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sunshinehaze1 · 1 month ago

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Unwrapped

Pairing: Joel Miller x f!reader (f. Marcus Acacius & Lucilla Aurelius)

Summary: You attend your friend Lucilla's annual holiday party and meet someone new.

Warnings: 18+, MDNI. Modern AU, no outbreak or battles in the colosseum, meet-cute, fingering, unprotected PiV (do better), creampie, no use of y/n

a/n: This is my Secret Santa gift for my beautiful friend @ak-vintage. Her Pedro faves are Joel, Marcus A., and Din. I hope you like it, Ash! ❤️ and that you'll forgive me for not elaborating further on the party bathroom smut 🤭 tysm to @80ssong for the beta! 🥰 and big time thanks to @pr3ttynpiink for organizing! ❤️

word count: 4,386

ao3 | ml

As you walk up the driveway, you admire the lights trailing along the edges of Marcus and Lucilla's house. They live in a large, luxurious home decked in over-the-top opulence. Roman columns frame the front porch, wrapped in garland and accented with gold bows and lighting. Glittery white lights perfectly line the edges of the house, and more are draped meticulously over the immaculately trimmed shrubs. Their house practically lights up the whole neighborhood. It's hard to imagine their electric bill; you're thankful you don't have to pay it.

You met Lucilla earlier this year while volunteering at the local food bank. You decided to volunteer to meet people after moving to the area recently. Lucilla comes from money; her father was the CEO of a local business, and she inherited a large amount of money when he passed. So she has plenty of free time to give back to those in the community who are less fortunate.

After one of your volunteer shifts, Lucilla invited you for coffee. You found her to be surprisingly down to earth. It's not typical of your experience with people who come from money and have had things handed to them. She's very grounded and wise. You quickly became friends, and she's like the big sister you never had. She has at least a decade on you, and you've often turned to her for advice as you assimilate to Austin. It's comforting to have a support system in the area.

You've been invited to her beautiful home for dinners numerous times and met her handsome husband, Marcus. He's around Lucilla's age with soft, greying curls, always perfectly coifed. His face is framed with Romanesque features and a prominent nose. Having retired a couple of years ago as a general in the Army, he still maintains a thick, sturdy physique that offers an intimidating presence. He's anything but. You've only seen him as soft, gentle, and welcoming. You've spent enough time with them that you've been able to observe their relationship quietly, and it's nothing short of "relationship goals." You hope to find a loving relationship like theirs for yourself one day.

They throw these holiday parties every year, and this is your first time attending. You're bound to have a great time based on what you've heard about past years' parties. And you look forward to meeting new people. Who knows, maybe you'll meet someone.

Lucilla and Marcus go all out. The outdoor decorations were only a precursor to what awaits you inside. It looks like a Christmas store blew up. Garland is wrapped around the staircase banister and the fireplace mantle with perfectly placed ornaments. Every door frame is adorned with mistletoe dangling over the threshold, waiting for unsuspecting guests to pass through. Santas and snowmen of varying sizes sit on tables and shelves. Silvery snowflakes decorate the walls, and you spot not one but three different Christmas trees. Each has its own theme.

The expansive kitchen island has a beautiful spread of charcuterie, wines, and liquors and a punch bowl of spiked egg nog; holiday songs, clinking glasses, and the smell of mulled cider waft through the air.

Joel is a good sport. He's not a fan of large gatherings. He'd much rather hang out in the backyard with a beer, catching up with his brother. Or when Sarah was still at home, a night on the couch watching a movie. Nights that would end with Sarah falling asleep halfway through the movie and Joel carrying her upstairs to bed. With his reserved nature, he tends to be a wallflower at parties and a quiet observer. This one, which his employee, Marcus, invited him to, is no different.

He's found himself in a corner, making small talk with another partygoer who, unfortunately, found out what Joel does and has since been bending his ear about house renovations. Joel spots you as you walk through the door, ignoring the man in front of him, who continues to prattle on how he can't decide which faucet to place in his half bath.

Joel finds himself gawking at you. You're a vision in your eggplant velvet wrap dress with a satin sash tied into a bow on the side of your waist. The dress hugs every curve of your body, with a skirt that falls to your mid-thigh, providing Joel a view of your shapely legs. The dress's neckline cuts into a deep v, hinting at what's underneath. You're a fucking knockout.

He observes as you juggle a wrapped gift box for the white elephant exchange and a hostess gift in your other hand. It's a lavender-scented candle. You've noticed Lucilla wears the scent often. You greet Lucilla with a hug and kiss on the cheek. Offering her a wide, glowing smile. Oh god, you're beautiful. Joel is shaken from his enamored haze when the sound of broken glass interrupts his thoughts. He must find a way to talk to you before he leaves tonight.

Over the last hour or so, you've had a chance to meet everyone at the party—neighbors, family friends, Marcus's old Army buddies, and their spouses. All of them were very nice, but the small talk was exhausting, so you're thankful when you hear Lucilla quiet the guests with a shout, "ALRIGHT EVERYONE TO THE LIVING ROOM! It's time for the gift exchange."

You enter the living room and look for a place to sit. Various chairs are lined up around the couches, almost all already taken. You decide to remain standing rather than scramble to find an open seat.

While Lucilla explains the rules, a basket with small pieces of folded-up paper is passed around the room, with numbers 1-30 written on each. You select yours and pass it to the man beside you; rough fingers graze your hand as you complete the handoff. He thanks you, and you turn to get a better look at the owner of the deep, gravelly voice.

You're struck by how ruggedly handsome he is. A sharp nose, plush lips, and patchy facial hair sprinkled with greys. He's wearing a crisp light blue button-up and dark jeans that hug him just right. It seems you haven't met everyone at the party yet. How did he escape your notice?

He catches you staring, "What number did ya get?"

"Um…" you look down at your paper, "29. How about you?"

"Looks like I got lucky tonight," he turns his piece of paper around to show you, "30." He winks.

Uh oh. He's handsome and charming. You're in trouble.

"Name's Joel. How do you know Marcus and Lucilla?"

You introduce yourself and tell him about your volunteer work and how you met Lucilla. "And you?"

"Marcus works for me." Your surprised reaction amuses him, and he continues. "After he retired, he was looking for part-time work to keep himself busy. I own a contracting business."

That explains his rugged appearance and calloused hands. You take in his broad shoulders and biceps, which cause the seams of his shirt to work overtime to stay together. Lucilla interrupts your thoughts, "OK, now that everyone has their number, we'll go ahead and get started!"

A woman named Simone starts things off. After selecting a gift from under the tree, she tears the wrapping paper to reveal a cat-shaped ice cube tray. The crowd erupts in laughter when she shows it around the room. It's not a very appealing gift, which likely means she'll be stuck with it. You doubt anyone will want to "steal" it from her, but at least it has practical use.

The game continues with half the participants taking their turn. Lucilla's son, Lucius, is next. You met him briefly when Lucilla introduced you earlier. He's in town to spend the holidays with his mother. After over a decade apart, he reconnected with Lucilla a few years ago. The relationship is still in repair but moving in the right direction. You know how important it is to Lucilla to have him here.

You haven't gotten the full story from Lucilla, but you know it's a sensitive subject for her, so you've never pressed too hard. You've left the door open for her to share if and when she's ready. He and Marcus seem to have an agreeable relationship and get along fine, which you're happy to see. Stepparent and stepchild relationships can be pretty fraught. He's a handsome kid who resembles Lucilla, but you think he inherited most of his looks from his father.

Lucius takes his turn and decides to steal a gift that was already stolen, securing it himself. The game continues as the room works through the numbers. A steady din of laughter echoes through the room as the exchange becomes more cutthroat. It's all in good fun, though.

Finally, it's your turn. You walk over to the tree where two gifts remain. One is a box covered in teal wrapping paper with a gold diamond pattern and embellished with a twine ribbon. The other one is a tall, slender gift bag that is the perfect size to hold a bottle of wine. You choose the box and return to your spot next to Joel.

All eyes in the room are now on you as you unwrap the gift. Pulling the paper away, you squeal when you see it's a Funko Pop figure. You try to remain calm when you remove the rest of the paper and recognize it is The Mandalorian and Grogu.

This is a score, and you can't believe your luck. You love Star Wars, especially The Mandalorian. And it's not just because you have a crush on the actor who plays him. You love the storytelling and the world-building. This isn't something you'd buy for yourself, but you'll proudly display it in your home. With Joel as the last person left, you hope your brief interaction with him has earned you enough favor that he won't steal your gift.

However, you don't know that Joel and his daughter watch The Mandalorian over Facetime every Sunday night. It's a way for them to stay connected now that she's miles away. They're on their third rewatch, and he treasures these nights with his daughter. He eyes the Funko Pop in your hand and thinks Sarah would get a kick out of this cute figure. Even if he has no clue what a Funko is.

Joel hems and haws, trying to decide if he should go for the last gift under the tree, which he suspects is a bottle of wine. He wouldn't have much use for it as he's more of a beer guy. Or steal your gift and potentially derail any opportunity he may have had to get to know you better. After a few moments of quiet deliberation, he opts to steal.

You huff in defeat, bummed that you lost out on your gift, and hand the box over to Joel. You know it's all in good fun, and Joel had no malicious intent behind his decision. You retrieve the last gift from under the tree, confirming your suspicion of what was inside.

After the gift exchange is complete, the guests disperse throughout the house. You're looking over the wine's label when you feel an elbow nudge your bicep. Your attention turns to Joel, who has a sheepish look. "Sorry for that. My daughter and I love The Mandalorian. We watch it together every Sunday night while she's away at school," he sighs.

Now, how can you be upset about that? Of course, he had a heartwarming reason behind his decision to steal. "Oh, it's no big deal. I'm just happy he's going to a good home."

Joel chuckles. "Would you like a drink?"

You nod and follow him into the kitchen.

With your cup of eggnog, you settle at a threshold out of the way of party traffic. He tells you more about the contracting business he owns with his younger brother. You share more about yourself and how you moved to Austin for a job opportunity. He's incredibly handsome, and you get lost in his brown eyes. His quiet confidence and sense of humor are extremely sexy.

Joel recounts a time when his brother screwed up an order for a job. He ordered the incorrect size of lumber and set the project back a week. Joel took over placing orders after that. He shares his hunch that his brother purposefully messed up the order, so he no longer has to do it.

His retelling is endearing. Through it, you get a good sense of his love for his brother, but as with most sibling relationships, some things drive him crazy. You can relate.

A silence falls between you two for the first time since you began talking. You're not even sure how much time has passed. However, it's been long enough to cause a crick in your neck since you've had to look up at Joel this whole time. You tilt your head, rolling it back and forth to stretch it out. When you open your eyes, you're frozen as you realize where you and Joel have been standing. Your chest begins to warm at the implication of where this could lead.

Joel follows your gaze to see what's caught your attention. He gulps when he spots the leafy instigator. His palms sweat as he straightens, and you make eye contact.

The warmth in your chest has moved up your neck as Joel's eyes lock with yours. The swirl of the party moves around you two, and you feel frozen in time. At this moment, it is just you and Joel. A soft smile appears on his face. "Welp. Do you know what this means?"

You swallow, take a deep breath, and offer an inviting smile. "It can only mean one thing."

Joel leans in. You feel his hot breath as his face nears yours. This sweet, funny, handsome man is about to kiss you, and you remind yourself to breathe. His index finger lifts your chin toward him, his lips brushing over yours. It feels like hours have ticked by at this standstill when only seconds have passed. But your patience still wears thin, "Well…what are you waiting for?"

Joel laughs and finally closes the distance. His lips capture yours in a chaste kiss, aware you are not alone. You press your lips to his and let out a soft moan. The sparks you've only read about in novels start to fly, butterflies flutter around in your stomach, and you see fireworks shooting off behind your eyelids. You keep them shut out of fear that you'll wake up from a dream if you don't.

You blink back as you pull yourself away from Joel. Knocked on your ass over a kiss. If his kiss can feel like that, you can only imagine what more would feel like. And you would love to find out.

Wide-eyed, you coo, "That was a really good kiss."

Joel nods, brushing his thumb along his bottom lip. "Yeah, I wouldn't mind doing that again."

"Me either," you giggle, feeling bold, "and maybe more?"

Joel quickly grabs your hand, determination in his eyes, "Follow me."

There's no shortage of privacy in a house of this size. The large amount of guests allows you and Joel to sneak off unnoticed. With your hand in his, he pulls you behind him in search of a more conspicuous location. At the end of the hall, you spot an open door that leads to a beautifully appointed bathroom: marble countertops, travertine tile, and a glass-enclosed shower with a waterfall showerhead. Large mirrors with an intricately designed gold frame sit over each sink. This is just the guest bathroom?!

He whips you around to face him and pulls you in for a kiss, not chaste this time. This kiss is brimming with passion. A mix of tongues dancing around, exploring each other's mouths. Playful nibbles leave their marks on each other's lips.

Your palms flatten against his firm chest, and you grip the lapels of his shirt and yank it open. The top buttons fly across the counter's surface and bounce every which way—ping, ping, ting—until they land flat on the surface. Hiding your giggle behind your hand, you look up at Joel apologetically. "Hey! I liked this shirt!" he bemused.

You walk your fingers up his now bare sternum and pinch his chin mischievously. "Oops, my bad!"

"Oh, you're fucking trouble, aren't you?!"

"Only one way to find out," you tease.

"Oh, honey, you bet your sweet ass I will." His hands caress your waist and hips, enjoying the feel of the velvet over your soft curves. "But first, I want you to see how gorgeous you are." He kisses you before he turns you to face the mirror.

Joel stands tall behind you. His hands roam along your body when he captures your gaze. With pleading eyes, he asks, "Can I unwrap my gift now?"

You nod. He pulls down the neckline of your dress and frees your tits from the cups of your bra. You let out a small gasp. He looks at you in the mirror while he kneads them, tweaking your nipples between his thumb and index finger. He nuzzles into your neck and ascends with featherlight kisses to your earlobe, and whispers, "You're so fucking gorgeous."

With a gentle squeeze of your breasts, "gorgeous tits." His husky voice sends a shiver down your spine.

One of his hands moves down your body. His fingertips trail up the back of your bare thigh and underneath your skirt to your ass. A sly grin appears on his face when he doesn't feel any fabric impeding his exploration. You decided to wear a thong tonight to avoid panty lines with the way the fabric of the dress clings to your figure. With a firm squeeze of your bare cheek, "gorgeous ass."

You whimper at his attention and praise, overwhelmed by his adoration of your body. Both hands make their way to your neck, and he turns your face toward him, "gorgeous lips," and he devours you in a toe-curling kiss.

He hisses when your ass backs into him in response. His hardened cock straining the front of his jeans. You suck in your breath, apologetically, "I'm so sorry."

He chuckles, "It's ok, baby." He brushes his lips over your nose and tilts back with a glint in his eye, "You can make it up to me."

You quirk your eyebrow, "oh yeah, how so?"

He doesn't answer you. Silently, he grips your hips to turn you back to face the mirror. He grabs your hands and places your palms flat on the cool marble. He watches your tits bounce in the mirror and feels his cock get impossibly harder. "Stay. Just like this."

You feel the arousal pool in your belly at his command. His hands travel down the sides of your thighs and up under the skirt of your dress. His fingers slip under the elastic band of your thong, and you hear the lace fabric rip.

He slides a calloused finger through your slick lips. A growl escapes him as he feels how wet you are. "This pussy's just drenched for me, isn't she?"

You whimper out a strangled "yes." Overwhelmed by the feel of his thick fingers through your folds, teasing your entrance and brushing against your clit.

Finally, he shows mercy and slides a finger inside you. You clench around his thick digit as he enters you to his last knuckle, his fingertip reaching that spongy spot just right, sending an intense wave of pleasure through your body.

He leans forward, his whole chest pressed against your back. The heat from his body envelopes you. His husky voice vibrates in your ear, "Fucking dripping."

You groan when Joel pulls his finger out to taste you. "Such a sweet fucking pussy. I can't wait to make a whole meal out of her."

He breaches you again with two fingers, and you buck forward at the pleasurable stretch. He begins to thumb against your clit while his two fingers thrust inside you at a steady pace.

"Fuck. I can't wait to get you out of here. I want to take my time with you. The things I want to do."

"Tell…" breathless, "…me."

"I want to eat your pussy until your legs shake." he continues his exploration of your cunt. "Suck on your perfect tits. Fold you in half while I fuck into you until you scream my name."

"Yes, fuck…Joel, I want all of that." Your imagination is running wild at his ideas, the tension is building, and you're ready to snap.

"You'll get it, but I need you to come for me, darlin'." Desperation in his voice, "My cock needs to be inside this perfect pussy."

His words were all you needed to push you over the edge. You brace yourself on the counter as your orgasm moves through you, your walls fluttering around his fingers.

As you come down from your high, Joel quickly unfastens his jeans and lowers them along with his boxer briefs, releasing his throbbing cock. You feel his length bop against your ass. His fingers run through your pussy to coat his dick with your arousal. He lazily strokes his dick while bunching up the skirt of your dress over your waist with his other hand.

His palm runs over your bare ass cheek and slowly navigates your curves to your other cheek. You whimper when he pulls his palm away, already missing the warmth of his skin against yours. The unexpected strike of his palm causes you to jolt forward with a whine.

"Fuck! This is a juicy ass," he growls as his fingers dig into your flesh.

"Do it again. Harder." you pant.

You catch his devilish grin in the mirror as he lifts his arm with a flattened palm. The din of the party muffles the sound of it moving through the air before it lands on your other cheek. Harder. Just like you asked. You feel another wave of arousal rush through you.

"Oh, baby. We're going to have so much fun."

Joel takes his cock and runs the tip through your folds, You haven't seen it, but you can feel it's big as he teases your entrance with just the tip. Your mouth begins to water as you fantasize about taking him between your lips, the heavy weight of it on your tongue as you take him down your throat.

You're so distracted by the thought of choking on his dick that you yelp in surprise when his cock enters you with a forceful thrust; his pelvis slams into your luscious cheeks.

"Oh, she's fucking…" Joel pants, "she's fucking, tight."

He begins a steady pace of fucking you. His hands gripping your hips, fingertips digging in with a bruising force.

He reaches around your waist to rub your clit while he continues a relentless pace. Your walls clenching around him. Breaths increase, and your chest is slick with sweat. His thrusts push you into the counter, driving into you while he rubs your clit. The marble cooling your heated chest. "C'mon, baby. I feel you squeezing me. Let go for me."

You wail out his name as your climax takes hold. He pulls you up against his chest, his hand cupping your breast as he fucks you through your orgasm. Hot breath against your ear as he seeks his release. You wrap your hand around his neck and pull his head toward you. Your lips brush against his ear, and with a whisper, eyes fixed on him in the mirror so you can see his reaction, "Fill me up. I want to feel you dripping out of me."

Joel whimpers. He fucking, whimpers. He's at the precipice of his orgasm and grasps onto your tit tighter. You squeak at the pressure. One. Two. Three more thrusts before he spills into you, drenching your pussy with his seed.

His forehead collapses onto the back of your shoulder; his labored breathing begins to even out. When he looks up, your eyes meet his in the mirror. You both are completely fucked out. Half dressed, tits hanging out, disheveled hair, smeared lipstick. He leans back to get a good look at his spend leaking from your pussy. A boyish grin expands on his face into a toothy smile as he pushes his cum back inside with his finger. "Gotta keep my gift wrapped up."

You roll your eyes and laugh.

Joel grabs a clean washcloth from the towel bar and runs it under warm water. He gently runs the damp cloth over your inner thighs and sensitive folds, cleaning himself before tossing the washcloth in the hamper.

You notice it's after midnight, and you'll need to get home soon—even though you don't want the night to end. You both scramble to dress. Joel stops short when he realizes he can't button his shirt back up all the way. He looks around to find the loose buttons on the counter and pockets them. Softly, you brush his forearm and coo, "I can sew those back on for you."

He winks and kisses the tip of your nose. "Worth it."

You accept Joel's offer to walk you to your car, but not before you say your goodbyes. The two of you part to find Lucilla and Marcus to thank them for the party.

When you find Joel again, he guides you toward the door, holding his gift in one hand and the other against the small of your back. He leans toward your ear and teases, "We'll need to discuss visitation arrangements." shaking the figurine in the air.

You playfully swat his chest at his teasing.

You and Joel are unaware that Marcus and Lucilla are watching this exchange from afar. Lucilla turns to Marcus and wonders, "Now, why didn't we think to set those two up? They're perfect together."

"It doesn't look like they needed our help anyway." Marcus wraps his arm around his wife and kisses her temple. "Another successful holiday party, my lady."

Lucilla rests her head on his shoulder and lets out an exhausted but contented sigh. "Until next year, my love."

Thank you so much for reading! I'd love to know what you think. Reblogs and comments are greatly appreciated. 🫶🏻

I've got an idea brewing to revisit these two (four)...if I get a wild hair, I may take a swing at it. 😏

npt for folks who were interested in this WIP: @baronessvonglitter @kilamonster @half-moon16 @peepawispunk

#secret santa #joel miller #joel miller x female reader #joel miller x f!reader #joel miller x you #marcus acacius #lucilla aurelius #pedro pascal fandom #pedro pascal character fanfiction #pedro pascal #unwrapped

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writing-with-sophia · 7 months ago

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Poison list (2)

Hello, it's me again! After some feedback on my previous potion list post, I decided to research a little more about potions and come up with this post. I hope everyone will like it!

1. Poison Ivy

I think anyone who has watched Batman will know the female supervillain Poison Ivy. I thought it was a name she came up with until I found the Poison Ivy plant online, lol.

Eastern poison ivy is typically a hairy, ropelike vine with three shiny green leaves budding from one small stem. The leaves may be red in the fall.

Western poison ivy is typically a low shrub with three leaves. In the East, Midwest, and South, it grows as a vine.

It may have yellow or green flowers and white to green-yellow or amber berries.

It has an oily sap in its leaves called urushiol. This causes an allergic reaction that can make your skin red, swollen, and itchy.

2. Poison Oak

It is typically, a shrub with leaves of three, like poison ivy. The sun-facing side of the leaf has tiny hairs on it and is a darker shade of green than the ground-facing side.

Pacific poison oak may be vine-like.

Though it grows all over the country, it’s more common in the West.

It could be hours or days before your skin reacts to the plant sap (urushiol). And your rash may eventually turn bumpy and form blisters that ooze.

3. White Snakeroot

A North American herb with flat-topped clusters of small white flowers and contains a toxic alcohol known as trematol.

Generally found in woods and along streams. It is not often found on open prairies because it does not do well in full sunlight. The plant will grow 1 to 3 feet in height and will have thin smooth leaves with toothed margins.

The poisonous effects in livestock usually result from direct consumption of the white snakeroot plants. In humans, poisoning can be caused by consumption of dairy products from cows that have eaten white snakeroot.

4. Rosary Pea

Also called jequirity beans, these piously-named seeds contain abrin, an extremely deadly ribosome-inhibiting protein.

Rosary peas are native to tropical areas and are often used in jewelry and prayer rosaries. While the seeds are not poisonous if intact, seeds that are scratched, broken, or chewed can be lethal.

It only takes 3 micrograms of abrin to kill an adult, less than the amount of poison in one seed. It is said that numerous jewelry makers have been made ill or died after accidentally pricking their fingers while working with the seeds.

Abrin in rosary pea prevents protein synthesis within cells and can cause organ failure within four days.

5. Foxglove

Its bell-shaped flowers are often bright purple but can be white, yellow, or pink. It blooms in the spring. It also has a fruit with lots of seeds, which kids sometimes eat.

All parts of the flower are poisonous and can slow or disrupt your heart.

In fact, digitalis (a heart medicine) is derived from this plant. When formulated into a medication with a controlled dosage, digitalis is valuable in treating heart failure. It helps a weakened heart pump harder.

People who eat any part of the plant or make tea from the leaves are, in essence, taking an unregulated dose of heart medicine. This can cause the heart rate to slow down or become irregular. Both can be dangerous and life threatening.

6. Mistletoe

This plant lives off of other trees and shrubs, which makes it a parasite. Its stems are thick and easy to break, with lots of branches. The leaves are often thick and stay green all year. Its little yellowish flowers don’t have petals. The small, white berries have one seed and contain a sticky, poisonous pulp.

The berries can give you diarrhea and slow or stop your heart.

All parts of American mistletoe contain a toxic protein called phoratoxin, while European mistletoe contains viscotoxins, which prevent new cells from forming.

7. Oleander

Oleander (Nerium oleander) is a common ornamental evergreen shrub.

All parts of the oleander plant are deadly and contain lethal cardiac glycosides known as oleandrin and neriine.

If eaten, oleander can cause vomiting, diarrhea, erratic pulse, seizures, coma, and death, and contact with the leaves and sap is known to be a skin irritant to some people.

The plant is very bitter.

That's all!

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angelwishess · 9 days ago

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Kyra’s Broomquet!

Bouquet… whtver!!!! For the broomquet thing!!!

(Yeah I had to filter the colors to make it look not awkward HWHAHAHA)

^^ This looks like a reaction meme LMFAOOOO

I think I added way too many flowers but its ok guys trustme… 💗 (also i think i used the non fully bloomed begonias by accident oops)

I dont think this is a realistic bouquet at all but its okay because !!!!! Symbolism !!!! Yayayayya!!!!!!!!!!

ALOT of rambling utc!!

First— I’d like to mention that some of these flowers are actually poisonous so erm idk how that would work out LMFAOO😭😭 Take it as symbolism of how many are attracted to Kyra due to her beauty, but stay away once realizing her true nature … or something like that!!!!!

Camellia (Japonica)

Camellias have always been Kyra’s flower! Its the one I associate her with the most, and to me is just iconic for her! I have an entire post in my drafts talking about Kyra’s other symbolisms, but I might as well just copy paste the Camellia section here lol

Camellias in general symbolize a spirit of depth, self-reflection and inner strength, love, loyalty and humility.

Camellia japonica, a shrub or small tree species that is native to southern Japan and China. Known as tsubaki in Japan,this species is iconic for its beautiful white, pink, or red flowers that appear from late winter to early spring as well as its thick, glossy, and evergreen leaves.

The camellia has come to symbolize grace, beauty, sophistication, and perseverance - all traits that make it so beloved today.

The camellia has long been a symbol of beauty, grace and perseverance in Japanese culture. Its deep crimson petals evoke the vividness of a fiery sun while its delicate bloom serves to represent the infinite nature of life itself. It has become the embodiment of courage, resilience and strength owing to its fantastic ability to survive and thrive in even the harshest conditions.

It is believed that those who wear or carry a camellia can show their boldness in facing adversity with integrity and grace; thus, this timeless flower carries with it monumental symbolism.

The camellia is intricately intertwined with the cultural and spiritual life of Japan. In various art forms, they signify appreciation and admiration. The flower represents a spirit of depth, self-reflection and inner strength - qualities that are highly esteemed in Japanese culture. They also symbolize love, loyalty and humility - perfect to express gratitude towards family and friends.

Kyra herself is honestly my most perseverant character! Shes stubborn and driven, and won't back down regardless of how hopeless a situation seems.

No matter how much she falls down, she'll keep getting right back up again, more determined than before to keep living.

With the Camellia's notable ties with Beauty, loyalty, grace, self-reflection and inner strength; it makes the Camellia a beautiful way to represent Kyra. It reflects her current character and character development

In China, camellia has been cultivated for thousands of years and is a symbol of love and devotion. It is often used in Chinese art, literature, and poetry to represent beauty, purity, and faithfulness. For people in China, the camellia is more than just a flower; it's a sign of a long past. The camellia has a place in Chinese art, literature, and tradition because it is thought to bring good luck and beauty.

The Chinese believe that the camellia will last forever, so it is often used as a symbol in ceremonies and parties. People see the flower's ability to survive under challenging conditions as a metaphor for life's problems and the strength needed to deal with them.

In Japan, the camellia is also a symbol of love and is associated with the samurai tradition. The flower is often worn as a hair ornament by Japanese women and is used in traditional tea ceremonies.

The samurai looked up to the camellia as a sign of bravery and morality. The flower's ability to stay beautiful even when things go wrong was like the samurai's dedication to duty and honor.

During the Victorian era in Europe, the camellia flower became a popular symbol of wealth and luxury.

White camellia flowers are less common but are highly prized for their purity and innocence. In some cultures, white camellia flowers are associated with death and are often used in funeral arrangements.

With NRC's whole theme with death— this extra little fact is just a little nod to that theme hehe. It also represents Kyra's own "innocence" and naivety when it comes to regular society. After all, Kyra's first time ever leaving her palace was because she was sent to NRC fe. Through that "death", she gained freedom and a new beginning.

Pink camellias show love, appreciation, happiness, and thanks. These flowers are a lovely way to show someone you admire them or are thankful for them because the soft color of pink makes people feel loved and appreciated.

Pink camellias are often seen as signs of love and respect in the language of flowers. In some countries, friends trade them with each other or give them thanks. Aside from their beauty, pink camellias are known for their gracefulness and ability to show love without being too intense.

Kyra is very thankful and values the friends and people closes to her. She loves so much and so deeply, and holds everyone that accepts her despite her being a handful, very dearly! She isnt shy to show her affection at all, and makes sure her friends know that they're all loved, even if she doesn't say it outright.

Pink Camellias can also symbolize longing! I view it as a symbol of how Kyra had always longed for more, yearning for a life that feels like hers. She longs for freedom, and has spent her entire life with this feeling of yearning.

Camellias can also, ironically enough, symbolize perfection. Something Kyra had forced herself to be for the sake of her family, in hopes that if she was, she could be loved, too.

Amaryllis

Amaryllis symbolizes pride, strength and determination as they stand tall above all other winter blooms. Amaryllis is also a Greek name which means 'to sparkle', ‘sparkle’, ‘shine’.

Funnily enough, Kyra’s name also has Greek origins! And while they do differ in meaning when it comes to their shared origin language, Kyra’s name also means ‘sparkle’ and ‘shine’ in Japanese!

The flower itself symbolizes the idea that beauty can bloom from pain, and it often serves as a metaphor for inner strength and resilience.

The amaryllis is frequently associated with strength and determination, largely because it can bloom in the colder months when many other plants are dormant. Its tall, strong stems and large flowers make it a symbol of overcoming obstacles and standing tall in the face of adversity. In this context, it is often given to individuals who are facing challenges to symbolize perseverance and inner strength.

In the Victorian era, the language of flowers (known as floriography), was a popular means of communication, where different flowers conveyed specific messages. In floriography, the amaryllis stands for pride, beauty, and strength, aligning with its mythological and cultural symbolism.

When given as a gift, an amaryllis flower might convey the message that the recipient is admired for their inner beauty and strength. It celebrates an individual's unique qualities, making it appropriate for someone who exudes confidence, grace, and resilience.

Gardenia (Peonies)

I love you secretly, unspoken words

Because of their clean white petals, gardenias symbolize purity, refinement, innocence, harmony, and gentleness.

One of their lesser-known meanings is that of a secret or unknown love. Gardenias are a thoughtful way to express that you care about someone, even if it hasn't yet been expressed verbally.

Hibiscus

represents transient beauty and the importance of living in the moment. The hibiscus flower blooms for a short time, often just one day, reminding us of the impermanence of life and the need to cherish every moment.

In Victorian times, giving a hibiscus meant that the giver was acknowledging the receiver’s delicate beauty.

the hibiscus is linked to grace, femininity, and delicacy. It is often associated with romantic appeal, particularly in cultures where the flower is worn as a symbol of attraction or love. The Hibiscus encourages mindfulness and appreciation for the present, with the end goal of reminding people of the transitory beauty of nature and time.

Mountain Laurel

Perserverance and achievement

The mountain laurel is also associated with ambition. The Greeks would present a wreath of laurel to poets, athletes, and war heroes as a mark of great achievement.

the mountain laurel was chosen as the state flower of Pennsylvania due to its unique beauty and profusion. This plant, which is native to Pennsylvania, thrives in the state's mountains and forests, showcasing the incredible natural resources of the region. Its adaptability to a variety of environments symbolizes the tenacity and resolve of the neighborhood.

I also mainly chose it due to its unique appearance, and Kyra loved unique looking stuff hehe

Dahlias (Pink Silk)

The dahlia is Mexico's national flower, and it represents pride, inner strength, elegance, kindness, uniqueness, embracing positive change, beauty, and creativity.

Spiritually, the name represents inner strength, positive change, and commitment. The name elegantly symbolized beauty, freedom, and love.

dahlia flowers symbolize beauty, commitment, and kindness. They're also tied to steadfastness due to their ability to bloom after many other flowers have died.

Delphinums

The meaning of delphiniums is generally accepted as 'big hearted'. White and pink represent new life and the power of youth.

Delphinium meanings include openness to new experiences and overall positivity. Delphiniums symbolize cheerfulness and goodwill, as well as a protective plant. Delphiniums are used to communicate encouragement and joy, as well as remembering loved ones who have passed.

Skeleton Flower

The flower's change from opaque to clear symbolizes shedding past identities and revealing one's true self.

The Skeleton Flower, known for its delicate beauty, has inspired numerous stories and myths across various cultures. Often viewed as a symbol of resilience, it represents the beauty that can emerge from adversity. In art and literature, the Skeleton Flower frequently appears as a motif of purity and transformation.

The skeleton flower holds a notable place in Asian history and culture. Celebrated for not only their beauty but especially for their unique transformation, they often symbolize the balance between life and death.

the Skeleton Flower also serves as a powerful symbol of resilience and personal growth.

The flower’s captivating appearance and remarkable adaptation serve as a reminder that beauty and resilience can coexist, even in the most unexpected of circumstances.

Begonias

Hope of life. It's the reminder that no matter how bad something is, no matter how sad it is, life is always right there, renewing itself along with you. It's a reminder that there's always an opportunity to start over. Individuality and standing out from the crowd

Despite a historical association with warning, begonias symbolize gratitude, respect, understanding, and forgiveness.

Traditionally, this flower is as a symbol of warning. It is a way to tell someone that they needed to watch their backs. The begonia wasn’t necessarily a threat, but instead a gesture that things aren’t always as they seem.

A begonia can mean understanding, and even forgiveness.

Habenaria Radiata (White Egres Orchid)

represents purity, grace of the soul, and good intentions.

looks like a dove teehee

“My thoughts will follow you into your dreams.”

In Japan, the 'White Egret' Orchid (Habenaria radiata) is admired not only for its beauty but also for its symbolism of grace, purity, and the return of summer.

the egret symbolism too focuses on being at peace with oneself and the world, being in a state of balance and calmness throughout.

Lily Of The Valley

Funfact! Since Kyra’s birth month is May, the Lily Of The Valley is her birth flower!!

Lilies of the valley symbolize rebirth, purity, youth, and happiness.

The lily of the valley means return of happiness in the Victorian language of flowers.

Chinese Peony

Peony petals are edible. Yeah. I just thought it’d be funny to include an edible plant in Kyra’s bouquet. Is that not hilarious

In China and Japan, peonies mean 'king of flowers', and are used in important holidays like Chinese New Year. They are also known to symbolise wealth, because for a really long time only Chinese emperors used peonies. But really I just thought they were pretty HEHEHEHE

This is the ONLY flower I chose because it was pretty PLS ….. Kyra would hate me for this I fear HELP (in my defense it looks like her ..)

Lilium Casa Blanca

The Lilium Casa Blanca symbolizes celebration. It also symbolizes eternal beauty and elegance.

Beyond purity, white lilies also represent hope, remembrance, and the promise of a fresh start.

Pink and White lillies symbolize compassion and admiration.

Nelumbo Nucifera

The lotus flower symbolizes rising from a dark place into beauty and rebirth, as this is precisely how a lotus flower grows.

It symbolizes the realization of inner potential.

In the classical written and oral literature of many Asian cultures the lotus is present in figurative form, representing elegance, beauty, perfection, purity and grace, being often used in poems and songs as an allegory for ideal feminine attributes.

All symbolism associated with the lotus seems to be positive and in the vein of being a good person and finding meaning in life.

#🎀🕊️! kyra #🎀! yap #twst #twisted wonderland #twst oc #twst broomquet #yuusona #me when I have the chance to make symbolism in anything #yes i edited a bouquet instead of drawing it bcs i REFUSE to draw allat 🔥🔥#imgoing insane its like almost 2 AM #but the grind never stops #im goign to sleep after this ….. honk mimimmiii….

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serpentface · 4 days ago

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What’s the architecture/layout of old Bur, how do modern people perceive the ruins?

The city in its peak was very large and spread over both shoreline and a network of small islands. These islands comprised a waterfront district connected by a network of bridges and canals, where a large portion of its non-agricultural lower class lived.

It had a fairly well organized and efficient freshwater+sanitation system across most of its span (the canal district had less effective plumbing largely due to logistical difficulties, most of its wastewater was instead flushed by rain powered cisterns). The water system was powered by the Hsuke river and made fresh water readily accessible throughout the majority of the city (though few homes had direct freshwater plumbing). It had several major public baths, and the homes of the wealthiest members of society had their own private bathing pools.

In this part of the world, it is broadly regarded as once being one of the most beautiful cities to have ever existed. It was particularly noted for its water gardens (still a fixture of present day Burri culture) which were absolute marvels of engineering for that period, with the majority of these being entirely artificial and supported by its network of aqueducts. These hosted thousands of ornamental plants, fish, and fowl, as well as fruiting trees and shrubs. They were treated as a public work meant to benefit all citizens, and existed throughout the city.

The palace in particular was noted as impressive, in part for its architecture but mainly for its gardens. These hosted 'exotic' plants and a menagerie of animals from across the empire's territory, and existed in part as a symbol of the state's power and reach. It was a trend for emperors to bring in the fiercest animal from each conquered province to the grounds, with the an-nechoi being the beast of choice from the lands across the sea to the east, with one (Probably erroneously) cited as killing thirty servants in the process of moving it into the gardens.

The palace was located within the temple district. This district housed over a hundred shrines to the various lesser deities of the pantheon, and temple complexes to the seven chief deities (the firstborn gods who created the world, all other gods were later descendants). Old Burri temples were Kinda similar in shape to a ziggurat, though had an accessible interior space and a central tower which housed the shrine. At this time, the chief gods were believed to physically inhabit their temples. Each god had its own high priest permitted to attend to their shrine, with the emperor being the high priest to Inanariya (king of the gods) and the only person permitted to directly commune with this deity. The foundations to these temples are relatively intact in the present day, though none of the towers remain (collapsed in earthquakes with no one to rebuild them).

The city was heavily fortified, having one external wall surrounding most of its length, and an internal wall surrounding the palace/temple district (which doubled as a fortress).

---

The period of sea level rise began with a 500ish year period of mostly gradual increase, which occurred slowly enough that most infrastructure could adapt very easily and the problem went unnoticed by most (the city of Bur experienced most of its Growth during this time). It then culminated with about a century of (relatively) rapid rise, which is the direct cause of the city's abandonment.

The canals flooding had always been a problem during storms, but this began to occur with notable frequency, alongside the water level as a whole rising quickly enough to be noticed on an immediate human timespan. The canal district was maintained for a while by rerouting some of its waterways and building up barriers, but it was the first part of the city to be abandoned. Things got more serious when the mainland parts of the city grew increasingly impacted by storm surges that never seemed to fully retract, and major parts of its surrounding farmland were hit by surges and tidal waves, and rendered too saline to remain arable.

The actual single biggest cataclysm was the collapse of the city's mainland sewage system. It was built with flood canals as a failsafe, but these were built to withstand heavy rain rather than an encroaching ocean. Storm surges would cause large segments of the city to be flooded with sewage (including some of the freshwater plumbing), and serious disease outbreaks would follow.

These issues were enabled/exacerbated by earthquakes (the region is geologically active and this isn't unusual) that further damaged and mingled the sewage and freshwater systems. One earthquake and its subsequent tidal wave was a turning point, and the resulting breakdown of (already strained) infrastructure rendered a large swath of the city uninhabitable in the space of about a week. This also just caused immediate damage to much of the city's architecture/walls, and collapsed the tower of the temple to Inanariya (never a good sign). This is when the full exodus began, first with people flocking to un-flooded parts of its city and farmlands, and those who could afford it fully relocating to other cities/towns.

All of this issues were compounded by the 1st Burri Empire already being in a period of collapse at this time. This was largely a matter of simple overextension. Its borders were constantly under attack by rival states/its victims, sometimes with great success. Bur's own population had burgeoned well past what the imperial core land could sustain, and its cities relied predominantly on extraction of foreign grain/goods to feed their people. It lost most of its eastern land holdings in a fairly rapid timespan (overextended with wars at multiple fronts), which caused frequent famines in its core.

This put pressure on its final emperors to invest in increasingly desperate expansionist projects, while attempting to keep up public morale with lavish public works and objectively stupid vanity projects. The attempt to excavate a canal at the Viper seaway's 'tail' (one of the few eastern regions it retained secure control of at that point) was in part a desperate act to revive its economy by opening up/monopolizing a new trade system. The amount of money and manpower sunk into this ultimately doomed project was followed by Bur being fully ousted from its eastern holdings, and was one of the final straws in its collapse.

People in the city of Bur proper were dealing with the double front of starvation and their homes + streets + immediate water supply being flooded with seawater and literal human feces. These issues impacted the lower classes first and most severely, but ultimately transcended class boundaries. Famine grew more and more rampant, not only with the loss of the colonial holdings that supported the population but of farmland in the imperial core- much of the city of Bur's immediate farmlands were unproductive due to repeat inundation with saltwater during surges, and the farmland along the Yamage river to the north was rapidly being captured and pillaged by the Hsem (historical enemies, a nomadic group with a khait warrior culture from further west).

All this was fucking unlivable in of itself, but also had very obvious implications in the context of Burri emperors also being high priests and the chief intermediary between the gods and the people. Not only was the government failing to sustain its citizens to begin with, but signs of divine disapproval were deeply apparent.

So the last days of the 1st Burri empire were a chaotic period of civil unrest, most acute in and around city of Bur proper. This involved near-constant peasant revolts and several attempted coups. The last Burri emperor (of the First empire) ultimately fled the capital of Bur and reestablished in Titenegal, declaring it the new capital. This was then sacked by the Hsem within a year and after that it was fucking Joever.

The city of Bur was functionally abandoned by this point. People still Lived There and there were several attempts to set up a new government, all of which failed in the short term. After the collapse was complete, its inhabitants were mostly just peasants who built up new homes further inland and sustained themselves on the remaining farmland. Few people lived permanently in the city proper due to all of its intact infrastructure being effectively non-functional without the governmental bodies/human labor to sustain it.

---

It should also be noted that it was Extremely not just Bur that was flooded, the sea level rise was worldwide (resulting from a collapsing ice sheet) and almost Every coastal city during this period experienced the same issue. Bur's demise was just notably dramatic in that it was once the most heavily populated human city that has Ever Existed, and directly correlated with the fall of the empire it hosted.

The flooding was fairly gradual, but it's been 7 centuries since the first Burri empire's collapse and the fall of its capital city, and many contemporary records were lost to the immediate chaos and to the large span of time since. Cultural memory tends to reframe the flood VERY rapid on a human scale, many of the stories describe the city being swallowed in a single wave as an act of divine punishment (the popular notion at the time that the last emperors deeply displeased and shamed the gods has stuck into the narrative, often exaggerated into stories of them being horrifically debauched blasphemers guilty of the worst disgraces imaginable). Even more conservative accounts tend to imagine the totality of the destruction taking place over the span of about a year (merging the memories of the immediate earthquake devastation with more gradual elements of its slow flooding). People widely believe that most of its residents drowned in the city's cataclysmic demise, and that the ruins are now Extremely haunted.

The state of the flooding is not 'completely under the sea' and you can still walk/wade through most of the inland ruins (the canal district is effectively submerged, with most structures that Would be above the water level having collapsed against the strain). As such, some people Do Live Here. These people are mostly smugglers and pirates using the ruins as a hideout, and/or opportunistic hunters and fishermen who won't let ghosts stop them. Entering the city ruins is currently forbidden (largely Because of the criminal nature of basically every motive to go here (even hunting, which is considered poaching)), but enforcement of this rule/active patrols to prevent entry are inconsistent.

The majority of Old Bur's inhabitants are animals. The un-flooded parts of the city and its gardens are now a host to a thriving community of native plants and animals (and a few descendants of escaped non-native zoo animals/ornamental plants that adapted well to the conditions).

The egret shown here is a foreign species originally brought as an ornamental bird. In the centuries since its first import, it has become widespread and occurs on both sides of the Mouth seaway. It can hunt in both freshwater and saline environments, and a very large population lives permanently in the ruins of Old Bur.

Its common name is the ghost egret. Contemporary Burri folklore holds that the ghost egrets of Old Bur are literal ghosts, carrying the souls of those who died in the cataclysmic floods.

#[[JUST REALIZED you didn't even fucking. ask about the timeline of the flooding I just kinda went for it]]#[[its relevant to its contemporary state I guess????]]]#Added the photo without linking to the original post becasue it is WILDLY outdated.#Among other things I cited the population of the original city of Bur at 'over a million people'. Which is contextually ridiculous #Also (because this probably gets confusing) everything here describes the first of two empires out of Bur which was by far #the larger one. The second had a similar pattern in its downfall (overextension - famines at home - war and revolts at multiple fronts)#but was significantly less dramatic and had a much cleaner rebound (it ended in a successful coup that the contemporary #Burri Republic directly descends from)#I used to describe 3 Burri empires which. I don't know why I did that because the 1st of the three was an ANCIENT land empire #stemming from further west where contemporary Bur was its easternmost extent of Conquered lands. This collapsed like ~1500+#years before present and has no directly obvious impact on modern conditions whatsoever (it DID have major impacts #though: it's what first brought khait to this region and some of its ancient roads are still used in the largest continuous land #trade network in the northern hemisphere)

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rebeccathenaturalist · 1 month ago

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Can you tell an invasive species from a native one?

I've pulled up a lot of invasive plants over the years, and some of them have native species that are close look-alikes. This is a great example. On the left you can see a European holly seedling (Ilex aquifolium) that I uprooted, and on the right are the leaves of Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium) that was growing nearby.

Both plants have leaves that are oval in shape with spiky edges, dark green in color on top with a paler green underside, a shiny/waxy texture, and a prominent central vein with more slender veins branching off to both sides. Both can grow into a sizable shrub, though holly often grows into a small tree much taller than its native counterpart.

The biggest giveaway that the plant on the left is holly is the fact that the edges are wavy and the spikes are more unruly, often pointing in different directions. They may also be spaced further apart. Oregon grape's leaf margins are flatter, and the spikes more orderly. Oregon grape leaves are usually a little lighter in color, and a little less shiny, especially when dry. If you have a chance to see the berries of each species, holly berries are bright red, while Oregon grape's are a dusty blue, and they show up earlier in the year than holly berries. Oregon grape flowers, which are yellow, also appear earlier in the year than holly's white flowers.

Holly seedlings often dot forest floors in the Pacific Northwest because it is a common ornamental shrub, and the region also produces large quantities of holly for holiday decorations. Unfortunately birds will eat the seeds and then distribute them far and wide, making this plant hard to control. If you decide to pull holly seedlings by hand, double check those leaves to be sure you aren't accidentally pulling a small native Oregon grape.

#plants #botany #plant identification #nature #holly #oregon grape #native plants #invasive plants #invasive species #ecology #educational #leaves

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lolo3hwriting · 2 months ago

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A Horticulture Student’s Analysis of Hollyberry Cookie

So in many of my horticulture classes, holly plants were talked about frequently because they are used so much in the industry, or more specifically the ornamental and landscaping parts. All of this discussion constantly reminded me of hollyberry cookie, who is one of my favorite characters in cookie run kingdom. In addition to explaining the symbolism of holly plants, I wanted to give a different perspective of hollyberry cookie’s connection to the plant she is named after.

A lot of this is based on my prior experiences with my horticulture classes and internships/volunteering at gardens, and some of it is supplemented by university extension papers.

Holly is known to be tolerant of many different environmental conditions and still be able to thrive. Hot and cold climates, humid or dry, full sun or shade, poor and compact soil, sandy or clay, it can survive all of it. Of course, different holly varieties have their own individual preferences, but as a whole hollies are remarkably hardy. This could reflect in her combat style as she is a defense-type and in the lore has high endurance.

Holly plants are dioecious, meaning they have male and female plants. Most hollies planted are female because only they produce the characteristic bright red berries. I thought that this could tie into Hollyberry’s motherly attitude and her very feminine appearance (with the big dress and pink colors).

Hollies are also famously evergreen, retaining their green foliage year-round. This constant vitality could symbolize Hollyberry Cookie’s ever-present energy, optimism, and nurturing spirit. Like the evergreen holly she brings life, hope, and warmth to those around her.

Sources:

https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/factsheet/pdf/fs_ilop.pdf

https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/shrubs/holly/

https://hles.unl.edu/holly-0

https://extensiongardener.ces.ncsu.edu/gardening-publications-2/extgardener-previous-newsletters/extgardener-past-features/extgardener-deck-the-landscape-with-hollies/

https://extension.psu.edu/holly-legends-customs-and-myths

#cookie run #cookie run kingdom #hollyberry cookie #horticulture #since it's the season I wanted to talk about holly plants #it's interesting to me that Hollyberry Cookie has a tropical kingdom while holly plants themselves are associated with the winter #but that's not to say that tropical places don't experience winter/colder weather at all #I just think of the hollyberry kingdom as more summer-y #kinda like how the dark cacao kingdom is winter-y

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gratelove · 2 months ago

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Home for Christmas

Kenny Liu x Reader

On Christmas Eve, Kenny surprises you by decorating your home with a tree, a crackling fire, and a present. He wanted to be able to bring Christmas to you. You surprise him with a gift as well, and your night becomes something more as you share a kiss.

The cold winter air stung your cheeks as you hurried up the path to your house, boots crunching softly against the thin layer of snow. It was nearly nightfall, and that familiar sense of dread hung over you like a storm cloud. Get inside before they come out. It was a rule everyone knew. No exceptions.

Your house stood quietly at the end of the street, tucked away behind a patch of frosted shrubs. It wasn’t much, but it was yours. Your safe space. Your little slice of comfort in a world that didn’t offer much of it.

Your heart gave a small jolt as you noticed a faint glow from inside. Golden light flickered through the curtains — not the steady hum of a lantern, but something softer. Your pace quickened, boots crunching faster. Did I leave something on? You didn’t think so, but you couldn’t image what that light was.

You reached the door, fingers fumbling for the key. The lock clicked, and you pushed it open.

The smell of pine hit you first. Crisp, earthy, familiar. Your eyes widened as you stepped inside, and your heart nearly stopped.

There, in the corner of your living room, stood a Christmas tree. Not a perfect, store-bought tree — no, it was wild and a little lopsided, branches sticking out at odd angles. But it was there. Tinsel wrapped clumsily around it, bits of fabric tied like ribbons on the branches. At the very top, a carved, wooden star.

Tiny lanterns hung on the tree like makeshift ornaments, their soft glow flickering like Christmas lights. The glow you’d seen outside wasn’t from the lanterns, though. It was from the fireplace. Actual flames danced in the hearth, warmth seeping into every corner of the room.

Your breath hitched in your chest, tears already prickling at the edges of your eyes.

“Surprise.”

You spun around, your eyes landing on Kenny standing in the kitchen doorway, hands shoved into his coat pockets, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips. His jacket was dusted with snow, and his hair was a mess, strands sticking up in every direction. His cheeks were pink from the cold.

“You…” You blinked rapidly, taking a step closer. “You did this?”

“Yeah.” He shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal, but his gaze stayed fixed on you, watching your reaction. “You kept talking about how much you love Christmas, how it’s your favorite holiday, so…” He scratched the back of his head, eyes darting toward the tree. “Figured I’d bring Christmas to you.”

You stared at him, lips parted in shock. Your heart swelled so suddenly it felt like you might burst. A single tear slid down your cheek and a small laugh broke from your lips. You were in disbelief that he remembered. Every word you’d said about your family, about missing Christmas, about how much it hurt to be alone this year — he’d listened. Not only did he listen, he made it happen. He brought Christmas to you.

“Kenny,” you breathed, your voice shaking. “This is… this is the most thoughtful thing anyone’s ever done for me.”

He glanced down, a small, shy smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Well, I figured if we can’t be with our families, we can at least be with each other. I want you to know you’re never alone here.”

That was it. That was all it took for you to throw your arms around him, burying your face into his coat. He stiffened at first, surprised, but then his arms wrapped around you, holding you tight. His embrace was steady and solid, his chin resting lightly on the top of your head.

“Thank you,” you mumbled against his chest.

“Anytime,” he murmured, his voice low and soft.

—

After you’d changed, you sat with Kenny in front of the fireplace. The soft glow of the flames cast golden light across his face, flickering shadows making his features look even softer than usual. His jacket was draped over the back of the chair, and his sleeves were rolled up to his forearms as he sat cross-legged on the floor beside you.

The tree glowed softly behind you both, its handmade decorations swaying gently whenever the flames flickered too hard. It felt like a dream — like for just one night, this town wasn’t so bad.

“I have something for you,” Kenny said suddenly, reaching into his coat pocket.

You raised an eyebrow, curious. “What, you didn’t do enough already?”

He chuckled as he pulled out a small, wrapped bundle of fabric. It was tied with a simple string, but the fabric had been folded so neatly, you knew he’d spent time on it. His hands lingered for a second before he held it out to you.

“Go on,” he said, nodding toward it. “Open it.”

You took it carefully, fingers brushing over the fabric. You glanced at him once more, and his eyes softened in that way that made your chest ache in the best possible way. Slowly, you untied the string and unwrapped it.

Inside was a small, hand-carved figurine. It was rough, the edges a little uneven, but you knew exactly what it was. A wolf. Its face was tilted upward, howling at some invisible moon. The details weren’t perfect, but they didn’t need to be.

Your fingers traced over the carved lines, breath catching in your throat. “You made this?”

“Yeah,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck, his gaze flicking between you and the fire. “Found a piece of wood behind Colony House. Took me a while to get it right.”

You stared at him, heart thudding so hard you were sure he could hear it.

“I remember you telling me about that wolf you used to see near your house,” he said softly. “Thought maybe it could keep you company.”

“Kenny, I…” Your voice cracked, and you laughed, shaking your head. “I made you something too.”

His eyes widened, head tilting in surprise. “You did?”

You ran to the kitchen, grabbing the present that you wrapped with newspaper. You’d spent hours on this. Every night after curfew, you’d stayed up by lantern light, making sure every detail was just right. Your fingers still ached from it, but it had been worth it.

You made it back to your spot on the floor, and handed it to him, chewing your bottom lip nervously.

“Don’t laugh, okay?” you said, only half-joking.

He took it slowly, his gaze darting from you to the package, his brow furrowed in confusion. “Why would I laugh?”

“Just… open it.”

His fingers were careful as he peeled back the paper. Slowly, it revealed a canvas. The moment he saw it, his breath hitched. He pulled the paper away entirely, his eyes going wide as he stared at it.

It was a painting of him.

But it wasn’t just him. It was him sitting in front of the chessboard at Colony House, his brow furrowed in focus, his lips pursed in that determined way he always did when he was thinking too hard. His hand hovered over one of the chess pieces, mid-move. The firelight flickered behind him, casting warm oranges and deep shadows across his face. Every detail was there — his strong jawline, the crinkle between his brows, the steady focus in his eyes.

For once, he didn’t say anything. He just stared at it, his eyes scanning every part of the canvas like he couldn’t believe it was real.

You shifted nervously, heart pounding. “It’s not perfect,” you blurted, feeling the need to fill the silence. “The shading on your face is off, and I couldn’t quite get your hair right, but—”

He looked up at you so fast it made you stop talking.

“Are you kidding?” he said, his voice barely more than a whisper. “It’s incredible.” His gaze dropped back to the painting, his fingers brushing lightly over the canvas, like he didn’t want to smudge it. “You did this? For me?”

“Yeah,” you said, a shy smile tugging at your lips. “For you.”

He shook his head, letting out a soft, disbelieving laugh. His fingers ran over his face, then back through his hair, eyes still on the painting.

“I don’t even know what to say,” he muttered, glancing at you with the softest, most grateful expression you’d ever seen on him. “I’ve never had anyone do something like this for me.”

Your heart swelled.

“Good,” you said, voice quiet but steady. “Because you deserve it.”

He blinked at you for a moment, something shifting in his eyes. He leaned forward, and you didn’t move. You didn’t want to move. Slowly, he cupped the side of your face, his fingers warm against your skin.

His eyes searched yours for just a second longer, like he was making sure you were okay with it. Then, he leaned in and kissed you.

It was slow, soft, and warm — like the glow of the fire behind you. His lips lingered on yours, steady and sure, like he’d been thinking about this for a long time. When he pulled away, his forehead pressed against yours, his breath brushing against your cheek.

“Merry Christmas,” he whispered.

You smiled, eyes still closed. “Merry Christmas, Kenny.”

For the first time in a long time, it didn’t feel like you were just surviving.

For the first time, it felt like home.

#kenny liu x reader #kenny x reader #kenny from #fanfic #fanfiction #imagine #from tv series #from tv show #kenny liu

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archangeldyke-all · 1 year ago

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With the holidays around the corner can we get a ‘Christmas with sevika’?🥺I feel like she’d be the type to get really into decorating and making cookies and such🎄

anon idk if you've seen the arcane promo christmas art where sevika's grumpily wearing a paper crown in the background... but it's the cutest thing ever.

men and minors dni

until she meets you, sevika doesn't care about christmas.

but during your first christmas together, she has a change of heart.

she comes home from work one day to the apartment fully decorated, the smell of cookies in the oven, and the sight of you dancing around in a santa hat to chirstmas music as you string lights around the tree in the living room.

she thinks it's ridiculous, but she doesn't protest when you pull an elf cap around her ears and dangle mistletoe over your heads, kissing her hello.

she spends that first christmas slowly losing her grinch tendencies.

how could she be grumpy about the crazy holiday traffic when you're singing along to christmas carols in the passeger seat beside her? or when you're pressing a mug of hot chocolate (spiked with her favorite whiskey) in her hands? or making a new batch of cookies once a day, sending her off to work with a dozen to share with her co-workers? (she never shares btw-- your cookies are way too good for her to give 'em away.)

when the next year rolls around, sevika's actually a little excited for christmas.

she's missed the mistle toe hanging from the ceiling in your apartment. sure, she can kiss you whenever she wants, but she likes the tradition, likes pulling you under the little sprig and pointing up, watching the flustered smile that spreads across your lips when you realize what she's done.

she's missed the twinkling christmas lights, the gentle way they illuminate the dark apartment as the days get shorter and shorter.

she's especially missed your cookies.

you're surprised when she helps you decorate, but you don't say anything. you simply watch in adoration as she reaches up to place the star on top of the tree, licking your lips when her waist is exposed from her top riding up as she stretches.

she even starts buying her own decor to add to the apartment-- snowman themed blankets for the couch, those sticky clingy things for the window, a 'mrs. clause' lingerie set for you...

by the time you guys are married-- sevika's more into christmas than you are.

she goes all out decorating your front yard. lights lining your roof, blowup characters in the yard, ornaments on all your shrubs and bushes-- your house is The House of the neighborhood.

she buys three trees each year, one for the living room, one for the bedroom, one for her home office.

the only thing she doesn't do is bake cookies. she refuses to even try. claims that they won't be as good, because they 'won't have your love in 'em, babe.'

she lovessss the claymation christmas movies from back in the day. will have one playing at all times.

and in the month of december, she's always sure to carry around a sprig of mistletoe in her back pocket, so she can sneak attack you with kisses at any moment.

taglist!

@lesbeaniegreenie @fyeahnix @sapphicsgirl @half-of-a-gay @ellabslut @thesevi0lentdelights @sexysapphicshopowner @shimtarofstupidity @love-sugarr @chuucanchuucan @222danielaa

#sevika #sevika imagine #sevika arcane #sevika x reader #sevika x you

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lou-struck · 1 year ago

Text

Ice Spectating

Kei Tsukishima x reader

25 Days of Ficmas Day 2

W.C: 1.4k

~ It may be cold outside, but the joy of watching other people fall on the Ice Rink warms both yours and Tsukki’s hearts.

The city certainly outdid itself with this year’s holiday lights display at the park. Every tree and naked shrub is adorned with hundreds of little multicolored twinkly lights. Giant glass ornament sculptures line the walkways between the playgrounds, fire pits, and picnic benches, making it look extremely festive.

A paper cup of coca attempts to warm your mitten-clad hands as you try to match your boyfriend’s long strides, passing the delicate snowflake sculptures that rest upon the frozen lawn.

Like a giant marshmallow, Kei Tsukishima is bundled up in layer upon layer of winter outerwear. But somehow, he still shivers as he moves. You think it has to do with that lanky frame of his that you love, but it also could be that he, unfortunately, is the one getting the brunt of the winter wind as you walk.

The two of you have seen most of what the park has to offer, but you haven’t made it yet to the spot you have been wanting to check out the most: the ice skating rink.

“It’s getting colder, y/n,” he shivers, clutching his coffee cup even tighter. And looking down at you with ruddy cheeks, “If we stay out here much longer, we’re gonna catch hypothermia and not make it to Christmas.” Despite his words, you see the way his eyes crinkle in amusement at his own sarcasm, so you know not all hope is lost.

“Could we check out the Ice Skating Rink before we go?” you ask, looking up at him with big eyes. You know that once the two of you find a cozy spot to spectate next to one of the mini fire pits, he won’t be complaining about the cold for much longer.

“We’re not going skating, are we?” he asks, the cogs in his head turning inquisitively.

“Not at all,” you smile, “I just thought it would be cool to check it out, maybe watch some people fall on their butts in the ice.”

There is a light of hope behind his eyes as he stops in his tracks. The smile on his face is nothing less than joyful as the realization of your words wash over him. “People slipping?”

“Not just people,” you grin, leaning over to his ear and whispering into his ear. “Children.”

He snorts and turns away from you quickly. You know your boyfriend well, and there are only a few things funnier than watching little kids faceplant on the ice. Whenever you play those try-not-to-laugh challenges, it’s the five-second clip of a child running into the door that sends him over the top in ugly laughter.

“I guess we could watch for a little bit,” he says happily, taking your hand and leading you down the lighted pathways toward the Skate Ribbon. There is a spring in his step that wasn’t there as he walks, and you can’t help but wonder if the promise of people eating shit will convince him to go out more with you.

It does and It will.

Rounding the bend, you are amazed by the scene in front of you. What you knew in the summer months as the park’s roller skate ribbon has been transformed into a little winter wonderland. Blue and purple icicle-shaped lights are secured to the park’s metal poles and drape above the ice, illuminating the ground in color.

The little skate rental spot has been transformed as well. Gone are the roller skates and blades, and now all you can see are slightly worn ice skates on the long shelves.

Most people in the area are on the ice skating along the ribbon loop or gripping the railing for dear life, but there are a few more confident individuals in the center of the ice spinning around like they were born to do it.

It’s impressive, for sure, but not what either of you came here for.

“There’s a spot over there that looks warm.” Kei comments, pointing his cup of cocoa towards an empty seating area. The flames of the little bonfire burn lowly next to a cushioned metal park bench.

“It’s warm over here.” You sigh in relief as the heat from the flames permeates the air around you, warming your wind-chilled face. Now that you have another source of warmth, you are finally able to take a nice long sip of your hot chocolate. The rich liquid is still warm but not boiling, as it tingles your tongue.

“Very,” he nods, sitting right next to you on the bench. He follows suit and takes a polite sip of his own hot chocolate that quickly turns greedy. Sometimes, you forget about that little sweet tooth of his until he indulges it properly.

The two of you have the perfect view for people watching as people skate past your bench. Chuckling as children and adults alike fall onto their bottoms and drink your hot chocolate until only a bit of foam remains at the bottom of the cup. You toss it into the trashcan behind you as Kei downs the rest of his. It’s funny how the both of you forgot about the chilly air around you as you enjoy the warmth the wipeouts of the skaters provide.

He looks just beyond you at the park’s concession stand. “Do you want another cup?”

“Not yet, check them out,” you say eagerly, spotting a young couple skating side by side; one girl looks much more skilled on the ice than her date as she occasionally lets go of her hand to twirl a bit on her own, with movements as graceful as a swan’s. Her date, on the other hand, wobbles in her skates like a Bambi on ice, reaching for the railing for support.

“I bet you another hot chocolate that she’s going to fall as they go around the corner,” Kei says mischievously. His marshmallow-scented breath tickles the shell of your ear as you chuckle.

“I counter that and say that she’s not only going to fall, but she’ll take her date down with her when they try to help her,” you say confidently as the pair approach the corner together, once again hand in hand.

“I love you,” he sighs, craning his head down in your direction to kiss the crown of your head. “You make me feel like less of a jerk when I’m with you.”

“And I love you. You make me feel more able to say these kinds of things out loud without feeling bad,” you declare as the couple reach the corner.

Just as you predicted, the less skilled skater lose their balance on the turn. Her legs seem to flail around as she trips, still holding her date’s hand. They crash to the ground in a bundle of limbs and padding as other people try to get out of their way. You wince and try to stifle your snickering into Tsukki’s jacket sleeve at the rather funny fall.

It’s much funnier when you realize that no one was hurt.

“You’re gonna get us caught,” he whispers, trying to hide his own amusement. “You gotta keep it to yourself until they’re gone.”

You’re still staring at a loose thread on his padded winter coat as you respond. “Are they gone yet?”

“Still on the ground.”

You bring your attention back to the ice rink and see the two women laughing at themselves before helping each other clumsily off the icy ground. They link hands once again and skate off like nothing ever happened.

“Now, can we laugh?” you ask as they go out of sight.

“Not yet, look over there.” he nods his head to the left side of the rink, where some more experienced skaters are twirling mid-air before landing on the ice with one foot. It’s fascinating to watch, but you realize that your observant boyfriend is looking beyond the figure skaters and at a group of middle schoolers who look impressed by their movements.

Two of the boys separate from their group, bumping shoulders on the ice as they begin to skate toward the two of you. Gathering speed for what you assume to be a jump of their own.

“That’s not gonna end well,” you murmur, noting that the teens are proficient at skating in a straight line but clumsy on the corners, gripping the railing and propelling themselves around the bend.

Tsukishima, like the magnificent bastard he is, never takes his eyes off of the impending wipeout and gives your hand a squeeze. “Double or nothing, they cause a pile-up.

You can practically taste the next round of hot cocoa as you meet his gaze. “You’re on.”

Tagging: @enchantedforest-network

#haikyuu!!#kei tsukishima #tsukishima x reader #kei tsukishima x reader #hq x reader #hq #x reader #haikyuu #haikyuu x reader #hq fluff

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