#magnet north residency

[santaasi]

hate to be lame

pairing: fwb!jj maybank x fem!reader

summary: you hate to admit it but you might love jj maybank

warnings: fluff, (small) angst, allusion to sex, no use of y/n, pet names (cupcake, doll), english isn’t my first language

word count: 4.3k

a/n: inspired by hate to be lame - lizzie mcalpine, fineas

YOU DIDN'T REMEMBER THE MOMENT WHEN EVERYTHING CHANGED. When the stars collided so that for the first time you felt this swarm of butterflies in your stomach at the very sight of him looking at you. Or when the hookups after parties stopped being just sex and became something more. Something more for you. 

JJ Maybank had always captivated your attention. Like everyone on the island, you couldn't help but notice that despite being the arrogant pain in every Kook's ass, JJ was sculpted like an Apollo. His tall, broad-shouldered frame was the result of daily labor for the wealthy residents of Figure 8, including you and your family. His eternally tousled dirty blond hair and those eyes... those mesmerizing eyes that reflected the beauty of North Carolina's sandy coast and salty sea. Adding to his allure was his reputation as a "troubled bad boy," a role that made him irresistible to all the girls on the island. No matter how much you wished to resist, you were no exception. His presence was magnetic, a blend of raw strength and rugged charm that drew you in despite your better judgment.

JJ Maybank wasn't just a distraction; he was a force of nature. His very existence seemed to challenge the orderly world you were accustomed to, tempting you with the promise of adventure and rebellion. The way he carried himself, with a confidence that bordered on arrogance, only heightened his appeal. He was everything you were supposed to avoid, yet everything you secretly desired.In those stolen glances and fleeting moments, you felt a connection that transcended mere attraction. It was as if his wild spirit called out to the hidden desires within you, urging you to break free from the confines of your polished life. And despite the consequences, despite the warnings, you knew deep down that resisting JJ Maybank was a battle you were destined to lose.

Resisting the allure of the Pogue boy required keeping your distance, avoiding any encounters, and only observing from afar how at each new party, he would make out with yet another girl. These girls, whom you secretly envied, seemed to effortlessly capture his attention. And it wasn't love or sympathy for the guy that drove you, no. It was the allure of the forbidden fruit that everyone spoke of with such sweetness that captivated you. You longed to savor its essence, if only for a fleeting moment, before moving on with your life. But there's wisdom in the saying, "be careful what you wish for," because the moment JJ Maybank became the new lawn boy in your house and when a week later he found his way into your silk sheets, you understood. JJ Maybank wasn't just a temptation; he was an addiction.

Sex with him was like scenes from an old romantic movie: tender, sensual, and passionately intense. JJ Maybank was not just focused on his own pleasure; he made it his mission to make you feel like a queen. He would lift you to the ninth cloud, then gently lower you back to earth, leaving you yearning for him again and again until you were utterly spent.

After the bliss of being in bed, he would carry that enchantment into the shower. With hands roughened by hard work, he would glide over your body, applying expensive shower gel with a touch that was both firm and tender, rinsing it off with hot water. His fingers would move through your hair, massaging your scalp as he applied shampoo and followed it with a series of hair care steps that he found frivolous but performed with care just for you. His lips would leave delicate kisses on your cheeks, shoulders, collarbone, fingers—anywhere he could reach, while his hot breath scorched your skin as he whispered sweet nothings into your ear.

Afterward, he would wrap your towel-dried body in one of his T-shirts, the ones you kept in your closet and slept in every night, inhaling the scent of the sea that clung to them. Then he would lift you in his arms, carry you to your huge bed, and lie down beside you, holding you close.

These moments were more than physical pleasure; they were a symphony of sensations that transcended mere touch. JJ's rough, hard working hands moved with surprising gentleness, as if cherishing every inch of your skin. His presence was overwhelming yet comforting, a paradox that left you helplessly drawn to him. Each touch, each kiss, each whisper was a promise of more—more passion, more tenderness, more of the addictive connection that bound you to him. In his embrace, time seemed to stand still. The world outside ceased to exist, and all that mattered was the two of you, lost in a private universe of bliss and desire. JJ Maybank wasn't just a lover; he was an experience, a force that transformed every moment with him into something magical. As you lay there, wrapped in his arms, you knew that this was a feeling you would never tire of, a craving that would forever haunt your dreams.

Perhaps it was this tender and sensualness on his part, which you had never met before, that made your little heart beat more often in your chest. Or maybe it was all those little moments and conversations in between, all those stupid jokes that made you laugh until your stomach hurt, and all those "accidental" touches after which your body forgot how to breathe. 

Maybe it was all this, or perhaps everything in between, but none of it mattered in the end. The bottom line remained the same: despite everything, you fell in love with JJ Maybank, and it seemed like your biggest mistake. He wasn't interested in relationships. To him, a relationship meant the end of freedom and happiness. And you were a Kook—a Kook he despised and hated. People like you always made him do their dirty work, just like your parents did, and it was because of them that he often found himself at the precinct. All these factors combined left no chance of moving from the category of friends with benefits to something more.

You wanted to believe that the smoldering looks you caught from him at parties, the casual touches, and the late-night conversations on your rooftop meant as much to him as they did to you. But you weren't naive enough to think your relationship was special when he spent his life changing girls like gloves. So, you buried your feelings deep inside and accepted the reality you lived in, where JJ Maybank was just your fling.

You couldn't help but replay the moments when his gaze lingered a little too long, or when his touch seemed to convey more than just physical desire. Each encounter was a blend of ecstasy and heartbreak, knowing that while he held you close, he was never truly yours. The connection you felt was undeniable, but the barriers between you were just as real. He was a wild spirit, untamed and unbound, while you were part of the world that tried to cage him. Despite this, you cherished every moment spent with him. The laughter, the shared secrets, the way he made you feel alive in a way no one else could. The intensity of his presence was intoxicating, making it impossible to stay away even when you knew it was for the best. JJ was an addiction, a beautiful, dangerous addiction that you couldn't quit.

And so, you continued to live in this bittersweet limbo, hiding your love behind a facade of casual encounters. Every time he left, a part of you broke a little more, but you told yourself it was enough. Enough to have him in any capacity, enough to experience the fleeting moments of closeness. Because despite the pain, despite the heartache, loving JJ Maybank was the most real thing you had ever felt.

“You're too quiet today, doll,” JJ's hoarse voice rang out in your ear, making goosebumps run all over your body. You didn't say anything, snuggling closer to his bare chest, filling the quiet room with the rustle of sheets. His skin was still covered with beads of sweat after sex, and you were breathing in his musky scent, which was intoxicating your mind. You never thought that the smell of someone's sweat would attract you so much. 

“What happened?” you seemed to catch a hint of concern in his voice, but immediately pushed it away from you. JJ just loved to chat. That's all. He's only interested in your body. 

“Nothing,” you muttered listlessly in the area of his neck, leaving a soft kiss behind his ear. “It's just a hard day” 

"Ah, I see. Shopping and maxing out daddy's credit card must be exhausting," JJ joked, his chest shaking with laughter. You frowned, burying your face in his neck.

You hated moments like this—moments when the perfect bubble of isolation, where you were just yourself and he was just JJ Maybank, would burst, making you feel the social gap between you. Making you feel small and unworthy of him because of the money that had surrounded you since childhood. JJ wasn't trying to offend you with such jokes, but they still stung, reminding you that he wasn't the man for you.

The silence that followed was heavy, and JJ's laughter died down as quickly as it had started. Even without looking at him, you could imagine the wrinkle forming between his eyebrows, and his hand squeezing your thigh a little harder under the blanket.

"I'm serious, what's wrong?" His voice carried a hint of urgency now, his concern palpable. Yet faced with the familiar wall of silence, JJ gently lifted your chin with his free hand, compelling you to meet his gaze. You grumbled in protest, but reluctantly raised your head, locking eyes with his deep blue gaze.

"What's troubling you, cupcake?" His gaze swept over your face, noting the tension in your compressed lips, the furrowed brows, and the careful scrutiny in your eyes. JJ genuinely seemed worried.

You took a ragged breath, parting your lips as if ready to unload the burdens that had weighed on your soul for months, to confess the feelings that had consumed you. But as you looked into his eyes, knowing they had probably held the same look just nights ago with another girl wrapped in sheets, you shook your head and sought solace in his lips instead.

This kiss was different. It was tender and sensual, lacking the usual passion and urgency. His lips moved languidly against yours, synchronized in a gentle dance. With each touch of lips and intertwining of tongues, your heartbeat seemed to echo emotions too complex to name. You wanted desperately to believe this was what true love's kiss felt like, but deep down, you knew there was no love in your relationship.

JJ held you close after the kiss, his arms providing a temporary sanctuary from the uncertainties gnawing at your heart. His touch was comforting, his presence a balm against the turmoil within you. Yet, even in his embrace, the unspoken truths lingered, casting shadows on the fragile intimacy you shared. 

JJ gently laid you back, his weight hovering over you as he broke the kiss, his concern evident in the furrow of his brow. His gaze slid over your face, catching the puppy-dog look you had been giving him for months. Slowly, his hand moved to your cheek, brushing a stray strand of hair behind your ear before tracing gentle patterns on your flushed skin with his knuckles. The touch ignited a cascade of emotions within you. You were almost certain he knew about your feelings, that his every touch was a deliberate play to elicit a response from you.

You didn't want to believe JJ could be that callous, not after spending the last seven months with him. Yet, a nagging voice whispered that you were just one among many lovesick admirers in his life—a mere grain of sand on his beach of girlfriends.

"You know I'm going to get an answer from you, doll," JJ murmured, planting a tender kiss on your cheek. "So you'd better tell me what's been weighing on you."

He rubbed his nose against yours, and you closed your eyes, a soft smile spreading across your face. Your hands, resting calmly around his neck, threaded through the regrown strands of his hair. These quiet, affectionate moments with JJ felt like sanctuary, where he seemed to be the only person in your entire world. In these fleeting instances, the words you longed to speak hovered on the tip of your tongue. Yet, time and again, you held yourself back...

"Have you ever... fallen in love?" you asked in a half-whisper, feeling your heart skip a beat.

JJ's brow furrowed again, but then he chuckled and reclined onto his side of the bed. His hand ran through his tousled hair, momentarily captivating you as you lost yourself in the sound of his infectious laughter and the sight of his radiant smile. For that fleeting moment, all else faded away. But as reality crashed back, you bit your lip, struggling to hold back the tears threatening to spill from your eyes. You turned your gaze towards the ceiling, chastising yourself silently. How could you have asked such a foolish question? Why did it escape your lips at all? Fool, fool, fool!

Sensing your shift in mood, JJ's expression softened into seriousness. He turned to face you, reaching out to intercept your hand resting on your stomach, gently intertwining his fingers with yours.

"Hey, hey, hey... I didn't mean to laugh, cupcake," JJ said with an encouraging smile. "You caught me off guard, that's all."

You both lay in silence for a while, his gaze lingering on your clasped hands, yours fixed on the ceiling. The moment hung between you, heavy with unspoken words and uncharted emotions. JJ's touch brought a sense of warmth and reassurance, yet beneath it all, you wrestled with the vulnerability of your question, unsure of what his response—or lack thereof—might mean for the fragile balance between you..

"Six months ago, I would have said no..." JJ's voice was slow and measured, his attention still fixed on your intertwined fingers. His thumb moved gently, tracing soothing circles over the knuckles of your hand. He cleared his throat before continuing, his words carrying a weight of uncertainty. "Now... now I would say everything is complicated."

You nodded slowly, letting out a sigh as your eyes drifted back to the white ceiling. In the dim light, you could still make out the faint glow of the small fluorescent stars that your parents had stuck up there when you were a kid, hoping they would keep the darkness at bay. It was love, you thought.

"It can't be complicated here... you're either in love with someone, or you're not... you either have something to say to them, but you stop yourself, or you have nothing to say..." you murmured, your gaze still fixed on the ceiling. You then turned your head to look at JJ. Only now did you notice that his eyes were completely on you, not on your hands.

"I read an article on the internet… Told me that that's how you know you're fallin' in love” you added softly, almost defensively. "Of course, don't really trust what's on the internet but maybe just this once..." Your voice trailed off as you searched his eyes, suddenly feeling exposed yet oddly liberated by your honesty. The intimacy of the moment hung between you like a fragile thread, woven with unspoken truths and the silent hopes of understanding. JJ's expression softened, his eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and something deeper, something you couldn't quite decipher.

In that shared silence, amidst the gentle hum of thoughts and emotions swirling around you, you waited for his response, unsure of what it might unveil about the intricacies of your entangled hearts.

"Do you have somethin’ to tell me?" JJ interrupted you and you immediately focused your gaze on him, frowning again. 

As you lay there, staring at the ceiling and grappling with the weight of your thoughts, a whirlwind of questions spun through your mind. Did JJ want to understand what was troubling you once more? Or was he subtly probing to see if you harbored feelings for him, based on that theory you had read about online? Did you love him? Did you need him? Did you want him? The uncertainty gnawed at you, and part of you wished you could affirm those feelings—if only to ensure he would stay.

He shifted closer, his touch gentle as he traced patterns on your hand, silently urging you to speak or find solace in his presence. His eyes, familiar and searching, conveyed a mix of concern and a readiness to listen—a testament to the bond you had forged in the months spent together. In that moment, as the weight of your inner turmoil pressed down, you found yourself yearning for clarity, for a resolution that would quiet the storm within. Yet, the answers remained elusive, and you feared the consequences of voicing what lay buried deep in your heart.

"Do you have somethin' to tell me, doll?" he asked his question again and looked at you seriously. His eyes darkened slightly (or so it seemed to you) they looked like the sea before a storm and you could only flutter your fluffy eyelashes in shock and look at him. JJ shook his head and smiled, squeezing your hand. “'cause I have something to tell you.” 

JJ grinned, sitting up on the bed and leaning back against the padded headboard. His grip tightened around your hand, refusing to let go even as he struggled to light a cigarette. But JJ needed that connection, needed to feel your warmth as he prepared to voice something he had been holding back for too long.

With a flick of the lighter, he finally ignited the cigarette, exhaling a cloud of smoke as he gathered his thoughts. His eyes, intense and focused on you, held a mix of determination and vulnerability.

“It's always in the back of my mind,” JJ said after taking a couple of puffs and dropping the ashes into the ashtray on the bedside table. His gaze was fixed forward. To where there was a photograph in a gilded frame on the dresser. He couldn't see the photo itself in the dark, he could only make out the outlines, but a picture of the day when he first met you was already forming in his head. 

Bonfire. Another Kook's party blazing on the beach, a scene where Pogues had no place. Yet, JJ found himself there, compelled to settle the last of his debt to Topper for the broken boat. Striding back to his bike, ready to leave it all behind, he glimpsed you sitting on the damp sand, clutching a bottle of whiskey. Your hair was tousled and damp, droplets cascading down its length onto the sand, while your white dress, now soaked, revealed glimpses of your underwear. You were a mess. But a breathtaking mess unlike any other.

Normally, JJ would have walked right past. What concern was it of his if a Shark girl was brooding over some triviality on the beach beside a party? Yet, when you turned to meet his gaze, moonlight casting a gentle glow on your tear-streaked face, makeup smudged from the remnants of sorrow, and he met the emptiness in your eyes, he couldn't ignore your pain.

Without hesitation, he sat down beside you, typing a quick message to John B. that he wouldn't be coming, and spent the remainder of the night with you. It began with conversation on the beach, the words flowing freely under the starlit sky. But soon, it evolved into something deeper—JJ's fingers tracing the delicate contours of your skin, his ear attuned to the soft, sweet moans that escaped your lips, melodies he quickly grew addicted to.

That night, for the first time, JJ wondered if his past mistakes had somehow led him to this moment with you. If he could rewind would there be some butterfly effect? What if they never met? What if the stars never aligned?

"I don't know what love is, doll," JJ broke the silence again, exhaling cigarette smoke. You disliked it when he smoked in your room, but his voice held you spellbound, his touch on your hand anchoring you in the moment.

"You know, my mom left us when I was just a little shit, and my dad... well, he wasn't exactly a role model for love," JJ said with a sad smile, shaking his head. He felt your gentle squeeze in response, giving him the courage to continue. "I love the Pogues. They're like family to me. I love John B., feels like he's been my brother forever, but it's not... it's not that kind of love." JJ took another drag before stubbing out his cigarette. "No one taught me how to love. I didn't have a good example in front of me... that's why I became like this. Always on the move, not stopping for any girl, a bit of a womanizer, you name it."

He glanced down at your intertwined fingers, the ashtray now holding the remnants of his momentary escape. "And then you came along and turned my world upside down." JJ attempted a laugh, but his voice caught, and he fell silent, grappling with his emotions.

You sat down beside him, clutching the blue sheet to your chest, studying his profile intently. You observed the subtle movements: the clenching and unclenching of his jaw, the expansion of his nostrils with each deep breath, the tight line of his lips. You understood that words were never easy for him, and a part of you wanted to spare him the discomfort, to halt his struggle. But another part of you yearned to understand what he was trying to express. You needed clarity to calm the fluttering in your chest, to ensure that your hopeful heart wasn't misinterpreting his words. You didn't want to live with false hope.

As you watched him wrestle with his thoughts, your own emotions mirrored his turmoil. The closeness between you felt fragile yet profound, each heartbeat echoing the unspoken desire for honesty and understanding. The silence between you held a weight that words alone could not convey, a tension that bridged the distance between your souls.

“Hate to be lame but...” the world around you froze. Everything stopped. The clock stopped running. You stopped breathing. “But I might love you”

And the world came alive again. The clock continued to run. But you still weren't breathing and you were silent. JJ was looking at you intently, studying your expression, and with every second of your silence, he was ready to bury himself underground and die of shame. JJ Maybank confessed his feelings to a girl for the first time and you just sat and remained silent, looking at him with your big soft eyes, flapping your fluffy eyelashes and it drove him crazy, making him think that he just made up all the feelings on your part. When the silence continued, the guy released your hand and ran his fingers through his hair, trying to somehow remove the tension. 

"Okeeey… Fine… You don't have to answer anything, you don't have to accept my feelings... I understand everything and so I'll just leave and..." JJ's voice trembled nervously, his words rushing out in a jumble. He hastily retrieved his briefs from the floor, turning his back to you as if preparing to depart.

It was in that fleeting moment, just as he was poised to leave, that you seized his wrist and drew him back towards you, your lips meeting in a fervent kiss. Emotions surged through you like fireworks on Independence Day, leaving no room for second thoughts. You needed to affirm to yourself that this was real—that JJ Maybank had indeed confessed his love to you, and that reality surpassed any dream.

As you broke away, breathless and panting, JJ's hands found your waist, his touch gentle against your skin. "Is this a goodbye kiss or...?" he managed between gasps, his eyes searching yours with a mix of uncertainty and longing.

"It's a hate-to-be-lame-but-I-love-you-too kiss," you chuckled softly, leaning your forehead against his, savoring the taste of your slightly swollen lips.

A moment of quiet enveloped you both before laughter bubbled forth, cascading into the air as you collapsed onto the bed. JJ hovered above you, his gaze tender as he watched you unwind, your laughter a melody that soothed his soul and pieced together the fragments of his life into a beautiful mosaic.

He brushed his lips against yours again, a feather-light kiss that spoke volumes of tenderness. "I love you... I love you... I love you," JJ whispered softly before claiming your lips once more.

In that sublime moment, amidst the warmth of JJ's embrace and the echo of his heartfelt words reverberating in your heart, you felt a profound sense of peace settle over you. The doubts and uncertainties that once clouded your mind were swept away by the overwhelming certainty of your love for him. You knew, without a shadow of doubt, that JJ Maybank was not just a passing infatuation or a fleeting romance. He was the anchor that grounded you, the light that guided you through the darkest nights.

And as the night embraced you in its tender hands, you surrendered to the beauty of your love story, knowing that with JJ Maybank by your side, you had found your home.

thankx for reading <3

okay, i have to say it right now, bc i think this is my fav jj work so far! and i hope you liked it too and you can always share your opinion in comments or my inbox :3

- your santi 🪐

masterlist

[mylostlenora]

my sapphic tbr🤍 pt. 1

1. Ink Vine, Elizabeth Broadbent:

Stay the hell out of the swamp — the backwater town of Lower Congaree recites it like an eleventh commandment. But when exotic dancer Emmy Joiner sneaks under the dark tree-canopy behind her family trailer, she meets mysterious, tattooed Zara, the first girl she dares to kiss.

But the small-town South hates a woman who dares to dance instead of plucking chickens for minimum wage, and as Emmy’s life falls apart, her relationship with Zara grows more tangled and bizarre. Zara’s offering something beautiful. But while Emmy’s slowly strangling, its price may be more than she’s willing to pay.

Shifting between the green-bright cypress cathedral and the dreamland of a dance club, Broadbent’s unforgettably-voiced debut confronts the brutal realities of poverty in the South, with a sapphic tale both sultry and sinister, gritty and gothic.”

2. My Darling Dreadful Thing, Johanna Van Veen

“Roos Beckman has a spirit companion only she can see. Ruth―strange, corpse-like, and dead for centuries―is the light of Roos' life. That is, until the wealthy young widow Agnes Knoop visits one of Roos' backroom seances, and the two strike up a connection.

Soon, Roos is whisked away to the crumbling estate Agnes inherited upon the death of her husband, where an ill woman haunts the halls, strange smells drift through the air at night, and mysterious stone statues reside in the family chapel. Something dreadful festers in the manor, but still, the attraction between Roos and Agnes is undeniable.

Then, someone is murdered.

Poor, alone, and with a history of 'hysterics', Roos is the obvious culprit. With her sanity and innocence in question, she'll have to prove who―or what―is at fault or lose everything she holds dear.”

3. House of Hunger, Alexis Henderson

“A young woman is drawn into the upper echelons of a society where blood is power in this dark and enthralling Gothic novel from the author of The Year of the Witching.

Marion Shaw has been raised in the slums, where want and deprivation are all she know. Despite longing to leave the city and its miseries, she has no real hope of escape until the day she spots a peculiar listing in the newspaper seeking a bloodmaid.

Though she knows little about the far north—where wealthy nobles live in luxury and drink the blood of those in their service—Marion applies to the position. In a matter of days, she finds herself the newest bloodmaid at the notorious House of Hunger. There, Marion is swept into a world of dark debauchery. At the center of it all is Countess Lisavet.

The countess, who presides over this hedonistic court, is loved and feared in equal measure. She takes a special interest in Marion. Lisavet is magnetic, and Marion is eager to please her new mistress. But when she discovers that the ancient walls of the House of Hunger hide even older secrets, Marion is thrust into a vicious game of cat and mouse. She’ll need to learn the rules of her new home—and fast—or its halls will soon become her grave.”

4. Our Hideous Progeny, C.E. McGill

“Mary is the great-niece of Victor Frankenstein. She knows her great uncle disappeared under mysterious circumstances in the Arctic, but she doesn’t know why or how. . . .

The 1850s are a time of discovery, and London is ablaze with the latest scientific theories and debates, especially when a spectacular new exhibition of dinosaur sculptures opens at the Crystal Palace. Mary is keen to make her name in this world of science alongside her geologist husband, Henry—but despite her sharp mind and sharper tongue, without wealth and connections their options are limited.

When Mary discovers some old family papers that allude to the shocking truth behind her great-uncle’s past, she thinks she may have found the key to securing her and Henry’s professional and financial future. Their quest takes them to the wilds of Scotland; to Henry’s intriguing but reclusive sister, Maisie; and to a deadly chase with a rival who is out to steal their secret.”

[ll-underestimated-ll]

Without going into the nitty-gritty of smaller domains...

I've mentioned recently about how my inner circle and I are entering into a restructuring phase for the wider Auckland domain as a response to the ongoing housing intensification and newly developed suburbs cropping up on the fringes. It was going to be held off until the completion of the cities new underground rail system - but a certain bold individual in Hamilton sending out missives to all the countries Prince's asking for recognition as a peer has spurred me to start shuffling things around sooner.

The aim is to delegate management of lesser domains more evenly across individuals of rank. From what has been discussed I am going to end up with two Seneschal's by the end of the restructure. One corresponding to the North Shore (pop. over 200k) and another for the South (pop. over 300k). In some regards, this will reinstate the Triumvirate held over the city that had dissolved upon the loss of the previous Tremere Regent in the 70s.

Currently each of my Primogen are assigned, beyond tending to their clanmates, a section of the city they must keep an eye on. Which has worked well but as mortal development has shifted population numbers around tensions among the younger sorts have arisen which we all wish to mitigate. I have typically made a habit of turning a blind eye upon the North Shore - before the harbour bridge went in during the 50s the Waitemata kept the settlements of the Shore and Isthmus fairly separate. It was after the harbour bridge went in Vindr had me exterminate the established authority there so power and control could be consolidated into a singular governing body. I would like to continue to maintain that control going forward, but with the city ever expanding Northward (and connection between central and North still limited) there is only so much attention I can turn that way myself. The eyes of others are needed, as is so often required. Especially if more kindred are going to attempt to claim domain within areas of growth.

For some context - I have prepared you a marked up map.

I have also marked the airport on the map as a point of interest. As it makes the suburb of Māngere an incredibly significant domain. The coteries spanning through Māngere and Ōtāhuhu have been serving well as Watchmen but I understand a few desire different feeding grounds. I am reluctant to move them due to their good work. Tangential to that, their domains have fairly direct access to that of my Sheriff's allowing for an ease of collaboration I would prefer not to squander.

How funny it is to think there were folk to complain about the cost of building Grafton Bridge thinking Auckland would never end up that big and yet here I am wondering whether I should plot to strongarm Hamilton out of it's Baron's control in the future. Getting out to West Auckland was a similar commute time prior to the northwestern causeway.

[welcometololaland]

Fic Rec Friday Round Up

Thanks to everyone who participated this week - the theme was: a fic with a great twist and / or a fic that surprised you. I have a list below, but I only included ones people tagged me in or ones I could find from the #fic rec friday tag. If I've missed any, please let me know!

Please read at your own discretion. Heed tags and ratings on each individual fic. Keep yourself safe, friends!

911

Chaotic Energy (series) by @dancer-me

Family Feud: First Responders by @princessfbi

911 Lone Star

as if you were a mythical thing by @strandnreyes

Blood on the tracks, fire in the hills by thenorthface

call my bluff, call you babe by @strandnreyes

can we hold out for summer again? by whataboutateakettle

coming down by @taralaurel

Detective AU (series) by @strandnreyes

disaster point by @iimpossible-things

Get Feeling by @Mari_Marie

Just The Four Of Us by destimushi

I'm in this for life by @marjansmarwani

Listing by tarlost

Love Game by Lolaland (me)

Magnetic North by paperstorm

of past and present by @strandnreyes

Secret Moments In A Crowded Room by @strandnreyes

Sometimes Things Just Fall Apart by @howtosingit

The knave of Hearts, he stole the tarts by @liminalmemories21

The knave of Hearts...he said he'd steal no more by @liminalmemories21

The Watcher by @ladytessa74

time, curious time by @strandnreyes

wait in the fire by @reyesstrand

With love, your soulmate by @chaotictarlos

your first string by @strandnreyes

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Boomerangs and Rainbows by mindbending

Loki

Low-Key Coffee by sir_not_appearing_in_this_archive

The Hardest Cut by @cha-melodius

Red white and Royal Blue

A little off the top by @clottedcreamfudge

Count The Stars and Constellations by @everwitch-magiks

Ghosted by tintagel

Keep Most of Your Heart in London by @torvagatai

The Cost of Anything by @clottedcreamfudge

The Perils of Midsomer Residency by @clottedcreamfudge

The Sky is Open by @cha-melodius

to the victor, the spoils by @rmd-writes

you're all that i need by @rmd-writes

Schitt's Creek

(He) was a fast machine by @lizzie-bennetdarcy

A Whole Lot to Gain by @yourbuttervoicedbeau

Burn Out the Night by @madlori

Come Here Often by @doublel27

Dracontine (series) by @a-noble-dragon

Ernesto by @weathereyehorizon

Fish and Chips by @tyfinn

Headed West by another_hero

If I Could Melt Your Heart by @weathereyehorizon

If I were you by pine67

If Music Be the Food of Love by asoftplacetoland

Natural Selection by ICMezzo

Pretty Paper by @five678patty

Red Sky at Night, Killer's Delight by @madlori

Say the Words by mindswindowsdoors

She Sees You When You're Sleeping (with your husband) by @weathereyehorizon

Shoot and Score by @mostlyinthemorning

The Fundamental Things by @goodiecornbread

There is definitely, absolutely, positively only one bed by @mostlyinthemorning

Three's Company by treepyful

Winning the Game by @ladyflowdi

Smallville

A Handful of Dust by @seperis

Star Wars

The Lotus Eater by @stolen-pen-name23

Teen Wolf

Anchor by @thedegenerateasexual

The Man From U.N.C.L.E

This War Against Your Faith by Ingu

[ask-sheriffofthewildeast]

The air of the wild east was still faintly tense as ever. It had been a few months since that human came through - changing a few residents lives for the long haul. As of late, a young fox monster has been watching from the sidelines, sitting between the horizontal posts on the fence bordering the entire town, but never entering. Well - until recently, of course. They finally got the courage, and were presently skipping class to explore the Wild East, admittedly with hopes of talking to the one and only North Star. Their idol. Something about him was just... magnetizing. Anyhow, the young monster wandered around, the odd sense of familiarity coursing through their very being. -@cowfolk-reborn

The Saloon was as lively as ever. Moray was on stage preforming music for everyone, Dina was making great drinks (as usual), and everything was like it should be. But, North Star felt like something was off.

He’d had the feeling all day, but had tried to play it off for the rest of the gang. He hadn’t really had the chance to stop home, but besides for that it was a normal day; Star couldn’t pinpoint what was up. Maybe he was just tired or something, but he still couldn’t shake it off.

He looked around and decided that he didn’t want to kill the mood of the place just because of an odd feeling. So, he paid for his drink and left some extra G for the feisty four, and quietly slipped out of the saloon.

Making his way outside, Star’s breath hitched as he caught a familiar sight. Was that…? Adjusting his glasses, he realized that it was just a monster in wild-east style getup. Seeing the kid wandering around seemingly not really knowing where they wanted to go, Star figured that he may as well do the Sheriff’s duty and make this newcomer feel welcome.

“Well, howdy Partner! Ya’ look new ‘round here, so welcome ta’ the Wild East!”

[bitterkarella]

Midnight Pals: Penguins on Parade

Edgar Allan Poe: i feel like there's been way too much drama here lately Poe: too many cranks just venting obsessions and paranoias! Poe: can't we just hear a nice, simple, old-fashioned horror story? HP Lovecraft: i-i've got one Poe: ...son of a bitch

Poe: ok howard let's hear it August Derleth: wooo! yeah! Derleth: go off Howard, you got this! Lovecraft: y-yeah ok Derleth: a-grade storytelling, right here! modern master!

Lovecraft: a premise occurred to me one night while in the throes of fitful sleep Derleth: yes! yes! tossing and turning! sweat that plot out Lovecraft: about an ill-fated expedition to the Antarctic Derleth: cold as ice! chilly like my willy, baby Lovecraft: p-please stop

Poe: ah, the South Pole Poe: a promising location for a doomed voyage Poe: not to spoil anything but Poe: they all drown in the magnetic whirlpool, right? Lovecraft: Poe: that resides at the bottom of the world, right? Lovecraft: Poe: perhaps they're slaughtered by hostile peoples of the inner earth?

Lovecraft: n... Lovecraft: no, there's a continent there Poe: oh, a fantasy story? fun!

Lovecraft: even the beginning of this terrible journey is fraught with peril Lovecraft: for they must encounter that most loathsome of all birds Lovecraft: THE PENGUIN Clive Barker: Barker: ah ha ha Barker: oh man Barker: let's fucking go, curtain up

Dean Koontz: i like penguins :) Koontz: stephen let me watch happy feet Koontz: it was funny Koontz: except for the seal Stephen King: we had to fast-forward past the seal King: and the orcas King: pretty much the entire second half Koontz: i like when they dance

Lovecraft: b-but these are no ordinary penguins Lovecraft: the average penguin is black AND white Lovecraft: a hideous mixture in itself Lovecraft: yet these massive creatures are ALBINO

Lovecraft: so pale as to be mistaken for snowdrifts at a distance Lovecraft: you might say they are passing for white Poe: uhh Derleth: shhh, let him cook

Lovecraft: t-the group found a perplexing frozen specimen Lovecraft: i-it was only when they discovered the ruins later that they realized it was a being of great intelligence Lovecraft: for, you see Lovecraft: the thing had no skull to measure

Lovecraft: millions of years ago, the Old Ones flourished upon the continent Lovecraft: they built a society dedicated to pure scientific achievement Lovecraft: yet, in the cruelest irony Lovecraft: they were overwhelmed by sheer brute strength Barker: lol Barker: get owned nerds

Lovecraft: i-it was a most grand civilization Lovecraft: accomplished universities. safe to slither the streets at night Lovecraft: and then a certain kind of creature Lovecraft: i shall not say whom Lovecraft: took over Lovecraft: and the property values... they plummeted

Derleth: okay look i'm getting a little sick of all of you calling Howard a bigot Derleth: i keep telling you he's simply a man of his time Lovecraft: the shoggoths were faceless slaves of the deepest black hue Lovecraft: possessing a fiendish malevolence to compensate for their lack of a brain Derleth: Derleth: oh and i suppose you're just going to take THAT out of context

Lovecraft: most chilling of all the shoggoths' attributes was their infernal piping Lovecraft: it imitated the structure of the Old Ones' music Lovecraft: but it was as if they spoke rather than harmonized it Lovecraft: and inserted coarse references to anatomy

Lovecraft: there were indeed some horrors in this house Lovecraft: and they were wet and gushy Lovecraft: no bucket or mop would suffice

Lovecraft: they escaped with their lives, yet Danford was tormented by visions of the shoggoth unto madness Lovecraft: for knowledge of the unknown has a terrible price, and death and ignorance are our only mercies Lovecraft: the end Derleth: Barker: Poe: Koontz: King: King: so, Dean, I have this DVD of Norm of the North

John W. Campbell: say, that's a pretty good yarn, but couldn't more happen with the shapeshifting Campbell: what if the shoggoth was able to fully mimic its human prey Lovecraft: fully ASSIMILATED among men? Lovecraft: there is cosmic horror, sir, and then there is simply bad taste

Thanks to guest writer my pal Morbiose for help with this thread!

[dailyunsolvedmysteries]

The Mysterious Coral Castle

The extraordinary Coral Castle, located in the suburbs of Homestead, Florida, is made entirely of oolite limestone, and one man single-handedly built it. Ed Leedskalnin, a Latvian immigrant, pursued his project as a dedication to his long-lost love. The massive work took place over the course of 28 years, and it still stands today as an ode to love imbued with mystery.

Back in the 1900s, Leedskalnin had been engaged to his love Agnes Skuvst, to whom he referred to affectionately as his “Sweet Sixteen.” Agnes broke off the engagement one day before the wedding ceremony, and fraught with pain, the broken-hearted Leedskalnin decided to move to North America and create a monument in remembrance of his love.

He first began the project of the Coral Castle (originally called the Rock Gate Park) in Florida City. However, Leedskalnin purchased 10 acres of land in Homestead and decided to relocate the great structure there.

The sculptural garden surrounded by a coral gate features a geomantic landscape—a moon pond representing the phases of the moon, a sundial that accurately tells time, and a towering telescope aligned to the North Star. The structure also includes a giant coral rock table shaped like a heart, an ode to his valentine Agnes.

Nevertheless, how the remarkable work was built remains an enigma. Leedskalnin never divulged how he was able to lift and position the gigantic stones. Residents had noticed the trucks carrying the coral rocks along the South Dixie Highway, but no one ever saw how Leedskalnin was able to unload them. To protect his privacy during construction, he was very particular about working at night—to avoid any detection��and even went on to build “lookouts” along the castle’s walls.

Though he came from a family of stonemasons, his methods have stumped engineers who have compared his techniques to that of the amazing Stonehenge. Some of the stones are even calibrated according to celestial alignments, and the stone walls fit seamlessly together without the use of materials like cement. Leedskalnin once claimed that he discovered not only how the ancient builders in Peru and Egypt were able to set in place blocks of stones with only primitive tools but also the secrets of anti-gravity.

He wrote a series of pamphlets on magnetism, one titled Magnetic Current (available at the Coral Castle gift shop).

Numerous rumors have attempted to explain the seemingly miraculous techniques used by Leedskalnin, from magnetism to magic, but the methods used by this eccentric stonemason to create his fortress are a secret he took to his grave.

[blessed1neha]

Nakshatras in Astrology

In Jyotish Vedic astrology, the 12 signs of the zodiac are further divided into 27 nakshatras or lunar constellations, also called lunar houses or lunar stations.

The moon spends approximately one day in each nakshatra.

Each lunar constellation covers 13 degrees, which is equal to 20 minutes of the celestial sphere.

Each nakshatra is further divided into 4 parts, which are called padas.

Each sign of the zodiac covers nine padas.

Each nakshatra has a ruler.

The order of rulers starts with keti

(South Node of the Moon) followed by venus, sun, moon, mars, rahu

(North Node of the Moon), Jupiter, Saturn and mercury

Nakshatra - what is it?

Nakshatras are the abodes in which "our karma is stored."

The use of nakshatras is very important in Vedic astrology as they determine the characteristics of the planets that reside in them.

Kinds

The most important nakshatra is the “birth star” - the nakshatra in which the Moon is located at the time of birth.

Otherw,ise it is called Janma Nakshatra.

Nakshatra Ashwini

It is located between degrees 0° 00' - 13° 20' in the sign of Aries.

Ashvini is ruled by Ketu, the descending lunar node.

A person born under the Ashvini nakshatra has an excellent physique and a strong body.

He will be very intelligent, truthful, rich and lucky.

Nakshatra Bharani

It lies between 13° 20' and 26° 40' in the sign of Aries and is ruled by Venus.

People born under the Bharani nakshatra are usually successful in their work, keep their promises, are healthy and happy.

Nakshatra Krittika

It lies between 26°40' degrees in the sign of Aries to 10°00' degrees in the sign of Taurus and is ruled by the Sun.

People born under the nakshatra of Krittika strive to get a good education, they have to make efforts to achieve success and wealth.

Nakshatra Rohini

It lies between 10°00' and 23°20' in the sign of Taurus and is ruled by the Moon.

People born under the Rohini nakshatra are outwardly attractive, calm and emotionally stable.

Home and family are very important to them.

Nakshatra Mrigashira

It lies between 23° 20' in Taurus to 6° 40' in Gemini and is ruled by the planet Mars.

People born under the Mrigashira nakshatra have a good sense of humor and a magnetic personality, they are very emotional and prone to leadership.

Nakshatra Ardra

It is located between 6°40' and 20°00' in the sign of Gemini and is ruled by the shadow planet Rahu.

People born under the Ardra nakshatra may encounter difficulties during the training period, in addition, there is a tendency to addiction.

They are well versed in the arts and have a close bond with the siblings.

Nakshatra Punarvasu

It lies between 20° 00' in Gemini to 3° 20' in Cancer and is ruled by Jupiter.

People born under the Punarvasu nakshatra have a calm disposition, a sharp mind and a good memory.

Such people always have many friends, and they devote a lot of time to communicating with children.

Nakshatra Pushya

It is located between 3° 20' and 16° 40' in the sign of Cancer and is ruled by Saturn.

People born under the Pushya nakshatra are very disciplined and very principled.

They courageously cope with serious life problems, but sometimes they worry too much over trifles.

Nakshatra Ashlesha

It is located between 16° 40' and 30° 00' in the sign of Cancer and is ruled by Mercury.

People born under the Ashlesha nakshatra are often quite cruel, prone to fits of anger.

In addition, they like to walk and travel a lot.

Nakshatra Magha

It lies between 00° 00' and 13° 20' in the sign of Leo and is ruled by the planet Ketu.

People born under the Magha nakshatra can have an anxious nature and often face various obstacles on the path of life.

They are very religious and very warm and reverent towards their parents.

Nakshatra Purva Phalguni

It lies between 13° 20' and 26° 40' and is ruled by Venus.

People born under the nakshatra Purva Phalguni are very generous and very popular with the opposite sex.

They love sports, music, dancing and prefer to lead an active lifestyle.

Nakshatra Uttara Phalguni

Located between 26° 40' in Leo and 10° 00' in Virgo, the ruling planet is the Sun.

People born under the nakshatra Uttara Phalguni love to live in luxury, are quite successful in life and can benefit financially from their education.

Nakshatra Hasta

It is located between 10° 00' and 23° 20' in the sign of Virgo and is ruled by the Moon.

People born under the Hasta nakshatra can have an eccentric character, while being excellent workers, they are very hardworking and due to this they can achieve great success.

Nakshatra Chitra

It lies between 23° 20' in Virgo and 6° 40' in Libra and is ruled by Mars.

People born under the Chitra nakshatra have an innate sense of style and love beautiful clothes, they usually look younger than their years.

If they see a chance for personal gain, they will never miss the opportunity.

Nakshatra Swati

Located between 6° 40' and 20° 00' in the sign of Libra, this nakshatra is ruled by the shadow planet Rahu.

People born under the Swati nakshatra have a phenomenal memory, they are very responsive and have a penchant for charity.

People with this disposition often succeed in business.

Nakshatra Vishakha

Located between 20° 00' in the sign of Libra to 3° 20' in the sign of Scorpio, this nakshatra is ruled by Jupiter.

People born under the Vishakha nakshatra can be very jealous and prone to scandals in relationships with loved ones.

In everyday life, such people are very friendly and religious.

Nakshatra Anuradha

It lies between 3° 20' and 16° 40' in the sign of Scorpio and is ruled by Saturn.

People born under the Anuradha nakshatra are often selfish and greedy.

They love to travel and try to capitalize on their trips.

Nakshatra Jyestha

It is located between 16° 40' and 30° 00' in the sign of Scorpio and is ruled by Mercury.

People born under the Jyestha nakshatra have leadership qualities and strive to realize them and take a leadership position.

They can be slightly arrogant and have a craving for wealth and importance.

Nakshatra Mula

It is located between 00° 00' and 13° 20' in the sign of Sagittarius and is ruled by the planet Ketu.

People born under the Mula nakshatra have stable jobs and are successful in life.

They have a well-developed natural curiosity and desire to explore everything around.

Nakshatra Purvashadha

It lies between 13° 20' and 26° 40' in the sign of Sagittarius and is ruled by Venus.

People born under the Purvashadha nakshatra have a calm nature and strive to create strong friendly alliances.

In addition to friendships, such people build strong families and are very respectful of their chosen ones.

Nakshatra Uttarashadha

It lies between 26° 40' in Sagittarius to 10° 00' in Capricorn and is ruled by the Sun.

People born under the Uttarashadha nakshatra traditionally have a large and strong family in which everyone loves them.

Such people are rarely greedy and are always ready to help.

Shravana Nakshatra

It lies between 10° 00' and 23° 20' in the sign of Capricorn and is ruled by the Moon.

People born under the Shravan nakshatra are slow in nature, they need time to make decisions, despite this they often become famous and famous.

Nakshatra Dhanishtha

It lies between 23° 20' in Capricorn to 6° 40' in Aquarius and is ruled by Mars.

People born under the Dhanishtha nakshatra are quite wealthy or become wealthy and occupy high positions in society.

Nakshatra Satabhisha

It lies between 6° 40' and 20° 00' in the sign of Aquarius and is ruled by the Planet Rahu.

People born under the Satabhish nakshatra like to maintain their independence - for this they can become cruel and even aggressive, they like to be alone with themselves.

Nakshatra Purva Bhadrapada

It lies between 20° 00' in Aquarius to 3° 20' in Pisces and is ruled by the planet Jupiter.

People born under the nakshatra Purva Bhadrapada can easily control their emotions, they have the gift of eloquence and, thanks to this, can be very successful in life.

Nakshatra Uttara Bhadrapada

It lies between 3° 20' and 16° 40' in the sign of Pisces and is ruled by Saturn.

People born under the nakshatra Uttara Bhadrapada are the backbone of their family, they often have many children and grandchildren, to whom they devote a lot of time.

Nakshatra Revati

It is located between 16° 40' and 30° 00' in the sign of Pisces and is ruled by Mercury.

People born under the Revati nakshatra love to learn and gain new knowledge.

They have a well-developed intuition and they do not make hasty decisions considering every step they take.

[naga-raja-suresh]

{ THE ESSENTIALS }

Name: Suresh Lal Age: Ancient/ Unknown Species: Naga Powers: Extensive Deity: God of Desire Gender, Pronouns, Sexual & Romantic identities: Cis-male. He/him. Pansexual. Panromantic Residence / Years:  Club Ωγυγία, Downtown / 1700s Affiliation / Years:  The Lotus Eaters / Founder Job / Workplace: Boss / Owner of multiple Lotus Eater clubs Relationship status: You wish Positive traits: Alluring, Tactical, Magnetic, Careful, Observant Negative traits: Insecure, Cruel, Jealous, Hedonistic, Manipulative

{ BACKGROUND }

Suresh cannot say when he was born somewhere in the Indian sub-continent. But his species have been worshiped as demigods for thousands of years guardians of water, of treasure, bringers of storms. Nagas are supposedly close to the point of extinction, though there is no way to know for certain how many are left. But over the millennia many of the young were hunted down for the immense magical properties of their fangs, blood, poisons and scales. Suresh is aware of two other Nagas who have set up dominions on other continents after Suresh staked his claim on North America back in the 1700s. As far as he is aware, there has never been a Naga that has died from 'old age.'

The main reason why Suresh has survived for so long is his connection to the God of Desire. He has never spoken of the day that he was chosen as the avatar of the God, or the circumstances that led up to it. But he has been the living conduit for his God since before he landed in New Orleans.

He established the Lotus Eaters at first as a herd to feed the God safely but over time it stopped operating as a cult and turned into an organized crime family. There are many multi generational families inside of the Lotus Eaters power structure. But the Lotus Eaters are very open to new members looking for something to fill the void and give them purpose. Even if that purpose is pleasure in all it's incarnations.

{ PERSONALITY }

Suresh appears calm and understanding in most first encounters. In many of the gang meetings he takes on the role of mediator between the others. But all that charm and soft tone is camouflage for the monster underneath. As the avatar for the God of Desire Suresh is in a constant state of want, and endless hunger for things that can never be truly fulfilled. There are things and people whose connection to the Naga are so powerful that they alleviate some of that endless gnawing hunger and he can become obsessively attached to them and the alleviation that he feels near them. He is manipulative, cunning and shows very little remorse for the things he does in service to his God. Suresh plays the long game, since there is no other type of game for him. This approach can sometimes make people assume that he is callous or unfeeling, he isn't, but he is selective of the creatures that have that type of power over him.

{ FAMILY TREE }

Adopted Son: Leto Herrera

{ HEADCANONS }

His vibes are THERE IS SOMETHING TERRIBLE UNDER THE SURFACE, APOSEMATISM & SILK COVERED SATAN.

Suresh despises when people ask him how old he is. The truth is that he simply can't remember.

He has been a fixture in New Orleans since the muddy little trading post became a city. Where he set himself up and established the Lotus Eaters.

Once a year he has to shed his skin and is generally indisposed except for the most important of problems for about a week. He is extra vulnerable during this time.

Suresh has had a consistent stream of paramours over his many hundreds of years in New Orleans. Many of these connections end amicably but every now and then it has been a very nasty breakup.

As the avatar of the God of Desire Suresh has certain special powers that he has developed over time. He doesn't know the limits or bounds of these powers and he guards the secret jealously.

If you are standing close to Suresh you will begin to smell rain, iron and a faint touch of something floral. As he uses his powers the smell grows stronger.

Suresh is aware that the Lotus Eaters have lost some of the authority they used to command. But Suresh struggles to believe that he needs to make bigger steps to correct the issue. Being as old as he is he sometimes thinks of things in the span of millennia rather than years or months.

{ WANTED CONNECTIONS }

Advisor: Being the person that speaks sense to Suresh is not an easy job. But this would be a deeply important relationship to the Naga.

Previous paramour: At some point in the past Suresh and this character were physically and emotionally close. It could have ended well or badly. The reasons why can be discussed. Did they leave Suresh or did Suresh tell them to go? Why?

[dailyunsolvedmysteries-movedd]

The Mysterious Coral Castle

The extraordinary Coral Castle, located in the suburbs of Homestead, Florida, is made entirely of oolite limestone, and one man single-handedly built it. Ed Leedskalnin, a Latvian immigrant, pursued his project as a dedication to his long-lost love. The massive work took place over the course of 28 years, and it still stands today as an ode to love imbued with mystery.

Back in the 1900s, Leedskalnin had been engaged to his love Agnes Skuvst, to whom he referred to affectionately as his “Sweet Sixteen.” Agnes broke off the engagement one day before the wedding ceremony, and fraught with pain, the broken-hearted Leedskalnin decided to move to North America and create a monument in remembrance of his love.

He first began the project of the Coral Castle (originally called the Rock Gate Park) in Florida City. However, Leedskalnin purchased 10 acres of land in Homestead and decided to relocate the great structure there.

The sculptural garden surrounded by a coral gate features a geomantic landscape—a moon pond representing the phases of the moon, a sundial that accurately tells time, and a towering telescope aligned to the North Star. The structure also includes a giant coral rock table shaped like a heart, an ode to his valentine Agnes.

Nevertheless, how the remarkable work was built remains an enigma. Leedskalnin never divulged how he was able to lift and position the gigantic stones. Residents had noticed the trucks carrying the coral rocks along the South Dixie Highway, but no one ever saw how Leedskalnin was able to unload them. To protect his privacy during construction, he was very particular about working at night—to avoid any detection—and even went on to build “lookouts” along the castle’s walls.

Though he came from a family of stonemasons, his methods have stumped engineers who have compared his techniques to that of the amazing Stonehenge. Some of the stones are even calibrated according to celestial alignments, and the stone walls fit seamlessly together without the use of materials like cement. Leedskalnin once claimed that he discovered not only how the ancient builders in Peru and Egypt were able to set in place blocks of stones with only primitive tools but also the secrets of anti-gravity.

He wrote a series of pamphlets on magnetism, one titled Magnetic Current (available at the Coral Castle gift shop).

Numerous rumors have attempted to explain the seemingly miraculous techniques used by Leedskalnin, from magnetism to magic, but the methods used by this eccentric stonemason to create his fortress are a secret he took to his grave.

[moongazeonastarfillednight]

Oh shit! I did not know that Mr. Blanky himself had been with James Ross when they reached the Magnetic North Pole :o

What CAN'T this dilf do?

Extract from Narrative of a second voyage in search of a North-West Passage : and of a residence in the Arctic regions during the years 1829, 1830, 1831, 1832, 1833 - Entry for June 2nd 1831

James Ross and his travelling companions had reached the Magnetic North Pole the day before and took shelter in unhabited Inuit igloos . JCR left the party under Mr. Blanky's command before taking Abernethy with him for a jolly hike around the area.

[starikune]

Verses

Pretty straightforward and to the point. These are the verses that mostly all of my muses play a part in. Their roles in these verses are explained on their individual muse pages. I plan to add more verses as I go along.

Main Verse | Modern

This universe takes place in a world much like modern-day Earth, except magic and fantasy elements are common and established in everyday life. Supernatural factions, vampire cabals, demon kingdoms, and things of that nature. As a result, my muses may not be surprised if they come across a dragon, an alien, a robot or powerful sorcery. My characters may find themselves fitting better in different genres, depending on who they are, such as sci-fi or fantasy thriller.

This universe is mainly set in the fictional city of Lightcrest. An urban metropolis that seems to be a magnet for supernatural and otherworldly activity that is being studied by Irido Corp.

One of the most influential corporations in the world, Irido Corp is responsible for the majority of human technological development for the past several decades.

Pantheon Verse

In this world, the gods that humanity worshiped throughout history were not beings of myth and legend. They were real and had immense power, able to manipulate matter and energy at will.

While they were strong, they lacked numbers. One of the reasons that had led to the downfall of their civilization. Consequently, they left behind their technological refuse. Thousands of years after they left, another mass extinction event occurred, wiping out a good portion of humanity in the process. This is the story of one young being who is called Jesse and his journey as he rules over his kingdom while being one of the last of his kind. Like all good things, this will eventually come to an end.

Pokémon Verse

It’s safe to assume that most of you that read this are familiar with Pokémon already. Even so, this verse contains a lot of background worldbuilding, as it is set in my fan-region of Fairlyn.

Fairlyn is a huge region that is bordered by mountains in the north, with two of the notable cities surrounded by said mountain range. People who live in towns and villages in the mountain areas must adapt to the harsh environment. Most of the region consists of grasslands and forests, with many of the cities settled near the Great Lake or the river that leads out to the ocean. The region has a continental climate, with a wide temperature contrast, having warm and humid summers and freezing cold winters.

Fairlyn is a region that is big on the arts, especially music, and the residents pride themselves on being some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet.

Superhero Verse

The title here is fairly self-explanatory, I believe. Action and crime-fighting, people in tight suits, plenty of monologues… I think you get the vibe here.

Most of the Main Cast were given their powers from a special meteor shower that rained down on the city. They had banded together and formed The Power Force, led by the star man himself, Jesse Irido.

Being superheroes and all, there would be fighting and action, but this verse would focus on my characters and their relationships with the people they know and how they work with the public. There’s going to be more lighthearted and comedic moments here as the cast goes through their daily lives.

[teamselect]

     Kicking things off with a post talking about Blaze and the Sol Empire.

     Blaze resides in the Sol Dimension — a universe than runs parallel to Sonic's world, a.k.a the Prime Dimension. While the two obviously have their differences, there are plenty of similarities as well; chaos emeralds vs sol emeralds being an example.

     The Kingdom of Sol, also known as the Sol Empire, is an extensive group of islands ruled over by the current acting monarch. It's been active for many years and carries a strong maritime tradition, due to the ocean that hugs their borders. With a powerful navy, bountiful resources, and a highly affluent economy, Sol is thriving.

     In recent years, Blaze had her coronation and is now the only sovereign of Sol. Her formal title is King; one she chose herself after a long family history of Queens. During her time as Princess, she would frequently carry out royal duties by herself; not much has changed, aside from the level of responsibility.

     But responsibility has never scared her, given the past she's endured.

     Blaze's lineage comes with a secret. It's followed her ancestors — specifically, reigning monarchs — for many, many years, and finally found it's way to her the day of her mother's death. The gift (a burden, she used to say) of flame. A soul covered in fire. The deity called Iblis.

     History tells the tale of two gods, equal halves, revered by all. Iblis the Radiant, god of the sun, and Mephiles the Dark, god of time; co-existing, never one without the other. They would maintain the harmony of this world for centuries... until one day, Mephiles went astray. Without it's other half, Iblis lost control and filled the land with a raging inferno. They brought about mass destruction, and the Sol Dimension was nearly lost.

     Thankfully, a hero rose up — the original Queen of Sol. A warrior with boundless courage, who led her kingdom to prosperity and faced their demise with no fear. Using her scepter and The Power of the Stars, she sealed Mephiles away inside it, nullifying all power. With no room left in the wand, she was forced to lock Iblis away elsewhere... inside her very soul. The two became one, and both gods were now in their eternal tombs. History would remember her as The Goddess of the Flames.

     Blaze doesn't remember much about her mother. She was only young when she passed, and her farewell gift was a ritual that bestowed her a god. But she remembers her sharing this story, and how proud she was of their history. It took a long time for her to even begin to understand that sentiment. On bad days, she still doesn't.

The events of Sonic Rush introduce us to the story of '06. With Sol and Prime being linked ("like the north and south poles of a magnet..."), colliding into one another, the stability between them starts to fray. It's when Blaze goes Burning Blaze, and Sonic into Super Sonic, that the dimensions finally merge, creating the stage for '06. The Sol Empire becomes Soleanna, Elise is sealed with Iblis, and the Jeweled Scepter becomes the Scepter of Darkness. Blaze is sent into the future during all of the chaos, where she meets Silver.

Blaze loses her memories during all of this and only retains her fire powers as some kind of fragmented anomaly of what once was. Her and Elise are twin flames /haha.

When Blaze seals Iblis inside herself, a part of the timeline "corrects" itself and she is sent back to the Sol Dimension. You can briefly see her turning into Burning Blaze, since she's returning to the point in time when everything broke.

Solaris is "gone" when Elise blows out the flame at the end of the game. The only version of Iblis remaining is with Blaze in the Sol Dimension, and the remnants of Mephiles turn into the Time Eater. Some things stick around, such as Soleanna, because time is weird like that. Whatever.

Shenanigans continue like normal.

[bruiisedpetals-a]

                  𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓  𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐒  𝐀𝐆𝐎 ...

branden is upon his 30th birthday ; the lord of winterfell and warden of the north. fianna  is upon her 25th birthday ; a freefolk healer and skinchanger

ten wildlings came to winterfell, made up of healers from clans and accompanying warriors, requesting permission to harvest a wild, weed-like plant from northern soil to replenish their own dying stock. used for medicines, treating with the “kneelers” was not their first choice, but it was the only choice left. they needed time to uproot several plants, the whole plant, in hopes of transplanting them beyond the wall to bolster the diminished supply...  it was not as simple as just picking the leaves or stems.   branden granted them six weeks, with strict terms, and assigned men to oversee and assist the harvesting; both to expedite it and to ensure nothing untoward happened.

amongst this party of ten was the wildling woman fianna icefly, a talented and well-respected healer as her mother and grandmother had been, also the scout on this mission due to her ability as a skinchanger; a snow hawk her eyes from above, it’s feathers a beautiful white colour speckled with dark-grey.  she was lively and outspoken, filled with endless information of the lands beyond the wall and the ways they used a westeroi weed as invaluable medicine, branden was drawn to her and she to him as they begun to share stories, perspectives and more-than-occasional arguments.

short weeks later branden discovered fianna in his chambers, waiting for him casually unbeknownst to any of the residents of winterfell (including the guards). when branden asked how she came to manage that feat, she replied simply that she climbed ... and asked how he thought they came to get beyond the wall: they climbed the wall, obviously. outside the snow was falling, the stones were icy, and branden could only laugh and commend her on the talent. that was the first night they lay together, but not the last, a secret affair blossoming by the fireside and in the covers of night. branden procured a plain cloak for fianna to pass unnoticed on the grounds of winterfell, and his involvement in the harvesting mission already gave an excuse for him to be in the temporary settlement set up by the wildlings.

the next four weeks, before the wildlings completed their work and were set to leave, branden and fianna met in secret, crafting a bubble away from the two worlds outside. they both knew that nothing would come of their relationship in the long term, and it would be a passing fling. likely the only time either of them would find themselves in the ‘enemy’s bed’, but regardless of reason the two were magnetic and passionate; greedy for any moment they could steal together.  their last night together fianna climbed her way deftly up to the lords chambers, only to find that branden was waiting at the window for her with a grin, having anticipated it. she gave him a feather that had come from her snow-hawk, a token to remember her by, and he gave her a small stone charm in the shape of a direwolf which she added to her necklace, discrete amongst the other charms on the leather strap.

some months later branden was woken in the middle of the night by his sister sarra, and discovered that a stable boy had gone to visit the horses and come across twin babes swaddled and asleep in an empty stall, apparently appearing out of nowhere. branden had his sister send the maester immediately and then dressed to go and find out what was happening. the answer was more complicated than he ever guessed.  branden spied a snowy-white speckled feather was tucked into the basket, and a dried sprig of the very plant that the wildling party had come to harvest, and finally, the maester handed him a note that had been tucked in the blankets wrapped around one of the children. the two girls were his; fianna had left winterfell with child. she explained that the babies had come early; they were weak and small, smaller still as they were twins, and she feared for their survival every moment in the harsh climate. she didn’t explain how, but she delivered them to branden in hopes that he would care for them even as it broke her own heart. fianna wrote that she knew that he would keep their twins safe, and she was right.

the only person who knew the full truth was the maester, who tended to the two girls and saw them to full health. branden didn’t need to explain his act of kindness in taking in abandoned children; particularly as a childless widower, but he decided to come up with the ruse of having the girls be taken in as wards of house stark.

[kelownavisionclub]

Kelowna: From Wine Country to Tech Powerhouse

The Okanagan Valley, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and world-class wineries, is quickly gaining recognition as a rising force in Canada’s tech industry. At the epicenter of this transformation is Kelowna, a city now earning the nickname “Silicon Valley North.” This emerging tech hub is attracting entrepreneurs, innovators, and established companies, all drawn by a thriving ecosystem that seamlessly integrates technological advancement with an unparalleled quality of life.

Kelowna’s Booming Tech Scene

In recent years, Kelowna has become a magnet for tech startups and established firms alike. The city is now home to over 700 technology companies, employing more than 12,000 people and contributing an impressive $1.7 billion in economic impact.

This remarkable growth can be attributed to several factors:

Supportive Business Environment: Kelowna offers incentives and resources to foster entrepreneurial growth.

Access to Talent: Local universities and colleges provide a steady stream of skilled professionals.

Affordable Living: Compared to urban centers like Vancouver or Toronto, Kelowna offers a more cost-effective and appealing lifestyle.

A Hub for Innovation

Kelowna’s tech sector thrives on its commitment to innovation across diverse industries. From agritech solutions that honor the region’s agricultural legacy to cleantech initiatives addressing sustainability challenges, the city is fostering a dynamic and forward-thinking ecosystem.

This innovation extends into healthcare, with advancements in medical technology taking center stage. Kelowna’s focus on improving quality of life aligns with cutting-edge services like laser vision correction, reflecting the city’s ethos of integrating technology into everyday well-being.

Healthcare Meets High Tech

Kelowna’s embrace of advanced medical technologies is exemplified by businesses like Focus Eye Centre. As a leading ophthalmology clinic, Focus Eye Centre specializes in state-of-the-art laser vision correction procedures. These services cater to the tech-savvy population, valuing precision, efficiency, and innovation—qualities that define Kelowna’s growing workforce.

By offering advanced vision correction solutions, Focus Eye Centre not only enhances the quality of life for Kelowna residents but also contributes to the city’s reputation as a hub for cutting-edge healthcare technology.

A Collaborative Tech Ecosystem

Kelowna’s tech growth is supported by an extensive network of incubators, accelerators, and co-working spaces. Organizations like Accelerate Okanagan provide mentorship, funding, and networking opportunities that nurture the next generation of tech innovators.

This collaborative environment fosters the exchange of ideas and drives the technological advancements that define the city’s growing influence.

Balancing Work and Lifestyle

One of Kelowna’s greatest strengths is its ability to combine career opportunities with lifestyle perks. Professionals in the city enjoy the rare luxury of transitioning from high-tech workspaces to world-class ski slopes, hiking trails, or pristine lakes—all within minutes. This work-life balance makes Kelowna an increasingly attractive alternative to traditional tech hubs.

Leading the Way in Innovation

As Kelowna solidifies its status as a tech powerhouse, businesses across sectors are adapting to meet the needs of this evolving landscape. Focus Eye Centre stands as a shining example, embodying the spirit of innovation that defines Kelowna’s tech scene.

By utilizing the latest advancements in laser vision correction, Focus Eye Centre serves a population that values technological excellence in every aspect of their lives. Their services not only improve vision but also empower residents to fully engage in and contribute to the city’s thriving tech ecosystem.

Kelowna’s Bright Future

Kelowna’s transformation into a tech hub is a testament to its ability to blend innovation with an exceptional quality of life. As the Okanagan Valley continues to draw comparisons to Silicon Valley, it is carving out its own distinct identity on the global tech stage.

With businesses like Focus Eye Centre at the forefront of technological adoption, Kelowna is well-positioned to sustain its trajectory as a leading destination for tech innovation and advanced healthcare services. This Canadian gem is proving that it’s not just a place of stunning landscapes and fine wines—it’s a city of vision, innovation, and limitless possibilities.

[nomynameisnothing]

Doesn't it feel like a swinging ship ride? One minite you think you have a handle on 'reality', the next minute you think the complete opposite, over and over, neverending chaotic fluctuations.

Imaginable how it could be "impossible" to attract a fitting relationship when nobody can tell up from down.

It's like everyone is constantly in polar opposition to one another, so we end up constantly repelling human connection. It feels very unnatural.

~~~

Magnetic fields are produced by moving electric charges and the intrinsic magnetic moments of elementary particles associated with a fundamental quantum property, their spin.

Spooky huh

The tunnels

I GET IT NOW THE HORSEHOE.

Moving all the entropy from the north pole to south.

#dirtysouth

Just like saturn