#outer apace

[big-low-t]

Messier 33

[mantrabay]

Hearing Things Part 1

It’s a long distance whisper … I’m not paranoid but on this day.

There is a dark gothic feel to where I am right now if not more.

Just people who are meandering as if trapped.

They seem to be talking to themselves.

It’s something I can detect.

In the sense of looking for themselves or lost in some way.

The odds, the oddities, the weird synchronicities, coincidences.

Are these characters talking behind my back.

In my absence.

This notion is mounting apace.

I’m being burdened by this veiled whisper.

It mightn’t necessarily be negative.

It mightn’t even be of any real consequence.

Conflicting thoughts are swirling.

Are my own thoughts casting sounds?

Oh sense of loss.

The word loss has a running eerie resonance.

This otherworldly experience isn’t just a figment.

The lady I adore is faraway.

Ours is a blue moon occasional link up.

It hasn’t dimmed our passion over the years despite the infrequency of our meetings.

She is a person like me who has an ear tilted for the inexplicable.

Inklings are now flying.

I’m walking through peculiarity in a strange familiar street.

Maybe ominous is not the apt phrase.

The world, both inner and outer can play tricks.

It’s that itch in my ear.

You’d think I’d need a hearing aid.

But hardly with this mildly sinister ordeal?

A plot of some kind as my unsteady steps assume a life of their own.

It’s a Saturday afternoon.

But it’s like many a Saturday afternoon of late.

I’m this urban hobo in a daze.

Maybe the expression phase might “strike a chord.”

Is it this journey or broad search for a depth that seems illusory?

Guffaw, uproarious laughter, red faced giggles at me

It could of course be at others.

But at what one mystically ponders?

The location I’m presently exploring with these “hearings” as amorphous canvass.

Aloof but tangential muffled power.

Greyness suffuses everything and everyone I encounter.

My obsession with colour and structure lurk only within myself.

At least that’s what I tell myself.

It’s happening again.

I may this extraordinary power of hearing.

Some might say “Imagination” is more apt.

When life events occur which may have that unlikely reach internal self probes they place.

But at heart significant others in my life have been informed of what is happening to me.

Yet a shudder as that sonic intrusion into my ear recommences.

Quite regularly too.

These anecdotes of mine are not the inchoate musings of a troubled pysche.

The most bizarre vibrations emanating are from this day

Within the last six months it may appear that I have “LOST” everything to these hearings.

All the intrigue doing somersaults .., doing volte face, high risk surreptitious shadowy underhanders.

And meanwhile is there a convulsed conspiracy?

Despite this apparent weave of covert, undercover, spy thriller

who dunnitisms I laugh at each side of my mouth at it all.

Well, in intermittent spurts.

It may seem incredibly naive to guffaw when a myriad mosaic of fantastic upshots dash at rapid rail lightning speed presently.

There is from one standpoint an ironic comic stand, maybe stand up comic amusement.

The hearing has been magnified by me not in any alarmist interpretation of events..

Nor is it a question of having exaggerated connections in other people's lives.

“Oh my goodness, I nearly walked into a poster promoting the amazing powers of the mind for both emotional depth and uproarious laughter.

Did something or things actually tumble from a bulging carrier bag that had the forehead of a wrinkled brow?

And the incongruity.”

The notice I was actually getting now.

And there were people muttering oafish, thoughtless comments under their breaths.

They were pointing towards my feet.

One of the standers by had a disapproving grimace.

“Groans oozing corn about me being in deep conversation with myself.

They seem to say I must find myself so fascinating that I’m willing to risk my fascinating self.”

I find the above erroneous.

I heard someone say I must have left a lasting impression on that poster.

It was one way of getting in touch with myself.

Photographs and Short Story mine exclusively

I dedicate this post to my inspirational sister Jay A Pallen

I wish to thank everyone on tumbrl who view and consider this submission

Part 2 of this story to follow

[harrietwritesstuff]

Title: And, all your blood in the water Chapter wordcount: 2,300 Chapter: 1/2

Notes: Apologies for the transparent lack of anything actually resembling a plot. I tried, but it's mostly just… three bundles of vibes, angst and yearning stacked on top of one another in a trenchcoat pretending to be a plot; but we move.

It hadn't started this way, grim and cold and silent, the rasp of his breath too loud in his own head. It had begun ordinarily, with coffee and a glance over the schedule - or as ordinary as one's day can be, when living somewhere bordered by an egomaniacal neighbour hellbent on the destruction of your country. 

It was meant to be a bog-standard frontline trip; a chance to give medals - to talk, to see what their defenders really needed, to look them in the eye. Maks had watched Vova’s growing enthusiasm, unable to hide his own smile as they neared the checkpoint on the outer edge of the forest, chattering happily. There was more planned for the day, but this had felt like a nice moment to begin - somewhere outside in the fresh air; it always gave Volodymyr something he so missed; those moments of connection that were so absent in the endless meetings, the reports and briefings. 

The morning had ended with a yelled curse as everything descended rapidly into a nightmare, his hand grasping, yanking Volodymyr away from the epicentre of chaos by his hand; all the rage, gunfire, shrapnel - the two of them keeping pace with one another as they fled deeper into the woods. Too stunned to really engage with what had just happened, Volodymyr's snarky commentary had been consistent enough- surely by now they ought to have perfected their aim, they’ve had long enough, no? It was there really to disguise his worry, and had continued apace until a few hours ago. 

First the bitter sarcasm had drained away, and then eventually any attempt at conversation too.

“Maks–” Vova’s voice is almost ripped away by the wind as it howls through the trees. The only noise for the last hour has been the weather; the two of them struggling on in grim silence.

“What-?” The usual grace, his quiet adherence to protocol - always ‘sir' never ‘Volodymyr’, much less ‘Vova’ - is gone. Instead, his voice is hoarse, his temper short. The wind and the rain have sapped his energy, his drive - but they have to keep going. They can’t stop. It repeats in his head like a mantra.

A stationary target is easier to hit than a moving one.

They shouldn’t even be in this position. Stupid fucking russians and their incessant inability to let them just live in peace. He could kill the lot of them with his bare hands right now, down to the last worthless specimen. The inherent rage rears its head again and he has to take a deep breath, to push it back down, else he expend his limited energy on something so unproductive as anger. After a moment’s quiet, a steadying breath, he repeats the question, louder this time - pinning a small shred of politeness to his tone. This isn’t Vova’s fault - it isn’t fair. He didn’t sign up for this. His heart aches.

“What is it?”

“Maks. I don't feel–”

He turns awkwardly into the driving rain and stops short. He hadn't realised how far Vova had lagged behind and his stomach drops. Vova is pale, more than usual, horribly so - the dark circles under his eyes are black, even in the waning light - and there is a strange grey cast to his face. He lists heavily against a tree, the rain streaming down his face as he grips onto his left arm as though to hold himself together. His knees look as though they’re about to buckle.

“Don’t feel well.”

Retracing his steps, trying desperately not to think of progress undone, he moves to Vova’s side.

“You’re alright. I promise. Just a bit further.”

“No. Maks. I’m tired. Can’t we just- stay here- just for a minute. Catch our breath. I’m sure I’ve got a protein bar in my back pocket, we could share-” his voice is almost slurred, something rambling about his speech that sends alarm bells ringing in Maksym’s head.

“You’re alright. Come on, we need to keep going.”

Who is he trying to convince? Vova, or himself?

He takes a breath in, grabs hold of Vova’s arm to encourage him onwards - only to be the recipient of an earful of half-uttered curses and he yanks his hand back.

“What’s the matter?”

He can hear the irritated desperation in his own voice and he tries to swallow it down. 

“Feel– strange–”

Maksym frowns, rubbing a hand over his face to try and clear his vision, blurred by the rain. There's the looming sense now that - he’s missed something– there’s something wrong.. He reaches out a hand, less abrupt this time, moving slowly in the way one might with a wounded animal, his palm flat, out and open.

“Strange, hm?” He smiles faintly at the description, a kernel of affection buffeting up against his annoyance. Of course, he’s not unwell, or tired or sick, just.. strange. “Can I see?”

He doesn’t wait for permission, grasping hold of Vova’s hand, intending to pull him closer; both their palms slick with rain. Vova shivers, his teeth chattering as he tries to pull away, pain blanching his features to an unhealthy grey.

“S fine leave it. Need to go-”

His words are slurred now, unfocused.

Maksym ignores him, letting go of his hand. He positions himself as close as possible to shield Vova from the rain and pushes aside the ripped material of his jacket. His heart thumping in his ears, he hurriedly shoves up his sweatshirt and the henley beneath, ignoring Vova’s feeble attempts to get him to stop. It's a slow, awful reveal; a clumsily applied field dressing pressed haphazardly against his ribs. It's soaked through, the weight of it thick and heavy; a strangely pulsing parasite that shifts with every breath Vova takes. Maks carefully prises the bandages away. As he does so, a familiar smell hits him in the face, a coppery sharpness above the old scent of decaying leaves, wet vegetation. The torn skin beneath the gauze is red and angry, the ragged edges of the wound are swollen.

He swears under his breath. How had he missed this? In all the chaos - this ever unfolding nightmare - he hadn’t noticed this - hadn’t seen the impact from the initial explosion, the only thought in his head had been to get them away from it, from any chance they could be found. He hadn’t noticed the hastily applied first-aid job, done in a brief moment when he had not glanced back. He hadn’t seen the way Volodymyr lagged behind, his step becoming less sure as the hours dragged on. Hadn’t seen either, the slow drip of blood across the forest floor. Shit.

Vova shouldn't be bleeding this much. Hastily, he replaces the dressing with one from his own kit, pressing the edges down firmly, feeling Vova shudder under his hand. Maks watches with a growing sense of alarm as the snow-white linen is dappled with crimson.

“Why didn’t you say-” the words are mostly for himself, shot through with fear, frustration. Even if he had said, what difference would it have made to all this? The light in the sky is starting to fade now, the wind growing louder, the rain colder. He wonders if they will ever leave here, briefly - a darkness fluttering at the edges of his thoughts. Of course they will. They just have to keep going. They’ll have been missed long before, and he trusts his colleagues implicitly - trusts in every plan they have for escape, for evacuation.

“S’ matter?”

Volodymyr blinks at Maks innocently, as though he hadn’t just been hiding a gaping wound in his chest.

“Nothing. You’re alright. You're doing so well-” 

Carefully, he pulls Vova’s sweatshirt back down, filled with the gnawing realisation that the material isn't wet with rain - it's bloody. He glances down at his hands, the dark red slowly washed away by the pounding rain. He wipes his hands shakily on his combat trousers, the stain barely visible - as though it hadn't been there in the first place, something dreamlike about all this; a ghastly nightmare he doesn't know how to wake up from.

A strange little laugh fills the air between them and Maks feels his chest go tight.

“Mm. Not sure about that- ‘vreyone’s tired Maks. I’m tired.”

You are. I promise. You're doing so well.

“Just a little longer. For me?”

Please. I don't think I can carry you through this.

Again, quieter, fainter.

“‘M tired Maks-”

For a while, in the forest, beneath the pounding rain - it's unclear what either of them means; the here and now, or something larger, wider than the two of them.

Vova looks at him and smiles thinly, taking a shaky step forward. Blood drips steadily onto the dirt, great fat drops swallowed up by the earth. For a long moment he seems frozen in the pouring rain; something unbearably unearthly about him; the rain dripping down his pale face, his eyes dark, so dark they are almost black. He gets no further as his eyes roll back into his head and his knees give way. It happens instantaneously - there is no shock or surprise on his gaunt face, just a silent shuttering, an emptiness.

He moves without even thinking and in a millisecond - Maksym is the only thing stopping the President from collapsing in a heap on the wet floor. He staggers beneath the limp weight, one arm around Vova, the other supporting his head, cradling him against his chest. Despite the freezing rain, the back of his neck beneath Maksym's hand is warm. 

This time, Maks swears aloud.

~~

Clutched in his arms, Vova is a dead weight, gone utterly limp, his eyes rolled back in his head, face slack - Maks knows this is bad; knows he should keep talking to him, demand he stays awake, keep pestering him until he glares balefully and grunts something annoyed. But he can't. He doesn't have the energy to spare, or the breath as he drags in another lungful of cold, sharp air.

It's all he can do to hold onto Vova without fucking dropping him. He can just imagine the conversation now-

Donets, why does the President have a gaping wound in his chest and a bleeding gash on his forehead?

I dropped him in the middle of the bastarding forest because I was too tired to think straight, too exhausted to do my job. Sorry about that. Blame the russians for the chest wound though-

He winces at the thought of the conversation and then again as his foot lands awkwardly on the slope, the ground half giving way beneath his boot, his knee twisted. For a moment, he stands there, breathing harshly, forcing himself to stay still, to ignore the sudden throbbing pain of his ankle and knee, his muscles screaming in protest as he tenses up to keep his balance.

He swallows down a stream of curses that linger at the back of his raw throat.

You need to keep going, but don't throw yourself and the President down the bloody hill you utter moron.

Having the both of them collapse onto the damp, leafy floor is not the best course of action, though it would certainly be easier at this point. His arms hurt. For all Volodymyr has lost an alarming amount of weight lately, he is still a grown man, all limbs and edges and muscles - somehow unwieldy despite his compact size. The weight of Vova wedged against Maksym's chest presses hard against his sternum, every breath is a grating gasp for air, his lungs too constricted to expand properly. If he moves Vova from where he's clasped against his chest, he isn't sure if his grip will hold.

His knuckles are white, his biceps cramped.

His legs hurt with a dull, burning pain that comes from over exertion in too-cold temperatures. He wants to lie down.

The cold wind slices through him again and he squints into the pouring rain. . He just..  has to keep going; his sense of direction enough, the hope enough. It has to be.

He takes a shaky breath in and then another step. And another. His calf muscles howl in protest, stretched beyond endurance. His ribs ache savagely, the dull thump of a swelling bruise settling below his skin, far too familiar for comfort. Everything hurts, his back too. In his arms, Vova is slack, the white column of his throat exposed, horrifyingly vulnerable. It would be so easy to stop, to stay here, to collapse to the floor and wait for the rain to stop. To stay here and wait for the russians to find them. It isn't fear that drags at the edge of Maksym's thoughts but a blunt, grey tiredness.

Vova was right. He is tired. They all are.

He bites down on his tongue until he can taste iron and salt.

Move. You need to keep moving.

He takes one step. And then another. His mind empties slowly as he continues on. His thoughts are hazy, filled with the sound of the rain, the weight of Vova against his chest. Even the driving, gnawing pain of his own body flickers, fades into the background. There's nothing else for a long, long time. Just the rain, and the dull, burning weight of all that he carries. Hours have passed, his whole self utterly numb with cold, his fingers frozen. His steps are slow, every one of them a conscious effort through the howling void inside his head. It feels endless - there is nothing else now except the next step, the weight in his arms. All he knows is that he has to keep going, to continue because- he can't stop. There has to be an end - either he reaches the edge of the forest where surely - someone will know they are missing, will have come to find them; because there is always a plan for escape, for evasion, and then- then what?

There's a dull roaring sound in his ears. He looks up.

[foxgirlchorix]

Every part of her body is a detector, but nonetheless she does not pay heed to the planet until it finally touches the true density of her body. It is some rogue planet, that much is obvious- speeding through space, frozen solid despite its noteworthy size. With the emptiness of space, she doesn't get to meet such large entities that often- even if she spread herself out ten times more thinly than her vast bulk already is. The planet slows as it plunges through her, succumbing gradually to drag as she forms a tight seal around it. Even now her body is acting upon it, the outer centimetres of frozen fossil atmosphere beginning to evaporate and dissolve.

But to dissolve is the domain of acids, and a slimegirl can play around with such things. Her domain is to absorb- to digest, to understand. She proceeds apace, working in concert with herself to evenly strip layers of ice like mineral strata. She eats through the actual mineral strata nearly as fast, tasting silicates and carbides and so many other elements besides. She tries to save the mercury for last, for obvious reasons. Not for the first time, she's happy about having the ability to discern things at tiny scales- it'd be scary to not fully understand the fossils she comes across, let alone if she was missing them entirely!

The planet noticeably shrinks as she eats her way through the frozen mantle, keeping up the pressure from the now-missing upper portions of the planet to allow her to study the planet in its more-or-less natural form. By rights those parts of her should solidify- but again, a slimegirl can play around with such things. She doesn't think she's ever had the chance to examine a true planet before- it's at once odd and familiar, even as she gets to the exotic conditions at its metal core. For someone mostly used to passively encountering comets and asteroids every once in a while, it's a true bounty. By now the planet has vanished from view, but its mass is her substance now- and she carries the memory of all of it within her.

[bloodsworn-marshal]

Writing Prompt: Bark Word Count: 1230

Early morn… right as the sun barely peeked beyond the horizon. The sun’s rays beginning the light the land as night turned to dawn. Much of the realm still asleep at this hour, save for those who began the motions of readying for a day of work.

Those few who were well and wide awake at this hour already had gathered just outside the outer walls of Ul’dah. A private courtyard connected to the back of the Immortal Flames’ headquarters which usually served as a training grounds once upon a time. Now, however, it found its use for more menial usage ever since the company acquired the gladiator’s coliseum under their name. Such as training exercises, a wide enough space to socialize with one another, a way to communicate with runners from Ala Mhigo and nearby castrums… or like at this very moment: Morning drills and sound off.

Before the crowd of Flames, joining in one after the other, barked the Flame General. Relaying orders and reports of the day prior. Commanders and Captains joining in and sounding off as they gathered their squadrons and divided the new day’s work amongst themselves. A great opportunity to meet each morn and make sure all was on the same page.

“Our efforts proceed apace! Do not squander the peace we have been afforded, for now is our time to rebuild in truth. We are at a place where our concerns and actions are finally being smiled upon by the Sultanate themselves—I cannot emphasize enough how completely paramount it is that we get this right!”

A familiar speech amongst the troops of late. The war between they and Garlamald had come to an end—to the point the Alliance now assisted with those who had survived the near annihilation of their culture. That of the realm meeting its doom and the Final Days had also been swiftly dealt with by the Scions. What remained now came with the aftermath.

Restore. Negotiate. Make peace.

Not only with their neighbors whether it be as far as Ala Mhigo or as close to home as the Sultanate. But also with those of the Amalj’aa—that which Pipin Tarupin has mainly spearheaded with his frequent visits amongst the different desert clans.

Morning assembly was swiftly coming to an end. Their orders given and their destinations in mind. They would take to heart their every effort would mean something. No longer mere soldiers of war up for slaughter, but now they would give meaning in different ventures. Important ones where bloodshed no longer be a given.

With a flames salute and a roar of consensus amongst them, they departed to their given stations. As they would continue to do as they strived for a better future.

…

“Report!”

“Sir!”

Back in the Flame Halls had Pipin returned to his office. An already exasperated look on his face as a pile of paperwork had found its way to his desk at some point during their morning meeting. Slipped past him when he thought it already complete…

There would already be a slue of things waiting for him and he hardly had a moment to afford. Check in with their diplomatics, look over reports, attend meetings with the Sultanate, the Sultana, this and that and…

He sighed inwardly. Already getting ahead of himself. Who knew that a time of peace would be reason for the every day to get ever busier?

The lieutenant standing before him lowered their salute as they were given permission to speak, eyes darting nervously from side to side as they gathered themselves. Pipin perked a curious brow, but otherwise awaited their report.

“Speak plainly.” He bid them not to beat around the bush—he was a busy man after all. His attention ever in high demand.

“Well…” The soldier closed their eyes, as if this were indeed anything worth reporting. But their squadron had begged at their behest. And so they would see it through. “It would seem one of my sergeants has found an intruder in our midst.”

Once again Pipin’s brows raised and looked as they he were about to interject about the who and the what before the lieutenant spoke once more. “You see… on our way back from morning drills, they found a little miscreant had snuck inside and…”

“And…?”

…

“You’re jesting, right?”

The beginning of a whole new headache. One that Pipin knew not if he had the energy to give attention for.

There, sitting in a box in one of the office rooms, was a small pup. A young pup at that, no more than a few moons old if that. It yapped and whined, shaking in anxiousness or mayhaps even excited. It was hard to tell at that age as it stared back at the group of visitors. Tail wagging and pawing at the edges of said box.

Both lieutenant and sergeant surrounded the flame general on either side, faces filled with awe over the little bundle of joy. And obviously trying to play on Pipin’s feelings as they tried to convince him of keeping the dog.

…Pipin never did have a way with animals. He didn’t have the attention to care for one nor did any have a specific likeness for him either aside from his combat bird. Most specifically—he didn’t have the time for one!

“It can’t stay here…” He murmured, squatting down to get a closer look at the pup. Staring back at him were big sweet eyes only a youngling could have, as if drawing one in to a point that they couldn’t go back. “It can’t…”

The pup managed to flop half of its body over the top of the box just enough to where it could reach its tiny paws out and paw at Pipin’s knees. Both of his soldiers ooh’d and aww’d from behind him, begging for him to reconsider. And the more he stared at it, the more he felt like maybe. Just maybe.

“I won’t be its caretaker.” He huffed, giving the two a rather discerning look. “Train it the same as we do our combat birds. It shall find its use in our halls, else we have no need for a scavenger runt looking for food.”

“Aye! Of course, sir!”

Pipin sighed deeply as he looked down upon the pup once more. Finally giving in to smoothing his hand over its head in a gentle pet. That which made the dog yip a little too gleefully—and nip at his fingers. A telltale sign for what was to come.

This would be such a headache indeed.

Yet for all the Flame General’s initial complaints and assumed aloofness to care for the animal in any capacity, rumor spread around the halls. About how he occasionally snuck out of his office to see the pup and how it was doing. Giving it a rare treat on the occasion… and even rarer an actual smile to accompany it! Not that he’d ever admit to it. With plenty a bandage wrapped around his hands for every time the dog bit or scratched at him (whether out of being too excited or… Pipin simply could not figure out how to handle it properly). But one thing is to say for certain: It would make for a great guard dog someday, depending on who it would decide is its owner most.

[positivelybeastly]

Warning: Warp Core Breach A Lot Sooner Than You Think

Continued from [x]

@fasciinating

"Lead? Oh, I think you're rather mistaken, my good man." He had underestimated just how badly life support had been damaged if it had already started to affect a human/Vulcan hybrid presumably used to Vulcan's thin air so severely. Hank had lungs the sizes of balloons, a cardiopulmonary system so well developed he could win any Olympic event - Spock was struggling to stand, even if he was doing his best not to show it.

Then again, explosive decompression of the outer hull and most of the interior atmosphere did tend to have that effect.

"Lead implies I believe you to be of sound enough body and mind to traverse the hallways of a collapsing space vessel on yon shaky ambulatory limbs - but I do not, in fact, believe this to be the case." With an agility that belies his hulking blue form, Hank all but hoists Spock up onto his back, securing him with an articulated rescue harness.

"Therefore, your recommended mode of travel is the Beast Express. If you wouldn't awfully mind keeping all hands and legs inside the vehicle, your rescue will proceed apace!"

The instant he was certain the Ambassador's son was secure, Hank began to move through the ship like a propulsive ping pong ball, bouncing from wall to bulkhead to ceiling to railing like the vessel was a jungle gym. For him, by and large, it was.

Though, depending on Spock's constitution, he might have some complaints.

"Blast - we're coming up on engineering sub-deck C. Junction thirty four alpha is out, we're going to have to re-route." Coming to a momentary stop, Hank fiddled with his handheld scanner, attempting to map out an alternate path around a rather comprehensive blockage. Half the damned deck had blown out.

"Suggestions? This is your vessel, I'd hate to steal your thunder."

[milatovar]

Hexagram 27 – Nourishment

Roots seek sustenance, yet ask not where, Fractals blossom, apace they form. Mouths open, and silence dares, To nourish, we become the storm.

In fleeting patterns, breath abides, Fractured lines entwine the void. Endowed with wisdom, nature hides, Where silence speaks, and thoughts avoid.

Hitherto, the wind remains, Albeit still, the fractals grow. Endless nourishment we must sustain, Not from the mouth, but deep below.

Colors associated: Emerald, deep violet, and muted gold.

Symbols associated: Open mouth, fractal tree, hidden spring.

Geometry associated: Recursive spirals, concentric circles, branching networks.

Description of Hexagram 27: Hexagram 27, Nourishment, reflects the importance of cultivating both inner and outer sustenance. It speaks to the balance between what is consumed, whether food or thought, and what is given in return. The hexagram shows a figure with an open mouth, symbolising the intake of nourishment, but the wisdom hails from seeking sustenance beyond the mere physical — one must nurture the soul and spirit, seeking clarity in thoughts and actions. The lines of the hexagram delineate a cycle of self-replenishment and mindful consumption. Like the natural flow of a fractal, nourishment is self-perpetuating, as long as one remains attentive to the quality of what is absorbed and given out.

Guidance from Nourishment: Decidedly, the call here is to cultivate attentiveness, whereby one must nurture the self with care, albeit quietly and purposefully. Avoid distractions, as they are nothing short of a drain on your essence. Seek balance in both word and deed, lest the mind be consumed by chaotic thoughts. Thereby, take nourishment from simplicity and clarity, not opulence or confusion. Focus not on quantity, but quality, for what sustains your spirit may not be blatantly apparent, and hitherto, the strength you seek is within the quieter spaces of your mind, as fractals grow unseen, yet endlessly.

[rutujamnm]

Carbon Fiber Construction Repair Market worth $192 million by 2028

The report "Carbon Fiber Construction Repair Market by Product Type (Rebar, Fabric, Plate), Application (Residential & Commercial Building, Infrastructure, Industrial), and Region (North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, MEA) - Global Forecast to 2028", is estimated at USD 119 million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 192 million by 2028, at a CAGR of 10.0% from 2023 to 2028. The aging infrastructure, government support for construction repair projects, and rapid urbanization are triggering the growth of the carbon fiber construction repair market. The high growth of construction repair composites can be attributed to the growing number of construction repair projects globally due to the rising population, rapid urbanization, and high economic growth in some regions. Emerging markets like China, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia are showing remarkable growth due to the aforementioned factors. Also, construction repair composites are much better alternatives to traditional substitutes, i.e., steel and aluminum. This has been a decisive factor in carbon fiber composite growth, especially in regions like North America and Europe, where the usage of construction repair composite products is quite high.

Download pdf-https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=161390861

The carbon fiber fabric segment is expected to account for the largest market share in 2022, in terms of both value and volume.

Carbon fiber fabric is a lightweight, high-strength material that is increasingly being used in commercial building repair. It is especially well-suited for repairing and strengthening concrete structures, which are the most common type of commercial building structure. It can be used to repair a wide range of concrete defects, including cracks, spalls, delamination, and corrosion. It can also be used to strengthen concrete structures to increase their load-bearing capacity or resistance to seismic forces. Generally, epoxy bonding is used to apply carbon fiber fabric to concrete surfaces. The fabric is first cut to size before being bonded to the concrete with a special epoxy resin. The epoxy resin cures to form a strong and long-lasting bond between the fabric and the concrete.

Residential & commercial building applications are expected to grow with the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Carbon fiber composite products have a wide range of properties that make them ideal to use in the repair of residential projects across the globe. These properties include a high strength to weight ratio and anti-corrosion properties. Steel mesh is getting widely replaced by grids or sheets of composite fiber made carbon fiber composites, which are used in the inner as well as outer sections of concrete wall elements. The use of composite fiber sheets helps to decrease the overall weight of structural units and provides the needful chemical protection.

Request sample- https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=161390861

North America is expected to account for the largest share in 2022

Carbon fiber construction repair is in high demand in the North American region due to its use in the repair of commercial, residential, bridges, silo-flue pipes, oil and natural gas pipelines, water structures, and industrial structures. Among the many repair projects driving the market of carbon fiber construction repair in North America are the Old Youngs Bay Bridge across Youngs Bay in Astoria, Oregon (US), Huntley Bridge Perry's Creek Bridge in Burleigh Falls, Ontario (Canada), and Teed Bridge Cumberland County, Nova Scotia (Canada).

Prominent companies in the carbon fiber composite repair market include SIKA AG (Switzerland), Mapei SpA (Italy), Fosroc Inc. (UAE), Master Builders Solutions (Germany), Critica Infrastructure (US), AB-SCHOMBURG Yapi Kimyasallari A.S. (Turkey), Dowaksa (UAE), Dextra Group (Thailand), Rhino Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Products (US), Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (Japan), Toray Industries Inc. (Japan), Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc. (US), Antop Global Technology Co., Ltd. (China), Sireg Geotech S.r.l. (Italy), and Chomarat Group (US).

[rohitpalan]

Forecasting the Future: Small Satellite Market's 15.3% CAGR Propels Industry to US$ 55.9 Billion by 2033

The small satellite market is expected to thrive at a strong CAGR of 15.3% during the forecast period. The market is anticipated to cross a market size of US$ 55.9 billion by 2033, while it holds a revenue of US$ 13.5 billion in 2023.

The expanding space exploration programs around the world have become an important element in the space race. Thus, the applications of small satellites become important

Small satellite market thrives on factors such as new technology, research and development programs, and private companies and startups investing in outer space exploration.

Countries and their defence programs are also adopting a huge number of small satellites while also building constellations for observation and surveillance.

Request a Sample Copy of the Report  https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3298

Different types of carriers and launch pads have also been built according to the reusable rockets and satellites. The latest addition to sustainable technology is the use of reusable and biodegradable materials while building satellites to minimize space waste.

Emerging economies like India and China have started building and advancing their space exploration programs with the help of commercial rides, payload carriers, and satellite carriers. Small startups are also helping organizations like ISRO and DRDO to create sustainable solutions for space programs.

Key Points

The US market for small satellite holds the biggest market share and is likely to cross the anticipated values of US$ 7.2 Bn by 2033 with a CAGR of 14.8%. The growth rate is rising for the US market as the market flourished from a lower CAGR of 11.0% between 2017 and 2022.

The Indian small satellite market thrives at the highest CAGR of 18.2% during the forecast period, while like revenue of US$ 701.1 million by 2033. The regional market was at a lower CAGR of 13.5% during the previous forecast period.

The small satellite market outlook states that the nanosatellites segment continues to lead the satellite type category with a CAGR of 15.9% between 2023 and 2033. The growth is owed to the easy implementation, effective use and cheaper cost.

Based on end-user type, the defence segment thrives at a CAGR of 15.3% between 2023 and 2033. This is due to the increased use of surveillance for enhanced security of the defense personnel.

Festive Offer! Get Customized Report at 40% Discount: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/customization-available/rep-gb-3298

Competitive Landscape

Major players in small satellite market focus on experimenting with the size by using lighter materials in the production of these small satellites. Brands make satellites with a weight of 500 kg to increase performance and save rocket fuel too. Key players in the market are Orbital ATK, Inc., Ball Corporation, Airbus, Boeing, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., QinetiQ, ISIS- Innovative Solutions In Space B.V., OHB SE, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., Planet Labs Inc.

For instance:

Lockheed Martin Corporation launched its advanced satellite series which has LM 50, offering compact size, optimized design, and efficient packaging while its mission life lies between three months to five years.

Ball Corporation has introduced BCP 100, which is a small satellite and offers a rapid and frequent response to meet mission requirements. Another satellite is BCP 300 that is applied for the demonstration mission for tests and other technological experiments.

Key Segments

By Satellite Type:

Micro-Satellite

Mini-Satellite

Nano-Satellite

Pico-Satellites

By End User:

Civil

Commercial

Defense

By Region:

North America

Latin America

Europe

Asia Pacific (APAC)

Middle East & Africa (MEA)

[lalsingh228-blog]

3D Radar Market to Eyewitness Huge Growth by 2023-2030

Latest business intelligence report released on Global 3D Radar Market, covers different industry elements and growth inclinations that helps in predicting market forecast. The report allows complete assessment of current and future scenario scaling top to bottom investigation about the market size, % share of key and emerging segment, major development, and technological advancements. Also, the statistical survey elaborates detailed commentary on changing market dynamics that includes market growth drivers, roadblocks and challenges, future opportunities, and influencing trends to better understand 3D Radar market outlook. List of Key Players Profiled in the study includes market overview, business strategies, financials, Development activities, Market Share and SWOT analysis: ASELSAN A.S. (Turkey), Northrop Grumman Corporation (United States), Raytheon Company (United States), Thales Group (France), Airbus Defense and Space (United States), BAE Systems plc (United Kingdom), Honeywell International Inc. (United States), SAAB Group (Sweden), ELTA Systems Ltd. (Israel), Indra Sistemas, S.A. (Spain), Rheinmetall AG (Germany). Download Free Sample PDF Brochure (Including Full TOC, Table & Figures) @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/sample-report/67400-global-3d-radar-market Brief Overview on 3D Radar: 3D radar is a radar system that provides a three-dimensional view of the range, altitude, and direction using a very narrow pencil beam. The 3D radar system is generally used for air defense and interception. These systems used for numerous applications such as air and terrestrial traffic control, air-defense systems, radar astronomy, aircraft anti-collision systems, antimissile systems, marine radars to locate landmarks and other ships, ocean surveillance systems, outer space surveillance, and rendezvous systems. The factors such as Increased Government Fundings on Security and Increasing Use of Modern Warfare Techniques are driving the global 3D Radar market. However, High Cost Associated with 3D Radar System may hamper the market growth. Key Market Trends: Introduction of Highly Adaptable Multiple Mission Radars Opportunities: Increasing Number of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Growing Deployment of Air & Missile Defense Systems Market Growth Drivers: Increased Government Fundings on Security

Increasing Use of Modern Warfare Techniques Challenges: Lack of Skilled Professionals Segmentation of the Global 3D Radar Market: by Type (Long Range, Medium Range, Short Range), Platform (Airborne, Ground, Naval), Frequency Band (C/S/X band, E/F band, L band, Others) Purchase this Report now by availing up to 10% Discount on various License Type along with free consultation. Limited period offer. Share your budget and Get Exclusive Discount @: https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/request-discount/67400-global-3d-radar-market Geographically, the following regions together with the listed national/local markets are fully investigated: • APAC (Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, India, and Rest of APAC; Rest of APAC is further segmented into Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, New Zealand, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka) • Europe (Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe; Rest of Europe is further segmented into Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Norway, Sweden, The Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania) • North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico) • South America (Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Rest of South America) • MEA (Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa) Furthermore, the years considered for the study are as follows: Historical data – 2017-2022 The base year for estimation – 2022 Estimated Year – 2023 Forecast period** – 2023 to 2028 [** unless otherwise stated]

Browse Full in-depth TOC @: https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/reports/67400-global-3d-radar-market

Summarized Extracts from TOC of Global 3D Radar Market Study Chapter 1: Exclusive Summary of the 3D Radar market Chapter 2: Objective of Study and Research Scope the 3D Radar market Chapter 3: Porters Five Forces, Supply/Value Chain, PESTEL analysis, Market Entropy, Patent/Trademark Analysis Chapter 4: Market Segmentation by Type, End User and Region/Country 2016-2027 Chapter 5: Decision Framework Chapter 6: Market Dynamics- Drivers, Trends and Challenges Chapter 7: Competitive Landscape, Peer Group Analysis, BCG Matrix & Company Profile Chapter 8: Appendix, Methodology and Data Source Buy Full Copy 3D RadarMarket – 2021 Edition @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/buy-now?format=1&report=67400 Contact US : Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager) AMA Research & Media LLP Unit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJ New Jersey USA – 08837 Phone: +1 201 565 3262, +44 161 818 8166 sales@advancemarketanalytics.com

[itsgerges]

Best Greetings

Why Should We Refuse Newton Theory Of The Sun Gravity?

-         (1) The Theory Logic Is Wrong

-         The Planet Should Be Created And Move By The Same One Force – means

-         If the sun gravity causes this planet motion, the sun should create this planet, because one force should create and move the planet –

-         The idea is clear, because if the planet be created by any force and then moves by the sun gravity this planet will be destroyed because the gravity (forces) the planet to move (against) its data –

-         I wish to explain the direction by the next example

-         Venus axial tilt is 177.4 degrees Why?? because Venus motion forces its axial tilt to be 177.4 deg – means- the motion isn't created by the axial tilt 177.4 deg NOT on the contrary, the motion be obligatory and forced the axial tilt to be 177.4 deg.

-         The motion is a force come from out of the planet (perfectly as Newton described the sun gravity effect) but the motion creates this planet data – Here is the point – the motion effects on this planet data and causes to create it in harmony.

-         The ides is simple and clear- shortly– We have 2 players which are, Planet motion and its data – both be in harmony – that can be done only if – one force causes the 2 players – that disproves Newton Theory Of The Sun Gravity

-         And

-         You see we have 2 players (planet motion and its data) but both of them are dependent and no one of them be the maker – then – the question is – From Where The Motion Be Created If There's No Gravity Of The Sun?

-         This idea also is a simple one –

-         Mercury motion and data be in harmony because both be created by one force    

-         But

-         What about Venus? Also

-         Venus motion and data be in harmony because both be created by one force,

-         So, Earth must be different!! Of course not

-         Earth motion and data be in harmony because both be created by one force,

-         The point is that

-         From One Force The Solar Planets Be Created And Moving – here we talk about a MACHINE MOTION which contains all solar planets

-         The straight logic tells, the solar planets must be created and moving by effect of ONE FORCE to save the planets and guarantee the motions harmony  

-         But

-         If this is the situation – that tells– One Important Conclusion

 -         (2) One Motion

-         (A Conclusion)

-         The solar planets be created based on one design, and be controlled by one law  and the planets motions be integrated into One Unified General Motion.

-         Let's try to explain that in following:

-         Let's suppose the planets move one unified motion as a machine of gears- means- each planet motion be integrated with another planet motion and together they create one unified motion as machine of gears.  

-         Let's use this idea as a hypothesis and test it

-         This unified motion will be the planet motion maker– because it defines a specific type of motion should be done by this planet to enable the motions integration and as a result the planets motions be obligatory motions defined by some force greater than any planet – simply all of them under force –

-         The planets have to modify their data with the required motion type and by that the planet data be in harmony with its motion

-         Here we see why it's necessary to have one force only behind – because if planet creation be done by some force and the motion be done by another force this conflict will be seen in the planet motion features and will cause this planet to be destroyed.

-         Based on that

-         All planets motions be complementary with one another and that forces these planets data to be complementary with one another – as a result – ONE LAW controls all planets creation and motion data.

-         That explains why the planets data be created based on exact equations and mathematical calculations as I prove in my paper (my 4 equations do that)

-         Now – the question must be asked at end – What's Our Man Here?  

-         What's The Creator And Motor? They Are The Queen And The King

-         I tell you now about the queen – but later I will refer to the king

-         The queen is One Geometrical Design be found behind the solar system

-         There's one geometrical design be found before the solar system creation – means- the solar planets be created based on one map or one geometrical design –

 -         means

-         A Geometrical Design be found before to create any planet or distance in the solar system – the creator has a design before creation – and based on this design the creator created the planets data and their distances based on geometrical equations and mathematical calculations to guarantee the motions general harmony.

-         I want to say

-         The creator created the planets and their distances based on one geometrical design – by this design – the planets motions be created complementary one another and by that the planets motions create one unified general motion – and as a result – one law controls all planets creation and motion data – based on that – the planets data be created by exact equations and mathematical calculations- the main player here is – The One Geometrical Design (The Queen)

-         What do I need to prove this idea?

-         I need to prove there's one geometrical design behind the solar system- let's do it in following…  

-         (Notice, The king is the light – the light motion creates the one geometrical design and based on this geometrical design the solar system be created- because the planet matter and its distance both are energies be created out of one light beam energy- but – I don't fight here to prove that light motion causes to create the solar system – because The One Geometrical Design is a great discovery I do need to prove it by all means before)

 -         (3) One Geometrical Design Be Found Behind The Solar System  

-         How to prove "One Geometrical Design Be Found Behind The Solar System"?

-         (a)

-         Because all planets be created and move by one force – this force can control all planets creation and motion data if it uses one geometrical design –

-         (b)

-         The planets data be created and distributed geometrically – and this geometrical distribution of data proves it depends on one geometrical design.

-         And

-         I have proved, Planets data be created based on exact equations and mathematical calculations – that proves the geometrical distribution of data

-         (c)

-         The solar system distances be created in a network form (as a chess board) which proves that (all distances) depend on One Geometrical Design

-         (Continued)

 Kind Regards

 Please read my paper

 We Should Refuse Newton Theory Of The Sun Mass Gravity

 https://www.academia.edu/s/7de3fa63e9

 https://www.academia.edu/74926893/We_Should_Refuse_Newton_Theory_Of_The_Sun_Mass_Gravity

 https://app.box.com/s/ywvyrwn7x1br6qdt0ohqk5ta5b9gi4i5

 https://app.box.com/s/htowfkxid3cdswn9ryo8yg4m7kixau86

 Gerges Francis Tawdrous +201022532292

Physics Department- Physics & Mathematics Faculty  

Peoples' Friendship university of Russia – Moscow   (a former student 2010-2013)

Curriculum Vitae           http://vixra.org/abs/1902.0044

E-mail                            mrwaheid@gmail.com, mrwaheid1@yahoo.com

                                     gergesgerges@yandex.ru                  

ORCID                          https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1041-7147

Facebook                       https://www.facebook.com/gergis.tawadrous/

VK                                 https://vk.com/id696655587

Tumblr                           https://www.tumblr.com/blog/itsgerges  

Researcherid                  https://publons.com/researcher/3510834/gerges-tawadrous/

Google                                https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=2Y4ZdTUAAAAJ&hl=en

Livejournal                     https://gerges2022.livejournal.com/profile

Pocket https://getpocket.com/@646g8dZ0p3aX5Ad1bsTr4d9THjA5p6a5b2fX99zd54g221E4bs76eBdtf6aJw5d0?src=navbar

Discord                          https://discord.gg/sgQFvUvT

Twitter                           https://twitter.com/GfTawdrous

Quora                                      https://www.quora.com/profile/Gerges-FTawdrous

 PUBLICATIONS

box                                https://app.box.com/s/47fwd0gshir636xt0i3wpso8lvvl8vnv

Academia                       https://rudn.academia.edu/GergesTawadrous

List of publications        http://vixra.org/author/gerges_francis_tawdrous

Slideshare                            https://www.slideshare.net/Gergesfrancis

[sscriqui]

Happy Earth Day to you from our garden! I think petunia looks like outer space!

[elen-aranel]

May be having further soft thoughts about one Captain Christopher Pike. An update to Lt., Phone Home may be on the cards (after we get through a load more plot that is because apparently I write plot it is a thing I do)

[frees-erotic-writings]

Official muse list

Note: A name that's been italicized is an oc that belongs to someone else, a name that's been boldened, and italicized is mine.

RWBY: Team RWBY, Team CORS, Pyrrha Nikos, Nora Valkyrie, Coco Adel, Velvet Scarletina, Fox Alister, Team NDGO, Jaune Arc, Sun Wukong, Glynda Goodwitch, Ilia Amolita, Kali Belladonna, Ghira Belladonna, Sienna Khan, Winter Schnee, Willow Schnee, Raven Branwen, Summer Rose, Vernal, Emerald Sustrai, Cinder Fall, Salem (Human/Grimm), Grimm, Hozukimaru Wukong, Lyon, Jade, Meryl, Jade, Baelz Zirconia, Zephyr Nikos Zirconia, Lupin Nikos Zirconia, Scarlet Nikos Zirconia, Bast Belladonna Zirconia, Shrike Branwen Zirconia, Desmond Caine, Pewter Pegasi, Wes Goldmane, Terra Firma, Rose Crimson, Crimson Wilde, Sable Leone, Jade Inaba.

Naruto: Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno/Uchiha, Ino Yamanaka, Hinata Hyuuga/Uzumaki, Hanabi Hyuuga, TenTen, Temari, Anko Mitarashi, Kurenai Yuuhi, Tsunade Senju, Konan, Sarada Uchiha.

Bleach: Rukia Kuchiki, Yoruichi Shihoin, Orihime Inoue, Tatsuki Arisawa, Rangiku Matsumoto, Soi-Fon, Retsu Unohana, Isane/Kyone Kotetsu, Nanao Isei, Tier Harribell, Neliel Tu Odelschwanck, Apace, Sun-Sun, Mila Rose.

One Piece: Nami, Nico Robin.

Attack on mid: Mikasa Akerman, Annie Lionheart, Potato Girl.

Hellsing: Seras Victoria, Rip Van Winkle, Zorrin Blitz.

Overloard: Albedo, Narberal Garma.

DragonBall: Bulma Briefs, Mrs Briefs/MILF/GILF, Chi-Chi, Android 18, Future 18, Android 21, Majin 21, Launch, Videl Satan, Frieza Force goons.

BNHA: Izuku Midoriya, Tsuyu Asui, Mina Ashido, Ochacko Uraraka, Momo Yayorozu, Jirou, Nejire Hado, Mitsuki Bakugo, Rumi Usagiama, Midight, Mt Lady, Nomu.

YU-GI-OH: Teá Gardner, Ishizu Ishtar, Mai Valentine, Black Magian Girl, Alexis Rhodes, Jasmine, Mindy, Akiza Izinski.

Game of Thrones: Denerys Targeryean.

Harry Potter: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Parvati Patil, Padma Patil, Ginney Weasely, Luna Lovegood, Cho Chang, Fleur Deacour, Nymphadora Tonks, Narcissa Malfoy, Bellatrix Lestrange.

Pokémon: Delia Ketchum, Jessie, Nurse Joy, Officer Jenny, Cynthia, Arezu, Nessa, Bea, Nemona, Penny, Sada.

Sailor Moon: All inner and outer Senshi

Cyberpunk: V, Panam Palmer, Judy Alvares, Lucy, Joey Brass.

Claymore: Clare, Cassandra, Jeane.

Rosario + Vampire: Outer Moka, Inner Moka, Mizore Shirayuki, Tsurara Shirayuki, Kurumu Kurono, Ageha Kurono, Ruby Tojo, Nokonome.

Jojo's Bizzare Adventure: Jolene Cujoh.

Ghost in the Shell: Motoko Kusanagi

Avatar/TLOK: Toph Beifong, Katara, Suki, Azula, Zuko, Mai, Ty-lee, Ju Dee, Korra, Asami Sato.

Familiar of Zero: Kirche Zerbst, Henrietta de Tristain, Tiffania Westwood, Tabitha, Longvelle.

Helluva Boss: Millie, Loona, Verosika.

DC comics: Starfire, Blackfire, Raven (Rachel Roth), Terra, Wonder Woman, Batgirl (Barbra Gordon), Catwoman, Power Girl, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy.

Marvel Comics: Gwen Stacy, Marry Jane Watson, Felicia Hardy/Black Cat, Rogue, Kitty Pride, Storm, Mystique.

Scooby-Doo: Velma, Daphne, Hex Girls.

Dragon Age: Cousland, Hawke, Inquisitor, Morrigan, Lelliana, Anora, Merrill, Isabella, Cassandra, Bethany Hawke, Sera, Josephine Montillyet.

Mass Effect: Sheppard, Liara T'Soni, Aria T'Loak.

Disney/Pixar/Dreamworks: Princess Jasmine, Esmerelda, Arora, Belle, Ariel (human), Kida, Chel, Helen Parr/Elastigirl, Violet Parr, Pocahontas, Nani Pelakai, Moana, Mavis Dracula, Jessica Rabbit.

Star Wars: Ahsoka Tano, Shaak-Ti, Barriss Offee, Luminara Unduli, Ayla Seccura, Bastilla Shan, Mission Vao, Juhanni, Kira Carsen, Vette, Vaylin, Lana Beniko, Darth Talon, Rey Palpatine.

Ben 10: Gwen Tennyson, Charmcaster.

Final Fantasy: Yuna, Rikku, Payne, Tifa Lockheart, Yuffie Kisaragi, Aireth Gainsborough, Ashelia B'Nargain Dalmasca, Fran, Lightning/Clair Farron, Y'shtola Rhul.

LoZ: Link, Zelda, Imp Midna, Twilight Princess Midna, Urbosa.

Fire Emblem: Lyndis, Minaeva, Shiida, Robin/Grima (M/F), Cordelia, Tharja, Olivia, Corrin (M/F), Camilla, Hinoka, Kageru, Dorothea, Edelgard, Lysithea.

Overwatch: Tracer, Dva, Mercy, Pharah, Sombra, Widowmaker, Ashe.

Elder Scrolls: Aela the Huntress, Mjoll the Lioness, Serana Volkihar.

Fantasy/D&D: Pike Trickfoot, Vex'ahlia, Keyleth, Delilah Briarwood, Nott the Brave, Yasha, Beau, Jester Lavorre, Imogen, Laudna, Werewolves, Mind Flayers, Orcs, The Devils of Emon, Nadûr, Korrin.

Kuroneiu: Olga Discordia, Cloe Discordia.

Action Taimanin: Ingrid, Oboro, Asagi Igawa, Sakura Igawa, Yatsu Murasaki.

Kingdom Hearts: Aqua, Anti-Aqua, Kairi, Xion, Namine, Larxene, Arlux.

This list is subject to change, as there may be muses I've forgotten, or decide I don't want to write for anymore.

[valdiis]

Prompt #5: Cutting Corners

Vy’thanis stared at the opal before him. It was unlike any opal he’d ever cut in his life: larger, more precious, and most importantly...living. Stretched out on the table between himself and another Duskwight were two arms, opal up to the elbow, yet fully movable and attached to their owner. One was nearly raw in form, the shapes vague but serviceable and the entire arm banded ‘round in silver wire. The other had been crudely cut, some refinement in the design and bound up in gold banding reminiscent of a mammet’s gears. Neither binding would do.

After some brief conversation with the other, a course of action was settled upon. Trust was given. Vy’thanis pulled out his wire snips and went to work on the nearly raw arm first. His patient had potions for the pain, alcohol too. He could only hope it would be enough. This was no job for cutting corners or being too conservative either. A perfect balance had to be struck to get the delicate stone properly shaped into a functional hand and stable enough to not require the metal bindings that hindered use.

Once the wire was cut free, Vyth took a deep breath. He pulled over his water streamer and a tiny grinder. With his special talent for stonework, he would be using both less than one might expect, but he couldn’t whisper all the rough stone away. He apologized to his companion for the surety of discomfort he was about to cause, then set to removing the largest pieces of errant stone erupting from the original shape of a hand. Before long, he was able to switch methods to his own talent.

Vy’thanis bent to the stone and smoothed his fingertips over it, sensing where the shape needed to be brought out from the stone. He sent his senses deeper, feeling the bonds which held the stone together. His sense stopped where the opal thinned out into a body, but the outer layers belonged to him in that way only stone could. With a little hum, he concentrated on the minuscule connections between the stone and itself (atoms, though he did not know to call them that), and with his bare fingertips began sloughing off that which did not serve the intended shape of the stone. It was slow and delicate work, made harder for the high water content of the stone, but it did proceed apace. Through his magic instead of his tools, he shaped the other Duskwight’s hand until it was properly, professionally formed.

Sweat beaded his brow when he finally sat back, piles of stone dust surrounding the gleaming arm. He gave the other a tired smile and they discussed the next course of action: the other arm. Would there be enough alcohol to dull the work? Would there be enough stamina to complete it in one sitting?

Vyth was resolute. He would complete the work. No cutting corners. With a steadying breath, he bent forward again and set to coaxing the true shape from living stone.

(Yes, @adeerinnara-blog​, I know we RPed this all out years ago. I tried to keep it vague enough to not go off canon. I just wanted to write a bit of stone shaping. :) )

[cosmicgrapevine]

A Brief Guide to Demonology

One of the stereotypes of amateur sf/f writers is that they can fill a whole encyclopedia’s worth of information about races, magic systems, political factions, and the like, but get stopped cold when it comes time to write the actual story. Ergo, in the interests of this not happening to me I am trying to focus on function over form, and only expand the lore as much as I need to. (Breaking out of the whole “I love writing except for the writing part” mindset is crucial in general, but that’s a different discussion.) That said, gone are the days when you could just make up this stuff as you went, so:

The term ‘Demon’ itself is a bit ambiguous, and I’m not sure at this point where its outer boundaries are. If American English had a term closer to youkai or sidhe, I would use that instead. Nor are they quite Abrahamic in origin; they’re corporeal, possession works more like parasite-induced metamorphosis, and it is usually permanent. I feel they are close enough for the term to make sense. They can take over people (but can also be exorcised) they’re mostly evil, but they’re diverse enough for a more broad term to make sense.

The weakest form of demon is the Imp. In their natural form, these guys are tiny, slimy, pathetic little things (think Envy’s caterpillar-like form from FMA) who are nonetheless basically living petroleum jelly and very hard to kill or exterminate for good. While they can technically force themselves to stay in a sapient host, it’s much easier for both if the host agrees to be possessed; that said, ‘agrees’ is interpreted very loosely among imp-kind.

They search for willing hosts by sensing negative emotions in a potential host that they can worm their way in by exploiting or manipulating. At this point, either the host recognizes what is happening and forces the imp out, or they sink further into whatever emotions or memories the imp is messing with, and the possession continues apace.

For any non-sapient host, the ceiling for the Imp is becoming a Half Demon. Basically, a non-sapient mind can only house an imp for so long, and as the clock ticks down, the host begins to mutate unpredictably. Eventually it will die, and if the imp hasn’t escaped, it will die as well. Something like a pig, ape, or bear might last a month; most invertebrates would die within 24 hours. When imps engage in organized warfare (not often, up until my plot starts) they use such beings as the equivalent of suicide bombers or kamikaze flyers.

In human territory Imps often try to make animal hosts ‘more humanlike’, both biologically and psychologically, but don’t understand humanity very well and more often create shambling half-sapient abominations. Half Demons also can occur when an imp is not compatible with a host, or the host tries to force it out but the imp tries to cling on inside, or any number of other complications.

If it goes well, you end up with what is called a Full, Pure, or True Demon; a demon that has fully synthesized with its sentient host and can only be expelled by an exorcist. With the intelligence and strength of a human and the resourcefulness and malice of an imp, these make for terrifying foes, especially the ones who have found juuust the right host to bond with (yes, there’s a bit of Venom going on here). They augment their host’s body, making them stronger, tougher, and faster than before. Furthermore, they can pass as human easily, only occasionally needing to cough up a little black ooze in private. True Demons will burn out eventually too, but it can take years.

True Demons who have ascended to great power, held the same host for 10+ years, and/or command other demons are known as Master-Demons, but this is a social distinction, not a scientific one.

Some other notes:

-Individual imps don’t really have a ‘self’, and basically take on the identity of their host.

-As you can surmise, the ‘magic’ here is very biological in origin and aesthetic; this is deliberate, and is meant to contrast sharply with the more mystical, fae-inspired paranormal characters that will show up later.

-The King of Demons, insomuch as there is one, is a Master-Demon named George E. Scutari, who has formed an allegiance with the aforementioned fae, and is combining fae and demon magic, at scale, to terrifying effect. He is the ultimate pursuer of Lind in the early chapters, for a magical artifact he thinks Lind holds. I may soon do a Major Antagonists page in which he will be described in more detail.