#like. tiny insects are fine. and spiders with tiny bodies

[spinner-of-yarns]

Discovering a spider when you’re home alone is truly the worst.

[bogleech]

Many parasites takeover the minds and bodies of insects, spiders or other creatures, making them like zombies. You’ve listed some in spider-ween and other places. Do you know any parasites that take over bees? I know wasps lay their eggs in their larva, but haven’t really found anything about those that pilot a bee’s body.

Strepsipterans! Also frequently just called "Stylops"

These are the weirdest most alien insect group in existence. What you're seeing are the head ends of the mature females; their bodies are just bags of tissue that absorb nutrients from the host, so they no longer have any trace of limbs or wings and their flat little heads no longer have mouths or eyes.

The only reason the female's heads stick out of the host at all is because the head evolved into the end they mate with. The short-lived mature male is a very tiny flying thing (whose anatomy is unlike any other insect alive today - a totally unique type of wing, unique eye arrangement, we have NO idea what these evolved from, except for some loose connections to beetles!) who mates by breaking through the female's featureless armored face with his bladed genitalia and then he dies. And Strepsiptera can be found infecting all sorts of arthropods, even apparently some arachnids, but none of those arthropods really tend to sit still when a little tiny flying man tries to land on them, so the females usually do something to their hosts (we aren't sure what exactly) to make them slower and more complacent. Social Hymenoptera like bees are especially common hosts though, and when a worker bee or wasp is infected by stylops, she actually abandons her colony and her duties for extended periods of time to just perch in one place while the parasite broadcasts its mating pheromones. This is especially eerie from the bee's perspective; a worker bee is a female bee that wasn't allowed to become a queen and isn't "supposed" to be going around mating, but now she's sitting around waiting for a male just like any other bug that wants to be a mom. It's just not a male of her species and she's not the one who gets to reproduce. Is the parasite tapping into buried queen behavior? Does the bee's little brain think it's calling for a drone to help it start a new hive? Or does the parasite just make the bee a lazy slob who stops caring about her hive and just feels like chilling out on a flower all day? We might never know.

Here are those unique eyes of the male for anyone wondering. Not set in a fine multifaceted grid like in other insects, but clustered, still set in their own individual "sockets" like we see in much more ancient arthropods like trilobites! This suggests that Strepsipteran eyes date back to when insects were first beginning to evolve towards true compound eyes, but there still aren't many insects in the fossil record that have anything else in common with these animals. EDIT: oh yeah I forgot to include that these are in the children's book made by @revretch and I!

I did the rough pencil sketch of this page while Rev did the beautiful inks! I felt kids should know about these animals but I tried to explain it in the most kid-friendly way possible.

[luveline]

Thinking about Eddie going out to get dinner while reader is over!! Reader sees a big bug and doesn’t want to deal with it/tries to trap it so Eddie can deal with it, but Roan legit just picks it up and let’s it go easy while reader is like “roan my hero T_T!!!” Reader def brings over presents for Roan the next visit because of that LOL.

thank u for ur request lovely! eddie and roan —your boyfriend's trailer attracts creepy crawlies, but luckily his young daughter knows how to catch them. 1.3k

The thing about Eddie's trailer is that, while he's more than made it a home, it is full of bugs. Maybe because the trailer park is a huge field of grass, maybe because of the forest surrounding, you're guaranteed to find a bug or two every time you visit.

Sometimes you get lucky with small moths to be herded back out of the kitchen door. Occasionally, spindly spiders on lines of sink drop down into the room and are swiftly captured by Eddie in an open palm. You have never, ever faced this particular brand of misfortune before. 

"What is that?" you squeal, pulling Roan hard against your chest.

She's small, and before your violent flinch, she'd been quite comfortable sitting atop your thigh, her back to your chest. "Woah!" she says, her voice very high. 

"Holy crap," you say, again and again as you shuffle down the couch and off of the side of it. 

As soon as you can stand without fearing for your life, you pull Roan to your chest, her short legs dangling from either side of your thigh. Letting your new boyfriend's daughter die via a mysterious bug bite would be extremely uncool. You quite like her, and her dad's fine (you feel this yawning pit at the very bottom of your stomach whenever you think about how much you want this to work, how much you already love them). 

"Princess, what is that?" you ask, though as soon as you've finished asking, you realise it's nothing nefarious after all. 

She tips herself back in your arms, assessing the bug upside down. "Uh. That's a mildi-pede." 

The bug is long and brown, segments of its body curved and multi-legged. It moves with tiny footsteps but makes good progress, crawling across the wooden slates toward the rug. 

Eddie is the bug catcher. You're the celebrator —he grabs a cup and a piece of paper to sequester whichever insect has decided it must harass you that night, and you get to thank him for being brave with kisses that are somehow shy and congratulatory at once. You're allowed to kiss him, now, whenever you like, but each one makes your lips tingle. 

"You get a lot of those?" you ask. 

"You've never seened one?" Roan asks. 

You live in Indiana, so of course you've seen a millipede. But, you know, normal millipedes, not mutant ones the length of your forearm. 

"I feel like I haven't," you confess, your pulse thudding against your chest. 

"Where did it go?" Roan asks, wriggling to be put down on her own two feet. She sounds far more curious than afraid.

You put her down on the rug and peer over Roan's play picnic table cautiously. You're ninety nine percent sure that millipedes can't hurt people, but you're scared shitless anyhow. 

"Your dad will be back with Chinese food, soon," you say, stepping backwards as Roan creeps forward. It's adorable. You'd coo if your nerves weren't frazzled. "Maybe we could go wait at the kitchen table." 

You'd rather wait for him to come home than deal with it yourself. The thought of somehow touching it makes your skin crawl. 

"She's a super duper long one," Roan calls, dropping to her knees. 

"Roan?" you call back hesitantly. "Uh, don't do whatever it is you're doing. Come on, I'll make you a fun fruity drink again like last week while we wait for your daddy?" 

You bite the tip of your tongue so hard you're sure you've sheared the tip clean off when Roan turns back to you, the wretched (innocent) creature racing its legs uselessly as she holds it up in the light. 

You wrap your arms around your own chest. "Holy crap, babe! Put it down!" 

"Daddy says the bugs aren't scary, they just wanted to have somewhere warm to sleep!" 

"Your daddy is very smart," you concede, strained, easing away as Roan comes closer. The creepy crawly is a contrast to her silky lilac pyjamas and ruffled socks, its armoured carapace shining as it metronomes with each step she takes. "But I'm not as brave as you both." 

"If you open the door, I can put her outside," Roan says, as though you're the child and she's the adult, her tone softened by that seemingly endless patience Eddie possesses. 

You keep your doubt (your disbelief? your awe?) to yourself and cross the short distance to the front door to open it as she commanded. Roan rushes out onto the small porch and down the steps, crouching in the grass to place the millipede down with the utmost care. It's dark out, and she's unafraid, the path lit only by orange light slipping from inside the trailer and the weak headlights of an oncoming car. 

You descend the steps and join her. 

"Here you go, missy mildi-pede, back to the grass," she murmurs. The millipede's back legs cling to her hand. Roan runs out of sweetness and shakes her free. 

You breathe in the cool night air for a moment, watching with Roan as the millipede crawls out of sight between tall blades of bluegrass. 

"You're very brave," you say. You feel a little sheepish to have been rescued by her. 

"Daddy says that all the time," she agrees proudly. 

You offer her your hand and stand tall together as the headlights become apparent. Your car (with Eddie driving, to avoid a game of driveway leap frog) pulls into the space behind his own. He waves when he sees you both behind the windshield, getting out of the car with the takeout bag looped around his wrist. 

"Hi girls," he says, closing the door with his hip. "What're you doing, sending out a search party? I wasn't gone that long." 

"I had to– I had to bring a mildi-pede outside because Y/N was scared," Roan says, her sentence punctuated with a roaring giggle as Eddie swoops her up into his arms, takeout bag and all. 

"Oh yeah?" he asks, smothering her answer with kisses. 

You bracelet your wrist in the other hand sheepishly. 

Eddie doesn't look up. You assume you've gotten away with not knowing what to say until he pops Roan on his hip, reaching for you. More shameful than your inability to deal with a bug by yourself is how urgently you step into his side. He wraps an arm around your shoulder, the takeout bag hot against your back, his lips curled into a fond smile as he murmurs, "D'you finally see the spider in the bathroom?" 

You tilt your face into his cheek kisses. "No?" you ask. 

"I'm calling him Gregory," Roan says.

"He's not that big," Eddie promises, leaning back to stroke your face.

"She saved me from the world's grossest millipede."

"Were you kind?" Eddie asks her.

Roan puts a little hand over her heart. "Duh, daddy."

"She's wicked with them, isn't she? She grabs them like they're nothing," he says to you, his hand rubbing down your arm before he passes you the take out bag. Roan must weigh heavy after a long day; he needs both arms to keep her up. They grin at each other with twin mouths. "She's fearless. Thanks for saving Y/N, babe." 

"I like Y/N," Roan says earnestly. 

You like Roan too —your saviour. You bring her a big Dotty Dolly set the next time you're lucky enough to be invited over, an entomologist Dolly with khaki cargo shorts and a butterfly net. Roan loves it, and Eddie's evidently appreciative, sitting you half on top of his lap as you watch her tear it open with his arms crossed lovingly over your tummy. 

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

Square-Legged Camel Cricket - Tropidischia xanthostoma

In the darkness of a cave, the great crawling legs and thin antennae of this creature could be mistaken for those of a great spider searching for a meal. Fortunately, when the lights come on, a sigh of relief can be breathed knowing that this creature is merely a harmless Orthopteran. With how long those legs are, you can imagine the wide leg-span this insect could display while she clings to a cave wall. Its no wonder why this cave dweller is also known as a Spider Cricket (it does not shoot webs nor pounce on insect-themed supervillains). More accurately, this nocturnal friend is a Camel Cricket - of the family Rhaphidophoridae - which are known for their hunchbacked appearance, somewhat long extremities, and a lack of wings. The lattermost trait also means that they do not sing or chirp, and they aren't likely to stridulate either. As for those long extremities, this Cricket is a cave dweller and well adapted to a dark environment, relying on her stretched legs and antennae in order to interpret the environment around her. On the subject of those legs, they are the key to a successful identification! On the west coast (and going south) of North America, there are no other Orthopterous species that resemble it, but one should still make sure. All of the legs should be very long and the femurs and tibiae should be inspected. The former is lined with ridges that appear to square up the leg, and the femur is somewhat square in shape lengthwise. If you look closely, you can see fine hairs, ridges and spikes along the legs.

Although a cave dweller, this specie has retained its eyes, which is a surprise given that many cave systems may have no light source. This specie likely gets more use out of its eyes as a means to evade threats or when it ventures outside caves to streams, coasts and basements. This square-legged Cricket is likely fond of such locations due to the moisture and humidity levels. Alongside the mitigation of desiccating, the moisture is conducive for their growth and development for their whole lifespan. Speaking of which, the beauty in these images is a female as her blade-like ovipositor will tell you. Despite its sharp appearance, it isn't capable of slicing through cave stone to produce a suitable egg-laying location. Instead, eggs are placed wherever dirt is plentiful or into tiny crevices to keep them out of reach. The nymphs that hatch and explore will feed on vegetation and fungi within a cave environment. If such nutrition isn't available, they could also turn their attention to scavenging organic matter or chasing down smaller, softer insects. They're not likely to be actively predaceous, but those back legs aren't just for show. The adults in particular, are reported to be able to jump up to 30 times their body length using their dramatically elongated back legs! This aids not just in traveling long distances, but also in dispersal. All it takes is a good rainy day with reasonable humidity and you may find them leaping away to discover what awaits beyond their caves.

Pictures were taken on August 10, 2024 in Squamish with an iPhone 12 thanks to a dear friend. After pictures were taken, she (the Cricket) was returned back to the caves where she was found. Expect more posts covering this specie in the near future, including several videos.

[dc418writes]

✨Pairing✨: mechanic!Ari Levinsonxblack!reader

Summary🪄: The girls are growing up, and Ari doesn’t like it (Operation: Rekindle addition)

⚠️: mention of spider, killing of said spider, Ari being an emotional bean lol, pretty much all fluff💕

*Disclaimer!: although collage/visual created by me via Canva, I DO NOT CLAIM OWNERSHIP of photos used, as they were all found via Pinterest*

“Hey,” you smile answering the incoming FaceTime from your ex. Finally able to sit in bed after a long day of cooking and leading an entire kitchen staff, being surrounded by your soft, plush comforter is the closest thing to heaven on Earth. “Everything okay?”

“They don’t need me anymore.”

“Wait what? They who?”

Sitting on the side of his own respective bed, Ari lets out a heavy sigh as his unoccupied hand finds his forehead. “The girls. They don’t need me anymore.”

You feel relief shower over you - momentarily worried he was referring to his job - before you’re light-heartedly rolling your eyes watching him dramatically flop backwards onto the bed.

“I thought I had until 18. 16 at the very least…you know what? I blame that kangaroo they used to watch that would always go on adventures by himself and say how they were big boys and girls that could do anything on their own. What was his name? Rodney? Bobby?”

“..Robbi Hopper?”

“Him! Who agreed that was a good show for kids?,” he asks nearly making you erupt in laughter. You slyly move out of the camera’s view as if you’re just making yourself more comfortable - subtly giggling to yourself - before you move back into the screen gently clearing your throat as if nothing happened.

“Okay I’m a bit lost, so I need you to start from the very beginning.”

“I’m cleaning up after dinner right? And then I hear a shriek then a thud, so I hurry upstairs to check on the girls.”

-

“You guys okay? I need to come in?,” he asked after knocking a couple times. Slightly panicked hearing complete silence as he waited on the other side of their door. Soon there’s soft footsteps and Aliana appears in the doorway looking nonchalant in her pajamas.

“Nope, all fine. We just saw a spider and-,”

“Where?,” he asks looking along the walls and ceiling of the semi messy room. “Keep an eye on it and I’ll get a napkin.”

“No need, I got it,” Brynn states proudly holding out a crumpled tissue of her own. “I threw my shoe at it.”

“Oh..good job guys.” This is how it all started. They kill their first spider by themselves and next they’re off getting their own apartment and jobs completely self sufficient and independent.

No longer daddy’s girls crying out for him and wanting his comfort or safety.

It seems like it wasn’t that long ago one or both of them were running into his room scared of the “monster” outside tapping against the window. Their big, brown eyes and soft “peaseee?�� easily breaking him down to let them sleep in his king sized bed.

They’re tiny bodies would scoot close into each side and hold onto his long arms as he tried to calm their worried, little minds with their favorite songs or made up stories. Soon all three would be asleep and that mean monster long forgotten.

How he missed those days that passed much too quickly.

“Dad? You okay?,” Brynn asks after throwing away the squished insect and noticing her father’s sudden stare into the unknown.

“A-Are you crying?,” Ali adds tilting her head in confusion at his now misty eyes.

“No no, I just uh..allergies,” he nervously chuckles quickly trying to wipe at his eyes. “I’m gonna go take something. Y-You guys get ready for bed.”

“…But we are?,” they say in unison, but Ari’s already out the door reminding himself to breathe and that everything would be okay as he moves towards his bedroom.

-

“And then I called you,” he finishes while toying with a loose thread on his comforter. Hearing your muffled laugh has him sitting up - admittedly a little too fast for his brain’s liking - now focused on you through the screen pressing your lips together with clear amusement on your face.

“Are you laughing at me right now?”

“Okay yes, but I swear it’s not because I’m making fun! Honey just because they kill one spider doesn’t mean they’re gonna forget all about you.”

He’s quiet, but you can see his little cute pout as he looks down at his lap.

“Remember when they learned to tie their shoes? I had them married off and leaving me to rot in a nursing home run by that evil lady from Matilda.”

Ari softly chuckles remembering that day. Of course in front of the girls you were so excited and supportive - like the amazing mama you were - showering Ali and Brynn in kisses and praises for achieving such a huge milestone. But he later saw the tears as you sat on your closet floor clutching their baby blankets to your chest while you hummed “Isn’t She Lovely”.

“They’re leaving me,” you adorably sobbed. Tears dripping down your cheeks as you looked up at Ari who immediately crouched down giving you one of his signature bear hugs.

“Yea I’m feeling pretty much the same right about now,” he states.

“And do you remember how maybe 10 minutes later they were running in the room wanting me to fix them a snack?”

He softly chuckles using his hand to push his hair from his eyes. “And how you practically trampled me to go do it.”

“Again, I’m sorry for knocking you down,” you chuckle. “But my point is that they’re always gonna need us. Maybe not for as much like when they were little kids, but still.”

“Yea you’re right,” he quietly admits. “I just miss those days you know? Everything went so fast and now they’re almost teenagers.”

“I miss them too. They gotta grow up though, it’s part of life.”

The light taps at his door already tell him it’s Brynn on the other side - who tended to drum her fingers/fingernails along the hardwood ever since she learned the movement.

“Hold on Y/N. Come in!”

Brynn’s the first to enter twisting a strand of hair around her index finger; then Ali with her tattered stuffed bunny firmly held at her side. Both common tells that showed you and Ari when they were stressed or worried.

“What’s up?”

“Nothing. Well not nothing but nothing’s wrong or anything,” Brynn answers making Ari lift his brow trying to figure out exactly what she said. “We were talking about the spider and how we didn’t know if it was a boy or a girl which led to us wondering if there were babies…”

“And now we don’t know if there’s more in our room,” Ali finishes.

“So can we stay in your room tonight?,” they ask in unison. Both girls in their matching satin, floral bonnets peering at him with those eyes that were dangerous in their own right.

On the outside, Ari appeared to be playing it cool lightly nodding along throughout their explanation. Internally though, you’d think he’d won the Super Bowl how overjoyed he was; practically vibrating with excitement.

From your side of the phone, it’s as if you could personally feel his mood brighten making you smile to yourself. He had his girls back and all was right in his world

Not that he’d really lost them

(And not all was completely right in Ari’s life. If it were up to him, you’d be by his side helping him through this instead of halfway across town. You’d eventually see that later.)

“Well, you guys are a bit too big to spend the night in here, so how about we camp out in the living room tonight? Then tomorrow I’ll check and spray in your room.”

“Okay,” the twins nod with content smiles.

“Alright go ahead and pick a movie we can watch; I’ll meet you guys out there. Oh, and say goodnight to mom,” he states turning his phone towards them.

They each say their respective “goodnight” and “love you” before bouncing out the door going back and forth about what movie genre they should pick.

“Hate to say I told you so,” you smirk causing him to shyly chuckle and rub at the back of his neck as he moves towards his en suite bathroom.

“Okay maybe I was being a bit dramatic.”

“No, you had a moment where you felt sentimental and that’s okay.”

Ari was feeling that quite a bit lately. Especially remembering your time together.

How things could’ve been so different had he never caved.

Gazing at you as you began wrapping your hair in your own headscarf, that feeling returns to his chest as a soft smile curls along his lips. “Thanks for always being there. I know we’re not together anymore-,”

“Not together as a couple, but still friends. So you don’t have to thank me Ari.”

“I don’t have to, but I am.”

Now it was your turn to be in your feelings. “Well, if you insist,” you shrug making his laugh deepen and smile a tad wider.

“Goodnight sweetheart,” he waves. “I’ll talk to you later.”

“Goodnight Ari.”

Who would’ve known at this stage of life you’d be in the friend zone? And utterly miserable

[cheapsweets]

The nocuous Shonweak

My response to this week’s BestiaryPosting challenge from @maniculum

Jinhao shark fountain pen with fine, hooded nib, with Monteverde Raven Noir ink, over initial pencil sketch. I'd considered adding some colour, but didn't have time this week; imagine it's got telltale orange/yellow and black warning colouration :)

It's been interesting trying to relearn pen shading techniques from scientific illustration again (as ever, suspect going a bit bigger would make this easier, I'm also going to have another rummage through my pens to see if I can find an even finer nib, since the one's I've been using don't come close to using a dip pen).

Reasoning under the cut;

The Shonweak is so called because it is proof against fire.

Okay, first things first, we get no indication about what type of creature this is. My default assumption when the bestiary authors don't give us any more detail is that is must be a Beast, but I've been wanting to mix it up a bit. But what to go for...?

Of all poisonous creatures, it has the strongest poison. Other poisonous creatures kill one at a time; it can kill several things at the same time. For if it has crawled into a tree, it poisons all the apples and kills those who eat them. In addition, if it falls into a well, the strength of its poison kills those who drink the water.

Okay, a poisonous critter, and not just poisonous, the most poisonous...! Okay, this narrows it down a bit. We get some creatures that are occasionally poisonous due to their diet (including certain birds, and snakes!), but mostly we're looking at amphibians, insects, echinoderms, fish, flatworms, and some others too.

This also made me think about the line between poisonous and venomous. We've all been on tumblr a while, so we've probably seen the memes, but technically the main difference is that poisonous animals deliver their toxin passively (in this context, being eaten is passive...)

We also know that this thing can crawl into a tree, so must be able to climb (that eliminates most fish, for starters).

I've gone for a beetle, since drawing an arthropod is pretty different from anything I've done thus far. Main influences are;

The diabolical ironclad beetle, a tiny awesome critter that is nigh on indestructable. It has a flattened body, fused elytra, and a cool, knobbly surface to its armour; I gave the elytra a bit of an overlap, so it could consider clamping its body down if it gets into a sticky situation (like a fire).

Bombadier beetles; in case you're not aware of them, their defence mechanism is spraying near-boiling noxious chemicals at attackers (you'll also be familiar with them if you've ever read the Spider World books by Colin Wilson!). The most famous ones are yellow and black, and you can see the nozzle on the end of its abdomen.

While the bombadier beetle does actively spray toxins, keeping them in its body also makes it poisonous - best of both worlds!

Also can't deny the influence of the blue death feigning beetle, a very aestheic insect indeed, and if I'm honest, the tanker bug from Starship Troopers...!

I did look at large beetles like the goliath beetle for some inspiration, especially around the legs (I imagine the Shonweak to be pretty big as beetles go), but decided against it since they're a lot fancier, and I figured a tough, fire-braving critter like this to be a little plainer and unadorned.

It resists fire and alone among creatures can put fires out. For it can exist in the midst of flames without pain and without being consumed by them, not only because it does not burn but because it puts the fire out.

Okay, if this is the creature I strongly suspect it is, this is an interesting wrinkle to the mythology around it; it's proof against fire because it puts the fire out (not something I've heard before). I'll have more to say if it does turn out to be what I suspect...

Okay, hear me out... The bombadier beetle combines exothermic chemicals in its body to produce its boiling, caustic spray... What if a creature could do something similar for a seriously endothermic reaction; it would be almost like a tiny, living fire extinguisher... I imagine the Shonweak as a bomadier beetle relative, spraying freezing toxins at enemies (or just generally if stuck in a fire, or if it falls down a well, or if those apples are looking particularly hostile...)

[fandom-queen-13]

(because there was at least 1 person who wanted to read it)

In creative writing class, I wrote a story.

The prompt was "Land of _____," and just before the class, we were talking about phobias. My mind went to "Land of Phobias."

Even I'm a bit scared about what came out. So naturally, I have to share it with all of you.

CONTENT WARNINGS: PSYCHOLOGICAL HORROR, SCOPOPHOBIA (fear of being watched), INSECTOPHOBIA (fear of insects), MINOR CLAUSTROPHOBIA, MINOR HELIOPHOBIA (fear of the sun), AGORAPHOBIA, ARACHNOPHOBIA, TRYPOPHOBIA, TRYPANOPHOBIA(fear of needles), MENTIONS OF BUGS, MENTIONS OF NEEDLES, MENTIONS OF REPTILES

It’s funny, really. You would expect a land of phobia to look scary. Monstrous hills, evil people, dark landscape. Maybe screams every few miliseconds. Somewhere where you might expect to see an evil empress or even freaking Sauron. 

What you notice first is the quiet. The unbroken quiet. It isn’t completely silent, mind you. Just your footsteps and your breaths. It’s like one of those places. What are they called? Anechoic chambers. It’s like an anachoic chamber, except really big. 

That’s the next thing you notice. The vastness of it. It’s flat, completely flat, stretching for miles around. Maybe you’re walking on concrete, or maybe you’re on linoleum tiles. Either way, it’s mind-numbingly flat and boring. There are no walls around you. The sky above is blue, not a cloud in sight. 

Okay, you might think, this is not so bad. Just keep walking, it’s all empty space. So you walk. And you walk. And you walk. 

And then it starts. 

Your hands start shaking. Your eyes flit around, searching for something. You have the feeling that you’re being watched. But that’s ridiculous, right? You’re alone, right? 

Right?

You keep walking. Your legs itch. Are there things climbing on them? No, when you look down your legs are fine. But you can feel them. Skittering up and down your legs, burrowing into your skin, leaving holes. So many little holes. You look again. Your legs are fine, smooth as you pull up the legs of your pants. The feeling mostly goes away, but you can still feel them. Spiders on your skin. Needles in your bones. Reptiles climbing up and down your arms. All biting, poking, burrowing, leaving so many tiny little holes. 

The landscape is still flat, so very flat. The sky is blue, so very blue. The quiet is that, so so so very quiet. And yet, even n this wide open space, you feel like you’re being closed in. You walk and walk, invisible walls closing around you, fast but not fast enough. The sun prickles your neck. Or is it the insects, climbing your back, making more little holes? 

There is so much nothing, and yet so much everything. The landscape doesn’t warp, doesn’t change, just goes on forever and forever and forever. Your body itches with so many holes, your heart is going haywire, your eyes flit among the horizon, and your legs just keep moving on autopilot. The worst part is, you know it’s not real, it’s just your imagination. 

Is it, though? Is it just a hallucination? 

In the end, the land of phobia fits its name. Phobia is not fear. Fear is terror, screaming, maybe even running and crying. It is dark shadows and evil people and unclimbable hills. What this is? Just you, your brain, the flat landscape, and the unbroken blue sky. 

[amit-ahuja]

The Yoga of Pest Control: Strengthen Your Defenses

Just as yoga helps you build strength, flexibility, and mindfulness for overall well-being, pest control requires a balanced, adaptable, and consistent approach. Whether you’re trying to block pests from entering your home or adopting eco-friendly solutions, a holistic strategy can keep your space pest-free. Let’s explore how you can take a yogic approach to pest control and strengthen your home’s defenses against unwanted invaders.

Building a Strong Foundation: Seal Entry Points

A strong yoga practice starts with balance, and the same applies to your home’s pest control strategy. If there are gaps in your foundation—both literally and figuratively—pests will find their way in. Just like a shaky posture in yoga can throw off your alignment, small cracks, gaps, and openings in your home’s walls, doors, and windows create the perfect gateway for insects and rodents.

Take a moment to inspect your home’s exterior, just as you would check your form during a yoga pose. Are there any cracks along the baseboards? Do your window screens have tiny holes? These minor imperfections may seem insignificant, but they’re an open invitation for ants, cockroaches, and even mice. Use caulk, weather stripping, or sealant to close any gaps and create a solid, pest-proof foundation.

Doors and windows are the most common weak spots. If your doors don’t close tightly or you see daylight peeking through the frame, consider installing door sweeps. These simple additions block small pests like spiders and roaches from slipping through unnoticed. In the same way that a stable yoga stance prevents falls, a well-sealed home prevents pest invasions before they even begin.

Flexibility Matters: Adapting to Different Pest Challenges

In yoga, flexibility isn’t just about bending into impossible shapes—it’s about adapting to your body’s needs. Similarly, pest control in Delhi isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Different seasons bring different pest challenges, and staying flexible in your approach is key to keeping your home protected year-round.

Summer often means mosquitoes and flies, while fall and winter bring an increase in rodents and cockroaches seeking warmth. Spring is prime time for ants, while termites become especially active in humid climates. Instead of sticking to a single pest control method, adjust your approach based on the season and current threats.

For instance, if you notice more mosquitoes in the warmer months, eliminate standing water around your home, as it’s their favorite breeding ground. In winter, when mice and rats look for cozy nesting spots, focus on removing food sources and sealing small crevices where they might sneak in. Adapting to these seasonal shifts ensures that pests never catch you off guard.

Think of it as transitioning between different yoga poses—some days, a gentle stretch is enough, while other times, you need a more intense flow. The same goes for pest control: stay flexible, adjust as needed, and always be prepared for new challenges.

Holistic Wellness: Eco-Friendly Pest Control Methods

Yoga promotes natural healing and mindfulness, so it only makes sense to take a holistic approach to pest control as well. Harsh chemical sprays may provide quick relief, but they often come with harmful side effects for you, your pets, and the environment. Instead, why not explore eco-friendly, non-toxic solutions that are just as effective in keeping pests away?

Many common kitchen ingredients double as natural pest repellents. For example, cinnamon and coffee grounds deter ants, while lavender and peppermint oils keep spiders at bay. Diatomaceous earth, a fine powder made from fossilized algae, is an excellent alternative to chemical insecticides—it dehydrates pests like cockroaches and bedbugs without harming humans or pets.

Another effective method is introducing beneficial insects into your garden. Ladybugs feast on aphids, while praying mantises help control mosquito populations. This approach aligns with the yogic principle of harmony with nature—instead of eliminating all bugs, you create a balanced ecosystem that naturally regulates pest populations.

Even the way you clean your home can make a difference. Opt for vinegar and lemon-based cleaners, which not only disinfect surfaces but also repel common pests like ants and roaches. Choosing these holistic alternatives ensures a healthy, balanced environment, just as yoga nurtures both body and mind.

The Importance of Routine: Regular Pest Inspections

A consistent yoga practice helps maintain strength and flexibility, and the same principle applies to pest control. You can’t just do one deep clean and expect pests to stay away forever—regular check-ups and maintenance are essential for long-term protection.

Schedule monthly or seasonal pest inspections, especially if you’ve dealt with infestations before. Even if you don’t see obvious signs of pests, prevention is always better than extermination. Look for telltale signs like droppings, chewed wires, or unexplained holes in food packaging—these small indicators often signal a bigger problem.

You can also incorporate daily pest-prevention habits into your routine. Just like setting aside time for yoga every morning, take a few minutes to wipe down kitchen counters, empty trash bins, and check for leaks under sinks. Pests thrive in areas with moisture, food, and clutter, so keeping your space clean and dry minimizes their chances of settling in.

If you ever find yourself dealing with a persistent pest problem, don’t hesitate to call professional pest control in Chandigarh. Experts have the knowledge and tools to tackle infestations efficiently, saving you time and stress in the long run.

Final Thoughts

A pest-free home, like a well-balanced yoga practice, requires discipline, adaptability, and mindfulness. By sealing entry points, staying flexible with seasonal challenges, embracing eco-friendly solutions, and maintaining a regular pest-control routine, you’ll create a home environment that feels just as peaceful and harmonious as your favorite yoga studio.

After all, there’s nothing quite like relaxing in a clean, pest-free space where you can truly unwind. So take a deep breath, roll out your yoga mat, and enjoy the serenity of a home that’s strong, adaptable, and well-defended against pests.

[drawing-studio-archive]

Exquisite Corpse

2000, Jake Chapman, Dinos Chapman

Exquisite Corpse is a portfolio of twenty images. It was produced in an edition of thirty. Ten of the sets were hand-coloured in watercolour. This set, the tenth in the edition, is in black and white. The edition was printed and published by Charles Booth-Clibborn under his imprint The Paragon Press, London.

The series is based on a game, developed by the Surrealists from the traditional game of Consequences, called Le Cadavre Exquis, or Exquisite Corpse. The Surrealists' game involves a piece of paper, folded horizontally concertina-fashion onto which, in turn, each member of a group draws a part of a body, without being able to see what others have drawn on the paper. The final result is a body or character of composite parts. The Chapman brothers have collaborated artistically since the early 1990s and decided to use the game to emphasise the dual nature of their work together, exploring difference within a unit. In this case they drew onto etching plates instead of pieces of paper. Each brother created ten head sections and had them covered by an assistant before exchanging plates and proceeding with the torso sections. The plates were again covered and exchanged for the remaining sections, ensuring that all four parts of the etchings were randomly matched. On some images the quarterly divisions are clearly visible and the background shaded in a horizontal segment; on others the different parts are less distinct. The artists have used a range of different drawing styles making it hard for the viewer to identify any one section with any particular hand. A selection of tools and differing degrees of pressure on the plate have resulted in a variety of effects. One section has been created using tiny dots made with a delicate tool, many others are finely etched in intricate lines. Simpler cartoon figures contrast with convoluted, messy and highly textured areas. The project was completed in twenty days.

The figures created in the portfolio are multi-limbed and frequently many-headed, like many of the Chapmans' sculptures. Disasters of War 1993 (Tate T07454) and Hell2000 (Saatchi Collection, London) are composed of cut up and reconstituted bodies. The etchings feature imagery common to the Chapmans' work in other media: skulls, eyeballs on stalks, grotesque animal heads, liquids dripping and spurting from wounds, orifices, nipples and shower-heads, writhing intestines, claw-like hands and feet. Around the edges of the figures tiny spiders hang from threads and flies crawl. Insects' wings and branching roots appear in the place of limbs. The images recreate the worlds of such artists as Hieronymous Bosch (1450-1516) and Goya (Fransisco de Goya y Lucientes, 1746-1819) with a contemporary feel. The Chapmans have referred to their work as having an 'infantile dialectic' (quoted in fig-1: 50 projects, 50 weeks), expressed through their exaggerated, comic-horror aesthetic.

The Chapmans are highly aware of the conceptual aspects of their work. Ever since they stencilled their self-defining anti-aesthetic manifesto We Are Artists onto a mud-splattered wall at the ICA, London in 1992, they have attempted to direct readings of their work and its subtext. Influenced by Surrealism and George Bataille, they are interested in psychological and psychoanalytical approaches. They have claimed of Exquisite Corpse that 'it is an incredibly sincere project', saying:

With two people, the work always originates from the point of view of conversation - not necessarily egalitarian dialectic, but at least it is some kind of an ego battle of one-upmanship and game playing … the Exquisite Corpses [sic] suggest that in another possible way: that we can produce work without us having to bend and reduce it … One of the things that we would be interested in … is to inject ideas of the artist's mark of creativity, of drawing … It's not about compromise … It's a constant battle between [my brother's] desires and my desires … And that makes a friction that you make something out of.

(Quoted in fig-1: 50 projects, 50 weeks.)

Further reading: Ant Noises at the Saatchi Gallery 2, exhibition catalogue, Saatchi Gallery, London 2000, [p.2], reproduced inside front and back covers  Patrick Elliott, Contemporary Art in Print, London 2001, pp.260, 329, reproduced pp.261-9 'Week 9, March 20-25, 2000: Jake + Dinos Chapman', fig-1: 50 projects 50 weeks, boxed loose-leaf exhibition catalogue, fig-1, London 2001, reproduced (colour) 

Elizabeth Manchester January 2002

[adomainname]

The Goliath Bird-Eating Spider: Nature’s Eight-Legged Titan: The Goliath bird-eating spider (Theraphosa blondi) is a creature of both legend and fascination. Renowned as the world’s largest spider by mass and size, this arachnid commands attention for its sheer scale and unique adaptations. Native to the rainforests of South America, it is an apex predator of the forest floor, equipped with impressive hunting tools and fascinating defense mechanisms.

Physical Characteristics

Size and Appearance

The Goliath bird-eating spider is massive, with a leg span that can reach up to 12 inches (30 cm) and a body weight exceeding 6 ounces (170 grams). Its body is covered in fine hair-like structures called setae, which provide sensory input and aid in defense. Typically brown or dark brown, its appearance is suited to camouflage within the leaf litter of its rainforest habitat.

Diet and Fangs

Despite its intimidating name, this spider rarely preys on birds. Instead, it hunts insects, small rodents, amphibians, and reptiles. Its fangs, nearly an inch long, deliver venom potent enough to immobilize prey but generally harmless to humans, producing effects similar to a wasp sting.

Habitat and Behavior

Rainforest Home

The Goliath bird-eating spider thrives in the tropical rainforests of Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and northern Brazil. These nocturnal hunters spend much of their time in burrows lined with silk, emerging at night to ambush prey.

Hunting Techniques

Unlike web-building spiders, they rely on vibrations and tactile sensing to locate food, showcasing incredible patience and precision during hunts.

Defense Mechanisms

This spider’s size and strength are not its only means of survival. It employs a variety of defenses:

Hissing Sounds: Produces a loud hissing noise (stridulation) by rubbing its legs together to startle predators.

Urticating Hairs: Flicks tiny, barbed hairs from its abdomen that can irritate predators’ skin and eyes.

Venomous Bite: Though not lethal to humans, the spider’s bite can be painful and deters potential threats.

Reproduction and Lifespan

Mating and Egg-Laying

Mating for the Goliath bird-eating spider can be a dangerous endeavor, especially for males, as females are known to attack and consume them after the act. Females lay hundreds of eggs in a protective silk sac, which they guard fiercely until the spiderlings hatch.

Lifespan

Females live significantly longer than males, with a lifespan of up to 25 years compared to the males’ 3 to 6 years post-maturity.

Role in the Ecosystem

Predator and Prey

As apex invertebrate predators, Goliath bird-eating spiders play a critical role in maintaining the delicate balance of the rainforest ecosystem. They help regulate populations of insects and small vertebrates, contributing to biodiversity and the health of their environment.

Shocking Facts About the Goliath Bird-Eating Spider

It’s the largest spider in the world by mass and size, though other species may exceed its leg span.

Despite its name, it rarely eats birds. The name originated from an 18th-century observation.

Its fangs are strong enough to pierce human skin and can produce a sound when striking hard surfaces.

The urticating hairs it flicks can cause intense irritation, even to human eyes and skin.

Females live up to 25 years, making them some of the longest-lived arachnids.

It creates silk-lined burrows for shelter rather than spinning webs for hunting.

Human Interaction and Conservation

Threats and Conservation

While the Goliath bird-eating spider is not endangered, it faces threats from habitat destruction due to deforestation. Additionally, it is sometimes captured for the exotic pet trade, although its large size and care requirements make it suitable only for experienced enthusiasts.

Importance of Awareness

Education and awareness about its role in the ecosystem can help reduce unnecessary fear and promote conservation efforts. As an emblem of the incredible diversity of rainforests, this spider deserves appreciation and protection.

The Goliath bird-eating spider stands as a testament to the marvels of nature. Whether it inspires awe, curiosity, or fear, its presence reminds us of the extraordinary creatures that inhabit our planet.

[mrgcalgary]

Understanding Plant Diseases and Common Pests in Calgary: How to Protect Your Garden

In Calgary, gardeners often deal with various Plant Diseases in Calgary and face challenges from Common Pests in Calgary. This article provides practical tips to recognize, prevent, and manage these issues for healthier gardens and landscapes. 

Common Plant Diseases in Calgary 

Calgary's climate can lead to several plant diseases: 

- Powdery Mildew: Causes white powdery patches on leaves and stems. 

- Black Spot: Affects roses, causing black spots with yellow rings that lead to leaf drop. 

- Root Rot: Fungal infection causing roots to decay, often due to overwatering. 

Signs of Plant Diseases 

Early detection is key to managing plant diseases effectively: 

- Spots on Leaves: Irregular discoloration or spots on leaves. 

- Wilting: Leaves or stems that appear limp or dry. 

- Slow Growth: Plants that are not growing as expected compared to healthy ones. 

Managing Plant Diseases 

1. Good Gardening Practices 

- Watering Carefully: Water at the base of plants to avoid wetting leaves. 

- Improving Airflow: Prune plants to increase air circulation and reduce humidity. 

- Healthy Soil: Use well-draining soil to prevent waterlogged conditions that lead to root rot. 

2. Using Treatments 

- Fungicides: Treat fungal diseases like powdery mildew with copper-based fungicides. 

- Biological Controls: Use beneficial microbes to naturally suppress disease-causing pathogens. 

Common Pests in Calgary Gardens 

Calgary gardens are susceptible to various pests: 

- Aphids: Small insects that suck sap from plants and can transmit viruses. 

- Spider Mites: Tiny pests that create webbing on leaves and damage plant tissues. 

- Cutworms: Larvae that cut through plant stems near the soil, causing plants to wilt. 

Signs of Common Garden Pests 

Recognizing pest problems helps in timely intervention: 

- Visible Insects: Aphids clustered on plant tips or under leaves. 

- Webbing: Spider mites leave fine webs on leaves and stems. 

- Damage: Chewed stems or leaves indicate the presence of cutworms. 

Controlling and Preventing Garden Pests 

1. Natural Approaches 

- Beneficial Insects: Attract ladybugs and lacewings to eat aphids and other pests. 

- Wildlife Habitat: Encourage birds to your garden to help control insect populations naturally. 

2. Physical and Chemical Controls 

- Manual Removal: Hand-pick larger pests like caterpillars from plants. 

- Insecticidal Soaps: Use these to target soft-bodied pests such as aphids and spider mites. 

Conclusion 

Managing Plant Diseases in Calgary and dealing with Common Pests in Calgary requires proactive steps and careful monitoring. By learning to identify signs of diseases and pests early, implementing preventive measures, and using treatments when needed, gardeners can maintain vibrant and healthy gardens. 

[chappythegardener]

What Is The Most Common Garden Pest?

Gardens are often susceptible to various pests that can damage plants and reduce yields. Here are some of the most common garden pests you may encounter: Aphids: These small, soft-bodied insects suck sap from plant leaves, causing curling, yellowing, and stunted growth. They reproduce quickly and can be found on a wide range of plants. Slugs and Snails: These slimy creatures feed on plant leaves, stems, and fruits, leaving behind irregular holes and slimy trails. They are especially active during damp weather. Caterpillars: Various caterpillars, such as cabbage worms and tomato hornworms, can devour leaves and damage vegetables. They can quickly defoliate plants if left uncontrolled. Whiteflies: These tiny, white insects congregate on the undersides of leaves and suck plant juices. They excrete a sticky honeydew, leading to the growth of black sooty mold. Spider Mites: These tiny arachnids feed on plant sap, causing yellowing, speckled leaves, and fine webbing. They thrive in hot, dry conditions and can reproduce rapidly. Beetles: Garden beetles, such as cucumber beetles and Colorado potato beetles, chew on leaves, flowers, and fruits. They can quickly defoliate plants if left unchecked. Thrips: These slender insects feed on plant tissues, causing silvery streaks and distorted growth. They can transmit plant viruses and are particularly problematic in hot, dry conditions. Rodents: Mice, rats, and other rodents can damage plants by chewing on stems, roots, and fruits. They are attracted to ripe or fallen fruits and can cause significant losses. Deer and Rabbits: These larger animals can be a nuisance in gardens, feeding on foliage, flowers, and young plants. They can quickly decimate a garden if not properly deterred. Slugs and Snails: These slimy creatures feed on plant leaves, stems, and fruits, leaving behind irregular holes and slimy trails. They are especially active during damp weather. It's important to regularly monitor your garden for signs of pest activity and take appropriate measures to manage them. This can include using physical barriers, natural predators, organic insecticides, or cultural practices like crop rotation and proper sanitation. Integrated pest management (IPM) techniques can help minimize pest damage while minimizing the use of harmful chemicals. Read the full article

[arjublog]

Eco Pest: Environmentally-Friendly Pest Control Solutions

Are you tired of using harsh chemicals to rid your home of pests? Eco Pest: Environmentally-Friendly Pest Control Solutions may be the answer you're looking for. With the growing concern for the environment, many people are looking for alternative solutions to traditional pest control methods. In this article, we will explore the benefits of using Eco Pest: Environmentally-Friendly Pest Control Solutions and how they can effectively eliminate pests while being kind to the planet.

Introduction: The Need for Environmentally-Friendly Pest Control Solutions

Pests are a common problem that many homeowners face. Whether it's ants, spiders, or rodents, pests can cause damage to your property and pose health risks to you and your family. Traditional pest control methods typically involve the use of harsh chemicals that can be harmful to the environment and human health. As a result, more and more people are turning to Eco Pest: Environmentally-Friendly Pest Control Solutions as a safer and more sustainable alternative.

How Eco Pest: Environmentally-Friendly Pest Control Solutions Work

Eco Pest: Environmentally-Friendly Pest Control Solutions use natural methods to eliminate pests. These methods may include the use of essential oils, plant extracts, and other organic materials. These products are designed to target pests while being safe for humans, pets, and the environment. Some examples of Eco Pest: Environmentally-Friendly Pest Control Solutions include:

1. Essential Oils

Essential oils, such as peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus, have natural insecticidal properties that can repel pests. They can be used in a variety of ways, such as in sprays or diffusers, to keep pests at bay.

2. Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a fine powder made from the fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms called diatoms. It is effective in killing insects and other pests by dehydrating them. Diatomaceous earth is safe for humans and pets, making it a popular choice for Eco Pest: Environmentally-Friendly Pest Control Solutions.

3. Beneficial Insects

Beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and praying mantises, can be introduced to your garden to help control pests naturally. Ladybugs, for example, feed on aphids and other soft-bodied insects, while praying mantises feed on larger insects like grasshoppers and crickets.

Benefits of Using Eco Pest: Environmentally-Friendly Pest Control Solutions

There are several benefits to using Eco Pest: Environmentally-Friendly Pest Control Solutions, including:

1. Safe for Humans and Pets

Unlike traditional pest control methods, Eco Pest: Environmentally-Friendly Pest Control Solutions are safe for humans and pets. This means you can use them without worrying about exposing your family to harmful chemicals.

2. Better for the Environment

Eco Pest: Environmentally-Friendly Pest Control Solutions are designed to be environmentally friendly. They do not harm the ecosystem or contribute to pollution, making them a sustainable option for pest control.

3. Cost-Effective

Eco Pest: Environmentally-Friendly Pest Control Solutions can be more cost-effective than traditional pest control methods. Many of these products can be made at home using natural ingredients, which can save you money in the long run.

Eco Pest: Environmentally-Friendly Pest Control Solutions vs. Traditional Pest Control Methods

While traditional pest control methods can be effective, they often come at a cost to the environment and human health. Eco Pest: Environmentally-Friendly Pest Control Solutions offer a safer and more sustainable alternative. Here are some of the key differences between the two:

[afoolandathief]

Day 17 of Nano

WIP: Something Wicked

Status: Rewriting

NaNo profile: afoolandathief

NaNoWriMo 2022 Goal: 250 words a day

Words written today: 412

NaNo WC total (not counting prior work): 5,856

Total WC for rewrite: 39,100

Excerpt below ↓

(TWs for spiders and Romanian swearing that I hopefully got right)

Caz took a step back. He couldn’t imagine what sort of creature Jade Shaw would attract wandering around the desert.

“And where is your familiar?” he asked.

A grin he had never seen before arched up on her face, and she shifted her opposite arm. Eight brown limbs moved with alien fluidity up the fabric of her sweatshirt. A set of hairy mandibles, and a fat, oval body followed.

“Ce dracu e asta?”

It took Caz a moment to realize that the ghost of his mother had not, in fact, risen from the dead, but that the shrill stream of Romanian curses was coming from him. It took him another moment to realize he had shot into the air and was floating from Jade Shaw’s ceiling like some ghastly chandelier.

The witch was staring at him, all the giddy approval from before gone from her face. Caz swallowed.

“Jade,” he began. “I don’t — I just don’t like creepy-crawlies — things that crawl, I mean. Insects. Spiders -”

He shuddered, the sensation of tiny legs on his skin suddenly all-too real.

“Fine,” she said, her voice flat. She spun on her heel, her arms still outstretched as she carried her two pets out of the room.

[bearlytolerant]

Fandom: Dragon Age

Pairing: Solavellan

Rating: E (nsft)

Word Count: 1306

AO3

Let’s Just Be

She was sunset reflected on the ocean. A million freckles dotting blushed warm skin. Eyes closed in peaceful paradise as her arms draped over the edges of the tub. She exuded serenity and peace.

He hated to disturb her.

Setting his satchel down, he went to her desk where he knew she kept a sketch journal and charcoal. Situating himself on the bed, he started his sketch, replicating this moment on paper. She had to see how he saw her. Within moments her form was outlined and he filled in the details, losing himself in the process of creating.

His eyes drifted to his muse, desperate for a quick but thorough study. She dropped an arm back into the tub but her eyes remained closed—surely she was somewhere far from here—but then he watched as her lips pursed, let out a puff of breath. And a gentle moan. It dawned on him that he was now a spectator of more than a moment of meditation.

Solas dropped the charcoal and it went rolling across the floor, stopping at the edge of the elegant rug recently given as a gift from the Empress.

Her eyes flew open.

“Damn it Solas! Next time you sneak in here, please say something.”

He went chasing after the charcoal on his hands and knees. “My apologies. In my defense, the door was ajar and I was not sneaking.”

“What were you doing?” Sarya asked.

He had the charcoal now and he was up on his feet, walking back to the bed.

“Sketching you. I hope you don’t mind.”

“No. Not at all. I was just startled.” She smirked, her mood shifting, becoming playful. “Should I pose? Did you capture my best side?”

He chuckled. “No posing. The moment is lost now and I always capture your best side in that every side of you, every inch of you, is best.” He abandoned the sketch for a kiss from her lips. “You know I think you are beautiful. But if you don’t mind me being honest, I’m more interested in that moan I heard.”

“Everything has been so stressful. I deserve a little release,” she said.

“I can help with that,” he said, reaching into the steaming water. He skimmed his fingers down her leg and back up her inner thigh. “Would you like to talk about it?” His hand stilled.

“Talk? Maybe later, I’ve had enough talking. There is so much endless talking in that war room. Besides, I am also perfectly capable of helping myself.”

“Is that what you want?”

“From what I heard, it seems to also be what you want.”

“Either or both ideas appeal to me,” Solas said. “But I am not here for me.”

Sarya tilted her head and smirked at him.

“However, perhaps it would be nice for you to be relieved of any sort of duty altogether? Allow me to take care of you.”

“Oh I would hardly call this duty.” She laughed. “You could use a little relaxation though too. Join me?”

He pressed a plush kiss to her neck and she tilted away, exposing more skin and he kissed a path up to her jawline. Found her lips. Melted into her bliss. They made out for a while, even as Solas’ knees began to numb a little, until he needed to shift. He broke away leaving them both breathless. He quickly stripped and joined her, finding space for his legs around her body.

She held back a chuckle as they situated themselves, splashing water over the sides of the tub. “I guess these weren’t made with two people in mind…”

“Perhaps you should request an upgrade?” Solas picked up one of her feet and began massaging.

“Oh sure, I bet that’s easy to get.” Sarya rolled her eyes. But then hummed a pleasurable sigh.

“Maybe Blackwall would be willing to custom build one. Anything for his Herald.”

“Stop.”

He put her foot back in the water.

“No. Not that. Please keep doing that.”

He allowed himself a small laugh as he found her other foot. It was easy to be himself with her.

“I’m surprised you can’t just use some spell to make this tub bigger.”

“That is not how magic works.”

“Isn’t it though? Can’t you do anything your mind thinks of? I’d make a big tub if I had magic. I’d use magic to just make everything big. Giant cupcakes. Giant horses. Giant nugs… but not spiders. I’d use my magic to shrink them all to tiny invisible things.”

“If they were invisible, how would you know if one was on you?”

She shuddered. “Good point. I rescind my statement. I would just use magic to take spiders out of existence.”

“Ah but spiders are good for catching other foul insects. They are helpful creatures and they rarely harm.”

“Fine. I’ll keep them for you. But they’re creepy so I’m still using magic to make them tiny.”

“What else would you use magic for?” he asks as he kisses her ankle.

“I’d use it to do everything for me. No need to get dressed. Just poof and clothes are on. I could make any dress I wanted and any food. I could make myself taller or shorter. I don’t know, anything and everything I could think of. Why don’t you use your magic for everything?”

“Much the same as you do not fight or run or loose arrows all day long for lack of stamina. All that spell casting would drain my mana. If I use magic for everything, how would I protect you when it matters most?”

“I protect myself,” she said.

“Yes but in the rare case, like with that terror demon near Dennett’s farm, I could be useful to you.”

Sarya sighed. “Fine. I concede.”

“Perhaps I should record this day in the books.”

“And why is that?”

“I won an argument.”

“Oh you could hardly call this arguing.” She splashed him with water.

Solas smirked then lit the water up with a rune that created a wave. It rolled up and soaked Sarya’s entire face.

“Oh no–that is it!” She splashed him again and again, water continuously pouring over the edges.

He chuckled and reached forward, stilling her hands and pulling her into himself. He kissed her cheek. She cupped his face, kissing him long and deep and hard as she settled into his lap. Her hands wandered and he choked back a gasp as she rubbed herself on the tip of his cock. He could not withhold the groan though as she sunk on top of him, head rolling back with a sigh as her hand clung to his shoulder.

She was so beautiful like this. Open and pouring herself out. Letting him in. Reveling in the moment without a promise of tomorrow. Or perhaps a promise that tomorrow will be there and they’ll have each other to make it better.

He bent forward to nip at her neck and she laughed then moaned when he squeezed her ass.

“Again,” she demanded.

He obliged, more than happy to. When he did, her palm pressed flat against his chest and she leaned back, lengthening her body and exposing the scars on her chest and stomach. He kissed them. Each and every one while she rode him to her climax. She crumbled into him, chest heaving and heavy.

“Ar lath, ma vhenan,” he whispered as he pressed his lips to her forehead.

“I know,” she breathed. “I love you too.”

Then he held her close to his chest, combing his fingers through her wet hair. Warmed the water and let time slip away with her in his arms. And it was in those pockets of time that he felt peace. That maybe, just maybe, this world he had made was real and it was the better one.

[aggressivelyclueless]

mimic

in which sometimes it’s best not to look twice

contains: a growing problem

warning: body horror; insect imagery; mutation

The thing rooting through the trash looked like a dead rat.  It was about the size of one, with a long, naked tail and tiny claws that clicked almost imperceptibly against the concrete, and when the light came on, it froze, its two black eyes staring back toward the house.  If if hadn't been glowing a faint and ghostly green, it could well have been a living rat.

Danny peered out from the back door, a tied-shut bag of garbage in his hand.  (You're fine) he whispered, thinking not to chase it off if it could be helped, and set the bag from the kitchen down alongside the rest.  Certainly, he had other, better, more important things to deal with than this.  (It's garbage.  You can have it)

Only as the disturbed spirit scampered off did it give itself away.  Its legs were oddly-jointed and splaying, and when it turned back in Danny's direction before disappearing, he could have sworn it had more eyes than he'd seen a minute ago. . .

--

The thing staring from under the storm drain looked like the grey alley cat.  Seeing it, Danny thought the poor thing had died, and circled back around to give it some affection and let it know it wasn't alone.  He floated easily over the drain, giving the creature space and holding out a hand so that it could investigate him.

The spirit drifted up onto the sidewalk, staring at him with too-black eyes and lashing its too-thin tail.  It opened up its mouth to meow, but its teeth were jagged and hooked and the sight of them made Danny jolt.

(You're not a cat, are you?) he asked, but it didn't answer him.  Its neck was too short, is eyes too close together, its fur too thin.  Beside the wide round eyes that stared at him, two more were tightly shut, almost invisible.  When it ran off, its back remained perfectly stiff. . .

--

The thing scuttling through the broken storefront looked mostly like a raccoon.  It possessed the markings of one - it was a shabby grey, with a recognizable mask and striped tail - but it didn't move like one at all.  It crawled like a spider, and Danny went after it.  He drifted inside, searching empty shelves and forgotten displays and hoping to glimpse the thing.

It only had to hide for a moment; by the time he spotted it behind a vacant line of registers, it was round-bodied and lumbering, moving like a raccoon should move.  Its spare eyes were hidden by the markings of its mask, but it wore too many fingers and its claws were shaped like talons.

(What are you, really?) Danny wanted to know, but the spirit didn't answer.  With a disgruntled hiss, it hung its body low to the ground and scuttled away out of sight. . .

--

The thing stealing the scraps of discarded meat from the dumpster looked somewhat like a stray.  Its ears drooped correctly, and its fur was thick and dark; when it saw Danny, all four of its eyes opened, and it swallowed the meat in its mouth in one gulp.

(I'm not going to hurt you, I'm just curious) said Danny, wondering if it could understand him, and held out a hand so that it could investigate him if it liked.

The creature snarled, curling back the skin over its long snout and baring three rows of teeth.  When it barked, its lower jaw split in two.  It didn't turn to run.

(Easy, boy) said Danny, suddenly not wanting a fight. . .

--

The thing lurking in the shadows by the theater looked vaguely like a deer.  It was late, and the three of them had just come out from a retro John Carpenter flick; when the thing froze, two of them didn't even notice it.

When Danny saw it, the hairs on his neck stood on end.  "Guys, watch out."

The spirit stared back at him, all four of its eyes black as coal.  It watched him step back, not wanting a fight, not wanting his friends to get caught in the crossfire.  It watched him, its head tilting sharply back and forth, its neck too long and malleable like clay.

Danny didn't take his eyes off it.  "You should go," he whispered to his friends behind him, "This is going to get ugly."

The creature opened its mouth, spreading its fragmented jaws wide, and screeched.  It moved like an insect, its stance wide and sure-footed as it ran at him, its shape loosening slightly to better suit itself for the attack.  The rest of its legs, which were tucked tightly up against its body to imitate bulk, shirked looser so that it could move better; the antler-shaped formations on its head began to relax slightly as if they were shadow puppets made by tired hands; its hooves split into many-toed feet, each claw razor-sharp.

It lunged at him, ripping through his hoody as he twisted away, and it jerked him off his feet.  Its neck and its back were skeletal.  Its vertebrae were like spikes, almost puncturing its makeshift skin.  Up close, he could smell the decay on its breath.

Danny screamed.  He scrambled back on bloodied elbows, kicked its disjointed face in panic, and shoved himself back up to his feet.  He conjured a crackling ectoblast between both hands, loosing it point-blank into the warped thing's chest, hoping to put some distance between them.

The creature staggered back with a piercing shriek, its head writhing about like a snake's.  Danny hit it again and it hurtled away, crashing through the popcorn dumspter in the side lot and skittering into the alley.  Its breath was ragged and sharp; its body collapsed against the concrete with a hard thud; its claws scratched against cement and brickwork, but it didn't come rushing back out.

Danny held another ectoblast at the ready as he crept closer.  He could hear it shifting about in the darkness, trying to get its feet under it, its breaths weakening and slowly fading away.  A discarded can of cornkernels clattered against the cement.  His eyes were locked on the corner of the dumpster, knowing better than to think it was dead just yet.  He wasn't about to get too close, either, keeping his back to the bricks on the opposite side of the alley.

He peered around the corner: empty.  A hard, black splatter of fluid was its only giveaway, painted against the wall and stinking of rot.  One end of it dripped down onto the ground, smeared along the concrete, and disappeared behind the dumpster.

He hadn’t killed it.  It was gone.

Where was it?

"Dan-ny. . . ?"

He looked over to the mouth of the alley and his blood ran cold.

The thing standing on the sidewalk looked like Tucker Foley.