#object invasion bread

[rottendecisions]

SPOILERS FOR OBJECT INVASION REBOOT!

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

breadbug lol

[lilacs-stash]

Anyways Bread is peak object design

[inanimationinsanitation]

if you put bread on his back would he be able to get up on his own or would he be stuck like, a bug

[cellclothism]

dni

[chaos-bites]

📯 Subtle Heimdallr Worship 🐏

Learn about/practice a method of self-defense (weapons included)

Own a ram horn - faux or real; own/craft real wool items (blankets, sweaters, scarves, etc.)

Light a bonfire; gather around it with loved ones or enjoy its warmth on your own

Decorate your space with fairy lights, a pretty lamp, or some kind of light fixture that you like

Keep a picture of him in your wallet

Get a candle that reminds you of him (no altar needed)

Wear jewelry that reminds you of him

Place a protective rune (or bindrune) at the entrance of your home or space

Invest in household security options (security camera, Ring doorbell, alarm system, etc.)

Have a plan in place in the case of home invasion or medical emergencies (legally storing a weapon in your home, learning CPR, or keeping a tourniquet in your car, for example)

Stay informed about the happenings in your area; keep up to date with world news (take a step back from it if it gets to be overwhelming for you, please)

Make sure to eat a good breakfast to start off your day; try to include meat, bread, nuts, and veggies/fruits if able

Drink something energizing at the start of your day, be it coffee, tea, or something else; dedicate the first sip to Heimdall by raising a glass in his honor

Start a collection of keys and locks - new and old (antique shops are a great place to find these)

Practice mindfulness and self-awareness; try to look at situations with a more nuanced and objective perspective

Have a stuffed animal ram, seal, horse, or rooster/chicken

Have imagery of gates, watchful eyes, ram horns, rivers, the World Tree, Asgard, rainbows, the Milky Way (some scholars believe it to be the OG representation of the Bifröst bridge), the sky, golden teeth, golden maned horses, swords, and shields around

Teach someone how to do something new; educate someone about a topic you're educated about; generally openly share knowledge with others

Be willing to learn about new things; be open to corrections from others; practice not taking constructive criticism personally

Learn about different logical fallacies; learn how to properly argue/debate respectfully with someone

Assert your boundaries with others; take time to learn what your boundaries are and where you draw the line

Ground yourself regularly; make sure you take time throughout your day to reconnect with the present moment

Stand up for what you believe in; attend protests or activism events (be safe, please)

Try to attend social events or hang out with loved ones; put yourself out there if you can

Step outside of your comfort zone; if you're scared, do it scared (reasonably, of course)

Drink/make mead; if unable, drink something with honey in it, such as a tea or warm milk with cinnamon and honey

Exercise/care for your senses; don't blast music in your ears, take breaks from looking at screens, sit in silence once in a while, etc.

Take your promises more seriously; try to always follow through on promises (and especially vows) that you make

Acknowledge your inner strength and resilience; be sure to appreciate and celebrate how far you've come; you've overcome before, and you overcome again

Take time to simply sit and observe your surroundings; listen to the sounds of birds, watch leaves fall from trees, notice the feeling of your feet on the ground, etc.

Practice different forms of divination (you don't only need tarot cards or runes for this, I've literally used Uno cards before; practice with a variety of forms until you find one that suits you)

Learn more about Norse runes; once comfortable, practice using them

Do things that benefit your future/make things easier on your future self (getting chores done ahead of time, setting money aside to save, looking into future careers/education, exercising your body and mind, etc.)

Engage in activities that stimulate your mind (reading, writing, solving puzzles, learning about something new, playing card games, etc.)

Learn to trust your own judgement and intuition; this takes time and comes with lots of practice which is ok

Practice learning when to speak and when to hold your tongue; sometimes it's better to simply listen

Practice finding your voice and speaking up for yourself; advocate for your needs

Explore things you find mysterious and intriguing; replace fear of the unknown with curiosity

Allow yourself to bear an air of mystery; try not to give away all the cards in your hand, so to speak

Go stargazing

-

This is my list of discreet ways to worship Heimdallr! I may add more in the future, but this is what I currently have. I hope it's able to give people some good ideas! Take care, and stay safe, everyone. 💜

Link to Subtle Worship Master list

[secretsmutcorner]

Moonlight

1818 words | The dragon’s toy (sequel to Ground down)

Content | NSFWhump (with objects), begging, sleep deprivation, starvation, forced to work, crying, escape attempt, recapture, falling/being dropped, beating, victim blaming, mention of throwing up

Notes | The elf is so brave. Sadly they're not in an action movie but in a whump story.

Taglist | @i-walk-on-the-dark-side @echo-goes-aaa @scoundrelwithboba

Things would not get better.

The realization slowly settled into the elf's bones as each day was as horrific as the last, with never a break to recover, or wrap their head around everything that had happened.

Or even really adjust to the fucking toys the dragon kept shoving into them. Every evening, without fail, when the pain started to fade into being bearable even when moving carefully, the toy they had been forced to wear would be replaced with a bigger one. Sometimes in the mornings too, when the dragon decided for reasons the elf couldn't fathom they were ready for it.

It seemed pleased with the progress they were making, while the elf felt they were trapped in a horrible, never-ending, looping nightmare.

It enjoyed the way they screamed and cried when the replacements happened, too, they were certain of it, though that never seemed to matter in the moment--their pride never outweighed the agony of it. It enjoyed the way they begged for just a little more time to get used to it. It laughed at the way they crawled away, once more barely able to move at all.

They never seemed to get enough rest, not when the pain wouldn't let them sleep half the night, nor enough food--they had, themself, had to carry a fresh bag of food up to the lair from the altar when the time came, struggled under its weight and against their pain, when the dragon could have carried it up with perfect ease. It was, again, plain bread and grain and a few vegetables. Beetroot, which they had always hated, but they couldn't afford pickiness now.

And then, of course, they were expected to satisfy the dragon whenever it desired--which was often. Most mornings, they were awoken by being yanked out of their poor excuse for a bed, dragged before the dragon--or worse, onto the dragon--and forced to perform whatever degrading acts it felt like. Despite its promise to leave their other holes for later, they were sure it pushed deeper into their throat every day; they no longer knew whether it was sore from screaming, or from the rough treatment.

Inbetween, they dragged their exhausted body through the lair to clean. There always was something to do; never again did they dare to steal a moment of rest, even if every part of them begged for a break. Sometimes the dragon watched them move about, always awkward from trying to avoid the pain inside of them, no matter how little it helped. Sometimes it laughed at them.

All in all, there never seemed to come a time when they would be more fit to make their escape.

So they decided that tonight, under the helpful light of a full moon that would hopefully keep them from breaking their neck on the mountain path, would be the night.

They realized they had never been more terrified of anything in their life.

They were so tired. But they could not stay. This couldn't be their life.

The toy the dragon had worked into them in the evening was so large it gave their thinner and thinner belly a bulge. It was unnatural, it was horrible; it was barely visible now, but it would get worse from here on out, they knew it. They were haunted by nightmares in which the dragon had lost its patience and fucked them apart, stabbing right through them, and this? This only gave them more fuel.

The dragon was asleep. It had to be asleep.

Like they had in that first night, they worked the toy out of themself--they couldn't run like this. Like in that first night, it was agonizing.

They felt hollow when they were done, as if the thing had permanently carved them up, left them open to invasion.

They held back sobs, letting their tears fall quietly. Quietly, they put down the toy.

The dragon was asleep. It had to be asleep.

They tried tiptoeing, then found, with all their aches, it was easier to quietly move on all fours, like an animal. What was a little more degradation?

They made it to the lair's entrance.

The dragon was asleep. It had to be asleep.

Before them, the mountainside rolled down, bright ash and smooth coal shining in the moonlight.

If they could make it to the trees below, they could hide. They would be safe.

Their heart was beating so fast and hard it might shatter any moment. For too long, they remained frozen in terror.

Then they escaped.

They wished they could run, but the path was too steep and dangerous for that. Their way down was agonizingly slow, and any moment they feared they would hear the flap of wings. They had to force themself to keep their eyes on the path. If they fell and hurt themself--well, hurt their legs--it would be over.

When they reached the first trees, they could hardly believe it.

They cowered under the thick canopy of an overhanging shrub, pressing themself against its stems. They had made it. They were hidden, they were safe.

Tears burned in their eyes. They would go home.

They gathered themself, and moved to find their way between hte plants.

That was when the stretch of light forest ahead of them burst into flames.

Their hand flew to their mouth to suffocate a scream. The suddenness of the fire left no doubt as to its cause, and now, now they heard the wingbeats. They dragon was circling above.

Smoke filled their nose as they sobbed, barely breathing.

The fire rushed up the slope toward them, and they were left with no choice. Ancient instincts kicked in, and they fled the flames into the open, barren land further up the slope, even as they cried with terror of what they knew they were running into.

They didn't make it more than a few steps into the open before it dove down upon them. Before they could do more than scream, they were grabbed by the ankles and hoisted into the air, the dragon's grip bruising as the earth fell away, away, away.

They screamed as they soared further and further up, from terror and from the pain of being whipped into the air like this.

And then the dragon dropped them.

Time seemed to slow as their mind balanced on the precipice of fainting, and the overwhelming urge to struggle for their life when there was nothing they could do. This was the end-

Then the dragon's claws slammed into their body again, yanking them out of their path to the ground with terrible force. Something cracked in their ribcage. The dragon flipped them around until it had them by the ankles again, and they screamed, they didn't want to fall AGAIN-

The speed and the dark and the terror confounded their senses eonough they didn't know where they were, or where they were going, until they were dropped once more, and this time slammed into the ground after a much shorter fall. Somehow, they managed to cover their head as they rolled over several times. Their whole body most be bruised.

But it was not enough.

The were hit hard in the side, hard enough to fling them against the nearest wall, where they stayed crumpled down, hoping against all hope it was over now-

Something struck them along their whole curled-up body. Then again, and again, over and over until they were screaming, barely managing to intersperse words, "Please" and "Mercy" and "I'm sorry" as if they stood any chance to be heard.

They weren't the awful, but controlled clawstrikers they had suffered before, they realized--the dragon was whipping them with its tail.

And it kept going, until all words had left them, until their voice was hoarse and broken. Each blow slammed them into the rock wall they had collapsed again.

The horrible thought occurred to them the dragon might simply beat them to death.

Eventually, though, it stopped. Every part of them was bruised and battered.

But even that was not enough.

"I was granting you mercy," the dragon growled as they helplessly laid on the ground, sobbing weakly. "But you have lost that privilege."

They had not managed to make sense of the words by the time it grabbed their face, and their yelp was choked off by an object forced into their mouth, forcing their jaws wide--into their throat-

They couldn't even scream as they gagged on it. It was too far in, they had to get it out, their throat was working desperately to expel it, it was all they could do not to throw up--they scrabbled uselessly at their face, the fear of punishment momentarily forgotten over the feeling of suffocating-

The dragon strapped the thing securely in place. They could feel a buckle close too tightly at the back of their head, feel drool already running down their chin. It couldn't stay there, it couldn't stay there-

"Oh, your throat is working. Unlike you when you can get away with it, hm?"

Without further comment on the tears streaming down their face, even on their hand trying to find a way to pull it off their panicked mind couldn't, it pinned them to the ground belly-up once more, and in a moment, they knew what would come next.

This time, they couldn't even scream as their cunt was forced open again, forced to give way to too big an intruder.

They felt a faint spark of gratitude it was still not actually fucking them, and that was almost as bad as the rest of it.

When the toy was shoved in all the way, stretching them past their limits, the dragon flipped them over. They would have screamed again from the way the floor pressed against their bulging belly, pressed against the toy inside them, if only they had a voice. But they were still struggling just to breathe--if only they could beg for mercy, they would do anything, this was worse than everything-

Then their ass was forced open. Another fresh, sharp pain, another intrusion, and they could only cry and cry as the dragon worked yet another toy inside of them, competing for space in their poor abdomen--they could feel it pinch the tissue against the one in their cunt, they couldn't take this it had to go out-

The dragon fixed a chastity belt around their loins. It dug into their nascent bruises, but that wasn't the worst of it.

They couldn't take this-

"There we go. Is this what you wanted, little toy?" The dragon looked down at them, trembling with pain and fear before it, pleading for mercy with their eyes as best as they could.

As if they could ever hope for any.

A terrible grin revealed the dragon's sharp teeth. "You do look lovely, all stuffed like this. I can't wait to watch you clean tomorrow. Now sleep, for however much of the night you've left for yourself."

[battle-of-the-birds]

Remember to read about the contestants before voting!

Mallard Duck

Mallard is a term that used to be used for most ducks, a blanket term if you will, but nowadays we know the mallard duck is a duck with a beautiful green head and females that are brown and spotty. It’s looked down upon to feed them bread, even though this is quite common, since it’s too hard on their stomachs. They’re the main ancestor of many domestic ducks. They’re also seen as an invasive pest in some places, although their native territory is quite broad. Learn More!

Flame Bowerbird

Ah, the wonderful bowerbird. Creator of “bowers”, a structure made from sticks that is akin to an upside down archway. These guys are the ones who collect many objects, not the magpie! They decorate their bowerbird territory with trinkets that they will sometimes use as part of their dance. The flame bowerbird is also known for alternating the dilation of his pupils during courtship. Learn More!

(Mallard Duck photo by Grigory Heston) (Flame Bowerbird photo by Dubi Shapiro)

[littlepetbee]

i've had the house to myself this weekend so i decided to marathon a bunch of movies that have been on my watchlist for aaages. here they are ranked bc i love making lists lmao:

Game Night: this one was far and away my favorite...it's a fun, clever mystery that's also funny as shit. rachel mcadams is the queen of comedy and also waving a loaded gun around like a crazy person. fuckin 10/10, you guys

I Love You Phillip Morris: listen. i avoid jim carrey like the plague - it's nothing personal, his face just irritates the shit out of me. but i'm SO glad i gave this one a try anyway...it was so cute and touching and gay little ewan mcgregor with his gay little earring is genuinely the softest, sweetest thing to ever exist. it makes complete sense that someone would become a conman for him lmao. 10/10

Bullet Train: thee action comedy lbr!! shoutout to @seeinhindsight for reccing this one to me. it was so well done...with all the winding storylines and running gags it easily could have been a tonal mess, but i feel like they knocked it outta the park. also the steady stream of "oh shit this guy's in it too???" was fun as hell. 9/10 just bc some parts made me sad and my movie ratings are based solely on how they Make Me Feel, not any objectivity lol

Attack The Block: my brain the whole time: YEAH BOY(EGA)!!!! an alien invasion movie with a Message and pre-star wars john boyega?? that was always gonna be a slam dunk for me. though i do gotta say watching british movies as an american is always jarring as hell bc there's no guns. it feels like the weirdest kind of unreality. anyways 8/10

This Is Where I Leave You: slowing things down and getting way more Serious here but i was surprised by how much i liked this one (though maybe i shouldn't have been, since dysfunctional families/siblings are kinda my bread and butter lmao). the surprise lesbianism-slash-lowkey-polyamory definitely elevated it, too! 7/10

Shattered Glass: 100% the movie you gotta show people when they try to say hayden christensen sucks at his job bc uhhh he ate that shit up. not to be #me about it, but if that dude can be that fucking cute the whole time and still make me wanna throttle him within an inch of his life, you know he was doing something right. 6/10

As Above, So Below: i was bummed at first when i realized it was one of those found footage horror dealios, but i actually ended up really liking it. and honestly for the setting, i think found footage really was the only way to go. the concept was super interesting and the horror aspects were sufficiently creepy without being enough to give me nightmares, which is about all my babyass can handle. 6/10

Everybody Wants Some!!: yeah the hoechlin 80's movie lol. it was fun! the characters were likable for the most part! the vibes were good! but B's cannot live on vibes alone (that's a bible verse, i'm p sure) so i was left wondering what the Point was. i am not the target audience for hangout movies, i'll tell you that lmao. 3.5/10

so that's the list!!! all in all a very great way to spend a weekend <3

[hanzajesthanza]

While Geralt was dreaming the dream in Toussaint with Fringilla, Dandelion was dreaming it with Anarietta. Only, Geralt managed to wake up on his own because he had the hanza (and other stuff). But Dandelion didn't have anyone, he was alone, he was separated from the others and never returned, so the dream consumed him, and he didn't wake until he was forcefully removed from the situation. Or maybe it's not that deep... Why do you think Sapkowski removed him from the equation?

i've seen others explain this more straightforwardly, reasoning that dandelion simply isn't be able to ride with the rest of the company to stygga castle simply and practically because he's less suited for combat than... well, as regis puts it:

‘(...) I’m going with him.’ ‘Me too,’ Cahir said at once. ‘And me and all!’ Milva barked. Dandelion pressed to his chest the tube with the manuscripts which, lately, he wouldn’t be parted from for a single moment. He lowered his head. He was evidently struggling with his thoughts. And the thoughts were winning. ‘Stop meditating, poet,’ Regis said kindly. ‘For there’s nothing to be ashamed of. You’re even less cut out to participate in a bloody swordfight than I am. We weren’t taught to carve up our neighbours with a blade. (...)’

though this thinking is undeniably correct (what would dandelion be able to do in the harrowing final battle if they had brought him? no, the strong must protect the sweet...) i think the matter is simultaneously a little deeper than that, as you nod to.

dandelion is more connected to the enchanted valley of toussaint and the city of beauclair than the rest of the company, including geralt, is.

for starters, he's heavily thematically linked to the aesthetics and activities of beauclair:

‘’Pon my word, there’ll be everything at Beauclair,’ Reynart de Bois-Fresnes assured them. ‘Balls, feasts, banquets, revels and poetry evenings. You’re friends of Dandelion’s, for heaven’s sake … Of Viscount Julian’s, I meant to say. And the Lady Duchess is most fond of the latter.’

doesn't the aforementioned just embody dandelion? these activities are truly his domain of existence, and he takes perfectly to this natural environment, like a fish to water:

He [Geralt] found Dandelion in the knights’ hall. The poet was wearing a crimson beret, as big as a loaf of sourdough rye bread, and a matching doublet richly embroidered with golden thread. He was sitting on a curule seat with his lute in his lap and reacting with careless nods to the compliments of the ladies and courtiers surrounding him.

more importantly, dandelion connected with the duchess six years ago, before the invasion from nilfgaard began. considering the timeline, this is before the majority of the short story "something more" took place, in other words, it's "pre-ciri" in geralt's life, it's the time of the short stories, where everything was more open to exploration (for both the author and the characters). though he's not the only one of the company who has been to the valley in years past (angouleme hid from pursuers in toussaint before), this history in beauclair is why he's unable to leave.

because the other members of the company are simply enchanted by the valley... but dandelion is enchanted by the duchess herself:

And the Duchess and Lord Dandelion … Ha, Beauclair is strange indeed and spellbinding, full of amatory enchantment … You shall see for yourselves. As the Duchess and Lord Dandelion learned then. They noticed not, from verse to verse, from word to word, from compliment to compliment, posies, glances, sighs … To put it briefly: both came to an intimate understanding.

anna henrietta herself, as the ruler of this little enchanted valley, is like a fairy queen of a fairy land. she's the object from which all the magic emanates, the most powerful and important individual who not only rules, but symbolizes and embodies toussaint's dreamlike state.

you mention "the dream"; relating back to regis' analysis about toussaint, love, and destiny:

"The dream that the Witcher is dreaming, I humbly submit with respect, is an enchanting and beautiful one. But every dream, if dreamed too long, turns into a nightmare. And we awake from such dreams screaming."

anna henrietta herself is like this, dream-like:

Anarietta thanked them with a faint nod of her head, decorated with a diamond-encrusted tiara. She had so many diamonds on her that she could have scratched glass just by passing. Beside her sat Dandelion, smiling foolishly.

and then, owing to her fickle nature, turns into a nightmare, from which one wakes screaming:

The pointy-nosed duchess suddenly fell into a fury, and one of the barons fell out of favour and was escorted to the tower for some imprudent word. Few–apart from those directly involved–seemed bothered by the matter.

what's truly captivating about anna henrietta and dandelion, though, is that unlike geralt and fringilla, they seem to have truly fallen in love.

geralt and dandelion, of course, are always opposites and run contrary to one another. dandelion's flightiness and noncommittal (and misogynistic) nature during the time of the short stories is a direct contrast to geralt's yearning and committal to yennefer, for him no other woman will ever compare. consider the events of the short story "a shard of ice," where geralt (arguably) attempts suicide when he believes yennefer will not choose him. can you imagine dandelion committing suicide, over a woman? for him, it would be like committing suicide over a sandwich or some other such consumable meal: for which the individuality of which is largely unimportant: though pleasurable, easily replaceable.

but in beauclair - a kind of fairy tale, magical, opposite-land, they reverse roles. geralt and fringilla are in a lustful but loveless relationship, using the other for information and playing a "long con" where they manipulate one another to get what they want, whereas dandelion and anna henrietta are seemingly truly in "love." for instance, compare and contrast geralt leaving fringilla's bed willingly, denying her sex (ch. 4) with dandelion allegedly enjoying breakfast in bed (ch. 3), likely the bed he and anarietta share.

this kind of role reversal is even noted by dandelion himself during his confrontation with geralt in chapter 3; consider "blind" as being in love, and being "an attentive and astute observer" as being a non-romantic.

‘Aha,’ Dandelion said slowly, tightening his lips. ‘What a curious reversal of roles. I’m a blind man, and you meanwhile have suddenly become an attentive and astute observer. It was usually the other way around.’

dandelion doesn't leave beauclair, because unlike geralt, well, maybe as regis says when they're looking around the foot of mount gorgon:

‘I’m no longer searching, I’ve found it.’

this brings us back to - what else? - sapkowski's favorite motif: woman as grail.

of course, ciri is "grail" in the broader story of the witcher, and the pursuit of her is NOT for romantic love but for either power or familial love (depending on which search party you're talking about ;)), but the search for the grail is also embodied by romantic love for a woman, as sapkowski discusses the concept in his world of king arthur, and also how he depicts it in "something ends, something begins." it's even dandelion who explains the concept to the dejected galahad:

Galahad thought again, frowning. "And the Grail?" he asked finally. "What has become of the Grail?" "What is Grail?" "It's something we're searching for," explained Galahad, setting his sad eyes on the troubadour. "Something that is the most important. Without which life has no meaning. Without which we're incomplete and imperfect." The bard pressed his lips and looked at the knight with his famous gaze, a wise gaze mixed with a jovial honesty. "You fool," he replied, "you've been sitting next to your Grail for the entire evening."

dandelion's own words about anna henrietta are enough to understand his motivations for staying:

"We set off in pursuit like idiots, like madmen. But I didn’t utter a word of complaint, Geralt. I didn’t call you a madman. I didn’t ridicule you. For you had hope and love in you. You were being guided by them on this reckless mission. I was too, as a matter of fact. But I’ve caught up with the mirage, and I was lucky enough that the dream came true. My mission is over. I’ve found what is so difficult to find. And I intend to keep it. Is that insanity? It would be insanity to give it up and let it slip through my fingers."

dandelion doesn't leave because he found what is so important, his own "grail." and he and geralt part ways, because whereas dandelion has found what will complete his quest, geralt is still looking for his grail - his daughter ciri.

though of course, dandelion, by his own foolishness, loses his grail... just as geralt recovers his! just as geralt returns to beauclair with ciri, dandelion is sentenced to execution by his beloved duchess. (and losing the grail isn't unheard of in the witcher - i recall percival's (apropos namesake) humorous story from baptism of fire, of exchanging an opal goblet for a mule).

again, they take contrasting roles to one another - in the last two chapters of the saga, geralt has completely changed. he has the stony countenance of a weary man hardened by his losses and horrors, the responsibility of a married man with a daughter. dandelion in contrast, though he's indeed achieved character development throughout the series, remains mostly similar to his beginning state in worldview, expectations, outlook.

‘Geralt, no,’ groaned Dandelion. ‘Don’t do anything, I beg you … Don’t get involved …’ The Witcher turned his face towards him, and Dandelion didn’t recognise it. ‘Get involved?’ he repeated. ‘Intervene? Rescue somebody? Risk my neck for some noble principles or ideas? Oh, no, Dandelion. Not any longer.’

but tl;dr, dandelion remains a dreamer in beauclair because his character's purpose is to run contrast to geralt. dandelion finds what he's looking for, and thus can enjoy the dream. geralt had not yet found what he was looking for, and thus was trying to fight the dream, resolving to wake up and pursue his destiny:

‘Beauclair, they say, is naught but feasts, balls, junkets, boozing and amour. A fellow, they say, only grows idle and stupid, and wastes time, instead of thinking about trade. And one should think about what’s really important. About the goal guiding us. Without let up. Not distract your thinking on mere bagatelles. Then, and only then, is the intended goal achieved.’ ‘Indeed, Mr Fierabras,’ the Witcher said slowly. ‘I’m content with our shared journey. I’ve gained a great deal from our conversations. Truly a great deal.’

[mariamariquinha]

Distraction - An Alfie Solomons Drabble

****

You saw him every day, especially in March. It was more sunny, the weather was noticeably milder, and he sat on the same bench with a beautiful dog that you later found out was called Cyril. Not because you asked, of course, but the owner himself had a deep voice and after the first time you heard him call to the animal, after letting him go for a while to sniff near the grass or the concrete, you never forgot it.

You, on the other hand, lived in constant idleness in a very large house with a mother almost always exploring the business as a personal friend of so many other important women in the city, so you were left to look for distractions - your legs couldn't stand the lack of exercise, so she didn't complain about you going out constantly. 

Mr. Solomons captured your attention by reputation, of course, but also by the way he just was. How he walked, how he used a cane on cold days and even how he nibbled on the cakes or bread he brought with him on his morning walks. After the first unexpected meeting, where you sat on benches opposite each other, you ended up making a point of aligning the schedules.

As a woman without many expectations, that lasted like a good occupation. Gradually, when you were unable to go to the park or just swept away by a terrible rain, you would sit by the window with a forgotten book and think about him. 

You even asked the family doctor during one of his occasional consultations with your father, who was a man suffering from a blood disease, about the appearance of a limp leg on cold days. You didn't get many answers, but you had an inaccurate diagnosis of back problems.

Medical books became your distractions, the kind that held your attention. Men of war with wounds and, consequently, given over to the follies of their own minds. 

The crippling brain diseases that turned them into beasts, into creatures instead of people, and from there you wondered if he, a man of war, also dealt with the fear of becoming a beast. 

You started to look at him with different eyes, with more curiosity and incitement to want to ask questions, but gave up for fear of being too invasive or crossing a line, coming from someone like him. 

Until one day something changed.

He wasn't in the same place as usual. You thought it was odd, sat hesitantly on your bench and stared at your own feet, frowning. 

Suddenly you saw a pair of feet, then a large dog sniffing at your feet, slowly climbing up your leg. Alfie Solomons was there, staring down at you, scarier than you could ever imagine. 

“We can have a coffee.”

It wasn't a question, nor an assumption - he was just saying, like someone would say the sky was blue.

“Pardon?”

“I know you won't object,” He pointed out, just to say the name of your father, then your mother, then yours. You stared at him with your mouth agape, a touch confused. “I'm sure your parents don't either.”

And you considered him for a while, not with fear but with intrigue. He had no men with him, nor anything that would induce you to think it was a trap. 

So you smiled. 

“As long as it's not bad for your sciatica, Mr. Solomons.”

****

Taglist

@buttercup32sstuff​

[official-denmark]

after seeing the profile for this gimick blog, it is now my personal (and objectively correct) opinion that Denmark is secretly full of aro/ace people. There's probably facilities with sperm and egg banks that people go to for a surrogacy if they want a child. The best garlic bread must be hiding somewhere in denmark and i will find it. And, due this discovery, it is my belief that Denmark will take over the world

There are definitely lots of aro/ace people in Denmark, but most of them are here because of the invasion. Although I understand why aro/ace people would want to live in a place that's ruled by someone who is aroace, and where a-spec people can commit nearly any crime they want unless the victim of that crime is another a-spec person.

We have a cloning machine, where you can input any DNA, and it will start creating an organism with that DNA. We also have a DNA combining machine, which combines DNA from multiple organisms, adds some slight randomness, and then the result can be used in the cloning machine.

The legendary garlic bread of Denmark is not a secret that you have to find, you can just buy it from me (at the cost of your soul, or if you don't have one, at the cost of someone else's soul).

And you are correct, I will take over the world (after I become the dictator of Denmark again).

[oscconfessions]

I liked object invasion for what it was and i’m SO HAPPY FOR IT TO BE BACK!!!!!! Why did they give Bread 4 legs. He got like two lines I hope he stays I love his grumpy ass. I’m kinda glad they cut a bunch of characters too. It seems like they’re taking a bunch of arcs that could have worked and turning them into things that will. It’s so cool

.

[wildcxrds]

7 & 9 @ jacob

7. What is their fondest memory? Their worst?

A snowy evening when he was 9, set up with just him and his mom in an apartment they had. The whole place was warm and they had just played Mario Party, and he was listening to his mom singing Christmas songs like a lullaby to him. They were both starting to doze off into their beanbag chairs and Alex had used her magic to make little small lights float around the apartment.

His worst was the day finding out the truth of his father, about the attack he unleashed onto NYC and the damage he inflicted before that. It shattered a lot of the idealization he had for Loki.

9. If they were to make a timeline with their life events, which ones would they list? Which would they leave out?

Hoo boy here we go.

CW: Death

(Normal written is included, struck out is left out.)

Age 4: Him and his mom in the pocket dimension, in his bedroom with his little galaxy lights learning his ABCs.

Age 5: His mom having him try alfajores for the first time (short bread cookies with dulce de leche sandwiched in between).

Age 6: His sixth birthday where some of his magic manifested stronger and he made a little orb of blue light by accident when she gave him a gift (his first spellbook that she handmade). They laughed out of surprise and started to note down little notes to help him learn how to do that.

Age 7: The day he was able to use his magic to move an object from one spot to another without the use of a focus. Alex cried happily and relayed how proud of him she was.

Age 7: Alex started to prep him for the potential of them leaving the pocket dimension, and she had already been telling him stories of his family and friends, painting them all in a very good light.

Age 8: Watching his mom sit and cry in secret, pleading to the gods to show him kindness when he’s brought to meet her family for the first time.

Age 9: The day after his birthday, leaving the pocket dimension and meeting Kori and Jake. Jacob excited to meet the one he was named after and to learn all about them as much as he could. One of his best memories because Kori showed him how he could also conjure little orbs of purple light and promised to help Jacob refine this.

Age 9: Meeting Kairo and the others, sensing it was off, but they welcomed him warmly while blatantly ignoring his mom. He stood up for her despite her reassuring he didn’t have to worry about anything, that they were just frustrated she showed up unannounced.

Age 9: Meeting his father for the first time, which was short but sweet.

Age 9: Playing the guitar for his mom for the first time after practicing a lot and cheering her up.

Age 9: Uncle Jake taking him out flying one day and showing him all the magic he’d learn until that point.

Age 9: Watching his mom die after she’d gotten possessed by a corrupt angel.

Age 10: His Uncle Jake and Alex having a big fight seven months after she’d gained her immortality. Jake finally tells Jacob all the truth about Loki.

Age 10: Moving to Washington State after his mom had a long talk with him about all that he’d learned about his father, to try and settle his mind. Meets his Uncle Thor properly and it takes him a little time to warm up.

Age 10 - 13: kind of a blur where she spends time at the new school established now east of Washington State in the forests by Gabe, and he learns with other students who don’t use magic with a focus. Spends a bit more time with Uncle Thor every so often.

Age 14: Winds up seeing his father for the first time in years and speaks about the stuff he’d learned, but expresses he still loves his dad and hopes to see him more in his life.

Age 14: Has gone into hiding with everyone to avoid the invasion of Thanos on the earth.

Age 19: Coming back out to find the world slowly coming back together. Uncle Thor finding them to tell them his father was murdered.

[2023eportfolio]

Lebanon and Jordan

INTRODUCTION

This week, I will be learning…

Method: frying, grilling, roasting, salad dressing

Menu: Falafel, Arabic Bread, Tahini Sauce, Lebanese Savory Pies, Salad with Lebanese Sumac Dressing, Lamb & Beef Shawarma, Chicken Maklobeh, Tabbouleh, Hummus, Toum

Prior Knowledge

Hummus is really hard to make if you want to remove the skins. Pita is a great bread. I love the pouch and to put toppings in it.

Learning Objectives

This week, we will introduce the long history of Lebanon, its geography, religious and cultural influences, and climate. Discuss Lebanon’s important location at the edge of the Fertile Crescent, bordering the Eastern Mediterranean. Introduce Lebanon’s culinary culture, its influence on other Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean countries, its two main culinary regions and dining etiquette. Identify Lebanese and Middle Eastern foods, flavor foundations, seasoning devices, and favored cooking techniques. Teach the techniques and succulent dishes of the Lebanon and the Middle East.

RESEARCH

Method of Cooking

Fat: Olive oil, butter, clarified butter, vegetable oil, sheep tail fat, dehen (seasoned sheep tail fat)

Sweet: Sugar, honey, pomegranate molasses, grape molasses, carob molasses

Sour/alcohol: Lemon, orange, bitter orange, red or white wine vinegar, pomegranate syrup, sumac powder, yogurt, kishk (fermented and powdered yogurt and bulgur) 

Salty: Salt, olives Spicy-Hot: Red chili pepper flakes, white and black pepper

Spice: Aniseed, cumin, allspice, cinnamon, saffron, cardamom, bay leaves, nutmeg, cloves, mastic, mahlab (ground cherry kernels), za’atar (spice blend of thyme, sesame, and sumac), mastic, seven-spice blend

Aromatic Seasoning Vegetables: Onion, garlic, carrot, celery, green onions Herbs, Seasonings, and condiments: Italian parsley, mint, cilantro, oregano, orange blossom and rose flower waters, rose petal jam

Other important Foods: Sesame seed, tahini (sesame paste), nuts (pine nuts, pistachios, almonds, walnuts), burghul (bulgar wheat), short-grain rice, freekeh (roasted green wheat), fillo pastry, chickpeas, lentils, fruit (apricots, cherries, quince, dates, figs), olives, grape leaves, cabbage, eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, romaine, artichokes, okra, green beans, fish, meat (lamb, chicken, goat), pastirma or basturma (spice-rubbed, dry-cured beef)

Popular Dishes: Khobz arabi (flatbread) and khobz marquq (paper-thin flatbread), baklava, hummus (chickpea and tahini dip), baba ghanouji (eggplant dip), kibbeh (dish with lamb and bulgar), fattoush (salad with dried or toasted flatbread), labneh (strained yogurt), m’jaddarah (lentils, rice, and crisp-fried onion), tabbouleh (bulgar wheat salad), falafel (deep-fried chickpea balls), mezze (any dish served in small portions as appetizer), shawarma (shaved grilled meat)

Drinks: Ayran (yogurt drink), tea, Arabic and Turkish coffee, arak (anise-flavored liqueur), lemonade, beer, wine, jallab (drink made with ice, grape molasses, and nuts)

https://www.hungrypaprikas.com/ayran/

Origin and History

“Greece has long been an intersection of East and West, absorbing dark invasions, trade, disaster, conquests, migrations, and settlements. Over centuries, Persian, Byzantine, Frankish, Slavic (Balkan), Roman, Venetian, and Turkish foods and techniques, like paprika, lemons, tomatoes, bell peppers, and potatoes, influenced the continually evolving Greek cuisine. “ (1)

Map of Cuisines

Prepare the following questions for class discussion:

What influences the various areas being studied? For example, does the area have maritime influences, mountains, dry, Mediterranean climate, what is the weather like?

Name two cultures that influenced Lebanese Cuisine.

Discuss kibbeh and its various forms.

Discuss the fats that are used in Lebanese Cuisine.

In your research, bring one-two interesting findings from the area to share in class.

Dish Method Variations

Falafel: Bake or Broil: Brush the balls or pat- ties with olive oil and bake in preheated 400 degree F oven 20 minutes, then broil to brown them.

Sources

1) Discovering Global Cuisines

2)https://www.whiskaffair.com/sumac-onions-recipe/

RECIPES

falafel

hummus bi tehine

arabic bread

lebanese salad

savory pies, fatayer

tabbouleh

toum sauce

tahini sauce

Plan of Work

REFLECTION

Technique/cooking method:

Makloubeh:

Hummus:

Tabbouleh:

Baklava:

Evaluation of results:

Discuss the techniques that did work well.

Discuss the techniques that did not work well.

Conclusions

The learning objectives were met. We identified Lebanese and Middle Eastern foods, flavor foundations, seasoning devices, and favored cooking techniques. Teach the techniques and succulent dishes of the Lebanon and the Middle East.

Thank you for reading!

[greenpestdefense]

Ways to Prevent Roof Rats

What are roof rats?

Normally, roof rats are dark rodents. Notorious for once spreading the bubonic plague to Europe, dark rodents are one of the world's best and most far-reaching species, living anyplace people do.

Rooftop rodents, as the name suggests, make their homes in Auburn region storage rooms. They're a particular rodent that has adjusted to the cutting-edge way of life of people here in the desert.

Forestalling a roof rat pervasion

Like all bugs, roof rats need ordinary admittance to asylum, food, and water. If denied these things, they'll commonly continue from your home to a simpler objective. Mortgage holders who find proactive ways to keep their yard clean, get food waste, and close passage focuses are regularly less inclined to have a rooftop rodent invasion.

Denying cover

Consistent with their name, rooftop rodents like to fabricate their provinces in lofts and rooftops, where they are less inclined to be upset by individuals and expected hunters, for example, wild area felines or outbuilding owls. When laid out, this province can develop rapidly. Be that as it may, these rodents are not even close to finicky. They can likewise make their homes underneath heaps of wood, away boxes, under bushes, and in carports and capacity sheds. An unkempt yard with deserted vehicles, numerous capacity sheds, and congested shrubbery is just about heaven for a rodent.

To forestall an invasion, begin by tidying up your yard. Keep brambles and trees managed down, taking extraordinary consideration to eliminate overhanging tree limbs close to your rooftop. Tidy up any crates or waste, and consider putting away wood in a raised and closed place. On the off chance that you have a carport or capacity shed, keep it spotless and deliberate. Abstain from putting away cardboard moving boxes on the floor.

Denying food

Rooftop rodents are strong and versatile omnivores. During the sundown long periods of late sunset and early morning, they'll pass on their haven to track down food. One reason why rooftop rodents have prospered here in the Valley is a direct result of our overflow of patio citrus trees. Fallen oranges, grapefruit, and lemons are the ideal close-by food hotspot for rodents. Be that as it may, they'll likewise eat seeds, nuts, snails, cockroaches, crickets, and any kind of human food squander, for example, dropped bread morsels.

If you have any desire to remove them from the smorgasbord line, you'll be watchful about getting dropped citrus on your terrace and consistently reaping ready citrus natural products from your trees. On the off chance that you feed your pets outside, get their food when they're finished. Close any outside trash containers. This is a drawn-out system: like their far-off collector cousins, rooftop rodents are hoarders who will develop a "storage space" in their sanctuary to support them through lean times.

Denying water

Here in Auburn, this may be the hardest component to control. Our homes have acquainted unbelievable measures of water with the normal scene, from our sprinkler heads to our AC condensate trickle lines. Nonetheless, eliminating standing water can help. Fix water system line breaks to keep water from pooling around plants and trees, and get pet water bowls when they are not being used.

To prevent & exterminate roof rats in your Auburn homes, call "Green Pest Defense" a reputed Auburn Pest Control agency in ME.

[themxtleycrew]

It was strange that two of the options essentially meant the same thing, but really, being fed was preferable than having objects thrown at her. Surprising though it may be, she has had the odd object thrown at her during public appearances, though this was largely the result of a drunken outburst or misunderstanding

Now for the bread. Normally she would eat it sliced, and be given the option of several spreads to add some flavor, but there was the appeal of sitting on the bench and simply eating this plain bread with the Hero of Twilight. From what she understood, he hadn't ventured beyond the borders of Ordon village, not until the incident with Zant happened. She supposed it was a blessing in disguise, that though it took the invasion of beings from another realm, this young man was able to experience and explore the wider world.

She breaks a piece off from her part of the loaf, like before it makes a satisfying crunching sound as the crust breaks, and she takes a bite of the piece. It is delicious, there's a buttery taste to the crust, almost glazed. "Delicious." She whispered under her breath.

Link definitely had better sense than to choose any of the other options. Though, also a bit confused why one of the other three was more or less the same option. Regardless, neither of the two options seemed to specify what to give her, but the courageous rising hero managed to find something he thought would be satisfactory. He wasn't sure if Zelda had any specific favorites when it came to food, and therefore was quite glad when the princess accepted the freshly baked bread without hesitation. "You're more than welcome, Princess Zelda." Link replies and nods back to her. A smile on his face as she breaks it in half and offers one of the halves to him. He happily accepted the broken half offered to him. "I don't doubt it. Just the smell gave me a good idea that this bread is delicious when I originally bought it from one of the Bakers in Castletown."