#just dive-swoop-crunch

[whelpimnauthuman]

I always think I'm not very territorial/don't have a high prey drive... Yet, the few times I've mentally shifted and have had that kick in, it's very much the opposite. Chasing the intruder off "my territory" (well beyond what was necessary, tbh), wanting to chase and bite and kill the small thing...

[half-dead-ham]

On the rise

Another one for the Shipweek! Wings Au! Lets go!

Here's: [Ao3]

“Heads up!”

 Someone called just as a blinding blast of magic shot out from Danny's right. He dodged, with only inches between him and the orange energy. Shooting in that direction without looking to see if he hit, Danny dove for another cultist just as he was about to fire off a spell at Aqualad. He kicked out, his leg connecting with the guy's neck and throwing him to the ground, his head connecting with the concrete floor in a satisfying thwack.

 One more cultist down, over two dozen left to go.

 Did Danny ever mention that he hated cultists?

 He went for another dive attack, swooping in with his fist and connecting somewhere on the guy’s upper body before launching himself back out of range of their close range spells. Dodging more blasts and providing arial support when needed, Danny groused to himself about how he had gotten into this. He wasn’t expecting cults when he was called in for this mission. He didn’t know what he was expecting exactly, but they had more magically inclined people as backup for the Team than him, so why was he here? Where was Zatanna when you needed her? Why couldn’t this just be a ghost he could take care of easily? Why him?

 A blast glanced the back of his shoulder as he came out of a barrel roll, searing his suit and knocking him off course. He clutched at his shoulder in pain as he looked back to see which sorry sonuva bitch was about to get decked, only to see Robin was already taking care of them.

 Good, let Robin handle that idiot.

 Kid Flash and Superboy were playing keep-away with the books and artifacts the cult needed to perform whatever asinine ritual they were about to start before they dropped in while he, Robin, Artemis, and Aqualad were on round up. Miss Martian was making sure no one left or entered the area, just in case there were other cult members in other parts of the old hotel they found themselves in.

 Seriously, why do cultists find only the creepiest, most abandoned places to do their summoning rituals? Why couldn’t they- Another blast of magic nearly blew through his tail, cutting his thoughts off. Danny growled and shot the guy that had tried shooting him. Not the time to get in your own head, Fenton, focus.

 Artemis sent a volley of trick arrows from her perch on one of the rafters, downing more than a few of the remaining cultists.

 Only a few more to go.

 With one last push the last of the cultists were down. A quick check in with M’gann told them that she was all clear at her position, so they started to drag the unconscious bodies to zip tie them together for later pick up. They could finally relax.

 Danny let out a breath as he floated down to the concrete floor, watching as Aqualad and Robin started dragging a few goons into a loose circle close to their nearly completed summoning sigil before picking a few of his own up to join them. KF came out of his red streak as he slowed down, not even out of breath, and Kon began hauling two of the cult members he had body checked away towards the growing circle of bodies.

 “Well that was fun,” Danny commented out loud, trying to keep the communication to where he could hear it. While he did link up via telepathy for stealth, he didn’t really like others going through his head. It also made it easier for M’gann to focus when they were in a fight, something about his biology being harder to filter through. Thank the Ancients for that.

 “Y’know, I don’t think Gar will be too sad he missed out on this mission,” KF commented as he flipped through the contents of the tome he was tasked to guard. “All we did was beat up some guys, there wasn't even a time crunch. We got here just before they started any of the fun stuff.”

 Robin scoffed good naturedly, “So you’re saying you would rather come face to face with a terrifying being from beyond our understanding?”

 “I mean, it would make things more interesting. It's been boring with no missions to go on, and I didn't even get warmed up from this."

 "Careful KF," Danny smirked. "Or you're gonna start pouting from all this whining"

 Kid Flash shot him a scandalized look, which only made his pout more prominent and sent everyone looking into a fit of laughter.

 A soft hum took Danny out of his laughing fit earlier than the others, and he turned to see Connor inspecting the statue he was asked to guard. As he floated closer he could see the statuette in more detail; over six pairs of wings centered around the body of a bird, warped and elongated to fit its limbs, with a long neck ending in a goose head. It looked like something out of Greek mythology, but for all Pandora’s lessons on their culture, Danny couldn't place what it was.

 “Whatcha looking at SB?” He asked as he floated over his shoulder to get a look at what Connor was looking at. The teen of steel startled, for once not hearing someone approach with his super hearing. He shot a glare at the ghost boy before going back to inspecting the base of the statuette.

 “There are words on the bottom of this thing,” he explained, pointing to the etchings on the underside of the base. “They're faint, but I think I can make them out.”

 Danny peered at where he pointed, indeed finding the faint markings. Curiously though, they weren’t in english. “Y’know these are in greek, right?”

 Connor blushed faintly, keeping his eyes on the statuette in his hands. “I’ve been reading up in between your lessons,” he muttered.

 Danny smiled, it had been a while since they had started their language lessons. In the beginning he had almost thought it was a ploy from the rest of the team to keep him around more often, but Connor had asked him to keep the lessons a secret from everyone else, saying he wanted to try something new on his own, without their help. He did surprisingly well with languages, as they came to learn, and were currently going through both ancient and modern Greek pretty quickly. It also helped Danny, as he found he was able to learn better when he taught.

 Danny brushed his thoughts aside for the moment, looking back at the small statue in the clone’s hands. There was a name, along with a few other words that had long faded into the stone.

 “An… Acan…” Danny figured out the name a second before Connor, but wasn’t fast enough to stop him from saying it. “Acanthus?”

 A blinding light erupted from the statuette, flinging Danny back from Connor and blinding everyone else in the room. Danny could hear the surprised cries from the others from where he had impacted against the wall, but couldn’t move until the light died.

 Ancients, please let nothing bad happen to Connor. He was just getting the courage up to ask him out.

 As the light died and the spots cleared from Danny’s eyes, he could start to make out the silhouettes of the team, most of them had crouched or crumpled to the ground due to the sudden bright light, but Connor was still standing. There was something off about him though, and Danny had to squint and blink away the after images.

 Danny quickly lunged forward as Connor flailed, the newfound weight on his back throwing off his center of gravity and tipping him backwards. He caught him just before the clone could hit the ground, grabbing him by the shoulders and putting him gently back on his feet.

 “Woah,” Connor mumbled at the sudden elevation shifts and totally not at how easily Danny could sweep him off his feet. No, that was just Danny imagining things about him. He should really stop doing that.

 The other members of the team had gotten back on their feet by now, cautiously approaching the clone and the ghost boy as Danny checked out the reason for Superboy’s new balancing issues.

 ‘Damn, these might be bigger than mine,’ he thought as he looked over the two large wings now sprouting from Connors back, just below his shoulder blades. They were large, ash grey on the outside and white mottled with more grey on the inside. Danny had to reposition how they were sitting on his back or the primary feathers would drag on the floor.

 “Superboy, what the hell did you do‽” Robin shouted at the now feathered clone, who scowled at the approaching Boy Wonder.

 “Nothing,” he replied sharply, crossing his arms defensively even as the blush of being practically held up by Danny was still present.

 “Well clearly that's a lie,” Wally retorted. “Last time I checked SB, you didn’t have massive bird wings coming out of your back.”

 Connor shot Wally a heated glare that quickly let into a surprised squawk as Danny lifted one wing to see how far it extended. He turned his head to look at the ghost boy stretching the new appendage, unable to turn fully with the wing still in the other's grip.

 They watched as the ghost boy moved and tested the wing, pulling lightly at the primary feathers, moving to test the full range of the wing, then collapsing it as close to Connor’s body as it could go. When he looked done with his examination Robin spoke up. “Uhhhh, Phantom, what are you doing?”

 Danny snapped to attention, before meeting the others curious gazes. “Ope, uh… Sorry,” He reached up to scratch the back of his neck, not realizing he had let go until he was almost hit by a flailing Connor and swiftly put his hands back. “I was just curious about them. You don’t see wings like this in the Realms often, so I wanted to see how they compared.”

 “Curious?”

 “Compare?”

 “You've seen something similar to this, Phantom?” Kaldur asked the ghost boy.

 “Uhh, yeah?” Danny went to scratch his neck again, this time making sure he kept one hand on Connor to help him balance. “Some ghosts in the Realms have them as like, physical manifestations of what they used to like?” He still hasn't told the team about Obsessions, so while he wasn’t lying it wasn’t the whole truth.

 “So you know of some way to reverse this, then?” He pressed, to which Danny shook his head fervently.

 “Nope, nu-uh. This isn’t ghost stuff, this is magic stuff. I wouldn’t be able to tell you the first thing about getting rid of these, just how to take care of them.”

 The rest of the team looked between themselves, unsure of how to proceed. Even Connor was starting to look uncomfortable with the situation. Danny was sure there was some telepathic conversation he wasn’t in on happening, but right now he was just trying to keep the teen in his arms upright.

 Finally, Robin sighed. “Do you have any idea on how this happened in the first place, at least?”

 He nodded, motioning to the statuette on the floor as he spoke, “Nearest I can figure is that when Superboy spoke the name of the god on the statue it reacted like a word of power to the surrounding magic. It ended up invoking a portion of the gods' power and this happened.”

 Robin nodded, crouching to pick the statuette up and store it in a side pouch. He then turned for the nearest exit. “C’mon, M’gann already has the bioship ready and waiting. We’ll figure out how to get superboy back to normal when we get back to the cave.”

~~~~~

   “So how do you know how to take care of them?” Wally broke the silence of the bioship on their way back.

 “Huh?” Danny turned in his seat, before looking back out the window. “Oh, right. It was a pain when I couldn’t hide mine when I first got them, so I had Frostbite introduce someone to help me take care of mine.”

 A beat of silence, then the bioship erupted in questions.

~~~~~

   By the time the team had gotten back to the cave, each of them had asked at least a dozen questions each, and Danny very much regretted answering Wally. He’d been able to stall for time in bringing out his wings by saying that there wasn't enough room in the bioship for two winged people, even though Robin pointed out how he could’ve just phased what couldn’t fit outside.

 Danny didn’t want to freak the bioship out like that again, and he said as much.

 As soon as the drop hatch lowered Wally ran into the common room, saying something about needing the others to see what was about to happen. Floating down, Danny almost wanted to disappear, were it not for Connor still needing help in balancing. Danny had told him the best way to manage the weight, but without visuals he was forgetting and accidentally tipping back as he walked, leaving Danny to catch him and reposition him as needed.

 Seems even super strength couldn’t help with this kind of weight.

 They made it to the common room where Danny managed to position Connor on the couch before Wally came rushing back, now changed out of his costume and with Garfield right behind him. Zatanna would be out for at least another day, leaving their main magic specialist indisposed.

Great.

 “C’mon, Phantom! Show us those flappers already!” Wally cajoled, making Phantom flinch from where he was about to float off.

 Danny dropped to the ground, sighing in his failed attempt at escape. Moving over to the more open section of room, Danny turned to face the couches, arms spread as he dropped the invisibility on his wings. A round of gasps came from the group as pitch black wings speckled with white spread out from behind the ghost, the white specks glowing even brighter than his usual glow making them look almost like stars in the night sky.

 “Holy-”

 “Beautiful!”

 “How does that even work‽”

 “Impressive.”

 “Alright, you’ve seen them. Can I go now?” Danny asks the crowd, folding his wings in so the bend of the wings sat next to his shoulders, keeping his wingtips off the ground and crossing.

 “You seem very used to them,” Robin pointed out from behind Danny, startling him to turn and glare at the Boy Wonder as he inspected his wings from behind. Did Danny detect a smidge of awe in those microexpressions?

 Must be his imagination again.

 “I mean, yeah,” Danny conceded with a half shrug, keeping the mini-bat in his field of view. “They formed a while ago, before I came on as auxiliary for the Team, so I’ve had time to get used to them.”

 “And you never told us or showed them to us before, why?”

 “Because they’re useless in combat and I don’t need them to fly? Even if I can use them, they’re really only a help for flight in the Zone, and since I’m an earthbound ghost…” He made a ‘there you go’ gesture, figuring the others could complete the statement themselves.

 Robin sighed exasperatedly behind him, moving so Danny had to switch which shoulder he was looking at him over.

 “Is there nothing you can't do?” The Boy Wonder asked as he crouched down.

 Danny snorted, “Can’t pass a math exam to save my life,” he joked.

 Gar piped up from his place on the couch, “But you’re dead?”

 “Exactly,” Danny smirked, finger gunning at the shapeshifter. He was pleased to be met with one snicker and a resounding round of groans. They had finally got used to his dead jokes. Good.

 Something light brushed against one of his feathers from where Robin had crouched and he hastily moved his wing out of reach, startled.

 “The hell are you doing?” He asked shrilly, finally turning to face the detective.

 The Boy Wonder stood, masked scrunched as he examined the clean slice on the tip of his glove. “Your wings, they’re sharp?”

 “Very,” he backed up a step, making his wings intangible again just in case the bird brain went in again for another touch.

 Which he did.

 “What kind of bird has sharp wings?” Garfield piped up from behind him, tone ever curious.

 “A ghost bird,” Danny rolled his eyes, quickly becoming gone with this conversation and being stared at like some sort of sideshow attraction. Unfortunately his little quip only got Gar more interested.

 “There are ghost birds‽” The shapeshifter nearly shrieked with excitement, and Danny realized that any chance of him going home tonight just went out the window. Ancients, what did he do to deserve this?

 With a droop of his shoulders he faced the young shapeshifter. “Yes? Sort of? It's hard to explain. Can I at least put my wings back?”

 “No,” Connor stated from his place on the couch. “If I have to suffer, so do you. ‘Least yours look nice, mine look like I got covered in mud.” He let that last bit out with a grumble, almost incomprehensible if not for Danny's hearing. The insinuation that Connor liked his wings made his face frost over slightly with blush.

 Hastily Danny cleared his throat and moved his legs to sit crossed-legged in the air, looking back to Gar and his expectant stare.

 “So, y’know those old myths about things like unicorns and the Minotaur and all that?” A quick round of nods from the group on the couches. “Well they’re all actually real. Not really sure about the history of them, haven’t gotten that far in my history lessons, but the gist is that either monsters were mortal realm creatures that were all eventually hunted to extinction from the myths, or they were born ghosts that went to the mortal realm because the veil between worlds was much thinner back then.”

 “And how does that tie into you having sharp wings?” Wally asks in between mouthfuls of chips. When did he get chips?

 “We- that is, me and my friend-slash-doctor Frostbite- found that my wings have similar qualities to the myth of the Stymphalian birds, a greek legend about birds with wings, talons and beaks made of bronze that like to terrorize the villages around the swamp they were named after. It's pretty much the only relation, ‘cause the wing shapes are different, but myths have never been a hundred per-cent accurate to begin with.”

 Robin rounded into Danny’s view, a ‘I must know more about this’ look on his face. ‘This is going to take a while,’ the ghost boy thought to himself as he got comfy where he was floating, taking questions about the ghost zone from the curious group of teens he’d found himself a part of. Eyes every so often trailing back to Connor, who was looking at him like he did during one of their private lessons.

 That same look that always gave him blobs in his stomach and frosted his cheeks. He hoped Connor didn't notice his core metaphorically melting over it.

~~~~~

   When ‘late’ finally became ‘too late’ and Danny had answered everyone's questions (To the best of his ability, some got a little too close to things he wasn’t ready to talk about yet) the team finally meandered off to their rooms for sleep, leaving just Danny and Connor in the living room. Danny because he didn’t really need to sleep (as far as they knew) and Connor because he couldn’t get off the couch by himself. Not that he seemed all that adamant about getting up, and Danny enjoyed the newfound silence.

 Floating around on his stomach in the now dim light Danny found himself lazily using his wings to steer and row himself around, flipping to kick himself off walls when needed and half listening to what Connor had put on the TV to relax.

 “Hey, Danny,” Connor called up to him just as he flip kicked off another wall. Angling for his descent he gave an acknowledging hum in response.

 “Why are you still here?” The clone asked when they were back within regular talking distance.

 “Why aren’t you going back to your room yet?” He responded, question for question.

 Connor looked to his lap, stern expression softening ever so slightly and Danny could almost see him worrying his lip (though he could have been imagining it, probably. The light the Tv was casting was doing fun things to the shadows of those strong cheekbones). Seeing the gears turn in the other teens head, he decided to settle himself down on the loveseat and finally think a little.

 First thought was about what kind of bird those wings could belong to. They were strong looking, but shorter than his own, so probably meant for shorter flying, but the range of flexibility was impressive. Some sort of raptor maybe? It would make sense for a bird of prey to need good reflexes to change the direction of flight while hunting.

 Connor was definitely deadly enough to be a bird of prey- nope. No, bad Danny! We don’t think about things like that! We don’t even know if he likes you like that!

 … But Ancients, the hugs he could give-

 “I was wondering…” Danny snapped out of his daze, eyes shooting up from where they had rested so he could admire the other teens arms. Was it just the light, or was Connor blushing?

 “Could you teach me to use these?” He finished the sentence slowly, like he was afraid Danny would ever say no to him. A smile crept onto his face as an idea popped into his head, something he couldn’t mess up if he tried and would (hopefully) keep him in the mood too much to try and back out.

 “‘Course I can, Connor! You wanna start now?” The clone turned to meet his gaze with an incredulous look.

 “Now?”

 “Mmhm!”

 They stared at each other, and for a second Danny was worried Con would say no. To his slight relief he got a shrug as the other teen turned the TV off. Danny was pretty sure his glow got twice as bright as he zipped over to grab the clone's hands and drag him off the couch.

 Maybe he got a little too excited as he flew through the cave and through the nearest outer wall, feathered clone still in hand and no doubt restraining some sort of embarrassing noise.

~~~~~

   “Phantom, this really isn’t what I meant by this!” Connor shouted over the wind as they soared over Happy Harbor’s coast. Danny looked down to see the mildly startled face of the clone in his hands with a grin that hinted he was about to do something stupid and/or dangerous.

 “Extend your wings Connor!” Danny called back, untwisting his arms so he was now flying backwards and pulling the clone along with him, extending his own wings intangibly as demonstration.

 Shakily, Connor did as demonstrated, and Danny felt the moment his wings caught the air with a sharp pull of their joined hands. Rather than keep hold like Connor probably hoped he would do, Danny instead phased out of the other steel grip, leaving Connor to flounder his arms about for purchase as his wings froze. Panic set in on his face as he thought he would fall, and screwed his eyes shut to wait for the impact to hit.

 “Connor,” Danny coaxed gently, prompting the taller boy to open his eyes as they did not, in fact, start plummeting toward the beach below. The clone didn’t budge, keeping his eyes shut and his wings stiffly outstretched. With a sigh, Danny positioned himself underneath and facing his crush in the air, admiring the view of the Harbor below them and the way the wind tousled Connors wings as they flew and the strong shoulders those wings sprang from and the blue eyes looking back at him-

 A chill bloomed across his face to the tips of his ears, unrelated to the cool air keeping the clone aloft above him as they held each other's gaze. This close Danny was sure the red that bloomed over Connors face wasn’t just a trich of the light, and his core gave a trill at the thought of all those other imagined times possibly not being just his imagination.

 “I’m flying,” Connor commented, breaking both out of their trance. The frost on Danny's face flared as he finally looked away.

 “Ah, uh-huh! Yup! Totally flying all on your own!” He stuttered, voice a smidge higher than he personally thought acceptable. Danny tried to clear his throat exaggeratedly, but his voice still betrayed him and came out slightly squeaky, “Though you might wanna relax yourself, you don’t want to get wing cramps.”

 The teen above him kept his eyes on Danny, but did as told and relaxed his posture, unintentionally angling his feathers and banking softly back inland. Wind rushing past the two was the only sound beside the buzzing in his core that Danny could hear for what felt like ages, and as the silence stretched he could feel a cold sweat start at the back of his neck.

 Ancients, this is awkward. How do normal people confess again? He doesn’t even remember if he was the one to ask Valerie out freshman year.

 “It's beautiful up here,” Connor’s comment interrupted the panicked spiral his brain was about to go into, and he hummed in response. Twisting, Danny let himself face the ground again, letting go of his intangibility and let the wind catch, using his wings for flight instead of his ghost powers.

 “It is.” With the lights of the city below them casting off the waves of the beach, and the cars traversing the streets so small they looked like toys, it really was pretty here. A perfect night for a first flight.

 “Hey Connor,” Danny starts, the scenery below helping to calm his nerves and find his tongue. A soft hum from above him encourages him to continue. “About your lessons-”

 “Are they too much for you?” Connor interjects suddenly, a hint of insecurity creeping into his voice.

 “No, no, I love helping you learn!” And he really does, the moment Connor gets something right in their lessons and smiles lives in Danny's core, powering him like a battery. He has to cut that train of thought off ASAP, right now, so Connor isn’t getting the wrong idea. “I was just wondering if you wanted to hang out outside of our lessons, y’know, maybe come to Amity once in a while.”

 A pregnant pause elongated itself with the sound of a car horn from the streets below, and Danny had to resist turning his heat to peek at the face of the clone behind him.

 “Like a date?” Connor finally asked, tone hesitant and… hopeful?

 This time Danny didn’t stop himself from looking back at the teen flying above him, meeting his eyes with a smile. “Yeah, Con, like a date.”

 A small “oh” escaped his lips as the almost faded blush came back with a vengeance. It made Danny giggle, and Connor smiled at the sight.

“Well, do you?” Danny pressed, feeling much more hopeful about the answer than a few minutes ago.

 With a small nod and a smile only slightly bigger, Connor replied, “Yeah, I think I’d like that.”

 Danny couldn’t stop the almost inhuman grin that spread across his face any more than he could stop the whooping holler he gave as he brought in his wings and dove, leaving Conner as he picked up speed towards the ground. As his glow started to be matched by the glow of the streetlights he snapped his wings out, using the gained speed along with a few powerful wingbeats to soar back up and over his new boyfriend, spinning and rolling around him in excitement as he laughed.

 “Okay, okay, you’re happy. I get it!” Connor laughed, smile smoothing over his usually stoic features. “Now can you teach me how to land? I’m pretty sure I’m getting cramps from keeping my wings out like this for so long.”

 With an excited giggle and energetic hum in his chest, Danny showed his boyfriend how to turn, and eventually land when they got close enough to the mountain. Zatanna still wouldn’t be back for a few days, and Danny could see more than a few dates they could go on while Connor still had those big beautiful wings.

[justicefanged]

I'm Lost & I Wanna Go Home

Trigger Warning: Animal death. Not horribly graphic, but there.

Everything is gray.

It's a dull, slow sort of observation. Like waking up, groggy, in a room you don't entirely recognize but aren't completely new to either. Details eased into his field of view -- he had not realized his eyes were closed, or open, or if he'd blinked -- like a drop of ink spilled onto parchment, a splotch that spreads.

It was all gray. Why was it…gray? There…There should be color…right? He could make out the difference in shadows; light from outside, gentle beams of off-gray that streamed in through the open window. But it…it was almost lifeless. Like something dead that didn't know the warmth you could see with the naked eye as the sun smiled down at you.

And he…he knew that feeling. The blinding sun in the west. The warmth on his back as it thawed the winter chill that clung so painstakingly to the land of Bern. The soft, duckling fluff yellow of morning rays dipping into the foggy valleys. He knew it. He…He knew he knew it, so why…why couldn't he see it? Feel it?

He raised his arm up, palm out to the sun like he could catch it in his hand. He wiggled his fingers slightly, like he could wind the beams of light around them, but they were stiff and hard to move.

He felt nothing. No warmth. There wasn't any color, but he could hear things. Sort of far away things. Like he was in another room with thin walls, and everything else was on the other side. A little muffled, but he clung to the sensory input. Followed it…outside. Outside of wherever he woke up? Did he…fall asleep? He didn't remember. He was looking for something. Some…one? Brother…Sent him away. Didn't want to go, didn't want to go, don't want to leave you, brother--

He heard sharp, shrill bird calls and slowly brought his gaze skyward. Clear skies -- blue??? should be blue. what did blue look like again…? graygraygray -- stretched out wisps of clouds, lazily rolling across the wide expanse. He didn't remember walking out into the field, or approaching the large, lone tree. Its limbs were wide-reaching, long and spindly. Bottle brush bristles, and little bumpy seed pods that clustered together in the crooks of the branches. Air is displaced close to his ear, and a delayed jerk of his head catches sight of fluttering wings and coat tail feathers.

The bird shrieks at him again, swinging around to dive at him in another swooping rush. It cries out in defensive anger, its nest hidden somewhere up high in the branches.

"…Wh……"

He pushes the air from his lungs, mouth dry and words like dust on his tongue. Teeth clack together in confusion, frustration, jaw clenching as his face screws up at the wrongness of it. It was like everything was stuck, bottled up in his throat and choking him. He should…be angry. He was angry. Angry meant noise, shouting -- he was loud, wasn't he? Shouting, barking, noise.

The bird swooped by again, sharp beak connecting just shy of his left eye.

He feels like he should flinch back at the strike, but he doesn't. Something trickles from the wound, gets in his eye, but he doesn't feel the urge to blink it away. He did bring a hand up to his face, felt the cold stickiness above his eye. Still no color, when he pulled his hand back and saw…something clinging viscous and dark to his fingers. It had a foul smell to it. It didn't stink of blood, but it stank all the same.

Something wrong… Something was wrong with him….

The bird shrieked once more, swooped--

Sudden, deafening silence in the field. Swift death brought with the faint sound of delicate bones crunching beneath his hand as he caught the bird mid-dive.

He stood there, the breeze tousling the tree's branches and his hair, holding the dead bird in a crushing grip as his foggy mind tried to catch up to his body.

He finally blinked, slow and confused. Stared down at the bird in his hand, mouth slightly agape. Its feathers were soft in a muted way to him, but that was juxtaposed by the brittle feeling of its broken bones poking into his fingers and against his palm. Its little body was still warm against his cold skin. Something wet dripped from its beak. Its eyes no longer glistened with pulsing life, but stared off into the distance.

What…did it see?

He followed its dead gaze. There was nothing but open field. And the tree.

Nest. Nest, it had…a nest. It was protecting, guarding. Fam…Family. Where was it, where was it, brother, father, si--

His gaze dropped back down to the bird in his hand, and he slowly loosened his grip on it.

Dead. He hadn't meant to. It was angry, attacking. He didn't mean to hurt it, kill it. He wasn't…danger. Danger, he killed it.

Where was he?

Bark broke off under his hand, leaving rough little bits to tumble down to the ground below. Off the ground. He had climbed up…? To the nest. The bird had a nest. He had…had the bird. It was…protecting its nest. He scared it. He killed it, he didn't mean to, he was sorr--

The nest was small, but built well. A fine weave of twigs and grasses. Soft feathers tucked into small spaces, littering the bottom. Round, speckled eggs huddled inside. Four-- Five. Five. There were…five of them. One was…tucked down far, almost hidden beneath the rest. No color, couldn't see the color. But they were…so small, so tiny. His fingers felt too big, too clumsy, out of place. Don't touch. Don't touch, might hurt, don't want to hurt--

But he already had, hadn't he? The bird was dead. The eggs were alone. They would get cold. They would die before they'd even had a chance.

His throat felt clogged again, tight and full and like he had something lodged at the back that he couldn't get rid of.

He put the bird back on the nest, nudged it as carefully as his stiff fingers could manage off of his open palm. Its head hung limply over the edge, and one of its wings was bent at an odd angle and wouldn't lay flat. Broken. Dead It still stared off into the distance. What did it see, where did it go? Did it see the colors, feel the warmth of the sun? Was it cold and stiff and lost like him? Maybe...it could come back? Move again, in the gray space.

He dropped back down to the ground after waiting, watching, hoping the bird would move again. It didn't. The sun drifted across the sky, shadows elongating, and the bird simply lay where he had left it. Eyes staring, wing bent, feathers ruffled softly by the breeze.

Where…was he? Where was he supposed to go? To do?

He remembers…family. Father. Brother. Mother…? No. Sister. Little. Tiny. Fragile, like the…like the bird, like its…eggs. Protect them. Guard his…family. His. Don't hurt them. Safe. Safe, make them…safe.

Find them. He didn't know where they were. Where was he? Don't leave him…alone. Didn't want to be alone. Brother made him leave, separate, they didn't…don't do that. Can't…protect if you send him away. Why, why, why-- "…'m….lost……Where are…you guys…? Lloyd…Father..N…Nino?" he called out, hoarse, still too quiet. He was alone. No one else was in sight. He didn't…he didn't like this, didn't like to be alone. Why was he…alone? He wasn't supposed to be alone. Always a team. Him….Lloyd. Never apart. Do not…leave each other. So why…alone now? Too quiet. Didn't like it.

He started walking. No real direction, no idea where he was going or which way he'd come from. He just…didn't want to be alone any longer. He was so…confused. Felt wrong. Everything was wrong. No color, too quiet, body felt…wrong, alonealonealone.

Had he gotten lost? Or…did…had they left him behind? Couldn't remember. Didn't like it.

Linus made a low, almost whining noise in his throat. Boots scuffing against the ground as he wandered forward, unsure and distraught and unable to keep his mind focused. He was….scared. Scared, and alone, and he just…wanted….

Where…was he?

[phytochorion]

How the Forest Finds the Island

Chapter Seventeen - In the Heat of the Moment

"Kai!"

Sen swung his head frantically back and forth, so vigorous as to dislodge his hairpin and send his tresses billowing in the wind. He swept them back with one hand to clear his sight, to little use, as stunned locusts fell like hail.

"There!", shouted Si-woo, and dived, Sen right behind.

Fairies didn't weigh much. Their bodies, adapted for flight, were reasonably resilient to falls. All the same, Kai had suffered a particularly bad landing. As the others swooped down beside him, they could see that he'd hit the ground at such an angle as to break both his wings, and likely internal bodily structures along with them. They ran to his side.

"Oh dear souls, Kai," muttered Si-woo, kneeling beside him. "Where does it hurt?"

"Everywhere," croaked the cycad fairy, sap welling from his mouth. Sen didn't have to be an apothecary to tell he was in a seriously bad way.

"Here," Sen offered, crouching to let Kai put an arm over his shoulder. "We'll get you back to the fort."

With Si-woo and Noori taking the other side, they made to haul him off the ground, eliciting a stricken groan from Kai. Si-woo cursed and tensed up, carefully resting him back down.

"This isn't good, guys, we're just going to injure him worse if we move him."

"Alright, yes, bad idea," admitted Sen. "Si-woo, fly to the fort and bring anyone with any skill in healing, Noori and I will stay with him."

Si-woo nodded and was gone in a flash.

With alarm, Sen noted that, as well as making short work of most of the insects, the spores drifting across air and land had taken hold of Kai. While Noori had done all they could to stem the effects of the propagules on unintended targets, the weeping fractures splitting Kai’s skin had proven an inexorable draw to them. Already, his dark, healthy skin looked like it was flaking. Sen held his hand and whispered, “Hang in there, help’s on the way. Won’t be long now.”

Movement drew his attention away from the stricken cycad fairy. Those locusts lucky enough not to be ensnared in Noori’s necromancy were shaking off their stupor. Sen had no idea how the minds of insects operated. Were they confused? Getting their bearings? Or was hunger all they knew? Regardless, they’d seen or smelled the fairies, and were closing in. Sen assumed the drop stance, spreading his wings in a futile gesture of intimidation and to shield Kai and Noori. 

A faint voice rang through the fog.

"Mother fucker!"

Sen jumped, then looked at Noori to see if he was imagining things. Noori shrugged.

"Eat shit and die!"

The swearing was followed up with a dull crunch.

"You want some of this? COME ON THEN!"

More painful noises interspersed with curses. The voice, Sen realised, was one he'd heard not long ago.

A locust sprang at him and he seized it with both hands, its thorny limbs cutting his baggy robes to shreds. He dashed it against a rock, and Noori finished it off with a coating of decay. They looked up to find a celestial light building among the clubmosses, outlining a short and stocky figure. It hefted one of the spiny stems, crushed a locust's head with it and remarked, "Well, that's the end of you."

"Schuppenbaumer?" Sen called into the gloom.

The glowing individual turned to face them and came into view.

"Maybe a thank you is in order."

Phonso looked unassailably pleased with himself. He was coated in locust gunk and Noori's spores, breathing heavily and shining like a beacon. The bugs wisely backed off as he stepped towards them.

Sen bowed. "Your help in grounding the swarm cannot be praised enough. But we fear those insects weren't the only casualty."

Phonso's brow furrowed and he trotted closer, stopping short on seeing Kai.

"Oh shit. Oh no, Kai, I'm sorry, I- what were all of you even doing out here? You didn't think you could fight a plague of locusts yourself?"

Sen bristled and was about to issue a snappy retort when Si-woo crash-landed beside him, Askarya on his back and most of the defenders in tow. Jake and Gawain's magic put paid to the few orthopterans still skulking in the gloom.

Sen's two friends were at Kai's side immediately, Askarya drawing up magic to stabilise and mend his injuries. Their attention swung frantically back and forth between those present.

"What in all the souls happened? Si-woo said something about a shooting star and…"

Their focus suddenly fixed on the still-illuminated Phonso.

"You! What did you do?!"

Phonso started, arms rising defensively.

"Hey don't blame me! I just saved your asses from being torn asunder by-"

"Everything was under control until you showed up! And now look!"

"Guys," croaked Kai, all heads turning to him in concern, "don't fight. If I was in Phonso's place I'd have done the same. It's just-"

He broke off, coughing up sap.

"It's just bad luck."

"No no no, Kai, look at me."

Elei knelt beside him, resting his head on her lap.

"We're gonna get through this. Don't talk like that. We'll be back at the fort in no time."

"Look after Belek. Give the admiral my regards. And Elei?"

"Y-yeah?"

"Sorry I'm always a step behind you. It's not fair that you've always had to pick up my slack, I should've- I wish I'd worked harder for you."

"Kai, you have nothing to apologise for. I don't care how much work has to be done, if it'll keep the crew together, I'll do it."

Kai exhaled softly. "We'd be lost without you. Well, Elei. Until we meet again."

Elei touched her brow gently to Kai's. There she sat, silent and still but for the rise of her shoulders as she took the occasional, wracked breath.

Everyone else stayed where they were, heads bowed. Sen took Si-woo's hand in one of his, Askarya's in the other. Si-woo linked hands with Noori, and so on, until they were arrayed like a half moon. Phonso was the only one left out. He looked away as though deciding to leave, but wavered and turned back to them. After a moment, Askarya imperceptibly eased their posture and took his hand.

And there they stayed. United in their vigil, the winds washing over them, going without eating or sleeping as the magic within Kai's body slowly returned him to the forces of the world.

More than a week later and he had passed on, his body dissipated and the toughened leaves of his crown and wings scattered on the ground.

The sun rose softly through the mist. Elei sat still.

As though discerning a change in the atmosphere, Gawain detached his hand from that of his brother beside him, stepped back and quietly propelled himself into the air and away. The others stood a little longer, and then they too started to go their separate ways. Soon it was just Sen and Phonso. Phonso met his eyes briefly, nodded in acknowledgement and fluttered back in the direction of Schuppenbaumer Schloss. Sen looked back to Elei, implacable as a monolith. He wished he could go to her, reassure her, but he knew nothing he could say would be enough. His wings feeling heavy and unresponsive, he climbed laboriously up and out into the blue sky.

⸙ ⸙ ⸙

Sen was back at the mossy ravine, catching up with Con and Wilbur as had become his habit.

"I've noticed more springtails lately!", chirped Wilbur, rummaging through the leaf litter and sending a swarm of the tiny bugs hopping away. "Really remarkable, they got all the way out here without being able to fly! They're so light they can be blown on the wind!"

"No, they float on the sea," argued Con, Wilbur rolling his eyes in response. "No, seriously, they repel water."

Sen dangled his legs over the edge of a bracket fungus and listened contentedly. Compared to those representing larger trees, moss and fern fairies concerned themselves less with wide-scale, climatic processes in favour of cultivating an intimate knowledge of the stone and soil beneath their feet. Sen often found their discourse hard to follow, verging on nonsensical, but it was refreshing to listen to a different point of view.

Sen stood and made his excuses, Con and Wilbur waving him off. Before he could take flight, he heard his name called.

"Oh! Mister… Theodore Kaupa? What is it?"

"Just thought you might want to know," the liverwort fairy drawled, "those ginkgos you left here? They're close to blooming."

"Ai?? That's fantastic! I'll be able to cross-pollinate them!" Sen hustled over to Theo and they flew a quick circuit of the treetops so he could inspect them.

"Let me know as soon as they've matured, will you?", Sen pressed.

"Sure thing. Been meaning to check out that fort you guys set up."

Sen thanked Theodore and took his leave. Although the various bryophyte sprites he'd met in the gorge had gone their separate ways, the place had come to serve as a focal point. Con was reliably found there and always accommodated visitors, so fairies tired by their exploits or looking to catch up on gossip dropped in like clockwork. Sen hadn't quite got a handle on all their names, but a few were distinctive among them. Viktor Kaledon, flightless and with a taste for bugs, Yuval Bakalin, permanently smiling like he was up to no good, and Elmer Florakis, tall and colourful, stuck out from the rest, but the other names blurred together after a while.

Sen shook his head. He could reacquaint with the hornworts later. For now, he was on a mission.

The tremors that were a regular feature of the island's south side were waning in frequency and intensity. Tectonic activity was grinding further out to sea, forcing up yet more land, while the lava fields left behind were stabilising. Sen, Si-woo and Askarya could take much of the credit for how quickly life had carpeted the sterile landscape, but they weren't the only actors in this unfolding drama. The moss fairies, as ever, had been quick off the mark, and the liverworts and ferns followed close behind. And above all, the forces of wind and water worked their weariless weathering.

No longer at serious risk of volcanism, Sen had settled on this spot as prime territory for planting the first ginkgo fruits to be conceived in this land. Flying low and slow, catching the warm updrafts, he surveyed the tuffaceous landscape. The soil already looked deep in places, surprisingly so. Sen wasn't sure how it had already built up to such an extent with such a sparse cover of vegetation. He folded his wings and touched down on the springy turf.

A strange smell met his nose. Like the ashen graveyard of a forest fire, when herbs and ferns had replaced the devastation, but the fire's mark remained beneath. Uneasy, he escaped back to the sky and continued south.

It wasn't long before the ground cover changed. Sen had been expecting it to dwindle, but the opposite seemed true, the plants growing larger and lusher as he neared the lava fields. Baffled, he made another landing. The verdant fields he'd observed from above, on closer inspection, were something of a façade. Although huge ferns lay as far as the eye could see, they were the only plants around. No moss, no horsetails. Just ferns growing from cooled lava. Too late, Sen realised why this felt so familiar.

"Well well. Gongsun Sen, wasn't it? Always a pleasure."

"Sir Umber," ventured Sen. Sir? He had no idea where that came out of. But if it suited any fairy, it was Osmund. At any rate, a warm but rather intense smile lit up the fern grower's face.

"I wasn't expecting a visit," he jested, and while Sen flailed for something to explain his presence, Osmund continued, "I've been busy, as you may espy."

Sen kept his composure easy and detached, while scrambling to put the pieces together in his head. Osmund had effectively monopolised this marginal habitat, sustaining a remarkable density of plants beyond the reach of any competition. But the lava fields were just that, marginal. Soon they'd be overtaken by more diverse plant communities from inland.

Unless something stopped them.

Before Sen could fully consider the implications of this scenario, Osmund stepped close. It should have been uncomfortably close, but his proximity was embarrassingly welcome. His skin smelled faintly of cinnamon.

"You're not content to stay out here with nothing but bare rock to live on," Sen stated. He hoped he at least sounded confident.

"Very perceptive." Osmund's voice was practically a purr. "Follow me."

He launched without looking back. Sen dithered back and forth, then threw caution to the wind and followed.

Osmund brought him to a windswept spire of obsidian, rising like a black dorsal fin above the chaparral. There they perched, and the fern fairy drew the exquisite rapier he kept at his waist. Shaped from a single, magically hardened rhizome, it had a hilt like blown glass and a blade so sharp it practically disappeared. Sen watched, mesmerised, as Osmund struck neat lines in the dark stone.

He tapped a little triangle he'd carved with the sword's tip.

"That represents this crag."

Sen craned his neck, then nodded excitedly as the etchings resolved themselves as a map.

"I'm here," Osmund continued. "You came from that direction… and this stretch, between, is as yet unclaimed."

"The land belongs to us all." Sen kept his voice neutral.

"Don't be naïve." Osmund was unfazed. "You know as well as I do that incumbency comes with certain privileges. Everyone seeks to bolster their own position, openly or covertly. It is the natural way of things."

Sen opened his mouth, found himself without a response, and closed it again.

A conspiratorial note crept into Osmund's voice.

"You yourself have plans to extend your reach into this place, do you not?"

Sen squirmed.

"Alright, that's different, trees take much longer to grow and ferns can disperse on the wind so-"

"So I should just be passive?" Osmund cut him off without batting an eye. "Let the whims of the world decide my fate? I don't think so. You may believe that promulgating ferns is somehow easier than bringing a forest to fruition, but let me tell you now, it is not."

He cleared his throat.

"Make no mistake, I have no enmity with you, Gongsun. You are doing the same as I. In fact, I believe we can help one another."

Sen put his hands in his sleeves, sceptical.

"Really? How so?"

"Knowledge is power, as you're aware. And soon, there will be nothing that happens on this island without me knowing about it."

Sen moved closer despite himself, hanging on Osmund's next words.

"I'll keep you in my circle. We'll be the most powerful fairies this side of Epiphyllia. Any challenge can be anticipated, any opportunity taken."

Sen's heart was nearly beating out of his chest, his tongue felt as though it were moving through treacle.

"... What would you ask in return?"

"Not much," answered Osmund, eyes glinting. "Just that you leave a bit of space for me."

"Surrender this territory, you mean."

"Not entirely. Just thin your trees to, how about, one every mansus?"

"Five every mansus," Sen gambled. Osmund's nose wrinkled in displeasure.

"One."

Transpiration beaded on Sen's brow.

"Three?"

"Two and that's my final offer," sighed Osmund.

"You have yourself a deal!"

⸙ ⸙ ⸙

Sen ran the conversation through his head countless times on the flight home. He and Osmund had quickly hashed out an agreement of what constituted the limits of the unclaimed land, and after shaking hands on the agreement, Osmund had surprised him with a sudden turn of generosity. He'd remarked on Sen's tattered robes, then brought him to a nest he'd built under the ferns and produced a newly woven, sumptuous silk ensemble. Sen had tried to refuse, but Osmund wouldn't hear it, and before he could process what had happened, the ginkgo fairy was flying home dressed in the most stunning outfit he'd ever worn.

His whirling thoughts settled down as the scenery became familiar. Up ahead was the fort, Aliwen and Gawain laughing as they propped up a platform together. With its mixture of living plants and easily dismantled timber, the structure continued to reconfigure and adapt to its surroundings.

Sen landed up in the high rafters, where the Pioneers were having lunch.

"Afternoon, gentlemen," he remarked, getting a chorus of "Howdy" in reply.

"Have you seen Si-woo?"

"Out, I think," Jake mused, chewing slowly.

"Askarya?"

"Went on some fungal business with Glen and Noori."

Sen thanked them, keenly aware of three pairs of eyes scrutinising his clothes, though without comment.

He opened his wings and parachuted down from the light and airy apex to the recesses of the fort. Its main room, originally the sleeping area, had steadily shifted into a spot for preparing food, trading resources and catching up on gossip, earning its title as the exchange hall.

Settling on the wooden floor, fragrant with dew, pollen and resin, he greeted Ponnarasu and headed to the food stores. Picking up a little wooden cup crafted from a seed pod, he stepped outside and filled it with dew from a swaying ginkgo leaf. Sitting and sipping, his thoughts returned to Osmund.

Away from the fern fairy's smothering personality, Sen was able to consider their deal more critically. He didn't trust Osmund, that much he knew. But he had no evidence of him doing anything reprehensible. He was an aggressive expansionist, yes, but he'd made the perfectly valid point that it was the driving aspiration of all fairies to ensure the survival of their plants. And themselves in the process.

Si-woo materialised from thin air as was his wont, diving, folding his wings and landing all in the same smooth manoeuvre. Sen flinched as his train of thought went runaway, then chastised himself for startling so easily.

"Heok, someone's looking fine today!"

Si-woo examined the hem of Sen's sleeve between two deft fingers.

"Tell me, Hubae, what have you been up to?"

Sen sat up primly.

"I was just on my way to tell you, in fact. I… I met someone."

Si-woo's face betrayed no emotion, but he listened intently.

"I'd flown out south to the lava fields, they're rapidly being colonised by mosses and ferns. And there's someone there. Sir Osmund Umber."

Si-woo's eyebrows rose in slow recognition.

"You know him?", Sen asked quickly.

"Name rings a bell. I met him… a few times, I think, long ago, though we were never close. So what happened?"

Sen twirled one of the ginkgo petioles that composed his tresses round a finger.

"Well… he was very magnanimous. I was scouting out somewhere to plant my ginkgos, and it turned out he already had designs on that area. But we made an arrangement, and I'll still get to cultivate some there!"

"Let me get this straight. He blocked you from land that, by all rights, is yours, granted you a small concession and you're thanking him for it?"

"No, hang on, let me finish," protested Sen. "His offer for ceding the land was information. He knows a lot and he's willing to share, provided he gets something in return. He… gave me some good pointers on where others are extending their range, and if some ecosystem space suitable for my ginkgos opens up, he'll let me know. He's a scoundrel, that much is true, but a brute he is not. He was most genteel when speaking and listened to what I had to say. He doesn't beat around the bush, he's impeccably presented and he smells really nice, I don't know how to put it, kind of spicy? And yes, he gifted me these robes, entirely of his own volition."

An expression Sen had never seen settled on Si-woo's face.

"Dude."

"What?", fretted Sen.

"DUDE. You have the fattest crush I have seen in all my many ages!"

Si-woo's weird expression grew and grew until his face was nearly splitting open in silent laughter.

"Aiyoo?! I do not have a crush on that- that fiend! He's venal and I'm not interested in him, it's merely a settlement of mutual interest! What put the idea in your head??"

"Nobody talks about a trading partner that way! He "smells nice"???," gawked Si-woo. "Gongsun, I say this with the greatest respect, get your ass down south and ask this guy out before this golden opportunity passes you by."

"But-"

"No buts! Oh my souls, where's Askarya?"

Si-woo was gone in a wingbeat.

Sen could feel himself shrivel in disgrace. He should make himself scarce before the whole fort was betting on his next move.

[that-guy-jin]

(Extra Credit) Day Eight: Hunt

(TW: Blood, Gore, Cursing, Violence)

The trail led them into a clearing from the hingan forests, an expanse that painted a beautiful scene of alpine terrain, the morning sun finally peeking over the mountain range in the distance. The blanket of snow had slowly melted over the past few days, though the crunch under their boots denoted not all had faded away. The two had come to a stop just at the lining of trees, taking a moment to truly soak in the view.

"It's so picturesque…have you seen a lot of views like this over the years?", Suki's soft voice only added onto the tranquil atmosphere around them, her eyes practically gleaming with awe as she posed the question. She hadn't seen much outside of the village she was born and raised in - that is, until Jin took her into his care many years ago.

"You could say that, though, I was usually too focused on the task at hand to take a moment and enjoy my surroundings more deeply." Jin turned his gaze to her, a ragged but warm smile crept up the corner of his lip, "That said…it wouldn't hurt to learn how to slow down and take a moment to enjoy it."

The raen looked up to him, a warmth gathering at her cheeks as she returned his soft smile with a bashful one of her own. She had been thankful to him for so many things, and this peaceful moment had been another to tally onto the list.

After lingering a few moments more, they'd continue on the trail of their quarry and inevitably come to a stop along a creek that stretched from one side of the tree line to the other. Taking a knee, the viara examined a cluster of obsidian feathers.

"Matching color. Some of them show signs of burns.", he twirled one of the large feathers between his fingers.

Suki, who had been keeping her eyes fixed around them for any movement or evidence of the mark, "Not to mention the unmistakable scale of them. Do you think it'll attack out in the open like this?"

"It wouldn't surprise me. Most are born from bold, arrogant souls. Lessers would likely be even more careless." he replied; standing as he brought down the hood of his cloak, salted strands draped along his shoulders.

As if proving his words true, a piercing shriek echoed through the mountain pass, faint gusts of wind picking up as obsidian wings waved in the air, a horrid amalgamation of carrion and man closing the distance between them. Jin drew the katana that was sheathed at his back - Suki herself had kept to Jin's hip at the initial sight of the foe, tail coiled along his leg as she drew her staff. The wood twined near the top, tightly housing a spherical gem that emitted a deep indigo glow as her aether coursed through it.

"I'll keep it occupied, aim for the wings with your flames where you can.", he noted, intending to ground the yokai permanently. Suki gave a confirming nod before breaking away.

The kotengu's bloodshot eyes narrowed in on Suki, wasting no time diving towards her the moment she broke away from the viara. Jin was quick on the uptake, a fending slash as he stepped between the two. The hunt thoroughly on, he grounded his footing, bringing the blade back across in an upward diagonal slash and catching on of its legs, causing the avian to recoil.

"C'mon, you piece of shit!", the taunt was enough to garner the ire of the aerial foe, another curdling screech bellowed as it attempted to rend and maim Jin. Sparks flew as he took a step back with each parry, creating distance between them and his ward. "You're one to talk, cretin- I'll make certain you hang from your own entrails!", the yokai crowed back, swooping up before crashing back down, managing to find purchase on Jin's forearm.

The distraction gave Suki enough time for her initial invocation, flames kindling in the orb of her staff before trailing towards her free palm. Arm extended, scorching spheres shot one after the other towards the kotengu's wings [Ember]. Amidst the initial fray, a few managed to find their mark, combusting against the feathered appendages, causing the foe to flutter wildly in an attempt to snuff the flame.

It's gaze snapped to her, dropping its grip on Jin and darting towards the young au ra. The forceful gust that slung it from one person to the other left Jin rolling onto his back, though quickly catching his footing in the same motion. Before she could properly react, her airways constricted as a hand was wrung itself around her throat. She found a vice grip along the tengu's arm, panic setting in as she began her attempts to kick it off of her, her feet losing solid ground as they ascended into the air.

"Suki!", Jin's tone desperate, both body and mind scrambling to act.

Quick was his footing, gradually gaining speed to close the distance before they reached deadly heights. His breathing centered, the cold breath that permeated from his mouth turning into smoldering steam. The pressure built, a keening sound filling the air like that of burning kettles or a soaring firework just before detonation was brought forth, the smoke trailing at his lips turning to flame, the same licked down the length of his blade. The hue of his golden gaze had a piercing glow as he took one last step, the ground trembled slightly as he leaped.

Flames streaked the morning scene as he closed the distance, blade sinking into the base of one wing and into the chest cavity. This stopped the tengu dead in its tracks, the three of them hurdling back to the earth below. Separating mid-air, Jin barely managed to take hold of Suki, crashing onto his back as they made a harsh reunion with the ground. The air was taken out of him, puffs of smoke rising as he practically choked on the fumes.

Suki's panic turned to him, clambering to put him in her lap, "Shit, shit, I'm so sorry - Jin, are you okay?!"

"My gunblade…", his tone strained as he turned over. Suki's expression furrowed in confusion, "Wh-What?" The kotengu had gone into a frenzy, blood spilling across its body, bits of flame spotting the torso, though it was making a beeline for the two of them.

"Hun!", he ordered, her focus snapping back in as she realized. She slipped the heavy weaponry from its strap along his back, holding it with both hands as she took aim, firing a cartridge just as the creature was mere fulms away.

The blast rung out, and in the blink of an eye, the tengu's head burst into a cloud of red mist, as did the upper right half of its body. The momentum it had caused the carcass to tumble past them, coming to an abrupt stop.

Hands and body trembling from the close call, Suki dropped the weapon, returning her attention to Jin. She took one of the vials that hung from her pack and popped the cork, feeding the contents into Jin's mouth before tossing it aside, resting a hand along his chest. A soft radiant glow appeared as she began to mend his body. Even if there was no severe external damage, she knew the fall had to hurt, as well as having her weight added on top of it all.

"Jin, please, I'm so sorry, I didn't-" Her words trailed off as she felt his hand at her arm, "You did perfectly well. Okay? I promise. These things call for quick thinking, and you did just that." He attempted a smile, chuckling weakly, "Even if I had to give a little nudge."

She tried to laugh with him, holding back tears, taking his words to heart. She hadn't said anything, only giving a trembling smile as she focused on mending him.

[mancheshter01]

Renting Medical Gear in Chhattisgarh: Your Go-To Guide

Introduction:

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Picking Your Perfect Gear

Choosing the right gear is a bit like choosing your outfit for the day—depends on the occasion and how you feel. Our experts in caretaker services in Chhattisgarh help you navigate through the options. Whether it's mobility, comfort, or specific health needs, we've got your back (and your front too!).

Conclusion:

In a nutshell, renting medical gear through our Caretaker Services In Raipur is your ticket to peace of mind and comfort at home. From Bilaspur to Raipur and beyond, we've got the gear and the cheer to make life a bit easier when you need it most.

[dkginsurancebrokers]

7 Benefits of Using an Online Insurance Broker Platform

In today's fast-paced world, managing life’s uncertainties has become more important than ever. But let’s be honest, who has the time to sift through countless insurance policies to find the right one? Enter the hero of our story: the online insurance broker platform. 

Just like your favourite superhero, these platforms swoop in to save the day, minus the cape and the catchy theme song! 

If you're looking to simplify your insurance buying process, here are seven compelling benefits of using an online Best Insurance Broker that you just can't overlook.

Unmatched Convenience

Imagine handling all your insurance needs in your pyjamas from the comfort of your home. Online insurance broker platforms make this possible. There’s no need to schedule appointments or spend hours on the phone. 

You can access a wide range of insurance products anytime and anywhere. This convenience is invaluable in our time-crunched lives, allowing us to tick off 'getting insured' from our to-do list with just a few clicks.

Wider Options, Better Choices

One of the biggest advantages of using an online insurance broker is the sheer variety of options available at your fingertips. Unlike traditional brokers, who may only offer policies from certain insurers, online platforms often have partnerships with a multitude of providers. 

This means you can compare and contrast a wider array of policies to find one that fits like a glove to your unique needs.

Cost-Effective Solutions

Who doesn’t love saving money? Online insurance broker platforms often have lower operational costs than their brick-and-mortar counterparts, and the good news is that they usually pass these savings on to you. 

By comparing different policies, you can find the most cost-effective solution without compromising on coverage. Additionally, these platforms often provide special deals and discounts exclusive to their users.

Simplified Policy Management

Gone are the days of drowning in paperwork. Online insurance broker platforms provide streamlined services that allow you to manage all your insurance policies through a single dashboard. This can include renewing policies, filing claims, and updating your information. 

A simplified management system not only saves time but also reduces the headaches associated with traditional insurance paperwork.

Expert Advice and Support

Just because you are dealing with an online platform doesn’t mean you miss out on expert advice. Most reputable online insurance broker platforms provide access to licensed professionals who can offer tailored advice based on your specific circumstances. 

Whether you need help understanding policy terms or deciding which coverage options are best for you, there's always expert help at hand.

Enhanced Transparency

With all the information available online, these platforms foster transparency in a way traditional methods can't. 

You can access detailed descriptions, customer reviews, and ratings for different policies and providers. This level of transparency helps build trust and ensures you have all the data needed to make an informed decision.

Dynamic Tools and Resources

Lastly, online insurance broker platforms often come equipped with various tools and resources that can enhance your insurance buying experience. 

From premium calculators and coverage comparison tools to educational blogs and FAQs, these resources can help demystify the often-complex world of insurance. They empower you to make decisions that are not only informed but also confident.

Conclusion

Using an online insurance broker is not just about buying insurance; it's about transforming the way you interact with and manage your risks. It’s about empowering yourself with knowledge, convenience, and flexibility. 

So why wait? Dive into the streamlined world of online insurance brokers and experience a smarter, simpler, and more satisfying way to secure your future. After all, your peace of mind is priceless!

Now that you're equipped with this knowledge, navigating the insurance landscape can be less daunting and more rewarding.

Source: 7 Benefits of Using an Online Insurance Broker Platform

[prabhatjairam]

Data-Driven Storytelling in Marketing

Welcome to the thrilling world of marketing, where creativity meets strategy and every brand is vying for your attention. In this fast-paced landscape, how do you stand out? Enter data-driven storytelling – the secret sauce that transforms dry numbers into captivating tales that resonate with your audience.

Imagine scrolling through your social media feed and stumbling upon an ad that feels like it was made just for you. It's not just catchy; it's personal, hitting you right in the feels. That's the power of data-driven storytelling – it's like a magnet, drawing you in with stories tailored to your preferences and interests.

But what exactly is data-driven storytelling, and why should you care? Well, buckle up because we're about to take you on a wild ride through the world of marketing magic. Data-driven storytelling isn't just about crunching numbers; it's about weaving narratives that speak to your audience's heart and soul.

Think about it – when you understand your audience's quirks, preferences, and pain points, you can craft stories that resonate on a whole new level. Take the legendary "Share a Coke" campaign by Coca-Cola, for example. By plastering popular names on their bottles, they didn't just sell soda; they sold a sense of belonging. Behind the scenes, data wizards analyzed mountains of data to ensure that every John, Jane, and Harry felt seen and heard. The result? A global frenzy that had people scrambling to find their name on a bottle.

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Furthermore, getting noticed is half the battle in today's noisy digital jungle. That's where data-driven storytelling swoops in like a superhero, armed with insights and armed to the teeth with creativity. By diving into the depths of consumer data, marketers can uncover hidden gems that fuel stories people can't resist. It's like having a secret decoder ring that unlocks the door to your audience's hearts.

And here's the kicker – data-driven storytelling isn't a one-and-done deal. Oh no, it's a dynamic dance that evolves in real time. With the power of data at your fingertips, you can track the performance of your stories as they unfold, tweaking and fine-tuning along the way. It's like having a crystal ball that shows you exactly what's working and what's not, so you can keep your audience on the edge of their seats.

But wait, there's more! Data-driven storytelling isn't just about selling stuff – it's about building relationships. By sharing authentic stories backed by data, brands can forge deep connections with their audience that stand the test of time. Whether it's lifting the curtain on their sustainability efforts or showcasing the faces behind the brand, data-driven storytelling humanizes brands in a way that's impossible to ignore.

In essence, data-driven storytelling isn't just a buzzword – it's a game-changer. It's the secret weapon that turns ho-hum marketing into a whirlwind of excitement and emotion. So, if you want to leave your competition in the dust and win over the hearts of your audience, it's time to unleash the power of data-driven storytelling. After all, in the world of marketing, the only limit is your imagination.

[survivoirs]

✦ "Whatever you do, don't look down." -Hawks probably only barely grabbing him by the one hand XD @bunnybolt

That phrase seems to be an oxymoron because of course Izuku did look down when ever Keigo said not too. This only caused Izuku to freak out as he gripped onto the pro hero a little tighter. If there was one thing that Izuku was afraid of it was definitely being up so high like this. Knowing that if he fell and Hawks didn't catch him, he would surely perish.

"Next time, don't tell someone to not look down! Especially when they don't have a quirk like you!" Izuku shouts. He was definitely clinging onto the other for dear life. "I would like to be on land now!"

Hawks tended to prefer to spend his patrols in the sky rather than the ground for the obvious reason of it suiting his quirk of course, but he also enjoyed the solitude. Well --- perhaps enjoy wasn't the right word. It was just what he had always known. And perhaps while in solitude was the one time Hawks could feel something remotely close to peace. He didn't have to keep up the facade of hiding his true emotions from those around him. Didn't have to maintain the perfect little hero personality that the Commission inculcated in him. He could let his expression fall to neutral and just enjoy the wind in his feathers and the gorgeous view while he took more leisure flaps of his crimson wings to give him a chance to work on his breakfast sandwich. Nobody could compete with his commute to work.

'I honestly wonder what that feels like' thought Hawks as he listened to the annoyed blaring of horns down below him on the bridge. Being stuck in traffic. That was not something Hawks had literally ever experienced in his life. His family had been too poor to ever even set foot in a car before the Commission swooped him up to be their perfect little hero. Hawks moved too fast for his own good, somehow he figured his patience would not last being stuck in traffic these days. A sudden screeching caught his attention and even before the following scream he was in a dive toward the source. Further screeching of tires and the jarring sound of metal crunching as a car door was ripped off and thrown. Crap. Where the hell did he come from? Hawks pondered quickly, sharp eyes taking in every detail of the lizardoid villain that had just reached into the car to grab a hostage.... —

Calamity was never the way he wanted to start his day, but now, here he was, feathers zipping out to pull back civilians who'd started to get out of their cars, red plumes pulling a dozen or so back 100 yards while Hawks body-slammed into the villain, gloved hand reaching for the outstretched hand of the green haired kid who'd been snagged from the car. In the same movement, the Winged Hero half spun and with the momentum, planted a foot into the villain's scaled chest. Free hand struck at the most sensitive part of the underside of the wrist attached to the clawed grasp in Izuku's jacket, breaking the hold and launching Hawks, and Izuku in his grip, upwards with a powerful beat of his wings. It all happened incredibly fast. Whatever you do, don't look down.

Hawks couldn't help but smile at the kid's response to his quip. He'd also taken notice of the tattered remains of what had appeared to be a cabbie shirt falling off the lizardoid's torso. His eyes narrowed as thoughts processed rapidly while he flew the scared student away from the raging --- "That's not a villain," Hawks pondered aloud, followed up by a realization.

"Was that your driver?" He grunted a bit, shifting to get a better grip on the kid before he touched down on the road behind some now abandoned cars to let Izuku down. Hawks' feathers were still at work, making sure no one else was in the near vicinity as his golden gaze watched sharply at the rampage that was becoming more and more clear now. "Was he drinking anything caffeinated before this?"

[onlinecoursesusa]

Big Data Hadoop Online Training: Mastering Big Data Hadoop for Success

Introduction

Big Data Hadoop is the superhero of the data world, capable of tackling massive amounts of information and transforming it into valuable insights. But what exactly is Big Data Hadoop, you ask? Well, it's like having a giant warehouse where you can store and process unimaginable amounts of data. And by unimaginable, I mean mind-bogglingly huge! So why is Big Data Hadoop so important? Well, in this digital era, where data is constantly pouring in from every direction, organizations need a way to make sense of it all. That's where Big Data Hadoop swoops in with its incredible ability to analyze and extract meaning from colossal data sets. But how can Big Data Hadoop training boost your career? Simple! In a world that thrives on data, having the skills to tame this unruly beast can open doors to endless opportunities. You'll be the data wizard that organizations are desperately seeking, capable of turning chaos into clarity. Now, let's dive deeper and unravel the wonders of Big Data Hadoop! Buckle up, my friend, this is going to be one wild ride!

Understanding Big Data Hadoop

Oh, Big Data Hadoop! The big scary monster in the world of data. But fear not, because in this section, we'll break down the key points and unravel the mysteries of Understanding Big Data Hadoop. So, what exactly is Big Data? Well, it's like a humongous mountain of information that is too massive for traditional data-processing methods to handle. It includes everything from social media posts and online transactions to sensor data and more. Basically, it's the data that is collected from everywhere and anywhere, and it's growing at an astonishing rate. Now, let's talk about Hadoop. Hadoop is the superhero that comes to the rescue when dealing with Big Data. It's an open-source framework that allows you to store, process, and analyze massive amounts of data in a distributed computing environment. With Hadoop, you can crunch through terabytes and even petabytes of data with ease. The benefits of using Big Data Hadoop are immense. First and foremost, it enables you to make sense of all the chaos and extract valuable insights from the data. This, in turn, helps businesses make better decisions and gain a competitive edge. Moreover, Hadoop is scalable and cost-effective, making it the go-to solution for organizations dealing with Big Data. So, there you have it - a brief introduction to Understanding Big Data Hadoop. Stay tuned for the next section, where we'll dive deeper into getting started with this fascinating technology. In the meantime, embrace the power of Big Data and let it unleash your analytical genius!

Getting Started with Big Data Hadoop

Getting Started with Big Data Hadoop So, you've decided to venture into the world of Big Data Hadoop! Buckle up, my friend, because things are about to get interesting. Before you embark on this journey, you'll need to set up your Hadoop environment. Think of it as building a nest for your precious data. First things first, get ready to unravel the mysteries of the Hadoop ecosystem. It's like stepping into a vibrant marketplace filled with various tools and technologies, all working together to process and analyze big data. Just remember, in this ecosystem, Hadoop is the king! Now, let's talk about the Hadoop Distributed File System, or as the cool kids call it, HDFS. This is where your data will reside, all neatly organized in a distributed manner. It's like having a wise librarian who knows exactly where every book is located in a massive library.

With your Hadoop environment set up and HDFS providing a home for your data, you're now ready to dive into the ocean of big data processing. Prepare to work your magic with MapReduce, a powerful tool that allows you to process massive amounts of data in parallel. But wait, there's more! Meet Apache Pig, your data analysis companion. It lets you write queries and scripts in a language called Pig Latin. Don't worry, it's not as complex as it sounds. It's like talking to your data in a language only analytics geeks understand. Next up, we have Hive. It takes data analysis to a whole new level by providing a SQL-like interface to query and analyze your data.

Think of it as a friendly backseat driver who helps you navigate through the vast expanse of big data. And finally, say hello to Apache Spark, the shining star of big data processing. It's fast, reliable, and versatile, making it the go-to tool for real-time data processing. With Spark, you'll be able to unleash the full power of your big data. Congratulations! You've just scratched the surface of what Big Data Hadoop has to offer. There's so much more to explore and learn. So, gear up and get ready to conquer the world of big data with your newfound Hadoop knowledge! SIGN UP now and let your journey into the realm of Big Data Hadoop begin!

Mastering Big Data Processing

Are you ready to dive into the fascinating world of Big Data Processing? Trust me, it's more exciting than it sounds. Buckle up because we're about to explore some key points that will blow your mind. First up, let's talk about MapReduce. No, it's not a fancy recipe for cooking data, although it does involve slicing and dicing. MapReduce is a programming model that helps us process vast amounts of data in parallel. It's like having a team of super-efficient minions working for you, all at the same time. Next, we have Apache Pig. Don't worry, it has nothing to do with farm animals.

Apache Pig is a high-level platform for analyzing big data sets. It simplifies the whole process, allowing you to focus on what's important - extracting valuable insights from your data. Think of it as having your very own data-savvy sidekick. But wait, there's more! Enter Hive, the data warehouse infrastructure. Hive allows you to query large datasets using a SQL-like language, making it easy peasy for anyone familiar with SQL. It's like having a magical genie that transforms complex data into meaningful information with just a few commands. Last but definitely not least, we have Apache Spark. Considered the rockstar of Big Data processing, Spark is lightning-fast and highly versatile.

It can handle a wide range of tasks, from simple data transformations to complex machine learning algorithms. Think of it as the secret weapon in your Big Data arsenal. So, there you have it - MapReduce, Apache Pig, Hive, and Apache Spark. These are the superheroes that will help you conquer the world of Big Data Processing. Get ready to unleash their power and pave your way to success! But hold on, we're not done yet. We still have more mind-blowing topics to cover. Stay tuned because the journey of mastering Big Data Hadoop has just begun.

Securing Big Data

So here we are, diving into the exciting world of securing big data. We know that it's crucial to keep all that valuable information safe and sound. To do that, we have to implement data security measures because, let's face it; Big Data without security is like a circus without a safety net - chaos waiting to happen. We also need to prevent unauthorized access because we don't want just anyone waltzing in and messing with our data party. And lastly, ensuring data privacy is vital because who wants their personal information floating around like a loves truck beach ball at a crowded concert? So buckle up and let's get serious about keeping our big data secure!

Optimizing Big Data Hadoop Performance

Are you tired of your Big Data Hadoop performance putting you to sleep? Well, fear not! We have some not-so-secret tips to optimize your Hadoop cluster performance. No more waiting around for data to process, no more wasted resources! Tune your Hadoop cluster to perfection, reduce data processing time, and optimize resource utilization. It's like giving your Hadoop a turbo boost! With these simple yet effective techniques, you'll be the hero of your organization, saving the day with lightning-fast data processing. So, get ready to take your Big Data Hadoop performance from snooze-fest to success-fest! Now, let's dig into the nitty-gritty of tuning, reducing, and optimizing!

Conclusion

The future of Big Data Hadoop seems bright, but only if you have the advantage of Big Data Hadoop certification. It's like having a secret weapon in your arsenal. With this certification, you'll stand out in the job market and be ready to tackle the exciting challenges that lie ahead. So, what are you waiting for? Get certified and unlock the doors to success!

[universalinfo]

Orchard to Your Doorstep: Dive Into the World of Direct Ship Fruit Boxes

There's something magical about biting into a fresh, juicy fruit. The explosion of flavors, the aromatic scent, the vivid color… it's all a delightful sensory experience. But, have you ever wondered where that fruit comes from? How does it get to your table so crisp and luscious? The secret may be closer than you think. 

In the age of instant gratification and fast shipping, direct ship fruit boxes are changing the game. That way, they’re ensuring that the journey from the orchard to your table is as swift and smooth as possible. Stick around as we unravel this fruity tale and learn how these boxes can revolutionize the way you enjoy nature's candy. Are you ready to Pick Your Own Apples/Pears?

The Magic of the Orchard: An Unforgettable Experience

Ah, orchards. Think of them as nature's candy store. There's a sort of timeless appeal when it comes to wandering between those rows, each tree hanging heavy with ripe delights just waiting to be plucked. The very air is charged with anticipation. And let’s not forget that sweet scent wafting through the breeze.

Now, imagine that you could pick your apples and pears. There's an indescribable thrill in reaching out to a branch, selecting the perfect fruit, and feeling its weight in your hand. You're not just grabbing a snack; you're connecting with nature, becoming a part of the age-old cycle of growth and harvest.

However, not everyone can make that trip to an orchard. Life gets busy. This is where direct ship fruit boxes come swooping in like superheroes. They aim to bottle up that orchard magic, ensuring that even if you can't get to the orchard, the orchard can come to you.

Direct Shipping: A Revolution in Freshness

When it comes to enjoying fruits, freshness is non-negotiable. No one likes a squishy apple or a pear that's lost its crunch. The problem? Most fruits you buy have been on quite a journey before reaching you, sometimes spending more time traveling than ripening on a tree.

Enter the world of direct shipping. It's like having a speedy delivery owl that fetches fruits the moment they're ripe and whizzes them straight to your table. The result? Fruits that taste as if they've just been picked.

Now, picture this: biting into a juicy apple, its flavor bursting forth in a delightful dance on your palate. That’s the promise of direct shipping. It’s the difference between a piece of fruit that just fills your stomach and one that fills your soul.

Remember the age-old debate: is the apple crisp enough? Is the pear too soft? With direct shipping fruit boxes, these questions become almost obsolete. You’re getting the cream of the crop, every single time.

Customized For Your Palate: Because Variety is the Spice of Life

Eating is a personal experience. We all have our favorites, those go-to fruits that no bowl is complete without. Some of us are die-hard apple aficionados, while others wouldn’t dream of letting a week pass without indulging in a succulent pear.

This is where direct shipping of fruit boxes shows their true colors. They’re not just about delivering fruit; they're about delivering joy tailored just for you. It’s like having a personal fruit shopper who knows exactly what makes your taste buds sing.

Ever had the urge to pick your apples and pears but found yourself confined to the limits of what’s available locally? Direct ship boxes bridge that gap. They give you the freedom to play with your choices, to mix and match, and to embark on fruity adventures from the comfort of your home.

Plus, let's be honest: there’s a child-like glee in waiting for your customized box. The excitement of unpacking, of discovering what’s inside, even if you chose it yourself. It’s the simple pleasures that direct ship fruit boxes bring into our lives, week after week.

Beyond Fruits: A Treasure Trove of Delights

Imagine unboxing not just fruits but a world of wonders. That's the beauty of some direct ship fruit boxes. It's not just about the apples and pears; it’s the additional treasures that turn the experience from ordinary to extraordinary.

Ever found a handmade note in your package, sharing a heartwarming story about the orchard where your fruit was picked? Or perhaps a quaint little recipe card, guiding you on a culinary adventure to turn those fruits into a pie or a delightful summer cooler? These tiny touches enhance the whole experience.

There's also the element of surprise. Some boxes include artisanal products, like fruit jams bursting with flavors or jellies that sparkle in the morning sun. And these aren’t your average store-bought types; they’re handcrafted, with love and care, often from the very fruits you’ve just received.

In essence, these boxes are not just delivering food; they’re delivering memories, moments, and morsels of joy.

Green Choices, Lush Rewards: The Eco-Friendly Edge

In an age where we're increasingly conscious about our environmental footprint, every little choice matters. And guess what? Opting for direct shipping fruit boxes is like giving Mother Nature a warm, friendly nod.

Consider the usual chain of events. Fruits hop from trucks to warehouses, then fly down distribution channels, and finally find their way to retail shelves. Every step involves energy, fuel, and, unfortunately, emissions. Now, imagine erasing many of these steps. The result? A much greener, happier planet.

Direct shipping fruit boxes often emphasize sustainable practices. From eco-friendly packaging that you can reuse or compost to optimizing transport to minimize carbon emissions, they're thinking green.

But there's more. By reducing the long stays in storage facilities, the risk of fruit spoilage drops. This means less wastage, fewer resources squandered, and a bigger, bolder step towards sustainability. So, while your taste buds are rejoicing, the earth is heaving a sigh of relief too. For more details feel free to contact us at https://www.champlainorchards.com/.

Embark on Your Fruity Voyage: A Beginner's Guide

So, you're sold on the idea and are now itching to dive into this world of orchard-fresh deliveries. But where to start? Fret not! Embarking on your direct ship fruit box journey is simpler than pie. And speaking of pies, you’ll soon be making some fantastic ones with your fresh produce.

Begin by scoping out the scene. A quick online search can unveil a plethora of companies offering these services. Read reviews, get a feel of what they offer, and see what resonates with your fruit-loving heart.

Prices, delivery schedules, customization options… there's a lot to consider. But here's a tip: many companies offer trial boxes. It's a great way to dip your toes in the water, gauge the quality, and understand what works best for you.

And remember, the journey is as delightful as the destination. As the seasons change, so will your boxes. Relish the experience, try new fruits, and let each box be a delightful surprise party of flavors. 

In Conclusion

From the enchanting orchards to the comfort of your home, direct ship fruit boxes redefine freshness. They capture the essence of nature and deliver it, with love and care, to your table. Whether you're a fruit enthusiast or just someone looking for healthier choices, these boxes are a game-changer. Dive in, explore, and let the flavors whisk you away on a delectable journey. 

Read More:From Orchard to Plate: The Journey of Eco-Apples in Sustainable Farming

A look at the success of apple-based products at the Good Food Awards

The Great New England Flavor Faceoff: Apples vs. Maple Syrup

[deivorous]

@badheart

Surely not the rarest event, considering how tough and time consuming one's job could be here, but it was still something else to witness it. Though it would be not the first time, that he saw someone die, though this here was still different, considering it had been the person's own choice to jump. Whenever he had read about such cases, when he skipped through the news again, it always made him wonder about himself, questioning his situation and choices, but overall he was very glad to be alive, even if it was not easy at times. Ginjo was pulled out of his thoughts, when he felt his hand being grabbed by someone in the middle of the crowd they stood in. If he had not been so shocked, honestly more at that than some stranger's death, he would have pulled his hand away, but instead he was surprised at the sight of some blue-haired punk holding his hand. Not so tough after all, eh? Lucky for him, that the people in front of them covered the worst sight. Anyway, this was still weird, and after a second or two, he finally freed his hand. "Everything alright?" Though, he really did not want to play the therapist for another stranger now, he got his own issues but then again, he always searched for distraction for them. So someone else's misery could be almost welcoming. Perhaps he was a little bit heartless, but the deaths of total strangers rarely concerned anyone in the long run. On the next day, other news would make you question the meaning of life.

Grimmjow and Death are part time lovers in a complicated situationship that mostly involves Grimmjow rattling on its doors at odd hours of the night with a firearm in one hand, a bottle of booze in the other, and blood smeared into his skin.

Take me back! You bitch! I brought you a fuckin' present, the least you can do is open the damn door!

He's killed more people than he remembers, sometimes cuz he wants to, sometimes cuz someone else wants him to. Point and shoot - he goes where he's told and kills when he's told. It's never bothered him before. His line of work comes with heavily diluted morals and lives cheaper than the gunpowder he buys. Death is a natural process.

'I'm gonna jump!' The man roars. A salary man. With his little briefcase and matching slacks and jacket, his colorful tie to give him a 'pop of personality'. Cosplaying relevance. Grimmjow bets he has a little fancy Samsung phone that he takes fake important meetings on, and that every email is a priority, and that he gets mad when the line at his coffee shop is too long.

'Do a triple axle!' Grimmjow doesn't say back, because he's still laughing at just how ridiculous the whole thing is. No one cares. If that was Salary's cry for help, he won't get it. Why is it Grimmjow's problem if he jumps?

But then he looks up and his heart beats faster. Not a cry for help, he realizes as Salary takes a swan dive, but a call for attention. The request for an audience before his street performance and oh.

Death's never bothered him before. No, quite the contrary - it's the only time he feels alive.

His heart beats faster, eyes wide, hand reaches out to ground himself on someone nearby (instinct, he's not thinking about it). When Salary jumps, Grimmjow's stomach jumps with him, up into his throat and then swoops like a rollercoaster - down, down, down down down ---

Salary's briefcase wasn't tightly secured, and it explodes with lose paper when his body collides with the car-roof crash mat. Confetti to signify the end of the performance. Huh. Anticlimactic. Grimmjow was expecting more of a crunch - or better, that he didn't die on impact. More screaming is always more interesting.

His hand is shaken free, "Everything alright?" Said by someone that doesn't actually care.

Grimmjow replays him in kind, with a laugh. "HA! Hahahaha, fuck me - what a goddamn attention whore! I need to get a better look, how many bones do you think he broke? It wasn't even that high, pussy. What a fuckin' joke!"

[superboy1992]

AI and Household Robots: A Tale of Cutting Planning Time in Half

Picture this: you're knee-deep in household chores, wishing for a magic wand to make it all go away. Or better yet, a robot to do it all for you. Well, welcome to 2023, where household robots are as common as smartphones. But there's a twist in our tale. These robots, as efficient as they are, have been facing a bit of a pickle when it comes to planning tasks. Enter our hero: Artificial Intelligence (AI). So, sit back, grab a cup of coffee (made by your robot, of course), and let's dive into this riveting tale of how AI is helping household robots cut planning time in half. The Problem: Time-Consuming Planning for Household Robots In the not-so-distant past, our robot friends had a bit of a hard time. They were great at doing tasks, but planning them? Not so much. It was like watching a reality show where the contestants are running around like headless chickens, trying to figure out what to do next. The robots could vacuum your carpet, do your dishes, even make your bed, but figuring out the most efficient way to do these tasks was a challenge. It was like trying to solve a Rubik's cube while juggling - possible, but not exactly a walk in the park. The Solution: AI to the Rescue Just when things were looking as grim as a rainy day, in came our hero: AI. With its shiny algorithms and data-crunching capabilities, AI was ready to take on the challenge of task planning. Picture AI as a time-saving superhero, swooping in with its cape made of binary code, ready to streamline the planning process for our robot friends. AI's Superpowers: PIGINet and Machine Learning Our superhero AI came equipped with an arsenal of superpowers. It had PIGINet, a system that could filter feasible tasks and reduce planning time, faster than a cheetah can run a 100-meter dash. It also had machine learning capabilities that could learn from past tasks, improving efficiency quicker than a kid can finish a candy bar. For instance, AI could analyze past tasks performed by the robot, learn from them, and then use this knowledge to plan future tasks more efficiently. It was like having a super-intuitive robot coach who could spot a potential inefficiency and nip it in the bud. Moreover, AI could also predict potential issues that might arise in the future. It's like having a crystal ball that gives you a heads-up about future challenges, allowing the robot to take proactive steps to prevent them. Now, if only it could predict lottery numbers too! The Impact: Robots on a Roll With AI's intervention, our household robots started to transform. The time-consuming planning gave way to streamlined processes, inefficiencies were replaced by optimization, and the robots became as efficient as a Swiss watch. Robots felt more confident, households were happier, and the planning time was cut in half. The benefits of this transformation were evident. Robots were more efficient, households were cleaner, and even the family pets seemed to be happier. It was like a household fairy tale come true. Looking Ahead: The Future of AI and Household Robots As we look to the future, it's clear that AI's adventures in optimizing household robots are far from over. Picture AI with a futuristic suit, equipped with even more advanced features, ready to take on the challenges of the future household. There might be new challenges to face, like more complex tasks or the risk of over-reliance on AI. But knowing our superhero AI, it's ready to take on these challenges head-on. With continuous advancements in technology and a commitment to enhancing household efficiency, AI is all set to continue its mission of revolutionizing household robots. Conclusion So there you have it, folks! Our tale of how AI, the superhero of household efficiency, is helping robots cut planning time in half. From battling planning inefficiencies to transforming household robots, AI has truly proven to be the hero we need. As we look to the future, it's clear that AI will continue to play a pivotal role in optimizing household robots. And while it might not wear a cape or have a catchy superhero theme song, there's no denying that AI is here to save the day in our households! In the end, household chores are inevitable, just like the Monday morning blues. But with AI in our corner, managing these chores doesn't have to be a daunting task. So, let's embrace AI, let's embrace change, and let's transform our households into homes of the future. After all, as the saying goes, the only constant in life is change. And with AI, we can add: the only constant in household chores is innovation!       This article was originally published on my blog: https://www.cosgle.com Read the full article

[elinor-taylor]

Colour Me Blue

Halfway to open ground, the scout paused. His diving helmet muffled the sounds around him, all but the steady, quiet hiss of air, the crunch of his feet. And yet, outside of the steel goldfish bowl that sat heavily weighted on his shoulders, he heard something. For a heart-stopping couple of seconds, he thought it was a hum.

He scanned the gaps between the trees at head height and above, spun a little faster on the spot than he might otherwise have, his breathing pace doubled, his senses stepped up to high alert. He tried to convince himself it had only been his imagination. Tried and failed.

The walk back was often the worst for seeing and hearing things that either weren't anything to worry about, or simply weren't there. Jitters were understandable; good people lost their minds and their lives with less warning, so it paid to listen to what your gut was telling you around here.

The winged armies of the North had a penchant for letting you think you'd made it out safely, encouraging you to drop your guard before swooping down to finish it - to finish you. It would be an understatement to say they got a kick out of such tactics. Little shits.

He'd seen it himself, witnessed fully grown men snatched up by the hair on their scalps and carried away in what was nothing short of a flailing, screaming horror show. That was back when on clearer afternoons a helmet was optional, landside, and you could feel the breeze on your skin. Strange to think there was a time when scouts went on missions in pairs. Then, if one got taken the other could report back to Liaison for debrief. It was nobody's idea of an enviable task.

Swarm took him up fifty feet, Sir, dropped him on the spike of a dead pine. Swear I couldn't help him. Only just made it out myself.

Or: Ripped his hands and feet away and tossed his middle in a pool of sludge, for the city dogs. No, don't reckon they took him for processing this time, Sir. Not that I noticed, anyhow.

Or the one they feared the most: Carried the geezer off to the city, they did, Sir. Last I heard of him was going off into the clouds. Still alive? I believe so. Poor bastard.

Things changed as the seasons passed, with the worsening air, the shrinking footprint of the forests, and the decreasing numbers of those willing and able to do the legwork required. For the longest time now, missions had been solo ventures, and those back at base were left to ruminate over what might've happened to a lost colleague in their desperate final moments. Or, the preferred option, to not let themselves think about it at all.

Rock was set to head on, continue toward where he knew the forest thinned and dispersed into the central plains, when he saw a small glowing light emerge from behind a teepee of dead branches some ten or fifteen yards back.

It might've been an ember, or a will-o-the-wisp, but for the fact it moved - walked - across the forest floor. He knew the colour of wing, recognised the calm gait of the small figure. The scout checked his wrist dial before making his way back.

'Ahoy there, traveller,' the winged one said, as she and the scout neared each other.

Rock saw then how the fairy smiled, having coined the greeting as something of a joke on one of their many previous encounters. 'You do know I'm a diver, not a sailor, right?' he said. 'We've talked about this, little 'un.'

The fairy shrugged: Meh. Whatever. All the same to me.

She gave her glowing wings a last stretch and a brief flutter before folding them down and wrapping them under her cloak. The forest dimmed a little after that.

'Still not told them, huh?' Rock said.

'Not yet. I don't imagine it'll go down well when I do. Last thing they need right now is to feel lied to. They've had enough betrayal to last them ten lifetimes.' The fairy sat on a low branch and twirled her feet in circles, having never truly grown accustomed to the strain that walking wrought on her calves.

Rock joined her, taking a seat on a fallen log, still dwarfing his small companion.

'How about you?' the fairy said. 'Good mission? Scout out anything of note?'

She was taking the piss when using that word - scout - they both knew it, but Rock quite enjoyed her teasing humour. He took it as a sign she hadn't been completely broken by her fall from the heights of hummer leadership.

'Just more tags,' he said, referring to the carvings he'd photographed earlier. 'Walked right past your place, actually. Quiet as a tomb. If I hadn't known different, I'd have taken it to be as empty as the next. Not sure they even noticed me.'

'Oh, they noticed. You think a great stomping biggun like you gets past a Faretheewell colony without the whole place knowing about it? Shush, now.' Another smile, this time giving the scout flutters of his own.

Rock's mood darkened when he considered the implications of his mission, and the reason for him being there in the first place. How many more times would they meet like this before even these last remaining patches of forest were gone the way of the rest? The loss of green was one thing, the loss of the colonies another, but the loss of this winged one in particular felt to him like the worst of all evils that the South could inflict upon him, personally.

The fairy noticed the saddening on the man's face and in his eyes. 'What aren't you telling me?' she said.

Rock didn't want to have this conversation, least of all with someone who'd already had everything that held any kind of meaning to them stolen away. He didn't want to be the person to say it. But still, it needed to be said.

'The South will mobilise once they reach minimum viability.'

'Okay.' She paused. Then, when the man didn't go on, 'Rock? You know something, and you're terrible at hiding it. Please stop trying to protect me. If you have information, you owe it to us to let us help ourselves.'

This hit where it counted and the scout knew the fairy was right. 'The levels are up, Cerulean,' he said. 'Like, way up. Like, a minute to midnight up. You get what I'm saying?'

'Yes,' the fairy said, calmly.

'If we can't stop it, or at the very least get you all out, you will die.'

The fairy looked away as if considering her reply. After a moment, she turned her eyes back toward the giant man in the tin can suit. 'We're not divers, like you, biggun. I thank you for your concern, and the continued intelligence, but we stay until the end.'

She got to her feet. It was a sign for them both to be on their way.

'And you can, if you wish, call me by my given name. It feels right that you do, seeing as we are friends of a sort.' She took a breath. 'Leddy. You may call me Leddy.'

'Well, Leddy,' the scout said with a bow. 'As always, I'm pleased to see you. And tell your people, our gate is open for any of you that choose to use it.'

'I shall. Until next time, Mister Rock.'

The scout watched as she made her way on foot through the trees in the direction of the hollows. It didn't seem to matter how many times they spoke, he was never not in awe of these tiny magical beings. He knew her true name, of course, had all along, and had merely been waiting for the proud fairy to feel safe enough in his presence, maybe respect him enough (like him enough?), to open up and tell him herself.

It was interesting to Rock how the former hummer had chosen to hide behind a name that so represented the sky-blue of her Northern homeland - Cerulean - and he often wondered if she wasn't in fact hoping to get found out, a form of self-flagellation, as punishment for crimes she'd committed against the Diamonders in a previous life. To date, he hadn't seen anything to suggest that the Faretheewell residents knew, however, and he wouldn't be the one to break it to them, now or ever. Not that much of an arsehole, he thought. Regardless of any reputation he might've formed back at base.

'Until next time, Squad Leader Rickett,' he said, quietly and to himself within the confines of his diving helmet, before setting off for the far side of the central plains.

***

Crossing the wilds of Middle Diamond, the scout could if he wanted to make out the silhouette of skyscrapers and stacks to his right, could trace a finger along the skyline of the city of Must, scorched into the heavens some thirty miles south. He didn't stop to look, having seen it a hundred times before, in progressively darker shades of grey. To spend another moment studying it, to give the smoke clouds spewing high into the atmosphere a single ounce of his attention, would trigger a fury in him so great he would likely be unable to control it.

How the scientists did their jobs was a mystery to him. He'd be inclined to rip the screens from the wall if he had to do what they did all day long, which was monitor and categorise and record the city's outflow, calculate the damage being done. He knew he was incapable of such restraint.

So, on he went, eyes forward, periodically checking only that his dial wasn't tipping into the red. And when the home gate came into view he walked a little faster, glanced up a little more often to check for hummers, before finally, blessedly, falling back into his own world.

***

In the penthouse of the highest tower in Must, the crystal eye of a powerful telescope focused in on the man as he approached the shimmering gate. From this distance he appeared as if the same size as the one watching him.

No, smaller.

From here he was pick-up-able, crush-in-your-hand-able. A weak and tiny man trespassing in a big world where he didn't belong.

'Has he gone?' Master of all the South said.

'Yes.'

'How long until they return?'

The hummer stepped away from the window to face the intercom. 'Long enough, Sire.'

'Good. Ready your troops. And, Borealis?'

'Sire?'

'Be sure to leave none behind.'

[thebibliophilevigilante]

The way her cheeks turned even more red and how flustered she was made her even cuter, and Jason’s teeth sank lower into his lower lip to keep from laughing. He didn’t want to embarrass her, especially not when his own mind was going to get him into serious trouble too.

He observed her as she quickly changed the subject, pointing out an ice cream vendor. She liked to deflect sometimes when the spotlight was on her, which was fine. Jason himself did that as well. Again, he stayed a step or two behind Madison, one: because he took larger strides to begin with and two: he enjoyed studying the way she moved. And that shirt she had on accentuated all her curves perfectly.

When Madison offered to pay, Jason did put up a bit of a fuss. He invited her out. He should have been the one to treat. But he also didn’t want to insult her independence, so after a moment or two of back-and-forth, he acquiesced and let her purchase his Nestle Drumstick ice cream cone. As soon as their treats were in hand, they began meandering around the sidewalks of the park, close to the large pond settled in the center.

His teeth crunched against the hard chocolatey, nutty shell of the Drumstick as she barraged him with rather personal questions. A chuckle rumbled through his throat.

“For someone who just met me barely 36 hours ago, you’re diving in deep there,” he teased. He was about to continue when he noticed how her tongue was dancing over the tip of the cherry popsicle, the organ red from the coloring in the treat. An eyebrow raised in a challenge. He could fight fire with fire.

His eyes locked with hers as he stuck his tongue out and licked a broad stripe around the edge of his ice cream cone, pretending it was close to melting and he had to lick the cream off lest he become sticky. The corner of his mouth ticked upward in a miniscule, playful smirk. “No, I do not have a girlfriend, nor am I married. I do not have any children that I am aware of, but who knows? Maybe someday.”

He was a bit of a monster, and he knew it, so he took a bite off the top of his Drumstick, leaving the ice cream level with the cone shape so he’d have to dip his tongue in. His lips smacked, hopeful to get her attention as his tongue swooped in to collect some of the frozen confection. He licked his lips deliberately. “From what I’ve gathered on you, you’re a curious, flirty, gorgeous interior designer who fled the stunning city of Metropolis to move to this shithole. Surely there’s more to your story. What interests you, really…gets you going?”

Another dip of his tongue into the ice cream, followed by his boyish grin. He’d leave the meaning of that question up for however she interpreted it.

When it comes to getting intel, there are several ways to go about it. One could ask politely, or ask the right questions to eventually draw information from their target. There is intimidation, threatening your target and demanding the information in exchange for remaining unharmed. Then there is incognito surveillance, appearing inconspicuous and melding in with one’s environment just listening and watching.

The current session was the latter.

A raven-haired man with a blanched tuft in his bangs kept his teal eyes trained on the book in his massive, calloused right hand. His left swirled his take-away cup absentmindedly. He was reading words, but they weren’t registering in his brain. His focus was more concentrated on the conversations around him, and what information he could gather before his next patrol.

The first three rules of real estate are location, location, location. Burnley Brewhouse definitely had that, especially for Jason Todd. It was conveniently placed right on the very edge of Burnley, practically at the juncture of where Crime Alley and The Bowery neighborhoods started (which were all Jason’s domain). By day, the neighborhood was full of regular citizens, students and tourists. By night, the whole area was crawling with denizens of the dark wheeling and dealing for their own personal gain and vices while putting others at risk.

Jason brought his cup to his mouth for a sip, his eyes flicking to the counter where two men with heavier builds were waiting for their order. One had a rough 5 o’clock shadow, the other a scraggly, unkempt blond beard, both wearing holy jeans and beat-up leather jackets. He recalled seeing them once during a patrol a couple of weeks prior, skulking around by the Freight Yards. They were definitely up to no good then, and could offer him decent information in the present. The barista handed both of them a take-away cup, and his eyes quickly glanced down to his book again, his peripherals watching as they meandered around to sit at a table caddy-corner from his in the back corner of the shop.

“Terry was telling me about that new candy order he has coming in,” 5 O’Clock muttered lowly to his friend. “Said it should get here overnight, and we can distribute to the stores first thing in the morning.”

Scraggles ran his nails over his beard as he listened. “Loaded with sugar? Y’know these kids can’t get enough of their sugar.”

“He said it was everything needed from the inventory list. He said he has his pal Molly coming in to help with the shipment too.”

There was a small pause before, “How many donuts did he get and where from?”

“11 for the crew. I think he said they’re from Declan’s over on 14th Street.”

Jason had to refrain from rolling his eyes. Those two idiots were blatantly discussing a drug drop in broad daylight just as if they were talking about a regular candy store shipment.

He switched the book to his right hand as he snagged a napkin from the holder and a pen from the table. He scribbled a note to himself, writing the characters’ names from his book, followed by “PG 11, DL 14.” He knew his own shorthand; the character names were to keep up appearances. “PG 11” would remind him the drop was scheduled for 11, and “DL 14” would remind him the ship would be at Dock Bay 14.

His attention went back to his book as he brought the pen to his lips, teeth nibbling on the retractable plunge as he appeared deep in thought. He was about to tune back into 5 O’Clock and Scraggly’s conversation when the cafe’s entry bell rung.

His eyes flitted to the door to assess the entrant, and he froze. A young brunette with piercing dark eyes was glancing around, looking for a place to perch herself no doubt. She was breathtaking, and certainly unlike any other person he had seen come in to Burnley’s. As she turned to the counter, he couldn’t help the large grin that danced over his face. First he got lucky with the tip-off. Would he be lucky enough for that gorgeous girl to sit anywhere within his vicinity?

@rpwiththelilflower

[wat3rpillar]

Angst Injury RP Starter: Open to anybody

TW// Blood, Injuries

It was supposed to be a simple mission.

That's what he was told. That's what the crow said. It said three demons, not thirty.

But here he was, panting heavily and running like hell. He was holding a small child, a young girl, maybe around the age of seven.

Even over the not-so-distant noises of the hoard of demons catching up on him, he could hear her muffled sniffles and sobs. He had only just gotten there in time to save her life, unlike the rest of her family.

Apparently, they had been lured in, each of her seven other relatives dealt with one by one, in horrendous and torturous ways.

He shook his head, trying to shift his blood soaked bangs from his eyes, as well as the disdainful thoughts from his head. Now was not the time to think of these things.

This was already a task.

As he had arrived earlier, the demons had dived at him immediately. He had dealt with groups of demons solo before, but usually they split up. And when they did fight together, they usually had little-to-no coordination, often doing more harm than good.

But these demons were different. They moved with strategy. With purpose and knowledge. If he was in different situation, he would've called it a terrifyingly beautiful display of teamwork, reliance.

In all reality, he had, at least in his mind. And that was his slip up. He had been caught off guard for one moment, and it fucked him over entirely.

Two demons had rushed his right, while another had rushed him from behind. He had managed to kill the three with relative ease, but that left an opening. A forth had darted at him while his back was turned, tearing a chunk from his shoulder.

When he had turned to kill that one, another took a swift slice at his back, causing him to cough up, choking on a bit of his own blood.

Not even five minutes into the fight and he was heavily injured. Even for a Hashira, this was a lot. Not a solo mission in the slightest.

He was stupid to have accepted this mission in the first place. He knew his body was weak from the healing process.

So he did the only reasonable thing he could think of. He has swooped up the girl and ran.

And that was where he was now. He was tired, blood pouring from his wounds, only adding to the dizziness. But he couldn't let up, otherwise this girl would die too.

Despite how he told himself this, he could feel his pace begin to slow against his will, the wild, low groans of the demons roaring in his ears.

And then it happened. One of the faster demons sprinted forward with tremendous speed, cutting deeper into Giyuu's already wounded back.

He felt himself fall into a tumble, the young girl letting out a terrified shriek. He rolled, hitting his back against a large tree, the both of them falling to the ground.

The bloodied leaves made a crunch sound, shimmering in the moonlight, an almost peaceful image. Almost. The demons were swiftly approaching.

He couldn't tell the girl to run on without him. She would surely die. No. He frantically searched, feeling his heart almost leap when he spotted a safe, hollowed spot in a nearby tree.

He ushered her over, immediately getting into a defensive state.

They were here. All around him. Watching, waiting, hungry. There was no escape now. it was purely stay and fight.

So with a quick cough, spitting out some blood, he gave the moon an almost hopeful nod, more desperate for assistance than he had ever been in his lifetime.

He had a job to do, and it wasn't just his life relying on it.