#still here rescue center and sanctuary

[stillheresanctuary]

Since it has been a while, how has all the residents been doing?

Thank you for asking! That's actually a very good question especially after such a long time. Let me see where we all left off...

Want me to do roll call?

Oh! That would be lovely, thank you Key! Right, while he's gathering everyone, I believe it would be best to start with a couple general updates:

As of last posting, five Residents were unable to relate or did not have names beyond their general typing; Our multi-return Brassberry, the murder survivor Lumen, the hoarded Blue Naga, and the Wolf Duo. I'm pleased to announce that all of them now have names! While their tags haven't been updated yet, I am happy to related that our Brassberry has finally chosen to be called Locke (KeyLargo was ridiculously pleased about the choice, I think it's supposed to be a pun), the Lumen survivor managed to tell us that his name is Cream, the battered Blue Naga decided he liked the nickname Nile, and of the two SkeleWolves, the now-identified RuffFluff chose to call himself and his ShyFluff companion Skoll and Hati after the Norse legend. The ShyFluff hasn't quite gotten over being named after the wolf who chases the sun, but he seems to like it well enough and the RuffFluff genuinely seems to enjoy those legends.

Halim would also like to report that he has gotten quite a lot of help in performing the research needed to develop prosthetics for some of our more injured residents, and both Jasper and Spike have been fitted with suitable prosthetics to compensate for their lost appendages. While there's still a lot of research to be done, we did get ahold of a few monster scientists and have been renting time at the local MakerSpace to utilize their resin and filament 3D printers. Jasper is on the sixth iteration of his prosthetic arm, while Spike is on the third iteration of his replacement hand. I'm hoping with these advancements, we'll eventually be able to create other assistive devices for disabled and injured bitties, like our own Pepper the Papython with his stunted tail. He's currently working with a prototype wheelchair and has been having great fun smacking into everyone's ankles.

There is also some bittersweet news in regards to Chase the Twister and Whisper the Meek. Unfortunately, Chase Fell Down after almost a year in our care, and Dusted after about three weeks in the coma-like state. After speaking extensively with the therapist he was visiting on a weekly basis as well as a few specialists in the near area, his endurance of a full year with a broken bond is entirely unprecedented, and it's thought that the cause of his Falling Down was related to the permanent drop in his HP after the incident. Halim tells me that Chase very likely caught an illness at some point and refused to tell anyone about it until it was too late to help, and he passed gently in his sleep. We spread his Dust over the bay window seat he ended up enjoying most during his stay. Whisper, on the other hand, has become a part of the Crew. After a long time searching for his original owner, he finally decided that it was no longer worth the heartache, and instead focused on making his stay at the Sanctuary the best he could possibly make it. While he still defaults to Circular Gallifreyan as his first written language, he has become quite fluent in English as well as American Sign Language and has been helping Code with the construction of a speech pad small enough for Bitty Bones to use. He's also taken it upon himself to learn how to identify panic responses and the long email chains he has with Chase's former therapist tell me that he is looking into seeing if he can learn psychology to help out around the Center.

Ey, Key said ya wanted some help with updates?

Hiya, Ed. Yeah, we've been offline for quite a while, figured a whole house update would be good.

Told 'em about Chase?

...Yeah.

Mmm. Good. Get to Mama's Litter yet?

Nuh-uh. You wanna give the run down?

Eh, sure.

A'ight, so, Mama's Litter. S'what we call the group that needs special focused attention basically 24/7, an' Mama's basically hard wired for that kinda care. She's got Princess helpin' t'take care of Purr, little guy's got some kinda allergy t'the resins we been tryin' for prosthetics so he's got arm crutches for now. Teddy took to 'er really well, seen 'im braidin' stuff in 'er fur. He's doin' well on that lotus tea, too, hasn't had any heat flare ups since we got the right dosage figured.

Ah, who else... Oh, yeah.

Skoll an' Hati, the wolf duo, they've been doin' well with Mama keepin' 'em in line. Think she considers 'em -like- older kits, she doesn't fuss over them as much as Sunny an' the littles.

Lessee... You talk about the Support Classes?

It was a mistake to introduce you to Team Fortress 2.

Sure, sure. Doesn't make it less accurate.

What Ed means is our specialists working in the background and helping keep the Center running. Halim is our head medic, and he's recently got a scholarship to take further classes at the local community college. He's teaching Van some of the more advanced stuff, and there's a bi-monthly First Aid refresher for everyone on the Crew.

Bahadur is our resident chef, and he actually did a 9 month course on nutritional science at the local trade school. Al and Jasper both help him out from time to time, but he enjoys making meals for everyone and likes to ensure that every bite is full of love and good intentions.

Speaking of Jasper, I forgot to mention that Saffron and Coils, his original housemates? They're expecting a clutch soon! It was a bit of surprise for everyone, most of us at the Center kind of forgot that bonded mates -well- mate, and I was not aware of bitty prophylactics until far too late in the game. Saffron is carrying the clutch, which hasn't helped his paranoia, but Coils has really come into his own now that his tail is fully healed and has taken it upon himself to build a proper home for them and their coming babybones. Well, 'build'. He talked to Sharptooth, who talked to Ed, who talked to Al, who talked to Whisper, who has open access to my laptop for his psychology lessons... About two weeks after finding out about the clutch, I got a massive package under my name delivered from a local carpenter who thought he was making a giant guinea pig hutch. It's an excellent house, don't get me wrong, but there's a reason I removed all my card information from my computer and Whisper got grounded for three days.

Honest to the Angel, I swear I did not know the kid was gonna do that.

I don't blame you, Ed, you're not omniscient. This stuff happens sometimes.

Anyway, I think that's most of the big developments.

Cream and Spike have gotten really close, Pocket and Bobbin are still touch averse to wildly different degrees, Moon has been having a BLAST getting up to mischief with Code and Sharptooth, Nile woke up and became a total motormouth... Oh! Grassy is learning to read and write in Braille, since most of his vision never returned, and the Meeratale Trio had their baby and are currently riding high on the fact their abusive previous owner won't be getting out of prison for another 18 months and can never come near them again. Jerkoff got blacklisted from every bitty associated agency across four states and still has to pay child support. It's incredible.

I think that's everyone...?

Heh, you're still missin' two, darl.

I am-? Oh! Vela and Cu!

Vela has recovered almost entirely from his broken state when he was originally brought in, he needs to wear a brace where his leg got a small infection and didn't heal correctly, but he's getting around just fine and has started up a sci-fi debate club of sorts.

Cu Chullain, I am extremely proud to announce, has started going to school! On the internet. Because he's still got some pretty severe separation anxiety. He's literally napping in the collar of my sweater right now. But-! He's learned a lot of English and while he's still mostly non-verbal, he can read and write and actually provided some useful testimony that helped the state take down three more bitty fighting rings apparently all being run under the same shell corporation.

Pretty cool he recognized the head guy on TV that one time.

Oh yeah, that gave me a hell of a spook when he launched down the back of my shirt though. Took us -what- twenty minutes to get him to calm down?

At least that, yeah.

In any case, I'm pretty sure that's the whole roster! If anyone has any more in depth questions or anything, please feel free to drop a line in the askbox. Buh-bye!

See ya.

[ki-yomii]

helloo! could you recommend your favorite jungkook and yoongi fics? thank you and have a lovely day ♡

hey there~ 💛

... tbh i haven’t read too many fics for my boys lately 🙈

i've been trying to work through the books sitting on my shelf collecting dust + i got sucked back into fallout now that the show is out lol.

but i do have some all-time favorites!!

please mind the warnings/tags - you're responsible for your own reading consumption. that said, all of these fics are 🔞

i hope you have a great day nonnie and if you have any recs send them my way 🥰!

JUNG KOOK FICS

the crimson shell series by @angelicyoongie

mermaid aus are my lifeblood istg. and this is one of the best one's i've ever read!! it's dark, it's creepy, it's foreboding - and tantalizing. everything i love about mermaid/siren aus crammed into one series.

you had always found comfort in being at the beach, often spending hours just watching the waves lap against the shore. but unbeknowst to you – something had been watching you back.

make you mine two-shot by @colormepurplex2

i'm a sucker for abo, and as such, have read a looot of it over the years. its a genre that's very easy to descend into wtf-how-are-they-still-alive-after-THAT territory but this fic does it very well in a way i haven't seen too often. i loved the world-building and set up.

Alphas might rule the world, but Jungkook finds himself being ruled by the need to make you his. Omegas are rare, precious, and pliant. At least, most are. When you present late, well into your twenties, you're already set in your headstrong ways; a challenge even for a commanding alpha like Jungkook. Add to that the centuries-long feud between your families and the last thing anyone expected was for him to claim you as his soulmate.

a sea of indigo series by @foxymoxynoona this was the first BTS fic i ever read... and is a big reason as to why i got into the fandom in the first place. i had no clue who they were before then. i'd heard of them + listened to agust d without knowing it was yoongi 💀 but this fic made me check out BTS RUN and now here we are 🤪

Pitbull Hybrid Jungkook has finally been freed from the fighting rings, and now finds himself at Marigold Sanctuary & Transition Estate, a place for healing and self-discovery for rescued hybrids. It's stupid, dumb, cheesy, and hell-bent on helping Jungkook "heal" and "find himself" and "decide the course of his life." And right at the center of it is Y/N, a nurse who's got everyone bamboozled that she's like some awesome person. She's not that great. Jungkook hates it here.

YOONGI FICS

witch oneshot by @sailoryooons

this is easily one of my top 3 yoongi fics. the world building, the tension, the relationship between yoongi and reader. it ticks all my boxes and vividly paints a picture of this universe. i adore the concept, and love the way this fic is brought to life through sailoryooons storytelling.

For years, you and Yoongi have played cat and mouse. It’s his duty to rid the world of witches, but he always finds a new excuse to let you slip through his fingers. When you find yourself at his mercy, you wonder if the great witch hunter will finally end your game of chase, or if there’s something that will stay his hand. 

desolate series by @angelicyoongie

one of the first hybrid fics i've read for bts 😭 i love my lil meow meow and the set-up for this fic is amazing. it takes a fresh direction with the hybrid trope and builds a relationship that feels organic and progresses very naturally💛

you just wanted a cute little normal cat to keep you company. so you're not really sure how you ended up with the grumpiest hybrid on earth that seems hellbent on making your life difficult.

ps. i woof you oneshot by @gimmesumsuga

this one is just so so cute and asjhdjsghfjs!! i adored remi and thought about having yoongi and holly as neighbors for days after reading this lol.

The one with a happy accident of the furry, four-legged kind - “Are you calling my dog a slut?!” 

first and last and always oneshot by @floralseokjin

i'm not one for holiday fics/aus usually but there's something about this one that i absolutely adored. it felt very realistic and drew me into the relationship within the first few paragraphs. the angst is so well done and heartfelt, it made me cry lol.

You and Yoongi broke up two months ago. It was mutual, you’re positive, but there’s one teeny tiny issue... You never told your parents, and now they’ve invited you back home for Christmas. Both of you. You can’t say no, but you also can’t bear to go alone, so you do the only thing you can think of, plead with Yoongi to come with you and pretend like everything’s okay...

go send these authors some love!!

[typosandtea]

hello tumblr user typosandtea, please take 🏡 for one or several of your oc for the muse asks! happy friday

("Home headcannons" from these oc asks)

Thankyou for the ask :D

Several you say? Hell yeah everybodyyyyyyyy is here!!

111mutant timeline

Murphy

Murphy's home post war is a secret little hideyhole in top of a multi story building with collapsed internal stairs. It's in the city not to far from both diamond city and the airport (since she is sort of bos aligned..). It's a bit bare since she is limited by what she can carry while flying to take up there, but fortunately there was already a couch, cooking station and table etc. since it was an apartment. She hung some dim string lights and patched most of the external holes so that she can sleep in the day. All in all very cozy with as many blankets as she can find since Boston is cold as hell compared to north Aus where she is from. The cooking stove doubles as a heater like one of the old style wood stoves. She thinks nobody can reach her up there but forgets about ladders, the fact that some people are really good at climbing and also jet packs ahaha.

Nathan

Postwar mutated Nathan doesn't really have a home since he isn't lucid most of the time and usually decides yeah this cave/mud hole /building is good enough. Always on the move, lost and wandering without conscious purpose. Prewar Nathan lived in sanctuary veterans estate with Murphy after they were both discharged for injury after anchorage. Nathan did most of the cooking since Murphy is a shockingly bad cook if it's not BBQ haha. He was a good cook, excellent pies of all kinds 👌. They shared the chores equally since Murphy was pregnant and then caring for Shaun and Nathan was learning to live with permanent injuries sustained in anchorage. Nathan liked to knit.

Tangos timeline

Tango

It's been a long time since Tango has settled anywhere, making friends for the first time in their life will do that to someone. They still visit Bobby and Darren occasionally but it's a long way from Boston so not recently. They occasionally hang around sanctuary and then later the castle while they sometimes help general Preston build up the minutemen (when they feel like it, Tango is very self-centered in the beginning). Is at the castle a lot more once they rescue curie and help her with her quest! Joined the bos in Cambridge thinking that Danse and co was the entirety of it, very rude shock when prydwen turned up. Worlds most difficult knight. They could be found at the airport sometimes. Has a habit of just disappearing on people including Danse (especially when they are rostered on for night patrol or cleaning) They do have a few small hidden garages dotted around so they can resupply, clean and preform maintenance on themselves in peace(they are a bit vain), very few people know about those though, Tango just up and disappears for a while to most people! The garages are well stocked with tools, power armor parts (that usually require mods to fit Tango) ammo and rifles in various states of repair.

Darren & Bobby

Since I've yet to speak about these idiots much: Darren and Bobby are the pair of robobrains responsible for turning the scavver into Tango! Partners that like to bicker and are disgustingly in love (in Tangos opinion). They are inside an old general atomics military facility which they have since turned into a home after overcoming most of their programming and being the remaining living residents, though there are some Mr.handies that they send on fetch quests for materials sometimes. Home for them is well hidden and secluded deep in the facility with only one partially collapsed tunnel left into the wing, they like it this way to keep others out! Very sciencey evil lair vibes with homely touches like and art and a cute little wine cabinet (robobrains and other biorobots like tango can drink as a little treat <3) Darren insists on coasters for all liquid containers even beakers and Bobby thinks they are pointless. Both like it very clean and it's spotless by wasteland standards.

Thorn

Thorn is this timelines 111 resident, though there is not a sole as such in the story, the quests are taken by a bunch of different people! Thorn takes the shortest most selfish route possible to get to fort Hagen with Nick. Once they get there she turns on and attempts to murder Nick and convinces Kellogg to take her straight to Shaun. From then on she and Kellogg live at the institute while she becomes a merciless director under fathers praise and an effective killer under Kellogg's tutelage (and eventual partnership). The world is a crueler place for her presence.

Libby

Libby is a ~100yo ghoul (she stopped counting) with a smart mouth and a knack for shotguns and explosives. She's also a recent minuteman recruit by Tango. After helping to take back the castle she is promoted to a squad leader, their shared quarters are often full of laughter and sarcastic jokes. The whole castle is bustling with life and activity usually, even the nighttime quite is a rhythm of watch changes and radio whispers.

Slick

Slick is a young ex gunner that was captured during a mission at gunners HQ well after the castle is established. He defected after he was treated better in minutemen custody than he was as an active low level gunner! Also lives at the castle now, is one of Libby's squad as they really hit it off as friends during his capture. He loves that the castle is always busy, full of people working together, he doesn't have to worry about getting disciplined for breathing wrong or minor mistakes like he did in the gunners and is so grateful for it.

[womensecretinfo]

Pets Urgent Care

Imagine a world where words aren't needed, where a wagging tail or a gentle purr can express what's hidden deep within a pet's heart. Our beloved pets, those creatures of fur and feather who fill our lives with boundless joy and unspoken affection, deserve nothing but the best when it comes to their well-being. Accidents and illnesses can strike our furry friends with unexpected swiftness in this fast-paced existence. This is where the concept of "Pets Urgent Care" steps in, offering solace and rapid healing to these cherished members of our families. A Loving Haven for Our Precious Companions In the grand tapestry of life, pets are the threads that weave unforgettable memories. But what happens when the lines are threatened to be unraveled? This is where the concept of pets' urgent care plays a vital role. It's not just a facility; it's a sanctuary where our companions are tended to with unparalleled expertise and compassion. 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From late-night traumas to sudden health crises, their doors are always open, and their expertise is ever-present. A Pillar of Comfort for Pet Parents It's not just the pets who are affected; their human companions often need support, too. The understanding staff at pet urgent care centers don't just offer medical aid but a reassuring presence for worried pet parents. In their eyes, they see the reflection of the same love and concern that fuels their passion. Beyond Healing: A Haven of Hope Healing isn't confined to physical ailments; it also extends to the emotional realm. Pets urgent care centers provide a haven of hope, reminding us that there's light to be found even in the darkest moments. They nurture bodies and spirits, mending invisible wounds that only a pet lover can comprehend. When Time Stands Still: Personalized Attention In a world of hustle, pet urgent care centers create an oasis where time stands still for our four-legged companions. 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They are sentinels of health, offering a sanctuary where love, expertise, and compassion converge. In a world where time races forward, they ensure that our pets receive the care they deserve when they need it the most. FAQs Q1: What types of emergencies do pet urgent care centers handle? Pets urgent care centers are equipped to handle various emergencies, including accidents, sudden illnesses, poisoning, and more. Q2: Are pets urgent care centers open 24/7? Yes, many pet urgent care centers operate around the clock to provide care whenever emergencies arise. Q3: How do I know if my pet needs urgent care or can wait for a regular vet visit? If your pet is experiencing severe distress, significant changes in behavior, or any symptoms that worry you, it's best to seek urgent care to ensure their well-being. Q4: Do pet urgent care centers offer specialized care for certain animals? Yes, many centers offer specialized care tailored to the needs of different animals, whether they are cats, dogs, birds, or exotic pets. Q5: Can I visit a pet's urgent care center for preventive services like vaccinations? While urgent care centers primarily focus on emergencies, some may offer limited preventive services. It's advisable to contact the center beforehand to confirm their offerings. Conclusion Our pets play a symphony of love in the grand orchestra of life that knows no boundaries. When that symphony is disrupted by illness or injury, pets urgent care centers step in as the conductors of healing. With skilled hands, compassionate hearts, and a deep understanding of the unspoken language between humans and animals, they orchestrate a melody of recovery. These centers are not just buildings; they are the guardians of our pets' well-being, the keepers of hope, and the embodiment of unwavering care. Read the full article

[travelingturtles]

June 22, 2023

I have truly been remiss, but no time like the present. Here are some snapshots of the past month:

I may have mentioned Harvest Host? A yearly fee of approximately $80 and you have the opportunity to stay in a plethora of ranches, farms, wineries, breweries, distilleries, dairies… In exchange, one is expected to spend $20 and purchase their merchandise, or make a donation. We’ve had our share of Harvest Host experiences. Coastal Brewing Company in Savannah where we played bingo and won a crawler of beer, Grayce Wild Horse Preserve with exceptionally well cared for rescues, Stable View in South Carolina boasted hunter courses and pristine stables for the uppermost crust of equestrian riders, Animal Sanctuary where Debbie homed over 100 animals from pigs to parrots, ponies, dogs and cats and even a couple of rescue toads. She was on first name basis with all 100+ of them!

With every intention of getting back to California by August 15, we had a difficult time heading west. This was due to the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains just north of Asheville, NC. We’d been wanting to visit Asheville for years having heard about the amazing music scene. Either we visited the wrong time of year or it isn’t what it once was, but Eddie and I were underwhelmed when it came to finding good music. On the other hand, the old Amtrak warehouses converted into art studios, workshops and galleries made up for it in spades. We watched glass blowers blowing, silk screener screening, jewelers jeweling, potters potting. They offer workshops and the galleries are impressive and endless. We had to return for another day to get our fill. We stayed in 1899 Wright Inn B and B and were spoiled rotten. We were served exquisite two course breakfasts, wine and cheese in the afternoons and the house was a heritage site and gorgeous. Clifford was a bit jealous, but every once in a while we like to treat ourselves to the other side of life and Clifford will just have to get over it. Besides there was a tune up in his future, and that made up for the betrayal.

Tuned, oil changed, new windshield wiper mechanism, AC compression oil changed and we were ready to roll.

North from Asheville, onto the Blue Ridge Parkway to Pisgah. I never tire of a shibui landscape. Mum often used this word to describe a particular aesthetic of simple, subtle and unobtrusive beauty, usually in reference to a vista with mountains overlapping to the horizon. Green to black to grey to blue to white. The Blue Ridge Mountains truly do appear as blue. I could sit and contemplate that view for a very long time. We camped at Pisgah, Julian Price Lake, Linville Falls and Stone Mountain. At Linville Falls we watched a young man climb a 60+ foot waterfall and do triple flip loop-di-loops into the swimming hole below! We hiked 5 to 7 miles a day, saved a tortoise along the parkway from being run over. I’ve saved three so far. It is my calling, being the traveling turtles that we are… we’ve got to stick together. Blue Ridge Parkway runs north south and we are trying to head west, but we had to go as far north as the Blue Ridge Music Center, visit their museum and listen to locals playing their old time folk music. As tradition has it, songs get passed around the circle. When it came to the bass players turn, no one knew the song Across the Great Divide, by Kate Wolf. I raised my hand, pointed to Eddie and said “My husband knows it!” They invited him up to play with them. So Eddie got to sit in with the band. As serendipity has it, we discover that Watch Tower, formerly Mandolin Orange, were performing in the outdoor amphitheater that very night and they still had tickets. The only bad thing about that evening is that sitting around on festival chairs with friendly people and the grass beneath our toes gave us pangs of missing the Kate Wolf Music Festival.

Our journey West finally in earnest has begun. From the Blue Ridge to Virginia to Tennessee. One of our on the road less traveled stays was in Damascus, Virginia. The only reason we found this town of 800 was because I took a wrong turn, ended up on a dirt road and voila, we were in Damascus. We stopped to fill up Clifford’s belly and discovered that this town is the convergence of four trails, the Appalachian, U.S. Bicycle Route 76, The Iron Mountain Trail and the Virginia Creeper Trail. It is also on the route of the Daniel Boone Heritage Trail and the Crooked Road Music Heritage Trail. We hiked the Crooked Trail. The only music we found was a guy with his beat up guitar who’d been kicked out of his girlfriend’s house and was living out of his van. He played us a few toothless songs that he’d written about love lost. He only knew a few chords but had a pretty voice. We stayed in an old mill where the proprietors offered to do all of our laundry, even our sheets. What a treat! Once we got to Tennessee, we stayed at another Harvest Host on a dairy farm. The only proprietor we met there was an 11 year old boy who came zooming up on an ATV from somewhere down the road where his Grammy lived. He couldn’t visit with us long because his step-dad expected him to mow the fields before nightfall. Andrew was well mannered and curious about everything in Clifford. He asked questions about the engine that we couldn’t answer and asked to take a spin on our electric bikes, which of course we obliged. He was homeschooled because there was too much work on the farm. Children grow up fast in these part and he couldn’t have been a nicer young gentleman. With the sun beginning to set, he rushed off jumped on a massive John Deere tractor which engulfed him and adeptly road off into the mowing sunset.

A few more nights, with day visits to the Country Music Museum in Bristol, where the first ever recordings of country music were made, a zip through Knoxville and another Harvest Host night at Short Mountain Distillery. The land and high mineral content of the spring water is home to this distillery which has been making moonshine, whiskey and bourbon for centuries. Al Capone was a frequent visitor to this land. Al Capone!

And then there’s Nashville where just by serendipity, our middle name, we discovered that Bruce Cockburn was playing Saturday Night at the CMA (Country Music Association) and Jackson Browne was playing Sunday night at the Opry House. We procured tickets for Bruce and emailed Jackson’s manager… Lucky us, Eddie and I both got to teach/counsel Jackson’s nephew for four years at Happy Valley School in Ojai. Jackson was Jay’s guardian so we had the opportunity to get to know him. We are very grateful and tickled pink to have gotten to sit 5 rows back and center and hear him perform for three hours in such an iconic venue. He was awesome. And Bruce of course was fabulous too!! Broadway in Nashville is Bourbon St in New Orleans on crack. The cacophony of colliding country bands mixed with drunken bachelorettes and dazzled tourists in cowgirl boots and 10 gallon hats is enough stimulation to last a lifetime. We watched in wonder and went home to our Airbnb. Monday night we went to The Station Inn to hear a country bluegrass band with a very dignified audience. It’s just a little hole in the wall with pizza, popcorn and pop, but the musicianship is phenomenal. On Tuesday night we went to The Grand Ole’ Opry because when in Rome…. The land of Dolly Parton and Roy Acuff. Riders in the Sky started off the show. Four really old dudes who looked like character out of the Coen Brother’s movie, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. We witnessed one girl have her debut Opry experience. She performed with her two brothers on guitar on either side of her. And a slew of other music vignettes ripe with songs about booze, trucks, Jesus, boots and betrayal. Whew, we survived Nashville! From there we happily climbed aboard out trusty Cliffy and ventured back into the woods and streams and trails.

Alrighty friends, until next time, Love and hugs,

Karen

[mountainviewsanctuary]

🐐🙏🏻It's SATurday with Cappy! On SATurday, if they fits, they sits 😉 Today, our handsome model is Cappy. Here we have just one of the preferred sitting spaces at MVS, the super-duper slide seat. Made of luxurious plastic, this slide comes unattached to anything else for optimal portability. With a comfy curved center and sides, this is specifically designed for eating, napping and sunbathing on. You can stretch as much as you want on this luxurious slide, providing ultimate comfort for your enjoyment. If you're seeking a wonderful spot for your sits to take place, the super-duper slide seat is a great choice. Hurry though, as slide seats get chosen quite quickly and believe us you don't want to miss out! Could you please spare a little money for our hay and feed fund? Even just $1? At the moment EACH bale of hay at Big R is an INSANE $16. We're looking for a local hay supplier for straight grass horse quality hay. 💜🙏🏻PLEASE Donate at: www.MountainViewSanctuary.org/donate 🛒 Or check out our wishlist to donate much needed items to us at: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2PES56OG7T72U?ref_=wl_share ⚠️PLEASE donate with the link above. Donating through facebook still helps us, but it takes weeks + for the funds to reach us 😔 #SATurday #IfItFitsItSits #Mountain #View #Sanctuary #MountainViewSanctuary #vegan #animal #animalsanctuary #buddhist #rescue #cute #viral #trending #goat #goats #sheep #cow #pigs #pig #donkey #chicken #CO #Colorado #animallovers #sanctuarylife #nonprofit #nonprofitorganization #donate #cappy https://www.instagram.com/p/CpYIYbFOqsr/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[wesavegotham]

#I tried saying this on twitter but people jumped me#and they mentioned how Damian had so many books centered around him this year#even though literally not one of them actually focused on him

I'm so confused by the amount of people I've seen who bring up the existence of Batman vs Robin as a counter-argument when someone tries to talk about how DC mishandles Damian. The book is not centered on him or about Damian in any positive way. The outcome might be considered good for him depending on what you want for him. I mean, I wanted a new Batman and Robin book with Bruce and Damian or at least Damian back in Gotham for years. He can still be independent and travel around the world once he ages out of the Robin mantle if you ask me.

But the way we got there? It's just so bad. Also Shadow War had already made them get along again. Damian simply wanted to stay on Lazarus island to watch over the sanctuary he had started to build there. They were already back on good terms before BvsR. This was not necessary to get them back together.

I understand one might think a book called Batman vs Robin would be mainly about Bruce and Damian's relationship (even if the "vs" should already make it clear that it's probably not going to be positive).

But it's not. It's really, really not. So much of it is just about how awesome Bruce is as a fighter and detective (the only time he loses is because he's too alpha to submit to the helmet of fate and he sacrifices himself for Damian instead of simply getting straight up blasted like Nezha was about to do only because Damian intervened. They couldn't just have Bruce get killed by Nezha, they had to make it a heroic sacrifice), King Fire Bull and Nezha, Bruce and Alfred and about how many magical characters Waid can shove into one storyline. Damian is an absolute afterthought in this.

Bruce's POV gets featured way more than his. The criticism Damian (and the other Robins in issue #3) voices about Bruce gets dismissed by acting like it's just the possession and doesn't get resolved. The whole point of Damian's arc in this seems to be to make Damian realize that he he'll never be as good as Bruce and is worth less than him. The best thing Waid could come up with when trying to talk about Bruce and Damian bonding was not bringing up some good moments from Batman and Robin 2011, it was this:

(Is it supposed to be funny that this version of Damian apparently thought all Clowns in Gotham were the Joker or something? Meh)

And Bruce's "emotional" inner monologue in response to their "dramatic fight between father and son" was mostly:

Listing the martial arts moves he didn't know Damian knew yet. Thrilling. Probably the most boring choice that tells me the absolute least about how Bruce feels about all of this or about their relationship in general. What a waste.

Btw, for the people who haven't read the book and think this looks like Damian is winning...he doesn't. Of course Bruce manages to outwit him with Batman's magical prep time.

Now, you could try to argue that this was a story about Bruce proving his love for his son by rescuing him from Nezha's clutches...only that this is Batman we are talking about here, you could have put pretty much any character in Damian's place and I don't think Bruce would have acted significantly different. Nezha is a big threat to the entire world that needs to be investigated and stopped and Bruce jumps in front of people to protect them all the time.

Waid simply didn't put in the work to truly sell it that Damian being Nezha's puppet makes a difference. He doesn't sell the relationship or Damian's skills as special or threatening enough because he's way more interested in delving into Bruce's relationship with Alfred or letting Bruce look cool when he puts on the helmet of fate.

Waid simply didn't pull it of.

Anyway, I feel like I'm starting to ramble too much.

My point is, Damian feels like one of the characters Waid put the least amount of thought into when it came to making them feel important, special and useful.

I would never put it on a list of Damian-centered books because it isn't.

I could make an even longer post including panels to explain all the reasons why I don't agree with the people I've seen online who act like the recent stories of Tim saving Bruce at the end of Batman #135 and Damian saving Bruce at the end of Batman vs Robin are very similar and treating Tim and Damian equally good, but that would probably end up being too long. So here is the slightly less long version to explain what fundamentally sets them apart:

Tim is simply allowed to be good and heroic with no drawbacks. And Damian is not.

There was no argument before Bruce vanished that Tim saving him is an apology for. Bruce didn't get lost because of a mistake Tim made. Tim's way of travelling through the multiverse didn't require him to do anything bad to get it and his travels don't have any negative consequences for him or the places he goes to. Tim didn't only manage to save Bruce after asking for help from a bunch of other characters he met during his journey through the multiverse.

He is simply allowed to be Batman's shining saviour.

Now that alone isn't a problem. The problem is that the other character currently wearing the Robin mantle gets treated very differently.

If Damian was the one trying to save Bruce in the same arc I'm pretty sure some of the things I've listed above, if not all of them, would have been done. Because making Damian at fault for the problem he is trying to solve, punishing him repeatedly for messing up and not letting him solve the problem simply through the power of his own abilities is a pretty persistent pattern in Damian's stories.

Like in Batman vs Robin, a recent story some people try to argue gave Damian a "Robin saves Batman" stor equally as nice as the one Tim just got.

Let me break down what Damian's role in that story actually is:

He opens the tomb of Nezha because of his recklessness, Mother Soul only had to arrange for the key to fall into his hands (thus causing all the following terrible events)

He gets possessed by Nezha

He tries and fails to kill his father multiple times, not because Damian is successful in fighting back against Nezha's possession, but because Bruce is simply shown to be superior to him in every way

Bruce dons the helmet of fate and frees everyone possessed by Nezha from his influence, including Damian

Damian begs Bruce for forgiveness

Damian and Talia try to defeat Mother Soul but she simply jumps into an abyss

Damian tries to stop Nezha from killing Bruce, but Nezha then just tries to shoot Damian instead and Bruce jumps in front of the blast, causing him to die

Black Alice and Pigsy manage to revive Bruce, but he's still in a very bad condition

Damian flies them all out of there and crashlands the plane into the Hall of Justice

Damian tries to explain to the heroes what is going on, but everyone turns to (a barely conscious) Batman and they only start listening to Damian once Bruce tells them to do so

Damian comes up with a very vague plan that...I guess one of the two teams had success? The other part of the plan failed and had some unintended consequences though, like Nezha taking full control of Bruce's body, which turned Bruce into nothing more than a husk for Nezha.

Damian remains at the Hall of Justice while the other heroes leave to execute his plan

He gets attacked by King Fire Bull and is completely useless the entire fight even after gaining temporary powers (seriously, it's stated in the book that his heat vision does nothing against a magic being like King Fire Bull)

He yells at King Fire Bull that if he learned anything these past few days it's that you will never be better than your father

The freed magic users defeat King Fire Bull

Nezha in Batman's body returns to the Hall of Justice without the rest of Batman's team, but Damian doesn't become suspicious of him

Damian wakes up captured by Nezha

He manages to escape but Nezha chases him

Monkey Prince explains to Damian the longer Nezha stays in Batman's body the stronger he will get, so they have to get him out of Batman and into his old body fast to banish him, but Nezha is the only thing keeping Bruce's body from dying. If they want to save the world Damian has to kill his father

Damian calls the rest of the batfamily for help to capture Nezha/Batman

After the batfamily wears him down first Monkey Prince uses his cloning ability on Damian to make 20+ (?) clones of Damian that wear Nezha down even further

Zatanna, Enchantress and Pigsy arrive to shackle Nezha and transfer his soul back into his original body on Damian's orders, leaving Bruce dead

Damian then asks Enchantress to transfer his life to Bruce to revive him, arguing that the world needs Batman far more than it needs him. She replies that his sacrifice wouldn't be enough to bring Bruce back, shocking Damian. Zatanna says countless people would need to give parts of themselves to revive Bruce.

Damian asks the entirety of Gotham to give a part of themselves to revive Batman, reminding them of all the times Batman has saved them and to shout "we are Batman" to transfer a part of their lifeforce into Bruce

Bruce comes back to life and they hug

The concluding sentence tells us that this story serves as a lesson to the world that there is no more formidable team than Batman and Robin

Even though we never saw them truly working  together as Batman and Robin at any point of the story and the only lesson I took from this is that Mark Waid really wants you to know that Bruce is the greatest and that Damian will never be as good as his dad. How uplifting.

But hey, they hugged in the end, surely that makes up for all of it, right?😑

Who needs Damian to not be at fault for yet another disaster? For Bruce to say something nice about him that goes beyond "well, he's my son, so I guess I have some love for him even though I can only describe him with bad attributes"? To simply see Damian filling the role Robin is supposed to serve in a story?

Or why let Damian enjoy the privilege that all other male Robins enjoyed? Which was to be Robin without sharing the mantle and getting to be Batman's main crime fighting partner?

Why do that when you can just use Tim for these things instead, right?🙂

And I want to make it clear that it's not just because "the characters are just like that". The characters are fictional, they have no free will.

A writer could simply let Damian have a story where he's not at fault for the problems he faces, where his own abilities allow him to solve the problem and he doesn't have to make shitty decisions because he's been forced into dilemmas other character simply don't get subjected to.

They just constantly choose not to.

[ghastspidergwen]

more info on the stupid shrek au!

Lizzie is a giant axolotl-person-thing living peacefully in her lake at the end of a river that flows through the kingdom. Sometimes she has to chase off fishermen looking to catch ‘the big one’, but other than that, her life is pretty peaceful.

Until one day,when some cod find their way into her lake.  Lizzie tries to shoo them out, but they won’t leave. The next morning, she wakes up to find even more cod in her lake. Eventually, she gets fed up with them, and goes to find the most intelligent looking cod (Jimmy),  who tells her the king banished all the cod from his kingdom. Any that return would be captured or killed on sight. Lizzie decides to confront the king about lifting the cod ban, or giving them a sanctuary not in her lake. Jimmy offers to act as her guide. (continues under cut)

After many days of travel, and Jimmy talking, and singing, and talking, they finally reach the kingdom. Lizzie marches into the palace, and demands an audience with the king. The king grants her permission, and hears her plea for removing the cod from her lake. He says he can do it, but he'd need something in return for it. Let him go consult his advisor really quick on what that should be.

So he ducks into the back room to talk, out of earshot of the fish-people.

He asks his magic mirror (Gem), “There’s these fish people outside my door, and they want the cod out of the lake, but I want to keep them in the kingdom,  I need to give them some sort of impossible task that still sounds achievable, so they don’t make me let the cod back in.”

“Uhhhhh…what about that guy you locked in the tower for insulting you when you were younger. There’s many obstacles and a dragon surrounding it, they wouldn’t be able to rescue him, (probably).”

“That's a genius idea mirror!”

So fWhip returns, and passes along the information, and Jimmy and Lizzie seet off.

More walking, some swimming, and even more talking from Jimmy, and they reach the edge of the tower.  It’s surrounded but a moat. That’s it. There’s just some water, and the occasional magma block, trying to drag down anyone who crosses by boat. So Jimmy and Lizzie just swim across.

Then they make it to the ‘palace’ where the guy is being kept. He’s actually in the top of the center tower, but there’s a maze surrounding it. The walls aren’t very tall, though, so Lizzie just looks over them and directs their path. After not much longer, they reach the center of the maze, to find, stairs. Lots of them. So they climb. When they finally reach the top, they are met with an icy, but otherwise empty room. They venture into it, and a giant ice dragon blocks their path. Lizzie spots the door that presumably leads into the room where the guy’s being kept, and tells JImmy to distract it, I’ll rescue the guy. 

They split off in different directions, and the dragon pursues Jimmy. After much chasing and running, Jimmy is cornered by the dragon, so he does the first thing he can think of, he flirts with it, really badly. 

“Lovely weather we’re having, isn’t it? Especially inside, I’d say it’s pretty cool in here, especially with you. Though, that’s not to say you’re not hot.” This makes the dragon stop, and Jimmy takes it as a sign that it’s working. “So, uh, do you come here often? This is my first time, but if you’re here, I might have to come back.” The dragon starts to melt away, and reveals a really cute guy who was controlling it. Jimmy is so startled, he just continues to flirt.

Meanwhile, Lizzie takes the opportunity to get through the door, grab the guy that’s in there, and throw him over her shoulder and leave. She heads for the stairs, dragon nowhere in sight, and calls for Jimmy, who appears a second later followed by another, obviously smitten, guy.

They go back through the obstacles,and make it to the kingdom in a few days. [Cue travel sequence, including scott and jimmy flirting more (this time mostly scott, though), and Lizzie and Joel becoming friends, then separately realizing they might like each other as more than that] 

Lizzie shows the king they rescued Joel, and demands the cod be removed from the lake. The king says “of course, I ‘ll just take this guy to the prison-I mean his room, then issue the decree.”

They watch as fWhip takes Joel away, into the back room. Scott remarking that Joel probably won’t like the prisons, if it was anytime like his stay there. Shock that Scott was in the king’s prison aside, Lizzie realizes that they’re going to have to do another rescue mission for Joel.

And that’s all I’ve got so far! Feel free to ask questions on this, or leave suggestions for other character's roles, I’ll get back soon as I can to any

[stillheresanctuary]

are we allowed to drop off more bitties?? and how do we go about adopting bitties? or is this just an rp thing no adoption?

I believe this is something I've mentioned a few times in the past, but I have been away from this blog for quite a while now and I don't think I ever got around to being 100% clear on the purpose of SHRCS-

To keep it brief- Drop offs, yes! Adoptions, no! Roleplay is not obligatory, but fun to do, so it happens sometimes.

For more clarity-

Drops offs are how bitties arrive at the Sanctuary. There are some hard limitations on what kind of asks I will answer and what drop offs will actually make it to the project page, since I know I have personal boundaries and there are some asks that will push on those and make me personally unwilling to reply. Please see Cream the Lumen's tag for an example of such an instance, as I was sent a particularly nasty scenario via ask and while I wanted to rescue the bitty, I decided I wasn't going to give the anon the pleasure of having their hateful verbage immortalized in the blog space. I will actively update and add trigger related tags to all posts in need of them (please do give me a heads up if there's anything missing).

As Still Here is primarily a Rescue Center and Sanctuary, it is not a place for adoption scenarios. Fostering is something that can be accomplished, but so far has only happened twice, with lots of time and effort involved from the interested party as well as myself. The point of Still Here is that is a forever home for bitties that have been mistreated, abused, injured, and otherwise come to harm that makes them either unsafe to adopt or that makes the bitties themselves not want to risk further harm from a possible future family. If you are at all familiar with Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary, Still Here functions in a similar fashion.

I like to write! I'm a writer! If I get a particular idea for a drop off, I will often write a small scene, and sometimes people will respond to continue that scene. But me writing said scene does NOT require a response. I do this for fun, as a personal project to enjoy with like minded persons. Do not EVER feel obligated to start a thread just because I jotted down a mini-scene.

[is-the-primate-vid-cute]

Rescuing the Final 10 Wildlife Waystation Chimpanzees

There are still 10 chimpanzees stuck at a closed refuge urgently in need of a new home. We have secured them a space at accredited, NAPSA member sanctuary Chimp Haven, and they can move there by the end of this year.

We need your help to get them there!

The Wildlife Waystation, located outside of Los Angeles, unexpectedly closed in 2019 due to financial difficulties. At the time of closure, more than 40 chimpanzees, most of them formerly used in medical research, were living there, along with more than 430 other wild and domestic animals. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife took over operations and successfully rehomed most of the animals, except the chimpanzees. There are only a handful of accredited sanctuaries able to care for chimpanzees, who are extremely strong, smart, and socially complex, and require specialized care and housing. The North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance was brought in to help locate new homes and lead this campaign to save these chimpanzees in need.

Accredited Sanctuaries are at Capacity - We are Raising Funds to Build New Homes

Qualified sanctuaries are at capacity, without any space available for more groups of chimps. Accredited sanctuaries have worked to rescue these chimps, including Save the Chimps, Chimp Haven, Center for Great Apes, and Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest – and all of them needed funding to construct homes for the chimps and transport them, estimated at $4.7 million. Thankfully, our campaign is over 80% of the way there, and we have been able to successfully rehome 30 of the chimpanzees so far. Still, 10 chimpanzees remain and more funding is urgently needed.

Donate here

It is with very heavy hearts we share the sad news that Alyse, one of our 11 remaining chimpanzees at Wildlife Waystation, passed away at age 33. Alyse and her identical twin sister, Amber, were nearly inseparable throughout their lives together. Both Alyse and Amber were rescued from a biomedical research facility. Amber is doing fine and spending time with the twin's best friend, Mousse, to pass the time. The staff are monitoring this pair of friends closely during this sudden transition.

Alyse was always active and playful until the day she died. She was extremely lethargic the she awoke and was unable to climb. Onsite veterinarian Silvio Santinelli and our consulting veterinarian Dr. Stephen Klause placed the chimp under general anesthesia and the examination revealed a significantly large tumor on her uterus that intertwined itself throughout her small intestine. The invasive mass was causing Alyse to suffer. The veterinarians made the extremely difficult, but humane decision to euthanize her in order to prevent ongoing suffering.

Thank you for your support during this difficult time for the remaining staff mourning this loss. We know Alyse led a happy life with us, but it is a somber time for all. We will continue to care for the remaining 10 chimpanzees as they wait to be moved to their new forever homes.

[master-skyguy]

Once the Pokémon were fed, some rescue workers showed up.

“Don’t worry, we’ll make sure these Pokemon are taken to a sanctuary where they’ll be properly cared for.” The rescue worker said. “Thank you for putting a stop to that awful nursery worker.”

Anakin and the others headed back to the Pokemon center a few minutes later. Obi-Wan was there with Miracle, Qui-Gon, and Petunia. He was playing Peekaboo with Miracle when he saw the others walk in.

“Miracle! Look! Your mama and dada are back!” Obi-Wan smiled softly and brought Miracle over to her parents. “Do you want your mama and dada?”

“Hattress, Dabs, you have a very adorable little girl.” Nurse Joy smiled.

Anakin stepped inside the Pokémon center a few seconds later, with a hand on his left arm. Though he wasn’t having a panic attack anymore, he was still really shaken up by what had happened earlier. Charizard had really frightened him. He wasn’t sure he liked it here anymore.

Pokémon: Light & Dark

@still-a-jedi

Warriors from another world… please save us from the darkness.

Hattress groaned as she came to. That new monster, the Screamer, had been hard to calm down. She had needed that nap, but…

Why was she rocking?!?

She jumped up, looking around. She, Dabs, and a toddler Miracle were on a boat. Her family was still out, as well as…

“Obi-Wan! Anakin! Qui-Gon!”

[rockingrobin69]

Pluto

“Is.”

“Isn’t.”

“Is.”

“It isn’t a –“

“Is.”

“Draco.” Harry rubbed his eyes a little too hard. “This is pointless. We can stand here arguing all day long –“

“We have done that before, certainly.” A thin smile slanted towards him, making Harry’s sigh a tad less anguished.

“But we don’t have to do it right now. Let’s just leave the naming for later, okay?”

Draco rolled his eyes. “Oh, fine. Best to let him get acquainted with everyone first anyway. Also I’m going to have to take a look at his back legs – I think I spotted a bit of a limp.”

Harry didn’t mean to smile, but the abrupt change in tone whenever Draco spoke about the animals always got to him. “All right then. Let’s go.”

It was a cold October day, and their breathing trailed back in puffs as they walked down the farm. Harry didn’t reach for Draco’s hand, but only because he was weighed down by a bag of feed nearly the size of him. Draco, the perfect git, carried nothing but his charts.

It was a relief to be back inside once they reached the clinic; Harry’s hands were starting to lose sensation. Then, of course, the squeal of joy coming from Draco was also very much worth it.

“Look at you!” he melted, approaching the little thing with a truly unmatched level of enthusiasm. “Oh, you’re doing so well, got to the food all on your own!”

Keeping the smirk off was a challenge. “You know he’s not meant to do that, yeah?”

“Oh, who cares, Potter. Look how smart he is. I still think Lord Fluffy Foot is a totally acceptable name for a miniature donkey.”

“We are not naming a rescue donkey – forget it. We said we’d do that later, no?” he had to look away now; Draco had actually sat down on the floor next to the grey foal, eyes wide and admiring, and the whole image was three notches above what Harry could stand. He looked out the window, then, at the large grassy fields that encircled the Potter Sanctuary. Potter-Malfoy, soon. His grin was annoyingly large between his cold cheeks.

“Why don’t we call him Pluto?”

“As in the Roman god of the dead?” Draco’s head shot up, confused.

“No, you ninny. As in the dwarf planet. Because he’s a miniature donkey? I thought you were all into your astronomy.”

Draco’s smile was too pretty by half. It wasn’t fair how he could do that thing with his mouth and Harry’s chest squished in response. “Well, look at you, Potter. Reaching for the stars.” He came up and planted a brief kiss on Harry’s nose. “All right then. Pluto. Pluto Fluffy Foot, for his full name?”

“Oh, All right, you big baby. Pluto Fluffy Foot Potter Malfoy. Now that’s a mouthful.”

“I can think of a few other things to fill your mouth with.”

Harry faked an enraged gasp. “Draco! Not in front of the donkey!”

“Pluto doesn’t care. He’s a very sex-positive, love-centered creature. Aren’t you, Pluto?” he put his face behind the donkey’s, peeking from behind his ears. Then, in an odd, deep voice, “Why yes, Draco, yes, thank you for asking.”

Harry laughed so hard, he might have pulled something. “That’s not what he sounds like!”

“Of course it is. He’s a dignified little donkey, Potter.”

“Is absolutely not. He’s a tiny wee thing! He’ll have a tiny voice too.”

“It’s precisely how he sounds.”

“It really isn’t.”

“Is.”

“Isn’t.”

They would have continued arguing all day long if Harry hadn’t lunged forward and stolen the next ‘is’ from Draco’s lips with a kiss. Thankfully, he didn’t seem to mind.

The world kept revolving in its slow, careful spin. Harry was impossibly, imperfectly, entirely happy.

Surprise! A wee bonus piece for the Reaching for the Stars series. All right, so Pluto isn’t technically a planet, but it’ll always have a special place in my heart! Thank you @phoebe-delia​ for betaing and cheerreading, this series would look very different without you. And thank YOU for reading!

Reaching for the stars is now on AO3 too!

Or check out the previous days here: Venus, Neptune, Mercury, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Uranus 

[coulson-is-an-avenger]

kisses #14 for jmart? write or draw, whichever you prefer!

For the prompt "kissing each other breathless". I ended up going for Old Guard AU yonmartin for this one, and naturally it got VERY long and plot focused, so,, apologies hflksjdfk. There are some Pahlavi and Latin words/references in this, and I've put the meanings for all of them at the bottom of the fic! :0 Hope you enjoy!!

———————————————

Yonatan doesn’t generally consider himself a pessimist, but right now, he has to admit that he’d been expecting this whole trip to go wrong.

He had voiced as much when, days ago, Martinus had first presented the idea of returning to his hometown to see the sights, but Martinus had shaken his head and promised that all would be fine, that ten years would be far enough time for his former allies to give up searching for him, and they would be able to blend in as well as anyone.

Yonatan had been skeptical, claiming that ten years might have been enough to cease a rescue, but not enough to suppress the memory of a face, especially if they came across anyone Martinus had known, and if it came to a fight, Yonatan alone would not be able to hold back a whole force of Byzantine soldiers.

“Deliciae*, they won’t be looking for me,” Martinus had argued and taken Yonatan’s hand in his own, rubbing a thumb over his knuckles. “You remember what we left behind. They have no reason to suspect there were survivors.”

Yonatan had squeezed his hand and frowned, glancing up at his love from where his head rested on his shoulder. “Even if that is true, you could still be recognized. People knew you.”

“We won’t stay long enough for that to happen,” Martinus had assured him; all confidence, all certainty. “Please, I want to share this with you.”

And Yonatan had said yes, because of course he had. Martinus had looked so eager, so excited to share this piece of his life with him, and Yonatan had never been able to refuse him when he glowed like that.

Now, however, he wishes that he had.

It hadn’t taken long for everything to spin wildly out of control. Ten years had in fact not been enough to dull the memory of Martinus’s old allies, and an aging man dressed in familiar armor had cried out in alarm as he turned his face upon the pair of them in the marketplace. A fellow soldier - Martinus had identified him as - who had fallen ill shortly before their battalion was sent out, stopped in his tracks to gape at Martinus, his face going slack in disbelief.

The man’s shock had turned to fury faster than Martinus could attempt to deny his own identity, and then the marketplace had been swarming with onlookers and soldiers, all straining for a look at the so-called ‘deserter’. Yonatan had held tight to his beloved’s arm through the mounting noise, but then there were rough hands pulling Martinus away from Yonatan’s grip, more and more of them appearing when he shoved them away, and Yonatan should have been able to hold them off, to push them back, away from his love, but he saw the look in Martinus’s eyes as his hand fell on the hilt of his sword, and had realized that the gathering forces would be too much for him even if he did strike, undying though he was, and he had hesitated when it mattered most. The other soldiers had gripped his arms then and wrenched him to the ground, sealing their separation, and then Yonatan had watched as his beloved was ripped away and degraded for a crime that these men had no ability to understand.

Coward, they had called Martinus with spitting voices. Traitor.

God, he can’t imagine how much it must hurt Martinus to be treated this way by those he once called friends. Yonatan’s hands had shaken with the weight of their ignorance, cast so effortlessly at a man who didn’t deserve a syllable of it, but his fury could not change the fact that Martinus had been taken, and so Yonatan found himself abandoned in the center of the marketplace, surrounded by fallen produce and pastries, utterly alone for the first time in a decade.

He is now trying not to fall into the panic of that isolation as he searches for the prison where they have dragged his beloved, asking pedestrians in the street and following the clearly defined tracks of a struggle marking the dirt roads. He tries not to look too hard at the scattered dust underfoot, tries not to imagine angry hands around his gentle wrists, cruel tongues lashing at his ears. What if they hurt him on the way there? These soldiers are known for the punishment they bestow upon their captive foes; what if they attempt to maim Martinus the same? And then… What if, in doing so, they realize his secret? What if Yonatan is wrong about where he’s been taken, and cannot find him again? What if Yonatan does find him, but he cannot free him? What if Martinus is separated from him forever; cast out to sea or buried beneath stone or locked away somewhere unreachable? Yonatan feels his heart pounding in his chest in fear and tries to get his thoughts under control.

He is a warrior, whether he likes that fact or not, and his long years of fond sparring with Martinus have only sharpened that training, so he can handle this. He will handle this, he corrects himself, as he finally catches sight of the prison where Martinus has been discarded. He is more than a soldier now; he is half of a whole, and he has no intention of letting his beloved go that easily, especially not to some pretentious, dujdaft** Byzantians.

Besides, he tries to reason with himself as he looks over the small, stone prison, it isn’t as if they’ve dragged him to Anōšbord***. The building before him is fortified, certainly, but hardly a castle, and Yonatan doubts that it counts as any sort of masterful architecture. It doesn’t look big enough to hold more than a few other prisoners anyways, so he will be fine. He will walk out with his love like always, and then they will go back to their sanctuary together. They will be safe.

Yonatan repeats this to himself for hours as he forces himself to be still, lying in wait with bouncing legs and tapping fingers until the darkness of night falls around his shoulders like a cloak, and he is able to sneak close enough to see the prison guard’s head begin to droop. Finally, he thinks, and unsheathes his sword.

Yonatan holds his breath as he slinks around the entrance to the prison and strikes the guard from behind. The man barely has time to gasp in surprise before Yonatan brings the wrapped hilt of his blade down hard against the back of his head, his knees giving out as unconsciousness quickly takes him over. Yonatan hadn’t aimed to kill; he remembers Martinus’s eyes in the marketplace when Yonatan’s hand had brushed his sword, and honestly, he can’t bring himself to feel anything but relief for the excuse to avoid any further violence. He has enough blood on his hands to last a lifetime already, and he isn’t exactly eager to dip his hands in more.

Once he’s certain the soldier is out cold, Yonatan does his best to prop him up against the wall where he had been standing, and then, carefully, nicks the keys from his pocket and slips through the front entrance into the prison.

He hadn’t expected it to be so dark, he thinks at first, noting only a few lone torches illuminating the inside of the structure, but he quickly brushes aside the concern. Even if there was no light in here at all, he would find Martinus by touch alone; by voice or by smell. He puts a hand to the wall and withdraws one of the dark torches from its position on the stones, strikes it alight, and ventures deeper into the prison.

The cells are unmarked, but there are only a few prisoners and metal doors are easy enough to see through, so Yonatan makes quick work of checking through them, not sparing a second glance to any sleeping forms he doesn’t recognize, letting his eyes slide off one person to the next until he finally catches the wide eyes of Martinus - very awake and silently waving towards him - and runs immediately to his door. The torch clatters from his hand as he falls to his knees at once, eyes locked on the face of the man he loves.

“Martinus,” he gasps out in relief, wrestling the keys from his pocket and wrenching the lock on the door open without care for silence.

“Took you long enough,” Martinus breathes as he tumbles through the door, although his eyes are shining in the torchlight, and his chest is hitching with emotion, and he is clinging onto Yonatan’s arms the moment they’re close enough to touch. Yonatan feels a smile bursting across his face and tears pricking at his eyes as he returns the touch, wrapping his arms immediately around his beloved, his partner, his grāmīg****, feeling the press of his body against his, all the softness of his chest and stomach and arms, fitting perfectly into Yonatan’s arms and heart.

“Dušāgāh wīr*****,” he mutters into Martinus’s hair, the teasing insult leaving his lips like a blessing, and then he’s pulling back from the embrace and grabbing onto Martinus’s gorgeously round cheeks and sealing their lips together firmly, the kiss all pent up worry and relief and love, always love.

Martinus makes a small noise of surprise, barely a whisper, but quickly melts into the kiss, hands coming up to cup the sides of Yonatan’s face as he kisses him again and again and again, answering Yonatan’s relief with his own.

“They didn’t hurt you, did they?” Yonatan pulls back suddenly, twisting Martinus this way and that in his arms, searching for drops of blood or torn fabric or anything to indicate that an injury might have befallen his loved one’s skin in his absence.

“No, no.” Martinus shakes his head, breathless. “I— They were going to, I think, but not yet.”

“Good,” Yonatan’s voice burns in his chest, relief scorching his throat, and he draws Martinus in to kiss him again, deeper this time, and a hint almost possessive in the way his hands curl around Martinus’s shoulders and his lips capture his. Martinus holds him back just as tightly, winding his hands in his hair and rubbing over his shoulders before finally tugging him away and breaking the kiss, ignoring the disappointed frown that tugs at Yonatan’s brow.

“Okay, okay. We still have to get out of here, cara******.” He mumbles, struggling to find the stuttering breath in his lungs, still overwhelmed by the kiss of the man he’s stood beside for over a decade.

“We will,” Yonatan agrees, his heart lighter now with the familiar presence of Martinus here to accompany him, and leans in to press one final kiss to his beloved’s soft jaw before stepping away and nodding. “Together, like always.”

Martinus smiles and takes his hand, and the pair of them take their steps together, like always.

* Deliciae - Latin for “darling” ** dujdaft - Pahlavi for “ill-breathing” *** Anōšbord - Also known as the Castle, or Prison of Oblivion. This was a castle and political prison in the Sasanian Empire that held several notable members of royalty over the centuries. **** grāmīg - Pahlavi for “dear” or “treasured” ***** Dušāgāh wīr - Pahlavi for “foolish man” ****** cara - Latin for “dear”

[shinebrightlikeanarwhal]

Travis-centered plots because I Like fix it’s… (I just finished typing them all, I’m ashamed for my sinful brain oml)

- Larry and Travis having once been friends but being torn apart by Travis’ father. Larry keeping an eye on Travis for years but then turning his attention to Sal, whom in turn receives the sudden disdain of Travis.

Sal confronts Travis in the bathrooms one day and Larry listens from the door. Eventually Sal talks Travis into tears. He confesses to being jealous of Sal and not wanting Larry to stop focusing on him, even if Larry ends up hating him. How his dad would beat him if Travis and Larry ever got close again. Larry barges in and holds Travis close. They reconcile (Sal opting to let the boys talk, clearly not in the mood to see Enemies to Lovers tonguing den in the school bathroom.

They uproot and destroy the cult, blah blah blah, Happily ever after and Travis gets help for his trauma induced depression and anxiety.

- Travis has been off for a few days. He doesn’t antagonize anyone. Philip does more talking and ginger touching that Travis violently jerks away from. During class he barely responds and teachers don’t try to force him. Sal didn’t expect to find Travis sleeping on a bench one day. His worn shoes now tattered with holes at the bottom. His black eye prominent but accompanied by a busted lip and what looked to be severe damage to his legs.

Not sure how he did it, but Sal managed to convince Travis to come home with him. Introduces Travis to Henry and leads him to the bathroom where he washed off and got treated. His damage was severe and Sal really wanted to call the police but just seeing a fearful Travis weened him off the idea.

Larry was not too pleased to find Travis at Sals. He almost yelled until he noted Travis look at his raised hand and cower from him. Larry pausing and pulls Sal to the side to understand. Of course they don’t know the full story but it’s enough to have Larry texting the group for help. Most were curious about what could lead them to wanting to help Travis. Ash, however, seemed to know a lot.

They find out about Travis’ abuse, the cult. Travis helps a little. He is still terrified of them but they start to grow on him with time. He even allows contact with Sal rarely, who shows him his face during a bonding moment at the dead of night. Larry makes playlists and CDs to help Travis get accustomed to loud noises (many of which are songs Larry personally thinks Travis would enjoy.

After the gang destroys and puts the cult behind bars. No demons, no murders, and no dead friends. Sal manages to convince Travis to report his father, thankfully they kept his clothes to give to the state police, Todd refused to trust the local police after further investigating the cult and their connections.

Healing and coping, cuddling and coddling. Travis getting the love and attention he deserves! Could end with him dating someone or him just being under their care for a while.

—Salvis but Sal is a bit more aggressive with Travis. Fuck it ABO, Travis is a very spicy omega that pretends to be a Beta. Sal is a strong scented alpha, like it’s a musky and domineering scent compared to his appearance. Larry is an alpha, though his scent is murky and smoky, and he doesn’t act like the stereotypical alpha. Travis nitpicks them like usual, though sometimes they are too distracted by the nice smell seeping off of him. Larry sneers and asks if Travis mom scented him before school. Travis is upset at this. Much more emotional than usual. Sal notes the spike in scent and jabs Larry.

Uh oh, Travis is presenting in the bathroom, and beta Philip isn’t able to fight off the alphas coming to investigate the scent, thankfully Sal is here to soothe and calm the terrified Travis while his friends help fend off the other students.

Mr. Phelps is pissed about an omega son. Travis is constantly scented with distress. He isn’t allowed to talk about it but everyone can smell it. They are well aware of Travis’ fluctuating weight, fatigue and his tan skin turning pale and bruised worse than before. Larry is annoyed by this but can’t tell whether it’s the scent affecting him or his stern belief in protecting omegas from abusive alphas.

Sal hates it, he knows he felt the mate bond but Travis doesn’t seem to notice. Travis’ suffering eats away at Sal until he all but corners Travis and propositions him to save him from his father and give him sanctuary. It takes a lot to convince Travis. Heck, he has to promise Larry wouldnt hurt him (Larry later seeks Travis to reconcile their bad blood).

They get to know eachother. Sal is head over heels and watching Travis grow and blossom into his omega blood. Travis starts falling for someone else and Sal tries to be supportive (until he can’t even look at Travis without feeling heartache). But Travis notes he doesn’t love ____ And follows his heart to Sal. They bond, they love and boom, happy little family. (With three cute babies because Travis and Sal deserve happy families)

Larvis: roughly the same as the salvos ABO but Larry straight up picks up Travis and carries him home. Travis tries to fight but is swaddled and pampered until he’s fast asleep and purring in Larry’s arms.

Mr. Phelps doesn’t have much ground to stand on when he tries to take Travis back. Larry confirming that Travis is his mate and based off of Phelps’ beliefs he should reside with his mate.

Travis is surprised his father backs off so easily (because how could the pastor refute what he preaches?? Such blasphemy would be heard by the church blah blah blah). Larry and Travis talk and Larry admits that they are indeed mates, he never brought it up for Travis’ health. He was already struggling to care for himself, a mating bond would send his already feeble body and fragile mind spiraling. Larry also admits he knew they were mates ever since he presented, which wasn’t that long after entering highschool. But, Travis was so proud to be ‘normal’ and not some horny mess like the others. He also didn’t like seeing Travis harass and bully others, which probably aided in his aggressive rejection of the omega and prolonged Travis’ presentation.

Life goes on and Larry and Travis are happily married with four kids (two more in the oven, because Larry is a very affectionate husband). Cult was handled and Sal is NOT dead and very much the worlds best uncle.

-Travis having a hot girl summer.

That’s it. That’s the plot.

Thotty church twink marching about in short shorts and tank tops (sinful!) showing off his goodies to the masses. Larry shamelessly offers to partake, and gets thrown for a whirlwind when Travis’ phat ass is delightfully uncontrollable. Sal jokingly shoots his shot and winds up slumped in the back of the church from immaculate head.

Mr. Phelps is away so the thot is out to play. (Courtesy of Mama Phelps aiding and abetting her sons growth as a person. He may be throwing it back to the boys he once sneered at but at least he’s nicer to people)

-Travis being rescued from the Phelps home after a concerned report to the state police. The church closed and his father put behind bars for many accounts of child abuse and neglect and the disappearance of Travis’ mother.

Sal and gang are curious about what the new home will do to Travis after months of rehabilitation, and all damn near faint when they see Travis with long pink hair and a cute sun dress marching into the school. Directly towards them and apologizing for his horrible treatment of them, specifically Sal. They can’t believe his change at first but after weeks of watching him, he seems genuinely happier.

This new happiness starts to get unsettling to Larry, who watches Travis and Philip be closer than before. He shouldn’t care he hates Travis! But god he wished the boy would wrap his arms around his and march down the halls. He would kill to get surprise back hugs or do the hugging. He wanted to share lunch with Travis. Be hand fed meals and have his mouth cleaned whilst being scolded.

Fuck, he’s in love! He thought he nipped that in the bud when Sal started getting bullied by Travis. But no, Travis being rescued from his awful father and being a genuinely good person from then on was astounding. Hell, he even brought Sal treats as an apology for walking in on him with his mask off once. Sal said it was fine but Travis babbled ok about feeling bad because Sal looked terrified even though Travis didn’t think Sal was any less cool. (Yes, Sal cried in his room about how much it meant for someone to say that).

For fucks sake, Travis had pictures upon pictures of his new family and their pets. PETS. He had dooogs, god Larry lost his mind seeing Travis jogging around town with dogs in shorts and a sweaty, almost see through tank top!! He’s too gay for this.

He finally confesses, maybe tries to play it off as a joke, but Travis just smiles sweetly and pecks his cheek. He’s sorry but he’s already dating someone. Larry tries not to let his disappointment show, but he just can’t feel the need to go to school for a couple of days. Hides out in his tree house and just smokes. Cause, cmon.. who’d wanna date him?? All he does is smoke and play around! He hasn’t had a stable relationship in years and most he’s known for is sleeping with whoever he deems the hottest.

Sal notices his behavior and tries to comfort him, not sure why Larry is like this, by offering to introduce him to his partner. Maybe they have a friend Larry is interested in. Larry wants to be supportive but he really doesn’t care to see Sals new beau(ty). He really just wanted to camp out in the tree house and smoke away the pain. Or, he did until he sees Travis and Sal holding hands and nuzzling on the couch one day. Sals legs on Travis’ and Travis combing Sals hair. Larry felt like his world came crashing down, his best friend?? And his first and worst crush?? The crush that sent him spiraling for what could have been weeks? Sal is innocent, he didn’t know that Larry was madly in love with Travis. Didn’t know that Travis so politely rejected him and offered to cease contact if Larry felt he couldn’t be around him.

Larry wasn’t much of a romantic after that. He played around with whoever he felt needed love. His partying spiraling out of control in adult hood. Travis tried to contact him and help him find a good person, but any attempts to help Larry ended with Larry crying to him drunkenly. Asking why he wasn’t good enough, why he couldn’t have been Sal. Travis wasn’t allowed near Larry after Larry drunkenly made advances at him, he doesn’t blame Larry he’s extremely emotional, but Sal felt Larry would only get worse the more they stayed in contact, so they were kept apart.

Larry never loved anyone as much as he loved Travis Fisher.

-Last one was a sadder Onesided Larvis, this one is Larry teasing and cornering Travis so much that Travis tries to shock him by kissing him. He came home with some hickies and a very prominent limp.

They’re not saying, yet, but Wingman Sal is politely judging Travis into Larry’s arms. They are constantly alone together. Larry blowing Travis’ back out in an abandoned amusement park when the others split up to explore. “He sprained his ankle running from a shadow” Hmph, Travis smelt like axe. He HATES the smell of axe… but okay lovebirds.

Sal has 100% walked in on the secret lovers getting frisky when moms out. Later helps Travis shop for more pretty clothes, because who wouldn’t want a shopping body??? That’s almost illegal to not take the opportunity.

Larry eats ass. A lot. Travis can literally be on FaceTime shopping with Sal and Larry just slips under the covers and enjoys his fill of boyfriend cheekies~ yum!

Travis, as revenge, will give the gawk gawk 9000. Larry is NOT safe if he thinks Travis has forgotten the embarrassment of Sal chuckling and telling him he has to go walk his homework. He could be on the phone with his boss or Lisa and Travis will give the sloppiest top he’s ever had. (Praise the son for horni bratty bottoms)

[theres-no-protocol-for-this]

Snippet: It Looked Like Miki

Just a random fanfic snippet that isn't going anywhere but has feels. I never know what to do with those.

Despite my best efforts, by the time ART actually rescued me from Port FreeCommerce, there wasn’t very much left to rescue. A construct repair tech had reprogrammed my cubicle to take me apart, starting with extremities, and it had done a fantastic job.

A part of me was surprised at the human’s thoroughness about the whole thing. I’d seen enough sloppy repairs at the hands of the technicians who were supposed to know better that I had honestly expected more of the same. Instead, the cubicle had started with my lower legs and then went for my arms.

I had no functional limbs by the time ART shut down its processing and was in too much pain to really make sense of the situation. At least, the asshole transport was in my feed now, playing Sanctuary Moon episodes while it fiddled with the cubicle’s functions. I could tell it succeeded when the pain began to ebb.

I’m coming to get you, ART told me. Just bear with it a little longer. The anesthetic should kick in soon if it hasn’t already.

My performance reliability was too low to turn down my pain sensors or had a coherent conversation, but I managed an acknowledgment ping. Familiar scenes and voices — both ART’s sarcastic mechanical tone and the actors’ — help keep me calm. The painkillers helped, too, but even through that haze, I realized something about ART’s statement was wrong.

You’re a ship, I told it. You can’t walk in here.

That’s where you’re wrong, it told me. I can and I will. I could feel it grinning in the feed. I made a human-form drone.

You what?

Despite the abysmally low performance, my organic bits still managed to flood with adrenaline. The transport had never mentioned any drones other than its repair drones and the pathfinders.

More than that, if it walked into a construct repair center with something that looked like a bot, it was going to get into trouble. I wasn’t sure what kind of trouble — it had never happened before that I knew of — but I imagined the humans wouldn’t like it.

Seth and Iris will come with me. As a distraction. ART sent me a couple of images, and frankly, the drone looked like Miki. I tried not to think about it. It didn’t work.

Be careful, I said in the feed, because what else could I say?

[calitraditionalism]

Arc Three: Chapter Four

(AO3 counterpart here.)

He had always seen it.

The Runagate was correct about sleep; little Greykit was afraid to shut his eyes because it would come. Every night – or at least almost every night – he’d wake up in a panic, unable to comprehend, unable to explain to his mother or brother. He never wanted to talk about it, anyway. He didn’t even want to talk about it now.

It haunted him, sometimes, when he was awake. He couldn’t do anything correctly the first time. He was always scared. His ribs strained against his skin underneath the fluff of his pelt because even looking at the prey with a white star on its head made him want to vomit. He shivered when tales were told of ghosts and ancestors. Nettlecloud and Mistpaw were supportive and gentle, but they didn’t understand. No one did. No one could.

To occupy his mind and block the fear in a corner where it couldn’t reach his eyes, he dove into his training when he became an apprentice. He wasn’t good at hunting or fighting, but he stayed focused and practiced all he could, to the point of avoiding sleep for more than just the nightmares. It wasn’t until Nettlecloud got sick and a healer named Finchberry dropped by that he found something that genuinely excited him.

In no time, he became a healer’s apprentice, and he knew that it wasn’t a glamorous position. That was fine. The less attention, the better. Besides, he could keep cats alive longer with his skills.  

He didn’t know precisely what he was seeing, all this time, but something terrified him about death, far more than any other cat.

Except one.

There was a night, halfway through Greypaw’s apprenticeship, where he finally could not keep his eyes open any longer and fell into an uneasy slumber. He saw it again, and prepared to run, like he always did. But some instinct stopped him, froze him in his tracks. Without knowing why, he looked to his left.

Something thin and dark hid in one of the few places with shadows. It looked like a cat, even if it was a bit too long and nearly see-through.

Greypaw opened his mouth, grateful to have someone to talk to at last, but the dark thing lifted a paw and held it, unseen pads out. Hush. Say nothing.

Greypaw looked around nervously. It wasn’t paying attention to him.

He slowly turned and moved for the shadows, his paws landing on semi-firm ground. His fur prickled with fear, as it always did. But this was much better than it.

You’re a hard one to reach, they whispered, when he had gotten close enough. You who sees through the veil. Seems barely anything can get to you.

“Who are you?” Greypaw whispered back. “Can- can you rescue me? Can you stop this? I see this so often, I just…”

I hold hardly any power here, Greypaw. The silhouette’s vaguely-there eyes shut. It’s a miracle I’m talking to you to begin with. Now hark. I have something to show you.

They turned and started off at a trot, tail beckoning. Greypaw spared another glance backwards – he was still safe – and followed. The shadows swallowed them, a temporary sanctuary. Greypaw sagged with relief at the sensation of cool air and soft ground under his paws.

“Where are we?” Greypaw kept his voice low, in case it could hear still. “Do you know what I’m seeing?”

You see StarClan as it truly is, they said. You see a hungry thing pretending to be your afterlife.

Greypaw stopped. “Then…then it’s eating what I thought it was eating?”

A single nod.

Greypaw knew that he shouldn’t believe a figment of his imagination proclaiming something as bold, as sacrilegious as this, but he knew it was the truth. Thousands of things he had seen throughout his life became clear as the blue sky – the wailing starry cats, the prey dangling lifelessly in front of him, the lighted forms cracking in pieces and being shoved into those bodies, everything. He understood with perfect clarity.

“Aspects help us,” he said, shaking.

They cannot help us as things are. Their words were flippant, but their voice was sympathetic. It falls on us to do something. To spread the word. To save the Clan.

Greypaw still trembled, but he looked up. “You and I?”

You and I, they said, and stepped aside. And her.

Greypaw paused his walking. Ahead of them was the faintest outline of a stone forest…or perhaps just many piles of rocks. The stars were gone, but the moon fought its way through the fog and lit the stone structures just enough for Greypaw to make out another form.

A tall, red-brown molly stood in the center of the structures.

Their eyes met and widened. The molly started walking forward, stiff and alarmed.

This is all I can do, the silhouette said, as if in pain. For now, the rest is up to you. I’ve given you the link. Find-

A roar, a crash of boulders, a groan of trees, and Greypaw awoke.

His mentor, Finchberry, stood above him. She had a paw on his shoulder, like she had shaken him.

“You alright, lad?” she asked, gaunt face unusually concerned.

Greypaw wanted to curse her for waking him up, just as he wasn’t scared for his life for once. He instead blinked blearily at her. “I’m- I’m fine. Was I-?”

“You were twitching all over and mumbling,” Finchberry said. “I know you get the bad dreams, but I’ve never seen you like that. Looked like a seizure, almost.”

Greypaw’s eyes drifted to look at nothing. “Huh.”

He did not sleep again that night, as much as he wanted to. It surprised him, and amused him a little, that for once he looked forward to it.

He only saw that molly two times again – once more as an apprentice, and once after receiving his name and heading to work for the leaders. Both times started and ended the same: the stones, the meeting of eyes, the attempt to move forward, to speak, then being jerked back awake. Greyleaf hated it. He wanted to talk with this cat, whoever she was. He wanted to know someone else - someone physical and real - saw what he saw. He wanted whatever clarity he could get.

It took a while before he got it. That day, he was examining Cedarstar, who complained of a fever, cough, and shivers. Two other leaders sat nearby: Phoebestar of the Fleet and Fernstar of the Clast. They had wanted to stay nearby and observe their comrade in case it was something severe. Greyleaf half-listened to their conversation as they waited for him to be done.

“You don’t intend to replace Viceroyclaw, do you?” Phoebestar was saying. “With one as young as that?”

“Of course not.” Fernstar blinked slowly and dryly. “I just have enough confidence in her that if something happens, she’ll be ready to come here.”

“She’s only been deputy for a year, though-“ started Cedarstar, interrupted by a cough.

“Try not to speak,” Greyleaf said. “Let me see your throat, please.”

Cedarstar lifted her chin up. Greyleaf put his ear to her throat and listened for a wet sound.

“She’s an incredible molly, don’t get me wrong,” Phoebestar said. “But she’s barely out of the nursery. You already promoted her so early, and you haven’t heard from her about anyone that can replace her.”

“She still remains an option,” Fernstar said, in a clipped tone like she didn’t enjoy being questioned by her juniors. “You’ve met her, Cedarstar, haven’t you?”

“When we went down to that pile of stones you call a camp.” Cedarstar grinned.

Greyleaf paused. He quickly remembered himself and lifted his head, now sniffing along her body, ears perked.

“It serves its purpose as well as any other family settlement, and we protect all of you from stray bullies and rogues.” Fernstar made an exaggerated ‘so-there’ nod. “You could appreciate the houses, at least.”

“Just not quite a mountain forest,” Cedarstar replied, and coughed again. “Sorry, Greyleaf.”

It took Greyleaf a moment to realize he was being talked to. He cleared his throat. “You’re fine, ma’am.” He tried to sound natural as he added, “Who is this deputy you’re talking about?”

“She’s called Redheart,” Phoebestar said. “She serves the Clast. About your age, actually.”

Thank goodness that he was facing away from everyone, because his eyes were as round as the moon.

Red. Stones. His age.

But…no. Red- was for a regular ginger cat, not that roan color.

Still…

“Sounds familiar, actually,” he said, keeping his voice casual. “Has she been here before? Some ginger tabby?”

“No,” Fernstar said. “You wouldn’t have met her. She’s red-brown and she never leaves the family for long, if she can help it.”

Hope flared in Greyleaf’s chest.

“She’s going to that Coterie, though, isn’t she?” Phoebestar asked, oblivious to Greyleaf’s fur fluffing out a little.

“It’s close by the camp.” Fernstar did not appear to notice either. “She’d be gone for half a day, maximum. That’s as much as she’ll tolerate.”

“Good for her to get out more. Help expand her horizons.”

Fernstar sighed. “StarClan knows she’ll need it in time.”

“Coterie?” Greyleaf winced at how loud his voice sounded in the hollow den. “Where?”

“Near where you lived, actually,” Phoebestar said. She had a knowing look in her eye and Greyleaf prayed under his breath was just something surface-level.

“Huh,” he said. “That’s- that sounds nice.”

Phoebestar seemed a little amused. “I can tell you want to go, Greyleaf.”

Greyleaf held his breath.

“You’d like to see your family, I assume,” Fernstar said.

He quietly let go of the breath. “I would, yes. It’s been a while.” He remembered Cedarstar and hastened, “But if you’re sick, I shouldn’t-“

“We’ve got herbs here,” Cedarstar said. “You can take a couple days off, if you’d like. What plants do I eat for this?”

Greyleaf straightened up, calmer in familiar territory. “Well, feverfew and lavender are my recommendations. Both are good to stop the chills and fever. The cough should subside with that for a bit.” He dreaded the answer, but he still went with the polite question. “If you’re sure you’ll be alright…”

“I will,” Cedarstar promised. “And I know what to take. I’ll be fine until you come back.”

Greyleaf managed to not sigh in relief. “Is Beetlefoot here, then? I’d like to let my family know I’ll be there.”

“He’ll be happy for something to do.” Fernstar smiled a bit. “I’ve heard him muttering under his breath about restlessness and ‘lazing about’.”

“I’ll find him for you,” said Phoebestar, and she got up and trotted off into the tunnels.

Greyleaf continued his work, asking questions and giving advice, his mind totally separate from his body.

Redheart, he thought. It has to be her. Please, aspects, let it be her.