#oc: dish pod

[ahatintime-oc-competition]

Losers Round Two

Snarles ( @snarlesofthesewers ) VS Dish Pod ( @dishwashersafemusic ) VS Archie ( @blizzardz )

Read about Snarles here

Read about Dish Pod here

Read about Archie here

[skeletondeerart]

Sacred Waters, Sacred Hearts Chapter 3

A Male OC! Metkayina x Fem Human! Reader | Word Count: 2810

Masterlist & join the taglist

A/N : Both Rukan and reader are in their mid 20's

TW: Injury (broken bones), storms/cyclones

" " = direct speech | ' ' = Metkayina sign language | Bold = English

I toss and turn in my bunk sleep evading me, eyes staring at the metal ceiling as the violent wind gusts and caws of birds make me uneasy, the creaking and groaning of the pod reverberating through my skull, I huff and sit upright, sheets pooling at my hips and I shuffle my bare feet off the edge of the bed. I take my tablet from the nightstand and pull up the storm radar only to see SIGNAL LOST. Damn it, a branch must have knocked the dish. I stretch as I put on my mask, open the roof hatch and climb up the ladder to the roof. The airlock alarm blares as I emerge and clamber onto the roof. My stance is wide as I shuffle across the slippery surface bracing against the heavy winds. The rain started to patter as I saw a palm frond had fallen on the dish. I re-adjusted the antenna and reconnected it, the map reconfiguring until a black mass appeared a few miles offshore.

Oh, Shit- a colossal storm cell is heading straight towards me. I frantically climb back down the hatch before activating the heavy-duty storm shutters and covering fragile equipment with thick blankets. I can only pray the pod stands a weather test, this was by far the most intense storm I had seen on Pandora. As the storm approaches deafening winds cause the room to sway and items to slide from the shelves, glass shattering everywhere as jars of organic matter spill out. I clamber under my desk covering my body in another thick blanket, I stare helplessly as the windows rattle. A loud bang rings out as I scream; various alarms blare out as the walls are compromised by debris, I clamp my hands over my ears and hold my mask desperately to my face as I watch in horror as one of the walls caves under a fallen tree. Rain poured through the gaping hole in the hull, waves crashing and sending icy water spilling over my feet. Panic gripped me, blinding and overwhelming, as debris flew in from the breach with each storm surge. A sharp crack echoed through the vessel as another branch let go. I tried to shield myself but it was for naught, in an instant darkness swallowed me the world fading into nothingness.

POV Rukan

When I saw the storm gathering on the horizon, my thoughts drifted back to her—despite myself. I couldn’t shake the worry that tugged at me, though I couldn’t understand why. She was only a tawtute, a sky person, I had no obligation to protect her. The tawtute was nothing like the stories, she was... vulnerable. Harmless. I couldn't imagine such a creature being involved in such destruction...

Whenever I think of her, I’m left uneasy, unable to untangle the truth from my instincts. She should mean nothing to me, a passing ripple in a vast sea. But instead, her presence lingers, constant and consuming. I don’t understand it. She brings only confusion and questions that leave me restless and torn. I have lived by the traditions of my people, seeing the tawtute as enemies. So why, with her, do I feel something that defies everything I thought I knew?

The skimwing roared as it glided over the churning waters, waves doubling in height and crashing down, diving periodically against the tide and coming up for a breath, my eyes gazed towards the belly of the storm, ominous clouds spiralled, rumbles of lightning and vicious winds whipped hair into my face. I raise my arm to shield my face from the onslaught of rain and diving back down hightailing it trying to get to her before the worst of it hits. Even the best of the Metkayina swimmers would have trouble in this storm. Rounding the bend my gaze fell onto the shore, my heart constricted in my chest as I witnessed the carnage. Large branches of the mangrove tree had collapsed on her metal marui, belongings scattered along the beach and alarms rang out, my ears folded back at the shrill sounds as I called out.

“TAWTUTE!” I yell out over the raging winds. I sensed no movement, maybe she had already abandoned her post? But I had an inkling that she was still here. I untangle my queue from the skimwing as it quickly rushes away underwater. 

My feet batter the sand as I run up to the metal marui looking for a way in. I clamber over foreign machines, I hauled the branch out of the way and crawled through the gap in the hull, bending my large frame inwards to search for her or just a corpse.

My eyes soon fell on a hand sticking out from under a pile of debris. I grappled through it, hissing as glass sliced my palm. A muffled cough was heard as I pulled the thick blanket from her head. I prepare to pull her out but her hand darts out and clasps my forearm harshly, I stumble confused. I was saving her, wasn’t I? She stays silent, in shock perhaps and her gaze trails down her body settling on her leg – correction, her broken leg. Twisted crudely, her skin discoloured from blunt trauma, she lay helplessly like a newborn. I groan as I tug one of my netting arm braces off and secure it around the limb. She cried as I tried to be gentle but had to limit the bones' movement. I tore twigs from the fallen branch and slid them on both sides of her calf as a makeshift brace. I was no medic, but it was sufficient in these circumstances.

The brunt of the storm was fast approaching, so I had to get her out of there. I deliberated my choices: staying on the shore was fatal, and taking her to the village would be hopeless. I was only left with finding shelter and waiting out the storm. An underwater pocket would be safe from predators and deep enough to avoid the storm, but it wasn't like I couldn’t protect her. I remember a pocket a couple of kilometres out that would be sufficient for the night before she could get better medical treatment. Surely she was still in contact with the Omaticaya and could call for aid in the morning.

After pulling her from the wreckage I pulled her into my chest and slipped back out of the gap, ensuring her mask was intact as I stood on the ropes overlooking the reef. It looked grim, dark rolling clouds engulfed the skies and the waves churned fiercely, no sealife was seen, all huddled away in the depth. Much like we are going to be, I glance down and shuffle her in my arms briefly, rolling my shoulders before pencil-diving into the waters.

POV (Y/N)

The chilling waters shock my system from its stupor and I groan as my shattered leg pushes through the currents. Easing into a stroke, Rukan glides effortlessly with the currents, his teal complexion blending perfectly into his surroundings. Worry seeps into my bones as questions arise. I tap his chest and he briefly glances down at me.

‘Where are you taking me.’ I sign. His hands are full as he huffs, bubbles escaping his nose before flicking his head to a cave. My eyes widened, questions left unanswered as he continued to descend. Picking up the pace, his tail propels him with urgency as the currents intensify and the marine plants shrink into themselves. The cave system was pitch black, my only source of light was Rukan’s own bioluminescence. His freckles cast an enchanted glow over his entire body and I couldn’t help my eyes running over his form, I realised my ogling, my face erupted in embarrassment and swiftly turned my head forward. We reach a dead end and before I can express my concerns Rukan suddenly thrusts upward and bursts through the water. I gasp for breath as I blink away the oxygen fatigue and take in the new surroundings. An air pocket full of lush moss and flowering vines. Rukan lifts me onto the stone platform and then pulls himself up. He shakes, rings the water from his hair then pulls out his ponytail, letting his wavy hair cascade down his back and fall to his hips. 

“We will stay the night. Wait for the storm to pass” He states simply sauntering over the vines plucking some berries I've never seen before and tossing me a couple. It was semi-transparent and had a jelly-like consistency. I unseal the bottom portion of my mask and put one in my mouth, it pops suddenly, and a flavour similar to mango coats my tongue. How strange! I wish I had my camera to document this new plant.

“Good right?” Rukan hums settling beside me crossing his outstretched legs and leaning back on his palms. His gaze fell to my leg. “Looks like it hurts.”

“You think?” I deadpan.

“Sorry tawtute, I’m no Tsahik-”

“(Y/N)... please.” I sigh looking off in his general direction. I noticed Rukan fell quiet, I could see the cogs turning in his head, mulling over something…

“You alright over there?” I question, rolling my neck trying to relieve its stiffness. No response. “Rukan?” I urge.

A deep sigh is heard as Rukan refuses to face me. He plays awkwardly with one of his bracelets.

“...We grew up hearing the stories from the Omaticaya that were passed through the clans and preached through the Metkayina merchants and storytellers. They spoke only of the carnage and turmoil the tawtute brought to our world. Recalling tales of agony and the killing of our fellow Navi; our brothers and sisters, and how they took on fake Navi skins to infiltrate our tribes and steal our resources – if that was your only perspective on that species, wouldn’t you also be naive to the few pure-souled ones?” He breathes, shaking his head, staring out at the rippling water.

I sigh remorsefully, hanging my head in shame. “No, forgive me – I know sorry doesn't do your people justice. But I sacrificed everything I had to come to Pandora, to understand your world and if we could learn how to fix ours. The waters of my homeland are polluted beyond recognition. Our reefs have long gone grey and crumbled, and oil and trash clog our waterways – It is shameful that we would bring our wastefulness here. I can’t fathom why we would do this, I’m sorry for the pain my people have caused Rukan...”

Rukan rumbles in reply at a loss of what to say. We sat silently while listening to the drips hitting the stone floor.

“Tell me more… about your home” He prompts. "What was it like before it got sick?” He looks at me through his lashes, his curiosity evident.

I drifted off in thought momentarily as I recalled the crisp sands and curious marine life as a child. “Well, I was only a little girl at the time. My family lived close to the beach with beautiful white rolling dunes, clear waters and cascading rockpools where tiny crabs and other animals liked to live. I recall my father teaching me about the soldier crab. They were sea animals with shells and claws, so tiny they could sit in the palm of my hand. They migrated in droves scuttling across the sands, burying themselves as we walked by and my father made it a game to dig them out of their burrows and chase me with a handful of them.” I laugh thinking about him holding a handful of crabs with a grin on his face, running after child me as I screamed in terror at the droves of tiny pinchers.

Rukan snorts at the thought of a younger me running away from something so tiny. “But they are so small, why were you terrified? Surely they were harmless.”

I laugh “No, no. I was more so running from my father, I thought he was gonna put the crabs in my hair that my mother spent so long braiding…” That made Rukan grin at the thought.

He pipes up “There was a time when I was a child, we heard stories on how the Omaticaya were skilled climbers. I thought climbing trees was going to be easy… I was sorely mistaken. I gloated to my friends that I could climb to the top of the mangroves and harvest their apples. So an overly confident me began scaling the massive roots and I when reached one of the first branches... I looked down and realised how high I was – long story short I started the bawl my eyes out and call for my parents” He sighed with a shake of his head. “I don’t know what I was thinking, we weren’t built for climbing trees. Luckily an Omaticayan merchant had come to the village to trade goods and they kindly came up and carried me back down.” He wrapped up his story flushed with embarrassment. I couldn’t stop grinning at an overly-cocky Metkayina kid stuck high up in a tree with no way to get down, muffling giggles behind my hand.

“It was scary! I was so high!” He complains running his hands down his face and falling on his back dramatically.

“Ok, ok I believe you” I say in jest, trying to empathise with the irritated Metkayina.

“I was grounded for a week for that stunt…” Rukan sighs before his eyes light up “Another funny story was when I was a young teen. Father was teaching me how to throw nets to catch small prey. I insisted that I could throw the huge net all by myself and despite his reservations, he just stood back and let me try. I bundled it up in my arms and tried to fling it onto the water's surface. But I forgot to let go of the net… It snagged on my fin and I got flung into the reef bundled in the net. Father dove in to untangle me and dragged me out by the ear. I wasn't allowed to net fish with him for a while.” Rukan laughs thinking of his father’s horrified face as he got swept up with the net.

“Damn, looks like your parents had their work cut out for them.” 

“They sure did,” Rukan replied with a laugh scratching the nape of his neck.

We spent hours going back and forth with stories about our lives. As we opened up I felt that we had grown closer. During our conversation, we didn’t notice either of us shuffling closer together, knees resting against one another. Soon a yawn escapes me, Rukan looks down at me with a new-found fondness as he follows with a yawn of his own.

“Tired?” He murmurs. I hum in reply as I rubbed my eye with my knuckles. 

I think of what's going to happen tomorrow. My base was torn to bits and the fact I needed proper medical care, there was only one viable solution. “...I’ll call the guys in the morning. I'll stay with the Omaticaya for a while as we get a new pod transported back to the shore and I get treated.” I state. Rukan’s head darts to meet my eyes, exhaustion quickly morphing into shock.

“Wait – when are you coming back?” He urges.

“Not sure, when they deem my leg has recovered, I guess” I groan exhausted. The pain from my leg ebbed in the back of my mind, not wanting to start a drama when all I needed was some shut-eye. “But I need to get checked out, plus it's unsafe here without my pod…”

Rukan purses his lips with a distinctly unimpressed expression. “I can-” but he cuts himself off quickly, shaking his head “...I - I will miss you.”

I looked at him for a split second wondering what he was going to say before replying “You barely know me yet...”

“I want to get to know you”

Silence takes over again but I can’t wipe the faint smile from my lips. I lay down slowly, arms folded behind my head, bones heavy after today's events. Reclining and shutting my eyes I listen to the lapping of the water and Rukan’s light shuffling. My arms are nudged away causing my head to rise. Rukan’s large tail snakes behind my neck, he looks at me with an expression that says to relax so I gingerly lay my head on the wide plane of his tail. Surprisingly comfortable he made no expression of discomfort so I exhaled letting my weary figure fall into a deep slumber.

I didn’t catch the forlorn look on his face, his ears dropped at the prospect of this newfound kinship coming to an abrupt end. 

Enjoy the next chapter in my Masterlist! & join the taglist

[kooktrash]

ask for fh jk and oc, what's your favorite dish you have cooked/tasted for or with each other? also, jk what restaurant do you really wanna go with y/n someday?

ask jk “For starters, Y/n has never cooked a meal in her life aside from serving a bowl of cereal buuuuuuttttt it was the best cereal I’ve ever had. 🫣, or maybe I just think everything Y/n does is perfect.

I don’t remember the name of the restaurant but there’s a restaurant back in Busan where it’s on the rooftop of a building overlooking the city. It has live music and you can even reserve a table inside a pod where you’re quite literally eating in the sky. I’d like to take her there. I feel like Y/n’s seen a lot of special things in her life that I can’t top, but I hope that I can try to give her what she deserves and I want to do my best for her. I want her to see me succeed and let me take care of her like I want to.” — Jeon Jungkook, Fighting Heart

“I would just like to say that Jungkook is enough just the way he is and I love him for that, and I appreciate his need to do his best for me but I’ll adore whatever he does anyway. Hopefully he’ll realize he’s enough just the way he is, and whatever plus comes along with that, will make me happy if that’s what he wants

Also, okay this is kinda embarrassing 😵‍💫, but I really like the way Jungkook makes ramen. In my defense, I’ve lived in hotels most of my life with 5 star chefs so I’ve never had it!!! And let me tell you I’ve asked Jungkook to make me that at least three nights in a ro—“

“It’s true.”

“And he just looks so scrumptious in the kitchen but he tries to get me to learn how to cook and then laughs when I burn or undercook something🤓” — Y/n, Fighting Heart

“It’s cute. You get a gold star for participation.”

[jumpship90]

I posted 808 times in 2021

188 posts created (23%)

620 posts reblogged (77%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 3.3 posts.

I added 876 tags in 2021

#the outer worlds - 178 posts

#captain jaq - 114 posts

#jaq/phin - 99 posts

#boris karloff - 91 posts

#phineas welles - 86 posts

#the captain of the unreliable - 72 posts

#oc art - 65 posts

#vicar max - 63 posts

#friend art - 57 posts

#felix millstone - 51 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#i love the idea of pearl and max's joy being that clear it comes across in the way they move and interact on security camera footage whilst

My Top Posts in 2021

#5

21 notes • Posted 2021-04-22 20:28:55 GMT

#4

Awakening Day

(In honour of May 15th being the Captain's awakening day, here's a short piece of Phineas reflecting on the moment he defrosted Jaq)

The following extract is taken from the explosive forthcoming book “The Heroes of Halcyon: How the Corporations Fell” by the acclaimed journalist Linus Streckfus Persons.

It’s surprisingly muggy inside the private laboratory aboard the Hope which hosts the work of Doctor Phineas Vernon Welles. The atmosphere smells of a strange mix of damp earth and pungent chemical and there are air scrubbers working overtime - a constant bass hum that soundtracks my conversation with the elusive Dr.

A sprightly man approaching his seventies, Welles chatters away in long, considered sentences, his focus seemingly upon the petri dish before him and his answers often interspersed with comments on his experiments or a fact he feels might compliment the discussion. I reflect that he is in surprisingly high spirits for a man who has repeatedly denied my previous requests for an interview and he offers a wry smile but declines to elaborate on his sudden, effusive change of heart. When I push a little more, the scientist’s arched eyebrow all but disappears into his mass of wild grey hair, a response that becomes a regular feature throughout our discussion. I decide to move to safer ground and switch the conversation to one of Welles’ preferred topics – The Captain.

LSP: So, Doctor Welles, let me set the scene for our readers. It’s the 15th of May aboard the Orbital Lab, you’ve recovered a single stasis pod from the abandoned Hope vessel and you have one final chance at reviving a frozen colonist. After all those decades of work, finally, the Captain awakens – what were your first thoughts?

PVW: Relief, mostly. There had been a point early on in the thawing process where Jaq’s adrenalin levels had spiked dangerously – I had worried they might have a heart attack. So when they stabilised, when they opened their eyes and met mine . . . well, yes, I was deeply relieved.

Welles pauses at this point to open a machine he explains is a centrifuge and extract several samples of chemicals that he lists off but are not of import to our interview.

PVW: Once I was certain they would live, it became imperative to ensure Jaq understood the situation they had awoken into – the state of Halcyon. It was thrilling to discover they were a person who not only grasped the scale of the corruption we were subject to but shared my own rather unique opinions on how best to deal with that. I recall feeling exhilarated, and for the first time in many, many years, hopeful.

LSP: We know that you and the Captain are now close (Note: Captain Evenshaw and Dr Welles have been married several years) but what were your very first impressions of them?

PVW: That the contents of their stomach were surprisingly orange!

Welles appears particularly pleased with this joke and chuckles to himself whilst focusing on whatever sample he currently has under the microscope

PVW: Ahem, my first - and I later learned somewhat incorrect – impression, was that they were a very serious individual – sombre, even. That they were someone I could trust to get the job done and put in the hard work. I remember they dealt with the shock of it all exceptionally well and I was impressed with how quickly they recovered their physical capacity. So my first impression was that I had made the right choice.

LSP: Looking back on it now, do you think you had any idea quite how pivotal the moment of their awakening would be? For you? For the Colony?

There is a long pause at this point and for the first time in our discussion, Welles ceases his almost constant fidgeting with flasks and pipets.

PVW: Yes. Yes, strangely, I think I did. Of course, I couldn’t possibly have known quite what Jaq would come to mean to me personally but with regards to my work, to the Colony? Yes, I knew Jaq – the Captain – would change the future of Halcyon irrevocably.

“The Heroes of Halcyon: How the Corporations Fell” will be published via Monarch Free Press this month. Available to purchase from all good media outlets in multiple formats. Ask your vendor to order a copy today.

21 notes • Posted 2021-05-15 16:35:03 GMT

#3

Trouble

I wrote another Jaq/Phin snippet that I don't really know what else to do with so here it is!

“Phineas!”

Jaq’s voice echoed through the laboratory cutting through the hum of the air scrubbers and Phineas’ head snapped up from where he had been leant over a microscope. Oh dear. His partner never used his full name. Only if it was something very serious, or something terrible had happened, or he was in –

“You’re in trouble,” Jaq stated, halting before his workbench. A deeply unimpressed scowl was darkening their usually smiling features.

“I’m sorry, my dear?” he asked, racking his brains for the potential issue at hand. He had definitely put his socks in the washing basket this morning and he was quite certain he had tidied the mess from the tomatoes that had exploded during that unfortunate experiment with rapid growth rays . . . Hmm, whatever was the matter?

Jaq raised their hands and it was now he noted they were holding two clear bottles, each containing a pale amber solution.

“What’s this?” They held out the bottle in their right hand.

He shrugged. “Well it’s nutrient solution for the new legumes we’ve adapted. Remarkable plants. Did you know, they actually contain forty-seven percent more protein than-”

“- and what is this?” they cut him off, now holding out the bottle in their left hand.

He peered at the half faded label. “Erm, fizzy tea, I believe?”

“Right,” Jaq agreed and plonked the bottles down on workbench. “So which of these do you think I wanted when I went to the fridge in our quarters looking for a drink?”

Ahh.

Jaq hummed as they spotted the moment he realised his error. “What did we agree about not keeping specimens in our personal space?”

Phineas scoffed. Now that was hardly fair. “It is not a specimen, it is plant food – perishable plant food – and as such it was in the fridge,” he argued. Jaq folded their arms across their chest. “Besides, it is clearly labelled.”

They sighed in frustration and sensing a moment to remove himself from the situation Phineas swept up the precious nutrient and whisked it away to the fridge in the corner of the laboratory.

“You are so very observant, I had assumed it wouldn’t be an issue,” he continued with a grin. Jaq’s scowl slipped a little. “It’s one of those things I love so much about you.”

Jaq rolled their eyes at that but he caught the hint of smile creeping in at the corner of their lips. “That’s not a get out of jail free card, Phin,” they muttered.

Aha! They were still frowning but if Jaq was back to using their affectionate nickname for him then Phineas knew full well he had gotten away with the little mishap.

“Of course not,” he agreed. “You are my get out of jail free card.”

Jaq snorted at that and turned to leave. “Love you too, Phin,” they called as they left the lab.

21 notes • Posted 2021-05-07 17:51:30 GMT

#2

Your OTP through another's eyes

Write a scene for your pairing (or more) as observed by another character in the TOW universe

(it could be one of the characters listed below or if I’ve missed any who might be particularly interesting to try this with then send another name)

1. ADA

2. The Crew (pick a member)

3. Phineas

4. Rockwell

5. Akande

6. Udom Bedford

7. Junlei Tennyson

8. Gladys Culkelly

9. Anton Crane

10. Sanjar Nandi

11. Zora Blackwood

12. Martin Callahan

30 notes • Posted 2021-04-07 20:12:43 GMT

#1

OTP established relationship asks

Decided to try making one of these finally!

1. Have they ever had a huge row and if so, what was it about?

2. What are the little arguments that come up over and over again but never really cause a big bust up?

3. Have they ever considered splitting up?

4. What do they consider to be each other’s most annoying habits?

5. Would either of them ever cheat on each other?

6. What things have tested their relationship over the years?

7. Do they have a designated date night? If so, what do they usually do?

8. Do either of them get jealous?

9. Do they celebrate their anniversary still?

10. How do they divide up the domestic jobs?

11. Do they sleep in the same bed or prefer to sleep separately?

12. Do they share a friendship group or prefer to socialise separately?

13. How do they deal with a long stretch of time apart?

14. Do they have a morning routine? Describe it if you’d like to.

15. Do they have a night time routine? Describe it if you’d like to

16. What does an average day look like for your OTP?

17. How do they deal with getting ill? Is one better at handling it than the other?

18. What are the little things they do each day to show the other they care? – either consciously or subconsciously

19. If there was one thing they could change about each other, what would it be?

20. Do they still flirt with each other?

21. What are their boundaries like? e.g. do they both use the bathroom together, will they lounge around naked together, do they need to work in separate rooms?

22. Do they like to mess with each other or deliberately wind each other up?

23. Is there something they have grown to appreciate more about each other over the years?

24. What do they find are each other’s most endearing habits?

25. If they live together, who decorates their living space? Has one of them taken it over?

26. Which of them makes plans and organises things for them to do together?

27. Is one of them more affectionate than the other?

28. Do they have a side of the sofa/bed/etc or do they not care?

84 notes • Posted 2021-06-25 20:11:37 GMT

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review →

[limitlessimagines]

I wanna ship myself platonically with Sova. And romantically with Yoru.

> My Valorant Agent OC is named Karma, her power is basically metal-bending. She was captured by the enemy (the kingdom I assume) and tested on, this is where she got her radiant powers. In the lab, she lost both of her arms but created golden arms as replacements, of which she can control with her abilities, she can liquify, harden, lengthen, and change the shape of her arms. (Totally didn’t steal this idea from land of the lustrous, if you don’t know what that is watch it please it’s worth it). She was rescued by Valorant and taken in. Prefers to train alone, but she doesn’t know anything about radiants or how to control her powers so eventually Yoru will come by and help her.

> She is hotheaded, but can be calmed down with soothing words or a good sparring match. She love being not being warm (her arms can get to hot so it might burn her skin) With her new arms, she hates sleeves. Loves learning new stuff. Like shooting a gun, or a bow, and about other agents.

> Doesn’t care where she sleeps, on the couch. Sure. Floor, why not. Under a desk, it’s sure safe. Literally anywhere’s but her bed. Karma does have some trust issues after her whole ordeal, so she’ll need time to adjust to everyone being friends and not enemies. When she warms up to everyone, she loves just being around them. Listening to what they talk about, even if she doesn’t understand it fully. She likes training with Yoru. She’ll warm up to Sova quickly cause one, he seems like the person to pick karma up when she sleeps on the floor and carry her to bed, and tuck her in. Two, best hugs. Three, he seems very patient, caring and someone that literally anyone can vent to.

> I have this idea when she gets her ultimate, she’s pissed off at an enemy and just goes off. Her golden arms start boiling, and the molten metal starts to crawl up her neck and head till it forms horns on her forehead. She’s freaking out, the enemies are shooting her but cause of her newfound armour, it’s not harming her as much. When the enemies are done for, she can’t deactivate her ult, Yoru is concerned and Sova is wondering how to calm her down. Probably accidentally flicks one of her friends into a wall, and cuts another with her malleable arms. When she settles down, she not doing missions for a while. Doing dishes and other agents laundry and literally any other household chore in the Valorant compound. Yoru is giving her all their laundry meanwhile Sova is displeased with the two, maybe helping Karma with her self-imposed chores. After some time she’ll get back to training and make her way back to missions.

> Tries her best to control her abilities. Praise her. Please, she needs the affirmation and the confidence that what’s she’s doing is good. Give this woman a cold press for shoulders when it’s hot out.

> Some lines I’ve thought of. When she aces. Yoru: “Karma. What a beautiful and apt name for you.” Whenever at the start of a round. Sova: “Karma, whatever happens, know that I am here for you.”

[I’ll add Land of the Lustrous to my anime watch list! - cheese]

Sova (platonic)

Sova’s the one who will calm down Karma with soothing words. If you want the sparring match, you’ll have to turn to Yoru. Sova is always around to listen to Karma’s venting. Life as an agent can be difficult, and he’s one of the best people to turn to when feelings about it arise. He isn’t judgemental, and always has good advice.

Sova dislikes when Karma sleeps just anyway. That can’t possibly be comfortable! He’ll nudge her awake gently and try to get her to move. When she won’t, he’ll just pick her up and place her somewhere more comfortable, like a couch, or bed.

The first time Karma’s ultimate happens, it scares everyone. Sova tries to calm everyone down, even after Karm slams them to the wall. Even when the other agents or workers of Valorant get out of her way, Sova is right there, being his sweet, gentle self. The last thing he’d want is for Karma to feel alone while being vulnerable.

Sova is not shy to give others compliments, as stated by his voice lines. He’ll always be praising Karma, whether she’s doing good or bad in the field! Sova truly believes bringing positivity will aid the team more than negativity. And yes, he’s got the hot presses on him. He learned the hard way, how important they are. You don’t want to pull a muscle in the middle of a battle.

Yoru (romantic)

Yoru was all alone when he dealt with his new powers. He doesn’t want anyone to feel scared, like he was, at the beginning. Not that he’d admit it. So he’d give Karma pointers every now and then. Though they sounded a little brusque in speech, it was Yoru’s attempt at being nice and gentle.

Oh perfect, just like Karma, Yoru is the type of person who fights to let off steam! So it’s perfect that she likes a good sparring match. Yoru’s soothing words come after, once he’s tired. Just because the two of them are dating, doesn’t mean he’ll go easy. If anything, Yoru’s doing Karma a favour- strengthening her abilities by giving it his all.

Karma and Yoru are similar in that they have trust issues, and need time to adjust to having friends and allies. And, once that trust is gained, others will have their respect. The two of them standing side by side seem like that haughty cool young couple that no one can get close to. When in fact they’re just two hotheaded peas in a pod haha!

Unlike the other agents, Yoru is stunned and in awe of Karma’s ultimate. Sure, it’s a little frightening, but aren’t all Radiants? He’ll be by her side the entire time, sending glares at people who whisper being her back. He is there for her, and helps her train, no matter how long it takes. He knows Karma is powerful, and he wants to see her grow in front of his eyes like a proud boyfriend.

Yoru will compliment people that deserve it. Naturally, Karma is included, because 1. she’s powerful. 2. she’s also really attractive. Yeah, Yoru can say that.

[sushisketching]

Doing that thing

OC Interview to procrastinate on work

Introduction (IBS)

1. Can you introduce yourself? "Raziel, Uh... One of many commanders of the Pact." He scratches his head, trying to think of other things to say. "The love of my life calls me a salad sometimes. I'd rather be called a feast, but it'll work."

2. What is your gender identity, orientation and relationship "I think I'm a male. I've checked. I..." He looks over at the camera, smiling. "Used to like to tumble with anybody willing. But considering I have a partner now, I don't think she'd enjoy others joining us." 3. Where and when were you born? "28 years ago, in the Grove, supposedly of the Dusk cycle. Though I don't have the brains." 4. What is your weapon of choice and fighting style? "Right from the pod, I could feel the world hum and the tides scream at me. I studied basic elemental magic in the Grove, but travelled to Elona soon after. Picked up a sword and a dagger and they felt right to me. I'm..." He looks away for a few seconds, guilt gleaming. "I'm intensely reckless. I hope that I'm less now so, after everything that I've been through." 5. Lastly, are you happy? "I was born before being forced into the dragon wars, but... now... There's still a threat of them. I've been happy many times, but now it lasts longer with Serafin here." Family and Friends

1. What's your family like? What's your relationship with them? "The answer to that is intensely convoluted. The Pale Tree is my mother, but more of a symbol of guidance than anything. I was born with a pod-sister, her name was once Nyrene, but it's Nyfuse now. When people see me they think I'm loud. Then they meet my sister. Even if she's ridiculous, she's taken a liking to deceptions rather than elements." 2. Have you ever ran away from home? "The Grove is a beautiful and serene place." There's a sense of sarcasm to this. "But yes. Once. Next question."

3. Would you consider marriage or having children? "After the dragons are gone, then I'll consider everything else. And I need to have some secrets. But I can't have children. They scare me as well, so what's the point?" He looks at the camera, saw it shaking with laughter. "Next question." 4. Do you secretly hate one of your friends? "If I hated someone, they could tell. I could tell. I'm bad at lying." 5. Which friend knows everything about you? "Alfuse. My sister's lover is a spy, a thief, after all. But I've told him so many things even before they were together. And... Grayson Embersmith." He looks at the ground, ashamed. "Knew him for a majority of my life, before... Before Orr had happened." Asked by fans??

1. Are you literate? Have you been to school? "I can read and write and talk just as well as the next person. But the first two years of my life were hell, because words didn't sling together naturally for me. If the Priory counts as a school, sure, I've been to a school." 2. The eeriest prediction you made that later came true? "I told Embersmith that one of us would probably die in Arah. Or earlier. I thought it would be me." 3. What is something you were embarrassingly late to realize? "How much I hated to love Serafin. So many fine lines, and I thought with my 20 years of living I'd have figure out the difference. But she's still here. That's a good sign." 4. Do you have mental / physical issues? "I have a lot of scars from our Salvation raid. And a few mental issues. PTSD. That sort. I'd rather not think about it more than I have to. I think the worst memory I have was watching my sister get half-Branded, losing her sight a while back. And other things up there too. There's too much to talk about. Move on. Next question." His eyes are glazed with anger and sadness, hands fidgeting. 5. What is your current main goal? "To live. See the next day. Find rest in this turmoil and chaos. We're still waiting for news about the next dragon to kill." Choices!

1. Drinks or food? "I drink too much water. Maybe being an elementalist has something to do with that, I don't know." 2. Cats or dogs? "I love them both." His mouth tightens, his voice a whisper. "I like cats more." 3. Early bird or night owl? "I love both. I tend to see both. I may not have many brains, but I still have commands to dish out, and reports to check. But if anything, I like it when my dearest is up, and she's usually up late." His wooden skin glows with amber lines looking at whoever's holding the camera. 4. Optimist or pessimist? "I used to look at the world and all its problems and cruelty. After Arah... I'd rather look at the brighter things, see what I can get that's good to me. Embersmith would've wanted for me to look for good things after all." 5. Sassy or sarcastic? "It's all the sass. I am sass. Gotta be brash and bold and hot to be a commander, after all." Have you ever 1. Been caught sneaking out? "I hated night duty. Snuck out right at dusk with my friends and drink the night away. Always got yelled at when I came back to my post, saw a commander lose his mind after us leaving. Those were good times." 2. Broke a bone? "Yes. Tried to climb a tree drunk; broke my arm falling out. Tried to get a dolyak's hide and broke my ankle there. Lost my arm and a leg before. Got stabbed in the chest once too. All part of the job. Except the tree thing. Don't try to climb moving oakhearts while drunk. Awful idea." 3. Received flowers? "After Claw Island, I got flowers for respects to my mentor. I barely knew them, but she... was a very kind sylvari. And after Arah, for Embersmith. I hated getting those things. Didn't think I deserved to be there, after all, I played a part in their deaths." 4. Ghosted someone? "Once, when I was infused with too much magic. Sometimes being one of Aurene's champions causes me to lose control, usually after a nightmare. One time I tried casting a small curse to make someone's skin turn blue, but rather they turned transparent. We fixed it later though." 5. Pretended to laugh at a joke you didn't get "Too many times. Political parties are jokes. The real joke is when they go stumbling up to me when drunk and ask me why I'm drinking. They seem to misunderstand my age?" Whirrrr done ok bye

[stuckonjbbarnes]

J. When words aren’t enough. With Bucky Beautiful Barnes

My Second Chance {2/2}

Pairing: Bucky x OC

Prompt: When Words Aren’t Enough

Warnings:  slight depression & hella fluff

Word Count: 1.4k

A/N: Infinity War and Endgame never happened here. Also it’s marvel/dc sort of crossover. Enjoy.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

If you asked Lara Kent if she could go two months without talking, she would’ve laughed in your face. HAH! Of course she could ignore everyone for two whole months. But it really only took two weeks of mandatory silence, for Lara to decide vocal rest officially sucked. It’s not that the others were purposefully excluding her from their conversation, they just weren’t giving her the time to formulate a text response or write on her white board. So she spent most of the time slipping in and out of the kitchen and holing up in her room with all the books she could get amazon-primed.

Her sudden absence didn’t go unnoticed. Wanda realized it after the second movie night that she missed. Natasha continued putting out a plate during group meals, only for it to sit empty when everyone gathered to eat. Steve noticed the training session pairings were suddenly always uneven now. Yet no one went to check on her, they figured she just needed space or wanted to rest up and heal.

Except Bucky. He knew this was not typical Lara behavior. He went to check on her but she wouldn’t answer the door, so he left. Bucky refused to give up though and on the fourth day of unanswered knocks, he opened the door. He almost missed her, hidden behind stacks of books in a sort of fort, covered in and surrounded by a burrow of blankets. She didn’t hear him approach and he realized she had airpods in, so he sat criss cross in front of her and waited for her to look up from her book. She finally did and almost yelled, catching herself and glaring at Bucky.

“In all fairness, I knocked.” He laughed as she tapped furiously at her phone, having ripped the ear buds out.

You can’t just sneak up on people like that Bucky! I could have hurt myself! What do you want?!

“I wanted to check on you.” He shrugs and she narrows her eyes at the smile on his face.

You’ve checked, I’m alive you can go. She let the blanket fall from her head and Bucky noticed the utter filth her room had gathered. Littered plates and cups and coffee mugs were everywhere. Her bed had crumbs everywhere and he was pretty sure she was still in the clothes they’d picked her up in the hospital in.

“I’m not going.”

Bucky. I mean it, go.

“Promise me you’ll come to dinner tonight.” He asked as he walked to her door, Lara stared at him as he left. She didn’t go to dinner.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The next day Bucky came back and did the same thing. This went on for three days and eventually it was just him, watching her read as she had finally stopped responding to him. He grabbed her foot, causing her to look up at him and take out an air pod.

“Go shower.” He muttered, giving her a look.

No, I’m reading.

“Go or I’ll ask the girls to come drag you into the shower. You need to get clean and change out of those damn pajamas.” He ordered this time and Lara marked the page before throwing the book at him.

Once Lara left the room, Bucky locked the bedroom door behind her and got to work. He started with all the dirty dishes, half eaten snacks, and other garbage. Then he stripped her bed and took the pile of blankets and sheets to the laundry room. After setting the washing machine, he ransacked his own room for extra bedding and slipped back into Lara’s. He made the bed back up, took a chance at sorting through the books and setting them into her empty bookshelves. Then he cleaned off her desk and set her unfinished book there. He dusted and vacuumed and lit her favorite candle.  Finally, he flicked on the lights over her bed and unlocked the door. Putting his hands on his hips, Bucky admired his work and went over to her desk, pulling out a sticky note. Then he scrawled, I hope your weekend is booked! -B and stuck it on her book.

When Lara returned, Bucky was nowhere in sight. But the bastard had cleaned her room and put on her fairy lights and made order of her chaos of books. He had even put them in order by the author, like she liked. She wanted to hate him for touching her things…but she couldn’t. Because she hadn’t realized how bad she felt or how disgusting she had let everything get. And when Lara read the pun he’d left on her book, she’d wanted to laugh but instead burst into tears. Don’t even get her started about her bed, she couldn’t even tell you where the start of the smell of Bucky began and the smell of her favorite candle ended, not that he knew her candle happened to smell just like his cologne.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Over the next week, Lara would leave her room and read out on the patio at various times throughout the day. Every single time, she’d find a sticky note somewhere around her room. The first said What do you call a pig that does karate? …Pork chop!, earning an eye-roll as she crumpled it into the trash. Another day she found one on the inside of her door, I warned Sam about using his whistle inside and gave him one last chance. He blew it. That one made her smile.

Most recently, when she came back, Lara had passed by Bucky who seemingly needed to be somewhere else fast. In her room and on her desk she found bunny ears, which she put on immediately and found a sticky note on her floor length mirror. All it said was Are you a bunny? She smiled at herself and followed an arrowed sticky note back towards her desk. There was a scribbled note, as if Bucky was in a hurry, …because you are hopping your way into my heart. This one made Lara blush.

Of course he ran like a bat out of hell, they had never admitted the thing between them was more than friendship…but Lara had just kinda knew it was an unspoken thing. Taking a sticky note of her own, she wrote carefully Are you my appendix? Cause you’re giving me a funny feeling in my stomach and I kinda wanna take you out.-L

Lara sprinted across the hall and tried Bucky’s doorknob. It opened and she breathed in relief that his room was empty. She took in the neat state of it and found a place on his bedside lamp shade. She hurried back to her room and nearly ran into Bucky.

“Slow down there.” He chuckled, his hands holding her arms, she gave him a smile and hid herself back in her room, heart pounding.

These back and forth messages continued for the next weeks and Lara got herself out of her room more and more. She was finally able to start eating solid foods after 7 weeks and made sure to show up for every group meal. To say she missed everyone was an understatement and she didn’t realize just how much they all had missed her too. She offered smiles and head nods and everyone made an effort to get her opinion. She realized nothing had changed in the way they treated her…but her state of mind had shifted. When Lara got back to her room, she found fresh eyeliner lilies sitting on her desk next to a new book. On the cover a stick note read turn to page 222. She fully expected to find another sticky note…instead she found a blackout poem, only three words were left for her to see.

I          Love          You

It was Bucky. She knew it was Bucky, just like she knew for a long time, well before she’d gotten injured on her mission that she loved him too. That weekend and the following week, she locked herself in her room like before. But she opened the door for anyone who knocked, mostly it was just Bucky, and he would sit and keep her quiet company while she read books.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Then one morning she got up before everyone, raced to the kitchens and worked hard on breakfast. One by one the avengers found their way into the kitchen and helped set everything on the table. They all hid behind mugs of coffee and passed around the various platters, digging in.

Bucky, pass me the bacon? Lara used the ai and Bucky smiled, reaching to hand her the platter.

“Thank…you.” Lara smiled, her voice a little shaky, “…for– everything. I love…you too.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Permanent Taglist: @mermaidxatxheart @sebbbystaaan @valkyriesryde @donnaintx @geeksareunique @mypassionsarenysins @buckysmischief @my-drowning-in-time @mushyjellybeans @honeyvbarnes @captain-kelli @babblingbonky @pinknerdpanda @supernaturaldean67 @impalaimages @piper-koko-barnes-rogers @this-kitten-is-smitten @hopingforbarnes @dumbubblegum @murdermornings @constantaking

Bucky B Tag: @aikeia

[baronvonriktenstein]

How would the faves and/or OCs deal with 14-day isolation? Who would "pod" together?

Oh boy oh boy.

Eien is shut in with her roommates, Kolya and Mugen.

Eien sleeps way too late and stays up way too late and just gets extra lethargic. Maybe she’ll do something productive, but probably not.

Kolya plays video games and drinks, but he’s gonna get stir-crazy in no time.

Mugen is definitely gonna start pulling out his hair and stuff, but mostly he’ll lay in the yard and fuck around for two straight weeks. He’s the most likely to do projects around the house but I can’t say for sure that he’d finish them.

Ryu & Ren are holed up together too. knowing that freedom is 2 weeks away they’ll probably take this time to be romantic and shit. Do projects around the house, cuddle, watch movies, 

Ren will get into internet fights and write songs for Ryu, Ryu will invent new dishes to cook and also learn a pick up a new hobby. Cute boys doing cute things.

Kagame and Subaru are shut in together. They’ll actually get work done around the house. 

Subaru catches up with his games or books. He also plays with the animals.

Kagame makes plans for shit to do when she’s no longer in isolation. Also she’s gonna exercise and maintain that good muscle. 

If they live in a house in the woods away from society not much changes honestly. Damn girl, hunt that dinner.

As far as faves/fictional husbands (to limit myself because I have a lot more faves) I can’t really plan much about it lol

Henry for instance... not much changes with him. Particularly pre-game, he’s gonna spend most of his time in his apartment minding his own business. Post-game, I don’t know what to tell ya. lol He might have some... reaction to it though. Not good, being locked in an incapable of leaving against his will doesn’t lend itself well to his stability after this.

Hakkai’s probably gonna be stuck in his situation with Gojyo OR the whole crew and honestly the whole lot of them are gonna get EXTRA fed up with each other after like 2-3 days so idk. Hakkai handles it the best of the lot though.

Hide, i’m gonna imagine he’s gonna be dramatic about it. He can tolerate it but he’s not gonna be happy about it. Best case scenario he’s stuck in isolation with his bff Kaneki. well.. depending on when this sort of thing happens in his storyline that could be good or bad honestly.

Watari? dude might destroy his home lab with all the experimenting he’s doing. His 3 birds are his companions. He sends emails to keep up with everyone else. The computers at their disposal are outdated and slow.

Is that the kind of thing you were looking for? <3 thank you, I had fun ;w;

[ahatintime-oc-competition]

Losers Round One

Lorelai ( @creator-indy ) VS Dish Pod ( @dishwashersafemusic )

Read about Lorelai here

Read about Dish Pod here

[devil-kindred]

WIP Tag

I was tagged by @chyrstis (thanks as always for the tag! ☺️) to post a bit of a WIP! Below are a few I’ve come up with most recently because I shared a bit from one of Evie & Sam’s fics last time and because I thought I’d try showing some love for some of my other OCs. Below are four different wips, for three different OCs. Be warned the last two WIP are smut, though the bit I shared from the third isn’t too naughty. (also i haven’t written smut in a while so it might not be the greatest!)

a changed man [ft. Lucia Moran/Rafe Adler]

“Get out.”

“I know you’re why I survived Libertalia.” He counters, gaze sharp as she goes tense.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh Lucia, Lucia. Don’t play stupid, it’s never suited you.” When she opens her mouth to protest, he tutts and waves a finger. “Ah, no-no, I’m not done. You see, even if you could’ve gotten the staff to stay quiet⏤ which was never going to happen anyway, you know the staff loves you⏤ I would’ve known from the fact that things in my office were moved. The staff never go in when I’m not home so I know it wasn’t them. Besides, you left something behind.”

“What⏤ Rafe.” She warns, as he comes closer and only halts when there’s less than a foot of space between them. He extends a closed fist, holding it aloft and opening it to reveal a delicate silver chain dangling between his fingers. The loose portion drops from his palm and Lucia can’t help the sharp intake of breath as the moonlight catches on the sparkling ring worth millions hanging from the chain.

“You left your ring.”

-

subconscious desires [ft. Jade Morgan/Sam Porter Bridges]

“I’ll uh... I’ll just be in the cave.” She says, turning quickly to dash away from the hot spring. “Didn’t mean to intrude.”

“The heck are you talking about?” Sam says, gesturing to the expansive spring with one hand while directing BB’s pod back into reaching distance with the other. “Spring’s huge. Not like we’d be on top of each other.”

When she remains tentatively at the outskirts of the spring, he sighs.

“Look, get in or don’t but don’t not take advantage because of me. The next town is miles and days away, this is the last chance we’re gonna get for a while. Besides, Jade, I’m not gonna look if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“That’s not—“ she bristles, then sighs in defeat. “You’re right. Just— Face the other way or something! I know you aren’t going to look but humor me.”

Sam shakes his head but turns to face away from the side she’s standing on, even pushing BB’s pod along to do the same.

-

gonna make sure you don’t forget [Faye Holcomb/Higgs Monaghan]

Faye is exhausted. Bone deep, don’t want to move another muscle, wouldn’t-move-even-if-the-room-was-an-inferno level exhausted. Which is exactly why she’s face down on the cot Higgs’ junk isn’t piled on in the post-stranding world’s shortest pair of exercise shorts and a t-shirt. Her legs hurt, her back hurts, hell even her ass hurts and she barley did any sitting when they took a break or two on the agonizingly long trek to the city. She’s not moving when Higgs comes back from... wherever it is that he’s fucked off to.

He can get his crap off the other cot or sleep on the floor for all she cares.

“Well look at you, darlin’. All laid out like the world’s finest dish.” Higgs whistles appreciatively, the pizza box in his hands long forgotten as he eyes Faye’s prone form with a grin. “Didn’t waste any time at all.”

“Fuck off, Monaghan.”

“Now, now, no need to get angry.” He tutts, boots thumping across the concrete floor as he sets the pizza on a nearby table. “You know I hate it when you use my last name.”

Faye sighs into the fabric of the cot and raises a hand, flipping the bird in the general direction of his voice.

“Once more, Monaghan. With feeling.”

She lowers her arm back to the cot when Higgs offers no reply and takes the sound of his boots being unzipped and tossed to the floor as a sign that the conversation is over. But oh, how wrong she is. Her prone form, once relaxed, goes ramrod straight as a heavy warmth settles on her back and a knee slips between her legs⏤ Higgs’ body pressing her own into the mattress.

“What the fuck, Monaghan?” Faye hisses, squirming beneath him to turn on her side even as every single one of her muscles protests. “Get off.”

“Ah darlin’ there you go again, calling me by the wrong name.” He smoothes her long hair back from her neck and nuzzles the exposed skin, warm breath sending a shiver down her spine. “You think you’d know better by now.”

She squirms again, barely smothering a gasp of his name— the correct one this time— when her core presses against the hard ridge of his knee. She freezes, a pit of heat turning in her belly as Higgs drawls out her name.

-

out in the open [ft. Faye Holcomb/Higgs Monaghan]

“Oh, I wish you could see yourself right now.” Higgs murmurs against her ear as he bends her further and pulls Faye tighter against him. “You’re so beautiful.”

She’s practically panting, barely able to hang onto what he’s saying with all the sensations crashing against her. She has enough mind at present to register three things aside the cresting wave of pleasure: the feel of grass and dirt held tightly beneath her hands, the warmth of Higgs’ body contrasted against the open air, and the feel of his cloak draped over them both— shielding their bodies from the prying eyes of any who may wander into the field. She hangs onto those thoughts until he gives another thrust and presses her further into him... until everything falls away and all that’s left is pleasure.

“Your hair is a disaster, darlin. Sticking up every which way.” He tsks, nudging her thighs with his own to open her wider while he adjusts his firm grip on her hips. “S’okay though, just means— oh?” A pause as he sinks deep into her heat and stills before repeating the motion. “Right there, hm? You look so lovely like this. Skin all flushed and warm, panting and moaning my name. Got a little loud there for a minute. Wouldn’t want one of the other porter’s to stumble by, no. We’ve got my cloak of course, but I don’t want you accidentally exposed to other prying eyes.”

[thanksjro]

Polyhex Wars, Book 1 Part 4: Starscream, What Are You Even Doing?

Red Alert is not enjoying his time in space. Nobody on the Autobot team currently in space is likely enjoying it, but it’s Red Alert’s internal monologue we’re following at present, and he is just really not feeling this. How long have they been in space? Hours? Days? We just don’t know. Time has no meaning, not in the inky void of space.

He stares out onto the distant, beautiful orb that is Cybertron, and notices the big honkin’ rocket thrusters the Decepticons strapped to the back of it in Polyhex. That’s going to have to be fixed, if they ever get out of this.

The Celestial explodes in the distance. Okay, so it’s been like five minutes.

Oh no, it better not be Ammo! We spent nearly half a page describing how hot he was, it’d be a shame to waste all that hard work!

No, actually, it’s Gridlock, who you shouldn’t really worry about, because he’s OC cannon-fodder. He was born to die, because someone had to be in this, and I’m not sure that Quark existed as a concept when this was written.

But how did he die? Turns out the Subterrainians had a feeling someone might try to “save” them, and installed some pretty effective defensive measures. Of course, the Autobots aren’t going to take the hint, because they’re about on the same level as the Care Bears in terms of helpfulness.

Of course, if this is a city of anti-war pacifists, it seems a bit off-brand to have such a devastating automated weapon. Suspicious. And that’s if the thing was even automated to begin with- when it went off, Courier went and shot it, and it’s impossible to tell just what exactly the thing was.

Over at Autobot City, Starscream’s decided to count his eggs before they hatch, leaving to confront Megatron before assuring that all the Autobots have been dealt with. He calls Soundwave to finish off the work for him, then hops on a shuttle to Castle Decepticon. This probably won’t end well for him, because when does it ever?

Back in the London Underground, the boys have found a matter-transport device. It’s a small one, and they’ll have to take turns if they want to get out of here. Trasher will go last, because he’ll be operating it, and also because he’s cannon-fodder.

He is so blatantly not on the up-and-up. Hound what the fuck are you doing trusting this guy?

The boys start queuing up in an orderly fashion and loading into the transport. As this is happening, Courier gets distracted by the sound of voices. Looks like the Decepticons finally showed up. The Autobots better hurry.

The next round of transport riders climb on, and it looks like Trasher hasn’t been paying attention, because he didn’t realize Flipside and Reargunner got offed back in the sewers. This pisses him the hell off, and he’s feeling mighty vengeful as he shunts the group through the teleport.

The next group only has three- it’s Blaster, Ammo, and Hound. Because of course Hound is going with Ammo, are you kidding? Hound says that Trasher and Courier could come with, but Courier, because he is so obviously evil, says “no thanks, we’ll catch up.”

You little shit, there aren’t any Decepticons at all, are there? You told a lie about hearing them because that’s what you are- a liar!

Hound’s group teleports, and Trasher immediately loads the next ride and books it. Ten seconds to launch.

Over on the other side of the teleport- they’ve wound up in the catacombs- Hound’s attempting to account for everyone.

Courier zaps in, alone. Apparently the Decepticons attacked the moment after Hound’s group left, killing Trasher instantly. Look, you were already suspicious when the thing with the defense system happened, just throw this guy in that one dude’s subspace and call it jail.

Oh yeah, there’s a dude whose only role seems to be having very big robot pockets. His name is Multibot, and he’s currently running around with a corpse inside him.

God, he’s just… the perfect action hero. The Terminator wants what Ammo has.

Back over at Autobot City, Soundwave’s doing what he does best- being the best, that is. He orders the Decepticon forces to him, to regroup for the final attack. They might just win this.

Or, they would if Optimus hadn’t just stepped out to get all these dang kids off his lawn.

Is this why Optimus is such a jackass in Eugenesis? Just the pendulum swinging to the other end of the spectrum as Roberts defines his understanding of these characters? Is Eugenesis Optimus Prime a commentary on the hero worship we participate in during our youth, and the impossible standards it creates as a result, thereby setting oneself up for disappointment when our heroes are revealed to be regular, fallible beings? Am I reading way too into these fanfics about giant space robots written by a teenage boy? The answer may surprise you!

Soundwave ought to know how this goes by now, but playing to canon-typical ignorance, he orders the Decepticons to focus their attack on Optimus.

Optimus has gotten used to being god-mode pretty quickly, creating a massive forcefield with a simple swing of the arm. He’s taken the time to also be outfitted with what’s probably half the Autobot Armory, and starts dishing that out in addition to his new-found powers.

Holy- and y’all wonder why the hell Cybertron went to ecological shit.

Soundwave calls for his band of idiots to head back to the pods, and they head back into orbit. Starscream didn’t let Soundwave in on his little plan to overthrow Megatron, but it’s not exactly a secret if you’re doing in on a weekly basis. Soundwave calls up his boss to give him a heads-up, sighing all the while.

Back on the surface of the planet, everyone is understandably freaked out by Optimus’ new powers.

Are you telling me that Optimus is currently more powerful than a COMSICALLY POWERED STARSCREAM? No wonder people are concerned- they’re probably expecting another toyline-based purge to happen.

Optimus is feeling pretty gung-ho about following the Decepticons, not bothering to acknowledge his soldiers’ fears about him having the power to create and destroy with a mere thought. He conjures a starship out of thin air, and the narrative lets us know that it’s autumn. Is this perhaps a Thanksgiving special? Fuck no, because that’s an American holiday, but it might just be a Halloween one with the way things are going.

Not wanting to argue with the space pope and his godlike power, the Autobots of Autobot City load up on the ship and set out for Cybertron.

Over with everyone’s favorite gremlin, Starscream’s just reentered regular space after subspacing it up, ready to face Megatron. He’s pulling around to Polyhex when he notices the clump of Autobots floating just above the atmosphere. He, while assuming they’re dead, decides to take a detour and run into them with his pod, just for the heck of it. Starscream’s a little scary.

Red Alert notices the pod coming towards them, and chalks today up as not being one of the best he’s had.

Down on Cybertron, Ravage has spotted Starscream, and promptly reports it to Megatron, who orders he be killed. Ravage complies, with more glee than could probably be deemed professional, and fires a laser up at the pod.

Starscream, being a crafty little bugger, narrowly evades this attack, then keeps going for the Autobots floating around in space. Starscream’s priorities seem a little off here, but at least he knows what he wants.

Megatron flies into a rage at this, throwing Ravage out of the chair and taking the controls for himself as he fires off another volley.

Red Alert sees this, sees Starscream still coming for them, and wonders what he could have possibly done for karma to be so cruel.

The laser misses them, and they start falling towards the surface of the planet.

I guess they were lower than I’d interpreted, if slipstreams are happening.

Megatron’s enjoying blasting Starscream out of the sky a little too much, whooping and hollering as he tears the escape pod asunder. At least someone’s having a good day.

Over with Hound and friends, everyone’s pretty bummed out about Trasher being dead. Blaster notices activity up ahead in the catacombs, giving everyone pause. No one an figure out where the sound is coming from at first.

But they figure it out. The stuffing-robots-into-vents trend is back! I was beginning to miss it.

Multibot comes into play here, revealing that his name pulls from the phrase “multi-tool”  as one of his fingers flips open and out pops a laser scalpel/screwdriver. Yes, it is an odd combination, but it does the trick. He takes off the grill and Hound pokes his head in to see what all the hubbub’s about. He doesn’t like what he sees, not one bit.

But that revelation will have to wait ’til next time, because that’s the end of Book 1!

[what-the-flux]

OC Meme: Swiftspark Topaz

Got tagged a second time but honestly you don’t have to tell me twice to want to fill out more of these!

B A S I C S :

  Full name: Topaz, Swiftspark is a nickname she got when she was just out of saplinghood.   Gender: Female   Sexuality: Straight   Pronouns: She/Her

O T H E R :

  Family: She possesses no pod twin or anything similar so nothing in the way of biologically close family. Instead she considers her close friends and golems her family.   Birthplace: The Grove.   Job(s): Very much a Jack-of-all-Trades. Started off as a records clerk for the Vigil, apprentice for the Priory archives in Lornar’s before applying to be an exchange student in a krewe in Metrica for an experimental enterprise. Was a brilliant tech and got top marks but was let go after the Scarlet fiasco and distrust of sylvari was high. Was a Pact scrapper during the Mordremoth campaign, ordnance tester in a charr-centric Pact squad after that, became a combat medic understudy to an asura named Dr. Leta and got her catastrophic first injuries and implants while under her. Now runs her own scrapyard and tech shop.   Phobias: Enclosed spaces and deep, cramped subterranean passages.   Guilty pleasures: She’s an incorrigible thrill-seeker and stuntwoman, the more dangerous or ludicrous the challenge the better, ESPECIALLY if it has anything to do with heights or extreme speeds.   Hobbies: While tinkering and inventing could be considered her actual job, she also genuinely just loves messing with machinery, fixing and “fixing” things. Has also recently taken up the charr electric guitar.

M O R A L S :

  Moral alignment: Chaotic Good   Sins: lust / greed / envy / gluttony / pride / wrath / sloth     Virtues: charity / chastity / diligence / humility / justice / kindness / patience

T H I S - O R - T H A T :

   introvert / extrovert    organized / disorganized   close-minded / open-minded    calm / anxious / restless    disagreeable / agreeable / in-between    patient / impatient (varies; infinite patience for projects, none for most other things)    outspoken / reserved    leader / follower / flexible    empathetic / unempathetic    optimistic / pessimistic / realistic   traditional / modern / in-between    hard-working / lazy

R E L A T I O N S H I P S :

   OTP: Is in something akin to a civil union with a sylvari blacksmith named Pyroxenite but this relationship is very much considered open, so technically none.    Acceptable ships: She can fall for a surprising variety of types! Rule 1 though: Anyone that can take her constant sass and can dish it out just as easily.   OT3: None    BROTP: Is close friends with a lot of people, such as @spookygothmoth‘s Headmaster Whitby, Phlogistician Gankk and Enforcer Rilvor. She doesn’t believe the title of “bestie” should be limited to one individual.    NOTP: Anyone that shows signs of being too self-absorbed, morally bankrupt or too much of a wallflower but outside of that anything goes. Tends to not get along with those in law enforcement positions but exceptions can exist. Has an especial hatred for a scientist named Lady Absinthe though.

[nightmaretyrantvantas]

Head cannons and facts about my hetalia Nordic oc: Ada

OK so I’ve had these little head cannons and facts about her stuck in my head for awhile and I’ve finally decided I’m going to write them out on here to help me refine the character and so I don’t forget them. (Warning this might get long and crappy)

Ada Køhler-Bondevik -she’s 18 in the main story -(please don’t ask just how yet I’m still working this part out myself) her birth parent(s) are 2p Denmark and 2p Norway (I still haven’t fully worked out how she gets to be where she is when 1p Denmark finds her so…) -Denmark found her when she was five huddled in a snowy alleyway curled protectively around a frozen loaf of bread as a bunch of little punk boys beat her up// he scared them away and took her home and warmed her up and had her eat dinner with him and the rest of the Nordics and when she began to cry whispering that she doesn’t have parents or a family Denmark just announces that he and Norway will be her parents((Norway can’t say no when she looks at him with big watery eyes)) - she demanded to be trained to fight and like a viking when she was 8( it was a LONG argumentive dinner between her and Denmark before Denmark finally agreed) -when she’s genuinely pissed beyond all reason her eyes change to a glowing reddish blue-violet color -when she was ten she got really curious about Norway’s magic books and asked to learn magic, which Norway agreed to teach her -she had a lot of trouble casting magic until she was 12, after that it came much more natural and easy -she has a powerful magic capacity but prefers to use it as a last resort/emergency fighting skill, instead using her viking training as her preferred fighting go-to - she can see magical creatures but she doesn’t tell anyone except Iceland - she calls Iceland “Big brother” instead of uncle and calls Shen her “cousin” instead of her nephew -whenever she can’t sleep or is calming someone down she hums/sings a altered version of Taylor swift’s “ Safe and Sound” that, unknowingly to her, 2p Norway used to sing to her when she woke up during the night as a lullaby - speaking of singing….this girl is a great singer and dancer( she loves dancing with Allie[2p america’s daughter//1p America’s adopted daughter] at world meetings when they’re all bored and Allie has her i-pod and a speaker) - she’s very skilled with a battle axe at this point - acts like a female Norway towards Romania’s adopted son(( does not have a name yet)) whenever he messes with her, teases her, flirts with her ( she refuses to admit that the blatant flirting flusters her) - she has two cats ( which are actually Denmark cat and Norway cat) that she named Norse (Norway cat) and Dane (Denmark cat) - her cats always sleep with her in her bed, whether against her side/stomach, her hips, or right above her head - her and Abel spar a lot (I mean A LOT) - she has a very cheerful, upbeat, and usually very happy-go-lucky and playful personality and attitude -she speaks fluent Danish and Norwegian, and can very easily and practically seamlessly switch between the two all the time(she also knows a little Icelandic) - she HATES dressing like a “girly girl” -Norway sometimes makes wearing really girly dresses a punishment….especially if she gets in trouble right before they leave for world meetings - she loves both her parents cooking. If you asked her which dish is her favorite she’d either give you a LONG list or would just be unable to pick - her cats do get along with Mr. Puffin - she’s 5'7" -she has a major sweet tooth for danish and Norwegian candies( its her bribery half the time -she’s a bit known for being reckless -she has a habit of getting herself into awkward situations - she’s extremely unused to anything to do with romance or flirting -despite seeming like it and acting like it she’s not oblivious, at all. -she’s extremely intelligent when she tries -she’s as fiercely loyal and dedicated as Denmark -her front right insicor is chipped a bit from falling flat on her face hard during a training lesson -loves hot drinks -she makes little figurines out of ice magic and gives them to the micro nations -her hair is actually, to some decree at least, spiked naturally -her hairclip is actually one of Norway’s. He gave it to her when she was little to help her keep her hair out of her face and to make her smile and she rarely takes it out. She cherishes it with her life it is one of her comfort objects - she currently owns one thing of her birth parents: a red and smoky gray cross similar to Norway’s hairpin that was attached to a extendable chain that smells faintly of fire smoke, cologne, and a smell she still can’t place but gives her a feeling of calm and comforts her immensely. She cherishes this as much as the hairpin and almost never takes it off

And that’s all I got for now! God that was really long! Please like and reblog and tell me what you think of her and if you want to hear about the other ocs from this story! Thanks!

[opaleyedprince]

🏵 Has your oc won any awards or other form of recognition? What for? Do they deserve one if not?🌹 How is your oc with flirting? Either receiving or the source?🥀 Have your oc’s dreams ever been crushed, or their heart broken? When and how?

🏵 Has your oc won any awards or other form of recognition? What for? Do they deserve one if not?

not really, no - i mean i think he deserves an award for being really stubborn and fighting his way into a big nmc camp to save his pod twin against express instructions. but aside from that he himself doesn’t think he deserves any sort of award(s)

🌹 How is your oc with flirting? Either receiving or the source?

oh poppy will take it and dish it out w/out blinking an eye - but if someone tries to genuinely approach him like to ask him on a date? well, if he likes that person h e may or may not accept and then promptly flee bc he’s flustered

🥀 Have your oc’s dreams ever been crushed, or their heart broken? When and how?

yes, a couple times. first when he emerged from the pod and was told his pod twin, who had seen in his dream, had been kidnapped and was presumed dead. then again when he fought gavin and found out his pod twin was alive. he pretends it’s all fine now b ut obviously it isn’t

ask meme

[mechagalaxy]

Skyfall: Shadows of Faction War

My name is Bolverk Borson, 695995, OC Avengers of Bunny. We were engaged in a bug hunt. The whole of the Avengers of Bunny were in the field, a force most Divisions in Clan War would do well to stand aside for. We were on that most awesome of mission types, a bug hunt.

Bug hunts are hunts for extra terrestrial, non gate sourced alien invasions. Periodically paranoia out on the rim would have local garrisons screaming that the aliens were coming, send help. Nine times out of ten it was just rim weirdness. Walker and the Wild Hunt, not totally in phase with this dimension, just stay out of his way, and for gods sake, don’t shoot at him. Once in a while it was Forerunner ghosts, still running hard from whatever Drocha bailed on all those years ago; spooky, but just echoes of someone else’s bad day long before dinosaurs needed diapers.

The tenth time it really was something new, and needed hard core mercenary badasses to deal with, and that is what they pay us the big bucks for. I figured we use it as a training exercise, with myself as OPFOR, and the Clan at least gets some good training in.

The Avengers were running an active patrol sweep, odd numbered platoons with active sensors beating the bushes looking for bad guys, and odd numbered sections running quiet, full passive stealth mode, looking for anyone trying to dodge the active searchers. They were doing a good job, and I was forced right to the edge of the exercise area, the Gronfang mountains, just to stay out of sensor range.

I was moving through a crack in the mountains, trying to find a pass that would let me down into the Avengers area between patrol sweeps so I could work my way inside enough to get a weapons lock on Mathew Scruggs and capture the flag and win the game, along with beer and bragging rights. I was on the shadowed side of the mountain, blind to the Avengers and shielded from their sensors when I saw it. Skyfall.

The ships were not the elegant and rakish cruisers that the Warrior Clans prefer to use for rapid insertion during Clan War. No, these were something out of a forgotten age of pre-gate combat. These were from the age of Empire.

Broad, brutal hulls, scarred and pitted by weapon fire, micrometeor strikes, and many, many hard reentry, these ships would fall in the dreadnought size range, but their hulls bore few weapon bays, and those were mostly anti-torpedo and anti-fighter defensive sets. What they did bear was drop pods. Thousands of them.

Not a Clan, not a Legion, these ships were designed to drop a full Corps, complete with supporting elements in a single lift. There were five of them in formation, with a single Superdreadnought flagship providing high cover and bombardment support, if you had a large mountain or small continent you needed its batteries of meter wide Hell Lance projectors, or mass driver cannons launching freight train sized kinetic energy projectiles that would produce the next best thing to a nuclear event upon delivery.

I popped my Honour Guard drones from passive cover mode to active RRB (radio rebroadcast) mode, and they swooped out to form a relay chain around the mountain slopes to blast my tactical signals out to my Avengers. We had to get the word out. Something was coming. Something no clan, not even Leviathan or Warlock, could stand against.

“Skyfall, skyfall. This is Avengers Actual to all Avengers. I have code Skyfall. I am declaring an emergency. All stations this net, record my data as long as you can receive it. Mission objective is code Rabbit. I say again Code Rabbit”

I felt the lash of powerful downbeat radars from the orbital vehicles, and began to pick up jamming of a level far too powerful for any mecha to overcome. That would be my last radio call. Luckily case Rabbit called for direct directional IR data relay, so my signals would relay through my Honour Guard drones and be relayed by all receiving units as long as they had the range, and I was still alive. Of course code rabbit means “evade and extract” or GTFO as fast as you can, before someone nails your fuzzy little tail to their mecha as a decoration, so they shouldn’t be in range long.

I moved my mecha forward as fast as we could move, and remain covert. I didn’t think it would be long. I watched five full corps drop. A full Army Group, I have war gamed it in simulations, but I have never actually seen one in the flesh before.

It was like watching a storm, only the wind that swept over the land towered eight meters high, and moved close to a hundred kilometers an hour, boasting armor that would stop a thousand points of ballistic damage, and weapons capable of dishing out the same. There were too many to count; literally, my Regis Wassat-Agressor tactical computer seized up, and sulked, refusing to believe I was in contact with a multiple division level force. Well sweetheart, I am not that happy either, but what can you do.

Corsairs, Arclights and Towers flanked the Apatotron and Notas that beat the bushes for me in the valleys and along the gentle slopes of the mountain. There was no way out, but at least I could continue to observe and report, buy some time for my Avengers to make it out. As long as I was alive and skulking, I could convince them to move their scouts inward to trap me, rather than outward to detect my people. I had no chance, but they might, as long as I stayed un caught.

A harsh scream echoed through the mountains as a Gigus rose up from a volcanic vent, its reactor signature cloaked by the heat and radiation of the volcanic vent. His scream was audio, so no amount of jamming by my Apatotron communications officer would block his detection signal. Old school really was the best.

I cut loose with a Triplex Matrix and cored through the Gigus for a critical kill, but active sensors were now splashing against my shields from a broad front. The Gigus had called in his patrol, and we were going to have to fight our way through it. Already dozens of similar teams moved to close every possible exit, and the heavy forces I had sought to avoid were being moved to converge on our position.

My Rook in the second rank cleared his racks with a magnum launch of Tandem Bombs to wide fork the last of the patrol after my machine collapsed with the last of my front rank. Boreas and Dilophos carved away the few battered survivors so the contact patrol was broken. As I powered up my Regis for our last stand, I made sure all they got was me.

“This is Avengers of Bunny Actual to all Avengers of Bunny. Code Berserker. I say again, Code Berserker. Avenge me. Bolverk out”

With those commands, I surrendered command of the Avengers of Bunny, and dissolved the Clan. Capturing me would gain the enemy nothing but my corpse. The surviving Avengers would fall back to the Spirit of Bunny, and summon the Clans. The Bouncing Blue Berserkers Faction would arise.

Whatever this new foe was, whatever game they thought to play, they would lose. They sought to bring force capable of wiping out any clan, so it would not be a Clan they would face.

Faction War is coming. If I am its first casualty, I swear by the gods, they will be its last.

[sherristockman]

The 'Hot' Health Benefits of Chili Peppers none Known for their hot flavor, chili peppers (Capsicum annuum) are primarily used for culinary purposes, as a spice added to various dishes and sauces.1 The chili is a fruit pod of the capsicum pepper plant belonging to the nightshade family (Solanaceae). Cayenne, jalapeno, habanero and serrano peppers are some of the most popular varieties of chili peppers.2 Chili peppers were first cultivated by ancient farmers in Central and South America, regions whose cuisines are famous for their piquant flavor.3 Today, chili peppers are grown all over the world, but Mexico, China, Spain, Nigeria and Turkey are among the largest commercial producers.4 Chili pepper contains a bioactive plant compound called capsaicin, which is responsible for its hot and spicy kick.5,6 Capsaicin is concentrated in the seeds and white inner membrane; the more capsaicin it contains, the spicier the pepper.7,8 Whether eaten fresh, dried or powdered (known as paprika), chili peppers can put fire on your tongue and perhaps even a tear in your eye. What Makes Chili Peppers Healthy? Capsaicin offers more than just a pungent oral sensation in your mouth — experts say the endorphin rush it causes makes this chemical compound an effective remedy for pain and other medical conditions. Dr. Ashwin Mehta, director of integrative medicine at the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine, said, "It's used for all kinds of arthritis pain, as well as for neuropathic pain and dermatologic conditions that have a painful itch."9 Aside from pain relief, capsaicin has shown promise in weight loss by helping reduce calorie intake and shrinking fat tissue.10 Chili also offers these benefits:11 • Helps Fight Inflammation Capsaicin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and it has shown potential for treating inflammatory diseases and cancer. In fact, a research published in Future Oncology indicated that it can suppress the growth of human prostate cancer cells.12,13 • Boosts Immunity Chili peppers are rich in beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A in the body. This vitamin is essential for maintaining healthy mucous membranes to help protect the body from invading pathogens (microorganisms that cause disease). Chili is also rich in vitamin C, and this helps the body produce white blood cells that fight germs.14 • Helps Reduce Insulin Levels Another known benefit of eating chili peppers is how they help with blood sugar level management. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that the regular consumption of chili may help reduce risk of hyperinsulinemia (high insulin levels in the blood).15 • Protects Your HeartThe compound capsaicin can help reduce triglycerides, cholesterol and platelet aggregation. Some studies have shown that it may assist the body in dissolving fibrin, which prevents the formation of blood clots. Additionally, cultures that use hot peppers regularly in cooking have significantly lower heart attack and stroke rates.16 • Prevents Sinusitis and Relieves Congestion Another health effect of the compound capsaicin is its ability to address nasal congestion by helping clear mucus from your nose. It has antibacterial properties as well, and can help fight chronic sinus infections.17Aside from capsaicin, chili also contains other beneficial bioactive plant compounds, including:18,19 Capsanthin. This is the primary carotenoid (antioxidant) in red chili peppers, giving them their red color and typically accounting for up to 50 percent of the spice's antioxidant content. Lutein. Most plentiful in immature (green) chili peppers, it has been shown to help maintain and improve eye health.20 Volaxanthin. It is the main carotenoid found in yellow chili peppers, which accounts for 37 to 68 percent of their total content. Sinapic acid. Also known as sinapinic acid, this antioxidant is known for its neuroprotective potential.21 Ferulic acid. This compound has shown promise in protecting against diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases.22 The Other Uses of Chili Chili doesn't just offer culinary and health uses; it can also be used for self-defense. Oleoresin capsicum (OC), extracted from red hot chili peppers, is the active ingredient in pepper spray. OC is an inflammatory agent that makes the eyes and mucous membranes of the upper respiratory swell. Pepper spray causes breathing difficulties, runny nose, pain in the eyes and temporary blindness.23 The capsaicin in chili can also be used to repel insects and wild animals, which is the reason it is often used as natural pesticide for gardens.24 If you want to use it to help repel pests, just mix 1 1/2 teaspoons of chili powder in a quart of water and add two drops of liquid dish soap. Take note that some plants are sensitive to chili powder sprays, so you need to test it first on a few leaves. How to Grow Chili Peppers at Home Growing chili peppers takes about six months so you should plant them by May, although starting early is recommended so the plant will ripen just in time for summer. Here's a simple step-by-step guide for growing chilies adapted from The Telegraph:25 Fill a multicell seed tray with rich organic soil, firm it down and moisten with water. Place a seed in each cell, then lightly cover with soil. Use a very fine hose to water it gently and then cover with cling film and keep in a warm area of your home. The soil should be moist but not soaked. After about two to four weeks, when there's a first sign of growth, move to a warm place with plenty of light — but it shouldn't be in direct sunlight. Water the plant from below to strengthen the roots, and check daily to ensure the surface is moist. When the seedlings sprout a second set of leaves, transplant to 7-centimeter (2.75 inches) pots with moist soil and use liquid tomato for weekly feeding. Once the plants reach 12 centimeters (4.72 inches), transplant to larger pots, and fill with soil to approximately 1 centimeter (.39 inch) from the top. You should support the plants using a cane when they reach 20 centimeters (7.87 inches). When the plants reach 30 centimeters (11.8 inches), pinch out the growing tips right above the fifth set of leaves in order to encourage bushiness. Transplant to another pot if needed and make sure to check the plant daily for aphids. When the flowers appear, gently dab a cotton bud into every flower to pollinate. Cut off the first chilies while still green to encourage fruiting all season long (July to October). Allow the next fruit to turn red if you want a rounder flavor. Cooking With Chili If you want to try some chili pepper recipes, remember that the smallest peppers are usually the hottest, and the stems and seeds are typically removed during preparation. Moreover, the capsaicin oils in chilies can irritate and burn your skin (and your eyes), so wear rubber gloves when handling this spice.26 Chili peppers taste great with beans, just like this delicious dish from my book "Healthy Recipes for Your Nutritional Type:" Beef and Bean Chili Recipe Ingredients: 2 pounds 100 percent grassfed beef 1 1/2 cups kidney beans (drain and rinse) 7 tomatoes (crushed) 1 medium jalapeno chili (remove the ribs and seeds then mince) 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder 2 cups chopped onions 2 cups tomato sauce 1/4 cup plain traditionally cultured yogurt made from organic raw milk 1/4 cup grassfed cheddar cheese (grated) 2 tablespoons garlic cloves (minced) 2 teaspoons ground cumin Procedure: This recipe makes four servings. Heat a heavy 5-quart pot, then add the ground beef. Cook, stirring and breaking up the meat until it turns brown (make sure it doesn't burn). Drain the excess fat and leave just a small amount to cook the onions in. Add the onions and cook for five minutes. Mix in the garlic and jalapeno and cook until tender. Stir in the chili powder and cumin and continue to cook until it becomes fragrant. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and then the tomato sauce, and let it simmer for about 30 minutes. Add the beans and continue to cook uncovered until the meat and beans become very tender and the chili turns thick (about 30 minutes more). Serve in small bowls and garnish each bowl with 1 tablespoon each of yogurt and cheddar cheese. You Should Try Chili Oil too A staple condiment of Chinese, Thai and Korean cuisine, chili oil is commonly used as a condiment. Its deliciously fragrant, reddish orange infusion of chili peppers in a base oil can make almost any humdrum dish sing. Chili oil comes in handy when your palate craves a little more heat, kicking up your taste buds a notch. The good news is that you can easily make chili oil at home, so you can be sure that it is pure and hygienic. Note that some commercial chili oils are adulterated with synthetic dyes, which can be detrimental to your health.27 If you want to learn how to make chili oil, here's a recipe adapted from The Woks of Life:28 Chili Oil Recipe Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups extra-virgin coconut oil 5 pieces of star anise 1 cinnamon stick (preferably cassia cinnamon) 2 bay leaves 3 tablespoons Sichuan peppercorns 3/4 cup Asian red pepper flakes (crushed) 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons Himalayan salt (to taste) Procedure: Gently warm the oil, star anise, cinnamon stick, bay leaves and Sichuan peppercorns in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. When the oil starts to bubble slightly, turn the heat down to medium. Let the oil simmer for 30 minutes. If you start to see that slight bubbling die down, periodically turn the heat back up to medium-high, then back down to medium if it gets too hot. You'll know the oil is done cooking when the seeds and pods turn darker in color. Allow the oil to cool for five minutes, and in a separate heat-proof bowl, measure out the crushed red pepper flakes and Himalayan salt. Remove the aromatics from the oil, slowly pour it over the chili flakes and then stir well. When completely cooled, transfer to a sealable, sterilized glass bottle using a funnel. Seal the bottle then store it in the refrigerator and use within six months. This recipe makes about 2 1/4 cups. Chili oil is not only a must-have condiment that adds a reddish tinge and piquancy to many Asian recipes, but it can also be used for various healing purposes. It contains nutrients from the chili pepper and the base oil, and some percentage of these nutrients leach into the oil. Chili oil has a capsaicin content of about 7 percent, so it can offer the same health benefits of chili peppers.29 There are a few important things to remember when preparing, cooking and storing chili oil. It generally has a long shelf life and can last up to six months if stored in the pantry or up to one year when refrigerated.30 But like any other infused oils, it may create an anaerobic (there is little to no breathable oxygen) environment where botulism, a rare but potentially life-threatening bacterial illness, can occur.31 Heating the oil and chilies to kill any bacteria, sterilizing your container before use and using dried flavoring agents, will reduce any potential risks.32