#like... an actual unique tricolor

[aventvrina]

was talking with ren (also thank you terios for sending that post as well) about this and i'm gonna say while i would love for Ena to be Gaiathra since it'd be excellent world building, I'm not inclined to believe that they are the same entity

while they all share the Sigonian eye coloration and have heavy similarities, there's also a lot of contradictions separating them.

the similarities are as follows:

tricolor eyes

triclops/triple faced

resurrection/life cycle themes through the three stages of live

HER/THEY

" the silent and unassuming Gaiathra Triclops, with HER immense and weighty torso, quietly encompasses all the living and deceased in Sigonia " (same imagery as Ena)

these by themselves are solid enough evidences to assume they're the same entity, even more if you consider Sigonia as a planet who was under the Order's protection and fell into ruin after their absorption by Xipe, since it's said that every civilization that was under the Order went through calamity after their disappearance. In texts when referring to Gaiathra, she's written as HER much like when one refers to Aeons as THEY.

however that's mostly where the similarities stop. and while we can argue that the themes are similar, since Gaiathra employs martyrdom to her people as a way to tune for their sins. Gaiathra practices are not the same as Ena's, neither are her blessings.

Gaiathra represents fertility, trickery, and travel, themes that aren't related to Ena. There's also the second name of Gaiathra, Fenge Biyos which seems to be related to Baba Fingo, a male deity that comes out during the Kakava to protect the Romani people. The themes of Baba Fingo and Gaiathra actually merge since to Avgin's, Gaiathra is seen as a mother goddess, protector and guide to her people. There's also the mention that Gaiathra does not need music to sing her praises, while Ena is all about the harmonious choir.

and I know that it could all be part of the Enigmata/Mythus doing by mythologizing Ena on Sigonia but I don't think that's the case.

however there's no denying that Gaiathra and Ena are extremely similar and for that i offer you some ideas of why that might be without implying that they are the same entity:

Gaiathra could be of the same species as Ena ( some Aeons like Orobos and Long share species with those who follow their path, it's entirely possible for Gaiathra to be the same situation)

Gaiathra is an older entity than Ena (we just assume she's younger cause Ena is considered part of the Old Aeons but Gods aren't under the same category as Aeons in HSR so it's possible She predates Ena and her path (which also could give way to thinking of Ena being a descendant of Gaiathra/a Sigonian who ascended))

Gaiathra is an original Emanator of the Order who perished (Emanator's might just as well be Gods whose to say there isn't somewhere out there worshipping an Emanator instead of an Aeon?)

as a final note i want to talk about Aventurine's eyes since they are the main factor at play here. In game, Aventurine's eye are enough to get him recognized as a Sigonian but not as an Avgin. Thus it's safe to assume that everyone in Sigonia-IV will have the same characteristic. however, his sister implies that his eyes are blessed, a proof of Gaiathra's blessing which leads me to think that his pattern might be unique. sadly we can't confirm this without seeing what another person from Sigonia might look like to understand just how unique Aventurine's eyes are in comparison. supposedly there should be Sigonians spread throughout the cosmos as many migrated due to the harsh conditions so we may run into some along the travels but we never know.

[kaurwreck]

Random but you’re post about writing in fandoms that aren’t enriching in any way was actually like super helpful to me by putting into the words my biggest problem with the fandom I was formally in(BSD). The way so many BSD fans seem so go-ho on ignoring any interesting conversation about such a rich story in favour of boiling every character down to tropes that don’t apply to them and forcing romance between every dynamic because for some reason even in a story about human connection the only relationship BSD characters care about is romantic the concept of just writing for your own exploration of the story rather than for other people is exactly what I��ve been wanting to do for a while especially as the issues such mischaracterisation and the such like continue on so I just wanted to say thanks for giving me a different way to look at things.

I'm so happy it was helpful! Engaging in these conversations is immensely helpful to me, too; they give me an opportunity to reflect on and dissect my own understanding or misunderstanding of things, and they help me refocus on seeking enrichment rather than incitement.

Both are forms of stimulation, and it's easy for me to get wrapped in the latter when I'm craving the former. It can become a vicious cycle of craving enrichment >> seeking it through the most accessible stimulation (scrolling on my phone) >> becoming incited by something the algorithm thrusts at me because it knows not that I'm a warm creature afflicted by the weakness, yearning, and selfishness unique to the hearts of men and tricolor cats >> I feed my incitement which does not feed me in return >> I'm still craving enrichment and that unmet need settles beneath my skin restlessly >> so I seek it through the most accessible stimulation (scrolling on my phone) >> and so it goes

But we are not Prometheus; there aren't any chains, and we do not need to plaster ourselves to any rocks or offer our livers to any eagles.

Once engagement becomes frustrating rather than enriching, that's your impetus to go read a chapter from a book you've been meaning to start, poke your head outside to find something mundane to marvel over, hang upside down for a new perspective, eat something sweet or salty or sour, journal until you feel less like Light Yagami, engage in a hobby or creative project, bother your tricolor cat by kissing her all over her head until she looks at you like she'd call you a slur if she could, etc., etc.

It's individualized; whatever pop of brighter, energizing, time-limited stimulation works to interrupt the Cycles so that you have the bandwidth to distinguish what you want and need from what your lizard brain thinks will suffice.

[jaimiofalltrades]

Pride and Vexillology

For Pride Month, I wanted to go back and redesign a pride flag. Just cause, well, and I mean this with the utmost respect...

MOST OF THEM SUCK

I'm sorry, but, like, a lot of flags do this in general, not just pride flags. Look at how many European nations are represented by a flag of three solid red, white, and blue. How do you tell them apart? Beats me.

And, most pride flags fall into this same trap. All of their symbolism tends to be in the colors of stripes... Which doesn't tell you anything at first glance. Cool. This flag looks like a sunset. What's it represent?

So, what makes a flag good?

There's some general rules of vexillology, which is the study and hobby of flag design

Keep it simple

Use meaningful symbolism

Don't use words or seals

Be distinct

In my opinion, the best flag with these ideas in mind, would be those like the Canadian or Welsh flags - simple tricolors with a unique identifier, such as a maple leaf or a dragon

So I'm genderfluid. And my flag looks like this.

It's... not that great.

As my main issue with pride flags in general, it's just stripes! The colors are good. Pink for fem days, blue for masc days, purple for those days inbetween, white for all and black for none.

But at a glance... how should someone know what it's about?

So, here's my hand at a new genderfluid flag, with some more consideration.

The first thing I did was change the stripes to repeated chevrons, creating a wave to convey the fluid state

Then, I added an identifier. I was decided to go with delta, as it's used in mathematics to represent change (∆x=x2-x1,) but it has fairly straight lines, which doesn't quite go with the concept of fluidity

Luckily, the lowercase delta (δ) is also used in the same way, though typically to convey smaller changes.

I chose to make it white, to show fluctuations across all genders, while the other colors act as the base.

The final result is this

I'm fairly proud of it. And, if you wanna check out how it looks as an actual, y'know, flag, then here's the link to the flag waver web app (not mine, just useful for flag design)

Loading in my version of the genderfluid flag, here it is at a couple points.

I think that turned out well.

Now, why am I posting this on the very last day during the very last hour of Pride month for this year?

Uhm, well, you see, uhhhhh...

Procrastination sucks, man.

Seeya!

Edit (December 2024) - I realized several months ago that I'm not, in fact, genderfluid. I'm just a binary trans woman. Oops.

Oh well. I'll keep this up cause, like, LGBTQIA+ solidarity, y'know?

[dragonflute]

ive been cleaning out my saved vids on my switch and its making me really nostalgic and. kinda pissy so im just gonna air out my frustrations with splatoon 3 now that its been out for a year. the game is fun and has a lot of improvements against splatoon 2 but holy shit do i miss splatoon 2. the splatoon team definitely focused a lot of their energy into good parts of the game (i.e. movement mechanics, making the singleplayer not a rehash of splat1's story again, models + graphics in some ways) but other than those few improvements to me sometimes splat3 just feels like stagnant. my major multiplayer gameplay issues mostly stem from splatfests themselves. like. when it was first revealed that 3 was going to have 3 team splatfests i was like skeptical and unfortunately i do wanna say. one year after release i feel like 3 team splatfests are a hindrance to the splatfest concept. like with splat1&2 the color choices for teams were always unique and actually very interesting (i.e. gold and silver finalfest+frostyfest) but with the 3 teams it always seems like were stuck with the primary colors or secondary colors. the furthest we got from that was the chocolate one but for some reason they decided to put dark chocolate in purple like. for no god damn reason. and also i know that tricolor battles are this games gimmick but i insanely miss the shifty stations from splat2. i really think they shouldve brought that concept back because they made splatfest so much fun to be around for. but whatever. but the most egregiously bad part of splatfests now is that it seems that almost every splatfest whichever team gets most votes automatically wins. like with the two team splatfests at the very least there was a even chance of the less popular vote winning (super mushroom vs super star being a major example) but the only splatfest in 3 so far that has been won by a less popular team has been the nessie aliens bigfoot one. i really think they should do a revision of how splatfest results are calculated because it really just feels like once ur on a team that isnt popular theres no chance of winning. anyways

[totaldramafan-lauri]

OK.....so, I THOUGHT this would be miserable, and that I’d reach Ruler after switching back to normal Turf Wars. It took me a while to....not be disoriented with everything, and I actually start winning games. I told myself that I wouldn’t ragequit, and actually give it a chance...and I did.

And, I’m happy to say, that I DID have good games, and had just enough motivation to play the entire session in Tricolors.

I still don’t like the stage. It��s easily my least-favorite map in the game so far (I consider it separate from regular Gorge, which I like). Sure, it’s cute, it’s unique, and I like how they tried to even the playing field by giving the defenders an actual base, and the attackers and defenders equal space, but......I’m sorry, I just don’t enjoy it! First off, I had to use my Splatana the whole way though cuz there are no - ZERO - safe sniping perches there. THEN, there’s the fact that it’s disgustingly easy to get pinned to a base you only have ONE (1) PATH out of, and THEN, there’s how its encourages everyone to group together on this tiny point......Sure, it’s fun to unleash Ultra Stamps when multiple people are there, but....it’s also SUPER king-of-the-hill chaos, cuz if you get up there, you can practically see the entire stage!? And THAT’S not even a good sniping perch cuz that’s where the flipping signals spawn? And overall, it’s just SO SMALL-

I- it’s just REALLY chaotic....and if you like chaotic matches, sure, you might like it there. But me, being a stealth-focused player, found it hard to do much on my bad games.

But....well....I adapted. I got used to it.

For a while, I had a bad time playing there in both positions (due to, again, how easy it is to get stuck in base, so if I sucked even just once, I’d never recover). Then, as I kept playing, I started winning more.

At first (like, over half the session), my only real wins were on the defending team. For a good long while, I kept losing as an attacker. The only wins I got on the attacking team were second-place wins after willingly letting the other team get at least one signal and backing them up. That strategy was all I could count on cuz I had such little confidence in myself to play well. I knew Ultra Stamp was good there, so I leaned on that a lot and focused on just bullying.

But, in the last hour or so, I WAS able to get a few real attacking wins. Not many, but more than one. And each one was pretty hype! Keep in mind, that as an attacker, unless literally no one is nearby, I NEVER go for the signals. I’m not aggro enough of a player for that. So, in each of those matches, it was my teammate who got the signal (usually just one, but I think in ONE game we got them both) while I was....either splatting or getting splatted, and usually I wasn’t even nearby, so I’d FLIP OUT when the notice would pop up. XD So, I’m not taking credit for those lucky wins, but I still pulled my weight in my own way.

But yeah, MOST of my wins were defending. I’m not sure if that means that the defending team has an advantage on that map, or if it just has to do with my personal strengths. I’ve always had a preference for defending. Maybe a player who likes attacking more will have a different experience. The map seems to be trying to be as fair and balanced as possible, so I won’t say anything.

In the end, I was able to have some good games....but that’s despite the map, not because of it. I just adjusted. XD

Oh! And, one big upside to this - NO mirror matches at all! Wooooo!! Every single win mattered! SUCH a relief after last month....XD

So, yeah, that was my experience with my Tricolor binge. I MIGHT get on one final time to play some Pro, cuz I really do wanna try to win at least one 10x battle to make up for my losses yesterday, but I dunno if I will.

Also, PLEASE don’t get mad at me if you like this Tricolor map. If you do, then I’m really happy for you. I’m happy you got enjoyment out of something I didn’t. I WISH I could say that I loved having a unique layout like this. Trust me. I do acknowledge that my charger bias probably doesn’t help at all, but my experience itself just....wasn’t the best. It’s not the kinda map I like. That’s all. Feel free to disagree with me!

[ritik102pal]

The Thrill of Color Prediction and Emerging Gaming Trends

The online gaming industry has expanded significantly in recent years, offering exciting opportunities for players to enjoy unique and engaging games. Among the new trends is the Tiranga Game Online, a color prediction game that draws inspiration from the Indian tricolor. With its straightforward mechanics and fun gameplay, the Tiranga Game is quickly becoming a favorite among casual gamers. This article explores the Tiranga Game, the concept of color prediction, and other innovative games that are taking the gaming world by storm.

What is the Tiranga Game Online?

The Tiranga Game Online is a color prediction game centered around three colors: orange, white, and green—representing the Indian national flag. Players predict which color will be chosen in a random draw and stand a chance to win rewards if their prediction is correct.

How It Works:

Player Prediction: Players select one of the three colors before the game begins.

Random Selection: The system randomly selects a color as the winner.

Outcome and Rewards: If the selected color matches the player’s prediction, they win points, tokens, or monetary prizes, depending on the platform.

The simplicity of this game has made it a popular choice for those looking for quick entertainment.

Why is the Tiranga Game Popular?

Several factors contribute to the popularity of the Tiranga Game:

Easy-to-Understand Rules: Players of all ages can participate without prior gaming experience.

Quick Rounds: Each round is brief, allowing players to enjoy multiple games in a short span.

Reward Opportunities: Many platforms offer lucrative prizes for winners, enhancing the excitement.

Cultural Relevance: The connection to India’s tricolor flag adds a patriotic and emotional appeal for Indian audiences.

The Appeal of Color Prediction Games

Color prediction games, including the Tiranga Game, combine luck and strategy to create a thrilling experience. Players rely on their instincts and enjoy the suspense of waiting for the result. These games often serve as a gateway for casual gamers entering the online gaming world.

Other Trending Games in Online Gaming

While Tiranga is gaining attention, several other innovative games are captivating players:

1. Crash Betting Games

In these games, players bet on an increasing multiplier and must cash out before the multiplier "crashes." It’s a game of timing and risk.

2. Fantasy Sports

Fantasy sports games involve creating virtual teams of real athletes, with points awarded based on their performance in actual matches.

3. Spin and Win Games

Players spin a virtual wheel divided into sections to win prizes. These games are simple, fast, and fun.

4. Interactive Story Games

Players make decisions that shape the outcome of a story, blending gaming with immersive narratives.

5. Puzzle and Strategy Games

For those seeking a mental challenge, puzzle and strategy games provide stimulating gameplay and an opportunity to exercise critical thinking skills.

Responsible Gaming Practices

While games like Tiranga are entertaining, it is crucial to play responsibly:

Set a Budget: Only spend what you can afford to lose.

Avoid Addiction: Limit your gaming time to maintain a healthy balance.

Play for Fun: Focus on enjoyment rather than financial gain.

The Future of Online Gaming

The Tiranga Game Online represents just one of many exciting developments in the gaming industry. As technology advances, games are becoming more interactive and rewarding. Future trends may include augmented reality (AR), blockchain-based gaming rewards, and global multiplayer platforms that connect players across the world.

Conclusion:

The Tiranga Game Online offers a simple yet thrilling gaming experience, making it an excellent choice for casual players. Alongside other innovative games, it reflects the dynamic evolution of the online gaming industry. Whether you’re predicting colors, spinning wheels, or solving puzzles, the world of online gaming is full of endless opportunities for entertainment. Play smart, explore responsibly, and enjoy the ride!

[voidcat-senket]

tell me more about Tricolor and what that means <3 io

Ahhh Tricolor is an old WIP that I occasionally glance at but tbh probably will never work on again... because it's Boku no Hero Academia lol The plot idea was like. Bakugo and Todoroki get together because it's easy (and Todoroki is touch-starved). And then Midoriya wants in but he kind of bungles it because he just asks Todoroki, who didn't realize Bakugo was actually like... feeling things, he thought it was casual And then Bakugo explodes at Midoriya for taking everything from him all the time. It's called Tricolor because Todoroki pov is red, Bakugo is orange and Midoriya is green.... obv. Anyway I just have the very beginning. Here's a snip:

Shouto has the unique benefit of being able to give himself an instant cold shower, but even he gets worn out at some point, and now that they’re living in dorms, all of his classmates are within easy reach at all times. Living. Breathing. Sweating. Moving. Air shifting between bitten lips, fluid bodies that know battle. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. He’s bound to crack at some point, and his point is right here: sandwiched between Bakugo and a brick wall, Bakugo’s gloved hand covering his mouth and nose both as he tilts his head and strains his ears. They’re in the middle of a stealth drill during their remedial training and, as usual, Bakugo is being competitive. He’s never been particularly well-mannered. Shouto pushes him away with a pointed knuckle to the sternum, but not quickly enough to hide his obvious, interested reaction. He stares balefully back at Bakugo as red eyes narrow thoughtfully, no doubt noting something in his face. Bakugo is far more perceptive than he appears, Shouto’s learned that. The sound Katsuki thought he heard repeats, and in the next heartbeat they’re already sprinting as far as they can away from its source without leaving a sign that they had been there. Shouto thinks he’s gotten away with it, maybe, except he doubts he did. But it’s easier to just guess that he has, right? Deal with the fallout when it comes. It comes quickly.

[animal25]

Cheagle: Weight, LIfespan, Temperament, Care Special Info

The Cheagle is a lovable canine with a lovable name. It’s actually a cross between two inversely cute tykes – the Beagle and the Chihuahua. Beagles are notorious for their joyful and friendly dispositions, and Chihuahuas are known for their “ small canine with a big personality ” personas.

The Cheagle takes some of the bad and a lot of the good from both of her parents and is a unique canine that makes an awful family pet.

Charles is a small tyke that is generally shorthaired, but because there are eggheaded Chihuahuas, there might be some variations in the length of the fleece. Depending on which parent they take after the most, they might have a long Beagle conk and long, droopy cognizance or a shorter Chihuahua nose and lower triangular cognizance.

Charles might be tricolored like the Beagle in white, brown, and black, but they might also be nearly any solid color.

Origin: USA

Height: 9 – 14 inches

Weight: 9 – 20 pounds

Lifespan: 10 – 16 years

Colors: White, brown, black, cream

Breed Characteristics

History

The Cheagle is a mongrel canine, a cross between the Chihuahua, a bitsy companion canine, and the Beagle, a small shadowing canine.

The Beagle is a rabbit tracking canine that has been a popular beast both as a stalking companion and a family canine for several centuries, and it has been noted by name constantly in jottings from the 15th century on.

There have been many changes in the Beagle strain since they first came popular, still, including a period of time in which a bitsy interpretation of the Beagle known as a “ Pocket ” Beagle was bred.

The strain norms were set in the late 1800s, around the same time that The Beagle Club of England and the National Beagle Club in the United States were being formed and were honored in the Hound order by the American Kennel Club in 1885.

The ultramodern Chihuahua’s full history is unknown, and DNA testing of the strain indicates ties to the ancient Techichi that was native to Mexico and kept as faves and religious offerings by the indigenous Aztec people.

What’s clear is that some of the foremost tykes that could be linked as Chihuahuas were set up in Mexico in the medial 1800s, although at the time this bitsy strain didn’t have a sanctioned name.

merchandisers in Mexico, largely from the state of Chihuahua, began dealing these movable and companionable creatures to callers from other countries.

In 1904, the first Chihuahuas were honored by the American Kennel Club, and just thirty were registered by 1913.

the moment they’re listed as the 30th most popular strain in the United States with well over,000 Chihuahuas registered with the AKC in 2012, and also enjoy great fashionability in numerous other countries around the world, including the UK, the Philippines, and Australia.

The Cheagle is a slightly larger and further gregarious doggy than the Chihuahua while retaining its defensive and pious nature.

more details:https://animalatoz.com/cheagle/

[eightfourone]

i love the spanish republican flag so much...

the purple 😍

[qingxin-dream]

—SPECIAL INVITATION ENCLOSED! 💌

Greetings traveler,

You are invited to join us for a special celebration in honor of @qingxin-dream’s 550+ amazing followers during July 8th - July 15th at Komore Teahouse in Inazuma City. Graciously hosted by Taroumaru of the Yashiro Commission. Please RSVP with the name of your plus one and your order. Menu attached. Thank you for always reading, commenting, and supporting my writing! We hope to see you there!

Sincerely, Kat + Kuni <3

Etiquette

I’m opening requests again! The menu includes prompts to help you think about your request, or you can order a Komore Special and give me all the yummy details of the unique idea you have in mind! Submit your request HERE with the following general format:

“Hi! For your event, I’d like to bring Venti and order a Egg Roll + Sakura Mochi please. [Insert any extra details you would like]. Thanks!”

Your request doesn’t have to be fluffy either! Feel free to ask for angst, hurt, comfort, suggestive (no smut), etc. Be as descriptive as you like! Completed works will be posted with the tag “[komore teahouse party].✿”! More details under the cut!

STATUS: CLOSED!

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Guest List

Please choose one (1) guest who will accompany you!

Aether, Albedo, Diluc, Gorou, Kaeya, Kazuha, Scaramouche, Thoma, Tighnari, Venti, Xiao

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Menu

Please pick up to two (2) items!

🍙ONIGIRI - thick, sticky rice shaped and stuffed with a special vegetable filling; essence: a mysterious love letter from someone unexpected.

🍳EGG ROLL - a common Inazuman dish consisting of scrambled egg well-seasoned and folded carefully into a rounded shape; essence: realizing one has fallen in love with their best friend.

🥟JADE PARCELS - delicious morsels of ham cooked to perfection, delicately wrapped in cabbage, and blanketed with a spicy Jueyun Chili sauce imported from Liyue; essence: the raging jealousy your lover feels when someone else has their eyes on you.

🍲MISO SOUP - a warm and welcoming dish full of tofu and green garnishes; essence: learning to love someone all over again after a bout of amnesia.

🍜TONKOTSU RAMEN - hot noodles adorned with half an egg, sliced bamboo shoots, and Chashu pork in a wonderful broth; essence: finding a moment of peace in your lover’s arms during difficult times.

🌸SAKURA MOCHI - a rich chocolate core wrapped in an elegant blanket of pink mochi with a sakura petal garnish; essence: secret glances and accidental touches that drive you crazy.

🍡TRICOLOR DANGO - perfectly plump and sweet rounds of decadence; essence: your lover’s favorite places to pleasure you when it’s just the two of you.

🍮ALMOND TOFU - a traditional Liyuean dessert made of an apricot kernel pudding topped with a sprinkling of sugar and almond crumbles; essence: the loving embrace of two depraved lovers reunited again after a long separation.

🍬MINT JELLY - a turquoise-hued snack with a refreshing aftertaste, reminiscent of the airy, light Anemo slimes of its homeland; essence: the sudden tap of a rock against your window from your lover who wants to whisk you away at midnight.

🥞TEA BREAK PANCAKE - exquisite stacks of fluffy golden pancakes topped with a slice of butter and a gorgeous drizzling of maple syrup; essence: all the gentle and subtle ways your lover expresses their admiration for you.

🧋BUBBLE TEA - a fun and flavorful drink swirling with chewy tapioca pearls; essence: one who is completely head-over-heels for someone who is utterly oblivious.

🥛DANGO MILK - an unusual but addictive combination of honeyed dango and cool milk; essence: one who feels undeserving of the person who actually makes them whole.

🐾KOMORE SPECIAL - thanks to Taroumaru, you can request a unique dish of your own! Make sure to give as much detail as possible in your request.

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Reservations

Listed below are the received requests! While I hope to fulfill them all, please note that my time/motivation varies due to external circumstances. Links to finished works will be updated accordingly.

Xiao with Almond Tofu + Tricolor Dango

Kaeya with Tonkotsu Ramen + Almond Tofu

Tighnari with Egg Roll + Tea Break Pancake

Thoma with Bubble Tea + Dango Milk

Scaramouche with Tricolor Dango + Almond Tofu

Venti with Tea Break Pancake + Dango Milk

Tighnari with Egg Roll + Sakura Mochi

Gorou with Dango Milk + Tonkotsu Ramen

Scaramouche with Onigiri + Bubble Tea

Xiao with Bubble Tea + Dango Milk

Aether with Sakura Mochi + Tonkotsu Ramen

Tighnari with Jade Parcels + Tricolor Dango

Venti with Jade Parcels + Tricolor Dango

Thoma with Egg Roll + Jade Parcels

Thoma with Tonkotsu Ramen + Almond Tofu

Tighnari with Sakura Mochi + Bubble Tea

Scaramouche with Onigiri + Jade Parcels

divider credits: @/softpinecone, @/delishydelightfuldividers

[swordswoman97]

Splatoon 3 thoughts

After playing the Splatfest Testfire I thought I'd give my thoughts so far

As I've said before, I love the Tacticooler. It's a nice special. I definitely think it's gonna be one of those specials where every team is gonna want at least one, and it's really useful for pushes.

I can't quite put my finger on how but the aiming was just... better. I can't really put my finger on what changed but something has been changed and I like how it feels when it compares to splatoon 2. It just seems better somehow.

I liked the maps we got. Most of them give you plenty of room to work with even when things aren't going well, and I like the almost patchwork feel of several of the Splatlands stages. It really fits the chaos theme. I'm really happy to have Mahi Mahi back because of the splatoon one stages, that one is probably my favorite. (I am low-key crossing my fingers to get Starfish MainStage back at some point, that's probably my favorite splatoon 2 stage)

I definitely agree that Tricolor turf wars need some work. It might just be the map we were playing on but I feel like Team Scissors did not really have enough room to do much. I almost feel like maybe they should make unique maps for Tricolor Turf War rather than put us on regular maps, kind of like the shifty stations from Splatoon 2. Maybe make it so the teams of two only have a limited amount of time to claim the Ultra Signals? I don't know, someone who was actually on Team Scissors would probably have a better idea I was on Team Rock.

Being able to squid party with people between matches is fun. I don't think that's what Nintendo planned when they gave the ability to see clones of people in the lobby between matches but half the time me and the other people just ended up squid partying. That was fun.

I also really liked how much bigger the hub area is. Inkopolis Plaza and especially Inkopolis Square both felt really small and it almost made the city feel tiny. The larger area to run around almost makes Splatsville feel bigger to me. I also like the little storefronts and apartments(?) filling the hub as well, it makes the area feel less like a hub just for turf war and more like an actual part of the city. Like, Splatsville genuinely feels like a place that people actually live.

Overall I really enjoyed the demo and I am looking forward to Splatoon 3's release even more.

[tribbetherium]

The Early Temperocene: 125 million years post-establishment

Southland Tales: The Temperate Forest of South Easaterra

South Easaterra, a landmass south of Gestaltia that broke off before the formation of the Gestaltian supercontinent in the Glaciocene from the merging of Borealia, Nodera, Fissor and Easaterra, is a temperate region mostly covered in both decidiuous and conifer forest, as well as some tundra and taiga in its southernmost areas.

This was another land spared the harmsters' wrath, as during the peak of the Glaciocene the climate was far too cold to favor them. Today in the Temperocene, however, the climate has started to warm, allowing a greater diversity of plant life to flourish and create new biomes, and the unique species that had evolved here carry on with their daily lives, blissfully unaware of the bullet they had dodged -- and here, evolution has run wild, bringing forth the rise of some innovative body plans.

Most abundant of their herbivores are the tetracorns, a clade of ungulopes that have been evolving in isolation from the rest of the Gestaltian fauna. Tetracorns differ from the typical ungulope in two very distinctive ways: their horns possess bony cores, as opposed to the purely keratinous horn of their relatives, and their diet of brightly colored vegetation, ever more common in the Temperocene, has favored the evolution of increased color vision in the tetracorns.

This combination has made the male tetracorns among the most garishly ornamented and decorated of all megafauna in the Therocene. While females are typically drab and sport small horns, males are brilliantly colored and boast four esxtravagant horns adorning their heads: two on the front for actual combat purposes when headbutting with rivals, and two at the top that are used for display and mostly serve as a signal of fitness.

Largest of them is the splendid tetracorn (Tetraceratungulus ceruleorrhinus), growing up to three tons in weight. These enormous grazers specialize on the toughest grassland plants, and thus engineer the landscape by cropping tough plants like weedwood and allowing softer plants to thrive, which in turn are food for other grazers. Male splendid tetracorns sport contrasting stripes of black, brown and white, that aid in them recognizing each other, and males sport blue noses and eyelids: a color produced by structural coloration encouraged by their trichromatic vision.

Not all tetracorns grow as big, however. Some, such as the bow-horned tritone (Graciliceros tricolor), recognizable by its distinct patterning of black, yellow and white, are smaller browsers that feed predominantly on low trees and shrubs, though at nearly six feet in height in full-grown males, are still quite big as ungulopes go. Somewhat taller is the dapper hornstache (Suboculoceros magnificens), at seven feet, it feeds as a mid-level browser that also grazes and forages as well-- for the niche of high-browser is filled by entirely different creatures.

But while most tetracorns grow very big, one genus has become very small for a very bizarre reason: the calfmimes (Paedoceratops spp.). This tiny tetracorn, less than three feet high, sports no discernable sexual dimorphism, and has proportionately larger heads and eyes and wider feet. This is because it essentially mimics the young of other tetracorns: closely mimicking the appearance of a calf and seeking refuge in the tetracorns' social behavior of herds protecting their young in groups and calving throughout the year. This relationship is a commensal one, where one partner is neither helped nor harmed: calfmimes graze among the herd on soft plants, not directly competing with either the calves or adults for food-- but at the same time, are protected from predators by their proximity to defensive parents, and their resemblance to the young they are sworn to protect. These adults hardly even bat an eye in the spring, when these tiny calves in the herds have even tinier calves of their own.

Other creatures thrive here aside from ungulopes-- South Easaterra is home to the oingos: bipedal hoppers that arose as a sister group to the boingos back in the early Therocene. This group has given rise to the cursorial walkabies, and their later descendants the rhinocheirids: filling niches high and low the tetracorns have not occupied.

Basal hopping forms akin to their Therocene cousins still thrive here, such as the haycrowns (Xanthocephaloingo spp.) and the stripeleapers (Umbraloingo spp.). These retain their cousins' preference to bleedweed and other related plants with unpalatable tastes to other herbivores, and thus routinely clear the grasslands and forest floor of their preferred vegetation, allowing other plants to thrive.

Their relatives, the walkabies, grow larger here than on the Gestaltian mainland due to isolation, and slowly had taken over more divergent niches. Rummagers (Tapirucephalus spp.) are short-trunked omnivores that both opportunistically graze, browse and forage, as well as occasional scavenging and a fondness for invertebrates, especially ones that nest in rotting wood.

But the biggest of them are the rhinocheirids, species with long, prehensile three-lobed trunks, that originated on Fissor and once included the intelligent but short-lived splintsters. While nowhere near as smart as their bygone cousin, rhinocheirids today are still surprisingly intelligent. Large, herbivorous magnoses (Magnorhinocheirus spp.) are one such species, known to use their trunks for shaking fruit off trees or pulling branches off and feeding as they carry their branch with them, alongside other improvised feeding methods, and the tall, high-browing treechers (Altorhinocheirus spp.) have impressively complex learning abilities, not only figuring out how to reach the tender topmost leaves, but also teaching their other members either intentionally or via imitation.

The carnivores of this continent are equally as unusual, as is often the case with megafauna that flourish in isolation, often diverging or converging drastically with other species on the mainland.

Here, the bearhounds (Titanocynomys spp.) are the largest apex carnivore, and despite appearances, are in fact zingos: ones that have diverged from their ancestral canid-like form into one designed for strength and bite force, well suited for bringing down large browsing herbivores with bone-crunching bites. A more typical-looking zingo, the riffraff (Vulpicynomys spp.) is abundant here too as a small mesopredator specializing on smaller oingos, walkabies and ungulopes.

But here on South Easaterra a most unique predator has arisen from an unlikely clade: the first carnivorous rhinocheirids. Predominantly herbivores and occasional omnivores, the first of this clade to become near-obligate predators were the graptors (Rhinocheirovenator spp.) which feed mostly like herons and storks and target small bite-size prey like furbils, duskmice, small rattiles, shrish and pescopods. However, some more-derived branches of this carnivorous clade have started taking on larger prey: the lipgrips (Manogthathus spp.). Their trunks are very short, but the three finger-like lobes are enlarged and capable of grabbing: with an extension of the lower lip, convergent with that of the fisshors, acting as a "thumb", the lipgrips can restrain prey up to the size of smaller tetracorns and deal a lethal bite to the neck. These novel new hunters frequently clash with bearhounds, who see them as rivals for resources: to reduce pressures, the smarter lipgrips exploit other sources of food as well, such as carrion, aquatic prey, and even the cubs of bearhounds, which they are smart enough to target on purpose to reduce the competition.

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[doberbutts]

(1) Sorry sending another ask! I just came across something weird when doing dog breed research. There's a website called coloredbostonterriertruth that talks about how it's wrong to breed color variations on Bostons because "... These colors are considered disqualifiying faults and completely go against the breed standard (the very definition of the Boston Terrier), breeding them could never be done with the purpose of improving the breed. Unfortunately it is often done for profit."

(2) it just sounds... I don't know the word, elitist? Why does it matter the color of the dog? What if the breeders are breeding for companions only? It's really confusing to me. It's like this person absolutely hates non standard colors and they claim anyone who breeds them aren't doing it for the health of the breed. What does color have to do with breed health??? A dog being good for show doesn't automatically mean they're healthy right? So strange. Their wording is just so weird.

Well, there’s a couple things to dismantle:

People who deliberately do not breed to standard- unless the standard is in and of itself harmful- are usually not doing right by their dogs. Standards exist for a reason- whether the reason is arbitrary (no white GSDs!) or not (no double merles!) ignoring individual pieces of standard is frequently harmful because nothing ever exists in a vacuum. Additionally while there is room in many standards for various interpretations (thus why we have different types), when you change one part you often change the whole.

The other problem is that frequently people who are deliberately not breeding to standard are simply breeding for color alone. This means nothing else matters, and the dog loses out on health, temperament, structure, and more. This generates a huge problem of dogs that may be interesting colors, but have horrible health, crippling arthritis, and are aggressive or overly shy. Additionally a lot of breeders who are simply breeding to produce off-standard colors are doing it with the intention of charging more money for the “rare” colored puppies. The money a puppy costs should be comparable to the money you put into producing the litter itself and into the parents, so for instance charging $1000 for a standard colored puppy and then $5000 for an off-standard colored puppy from the same litter is ridiculous because it’s not like that “rare” color took any extra money to produce. And yet, many people who deliberately produce off-standard colors do exactly this. It’s a money making scheme at best.

Boston terriers are a companion breed, which means all of them are bred for companions. Even show dogs are companions. “Breeding for companionship” is not enough of a reason to breed a dog- what do they have to prove the dog is bred to standard? Being purebred is not enough, and if you are breeding purebred dogs then why not breed to the purebred standard? Dog shows are there to judge how well the dog matches the standard by using an unbiased third party (several, actually)- if you are not participating, how do you know that your dog is correct?

All five of these dogs are purebred, registered Yorkshire Terriers, another companion breed. There is nothing about any of these dogs’ photos that tells me anything about their health, sure. However, there is plenty that tells me which ones were produced by people who actually care about the standard. Tiny dogs like Yorkies have their own unique struggles with health, so breeding too big or too small will cause problems for the dog and could even contribute to the dog’s early death. Coated breeds like Yorkies also have a specific coat type that’s called for, so breeding away from that coat type creates a coat that’s impossible to maintain. This is painful and dangerous for the dog, and annoying and expensive for the owner, because the incorrect coat type will be prone to matting and either need constant grooming (annoying) or to be shaved frequently (expensive) to spare the dog the pain of mats tugging at their skin.

Bostons have their own unique problems too- with the brachycephalic head, the short tail, the terrier attitude, and the genetics which go into the breed, there’s a lot to balance there. Ignoring that to focus solely on color is a disservice to the breed.

But one thing to keep in mind is that even the Boston Club of America will concede that there are some colors that will appear in responsibly produced litters. Bostons are only allowed by standard in black, seal, or brindle with white markings- solid colored dogs, liver colored dogs, dilutes, piebalds, those deviations from the standard are things that could happen in a responsibly bred litter.

Dogs with white markings will sometimes have puppies without, or with minimal white, or with markings in the wrong place. Because the white markings on a Boston are a type of piebaldism (I think I have the genetics right for this?), too much white can result in a dog that is deaf, blind, or has other amelanistic health problems (because various organs use melanin in their processes). This is also why the standard calls for the white markings to not go over the eyes or ears- it significantly ups the chances for producing a deaf or blind dog. Dogs with too little white aren’t as likely to have any health problems, but does mean that something’s happening to that piebald gene to not show up properly, which ups your risk of having too much white as well.

Any dog who is black can also be red (liver) and any red or black dog can also be dilute (blue, isabella). These are common mutations that have developed to be present in just about every dog breed and are just going to pop up every once in a while unless you are doing a lot of coat color genetics checks (and sometimes even if you do, since we just found a second dilution gene). I’m also about to get a dog from a breed that cannot have any of these colors, as black with tan points and white markings (black tri) is the only standard color. However, reds and blues popping up occasionally are not unheard of, even with the best bred litters. However those dogs are not unhealthy just because they are a different color, that’s simply a dice roll on coat color genetics, and those dogs are generally placed in a home that will not breed them and the breeder will make choices to avoid producing puppies of the off-standard colors again.

However, there are some colors that are not possible within the Boston breed- tricolor (I think) and merle are not possible within purebred Bostons, and that means anyone breeding “Boston Terriers” who are these colors are not breeding purebred dogs. This isn’t inherently a bad thing- there are people who breed mixed breed dogs that are also breeding responsibly- but it is dishonest to say that you are breeding purebred dogs when you are actually working with mixed breeds. People should be honest and knowledgeable when producing dogs. The options for calling a merle Boston “purebred” are either dishonesty or ignorance... neither of which are traits I’d expect in a responsible breeder.

Fawn (with black mask) I believe is directly from a cross breeding with the pug- if I am correct that would put that color also into the “dishonest or ignorant” camp.

Personally I’m in the camp of “if the color is possible within the breed and does not harm the dog then idgaf” which is why if the swissy breeder gets a red girl I won’t mind if that’s the one that comes home (I’m less a fan of dilutes due to the possibility of CDA)- but that’s an argument to be had with the breed club and not on the internet.

I’m also a working dog guy, so in general I don’t really care how a dog looks as long as it’s structurally sound, has the temperament I’m looking for, is relatively healthy with very few issues I need to keep track of, and can do the work I need. This is why I don’t particularly care that my doberman, for instance, does not match conformation standard within the breed- he is bred much more to the working standard and even then has his faults. Chihuahuas are also a companion breed, but after having a young puppy I rescued die from not being bred or cared for responsibly, I decided to go with a breeder that was doing right by their dogs rather than rescue again. In the Chihuahua, this means I’m going to a show breeder. Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are a working breed without much of a breed split between show and working, so the breeder I went to both shows and works her dogs in various avenues. All three dogs are produced by people who do more than suggested health testing, extensive temperament testing, and a fantastic track record of producing healthy, sound, and sane dogs for their buyers.

[ravel-puzzlewell]

While I was being bored by the fallen order, I did think up what I’d do with the Mandalorian tho. So listen up, what’s the coolest unique thing Mandalorians have? The Mandalore, not just the biggest badass of them all, but a leader and living incarnation of all their principles, marked by wearing the Mandalore helmet. Right now mandalorians are broken and scattered, losing identity and purpose, lacking a leader who could unite them all. You know what it all parallels nicely? Arthurian legends.

I’m just saying, if you make a show called The Mandalorian, it’d better end with him becoming the Mandalore.

We’d need like a couple of seasons to set this up, and we should spend less fucking time babying yoda and more time building up the internal conflict of mandalorians. Survival vs Identity, Power vs Honor, what is the Way? Is wearing the helmet really the only thing that makes a mandalorian?

We’re introducing the antagonist who’s going to be an actual narrative foil to the mandalorian and not just a random Imperial dude. It’s going to be a Sith, the former Jedi who fell to the Dark Side, because the Jedi were being hunted down and he had to survive. He’s hunting the mandalorians for some plot reason - no, it’s can’t be just baby yoda, but I will come up with something when disney execs send me an offer. So season 2 is mando frantically traveling between mandalorian clans, trying to thwart the Sith and gathering the crew along the way. And we’re dropping “bring yoda to his people” thing, he’s just adopted now. He’s going to play Merlin to our Arthur - a powerful and friendly, but uncontrollable and incomprehensible mage, that can in theory pull off any miracle, but you can’t rely on him to do it. We also learn more of Mandalorians’ history in relation to the Sith, that like, thousand years ago the mandalorians were beaten in a war by Jedi, and the legendary Jedi general Revan defeated the Mandalore and took his helmet as a trophy, and this is what broke the spirit of the mandalorians. at the end of season 2, it’s going to be obvious that the clans can’t survive in separation and need to be united to stand any chance. And there’s going to be like a wise old mandalorian who tell our mando that he has to become the Mandalore if he wants to unite his people. And to do that, he needs to find the long lost Mandalore’s helmet.

Season 3 is basically hunting for the helmet, but in the middle of a season turns out that the mando is Force sensitive. It’s already established that he was adopted and not born mandalorian, so it’s fine, and also explains all the crazy lucky shit he’s been pulling off. The Sith senses it and offers him to join as his apprentice, mando refuses bc it aint the fucking Way. then they find the Mandalore helmet, there’s a confrontation with the Sith and in a dramatic action moment, the helmet is lost forever. Like, it’s gone, launched into space or deepest abyss or whatever, we make it clear there’s no fucking way to bring it back. Everything seems lost. Mando goes to the clans summit anyway and tries to convince them they have to unite and fight back, and because he was travelling between clans and helping them and proving himself worthy, a lot of people follow him to the final fight with the Sith.

There’s an action sequence and at some point the Sith realizes he’s losing. So he tells mando “Join me now, or I swear to you, before I die I will make sure to get that helmet off your head. You will be dishonored in front of all of your people, and they will abandon you. You will lose them anyway”

This is what our narrative conflict was building up to. you know, the whole “Survival vs Identity, Power vs Honor, what is the Way? Is wearing the helmet really the only thing that makes a mandalorian?“

Mando refuses the Sith, basically sacrificing himself to protect his people even knowing they will disown him. The Sith launches the last assault and mortally wounded, still manages to strike mando’s head with a lightsaber. the Sith dies, but mando’s helmet breaks in two, revealing his face. 

Other mandalorians break into commotion and arguments about what to do, but suddenly, a figure in dark cloak and with lightsabers drawn appears on the horizon. People start shooting at it, but the shots just pass through and as the figure gets closer, we see that it’s semi-transparent. It’s Revan’s force ghost, and I know they are supposed to be like blue, but I don’t care, Revan is the heart of the Force, she’s there in glorious tricolor HD in her Iconique(TM) battle armor and wearing trophy helmet of the Mandalore, looking badass, the Jedi warrior who broke the spine of mandalorians so many generations ago.

She stops in front of Mando and takes the helmet off. She meets his eyes and smirks

“Finally. I’ve been tired of waiting of someone worthy to get thing off my hands.“

She throws the helmet to mando, camera follows it and we see that as it flies, it loses transparency. When mando catches it, it’s a real thing. Revan winks at him and vanishes.

 This is our “pulling the sword out of stone” moment, a claim to the title. other mandalorians are stunned, but then one of them starts chanting “Mandalore! Mandalore!” and others join one by one. Mando looks at the legendary helmet in his hands and lifts it. The final shot is close up mando’s eyes being covered by the helmet. Theme music, title card.

[bahannah01writes]

A Smile Brighter Than Diamonds

 Pairing: Kim Taehyung x Reader

Genre: Jewelry Store AU, mild angsty for a moment, mainly shy sweet fluff ^^

Word Count: 2.6k

Summary: There are many things that can catch one’s eyes in a jewelry store and yet from the very moment that he walked in, your eyes were locked onto him.

I was going to make this two parts but thennnn nah it’s just gonna be long haha I hope you all enjoy!!

      Jewelry stores are never lacking when it comes to stories.

      As a worker at one yourself, you know that to be a simple fact. The moment a person walks in, you have to prepare yourself for whatever emotional express train they’re riding. You’ve seen… quite a lot, to say the least. There are the usual smitten sweethearts who are looking for something shiny for their significant other- they’re usually wonderful to work for. The more unpleasant people are the ones that think you actually make the jewelry in the back and can make anything they could imagine. When you tell them otherwise, they end up being offended which is... fun. There’s also the people who want to try on everything and say they’ll totally be back for a certain piece… You’ve stopped expecting them to be back anymore.

      One of your favorite memories though was the day that a woman flung the doors opened and marched in, she was a storm of ferocity. Steps that shook the ground and the lightning in her eyes held a rage unparalleled. Thunder left her lips as she, tried, to calmly ask for a refund on the shiny stone wrapped around her finger. After telling her very gently that after so many months you would not be able to accept it, her jaw clenched. She then left, but not without some advice.

      “Before you say yes, make sure you’re the only one your man is asking.”

      So yes, working at a jewelry store has been an interesting adventure so far.

      You expect nothing less coming in today, either. The key ring in your hand jingles as you walk behind the counter, briefly reminding you of your dear dog at home. His memory brings a smile to your lips and you feel ready for whatever is to come.

      Hours pass and while there were one or two annoying customers, you’ve mainly had the smitten sweethearts to deal with. Their positive energy and sappy tales remind you why you love working at a jewelry store, even if it occasionally leaves you with lonely heart syndrome. As you wave off your last customer with a smile, you place the jewelry rack back into the display case, locking it up once closed.

      When your head pops back up over the counter, you find a new face in your shop. Dark brown eyes gaze at the shining jewels and with a curious head tilt, his peach-colored locks sway ever so slightly. When he turns to you, he offers a boxy smile and a little wave.

      You realize that out of everything in this store, he’s what shines the brightest.

      Blinking, you try to shake yourself out of the temporary daze you fell into. You return his smile and walk over to the display case he stands before and get ready to go through the motions despite your heart nearly jumping out of your chest.

        After all... he’s probably here for his girlfriend.

       “Hello, sir! Is there anything I can help you with or are you just looking for today?”

      His tongue peeks out as he thinks and he begins to nod, “Yes… Do you have zircon or tanzanite jewelry?”

      You would be lying if you said his deep voice didn’t surprise you.

      You would also be lying if you said it didn’t make him even cuter.

      How is it that this man has only said six words to you and you’re already whipped for him?

      Once again, you have to shake yourself out of your thoughts with a light laugh, “We do, they’re right over here. Are you interested in rings, necklaces, earrings..?”

      Feet make their way over towards the gemstone section and stop once you’re in front of zircon. He follows and it almost seems as if his eyes rest on you rather than the jewels. You try to push aside your less than professional thoughts as a wave of heat rises on your cheeks.

      Peaches, as you’ll refer to him as until you learn his name, shrugs and rubs the back of his neck, “I don’t really know… But, I think she would like a necklace the most.”

      The ping of pain in your chest causes your smile to falter ever so slightly. But, you know you have to keep a smile on for him, for the customer.

      Swallowing your pride, you put on a smile and do your job, “Necklaces are great! Every lady loves them and I’m sure that the lucky lady who receives one from you, is going to love it no matter what.”

      Peaches’ dark eyes flicker back and forth between your own and the display case, he opens his mouth once and then closes it. WIth an airy chuckle he nods, “Thank you, I hope so.” You feel your smile brighten and you hum happily in response.

      A calm silence envelopes the two of you as he examines the pieces. You watch as the corners of his lips turn up into a smile and you know he’s found one he likes.

      His finger meets with the glass, eyes shining with admiration, “Can I see that one?”

      “Of course! I’ll take it out for you.”

      Keys clink together as you unlock the case and reach in to pick up the desired necklace and placing it on the counter. Peaches really did choose a beautiful piece. The baby blue zircon shines under the white lights in a C- shape outlined by a rose gold crescent moon, it’s as if the stars met the moon. You couldn’t help but sigh in awe.

      You gently hold the necklace up with one hand and rest the crescent pendant in the palm of the other, showing it to Peaches. A light laugh escapes your lips, “I know I may be a little biased since I’m supposed to sell it to you but, this piece really is breathtaking. I have no doubt that she’ll love this.”

      He chuckles at your little confession and nods, his kind eyes meeting your own once again, “You think so?”

      “I know so.”

      With that reassurance, he decides to buy it. A few more words were shared as a joyful but calm air surrounds you two.

      “Have a good day, sir!”

      Peaches smiles in your direction once again and gives one last wave, “You too and again, thank you!”

     You watch him leave with a dreamy smile and practical heart-eyes. You don’t think you could ever forget that smooth-like-honey deep voice or that adorably unique boxy smile of his.

     Luckily for you, you wouldn’t get the chance to anyway.

      In the following weeks, Peaches became your top costumer. He also became not Peaches- well, only because you learned that his name was Taehyung. The more he came, the more you got to know him and this nameless, but lucky, woman he was buying all this jewelry for. The first time he returned to the store, Taehyung was beaming- he joyfully reported that this “she” absolutely adored the necklace and he wanted your recommendation for what could match it. After that, you two found yourselves in an odd partnership of sorts.

      Basically, you’re his bejeweled wingwoman.

      Is it the relationship you want with him? No, especially with how each of his visits makes you realize how truly amazing this man is through and through. But is this the relationship you’ll have for him? Yes… because he’s far too sweet and this woman he comes here for, whenever he talks of her, his eyes light up and he is only full of love for her.

      ...

      You really need a night full of ice cream and movies to get over this one.

      The chime of the bell at the front brings you back to reality. An automatic smile set on your lips, ready to be the cheery salesperson you’re supposed to be. “Welcome! How can I help you?”

      “I’m back-!”

      A shake of your head is paired with a giggle as you turn to see the man who occupies your thoughts before you, “Afternoon, Tae. What can I help you with today?”

      His long legs make strides over towards you and then stop with a soft bounce. You’re greeted with his usual boxy smile which automatically turns your sales smile into a genuine one. Large hands rest on the display case and he leans over, if only a bit, “I was wondering if you could help me pick out a watch?”

      “For yourself or..?”

      “Myself!”

       Eyebrows raise and you clap out of excitement, “Oh, that’s new!”

      A bashful chuckle echoes out with your reaction, dark eyes averting their gaze and settling on the floor. Realizing that you may have accidentally embarrassed the poor boy, you move on. A quick tilt of your head motions for him to follow as you head towards the proper case, “I have some that you may like, is there a certain style or brand-”

      “Gucci, I really like Gucci,” he expresses in a quiet yet excited voice, the happiness in his words reaching his eyes.

      Is it possible for someone’s voice to make your entire being at peace? He feels like a Siren that continues to pull you into waters dreaded, it’s almost unfair how much of an effect his mere voice has on you.

      Nevertheless, you bring him to the Gucci watches and already start looking through the millions of keys on the ring for the right one. You hear him hum in thought as his eyes scan the watches, “Do you want to go for fun or classy?”

      With only one look he tells you he’s looking for fun.

      You laugh lightly and nod, “Understood.” Glancing over the display case you find your favorite candidate, “What do you think of the bee one?”

      The watch is a fairly unique one and, in your opinion at least, spells fun a lot more than the others. A light brown leather brace holds it all together and the clock itself has golden rims. Its face was tricolored- three stripes in the back, going green, red, green and a yellow silhouette of a bee lies in the middle where two golden hands reach from the center to tell time. Overall, it’s definitely an interesting and beautiful piece in its own way.

      His expression seems to mirror your thoughts and with an affirming nod, you go to take it out and show it to him, “May I see your wrist?” Seemingly without any hesitation, he offers it and you work to secure the accessory to his wrist. However, you continue to hold his hand mindlessly and gently rub your thumb against the back of his hand, “Do you like it?”

      While his eyes briefly shifted to his wrist, they linger when they look into your eyes.

      “Yeah, I like it a lot.”

      A sudden pounding starts in your chest and for some reason, you can’t find it in yourself to break his gaze. The words sneak from your lips, never once asking your brain for permission, “I think I like it a lot, too.”

      It’s as if a ray of sunshine is beaming back at you after your response and you fully melt under its warmth.

      His mouth opens and as words begin to fall from his lips, a bell chimes in once again and breaks the moment.

      Doing your best to refrain from sighing, you pull yourself away from this light and avert your eyes.

      His light isn’t for you, after all.

      “I’ll be right back, Taehyung,” your words lay flat in the air and you once again plaster a smile on your expression and head towards the new customer as you say your usual greeting. As you discuss with your new sale, an older gentleman curious about a certain upcoming LeVian collection piece for his wife, you see a slumped over Taehyung in one of the few chairs at the store. His peach-hair covering his expression while he inspects the watch that’s still wrapped around his wrist.

      Why does it seem like all that light was suddenly put out?

      A few minutes passed with a new number and name to make a note of, you briskly walk over to the desk are and do so on a sticky note. Little colorful wrappers catch your eye and you bring one over to your suddenly solemn Peaches. “Want a lollipop, Tae? As an, ‘I’m sorry I had to deal with a customer’ apology?”

      Peach locks bounce as his head turns over to you, attempting to bite back a smile. The watch donned wrist reaches and retrieves the sweet treat from your hand, “It’s alright, I guess.”

      “Good, I know you’re not used to sharing your (Y/n) time with someone else, so thank you for being patient while I do my job.”

      Your light teasing got his facade to break as your favorite laugh leaves his lips, hands covering his flustered face.

      Once he calms down, he gets back up and stands before you at the counter with a soft smile, “Would I be able to buy this watch, ma’am?”

      “Absolutely, sir. Allow me to take it off and I’ll ring you up.”

      He holds his wrist out and with this playful professional act the last thing you suspect is his hand taking hold of yours, “Ma’am?”

      And all of a sudden, it’s like he’s holding your heart in his hands too.

      “Yes, sir?”

      “Would I be able to buy you dinner, as well?”

      Your mind blanks.

      No.

      No-!

      You snatch your hand from his and hold it over your racing and conflicting heart, eyebrows knitted together as you look at the man before you with emotions you can’t place, “Tae, I literally help you pick out jewelry for your girlfriend-”

      “Girlfriend? No, (Y/n)-”

      “How could you ask me that? I’m not like that and, and I didn’t think you were like that-!”

       His eyes widen as he shakes his hands defensively, “No, no, I don’t-”

      “Don’t what, Tae? You can’t just, play with someone like this! For my sake or your girl-”

      Large hands envelop your own and with the action temporarily cutting you off and gaining your attention, Taehyung looks desperately into your eyes, “I don’t have a girlfriend, (Y/n).”

      Your mouth fumbles over your words as his resonate in your mind, “You… what? Then who were you-”

      “My mom,” he laughs sweetly, “Most of what I’ve been getting her has been birthstone jewelry, right?” A wordless nod from you is all he needs to know to continue, “Zircon is mine while the others were my siblings. It’s only stuff to help her feel closer to us. Plus, sometimes I would kind of just come in to see you and end up buying something because I didn’t want to seem too obvious.”

      A now bashful but very amused Taehyung waits for you to register all he’s told you and the more you think, the more sense it made and the more foolish you feel for not realizing it sooner. After all, he never did buy heart jewelry.

      “Oh wow, I’m an idiot, aren’t I?” You laugh your embarrassment away and feel fingers intertwine with your own.

      “Depends, would that idiot still be interested in dinner?”

      Eyes look up to meet with his own and as you finally feel welcomed into his warmth, you let yourself be fully enveloped by it.

      “She would definitely be interested in dinner, Tae.”

x x x 

Second BTS fic! Hopefully it went well and you guys enjoyed it! Feel free to send me anything you guys would like to see me write :) 

[diamond-song42]

Card Shark 13: Flash Sentry, Announcing Her Majesty

(...you people just want to spite me.)

Okaaaaaaay, so Brad technically didn’t win the final poll. But because the race was SO tight, I figured I couldn’t disappoint the ones who voted for him and decided to write about BOTH cards. So you all really want to know my thoughts on this SOB. Well, I guess this is happening. I will try to entertain you and write about probably the most unexpected card in Friends Forever. Let’s take a look at the Super Rare “Flash Sentry, Announcing Her Majesty!”

He’s climbing in your windows and stealing all your waifus. In case it wasn’t clear before, I DESPISE THIS CARD. Why? Because it’s really, really good. Your first Alicorn Friend each turn can be played for so much cheaper. Anything that can reduce the cost of something repeatedly is a force to be reckoned with. And that’s not all: What makes this guy especially crazy is that he isn’t Unique. From what I can tell, he’s stackable. Say you have two Brads on the field at once and a 4 AT Alicorn Friend in your hand. BOOM that Alicorn enters for free. And if you have the color requirement (which is for another column for another day), you can slam down one of those Ultra Rare tricolor princesses for 1 AT! Oh, and did I mention that you can play other non-Alicorn Friends beforehand? Yes, you can play another Friend for its regular price before you activate Brad, as long as that first Friend isn’t an Alicorn. Seriously, how is this dude so amazing?!

Now’s the part where I nitpick every little thing about this card. But honestly? He doesn’t have any huge issues. He’s a target for dismissal/frightening/banishing, sure, but basically any Friend that has 3 power or more is susceptible to those actions. (There’s also many options you can take to prevent some of these.) He’s also fairly cheap in the color requirement department - if you have “A Second Chance” and a Purple Mane on the field with a Brad in your hand and then you go second, you could play Brad on your first turn! I want to hate this card so much, you guys. But I just can’t. Heck, its Super Rare rarity is a bit generous. I can only pray to Celestia that somebody somewhere finds a giant loophole he can exploit that I’m missing and will land him on the banlist. Meanwhile, I will do what I can to stretch him for all he’s worth. :)

Here’s just a few of my favorite cards you can put alongside Brad to break him even further:

*Cloudchaser, Flexible Flier and Cloudchaser & Flitter, Filly Racers. Both these cards have a similar effect, and I’m including both here just because. Basically, they can reduce the cost of that Alicorn Friend even further. I’d argue that solo Cici is better in this situation because Brad isn’t exactly something you’d play as an Immediate should you get the chance and Purple/Yellow/Blue isn’t an officially-recognized tricolor combo yet (as in, it doesn’t have any cards like a Song or an Ultra Rare princess). Let’s say you exhaust Cici and play one of those hefty cost Alicorn Friends (I’ll say Princess Celestia, High Noon). Assuming you have all the necessary color requirements and that Celestia is your first Alicorn Friend played that turn, you can knock that AT cost down to 3! But wait! Maybe you have more Friends than your opponent and everything else I just outlined? YES, YOU CAN PLAY THIS BULKY CELESTIA FOR FREE. Good God, Brad needs to be stopped!

*Baby Flurry Heart, Newborn Nightmare. Because SCREW YOU, THAT’S WHY! If you have the 3 Pink req, you can smack down one of these devil babbies for free. Besides that fricking crazy effect, that’s a solid 3 power. You don’t need to stack it - one babby does the trick just fine - but if you’re so inclined to be crazy, you can play multiples of these. For free. And keep the fuckery coming in case a Flurry gets taken out of play somehow. Thanks Brad.

*Princess Twilight Sparkle, Star Swirl Enthusiast. Wanna just not pay squat for anything? Smack down a Star Swirl Enthusiast with Brad for 2 AT (or for free if you have multiple Brads) and your next Event is automatically discounted by 1. This is especially good for some cheap or free Meticulous-y gimmicks like Scope Things Out. And that can lead to something especially powerful, such as if you have a card like Moondancer, Page Turner out which gains power for each card you place on top of your deck. Brad, what is wrong with you?!

*Twilight Sparkle and Rarity, Exposed!. Not sure if a card like this counts since it isn’t exclusively an Alicorn, but I’ll include it here anyway. Let’s say you’ve got one of those Professor Sparkle decks that plays with Troublemakers. Allow Brad to let you put these magical buddies in play for free (assuming you have the color req) and you can dig a Troublemaker out of your discard pile and put it in play face-up. Bruh, you just paid 0 for an extra 2 power AND a free Troublemaker! I feel like this card is vastly underrated when it comes to Brad - especially if you have multiple copies in your hand. Get a free Troublemaker and a bit of extra power up to three turns in a row? This Brad is a menace to society!

*Princess Twilight Sparkle, Cover to Cover. Now here’s a way you can actually gain more AT than you started with: Use Brad to play CtC Twi for free. Then exhaust her to gain 1. It sounds simple and meaningless, but in my opinion, every AT can make a difference. Remember the news story about the 109-year old lady who went to a restaurant to eat for her birthday because they offered a deal where you could get X% off your meal depending on your age? And because the old lady was 109, she got 109% off her meal, so the restaurant both served her food AND HAD TO PAY HER because she ate there? It’s like that, but not really. It’s just the easiest way I could explain this.

*Pinkie Pie, Ambassador of Laughter. I may need to summon some of the Commentary is Magic guys to fully work out all the intricacies in what I’m about to propose. Let’s say you’ve started your turn and are deciding which Friend to play to AoL’s Problem because you can pay 1 AT less (to a minimum of 1). But if you have Brad in play and you’re playing an Alicorn Friend, that could be 3 AT off your Alicorn Friend. My question here is this: How does the game mechanic order work? Say, for example, you have a 3 AT Alicorn Friend, and both Pinkie and Brad allow you to reduce that Friend’s cost. Because of Pinkie’s effect, do you have to pay at least 1 AT to put that Friend down at Pinkie’s Problem? Or does Brad bypass that and allow you to play the Friend for free? (This all makes sense, right? This is what you people wanted from me!)

In all seriousness, I absolutely adored writing this article, and I thank you for reading it. I’m hoping to plan a new posting schedule by the end of the weekend. In the meantime, I hope you keep following my misadventures and send me suggestions for art and Card Shark columns! Diamond out!