#shrew's nest

[emiliosandozsequence]

shrew's nest (2014) dir. juan fernando andrés & esteban roel (taken originally by @vertigosuite)/ music video for 'crush' by ethel cain

[normalbrothers]

god tier dynamics

old evil guy x tormented girl bride mom x son where she kills him miserable loser dad x competent precocious kid (gn) sadist mom x completely subservient mindless daughter Brothers :) (they are raping each other a little, but it's sweet) brother x sister, constantly manipulating each other co-victims!!!!!

[dandelionbi]

tonight i will start relearning how to knit

[silenthillmutual]

Top 5 Patho characters!

SHREW DANKOVSKAYA!!!!!!

THIS IS A DAUGHTER!!!!!! I HAVE TO PUT HER FIRST SO PEOPLE WILL THINK ABOUT HER!!!!

2) daniil dankovsky (i actually didn't want to include any protagonists but daniil has wormed his way into my brain so consistently that it's impossible for me to just not talk about him)

3) sticky

4) yulia lyuricheva

5) bad grief

[chuchue]

Doctor Bell fell down the well and broke his collar bone. Doctors should attend the sick and leave the well alone.

[cows1012]

thinking abt shrew and sleepyhead again!!! + summary of marble nest in my mind. 

[roach-works]

IT'S TIME TO APPRECIATE THE BLACK AND RUFOUS ELEPHANT SHREW

ON THIS WEBSITE WE LOVE WEIRD ANIMALS AND THIS LITTLE BEAUTY IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THEM. APPRECIATE THE BLACK AND RUFOUS ELEPHANT SHREW TODAY.

NATIVE TO DENSE MONTANE FORESTS OF KENYA AND TASMANIA, THEY BOUNCED BACK FROM 'THREATENED STATUS' BUT STILL FACE HABITAT LOSS DUE TO FOREST FRAGMENTATION.

THESE BEAUTIFUL VACUUM CLEANERS EAT BUGS OUT OF THE LEAF LITTER WITH THEIR NOODLY SNOOT, CAPABLY UNCOVERING BEETLES, CENTIPEDES, AND TERMITES.

MALES ATTRACT AND DEFEND A SINGLE MATE AND CONTROL UP TO A HECTARE OF TERRITORY, WHICH IS A LOT FOR A LITTLE SCOOP OF SPITE AND SNOOTING.

THESE EFFICIENT LITTLE BUSYBODIES BUILD MANY NESTS OUT OF DRY LEAVES TO SLEEP IN ALL ACROSS THE AREA, AS MANY AS A DOZEN, AND USE THEM EACH IN TURN.

DESPITE THEIR COMMITTED MONOGAMY THE BLACK AND RUFOUS ELEPHANT SHREWS DO NOT ACTUALLY LIKE EACH OTHER, MUCH LIKE TIRED BOOMER COMEDIANS: MATED PAIRS SPEND NO TIME TOGETHER OUTSIDE OF MATING.

MOTHERS DON'T EVEN LIKE THEIR KIDS. THEY VISIT THEIR YOUNG AS INFREQUENTLY AS ONCE A DAY TO NURSE. THEY GOT OTHER SHIT TO DO, APPARENTLY.

THE YOUNG ARE LESS PRECOCIAL THAN MOST ELEPHANT SHREWS, SPENDING SEVERAL WEEKS IN THEIR NESTS BEFORE GAINING INDEPENDENCE IN ONLY ANOTHER FEW WEEKS AND NEVER WRITING HOME AGAIN, NOT THAT THEIR PARENTS CARE.

THIS HEFTY AND BEAUTIFUL DEDICATED INTROVERT AVERAGES ABOUT 28 CM / 11 IN IN LENGTH AND 450-700 G / 16-25 OZ IN WEIGHT, IMPRESSIVELY LARGE EVEN FOR AN ELEPHANT SHREW.

YOU HAVE NOW APPRECIATED: THE BLACK AND RUFOUS ELEPHANT SHREW. INSECTIVORE. INTROVERT. ABSENT PARENT. SNAPPY DRESSER. THIS PRINCELY POTATO HAS IT ALL, AND A DOZEN VACATION HOMES. TELL YOUR FRIENDS, UNLESS YOU TOO ARE A BLACK AND RUFOUS ELEPHANT SHREW AND DON'T HAVE ANY.

[bestanimal]

Round 3 - Mammalia - Macroscelidea

(Sources - 1, 2, 3, 4)

Our first group of placental mammals, as well as our first group belonging to a diverse clade of mammals known as “Afrotherians”, the order Macroscelidea are commonly called “elephant shrews”, “jumping shrews”, or “sengis.” Like many animals commonly called shrews, macroscelideans are not true shrews, and are closer related to elephants than they are to shrews! Macroscelidea includes one family, Macroscelididae, with 20 species in 6 genera.

Sengis are small, quadrupedal, and insectivorous. They have long, flexible snouts, which they use to search for food, with the length of the snout varying between species. They will then use their tongue to flick food into their mouth, much like an anteater. They eat mainly insects, spiders, centipedes, millipedes, and earthworms. Some species also feed on small amounts of plant matter, especially new leaves, seeds, and small fruits. They have long legs relative to their size, and scaly tails. They have large canine teeth, and also high-crowned cheek teeth similar to those of ungulates. They are mostly diurnal and very active, wary, well camouflaged, and adept at dashing away from threats. Several species make a series of cleared pathways through the undergrowth and spend their day patrolling them for insect life. If the animal is disturbed, the pathway provides an obstacle-free escape route. Sengis are uncommon, but widely distributed across Africa, mainly southern Africa.

Sengis are solitary, despite many species living in monogamous pairs. These pairs will only meet for mating, and not associate otherwise, living in separate nests. They share and defend their home territory, which is marked using their scent glands. Female sengis undergo a menstrual cycle similar to that of humans, making them one of the few nonprimate mammals to do so. The sengi mating period lasts for several days. After mating, the pair will return to their solitary habits. After a gestation period varying from 45 to 60 days, the female will bear a litter of one to three young. The young are born relatively well developed, and are able to run within a few hours. They remain in the nest for several days before venturing outside. After five days, the young's milk diet is supplemented with mashed insects, which are collected and transported in the cheek pouches of the female. The young then slowly start to explore their environment and hunt for insects. After about 15 days, the young will begin the migratory phase of their lives, and will eventually begin to establish their own territories. Females have litters several times a year.

Macroscelids are thought to have diverged from other afrotherians roughly 57.5 million years ago. The earliest definitive member was Chambia from the early-middle Eocene of Tunisia. Some early macroscelids, such as Myohyrax, were so similar to hyraxes that they were initially included with that group, while others, such as Mylomygale, were relatively rodent-like. These unusual forms all died out by the Pleistocene. The diversification of living macroscelids apparently began when the Rhynchocyon lineage split off about 33 Ma ago, in the early Oligocene.

Propaganda under the cut:

Sengis are one of the fastest small mammals, having been recorded to reach speeds of 28.8 kilometres per hour (17.9 mph).

Unlike most other sengis, Short-snouted Elephant Shrews (Elephantulus brachyrhynchus) utilize a network of safety burrows by digging their own burrows or stealing the pre-existing burrows of rodents.

The Cape Elephant Shrew (Elephantulus edwardii) feeds on both insects and the nectar of plants, covering its long nose in pollen. It is an important pollinator for the Pagoda Lily (Massonia bifolia), Hyobanche atropurpurea, and the Sulphur Sugarbush (Protea sulphurea).

The Somali Elephant Shrew (Galegeeska revoilii) was among the 25 "most wanted lost species” that were the focus of Global Wildlife Conservation's “Search for Lost Species” initiative. On 18 August 2020, 50 years after it was last seen and recorded, it was announced that a population had been found in Djibouti, the first documented since 1968.

Rufous Elephant Shrews (Galegeeska rufescens) are very meticulous about their foraging trails (see gif above). Throughout the trails are several spots for resting, scent-marking, and sunbathing. They maintain their trails by pushing aside leaf litter and other loose debris. The males usually spend most of their time cleaning the trails.

Young Rufous Elephant Shrews will climb on their parents’ backs and vigorously rub their four feet in the fur in a rapid vibrating motion. This allows them to transfer odors from scent glands on their feet to their parents, as well as pick up their parents’ scent. The mixture of the scents creates a family odor that can be used for recognizing family members.

The Etendeka Round-eared Sengi (Macroscelides micus) (image 4) is the smallest known sengi. It weighs less than one ounce (28 grams) and is 19 cm (7.3 inches) long, including the tail, when fully grown.

The Grey-faced Sengi (Rhynchocyon udzungwensis) is the largest known sengi, on average 56.4 cm (22.2 in) long, and weighing 711 g (1.6 lbs). This species was only recently discovered in January 2008.

[vestaignis]

Болотная сова (Asio flammeus) – среднего размера сова: длина ее тела колеблется от 34 до 42 см, вес самцов - 0,23-0,39 кг, самок - 0,24-0,43 кг. Крылья у нее длинные, ноги украшены пучками из перьев, на голове расположены маленькие вертикально стоящие "ушки" из перьев.

Болотная сова распространена очень широко, она обитает на всех континентах, кроме Австралии и Антарктики и населяет соленоводные болота, прибрежные равнины, хвойные леса, тундру, трясины, поля, прерии, высокотравные степи (часто с солончаками), луга (в поймах рек и озер), гористые местности и субальпийские луга, сельскохозяйственные угодья и парковые насаждения. Во всех местах обитания болотная сова придерживается открытых пространств.

Большую часть рациона этой птицы составляют мелкие грызуны (мыши, полёвки, лемминги, крысы, хомяки и ондатры), кролики, землеройки, летучие мыши, птицы (кулики, крачки, мелкие чайки, жаворонки и дрозды), насекомые (кузнечики, жуки, гусеницы) и иногда рыба.

Охотится болотная сова в любое время суток, низко паря над открытым пространством. На добычу она обычно нападает с полета или из засады и несёт ее в когтях. Болотные совы – моногамы и образуют постоянные пары. Самец привлекает самку на свой участок красивыми пируэтами в воздухе. Иногда в брачных полетах участвуют обе птицы: они гоняются друг за другом, сцепляются когтями или в шутку борются. Гнездом обычно служит расчищенная самкой ямка диаметром до 40 см на вершине плоской кочки среди густой травы или тростника. В кладке 4–7 яиц, которые насиживает самка.

Swamp Owl (Asio flammeus) – medium-sized owl: its body length ranges from 34 to 42 cm, the weight of males is 0.23-0.39 kg, females - 0.24-0.43 kg. Her wings are long, her legs are decorated with tufts of feathers, and small vertically standing "ears" of feathers are located on her head.

The is very widespread, it lives on all continents except Australia and Antarctica and inhabits saltwater swamps, coastal plains, coniferous forests, tundra, bogs, fields, prairies, tall grass steppes (often with salt marshes), meadows (in floodplains of rivers and lakes), mountainous areas and subalpine meadows, agricultural lands and parkland. In all habitats, the swamp owl adheres to open spaces.

Most of the diet of this bird consists of small rodents (mice, voles, lemmings, rats, hamsters and muskrats), rabbits, shrews, bats, birds (sandpipers, terns, small gulls, larks and thrushes), insects (grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars) and sometimes fish.

The swamp owl hunts at any time of the day, hovering low over an open space. It usually attacks prey from flight or from ambush and carries it in its claws. Swamp owls are monogamous and form permanent pairs. The male attracts the female to his site with beautiful pirouettes in the air. Sometimes both birds participate in mating flights: they chase each other, lock claws or jokingly fight. The nest is usually a hole cleared by a female with a diameter of up to 40 cm on top of a flat hummock among dense grass or reeds. There are 4-7 eggs in the clutch, which are incubated by the female.

Источник://www.ebirds.ru/vid/225.htm,/bigenc.ru/c/bolotnaia-sova-bb9577,/zoogalaktika.ru/photos/aves/strigiformes/asio-flammeus, //www.mos.ru/news/item/86280073/,://ecology.polotsk.museum.by/node/42982,/russia.birding.day/v2taxon.php?s=423&l=ru.

[scribblescrabbledepartment]

finally done my summer movie loggggg pink stars watched with @quartz-quindel blue stars watched with @stingchronicity

[ID: a collage page mostly covered with receipts and wrappers, including a chopstick wrapper. scattered all over the page are many movie titles, which I will list under a cut. at the top it's labeled "summer 2024" and there is a sticker of an ice cream cone as well as one that says "Atlantic City," and a cut-out of a mouth with braces that says "gunk keep out!"]

in order of watching:

The Pit and the Pendulum (1961) The Castle of the Living Dead (1964) Slaughter of the Vampires (1962) Scarface (1983) The Undead (1957) Max Magician and the Legend of the Rings (2002) Rosemary's Baby (1968) Taxi Driver (1976) The Angry Red Planet (1959) Sea of Love (1989) Roseland (1977) Wag the Dog (1997) The Room (2003) Empty Rooms (2012) Munster, Go Home! (1966) Scent of a Woman (1992) Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) The Blues Brothers (1980) Christmas Vacation (1989) The Killer Shrews (1959) The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004) Mausoleum (1983) Cult of the Cobra (1955) Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989) I, Monster (1971) The Breakfast Club (1985) The Mad Magician (1954) Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991) Phantasm (1979) One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) It Came from Beneath the Sea (1955) Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020) Phantom of the Paradise (1974) Black Friday (1940) The French Dispatch (2021) Tourist Trap (1979) Scotland, PA (2001) War of the Colossal Beast (1958)

[permian-tropos]

Chapter 11—The World Is Beautiful Indeed

by excalibutt, PermianExtinction

Chapters: 11/? Fandom: Мор. Утопия | Pathologic Rating: Explicit Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Artemiy Burakh | Artemy Burakh/Daniel Dankovskiy | Daniil Dankovsky, Minor or Background Relationship(s) Characters: Artemiy Burakh | Artemy Burakh, Daniel Dankovskiy | Daniil Dankovsky, Town-on-Gorkhon Ensemble, Medrel (Nerve Layer), Zürkh (Blood Layer), Yas (Bone Layer), Mishka | Murky (Pathologic), Spichka | Sticky (Pathologic), The Kin (Pathologic), Shrew (Pathologic), Ospina | Aspity (Pathologic), Suok (Pathologic), Klara | Clara (Pathologic) Additional Tags: Nocturnal Ending (Pathologic), Post-Canon, Mind-Altering Steppe Magic, Angst with a Happy Ending, But Expect Ever-Increasing Weirdness, Survival, Transhumanism, Pestilent Utopias, Yes We're Calling the Layers Characters, It's Going to be That Kind of Story, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Ancient Godlike Beings, Transmasculine Nonbinary Character(s), Nocturnal Ending with a twist, Body Horror, Character Death, Existentialism, Marble Nest (Pathologic) Spoilers, Canon-Typical Violence, Canon-Typical Racism, Implied/Referenced Suicide, struggles with cultural identity, Mixed Media, Trans Daniel Dankovskiy | Daniil Dankovsky, Vaginal Sex, Anal Fingering

Summary:

“Will you go with us? The path ahead of us is long and hard.”

Artemy strained to move his jaw against the crushing, loving embrace of the living Town. I cherish everything alive. Are they not breathing? Are they not human? Are they not also creatures of the earth? He managed to pry open his mouth, and could hear Lines snapping.

“Yes,” he forced out. “Yes, of course I will.”

—

When sixteen souls are exiled from the new world of miracles, the Haruspex chases after them, determined against all odds to keep them alive and deliver them to a world where they belong.

—

[03/08/25] PATCH NOTES: Version 2.0 — Content Rating updated to Explicit

[10/01/22] PATCH NOTES: Version 1.2 — Art incorporated. [10/01/22] PATCH NOTES: Version 1.2 — Ledger discovered. [01/24/22] PATCH NOTES: Version 1.1 — Mind maps revealed.

[salt-clangen]

Moon 12

Leaf Bare

The second Lynxpaw cleared him, Shadowdive was back on patrol, making up for his time injured and sick. He spent most of his time out of camp, despite the cold and snow, taking breaks to drop back into camp with his kills.

It was a clear morning when Wolfstar offers to join him on a border patrol, they head out to the abandoned nest. The walk was quiet, they’d even brought baskets for any supplies or prey.

“You seem to be in better spirits lately.” She commented, glancing at the dark tom.

“Mhmm.” He grunted, eyes forward and head low.

“I’ve even noticed you and Mallowstripe seem to be getting along.” She teased, brushing her tail against his side.

His tail flicked, but he just hummed his acknowledgement.

“I’m glad, I don’t like when my clan mates are at odds.” She murmured, slowly walking around a large snow back that’s mostly ice.

She glances back to see his mouth open then close, he jumps over the bank, landing with a loud crunch. As the walk she sees him start to speak, only to cut himself off.

Wolfstar had discussed his behavior with Lynxpaw, the cleric apprentice seemed to be the cat who understood him most. She’d recommended just waiting for him to speak up when he was like this, that he’d eventually spit out what was bothering him. The stilted silence made her fur prickle with anxiety, she’d always been the cat to break the silence even if it was just useless chatter.

They stayed in this odd limbo when they arrived at the nest, splitting off to re-mark the border correctly. The Duskclan scent was strong, but not as overpowering as normal, the frequent snow tempering the scent.

Eventually she signed to him that she was gonna hunt and slipped into the nest. Ducking under the wood and debris, the snow thankfully thin in most spots, allowing her to scent the air for prey.

A shrew and mouse later, she emerged from the nest, Shadowdive standing guard atop a fallen log. His eyes sweeping over the tree line for Duskclan warriors. His basket was full of firewood, but hers still had room, she signed to him again that she was gonna get moss.

“What?” He asked, head titled, she tried to sign again. “You’re gonna swim?”

She laughed and shook out her pelt.

“I said I was gonna get moss.” She said and repeated the sign, keeping her paw low to the ground and wiggling it back and forth to symbolize the plant.

“That’s swim, moss is this.” He showed her, also keeping his paw low he opened and closed his paw, like his was kneading dough.

Wolfstar repeated the sign with a laugh and reentered the nest.

There wasn’t a lot of moss, but she took a sizable chunk anyway, knowing it would grow back quickly even in winter. It was something her brother had taught her, when she’d been a Duskclan apprentice and had worried about taking too much.

The memories of Duskclan alway seemed to hit her hardest when she was near the border. The scent of the cats and pines making her nostalgic.

She carried her bundle back out and stuffed it into her basket. Shadowdive pulled his own basket over his head, giving the area one last glance before signing all clear.

“You’ve gotten good at signing.” She complimented, watching a shiver go up his back at the praise.

“Wasn’t much to do when I was sick.” He admitted, letting her take the lead down the snowy path. “Snowspeckle showed me and Mallowstripe what she’d been learning for Ripplekit.”

“I’m glad everyone’s so dedicated to learning. It’ll make life a lot easier for him or any cat who’s deaf.”

“He and Otterkit are almost ready to be apprenticed.” He said, she smiled, wondering if this was what he’d been wanting to discuss.

“They are.” She hummed, letting him steer the conversation.

“Have you thought about who their mentors will be?”

“I have.”

“Course you have, that was a dumb question.” He grumbled. She stopped them and turned to face him.

“Then ask different one.” She smiled.

“Could I be a mentor?” He asked, eyes down to his paws.

“I was gonna tell you closer to the ceremony, but yes I’d already discussed it with Snowspeckle, you and I will be mentoring the kits.” She smiled, his eyes lit up.

“Yeah?”

She laughed and nodded, turning to lead them back down the snowy path.

“So once I’ve mentored an apprentice will I be able to be deputy?”

Wolfstar stopped in her tracks, he nearly bumped into her.

“Snowspeckle is our deputy.” She said.

“I know but she was the only warrior at the time.” He titled his head.

Wolfstar set her basket down beside the trail, preparing for a long discussion.

“Shadowdive I didn’t make her deputy because there was no other option, I could’ve waited for you or Mallowstripe to become warriors it wouldn’t have been a big issue.” She explained.

“Well Mallowstripe would’ve never been picked for deputy so let’s not mention him.” He groused, a sour look on his face.

“That right there!” She snapped, his ears flattened. “That’s why you’re not deputy. I need someone with patience and experience. Your temper and smart mouth are what caused Fennelheart to run off in a blizzard and nearly die!”

Shadowdive stumbled back like he’d been struck, eyes misty and glaring off to the side. Wolfstar sighed, sitting down.

“Listen, you’re a great warrior, you’re strong and reliable. Our clan is better with you in it and I consider you my friend.” She scooted a bit closer, pausing to let her words sink in. He sat as well, shoulders relaxing as she spoke, but he still kept his gaze down. “I’m sorry for being harsh, but I just don’t think you’re suited for a job that’s a lot of organizing and politics. You belong out in the fields providing and protecting the clan. Besides Snowspeckle is more experienced with organizing patrols and she’s been doing a great job right?”

“She is… she’s a good deputy it’s just…” He trailed off.

“Shadow.” She prodded him with her paw, moving even closer. The wind picked up around them and she shivered. “Tell me what’s wrong…. Please.”

“I guess I just… I owe you so much, my life really. And I want to be the one you turn to. The first one you look for when you have a problem. I want to be the one you rely on.” He glanced up at her then back down.

“You’re describing a mate more than a deputy.” Wolfstar chuckled nervously, her face feeling hot.

“I guess I am.” He finally says, finally holding eye contact.

They sit in silence for a while, breath fogging up between them. Waiting.

“Well I wouldn’t mind.” She started, heart beating faster. “You know, relying on you like that.”

“Like a mate?” He asked, eyes wide and locked on her.

She smiled, stood and bumped her head against his.

“Yeah like a mate.”

The days were starting to get a bit longer, the snow turning to slush, though the ice was still a problem. It felt like the end of this harsh leaf bare would be a smooth transition into new leaf.

Snowspeckle was returning back from the artisan knoll, finally open again after the recent snow storms. Instead of crafting or trading she actually spent the visit planning g the upcoming First Bloom festival with the others.

She felt giddy at the idea her sons would be apprenticed next moon. Though she was nervous about Shadowdive’s recent behaviors, she felt that he would make a good mentor. Wolfstar was keeping it a surprise who would get which kit, much to her chagrin.

Thinking of Shadowdive, she reflected on the advice she’d gotten between the planning from her old mentor, Tanglefur.

While she’d tried to be vague, if the Oakclan artisan suspected she was talking about his son, he didn’t let on, giving her sound advice on how to deal with an unruly tom. Basically, confront him head on, don’t let him storm off, stay calm, and reassure him of his place in the clan. It was a bit more direct than she was used to but she felt confident in her plan.

The weather was so pleasant, just past sun high and clear, she took her time walking back to camp. She lingered on the stepping stones bridging Honeyclan and Saltclan, splashing the water and enjoying the sun.

“Snowspeckle?”

She leapt up, nearly falling into the water as she jumped across the rocks, away from the voice behind her. She whirled around when she was on the saltclan side of the border.

Behind her was Nightleap, her former mate, standing on the opposite riverbank.

“Nightleap?” She asked.

“I haven’t seen you in over a moon.” The black molly said.

“We had a green cough outbreak.” Snowspeckle trailed off awkwardly, shuffling her paws.

Nightleap jumped onto the middle rock of the bridge.

“How’re the kits? I’ve been practicing my clan sign.” She smiled, tail high and swaying in the gentle breeze.

“They’re good, ready to be apprenticed next moon.” She paused and took a deep breath. “Listen, I’ve been thinking, we can’t keep meeting like this. It’s against the warrior code and I can’t justify it anymore.”

Nightleap was quiet for a minute, tail curled around her paws. Snowspeckle spoke again as the silence stretched on.

“Look, Nightleap, we’re in two different clans. It was silly thinking we could keep talking like this.”

“What if we weren’t?” Nightleap asked. “In different clans, what if I joined Saltclan?”

“You want to join Saltclan? Why?”

“I’ve been thinking about it and I wanna be with my kits, with… you.” She admitted.

“I…I don’t know.” Snowspeckle said, flustered and puffed up. “You want to be together again?”

“I do. I’m sorry I couldn’t commit before, but these past moons away from you and the kits made me realize how much I need you.” She confessed, jumping to the next rock, eyes locked on Snowspeckle.

“I-I’d like that.” She smiled, moving aside to let Nightleap join her on the bank.

The two mollies bumped heads, purring as they scented each other.

“Come on let’s go speak to Wolfstar.” She nudged her towards camp.

The night was chilly, half moon shining brightly as Lynxpaw journey to the moon spring. She met with Junipersong at the Honeyclan border, together the two mollies walked until they reached the oakclan border, staying quiet. There she was greeted by Mousefoot and Fogdapple, the small group walking together up the great river towards the moon spring.

“Do you think Darkfold will be here?” Fogdapple asked, her eyes glancing across the river.

“Probably not, it’s a long walk even from Duskclan.” Junipersong murmured, voice low.

“Her new apprentice should be there though. What’s their name again? I didn’t catch it at the last gathering.” Lynxpaw asked.

“Crowpaw.” Mousefoot said. “I haven’t spoken with her much since leaf bare started but I think she’ll take a second apprentice soon.”

“Well she’d better do something, Duskclan keeps borrowing Rosedrift. They’re lucky we’re in peaceful times or-” Junipersong grumbled.

“Or what?” Fogdapple snapped. “Don’t speak over your brain.”

“That’s enough.” Mousefoot said, he didn’t shout but his tone was sharp enough to stop the budding argument. Lynxpaw shuffled closer to him uncomfortably.

The two glowered at each other as they walked, but otherwise awkward silence fell over the group.

The tense silence remained until they reached the high rocks, crossing over the quiet river. Waiting for them at the entrance was two cats. Crowpaw, a petite, black furred gib and a much larger, more muscular cat.

“Greetings everyone.” Crowpaw mewed, they were younger than Lynxpaw, voice still squeaky.

“Crowpaw, I hope you and your companion haven’t waited long.” Mousefoot greeted, touching noses with both before stepping aside to let everyone greet them.

“This is Frostwhisper, they’re training with me under Darkfold.” They explain, the large gib nodded.

“But you already have your full name?” Lynxpaw pointed out, growing flush when the adults side eyed her. “Sorry. I just-“

“It’s alright. I was a warrior until this moon. I had a vision that called me to join the cleric’a den.” They didn’t seem bothered, stoic as any Duskclan cat. “This gathering will be my first time at the moon spring. I’ll learn if this is my true path.”

Lynxpaw was grateful they dismissed the awkwardness as Mousefoot took over the conversation. In the silence she takes a moment to eye the newest addition.

Every inch of Frostwhisper screams Duskclan, their thick coat, muscular build, stony expression and eloquent way of speaking. They were a dark grey, nearly black tabby with icy blue eyes, an intimidating figure. Still there was some elegance in the way they moved that reminded her of Jade.

She slides her gaze up, making eye contact with the gib as she did. She quickly looks away, but not before catching their smirk. A rush of heat floods her face and she wonders for once if her fur is neat.

Once everyone is done greeting and updating each other, Mousefoot nodded to the group then he and Fogdapple entered the cave. Lynxpaw settles into a comfortable loaf by the river, ready to wait her turn.

Tradition dictated the clerics visit the spring separately in order of formation, Oakclan went first, then Duskclan, then Honeyclan, and finally Saltclan. It meant a lot of sitting around, but it was fine since she got to discuss and train with the other clerics while she waited. The only downside was the others could go home as soon as they were done, leaving Lynxpaw alone.

Usually one cleric would stay behind to walk her back to her border, usually as dawn was approaching, but there were a few mishaps before. Leaving her alone in the dark, not something she particularly enjoyed. On those nights she usually stuck very close to the river, in case a stray fox or patrol tries to surprise her, then she could dive into the waters and swim down stream to home.

She hoped tonight Frostwhisper would be the one to escort her home. The idea made her flush, but it was better than Fogdapple or Junipersong, those grumpy cats made the trip drag on with their complaints.

The time passed by quickly, she found that while both Duskclan apprentices were initially pretty quiet, with time they conversed easily and were quite nice to talk with. Frostwhisper definitely made Crowpaw a bit more confident, evident in how they playfully debated with the older clerics.

One by one each clan’s group of clerics entered the cave.

Frostwhisper exited, tail high, their face a glow with wonder. Lynxpaw took that as a good sign and asked the new cleric apprentice if they’d be willing to escort her back to her borders. They agreed and settled beside her in a loaf as Crowpaw made her way back to their camp.

The pair didn’t speak much as Junipersong entered the cave. Just sat and listened to the babbling brook, Lynxpaw wondered when the frogs would return, the noise pleasant and foreign to her.

Junipersong left the cave the same as she entered it, annoyed. She muttered under her breath about, long claws and giant shadows, not sparing a glance at the two stragglers as she left.

“Wish me luck.” Lynxpaw said, shivering as she left Frostwhisper’s warm side.

The gib just nodded, smile still on their face, though more subdued.

Climbing over the rocks, she finally reaches the spring. She steps slowly into its sacred glow, the moonlight refracting through the water and painting her fur with silver.

Her surroundings grow distant and muted, as if she’s being drawn into another world. Below her, the surface of the Moon Spring ripples unnaturally, as though touched by unseen paws.

Lynxpaw is suddenly standing in a dark, foggy space. Everything is silent except for the faint sound of the waves. A dark figure emerges from the mist-Stormchaser. Her fur shimmers faintly with starry light, her expression solemn but warm.

They don’t speak, her words stuck in her throat, her mouth can’t move to release them. Stormchaser leans in and touches her nose to Lynxpaw’s. A cold chill spreads down to her tail, every hackle raised.

Lynxpaw’s eyes are wide-she knows this, she can’t shut them- as images flash before her.

Jaggedstar in her den, pacing and speaking with a pained expression. Her words are unheard, but her body is tense, eyes wide and red. Before the leader is Darkfold, stoic, unmoving even as Jaggedstar yowls.

The scene flashes to Lynxkit, blind and fragile, nestled in the nursery. A molly, her mother, curled around her, grooming the after birth off of her.

It changes back to the leader’s den, Jaggedstar’s claws unsheathing, then curling back into the ground. Her struggle is visible as her gaze softens and hardens repeatedly, tears in her eyes. There’s something in the air around her, but it’s gone in an instant.

In the shadows behind her, Wolfstar- Wolfpaw’s horrified face, her eyes wide with disbelief.

The view cuts to Wolfpaw snatching Lynxkit, her white fur glowing faintly in the moonlight as she runs away under the cover of darkness.

Lynxpaw stumbles back, choking, the vision shattering like ice. The Moon Spring’s gentle glow returns.

Stormchaser steps closer, her voice heavy with guilt.

“I’m sorry, you were never meant to remain. The tides of fate have carried you where you belong, and your destiny has only begun, I grant you the name Lynxdawn to honor you as the first cleric of Saltclan.”

Stormchaser presses her nose to Lynxdawn’s forehead, and the scene dissolves into light.

She stumbles back from the water with a cry, like it stung her. Chest heaving, she fought to calm her breath. When she could finally breathe without a shuddering sob, Lynxdawn exited the cave, nerves frayed.

Frostwhisper greeted her with a concerned glance.

“You alright, Lynxpaw?”

“I’m Lynxdawn now.” She said, eyes forward, wishing she was alone.

The gib looked worried for a moment, but let the question go. They walked together through the night quietly, approaching the border quickly.

“Sleep well.” Frostwhisper said, stealing one last glance at the shivering molly.

“You too.” She said, tucking her head low and heading towards camp.

She doubt she would sleep well or at all, not until she spoke with Wolfstar.

Cat Allegiances:

Wolfstar- 18 moons. Leader. Responsible. Compassionate. Natural intuition.

Lynxpaw →Lynxdawn- 13 moons. Cleric apprentice → Lead Cleric . Thoughtful. Loving. Good teacher.

Snowspeckle- 29 moons. Deputy. Artisan. Loving. Playful. Good singer.

Mallowstripe- 19 moons. Camp keeper. Nervous. Careful. Strange dreamer.

Fennelheart- 18 moons. Warrior. Charismatic. Playful. Good hunter. Conditions: frost bitten tail.

Shadowdive- 17 moons. Warrior. Blood thirsty. Loyal. Good swimmer.

Ripplekit- 5 moons. Bossy. Fearless. Never sits still.

Otterkit- 5 moons. Attention seeker. Bouncy. Splashes in puddles.

Other clans:

Mousefoot- 120 moons. Lead Cleric. Oakclan. Strange. Thoughtful. Great healer.

Fogdapple- 79 moons. Cleric. Oakclan. Competitive. Grumpy. Good climber.

Junipersong- 13 moons. Cleric. Honeyclan. Shameless. Arrogant. Ghost sense.

Crowpaw- 10 moons. Cleric apprentice. Duskclan. Sneaky. Lonesome. Good healer.

Frostwhisper- 35 moons. Cleric apprentice. Duskclan. Strict. Sincere. Innate connection to Starclan.

Next

Prev

Moon 0

[supremebirdbracket]

Two popular classics! But who is the Superb Owl?

The most widely distributed owl in the Americas, the great horned owl ranges throughout North America and much of Central and South America. They can be found in almost any habitat. These owls mostly prey on rodents and lagomorphs, but are opportunistic hunters and will take anything they can catch, including smaller owls. They hunt by watching from a perch. Regarding their ecological niche, they are sometimes described as the nocturnal equivalent of red-tailed hawks. Great horned owls nest earlier in the year than most other raptors. These owls are very long-lived, with a typical lifespan of around 13 years in the wild (with a record of 28) and up to 50 in captivity!

Western barn owls live throughout Europe as well as much of Africa and the Arabian peninsula in a wide variety of habitats, but most especially favoring open woodland and grasslands. These owls mostly eat small mammals such as rodents and shrews, but will also eat birds, amphibians, lizards, and insects. They hunt by flying slowly over ground and pouncing when movement is detected. Western barn owls are usually monogamous, mating for life. After fledging, young remain with their parents for only about a month. Since barn owls have relatively high metabolic rates, they eat proportionally more rodents than other owls and are thereby appreciated by farmers as effective pest control.

[evolutionsvoid]

The bubbling pools of Eitr came to be in this land when the dragons were put to the sword. From their great carcasses it flowed, til they became scars and weeping wounds upon the earth. Though in time past it was once plentiful and ruled supreme, now its greatest concentrations come from death. How fitting, as so much in this world is pulled from ancient carcasses and fallen gods. And just like the Ichor and Humors that arise from the corpses of old deities, Eitr and its dead beasts are now giving birth to new life. If these creations are welcome in this world, well, that is another question entirely...

One of the horrors born from Eitr mutation is the Primal Legion. A monstrosity not contained to just a handful of beasts, but many. Hordes of them exist, as they were once termites before their infection. The primordial fluid has altered them, growing them to incredible size and power. Though a single one may pale in comparison to other primal beasts, their strength comes from their sheer numbers. Unlike the other abominations, the Legion is not scattered to the wind, wandering solo in their hunt for food and terror. Instead, they have formed a colony. One colony. All Primal Legion beasts have come together to create a massive nest in the earth, carving miles of tunnels that spread out and spiral down. An entire kingdom worth of land has been marked the territory of the Legion, and those who walk upon the surface tread lightly. There is no telling who shall detect the steps, and what they will interpret this trespassing as. If they believe the intruder is a threat, then the earth will split open and vomit forth hell.

Attacks by the Legion are fast, chaotic and messy, as they swarm foes and use powerful claws and mandibles to shred them. Their exoskeleton is thick and scaled, their weapons razor sharp. Like a sea of ravenous shrews, they tear enemies to pieces and carry the scraps back into the colony. Some is eaten while other parts are given to supposed fungal gardens, which many whisper about what could be found within them. Trying to breach these tunnels to raid these farms, however, is suicidal. Just ask the poor miners whose efforts accidentally broke into a random Legion tunnel. Workers would enter this space, believing they stumbled upon an empty mine, only to be swarmed by termites who interpreted this as an invasion. Very little remains of those who befell this terrible fate, and often the mines are abandoned unless someone can trigger a collapse to seal off the Legion tunnel.

Of those who survive these encounters, they speak only of the workers. So far, very little has been seen of other castes, and many are thankful for that. Even the common worker is a nightmare to deal with. Outside their regular weaponry, they can spew fragments of Black Bile crystals that are coated in Eitr. The tainted shards pierce flesh and refuse to exit, requiring careful cutting to properly remove. But the Eitr makes these barbs far worse, as it burns with a mind consuming pain. The blazing agony caused by these crystals weakens the brain and makes the victim think of little else except that searing pain. They may try to distract themselves or focus on the fight, but that agony seizes their attention and refuses to leave their thoughts. Soon they will be itching and tearing at the wound, desperate to be free of it, but that only makes it worse, digging it in deeper. Survivors state that the shards shrug off basic healing and soothing Phlegm, requiring twice the amount of calming fluid to dull its bite. The shards must be doused and removed, lest the pain drive folks mad. Horror stories tell of those so desperate to free themselves of the blazing shards that they gnaw off their own afflicted limbs like rabid beasts.

Though the Primal Legion is a terror and threat to any who enter its colony or dig too far down, some have noticed a potential positive. The Legion despises intruders and perceived threats, defending their nests at all costs. This is not unlike another underground menace...While the Legion hates man, it despises the Arimakki even more, as they are competition. Battles have been witnessed where tunnels from the opposing sides meet up, and the crazed insects go to war. These fights are brutal and messy, eventually resulting in one side sealing their tunnel and abandoning the area. The victor gains the territory, but not without a bloody cost. It would seem the two sides are evenly matched, as the Legion's thick armor and sharp claws allow them to shred the soft squishy flesh of the Arimakki. However, the boiling fluids of their Feverish Sweat and wide array of specimens allows them to cook the termites within their own shells and conceive new strategies to gain the upper hand. The fights are a fifty-fifty chance, but in the end, the territory gained and lost is in constant fluctuation. Neither side will see total victory, but those who despise the feverish parasites may appreciate having a Legion tunnel in their region as a final defense.

While the Primal Legion is a monstrosity like any of the other primal beasts, some point to their growing presence and massive colony as proof that another hand is at work here. Though the other mutations are by no means failing, it cannot be denied that the Legion is thriving far better than any "random" mutation could. How is it that this specific type of monstrosity is faring so well? Even when facing off against hunters and Arimakki? Surely their population must be hit hard from these battles, and yet they continue on. It is obvious who is blamed in these rumors, the Academy of Veritas Mundus. Seekers of knowledge and answers, no matter the cost. The Church has warned many of their methods, many of their madness, but does it mean it is actually true?

One story claims it to be so. It was said that one person did succeed in surviving a breach into the colony, and was able to navigate its tunnels for some time. In their time down below, they swear they mapped a major area of the colony to be right below Academy grounds. The very heart of this great nest, centered where these researchers do their work. Could it really be a coincidence? After all, there is an arm of the Academy that studies dragons and Eitr. The Antiquaries are members who delve deep in the past, and seek answers about the age that came before. Could it not be that they are the source of these primal beasts? Did their studies and collection of Eitr present a tempting opportunity? It is hard to say, especially since so much hinges on rumor. But then again, if the Legion is on Academy grounds, it would explain how the Academy has evaded Arimakki infestation for so long....

------------------------------

"Primal Legion"

[katherinakaina]

While I am at it, I'll share another Russian language insight with those who may not know it.

In Codex Entry video 'Pathologic Marble Nest for those who will never play it' the author at some point talks about possible meaning of what a Focus is, specifically in relation to nuts. She notes, that maybe all of it is just a joke about testicles that went too far.

I am here to reassure you that it is 100% not that.

How comes? You see, in Russian nuts don't mean testicles. Never. The other food is used to describe it - eggs. Delicious.

And it's official. Your doctor will tell you: I must examine your eggs, show me your eggs. You can't make fried eggs for breakfast with your hot gf without joking about her eggs, it's always funny.

So a Russian person playing Pathologic in Russian will never even think about nuts as anything other than just food item. But we can't think straight about eggs.

It is a rare occasion, where there's no joke in the original, but translation creates a joke. And it's very funny especially when we talk about Daniil. Look.

This is a conversation with Girl in Russian. Super literal translation:

- What, beautiful?

- Do you have nuts?

> Why do you need nuts?

> No.

But here is how the same conversation plays out in English:

BECAUSE HE DOESN'T! Get it? I love it.

So yeah, when Shrew harasses Daniil about his nuts in Marble Nest she doesn't actually mean anything dirty. But it still enriches the story in my opinion.

[junesrooms]

my entire physical tbr itemized, categorized, and alphabetized: (it's really a lot more than i thought it was oops!)

currently reading: 3 - sunburn by chloe michelle howarth - the hobbit by j.r.r. tolkien - the goldfinch by donna tartt (reread)

fiction: 71 - call me by your name by andré aciman - marytr! by kaveh akbar - mansfield park by jane austen - persuasion by jane austen - sense and sensibility by jane austen - bunny by mona awad - leaving the yellow house by saul bellow - jaws by peter benchley - evelina by frances burney - the finger by william s. burroughs - the skeleton's holiday by leonora carrington - the perks of being a wallflower by stephen chbosky - the gilded wolves by roshani chokshi - the silvered serpents by roshani chokshi - the bronzed beasts by roshani chokshi - and then there were none by agatha christie - until we shatter by kate dylan - glittering city by cyprian ekwensi - the black ball by ralph ellison - gone girl by gillian flynn - grendel by john gardner - the magicians by lev grossman - the scarlet letter by nathaniel hawthorne - beach read by emily henry - dune by frank herbert - the price of salt by patricia highsmith - the missing girl by shirley jackson - capitana by cassandra james - this fatal kiss by alicia jasinska - howl's moving castle by diana wynne jones - the great hunger by patrick kavanagh - antarctica by claire keegan - so late in the day by claire keegan - piers of the homeless night by jack kerouac - one flew over the cuckoo's nest by ken kesey - if it bleeds by stephen king - the legend of the sleepers by danilo kiš - babel by r.f. kuang - the poppy war by r.f. kuang - a game of thrones by george r.r. martin - the breakthrough by daphne du maurier - the road by cormac mccarthy - the haunted boy by carson mccullers - gone with the wind by margaret mitchell - anne of green gables by l.m. montgomery - the veiled woman by anaïs nin - the custard heart by dorothy parker - the cracked looking-glass by katherine anne porter - the vampire lestat by anne rice - till september petronella by jean rhys - pamela by samuel richardson - if we were villains by m.l. rio - intermezzo by sally rooney - normal people by sally rooney - as you like it by william shakespeare - julius caesar by william shakespeare - frankenstein by mary shelley - unwholly by neal shusterman - water moon by samantha sotto yambao - east of eden by john steinbeck - the vigilante by john steinbeck - kidnapped by robert louis stevenson - treasure island by robert louis stevenson - the little friend by donna tartt - fools of fortune by william trevor - on earth we're briefly gorgeous by ocean vuong - are you listening? by tillie walden - the cloud roads by martha wells - hell followed with us by andrew joseph white - death the barber by william carlos williams - oranges are not the only fruit by jeanette winterson

fiction (rereads): 10 - little women by louisa may alcott - emma by jane austen - jane eyre by charlotte brontë - the curious incident of the dog in the night-time by mark haddon - motherthing by ainslie hogarth - the bell jar by sylvia plath - interview with the vampire by anne rice - king lear by william shakespeare - the taming of the shrew by william shakespeare - dracula by bram stroker

translated fiction: 29 - the end by samuel beckett - in the absence of men by philippe besson - the garden of forking paths by jorge luis borges - the distance of the moon by italo calvino - blue bamboo by osamu dazai - pandora's box by osamu dazai - the real osamu dazai: a life in twenty stories by osamu dazai - crime and punishment by fyodor dostoevsky - the count of monte cristo by alexandre dumas - why do you wear a cheap watch? by hans fallada - the dialogue of two snails by federico garcía lorca - four russian short stories by gazdanov & others - kiki's delivery service by eiko kadono - the vegetarian by han kang - the three electroknights by stanislaw lem - the survivor by primo levi - daydream and drunkenness of a young lady by clarice lispector - kafka on the shore by haruki murakami - lance by vladimir nabokov - i have more souls than one by fernando pessoa - the gigolo by françoise sagan - letter to my mother by georges simenon - of dogs and walls by yūko tsushima - backwards to britain by jules verne - twenty thousand leagues under the sea by jules verne - aeneid by virgil - asleep by banana yoshimoto - goodbye tsugumi by banana yoshimoto - butter by asako yuzuki

translated fiction (rereads): 7 - three japanese short stories by akutagawa & others - the iliad by homer - the odyssey by homer - amerika by franz kafka - the elephant vanishes by haruki murakami - metamorphoses by ovid - war and peace by leo tolstoy

non-fiction: 16 - africa's tarnished name by chinua achebe - the kill jar by j. reuban appelman - dark days by james baldwin - the red tenda of bologna by john berger - the duke in his domain by truman capote - smoke gets in your eyes and other lessons from the crematory by caitlin doughty - loving sylvia plath by emily van duyne - the problem that has no name by betty friedan - on writing: a memoir of the craft by stephen king - the nineties by chuck klosterman - the master's tools will never dismantle the master's house by audre lorde - the longest silence: a life in fishing by thomas mcguane - notes on nationalism by george orwell - notes on 'camp' by susan sontag - just kids by patti smith - food by gertrude stein

non-fiction (rereads): 2 - letter from birmingham jail by martin luther king, jr. - the unabridged journals of sylvia plath by sylvia plath

translated non-fiction: 4 - meditations by marcus aurelius - on living and dying well by cicero - an advertisement for toothpaste by ryszard kapuściński - madame du deffand and the idiots by javier marías

translated non-fiction (rereads): 2 - create dangerously by albert camus - i want to die but i want to eat tteokbokki by baek sehee

total: 144 books