#land is restored to fruitfulness

[granonine]

Thou hast Forgiven. . .

Psalm 85:1-3. LORD, Thou hast been favourable unto Thy land: Thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of Thy people, Thou hast covered all their sin. Selah. Thou hast taken away all Thy wrath: Thou hast turned Thyself from the fierceness of Thine anger. Have you ever wronged someone, repented, and asked forgiveness? When forgiveness is given, it is like a…

[dionysianivy]

𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 🍂🎃

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October is a time of deep spiritual connection, transformation, and preparation for the darker months ahead. For witches, this month holds powerful energy as the veil between worlds becomes thinner, allowing for a deeper connection with spirits and their energies. During this time, we prepare for the colder season, readying ourselves for winter. The vibrations throughout the month are strong, making it the perfect time to practice our magic and align ourselves with the stillness of the approaching winter season. 

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Celebrations: 

Samhain/Halloween

(Samhain, meaning "summer's end," marks the end of the light half of the Celtic year and the beginning of the dark half. It's a time when the boundary between worlds grows thin. According to legend, on this day, the Dagda, the father god, and the Morrigan, the "phantom queen," unite to ensure fertility for the land, people, and animals in the coming year. The Morrigan, often described as a goddess of war, begins the ritual as an old woman but is restored to youth and beauty through their union.)

Planet:

Moon 

Flowers: 

Angelica, Marigold, Heather, Chrysantemum, Dahlia

Herbs/Plants: 

Sage, rosemary, witch hazel, catnip, garlic, allspice, bittersweet, patchouli, bay leaves, pumpkins 

Tarot Cards: 

The Death, The Devil 

Fruits:

Apple, pomegranate, grapes, pears, cranberries 

Deities: 

Nephthys, Hecate, Hel, Banba, Durga, Kali, Hades, Loki, Odin, Badb, Arawn, Belenus, the Dagda, Demeter, Persephone, Cernunnos, Morrigan 

Colors: 

Dark green, black, orange, deep red, purple, brown 

Runes: 

Wunjo, Hagalaz 

Crystals: 

Obsidian, onyx, carnelian, amethyst, opal, citrine 

Animals: 

Raven, crow, bat, spider, stag, scorpion, owl, cat 

Trees: 

Beech, willow 

Symbols: 

Acorns, pumpkins, raven, skull, broomstick 

Magical powers: 

Garden magic, communicating with spirits, connecting with other realms (otherworld), scrying, death (letting go of the old and welcoming the new), connecting with ancestors, shadow work, fertility, transformation, balance, inner peace. 

ACTIVITIES TO DO:

🎃Celebrate Samhain and Halloween

🎃Connect with your ancestors or the spirits of your loved ones

🎃Bake autumn recipes

🎃Use cinnamon essential oil in your practice

🎃Practice pumpkin magick

🎃Light candles and relax

🎃Do daily tarot readings

🎃Honor your ancestors or loved ones who have passed away by creating a special altar or offering them gifts

🎃Read about the history of witches

🎃Collect pine cones or acorns

🎃Decorate your home to welcome the spooky vibe

🎃Try rune divination

🎃Connect with the elements of Water and Fire

🎃Watch Halloween movies

🎃Include October elements in your practice (such as apple magic, manifesting with bay leaves, or using pumpkin seeds in spells)

🎃Experiment with new magical skills. You could try a new spell or explore different types of magic, like faerie or draconic magic

(Even though I wasn’t a huge fan of autumn before, this time of year—especially October—is when I feel the busiest, most inspired, and most connected to my craft. I’m especially excited to communicate with dragons! :D)

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tip jar🎭

[reasonsforhope]

"Abby Allen has no problem with her neighbours peering over her luxuriant hedges to see what she is up to on her farm.

For years she has been carrying out ad hoc experiments with wildlife and farming techniques; in her lush Devon fields native cattle graze alongside 400-year-old hedgerows, with birds and butterflies enjoying the species-rich pasture.

Under the environmental land management scheme (ELMS), introduced by the government in 2021, those experiments were finally being funded. “We have a neighbour who has always been more of an intensive farmer,” she says, but he is now considering leaving fields unploughed to help the soil. “It genuinely is having such a huge impact in changing people’s mindsets who traditionally would never have thought about farming in this way.”

The new nature payments scheme followed the UK’s exit from the EU, when the government decided to scrap the common agricultural payments scheme, which gave a flat subsidy dependent on the number of acres a farmer managed. In its place came ELMS, which pays farmers for things such as planting hedges, sowing wildflowers for birds to feed on and leaving corners of their land wild for nature.

But these schemes are now at threat of defunding, as the Labour government has refused to commit to the £2.4bn a year spending pot put in place by the previous Conservative government. With spending tight and the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, cutting back on infrastructure and hinting at tax rises, a cut to the ELMS scheme may be on her list.

However, government data released last week found the schemes were working to tentatively bring nature back to England’s farmland. Butterflies, bees and bats are among the wildlife being boosted by ELMS, with birds among the chief beneficiaries, particularly ones that largely feed on invertebrates. An average of 25% more breeding birds were found in areas utilising the eco-friendly schemes.

...there are also farmers who welcome the schemes. Allen says the ELMS has helped her farm provide data and funds to expand and improve the good things they were doing for nature. “Some of the money available around things like soil testing and monitoring – instead of us going ‘we think these are the right things to do and providing these benefits,’ we can now measure it. The exciting thing now is there is money available to measure and monitor and kind of prove that you’re doing the right things. And so then you can find appropriate funding to do more of that.”

Allen, who is in the Nature Friendly Farming Network, manages a network of farms in England, most of which are using the ELMS. This includes chicken farms where the poultry spend their life outside rather than in sheds and other regenerative livestock businesses...

Mark Spencer was an environment minister until 2024 when he lost his seat, but now spends more time in the fields admiring the fruits of his and his family’s labour. He says that a few years of nature-friendly agriculture has restored lapwings and owls.

“On the farm, I haven’t seen lapwings in any number for what feels like a whole generation. You know, as a kid, when I was in my early teens, you’d see lapwings. We used to call them peewits. We’d see them all the time, and they sort of disappeared.

“But then, me and my neighbours changed the way we did cropping, left space in the fields for them to nest, and suddenly they returned. You need to have a piece of land where you’re not having mechanical machinery go over it on a regular basis, because otherwise you destroy the nest. We’ve also got baby owls in our owl box now for the first time in 15 years. They look mega, to be honest, these little owls, little balls of fluff. It is rewarding.”"

-via The Guardian, August 23, 2024

[professional-yapper]

You

Lo'ak x Tayrangi! Reader

Warnings: mistaken identity kind of, teens having fun, arranged marriage, fighting/arguments, how they meet is very 101 Dalmatians and i love it, they're both oblivious asf

Neytiri sent Lo'ak to go collect fruits from the grove near the other end of the Omaticaya territory. Normally he'd complain about extra chores, but not today. It was one of the better tasks to be landed with, anyway, even if it would consume his whole day.

But then Jake said Lo'ak could take his ikran, and that would cut the journey in half at least. Maybe more, since Lo'ak, like every other teenager, was all too fond of letting his ikran set the pace. Which, more often than not, simply meant break-neck speed, especially since Lo'ak's ikran was as young as himself in ikran years, according to Neytiri, and just as headstrong.

Lo'ak's ikran, named Spitfire by Jake in one of his rare moments of fatherly affection, was raring to go, practically launching himself into the air the second Lo'ak settled on his back and made the bond.

Kiri had, at one point, taken to calling the ikran Spitty, resulting in Lo'ak pitching a fit and pulling her hair, which then meant days of not speaking to each other. Lo'ak still got sulky every time he remembered the undignified name.

Lo'ak whooped, punching his fist in the air, gripping tightly with his thighs and trusting Spitfire not to let him fall, or at least to catch him if he did. The wind whistled past him, snatching at his braids, whipping a brisk flush into his face.

It was a good day. The sun was already high in the sky, warm on his back despite the wind. The air was heady with the scent of flowers coaxed into bloom by the warm weather, even at this height.

Spitfire, after a little urging from Lo'ak, evened out, gliding smoothly through the sky, occasionally letting out a screech of contentment. Lo'ak settled back, keeping one hand on the handle and feeling for the pouch strapped across his hips Neytiri had given to him to store the fruits in, making sure it was strapped on securely.

It wouldn't take him long to gather enough fruits to satisfy Neytiri. Maybe a few hours.

Maybe more if he decided to take a nap. Lo'ak loved naps, especially deep in the forest amidst the undergrowth, where he could burrow himself into the sun-warm grass and no one would bother him for hours. He probably liked them so much because they restored all the energy he burned living up to Jake's expectations. Very high expectations.

Yeah, he could use a nap. It was just that kind of day.

And it would give him time to think, too. About what his parents had told him a few days ago. About how, since Neteyam had mated with the youngest child of the Olangi olo'eyktan, Lo'ak would do the same, but with the only child of the Tayrangi olo'eykte.

It would benefit the Omaticaya, Neytiri had soothed him, smoothing a hand over his braids. These kinds of unions would prevent any conflict and better the relationships with other tribes. Jake, on the other hand, had told him there was no wriggling out of it, and he'd be mating with this stranger before the end of the year whether he liked it or not.

Comforting, right?

Neteyam had tried to comfort him over it. It was easy for Neteyam. He and his mate were arranged too, but they were crazy about each other, and Neteyam had always wanted to settle down and have a mate of his own and a family anyway. It was why he'd bent so easily to their parents' decision.

And it was easy for Kiri too. She was their dad's favourite, his babygirl. She wouldn't get married off to Aonung or some other guy if she didn't want to. Lucky shit.

Tuk was... well, she didn't have to worry about marriage for a good while yet.

But Lo'ak did. He didn't care about maintaining good relationships with other tribes, or having a mate of his own and settling down. He didn't care about any of that shit. He just wanted his freedom, and the freedom to choose who he mated with. Was that too much to ask?

Apparently so.

Spitfire shrieked, and a ripple of confusion and panic hit Lo'ak through the bond, right as something large and colourful shot past them like a flash of lightning.

Lo'ak caught a glimpse of a face with an equally panicked expression, then swore as Spitfire reared and shrieked again. Though this time, instead of confusion in the bond, all Lo'ak felt was a sudden burst of childish joy, right before Spitfire dived after the other ikran.

Lo'ak yelled in exhilaration as both ikrans went into a nosedive, and crouched low over Spitfire's back, knuckles going white as he tightened his grip. It was dangerous, and if his parents found out, he'd never hear the end of it, but they weren't here now and Lo'ak found this was too much fun for him to care.

He whooped, and heard an answering cry from the rider of the other ikran below, you, which made something in his heart twist with further excitement.

Spitfire was uncontrollable with the excitement of having what was probably another young ikran to play with, and Lo'ak let him have his head, content to just go along for the ride.

The other ikran straightened out before it hit the canopy, and Spitfire followed, flying alongside, steadying himself with a few flaps.

"Sorry," you called, face flushed and apologetic, but then began laughing breathlessly. "Great Mother, I am so sorry! Kikorangi- my ikran- saw you down below and he just took off-"

"It's okay," Lo'ak shouted back, smiling uncontrollably at you. You were probably the most attractive person he'd ever seen, so one couldn't exactly blame him for being so quick to forgive you for the scare. "But I've never seen you before. You're not Omaticaya, are you?"

He didn't have to ask. He knew you weren't. You looked like a young warrior from another tribe, like him. Your skin was covered in a pearly white paint, in swirling patterns. It was mesmerising.

"What?" you called, then raised your eyes skyward, laughing again. "I can't hear you. Wait there."

Lo'ak blinked, confused, as you steered your ikran up and over his head, flying along above him. He tilted his head back, looking up, trying to see what you were doing, only to nearly smack heads with you. You were performing some risky manoeuvre, sliding around to the underbelly of your ikran, gripping on with only your thighs, swinging upside down and smiling at Lo'ak, eyes bright and beautiful, nose nearly brushing against his.

You chuckled at his stunned expression, then righted yourself and leapt down onto Spitfire, breaking the bond with your own ikran. Spitfire jerked at the foreign addition to his cargo, and tilted his head, shooting you a baleful look.

Lo'ak stiffened as you seated yourself behind him, one arm loosely around his stomach, making his abs tense beneath your warm skin, your thighs pressing against his own. "Sorry, what were you saying?" you asked airily, mouth next to his twitching ear, like this wasn't the most intimate position he'd ever been in.

Words failed him. He could only hold very still, in the hopes you wouldn't become uncomfortable and move away. He liked having you there, the weight of your body against his back comforting.

But you shifted back, away from him, laughing again, and the sound rang through his mind, etching itself into the walls of his skull. "Sorry," you apologised for a third time. "I didn't mean to freak you out."

"It's okay," Lo'ak replied almost robotically, words feeling clumsy and foreign on his tongue. Great Mother, get it together! he told himself firmly. There's a beautiful warrior cuddling up to you, wanting to talk and all you can say is it's okay?!

He forced himself to relax, turning his head and smiling crookedly at you over his shoulder.

Your face was like the sun. You seemed to be lit with a golden, gleaming warmth from the inside out, and it honestly made him a little dizzy.

"I was just asking what tribe you're from," he repeated.

"Tayrangi," you answered blithely. "You must be Omaticaya, I guess."

Lo'ak nodded, noting that you were from the same tribe as his future mate. He didn't want to bring that up, though, figuring if he was to have any chance with you he shouldn't bring up his imminent union.

Even though he wouldn't be able to pursue you because of said union... What the tribes didn't know couldn't hurt them, right?

"That's sick," Lo'ak said, smiling that same lopsided smile at you. "Never met any from the Tayrangi before."

"Never met an Omaticaya before either," you grinned back, leaning back on your hands.

"Am I living up to your expectations?" he teased, gathering all his courage to do so, ears drooping slightly in apprehension of your response.

"Who said I had any expectations?" you teased back, nudging the back of his thigh with your knee, sending hot flames of want up his spine.

Lo'ak rolled his eyes, but couldn't hide his delight at finding someone who could match him blow for verbal blow. "Oh, come on!" he scoffed. "You came all the way here, you must've thought about what we'd be like at some point!"

"Maybe I did," you agreed, and the glint in your eyes told him you were being purposefully elusive.

"Go on, then," he encouraged. "Am I everything you hoped?"

You pretended to think, finger pressing into your chin, eyes fixed on the clouds above. Then you smiled again. "Nope."

Lo'ak scoffed again, preparing to fire back some surely witty retort, before you inched forward again, leaning on his back, arm tightening around his middle again, pressing your lips to his ear decisively.

"You're better."

@frogletscribe

Woohoo done! Proud of this one tbh everyone enjoy x

[mommieswithmuscles]

EllAbs x Baker!Reader

Free Palestine, don't support Neil

No Minors and No men

CW: Joel lives, Abby leaves the WLF and winds up in Jackson, slow burn, eventual smut, world and relationship building for the first few chapters, read the poll prompt tagged here for context

Title: Sugar Free (1)

You watch Ellie and Dina rush down the street with a few other scouts. You were on your way to the cafeteria to drop off the lunch bread before starting the dinner load when they tore off. "What's going on?" You park the lined wheel barrel with Maria and the kitchen cooks.

"Joel and Tommy went missing." Maria braces herself on the counter. You pass her a special bag from your pack. She takes the bagels graciously.

"I hope they come home safe." You help the kitchen staff unload the still warm loaves and bagels. You then run back and grabbing the birthday fruit pies you made for a few of the kids' birthdays that landed on this day. You wanted to be sure their families had a good time with them.

-

You always keep a pot of hot chocolate ready for the local kids running around and playing in the snow. A few run in and laugh, calling out to ask if you're in. You bring out the coco and fresh soft pretzel snacks you try to keep on hand. They thank you politely before taking seats Ellie helped you restore at the newly stabilized tables.

"Are you staying warm?" You bring in little cups of freshly done cheese dip. A recipe one of the mother figures from your old settlement taught you.

"We try, then Ellie and Dina rough us up," one of the boys pouts. You brush the snow off his cap.

-

You clean up after the kids, starting your last batch for the day. Ellie special requested bagels. You take the small hike back to your house down the street from the bakery. You clean with soap and warm water, running your cleaned glass shard over the fuzz starting to come back over your mound. One last wash and rinse before jogging back to the bakery in a clean change of clothes.

You start the dough, thinking of Ellie's boobs as you knead it. Yes, you were jealous of the kiss she shared with Dina, but you knew she would always come back. She was as addicted to you as you were of her. She wouldn't ever admit it, but the way she lets you pin her against the wall in your bedroom says more than enough.

You shape the dough into rings, yank your pants down, spread your juice on the dough, then drop them on the baking shovel before putting it back in the stone oven.

-

It's dark when they get back. You shut down the shop and left the bagels on your counter for Ellie to collect. You were waiting in the seating area when she rode up, Shimmer waiting patiently as she retrieved her goods. "We have a new girl. WLF escapee."

"That sounds interesting. Where did you find her?"

"Joel and Tommy picked her up from a hoard. We helped clean up." Ellie smirks, shrugs like it was nothing. "It was awesome."

"I bet you were awesome," her cheeks flush and you fix her ruffled collar. "So, you and Dina?" Her head tilts, the smug look gone.

"So uh, you saw that, huh?" Her feet shuffle.

"I did. Was it a one off, or are you taken now?" You cup Ellie's cheek so she keeps her eyes on you.

"It was a one off. I um, I liked it, but her and Jesse are probably getting back together. So um, yeah." Ellie scratches her jaw. You watch her long fingers pick at the skin.

"I'll make you breakfast. Early shift?"

"Sounds- Yeah, sounds great!" Her lips tug upward, but you can tell she's forcing the smile. You press a kiss to the corner of her mouth. Her cheeks are red again.

"See you then cutie," you wink, drop your hand so it slides down her shoulder and bicep, and let her leave flushed.

-

Ellie comes in as you're working on the breakfast bread. You made her a special loaf to munch on for the road. Behind her is who you assume is the newbie. "Goodmorning ladies," you greet politely. Ellie takes her bread with a wave, running to her horse and Joel.

"Morning," the tall blonde greets. "I'm Abby." You offer your hand, she shakes it firmly.

"Beautiful name for a beautiful girl," you smile. She's taken a back, scoffs.

"Shut up," she turns, but you catch the blush on her cheeks.

"Make me," you challenge. She glares, but says nothing. "Come sit, have something to eat. You must be starving, you got here long after the kitchen closed." You bring her a fresh loaf from the heated stone.

[nelkenbabe]

the conversations between solas and varric drive me to insanity, i think they might be the longest consecutive, interconnected pieces of dialogue between any companions.

there are so many layers and so much back and forth pushing, so much being said without saying it. they explain so much about solas’ current state of mind, but also show the effects of what happened in da2 on varric

Solas: I find the fall of the dwarven lands confusing.

Varric: What's so confusing about endless darkspawn?

Solas: A great deal, although that is a different matter. Dwarves control the flow of lyrium. They could tighten their grip on it.

Varric: It's hard to get the attention of the humans when the darkspawn aren't up here messing with their stuff.

Solas: You're active in the Carta. You know your people could tug the purse strings. You could claim sovereign land on the surface, or demand help restoring the dwarven kingdom, but you don't.

Varric: You're not saying anything I haven't said myself, Chuckles. Orzammar is what it is.

───────

Solas: Is there at least a movement to reunite Orzammar and Kal-Sharok?

Varric: What is it with you, Chuckles? Why do you care so much about the dwarves?

Solas: Once, in the Fade, I saw the memory of a man who lived alone on an island. Most of his tribe had fallen to beasts or disease. His wife had died in childbirth. He was the only one left. He could have struck out on his own to find a new land, new people. But he stayed. He spent every day catching fish in a little boat, every night drinking fermented fruit juice and watching the stars.

Varric: I can think of worse lives.

Solas: How can you be happy surrendering, knowing it will all end with you?  How can you not fight?

Varric: I suppose it depends on the quality of the fermented fruit juice.

Solas: So it seems.

Solas:: I am sorry to have bothered you with my questions about your people Varric. I see so much of this world in dreams. Humans, my own people, even qunari. Dwarves alone were lost to me, save scattered fragments of memory where some spirit cared to watch. Now I know why I see so little.

Varric: And why is that?

Solas:: Dwarves are the severed arm of a once mighty hero, lying in a pool of blood. Undirected. Whatever skill of arms it had, gone forever. Although it might twitch to give the appearance of life, it will never dream. 

Varric: I'd avoid mentioning that to any Carta, Chuckles. They might not take it the right way. 

───────

Varric: What's with you and the doom stuff? Are you always this cheery or is the hole in the sky getting to you?

Solas: I've no idea what you mean.

Varric: All the "fallen empire" crap you go on about. What's so great about empires anyway?

Varric: So we lost the Deep Roads, and Orzammar is too proud to ask for help. So what? We're not Orzammar and we're not our empire.

Varric: There are tens of thousands of us living up here in the sunlight now, and it's not that bad.

Varric: Life goes on. It's just different than it used to be.

Solas: And you have no concept of what that difference cost you.

Varric: I know what it didn't cost me. I'm still here, even after all those thaigs fell.

───────

Solas: You truly are content to sit in the sun, never wondering what you could've been, never fighting back.

Varric: Ha, you've got it all wrong, Chuckles. This is fighting back.

Solas: How does passively accepting your fate constitute a fight?

Varric: In that story of yours—-the fisherman watching the stars, dying alone. You thought he gave up, right?

Solas: Yes.

Varric: But he went on living. He lost everyone, but he still got up every morning. He made a life, even if it was alone.

Varric: That's the world. Everything you build, it tears down. Everything you've got, it takes. And it's gone forever.

Varric: The only choices you get are to lie down and die or keep going. He kept going. That's as close to beating the world as anyone gets.

Solas: Well said. Perhaps I was mistaken.

Varric: You know what I like about you, Chuckles? Your boundless optimism.

Solas: It's comforting that whatever qualities I lack, you'll invent for me, Varric.

Varric: No, really. Why else would an elven apostate help crazy Chantry folk close a hole in the sky?

Solas: When you put it like that, I must concede your point.

PLEASE

[ancha-aus]

RealAgeAU - Reclaiming

This is a little something I have had in mind for a while :3

TImeline wise? We are muuuuuch further. Like. late spring early summer (So the gang has been in farmtale for over half a year now!)

First Drabble Prev Drabble Next Drabble

We are back with Baby Pov :3 @spotaus you ready friend?

No Beta'ing or Edits. We just go with whatever i wrote >:D

*-----------------*

Nightmare sits on his little chair on the bright yellow porch of the Danielle Farm.

Ngihtmare watches as His four speak with the two nice ladies.

Ellie just sits wiht her head in her hands, she had been crying before. Dani isn't much better as she looks over their dying tree farm.

Killer frowns "I don't get it! You guys won the lawsuit right?! There was proof of sabotage! I thought you got money and everything?"

Dani chuckles as she rubs her cheek, removing some tears "It matters little... The trees are almost all dead... Even with the money... There is enough for us to live comfortable yeah.. but it isn't enough to restore the damage..." she looks back at their farm.

Horror frowns as he looks back "Any that survived?"

Dani sighs "Technically they are still alive... but they are dying... we checked all of them and well..." she sighs "only a few of our oldest cherry trees are still okay... and those aren't baring fruit anymore, probably part of why they weren't too affected." she sighs "i don't know the science behind it..."

Nightmare frowns and looks at Dust. Dust notices him and shakes his skull.

It had been going on since a month or so... The girls were beyond alarmed and panicked when they found one of their trees just dying for no reason. It got worse when it became clear that it had spread.

They thought wood rot at first and removed the sick trees but later realised their very land had been sabotaged and poisoned.

Killer frowns "And can it be healed?"

Dani shakes her head as she looks back at the trees that are still not showing any new leaves. "Maybe... but getting things for that? It is too expensive... and even than it would only save the cherry trees... and well... those aren't the real money makers and the thing we have our living with..." she rubs the perfect yellow wood.

Nightmare knows what she is talking about. THe two had combined their magic and made a new tree. somekind of mushroom tree combination.

Nightmare tugs on Cross's sleeve and he looks down "yeah nightmare?"

Ngihtmare looks at Dani "Can you make a new one? Like you made the first one?" That is how their farm started after all.

Dani smiles before sighing and shaking her head again "Our land used to be a forest... What we did was make one tree and let it... well.. infect and change the other trees around it. We eventually made sure it couldn't spread further and out of the area we wanted with magical barriers in the ground... but without new trees we can't go it again."

Ngihtmare frowns "and trees take time..." even their mushroom trees take a few years to fully grow.

Dani nods and smiles sadly at the others "We are... going to share the news with everyone later... Look for a new place and new jobs..." she rubs her eyes "new start... again."

Ellie sobs miserably "I don't wanne move..."

Dani looks back sadly at her other half.

Nightmare watches as his four think but clearly can't think of much. They had grown closer with the other two monsters. The two had often come by with extra wood for their home repairs and later with old mechinery and other things for them to repair and use as they saw fit.

The two had to drive a lot and deliver their wares a lot and got too many places. They made sure to keep an eye open for anything that others in their community wanted.

So when they heard something was up with their farm? They got to work. Horror had recognised the poison together with Crop and Dust had isolated and indentified it.

Killer had been very helpful with helpign the girls get their win in the lawsuit. Killer still has his silver tongue after all.

Nightmare hops off of the chair and wanders a bit further into the tree farm. He had been show their center tree before. THe biggest tree of their whole farm and the strongest of them all.

Nightmare stands before it and stares. It is sick. It looks a sick grey and no longer the beautiful strong branches that had made it strong. Nightmare inches closer as he stands before it.

When he first got shown this place he had been afraid he would get reminded of his mother. but it was different. These trees? They are really trees. just nature. His mother had always been strange compared to the natural trees. ironically, Nim had been something unnatural.

a whisper.

Nightmar eblinks and tilts his skull "hello?"

another whisper. it aren't words. it is more of a whisper like the wind going through leaves and leaving with a whistle. Yet....

yet...

Nightmare blinks as he inches closer "I am sorry it hurts..."

more whispers. but it isn't what he would expect... it isn't...

Nightmare tilts his skull "I don't think it can hurt me... like it is hurting you..." Nightmare finally truly gets it now. It is all connected. It are trees which grow like mushrooms. the roots are all connected and they all talk and communicate and share the magic and resources between them...

It si why they are all sick.

Nightmare frowns as he hugs himself close "I am sorry i can't help..."

another whistle. a whisper. it is a reassurance. but also an apology. The trees love the two who take care of them. Who helped them flourish. They don't want to leave the two.

Nightmare frowns before a a thought about himself returns. Something he hadn't acknowledged or even thought about in a long time. Not since he got his job as god...

He was a nature spirit. He may now be a skeleton but his core? His soul? Was still the same as when he was a ball of energy, a tiny nature spirit.

Maybe...

He slowly raises his hands near the tree "I can try to help..."

A slightly louder whistle and whisper. To be careful. To not hurt himself.

Ngihtmare touches the tree and feels the connection all over the farm. This farm is so much larger than his home. So much larger than Crop's farm!

Still. he feels along it. It is strange. He can't really interact with any of it. He just feels along it. It is strange and he is seeing double. But then he spots it. Something that is wrong. A greyness that is eating away the energy and colour of this feeling. He gets there and... and what now? He foudn it... he thinks... it is like a smudge. a smudge that eats and makes what was there before disappear...

He can't heal... but... maybe he can just... remove it?

He tugs and tugs on the thing. it doens't want to let go but eventually it stands no chance.

Nightmare feels it and it feels wrong. But it needs to disconnect from the trees! But how? He is right now kinda there with the trees connection and he has the thing and...

Ngihtamre concentrates and imagines holding it prisoner. Holding it close but seperate from his own.

It is now like a thin fill over him, still in his minds eye. His normal eyes don't see anything wrong or different of before.

Okay... what now? What is he doing anyway? How does this work?

"Nightmare!!"

Cross?

Ngihtamre tries to turn towards the voice and sees a bright light purple energy come towards him. a blink later and it is Cross normally. He looks worried.

And then he doesnt see the bright yellow of the energy of the tree anymore but just the normal trees.

He feels sick.

Cross gets to him and picks him up "Ngihty! We told you not to use your magic. It is still fragile..."

FRagile? oh.

Nightmare notices the now obvious part cyan and part purple light shinign unto the white of Cross's outfit... Woops... overdid it again...

A loud gasp "Oh no! Is he okay? I am so sorry. I didn't think... It never hurt any of us?" Dani is by Cross and looks horrified. Right... most of them haven't seen his scars.

Dust is by them in a moment and checks him over as Cross speaks "No this... this is a thing that happens if he overuses his fragile magic..."

Nightmare isn't relaly paying attention as he tugs on Dust's scarf and mutters "Dusty.... I feel sick..."

Dust frowns as he checks his temporature and skull over.

Nightmare feels something slowly crawl up his system and his magic starts to shape to get rit of it... He tugs harder on the scarf and mutters "sick...."

Horror gets it as he searches before holding up a basket by his skull. Ngihtamre doesn't wait and vomits.

Grey sludge that burns on his tongue leaves his body and he shudders. But in one go and it is all out and he feels a million times better.

Nightmare blinks at the weird grey blob of mass in the basket. Huh... pretty sure that has more mass than Nightmare has.

Cross just holds him tighter and rubs his back "that... is new..."

Dust looks at the basket and Horror looks around.

Nightmare blinks and looks at Horror "It will cause sickness." he is sure. So sure. but how does he explain. He doesn't have the words ready. He just hopes Horror understands him. His four always understand him.

Horror looks at him before looking at the basket thoguhtfully "Think we can burn it?"

Burn... kill it... Nightmare nods. That sounds good.

Horror looks at the girls "We euh..." he looks at the basket "I am not sure what this is... We need to look into it?"

Dani nods as she rubs her arms "of coruse... of course... I am so sorry something here caused him to get sick or overuse his magic and..." she then looks sadly at her trees.

Ngihtmare blinks as he already feels sleepy but still he says it "don't be sad... they don't want you to be sad."

Dani blinks and turns to Nightmare "waht... what do you mean?"

Ngihtmare hums and just nuzzles closer to Cross. he listens to the soft whistle and whisper. then he mutters sleepily "They already feel a bit better... They like you two... just rest..." and he yawns.

Killer steps over and starts speaking with Dani. Nightmare can't really hear it anymore as he falls asleep. Very tired and Cross is so warm.

---

Killer groans as he hears loud pounding on his door. God can't they just have a lay in today? He groans as he looks to the side adn sees Dust grumble angerly as he rolls further around Nightmare. Nightmare however is still completely out. Not having stirred much since the day before.

Killer checks him over first but still finds him just peacefully asleep. Nothing wrong. Probably just exhausted. Though none of them are even sure what Ngihtmare did to cause him to go so low on magic and energy.

More pounding on the door and Killer groans as he staggers over to the door. STill just in his sweats and sleeping shirt. He opens the door and shoots the other, Ellie, a grumpy look "I know I said We would be willing to help but i think i didn't need to imply to not do this at 6." or whatever time it was.

Ellie just stands there, her truck still running "It is fixed."

Killer blinks ".... what?"

Ellie shakes his shoulders as she speaks "It is FIXED. The trees! There are leaves growing! It is fixed! The whole farm!"

THe information connects. Killer stands up straight as he stares at the bunny monster in shock. He glances over his shoulder before looking abck "what?"

Ellie smiles brightly "I dom't... I don't know how! But... he fixed it Killer!"

Killer blinks before he feels panic as he grabs her shoulder "no one can know."

Ellie blinks "but... he caused a miracle... he-"

Killer nods "exactly. Ellie. What do you think happens when people learn what he did? What he could do? We don't even know he could do this."

Ellie blinks before her eyes widen and her face twists with worry "oh..." she looks thoughtful for a moment before a large grin appears "in that case. Thank you Killer! For bringing up the idea to put barriers around each tree section! We managed to get some seperation in the infection!" she then hugs him before pulling away "Thank you... I will tell Dani too." she grins and makes a zipping her lips motion before throwing away an invisible key.

She then apologises and waves before quickly rushing to her car. Killer cna see her grab a mobile phone as she starts calling. Killer waits a moment to and reads her lips as she greets Dani and tells her that what happened can not get out. That they just found a way to isolate the problem and remove the sick trees.

Something that if you knew how this thing worked probably wouldn't know but it is enough of a story to not arouse suspicion. Ellie waves and then she drives off after finishing her call. No doubt to return to her girlfriend, or are they already wives? Killer isn't sure.

Killer returns to the nest and sits next to the still sleeping Dust and Nightmare. Horror and Cross are no doubt out and doing stuff to prepare them for their first tiny harvest.

His godhood become active again...

Killer is just happy it isn't connected to that stupid balance anymore.

Though he does not look forward to trying to figure out what exactly it is.

*-------------------*

:3 the tiny god may have finally found something he likes and wants to do :3

Just because it isn't too obvious. It is restoration. After all. That is what Nightmare does.

First he restored the balance (or tried to). And then he got his boys, and isn't restoration just a way of saying mending? Which is healing? And what did the four do when they were near Nightmare? :3

I think you can see the pattern.

First Drabble Prev Drabble Next Drabble

[turnwheelofthetwelve-if]

Back when the world was whole, it was presided over by the Celestial Twelve. Each held a Relic that bestowed abilities onto it's chosen Warden and provided life and magic through the land and for a while, there was peace. But greed and jealousy corrupted the people and wars broke out over the Relics. Then the Great Fracturing occurred, ripping the world into twelve shards, extinguishing the powers of the Twelve from the world completely, and the Relics were lost to time. Without the powers of the Twelve, the world was plunged into a centuries long Dark Age, suffering from famines, plagues, and wars. Until 500 years after the Fracturing, when all across the world, new Wardens began emerging from the shadows. But without their Relics, their abilities were useless. Enter the Guardians, people born with a connection to the Wardens who were tasked with protecting them as they searched the world for their Relics. For centuries, Wardens and Guardians worked in tandem to search for the Relics, but as they kept returning unsuccessful and the disasters got worse, tensions rose and bubbled over and the powers of the Twelve were once again lost. Now, 1000 years after the Fracturing, Wardens and their Guardians have started to appear again just in time as worse disasters have started to ravage the world. But with the world rife with danger and in such disarray, truly restoring the Twelve seems more like an impossible goal than reality.

The Turnwheel of the Twelve Saga is a WIP collection of 13 interactive CYOA stories all taking place in the fictional world of Astelle, a world that was once lush with life and magic, now relegated to dry empty deserts and dense industrial pollution. Each of the books follow different characters on their journeys to recover the respective Relic.

Note: Because this is still a WIP, some names of characters or places may change during development. Also, this blog serves mostly as a hub to reach all of the other planned books, so there won't be much original content added here and just reblogs.

Genre: Adventure, Romance, Fantasy Post-Apocalyptic

Rating: 18+

Tracked Tag: #turnwheel of the twelve

Current Book: Chalice of the Scales

Status: Writing Book 1

Current Book Demo || FAQ || Ask Guidelines || Tag Navigation || World Lore || Dev's Main Blog ||

Book 1: Chalice of the Scales ( @chaliceofthescales-if )

Book 2: Ballad of the Maiden ( @balladofthemaiden-if )

Book 3: Sword of the Lion ( @swordofthelion-if )

Book 4: Tome of the Moon ( @tomeofthemoon-if )

Book 5: Fruit of the Twins ( @fruitofthetwins-if )

Book 6: Ring of the Heavens ( @ringoftheheavens-if )

Book 7: Horn of the Ram ( @hornoftheram-if )

Book 8: Mirror of the Sea ( @mirrorofthesea-if )

Book 9: Vessel of the Waterbearer ( @vesselofthewaterbearer-if )

Book 10: Sickle of the Harvest ( @sickleoftheharvest-if )

Book 11: Key of the Archer ( @keyofthearcher-if )

Book 12: Crown of the Dark ( @crownofthedark-if )

Book 13: Return of the Twelve ( @returnofthetwelve-if )

[rassicas]

Return of the Mammalians Log.exe, retranslated

There’s a handful of differences between the ENG and JP version of the secret final Alterna Log, Log.exe. Much of it is fine, but there’s a few things in the localization that I think are...not great. I’ll talk about it at the end I reused some of the wording in the localization that I thought was close enough to the JP, and some of it I rewrote. ok translation under the cut

Return of the Mammalians There were those of humankind who gave up on the desolate Earth. They placed many surviving animals in a cold sleep, put them on a spaceship- the Ark Polaris- and set it off into space. The mission: to search for a new planet to replace the Earth.

The Polaris had a smooth voyage...until it reached the edge of the solar system. It was at that point that debris struck the vessel, damaging its navigation system. The crew was able to turn the ship around and and head back toward Earth, but the effort was in vain-there was not enough fuel to attempt a landing. The Ark Polaris drifted in Earth’s orbit for over 10,000 years.

Eons passed. The once-stable orbit of the Polaris decayed over time until the ship found itself in the inescapable pull of the Earth's gravity. All the humans and animals aboard perished, save one. Bear #03, an experimental subject who had retained consciousness within his cold hibernation, miraculously survived. For 12,000 years he had been thinking, dreaming of the planet he would emigrate to. From this, he gained a very high level of intelligence.

Upon waking, Bear #03 discovers that he had not landed on a new planet at all. He was back on Earth. An Earth dominated by marine life, with not a single mammal in sight.

In the course of his search for a single fellow mammal, Bear #03 used navigational equipment from the wreckage of the Ark Polaris to discover Alterna, located deep within the Crater. Its inhabitants had gone extinct, but upon examining the facilities, he discovered that the thoughts of humanity were burned into the liquid crystals covering the inner walls of Alterna. Thus, Bear #03 repaired Alterna's facilities and began researching the crystals...

This research bore fruit when Bear #03 compounded some of the liquid crystals with his own fur. The experiment created an entirely new substance capable of transforming any living creature into a mammal. As the only surviving mammal, He decided it was his job to restore mammals to the Earth. He aimed to mammalianize all life by using Alterna’s rocket to spread Fuzzy Ooze from the sky.

Bear #03 set out to gather Golden Eggs, indispensable in both the creation of the Fuzzy Ooze and for launching the rocket. For this, he took on the name of Mr. Grizz and founded Grizzco Industries.

Thanks to the assistance of unsuspecting Inklings and Octolings, Bear #03 secured a massive quantity of Golden Eggs. He was ready to take the final steps to set his plan in motion...

My comments:

-The “plotting and dreaming” line bugged the hell out of me, because “plotting” has some connotation of an “evil long term plan”, and Grizz had no motivation to carry out his mammal restoration plan until AFTER he woke up. The JP version is more clear about what he was dreaming about, and it doesn’t sound as evil. -the paragraphs about Grizz discovering Alterna and Fuzzy Ooze are interesting in how they’re a bit different from the ENG version. Not a fan of the “mammalian paradise!” line I thought it sounded kind of like a idiotic cartoon supervillain there. I mean he kind of is and his plan fucking sucks, but the original line makes his motivations sound a bit more reasonable-taken-to-an-insane-extreme rather than just cartoonishly insane. JP Grizz sounds more level-headed and deep in thought. -I invite you to compare the second to last paragraph, as the changes in this part are what inspired me to retranslate this. The localization left out the crucial information that the eggs are rocket fuel, and instead added in some fluff about ORCA being not-so-omniscient that wasn’t present in the original.

[adrianasunderworld]

TwstxStardew Valley au!

Yuu inherited the Ramshackle farm from their grandfather. It's located in the little town of Night Raven in the Valley of Sages. Shortly after moving in, they find a cat called Grim. Now it's up to Yuu to restore the farm and town to it's former glory. All the characters are the townsfolk, all the staff are the ones that run the local businesses, and Crowley is the mayor. And all the students are the marriage candidates.

Sam runs the general store, but unlike Pierre he's pretty cool. Vargas is the blacksmith. Trien is the librarian, and his cat hangs out amongst the shelves. Crewel I was thinking we have a new business that is the local clothing store where you can buy the bag upgrade from him and instead of the sewing machine being in Emily's house, it's in the shop. So all that stuff would be in one place.

Kalim as the resident animal lover I can see being the one that sells you your farm animals. Maybe his business is a branch of his parents much larger business that he runs and Jamil is his employee.

I feel like it goes without saying that Idia is the Sebastian here. He's the freelance programmer living in his parents basement, and Ortho Is his kid brother you see running around town that always tells Yuu about how cool his brother actually is.

Silver lives with his veteran dad in their little cottage in the woods outside your farm, they like living off the land out there. I can also see Lilia and Baul as the ones that run the adventurers guild. Maybe the Zigvolt family dental clinic is also in town and Sebek works there. And in that same vein, maybe Mrs. Rosehearts is the town doctor and her son, Riddle, is her assistant. She's planned everything out that Riddle will become a doctor like her and take over the clinic one day.

Epel is still a farm boy here, it feels right, he's in his element in this au. The Felmiers run an orchard on the opposite side of town. His granny used to know your grandpa, and maybe Farmer Yuu can buy fruit tree saplings from them.And of course get a good price on the apple ones.

Deuce is the former town delinquent that lives with his single mom. He's doing his best to turn their life around, he grew out of his old ways and wants to do better. I can see his heart events being about people assuming he's going to cause trouble because of his old habits and Deuce having to prove he's not that little teenage punk anymore. And instead of Idia/Sebastian, Deuce is the one that takes you on the motorcycle date if you romance him.

Mostro Lounge is the equivalent of the Stardrop Saloon, and Azul is th owner with the tweels working for him.

Malleus I can see being the one that lives in the wizard tower in the woods outside your farm. He's studied magic all his life because it's all he's ever known. But he wants very badly to interact with the town and the villagers, but everyone tends to stay away. The only exceptions being Lilia, Silver, and Sebek. That is until Yuu moves in and discovers his tower, and once Malleus helps them understand the Juiminos in the community center, they become better friends.

@mangacupcake @marrondrawsalot @writing-heiress @the-weirdos-mind

[im-poe-dameron]

by the blade that kills

a/n: oh i am having a blast with the @sithobiwanevent list. he is so much fun to write. it's also making me really want to begin working on my series i have stowed away for him. but for now i am hacking away at these prompts and pouring angst into the character's wounds. this one is by all means unhappy. it ends sadly, it starts sadly, and so please go into it with that in mind! again a massive thank you to @karasong who cheered me on as i wrote this!

sith!obi-wan events: a lightsaber tipping up someone's chin

summary: hidden away on a forest planet, you make a home of the place that once existed solely for you and him. but when the dark side of the force discovers where you are, he is sent to bring about his final duty.

word count: 3.3k+

pairing: sith!obi-wan kenobi x jedi!reader

warnings: UNHAPPY ENDING SO PROCEED WITH CAUTION, angst, so much angst it will hurt, past lovers, arguing, violence, lightsaber battles written awkwardly, the poetry of lovers to enemies, death.

Peace is a lie, there is only passion.

In a galaxy plagued by the dark side of the Force, the light began to slowly bleed from the very sphere it once ruled. Thus the prophecy was written. One would come forth to bring balance. Restore what was brought into chaos. Yet you never expected they would drag everything into ruin.

You knew Anakin once. Watched as he grew alongside your greatest ally and friend. A man who now walked beside him; who chose which side to assist. The betrayal felt unreal at the time; as if you were stuck in nightmare with no chance of waking up.

You never believed that the two people you trusted most would bring the galaxy they protected to its knees. This was your greatest failure; never able to save one without the other's help.

Never able to remain the Jedi Knight they made you.

The wind kicked up through the forest as a ship flew overhead. This wasn't an unusual experience. People came and went on this planet, searching for others. Hoping to find treasures not yet unearthed by those that were forced to flee. You however hid in the shadows of what once used to a home—a small sliver of paradise that you shared with him.

The lightsaber at your side bounced against your thigh as you walked, hood drawn over your face, a basket of fruit tucked under your arm. Nights were warm here. Unlike other planets you'd been to, this one felt the most like home. It reminded you of the temple you once protected, the land that you'd grown up in.

But even that was brought to ruin due to the powers of the Sith.

Sunlight began to fade below the horizon, dipping behind the trees, as you entered your home. The flames of candles would have to do for now until you managed to fix the generator a mile out. Pieces from your old ship could be enough to keep it stable for years to come, but ripping a part your only means of escape left a sour taste in your mouth.

Bounty hunters were clamoring for their shot at what Jedi survived Order 66. Which left you—for the first time—as someone's prey. It was safer to have a way off planet, but surviving had to remain your number one option.

"Night again," you muttered under your breath, crossing off a tally with a sharpened stone.

Counting them all would leave you with a headache, but still your eyes scanned your own version of a calendar. A way to keep yourself on track if the day ever came where you were needed once more. The Sith may have taken over the galaxy, but the Jedi’s beliefs still remained true in your heart.

You would not die. Not until you were able to watch them fall to their knees.

"There is no chaos, there is harmony," you sighed, shutting your eyes as images of that night began to play in your mind.

His screams, the agony that befell them both. You could feel the mark of horror carved into your still beating heart. One that once echoed for them. Whatever remained of Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi only lived within your mind. They made sure to wipe their memories from the galaxy; the tales that are only shared in whispered secrets served as warning to whoever would listen.

You dropped the stone into the pile by your front door, the shine of the moon slowly creeping forward as you prepared to eat. The meal would be a measly portion of fruit and whatever animal you found during the day. Barely enough to tide you over.

You could feel the hunger gnaw at your stomach as you sat at the table. The need for more digging its sharp talons into the flesh of your back. You swallowed the bitter flavors down with a wince, knowing that you wouldn't be finding better on a planet so barren with life. The Empire made sure to strip every home of what could be useful; stealing the riches the land had to offer for their own agenda.

"There is no passion." You sighed, shoving your seat back and wandering over to the open door. "There is serenity."

The code of the Jedi didn't mean much to the galaxy anymore. But you clutched it against your heart. Knowing that there would come a time when things were forced to shift once more and the tides of evil fell to the hands of good. You could feel it resonate deep in your stomach. The truth of what Master Yoda explained to you on your journey to the hidden depths of the galaxy.

Though the Sith ruled now...that would soon change.

One day.

A crack of wood echoed in the air, causing you to go still. You would have guessed an animal found it's way in search of something to hunt and happened across your home. It wasn't the first time this happened. It certainly wouldn't be the last.

Calling your lightsaber to your hand, you ventured down the path lined in broken stones—eyes adjusting to the darkness quicker than normal. After so long spent traversing the woods at night, you'd grown accustomed to the pitch black. At least when you were encased in it, you could hide from what predators still walked the planet's surface. Animals that might find you to be a nice meal.

You moved silently, years of training keeping you steady. It held it's advantages when the wildness of this planet didn't wish to be tamed. You couldn't fault it for accepting the true nature that lay within. After what the Empire already took, you refused to add to that tragedy.

A clearing sat in the center—a place you meditated at times when your emotions more often than not got the better of you. Preparing to flip the familiar switch of your weapon, you heard another crack.

That was not an accidental creature stepping on fallen leaves and twigs as they went.

Someone was toying with you. Purposefully making noise when they felt you were at a close enough distance.

This was someone hunting you.

"I wouldn't if I were you," you said lowly, the hum of your lightsaber reverberating in the air.

A laugh fell upon your ears. Dark, filled with a gruff nature you didn't recognize. Yet the lick of heat along your spine rang with memories that continued to skirt the edges of your mind. You knew this person. That much was clear as you stepped further into the clearing. The blue light of your blade glowing around your cloaked form.

"So strong. Even now."

You tensed, hair rising on the back of your neck. "No."

"Tell me my darling." A black cloak fluttered in the darkness, yellow eyes rimmed with red glaring at you as he practically melted from the thicket of trees. "Do you still follow their rules?"

He looked exactly the same. Yet felt entirely different.

A jagged scar ran along his right cheek, eyes overflowing with mirth that slammed into your chest. His hair was slightly longer, curling around his ears as he stood before you in obsidian robes. The lightsaber in his gloved hand remained the same. But even now you felt its power through the Force. A magnified darkness that seeped into your chest.

This was not the man you once loved all those years ago.

Not the Obi-Wan who used to promise a future of peace together; only for the darkness to rip at his soul the night Anakin turned.

"How..." you breathed, eyes wide in horror as you watched him step closer.

You longed to wake up from this dream. But the soft leather of his gloves stroking your cheek cemented the truth in your mind. This was indeed reality.

He finally found his long lost prey.

"I must admit. Master Yoda was wise to tell you to come here." He grinned—proud of the fact that he figured you out. Years of searching and he managed to connect the dots of where you settled; where you believed was the safest place in the galaxy. "Even I didn't ascertain that you would dare come back here."

"This is my home," you spit, eyes narrowed as you flinched away from his touch. "I belong here."'

He smiled. "Our home."

"Not anymore. You made your choice Obi-Wan."

His eyes darkened as you spoke his name; the sound of it so familiar from your tongue. He could recall nights he made you scream it. Days spent hidden away in this little hovel of peace you carved for yourselves. A hiding spot in the galaxy for two Jedi to fall in love; to hope for a future that would never come true.

"My choice was to protect my own," he snapped, advancing forward—the piercing echo of his lightsaber now filling the warm air.

"I was your own!"

Stepping away, you watched the crimson blade come free—covering him in a blanket of darkness you felt emanate through the Force. The strong cerulean blue signature you once twined with your own no longer existed. All you could feel when you searched for him—all that welcomed you—was the bitter twisted inky blackness that bled from his soul.

"I offered you a choice." He stood mere feet away, but you felt his touch caress your skin through the air. "I offered my hand to you."

You scoffed, biting back the tears. "That was no choice. A life of service to the Empire that destroyed what we built. I'd rather have you kill me."

His eyes flashed dangerously, lips curling into a grin that sent a thrill of fear down your spine. "I suppose it's only right my darling. After all...you deserve a Jedi's ending. A warriors death."

"Fuck you Obi-Wan," you spit out, hand gripping your lightsaber in the hopes of it stabling you. "Tell me. Does the Emperor know you're here? Does Anakin?"

"Darth Vader gave the order himself."

The title dripped with fury that could only stem from one place. A planet covered in pain that spilled into the Force. Even now you felt it leak to your heart. The grief that you could no longer handle. Anakin resided in a hell of his own making; a pit of darkness you couldn't save him from.

Yet that's not what made the bile burn the back of your throat. It was the knowledge that Obi-Wan remained with him. Forever stuck to the one place that burdened them with a path of agony.

"Maker," you gasped, forcing yourself another step back as he tried to come closer. "He's still there."

"That's none of your concern-"

"You kept him there?" you shouted, raising your saber. "In that pit!" The air burned with the anger you continued to fight back. Obi-Wan reared away from you, shock bleeding across his face as your emotions slammed into him. "I never thought you a monster Obi-Wan."

"I'd watch your tongue," he bit out, lightsaber raised as if to strike. "Don't test my patience Jedi."

The laugh that ripped from your chest held no humor. You could hear the sanity slip from your grasp as he watched you—weapon ready to retaliate if you decided to attack him. What hope you held for the man you once loved slipped from your fingers with ease.

All promise of a future gone from existence.

Sith ruled the galaxy with an iron fist. Jedi died by their hand.

What difference would bringing back Obi-Wan from the dark side make?

"I'll die anyways."

Somehow the admittance didn't scare you. The truth of what lay ahead was always something you knew in the back of your mind. He wouldn't be allowed to rest unless the ties to his old self were severed; you just so happened to be the final one.

The last unforgiving memory of the man he killed on Mustafar.

The nightmare that continued to haunt him even as he attempted to move on from it.

"I will do what I must." His voice was barely above a whisper, but you felt as if he shouted them loud enough for the entire planet to hear.

"You will try," you replied, your heart shattering at the resolute calm on his face. The final confirmation you needed in his stance.

His first blow was built on rage and he wielded it effortlessly. There was no shouting, no words offered, because below the surface of someone so cruel and lost...the last remnants of a Jedi still remained. You could see it in how he moved. Blocking his strike, you gave one of your own—the sparks of your blades igniting the air with a burnt flavor.

Years of training with him gave you the upper hand. You knew is steps before he even made them. His lightsaber curving and twisting in the air with practiced flourish. He still fought with the agility of a Jedi, yet faced you with the power and brutality of a Sith.

"You've grown." His words were a low gasp of air as you parried his hit with a twirl, shoving him back through the Force to watch him slide a foot away.

Taking your stance, you watched him circle you. The grip on your lightsaber tight enough to send pain through your knuckles. For a brief moment, you shut your eyes to the image of him and opened yourself up to the Force. It may have been a mistake, but the words of Qui-Gon still lingered in the back of your mind: mediation is a Jedi's greatest weapon.

Peace.

It's what kept you going after so long.

"The Jedi's teachings won't save you," he spoke through the Force, echoing in your mind. The heat of his lightsaber tipping up your chin nearly made you flinch.

"Not me." Your eyes fluttered open, meeting his heated gaze with a familiar fierce glare he felt in his chest.

You siphoned through each sliver of darkness that shrouded him. Pulling back the curtain that he wished to remain in tact. Until the full force of his agony slammed into you; drowning you in the emotions you had yet to see. Images of Anakin brutally dismembered formed in your mind, his screams for help, for Obi-Wan to save the boy he raised.

You searched and searched until you finally settled on the truth. You caught his glare, your expression softening under the weight of his anger.

"You chose the darkness to save him," you whispered, tears pricking your eyes and blurring your vision. "Oh, Obi-Wan-"

"Lies."

He moved too quickly for you to retaliate or block his swing. A hand gripped your throat, hauling you close as tears spilled down your cheeks. The memories he tried to hide pouring into your chest with a vengeance that broke you in two. But that isn't what made his eyes grow wide in surprise, his chest heaving and lips parted.

You smiled. Placing small slivers of hope in his heart as memories resurfaced. Moments spent here with you, hidden away from the pressures of the Jedi Order. He gasped for air, loosening his grip as he watched them unfold before him. Pages of a story he ripped to shreds the night Anakin turned.

"My love," he murmured, dropping his forehead to yours. "Please."

Cupping his cheeks, you felt your lightsaber drop to the ground. "My Obi-Wan," you sighed.

Lips brushed against yours in a kiss that seared your heart. Severing you down the middle. He caught you in his hold, slotting his mouth against yours with a ragged breath. As if he was finally coming home after so long spent apart. A breathy moan of his name was lost to his kiss, his grip tight and unforgiving. You didn't care.

This was the man who still clung to your heart even through the darkness. The one you promised to die beside.

"I love you," you gasped, feeling his teeth bite at your throat. He sighed, shaky and unsure, but when you looked into his eyes you saw the promise of what was to come. "It's okay."

"I'm sorry," he rasped, clutching your waist as he delivered the final blow.

Pain split through your body and you screamed as his blade entered your torso. You'd suffered a cut with a lightsaber before, but this felt infinitely worse. As if he was severing your very soul from the confines of your body. He cut you open with the reverence of a lover; the hope of love still faint on his lips that brushed against yours.

He held you close, throwing his weapon to the side, as you gasped for air that wouldn't come. There would never be a version of your story where he could let you live; never a time for you two to fall in love again.

The man you once held was far too lost for you to find him again. This you could accept.

This you would carry with you onto the next life.

"T-There-" you gasped, clutching his robes, your eyes heavy with exhaustion.

He fell to his knees with a gut wrenching sob, his face pressed to yours as the pain began to numb in your body. The light of the Force wrapping itself around your form—offering solace after so much anguish.

This wasn't the end. You knew that.

Yet whether or not Obi-Wan Kenobi would join you one day remained a mystery.

"There is no death," he said against your cheek, the hot drip of his tears mixing with your own. "There is the Force."

A soft smile curved on your lips, your fingers brushing the scar on his cheek, as the breath began to slip from your chest. A familiar whisper of Qui-Gon's voice echoed in your ear. Beckoning you into a soft white light as Obi-Wan's cries pierced the air. His arms still wrapped tightly around yours.

You longed to comfort him, to make the promise of more. But that wasn't for you to reveal to him.

"I'm sorry," he whispered against your now cold chest. "My love. I'm sorry."

You stood over his hunched body, your form tinged in blue as Qui-Gon's hand lay upon your shoulder. He wouldn't be able to see you this way. Not as he remained now. Deeply entrenched in the dark side that it would be a fight to find himself again.

So you knelt beside him, lips pressed to his cheek as he finally let go of your body, laying you on the ground with the gentleness of the man from years ago. His eyes cast up to the moon that hung above him. The only light in this darkened space he once loved.

Getting to his feet, he ignited his lightsaber and walked over to the nearest tree, slicing it down with a scream that shattered the still air. You watched him drag it through the Force; pieces getting cut as he formed a familiar resting place. Though he stood before you as a Sith—Obi-Wan still echoed in his actions. Resonating in your chest through the Force.

He raised you upon the pyre, tears still falling down his cheeks, and with a cut of his lightsaber against the wood, it erupted into flames.

"A Jedi's death," he vowed, face illuminated by the glow of orange. Gathering your lightsaber, he clipped it to his side—his eyes fixed on the small house still lit with candles. He longed to see you waiting for him on the front stoop, eye alight with a welcoming smile.

"We will meet again."

This he knew to be true.

There is no passion, there is serenity.

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this New York Times story:

The two tracts of land at the edge of the ancient forest in Borneo were relatively small: One was just 74 acres, the other 195. They had also been heavily degraded by human activity. One site consisted of abandoned rice paddies, leaving barren spaces largely devoid of wildlife. The other was deforested grassland that caught fire every year.

But starting in 2009, people from neighboring communities were hired by a local environmental group to help restore the land. They planted native seedlings, yanked out weeds, dug firebreaks and watered the area during droughts. Aided by the region’s heat and abundant rain, the young plants, which included native hardwoods and fruit trees, grew swiftly, and soon created a canopy.

Late in 2020, cameras were set up on the replanted tracts. The land bordered Gunung Palung National Park, home to endangered orangutans, pangolins, white-bearded gibbons and macaques, and researchers wanted to see if wildlife was coming back.

Their findings were heartening. The cameras documented 47 species of mammals, birds and reptiles, 18 of them at risk for extinction, including an endangered Sunda pangolin and two endangered Bornean orangutans.

The study, recently published in the journal Tropical Natural History, shows that community involvement can play a vital role in restoring wildlife habitat and forest ecosystems, according to researchers.

“When we do community-run reforestation, things really grow back faster,” said Nina Finley, the research manager at Health in Harmony, an American nonprofit organization that conducted the study along with an affiliated organization in Indonesia, Alam Sehat Lestari, and staffers from the national park.

Earlier reforestation efforts with less community involvement resulted in young plants that were vulnerable to weeds and wildfires, Ms. Finley said. But after villagers were hired to regularly weed and water the land, the survival rate of saplings rose substantially, and is now above 70 percent.

Ms. Finley said that addressing the needs of the people living nearby first was key to the project’s success.

[teyamskxawng]

In Heat [III]

Lo'ak Sully x Fem!Omatikaya!Reader

Previously: Chapter I, Chapter II,

Keep reading: Chapter IV

The rundown: It proves to be an impossible task for Lo'ak to keep his distance from you while you're in heat, despite what he knows is morally right.

Warnings: 18+ content, smut-ish??, language, a lil angsty but not too much bc i hate writing angst, these two are almost painfully oblivious i'm sorry, characters are aged up, minors do not interact!! please

WC: 7.6k

After dutifully consuming the savory and surprisingly therapeutic soup and medicine that Kiri had prepared for you, you found yourself drifting into a deep and restful slumber.

It was the first time in ages you had managed to enjoy some truly restorative sleep. However, your dreams were an entirely different story. Despite the peaceful repose, your dreamscape was filled with vivid images of your best friend committing unspeakable acts upon your unsuspecting self.

You awoke from the dreams embarrassingly damp and unsatisfied. As a silver lining, however, you discovered that the once unbearable pain of your heat had subsided quite significantly.

The pesky pressure in your core still lingered, though it was more like a nagging nuisance rather than a crippling torment. It no longer dictated your existence, no longer forced you to spend each waking moment curled up on the floor in a fetal position with your hands between your legs.

Feeling rejuvenated and daring in your newfound strength, you resolved to throw all caution to the wind and seize the day. You decided to rejoin the land of the living, starting by joining the rest of your people for breakfast.

After a quick but very much necessary wash using some of the rainfall that you'd harvested in a pitcher behind your home, you finally made your way towards the heart of Hometree.

As you arrived, you marveled at the assortment of fruits and meats meticulously arranged for the clan's enjoyment. Though you had no qualms about mingling with your fellow clanspeople during your heat, you couldn't quite bring yourself to approach Lo'ak and his family, given the awkward circumstance you found yourself in.

With this in mind, you carefully selected a variety of fruits to fill your platter, diligently avoiding the yovo fruit as per Kiri's advice.

Scanning the area, you spotted an open space next to your good friend Näoo, a talented craftswoman-in-training who was a year your junior. You wasted no time in claiming your seat among the lively feast.

Upon noticing your presence, Näoo's eyes widened in surprise. You hadn't seen your friend in nearly four days, which honestly felt like an eternity.

Although life had taken the two of you on diverging paths–you training as a steadfast warrior and Näoo honing her skills as an artisan for the clan–you never let a day slip by without sharing at least one meal together. These cherished moments allowed you both to catch up on each other's lives and reminisce about your idyllic childhood memories.

“y/n! Where in Eywa's sake have you been?!" Näoo shrieked with such intensity that it caused several of the clan's elders to send grumpy, disapproving glances in your direction.

You couldn't help but snicker at your friend's unbridled excitement. With an amused smile, you gently covered the girl's mouth with your hand, hoping to silence her enthusiastic tirade.

Stubbornly undeterred, Näoo continued her animated gibberish into your palm, demonstrating her uncanny ability to maintain her energy even under such strenuous circumstances. After a few moments, she finally managed to pry your hand away from her mouth, rewarding you with a beaming grin.

"Well?" She eagerly prodded.

Näoo resolved to tone down her excitement, focusing her attention on the changes that she noticed in your appearance. Your darkened eyes and dilated pupils immediately caught her attention, and her expression shifted to one of mild confusion. Then, as if struck by a bolt of realization, her eyes widened in a comically exaggerated manner.

"You've started your first heat!" Näoo exclaimed in a far-too-loud tone, dripping with a mixture of shock and amusement.

You nearly rolled your eyes at the way everyone in your life seemed to possess some sort of innate heat-detection ability.

With an exasperated sigh, you pleaded, "Keep it down, please, yawne? I'd really appreciate it if the entire clan didn't become intimately familiar with my personal business, thank you very much."

Näoo's eyes twinkled with glee as she energetically bobbed her head in agreement, her hand instinctively coming up to stifle a giggle that threatened to escape her lips. However, the fleeting moment of composure only lasted a mere two seconds before the girl unleashed an avalanche of curious inquiries upon you.

"Okay, but when did it start? And how did you know? How are you even coping right now?"

With an empathetic and rather exaggerated air of concern, she mimicked Kiri's earlier gesture, extending her hand out and placing it firmly on your forehead.

This prompted you to react with an annoyed hiss, instinctively jerking your head away from the younger girl's intrusive touch.

"y/n, you're burning up," she declared with genuine concern. "Have you gone to the Tsahìk for healing yet, or do I have to drag you there myself? Have you told Neytiri??"

Growing aware of Näoo's unrivaled enthusiasm, you took it upon yourself to gently seize the girl's forearms, applying enough pressure to quell her eager advances. "Maybe," you began with a hint of sarcasm, "if you could find it in yourself to take a breath—just one teeny, tiny breath—I might actually have a fighting chance at answering one of your questions."

Amused by your quip, Näoo broke out into a fit of laughter. "Sorry, I'm sorry! It's just that none of my friends have experienced their heat yet, and I really need to be prepared for mine!"

You shook your head, amused by the girl's enthusiasm.

"Well," you began, taking a moment to compose yourself, "on the first day of my heat, I genuinely thought I was knocking on death's door, so..."

You almost laughed in Näoo's face at her expression of pure terror.

In all honesty, your potential demise could have resulted from one of two causes: the excruciating pain or the utterly mortifying way you had completely embarrassed yourself in front of Lo'ak. But, of course, those details were beside the point and certainly not something Näoo needed to know.

The last thing you needed was for her to have even more ammunition to tease you about your friendship with Lo'ak. Eywa knew the girl had already poked fun at you more than enough, insisting that it was impossible for two friends like you and Lo'ak not to have succumbed to romantic feelings for one another by now.

"Is the pain really that bad?" Näoo inquired, her features contorted by utter despair.

You paused for a moment, tilting your head as you pondered your response. "I'm sure it differs from person to person. I also didn't take any medicine for the pain until yesterday, so I think it was mostly my own doing."

Näoo, completely taken aback by your sheer stubbornness, gave your shoulder a playful but firm shove. "y/n, you idiot! It didn't occur to you to get help from someone before that? Not even…" Näoo trailed off, glancing warily over both shoulders to ensure that no one of interest was within earshot.

Satisfied with the apparent lack of eavesdroppers, Näoo leaned in closer to you, lowering her voice to an almost conspiratorial whisper. "Not even a certain four-fingered boy whose name happens to rhyme with Ko'ak?"

You cursed the way your breath hitched at the mere mention of the boy, even if it was veiled through an indirect description.

Over the past few days, it had become evident to you that feigning nonchalance was not at all your forte, so Näoo was quick to gasp in shock, dramatically bringing her hand up to cover her gaping mouth.

You, on the other hand, protested vehemently, "I didn't even say anything!"

Despite your objections, you could feel your heart pounding rapidly in your chest, much to your chagrin.

Näoo, not one to miss a beat, latched onto your hands with a nearly screeching intensity, exclaiming, "Exactly!"

You rolled your eyes, deliberately avoiding eye contact with the relentless girl in front of you.

Yet, Näoo continued her barrage of increasingly mortifying inquiries. "So, does that mean you guys…" Näoo's voice tapered off as she lifted her hands and gestured a crude imitation of what you could only assume was meant to be sexual in nature.

"Can you just... act normal for once?!" You snapped, swatting Näoo's hands away with force.

You could feel your face turning a deep shade of purple as images of you and Lo'ak filled your thoughts, images that went even further than your recent encounter. You pictured Lo'ak pressing you onto the forest floor, taking his time to completely and utterly ruin you, his lips leaving a trail of kisses down your neck, all the way down to your–

You seemed blissfully unaware of the eerie silence that enveloped Näoo as soon as she caught sight of the boy in question.

He was hurriedly making his way towards the pair of you, though his gaze was firmly fixed on you. In fact, you remained completely oblivious to his presence until your ears suddenly perked up, your heightened sense of smell picking up Lo'ak's unmistakable scent from an incredibly close distance.

Upon arriving for breakfast with his siblings, Lo'ak immediately noticed you from across the room, and his brow furrowed in confusion as to why you were out in public.

You needed rest, as Kiri had adamantly asserted. Even more so, you weren't yourself at the moment–it was as if your mind wasn't under your control. Lo'ak knew that having his best friend out and about, unguarded, was a stupid decision. It wasn't safe. That was all there was to it.

Struggling to suppress the possessive part of him that didn't want anyone, especially any other guys in the clan, to see you in your current vulnerable and lust-ridden state, Lo'ak forced his primary concern to be your safety.

He figured you would be much safer back in your home, surrounded by the comforting solitude of your familiar surroundings. So, he resolved that he would step up and be the one to make sure you retreated to that safe haven.

At your lack of a verbal response, Lo'ak decided to take a gentler approach.

He carefully shook your shoulder and tried once more to hold your gaze. "y/n, can we talk for a second?" he asked hesitantly, his voice carrying a hint of uncertainty.

While posing the question, he casted a sideways glance at Näoo, who he knew happened to be one of your closest friends.

He hoped that she would register his unspoken plea for some privacy. Näoo, however, seemed utterly captivated by the ongoing drama playing out right in front of her, eyes wide and mouth slightly agape.

Exasperated, Lo'ak added with an unmistakable bluntness, "Alone?"

Enveloped in a delightful mixture of lightness and tingling sensations from Lo'ak's tender touch and close proximity, you could merely offer a languid nod. Lo'ak, taking the initiative, gently tugged you by the arm, guiding you away.

Oddly enough, despite mentioning his desire to speak with you, Lo'ak remained tight-lipped.

Instead, he had successfully escorted you across the entire expanse of the dining area and back over the pathway that led to your humble abode, all without uttering a single word.

"Why are we going back here?" Your curiosity was piqued, but a large part of you longed for some private time with Lo'ak.

However, the more sensible side of you, buried underneath your lustful fog, was annoyed that you were just manhandled away from the meal you were sharing with your friend.

Lo'ak remained silent, his eyes fixated on the path before him as he guided you toward your home, holding your arm with a tender yet firm grip. Your heart thrummed at his silence, an involuntary breathy noise sounding from the back of your throat.

Capturing Lo'ak's attention by gently squeezing his arm, you questioned, "Lo'ak?"

Lo'ak's emotions were a swirling whirlpool of frustration, with jealousy, guilt, annoyance, and arousal all bubbling within his chest. Exhaling a heavy sigh, he finally spoke. "What were you doing out there? You're still in heat, y/n. It's not safe."

You couldn't help the flush that took over your entire body at Lo'ak's caring and protective energy wrapping around you like a warm blanket.

Still, you found yourself confused as to why he would think you were unsafe out there when all you were doing was eating with your friend. The furrowing of your brow betrayed your confusion as you uttered, "Not safe?"

Lo'ak released an exasperated sigh, fully aware that he was venturing into overly-protective territory. However, there was no way he would admit that in front of you now. With a stoic face, he simply replied, "Yes."

His one-word answer didn't satisfy your curiosity, and you persistently questioned, "Why?" Your concern escalated as your grip around his arm tightened, your nails threateningly digging into his skin.

Fumbling for a credible explanation, Lo'ak began unconvincingly, "Because, y/n. Kiri said it herself; you need rest. And you're still–you know." He trailed off, praying to Eywa that you understood what he was trying to say so that he didn't have to say it again.

You rolled your eyes dramatically, your grip on his arm slowly losing strength as you finally released him from your grasp.

"I was doing perfectly fine out there with Näoo, Lo'ak. We were just talking; I hadn't seen her in days."

With that, you decisively crossed your arms in a clear display of defiance, your stubbornness shining through even amidst the trials and tribulations of your heat.

Under different circumstances, Lo'ak might have found himself chuckling at your unyielding nature, but at this moment, he couldn't shake the feeling that you were completely missing the point. Trying to enlighten you, he simply stated, "Yeah, well, Näoo is a girl."

To his surprise, you burst out into a small, amused laugh. "And the sky is blue, Lo'ak. You're not making any sense at all."

With a groan, Lo'ak dropped his head and swept a hand over his face in exasperation.

"Look," he started, hoping to make a serious point, "some guys out there wouldn't think twice about taking advantage of you in the state that you're in right now. Even I should've stopped when you came to me the other day." He shook his head, remembering the situation vividly. "You were hurting, clearly, but it was so wrong of me to… you were still…"

Lo'ak's voice tapered off, his mind clearly tormented by the recollection of that initial day of your heat. The memory hovered in the air like a stubborn ghost, unwilling to leave.

You, however, were quick to react, shaking your head in vehement defiance. You adamantly moved to reassure him, eager to set the record straight.

"No," you protested, "I asked you to. I was practically begging, Lo'ak. I knew exactly what I was asking for."

Lo'ak's eyes suddenly grew wide in sheer disbelief upon hearing your admission.

He found himself mulling over your words, trying to decipher their hidden meaning, if there even was one. What could you possibly mean by that? His attempts at reading between the lines were futile, only serving to fuel his doubt further. It was all so confusing to him.

His thoughts spinning, Lo'ak couldn't help but question the version of you before him.

Was he speaking to the you that the realm of your heat had altered? Or was this the you that he knew–the one who cared for him in a friendly, best-friend kind of way?

Time was of the essence, yet it stood stubbornly still, refusing to reveal the truth.

He shook his head, adamant on believing that until you finished your heat, he couldn't take your actions or words at face value. Your mind wasn't entirely your own, and he had to accept that for now.

He explained as much to you. "It doesn't matter. That wasn't you, not really. What happened that day shouldn't have happened at all."

You exhaled unsteadily, trying to cope with the sting caused by Lo'ak's harsh words. "Stop," you plead. "Don't say that. I know what I said."

Lo'ak clenched his jaw, biting his lip nervously, summoning every ounce of strength to keep from succumbing to your impassioned plea. "If you still feel that way after your heat is over, you'll have to tell me yourself then, but–"

You, refusing to let him finish, interrupted and stepped back into his personal territory. You reached out for his arm yet again—a gesture that had grown familiar and comforting between you two.

With a defiant shake of your head, you desperately tried to persuade yourself that you were misinterpreting his message. "Lo'ak, no," your voice cracked, laden with a heart-wrenching vulnerability that pierced Lo'ak, causing him to mentally curse.

He was sure he could feel his own heart fracture under the weight of your pain.

In that agonizing moment, he forced himself to wrench his arm from your delicate grasp, putting a sizable gap between him and you as he took a calculated step backward, hoping the added distance would help him retain his composure.

"I'm serious, y/n," he asserts with conviction, "I'm not touching you."

Despite his protestations, the meager foot of separation between you two rapidly diminished as you inched closer. You cornered Lo'ak further into your home, against the edge of your table, leaving him with nowhere to go.

You were dripping with desire, and Lo'ak was almost sure that his own longing was reflected on his face.

"But you want to, don't you?" You inquired with a hopeful gleam in your eye.

Your gaze shamelessly drifted downward, focusing on the unmistakable bulge within Lo'ak's loincloth. Suppressing a grin, your lower lip vanished momentarily between your razor-sharp canines. You extended a scorching hand towards Lo'ak's chest, trailing a solitary finger downwards in a languid, tantalizing motion.

When you met the edge of his loincloth, a shaky exhale left your lips. "You do." you breathed.

Lo'ak's senses abruptly came to life, jolting him out of his daze, an internal voice screaming at him that he needed to get out of there–that the person in front of him wasn't you.

Instantly, he stepped to the side away from your wandering hand. His head hung low and he felt a strange mixture of embarrassment and shame, wondering how he ever lost control of himself like that.

He knew he needed to leave, and quickly, before he did something really, really dumb. He managed to blurt out, "I'll be back to check on you in a few hours. I'll bring lunch," as he finally found the resolve to make his way toward the door.

Meanwhile, you were livid. "Lo'ak! You're such a–!" but the words just seemed to disappear into thin air as you struggled to find an expression strong enough to convey your seething rage.

In your anger, you kicked the nearby table with a ferocity that could've shaken the heavens, and with bared fangs, you let out a furious hiss.

Your emotions consumed you as hot, angry tears began to pool in your eyes. You cursed the hormonal fury of your heat for turning you into a red-hot, emotional train wreck.

Standing at the entryway, Lo'ak couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief, attempting to persuade not only you but also himself that the course you both were embarking on was dangerously stupid.

As a last-ditch effort to prevent Lo'ak from abandoning you, you sneered at his retreating back and spit out, "Fine, go ahead and leave! I'll just go fuck someone else, then!"

Much to your satisfaction, Lo'ak froze in place, the muscles in his back going stiff as his hand hesitated on the exit flap.

You continued, unabashedly pushing him further. "I bet Teon'i wouldn't mind having me. Maybe Oa—he's really handsome. Or maybe I'll go find Neteyam.

You were definitely pushing it with that final comment.

Although you knew it was all entirely a lie, Lo'ak feared the unsettling truth within your words. His jaw tightened, and he released a self-deprecating snort, even though there was nothing remotely funny about your ultimatum.

In a low, tense voice, he said, "You're being childish."

Not one to back down easily, you retorted with a shout, "And you're being a coward! I'm in the middle of my first heat, for Eywa's sake! I'm not supposed to face it alone!"

The silence that descended upon the two of you was so thick with tension you could cut it with a knife. You knew you were desperate when you had to resort to begging. "Just stay. Please," you implored, your voice thin with urgency.

Lo'ak, taken aback by your plea, noticed how your voice quivered as if you were on the verge of tears. It made his stomach churn with guilt. Unable to shake the image of you, alone and in tears, he finally looked into your eyes, which, as he suspected, were misty with unshed tears. Your ears lay flat against your skull, emphasizing your vulnerable state.

A sense of responsibility washed over Lo'ak, realizing that he'd be nothing short of evil if he abandoned you like that.

With a sigh of resignation, he gave in to your pleas. "Fine," he muttered begrudgingly. "But I'm not touching you. I won't."

Elated by his response, you nodded your head with a bit too much enthusiasm. A wide, contagious smile cracked your previously somber expression, shining a light in your tearful eyes.

Despite Lo'ak's attempt to maintain his facade of indignation as he shook his head at you, he couldn't help but feel a twitch in his lips that lifted into the briefest hint of a smile.

He knew, deep down, that you could likely charm him into anything you desired. He was so wrapped around your finger; it was actually kind of scary.

An amused grin overtook your face as you teasingly remarked, "My Eywa, you're so submissive." Your observation yanked Lo'ak out of his thoughts and back to reality. Indignantly, he muttered, "I'm not submissive."

Because he wasn't. Not usually, at least. You just happened to bring the worst out of him, making him all dutiful and obedient whenever you'd look at him with those eyes.

With a dismissive shake of his head, Lo'ak walked to the opposite side of the room, eager to distance himself from the conversation.

Spotting the same spear you had been sharpening the other night, Lo'ak snatched it up and unsheathed his own dagger. He started sharpening the spear with an air of determination, hoping the action would put an end to your shameless accusations.

His hopes were futile, however, as you snickered in response. In no time, you evolved into a full-blown, doubled-over, hand-on-mouth kind of laughter.

Between gasping breaths, you managed to say, "You really are! Your submissive ass just sat down and started sharpening my spear for me!"

You pointed an accusatory finger at the spear in question, causing Lo'ak to pause and stare at the object as if he'd been caught red-handed.

Feeling the weight of the evidence against him, Lo'ak offered a weak defense, "It was the first thing I saw."

Smirking, you shook your head playfully as you teased, "Your submissive instincts must be strong."

Lo'ak snorted at your comment before replying, "Shut up. I just wanted something to do."

Your ears stood to attention upon hearing his response. Your mind, still clouded by desire, processed your friend's words in a way that twisted the initial meaning.

You muttered under your breath, yet audibly enough for Lo'ak to catch the misinterpreted remark, "I'm right here…"

At that, Lo'ak's tail abruptly curled into a tight c behind him, clearly indicating his surprise at your interpretation of his comment.

Your cheeks flushed at your lack of self-restraint. You had been diligently working to suppress the side of yourself that was prone to being engulfed in the grips of desire during your heat. You already made a fool of yourself just a few minutes ago, begging Lo'ak to stay with you.

"Sorry," you muttered, quickly averting your eyes from Lo'ak as a wave of mortification washed over you.

"'S okay." Lo'ak simply replied, but even as the words left his mouth, you could already sense the truth–things were anything but okay, especially for you.

You thought you could get through the day without your morning go at it, without letting your fingers give in to the tempting invitation of a sweet release immediately after waking up. Not only had you avoided giving in to your lust-filled urges, but you hadn't taken your medicine, opting to eat in the center of Hometree instead.

Those decisions ended up backfiring, as both lapses in your judgment only intensified the sensations invoked by your current predicament.

You found yourself wrestling to suppress the overwhelming urge as you absentmindedly reached for a smaller spear to sharpen alongside Lo'ak.

Though your hands were now occupied, your eyes found their way back to the boy sitting across from you. Lo'ak, wholly absorbed in his own task, had furrowed brows reflecting his deep concentration. He was hunched over the spear, the flickering fire casting dark shadows along the contours of his body, along the curves of his muscular frame. The image of a mighty warrior lost in his craft.

Suddenly, you heard an unexpected snap–the kind of sound that interrupts an all-consuming daydream.

Startled, you glanced down to realize that during your momentary reverie, you had focused your sharpening efforts solely on one spot, causing the spear's entire tip to break off and fall to the ground in front of you.

Shocked by your clumsiness, you stared blankly at the jagged piece of wood helplessly laying near your feet. Your brain scrambled to catch up. And yet, all you could think about was Lo'ak.

By this time, Lo'ak had noticed your distress and the snap that brought him back to reality. His expression now one of concern, he called out your name and lowered his gaze, attempting to meet your eyes.

"Yeah?" you hesitantly replied, still shaken.

Eager to brush off the embarrassing incident, you shook your head to snap out of your daze and began to hurriedly gather the broken shards of wood from the ground.

Lo'ak visibly relaxed at your verbal response, shaking his head in amusement at what he assumed was just you being your usual clumsy self.

"Got a little too excited there?" He teased, a playful glint in his eyes, his fangs making a brief appearance in his broad grin.

You felt your self-control wavering dangerously; that sultry voice, coupled with his infectious smile, was enough to make you snap–just like the spear you once held in your hands. You were well aware of your weakness, so you grabbed the opportunity to find your escape.

Silently cursing your racing heart, you clumsily rose to your feet, swaying a tad as you did so.

Feigning fatigue, you announced, "I think I'm gonna lay down for a bit. Tired."

Lo'ak's body shifted towards you, his previous mirth replaced by palpable concern. "Are you good?"

No, you wanted to respond. You were absolutely not good.

But you had vowed to maintain your composure in Lo'ak's presence. You had promised him that you'd behave appropriately, ensuring he would remain by your side. So, with a shaky breath, you lied. Nodding your head determinedly and delivering a strained, unconvincing smile, you tried to reassure him.

"Yeah, it's just–I haven't been sleeping well lately. It'll only be a quick nap."

Lo'ak's sharp features softened as he considered your words, only partially convinced by your façade. Nonetheless, he offered a nod.

"Okay. I'll stay here then."

You nodded, taking a deep breath before pivoting on your heel and squeezing your eyes shut in exasperation. You were so, so fucked.

Now you had to go lie on your sleeping mat and pretend you weren't a horny, desperate, aching mess.

You ambled across the room, stepping cautiously yet deliberately as if walking on eggshells. Your heightened senses made you acutely aware of Lo'ak's piercing gaze following your every move. It felt like you were being branded by the sun, and your senses tingled as if to echo your desperation.

Making your way to your sleeping mat, you took extra precautions to keep your back to Lo'ak. You knew very well that if your eyes met again, any last remaining shreds of your self-control would vanish instantly.

Positioning yourself on your mat, you laid on your side, your body tensed in anticipation. Under the pretense of finding a comfortable spot, you placed one hand beneath your head as a makeshift pillow while the other balled into a tight, quivering fist that you hugged against your chest.

You kept your eyes open wide. If you dared to close them, you'd be met with all the sinful things you wanted Lo'ak to do to you, as usual.

No more than five minutes later, you found yourself unable to hold out any longer.

Your heart pounded furiously in your chest as if it wanted to burst free, and your entire being felt like it was engulfed in a blazing inferno. The relentless throbbing between your legs had you hopelessly disoriented. You could barely resist the urge to reach down and tend to your needs, to alleviate the unbearable tension and discomfort. You didn't even care that Lo'ak was in the same room as you. This entire predicament was his fault, anyways.

You genuinely contemplated just reaching down and going at it right then and there without saying a word to Lo'ak. But instead of acting on that impulsive notion, you opted to address him instead.

"Lo'ak?" you inquired tentatively.

Lo'ak had been meticulously sharpening your weapons. So absorbed in his task, he was only half-aware of the fact that he was now on his fifth one. But the sound of your voice tore him from his trance-like focus.

"Yeah?" he asked, caught off guard.

He was under the impression that you had fallen asleep. By all appearances, you were fast asleep–laying perfectly still and silent since the moment you had collapsed onto the mat. Lo'ak was entirely unprepared for what you said next.

"Can you face the other way?"

His mind struggled to comprehend the request, rendering him speechless in bewilderment.

Sensing his confusion, you elaborated, a note of desperation creeping into your voice, "Please?"

Lo'ak, still trying to make sense of the situation, stared at you in confusion. Despite initiating the conversation, you maintained your previous position–motionless on your side, your back turned toward him.

Slowly, he nodded his head, a futile gesture considering you were in no position to witness the action. "Yeah," he agreed, albeit hesitantly. Lo'ak mulled over your odd request before finally adding, "Why?"

With an exasperated groan, you responded to Lo'ak's inquiry.

"Because I said so!" you declared. Lo'ak, sensing a sudden change in your attitude, proceeded with caution.

"y/n…"

At that moment, a pained whimper escaped your lips, causing Lo'ak's eyes to widen in surprise.

In an effort to alleviate your discomfort, you rolled onto your back. You adjusted your legs and feet to elevate your knees–your thighs pressed together, and your breathing became increasingly rapid.

"I need to make myself come. Right now," you plainly stated.

Lo'ak, momentarily stunned by your demand, hastily stood up and let go of the spear he had been attentively sharpening.

Despite his overwhelming desire to satisfy your immediate need for pleasure, he was fully aware of the moral consequences of his actions. He had made a solemn vow, and he intended to stand by his promise.

With that, he nodded his head and spoke up. "I'll just go wait outside." However, his movements were abruptly halted when you suddenly sat up, your voice hissing a sharp "No!"

You threw your head back in an exasperated groan, your long neck bared, your jaw sharp and all too inviting. "Fuck, Lo'ak. You promised you'd stay."

Lo'ak had to shake his head and pull his wandering gaze away from you, effortlessly beautiful with your head thrown back in aggrevation, in an attempt to regain focus on the conversation at hand.

"I know, y/n, but I—"

You cut Lo'ak off, your words tumbling out in annoyance.

"Just go sharpen my things in that corner or something. You don't have to look at me. I just need to be able to see you."

You pointed to a dimly-lit corner of the room, and Lo'ak knew he had no choice but to obey your command. As he made his way over to the designated area, he was fully aware that he was dangerously pushing the boundaries of his earlier promise.

Lo'ak cautiously settled himself in the corner with his back towards you, as far away from you as the room allowed.

With a sigh of relief, you exhaled, "Good."

Your voice was sultry, and Lo'ak was humiliated to feel himself twitch at your breathy praise. This was so, so wrong.

Feeling the need for a distraction, he hastily grabbed the half-sharpened spear nearby. Absent-mindedly, he used his dagger to whittle away at the spearhead in an attempt to zone out of his current situation.

But no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't block out the sound of your panting breath. He couldn't ignore the rustling of fabric as you most definitely stripped off your loincloth. He couldn't ignore the wet squelches and the delicate moans you made as you shamelessly pleasured yourself across the dimly lit room.

Ever since the fateful encounter in the forest, Lo'ak had yearned to hear you make those sounds again; he'd dreamed about it. But now, to hear it again, with his own ears, knowing that he couldn't let himself see or touch you–it was the cruelest form of torture.

At the unexpected sound of a hiss, Lo'ak's ears instantly perked up. It wasn't the kind of hiss one would associate with pleasure–the hiss was more so angry, bordering on a frustrated scream.

Lo'ak's focus was now completely fixed on the situation, but he made sure not to let his eyes wander to you, where you lay behind him just across the room, half bare.

Up until that moment, Lo'ak had been successful in staying silent, allowing you to do whatever it was that you had to do in peace. However, when he heard the second pained hiss, a peculiar sense of curiosity and concern took over, compelling him to blurt out, "Are you okay?"

For several agonizing seconds, the only sounds that filled Lo'ak's ears were your labored breaths and the wet noises created by the movements of your fingers–noises that made Lo'ak's imagination run wild.

Finally, you spoke up, your tone a mixture of complaint and exasperation.

"Your skxawng-ass fingers are so much bigger than mine; it's not the same," you explained, your voice coming out rushed and breathy.

Lo'ak lowered his head, shutting his eyes tightly as he attempted, with little success, to maintain a steady breathing pattern.

You, on the other hand, were going off on a tirade, your words tumbling out almost incoherently, "So stupid. You and your…your four fucking fingers–" you start. "Don't even know why you'd need four fingers. Probably compensating for your tiny—oh, fuck!"

Your snide tease was suddenly interrupted by a moan of intense pleasure.

Lo'ak couldn't believe his ears, and despite himself, he barely suppressed a laugh at your completely unexpected diss. He found your taunts equal parts amusing and oddly hot, but he'd never confess to that aloud.

Meanwhile, the slippery sounds emanating from the opposite side of the room, along with your gasps of pleasure, grew louder and quicker.

"Lo'ak," you moaned, breathy and desperate. The depths of emotion in your voice were so powerful that Lo'ak had to hold his breath and close his eyes, afraid that one wrong move might result in him crossing a line that should never be crossed.

The resonant sound of your wet noises gradually ceased to fill the air, leaving only your labored breathing as it slowly returned to a normal pace.

As the seemingly endless moments passed by, Lo'ak remained frozen in place, uncertain if the slightest motion would shatter the fragile balance between reality and fantasy.

For a moment, he wondered if everything that happened was all just a figment of his imagination–some twisted, perverse dream that threatened to consume his waking thoughts.

But it soon became evident that everything that happened was indeed very real.

The subtle sounds of fabric rustling drifted across the room as you likely began to readjust your loincloth, doing your best to return to a semblance of normalcy.

After what felt like an eternity of silence, you finally spoke up, "Okay. You can turn back around now."

Lo'ak nearly laughed out loud at how you could be so casual about the entire situation. It was as if you relishing in your own pleasure on the other side of the room while he merely sat there and listened was nothing more than a brief interlude to your otherwise typical afternoon.

Quickly, before he stood up and turned back around, Lo'ak crossed his arms in front of his lower half in a feeble attempt to conceal the extent to which your actions had affected him.

His efforts were mostly in vain, as you almost immediately directed your gaze downward toward his awkward stance, zoning in on the poorly-concealed tent in his loincloth.

A small grin made its way across your cheeks, your face still flushed from the moment's passion. Your hair was kind of messy from lying on the floor, but in Lo'ak's eyes, he swore you'd never looked more beautiful.

"Feels better," you remarked with a hint of pride in your voice, your stare so piercing that Lo'ak could only muster the strength to blink and jerk his head in agreement.

"I think I'm actually getting better at controlling my urges," you added, either oblivious or simply indifferent to the fact that you'd left Lo'ak at a complete loss for words. "I didn't pounce on you. Or lick you. Or bite you."

You laughed at your own words and all Lo'ak could manage to do was to bring himself to nod once more, attempting to give you some indication that he was still alive, although barely hanging on to his senses.

"The begging is still embarrassing, though," you continued with a cheeky grin, shaking your head and finally looking away, giving Lo'ak a moment to recover.

Lo'ak couldn't deny that you were at least somewhat right, though.

You seemed more in control of yourself compared to the day prior, as though you had something to prove–a point to make. Your previously desperate ramblings and cries for help had transformed into shameless, flirtatious banter and an unbroken chain of colorful curses. It was almost like you were back your normal self, albeit a very... sensuous version of yourself.

"Do you also need to take care of yourself, Lo'ak? I promise I won't look." You gazed up at him, your eyes dancing with mischievous intent as a smug grin threatened to take over your entire face.

Lo'ak bit down on the inside of his cheek, doing his best to look away and shield himself from your piercing stare that seemed to cut right through him.

"Funny," he forced out, attempting to infuse his voice with a level of seriousness and deadpan sarcasm that, given the circumstances, he just couldn't quite muster. Instead, it emerged in a manner that was breathier and weaker than he'd intended, reflecting the fragile state he found himself in at that moment.

Silence stretched between the two of you, the situation seeming to take on a life of its own.

You finally broke the silence with a snort and a chortle escaping your lips before evolving into full-blown laughter. Lo'ak couldn't resist the infectious nature of your mirth, and he, too, succumbed to the sudden hilarity that had blossomed around you.

As the laughter finally began to subside, you unintentionally let out a loud yawn, suddenly feeling genuinely exhausted after having worked yourself up earlier.

Lo'ak chuckled at the display before him. "Was that a fake yawn or a real one?" He asked, his eyes full of knowing mirth.

You rolled your eyes and felt a tinge of embarrassment at the realization that you had faked being tired to ignore the almost animalistic attraction you felt towards your best friend.

You consoled yourself by taking pleasure in the memory of Lo'ak trying to hide his errection just a few moments prior.

Even though he had done an excellent job of not giving in to your desperate pleas for his touch, he was clearly struggling to control his body's reactions around you.

You settled yourself back on your sleeping mat, blinking up at the ceiling as you fought off the urge to close your eyes. Exhaustion settled deep within you, making it that much harder to resist the pull of sleep.

"Being so horny all the time really takes its toll on you," you murmured playfully, your voice heavy with fatigue.

Lo'ak watched you, a small smile tugging at his lips. He saw you go from angry, to sexy, to adorable, all within the span of a few minutes, and it simply amazed him.

"You should sleep, then. For real this time." he suggested, hoping it might finally persuade you to rest.

Silence settled over you both for a beat, and you remained still, battling your fatigue. You knew he was right, and the pull of sleep was too strong to resist much longer. But at the same time, you didn't want to admit defeat. So you simply closed your eyes and feigned ignorance.

At the sound of your continued silence, Lo'ak began to worry that you had already dozed off on him.

"y/n?" he called out to you with growing uncertainty.

Without opening your eyes, you replied with a barely audible humming sound. Lo'ak took this as a signal that he had only a few moments left with you before you were fully asleep.

"Do you think you can handle being by yourself for the next few hours while you rest?" he asked tentatively. He was admittedly nervous at the thought of leaving you alone for such a long period of time. "Just until after my training this afternoon. I can bring back lunch when I'm done." he offered, hoping to reassure you.

Finally, you opened your eyes ever so slightly to meet Lo'ak's gaze. With a slight nod, you agreed. "Yeah. Thanks, Lo'," you murmured.

The nickname made Lo'ak's heart swell.

Even though you've used it countless times—since you were little kids—it sounded so different rolling off your tongue. There was something about the way you said it that was new, more personal, intimate.

Lo'ak felt a warm flush rising in his cheeks as he dipped his head, trying to hide the sudden rush of emotion that coursed through him. You were still drowsy from your heat, your eyes half shut and your expression soft.

"Alright. Good. See you, I guess." Lo'ak stammered, his words stumbling over one another as he made his way to the door.

He cursed himself as the flap swung shut, wondering why he had to toe the line he himself had drawn when you were in the throes of your heat.

He couldn't deny that he enjoyed the way you acted while you were in heat–the extra softness, the way you clung to him as if he were the only stable thing in your world, the way you looked at him with a mix of confusion and desire that made his heart race faster than he'd ever admit.

You looked at him as if you saw something more in him, something more than just your platonic friend. But he felt guilty for savoring those last few days–he hated seeing you in pain and out of control, even if it did give him a little thrill to be the one that you turned to.

As he stepped outside, he couldn't help but think of how much he'd miss that version of you once you were no longer in heat.

He had always known that it was just the effects of your natural cycle that made you this way–shamelessly needy and hypersensitive to every touch and word. But he couldn't help wishing that there was more than just your heat that made you look at him with such longing.

You and he had always been inseparable, practically joined at the hip. It was no secret that you both felt most at ease in each other's company. He knew deep down that he harbored feelings for you that went beyond friendship–feelings that he probably shouldn't entertain.

Still, he kept this secret locked away, fearing the potential destruction of the special bond that the two of you had.

He almost did it today, though.

His jealousy raged like wildfire at the mere mention of you engaging with one of his friends–let alone with his brother–in a more-than-friendly manner.

Despite his better judgment, he found himself giving in to your pleas, imploring him to stay by your side even though he fully understood how quickly things could escalate.

He was genuinely powerless to resist the way you stirred him–the way he let himself become physically affected by just the sound of your voice. You practically stared at the physical evidence of your effect on him in the face.

Lo'ak was acutely aware of how obvious it was, the way you made him feel. He could only hope you wouldn't remember the minute details once you finished your heat. He honestly had no idea how the process worked.

You claimed that you knew exactly what you were doing, of what you asked of him that first day, that you were fully aware of the consequences, but were you really? Sure, maybe heat-induced you knew what you were saying, but would you—the real you that would emerge after your heat—be able to say those same things? He guiltily hoped so.

Taglist <3: @vanillawhale, @strawberryclouds22, @countryandsweetbabygirl, @kurogxrix, @yunonaneko

Previously: Chapter I, Chapter II,

Keep reading: Chapter IV

[reasonsforhope]

"The transformation of ancestral lands into intensive monoculture plantations has led to the destruction of Guatemala’s native forests and traditional practices, as well as loss of livelihoods and damage to local health and the environment.

A network of more than 40 Indigenous and local communities and farmer associations are developing agroecology schools across the country to promote the recovery of ancestral practices, educate communities on agroecology and teach them how to build their own local economies.

Based on the traditional “campesino a campesino” (from farmer to farmer) method, the organization says it has improved the livelihoods of 33,000 families who use only organic farming techniques and collectively protect 74,000 hectares (182,858 acres) of forest across Guatemala.

Every Friday at 7:30 a.m., María Isabel Aguilar sells her organic produce in an artisanal market in Totonicapán, a city located in the western highlands of Guatemala. Presented on a handwoven multicolor blanket, her broccoli, cabbage, potatoes and fruits are neatly organized into handmade baskets.

Aguilar is in a cohort of campesinos, or small-scale farmers, who took part in farmer-led agroecology schools in her community. As a way out of the cycle of hunger and poverty, she learned ecological principles of sowing, soil conservation, seed storage, propagation and other agroecological practices that have provided her with greater autonomy, self-sufficiency and improved health.

“We learned how to develop insecticides to fend off pests,” she said. The process, she explained, involves a purely organic cocktail of garlic, chile, horsetail and other weeds and leaves, depending on what type of insecticide is needed. “You want to put this all together and let it settle for several days before applying it, and then the pests won’t come.”

“We also learned how to prepare fertilizer that helps improve the health of our plants,” she added. “Using leaves from trees or medicinal plants we have in our gardens, we apply this to our crops and trees so they give us good fruit.”

The expansion of large-scale agriculture has transformed Guatemala’s ancestral lands into intensive monoculture plantations, leading to the destruction of forests and traditional practices. The use of harmful chemical fertilizers, including glyphosate, which is prohibited in many countries, has destroyed some livelihoods and resulted in serious health and environmental damage.

To combat these trends, organizations across the country have been building a practice called campesino a campesino (from farmer to farmer) to revive the ancient traditions of peasant families in Guatemala. Through the implementation of agroecology schools in communities, they have helped Indigenous and local communities tackle modern-day rural development issues by exchanging wisdom, experiences and resources with other farmers participating in the program.

Keeping ancestral traditions alive

The agroecology schools are organized by a network of more than 40 Indigenous and local communities and farmer associations operating under the Utz Che’ Community Forestry Association. Since 2006, they have spread across several departments, including Totonicapán, Quiché, Quetzaltenango, Sololá and Huehuetenango, representing about 200,000 people — 90% of them Indigenous.

“An important part of this process is the economic autonomy and productive capacity installed in the communities,” said Ilse De León Gramajo, project coordinator at Utz Che’. “How we generate this capacity and knowledge is through the schools and the exchange of experiences that are facilitated by the network.”

Utz Che’, which means “good tree” in the K’iche’ Mayan language, identifies communities in need of support and sends a representative to set up the schools. Around 30-35 people participate in each school, including women and men of all ages. The aim is to facilitate co-learning rather than invite an “expert” to lead the classes.

The purpose of these schools is to help farmers identify problems and opportunities, propose possible solutions and receive technical support that can later be shared with other farmers.

The participants decide what they want to learn. Together, they exchange knowledge and experiment with different solutions to thorny problems. If no one in the class knows how to deal with a certain issue, Utz Che’ will invite someone from another community to come in and teach...

Part of what Utz Che’ does is document ancestral practices to disseminate among schools. Over time, the group has compiled a list of basics that it considers to be fundamental to all the farming communities, most of which respond to the needs and requests that have surfaced in the schools.

Agroecology schools transform lives

Claudia Irene Calderón, based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is an expert in agroecology and sustainable food systems in Guatemala. She said she believes the co-creation of knowledge is “key to balance the decision-making power that corporations have, which focus on profit maximization and not on climate change mitigation and adaptation.”

“The recovery and, I would add, revalorization of ancestral practices is essential to diversify fields and diets and to enhance planetary health,” she said. “Recognizing the value of ancestral practices that are rooted in communality and that foster solidarity and mutual aid is instrumental to strengthen the social fabric of Indigenous and small-scale farmers in Guatemala.”

Through the implementation of agroecology schools across the country, Utz Che’ says it has improved the livelihoods of 33,000 families. In total, these farmers also report that they collectively protect 74,000 hectares (182,858 acres) of forest across Guatemala by fighting fires, monitoring illegal logging and practicing reforestation.

In 2022, Utz Che’ surveyed 32 women who had taken part in the agroecology school. All the women had become fully responsible for the production, distribution and commercialization of their products, which was taught to them in agroecology schools. Today, they sell their produce at the artisanal market in Totonicapán.

The findings, which highlight the many ways the schools helped them improve their knowledge, also demonstrate the power and potential of these schools to increase opportunities and strengthen the independence of women producers across the country...

The schools are centered around the idea that people are responsible for protecting their natural resources and, through the revitalization of ancestral practices, can help safeguard the environment and strengthen livelihoods."

-via Mongabay News, July 7, 2023

[probablyasocialecologist]

Today, the PA lacks any political legitimacy to mask its role as a second South Lebanon Army for Israel. The continued theft of land and the denial of rights of the refugees of the Gaza Strip, as well as the rest of the Palestinians, bestowed a duty upon Hamas and the resistance factions to launch the attack to break the status-quo. Oslo failed to free the Palestinian prisoners as promised by PLO officials, and the right of return was similarly sidelined; the Great March of Return in 2018 was crushed by the kneecapping of protestors in their hundreds. The international community cheered on, hoping to trap both Gaza and the West Bank with its own standards of passive resistance, statebuilding, and individualist economic prosperity that hides itself behind the veil of a collective effort to produce the New Palestinian to the world. The significance of the October 7th assault thus becomes clearer: it was an attack not only against Israeli settler colonialism, but also against the fundamental discourse that underlies the PA. It broke the taboo on centering Palestinian rights through the lens of decolonial and revolutionary armed struggle. More importantly, it scathed the colonial hubris of a nuclear-armed beast that boasts of its weaponry and supposed military superiority to the world when ‘mowing the lawn’ in Gaza. No wonder, then, why the international community is cheering on the destruction of Gaza and the elimination of resistance. Out of fear that Hamas would break the perpetual stalemate that the PLO signed on to in 1993, the US wants to quench the Zionist bloodthirst that ensued after October 7th through JDAMS, Delta Force squadrons, and a media clergy that parrots every Israeli army claim that demonises not only the Resistance, but the entire population of Gaza. The entire Israeli political spectrum is united around portraying Palestinians as Nazis, ISIS members, ‘children of darkness’, as well as human animals in order to manufacture worldwide consent for the continuous bombardment of the Gaza Strip. It is already clear that October 7th will become a landmark moment in the history of Palestinian resistance against Zionism, its benefactors, and its local agents. The PA, US, and Europe are encouraging the massacre and total siege of the Gaza Strip, not only because of their inherent interest in the continued existence of Israel on Arab land, but also because of their frenzied desire to try and restore the status quo, an imagined reality that existed before October 7th. Attempts to soften Hamas’ position on liberation via the Quartet and Qatar never bore fruit, as evidenced by what has transpired since. The failure of the peace dividends to thwart the Palestinian people, the collapse of the political discourse that masks securitisation behind a national goal, and the continued will of the resistance groups in Gaza to fight despite an international siege and soft power tactics to entice them to stay silent – all of this will pave the way for a more revolutionary discourse with regards to liberation. The era of pseudo-statebuilding is finally behind us, and an age of liberation is coming.

[kaynanarie]

JourneyTober! Day 25 - Temple

            The tension in the room could be cut with a knife. Jen and Monkey knelt on one side of the table. A cross from them, two young servants scrutinized them with barely disguised distain. Between the pairs was a spread of assorted foods and drinks, all untouched.

            “The last time we had a stinky monkey as a guest,” one spoke curtly, flashing his eyes towards Monkey. “He ruined our Master’s cherished Gensing Fruit tree.”

            “We only allow you to stay because Master Zhenyuan deems it prudent,” the other continued in an equally sour tone. “But know that your presence is undesired in this temple.”

            “Wow, tell us how you really feel,” Jen snarked while Monkey bristled silently beside her. The boys turned their critical gazes towards her, all but sneering.

            “You shouldn’t be here at all, foreigner.”

            “To think Master would allow an outsider into his home.”

            A quiet growl rumbled between Monkey’s clenched teeth. Jen was starting to worry he would lunge across the table and smack some manners into the mouthy children. While they might deserve it, she doubted their master would appreciate the violence.

            “Qingfeng. Mingyue. That’s enough,” a voice cut through the room, bringing an end to the youths’ beratement. The immortal master appeared in the doorway. His long, white hair and beard with matching snowy robes gave him the appearance of a wise ghost. At his appearance, both servants fell into synchronized bows.

            “Master Zhenyuan! We prepared tea–”

            “–And served them food, as you requested.”

            He hummed, strolling past them to take a seat the table. “Very good. Now go prepare rooms for our guests. They will need rest before they continue their journey.”

            The servants bowed a final time and left the room, grumbling and shooting dirty looks to Monkey and Jen the whole way. Once they were gone, Master Zhenyuan let out a weary sigh, giving the two a sympathetic smile. “Apologies for my disciples. They take their roles very seriously and still hold grudges from our last group of guests.”

            “Yeah, I can’t imagine why they messed up your tree,” Jen muttered, crossing her arms. “We were told to come here and I’m sure it wasn’t just for the oh-so-welcoming hospitality.”

            “Yes, I have been expecting you,” Master Zhenyuan started, calmly pouring tea for each of them before picking up his own cup. “Many of us immortals are aware of the journey for the relics to restore the Monkey King. And while I myself have chosen not to get involved, my old friend Subodhi has lent his support to your quest.”

            Monkey perked up at the name, head tilting in surprise.

            “Who’s Subodhi?” Jen asked, glancing between the two for an answer.

            Master Zhenyuan sipped his tea thoughtfully before speaking. “Master Subodhi was Sun Wukong’s first master, the one who taught him many great skills and spells, most of which he later used to get into trouble. When his mischief became too great, Subodhi sent him away and swore him to secrecy of his tutelage. With Monkey King’s oath fulfilled and his renewal in the balance, Subodhi has sent aid on behalf of his former disciple.”

            “That’s great!” Jen gasped with relief. “So, what did he send to help?”

            Even Monkey nodded eagerly, leaning forward in anticipation. What they didn’t expect was Zhenyuan to gracefully raise a hand and gesture back at them.

            Jen looked around curiously but saw nothing. “Uh, is it something we already have?”

            “It’s you, dear child,” Zhenyuan answered, staring Jen down. “How do you think you arrived here, a land so far from your own?”

            “Well, I mean…” Jen fidgeted under his gaze, hands clutching her cold tea. “I thought it was because I lit an incense in that little house?”

            “The shrine, yes,” the immortal nodded. “Subodhi scattered those shrines throughout your world, searching for a companion swayed by neither the Celestial Court nor the Buddhists’ influence. Someone with no previous connection to the Monkey King or his legacy. A perfectly impartial witness to fate.”

            Monkey’s focus now turned to Jen as the information set in. He seemed just as baffled, mouth pulled in a frown and dark eyes searching her for answers.

            “I…don’t know what you expect me to do,” she admitted quietly.

            “The Companion to the Destined One is expected to travel with him and act as guide.” Master Zhenyuan’s words sounded practiced; an explanation quoted countless times before. “Without one, the other is doomed to fail. Only by working together, can all the relics be found and the journey truly succeed.”

            Jen balked, panic starting to set in. “I–I don’t know how to be a guide! I don’t know anything about this place! I just found out what’s going on and why I’m here, how am I supposed to guide anyone?”

            “All in good time,” Zhenyuan spoke softly, offering comfort that fell on deaf ears. “Not all guides lead to physical places. You two will find your way as long as you continue to work together. You’ve made it his far already but there’s still much ahead to overcome.”

            “But…” Jen swallowed thickly, blinking away the tears building in her eyes. “How am I supposed to get home?”

            Master Zhenyuan sighed. “That I do not know. Perhaps by seeing this journey to its end, the way home will be revealed to you as well. But for now, I’m sure you could use some rest.”

            He looked to the doorway where the two servants had reappeared, both faces pinched in mirrored scowls. “Qingfeng and Mingyue will show you to your rooms. Please, make yourselves comfortable and let them know if you need anything. We can speak more over dinner.”

            Jen could only nod, following after the servants, mind still abuzz.

            “This will be your room, woman,” one of the boys said, pointing to the door on their left.

            The other continued down the corridor, not even looking to see if he was being followed. “The monkey will stay be staying down the hall. We ask that you remain in your chambers until summoned for dinner.”

            As her friend turned to leave, Jen’s anxiety flared and her hands reached out to grab his arm. “Monkey, wait! I…” But when he looked at her, the words faded away and she just felt silly and childish. “I’m sorry. I know you were expecting something else. I want to help, I really do, I…just don’t know how.”

            Monkey’s expression was carefully still, but his eyes held a mix of sympathy and disappointment. After a moment, he sighed, giving her shoulder a gentle pat before turning away. As Jen watched him go, she couldn’t help feeling like she had already failed him.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Getting into the home stretch and Halloween right around the corner. Thank you so much to all my readers, every like and reblog brings me such joy.)