#neutral about geese

[vampirebatrat]

I am neutral about Canada geese

Normal bird, there are lots of them. They leave shit in my yard and everywhere I walk but it’s just grass so it doesn’t matter to me. I chase them around and they never fight back because they know I’m the master of all birds. I’m kind of goated at commanding birds. Cackling geese are somewhat annoying to me though because they are hard to distinguish from their (better) predecessors.

[rocksandmirrors]

Also had beef with my neighbors chickens cause they tried to bite(??) me

-🔮

dude chickens are RUTHLESS, can't blame you on that one

[rambosgirl]

GOOSE ATTACK!!!!🪿🪿🪿🪿🪿🪿🪿🪿🪿

[reeniecon]

Could I request Idia, Malleus, Rook, Azul, Jade, and Floyd reaction when mc/Yuu turns into a goose? I was thinking something like mc/Yuu turned into a goose from a potion class accident, and they act like the goose from Untitled Goose Game, but cuddlier. Like they are still a little menace, but also want to be pet and cuddled.

If you don’t want to do this request I completely understand as it is a bit odd. I hope you have a great day/night!

When MC get turned into a GOOSE?!!

With : idia, malleus, rook, Azul, jade and floyd

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PT.1: idia, malleus, and rook

PT.2: azul, Jade, and Floyd

‼️⚠️ : gender-neutral MC/reader, swearing on the idia part, not proofread yet, maybe bad grammar( English r, not my 1st language guys)

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IDIA SHROUD !!

" HOUSEWARDEN THERE IS A GOOSE IN OUR DORMS, PLEASE HELP " one of the ignihyde students shouted and banging on idia door

Idia sighed at the absurd information that he was given why in the world there is a goose inside this highly protected dorm campus...

" hey, tell ortho about the problem, he will fix it faster than I do." he told the student.

" AGRH!! IDIA HOUSEWARDEN HELP ME THE GEESE ARE STOMPING ON ME!!" the ignihyde student desperately shouted.

What the fuck.

He was to open the door but suddenly without wearing the goose were charging into the door and accidentally hitting his feet instead....

" GAHHH!!" idia screamed "Ugh... Ortho there is a goose in here..." The goose stood In front of him with a somehow worried face looking at Idia who was holding at his feet because of the pain...

" huh, eh why did you have that...?"

" HONK " the goose quacks in a somehow desperate tone..

" could it be... (name)-SHI???"

" EH AIN'T NO WAY RIGHT HUH??" he hold the geese holding it while maintaining eye contact with it.

'You have a new massage from Ace!!' his computer notify

" read it " he commands the computer

'Ace chats you "Idia-senpai, did you see (name) i- uh I mean DEUCE accidentally turned them into a goose on the potion class... Please return them so Professor Crewel could turn them back!!" end of the massage'

He look at you with with wide eyes....

" uh... So you're (name)-shi?" he asked

" Honk....."

" ah- I see... Uh " he puts you down

"Sorry... So why are you here? Oh wait you cannot speak... " he got up from the floor and started to search for something in his drawers.

The "Ah here it is, here (name)-shi use this" he equipped the device into you

" Now you can speak " he smiled and sat in front of you

" a a a.. Test test, IDIA!! " you scream at him

" HUH YES- did I do something wrong???!!" he mildly panicked

" LOOK THAT STUDENT YOU NEED TO GET ORTHO AND TAKE HIM TO THE INFRAMARY!! "

Idia gasped...oh I forgot about HIM

"ORTHO ORTHO FAST COME INTO MY ROOM INJURED PEOPLE INJURED STUDENT"

After that ortho takes the injured student to the infirmary and you guys are having a good time together before turning you back into a human with Professor Crewel's assistance...

"Idia, don't tell anyone that I'm the one who stomps on that person..."

" yes.... Of course" he sought

MALLEUS DRACONIA !!

It was a normal night, he was about to visit the ramshackle dorms and have a small talk with you... And there he saw it

In front of a ramshackle dorm...

A goose? He asked to himself

No, not a goose it's child of man... Oh poor you how could this happen to you? He approaches you

"( name ) how could this happen?" he asked

You try to explain but only quack quack comes out from your goose mouth

" oh I see...so that happens, that we're a quite big mistake to happen in a potions class...how embarrassing of them..." he voiced his opinion with quite an angry tone

'Honk honk' you react

" of course, I do understand you child of man, what kind of magician do you think I'm?" he says with his iconic smirk

' honk...'

He picked you up carefully holding you close to him gah!! You can smell his perfume!!

' HONK ' you protest

" calm down I'm trying to find out what kind of potion they accidentally used to turn you like this.." he explains to you calmly

" HONK HOnk" you continued to protest while he were smirking turning the geese upside down spinning left and right

'oh, this is a simple potion spell, I can easily break it...but it would be a waste... If I turn them right away right?' he thought to himself

'Ho..nk HONK'

"Why am I smiling? Did I find something funny? No no child of man that was not the case" he chuckled and held you closer

' Honk....'

" I'm not lying, this potion that you are in right now is kinda hard to break I need some time to get to know it better...." he explains

' honk.....'

" oh don't be sad, I'll break it as soon as possible. Why don't we get inside I didn't want you to catch a cold" he smirked and hugged you inside

" I love you so much child of man"

It seems that Malleus had such a wonderful and memorable evening tonight with you <3

ROOK HUNT !!

Oh dear, what is this mess... He was trying to get into his science club room and he saw a bubble coming up the door.....

He sighed, he just wanted to have a small experiment with you in the room but he might have to wait for another day according to how the looks of the room you guys going to have....

" aa~ what a waste me and my dear going to have a small experiment on here, what happen here Rose Chevalier? " he asked Trey with a disappointed manner

"HOMK" you try to hug him out of fright

" gah! a goose? " he embraces you

"HONK HONK HONK!!" you try to explain to him

" ah... Our junior got into a potion problem and (name) accidentally got into the mess. And uh- how can I say it... And get turn into a goose "Trey let out while rubbing his neck

"oh! (name) my dear how miserable...." he hugged you closer and buried his face into your feather dropping 1 streak of tears...

' ho.....'

" I'll turn you back okay! I promised my dear..." he raised his head and looked you in the eyes with a determined tone!

'honk honk!'

"we're not going to miss our date together I promise, now let's get started. I'll make the cure my dear don't worry!!"

After that, he makes you the cure and you guys are having a great date exploring the island together with him. Huh? What happens to the club junior who accidentally potions you? Uh... You might didn't want to know about that

Haha...ha

I mean because of them you and Rook failed to get a cute lab date, ain't no way rook going to let them go so easily.....

lets just

pray for them...

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More of my fics

A/N: sorry for not posting for a while the exams are coming up lol, and I'm going to make separate parts for the Octatrio (which will be uploaded in 2-3 days) this fic is really fun to make tbh

A/n PT.2 : www I sorry I thought goose quack but apparently they honk... Please tell me if I wrote it wrong once again 😭😭😭

[bestanimal]

Round 2 - Arthropoda - Thecostraca

(Sources - 1, 2, 3, 4)

Thecostraca is is a class of crustaceans, many of which have planktonic larvae which become sessile or parasitic as adults. The most well-known group are the Barnacles (subclass Cirripedia), but Thecostraca also includes the parasitic Ascothoracida, and the mysterious Facetotecta.

Facetotecta, comprising only the genus Hansenocaris, are known only from their larvae (image 3) and adults have yet to be recognized, though some scientists believe they may actually be larval tantulocaridans.

Ascothoracidans are parasites of echinoderms and cnidarians. Most genera are meso and endoparasitic (living inside the host) while some are ectoparasitic (living on the outside of the host). They are similar in anatomy to copepods, with six pairs of legs, an abdomen with four segments, a telson, and a bivalved carapace. They feed on their host via piercing and sucking mouthparts, and some more advanced species also absorb nutrients through the carapace. They are sexually dimorphic, in many cases so much so that the smaller males will live inside the larger female’s mantle cavity.

Barnacles (subclass Cirripedia) are more well-known than other Thecostracans. Adult barnacles are sessile filter feeders, except for the infraclass Rhizocephala, which are parasites of other crustaceans. Barnacles attach themselves to a surface as adults, be that a rock, the shell of a mollusc, a ship, or a large animal such as a whale. They come in two common forms: acorn barnacles which grow their shells directly on a surface (image 4) and goose barnacles which attach themselves via a stalk (image 1). Barnacles have a carapace made of six calcareous plates, with a lid made of four more plates. They attach themselves to the substrate by means of a cement gland at the base of their antennae. Eight pairs of thoracic limbs, called cirri, extend from the carapace to filter plankton from the water and bring it towards the mouth. The hairs on these limbs are very sensitive to touch, and help the barnacle sense the world around them. They also have three simple eyes (ocelli) which can sense changes in light, allowing them to close their plates quickly if a shadow is detected.

Thecostracans have nauplius larvae, characterised by a head with antennules, antennae, mandables, and a single eye, three pairs of limbs, a carapace, and a telson. Barnacle larvae are brooded by the parent until their first moult, after which they are released to swim freely using setae.

The oldest known thecostracan fossil is dated from the Middle Cambrian. Traces of the parasitic forms have been dated from the Cretaceous.

Propaganda under the cut:

Barnacles have the longest penis (relative to body size) of any living animal. You can see it in action in the above gif and in this video.

Most barnacles are not parasitic (other than hitching a ride) and usually do no harm to the large animals they attach to. An overload of barnacles tends to be a symptom of an underlying issue, such as the animal being unable to shed its skin. Non-professionals scraping or pulling barnacles off of whales and turtles often does more harm than good for the affected animal!

12th-18th Century Europeans thought that Brants and Barnacle Geese emerged, fully formed, from Goose Barnacles. Gerald of Wales claimed to have seen the birds hanging down from pieces of timber, William Turner accepted the theory, and John Gerard claimed to have seen the birds emerging from their shells. In County Kerry, until relatively recently, Catholics abstaining from meat during Lent could still eat this bird because it was considered a fish.

As filter-feeders, barnacles play an important role in the ecosystem: not only for transferring nutrients up the food chain, but also for keeping the water clean.

When a barnacle chooses its home, it produces a biological glue made of six different proteins. While the glue hardens, it accumulates limestone salts, turning into a concrete-like shell. Barnacle glue is six times stronger than any manmade glue. Scientists are trying to replicate this glue for use in the fields of engineering, construction and medicine, where it can be used as a biological sealant during or post-surgery.

[judedeluca]

Geese

For @shin-meddlesome-hero

They suggested "Utena" and I did something a bit... different

“Hmm, a man who knows how to properly set a table is hard to come across,” Mrs. Ohtori acknowledged.

“Now Mother, it is Christmastime,” Akio pointed out with a laugh.

The married woman tried not to scowl. “Must you call me that even when we’re alone?” Mrs. Ohtori wondered.

“Of course, after all, I will be marrying Kanae soon,” Akio reasoned. He reminded his future mother-in-law, “You know how much she wants us to be a big, happy family.”

Mrs. Ohtori said nothing as she took a sip of her red wine.

“By the way, how is the Chairman doing?”

At the mention of her husband, Mrs. Ohtori eschewed decorum to down her glass in one gulp.

“Something wrong?” Akio asked.

“You know how the cold weather can be hazardous to one’s health,” Mrs. Ohtori explained as she placed the glass down. “I’m afraid my husband took a chill on top of everything else. Kanae refuses to leave his side.”

Mrs. Ohtori blinked. When had Akio taken a seat right next to her? She’d just been facing him across the table. She could smell roses, no doubt a lingering scent from his sister’s garden. Thank God that girl wasn’t with them tonight. Something about Akio’s sister made her skin crawl.

“I think it’s wonderful how close she is with her father,” Akio mused. “To sacrifice your holiday season to spend time with an ill loved one shows remarkable consideration on Kanae’s part, don’t you think, Mother?”

Mrs. Ohtori kept her expression neutral and her hands lowered beneath the table so Akio wouldn’t see her twisting her black dress in her fists.

“Foie gras?” Akio offered as he held up a plate.

“Please,” Mrs. Ohtori said through barely gritted teeth. Akio placed one hand beneath her chin as he lifted her head to feed her a piece of fattened goose liver.

“Do you enjoy it? I made it myself.”

“You?”

“My sister keeps a gaggle of geese among all her other animal companions,” Akio revealed. “I convinced her to name one of them ‘Kanae.’ I’m certain Kanae would appreciate that, don’t you?”

Mrs. Ohtori said nothing as she looked at the plate of liver in her future son-in-law’s hand.

“More?”

It was delicious.

[liminaldreamscape]

Offerings for Eros

I've noticed that all the online resources I've found regarding what offerings to give to Eros have been broad and vague (e.g., flowers, birds, etc.). but I've recently started working with Eros and have come to learn that he is pickier than that. So, for anyone who might want to work with or may already be working with Eros, this is where I'll compile the information I've gathered about his preferences for offerings. Obviously, your relationship with Eros is your own and he may express different desires to you. This list is based on my experience and is not definitive.

Likes

Eggs

Rabbits

Bluebirds

Sebastopol geese

Roses

Lavender

Jasmine

Obsidian

Amethyst

Red candles

Neutral/Meh

Hummingbirds

Cardinals

Moonstone

Opal

Pink candles

Dislikes [Do not put these on his altar]

Crows

Roosters

Blue lotus

Violet flowers

[wearepaladin]

I vaguely recall you sharing a meme about bird alignments (geese = CE, little pally hummingbird), but I can't find it. Also, what alignment are swans? (I'm betting Lawful something.)

There you go. I’d argue they’re closer to their geese cousins than not.

[rezcowgirl]

Was out for a walk with two co-workers in the interior last week, and I asked them both:

"So, how do you feel about Canada geese?" and they both laughed and said I ask the most interesting questions (They probably meant 'weird').

It was an honest question - I think people's love, hatred, or neutrality about Canada geese could say something about them (I LOVE them, fwiw. Terrible manners, hold up traffic, attack randos. The best goose. I love animals that are inconvenient to humans.).

I guess I do ask the weirdest AND BEST questions, because at our team meetings whenever my boss doesn't have an icebreaker they always look to me. So far, I have ice-broken with:

what's the smallest hill you're willing to die on?

what's the most boring fact about you?

what is your least favourite colour? (So many people don't have an answer! Mine is red. I don't hate it, it's just not my favourite.)

2nd and 3rd favourite animals - go! (Apparently my internal continuous ranking of things is odd because so many people know their fav animal, but not their second and third lmao).

What's the funniest injury you've ever obtained?

I HATE icebreakers of the "get up and move around the room" variety or ones that are trying to be like a game, but I actually really do like knowing the answers to these questions.

[girlashfur]

Serene Feathers : Outsiders

Geese can only fluently communicate with other waterfowl. They can roughly understand the language of other avians sometimes, but it's much harder to make out and a talent that must be learned; not many are able to do so since it's considered a lost cause anyway.

Geese and swans have a natural rivalry that has been going on for ages. They are born enemies, and flocks of geese regularly break out into fights with bevies of swans over territory. Despite swans being one of the closest species genetically to geese, the two are very different in terms of culture. It is heavily looked down upon for a goose to display any sort of kind or welcoming behavior at a swan, regardless of context. Some flocks are willing to exile, or even kill members of their own for helping out swans, depending on the severity of the betrayal.

Ducks are collectively on neutral terms with geese. Some flocks may lean more positively or negatively as far as opinions on them go. They're seen as an oddity because of their disconnect from goose culture, and often treated as a lesser and dumber species. Ducks are very crafty and good with scavenging up materials, which makes them useful for trading between goose flocks at times. Ducks are closer with humans than geese or swans are, which makes them frowned down upon sometimes, leading to the stigma of them being dull or stupid; however, this is usually seen as something to pity, rather than something geese are agressive about towards them.

Domestic geese are also pitied, and treated somewhat like ducks in the sense of being looked down upon. They're seen as soft and weak, not having experienced the hardships of wild life, having given up their freedom to live a sheltered life with the human men. Domestic geese who are dumped or 'released' into the wild may be seen as redeemed if they are taken in by a wild flock and taught the culture of wild geese. Gaggles are typically the most accepting of domestics.

[zweetpea]

Gender Neutral Reader 

Short blurb/Drabble thing 

Giving gifts is hard. It’s even harder when you want to get them for the man who has everything. Simple, you’ll make him something. 

“Happy holidays, Honey!”you greet him on the morning of your gift exchange. “I didn’t know what to buy you so I just made you some Kartoshka.” 

He smiles and kisses your forehead. “Thank you darling! I’m so sorry, the delivery men have gotten trapped in the storm so they’ll be a bit late with your presents.” 

“Presents, as in plural? You didn’t have to get me so much. I’ll feel bad that I only got you this.” 

He picks you up and holds you. “Darling, I have you. That’s a gift no one else can ever have.” Your face grows hot at his actions. He just carries you to his couch and you two cuddle. 

“Wow! This tree is so pretty!” Little cheeps come from the branches as a bird flutters out. 

“I know how much you like birds, so I got you a partridge and he wouldn’t leave the pear tree, so I just took it.” 

“This is wonderful. Thank you.” You smile and lean up to kiss his lips. 

——

The next morning during breakfast two turtle doves flew into the dining room and landed on your shoulders. 

“Ah they’re here. Do you like them, love?” Your boyfriend walks over to you. 

“What am I supposed to do with them?” 

“You may do whatever you please. I love you.” 

“I love you too.” 

——

The third day of the storm you were play with your new pets in the greenhouse when three new birds rush in from the main house. 

“Three hens? I know I love birds but I’m starting to feel like he’s spoiling me.” 

——

The next morning you were in bed snuggling with your boyfriend when four colly birds fly into your lap and wake the two of you up. 

“Are you kidding me?” He groans. 

“Another one of your gifts?” You giggle. 

“They were supposed to go to the sanctuary, I suppose that new order wasn’t able to be processed with the storm.” 

You shift yourself into his lap and kiss him deeply. “You’re too sweet to me.” 

——

The day after you and your wonderful boyfriend were cuddling by the fire in his study when he just suddenly asks you something. 

“Wanna get married?” 

“Huh?” 

“I’ve been thinking about marrying you for a while now, my plans for a proper proposal have flown out the window so I might as well just ask. Wanna get married?” 

“I’d love to.” You smile and kiss him so passionately. 

——

The storm had stopped so he took you down to the sanctuary where your new birds were staying. 

“Everything in here is yours.” He told you. 

“Everyone move! We got eight pregnant geese and we need to get these eggs out!” One of the workers rushed. 

“Eight geese? And they’re all laying eggs?” You ask shocked. 

“How did they even get pregnant? I didn’t have any males around them, I don’t think.” Your Fiancé freaks out. 

“I think it’s wonderful. I’m just surprised by it.” 

——

“Thank you for taking me back here. I know we just came here yesterday but I want to make sure that those geese are okay.” 

“Of course my love.” 

Along with the six geese there were now seven swans. 

“Oh good they’re here too.” 

“You even got me swans?” 

“Mhm. I didn’t want to get too much, because I didn’t want to scare you away. I’ll get more for you next year I promise.” 

“No, really it’s okay.” 

——

The day after, you were called into your fiancé’s office. 

“Now that we’re going to be married, I want you to have your own staff. Please choose any eight of the many I have lined up for interviews today.” 

“Huh?” He sits you down and leaves you with the head butler. 

——

Over the next four days you and your fiancé planed a ball to announce your engagement. There were 9 percussionists and 10 woodwinds. 

And over the course of the night of the ball 11 couples came over to congratulate the two of you. 

And at the end of the night it was just you, a regular civilian, dancing with your true love, a man wealthy enough to give you the world. 

“The best present you’ve given me is your heart.” You smile at him, kissing him lovingly on the lips.

(This was meant for Pantalone but can work with any rich man)

(Based on the song 12 days of Christmas, so he’s the 12th lord a leaping)

[ceescedasticity]

Unforsaken, 9c

(All sections on tumblr)

(AO3, lagging behind but more polished)

Elrohir asks if Maglor ever wandered far enough south to get completely clear of Sauron's shadow.

Celegorm asks if he would have noticed if he did.

Maglor says yes, as a matter of fact, he did travel that far a few times and did notice.

In fact, he's been farther south than the Númenóreans ever got! Although it was a little hard to tell, since stories of the wicked Westerlings spread south, too.

…Then they have to explain 'Númenóreans (derogatory)' to the Hirnedhrim.

"Have you not heard of this at all? I thought the Dunlendings were still holding grudges about it?"

"Not that anyone told us about."

Risyind mentions that apparently Pelndoru either wasn't paying enough attention to hear about the Númenóreans or else it decided to scrub them from history after the Involution. She's guessing the first one.

(If she didn't have more important things to worry about Sharlinnu would definitely be cranky about the Involution.)

****

Gimli points out they should probably do a demonstration with the Wizard's Clay before it comes time to use it.

…Although the horses wouldn't be very happy about it. Or the oxen. Or Celeborn.

Maglor could probably keep it from bothering the oxen and horses? It's not easy when he doesn't know beforehand what he needs to neutralize…

Celeborn objects to blowing up anything in the Vales of Anduin regardless of who can hear it — though he can see the point about needing a demonstration. Wait until they're north of the mountains?

Okay, but at that point Maglor will also need to keep it from attracting cold-drakes.

…Actually no one knows whether cold-drakes would come towards the sounds of explosions.

****

Over the course of several days—

Ah, geese flying north.

They're doing a lot of landing and taking off for migrators.

…They really should have overtaken us by now.

Are we being tailed by geese?

Gimli was bitten by a goose once.

That's nothing, a couple of the goblin-men of Dunland got mauled by geese, they eventually swore off trying to keep them.

…None of the elves have ever been attacked by geese.

"It's about respecting them."

…Those are… kind of large for geese, actually, aren't they?

Ohhhhhh, those are the Geese of Manwë!

Everyone stops to look at Glorfindel like he's lost his mind.

The what now.

The Geese of Manwë. Like the Eagles of Manwë, but geese.

…

We didn't see them in Eldamar in the Time of the Trees because there weren't a lot of natural bodies of water — apart from the Sea — but once we got rivers in—

What.

—No, one thing at a time, geese.

(Or should it be Geese?)

Glorfindel isn't sure what they want him to say. They're like Eagles, but geese. They aren't as suited to killing things as the Eagles. Their homes are less remote, so you see them more often, in the West. Some of them enter poetry competitions? They're supposed to be banned from both Yavanna's gardens and Aulë's workshops, but, uh, that hasn't really stuck.

"None of that explains why they're following us."

"I… expect they're meant to be helping us?" Glorfindel says. "I'm not sure how, but it must be a good sign?"

"I would have thought Eagles would be more help," Turgon says. "Although I suppose they could arrive later."

Has this flock been living somewhere in Middle-earth all this time? Who knows!

"Those aren't all geese," Legolas says suddenly. "There are two swans. Grey, but swans."

Celegorm immediately turns around and tries to look himself, even though it is a sunny day and he was uncomfortable even before looking at the sky. He is unable to confirm or dispute Legolas's observation.

Several others can confirm it, though.

…Huh. Weird.

…Not really much weirder than the 'there are Geese of Manwë' baseline, though.

****

(That evening after speaking to the party Arwen decides to take a closer look at these 'Geese of Manwë' and mystery swans. She ends up dropping the Orthanc-stone on her foot. It fractures a toe. Arwen swears Aragorn to secrecy.)

****

They're able to keep on the river a long ways, with all the oxen walking and the barges lightly loaded — even past the point where the Anduin is born in the confluence of two smaller rivers. They pick the tributary coming down from the Misty Mountains, since the one from the Grey Mountains splits into two streams halfway there.

It gets un-navigable eventually, but Celeborn doesn't think it's more than a day or two before they would have had to cut north away from the river anyway.

They unload the wagons from the barges, and move the supplies to the wagons. As for the barges themselves — well, they aren't anticipating any cargo on the way back, but it would still make things easier, and they should at least try to return the barges to Arwen. They drag the barges on shore and turn them over, protecting them as much as they can out in the open.

They reorganize the oxen — eight wagons rather than four barges — and continue on.

****

At this point they can all drive the wagons. No one is particularly eager to. (The suspension is not great.) They trade off often.

Celegorm, Turgon, and Sharlinnu have to pick between walking in the daylight, riding in the wagons, or walking around holding a piece of canvas over their heads as a sunshield.

Caution rises as they approach the Gap of Gundabad — not that they weren't alert before, but there hadn't been any expectation of threat.

Gimli grumbles about such a holy place being profaned.

Khitwê points out that Pelnûru scholars' best guess at the former location of Kuynennu — Cuiviénen — is in Dead Empire territory, and even the geography isn't there anymore, so really the dwarves are still ahead!

Elladan: "I thought no one knew where Cuiviénen used to be!"

Khitwê: "They don't know for sure, but there were people who knew how to get to Kuynennu from Pelndoru and back, so even after everything got torn up they could get approximately there…"

Of course they couldn't investigate after the White Empire started up.

Maglor: "…So if Mount Gundabad is full of orcs—"

(Celegorm: "Not that many orcs—")

Maglor, ignoring the interruption: "—And what's left of Cuiviénen has an entire human empire squatting in it… does anyone know what happened to Hildorien?"

No. In fact, there is some skepticism on the Hildorien story generally.

Before they can get into that, Zena asks what exactly they're talking about — it turns out no one has told the Hirnedhrim about the various awakenings. So they have to go over that.

The Hirnedhrim are — not skeptical, exactly, but they have questions. There are things you have to be taught, that you can't just conjure out of nowhere. What was the difference in wisdom between these magically-awakening adults and someone who lived alone in a pit their entire life finally getting out? How did the difference get there?

Zena: "And there must have been a difference, because an entire village full of just-retrieved Usazilas would have… had problems."

Zuste: "It took over a hundred years for the bite-scars to fade."

…

What?

Maglor: "I would argue that being kept in a pit and treated like an animal by the only people you have ever met teaches its own breed of wisdom which is of less than no use in most other situations."

Zena agrees he may be on to something there, but still doesn't think that's sufficient.

Elrohir knows he is not going to like the answer and that possibly he just shouldn't ask, but: "I understand that the Men of Dunland had no love for you, but… why a pit?"

Zena: "They thought it would keep the Fair Orc away from their women if his child was still there. That was why others of our sisters and brothers were tolerated through infancy, at least. These people thought they had found a way to do that which they liked better than keeping an abomination in the house."

Zuste: "They boasted of it. Had been boasting for years before we found out."

Zuste: "We burned that steading to the ground."

She does not say what became of the inhabitants other than Usazila.

Celegorm: nodding approvingly

Turgon: glaring at Celegorm for this improper moral feedback

Risyind: "Well anyway, the tradition of the People of the Pearls is that humans lived underwater until drawn out into the air by the light of the Sun."

Zena: "Interesting!"

Risyind: "My understanding is none of the Pelnûru have ever felt there are any grounds to challenge them on it, since it's not like we know exactly where Men awakened."

Legolas: "No one ever pointed out that Men can't breathe water?"

Risyind: "They are fully aware of that themselves. The stories don't explain anything, but the tradition for a long time was that before the Sun, Men were more like porpoises. More recently, though, there were some philosophers who argued that the stories specifically say drawn to the air by the Sun, and porpoises already have to visit the air regularly, so Men must have been more like some other sort of fish, or maybe octopuses."

Legolas: "Ah, that makes sense."

(Have never heard of an octopus: Legolas, Zuste, Zena, Dyn. Also Whiterot.)

Risyind: "Maybe, but there was some heated discussion. We heard all about it because some of them had to leave town for a while and came to Pelndoru."

Gimli: that doesn't sound right "…The octopuses…?"

(Has never seen an octopus, but has read about them in books written by Dwarves who had also never seen one: Gimli.)

Anyway that discussion gets everyone thoroughly sidetracked, thank you Risyind.

(Have seen one or more octopuses in the course of living by the Sea and/or traveling by ship and/or knowing Círdan: Khitwê, Risyind, Elrohir, Elladan, Sharlinnu, Glorfindel, Maglor.)

(Has seen an octopus after his cousin absolutely insisted he come to Alqualondë and get on a boat and see this new, fascinating creature he just found out about: Turgon.)

(Has seen octopuses and been disappointed when Oromë said he couldn't teach him to understand them: Celegorm.)

(Has seen one or more octopuses in the course of knowing Círdan, but only after spending several centuries thinking Angrod made them up, and unfortunately Círdan told the twins about this: Celeborn.)

(Have eaten octopus: Sharlinnu, Khitwê, not Risyind because she doesn't care what anyone else says, it doesn't look like something you're supposed to eat, shut up Khitwê. Also Maglor, but he doesn't want to talk about it.)

****

Whiterot joins them once they're properly in the Gap of Gundabad. (She is greeted with questions on whether she knows what an octopus is. She does not.)

She goes over the state of things in Gundabad. Most relevantly, no one is likely to attack them. Whiterot does have some healing minor injuries from scuffles, but just usual day-to-day stuff. There's still no leader and no plans to police the gap. They're good.

(Also, some orcs did take Bellow's advice and took off to look for good places to hole up in the Mountains of Angmar, but that's not pertinent at the moment.)

****

They're almost out of the Gap of Gundabad when disaster strikes. Sort of.

Dyn asks Gimli about the case with the three strands of hair, and he explains.

Maglor looks at Celegorm. Celegorm looks at Maglor.

They don't say anything.

—So here is the thing, about the hair.

Asking someone for some of their hair for use in an art or craft project — either directly or as a reference — was not unknown. But it wasn't the sort of thing you'd be soliciting strangers in the street for, either; it was a personal request for a favor and belonged in a personal relationship. Artanis refused the first request because she wasn't inclined to grant Fëanáro any favors, and also she felt Fëanáro held himself too far aloof from the grandchildren of Indis to presume a personal relationship.

That last part was difficult to dispute.

So, Fëanáro had assumed his status as an elder kinsman and as a matchless craftsman would stand in for a personal relationship; Artanis said it didn't. Kind of embarrassing for Fëanáro and awkward all around, but not inappropriate.

There was some familial huffing about how if Artanis didn't respect Fëanáro enough for this maybe her family weren't really Noldor. That sort of thing.

But asking a second time made it weird, even with the clarification that he wished to "study the hair's unique appearance". Artanis made it even clearer that she was not interested in granting a favor to someone who "pretended my family did not exist until he thought I might provide an interesting specimen".

Asking a third time—

Asking a third time was inappropriate. The Arafinwëans all left Tirion for Alqualondë, and Artanis didn't come back for a Tree-year. Finwë didn't reprimand Fëanor, but he did offer to ask Ingwë and Olwë for hair strands himself which Fëanor could study, with the implication that Fëanor could therefore stop making such requests of people who found it upsetting. Nerdanel told Fëanor there were questions on which he needed to accept 'no'.

And Maitimo, Makalaurë, and Tyelkormo, who all had social circles which reached outside Fëanor's most devoted followers, had to deal with a number of friends and acquaintances either attempting to delicately ask "hey wtf is up with your father and hair" or refraining from asking despite really wanting to. And when someone did ask, loyalty required trying to justify Fëanor even though they knew he'd pushed too much.

It was not enjoyable. The last thing they want to do here is deal with someone explaining the whole debacle to Legolas, Gimli, Khitwê, Risyind, Sharlinnu, Whiterot, the Hirnedhrim, and possibly Elladan and Elrohir — and, actually, they aren't 100% sure Celeborn knows already. Just. No.

They say nothing. Elladan and Elrohir are intensely relieved.

(Glorfindel is secretly a little disappointed.)

[calbeloved]

a little danthur thing set in the universe of 1670 (the tv show, taking place in the polish–lithuanian commonwealth during the late 17th century.)

is this basically just a rewrite of aniela and maciej's first meeting you might ask.... yeah. i just stuck my favourite guys in there. the wonders of being a writer.

spoilers: 1st episode of 1670 and names from opd

Adamczycha is not the worst place to live, Arthur supposes. He worked in worse conditions, and even if he'd like to be on the other side of the village… It always could be worse. Arthur doesn't have wishes. He can't. So, it's fine.

Surprisingly, the mornings are not the worst part of the day. It's more cold than usual and getting out into the field is always followed by soreness and the freezing wind and working, but Lord Kian is not awake in the mornings. That's what makes it bearable.

The people are starting to get used to his presence, too; while they don't smile, they make eye contact and at least acknowledge him. At breakfast, Paweł (the man giving out the breakfast whom he only met 5 days ago) gave him the usual ration. Not less. It's good here.

Being the blacksmith's helper is nice, too; it gets hot and the hardship of banging on metal all the time is not easy, but he is only an assistant. It is no surprise that he gets told to relay information to people all around the village and has to do little jobs here and there.

He's good at it. It's going well for him, so far. No reason to complain, and even if there were, he wouldn't.

It’s neither morning nor the time of absence of Lord Kian when he walks to the geese feeding area– someone has to feed the horses and he should probably not be in there by himself. Someone else can do that job.

Lord Kian laughs in the distance as he walks; a now familiar “Chop, chop, chop!” following close behind, rushing him. Arthur ignores it as best as he can and focuses on the people in front of him instead. Half consciously, though, he speeds up.

“Hey. Hey, you,” he says, himself not knowing to who yet. The geese aren't being too troublesome today, so he allows himself to walk a bit closer.

One of the men turns around to face him, grain still in hand. There's a shadow of something in his expression, but it quickly gets overtaken by a neutral face that nods in acknowledgement.

“The horses need to be fed. Can you do it?”

“...Just in a minute, when I'm done here,” the man nods again and throws the grain onto the dirt– the geese similarly throw themselves at it.

Arthur frowns; “You should probably do it now. Poor things are hungry, you know?”

The man pauses and turns to stare at him. He blinks, a mix of the confusion and amusement showing again, this time more stronger.

…There is something about that face. Light blonde strands of hair fall onto his face and the cheeks are not so rosy as they normally are in everyone else who work all day in the cold, and he's pale. Beautiful, surely, familiar also, but…

“Dante!” Lord Kian shouts from where he's sitting; way closer than Arthur thought. There's still an apple in his hand and food being chewed in his mouth when he speaks. “How many times have I told you? Nobles don't work!”

…Dante. He knows that name. The youngest of the sons. Only– Lord Kian is staring at him while he speaks.

There's a quiet scoff behind him. Arthur… Arthur turns around once more to face the man he just told to feed the horses. He turns to face Dante. The noble.

…He has been here for less than a week. Nobody important checks in at the blacksmith and so far he hasn't caused any trouble enough to guarantee a punishment– now, his stomach twists. It is possibly the biggest insult he could offer, to not only confuse a noble with a peasant, but to so informally order them to work.

Dante smiles in response. He stares him deep into the eyes and oh Arthur's about to fall to his knees. “Well. I better go feed those horses. I'm sure they are hungry.”

When Arthur eventually mutters a choked “right” back, it is already too late. The noble has left and left him stunned and with a warm feeling in his chest. Arthur, as any smart person would, turns around and slowly starts walking back to the forge. Holy fucking shit.

[esor-ogramira]

So, my dad sent me a meme involving an Untitled Goose Game and DOOM crossover and that got me to thinking...

Feel free to add why you feel whatever way you do about the hypothetical possibility of adding geese into Minecraft.

Personally, I'm leaning towards the opinion of them adding geese/ducks/swans/any other waterfowl into Minecraft. And if they were to do that, then make them have different appearances based on where they spawn and in what biome they spawn in. For example, having Canada geese spawn in plains biomes and meadow biomes (because geese will ALWAYS prefer flat, treeless areas over hilly and/or wooded areas to be able to see threats from further away), while domesticated geese spawn in plains and meadow villages. And have mallard ducks spawn in river biomes that are near plains biomes, while domesticated ducks spawn in plains villages that are partially spawned on the water of said rivers. The addition of geese and more waterfowl in general would bring a lot more passive life to Minecraft. And the geese in the game should be neutral in the same way that untamed wolves are, in that if you hit one goose in a group of geese, they all start attacking you. And they should make baby geese/baby waterfowl grow like horses do (in more than one stage), except at every stage of growth, they drop some feathers. And then after they finish growing, the waterfowl should continue to drop feathers from time to time, similar to how some ducks will shed their flight feathers when they're taking care of a nest of eggs. So you could have a near-endless supply of feathers for arrows and brushes, as long as you have the other ingredients!

Oh, and geese, in particular, should have a slim chance of dropping a golden goose egg if you tame them and let them live in a farm. And that golden goose egg should have multiple uses! For example, use it in crafting a cake to make a Golden Cake that might give you a regeneration buff for every time you eat a slice of it! Or maybe it can have a guaranteed chance of spawning at least one baby goose when you throw it, and have a greater chance of spawning four baby geese in comparison to how chicken egg have a low chance of spawning a baby chicken when thrown!

[billygaysanguine]

🥤🔪 and 🍦for the writers truth or dare :)

Recommend an author or fanfic you love: Vaurien Scapegrace and His New-Found Lady Feelings (explicit) and The Haunted House Incident (teen and up audiences)

What's the weirdest topic you researched for a writing project? The aftermath of being attacked by geese. Its nasty btw. Geese are some of the scariest birds ive ever encountered. Second only to swans

Name three good things about a character you hate: i dont think i can answer this cause idk if there is a character i really hate 😭 im 100% neutral on most of them

[moths-in-the-coat]

OC PROFILE #8: ORIGINAL UNIVERSE (ARMAGEDDON)

"I never asked to be born sinful. I never asked to be born at all."

✴ name: Ariel Merihem ✴ nicknames: Ari, Mayhem, Hellstar, Sparky ✴ age: Appears to be in her early 20's ✴ birthday: June 6 ✴ star sign: Gemini ✴ birthplace: Promethea, Pride Sector, Hell ✴ hometown: New Sodom, Lust Sector, Hell ✴ ethnicity: ...demon? succubus? uhh... ✴ nationality: Infernal...? ✴ languages spoken: English ✴ gender: Female (she/her) ✴ sexuality: Demisexual

ii.– appearance

✴ description: Ariel is an average-height demon with red skin, tall, sharp horns, and leathery, bat-like wings. She has golden eyes (indicative of a demon of Pride) and short blonde hair. ✴ height: 5'7 (170 cm) ✴ weight: Unknown ✴ other distinguishing features: beauty mark on cheek, cupid's bow lips, long legs

iii.– personality

✴ positive traits: courageous, unselfish, focused, clever, supportive ✴ neutral traits: stylish, outspoken, rebellious, charismatic, proud ✴ negative traits: fanciful, cunning, big-headed, obnoxious, jealous ✴ likes: dancing, fancy clothes, spicy food, shiny things, herself ✴ dislikes: angels, salty food, being bossed around, geese, her job ✴ fears: reincarnation, angels, dogs ✴ hobbies: dancing, sewing, singing, making cocktails, pickpocketing ✴ talents: singing, dancing, persuasion, swindling, melee combat

iv.– abilities

✴ status: citizen ✴ abilities: seduction, weak pyrokinesis, shapeshifting, good at fighting

v.– relationships

✴ family: Ariel doesn't have a good relationship with either parent, as she was thrown out of the house at 16 to fend for herself and hasn't been in contact with either since then. ✴ friends: Sammy Braddock, "DEXTER" (sort of) ✴ enemies: is distrustful of just about everyone, everyone is her enemy in her eyes ✴ love interest: none, single

vi.– backstory

Ariel was born in the Pride Sector of Hell out of a union between an incubus and succubus. From a young age, she was forced to be hyperindependent due to her parents' neglect and substance abuse. At 16, she was kicked out of the house and forced to live on her own with no support so to speak. She went from city to city and sector to sector working odd jobs to support herself, eventually finding her place in Kellogg's, the premier cabaret bar in the Lust Sector's New Sodom. Since then, she's been one of the headlining performers there.

…and then the fic starts.

vii.– other

✴ fashion style: burlesque, femme fatale, luxe, glam girl ✴ face claim: Marilyn Monroe (i guess?) ✴ voice claim: Jamie Marchi ✴ theme song: Material Girl- Madonna ✴ assorted fun facts: Her singing and dancing skills are completely self-taught. Her guilty pleasure is heavy metal. Despite being a succubus, she's demisexual. Most of her clothes are covered in rhinestones or jewels. One of her odd jobs was being a stand-up comedian. She loves cats.