#in contrast to like. eating fruit or even eating meat

[conspiring-limabean]

i think its weird that the idea of eating bugs elicits a gross-out reaction in so many people considering the fact that eating bugs is a norm in many cultures today, historically has been normal basically in every culture, and beyond that we evolved from apes. every aspect of human evolution seems like we're designed to eat whatever bug we can grab and historically that is what we've done. what evolutionary benefit is there for the idea of eating bugs to be instinctively seen as gross

[honeygrahambitch]

Wedding cake shenanigans

"Alright. Ready?" Hannibal asked as he handed Will a fork.

"So ready."

"We have to take this very seriously, Will."

"Relax and count on my sugar tooth."

Hannibal pulled a chair and sat down in front of Will. Various sortiments of cakes were resting on the table in front of their eyes.

"And I suppose you know what every cake contains? Every cake?"

"Yes. Pick one to begin with, dearest."

Will's gaze fell on the cakes. He pulled some of them closer to have a better look. He was examining them as if they were a boat engine which needed to be repaired.

"This." He said as he pulled a chocolate one between them.

"Sachertorte. Excellent choice. Austrian cake made from chocolate and apricot Marmelade."

Will nodded in approval and sank his fork into it, followed by Hannibal who was more interested in Will's reaction. He admired the way he frowned as he chewed slowly and had another bite. And another. But the delight was not on his facial features.

"What do you think, darling?"

"It's good. More Marmelade would definitely make a difference. Do we rate them?"

"Like in a tiktok video?"

"I mean, you use that app, I do not. But, sure, like in a tiktok video."

"Yes, we rate them, then."

"8/10. You?"

"6/10."

"Alright, Doctor, and here we thought I would be the difficult one."

"Will, I will always appreciate Sachertorte but I feel like it would be too basic for our wedding. Too simple. Choose another one."

Will sighed dramatically even if, in fact, he did not mind eating as much cake as he wanted.

"This."

Hannibal sighed loudly.

"Why do we even have a red velvet slice if you have a problem with it?" Will asked an arched an eyebrow as he greedily sunk his fork into it.

"The one thing that I love is the red and white contrast. It is aesthetic enough for what I have in mind. But as far as I'm aware, it's been extremely overused."

Will grabbed another bite and fed Hannibal.

"A bit too dry. But the cream is nice. 7/10" Will commented as he watched Hannibal think about it, as if it was the most important decision in his life.

"5/10. It has no flavor. Just sugar. And I agree, too dry. If it was not for the color, it would have been a well deserved 4/10."

Will laughed. "Choose another one."

"This. Sponge bathed in whiskey, dark chocolate and mint-orange glaze."

Will made a face which Hannibal pretended to ignore and they both tried it while their gazes remained locked.

"This is as if you had sex and then immediately went to wash the dishes."

"Elaborate on that." Hannibal said with an amused smile on his lips. Watching Will trying so many cakes was one of the most entertaining things they had ever done.

"So the texture is great, and the orange bit is also great...and that would be the orgasm. And if it ended there, the cake would have been brilliant. But then there's the mint. Tastes like toothpaste. Then there's the dark chocolate. Too bitter. So instead of having a nice ending... you end up regretting life choices."

"Wonderful description. I am not a fan of the toothpaste taste. But the subtle whiskey flavour is lovely."

"I was harassed by so many flavors at the same time that I could not even identify the whiskey. A 4/10 for that."

"I will give it a 6. It has potential. Your turn."

Will looked at the remaining cakes and immediately went for the cheesecake to Hannibal's dismay.

"A passion fruit cheesecake. But it can be other type of fruit too."

"But?" Will asked as he dug in.

"It's... cheesecake. I can make it for you any other day. It does not scream "wedding"."

"Well, now we know the issue. You want our cake to scream. That should not be a problem, right?" He said as he devoured the slice.

"I unfortunately cannot incorporate human meat in our cake. Since you insisted to get it done somewhere else."

"I don't want all that pressure on you. You shouldn't be doing so much while I am not doing anything. You are definitely worrying about the decor, the flowers, the invitations, the food, the suits-"

"I am not worrying, I actually enjoy doing most of the planning. And you are doing enough by tasting the cakes. You are helping a lot. The other things would not be as entertaining to you anyway."

Will knew he was right. "Well, thank you. And everything you have updated me on with looks brilliant. I think navy blue and silver are a great combination."

"You remembered it was navy blue." Hannibal said as he was about to propose to him once again.

"Of course." Will said as he finished the cake. "9/10."

"0/10 since you ate it all."

"Oh. Next."

The next five cakes were not it. They were either too dry, too basic, too sweet, too flavoury, nor flavoury enough.

"This was all?" Will asked as if he did not tried 9 types of cake.

"I am afraid so. We can try a different cake shop tomorrow."

"No. I have a better idea. The best compromise."

"I'm listening."

"We both like a moist sponge. And we both like coffee. And we both like Italy."

"Tiramisu."

"Exactly."

"You are pulling the Italy card because you know I will not refuse it."

"That and also the fact that we actually really like Tiramisu."

"I love you so much that I could marry you right here in the kitchen."

"I would gladly do it here in the kitchen."

[amerricanartwork]

RW Headcanon: The Omnivores and the Carnivores

Figured I'd start sharing some headcanons! Buckle up, folks, this is gonna be a looooooooong post! With a bit of Artimand sprinkled in (hope you like it @melissa-titanium)!

This was based on an idea lingering in the back of my mind for a bit, but after drawing the above image from a previous post I got reminded of it and decided to develop it a little more! I'll put the full headcanon down below!

By the way, I should warn you that the verbosity habit in my post asking about headcanons was no joke. This headcanon, as I've explained it below, is literally almost 700 words...

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

I headcanon that there are two subspecies of “wild type” slugcats — omnivores and carnivores. I like the idea that slugcats were descended from a pipe-cleaning organism (although I still see them as mustelids rather than mollusks, but that’s a headcanon for another day…), so in this headcanon, a carnivorous variant of the slugcat ancestor was made to be more specialized for killing pests. Back when the Ancients were still around, they had a reputation similar to that of real-life raccoons and pigeons, while the omnivorous slugcats were more-often kept as pets.

As of the present Rain World timeline, though, omnivorous and carnivorous slugcats look almost identical. Omnivorous slugcats are still more iconic — they’re what you’d think of when one says “slugcat” — but the biggest differences the carnivorous variant possesses are their sharper teeth, stronger jaws, and sharper claws. Carnivorous slugcats also tend to be more muscular, while omnivorous slugcats have more body fat due to their largely plant-based diet.

Culturally, though, the two subspecies show more contrast. Omnivores are more peaceful hunter-gatherers who focus on trying to passively get by in a bigger, more dangerous world. Carnivores, on the other hand, are active hunters who tend to encourage combat training more and pride themselves on rising up to the ferocity of larger predators. The two tend to live separately in their own colonies, and don’t interact too often. There’s also some degree of prejudice in each group towards the other due to these cultural differences; not enough to cause large-scale conflicts, but enough that they side-eye each other occasionally. In more extreme cases, omnivores are perceived by the carnivores as weak, lazy, and meek, while omnivores see the carnivores as aggressive, loud, and cynical.

To bring it back to the image above, in my own personal fic-idea concept thing of how Artificer and Gourmand get together, this prejudice is a minor, but additional reason why they never expect to fall in love with each other; Arti is descended from a small group of carnivorous slugcats modified with explosive spit, while Gourm and the rest of the slugcats in his colony are all natural omnivores. Combine that with the rest of their attitudes in life, and at first, it seems they’re just too different to ever make a good pair.

A few more quick thoughts about these two subspecies:

Survivor and Monk are both naturally omnivorous. Hunter and Spearmaster, while directly engineered, were both derived from the carnivorous subspecies, while Rivulet was derived from the omnivorous subspecies.

Despite Gourmand being a natural omnivore, he eats larger prey more often than any other slugcat in his colony both out of curiosity for how other meats taste and because, true to his name, he honestly just likes to eat whatever (hey, as long as it’s edible)! However, once he and Artificer get together, he really starts to eat more meat from the creatures he hunts for her. And, interestingly enough, because he likes to use fruits and other plants as side dishes or as toppings to add flavor, this causes Arti to start eating more plants (now that’s what I call a “balanced diet”)! 

Even though the carnivores are culturally more similar to scavengers, the omnivores tend to get along better with them due to their more peaceful attitude, and the fact they naturally compete less with the scavengers for food (I like to imagine scavengers as pack-hunting carnivores).

Carnivores tend to move slightly faster than omnivores.

Carnivores often have bigger, more ravenous appetites than omnivores because they require more energy on average. Again, it’s partly what the image above is referencing!

Back when the Ancients lived, there actually existed a bit of a friendly discourse around which variant of the slugcat ancestors made better pets. It was in a similar vein to the modern “cat person vs. dog person” idea, but, to some degree, it’s actually continued on in various iterator groups, including the main one! FP, NSH, SRS, and CW are firm believers in carnivore superiority, UI passionately cheers on the omnivores, and Moon just giggles in the background and makes sure the debates don’t get too heated (but is also secretly team omnivore).

Anyway, with that said, BIG thanks to anyone who made it all the way down here! This headcanon originally formed as a way to explain in-universe the noticeably different diets of the main slugcat characters, but I just couldn't help adding more to it!

Let me know what you think of this concept, if you have anything to add to it, or if you'd like to see more of my headcanons! I just LOVE developing fictional worlds from ergonomic, analytical, and narrative perspectives, so if you want more, I've definitely got it!

[rovingotter]

Hollow

SPOILER WARNING FOR SCAVENGERS REIGN.

Many people have remarked on the parallels between Levi and Hollow. One is a human creation changed and given sentience by the planet, the other is a native of the planet altered by her experiences with a human. Both have a connection to Fiona: Levi because Fiona programmed them, Hollow because memories/visions of Fiona are the primary way she communicates with Kamen.

From the get-go, Levi is established as a character with agency. One of their first on-screen actions is to troll Azi by burying her wrench, and when Azi asks why, Levi replies, "I don't know. I was curious about how you'd react." Levi is bipedal and verbal, things we associate with humanity, so even setting aside their quirky behavior, we are already primed to see them as human-like, if kinda weird. Throughout the show Levi continues to perform autonomous actions, to be motivated by curiosity and wonder, and eventually to assert their own personhood, establish boundaries, and form a meaningful relationship with Azi. They have goals, they have motives, they have an arch. Before this, Levi was just a machine. They are uplifted by the planet.

Hollow, on the other hand, often comes across less as a character and more like a blank slate onto which the viewer is invited to project metaphors: metaphors about Kamen's psychological dysfunction/moral failings, metaphors about the corrupting influence of humans on the natural world, metaphors about avarice or addiction or any number of things, none of them good. Even the name (never spoken but present in subtitles) implies an empty vessel. In contrast to Levi, Hollow is non-verbal (she uses psychic projections to communicate, but has no voice of her own), small, and quadrupedal. We are primed to see her first and foremost as an animal: an innocent, living in (from our outsider human perspective, at least) harmony with nature. A little creepy, a little cute. But also a being lacking in any real self-awareness or moral agency. This, though, is presented as her ideal state. Her growing power and agency, throughout the narrative, is framed as a downgrade, as borrowed, inauthentic, and destructive...and is ultimately ripped away.

True, Hollow is given a bit of characterization when we first meet her. She is being bullied/intimidated by a larger member of her species, and she appears discouraged by this. But for the most part her motives and choices are either impenetrably alien or presented ambiguously. Maybe she decides to adopt Kamen as her thrall, despite his alien nature, because she feels frustrated and powerless and has decided to take a risk on something new...or perhaps even sees him as a kindred spirit, a fellow outcast. Or maybe she just happens across him and is reacting to her environment in the stimulus-response, amoral kind of way we associate with less complex animals.

All her choices after that feel similarly ambiguous. When Kamen first gives her fresh meat and she eats it, it feels like crossing a boundary. She's obviously an omnivore or she wouldn't be able to digest it, but this moment has an almost Original Sin type of vibe, Hollow the Adam of her planet and Kamen as her Eve offering the forbidden fruit...or is she just eating whatever her human puts in front of her, like a Golden Retriever? Does the blame lie with her "owner"?

From there it's a spiral. More and more meat, then experimenting with cannibalism, then becoming increasingly ruthless with her thrall as a means of pushing him to hunt larger prey. Is that her, or is that Kamen's greed and insecurity leaking into her? Is it both?

When Kamen remembers his wife's death and pleads with Hollow to take away the pain and she straight-up unbirths him and bids him sleep, is she doing this out of empathy for him, or is she (again) simply responding in a stimulus-response way to the alien emotions seeping into her? Her face gives few clues; a slight narrowing of the eyes, an implacable blankness.

And yet there are indications that her species has human or near-human intelligence. The ability to psychically manipulate a codependent thrall, to present him with narratives laden with emotional cues that push him to respond in certain ways, is a skill that feels ethically dubious by its nature and therefore linked with personhood. As humans, we are defined by our narratives, by our capacity to manipulate each other through them. She becomes the model of a person she has never met inside another person's head. Does it feel like writing a character?

And she does not merely pick and choose memories, she speaks through them. When Kamen is about to flee the safety of the cave and blunder out into a storm that will likely kill him, Hollow becomes Fiona and reminds him of the time he took the canoe out and nearly drowned. "Remember? You were so helpless," she says. Did Fiona ever speak those words to him? Is it like replaying a recording? Or is Hollow RPing her?

When Hollow found Fiona's corpse, what did she think? What did she feel?

In the end, Levi rips away Hollow's physical strength and power, reducing her to what she was before any of this happened. We are left to assume she will return to the forest, go back to her vegan diet and her pre-verbal ways: human notions of purity. The nobility of beasts.

But she looks back.

I don't think she's forgotten. I don't think Levi, the uplifted being who was so very afraid of losing the ways in which they had changed, would have made her forget.

[smallgodseries]

[image description: An animated sandwich smiles as it high-steps toward us. It’s brown bread is filled with luncheon meat, tomatoes and pickles with 2 olives on toothpicks for eyes. It  juggles avocado, egg, bacon, swiss cheese, cherry tomato, anchovies, bok choy, onions, and shrimp in a perfect arc overhead. Text reads, “52, Homeslice ~ Small God of Sandwiches”]

He is so much older than they dream, although never beyond his expiration date.  He is so much more crucial than anyone gives him credit for. They paint his origins in misty watercolors, call him a gambler’s dream, son of the fourth Earl of Sandwich, as if no one had ever thought to place a thing between two other things and call it whole before one man wanted to keep the mustard off his cribbage cards.

As long as there have been breads and bread-like things, there have been people using them to contain other things that would leave more marks upon the hand that eats them, meats and cheeses and sauces of all kinds. As long as there have been things to contain, he has contained them. Whatever can be placed between two halves of a whole belongs to him, and is delicious in his sight.

Peanut butter and jelly.  Peanut butter and banana. Turkey and stuffing with cranberry sauce.  Bologna and cheese. Sliced strawberries and roast beef. Cucumber and mayonnaise. Even, in more adventurous times, whipped cream and fruit and nothing savory to be seen.

He can be a breakfast, croissant sliced in two and filled with egg and cheese and crispy bacon, a slice of tomato perched jauntily atop. He can be a lunch, turkey and ketchup and cheese, a piece of lettuce for contrast, a smear of spicy mustard. He can even be a dinner, although that is rare anymore. He stands at the center of a million debates. No, he says, a hot dog is not a sandwich, it is food served in a bun; the two pieces of the bun are not distinct, and being enveloped does not a sandwich make. A hamburger, though…a hamburger is his to have.

There are no bad sandwiches. Sandy is overjoyed to bless them all, to see them coddled and consumed, crown to crust, and not a crumb forgotten.

[fraterribilis]

The taxonomy of Sly Cooper: Part 1

In which I will be using my higher than average knowledge of zoology to attempt to accurately identify the specific animal species of various characters in the Sly Cooper franchise, sharing some interesting facts about them along the way.

I'll start with the four most prominent characters; Sly, Bentley, Murray and Carmelita. If people are interested I'll be making similar posts for the other characters.

WARNING: I will be unleashing my inner Animal Kid™ in this post. Verbose language and casual dropping of scientific names abound

Starting off with Sly himself, I like to believe that he is a crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus). This quirky little carnivoran is found throughout South America and parts of Central America. Despite its name, it has a varied diet including crustaceans, fish, small turtles (watch out Bentley), fruits and nuts.

As opposed to the common raccoon (Procyon lotor), which can be a bit of a chubby little furball, the crab-eating raccoon has shorter and sleeker fur, and its slender proportions makes it an even better climber than its northern cousin. All of this makes it a perfect fit for Sly in my opinion. Also, its jaws are more defined and powerful than those of common raccoons, which i think is very appropriate for Sly's dashingly chiseled jawline.

Bentley was a little bit tricky to identify, as he seems to be a rather generic looking turtle. However, a closer inspection of his shell reveals his kinship.

This rather flat, ring-marked shell has led me to conclude that he must be a diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin).

Like Bentley, diamondback terrapins are very resourceful animals, being able to survive in both fresh and saltwater habitats, where they priamrily feed on insects, fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. They can be found in brackish marshes and mangrove forests thoughout the east coast of North America. The beautiful diamond-like markings on their shells are unique for every individual. Some people believe that the markings indicate the turtles age, like growth rings on a tree.

I have seen others identify Bentley as a box turtle, which I don't get at all. Box turtles are distinquished by their bulky BOX-shaped shells. The diamondback on the other hand has a flatter, more streamlined shell, which makes it very mobile in the water. Though, I guess this makes it all the more ironic that none of the core members of the Cooper gang know how to swim, despite all of them being based on semi-aquatic animals, but I digress.

Speaking of semi-aquatic, I firmly believe that Murray is a pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis). Not just because I have an affinity for these animals, but I can back this up by examining Murray's design and characterization.

Murray has a very stocky and robust body (friend-shaped), with a relatively short compact snout, not unlike the pygmy hippo. This is in stark contrast to the common hippo (Hippopotamus amphibius) which has a very large ungainly (and less "cute"-looking) head in proportion to its body.

I think the main reason that Murray's design in the unfinished Sly-movie was so unappealing, is that they based his proportions too much on those of a "realistic" common hippo.

Anyways, pygmy hippos can be found in scattered populations across forests along the west coast of Africa, where they feed on broad-leafed plants and fallen fruits. They are extremely rare and endangered due to habitat loss and the bush-meat trade.

Unlike the infamously aggressive common hippo, the pygmy hippo is a rather docile and shy animal, whose first instinct when threatened will typically be to run away and hide (not unlike Murray in the first game) though it can defend itself with its powerful jaws. True to its name, the pygmy hippo is less than a quarter of the size of its larger relative, with the biggest specimens weighing in at about 600 pounds (which is lighter than some domestic pigs).

Moving on to Carmelita, there's no getting around the fact that she is supposed to be a red fox (Vulpes Vulpes), what with her strikingly orange fur colour and long bushy tail. The red fox needs no introduction, being one of the most succesful and abundant carnivorans on earth (besides domestic dogs and cats), with a range covering basically the entire northern hemisphere (aside from the Arctic), along with a worryingly invasive population in Australia.

Even though Carmelita is often characterized as a spicy latina, (being inspired by latina actresses such as Selma Hayek and Jessica Alba) Latin America is one of the few places on earth not inhabited by red foxes. These areas of course have their own native fox species. I considered the possibility that she could qualify for being a gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), a kit fox (Vulpes macrotis), or even a culpeo (Lycalopex culpaeus), but the thing that really cements her as being a red fox is her jumping ability.

Red foxes are able to jump up to 2 meters into the air, which is four times their shoulder height of about 50 cm. This would be the equivalent of a 6-foot person jumping 24 feet in the air, which feels appropriate given some of the insane feats of athleticism we've seen Carmelita pull off throughout the series.

[lacefuneral]

once again another "i've never been sponsored by anyone in my life but i'm autistic and feel compelled to share when i've enjoyed something" post. i've gotten these as groceries multiple times

the buldak i eat with a lot of milk (3/4 cup), some butter (1 patty), some shredded mozzarella (vibes), and some imitation crab (~2.5 oz, or 1/3 of an 8 oz bag of flake style) i shred with a fork and knife. all of the powder. most of, but not all of the hot sauce packet. microwave to ensure the cheese melts. top with black pepper. i've also eaten them as-is (albeit with a little too much water) and the spice level was too high for me, but it's basically a spicy alfredo with a hint of indistinguishable umami meat-flavor. the spice overpowers the flavors, in my opinion. so bringing them out with real milk, real cheese, "real" meat, really elevates it. (and also because i didn't realize this the first time because the english instructions are unclear: this is a pasta. you cook the noodles alone and then strain all the water out before you add sauces and such.) also also. "cream carbonara" is different from "carbonara." i specifically get the cream one because it is milder.

the classic samyang i use about 1.5 tablespoons of the soup base, all of the toppings. i do egg-drop ribbons. and then sometimes i'll toss other stuff in depending on what's in my fridge. maybe some chicken or meatballs or lunch meat. edamame i feel is too firm but maybe a softer legume or vegetable. the more stuff you add, the less spicy it will be, so i'll add more soup base if i think it's too bland. the flavor of the soup is like... smoked ham? but it's actually halal. and it's spicy as well.

the milk toast i typically slice into four pieces, and put all four in the toaster (even the "end" pieces) for a VERY short time (because they burn easily). and top with either a fruit jam or butter + honey + schechuan pepper. you can also eat the cube as-is by pulling pieces off and eating them as you would a baguette. it's a sweetened bread so it's not really meant for savory things like sandwiches. and it's shelf-stable for several weeks at least, although it starts to go stale over time. the bags each contain four cubes that are like... 3 x 3 x 3 inches i think? the slices just barely fit in my toaster

the UCC brand of melon soda i used to drink a lot when i was a kid but i can't find it anywhere around here anymore. it makes for a nice treat every once in a while. very refreshing. the mango flavor is good too but not as much as the melon

the salted-vanilla pocky is seasonal (for summer) so i'm going to be sad when it's gone. but it's a really interesting flavor contrast. it reminds me of "milk pocky" (which i've also been unable to track down for years) and it's also sort of pretzel-like with the salt coating. really good

the marshmallows, if i'm not careful, get devoured in one sitting. they're loose in the bag, not individually wrapped like other marshmallow candies i've had before. and they're also smaller in size. the mango jelly is really good

i haven't tried a lot of japanese chocolate but i was impressed by how creamy this lotte bar was. i'm also a sucker for strawberry-flavored chocolate in general. i'm curious to see what their milk chocolate is like

and, again, not sponsored. no code. nothing. but i get my asian groceries through Yami, which i find is cheaper than amazon. i click the "fulfilled by yami" box so everything ships at the same time and it's coming from california, rather than overseas. i haven't had any issues with them so far. but if you actually have access to these groceries in your area, support local asian grocers rather than buying online. i live in a food desert, so this isn't possible for me unless i drive quite a distance, and even then, there are not many options

[politely-spooky]

I’ve explained my Argenti HCs, but now it’s time for my Velite and Boothill species HCs:

Velite’s species is sort of bird/rodent adjacent — rodent adjacent in the fact that large litters are commonplace. Triplets to quadruplets are common, while twins to single children is less common and almost superstitiously bad. Bird adjacent in the fact that they’re usually brightly coloured, with females actually being the brighter colours of electric yellow to soft green and blue and even rare cases of some pink, and males sporting anywhere from sandy blonde to dark brown to black brown. Some members of his species can have recessive genes, including but not limited to: Vestigial tail, vestigial tail feathers, vestigial feathers around the neck, sharper claws, and/or pupils that can dilate seperate of one another.

Velite can dilate his pupils separately and at will, Wilder has a vestigial tail.

He DOES have some scent glands located on the inner curve of his elbows, but unlike with Argenti, these are NOT for day-to-day communication. These scent glands only produce a strong scent in times of extreme distress and discomfort, usually sending a signal that loosely translates to “FUCK FUCK FUCK FCUL OH MY GO WE’RE DEAD RUN RUN RUUUUN”. Velite theorizes that this scent is what helped Argenti find him while he was stuck in the cave (Argenti never tells him that it was, in fact, Velite’s girlish screams that lead her there)

His species is a prey-gatherer species, being almost entirely frugivorous/herbivorous. Meat is NOT a preferred food, but they CAN eat it in times of hardship/when they are running low on a vital vitamin. Velite likes sweeter fruit the best.

Wearing a choker/neck cover of some sort is usually encouraged by his species, but it’s merely a fashion trend somewhat akin to ye olden days of “GASP, IS THAT AN ANKLE? YOU H A R. L O T”

Unlike the two above, Boothill’s species is NOT scent based in the slightest, and is actually more like Earthen homo sapiens — an ape-like ancestor that eventually evolved to the shape they are today, though his kind’s ancestor could also be considered canid as well. A lot of his species vocalizations are hisses, growls and clicks. By contrast to Velite, Boothill’s species was a hunter species. Most of his diet consisted of meat and roots, and his species usually hunted in great groups. They’d go on hunts for days to weeks at a time and come back with a lot of food all at once.

His nose isn’t strong, and his hearing isn’t sharp — but even before he got his robotic body, Boothill had SCARY good eyesight.

His species are actually weak climbers, but they have ridiculous stamina, even in high chase situations. For comparison Velite can keep up a full on sprint for only 4 minutes, Argenti can sprint for about 2 — Boothill could keep up a sprint for nearly an hour, more now with his robotic body.

Boothill’s species also doesn’t have gendered language, nor a gender binary — both “males” and “females” can bear children, they’re only separated by their ability to grow out their hair. “S’nk” is a member of the species who can only grow their hair to their jaw, “T’chk” is a member who can grow it to their shoulder, “Css’ct” is one who can achieve hip-knee, and “Shr’tck” is for those who can grow it to floor length.

Hair length is important because it’s not just an indicator of health (is it shiny, not shiny, are the strands thick, are they strong), and age (colour, strand strength, flexibility) but also an indicator of sexual maturity (is it still clear, does it bend, has the colour set in yet).

Boothill’s species start out with see through, incredibly fine hairs that eventually set into darker colours — black, brown, sometimes mahogany — the strands thickening to almost the thickness of pencil lead as they get older. Boothill is considered “csst’ct” by his species, though many would also consider him a “S’nk-css” or “Short haired by tragic circumstance” seeing as he lost a lot of his hair after his accident.

[yujo-nishimura]

The Escape - Part 31

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 - Part 7 - Part 8 - Part 9 - Part 10 - Part 11 - Part 12 - Part 13 - Part 14 - Part 15 - Part 16 - Part 17 - Part 18 - Part 19 - Part 20 - Part 21 - Part 22 - Part 23 - Part 24 - Part 25 - Part 26 - Part 27 - Part 28 - Part 29 - Part 30

Warning: angst, darkness, character is in despair - please bare with the sadness of the situation, of course I will always provide a very happy end for my characters. ;)

It has been three days since your arrival in Alabasta, yet the intentions of Crocodile and the circumstances that brought you here remain unclear. The whole situation feels like a bewildering nightmare, leaving you grappling with a sense of confusion and uncertainty. It is as if you have stumbled into a surreal realm where reality and fantasy merge.

In this disorienting state, your mind often drifts back to the previous night, to the intimate encounter shared with Buggy. It was a fleeting moment of liberation, where you felt a newfound sense of control and freedom. The memory of that evening lingers, a stark contrast to the current situation that you are in.

Now, you find yourself seated in a lavishly adorned room. The floor beneath you boasts a gorgeous blend of white and gray marble, while the bed you rest upon is adorned with beautiful silk sheets and an array of luxuriously soft pillows. The opulence of the surroundings stands in stark contrast to the confusion and turmoil within your mind.

Within the room, a spacious closet awaits, filled with an abundance of clothes unlike anything you have ever possessed. Crocodile had insisted you wear the attire of local dancers, garments that exposed your belly and accentuated your décolleté. It was an unfamiliar style, one that made you feel both vulnerable and exposed.

Connected directly to the room was a private bath, adorned with opulence. A large golden bathtub in the middle of the room, of course made of marble. The sink exuded elegance and sophistication. An array of towels, meticulously embroidered with intricate floral designs, unnecessary beauty for your prison. In addition to the lavish amenities, your room boasted more than just the oversized bed and closet. A magnificent bookshelf was placed next to the door, housing a collection of captivating adventure stories, the diaries of former captains, and volumes chronicling the rich tapestry of history.  The curtains at the window are a rich shade of red, crafted from satin, and delicate tassels hold them in place. 

In the confines of the room, you felt like a princess locked within a castle. The door remained securely locked, while iron bars adorned the windows, effectively sealing your fate and preventing any chance of escape. Twice a day, a notorious butler would enter, delivering food on a tray, but your appetite waned, and you found it difficult to eat even a morsel of food or a sip of water. Instead, you remained seated on the bed, consumed by thoughts of Buggy and the haunting question of why he had abandoned you.

Over the past three days, Crocodile had resorted to various tactics in an attempt to break your spirit. From intimidation to fear, manipulation to feeble acts of kindness, he deployed a range of strategies. Upon your arrival, he callously threw you into this unfamiliar room, unsure if you were within a casino or if his tyrannical rule had overtaken the very palace of the nation already. However, such details mattered little to you, as your focus remained fixed on Captain Buggy. Where was he? 

You crawled to the bed upon your arrival and remained there for the duration of that first day. This first day brought a surprising shift in Crocodile's demeanor. He approached with an air of kindness, bearing a tray laden with bread, fruit and meat and an abundance of water. It was the first time since your captivity on his ship that you were afforded the luxury of consuming to your heart's content. However, the sudden indulgence left you feeling nauseous, prompting you to run to the bathroom to vomit all the nutritions out again. Crocodile, perhaps in a rare display of genuine concern, tried to offer you comfort by rubbing your back which you denied him and then he tried running you a soothing hot bath. The bath was a momentary respite but as the night wore on, your tears mingled with the sheets and you were overwhelmed by the lingering pain and longing for Buggy that continued to haunt you.

For the next two days, you maintained a resolute silence, refusing to engage with your captor. Ignoring his presence each time he entered the room only served to stoke his anger, further fueling his frustration. As evening approached, you eagerly awaited his arrival for dinner, determined to demonstrate your unwavering defiance. You had no intention of giving him even the slightest indication that he had gained any control over you.

Though weakened by your circumstances, you recognized that regaining your strength was crucial for formulating an escape plan. You knew that with proper nourishment and restful sleep, your former vitality would be restored. It was only a matter of time before you could once again gather the energy to plot your escape. 

As the door creaked open, you prepared yourself on the bed, instinctively seeking cover and aiming to display the least amount of attention to your predicament. Crocodile walked towards you, dressed in his signature long fur coat, a cigar nestled to the right side of his mouth. However, instead of bringing a tray of food, he presented a transponder snail, placing it before you on the bed sheets.

"You've been stubborn in your refusal to believe me, rejecting my offer to join forces. It seems your faith lies still in the notion that a certain clown will come to your rescue," Crocodile remarked, his voice laced with a mix of intrigue and contempt. "Well, here's your chance to prove yourself wrong."

Reluctantly, Crocodile settled on the bed beside you, causing a surge of vulnerability to course through your veins. The clothes he had provided, having stripped away the shirt and pants you had arrived in, only served to heighten your sense of exposure and unease.

"Come now, don't you want to reach out to your captain?" he taunted, his words twisting your stomach into knots, a sickening sensation that permeated your being.

"How? The Buggy Pirates don't possess a transponder snail..." you protest, your voice trembling with uncertainty.

"Are you sure?" Crocodile's grin widens, a sinister expression etched upon his face. In that moment, you remember—the day the Marines launched their assault, the fierce commander attempting to drag you away. It was then that Buggy had entered your room that evening, radiating with delight as he proudly announced the acquisition of a transponder snail. The realization dawns upon you, causing a gulp to catch in your throat.

"Do you still believe it was mere coincidence that I found you? How do you think I managed to infiltrate that ship?" Crocodile's words hang in the air, the weight of their implications sinking deep into your consciousness. "Go ahead, call him... His number is still stored in there."

You gaze at Crocodile, still grappling with disbelief, yet doubt gnaws at your heart, chipping away at your resolve. With hesitant hands, you reach for the transponder snail. The buzzing sound fills the room, followed by a familiar voice on the other end, weary yet unmistakably Buggy's. Despite the slight distortion, you recognize the harsh timbre, instantly identifying it as his.

"Crocodile? Hello? What do you want?" Buggy's voice echoes through the speaker, his tone laced with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. Your attempt to respond falters, a gasp escaping your lips as Buggy mentions Crocodile's name. The speaker slips from your trembling hand, a choked cry caught in your throat.

Tears stream down your face, cascading uncontrollably. "Why...?" you manage to utter, your voice breaking amidst the sobs. In the background, you hear Buggy's voice, now tinged with fear, but his words remain unheard as your anguish consumes you. "Y/n, is that you?" You find yourself unable to respond, your body frozen in place, as Crocodile's laughter fills the air. He cruelly retrieves the speaker and places it back on the snail with a silent, mocking "gatchan."

The sound of his laughter shatters your heart into a thousand pieces. Overwhelmed by sorrow, you collapse onto the pillow, burying your face in an attempt to shield yourself from the tears that stream down your cheeks. The weight of despair engulfs you, and it feels as if all hope and innocence have been irreversibly lost in this very moment.

"I'll leave you alone for a while," Crocodile's voice unexpectedly softens, carrying a semblance of kindness and understanding. But you no longer wish to see him, or anyone else for that matter. The pain is too raw, too consuming. The world around you feels bleak and devoid of solace.

[cyanocoraxx]

🐝 what to know if a wasp lands on you 🐝

our usual ethical coordinates don't always apply to wasps in the same way we apply them to domestic animals. yet, they coexist among us, inevitably present for any person spending the summer outside. we can't ignore or dismiss them, but they have been here for a long long time, and we must learn to exist beside them. wasps are incredible animals. they are highly social, able to recognize each other even after weeks apart, and benefit the ecosystem in several important ways. wasps, although not everybody’s favourite flying insect, do serve a huge role in keeping our world working the way it does.

so let’s clear up some shit that people say about wasps - what’s true, what’s not, and how to behave when trespassing in their little worlds.

(of course, some people are severely allergic to wasp stings and will have different experiences and relationships to these insects than others do. please always follow the advice of your healthcare provider and follow their instructions on how to stay safe. if you are not allergic, go ahead and proceed.)

🐝 what attracts wasps to people?

i’m going to start this by saying: wasps who are out looking for food don’t care about you. they care about your food and drink. even if you have none on you, this site might be a place that other people bring desirable foods and drinks to, and they remember this.

wasps are drawn to high-protein foods. this is because their grubs need to eat protein. most of the time, this is provided via insect prey brought in by workers. however, any high-protein food you have on you - think meats or fish - may draw their interest. it’s common to think that wasps only enjoy sugary foods, but some of our more meaty foods are on their menu too. this is also why it’s common to find them around BBQs. but, in autumn, wasps are instead primarily drawn to sugary foods. these include sodas, juice, sweets, and ripe fruits. this is because, at this time of year, wasps are coming to the end of their lives. their craving for sugars become intense as their final days approach. after all, who wouldn’t want to fill up on sugary snacks if they knew they only had a little while left? wasps at this time of year may also be more insistent on getting to the sweet foods. some sources suggest that wasps can be attracted to your perfume or cologne. no studies at this time back this claim up - wasps rely on a range of cues to find nectar-rich plants, including odours, shapes, patterns, and pheromones. your scent alone is unlikely to be enough cause for a wasp to risk approaching you. so, based on current understandings, you’re safe to keep smelling good - or bad, if you use bad cologne. i can’t tell you what to do.

🐝 why do wasps sting people?

unless there is a good reason (in the mind of the wasp), a wasp will not sting you.

wasps primarily use their stingers when hunting, so when one decides to sting a person, they do as a defense mechanism. wasps know that we are larger and stronger than them, and that we are nothing but a threat to their safety and home. if a wasp stings a person, they do so because they perceive that they or their home are in danger. be aware that when a wasp does sting out of self-defense, it will release alarm pheromones to coordinate the organization of other wasps nearby. basically the other wasps: is he bothering you, queen? 

wasps may become more easily irritated if there is a lot of competition in the area, including competition from their own nestmates. the stress only increases as food sources become more scarce. if you’re in an area known for having a lot of your black and yellow buddies, be aware that they’re having their own drama between themselves. if you deliberately stress them out by acting aggressively, they’re more likely to defend themselves as their stress levels are already high. in contrast, a single, lone wasp is much less stressed and is less likely to sting you.

a wasp will also sting you to defend its nest. if you suddenly find several wasps coming close to you, be sure to check that you’re not close to a nest. nests are most common in wall cavities, roof spaces, in bird boxes, sheds, and garages and have a papery, mulchy appearance. if you are close to a nest and making a lot of noise, moving erratically, or directly attempting to disturb the nest, wasps will bring you to swift, stingy justice for it. when checking for a nest, do not run, do not swing your arms around, do not shout, and do NOT under any circumstances tell them: me when I fucking GET you. move calmly and slowly or risk the wrath of your new yellow neighbours slam dunking you with 1000 stings. always ask a professional to remove/relocate a nest for you if it’s causing harm or distress. because wasps are ecologically important, it’s not recommended to exterminate the nest unless there is an emergency situation, such as being allergic, having small children, or pets who can access it.

🐝 a wasp just landed on me or is frightening me

so, it happened - or is happening, depending on how you found this post. again, unless there is a good reason (in the mind of the wasp), a wasp will not sting you. stinging a human costs energy and time that could be spent foraging, and for an animal with a short lifespan, energy and time are everything.

so, as tempting as it might be to give in to instinct, do not try to swat, crush, hit, or otherwise disturb your new, perhaps unwanted friend. again, wasps sting when they feel threatened, and remember, you are much bigger and stronger than they are. you are a threat and they know you could kill them. as tempting as it is to act impulsively, don’t. you only risk causing distress to this wasp and this will cause it to act in self-defence. yes, you’re probably shitting your proverbial pants, but so are they. the only difference is: a wasp will choose violence if you give it a reason to. stay still. calm yourself with several deep breaths.

instead of further stressing the animal, move away slowly and calmly. the wasp is unlikely to be interested in you - it wants whatever you have around you. let them investigate without disturbing them. once the wasp has collected whatever it needs, or decides the reward isn’t worth the risk, it will leave you alone. be aware that other insects, including wasps, may catch wind of a high-reward feeding site and may approach later on. in this case, calmly move your foods and drinks to a new location and keep them covered. wasps can remember where feeding sites are, so just be aware that your new flying friend might come to visit tomorrow if you keep using the same spot to eat/drink.

if a wasp is intent on getting into your food or drink, you can also try gently and calmly separating some of what you have to offer to them. i sometimes pour some fizzy drink into a bottlecap and set it aside so that they can feed without being disturbed. it’s a win win for both of us.

if a wasp has gotten into your clothes, again, the best thing to do is stay still and calm. you don’t want the wasp to feel more trapped than it already is, and you risk hurting yourself or increasing the risk of being stung by doing anything drastic from here. the wasp will find its own way out if you allow it. 

🐝 common wasp physiology things to know:

- wasps who begin life as aggressive become docile as they age - wasps who begin life as docile become aggressive as they age - individual wasp size within the species does not correlate with their likelihood to sting. this means a big wasp landing on you is no more of a threat than a smaller one - foragers are less likely to sting than nest-defenders. these are the wasps you’ll see around your food and drink. wasps in a nest, however, are more likely to come at you. - wasps can remember where food sources were last found and will return. if you remove the food source, they may return a couple of times before deciding it’s not worth the energy to come back again. - foraging activities are highest in early mornings.

[1] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00040-015-0424-4 [2] http://researcharchive.vuw.ac.nz/handle/10063/5061 [3] https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/studentTheses/a-study-of-the-biology-of-the-common-wasp-vespula-vulgaris-l-with

[nadiajustbe]

Random Scarlett and Browne series headcanons because this fandom needs content (there was supposed to be more Albert, but it turned out to be a little bit for everyone)

He literally adores comfortable knitted sweaters, I mean, he canonically lived in one in the first book, but hear me out: when choosing, his favorite would be purple, followed by brown and light and dark gray.

Albert would have loved those coloured animal patches that they sometimes give to children in hospitals. I mean, I don't know what animal species are left alive in their world, but giraffes or tiger cubs would have been good for him. It's just cute, don't look for logic.

He is sometimes picky about food, in terms of, of course, the harsh realities of survival with Scarlett, he will eat whatever he can, but I think if possible he would have some kind of limited diet of favourite foods and dishes.

Scarlett, on the other hand, eats and loves absolutely EVERYTHING, because it is literally the only way for her to survive and she is used to taking whatever comes to hand. Although, I think she has some favorites too: fish and meat, most probably not so much greens (??? at least because they are not so easy to get and process, and also because I think so). But with all that said, she doesn't really think about it in most moments.

Joe, in contrast to this, also likes meat and fish, but he leans more towards fish because, c'mon, he literally lives and moves on a raft, he doesn't have that much choice, so I'm sure he can fish well)

Scarlett doesn't like chocolate, Albert likes milk chocolate or chocolate with nuts.

Ettie loves all kinds of sweets, although she hasn't had many in her life, so she enjoys fruit, for example.

Thomas also loved sweets, and it was literally the only reason they were ever in the McCain household in the first place. (I absolutely do not want Ettie to bring up Scarlett's trauma in any way, but there you go)

I saw a headcanon, it was @mellowkotto's I think, about Scarlett being terrible at playing computer survival games, and it really fits, but listen.

Albert is a very fast learner, so he would be really good at survival games because he would understand the mechanics and the rules of the game very quickly. This would create a pretty strong contrast, because in reality, things are a little different even after Albert's survival lessons. This led to a whole series of headcanons between me and my bestie about how they would play Minecraft, but that's a topic for a whole another post.

That's the only thing I'm saying from there: Albert built himself a house, tamed a dog, an ocelot and built a garden on his first day of play.

Scarlett spent the whole night trying to kill monsters with her bare hands because she's so angry that there are no knives or guns in this "bloody game" (don't tell her about mods), but then she just burrowed into the ground a few blocks down to survive.

Albert likes his pillow and bed to be warm

Scarlett likes her pillow and bed to be cold.

(It doesn't matter anymore, because if they share a bed, Albert canonically will be sent to sleep on the floor)

Albert falls asleep quickly, almost instantly, no matter how easy or hard or crazy the day has been.

Scarlett falls asleep for a long time thinking about her past and the results of the day, and even meditation doesn't always help. (Because they are both traumatised, except that Albert tends to ignore his traumas/not trigger them much, and Scarlett tends to live in them more than she wants to.)

Albert likes to play with Ettie, spinning small rocks or things in the air in front of her in a circle, like an invisible juggler when no one is looking.

Scarlett is pretty good when she needs to draw a quick sketch of a plan on a piece of paper, although she usually prefers to analyse the situation on the fly and keep everything in her head. And she and Albert are both terrible artists, seriously, some of Ettie's drawings are much better than what they can create even as a team.

(Although I think Albert would like to practice to better understand Ettie, for whom drawing is her preferred method of communication instead of words)

Both Scarlett and Joe are quite canonically gamblers, the only difference is that Scarlett spends large sums of money on gambling, not really caring about winning (she has trauma, just leave her alone), Joe mostly plays for fun, playing, for example, cards with Sal, for example, with a maximum bet of a few coins for show.

Mallory has been trained formal, clean language while working for the Faith Houses and the authorities, and so even if he speaks in a threatening and violent manner, his speech always remains calibrated. Therefore, it was another minus to his perception at Scarlett that she greeted him with a bunch of curses and a fist directly to his face from the truck cab.

And, regarding Mallory, in his childhood at Stonemoor, he would try to bring Dr Calloway some kind of gift after her "experimental sessions", whether it was a flower from a vase or a crooked drawing. Calloway was genuinely pleased with such thing, not because she really loved Mallory, but because it was the clearest indicator that her system was working and that this child was definitely attached to her and would do what he was told.

Despite the fact that Scarlett had the cuss-box after she joined the Brothers of the Hand, I really wish that the idea to pick up this tradition had come to her on her own, not on someone else's suggestion. Perhaps she had a similar jar for monitoring bad habits in her old house and then remembered it.

[dailycharacteroption]

Roleplay Ramblings: Food part 2

(art by Daria Nikonova on Artstation)

 Describing Food

 So in order to have your players drooling at the table with your descriptions of food, you first need to be able to describe it. Not everyone is both a food aficionado and a writer, so it can help to both understand what makes food appetizing and how to describe it.

 The first step of describing food with love and engaging passion is to, shockingly, love and appreciate food. Too often diet culture has us demonizing the appreciation for good food, that food that “tastes good” can’t be good for you, or that “unhealthy food™ has no nutritional value”.

But it’s not just about liking food, but also enjoying food enough to understand what parts of it are making which flavor. What do the individual spices taste like and how are they adding to the complete meal, for example.

With that in mind, take the time to expand your vocabulary. Watch cooking shows, read up on cooking, or just practice it yourself, finding out what these words mean and why.

On that note, also understand why each ingredient is there. It’s not always about the flavor. Eggs give cohesion to many dishes, whereas oils and salt alter how a foodstuff cooks, to say nothing of how spices can elevate a dish.

While seeing and tasting a dish are of course important, most of the time you won’t have the luxury of cooking the meal yourself to serve (good on you if you do, though) or even provide a picture, so describing how the dish sounds is also very important, how it sizzles and pops, or crunches when bitten into, and so on.

An unfortunate truth of language is that sometimes we simply don’t have the right word to describe what we’re experiencing. For those times when you don’t have the exact right word, sometimes comparison is the tool you should use. “How does this fruit taste?” is a very hard question to answer sometimes, so finding comparisons and contrasts can be important to give an idea. Another example is describing how the giant crustacean-like monster tastes. Crab and shrimp are a good comparison to use there.

Finally, nothing increases anticipation for a meal quite like watching it be prepared, so don’t neglect descriptions of what it’s like to cook and prepare a meal. The sizzle of cooking meat, the slicing of vegetables and fruit, and so on.

 As we can see, there is a lot one can do with food descriptions, but we’ve only just started. Tomorrow we start talking about figuring out what the populations of your setting eat on a regular basis, which can be harder than it seems! See you tomorrow!

[asher-writes]

Happy WBW! What are meals like in your world? Are they celebrations? Individual tasks? Is there a meal to rule them all?

Honestly, it depends on the culture.

I'm working on Arcadian Wilds, so I'll use the Arcadian Wilds world:

Blue Oak Forest / (Colloquially known as: Poison)

Blue Oak is the home village of April, and the setting of the first book.

It is the largest place with fertile ground for fruits and vegetables, and the climate is well controlled due to the glass domes that are used to contain it. It is, for all intents and purposes, a massive greenhouse. It is also not terrain well-trodden.

The staple diet of the average person there is mostly vegetable-based for this. They have some meats imported from other villages, but it's usually on a person-by-person delivery and not many can afford it. The Lighthouse, which runs supply chains, will sometimes provide tinned meats for the village through the cell there.

So mostly they eat stew, bread, but some people also make pies and pastries - which is seen as more modern. People in Blue Oak tend to not have large families, so it's a rather individual affair.

The Town of Sight

In contrast, Sight has the aesthetic and vibe of an English town. The houses are nice, the people are generally middle class, and their sense of community is very different.

They have some patches of land where they grow fruits and vegetables, most meat comes from the surrounding areas (farms). They have the means to process sugars, and bake/cook, so they also have desserts, even chocolate.

It's usually a family affair; men tend to guide the children through cooking (regardless of gender). People in Sight do tend to have large families, so it's usually a little hectic, a bit of mess is made for the evening meal and the children are walked through the steps of cleaning afterwards.

They have quite diverse meals because they can afford it. Prayers are usually said before eating.

Food and Celebration

Within the Lighthouse itself, it's kinda a melting pot of different cultures and places, so there are times when there's overlaps. I can't think of many specific things right now, honestly because I haven't actually written that far ahead yet.

But there is, in the third book, a point where they all celebrate life and very possible impending death with a big banquet, and there's food and dancing and drinking there. It's a group effort and there's a very clear link between desire to live and food, which is not as usually varied and accessible in this world by the majority.

[healthcoach95]

Plant-Based Protein vs. Animal Protein: Navigating Protein Sources for Weight Loss

Chasing a better way of life and compelling weight reduction, the job of nourishment couldn't possibly be more significant. Among the significant parts of a reasonable eating regimen, protein stands apart as a stalwart that assumes a crucial part in building and fixing tissues, supporting metabolic capabilities, and advancing a sensation of completion. As people set out on their weight reduction venture, a central choice emerges - picking the right wellsprings of protein.

This article aims to investigate the unique transaction between plant-based and creature proteins about weight reduction. By diving into the benefits, dietary profiles, and contemplations related to every protein source, we mean to give perusers significant experiences to explore the perplexing territory of protein decisions. Whether you're a devoted veggie-lover, a flexitarian, or an energetic meat devotee, understanding the subtleties of plant-based and creature proteins is vital to settling on informed choices that line up with your weight reduction objectives.

As we leave on this investigation, we should unwind the secrets behind plant-based and creature proteins and find how these dietary decisions can impact the numbers on the scale as well as by and large well-being and prosperity.

Grasping Protein in Weight Reduction

Protein, frequently hailed as the structure block of life, expects a principal job in the domain of weight reduction. Past its muscle-building notoriety, protein is a multi-layered supplement critical for general well-being and fruitful weight the executives. As people endeavor to shed overabundance pounds, the consideration of sufficient protein in their weight control plans turns into an essential part.

Protein supports the development and fixing of tissues, an interaction especially vital during weight reduction when the body goes through massive changes. Past its underlying job, protein flaunts an exceptional capacity to incite satiety, helping people feel full and fulfilled for extended periods. This checks unfavorable desires as well as helps with controlling generally speaking calorie consumption, a foundation of powerful weight reduction.

Besides, protein's effect on digestion is significant. The thermic impact of food, where the body consumes energy to process and handle supplements, is higher for protein contrasted with fats and sugars. Thus, a protein-rich eating routine might raise calorie use, adding to the general energy balance fundamental for weight reduction.

Generally, understanding the multi-layered job of protein in weight reduction is an urgent starting point for making an even and successful dietary technique. It goes past simple calorie counting, underlining the significance of picking the right protein sources to accomplish practical and long-haul weight reduction achievement.

 Plant-Based Protein Sources

Plant-based protein sources offer a different cluster of nutritious choices for those trying to accomplish their weight reduction objectives while embracing a more economical and plant-driven way of life. Vegetables and heartbeats, like lentils, chickpeas, and dark beans, arise as phenomenal wellsprings of protein, wealthy in fiber that advances satiety and helps to process.

Grains and cereals, for example, quinoa, oats, and earthy-colored rice, contribute protein as well as convey fundamental nutrients and minerals. Nuts and seeds, including almonds, chia seeds, and hemp seeds, give solid fats close by their protein content, improving the nourishing profile of plant-based slims down.

For those hoping to enhance their protein admission, plant-based protein supplements obtained from sources like pea protein or soy protein offer advantageous choices. The upsides of picking plant-based proteins for weight reduction stretch out past their healthful substance, as they frequently brag lower calorie thickness, making them helpful for calorie-controlled consumes less calories.

Additionally, integrating plant-based proteins lines up with natural manageability, offering an eco-cognizant way to deal with dietary decisions. By understanding the different ranges of plant-based protein sources, people can create a balanced, supplement-thick eating routine that upholds their weight reduction venture while embracing the advantages of a plant-fueled way of life.

Creature Protein Sources

Creature protein sources assume an urgent part in supporting weight reduction endeavors by offering top caliber, complete proteins, and fundamental supplements crucial for in general well-being. Lean meats like chicken, turkey, and fish are wealthy in protein as well as low in soaked fats, going with them ideal decision for people expecting to deal with their weight while guaranteeing ideal sustenance.

Dairy items, including milk, yogurt, and cheddar, give a concentrated wellspring of protein alongside fundamental supplements like calcium and vitamin D. Eggs, a total protein source, offer flexibility in culinary applications and are prestigious for their supplement thickness.

One eminent benefit of creature proteins is their capacity to initiate a feeling of satiety, assisting people with feeling more full for longer periods. This can be especially advantageous for those exploring calorie-controlled eats less carbs as it upholds better hunger the board.

Moreover, creature proteins give fundamental micronutrients like B12 and iron, vital for energy digestion and forestalling dietary inadequacies. While integrating creature proteins into a weight reduction plan, people can profit from the synergistic impacts of protein quality, supplement thickness, and satiety, adding to a complete and adjusted way to deal with accomplishing their weight reduction objectives.

Looking at Plant-Based and Creature Proteins for Weight reduction

The decision between plant-based and creature proteins in the journey for weight reduction includes a nuanced assessment of nourishing substances, caloric thickness, edibility, and ecological contemplations. Plant-based proteins, obtained from sources like vegetables, grains, and nuts, frequently display lower calorie thickness and higher fiber content, advancing a sensation of totality and supporting weight across the board.

Creature proteins tracked down in lean meats, dairy, and eggs, succeed in furnishing total proteins with ideal amino corrosive profiles. The higher thermic impact of creature proteins can add to expanded calorie consumption during absorption, possibly upgrading the weight reduction process.

Edibility and retention rates shift among plant and creature proteins. While plant proteins might contain fiber that eases back assimilation, creature proteins are for the most part more effortlessly consumed by the body. Adjusting these elements is critical to making an eating regimen that lines up with individual inclinations and weight reduction objectives.

Natural contemplations likewise become possibly the most important factor, as plant-based proteins frequently have a lower carbon impression contrasted with their creature partners. Pursuing an educated decision includes figuring out private dietary requirements, inclinations, and the natural effects of protein sources. Eventually, a reasonable mix of plant-based and creature proteins can give an extensive way to deal with weight reduction that focuses on both well-being and manageability.

Going with Informed Decisions

Exploring the different scenes of protein hotspots for weight reduction includes going with informed choices customized to individual inclinations, healthful necessities, and moral contemplations. Surveying dietary inclinations and limitations is urgent, as private decisions assume a huge part in adherence to a weight reduction plan. Whether one inclines towards a plant-based way of life or integrates creature proteins, understanding the dietary subtleties of every decision is fundamental.

Adjusting plant-based and creature proteins takes into consideration a different admission of supplements, guaranteeing the body gets a range of fundamental amino acids, nutrients, and minerals. Talking with a nutritionist or medical services proficient gives customized direction, assisting people with fitting their protein admission to line up with weight reduction objectives and generally speaking prosperity.

Besides, embracing an assortment of protein sources adds energy to feasts and forestalls dietary dreariness. A smart way to deal with protein determination upgrades the supportability of dietary propensities and cultivates long-haul adherence to a solid way of life.

All in all, going with informed decisions includes a comprehensive comprehension of individual inclinations, healthful prerequisites, and the more extensive effect of dietary choices. By creating an even way to deal with protein consumption, people can leave on a weight reduction venture that focuses on well-being as well as lines up with their one-of-a-kind qualities and way of life decisions.

Test Feast Plans for Weight Reduction

Making powerful and nutritious feast plans is a foundation of effective weight reduction tries. Whether picking plant-based or creature proteins, an even methodology guarantees a different admission of fundamental supplements while advancing a calorie deficiency for weight reduction.

For a plant-based dinner plan, breakfast might incorporate a protein-loaded smoothie with almond milk, spinach, and a scoop of plant-based protein powder. Lunch could highlight a quinoa and dark bean salad with grouped vegetables, and supper could incorporate a lentil stew with blended greens. Tidbits might include nuts or hummus with veggie sticks.

A creature protein-centered feast plan could begin with a morning meal of fried eggs with sautéed vegetables, trailed by a barbecued chicken plate of mixed greens for lunch. The supper could comprise heated fish with cooked yams and asparagus. Greek yogurt or curds with berries make for fulfilling protein-rich bites.

Adjusting macronutrients and consolidating various entire food varieties guarantees a balanced healthful profile. Changing part sizes and calorie consumption given individual requirements and objectives is vital for powerful weight reduction. Talking with a nutritionist can assist with fitting feast plans to explicit prerequisites, guaranteeing a maintainable and pleasant way to deal with accomplishing weight reduction achievements.

Tips for Fruitful Weight Reduction with Protein

Accomplishing fruitful weight reduction with an emphasis on protein includes key preparation and careful decisions. Observing protein admission is fundamental, and a common principle is to go for the gold utilization that lines up with individual objectives and action levels. This can improve satiety, support muscle maintenance, and add to a general feeling of prosperity.

Consolidating a blend of plant-based and creature proteins takes into consideration a different supplement consumption. Plant-based sources give fiber and cancer prevention agents, while creature proteins convey fundamental amino acids and supplements like B12 and iron. This equilibrium guarantees an exhaustive way to deal with sustenance, supporting both weight reduction and by and large well-being.

Standard actual work, especially strength preparation, is significant for improving the advantages of protein consumption during weight reduction. Constructing and keeping up with fit bulk supports calorie consumption and adds to a conditioned constitution. Joining protein-rich feasts with a workout routine encourages a synergistic impact for manageable weight reduction.

Furthermore, remaining hydrated is fundamental, as water plays a part in processing and digestion. Picking lean cuts of meat, getting ready feasts at home, and limiting handled food varieties add to a healthy methodology. Fitting protein consumption in light of individual necessities and inclinations, while thinking about the direction of medical care proficiency, guarantees a customized and compelling technique for fruitful weight reduction with protein.

[alexeiadrae]

Mega Brand Q&A with Hajime Kanzaka 07/2020 to 12/2020, translated

12/2020 

Q: What is the height of Xellos in human form? Since he is described as "medium height" in volume 5, can I assume he is smaller than Zel (178cm) who is described as "tall" in volume 6?

Also, so far the character height settings in the original Slayers story are unofficially "Lina 147, Gourry 182, Zel 178, Amelia 155" in Blaster, but already in the anime and in Araizumi's illustrations, the height is Lina > Amelia or Xellos > Zel. Is it possible that the above height-related settings will be changed when it becomes necessary to include character heights as official settings in Dramaga magazine, etc., in consideration of this?

(Aside from Lina and Amelia, the height relationship between Zel and Xellos would be inconsistent with the original work's depiction if it were adapted to the anime, etc...)

KANZAKA: "In my image, Zel is slightly taller than Xellos. However, if this were to be visualized, I am sure the staff would have calculated how it would look, etc., so I basically won't say anything about it."

Q: What the relationship between Norst-kun and Sherra like? In contrast to Sherra, who was very serious, Norst seems to have a somewhat casual personality, but does his little sister Sherra, who is serious, takes care of him? Does he lie in front of her and say, “Sherra, give me some ramen?” Or is Norst the little brother?

 KANZAKA: In the first place, they don't often communicate with each other for a long time when they're in the same place, but there was a time when Sherra was internally annoyed by Norst's carelessness, and Norst didn't notice it at all. However, it never really surfaced.

Q: Are all elves vegan? Or do some elves prefer to eat like humans? Do they also eat kasumi?

KANZAKA: "Basically, elves in the Slayers world are omnivores. However, they prefer fruits and vegetables to meat and fish at a higher rate than humans. Also, they do not eat kasumi. It is not because they need less calories than humans, but because of the digestive enzymes they have.”

 11/2020 

Q: I am curious about the question "On what principle do people see ghosts?" which was written in the "Sotogaki" in the Slayers Vol. 16 bonus. Is there any chance to talk about it?

KANZAKA: "Ah. As you can imagine, it's too long to answer here, but I hope we can present it some day at some occasion (someone else's)."

Q: It is necessary for mages to study and understand spells on their own in order to be able to use them, but do multiple mages ever get together to study spells as a collective knowledge?

KANZAKA: "Of course there is. Even though spell research is basically individual work, that is why basic spells such as 'Lighting' and basic magic theory are usually taught at the Sorcerer’s Guild."

Q: In the third volume, there is a small "Jewel Talisman" stuck to the inside of Lina's bandana, which is constantly pressing on her forehead. Does this mean that Lina always has a small dent on her forehead right after she takes off her bandana? If so, what does it look like?

KANZAKA: "Yes, seriously, it is there. It is oval shaped, about the size of a woman's pinky fingernail."

10/2020 

Q: I have a question about "identification". In the specials and up to the 15th volume of the long story, when Lina went to the Sorcerer’s Guild to say hello, they forced her to work on the assumption that she was "Lina Inverse", but how does she prove that Lina was "Lina Inverse"?

I doubt if they can be trusted just by saying their name, since fakes can appear in terms of name value, and there is a separation between rumor (rabid) and appearance (tiny girl). Do they have any kind of identification?

KANZAKA: "Of course, there are locally acceptable IDs, such as colored robes, but there is no such thing as an area-wide acceptable ID. For this reason when guests give their names at the Sorcerer’s Guild, it is common for them to chat about magical knowledge in a petite mage test."

Q: I understand that Astral Vine is "a spell that can be used to increase the power of an object by applying magical power to it," but can it be used over something that is not hard, such as a hand towel or a radish? If so, is there any difference in power compared to a metal sword?

KANZAKA: "'Astral Vine' is to give anti-demonic attack power by covering the core part with magical power. The core itself is not strengthened, so if you put it on a towel and hit a demon, it will become sticky. It is only a sticky core, so it does not mean that it can cut.

 Q: In the anime, it is said that "demons don't lie," but what is actually true? In the original story, when Laddock went on a business trip, he said something like, "I was knocked out by the first blow....”

I am very curious about this, especially since I have the impression that Xellos "doesn't tell lies, but invites misleading with ambiguous statements.”

KANZAKA: "It depends on the demon, but it is true that many of them are, in a sense, ridiculously honest, if not totally untruthful."

09/2020  

Q: I have a question about Demon’s Blood Talisman. The talisman was broken in the battle in vol. 15, but did Lina throw it away after that? Or is it stored somewhere? I am wondering if magical tools remain valuable as research materials even if they are broken, or if they need special treatment when they are discarded.

KANZAKA: "The jewel itself has completely disappeared. The frame and other items that held the jewel in place were ordinary precious metals with no research value, so Lina sold them."

Q: How are Amelia's favorite heroic lore songs spread in the Slayers world, where there is no letterpress printing technology? Is it something that is read or is it something that is passed down orally by bards? Is it possible that the upper class, such as Amelia, and people of the intellectual class, such as Lina and Zelgadis, often have access to the original texts and manuscripts for reading, but the common people basically know the stories in the form of bardic songs? Which was more common for Amelia, to hear them as bardic songs or to read them? Also, did the writers of heroic folklore songs dedicate the original to Princess Amelia ...... in the same way that Murasaki Shikibu dedicated The Tale of Genji to the royal family?

KANZAKA: "As you pointed out, there are two patterns: one is left in books and the other is handed down to bards, and such a state of affairs makes it difficult to identify which one is the original. The stories that Amelia has come to know are probably in the ratio of 3 that she has read and 7 that she has heard. There are no direct dedications from writers to individuals at this time."

 Q: The attack power of the Sword of Light was increased by applying the black magic Giga Slave and Dragon Slave to it. Was it possible to apply spirit magic such as Fireballs and Ra Tilt, as well as white magic such as Resurrection, if you wanted to?

KANZAKA: "It may have been possible, but at any rate, the Sword of Light itself is a demon, so it is not necessarily the case that a Blade of Resurrection or a Blade of Fire was created with it. And even if a Fire Blade was created, it would normally be weaker than a blade of light."

 08/2020 

Q: I'd like to ask you a question because the other day when we had a Slayers talk with other fans, there was a disagreement and discussion. I think that when a demon tribe (especially a high-ranking demon tribe) has a subordinate who is given conflicting orders by his or her superior, the order of the immediate superior has the highest priority (as in the case of the Demon Dragon King and the Dark Lord).

Otherwise, for example, if Dynast is not told anything by Greater Beast, can he use Xellos freely?

Even if the Greater Beast has not told him anything, I would like to know if he can basically refuse orders from superiors other than his immediate superior if he does not want to do so.

I would like to know because there was a discussion among fans that it is possible if neither of them violated the direct superior's order.

KANZAKA: "Very well!　The answer is ...... for each person!

“Well, seriously speaking, the demon tribe has its own individuality, so what is considered absolute compliance or the priority of the chain of command varies from demon tribe to demon tribe. In the questioner's example, it depends on how Xellos judges the importance of the orders they receive."

Q: About the demon tribe. Is the personality of the demon tribe determined by the one who created them as "this kind of personality"? Or is it fixed little by little after they come into existence, like we humans are? Or is it fixed little by little after they come into existence, like we humans do? Do they create their own personalities?

KANZAKA: "The general framework is fixed at the time of creation. Of course, there are changes that occur later in life, but for the demons, who are spirit beings, changes in personality are directly related to changes in their existence, so they don't change too rapidly or drastically.”

Q: The five direct subordinates under the control of the five confidants, such as Xellos, are created by their respective masters, who divide their power, but how do the other pure demons increase in number?

Is there a relationship between the affiliation of Kanzel under the Demon Dragon King, Seigram who was formerly under Greater Beast, etc. and the generation of pure demon tribe?

KANZAKA: "The number of pure demons is increasing in a carpet-bombing manner by high-ranking demon clans. To put it sensibly, it is like randomly scattering large and small seeds. Sometimes the smaller species become lesser demons, but very rarely they become pure demons as a result of the lower demon clans accumulating power."

 07/2020 

Q: The subordinate S once referred to the Xellos as an intermediate demon, but in the work, the Xellos were said to be a high ranking demon. Since Xellos is right below his confident, so I think he has a high position, but is he an intermediate demon? Isn't the term "high-ranking demon tribe" used to refer to the demon tribe above the mid-level demon tribe?

KANZAKA: "The discrepancy in the perception of Xellos' rank is the difference between the classification from the demon tribe side or from the human side. The demon tribe evaluates them purely on the basis of their power, so they are middle class compared to the demon king and his confidants. On the other hand, from the human point of view, the class of demons that can look like humans is clearly impossible in battle, so they are high-ranking demons."

Q: In volume 16, Lina said that the elves' technique of manipulating plants by making them grow rapidly from seed is impossible for humans. In the short story "For Whom Sleeps the Treasure" (vol. 16), a mage named Cid uses a technique called "Chaos Beard" to rapidly grow and manipulate his own beard. Or is it a magic technique that you perform day after day, and then unleash it when the moment is right?

KANZAKA: "As for the mustache, it is more like 'healing' or 'resurrection' since it is an activation of one's own physical body. In contrast, plant growth requires the simultaneous replenishment of water, nutrients, and alternatives to photosynthesis, so the precision of control is needed."

 Q: I got a library-style card at the Slayers Cafe, and it was the first time I learned about Zel-sama's favorite food. I have become an old lady with a sweet tooth who still doesn't like spicy food, but I wonder if Zel-sama has a taste for sweet foods? How was his childhood as well as his adulthood?

I am very anxious to know if Rezo has been properly caring for the childish Zel by giving him sweets (or button candy at this point). Wishing Zel-sama all the best in his childhood.

KANZAKA: "Zel basically has no likes or dislikes. Now, about Zel's childhood, to begin with, there is no environment in that world where ordinary children can easily obtain and eat sweet things like in Japan today. I think there was at least candy, but I think Zel probably had a taste of it once in a while.”

[thedoctorlivesey]

Dr. Livesey, what do you eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?

Hmmm! Ahahaha what an interesting question!

Oh, you see it all depends on my mood and tastes for the day, but my breakfast is generally modest. Preserves, bread, butter and tea. Occasionally eggs.

Then I may sit for a meal during the day and dine of simple things such as meat pies, cheeses, fruits and the like.

For the evening my cook will have prepared something warm to enjoy in stark contrast to my usually cold lunch. Hearty stews, pottage, honeyed chicken, beef with beer.