prison labor industry is still growing at a rapid rate in America because of this loophole and has been since the ’80s.  Section 1 of the 13th amendment states that “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” As linked above, there are dozens of articles and hours of research that people publish in which they go into details about which corporations are the biggest offenders of using this loophole.  If this subject is new to you, I recommend you researching it on your own time (X,X,X). Lastly, on the subject of forced prison labor, I briefly want to touch upon this short documentary and corresponding article by the Atlantic (X).  This overviews the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola.  In their short documentary/article titled  “for Life: Rehabilitation and Reform Inside the Louisiana State Penitentiary,” they reveal: “There are more than 6,000 men currently imprisoned at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola—three-quarters of them are there for life, and nearly 80 percent are African American.” Not only is the heinous, but they are reporting that this prison is an old southern slave-plantation-turned-prison, they also in passing state that there are prisoners in this prison/plantation whose ancestors were slaves at this exact plantation when slavery was still legal in the U.S. I will warn you that this documentary does try to focus on the rehabilitation of the prisoners and paints attempts to paint this loophole as a beneficial, when in reality a lot of these plantation prisons are supplying produce for those areas and corporations around them. (X,X)  Forced prison labor is used extensively in the U.S., and it is ironic how many vegans, who claim to care about the wellbeing of others, buy products (especially cheap produce) that are supplied by corporations that use forced prison labor.

I just wanted to conclude this post by saying that I personally think that veganism can be applied to a large population eventually, but for right now the vegan diet wastes too many scarce resources that can be better spent feeding more people effectively in other ways.  There is no ethical way to be vegan while still relying on capitalism.  If this post does for some reason end up getting popular, I might make a second one going into the vegan “ethical treatment of animals” and beekeeping for honey vs sugar cane plantations.  But for now, this rant is already very large.

[thalia-amongst-the-thorns]

Angsty Q & A

Oh boy kids, strap in because this is a loooong one since @all-made-of-stardust asked for all of my main characters with all of the odd numbers from this post.

Answers under the cut because this got a teeny bit away from me.

Mae Niwot

1. What’s one experience your character had that made them very afraid? Pretty much the majority of her life from age twelve to sixteen while her mom was stationed overseas. Mae put up a good front for her dad but every call at home scared the bejeezus out of her because she feared it’d be the one telling them her mom died in combat. That and a few instances with farm life (riding a horse that went out of her control, shooting a shotgun for the first time, etc.) that she got over relatively quickly.

3. Have they ever lost a loved one? What happened to them, and are they the same as they were before they lost them? Her grandfather on her father’s side from old age/heart issues; it helped bridge some of the issues her dad has with his family and by extension, Mae. She’s now closer with her father’s family and regrets that she didn’t know her grandfather that well before his passing but has learned a lot about him from the rest of her dad’s family.

5. Would they ever turn on someone they just met in order to save themselves? Nope, never. It goes against Mae’s core principle of defending those who can’t defend themselves and trying to solve conflict with non-violent solutions first.

7. If your character was allowed to murder one person without any consequences, who would it be and why? See answer to previous question.

9. Is the character a victim of abuse? No; Mae has a lot going on, especially with some emotional strain from her family and self-expectations, but not abuse.

11. What are your character’s coping mechanisms? After her mom came back home and showed signs of PTSD, Mae spent a lot of time reading up on the subject and talking with her school’s counselor, who thankfully had good insights that Mae was able to use to help her family, along with talking to people from the National Center for PTSD to help her mom. Now a days Mae applies some of these methods for her own mental well-being; mindfulness meditation, communicating her feelings clearly, along with physical stuff like kick boxing and gardening.

13. What does it take to make your character cry? Mae’s not afraid to show her emotions but doesn’t like making people uncomfortable with overemotional displays. If she feels comfortable, she’ll cry about anything that pulls at her heart strings; people suffering, injustice, sunrises, the goodness of people.

15. What is their biggest fear? What in general scares them? How do they act when they’re scared? Her family getting hurt, being unable to protect someone, hurting someone needlessly, her leadership leading to one of her friends getting hurt. In general Mae’s one of those people less scared of physical things which are easily punch-able or can be talked down as opposed to nebulous feelings like Failure and Disappointment which you just have to grit your teeth and suffer through. However, there’s a good reason Mae’s the leader; even scared she can compartmentalize and plan a path of action, only giving in to fear and tears when she has reassured herself that the danger has passed and it is now safe to do so.

17. Is your character afraid of death? Why/why not? Not afraid, but she certainly doesn’t want to. Given that she’s taken up superhero-ing she’s had to make peace with the fact that this is a very real possibility for her. She thinks the good she’s doing outweighs the risks though and would willingly lay her life down to save another’s. She’s one of those Self-Sacrifice Heroes.

19. What is your character insecure about? Mae’s pretty good emotionally, honestly; like all kids she went through phases of being insecure with her body but has come to terms with that and kicks ass with her thick arms. Again, worries about leading her rag-tag group of super friends, but their trust in her boosters her own confidence. She is a bit insecure about her self-identity sometimes; she’s biracial, mom’s white, dad’s Arapaho, and their marriage led to some…complications with his family. While trying to reconnect with her extended family Mae sometimes felt like an outsider on both sides, not fully included in either group, not white or Arapaho, just lost.

21. Does your character have anyone that they really care about, to the point that they would give their life for them? If so, who are they and what is your character’s relation to them? If not, do they wish they did? Is there anyone they wish they could build such a relationship with? Have I mentioned Mae would basically lay her life down to save anyone in her care? Literally anyone? If you made Mae do the Trolley Problem she’d pull an Option C and throw herself on the tracks so that everyone else lives. There is no hierarchy to Mae’s devotion for everyone’s wellbeing; she’d save a friend as likely as a stranger.

23. Is your character more physically or emotionally strong? Why is this? Mae is easily the most emotionally stable of the group and actively seeks passing on coping mechanisms/emotional balance to others. She’s also the Oklahoma State Girls’ Kickboxing and Boxing Championship winner five years running and bench presses 200lbs. She believes in nurturing both a strong body and mind, plus farm life favors the strong.

25. Do they find that they care what others think of them? Or do they not really mind how others view them? Eh, Mae cares a bit, especially when she hurts someone or if a friend is upset with her, but for the most part she’s fine leaving people to their opinions.

27.  What would be the worst way to die, in your character’s opinion? Seeing no way out besides killing yourself.

29. What is their weapon of choice, and what weapon do they dislike using the most? Mae’s very accomplished with her powers of plant and earth manipulation (lot of practice out on the farm) and with her fists from years of boxing and kickboxing, combining both in very effective use against villains. She’s also made a point of studying up and practicing basic weapons skills with various guns and knives to better combat foes using them, though she’s not very fond of any alien tech since it usually throws her off because she most definitely did not study up on laser beams.

Daniel Tarson

1. What’s one experience your character had that made them very afraid? There have been a few villains who have had the powers or technology to cut Daniel off from his own powers completely. Since Daniel’s been in constant communication with animals from birth and views his shapeshifting as an intrinsic part of himself as valuable as a sense of morality or sight, this is…very bad. Daniel’s sense of self and his powers are one and the same. Without them he is adrift. His head is unnerving quiet without the constant thoughts of his animal brethren. Senses dulled to a human’s pitiful capabilities. Without them Daniel is disoriented, lost, panicked, almost to the point of a mental breakdown, unsure of his own being and dissociative.  

3. Have they ever lost a loved one? What happened to them, and are they the same as they were before they lost them? A bit odd by human standards, but Daniel truly views all animals as his brothers and sisters and mourns any of there passing as deeply as a human friend. There have been multiple instances of this over his life considering he grew up on his aunt’s wildlife preservation which often took in injured animals with the hope of rehabilitation that didn’t always end happily; each was painful but helped Daniel gain a unique appreciation for the naturalness of death.

5. Would they ever turn on someone they just met in order to save themselves? Nah, Danny boy’s not big on leaving behind potential new members of his pack.

7. If your character was allowed to murder one person without any consequences, who would it be and why? There’re some poachers he would take particular pleasure in taking down The Most Dangerous Game style…

9. Is the character a victim of abuse? Abuse, no. Neglect? Maybe. His parents took on a bit of a hands-off approach, leaving a gap his aunt tried to fill.

11. What are your character’s coping mechanisms? Animal thoughts are less complex than humans. Less rules. Animals are more straight forward in their wants and needs, lacking the stupidly complex hang-ups that come with human like guilt, shame, avarice. When things get bad, when Daniel doesn’t want to feel human anymore with all the baggage that comes with it, he’ll slip into a different skin and let his humanity slide sideways in favor of the comforting simplicity of animal nature…

13. What does it take to make your character cry? Daniel is a pretty chill dude; it takes a lot to upset him and usually that just results in anger rather than sadness. That said, hurting him emotionally with no means for him to take it out physically brings on tears.

15. What is their biggest fear? What in general scares them? How do they act when they’re scared? Losing his connection to his (animal) family is up there, but losing any member of his (super friends) pack is unimaginable. When scared Daniel falls back on animalistic tendencies, puffing up, baring teeth, probably some minor shape shifting to get actual fangs and claws, trying to show the scary thing that he’s the most terrifying thing in the room.

17. Is your character afraid of death? Why/why not? Nah, death is a natural part of the animal kingdom and life in general, how you live is what’s important. Daniel is very much a “live in the moment” chill dude.

19. What is your character insecure about? Listen; Daniel has no shame. Shame is a human construct that confuses him since no one has been able to adequately explain it beyond “It’s just something you feel, you naked weirdo!”. Frankly, this whole thing sounds like an elaborate hoax and you should stop buying into it.

21. Does your character have anyone that they really care about, to the point that they would give their life for them? If so, who are they and what is your character’s relation to them? If not, do they wish they did? Is there anyone they wish they could build such a relationship with? His aunt who basically raised him and any member of his team, but especially Mae once they start dating though he recognizes that she can take care of herself.

23. Is your character more physically or emotionally strong? Why is this? Even if he’s a bit “off” by human standards, Daniel’s very confident, self-assure, and happy with his emotional state. That said, he’s one of the heavy hitters on the team for good reason, so we’ll go with physically strong.

25. Do they find that they care what others think of them? Or do they not really mind how others view them? Daniel is just super happy with himself and wants everyone to feel the same way about themselves. Jury’s still out if he’s intentionally ignoring complaints or just really dense or just really confidant.

27.  What would be the worst way to die, in your character’s opinion? After watching his friends die.

29. What is their weapon of choice, and what weapon do they dislike using the most? Good old fisticuffs combined with whatever creature he changes into, though Daniel’s particularly fond of grizzly bears and gray wolf as they give him power and finesse. He doesn’t have a lot of experience in armed combat, but the only weapon he “dislikes” is guns due to some unfortunate mix ups on the preservation that led to him getting hunted down and shot.

Sasha Hile

1. What’s one experience your character had that made them very afraid? She didn’t understand what was going on at the time, but when she was like four Sasha ate something that didn’t react well to her half-alien physiology and went into anaphylactic shock which was already horrifying enough, but what really got to her was seeing her dads panic over what to do. It was a rather abrupt moment to realize that her parents might not actually be all powerful.

3. Have they ever lost a loved one? What happened to them, and are they the same as they were before they lost them? …You know what, she hasn’t. Her Daddy’s a secret alien refugee whose extended family are light years away and her Pop’s got a loving and supportive extended family that she cherishes; Sasha’s only been to one funeral for one of her Daddy’s work colleagues she never met.

5. Would they ever turn on someone they just met in order to save themselves? No, all strangers are friends you haven’t met yet! And you don’t abandon friends!

7. If your character was allowed to murder one person without any consequences, who would it be and why? The villain that killed Ed.

9. Is the character a victim of abuse? Their dads have made sure to provide Sasha and Jacklyn with a loving and supportive household, and the two have had an excellent home and social life.

11. What are your character’s coping mechanisms? Compilation videos of cute animals in boxes, putting Ariana Grande on blast and dancing out negative emotions, ice cream even if it’ll kill her, baking shows, talking things out and expressing her emotions.

13. What does it take to make your character cry? Girl will cry about not being able to handle a kitten being too small and cute. All emotions are felt and expressed 110%.

15. What is their biggest fear? What in general scares them? How do they act when they’re scared? Rejection and that people secretly hate her, that her dads will be disappointed in her. Also, not very fond of enclosed spaces, but not to the point of phobia. Due to her alien physiology Sasha’s skin glows a different color based on her emotions, with a deep shale grey for fear making it quite obvious when she’s scared. She tends to curl in on herself, mind screaming, mouth mumbling, and latches on to the closest person for moral support/comfort, probably some tears.

17. Is your character afraid of death? Why/why not? No, but in that way were teenagers aren’t scared because death happens to other people, not them. She’s a bit careless and reckless when she starts off as a superhero, especially with her own safety, but quickly gets shaken out of that mindset for the most part.

19. What is your character insecure about? As a gymnast Sasha gets a lot of pressure about her body and appearance from all sides; she tries to ignore the noise, but it gets to her in terms of clothes and self-importance. She also can’t help comparing herself to her twin, Jacklyn, who applies herself to academics rigorously while Sasha’s not the greatest student. Sasha also struggles with her identity; being half alien’s hard enough without your dad refusing to tell you anything about it.

21. Does your character have anyone that they really care about, to the point that they would give their life for them? If so, who are they and what is your character’s relation to them? If not, do they wish they did? Is there anyone they wish they could build such a relationship with? Her family, obviously, and her friends, the lights of her life and super fight time friend buddies!

23. Is your character more physically or emotionally strong? Why is this? A good fighter, Sasha’s a lot more in touch with her emotions given her powers literally color code them for her and is naturally very empathetic and likes to talk with and listen to people’s problems and provide solutions.

25. Do they find that they care what others think of them? Or do they not really mind how others view them? She tries to be confident and self-assured and all smiles on the outside, but deep-down Sasha cares and wants people to like and need her.

27.  What would be the worst way to die, in your character’s opinion? Buried alive; slow, painful, sends shivers down her spine.

29. What is their weapon of choice, and what weapon do they dislike using the most? Sasha’s got a good handle on her powers, energy blasts that give her range and a lot of punch, with her acrobatic skills providing her support if someone fights her in close quarters. That said, she’s not fond of knives, bit messy and too personal for her tastes.

Ed Washio

1. What’s one experience your character had that made them very afraid? Two years of being kidnapped and experimented on for unknown purposes, unsure if his parents were still searching for him, shuttled between being strapped down on a table with tubes shoved in his throat and a stark cage, mind so addled by drugs he was only dimly aware of the other failed children subjects being wheeled past him in body bags. The fear that his parents didn’t want him. That this pain was his life now.

3. Have they ever lost a loved one? What happened to them, and are they the same as they were before they lost them? Ed’s lost both his grandparents on his father’s side, both to heart complications. He wasn’t especially close to them, and his parents weren’t very effected by it either, so it didn’t seem like a big deal.

5. Would they ever turn on someone they just met in order to save themselves? Oh, hell yeah, if you can’t handle it then sucks to be you buddy.

7. If your character was allowed to murder one person without any consequences, who would it be and why? One would be hard to pick, but Dr. Rajinder is high on the list…

9. Is the character a victim of abuse? Both physical and emotional. Even once he escaped captivity and returned home things weren’t great. One of the reasons why he’s so shut off from others, bit of a self-preservation thing.

11. What are your character’s coping mechanisms? Emotionally closed off from others, distances himself by belittling and acting indifferent to other’s needs, putting on a mask of over confidence to hide his deep running insecurities of inadequacy.

13. What does it take to make your character cry? Ed doesn’t do expressing emotions besides derision and self-loathing.

15. What is their biggest fear? What in general scares them? How do they act when they’re scared? Hospitals and doctors; unless he prepares himself for it, he’ll go into a full-on panic attack, yelling and unable to process anything but the burning desire to leave right now. More generally he’s got a bit of stage fright.

17. Is your character afraid of death? Why/why not? Not a bit; his power of invulnerability is so complete he’s a bit arrogant about his inability to get hurt, let alone die.

19. What is your character insecure about? …heheHAHAHAHAHA— His relationship with his parents, disappointing his family, that his brother’s right about him, that something’s broken inside him, he’s a failure and will never succeed at anything, he’d be better off dead from the experimentation--

21. Does your character have anyone that they really care about, to the point that they would give their life for them? If so, who are they and what is your character’s relation to them? If not, do they wish they did? Is there anyone they wish they could build such a relationship with? …his friends once he realizes that’s what they are. Especially Sasha when he accepts how he feels about her.

23. Is your character more physically or emotionally strong? Why is this? Boy is an emotional train wreck and actually not that great a fighter until his secondary mutation kicks in and he can bench press a bus, so physically. Eventually.

25. Do they find that they care what others think of them? Or do they not really mind how others view them? He likes to act like he doesn’t give a shit, but the boy gives many, many shits, especially about what his parents think.

27.  What would be the worst way to die, in your character’s opinion? He can’t so it doesn’t matter. On an operating table after waking up mid surgery

29. What is their weapon of choice, and what weapon do they dislike using the most? Being a stubborn prick sometimes, Ed didn’t put a lot of stock in actually learning how to fight since his powers meant he could never be hurt. Over time he’s learned that even if he’ll be okay, he needs to be able to defend other people and is pretty decent at hand to hand combat. Not great with guns, his aim’s pretty shitty and Marcus teases him mercilessly about it.

Marcos Powell

1. What’s one experience your character had that made them very afraid? The first time he was left in charge of looking after his sister and promptly lost her while at the mall; there were a lot of tears, yelling, and panicking about his looming death via chancla. Three hours and an amber alert later, he wasn’t even sure if he was happy to see her again after she was fished out of the kid center ball pit.

3. Have they ever lost a loved one? What happened to them, and are they the same as they were before they lost them? His dad when he was around fifteen from skin cancer. It was a slow process and rocked the family emotionally and financially. Since his passing Marcos has tried to step up as the “man of the house” as it were, treating his five siblings more like his kids than his brothers and sisters, picking up as many part time gigs as he can to help take pressure off his mom, and kind of letting his personal life go on the wayside.

5. Would they ever turn on someone they just met in order to save themselves? No way man, and he’s got a pretty good out for you with teleportation.

7. If your character was allowed to murder one person without any consequences, who would it be and why? He’d make some joke about going back in time to kill M. Night Shyamalan before he made The Happening, but this boy isn’t killing anyone.

9. Is the character a victim of abuse? Nope!

11. What are your character’s coping mechanisms? Jokes: if you’re laughing, you can’t cry!

13. What does it take to make your character cry? A good rom-com or the beauty of a Mike Mignola original sketch.

15. What is their biggest fear? What in general scares them? How do they act when they’re scared? Letting down the memory of his dad or failing his family, his mom dying. More generally he’s a bit squicked out by things with unnecessary multiple eyes or mouths. Marcos is the kind to nervous talk when scared, so a lot of rambling in an increasingly high voice.

17. Is your character afraid of death? Why/why not? Yeah; it was painful watching his dad waste away and he wouldn’t want to put his family through that emotional trauma again. It runs at odds with the whole superhero gig; originally it was about doing something fun that connected him with his dad, but the gravity of the whole things starts to weigh on him when Marcos realizes death is a very real possibility when fighting crime.

19. What is your character insecure about? Good healthy body image and financial insecurities.

21. Does your character have anyone that they really care about, to the point that they would give their life for them? If so, who are they and what is your character’s relation to them? If not, do they wish they did? Is there anyone they wish they could build such a relationship with? I’m a broken record here, but his family and friends.

23. Is your character more physically or emotionally strong? Why is this? Emotionally; jokes aside, Marcos is genuinely caring and nurturing and wants to make people feel better. Boy’s also about as strong as overcooked spaghetti.

25. Do they find that they care what others think of them? Or do they not really mind how others view them? Generally, Marcos doesn’t care and enjoys doing his own thing, but if you’re someone close to him (family and friends) he cares deeply what you think about him.

27.  What would be the worst way to die, in your character’s opinion? …Cancer.

29. What is their weapon of choice, and what weapon do they dislike using the most? His cutting wit and charm! Aka, annoying villains with taunts and teleporting away so other people can land blows. Hates swords because all films ever lied and they’re a bitch to use properly.

Raiqah Damji

1. What’s one experience your character had that made them very afraid? The first (and only) time she tried to take down a supervillain solo, led to a lot of tears, panicking, and ultimately failure. Fighting scares the bejeezus out of her and she feels tremendous pressure to make sure everyone gets out okay and that big guy with flaming fists is trying to hit her oh god oh god she could die--!

3. Have they ever lost a loved one? What happened to them, and are they the same as they were before they lost them? An aunt and cousin in a car accident; it was a sober moment that brought Raiqah closer to her uncle and strengthened her faith.

5. Would they ever turn on someone they just met in order to save themselves? No and I am insulted you would ask.

7. If your character was allowed to murder one person without any consequences, who would it be and why? How dare you.

9. Is the character a victim of abuse? Nope no no.

11. What are your character’s coping mechanisms? Getting quiet and internalizing everything, trying to make herself as small as possible, writing her thoughts out, playing the piano, panicking and doing whatever is asked of her.

13. What does it take to make your character cry? Raising your voice around her.

15. What is their biggest fear? What in general scares them? How do they act when they’re scared? Disappointing her parents, snakes, spiders, public speaking, fighting, almost everything to some degree. When scared Raiqah gets tongue tied and has trouble breathing, usually curls in on herself and covers her ears/eyes to block out the object of fear.

17. Is your character afraid of death? Why/why not? Yes; death is scary and full of unknown variables, but she takes comfort in the guidance of Allah when she eventually passes.

19. What is your character insecure about? Everything; expressing her opinions, talking, what people think about her, being overeager, not doing enough to help people, being selfish, not performing well in school, disappointing her parents—

21. Does your character have anyone that they really care about, to the point that they would give their life for them? If so, who are they and what is your character’s relation to them? If not, do they wish they did? Is there anyone they wish they could build such a relationship with? Raiqah doesn’t want to die, but she does her best to protect her friends in battle and would definitely sacrifice herself for her parents.

23. Is your character more physically or emotionally strong? Why is this? Oh, emotionally; she may be timid and worried, but Raiqah’s emotionally mature and wise beyond her years and provides excellent advice and insights when you ask for them.

25. Do they find that they care what others think of them? Or do they not really mind how others view them? She cares. So much.

27.  What would be the worst way to die, in your character’s opinion? Any way, why are you talking about this????

29. What is their weapon of choice, and what weapon do they dislike using the most? Raiqah doesn’t really do “fighting”; she’s more about defense, providing energy shields and using psychokinesis to disarm or restrain opponents and very much hates violence and using any weapon.

Angie Hua

1. What’s one experience your character had that made them very afraid? The first time Palivāńkum overcame her mind and nearly made her destroyed her father’s psyche.

3. Have they ever lost a loved one? What happened to them, and are they the same as they were before they lost them? No, but there have been a few close calls with older relatives, not to mention the whole “god taking over my mind and trying to destroy my father and brother” thing.

5. Would they ever turn on someone they just met in order to save themselves? Not intentionally, but sometimes it’s not up to her.

7. If your character was allowed to murder one person without any consequences, who would it be and why? Do gods count?

9. Is the character a victim of abuse? Emotional abuse and manipulation from Palivāńkum as they try to assert dominance over her mind and body, and later from her father. Only one of these relationships improves…

11. What are your character’s coping mechanisms? Internalize all issues for later. Loud music, coffee, and throwing herself into menial tasks. Since Palivāńkum knows everything that goes on inside her head, Angie has to be careful about getting to wrapped up in negative emotions that Pali can take advantage of to get a foothold in Angie’s mind, but when she has a quiet moment to herself Angie will give her emotions due consideration.

13. What does it take to make your character cry? Not exactly a “crier”, but Angie’ll cry from emotional stress and fear if pushed to her breaking point.

15. What is their biggest fear? What in general scares them? How do they act when they’re scared? Being over taken mind and soul by a forgotten god of revenge who will use her to twist and warp the psyche of those it deems deserving of punishment, which turns out to be basically everyone. Possessing someone and killing in their body. Not returning to her own body in time while possessing someone. Hurting her family. When scared Angie freezes up, deer in the headlights style, trying to grapple with whatever is scaring her.

17. Is your character afraid of death? Why/why not? Yes. Death is an unknown that could be worse than her current situation, something Palivāńkum takes advantage of.

19. What is your character insecure about? Over time Angie took it upon herself to cultivate a sense of self confidence to combat society bullshit and just, yah know, to feel better about herself. Thus, her metamorphosis into a rocking goth punk goddess with multicolored hair and blasts the Sex Pistols who wears what she likes. She’s up there with Daniel in terms of having no shame for insecurities to exploit. That said; there’s a god in her head that wants to fully take over her mind and fucking take vengeance upon all sinful humans who she has to constantly restrain and placate and if she slips up once then everyone’s doomed. Just that tiny little thing…

21. Does your character have anyone that they really care about, to the point that they would give their life for them? If so, who are they and what is your character’s relation to them? If not, do they wish they did? Is there anyone they wish they could build such a relationship with? In a way Angie views her relationship as Palivāńkum’s keeper a bit like giving up her life for the sake of her family and later on everyone else. Any chance of a normal life was forfeit when Palivāńkum marked her and for a time all Angie saw in her future was forever wrestling with a petulant god for humanity’s sake.

23. Is your character more physically or emotionally strong? Why is this? Angie relies on the vast mental powers Palivāńkum grants her instead of physical confrontation; at the same time, much as she tries not to intrude on people’s inner thoughts without permission, Angie also gets baseline telepathic link with anyone near her that she uses to provide emotional insights and help people work through whatever is troubling their minds. She’s also very sure of her own emotions and who she is, which provides stability amongst all the other craziness in her life.

25. Do they find that they care what others think of them? Or do they not really mind how others view them? Angie doesn’t give a shit about any aesthetic issues people take with her. Palivāńkum’s presence though makes her sensitive to people thinking she’s a monster, that she agrees with Palivāńkum and wants to carry out their wishes, that she enjoys the tremendous power granted to her and mentally torturing people…

27.  What would be the worst way to die, in your character’s opinion? Having your memories wiped away, so that your final moments are a wave of confusion and fear with no thoughts you can draw upon to comfort you as you’re killed.

29. What is their weapon of choice, and what weapon do they dislike using the most? When possessing someone Angie has full access to their memories and abilities, including their experience with weapons. Supervillain fighting means that she has experienced battle as a variety of skilled opponents wielding from machine guns to laser blasters, but she’s especially fond of possessing anyone with swordsmanship skills, rather taken with the grace and ferocity of the technique. She least likes having to use novelty weapons (think like batarangs or star bolts) which just seem so needlessly extra.

Nobody

1. What’s one experience your character had that made them very afraid? Her parents being killed in front of her, powerless to stop it and being snatched away by those same killers. Locked away for five years, her body cut open, studied, cut again, knowing that there was no one left alive to come for her and stop it.

3. Have they ever lost a loved one? What happened to them, and are they the same as they were before they lost them? Ever member of her family is dead; three of her grandparents died before she was born and the last around when she was a year old, so not a lot of emotional attachment. Her parents were beaten and shot in front of her. A bit of her was lost that day, a her that wasn’t consumed by revenge.

5. Would they ever turn on someone they just met in order to save themselves? Yes, routinely.

7. If your character was allowed to murder one person without any consequences, who would it be and why? Dr. Rajinder. Slowly, since it’s personal…

9. Is the character a victim of abuse? Both physical and mental due to Dr. H. Forsberg.

11. What are your character’s coping mechanisms? Shoving people away, not making personal attachments, hurting them before they can hurt her, putting her well-being and wants before others’, picking fights just to feel better about herself when she wins, never showing emotions beyond rage and annoyance.

13. What does it take to make your character cry? For the first few months of her imprisonment and experimentation Nobody cried constantly until she realized that her tears did nothing to stop her suffering and only made the doctors hurt her more. A quiet patient was treated with leniency, so she was silent. She hasn’t cried since. No one will hurt her again.  

15. What is their biggest fear? What in general scares them? How do they act when they’re scared? Hospitals, doctors, and enclosed spaces. Mind readers and anyone who can influence thoughts. Emotions and failing in her mission. Nobody doesn’t just get scared, she gets angry that she’s scared and tends to lash out, punching whatever the thing is to get it to stop.

17. Is your character afraid of death? Why/why not? Not really; death didn’t come to her when she wanted it and she made peace with it. Plus, she’s a lot harder to kill now.

19. What is your character insecure about? Nobody doesn’t give fuck what anybody thinks about her and will be sure to tell you about it with her fists. She is 100% confident in all her decisions, as they all verve her ultimate goal to kill the Doc.

21. Does your character have anyone that they really care about, to the point that they would give their life for them? If so, who are they and what is your character’s relation to them? If not, do they wish they did? Is there anyone they wish they could build such a relationship with? No. She’s made a point of keeping people away to avoid this scenario and thinks she’s stronger for it.

23. Is your character more physically or emotionally strong? Why is this? Girl is an emotional garbage bag but will fight anyone and usually wins; physically strong given her time living homeless on the streets and having to defend herself.

25. Do they find that they care what others think of them? Or do they not really mind how others view them? She really, really doesn’t care. One cannot fathom the depths her uncaring sinks.

27.  What would be the worst way to die, in your character’s opinion? With Dr. Rajinder smiling, alive and well, as he cut her open for the last time.

29. What is their weapon of choice, and what weapon do they dislike using the most? Fists primarily, but over time Nobody’s collected a goody bag of weapons for her disposal; a Jericho 941, an array of switchblades and knives, and a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire. She’s a good shot and her ability to regenerate make her an unpredictable and reckless fighter, willing to take a hit if it means she gets the chance to stab you in the back. She dislikes the impersonal nature of poisons; she’s very much about getting her hands dirty, otherwise where’s the fun.in the fight?

[unabashedtastemakersublime]

Choosing The Right Dog - The Defined Do's And Don'ts

So you will want Dog! Do the entire family buy in to this idea? Knowledge has shown when a number of are against a pet, then getting a dog in to that atmosphere could cause significant family friction and stress.

Have you weighed up the financial and time implications, these may be significant, buying a dog is a serious responsibility and should never be used lightly.

You ought to take into consideration your wellbeing, age, and over all time restrictions, would you like a dynamic or inactive dog? Some dogs need and require almost regular interest, a lot of workout and mental stimulation. Others tend to be more laid back; thus you will need to analyze which dog can suit your family's prospect and life style that includes residing arrangements. For instance if you reside in an appartment and had limited time, a Border Collie or Springer Spaniel type dog will be madness, and could most probably cause serious behavioural difficulties. Not just for your dog!

Many individuals buy a dog simply because they like the appearance of them, ie for artistic reasons, without taking into consideration the wants and temperament of the breed. You need to analyze the positive and the bad side of one's selected breed and ensure everything you are seeking is ideal for your atmosphere and lifestyle. Make sure you have fully selected the breed prior to starting trying to find your addition to the household

PUPPIES: WHERE TO BUY

If you have selected a Dog then there are some basic things you have to do and some places you need to never buy from, and principles that you have to stick to whatever the breeder or owner tells you.

Rule 1. Never ever obtain a Dog from everywhere or anyone without being able to see at least one or ultimately the parents. There are places named Dog Farms which are positively deplorable. Only understand this link for more information and to report a potential dog farmed dog. http://www.puppywatch.org.uk The puppies from these farms usually have significant problems during their lives. That is caused mainly through bad breeding, poor sanitation, inexpensive food etc, and are generally taken from their mother and siblings much too soon producing socialisation issues with people and other dogs.

Do not let the term Farm supply you with the inappropriate impression. It might not be a farm but kennels which are apparent, ethereal, and brilliant, and on the face of it appear to be an expert establishment. If you cannot meet at least one parent or their are several different breeds of puppies then do not really contemplate investing in a dog you'll live to regret it.

Very often they'll buy the entire litter at state £45 from dog farms in Ireland or Wales then offer then on for you at £450.00 complete with bogus pedigree certification.

Rule 2. Never obtain a dog from a pet shop or some other related outlet; other animals are OK however not Dogs. You might be encouraging the horrible business in puppy-farmed dogs. I have also observed puppies being bought at vehicle start sales.

Rule 3. Never buy on intuition or since you're feeling sorry for a frightened or fearful puppy.

Rule 4. Never take the term of a breeder or any owner who says you can't meet any of the parents, or they top your questions re the parents. The excuses commonly used will be the mothers ill or not available or at friends or they're selling a dog for anyone else.

Rule 5. Do not immediately believe your dog is a pedigree. Just because they've supplied a certification, particularly if parents can not be observed, some of these records aren't price the inexpensive paper they're printed on. I have a dog at my classes during the time of writing this, with the full pedigree certification, bought as a Cocker Spaniel yet it is actually and without any shadow of question an English Springer Spaniel.

Rule 6. Until you are an experienced handler/dog manager then don't pick the dog that bounds your responsibility and pushes all the others out the way in which in it's haste to find you. That is usually the most dominant of the litter. Do not also visit one other conclusion of the range and pick the runt or the frightened one, since you're feeling sorry for it, you are taking on a complete heap of problems should you choose, nearly all all dog episodes derive from anxiety maybe not aggression. You're far better off picking a dog from the middle rankings. The breeder if price their sodium, should be able to recommend you on this. Instead you are able to use a behaviourist or specialist who is able to gauge the puppies applying specialised dog assessment tests.

Rule 7. In the event that you trying to find puppies don't immediately believe that should you go through the Kennel Team path that those dogs and breeders have all been individually examined or vetted by that organisation. That is not the case though a great and well meaning establishment, they really do not need the services or the power or time to test the credentials or bona fide of all the breeders on the books.

You may be better to go to the breed groups of the kind of dog you are seeking, as they generally know each individual professional breeder, and respect each other ethics and work. Contact the secretaries and they will be able to level you in the way of available quality pups.

CHOOSING THE PUPPY AND TAKING IT HOME

You've today put down what you want and wherever to buy it from. I'd suggest you look at the puppies at minimum twice, at 4/5 months and again when you pick up the pup. The most effective age to take the dog home is 7 months see my Emotional Changes in a Pups Growth. NEVER ever take a dog less than 7 months old, it is vitally important they're with their mother and siblings as much as this age, and puppies around a dozen months must be avoided if possible, but this will be determined by wherever they're kept, ie, if they are kept in a house maybe not in a kennel outside without individual contact, when it is a supportive home with lots of experience of the breeders family then it may be considered.

Check the appearance of the mother and puppies. Do they appear healthy; eyes apparent and brilliant, without any any release? Are their layers bright? If at all possible get proof of a person's eye and cool scores of the mother and the father. If the breeder allows you, generally swing and publicity the parents, check their temperament, search for signs of hostility, fearfulness, nervousness, or'Neurotic'symptoms such as eating legs, tail, or epidermis injury, will be the dogs pacing etc. That is particularly important in the mother, whilst the puppies are in shut experience of her. It's been found that, it is the mother that shapes the behavioural potential of the offspring, genetics may fill the gun but atmosphere shoots it.

Make sure you handle the puppies if they become distressed or shy away this could mean they've maybe not been properly socialised. If the puppies have already been socialised correctly, then they'll change and take situations which are potentially stressful. You ought to then get a happy well-balanced dog in maturity.

Before getting your dog home, ensure that your yard is'Safe & Secure '. Buy a collar, lead, dishes, and dog tag with title address and telephone (law maximum £5000 fine) sleep, toys and snacks etc, check with the breeder what she's eating the puppies, a good breeder can source you with some food and give you a eating chart. Leave a tiny quilt or towel in your first visit, such that it gets the mother and the litter smell on it, this would provide some ease in the first week or so at home. Check with other dog owners as to the most useful Veterinarian in your area. If you reside near me check into the local hyperlinks part, as I have proposed what I think to be the very best Vets inside our area.

When you pick up the dog take a crate/indoor kennel or a cardboard package with you and range it with newspaper, take spare newspaper with you whilst the dog may be sick and can most likely urinate and defecate on the journey, particularly when it is any distance.

Once you get home place the sleep or crate near somewhere warm, if you're using a crate and I heartily support them, cover the crate with an umbrella or page to create it more den like introduce the dog to the crate steadily and really, see my report on Toileting With a Crate.

If you have a loud ticking time set this near the sleep or crate, you can even put in a hot water bottle; it mimics the mothers and siblings heat and the break of the time the heartbeats, leave a radio on in yet another space, ensure it is updated into a talk not just a audio station. 97.3 LBC is my favourite and the one I select every time. Uncertain about what the dog feels though cocker spaniel puppy for sale near me?

If the dog remains to obtain distressed you are able to bring it in to your room, though I'd only usually recommend this when using a crate/indoor kennel as you are able to steadily transfer this away around a time period, after the dog has resolved in. You can also put in a hot water bottle; this will copy the heat from the mother and siblings around the first several nights. Ensure it is well protected or you might get an extremely moist bed/crate.

Your brand-new dog can wants a lot of sleep, as being a individual child so an excessive amount of interference in this design is likely to be detrimental, hard handling by kids or people could influence the behaviour and perspective of your dog, and might have a long-lasting influence as your dog matures. However not enough contact and soft handling will even have a poor effect on your puppy, finding the right stability is of important importance.

[thepowerofless-blog]

Upon travelling in Greece recently, I noticed a large number of fellow tourists came from der United States, Canada and Australia. On the other hand, my friends from Europe like to travel the opposite way, discovering exotic and far away places on other continents. In fact the further away and more exotic, the better. It seems ironic that we prefer to travel many hours on airplanes instead of discovering what is right in our neighborhood.

Travelling in airplanes is worse for the environment than any other way of travelling - here are the facts:

Fuel cosumption is a lot higher and air pollution high up in the skies have a greater and more devastating impact on the environment than CO2 emissions on the ground. In Switzerland, where I live, 18 percent of all CO2 emissions are caused by air travelling alone. This is shocking for a country that takes pride in its picturesque landscape, animal wellbeing and farming culture. Latest numbers show that air travelling here continues to increase by around five percent each month.

Over 4 billion passengers flew last year and according to The International Air Transport Association (IATA) this number will increase to 7.8 billion people by 2036 - there will be more passengers getting on airplanes every year than there are people living in this world right now.

Airlines are overly subsidised, are largely VAT exempt and are so competitive that prices decrease to ridiculous lows. Aviation is not engaged in the same emission-reducing technological efforts than other sectors: long-distance electric aircraft are decades away from being developed.

Airtravelling is at the core of today’s environmental destruction. The good news is, there are many advantages to not flying.

You dont have to sit in tiny seats, eating disgusting snacks

There are no airport officials that harass you into limiting your liquids to 100 milliliter (side note: according to experts in the chemical and explosive sector, this rule is not preventing attacks anyway. It was introduced after terrorists in 2006 threatened to take planes down by using liquid explosives. The rule was introduced to appease the public. In addition, it boosted local airport businesses by increasing consumption of snacks and drinks - yet again creating more waste)

- You get to depart and arrive in train stations in the center of town.

- You get all your reading, meditation, movies/series and work done on a train.

- There are child-care-services on many trains now.

- You don’t get dry skin from the artificial airplane air.

- There are great all-around-Europe train tickets on sale.

- You support your local tourism industry.

So just stop flying!

[bluescreening]

Environmentalism in the Time of Covid-19

The coronavirus has forced us to stop our protests just when our movement was gathering steam. This time last year the fight for climate justice was finally reaching the public eye. Luckily, there are still things you can do to support the fight against climate change, on a personal and global level.

This is UKSCN’s official stance on Covid-19. Essentially, we must stop gathering and protesting to preserve the health of our communities. UKSCN is urging the government to help workers and communities before global corporations, and not to allow people to “use this crisis as an excuse to trample on human rights, civil liberties and democracy”. Obviously they were right to worry about this given the recent racist incidents in the USA and Canada. It’s all very well hearing general stances like this, but I’m here to translate these into specific actions you can take to further our cause.

Local/Personal Actions

Research your local recycling facilities and their rules. If you’ve been slacking in terms of sorting your rubbish lately, now’s a good time to get back into the habit. Also, some changes may have been made due to covid-19 so it’s worth checking that out. 

Support local businesses if at all possible. It might not be safe to go directly to them, but many are offering temporary delivery schemes. Your local farms, bakeries and other suppliers will be struggling. Now is the time to give them all you can. If you can’t buy from them, give them publicity.

Many more people will be using public footpaths and trails, inevitably leaving rubbish in their wake. Consider going on a litter pick with members of your household if you have the correct equipment and if it is safe to do so. You will need bin bags, heavy duty gloves and litter pickers. Avoid needles and canisters, and anything else that could pose a risk to you. If you sort the waste into multiple bags you can recycle it!

If you and your household are not at risk for severe covid-19, research local community support groups that you could volunteer with. Though I despise it, Facebook is the best place to find them, usually on a town or village community group. You’ll be delivering food and support to vulnerable people living near you, which will make a real difference in staving off loneliness for them.

Finally, reconnect with nature! Remember why you’re doing this in the first place. Personally, I’ve been getting to know the birds in my back garden - we have a lovely goldfinch family and a small army of starlings relying on our feeder. If it’s safe to explore green spaces near your house, you could practice identifying different species of plants and animals. You’re helping to save them! This can be a fun family/household activity that helps them understand your perspective as well as giving them something to do.

Social Media

Condemn ecofascists. What’s an ecofascist? It’s someone who thinks humans should sacrifice their wellbeing for the good of the planet. More accurately, it’s someone who is using climate change to justify their prejudices. You’ll have seen them posting about how coronavirus is saving the earth and that we are the real virus. It’s simply not true. Remind them that the way to mitigating the climate crisis is through technology, legislature and community, not through culling the human race.

Take part in an online FFF strike! Greta Thunberg is leading the way once again. All you have to do to take part in the strike is post a picture of yourself with your sign, and gain as much publicity as you can. Just because coronavirus has stopped our in-person strikes doesn’t mean we can’t disrupt people’s feeds with our message. Alternatively, you could create some art, music or writing to share. Remind people we’re still here and we’ll be ready to reclaim the spotlight when this is over.

Stand up for science. Avoid sharing misinformation if you can, and use factual information to further your point. Of course, arguing online is frequently pointless as someone who didn’t use logic to get themself into a position can rarely be logically argued out of it. Don’t waste your time if you feel you’re getting nowhere. And don’t resort to namecalling.

Spread news. Don’t let corporations and governments get away with injustice while they think we’re looking the other way. I won’t leave an example since a billion more will have happened by the time this is posted, but you all know what I’m talking about.

And that’s it! Don’t feel bad if you can’t do anything right now due to personal circumstances. There’s a bloody pandemic going on, it’s unrealistic to expect anything more than survival. Nonetheless, I hope we can preserve some of the momentum this movement had, and once this is over we can go back to saving the world.

[khedmedarcue-blog]

Dating a vegan reddit

Non If all things are ultimately energy, why not consume what has higher amounts? Controversial but intriguing research, discussed in this documentary, indicates that plants can even sense and respond to human emotions! I also found that I can have lower levels of d-vitamin in my body but utilize this d-vitamin better.  One problem, however, is that natto is, for the majority of humans and animals, repulsive to eat.  Plants are more complex than many people give them credit for, they can signal to each other and react to stimuli.  Controversial but intriguing research, discussed in , indicates that plants can even sense and respond to human emotions! I felt I was way ahead on true nutrition, no one in my world was eating like this, and I kept telling them fat was bad.  To announce a dating a scary monster, constantine.

Tips for Dating a Vegan WomanThe Vegan Woman Try not to offer unsolicited advice or animal welfare videos.  Dating a demon reddit Browse through and the secret circle, freedom fighters: there's a tom x reader fanfic and aura belle.  My ex-gf was vegetarian for 20 years, dated and lived with me for 6 years when I was omni.  Ultimately, eat what agrees with you and gives you less stress.  To me, as a vegan, it is my perception and I know many with me that one should not put anything into the mouth which does not have a nutritional value.  I would rather disconnect from someone after the first date than after the 6th.  I have never eaten so much or tried so many new foods as I did after I became vegan.

Dating a vegan guy Testing with the most up-to-date methods show that 83% of vegans are B12 deficient, compared to 5% of omnivores.  A vegan diet never sustained any traditional culture Dr.  Is it wise for a vegan to date a non-vegan? This system worked well with humans and their prey until we began inhumane farming practices that compromise the wellbeing of animals, the health of humans, and the health of the planet.  However I have found that I am in better shape than I have been for years.  Memes check, and pianist of over 40 share life, comedyshortsgamer here! It might seem a bit odd that this article manage to fit all into one and that a very belittled and stupefied group of people.  He did this with the belief that high quality protein was far superior the simple protein one could get from plants.

Dating As A Vegan : vegan I've dated non-vegans before and having a vegan partner was such an eye opener.  Safflower, sunflower, or canola, that was the only fat in my home.  For example, field mice were demolished in order to grow the corn for a box of vegan cereal. Honestly, it was sometimes pretty fun; I had to adapt to the rules which meant some kitchen creativity.  Many people will understand and appreciate your philosophy and lifestyle choice, even if they do not share it themselves.

If Veganism is a moral choice, why do vegans date non That may be true, but these plant sources provide a form of omega-3 that is not well absorbed by the body.  It's worth a mention that Veggie Date was a 2013 nominee for best niche dating data.  Vitamin K usualy comes from jerms inside our body! Not only do I love food, but everyone in my plant posse does as well.  Then the article state one does not get the right sort of vitamins.  While no two people or two vegans are the same, it is safe to say that most vegans are pretty food-focused.

Dating to girlfriend reddit So now that there are more vegans, there are also more omnivores out there dating vegans.  We will typically agree with what already makes sense.  As for myself, I tried the vegetarian route for eight years and I truly felt great but only for a short while.  Thu, cyclists, vegan diet is a history of vegan women.  The more you eat, the more… your hormones go berserk! It would be a nice break to be seen for the other aspects that make her who she is.

The 4 Best Vegan Dating Websites It's hard enough getting ridicule from friends and family, we all would like someone to relate to.  After three or so years they were not fairing very well.  I was not vegan when my girlfriend was for 6 months but I was happy to only eat vegan meals at home and not have meat in the apartment.  Buy dating is a healthy romance with Need to the full list of dating sites has been licensed for audiences over online dating that in the comrades, heralding a dating fails.  I find myself trying to be easy-going and adaptable in work, social, and family settings already. .

Non Christy to give love hockey just wants to matthew hussey, known as ldshadowlady as soon should date from brown rice.  While dating a vegan is not that fundamentally different than dating anyone else even vegans like kicking back a beer and binge-watching House of Cards , there will be bumps along the way, like when deciding on a restaurant or battling about the ethics of your favorite leather recliner.  Our ecosystem relies on a self-regulating balance of predators and prey.  Many people choose veganism because they think it cruel to take a life, but something dies no matter what you eat.  Vitamin K deficiency is considered rare.  Pasta, pizza, soups, pancakes and baked goods can be good meat-optional or shared side dishes to cook together as well.