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deliciousangelfestival · 3 months ago

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The Heart Still Beating - 1

Character: Lloyd Hansen x Female!Reader

Summary: After the heart transplant, Lloyd, the heartless killer, started to feel something—something unexpected and powerful that was tied to the fiancé of the heart’s donor.

Words Count : 2289

Chapter 1 , Chapter 2 , End

Main Masterlist || support: Ko-fi

Thank you to anyone who gave a like, reblog, and left a comment. It motivated me to write more.

"Ring!"

As the school bell rang, the fifth-graders hurriedly stuffed books and notebooks into their bags, eager to escape the classroom. The teacher’s voice cut through the bustle, “Luna, your father is here.”

Luna glanced up and gently corrected her, “Teacher, he’s my stepfather.”

“Oh… Hoho! My apologies,” the teacher chuckled, pointing toward the window. “Look, your stepfather’s waiting for you.”

Luna turned to see Lloyd standing under a tree, shielding himself from the sun. He stood out among the clusters of mothers and nannies; his presence was familiar yet rare, as he was one of the only male who came to pick up their child every single day.

When Luna approached, he immediately walked toward her, taking her heavy bag with ease. The teacher watched them and couldn’t help but smile, observing how Lloyd's care for Luna seemed every bit as strong as that of any father. Luna corrected everyone who assumed he was her “real” dad, yet she still called him "Dad" with affection and trust.

As they walked toward the parking lot, Luna suddenly pointed ahead. “Dad, look! That boy just threw trash on the road.”

Lloyd’s gaze sharpened, his voice calm yet firm. “Hey,” he called out, stopping the teenage boy with a single glance. “Pick it up.”

The boy froze. Usually he would ignore adults’ remarks, but something in Lloyd’s tone made him pause. Without a word, the teenager bent down, grabbed the trash, and tossed it into a nearby bin. Luna beamed up at Lloyd, pride filling her expression, and they continued toward the car.

“I need your help to buy some flowers,” Lloyd mentioned as they buckled up.

“Okay!” Luna chirped.

When they arrived at the flower shop, Lloyd’s face tightened as he noticed a man smoking outside, right under a “No Smoking” sign. His jaw set, and he grabbed a water bottle. “Wait here, sweetheart,” he said to Luna, stepping out of the car with a calm but intimidating stride. He marched over to the smoker and splashed water on the ground beside him, firmly pointing to the sign. “Smoking is prohibited here. You want to set this place on fire?”

The man shot Lloyd an indignant look but, sensing the authority and cold steel in Lloyd’s gaze, muttered something under his breath and walked away. Luna climbed out of the car, giggling as she joined Lloyd.

“You’re awesome, Dad.”

Lloyd softened, giving her a smile and ruffling her hair. “Come on, let’s pick out some flowers.”

Inside the shop, the elderly florist welcomed them warmly. She raised an eyebrow at Lloyd with a teasing smile. “What did you do this time to make your wife angry?”

“Oh, you know…” Lloyd rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “This and that…”

The florist leaned down, winking at Luna. “Let’s help your dad out of his ‘this and that’ mess, shall we?”

Once they had their flowers, they headed home. But as Lloyd pulled into the driveway, he spotted a car already parked there. He cursed under his breath, “Oh no. Your mom’s home.”

“Uh-oh.” Luna’s eyes widened as she unbuckled her seatbelt, watching her dad’s nervous expression.

Lloyd handed her the bouquet. “Luna, can you give this to your mom first? Maybe… soften her up a bit?”

Luna stifled a laugh. “She’s that mad?”

“Oh, yeah,” he sighed, looking a little guilty.

Luna held the bouquet like a shield and marched into the house. “Mom?”

Her voice was muffled behind the large, vibrant arrangement of flowers as she carefully peeked around it, spotting you by the doorway. Your eyes softened at the sight, the colorful petals too beautiful to resist.

“Where’s is he?” you asked, hiding a smirk.

Luna pointed outside, and you stepped out to find Lloyd still in the car, glancing your way with a sheepish, almost boyish look. It was hard to believe this was the same tough, strong man you’d first met—the man whose stare could make anyone else crumble. But right now, all he could do was sit there, hoping the flowers would speak for him.

He opened the car door slowly, clearing his throat. "So… are we good?” he asked, his voice surprisingly soft, only for you and Luna.

And with one look at his apologetic smile, you couldn’t help but smile back.

10 Years Ago

The man fought with everything he had, but his strength was slipping, his vision blurring. Each swing felt heavier, his defenses weaker. Every breath burned, and the weight of inevitability pressed down on him like an anchor. He staggered, then felt a sharp sting in his chest.

"Shit." He muttered, his hand instinctively clutching the spot. It came back red. Blood. He knew this was it. His time was over. As the sounds around him faded, everything shifted to slow motion. His entire life flashed before him—decisions made, lives he’d taken, things he wished he could take back. Then everything went dark, sinking into a cold, quiet void.

"Beep. Beep."

Then, a distant beeping pulled him back, piercing through the silence. He cracked his eyes open, disoriented, squinting against the sterile white light above. He was in a hospital room. A nurse entered, eyes widening in shock as she saw him awake. "Call the doctor!”

Too weak to speak, he drifted back to sleep, darkness reclaiming him.

The next time he opened his eyes, someone familiar stood at his bedside: Carmichael. A hint of a smirk pulled at his friend’s lips. “Welcome back.”

Lloyd swallowed, the dryness in his throat making his voice rough. “How… am I still alive?” He looked up at the ceiling, half-expecting to be in another life, another world.

Carmichael leaned back, folding his arms. “You got a new heart.”

Lloyd’s eyes narrowed. “What?” He already felt that something was different—something new in his body. But he never thought he would receive a new heart.

His friend tapped his own chest. “You were dead, but the surgery was a success. You should be grateful. Thanks to the donor, you’re here.”

Lloyd’s expression hardened, a mix of confusion and guilt flickering in his eyes. “I don’t deserve this,” he murmured, an ache settling in his chest that felt deeper than physical pain. “Why did you save me?”

Carmichael’s jaw tightened, his eyes unreadable. “Wasn’t my order. Came from the boss.” He stood, hands shoved in his pockets. “Doctor said it was a miracle,” he added before he left, his tone carrying a hint of something Lloyd couldn’t place. Something hidden.

Later, the doctor entered to explain the procedure, detailing Lloyd’s new heart and the adjustments his body would need to make. “It’ll take time for your body to fully accept the heart,” he said calmly. “Some symptoms will occur; maybe some memory disturbances or strange dreams. Patients often feel… connections.”

For a few nights after waking up, he couldn’t fall back asleep. He kept having the same dream. He was on the beach, then the scene shifted to him lying on the grass. Lloyd felt as though he had said, “Luna, that’s her name.” But it wasn’t him who said it. Then someone called, “Justin.” Lloyd turned around and saw a woman hugging him.

This dream left Lloyd wide awake. He hated the feeling of longing for someone—hated it with every fiber of his being.

Lloyd’s brow furrowed, his tone skeptical. “Doctor, I feel like I’m in someone else’s body. And I’ve been dreaming. There’s a woman’s voice… calling someone—Justin.”

"That's the name of the donor." The doctor gave a reassuring nod. “It’s not uncommon. This heart once belonged to someone else, and the mind, the body… they retain memories, even echoes. But don’t worry; medically, you’re fine. The donor had no health issues, no family history of illness.”

But Lloyd’s face remained clouded, his hands instinctively reaching up to touch the long scar running down his chest. He traced it, feeling the rough ridges of the stitches that held his new life together. A heavy sadness settled over him, a strange melancholy he didn’t understand. Was it just the weight of having brushed so close to death? Or was it something else?

As he stared at himself in the mirror, the door behind him creaked open. Carmichael stepped inside, but his friend’s usually casual air felt strangely formal. Carmichael stepped aside, gesturing silently as a woman entered the room.

Lloyd’s gaze shifted to her, and his breath caught. She was visibly pregnant, her hand resting protectively over her round belly. Six months along, maybe more. Her eyes found his, and for a moment, the world seemed to still, charged with something unspoken. Lloyd’s head pounded, memories flashing—walking along a beach, a woman’s soft laughter. He winced, clutching his temples.

Carmichael cleared his throat. “Lloyd… this is the fiancée of the man who donated his heart to you.”

Lloyd’s eyes widened, his breath shallow. You're the woman from his dreams.

You held back your rage, your voice cold and controlled. “I followed my fiancé’s wish to donate his organs. I did it because I thought it was the right thing.” You swallowed, anger flashing in your eyes. “But now, seeing you, I wish I hadn’t.”

Lloyd was silent, his gaze shifting away, the weight of her words sinking in.

"I will never accept that my fiancé’s beating heart is inside trash like you." Your voice shook with anger, disbelief mixing with disgust as you took in the sight of Lloyd. It felt like a betrayal—a mockery of everything your fiancé had been. To know that his heart, once full of love and life, now kept someone like Lloyd alive was unbearable.

A silence fell over the room, thick with tension. Then, unexpectedly, something glistened on Lloyd’s cheek. He froze, his hand instinctively reaching up to touch it. “Eh?” His fingers brushed his cheek, and he realized, almost in disbelief—he was crying. He never cried. This must be because of his heart—Justin’s heart. The memory of its previous owner was longing for you.

The realization left you and Carmichael momentarily stunned, watching as Lloyd blinked, trying to process this foreign feeling.

Clearing his throat, Lloyd quickly wiped his tears, standing taller, his voice firm. “I’m grateful for the heart,” he said, his tone defiant as he met your gaze. “But this is mine now. You can’t do anything about it.”

You scoffed, cold and unyielding. What else could you expect from someone like him? Turning sharply, you stormed out, unwilling to let him see anything but contempt in your eyes.

Lloyd’s hand moved to his chest as he watched you leave, his fingers resting over the steady beat beneath his ribs. It felt… precious. But why? Why him? Why had he been the one to receive this heart, to be pulled back from the edge?

“Just take it, Lloyd,” Carmichael said, breaking the silence. “Get better. We need you back.” And with that, he too left the room, leaving Lloyd alone with questions he didn’t know how to answer.

One week later, Lloyd returned to his old work, to the life he knew. His hands were still skilled, his instincts as sharp as ever. But something was different. Each time he went for the kill, something held him back. There was a hesitation, a slight tremor in his hand, something foreign that froze him at the most critical moments. The latest assignment was no different; he cornered his target, knife in hand, but when he raised the blade, his arm wouldn’t move.

A searing headache struck, and images flooded his mind, like a montage from someone else’s life—a soft laugh, the warm glow of a sunset on the beach, a woman’s hand slipping into his. He gritted his teeth, clutching his head, trying to push the memories away. “Fuck,” he hissed, feeling his grip on his own mind slipping. They weren’t his memories, but they felt as real as his own past.

💘💘💘💘

At home, you carefully packed away your fiancé Justin’s belongings, handling each item like it was glass, fragile and irreplaceable. You paused over a framed photo of him, smiling in a way that made your heart ache. As you placed it gently into the box, a wave of grief and longing washed over you.

Then you felt a kick in your stomach and gently touched it. It must be your daughter; she must have sensed your sadness. You remembered what Justin said when you both gazed at the stars one night: “Let’s call her Luna.” He had named her after you discovered the gender. You wiped away your tears, recalling that moment. Your gentle, sweet fiancé Justin was gone, and now his heart belonged to someone completely the opposite of him.

A knock at the door interrupted your thoughts. You moved to the security monitor, surprise flashing across your face when you saw Lloyd standing there—the man who now carried Justin’s heart.

You pressed the intercom button, your voice cold through the speaker. “Why are you here?”

His voice, rough and unshaken, came through the speaker. “I can’t explain it… but this heart, it won’t let me rest. Not without seeing you.”

For a moment, his eyes softened, a flicker of something deeply unsettled. “It’s like a ghost inside me, and it has your name all over it. And I need it out of my head."

You felt your breath hitch as you stared at the man standing in front of you. He was a stranger, yet he carried your fiancé's heart. The thought twisted painfully inside you—a piece of the man you’d loved was now bound to someone cold, someone unrecognizable.

It was like seeing a ghost in the wrong skin, a cruel reminder of what you’d lost and where it now lived.

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cnestus · 1 year ago

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i recently solved a fun little bug mystery at work and i thought it might be interesting to write up a step-by-step narrative of how i did so, as a sort of example of the kinds of things i get to do for my job. this is a stupidly long post because i have no editorial self-control so i'm putting the rest under a cut.

the above insect is a bark beetle, one of a series of 6 specimens i found in a drawer at work. they did not have species labels on them, and the collection labels indicated that they were collected in 1997 from "Chinese Cedrus used for artifical christmas trees." the infested wood had been intercepted and the beetles collected and pinned, but whoever was working in the lab at the time wasn't able to suss out the species, which is extremely reasonable because even IDing american bark beetles to species can be a massive pain in the ass, let alone ones from asia.

the beetles were clearly in the genus Phloeosinus based on the shape of the antennae and the large spines on the elytral declivity (the ass area), and whoever pinned them at least got them that far themselves, but determining the actual species was going to be a lot harder. even american beetles in this genus can be devilishly hard to confidently ID to species since they often look alike and also are quite morphologically variable in ways the bleed into each other. they are pretty cool though and those ass spines are usually critical in species-level identification

btw since i'm going to be writing out this word a lot in this post, it's pronounced roughly as "flea-o-sign-us" if you're curious.

determining bark beetle species is often made much easier by knowing what tree the beetle came out of since most bark beetles (but not ambrosia beetles, which are also scolytid/scolytine beetles but a whole other can of worms grubs) are highly host-specific, usually being adapted to only a certain tree species or genus or small group of related genera.

so Cedrus is the genus for eurasian cedar trees, and there is one species of Cedrus native to china, Cedrus deodara, but that seems like an odd choice of plant to harvest and send to america for artificial christmas tree trunks. most actual Cedrus species are from the mediterranean area. however there are also some chinese trees in the cypress family Cupressaceae (+Taxodiaceae) that are called cedars, and in fact most species of Phloeosinus are exclusively found in trees in this family. one likely species is Cunninghamia lanceolata, traditionally called "chinese fir" despite not being a fir but also more recently marketed as "chinese cedar" because that's how common names for species go.

oh and there is also the tree Toona sinensis in the family Meliaceae that's ALSO sometimes called "chinese cedar" for some reason but more importantly also called "beef and onion plant" lmao, but that was an even worse candidate for an artificial christmas tree trunk and also not a known host for the beetles. easily discounted but i had a laugh.

so my first angle of attack was to assume that the collection labels were correct and the beetles were in fact from a Cedrus tree. i was able to find a list of about a half dozen Phloeosinus species known to attack Cedrus cedars, but none of them were native to china. this would most likely mean that one of the mediterranean species had been transplanted to china for cultivation, which is entirely plausible. after digging though a bunch of literature i wasn't able to find a good key for Phloeosinus species in the entire area i wanted, but found a couple regional keys covering geographic ranges that when combined covered about what i wanted. for non-biologists, this is what a species key looks like:

sort of a choose your own adventure kind of thing but for determining a creature's true identity. anyway none of the results i got from these keys led to species who's descriptions matched the one that i had. i should also mention that my specimens had a rather distinctive feature unlike any other Phloeosinus species i'd ever seen before, which was an elytral vestiture consisting of these really funky little black explanate scales:

most Phloeosinus species have some kind of vestiture on their elytra but all the ones i'm familiar with have the hairs and scales light-colored and never shaped anything like this, so i figured that the description of the correct species would surely mention these scales.

so anyway dissatisfied with this avenue, i decided that the next most likely option is that whoever made the labels for the specimens was told that they had come from "chinese cedar" by the importer and had just assumed that meant Cedrus but it was actually one of the cypress family cedars. again most of the described species do in fact use Cupressaceae as hosts.

so next i found this UN report with a (hopefully) comprehensive list of all non-EU bark and ambrosia beetle species that attacked conifer trees. i culled from that a list of Phloeosinus species listed as coming from "asia." since that was too broad of an area, i then looked up all of these species in the species catalogues listed in the report, mostly Alonso-Zarazag et al (2007), though some were also listed in Wood and Bright (1992) or Bright and Skidmore (2002), which i happen to have physical copes of. from these i could narrow the list down to just species found in china.

now things became difficult because there are no keys to chinese Phloeosinus, or at least none in english. also even just written descriptions of many of these species were impossible to find because they were all written like 60-100 years ago and usually in chinese or german or french and had never been translated or uploaded anywhere online. likewise almost none of them had research-grade (or any) photos anywhere online.

so after hours of fruitless digging, the best i could come up with was a guide to scolytine beetles of korea (PDF link), which contained a key with a handful of the species on my list and did include english descriptions of these. now one of the species in the guide, P. perlatus, IS DESCRIBED as having dark scales, and my specimens did seem to land on that species when i ran them through the key. that's promising! and the hosts were on my list of possible non-Cedrus chinese cedars! also promising! buuuut something just didn't sit right with me. parts of the species description in that paper just didn't seem to quite match my specimens, like for example the size was a little off, described as being 2.4-3.4mm long, while all of mine were in the 3.3-3.6 range. plus the photos of the species, while distressingly low-resolution, just didn't look like mine.

okay so that was dissatisfying. i'd managed to whittle down my list of suspects a good deal from what little scraps of information i could find about them through my sleuthing, either the wrong hosts or the ones that did have english descriptions available online like in that korean guide didn't fit, but i was still left with several possible candidates and no way to narrow it down further, of course this all assuming that the beetles i had on my hands even were a species that had been scientifically described and named. bark beetles are a huge group of critters and many are quite understudied, especially in asia, and a bunch of new species are described every year!

i was about ready to just give up, but then by coincidence i had a reason to email a couple of high-level bark beetle researchers about a different beetle mystery i was also working on, which was in a group that they were the authorities on. on a whim, i mentioned my Phloeosinus conundrum to them to see if they had any ideas and they recommended i contact Dr. Roger Beaver. yeah, i know right? fucking kickass name i'm so jealous. sidenote: it's so funny how many bark beetle researchers have extremely appropriate names, like two of the biggest names in the field are Steve Wood and Dave Wood. no relation.

so anyway i contacted Dr Beaver, who had done some research on east asian Phloeosinus in the past and he was kind enough to send me an unpublished provisional key to chinese species that he had written up a few years ago. using that key, i ended up at "P. pertuberculatus (?=sinensis)" which means that there was some suspicion that P. pertuberculatus and P. sinensis were the same species, just described and named independently by two different entomologists (Hans Eggers and Karl Eduard Schedl respectively), as often happened, especially in the glory days of insane 18th-20th century european entomologists describing literally thousands of new species during their careers.

now these two species WERE both on my final list of suspects of chinese Phloeosinus species that hadn't otherwise been eliminated for one reason or another, and both had Cunninghamia "cedar" trees as known hosts. Dr Beaver was then kind enough to scan and send me the original descriptions of these two species:

which i was able to use google translate on:

not the nicest translation but still an admirable attempt on google's part to deal with all the entomological jargon, and most importantly the description of the elytral scales on P. sinensis definitely seems to match my specimens more than the pertuberculatus. plus i found a paper on taiwanese bark beetles (PDF) coauthored by Dr Beaver that had a (also distressingly low-resolution) photo of pertuberculatus that didn't seem to match my specimens:

aaand finally: i'd been trying for days to access the webpage of a chinese museum that popped up as the only notable result on a google image search for P. sinensis but every time the website would time out and the cached version of the image was too small to make out any details on, but it finally occurred to me this evening that the reason was probably because my work computer or work wifi was just automatically blocking chinese websites because of america's insane paranoia about chinese spying, and sure enough i opened it up on my home computer and it fucking worked!

that's a pretty fucking bang-on match for my specimens! the scales look right, the color is right, the size is right, the ass bumps are right, the host is right, the geography is right, and the translated description otherwise seems to match! here's mine again so you don't have to scroll all the way up:

so i'm calling this 26-year mystery solved! not all of the bug puzzles i've worked on have had as meandering of a path to their conclusion as this, but i thought that this one did display a good number of the different methods i use. the biggest thing that was missing was me wandering into my lab's massive library of old dusty entomology journals stretching back over a century and digging out some old article that never got scanned and put online, as often happens, but in this case since the bugs were asian and out library mostly covers north american entomology that wasn't going to be very fruitful.

hopefully this was interesting to... somebody besides myself. if you've read this far and weren't bored to tears then congratulations you probably have the same kind of brain damage as me!

#entomology #long post #scolytidae #scolytinae #phloeosinus #Pet Investigation

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imadumbshark · 7 months ago

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The Senju Kekkai Genkai

I'm pretty sure the senju kekkai genkai isn't actually mokuton, that's just a by product of their actual kekkai genkai which was proably a genetic predisposition to nature chakra.

I believe the mokuton is a specific alignment of factors that correlate to create the perfect circumstances for it to present. Namely, a water and earth nature affinity, VERY good chakra control (which is clearly a trait of the main family senju line, if hashirama, tobirama, and tsunade are any indication), AND a predisposition, or at least a learned ability, to passively absorb nature chakra (which even Naruto couldn't do, he absorbed it actively).

That would explain why the mokoton is so rare despite kekkai genkai usually being dominant genetic traits in large blood-related family groups (Uchiha, Hyuuga, Hoshigaki, etc) because even if all the senju family could passively absorb nature chakra, few of them hit the rest of the necessary factors.

Take for example Tobirama, hypothetically he hit 3 of the 4 required factors to create mokuton (water affinity, chakra control, nature chakra) but because he was missing that 1 single factor (earth affinity) his kekkai genkai presented as an incredibly powerful water affinity and skill over healing and seals*, but no mokuton.

As well as that, despite being much smaller than the Uchiha, the Senju as a whole were able to compete with them on the battlefield. If we assume the disparity caused by the Uchiha's size and kekkai genkai was being bridged by a boost from nature chakra to each individual Senju, the Senju's ability to keep up is much more feasible.

It is also generally agreed within the fandom (never officially confirmed), that when the mokuton becomes too strong, the user gets turned into a tree. Now, that sounds VERY similar to nature chakra imbalance which Naruto was threatened with when he was was learning Toad Sage Mode, adjusted to suit a Tree Sage of course.

It would also explain why so many Shinobi (Orochimaru, Madara/Zetsu) throughout the Narutoverse struggled to recreate mokuton despite having direct access to Hashirama's cells. Unfortunately, I'm not overly familiar with cellular biology, but at least with kidney transplants (with modern science) the rejection rate is about 15% (correct me if I'm wrong, I googled it), not the ridiculous 99% we see when Orochimaru attempted to recreate it under Danzo's orders. Even accounting for the likely uptick in deaths due to adjusting genetic code being considerably riskier then a simple kidney transplant, it is not unreasonable to assume that most of the transfers were probably successful. Therefore, it is possible that the 99% fatality rate was due to the sudden and overwhelming influx of nature chakra into small bodies and minds that did not know how to handle or balance the sudden intrusion. In fact, we even see this when Tenzou's neighbour eventually succumbed to the experiment, and roots and branches grew out of her. Much like the cost that is described for those that wield mokuton, and also an imbalance of nature chakra.

Finally, that would explain why Sakura doesn't have mokuton when, if the show's description of the kekkai genkai is too be believed, she definitely should. Kishimoto's explanation for mokuton is that it is a perfect balance of earth and water nature affinities which, when combined, can cause plant life and vegetation to be manipulated and grow at extraordinary rates*°. However, if this explanation is to be believed, then there is no reason why Sakura should not have mokuton. It is generally agreed (again, never confirmed) that Sakura has earth and water affinities, and her chakra control is considered one of the greatest in the history of the Shinobi nations (canonically the greatest during her time). Therefore, if we're going by kishimoto's explanation, logically, Sakura should be able to use her chakra control to balance her water and earth affinities. However, if we rather consider it with the theory that the Senju kekkai genkai is nature chakra, then Sakura suddenly needs 4 prerequisites, not just 3. And Sakura has never shown any proclivity to nature chakra, so she does not hit the last requirement.

So. Yeah. The Senju had a genetic green thumb that gave them superpowers, not just trees. I think I had more points somewhere rattling around but I've forgotten them lol. I was also going to do a TL;LD but ehhhhhhh too hard. Do with this information as you like, thank you for coming to my TED talk.

*it is generally believed that one must have a certain mental predisposition towards healing and seals to be able to fully master them. Hence why the Uzumaki were so feared, because it was quite literally impossible for any other Shinobi (even other seal masters) to master some of their work because the logical progression (seals work somewhat like code, except WHERE you put each line of code mattered almost as much as WHAT it said) was incomprehensible

*weirdly enough, hashirama's mokuton generally uses pre-existing plants and seeds to create his constructs whereas Tenzou most often creates them from himself. Perhaps less control/balance over the nature chakra? Rather then using it in the traditional sense, he has weaponised the nature chakra's own side effect? Would also explain why his mokuton is weaker and why he's never shown to have Tree Sage Mode. Could also simply be because neither had formal training and simple made the mokuton entirely their own in how they used it lol

°according to kishimoto's explanation, mokuton is more akin to a release, like D's storm release (water and wind) or Mei's lava release (earth and fire), not a true kekkai genkai which CANNOT be recreated without the necessary genetic code, much like most dojutsus', the hoshigaki's sharklike appearances and skills (although that is often argued to be more as a result of their summons), and the hozuki's naturally transformative cellular structure (which is BONKERS by the way)

#naruto #hashirama senju #madara uchiha #tobirama #mokuton #kekkai genkai #essay #chakra theory #science

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southernsolarpunk · 5 months ago

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so since I've basically seen all the seasons at my house now I've got a decent understanding of the micro-climate of my yard, and i need to document it somewhere so here goes:

front yard gets scorched. straight up. it doesn't really let up until 2-3 pm so i need full sun drought tolerant plants in the front area. (i dug some swales to redirect runoff from the foundation of the house, so its a little more moist than it was when we first moved in) this can be slightly mitigated by planting a couple dwarf trees in the very front area of the yard but that'll only help a little. i got a hardy hibiscus 'dark mystery' (Hibiscus Moscheutos, native perennial) that i plant to take cuttings of next year that has been loving the heat. This area i also plan to plant a bunch of milkweed (current varieties I'm planning to get are sandhill milkweed [asclepias Humistrata] green milkweed [Asclepias Viridis] Purple milkweed [Asclepias Purpurascens]) I'm also planning to get some native ornamental grasses to place around the entire property (including the front yard) some other plants i planning to plant are cardinal flower (Lobelia Cardinalis), liatris (liatris Spicata), Gaillardia (Gaillardia Pulchella), prairie sage (artemisia Ludoviciana), mountain mint (pycnanthemum muticum). more to be decided after i put this wave in. (definitely want some bee balm)

right side of the yard (by the house) is dark, cool, wooded, and wet. the rhododendron i put in was doing great until my brother in law took a lawnmower to it. :( but at least i can replace it. this is also where i have my feijoas (he also ran over them but they bounced back). probably will just add some rhododendrons & hydrangeas. i need to look up some more native shade plants for this area.

left side of the yard (by the house) gets even more sun than the front yard. i want to get a green house eventually (i have to replace all the windows in my house so I'll repurpose those for it) so this is probably the best place to do it.

backyard is large, part is dry and sunny, and towards the back is wooded. this is where i plan to put the fruit & nut trees i want. i need to thin out some of the less mature trees because they're extremely dense at the moment. (got a battery-powered chainsaw. i would have just borrowed my stepdads tools but hes convinced i would break them if i used them. :/ but at least now my father-in-law can borrow mine if he needs it) in the center of the backyard is where i have 2 12x4 gardens beds, and in the future i plan to add 2 more. this is where i have a lot of passionflower maypop plants, i transplanted some to the fenceline but i want an archway trellis as well. (i have watched probably over a hundred gulf fritillary caterpillars turn into butterflies, they're everywhere) the right side of the yard is where i plan to put the taller fruit & nut trees, (wont block sunlight) but i also want to get some dwarf fruit trees to place around as well. also this summer i saw lightning bugs in the backyard (!!!!!!!) so i plan to put in some grasses around an area that's like 12x12 ft across that dips down a few feet. (this area literally looks like a dried up small pond) i looked up how to use clay to create a natural lining for a pond, so this area will be good for lightning bugs, frogs, toads, salamanders, etc. this is in the lowest part of the yard, so its an optimal place for it.

this is just some basic plans for the future- i got a lot of seeds online so its not too break-the-bank expensive, and i get a lot of bushes and trees from etsy which can be great for saving money, despite the slight increased risk for mislabeled plants. i save money with this so i can get some nicer varieties of fruit trees that i really want (fuji apples, hosui pears, bing & rainier cherry trees).

my father-in-law really enjoys canning and preserving so I'm growing all the trees so i can give him some fruit to preserve (he lives in a very low-laying area, and a lot of it is swamp so he doesn't have as much room for fruit trees, his blackberry jam is amazing) also a guy my partner works with is into gardening as well (dudes he gave us so many peppers literally pounds of them) so i want to be able to return the favor with fruit. :) my mom and stepdad also have some fruit trees but I'm hoping to grow some that they don't have so we can trade.

ultimately i just want to grow as much food as possible and give it away to everyone who wants it, while also hosting the ultimate butterfly rest stop.

if you read this and enjoyed it, I'm glad! I'll post about these projects as i do them (which will be slowly) so i hope maybe this will inspire some of you :)

#gardening #gardening plans

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askroahmmythril · 3 months ago

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RMN-007 - Fruit Man

Hey, got the next one done, so time to check out Fruit Man!

Fruit Man was created as a marketing mascot for a commercial orchard that grows and provides a large variety of fresh fruit. He has an almost innocent and playful personality as he was designed to get along with kids visiting the orchard for field trips. He likes to organize games and activities for them to keep them entertained and interested. While he is indeed used mainly for marketing purposes (yes, there are marketable Fruit Man plushes), he also actively helps around the orchard, both in planting new trees and bushes, and using his weapon to blow holes in the ground to aid in transplanting existing trees.

Fruit Man’s weapon is the Pineapple Grenade. It fires a bomb in an arcing lob shot. The bomb detonates on contact with an enemy, but the player can hit fire again to detonate it early. It can destroy certain walls.

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ahedderick · 8 months ago

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Tasks o' the day:

A little bit of weeding in the asparagus bed, and checking in on the little seedlings that I transplanted. This process was hindered by a large tom cat deciding to *Flop* in the dirt - on top of several of the transplants. No! Weeding a bed of carrots compelled a second, smaller tom cat to *Flop* on the carrots I was so carefully weeding around. ARGH!

I removed the cats and myself from the garden, fed and watered chickens, and let the chicks out of their pen for a little foraging. Sent some emails to family, got a good breakfast. When K got up, we decided to meet at the mini-orchard at the top of the ridge. I was going to take the truck (with dogs), she was going to ride Hero. I got there and carefully lifted Chance out of the truck. The two apple trees up there both needed pruning and blackberry vines removed from around their trunks. I hacked and pruned for a while until I heard a suspicious snort from the woods. Soon K and Hero emerged from the treeline. She left him groundtied (a horse trained to groundtie will stay in place if you drop the end of his lead rope on the ground) and started picking raspberries. I was dismally contemplating how to prune a peach tree when we both realized - Hero was gone.

K hustled after him on foot, while I finished as much pruning as I though I could do without a ladder. Fortunately, she caught him before he went too far, and they came back up the hill together. Both looking rather grumpy.

I helped her remount and got Chance and Lady back in the truck. I will need to come back with a ladder, maybe next week. There aren't many apples or peaches, but we'll use whatever we get.

Back at home we gave Hero a bath (a two person chore) because the fly spray leaves him a bit greasy after a while. Watered the berry bushes with Miracle Grow. Took the little green apples off the apple branches I'd tossed in the back of the truck, and chopped them. Boiled up and strained, I will use the liquid 'extract' in making jelly later. The apple mush will go to the chickens.

I wanted to get another painting session in today, but I ended up just marking branch structure with a colored pencil. Didn't have energy for more. I hope to get some more gardening done this evening after the sun drops. Uh-oh - I don't have a plan for dinner. It is time for me to be. Uh-oh.

#farmblr #farm #gardenblr #farm living

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fromthedust · 2 months ago

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Hatshepsut's Mortuary Temple Complex, situated across the river from the modern city of Luxor. The temple is three stories tall, connected by ramps and terraces. In its day, it contained shrines, chapels, and the sanctuary of Amun-re. These were all woven together with carved reliefs, reflecting pools, and elaborate gardens of exotic plants and trees. Her temple rose from beside the River Nile with a long ramp ascending from a courtyard of trees and small pools to a terrace. Some of these trees were brought from Punt and are the first known successful transplants of trees from one nation to another in history. The remains of these trees, fossilized tree stumps, can still be seen in the courtyard of the temple in the present day.

Symbolism abounds in Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple; symbols that suggest Hatshepsut had a divine right to rule. The temple is not only home to the mortuary shrine dedicated to Hatshepsut, but also includes sanctuaries dedicated to the gods Anubis, Hathor, a local incarnation of Amun, Re, and Hatshepsut’s father Thutmosis I. Hatshepsut honored the god Amun by placing his shrine in the central position of the temple rather than her own, as was normal for pharaohs. By including a shrine to the god Hathor, Hatshepsut symbolically revitalized the tradition of monumental architecture that began in the pyramid building era, which typically included shrines honoring Hathor.

The temple of Hatshepsut was considered to be a wonder of the ancient world by architects. Located at the bottom of limestone cliffs, the temple had courtyards and terraced colonnades that seems to be going up the side of the mountain. The lower levels of the temple had gardens with fragrant trees and pools. The temple had huge images of Hatshepsut with over 100 large statues of Pharaoh Hatshepsut as a sphinx, guarding the processional way. Hatshepsut's burial chamber (tomb KV20) was carved out of the cliffs which form the back of the building.

Hatshepsut's temple was so admired by the pharaohs who came after her that they increasingly chose to be buried nearby and this necropolis came to eventually be known as the Valley of the Kings.

The building of the temple was probably overseen by Senenmut, her trusted advisor who some researchers speculate may have also been her lover.

Queen Hatshepsut (1507-1458) was the longest reigning female Pharaoh in Egyptian history, ruling from 1473-1458 BCE. Hatshepsut was daughter of Ahmose, named from her grandfather Pharaoh Ahmose I, who ruled before Thutmosis I and founded Egypt’s eighteenth dynasty. Hatshepsut’s daughters were more closely related to the royal dynasty than Thutmosis III or his son and heir.

#art by others #other's artwork #architecture #Hatshepsut #ancient #Egypt #temple #antiquity

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yoga-onion · 2 years ago

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Legends and myths about trees

Trees in Buddhism (4)

Bodhi Tree (Ficus religiosa) – the "tree of awakening"

The Bodhi Tree ("tree of awakening"), also called the Mahabodhi Tree, Bo Tree, is a large sacred fig tree (Ficus religiosa) located in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India. Siddhartha Gautama, the spiritual teacher of Buddhism, is said to have attained enlightenment under this tree around 500 BCE.

The original tree under which Siddhartha Gautama sat is no longer living, but the term "bodhi tree" is also applied to existing sacred fig trees.

It had been located in Bodh Gaya in present-day Bihar, India, but the tree was cut down due to the suppression of Buddhism in the India around the 5th CE. The decline of Buddhism in the Indian subcontinent coincides with the rise of Islam in that part of the world, especially the Islamic invasions that occurred in the late 12th CE.

However, as the lime tree grows strongly from cuttings, descendants growing from branches of the same tree were transplanted in various places. In recent years, a third generation Gautama Buddha Bodhi tree, grown from the original Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, has been planted in the Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya.

This tree, planted around 250 BCE, is a frequent destination for pilgrims, being the most important of the four main Buddhist pilgrimage sites.

木にまつわる伝説・神話

仏教の樹木 (4)

ゴータマ・ブッダの菩提樹 (聖なるイチジクの木) 〜「覚醒の木」

ゴータマ・ブッダの菩提樹は、仏教の開祖であるゴータマ・ブッダがその木の根元に座って悟りを得た菩提樹 (印度菩提樹）とその挿し木による子孫である。

菩提樹は、インドのビハール州ブッダガヤにある大きな聖なるイチジクの木で、「覚醒の木」とも呼ばれている。仏教の精神的な教師であるシッダールタ・ゴータマは、紀元前500年頃にこの木の��で悟りを開いたと言われている。

シッダールタ・ゴータマが座った元の木はもう生きていないが、「菩提樹」という言葉は、既存の神聖なイチジクの木にも適用される。

元の木は、現在のインドのビハール州のブッダガヤにあったが、5世紀頃のインドにおける仏教の弾圧により木は切られた。インド亜大陸における仏教の衰退は、同地域におけるイスラム教の台頭、特に12世紀後半に起こったイスラム侵攻と重なる。しかし、菩提樹は挿し木により強く育つので各地に同じ木の枝から育った子孫が移植された。近年になって、スリランカのアヌラーダプラにあった初代の菩提樹から育てられた、三代目のゴータマ・ブッダの菩提樹が、ブッダガヤの大菩提寺に植えられている。紀元前250年頃に植えられたこの木は、仏教の4大巡礼地の中でも最も重要な場所として、巡礼者が頻繁に訪れる場所である。

#trees #trees in buddhism #tree legend #tree myth #bodhi tree #sacred fig #buddha #enlightenment #decline of buddhism #history #philosophy #nature #art

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tothepointofinsanity · 1 year ago

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Greener Grass Awaits Lore "Masterpost"

[This post contains major spoilers for the game, so please be careful while interacting.]

[I would call this a fancy piece, but really it's just me incoherently blabbering about something I like not being talked about enough again. Read it with a kilogram of salt and view it as a discussion piece instead of what it tries to be. Be warned that this is a very long post, and it is encouraged to play the game before scrolling this.]

The Fundamentals: Greener Grass Awaits is advertised as a sport and horror game. In the former, your main objective is to finish all 12 holes on the golf course. In the latter, your character is stalked by undead entities under the moonlight that distract you from your said casual golfing spree. Before all else, we should start by considering the environments presented to us within the game itself, as it contains history and lore relevant to the bigger picture.

The Setting: You break into a prestigious golfing course known as the Green Canyon Golf Club, a club that has appeared on a magazine issue before which crowns it as one of 'the most inconvenient' courses in the world, likely due to the fact that it was built on an island, also featuring courses that loop around bodies of water. A bit of history given to us was that the course was initially meant to be left as open space before it underwent renovations accordingly in 1982. Today, you will find a large bridge that looms in the skyline between hole 9 to 11 which serves as one of the alternate entry ways to the island, as well as long walkways that cut between winding grasslands and forests.

The Golf Course: The lush and verdant environments of Green Canyon's courses boast the transplant of distinctly non-native, European trees to sport its current iconic look, and this impressive landscape is maintained by an outsource lawn-care company known as Greener Grass, a team that specialises in 'large, remote areas' and is known for its apparently weird advertisements. It is also implied from the bizarre ad and posters that plays at the end of the game that Greener Grass Co. has capabilities in helping to 'revive' dead or dried up lawns, and use a special brand of either soil or fertilising materials that assist in this process. The latter is implied from what you find around the caddy shack.

The further you pick and go with your ball, however, the more oppressive the atmosphere becomes. At some places you will see the illusion shedding its scales - bald, exposed trees on yellowed patches of ground despite being surrounded by other lush trees.

The Caddyshack: At the end of the twelfth hole lies a building you were warned to stay away from because "it's bad", according to an actual Green Canyon club member you met previously. All the doors in the building are locked except for the employee's only room, which will reveal a bloody scene. Presumably, the person you encountered previously who gave you the warning was dead on a chair, while a charred body lies on the office table in the middle of the room. Strewn about are cans of gasoline and Greener Grass Awaits co. bags, possibly containing the fertiliser or soil speculated before. The caddyshack is an important place as it functions as the gateway between the human world and the realm of the residing deity.

More of this will be explained later on.

The Forest: Entering the darkness of the room in the caddyshack will magically transport you to a different space of existence. Here, temples are separated by deep forests, with sacrificial alters occasionally in between them. The forests are dark, and staying in the light is necessary for survival. There are two objectives in this section of the game: pop The Blister and then Kill the Tree. You will need to repeat this objective twice as you march further into the home of the eldritch deity. The Blisters are pulsing gobs of flesh, like a heart, that are stuck onto the orifice of a tree in the forests. However, the game developer interestingly refers to them not as blisters, but as wounds. More on this later. Popping the blisters with your ball will open up the temples' entrance to access the Trees in question, hence the latter objective. You Kill the Trees by swinging your ball into the hole beneath its trunk. There are two Trees (so two Blisters altogether) to kill. When both trees are killed, your action provokes the deity living in this space of existence so much that a boss fight is instigated.

With that being said, it's important to now discuss the enemies we encounter in question.

The Antagonists: Sneaking in for some midnight golfing has its consequences the longer you overstay your welcome on the field and continuously stare down the face of evil. Interestingly, this game presents a surprisingly thought-out mechanism and line-up of enemies as they do not operate on a singular basis, but rather as a triangular feedback between a cult, a forest of angels, and a God out of this world.

The Cult: Under the guise of a landscape company skillful in maintaining the surrounding flora, it is heavily speculated that the Greener Grass co. are an elusive cult that has been offering human sacrifices to a foreign deity that promises everlasting scenery (satisfaction, contentment) in exchange. It is implied from some sign boards that the Greener Grass cult have been spreading the deity's influence outside of its realm and into the human world through the transplant of the aforementioned 'saplings from Europe'. The flora of this game are symbolic of the presence of this God, and potentially serves as an anchor for it to assist in the maintenance of the landscape. Some clues eluding to us that it is indeed a cult were the bloodied altars in the forest sections, as well as a weird book lying on one of the chairs in the Caddyshack. The inscription on the front cover is hard to make out.

The three enemies that stalk you through the game are Greener Grass employees, and are the poster children for both the cult and company given they are one and the same. The 'bizarre ad' that plays at the end also features the same trio, and the song played in it has lyrics hinting towards the company's true intentions. Some of these notable lyrics are: "my life is not what I imagined", "what if you could find that green, and all you had to do was come with me?", "it's the answer to your problems if you come with me". Definitely ominous, and the cult's whole ordeal with 'greener grass awaits you' is a play on the proverb of "the grass is greener on the other side".

Essentially, it is a cult that capitalises off people's insecure dissatisfaction with their own lives (which is pretty much in character for most cults in the real world anyways), takes advantage of sentiments of envy stemmed similarly, all with the lure that you will be happy if you join them. However, the cult does not just follow the stereotypical 'what if happiness was evil' trope, but because their motif is directly tied to the deity they serve under.

The 'Angels': The forests between the temples and altars are occupied with a crowd of stone statues that have that trademark grin the employees had. The angels operate in a very unique mechanism. Unlike the trio employees that stalk closer when your back is turned on them, the statues littering the forest grounds follow another modified system of the weeping angel formula - the second you stay with them in the dark without a light source, it will prompt flashing visages of their faces to psychicly overwhelm your vision. They do not directly attack you, instead choosing to paralyse you in with their surrounding numbers if you're left to wander in the darkness. I call them 'angels' as they seem to be closer to the original weeping angel family in terms of how they work, but also due to the fact that they look much more friendly in the light. They are also enthusiastic statues who rotate between striking an unnecessarily cute abundance of poses. All these poses involve them expressing their joy, almost in ecstasy. Praising, worshipping...something. The ironic liveliness of their poses grants them an impression that they are dancing behind your back.

I also like the detail that when a light source is on them, their expressions are always shut-eyed, but with the visages that flash repeatedly in dark areas, even if you can't see them well, the game shows you that their eyes are open, and thus the impression their expressions give off is that they're mocking you.

On their own, the angels are not a difficult enemy given their psychic esque attacks are ceased with keeping the light close to you. But this game is sadistic, so it eventually throws in the Greener Grass employees into the forests as well. What occurs then is that you're forced to move away constantly - so you either get killed by the employee for trying to keep the light with you, or you're killed by the angels once the employee drives you out of the light's radius. Extremely evil. Once again, it is to enforce the idea that everything that wants to kill you in the game are in cahoots with each other. Another minor detail I noticed was that the trio employees from the Greener Grass commercial also broke into dances over something viewed as trivial as growing lawn grass, which is likely a parallel to the Angels' poses. The expression of 'dancing' and a carved, permanent grin, I think, is done to honour their God.

A God: The overseer of the Greener Grass cult, a deity not from our familiar world who is connected to trees, nature, and most importantly, joy. The final enemy of this game is Exuberance, an eldritch divinity who has nefarious intentions of fully crossing over to 'our' world once the Last Sacrifice is Broke Open. A face with a grin stretched wide by tree branches.

Exuberance is an interesting name as it is generally defined by 'the quality of being full of energy, excitement, and cheerfulness; ebullience.' It's not simply the emotion of happiness, but rather, referring to a state of high spirits, of ecstatic liveliness being. Furthermore, and perhaps this is merely a clever coincidence, but 'exuberance' can also be used to describe, 'the quality of growing profusely; luxuriance' particularly with plants, which would circle back to how it is related to trees and the Greener Grass cult. The entities associated with Exuberance are then constantly in a state of 'bliss' and carve their own faces to resemble their deity. After all, since when was the last time you felt so happy the only method of expressing it is through a dance? It's a primal trait, undoubtedly.

It is thus speculated that this God is quite ancient given the appearance of its realm, the forest, contains archaic architecture of temples. Yet, the bodies we find on the sacrificial altars are fresh, the blood more red than rust. Exuberance had been collecting human sacrifices through its cult, as evident by the large amount of bodies/souls that are released whenever the deity takes damage. It has that same air of confidence and arrogance towards humans that most eldritch Gods carry themselves with. Likes to speak a lot. Here are all of its lines:

Abandon this endeavor. You can't kill a God! You will join me eventually, everyone does!

Now I realise who I'm talking to! No matter. Your suit of flesh is fragile. I will break it open, and you will pour out. That body will be the last sacrifice I need.

You cannot keep that world! I will take your dinner from you.

Upon your first playthrough, though, Exuberance's dialogue sounds like complete gibberish or madness when the context is not made clear yet. This whole journey thus far has not made much sense on how it transitions from casual golfing to killing a God, how Green Canyon Golf Club has to do with a cult; but it will hopefully become clearer with the next introduction: The Protagonist.

The Protagonist: Our local golfer may not just be as local as we thought.

We've discussed the setting and the enemies. Now we must talk about the main character: yourself. In the game, you have no reflection to view your character's appearance, but if it helps in any way, you seem to be slightly shorter than the majority of the enemies and NPCs you encounter. This isn't important information, I just think it's funny. Your character is generally regarded as a weirdo, even speculated to be mentally unstable or inebriated by some people discussing this game. The signs seem to be there: vaulting fences into a premium golf course after dark to play golf in the dark, having a tendency to stare at other characters straight in the eyes, unsettling even the security guard, and appears to be obsessed with the sport of golf. Your character is played up to be an infatuated madman with the latter, with mental barriers scribbled about how they wouldn't miss golf for the world, and the leading theory as a result was that the entire game was a hallucination birthed from their obsession with golf, or rather, too bloody drunk and passed out with strange dreams near the canyon. This would have been the case until you consider two things: Firstly, despite claiming to be a hardcore golfer, your character carries around a beginner's guide on the sport, and has only a simple putter and driver in their sling bag. When you kill Exuberance and wake up in front of the club's front door, you also do not recall where you were, only recognising your car was parked, and that you should leave. Not recognising Green Canyon Golf Club indicates to us that something is off, given as discussed prior, it is an infamous place for golfing, and had the character really been a die-hard for the sport, they would have realised it without problem. Secondly, the character you play from the start to the end of the boss fight compared to when you wake up seem to have differing personalities. The character you have been stuck with seems to know what they're doing at all times, and gives instructions on their next move. They're stiff, rigid, and are not easily excitable even in the face of the stalking employees or a dead body. They don't seem to care much about anything at all except for an odd aversion to water, as well as wanting to kill Exuberance. What is even stranger is that the font for the character's monologue is completely different after the boss fight ends.

During the game:

After the game/ending:

The former is more messy, like it's written by hand. The latter is a plain font. This implies that something about your character has changed — the truth was that you were possessed all along, most likely by another eldritch God whom is not Exuberance, and came to the golf course to slay it. There are some allusions to you being a separate eldritch entity: Exuberance recognises you. Not the character you were playing as, but whatever that was occupying the human vessel temporarily. An eldritch God has no reason to remember or know a mere human, after all, hence explaining the second and third line of dialogue by it in the temples, as well as why when the original owner of the body wakes up, they have no recollection of what occured whatsoever, and, effectively as other players have thought - it's all chalked up to both the ordinary you and the players as 'just a dream'.

Your character also refers to themselves as "this body" whenever you enter the water as the vessel you are possessing has no swimming skills. At the very start of the game, you even get to 'choose body'. You're choosing a vessel suitable to your liking to possess. What is more evident as well is the ominous answers that you can use to respond to whatever the NPCs are saying, as well as frightening them due to the possibility even they knew you felt off. You would often hear screams drone louder and louder in the background whenever you got near to these NPCs, as they are actually dead. We 'hear' the truth from what is not directly told to us by these spirits that were trying to advise against proceeding deeper into the course.

Yet, we proceed. The enemies would have directly charged at you from the get-go instead of waiting for you to look away since the way you look at something (eyes are the windows to the soul, and I wonder what kind of thing they would see in the place of one when others look at you) since you clearly hold a certain influence over them by presence and stare alone. The undead should have nothing to fear, and yet even they practice caution against something that reminds them of their patron God. Another reason I believe you're being possessed is because the font you have always used in the game feels handwritten, the same way Exuberance's font is more cursive and messy. Clearly, you are a deity by some means, just a different kind with different intentions; some intentions that are left unanswered even after finishing the game.

Just what exactly does all of this writing amount to?

The Final Story: An expansive golf course known as the Green Canyon Golf Club opens up in 1982 after being renovated from its previously barren state. It was founded on a large island, featuring a diverse, challenging number of holes for people to enjoy while they traverse the canyon's scenery. In order to maintain the green and natural state of the course, Green Canyon managers hired a company known as Greener Grass to assist them. Greener Grass co. appeared to be a rather new company, having only few reviews, but an eye catching advertisement and specialises in the lawn keeping for large, remote areas, which seemed to fit the canyon's liking and geographic description. The hired company set to work, transplanting in gorgeous trees supposedly from Europe, as well as using their own brand of soil to allow the environment of the course to prosper. The environment was clearly well tended to, with the course even forbidding golf carts due to how sensitive and delicate the fields were, as well as advising golfers to not hit their balls into the trees as native birds nested there. Despite these rules, the course was fairly prestigious, its popularity captured in several sports magazines.

What was unknown to the club, however, was that this lawnscape company they hired was actually a cult, and the permission to freely introduce foreign flora to the land had been with the company's intention to bring in anchors tied to the God they made contact with, Exuberance. Through the golf course and perhaps other places not mentioned, Exuberance had been steadily increasing its influence over the human world as it received more and more sacrifices thanks to its formidable cult. The cult worked in a caddyshack on the golf course, and would lure in members of the golfing club with normal statements of refreshments available, only to offer them up as sacrifices to the altars of the temple. The sacrificed bodies were then burned and made into the materials the Greener Grass front used to maintain the lush landscapes. Countless rinse and repeat sessions of bloodshed later, Exuberance required just one more body still to cross over to the human world and, from there, become unstoppable with the fact that its associating flora were planted everywhere by the cult by then.

But the violent rituals of the Greener Grass cult had resulted in innocent souls trapped on the grounds of the course and realm in-between worlds. The souls screamed in their fate of immortalised anguish, and eventually this unbearable abundance of noise roused the deity of the human world from its previous state of inaction. Exuberance is a source of insolence, believing it could attempt to compete with Us for the world we looked after. Something must come out of this. The problem was that Exuberance's realm was closed off, difficult to penetrate without proper mobility. A plan was thus hatched: possess a suitable vessel to appear human in order to get closer to the home of the enemy. It risked vulnerability as the human body was fragile and had a mind occupying it already, but that doesn't matter when casting a heavy filter of obsession with the sport would properly motivate them to do the bidding. This different deity knows that Green Canyon Golf Club had been discreetly converted to a massive ritual ground at this point, and playing by the rules of the world of golf, even if tedious, was necessary to reaching the gateway and destroy the anchors tied to Exuberance.

You play the role of a victim as the undead start to stalk from behind, but something was off about this sacrifice, and the employees take turns reporting back to their God of this issue. Exuberance believed the disguise of a human, not being aware of what laid hidden under the layers of blood and bones. You finish the 12th hole, enter the caddyshack, and find yourself where you wanted to be: on the turf of the enemy's temples. Staying in the light was vital to survival here, and as fresh blood collects in the basin of the altar from a previous sacrifice, the innocence of a stolen life had purified to form a glowing orb. An orb that lights up like a star in the dreary landscape, taking the filth of flesh as it goes. By the time Exuberance had realised the scheme of a trojan horse, you had already successfully killed the trees, and all that was left was to kill Exuberance itself. With each swing, you take out pieces of the God, releasing the souls into the surroundings.

The fight ends with a clear victor, and you wake up outside of the golf club with no recollection of any of this. The deity possessing your vessel had relinquished control, allowing you to continue your life as normal. What occurs after then is unclear, as the advertisement sings its jingle, and we get to see the spine of a book inscribed with strange symbols on the right as the game ends with the sound of a closing door.

TLDR; Local grass cult goes overboard with human sacrifice rituals, acidentally summons worse eldritch being to kill their patron deity just so it would shut up. Happy golfing!

#Grass Archives #Greener Grass Awaits #Greener Grass Awaits game #today on: explaining things to the thin air #i really like the game's lore since it's written like a proper cosmic horror/lvcraft esque #but even outside of ignoring the lore it's an effective horror game #and by that i mean it takes advantage of paranoid people (me)#sound design and songs for this game rock too #Yatoimtop Archives

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treemoverusa · 9 months ago

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Rooted in Innovation: Environmental Design, Inc. Redefines Tree Relocation

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In the bustling landscape of urban development, where concrete jungles often overshadow the natural beauty of our surroundings, preserving greenery has become a paramount concern. Yet, progress sometimes demands sacrifices. That's where Environmental Design, Inc. steps in, pioneering a remarkable solution: large-scale tree moving.

In a world where every tree matters, the art of relocating them has become a vital skill. From towering oak trees to majestic palms, Environmental Design, Inc. specializes in the delicate choreography of uprooting and replanting these arboreal giants, ensuring they thrive in new environments.

Moving trees may seem like an unconventional business, but for Environmental Design, Inc., it's a passion deeply rooted in their commitment to environmental sustainability and green urban planning. With a fleet of state-of-the-art equipment and a team of skilled arborists, they've transformed tree relocation into an art form.

Imagine the scene: a towering oak, centuries-old, standing proudly in the path of progress. Instead of facing the ax, it's carefully cradled by the expert hands of Environmental Design, Inc.'s technicians. Utilizing innovative techniques and specialized machinery, they excavate the tree's roots with surgical precision, preserving its intricate network intact.

But the magic doesn't stop there. Transporting these arboreal behemoths is a feat in itself. With custom-designed trucks and trailers, Environmental Design, Inc. ensures a smooth journey for their leafy passengers, minimizing stress and maximizing comfort. It's a sight to behold – a convoy of trees, gracefully traversing highways and byways, bound for their new homes.

Arriving at their destination, the real work begins. With meticulous care, the team at Environmental Design, Inc. prepares the soil, creating a nurturing environment for the transplanted trees to thrive. Every aspect, from watering schedules to nutrient supplementation, is meticulously planned to ensure a seamless transition.

But it's not just about relocation; it's about transformation. Environmental Design, Inc. doesn't just move trees; they redefine landscapes. Whether it's greening up urban streetscapes or enhancing corporate campuses, their expertise turns visions into reality. Picture a barren plaza transformed into a lush oasis, thanks to the strategic placement of relocated trees – it's the epitome of green design.

Beyond the aesthetic appeal, there are tangible benefits to tree relocation. Mature trees provide instant shade, improve air quality, and act as natural carbon sinks, mitigating the effects of climate change. By preserving these living landmarks, Environmental Design, Inc. contributes to a more sustainable future, one tree at a time.

But perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Environmental Design, Inc.'s work is their dedication to conservation. In partnership with environmental organizations and government agencies, they rescue trees from development sites slated for clearance, giving them a second chance at life. It's a testament to their unwavering commitment to preserving our natural heritage.

As word spreads of their groundbreaking work, Environmental Design, Inc. has garnered nationwide acclaim. From coast to coast, their signature green trucks have become synonymous with environmental stewardship and innovation. Developers, city planners, and conservationists alike turn to them for solutions, knowing that when it comes to moving trees, there's no one better.

In the ever-evolving landscape of urban development, the need for sustainable solutions has never been greater. Environmental Design, Inc. stands at the forefront of this movement, blazing a trail for a greener, more vibrant future. Theirs is a story of innovation, passion, and the enduring power of nature – one that reminds us that with a little creativity, even the tallest trees can find new roots.

In conclusion, Environmental Design, Inc. isn't just in the business of moving trees; they're in the business of transforming landscapes and preserving our natural heritage for generations to come. So, the next time you see a tree gracefully making its way down the highway, remember – it's not just a tree; it's a symbol of progress, innovation, and the indomitable spirit of nature. And behind it all stands Environmental Design, Inc., redefining what it means to move trees.

#environmental design #moving trees #large tree transplanting #big tree movers #tree transplanting company #mature tree transplanting #tree moving service #tree relocation service #Youtube

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treemoverus · 10 months ago

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Moving Giants: Environmental Design, Inc. Revolutionizing Large Tree Transplanting Nationwide

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In the world of landscape design and urban planning, the significance of mature trees cannot be overstated. They are not merely ornamental features but vital components of ecosystems, providing shade, oxygen, and habitat for countless species. However, when development projects necessitate their relocation, the task becomes daunting. Enter Environmental Design, Inc. (EDI), the pioneering force behind nationwide large tree transplanting services.

Large tree transplanting is more than just moving a tree from one location to another. It requires meticulous planning, specialized equipment, and expert knowledge to ensure the tree's survival and successful establishment in its new environment. EDI has been at the forefront of this industry for decades, offering unparalleled expertise and cutting-edge techniques to preserve and relocate trees of all sizes.

With a team of certified arborists, landscape architects, and horticulturists, EDI approaches each large tree transplanting project with a holistic understanding of tree biology and environmental factors. From initial site assessment to post-transplant care, every step is carefully coordinated to minimize stress on the tree and maximize its chances of thriving in its new home.

One of the key challenges in large tree transplanting is the preservation of the tree's root system. Unlike smaller trees, mature specimens have extensive root networks that are crucial for their stability and nutrient uptake. EDI employs state-of-the-art tree spades and root ball extraction techniques to minimize root disturbance during the transplant process, ensuring that the tree retains its ability to anchor itself and access essential nutrients and water.

Furthermore, EDI understands the importance of proper site preparation to facilitate the tree's transition. Soil composition, drainage, and microclimate conditions all play a significant role in determining the tree's long-term health and vitality. EDI's team of experts evaluates these factors meticulously, implementing soil amendments and irrigation systems as needed to create an optimal growing environment for the transplanted tree.

In addition to technical expertise, EDI prioritizes sustainability and environmental stewardship in its large tree transplanting operations. The company utilizes eco-friendly practices and adheres to industry best practices to minimize ecological impact and promote biodiversity. By preserving mature trees and integrating them into new development projects, EDI helps maintain the ecological balance and enhance the aesthetic value of urban landscapes.

One of the most remarkable aspects of EDI's large tree transplanting services is their ability to tackle projects of any scale, from single tree relocations to massive transplanting operations involving dozens of specimens. Whether it's transplanting heritage oaks for a historic preservation project or relocating mature trees to make way for infrastructure development, EDI has the expertise and resources to handle the job with precision and care.

Moreover, EDI's nationwide reach ensures that clients across the country can benefit from their unparalleled expertise in large tree transplanting. With offices strategically located in key metropolitan areas, EDI can mobilize quickly and efficiently to serve clients in urban centers, suburban communities, and rural landscapes alike. No matter where the project is located, EDI delivers the same level of professionalism, quality, and attention to detail that has made them a trusted leader in the industry.

In conclusion, Environmental Design, Inc. stands as a beacon of innovation and excellence in the field of large tree transplanting. With their unmatched expertise, state-of-the-art equipment, and commitment to sustainability, EDI continues to redefine the possibilities of preserving and relocating mature trees across the nation. For anyone in need of large tree transplanting services, EDI is the partner of choice, ensuring that these natural treasures continue to thrive for generations to come.

#environmental design #moving trees #large tree transplanting #big tree movers #tree transplanting company #mature tree transplanting #tree moving service #tree relocation service #Youtube

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xiangqiankua · 11 months ago

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It is rice planting time in north Taiwan, and I realised I was at a loss for rice cultivation terminology, but never fear, there is no shortage of information for the curious. Some select vocab from the article (which is largely informative photos): 秧苗 yāngmiáo / seedling 稻作 dào zuò / rice cultivation 綠油油 lǜyóuyóu / lush green 茁壯 zhuózhuàng / healthy and strong 縱谷 zòng gǔ / longitudinal valley (an elongated valley found between two almost-parallel mountain chains) 插秧 chāyāng / to transplant rice seedlings 稻穗 dào suì / rice ear 稻米 dàomǐ / rice crop 綠肥 lǜféi / green manure (a crop specifically cultivated to be incorporated into the soil while still green) 插秧機 chāyāng jī / rice transplanter 拔除 báchú / root up, pull out (of weeds) 纍纍 léiléi, pr. lěilěi in Tw / heaps of [fruit]- in this article they write 結實纍纍 but the more common phrase seems to be 果實纍纍 (or 累累), fruit hanging heavy on the trees 稻穀 dàogǔ / unhusked rice 發芽 fāyá / to germinate, sprout 功虧一簣 gōngkuīyīkuì / an entire enterprise ruined over one small thing 收割 shōugē / to harvest, reap 休耕 xiūgēng / leave farmland to lie fallow 催芽 cuīyá / to promote germination 秧盤 yāng pán / seedling tray 耕耘 gēngyún / to plow and weed 覓食 mì shí / to forage for food (of animals) 耕作 gēngzuò / farming, cultivation

#working in the rice fields looks very romantic as one passes by but i'm sure being there all day is less fun #mandarin #chinese #traditional characters #rice #at first i thought about doing an article per day but unless they're really short idk if that's realistic #then again a little bit every day is usually better than a lot at large intervals!#article

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neil-for-me13 · 1 year ago

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Growing Pain

Chapter I - Sowing Sorrows

“I was never really insane except upon occasions when my heart was touched.” ― Edgar Allan Poe A typical Nevermore student, that's what you are. Most of your free time grossly consists of anything that is flora related or your other interests. During your third year you practically lived either in the greenhouse or out by the garden fields. Merrily you were whistling a tune out in your own little field that you cultivated at the far edge of nevermore forest and away from the lupin cages. It was early spring just in time for your germinated plants to peak out from its pot and to be transplanted to the rich plot of garden soil. The afternoon sun was out and just enough to beamed through the canopies. The wind was perfect to ease the grueling labor that awaits you. You were excited to plant your new varieties of belladonnas and foxgloves, maybe this time the new fertilizer would finally let them bloom. The last one made hydrangeas wilt even though the rainy season was perfect for them to thrive. Perhaps he’s it's a little acidic for the poor flower. This time you took the time to observe your compost for any potential inadequacies before processing him the plant food. Months of preparation and research with a little bit of footwork; You hope this fertilizer was worth the effort. Everyone was so invested in him, you’re a little bit curious as to why. You were digging small holes for your germinated belladonnas, when you sensed a presence behind, quietly approaching. You continued whistling and transplanting the first of your plants, now fully aware that a heavy platformed-shoe wearing individual would actually talk or threaten you before going for the kill; and even then no one can harm you in your own garden. No one. “Y/N, did you kill the hyde?” Oof, first name call out. 3 meters away and the forest breeze still carried her scent to you. Then you thought about how her scent would perfectly pair with the plants that you were in the midst of growing beneath you. Of course her scent would be perfect for your deadly wild greenery. A large inhale with the light breeze would cause your eyes to visibly dilate, thankfully she can only see your back from behind.

“Hello to you too, Wednesday.” You continued to shovel the soil for the next plant in the row without turning around to face her. Knowing that her temper would grow sour when you deliberately ignore her opening inquiry, you can’t help but smirk a little when she stomps a little bit closer to you. “Answer the question, Y/N.” Her tone clipped and the question loaded with accusation. You note that you didn’t need the breeze anymore to smell her scent, although a little bit sharp you relished it anyway. This has got you thinking if the body can produce enzymes and proteins based on emotions; would a horrible, tortured, and fear-stricken fertilizer be good to your plants’ nutrition. You were suddenly deep in thought that you forgot to answer her question or is it an accusation now? Because the next moment you were reminded how impatient Wednesday can be. With rushed paces she closed in on you, grabbed your sweaty collar and made you face her. “What was the question again?” you smiled coyly. “I will not repeat myself, Y/N '' she snarled, brows furrowing and deep brown eyes narrowing. Oh wow, in your squatting position she looks towering but not the city skyscrapers more like red wood trees. The sun was filtered through the leaves leaving specks of sun rays reflected upon her freckles. If you hoped she didn’t see your dilating eyes awhile ago, that hope is long gone now. You shamelessly took your time to take in all of her facial features from her fiery eyes, to her nose, to her cheeks, the hidden eyebrows, and then her lips. You softened your eyes and adjusted your position to inch closer to her ear. Careful not to touch her with your soiled gloves. “If I said no, would you believe me?” you say as you notice her shudder a little. “No. The possibility that you have caused the hyde to disappear is higher than any of my other suspects.” she uttered without moving away or inching closer while she still held on to your collar. I could live forever in this moment, Wednesday, your scent is heavenly and you’re holding me like you’re afraid that I’ll fall off the earth once you let me go. This moment in my garden (our) garden is to die for. You are to kill for.

“I take offense that you have others in mind, Wednesday. Although I admit I am quite curious on how I became your number one and had the privilege to be visited miles away from the comfort of your writing desk. And minutes away from your writing time I might add.” you inch closer again to the reddening shell of her outer ear and puff out a breath, restraining yourself not to bite;not yet.

Your breath seems to jolt Wednesday to life, she lets your collar go and then you plop down the ground. You let out a chuckle. Knowing the effect you had, to make Wednesday elicit such a physical reaction.

You smile and look up at her, ah the bliss of seeing her cheeks tinted light blush with embarrassment mixed with the tumultuous red with fury; the privilege of witnessing such displays of outward emotions can be only yours. Mine. My privilege. Only mine.

“May I interest you for some tea while you unfold how you think I did the crime you think I committed?” you slowly dusted yourself off then stood to collect your unplanted flowers and garden tools. Leaving your half-done grounds for another day.

“I don’t have coffee beans yet; I’ll have them planted by the summer.” You stretched your back and turned to wink at her. “For your coffee addiction.” And to keep you from going back to that fucking Weathervane.

Wednesday blinked at your invitation, still seemingly flustered from your antics. You stood waiting for her to gather her walls and consent to your impromptu tea-party.

“I still have some arsenic and cyanide if you want a little kick to your tea.” you entice. “Cyanide.” she nods. She stood still, eyes tracked your next move. You offer a small smile and then walk towards a small shed to stow your baggage and store your gloves and apron. Beside the shed was a small awning with a table and two chairs. You ushered her towards the chair, aware that her eyes were following you and still vigilant with your movement. “Staring at me like you’ll devour me. Why darling, I’m flattered.” You continue to put away your tools and begin to prepare the water for boiling and locate the stored tea leaves. “You know if you were to kill me, the tools in your shed wouldn’t suffice.” she misdirects your last statement, while eyeing every equipment hanged meticulously in your tool shed like an arsenal.

“That much I know, Darling.” you smirked. She proceeded to walk over to one of the chairs to sit. While you lit the flame of a small camping burner by a small counter.

“I’ll make the tea just sit there and in a while we’ll begin to talk about your deductions; Well.. you’ll talk and I’ll listen.” You say as you begin to pour the boiling water into the tea pot.

You picked out a half emptied Earl Grey tea leaves, dark and well suited for the caffeine levels that (your) Wednesday craved. The powerful aroma of bitterness and bergamot wafted when the leaves were submerged into the teapot. You paused and looked at her as she was taking in every little detail of your garden, her head pointing to the direction of the section she wanted to scan. The plot lands, the fruiting trees, the numerous bushels, the small diy greenhouse for the herbs as well as the seedlings, and the compost processing pit.

It was a rustic garden that was almost a homestead that you did all by yourself and she respected that, and your collection of poisonous plots elicits a tiny warmth in her heart remembering how her mother would have adored talking your ear off all day about them.

The afternoon light bounced off on her face just right that even a godless stranger would call her divine. Her perfectly weaved braids, posture so straight that you’d swear she had those corrective braces if you’d only just met her, her smooth cheeks that's sprinkled with constellations of freckles, her lips slightly pursed for when she’s formulating thoughts inside of her sharp-witted mind, and her eyes; the most luscious brown of leather patina that reflected her sentiments. You know this is true because her eyes are now glowering at you.

“Might you be steeping it a little too long or is this one of your delaying tactics? She speculates now fully facing you, which made you smile.

“Darling, if I intend to keep you here for a long time I’d be thinking of doing other fun activities rather than drinking tea wouldn’t you agree?”

You place your tea set and a small vial of cyanide onto a tray and make your way toward her. You arrange each cup on the table neatly and set aside the platter.

You sauntered behind her with the tea pot, leaned down close enough for you to sneak a glance at her, poured out a decent amount of darkened tea and sprinkled a teaspoon worth of the almond flavored toxin.

“And I happen to know you preferred your beverages darker and deadlier than most. Although you can say the same if you tried some pepsi or cola.” your head turned to her to gauge out her reaction.

“ Surely, you jest.” She turned toward you to scowl at the idea of her ingesting anything that was sickeningly sweet. Your faces so close that a strong gust of wind can knock you off your feet and your lips might accidentally collide with hers.

“Don’t knock it until you try it.” you shrugged, walking back to your seat and settling down to your seat across from her. You served yourself some tea and took a sip to ease her growing suspicions towards the drink.

“Okay now we’re set, you have the floor. Cara mia.” you smiled deviously. Author's Note: My first ever delve into fanfiction territory. Long time reader but amateur writer. Suggestions and questions are welcome.

#wednesday addams #wednesday #wednesday x reader #wednesday x you #fanfiction #growing pain

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