#tackling new horizons one step at a time

[dandelion-roots]

[ID: a digital drawing of sandra lynn and sklonda from fantasy high. sklonda is sitting on sandra lynn's chest in her underwear and caressing sandra lynn's face. sandra lynn is naked and holding sklonda's thighs. neither woman's face is visible as they're looking at each other. the background is pink and says, how did you get infected? End ID]

[norrisleclercf1]

Day 24 of 25 Days of Christmas: Spending Christmas Eve together

Pairing: Fernando Alonso x Reader

Words: 874

Rating: PG

As the sun dipped below the horizon on Christmas Eve, a warm glow filled your home, the kind that only this time of year could bring. The excitement hung thick in the air, a palpable feeling that made your heart race just a little as you and Fernando set about your festive rituals.

You glanced around at the twinkling lights strung along the windows and the scent of pine wafting from the freshly cut Christmas tree adorned with ornaments that held memories of years gone by. It was a scene straight out of a holiday movie, and you couldn't help but smile at the thought that tomorrow, your little boy and girl would wake up to magic.

“Are you ready to get all the gifts out?” Fernando called to you from the living room. His voice was a mix of excitement and determination, knowing you both had a fair bit of work ahead. You nodded, making your way to join him, and together, you began to unwrap the treasures hidden in the corners of your home.

The first box you opened contained a colorful array of gifts—presents for your children, beautifully wrapped and tagged with their names in careful lettering. Fernando handed you a stack of presents, his face lighting up as he exclaimed, “Look at this one! I can’t wait to see their faces when they unwrap it.”

You both chuckled, the warmth of togetherness radiating as you carefully placed each gift under the tree. You became a team, working harmoniously to create the magical scene you knew they’d adore. As the pile grew, you took a moment to step back and admire your handiwork, the lights glinting off the sparkly wrapping paper—a sight sure to ignite the joy in your little ones.

But you two weren't done just yet. There were toys to assemble, and you both knew you had a few to tackle that night. With a playful sigh, you picked up the box labeled “Deluxe Train Set,” imagining the delight on your son’s face when he saw it in the morning.

You and Fernando spread out the pieces on the living room floor, the instructions resting atop them like a treasure map waiting to be explored. “You put the tracks over there, and I’ll handle the train,” Fernando said, grinning as he assembled the eager little vehicles. You couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia, recalling the times you spent building things together and the laughter and lightheartedness that followed.

As the train took shape, you focused on your own task, your fingers deftly maneuvering the bright pieces, each click and snap reminding you of the magic of childhood. You shared stories, laughter echoing off the walls as you imagined the adventures your children would create with their new toys.

After a little while, you paused to sip hot cocoa, the warmth spreading from your hands to your heart. You glanced up at Fernando, a playful glint in your eyes. “Would it be Christmas Eve if we didn’t pay tribute to the cookies?”

He chuckled, “Absolutely not! We can’t forget Santa’s cookies!” The two of you knew that your children had already put some out for him, but you couldn’t resist the temptation to have a few of your own in the process.

As you made your way to the kitchen, the smell of cocoa wafting behind you, you reached for a plate filled with soft, warm cookies—perfectly baked, gooey chocolate oozing from the center. You took a couple, your taste buds tingling as you savored the first bite. “These are amazing!” you said with delight, biting into another. Fernando followed suit, his smile mirroring yours.

You both settled down at the little table that held your little snack, the evening light softening the world outside. The warm kitchen felt alive with the season's spirit, the sounds of your laughter mixing with the quiet humming of the holiday tunes in the background.

Once your sugar cravings were satisfied, it was time to finish the last touches on the train set. With nimble fingers and shared determination, you and Fernando completed it, setting it up beneath the tree. The contours of the track were inviting and exciting, just like the morning that awaited.

With the gifts laid out and the toys finished, you stepped back to take in the sight. The cozy blanket of Christmas Eve wrapped around you like a hug, filling your heart with warmth. You shared a glance filled with an unspoken gratitude for this moment, the joy of creating treasured memories for your children.

“You know,” Fernando said softly, “we’re making traditions they’ll remember forever.” You nodded, understanding the weight of his words.

Together, as twilight enveloped the earth, you turned off the bright kitchen lights, leaving only the soft glow of the Christmas tree and the flickering candles to illuminate the space. Hand in hand, you both took a moment to fully embrace this magical night, knowing that tomorrow would be filled with laughter, joy, and the sparkle of Christmas magic in the eyes of your beautiful children.

And with that feeling of contentment, you both settled in for a cozy night, your hearts warm with the love and anticipation that Christmas Day would bring.

[jaefluenza]

Mountain High | Jjh.

genre: adventure, fluff

characters: jeong jaehyun x reader, jungwoo, taeyong, mark, winter, giselle

3,890 words

˚˖𓍢ִ໋🍃˚.⛰️⋆☁️

The sky above the mountain was a deep, clear blue when two hiking groups set out on their journey. The sun beamed down on the verdant trails, promising a day filled with adventure. Little did they know, the mountain had other plans.

Jaehyun, Taeyong, Jungwoo, and Mark were the epitome of camaraderie as they led the charge up the trail. These four were seasoned hikers, their banter and laughter ringing out like a steady drumbeat as they navigated the rough terrain.

Not far behind them was you, Giselle, and Winter. The three of you were no strangers to adventure, having tackled trails from the rugged to the serene. But today, something felt different—there was an edge to the air that none of you could quite place.

“We should catch up with the boys,” Winter suggested, glancing back at you and Giselle as you paused at a scenic overlook. “It’ll be fun to hike together, don’t you think?”

Giselle smiled mischievously, “Or maybe we just want to hear more of their ridiculous stories. Mark’s got a new one about Taeyong and a goat, apparently.”

You chuckled, rolling your eyes. “I’m sure that’s exactly what we need on this hike. Besides, I think they’re trying to outpace us.”

The three of you pushed on, determined to close the gap. The trail wound through dense forests, each step a rhythm in the heartbeat of the mountain. The air was crisp, the scent of pine mingling with the earthy aroma of the soil beneath your boots. But as you climbed higher, the trees thickened, and the sky became less visible through the canopy.

Unbeknownst to any of you, dark clouds were gathering in the distance.

Jaehyun slowed his pace, allowing the others to walk ahead. Something about the shifting wind didn’t sit right with him. He paused, scanning the horizon, noticing the ominous clouds creeping over the peaks.

Taeyong caught Jaehyun’s gaze. “What’s up, man? You see something?”

“Yeah,” Jaehyun replied, his brow furrowing. “Weather looks like it’s about to turn. We should be careful.”

Mark, ever the optimist, laughed. “It’s just a few clouds. We’ve handled worse.”

Jungwoo shrugged, but Jaehyun’s unease lingered. The group continued on, their conversation growing quieter as the sky began to darken.

By the time your group caught up with them, the first rumbles of thunder echoed through the mountains. You could feel the change in the air, a tension building with every step. The lighthearted atmosphere from earlier was replaced by a collective sense of unease.

“Looks like we’re in for a storm,” you remarked, drawing closer to Jaehyun. His expression was serious, his eyes fixed on the clouds that now dominated the sky.

“Yeah,” he nodded, his voice steady. “We should think about finding some shelter soon, just in case it gets bad.”

Winter glanced around nervously. “Do you think we’ll make it back down before it hits?”

Giselle looked up at the sky, biting her lip. “Maybe, but it’s a long way back. We could be caught in the middle of it.”

Just then, a sudden gust of wind whipped through the trees, sending a shiver down your spine. The storm was coming fast, too fast. The six of you exchanged glances, silently agreeing that the best course of action was to keep moving, but at a quicker pace.

As you continued up the mountain, the storm descended. What began as a drizzle quickly turned into a downpour, the rain relentless as it soaked through your clothes. The wind howled through the trees, making it hard to hear anything but the storm’s fury.

It wasn’t long before the trail became treacherous, the ground turning into a slick, muddy mess. The once steady rhythm of your steps faltered as each of you struggled to keep your footing. And then, as if to emphasize the mountain’s power, a bolt of lightning cracked through the sky, followed by a deafening boom of thunder.

Panic set in as the realization hit: you were all in serious danger. The storm was far worse than anyone had anticipated, and the trail was quickly becoming impassable.

“We need to find cover!” Jaehyun shouted over the wind, his voice barely audible. “We can’t stay out in this!”

The group scrambled to find shelter, eyes darting through the rain-slicked trees. But in the chaos, it was hard to stay together. The rain obscured your vision, the storm disorienting, and in the confusion, you were separated from the others.

You looked around frantically, trying to locate your friends, but the storm was too strong. The rain pounded down, the wind whipping your hair into your face. You couldn’t see more than a few feet in front of you.

Then, out of the corner of your eye, you saw a figure moving through the trees. You called out, and when they turned toward you, you recognized Jaehyun. Relief washed over you as he made his way toward you, his expression mirroring your own concern.

“We got separated from the others,” he shouted over the storm. “We need to find some kind of shelter until this passes!”

You nodded, trusting him to lead the way. The two of you pushed forward through the storm, your hearts pounding in your chests as you searched for anything that could provide some cover. The storm was relentless, the wind so strong it felt like it could knock you off your feet at any moment.

After what felt like an eternity, Jaehyun spotted a small cave nestled into the side of the mountain. He grabbed your hand, pulling you toward it. You stumbled inside, grateful for the temporary respite from the storm.

˚˖𓍢ִ໋🍃˚.⛰️⋆☁️

The cave was small, but it was dry, and that was all that mattered. You collapsed against the wall, catching your breath as Jaehyun crouched beside you, his gaze still wary.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice softer now that you were out of the storm.

You nodded, though your heart was still racing. “Yeah… I’m okay. Just… I didn’t expect it to get this bad.”

“Neither did I,” he admitted, running a hand through his wet hair. “But we’ll be okay here for now. We just need to wait it out.”

The storm raged outside, the wind howling like a wild beast. You could hear the rain hammering against the rocks, the occasional rumble of thunder echoing through the cave. But in here, it was almost peaceful—safe, even.

As the adrenaline from the escape began to fade, you became more aware of your surroundings. The cave was dark, the only light coming from the occasional flash of lightning outside. You could feel the chill seeping into your bones, your wet clothes clinging to your skin.

Jaehyun noticed your shivering and immediately shrugged off his jacket, offering it to you. “Here, take this. It’s not much, but it’s better than nothing.”

You hesitated for a moment, but the cold was too much to bear. “Thanks,” you murmured, accepting the jacket and wrapping it around yourself. It was warm, carrying the faint scent of pine and something distinctly Jaehyun. It helped, but the cold wasn’t the only thing making you shiver.

There was a tension between the two of you now, a silent understanding that you were alone together, isolated from the rest of the world by the storm. The cave, small as it was, felt intimate, and you couldn’t ignore the way your heart skipped a beat when Jaehyun’s gaze lingered on you a little too long.

To break the silence, you forced a smile. “Well, this is one way to make a hike memorable.”

Jaehyun chuckled, his smile easing some of the tension. “Yeah, not exactly what I had in mind when I signed up for this, but I guess we’re getting the full experience.”

“Surviving in the wilderness with just our wits and whatever we can scrounge up?” you teased. “I feel like we’re in one of those survival reality shows.”

Jaehyun grinned, his dimples appearing. “Except without the camera crew. We’re on our own here.”

The storm raged on, but the conversation brought a sense of normalcy to the situation. Jaehyun’s presence was comforting, his calm demeanor grounding you. Even as the wind howled and the rain pelted the cave entrance, you felt a little less afraid knowing he was there with you.

After a while, the conversation died down, and the two of you sat in companionable silence, listening to the storm outside. Your mind began to wander, thoughts drifting back to the rest of your group. You couldn’t help but worry about them, hoping they had found shelter as well.

Jaehyun seemed to sense your concern. “They’ll be okay,” he said softly, as if reading your thoughts. “Taeyong, Jungwoo, Mark… they’re all experienced. And your friends are tough too.”

You nodded, but the worry lingered. “I know. It’s just… this storm came out of nowhere. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Me neither,” he agreed, his voice thoughtful. “But storms like this can blow over quickly. Hopefully, it’ll be gone by morning, and we can find the others.”

His optimism was infectious, and you found yourself hoping he was right. For now, though, there was nothing to do but wait.

As the storm continued its relentless assault outside, you and Jaehyun both realized that spending the night in the cave was inevitable. The temperature was dropping, and the cold, damp air was beginning to gnaw at your bones.

Jaehyun, always practical, decided it was time to do something about it. He reached for his backpack, which had somehow remained mostly dry, and began rummaging through it.

“Let’s get a fire going,” he said, his tone determined. “We’ll need it to stay warm through the night.”

You nodded in agreement, though you weren’t sure how he planned to start a fire in such conditions. The rain had soaked everything, and it seemed impossible to find anything dry enough to use as kindling.

But Jaehyun seemed undeterred. He pulled out a compact, waterproof case from his bag and opened it to reveal an array of survival tools. There was a small hatchet, a flint striker, and even a few packets of tinder.

“Wow,” you remarked, impressed. “You came prepared.”

Jaehyun chuckled, glancing up at you with a grin. “I’ve done a few hikes like this before. It pays to be ready for anything.”

As he began to arrange a small pile of tinder and sticks, you knelt down beside him, eager to help. “What can I do?”

“Here,” he handed you the flint striker, showing you how to use it. “Try getting a spark going while I find some more dry wood.”

You took the striker, feeling the cool metal in your hand, and began striking it against the flint. It took a few tries, but eventually, a spark caught on the tinder, and you blew on it gently, encouraging the small flame.

Jaehyun returned with more wood, which he carefully placed around the growing fire. The flames crackled to life, filling the cave with warmth and a soft, flickering light. You both sat back, watching as the fire grew stronger, casting long shadows on the cave walls.

“Not bad,” Jaehyun complimented, smiling at you. “You’re a natural.”

You smiled back, feeling a sense of accomplishment. “I’ve always been good at following instructions.”

The warmth from the fire was a welcome relief, and you could already feel the chill fading from your bones. You both moved closer to the fire, sitting side by side as the flames danced between you.

For a while, the two of you sat in comfortable silence, the fire providing a sense of security in the midst of the storm. The flames flickered, casting a warm glow on Jaehyun’s face, highlighting the thoughtful expression in his eyes. There was something different about this moment—something that felt more personal, more intimate.

You shifted slightly, feeling the need to break the silence. “You know, I’ve been thinking about our first year in college together. Remember that time we both got detention?”

Jaehyun chuckled, the sound rich and warm. “How could I forget? We were both late to Professor Kim’s class.”

You laughed, the memory bringing a smile to your face. “Yeah, we thought we could sneak in without anyone noticing. But then the door creaked, and everyone turned to stare at us. I thought I was going to die of embarrassment.”

Jaehyun shook his head, still smiling. “And then Professor Kim decided to make an example of us. Detention for both of us—right after class. I remember you were so mad.”

“I was,” you admitted, shaking your head at the memory. “But it turned out to be one of the best detentions ever. We spent the whole hour just talking about random stuff. I learned so much about you that day.”

“Like what?” Jaehyun asked, his tone playful, but there was a genuine curiosity in his eyes.

“Like how you can’t stand the sound of people chewing with their mouths open,” you teased, earning a laugh from him. “Or how you have a secret talent for drawing, even though you never show your sketches to anyone.”

Jaehyun smiled, his gaze softening as he looked at you. “And I learned that you’re a night owl who survives on coffee and late-night study sessions. And that you’re one of the most stubborn people I’ve ever met.”

You pretended to be offended, but the warmth in his voice made it impossible not to smile. “Hey, stubbornness can be a good thing. It’s what gets me through those tough classes.”

“It’s one of the things I like about you,” Jaehyun said, his voice dropping to a more serious tone.

Your breath caught in your throat at his words. The fire crackled between you, but the atmosphere had shifted, the lighthearted conversation giving way to something deeper.

“Jaehyun…” you began, but he cut you off, his gaze intense.

“There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you,” he said, his voice low and sincere. “I’ve liked you for a while now. I just… I never found the right moment to say it.”

His confession hung in the air, the weight of it making your heart race. You had always sensed there was something more between you two, but hearing him say it out loud made it real—tangible.

“I slowed down my pace earlier on the trail,” he continued, his eyes never leaving yours. “I wanted to be near you, to make sure you were okay. I kept an eye on you and the girls because I care about you. And when the storm hit… all I could think about was finding you.”

The vulnerability in his voice, the honesty in his words, made your heart ache in the best possible way. You reached out, your hand finding his in the flickering firelight.

You could feel Jaehyun’s gaze on you, his eyes warm and intense as they traced your features. The way he looked at you made your heart race, and despite the warmth of the fire, you felt a different kind of heat rising within you.

“Jaehyun,” you whispered, your voice barely audible over the crackle of the fire.

He leaned closer, his breath warm against your skin. “Yeah?”

For a moment, you hesitated, your heart pounding in your chest. But the look in his eyes, the way he was so close you could feel the heat radiating from him, made you brave.

You reached up and gently placed your hand on the side of his face, feeling the warmth of his skin under your fingertips. You could see his breath hitch, his gaze flickering down to your lips. The tension between you was palpable now, a magnetic pull drawing you closer together.

“Can I…?” you began, but Jaehyun didn’t let you finish.

He closed the distance between you, his lips meeting yours in a soft, tentative kiss. It was gentle at first, a question in the way he kissed you, as if he was giving you a chance to pull away if this wasn’t what you wanted. But when you responded, pressing back into the kiss with equal tenderness, it was like a dam broke.

Jaehyun’s hand came up to cup the back of your head, his fingers threading through your hair as he deepened the kiss. His lips were warm and soft, moving against yours with a sweetness that made your heart swell. The world outside ceased to exist; there was only the two of you, the warmth of the fire, and the feeling of Jaehyun’s lips on yours.

The kiss was slow, unhurried, filled with the emotions that had been building up between you for so long. You could feel everything he was trying to say in the way he kissed you—the longing, the care, the affection that he hadn’t been able to put into words until now.

When you finally broke apart, both of you were breathing heavily, your foreheads resting against each other’s as you tried to catch your breath. You could see the way Jaehyun’s chest rose and fell rapidly, the same way yours did, and the sight made you smile.

“Wow,” you whispered, your voice still a little breathless.

Jaehyun chuckled softly, his thumb brushing over your cheek in a tender gesture. “Yeah… wow.”

For a moment, you just looked at each other, the firelight reflecting in his eyes, making them look even warmer than usual. His smile was soft, his dimples appearing as he looked at you with an expression that made your heart flutter.

“I’ve wanted to do that for a long time,” Jaehyun admitted, his voice low and filled with emotion. “But I never knew if you felt the same way.”

You smiled, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to the corner of his mouth. “I did… I do. I’ve liked you for so long, Jaehyun. I just didn’t know how to tell you.”

He sighed softly, pulling you closer so that you were nestled against his chest. “I guess we were both too afraid to say anything. But I’m glad we finally did.”

You nodded, feeling the steady beat of his heart under your ear. It was comforting, grounding you in the reality of the moment. This was real—Jaehyun’s feelings, your own, the warmth of his arms around you. It was all real, and it made you feel like you were exactly where you were meant to be.

For a while, you stayed like that, wrapped up in each other, the warmth of the fire and the intimacy of the moment making everything else fade away. The storm outside was still fierce, but inside the cave, with Jaehyun by your side, it felt like nothing could touch you.

˚˖𓍢ִ໋🍃˚.⛰️⋆☁️

The next morning, the storm had finally passed, leaving the forest drenched and glistening under the pale morning sun. The air was crisp and fresh, the sky a clear, brilliant blue that felt like a promise of better things to come. The birds were singing again, and the world seemed to have come back to life after the chaos of the previous night.

You and Jaehyun had slept in short shifts, keeping the fire going and listening for any signs of the storm easing. As dawn broke, you both packed up what little you had taken out, dousing the remnants of the fire with water from Jaehyun’s canteen.

Despite the trials of the night, you felt lighter, a warm glow in your chest from everything that had happened between you and Jaehyun. There was a new kind of closeness now, a bond forged in the heart of the storm and sealed with the gentle kisses you had shared.

“Ready to head back?” Jaehyun asked, shouldering his backpack and giving you a reassuring smile.

You nodded, smiling back. “Ready. Let’s go find the others.”

The hike back to the base camp was much easier now that the storm had passed. The trail was muddy, and the ground was slick in places, but with Jaehyun by your side, it felt like a walk in the park. You both moved quickly, eager to reunite with your friends and let them know you were safe.

It didn’t take long before you started seeing signs of other hikers—muddy footprints, a few discarded wrappers, and the sound of distant voices.

“Over here!” a voice called, and you turned to see Winter waving frantically from the edge of the camp. Giselle and the boys—Taeyong, Jungwoo, and Mark—were with her, all of them looking a little worse for wear but otherwise unharmed.

“There you are!” Giselle shouted, rushing over to pull you into a tight hug. “We were so worried when we got separated!”

“We’re okay,” you reassured her, hugging her back just as tightly. “Jaehyun found me, and we took shelter in a cave. What about you guys?”

“Once the storm hit, we all hunkered down in our tents,” Taeyong explained, walking over with a relieved grin. “We stayed put until morning. But when we realized you and Jaehyun weren’t with us, we started to worry.”

Mark smirked, glancing between you and Jaehyun. “Looks like you two had quite the adventure.”

You felt a blush creep up your cheeks, but before you could respond, Winter’s eyes widened as she seemed to piece something together. “Wait a minute—are you two…?”

Jaehyun, ever composed, wrapped an arm around your shoulders, pulling you close with a grin. “Yeah, we’re together now.”

There was a moment of stunned silence, and then the camp erupted into cheers and laughter. Jungwoo clapped Jaehyun on the back, a wide grin on his face. “About time, man! We’ve all been waiting for this to happen.”

Giselle’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she nudged you. “So, a stormy night in a cave, huh? Sounds like the perfect setup for romance.”

You laughed, shaking your head at her teasing. “It was… unexpected, but it brought us closer. We finally admitted how we feel about each other.”

“And now they’re officially a couple!” Winter cheered, clapping her hands in excitement. “This trip really was a success in more ways than one.”

Taeyong, always the leader, stepped forward with a proud smile. “Well, I’d say this hiking trip turned out to be quite the matchmaking adventure. Who knew a storm could bring two people together like this?”

Mark grinned, slinging an arm around Taeyong’s shoulders. “Maybe next time we should plan for a storm on purpose. Might help more of us find our soulmates.”

The group burst into laughter at Mark’s suggestion, the mood light and celebratory. It was clear that everyone was relieved to be back together and safe, and the fact that you and Jaehyun had finally confessed to each other was the icing on the cake.

As the group gathered their gear and prepared to head back home, Mark couldn’t resist one last comment. “So, how are we going to top this on our next trip? It’s going to be hard to beat a stormy night romance.”

Jaehyun chuckled, squeezing your hand. “I think we’ll just have to wait and see what happens. But no matter what, I’m just glad we’re all safe and that I got to be with someone special.”

You smiled up at him, feeling a warmth spread through your chest. “Me too. This was definitely a trip to remember.”

˚˖𓍢ִ໋🍃˚.⛰️⋆☁️

fin

jaefluenza; navigation

[sunshinesmebdy]

Venus in Capricorn: A Guide to Building Lasting Relationships and Financial Stability

Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and values, is transiting through Capricorn until December 7th, bringing grounded, no-nonsense energy to our relationships, finances, and personal goals. As someone with Venus in Capricorn, I know firsthand how powerful this influence can be — it’s about commitment, stability, and building something meaningful that stands the test of time.

Let’s dive into how you can align with this energy to strengthen your relationships, boost your finances, and create lasting success in all areas of life.

1. Career Connections That Matter

Venus in Capricorn is all about rewarding hard work and consistency. If you’ve been showing up and putting in the effort, this is your moment. Promotions, recognition, and opportunities to connect with people who share your long-term vision could be on the horizon.

The key here is intentionality. Focus on creating meaningful professional relationships. Whether it’s a colleague, mentor, or collaborator, invest your energy in connections that feel purposeful and aligned with your bigger goals.

2. Love That’s Built to Last

In relationships, Venus in Capricorn doesn’t do shallow. This is a time for commitment, loyalty, and building a foundation with someone who’s just as invested as you are.

If you’re single, think about what you truly want in a partner. If you’re in a relationship, use this energy to strengthen your bond and create a shared vision for the future. This isn’t about quick sparks — it’s about the slow burn that lasts a lifetime.

3. Financial Foundations

Venus in Capricorn is incredibly practical when it comes to money. This is your chance to get serious about your financial goals. Take a closer look at your budget, start saving, or explore investments that align with your long-term plans.

Think beyond short-term wins. Every step you take now — whether it’s paying off debt or planning for retirement — can help secure your future.

4. Boundaries Are Everything

One of the biggest lessons of Venus in Capricorn is the importance of boundaries. In love, this means respecting each other’s needs and space. In money, it’s about knowing your limits — say no to unnecessary spending or risky decisions.

Capricorn energy is about protecting what you’ve built. By setting healthy boundaries, you’re creating space for growth while safeguarding your progress.

5. Network with Purpose

Quality over quantity — this is the Venus in Capricorn motto when it comes to connections. Whether personal or professional, now’s the time to focus on relationships that truly matter.

Seek out people who inspire you, challenge you, and align with your values. These are the relationships that will support your growth and open doors to new opportunities down the line.

6. Love as a Team Effort

Venus in Capricorn views love as a partnership. It’s not just about romance — it’s about building a life together. During this transit, think about what you and your partner (or potential partner) are working toward.

Whether it’s building a business, planning for the future, or simply supporting each other’s dreams, this energy is about creating something that’s bigger than just the two of you.

7. Self-Worth is Non-Negotiable

Venus in Capricorn reminds you to know your worth and act accordingly. When you value yourself — your time, your energy, your skills — you naturally attract people and opportunities that respect that.

This is a great time to focus on personal growth. Invest in yourself, whether that’s through learning something new, prioritizing self-care, or tackling a project you’ve been putting off. You’re worth the effort.

8. Patience Pays Off

Capricorn energy teaches us that the best things in life don’t come overnight. This is a time to embrace the process, knowing that your hard work and persistence will lead to long-term rewards.

Whether it’s a relationship, a career goal, or a financial plan, stay consistent. Trust that you’re building something solid, even if the results aren’t immediate.

9. Build Your Legacy

At the heart of Venus in Capricorn is the idea of creating something that lasts. This is your chance to build a foundation for love, finances, and success that can stand the test of time.

What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind? Whether it’s through meaningful relationships, a thriving career, or financial security, this is the time to lay the groundwork for the future you want.

A Personal Note from a Capricorn Venus

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Venus in Capricorn, it’s that love, success, and stability don’t come from rushing or cutting corners. They’re built through effort, intention, and staying true to your values.

This transit is an invitation for everyone to embrace those principles. Take your time, focus on what really matters, and trust the process. Whether you’re working on your relationships, career, or personal growth, the energy of Venus in Capricorn can help you create something truly lasting.

Here’s to building a life filled with love, purpose, and security — one intentional step at a time. 🌟

[greenboyfriend]

choose a fish to fill you with whimsy & glee! (tarot reading)

"what can you look forward to?" image 1: this guy's got it all figured out. he's able to breathe above water due to the bowl of water superglued to his face. one might even assume he has prosthetic legs, or perhaps even feet... image 2: the ideal male figure... you may not like it, but it's a fish with a broom as a tail and no internal organs. image 3: a fish that doesn't resemble anything in particular. no... not at all! image source not everything may resonate with you, and that's ok! take what does & leave the rest. don't force it.

1.・。.・゜✭

you guys!!! there is something very wonderful in store for you, so long as you’re able to get yourself out of this rut! you may be feeling powerless, suffering some sort of attack, and being forced into the role of the victim. however! justice means to tell you that there is a major change that must be made on your part. instead of letting yourself be victimized, take action! use those emotions you’re feeling to tackle this challenge with passion– take that risk!! don’t be afraid to get creative, too. above all, and no matter what it takes, you’re going to need to address this, and with confidence.  in a broader sense, this situation is teaching you how to overcome a fear of yours. maybe you’re not the best at asserting yourself, but that’s ok! we’re all learning!! take this as a step in the right direction.  the extremely right direction, i might add, as the 9 of cups and justice seem to imply, this will be a very fruitful endeavor for you. the 9 of cups is often referred to as the “wish” card, because it represents having your wish fulfilled. after you take action, i see this result leaving you feeling quite pleased with yourself, and even a little smug! as you may know, justice is no card to be trifled with, so keep in mind that the actions you take regarding this situation will heed important results. do what you know is right and believe in yourself! you can do it!!! all of these cards are reversed-- except 10 of swords-- indicating that they're meant to inform your future actions (in the next few days, or next week). so don't worry if you haven't thought about it too much yet. but please remember that justice does not play! believe in yourself, you'll know when the time is right. there is some 18+ info beyond this point... click the link to read the rest but be warned its literally 2 sentences and NO ONE UNDER 18 SHOULD fucking READ IT! /srs link

(10 of swords, page of wands reversed, 9 of cups reversed, justice reversed)

2.・。.・゜✭

hello my silly little broom fish. you’ve been working hard! if you haven’t, expect to work hard soon! you will be taking on a new project or adventure, which will require your full attention. i’m thinking, some of you guys might be taking a new class, or be receiving training of some kind. you’re going to need to put your all into this! you may already have an idea of what to expect, but some things will be new, too. take the time to really get into the minute details, tie up loose ends, and recheck, then rerecheck, and rererecheck just for good measure.  this may also be a way for you to expand your horizons, and become a leader. if you have a good idea, share it! you may end up showing others the way, and being a representative of some kind. remember, though, to be painstaking about this, and really brush up on those fine details.  along the way, make sure you’re keeping yourself on course. if you need a moment to reflect and think about where you’re going, consider it a part of the process. while it is also a good idea to consider other perspectives, keep in mind that you’re here for a reason. you may have to assert your position & really push for your way of doing things. again, if someone else has an idea, don’t underestimate it, but don’t underestimate yourself, either! this may take the form of having to resist authority, and you may have to be firm. in doing this, you may also be able to reap a reward of some kind! remember, there are so many people in the world that would push for their perspective no matter what, even if they haven't researched it at all. based on the 8 of pentacles, you most certainly have researched, so believe in yourself! make that stand!!... well, when it comes to. all of these cards are reversed, so this situation is likely to come into fruition in the future-- in the next few days, or possibly next week. mull over it for a while. when you start to see the signs, seize your opportunity!

(8 of pentacles reversed, 3 of wands reversed, 7 of pentacles reversed, 7 of wands reversed)

3.・。.・゜✭

ok go off!!!! or somefin it’s time to commit to that regimen. whether that’s eating healthier, taking more time for yourself, or, if you’re like me, trying to practice more self kindness, creating an organized structure/routine is likely to help. so, for example, i’ll take my own life into account: i’ll often think certain thoughts can make me feel bad about myself without me totally realizing it, and lately i’ve been trying to change how i talk to myself. i use a systematic approach, in that i recognize the thought, then force myself to replace it with a positive one, instead. it seems silly at first, but the more that i stick to this method, the more success i’m seeing! this is just my example, but can be applied to your own situation! it’s always tough to start something new, but a month or two in, or maybe even a week, you see improvement. & it’s ok to make mistakes! you may be focusing too much on what you lack, or your shortcomings. there may also be setbacks keeping you from achieving your goals, or maybe you’re convinced that you made the wrong decision.  know that it’s always darkest before the dawn!! you may be in a bad place right now, and if you are, consider how you can make things easier on yourself. instead of letting yourself be a martyr, or feel powerless, do what you know will make you feel better. like that new god forsaken ariana venti song, be your own damn best… friend. it’s wise counsel. both of the readings above this are about the future, but for you, i think this is very much about the present. with all cards facing you except temperance, there is a story unfolding, where you complete some unfinished business, and find peace. the peace part is likely in the future, with it being reversed and all, but the time for action seems imminent, or already happening. i think you probably know what you need to do. whatever those plans are that you’ve been sitting on, make them happen! i just keep getting “declare yourself openly”!!! so do with that what you will.  you may even discover some sort of missing truth, keeping you from seeing things fully. you may also be swept up into the tides of change, and witness all the elements fit seamlessly into place. so hey! enjoy!

(the emperor, 5 of cups, 8 of wands, 10 of swords, temperance reversed)

[marimoscorner]

A Witch’s Hearth: Finding Home in Nature

In our Disconnected, Urban World

Written by Autumn (she/her) 🍁

To most witches, pagans and druids, the nature around us is as much of a home as our own domiciles. It’s healing to go out to an old growth forest, to bathe in the wisdom of beings who lived before you and will likely still stand tall when you are amidst their soil.

However, not everyone has immediate access to the lovely blessing of a deep forest.

I myself recently moved from the deep, lush forests of the PNW to just about as far south as I could go in my car, chasing the light that I need to function. The move has helped with my daily functions and mental health, yes—but I have been left feeling a bit lost without the forests of home.

Join me as I plan some ways in which I can adapt anew to the nature around my new home, how I may incorporate it in my magic, and how I may carve out a new spiritual hearth for myself.

Perhaps this can help inspire folks to tackle their own homesickness with nature, and to reconnect with the world in which they live (whether or not they’ve made a move).

Once again, please take this with a grain of salt—as this is just from my own experiences. I am not a teacher, I am simply recording my thoughts in the hopes to add my voice to the pot. With that, let’s begin! 🌿

A Deep Homesickness

This photo is one my partner took at our engagement up in WA, right before we ran into a bear

The above photo is how I think of home. The deep green of the forest, the blue of the mountains on the horizon. Moss on just about every surface. The rich dirt that sustained it all. Were it not rainy and dark most of the year, I wouldn’t have left.

Now, I find home in a biome all its own. I’m living deeper into a city than I ever have, and I’m feeling isolated from nature. While the beach is close by, any deep woods that remind me of the edges of the wilderness up north are at the very least two to three hours away by car.

Though I have a hard time remembering this, it is not a bad change. Any plant that is uprooted from the earth it’s known its whole life is bound to feel a bit uncomfortable. But perhaps it can flourish if moved to soil better suited for its intrinsic needs.

Though my experience includes a physical move, this can apply to a homesickness you feel due to a simple displacement of nature in this society. Perhaps you aren’t seeing enough nature, or aren’t able to connect with what’s around you.

Let’s forge ahead to tackle this feeling of loneliness head on!

Finding Similarities

This is a photo I took at a hike about 2.5 hrs out of the way down here. Though without as many trees, it felt much more familiar and was beautiful in its own right

In our modern society, we’re left with a longing to return to nature—to our home. You may find yourself longing for a specific kind of view. Perhaps you’re looking for prominence of a particular element—like a roaring river to enact water or plenty of clover to help you feel the earth. The following is a list of steps to tackle this:

Make a list of things you want to see or things that would help you feel at home in nature. Think of your dream location when it comes to the outdoors. What does it look like? What features does it have? How do you feel?

Go online and find trails nearby with as similar to these features as possible. AllTrails has the ability to search for trails with waterfalls, forests, wildflowers, wildlife, etc. for free. Make good use of the wonderful web of resources provided to us.

Make an effort to connect with nature at least once a month, if you can. Be sure to pack for safety—and take a nice hike, or sit under an old tree and journal in your grimoire. Ground yourself and notice the seasons around you

In this way, you’ll help your soul settle and feel comfortable, which will help with our next steps.

Bring a Piece of Nature Home

Here’s one of my cats, Pagan, enjoying our newest garden box arrangement. I’m so proud of how far she’s come since we rescued this tiny baby

Many times, it’s near impossible to find the time in our busy lives during the week to go deep into nature. Thus, we need to take this connection into our own hands, and build our own miniature wild sanctuary.

NOTE: Do not remove plants or creatures from nature. They are there for a reason.

Take inventory of your available space. Is this your entire patio? A shelf? A portion of your altar? A garden box? A whole backyard? Take measurements so you can better plan

Remember your list of natural things you enjoy. Brainstorm some ways to include them in this space. It could be a photo or painting of your dream location. It could also be an actual plant for a tiny breath of fresh air. If you have the space, you could plant a whole garden! It is whatever matters most to you. Try and incorporate your local biome to help enmesh the two worlds, if they are different.

Thrift and shop around to fulfill the needs of this space. The more you can get secondhand or from smaller businesses in your community, the better. You may even be able to ask your neighbors or friends with impressive plants for a cutting to propagate!

Consider the safety of any children or animals in your life. A lot of plants and flowers can be toxic to certain creatures. Utilize the web to determine what is safe for your situation.

Set up your space and enjoy! You may utilize spells or ritual to fully enact the space and help it to feel more magical, but it is really your choice.

For my family, we live in an apartment. We haven’t had a backyard in years. Still, we’ve found way to turn our patio into a spot of natural respite. We utilize a tiered planter in order to make the most of our patio space. Though we’ve included small flowers that remind us of our old home, we’ve embraced the biome we’re currently in and have an entire row of beautiful succulents. Of course, we also added catnip for our babies, and herbs for our kitchen witchcraft. We also put down these outdoor tiles from IKEA that mimic a lawn and wooden patio. On our table, we’ve put a hummingbird feeder to help better support local wildlife, and are discussing an actual bird feeder.

Embracing the Nature Around You

A photo I took of a playful wild crow. He was an excellent little model!

This is a step I still need to complete myself. When biomes don’t match up with how you picture nature in your craft, it can be frustrating! Especially if you’re in a fairly urban area, you may not have much access or choice in which nature you interact with.

Here’s the good thing, though: it’s all nature, regardless of how it shows up in the world.

Start researching your local biomes. Take account of your local parks and community gardens. Study the history of the land that you’re on, and how it played into the lives of the people that it truly belongs to (of course, do not culturally appropriate. This should go without saying). Explore native biodiversity. Find volunteer programs at local organic farms. Visit a farmer’s market. The list of possibilities goes on.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or don’t know where to start, this is how I’ll be organizing my journey through this step:

Make a list of natural sights in your area that are easily accessible to you. I’m talking within a 30 minute drive or closer level of close. These don’t need to match up perfectly with your perception of nature—you may be pleasantly surprised in what you find when you open yourself up. This could include: parks, hiking trails, state parks, plant nurseries or shops, local/community gardens, farms that allow for visitors, farmer’s markets, local watersheds that allow for visitors, etc.

Visit these locations safely, documenting what you find beautiful and/or spiritual in each one. List aspects of local nature and how that could make an impact if you were to include them in your craft

Create a mini encyclopedia of local spots that you end up loving for days where you’re feeling disconnected and need a quick pick-me-up. You might even create a jar full of folded papers to pick them at random.

Increase the amount of local natural elements that you include in your craft instead of/alongside elements of your idealized natural space. You may find this area around you feeling more like a home or hearth than you ever have before.

Once you start practicing awareness in nature more and more, you’ll start to notice it in more places. This can not only help with your connection to your location, but can help you build your magical hearth in the energy around you.

Giving Back

This is a photo I took at the San Diego Zoo of a weaver finch building its nest

Nature takes care of us, even when we’re detached from it in our cities. We need to take care of it in turn. If you have the means, find some way to give back to the nature around you if you so wish. Here are some ideas:

Give back to the plants with your energy, or make an offering of compost to replenish the soil

Purchase a Membership at a local zoo or aquarium that prioritizes conservation. This way you get to visit, too, while giving back! I love having memberships because I know on each visit I can really take my time and don’t have to rush about.

Volunteer to help reforest, or to help plant at a local garden. This can even be done by donation if you do not have the access or ability to physically participate

Consider giving homegrown herbs/plants to family and friends—or prepare them to help feed those in your community, if you have the means to donate

Teach others in your community how to properly dispose of waste and how they can help keep our natural beauty alive

Simply compost and recycle when the option is available to you

Etc. There is no one right way to do any of this! Just with your intent, you make your community a better place. Thank you for being in it

Thank you for taking the time to read through my little magical journal and ideas. Even if we don’t fully align, I hope that our paths crossing has contributed to even a slight net-positive in your day. I look forward to writing again soon.

[linkedspirit-fanartfunart]

Seeking New Land

Wind backstory! Post Phantom Hourglass, Link and Tetra gain a new (old?) Companion to the search for New Hyrule, and eventually (or inevitably) find a strange place.

(Link is HoH and the Pirate Charm is his hearing aid)

-

He came out slowly from his daze. Link looked curiously down at the Phantom Hourglass in his hands. It had carried over from that other world, unlike everything else. The rest of his pockets were empty. He tilted the glass around carefully. Golden sands shifted smoothly. It wasn't a cool sword anymore, though. …Dang. He loved that sword.

He looked up. Over the horizon, a boat chugging along in the distance. The SS Linebeck. Link rushed to the other side of the boat while Tetra talked to the crew. The Pirate Charm allowed him to hear it regardless of if he was paying attention. Slightly annoying, but it was helpful more often than not.

“I swear, if you say it was a dream one more time, I'm gonna throttle you!” Tetra exclaimed. “It was some spirit world! There were fairies and a white whale-”

Link leaned against the rail of the ship and grinned wide. Linebeck's ship was chugging along on the sea. A steam plume twirling in the winds. Clear as day. He climbed up onto the rail of the pirate ship and leaped into the cool sea with a splash.

“Oh! Link overboard!” Mako called, “Where's he think he's going?”

“Ack! Link!?” Tetra shouted, bright and clear over the wash of water. She must have been talking directly through the Pirate Charm, “Link get back up here!”

He kept swimming. He was about 80% sure he could make it to Linebeck's ship. Probably. If not, Tetra would grab him out of the sea before he drowned.

Linebeck's boat was moving away from them, so Link had to swim fast. He barely paused to look where he was going, just raced against the tides. Pushing and pushing against ribbons of water.

He had to take a gasp for breath eventually though. He treaded water, looking over to see how far he had to go. Dang it, he was so close, but it'd still be too far.

The SS Linebeck's salvage arm craned over him. It dragged him out of the water, dangling by the back of his shirt like a wet cat. Linebeck stood on the deck. He folded his arms. He looked at the grinning kid. His face was lined with exhaustion.

“You look too damn happy for a kid who just jumped off a pirate ship.”

Link laughed. Linebeck sighed, dragging Link in and dropping him on deck. Link scrambled to a stand and tackled Linebeck into a hug.

Linebeck fumbled his steps to brace against Link's tackle. He gave Link an awkward pat on the head, chest rising and falling with a sigh. It took Linebeck a long moment, but eventually, he wrapped his arms around Link's shoulders and squeezed.

He frowned at the pirate ship heading their way. “I'm trying to make a getaway from the world of pirates, ya know. Been trapped with them plaguing me for who knows how long. If you don't mind-” Linebeck began struggling his way out of Link's hug “I'd like to start sailing out of range again.”

Link blinked. He shook his head frantically.

“No? Why in the blue skies not?” Linkebeck hissed urgently.

“That's Tetra's ship!” Link exclaimed, pointing.

“Oh.” Linebeck said, brows furrowed. He gasped “OH! Well of course it is, I knew that. Yes indeed.”

Link giggled and wormed his way back into hugging Linebeck. Linebeck sighed, resting a hand on Link's head. “Yeah, yeah, glad to see we both made it out of that alright,” he chuckled.

Tetra's ship caught up quickly. The pirate captain swung down from the ship and stared as she thudded onto the deck of the steamship. “Linebeck... You're real!”

“A- why wouldn't I be real?!”

“I don't know, I thought maybe you'd be like a spirit or something too. Or a seagull.”

Linebeck squinted at her. He grabbed Link by the shoulders and extracted him from the hug. Linebeck set him down beside him. He shook his head, gesturing, “A seagull? If I was an animal why would I have a boat? You kids are absolutely crazy, you know that, right? I can't believe it. A seagull. Ya know, you can just say “hoy there Linebeck! I'm glad to see you made it out from the Ghost Ship!” Or something or other.”

“Glad to see you made it out from the Ghost Ship. Or something or other.” Tetra echoed with a grin.

Linebeck rolled his eyes, smiling softly despite himself.

“Miss Tetra? Who is that?”

“A friend! He helped us on the Ghost Ship!” Tetra called back.

“Woah!” Niko exclaimed, “Are you a ghost then?”

Linebeck groaned, shaking his head.

-

Link watched the sea roll by as the sky grew dark. Linebeck had been thoroughly harassed for the past hour or so by both friends and crew. Link was starting to get tired from all the talking and noise. He looked at the Pirate charm in his hands. He placed it beside himself, the now overwhelming noise from the sea vanishing with it. He sighed with a small smile.

Link watched the ocean rise and fall for a while, soft light of the moon reflecting and chopped on the water. His mind began to wander to what might lay below the ocean. He wondered if it was part of Old Hyrule, before. Or if they were already well past the old coast. His sea charts were becoming long stretches of ocean and ocean. If Link didn't have the Wind Waker, he would've been scared of losing his way home to the endless waters.

Linebeck's footsteps vibrated on the deck. Vaugely Link could catch a muffled voice of complaint. Likely saying Link had abandoned him to the Pirates or something. He sat down next to him, glancing at the pendant on the deck. He didn't try to talk to him after that, only looked out at the sea beside him.

Link smiled, leaning back against his shoulder. Regardless of his desire to enjoy silence for a moment longer, Link's mind quickly wandered to more present thoughts. He picked the pendant back up. “Do you want… to travel with us?” Link asked, slow and careful with the words. They were important words. They needed to be clear. To sound right.

“Ah… I don't know where you kids are going.”

“We donno!” Link cheered, looking up with a grin. “New land.”

Linkbeck hummed, miming thinking about it. “Oh, you kids were a handful. Who knows how long I'd be stuck with you rascals-”

Link shifted to look at him with big pleading eyes.

Linebeck sighed, “Oh it’s not like I've got much else going for me. Of course I'll go with you.” He ruffled Link's hair, smiling. “Don't you dare think I'll be hopping on a pirate ship, though.”

“You can woosh-” Link mimed a ship speeding off into the distance with his hands, “Get stuff.”

Linebeck scoffed playfully, “Ah-HUH. You're coming with me on whatever supply runs you lot beg me to do.”

Link laughed and nodded excitedly, hands moving quickly as he signed, “You can go with me to my home island! Meet my grandma and sister! It's awesome! You'd love it and-”

“Kid you're moving way too fast again.” Linebeck laughed.

Link whined dramatically, and tackled Linebeck with another hug instead. He grunted and patted Link on the shoulder with a lightly huffed smile.

-

Years later:

“OY, Link!”

Link groaned and turned to bury his better ear and his face into his pillow. …It didn't work. Tetra’s voice was still magically clear. “Link get your scrawny butt up or I'll throw you off the boat.”

He fumbled to take off the Pirate Charm and threw it lazily at Tetra. Then returned to nuzzling into his very nice, very soft blanket.

Tetra continued talking regardless of how well Link could hear her. Something Something bam cat…Something. She was probably still threatening him.

Her hands wrapped around his legs. Tetra hauled him up by the legs, head thunking against the frame of the bunk. She said something that Link HOPED was an apology about the integrity of his head, and continued on regardless, with his knees hooked over her shoulder. Link took in a heaved breath and allowed himself to be dragged along the deck. Tetra was tall enough now his head wouldn't hit anything else… until she did it on purpose.

So he kept his eyes closed, allowing himself another few minutes of sleepy haze. The lulling rock of the boat, the smooth texture of the wooden deck sliding along his dragging arms, the dim morning light behind his eyelids. A certain rush of blood to his head and the resulting woozy feeling really only made him sleepier.

Tetra dropped him just as he felt he could probably fall back asleep like that.

“WAUgh” He yelped, limbs flailing. He opened his eyes at the sky. It was barely even dawn. He scrunched his nose in a pout.

Tetra dropped the Pirate Charm back on top of his chest. Sound digging back into his mind with the magic of the charm. He grunted at the sensation.

“Well, get to your feet, Sailor. Tell me what cha see.”

Link glared. He pulled the Charm over his neck again. He wouldn't get away with throwing it twice… With a low grumble that vibrated from his chest, he stood up. He propped himself up on the edge of the ship, looking over the gray wash of water, and the gray skies. He turned to Tetra and raised an eyebrow.

Tetra rolled her eyes and grabbed Link by the shoulders to direct him at the slowly approaching view of an island. Distant. Its shore seemed long… now that he could trace it across the horizon. His brows pinched. Really long.

“Well!? What do you think?!” Tetra said, practically vibrating his shoulders as she shook him. Link's mouth opened. And stuck there.

Tetra shook him bodily. “It's gotta be a whole continent, I'm sure of it! I've never seen anywhere with such a long coast!” She laughed, grinning at him.

Link felt his own giggle bubble out of his chest. He spun himself from Tetra's grip on his shoulders and hugged her. She squeezed him tightly. Then abruptly socked him in the shoulder, “Can you get Linebeck and get closer to the shoreline to see if there's somewhere good to dock?”

Link nodded, rushing across the deck and scrambling inside again. Linebeck snored away, his arm dangling over the side of the bed. Link shook him.

“Eh? Whazzit? Do you know what time it is?”

Link leaned over and grinned at him.

Linebeck grunted, “Too early for that much excitement. That's what.”

Link shook his head and yanked the man up. He yelped, stumbling as he regained his bearings. “A man my age needs his beauty rest, you know. This is elder abuse.”

He rolled his eyes laughing. “We found land. A big one.”

His gaze snapped to Link's, wide and curious. “Alright, Alright, lets see it.”

Link whooped onto the air. He practically skidded out the door, rushing to get the SS Linebeck prepared as her namesake prepared himself for the day.

Linebeck chuckled lightly. “It ain't going to vanish! Unless of course it's that place again…. So! Don't rush it!” he called after him.

Link's feet danced across the boards of the ship. Linebeck strolled onto the ship as Link cleared off the windows with sweeping movements. He twirled on his toes, undoing the knots latching Linebeck’s ship to Tetra’s. “Ready to sail!” Link cheered.

“Annd we’re off!” Linebeck announced in confirmation.

The spray of water was cool against his face. Link smiled as the wind sang across his skin and hair. They chugged up to the shore. Linebeck approached cautiously to the uncharted edge of the land. Link jumped off the ship, swimming to shore. Linebeck was used to his impatience by now, simply laying anchor when Link rushed ahead.

Seagulls cawed over his head as he rushed up the beach. Not far from the sandy line was flowing grass taller than him. Palm trees stretched high, fronds shading from the warmth of the sun. Short cliffs lined the edges of the grassy view.

It felt eerily like Home for a place so huge. Link half expected to feel children brushing past him, racing up the beach. He nearly expected to see houses dotting the smoother edges of the hills.

He hummed, soft, and made his way forward. He held his hands out to brush against the tall fronds of grass, looking around. He climbed a short cliff, rushing up to a higher vantage point. The sky stretched out beyond him, but he couldn't see a pale blue line like he usually did on islands. Tall mountains stretched over the horizon, far far far from the shore. Link drifted forward, awed with the sheer scale. Could a Rito even fly above those? Could a seagull?

His foot hit metal. Link blinked, glancing down. A dull grey line cut the greenery and ran down an endless path forward. Link hopped up onto the metal track. It almost rumbled lowly under his feet. The vibration felt like a low hum or snore. He heard nothing. Link leaned down and brushed his fingers against it. It was warm to the touch, sun-heated and smooth.

He stared. Something about it thrummed in the back of his mind. He couldn't tell if it felt like danger or like safety.

“Oi, Link!” Tetra's voice chimed. He jolted, and pulled the Pirate Charm up into view.

“eh?” He called back.

“When are you going to give us a good docking spot!? Report sailor!”

Link sighed, rolling his eyes, and stood. He glanced back at the Great Sea, stretching endlessly blue. “It's safe. The beach is like Outset.” He wandered back along toward the beach line, looking over the sands. “No rocks I can see.”

“Finally, thank you!”

Link nodded to nobody. He glanced back at the line of metal, he stepped forward, warm metal against his boot. He followed it.

"Link? We're at the shore." Tetra called through the charm. He didn't know how far she was anymore. The grass kept going for ages and ages. Link wondered if he'd gotten trapped in somewhere beyond reality again.

"...Where are you?"

Link paused, looking around. "On a track... I think."

"Link you impulsive bastard I- HEY" there was a sound of wind and a crackle buzz that made Link wince. He was half compelled to toss the offending noise maker, but he suffered through.

Linebeck's voice rumbled through the charm "Link, get off the track. There's a binding magic to it, get off."

Link yelped and jumped off of it, fumbling backward a few steps, "I'm off!"

A sigh of relief and exasperation came through the charm, "Follow it back."

He blew a sigh of his own, and started back, trudging through the grass along the line of the track. He looked at it. Smooth metal and rhythmically pattered edges. ...Binding magic...

Linebeck stood at the edge that Link had first found. Tetra glared at Linebeck, hands wrapped possessively over her Pirate Charm.

Link waved with a smile. Tetra ran up to him, dropping an arm heavy on his shoulder, "Thoughts?"

"I wanna see where it leads. It has to go somewhere important."

"Hm." Tetra nodded. "Oy! Gonzo, pick some people to go find some food, everybody else, figure out as much of a map as you can and Niko!"

"Am I going with you?" Niko cheered, leaning forward on his toes.

"No, make sure the ship is safe for us when everybody gets back."

"Ughhh" Niko sighed.

"It's the single most important job," Linebeck said, "Now. You kids enjoy the adventure. I have to tell ya, though, this looks like very old magic."

"It's strange, that's certain." Tetra huffed.

"You tell us if you see any people, alright?" Niko said, leaning against the bow of the ship. The boat creaked, leaning with the push. Niko nearly lost his balance, pinwheeling his arms to stay upright.

"There has to be." Link said with a giggle, "somewhere this big and this green?"

Tetra nodded, "Alright. Let's set off."

"To the great unknown!" Link cheered. He rushed forward at a dash.

"Oy! Rude!" Tetra called, running after him.

"I already saw this part!" Link complained back, "It's known now!"

Tetra tackled him barely 10 paces away from where they started.

-

They had seen the tall endless tower far before they reached it. The crew eventually came with, the ships being cared for by Nudge and Mako. Niko chattered along the way over the weeks of travel, cheerfully explaining how he was now an expert of the area the ship had landed in. Niko and Linebeck had been the ones to first meet people, and he had been quite happy about that fact, despite not understanding the language at all.

They had figured they had one day's left of travel before they'd reach the tower, so the crew settled in for a rest in their tents among the great endless plain of grass.

Tetra gently shook Link up when the moon was high and bright in the sky and the ever familiar stars twinkled above. He squinted at her, leaning up on his elbows. She glanced at the rest of her crew, and offered her hand to pull Link to a stand. He took her hand, picking up the Pirate Charm from beside him. Tetra led him away, toward the Tower, tall grass practically parting for her. He followed her, feeling the wind tug and pull at them, closer and closer to the Tower.

"Someone's calling me." Tetra whispered eventually as they walked.

Even with the charm, Link strained to hear her.

"She wants to meet me."

"Who?" Link signed, the hand symbols feeling more appropriate for the tone.

"...I don't know."

He frowned lightly, and they kept walking. The tower was tall, made with a similar material as the tracks. Link could feel it in the soft vibrating energy of it.

Tetra glanced over the building's arching doorway, far larger than any human would need.

"Locked" Link signed, pressing his hands against then doorway.

She placed her hand against the seam of the door next to his, and light stretched across the line, and spider-webbed out. Warm and sharp. The doors rumbled open, light pouring out into the night.

The light faded, and an elderly woman smiled at them from the center of the room.

"Hello young princess, it's nice to finally meet you."

"I'm not a Princess. I'm Tetra," she said, arms crossed. "Who are you?"

"Anjean, guardian of the Tower of Spirits."

Link wandered as Tetra and Anjean talked, exploring the patterns and symbols.

"Why did you call to me...?"

Anjean laughed softly, "I could sense a familiar form of magic known to Hyrule, I thought I'd reach out to a family friend."

Link glanced up a darkend stairwell.

"Family friend," Tetra echoed, tone stiff.

A hiss of steam. A metallic arm grabbed Link by the chest of his shirt. Link shrieked, and a hulking figure stepped out of the dark. The young man grumbled, "Who is this?"

Tetra's sword slid between them, the curve of the blade aimed toward the man's neck.

"Let Link go."

"Byrne, please be kind to our guests." Anjean sighed.

Link smiled and waved awkwardly.

Byrne, apparently as his name was, leaned back. He released Link with a hiss of metal and steam. His dangling feet dropped to the ground. "I didn't invite them," he hissed.

"He's all bark no bite" Anjean soothed with a light chuckle. "Tetra here is Hyrule's newest daughter."

"And this nosy creature?" He asked, gesturing at Link.

"He's my friend," Tetra said, stepping forward to size the tall man up. She managed very well. "Don't touch him."

"What's up there?" Link asked.

"The Tower." Byrne huffed, turning to pace around the circular room, glaring toward Link and Tetra.

"It's the lock. It must remain undisturbed."

"Then why call us here?" Tetra asked,

"I wished to see what brought you to us."

Tetra sighed, "We were looking for a new continent. This is the first one we found."

"But why?" Anjean said with a curious smile, "What inspired this adventure?"

She glanced at Link. Link glanced at her.

"The King of Red Lions. He asked us to find our future," Link said softly.

"Interesting," Anjean hummed, "Enjoy finding it. New Hyrule is open to you."

"...New Hyrule? There's no way this land is actually called that." Tetra laughed.

Anjean smiled, "You'll find it has many names, but most of them variations upon "Home," feel free to choose as you will, but a New Hyrule for the future seems fitting to call it for you."

Tetra squinted, "Come on, Link. We should go back to the Crew."

He nodded, following her toward the doors. Link glanced at Byrne and Anjean one more time. "...How do you know we'll stay?" Link asked.

"Because you shouldn't." Byrne said.

Anjean wacked his side lightly, "I don't. But it can be a home while you explore what your future may be, too."

Link pocketed his hands, feeling the smooth glass of the Hourglass in his pocket. He followed Tetra out into the light of the sunrise.

[peleksstuff]

interviewing timothée l timothée chalamet x reader

gifs not mine*

summary: looking good interviewing timothee

-----

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the desert in a magical light, you sat face to face with two big Hollywood stars, Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, right on the set of the highly anticipated movie, Dune. The conversation aimed to uncover their insights into the production process of this monumental adaptation and delve into the intricacies of their respective roles.

"It's great to have both of you here, Timothée and Zendaya. Dune is known worldwide, with a passionate fan following. How did you guys tackle the challenge of portraying your characters in this adaptation?"

Timothee's eyes locked onto yours as he began to answer, a spark of interest evident in his gaze. "Well, for me, it was about really delving into the psyche of Paul Atreides," he said, his voice carrying a hint of intensity. "His journey is one of self-discovery, of navigating a world filled with complexities and challenges. It was a privilege to step into his shoes."

Zendaya concurred with a nod before expressing, "Playing Chani was truly amazing for me. She's a character of immense strength and resilience, and I aimed to embody her essence in every scene. Working with such a skilled cast and crew was an absolute pleasure."

Throughout the interview, Timothee's gaze kept drifting back to you, his eyes lingering for just a moment longer than necessary, sending a flutter of excitement through your chest. Zendaya seemed to notice the subtle exchange and flashed you a knowing smile before continuing to discuss the film.

As the interview neared its end, you found yourself filled with excitement, grateful for the opportunity to have conversed with two burgeoning Hollywood talents. "Thank you both for your time today," you expressed warmly, a sincere smile gracing your face. "I'm confident that Dune will indeed become a cinematic masterpiece."

As the cameras stopped rolling, Timothee approached you with a sheepish grin. "Hey, um, I was wondering if maybe... you'd want to grab a coffee sometime?" he asked, his cheeks tinged with a hint of pink.

Zendaya, who had been observing the interaction with amusement, couldn't contain her laughter. "Well, well, well, Timmy," she teased, "how professional of you."

Timothee rolled his eyes playfully before turning back to you, his expression hopeful. "So, what do you say?"

You couldn't help but laugh at the unexpected turn of events. "I'd love to," you replied, feeling a surge of excitement at the prospect of getting to know him outside of the interview setting.

As you exchanged numbers with Timothee, Zendaya grinned mischievously, shaking her head in disbelief. "I can't believe you just did that," she said, her laughter filling the air. "But hey, who am I to stand in the way of true love?"

As you watched Timothee walk away, a smile tugging at the corners of your lips, you couldn't help but feel a sense of unexpected opportunity in the air, as if the desert sands themselves were whispering tales of new beginnings.

[mistytarot0919]

2025 GENERAL PREDICTIONS FOR ALL ZODIAC SIGNS - GEMINI⟡ ݁₊ .🎄❄️.₊ ݁⟡

Hello, my angels! Misty - your tarot reader here✨🔮🌠🃏🌟!

©mistytarot0919 - all rights reserved. do not copy, translate, alter, or repost my work.

Please reblog if you find this information useful! 🌸🎀💕

2025 is here and I guess that everyone is curious about how their year will be. In order to give you an idea, I'm doing a short reading for every sign of the zodiac. Remember that this is just a general reading and you must take only what resonates with you.

So let's get started! Enjoy!°🥂⋆.ೃ🍾࿔*:･

♊ Gemini (Twins): May 21–June 21

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day.” —Albert Einstein

Messages for 2025:

New Ventures: you may be on the brink of starting something new, whether it's a creative project, a business venture, or a personal journey, you are encouraged to embrace your passions and take initiative.

Creativity: a surge of creative energy, urging you to explore their artistic side. This could manifest in new hobbies, crafts, or even a new approach to their current work.

Confidence and Motivation: brings a sense of enthusiasm and motivation. You may find yourself feeling more confident in your abilities and ready to tackle challenges head-on. It's a great time to set goals and pursue ambitions.

Emotional and Spiritual Growth: personal growth and awakening. This could mean exploring new beliefs, spiritual practices, or emotional healing that leads to a deeper understanding of themselves.

Taking Action: encourages to take action and step out of their comfort zone. This can lead to exciting opportunities and personal development.

Key messages of the year: new beginnings, inspiration, and creative energy.

Love

a passionate new beginning

start of a new relationship that is exciting and full of potential

for those already in a relationship, it may suggest rekindling the spark or exploring new dimensions of intimacy

to take action and express your desires, suggesting that enthusiasm and creativity can enhance your romantic life.

Money

new opportunities for investment, business ventures, or innovative projects that can lead to financial growth

you may soon encounter a fresh idea or a chance that could lead to prosperity

be bold and pursue your entrepreneurial spirit, as the energy behind it is conducive to success.

Health

surge of vitality and energy

start of a new fitness regimen or a lifestyle change that boosts your physical and mental well-being

enthusiasm for taking charge of your health, embracing new routines, and focusing on self-improvement

encourages you to harness your energy and motivation to create a healthier lifestyle.

Career

sign of new beginnings and opportunities

new job, promotion, or project that excites you

embrace your creative ideas and take initiative in your career path

your passion and enthusiasm can lead to success and recognition, so be proactive in pursuing your goals.

This year it invites you to take bold steps, embrace new opportunities, and channel your creativity and passion into your endeavors. Whether in love, money, health, or career, this card suggests that exciting new beginnings are on the horizon.

Affirmation: I face the adventure of life eagerly.

[the-fandom-abyss]

Greenhouse Messes

Cordelia Goode x Fem!Reader

Genre: Angst ❀

Word Count: 1,305 words

A/N: I hope you enjoy this new injection for Cordelia @lexi1109 🥰

The air around the academy, shifted from fresh to stale as you working inside the greenhouse. The lively plants whispering amongst themselves, debating on whether a danger resides outside. A few twigs cracked under a weight of an invisible source, just outside the door. This drew your attention from the garden bed you were preparing.

"What are you not telling me?" To any normal person, you would be certifiably insane with the way you spoke to yourself. For you, nature always responded, they held the answers to more questions than you could possibly ask. Wind seeped through the bottom of the door, bringing in a cold draft. The action sent shivers down your spine. "Witch hunters" you whispered, responding to the message. "Do I have time?" The flowers sagged like one would when they dropped their head in sadness. That caused the panic to vibrate within your bones. You were too far from the house to alert the others, too close to the danger to escape alive. All you could do was protect the ones you loved, even if their focus was gravitated elsewhere.

Cautious steps were taken towards the exotic eyes flitting from shadow to shadow. With a shaky breath, you entered the gloomy outdoors, filled with monsters. Bare feet made contact with the soft grass below, sensing the vibrations within the soil. You walked with conviction towards the front entrance of the academy, hoping you could make it to at least the front step. The ground shook below you, alerting to a threat. They were running hard and fast towards you, which meant they all had eyes on you. Leaning down, you connected your hands to the life below, communicating through touch. The wind began to blow, the trees began to rustle and nature was ready to harnessed. Vines stretched through the cracks of the soil, whipping into view. They wrapped around the legs of the hunter that was fast approaching, pulling him into the air.

"You bitch" he said through gritted teeth as he fought against the vine. Thorns protruded through the greenery, piercing the body of the man. He screamed in pain as the thorns continued to grow, ultimately sealing his fate. The vibe threw him to the side, searching for its next victim. When a team of ten came into view, you were quick to realise just how outnumbered you were. Tree branches snapped and bent into shape, creating makeshift arms. They reached for bodies that were close, collecting as many as they could. That didn't stop a small group from invading, slashing your back in the process. A wail ripped through your throat at the sudden sensation. The branches faulted for only a moment before regaining its strength. It was enough for some men to slip through, charging at you. In a blink of an eye, those men were lunging for you, tackling you to the floor. They plunged a knife in each hand, twisting them for extra damage. In that moment, all you could think of was one person, one name on the tip of your tongue.

"Cordelia!" You screamed, as they continued to slice your skin. It was an extension of your power, a sense that could no longer be used. A light was turned on upstairs, a silhouette of Cordelia painted on the curtain. Hope twinkled in your eyes at the thought that she could hear you. "Cordelia" another scream left you lips, losing it strength as the blood spilled from your cuts. Another silhouette joined Cordelia within the room. It could only be described as Misty, Cordelia's newest obsession. That was what was given to you in your last moments. The sight of your love, entertaining another woman while witch hunters hunted you for sport.

Blood coated the floor below like a crimson sunset that graced the horizon. The earth fluttered underneath you, urging you to fight back, use all the strength you had left. Yet, all you could do was whisper Cordelia's name and succumb to the pain that radiates through your body. The men laughed above you, enjoying the thrill of the hunt and how they could bring a witch to her untimely demise.

"Y/N!" Nan shouted, drawing the witch hunters attention. They tossed your drained essence to the ground, setting their sights on the young girl. Something inside you crackled, sparks firing through your very being. The idea of Misty with Cordelia, Nan being brutally attacked by witch hunters, fuelled the fire within. Thunder began to roll through the sky, dark clouds followed closely behind. The hunters stopped in their tracks, searching the area for the next surprise. What they didn't expect was a bolt of lightning to strike the body they had left for dead. The charges flowed through your veins, body lifting from the ground. Electrical charges swirled around you as your eyes glowed a bright golden. With a pained scream from your lips, branches from the trees shifted and snapped, shooting out like barbs. The branches finding home in each of the hunters chests, rendering them motionless.

The energy softly floated you to the ground, where Nan was able to reach you. With all her strength, she reached under your body and pulled you towards the house. The entrance foyer was newly decorated with the blood that continued to flow from your wounds. The force within the house shifted when Nan crossed the threshold. It was sensed amongst the coven, grabbing at their attention. The first to descend the stairs was Cordelia, eyes fixated on the scene in front of her.

"Y/N" she gasped, falling to her knees next to you. Her hands reached out to pull you into her lap, wanting nothing but to heal you. When you flinched at her movement, moving closer into Nan, her heart fell to her stomach. "Let me help you, please" she pleaded, unsure of what caused the turn of your emotions.

"She doesn't want your help"

"Stop being stubborn, I need to heal you or you'll die"

"You were supposed to be with her tonight"

"What?"

"A date in the greenhouse and you never showed"

"Oh Y/N, I'm so sorry" tears silently travelled down the rosy cheeks of Cordelia. The sting in her heart, knowing that she could have prevented this, if she had just paid more attention.

"Misty was more important" Cordelia was taken aback by the comment, trying to understand how you knew. "She saw you in your room, she called out for you but you couldn't hear her"

"Honey, I am so so sorry. I lost sight of what was important and in turn lost sight of you. This is all my fault" she should have been with you, she should have been able to protect you. All her focus had been directed to the newcomer Misty and had ignored her connection with you. This small distraction cause her to break the link she had with you. In doing so, she left you defenceless to the world around you, if only she could go back in time.

Regret and guilt swirled inside Cordelia as they battled one another. It trapped her in silence, so frozen that she was unable to claw herself out.“It’s so quiet” Nan’s voice broke through her haze, Cordelia’s eyes snapping towards the young girl.

“Y/N let me help!” Her hands twitched with urgency, she wanted nothing more than to channel her energy through you.

“I love you” slipped from Nans lips, the final thoughts and words of the woman that saved the school. Cordelia may have broken the connection, but she felt every last ache that you had felt. She absorbed the hurt and anguish and carried it upon her shoulders. All she had left were the memories that you shared and even then, they couldn’t compare to you.

[rthidden]

AI-dios, Old Problems: Automate to Innovate

Tired of playing content marketing whack-a-mole?

Say hello to smart strategies ensuring more fans and fewer headaches for your small business.

Why it matters

Content is king, but consistency is the crown.

For small business owners, mastering the art of automation is like launching a secret weapon—saving time while still hand-delivering originality.

Imagine having an army of virtual assistants ready to tackle tasks so you can focus on the bigger picture, like finally attempting that viral TikTok dance.

The big picture

We live in a time where 71% of B2B content marketers rely on some kind of content creation magic (Content Marketing Institute, 2023). You don’t want to be the last one standing at the mailing list party with only duct-taped business cards in hand.

Adopt these AI strategies now, and watch your audience—and ROI—grow.

Overheard at the water cooler

"Dude, I heard my virtual assistant can write blog posts. Next step, AI therapy sessions?"

By the numbers

As of 2023, 66% of marketers expect a bigger budget next year (HubSpot). For businesses already invested in content, 90% plan to maintain or up their spending come 2024 (HubSpot).

Investing in AI is like prepping for Black Friday deals—it's strategic budgeting, not wishful thinking. Plus, more resources for sweet assignments like delegating holiday card designs to your dog.

The bottom line

Stop letting creative burnout and a never-ending to-do list be your only business partners.

Embrace that AI is here to tango with tasks so you can boogie on to new horizons, like solving your problems (thanks, Pat Flynn!) and becoming a legend in your niche.

[astroesther]

NEW MOON IN PISCES! LETS DANCE

Certainly! Here's the formatted version:

Envision Kittens!

When you start thinking about something repetitively and obsessively, don’t you start to see it everywhere? Sometimes I play little games with myself, like focusing on a color or word and seeing it in my mind's eye for about 20 seconds at intervals. Then I start to see that thing everywhere around me.

Let's try it with kittens. Imagine kittens in your mind's eye as you read this post, and pay attention to how many times throughout the day kittens appear in your life randomly.

This is how I see this New Moon in Pisces on the 10th; it has the energy of kittens for me. Use it to envision what you want to see in your life and do. But please, let's keep it simple. You want to see a purple elephant or go out with long-lost friends. Manifesting is having the thing already, but it's like a character that needs to be unlocked in the video game of your life. But it has already been here waiting for your awareness.

Play the game and let me know what simple, fun things you are manifesting with the new moon. MEOW.

Pisces: The new moon urges you to shed the winter drab and invest in new spring/summer attire. Embrace a new look, a haircut, or jewelry to shine and sparkle. Dress for the life you envision, not the one you're currently living.

Aries: This new moon ignites your life in a major way. Envision what you want clearly every day. Don't become realistic; be delusional and allow yourself to dream. Understand your manifestation power.

Taurus: The new moon provides space and clarity over a situation. Trust your intuition; it confirms that you're right. Don't doubt your intuition again.

Gemini: This new moon frees you from a mental prison. Walk out of self-imposed limitations and frustrations.

Cancer: The new moon opens your heart, urging you to expand, release judgments, and forgive.

Leo: Dive deeper within. The treasure you seek is within you. Listen to your intuition and address any mental or emotional blocks.

Virgo: Take time to refresh and rebuild after a purge. Spring clean and enjoy it. You may need to clean up after others, but it's enjoyable for you.

Libra: The new moon opens the door to your new home. Step through without hesitation. You have the tools to tackle the future.

Scorpio: The new moon may bring a sudden illness, forcing you to rest and recoup. Focus on work and rest for the next week.

Sagittarius: The new moon shakes up your home foundations. Consider moving or rearranging furniture. Travel plans may also be on the horizon.

Capricorn: This new moon shifts your mindset regarding work-life balance. Consider changes in industries or locations. Dream of alternative versions of yourself.

Aquarius: The new moon prompts you to plan and take clear action steps toward your future. Ground yourself in the present and capitalize on the energetic support of the awakening world.

[cycian]

You asked me for some Andreja headcanons, now I ask you for some Sarah Morgan thoughts! Any you have!

Oh lord, buckle up besties, I have a LOT

-Sarah is in her early to mid forties and is starting to grey at the temples. However, she isn't nearly as self-conscious as she expected: she takes the grey hair as a blessing, as a fact that she got to grow older, unlike so many lost to the Colony War.

-Her sleep schedule is non-existent. Not only is she a rabid workaholic, but her nightmares make it very hard to get more than five hours of sleep in.

-Everyone at the Lodge is very aware of that and will always check that the coffee stock is decent, as Sarah Morgan is chugging cup after cup of coffee and tea.

-She's not the only one with raging insomnia, so she finds herself hanging out on the Lodge's balcony with Andreja and/or Barrett a lot, since they also struggle with sleep.

-She is incredibly protective of Andreja, Noel and Matteo. She knows that they are all very capable, but she yearns to protect Noel and Matteo's ''innocence'' when it comes to death-related subjects. Her greatest relief when the Colony War ended, is that the new generation wouldn't have to suffer through the loss of their innocence.

-Her relationship with Andreja is something that she deeply values. She knows Andreja's secret and past, and tries to bring her out of her shell, step by step. She knows better than anyone else how painful it is to keep everyone at an arm's length, but to still yearn for companionship. She always makes time to at least sit in silence or work quietly with Andreja in the vicinity to provide her with quiet support.

-She puts a lot of effort in trying to make the 'deliveries' to the Va'ruun as lawful as possible, as she knows that smuggling weighs heavily on Andreja's conscience.

-Sarah loves the taste of tea but craves caffeine at all times.

-She's a smoker and is really bad at hiding it. Some nights, she stays up until the sun comes up, chainsmoking with her eyes lost to the horizon.

-Despite her best efforts, she is a catastrophic cook but is a decent baker. She's really good at following instructions but gets a little too creative when it comes to cooking.

-Her wardrobe is neatly organised per day and season, with a predetermined rotation of outfits, which makes her a prime target for Sam's teasing about her being uptight and a slight control freak.

-Though she hates paperwork, she doesn't mind doing it as much when other members of Constellation are around. For this purpose, she sometimes brings an armful of slates down to the living area to chat as she fills up paperwork.

-She and Walter like to tease each other mercilessly about expenses, but she deeply values his friendship. Though he can get on her nerves at times, he is good at reading when he ought to be teasing to alleviate the mood, and when he ought to be serious and honest.

-She hangs out with Cora a LOT. She loves the child's natural inquisitive nature and does her best to answer all of her many questions and provide her with all of her knowledge.

-She knows that most of the members consider Constellation to be a family, and although she is really happy that they feel this way, a part of her is torn, because she is really used to keeping things between her personal life and Constellation separate. With Constellation's help and the Spacefarer's advice, she starts to loosen up and is enjoying watching the lines blur.

-In order to let herself stop being the Chair all the time, and more of a part of the Constellation family, she starts planning more relaxing activities. Thus far, her favorite group activity is tableboard games (she watched Matteo tackle and attempt to bite Walter) and movie nights (Sam cried so hard at the end of a chickflick that he almost threw up.)

[psychics4unet]

Hi could I please get a reading on what my birthday will be like for me? Thanks so much in advance 💖💖💖 my intials are JSP

Free Message from the Animal Spirits! (7$ PAID READINGS ARE ALSO OPENED!)

I have connected with the Lion 🦁, the Butterfly 🦋, and the Dolphin 🐬 to bring you insights about what your birthday will be like. Here are their messages:

The Lion 🦁 is a symbol of strength, courage, and leadership. This spirit suggests that your birthday will be a time for you to step into your personal power. Expect moments where you’ll feel incredibly confident and able to take charge of your life in ways that feel empowering. The Lion wants you to know that this is a year where you’re encouraged to be bold, to shine, and to embrace your unique abilities. You’ll likely find yourself feeling more self-assured and ready to tackle any challenges with courage.

The Butterfly 🦋 represents transformation and change. This spirit tells me that your birthday will mark a turning point in your life. You might feel like you're shedding old layers and stepping into a new chapter. The Butterfly's message is about embracing growth and welcoming the changes that come with the next year. It’s a time to release what no longer serves you and embrace the lightness of new beginnings. You may also experience an inner shift in perspective that opens you up to new opportunities.

The Dolphin 🐬 brings joy, playfulness, and connection. This spirit suggests that your birthday will be filled with moments of lightness and fun. There may be a sense of playfulness, laughter, and connection with loved ones. The Dolphin wants you to remember that your birthday is not just about celebrating another year but also about enjoying the present moment. Expect moments where you feel deeply connected to your friends and family, and where the joy of the occasion helps you feel supported and loved.

In summary, your birthday will be a time of powerful personal transformation. The Lion brings strength and confidence, encouraging you to step into your power. The Butterfly suggests that big changes are on the horizon, signaling a time of growth. The Dolphin reminds you to enjoy the moment, to have fun, and to embrace the love and joy around you. Get ready for a birthday filled with transformation, joy, and personal empowerment!

Got questions or need some insight into your life? I'm here to help with personal psychic readings! For just $7, you can get answers to up to 7 questions! More info at:

In case anyone else here on tumblr would like a free psychic reading (message from the animal spirits), Click the link and follow the instructions (I answer only to those who follow the instructions, thank you): https://www.tumblr.com/psychics4unet/768523806797152256/free-psychic-reading-message-from-the-animal

[thewriterg]

𝐣𝐮𝐦𝐩 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬

pairing(s): JJ maybank x oc!charcter, Pope Heyward x oc!character, JJ maybank x pope heyward, pogues x oc!character

summary: pougelandia was paradise and now it was gone and it was back to chaos and commotion

word count: 3.1k+

warning(s): Polyamory themes, jealousy, kidnapping, plane crash, weapons, and language

A/n: —GIFs; @misandriste & @winchvster— So I’m starting a new series chapter two is up on wattpad so if you’re invested and want to get updates early heres my page!

𝐁𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐃 from a distance as JJ finished hanging up the Pouglandia sign that he a had made from a ratio of cloth and the char off a burnt stick but before the brunette could comment Kiara was already a step ahead cheering the blonde on with all her might

The girl took a step back bare feet sinking in the sand as she began to walk away her orange top that she had made out of one of the blondes tank tops clinging to her body like an overbearing hug leaving the pair alone

Everyone had a job to do and a partner to do it with

Everyone except Bonnie it seemed she did task plenty to keep herself busy and the pogues alive such as cooking meals, showing John B how to crack coconuts more times than she could count beyond her ten fingers, and weaving baskets to carry fish and different berries in

But what partner did she have? JJs attention was basically Kiaras and Pope had Cleo now the girl was inevitably alone

"Going somewhere?" Bonnie didn't turn her head to look at the dark skinned boy on the side of her as she hummed continuing to walk along the trails worm by their feet

"Thought you were picking berries with Cleo" Pope raised his eyebrows slightly inching up to his hairline at the girls tone he didn't think she meant it she always sounded more harsh than she intended majority of the time

"Got done early, when you weren't with JJ I came looking for you" He said in a mater of fact tone as the girl pursed her lips continuing walking her trail

"I think we should just live here, when JJ said it first I thought it was just stupid but I think I could do it with you two." Bonnie finally looked at him and she couldn't help the small smile on her face and Pope didn't miss even when she tried to shake it away

"Come on Jimmy Neutron we need to head back" The brunette sighed watching the sun begin to set on the horizon and the pair began their walk back to the beach

<><><>

"If you could do it all again what would you do different?" Sarah questioned the group sitting in a circle playing one of the games they found themselves playing often

"Get the gold out before Ward did." JJ stated

"Maybe hide the cross a little better." Pope sighed

"Not yell murderer at Ward maybe" Kie grimaced at the thought

"Not threaten to kill Rafe in front of a police station" Bonnie shrugged

"Uh, steal a couple bottles of rum before we jumped off the boat" John B finally responded

"Yea why didn't you do that actually?" JJ questioned turning around to look at the boy with a playful glare

"Maybe 'cause I was in a fight to the death?" The tan boy rolled his eyes

"I would look both ways before crossing the street" Cleo turned to look at John B pausing from sharpening her knife the group took a few more turns until the badly woven hat got placed upon Bonnie's head

"I think I'll finally go with a dare" The girl rolled her eyes as the group clapped JJ going as far as whistling at her finally abandoning the 'safe' answer as John B called it

"I dare you to go with the big jump no one's done it yet" Kiara challenged as Bonnie immediately began to shake her head at the thought as everyone began to boo at her

"Hell No absolutely not" The girl laughed shaking her to the point where she couldn't notice JJ slowly rising out his seat until he finally tackled the girl girl beginning to run off with her in his grasp as she screamed and yelled the girls began to giggle excluding Kiara as Sarah blew kisses in her direction and Cleo help up a heart made from her hand

JJ looked for a good climbing spot and found the best on the other side of the makeshift mountain finally sitting the brunette down on her feet

"JJ I'm not going up there" Bonnie stated looking how far up she would have to climb it was dumb and dangerous

"Come on princess, I'll go with you if it makes you feel better" He was cocky and no matter how much she said she hated it deep down the blonde knew she hated it a little less with him he knew her better that anyone

They knew her better than anyone.

"Come on one foot in front of the other one arm above each other" The pale boy encouraged as Bonnie began rock climbing to the top as he trailed behind her

"Shut up Maybank" The girl didn't know how many times she had rolled her eyes in a day but it had to have broken some record as the pair finally made it to the top they could hear the cheers from their friends down below

"Oh shit" The hair on her neck began to stick up from the cool breeze nipping around her body was the mountain always this far up?

"Don't get cold feet now Bon come on, if you don't hurry I'll throw you I swear" JJ was already at the tip of the platform ready to jump with no hesitation and Bonnie was in the middle of the landing with the almost ground area looking over the rocks

The girl screamed out a laugh as the blonde began to approach her with a small smile on his face

"WAIT okay, okay I'll jump. Just, just let me take off my shorts these are the only dry pair I have" The girl shot the blonde a pleasing look as he stood in his tracks waiting the pogues could be heard by both of them from down below but it began to become background noise as the brunette began to slip the brown shorts off from her waist along with the waist beads her and Sarah's had made with rope and rocks the had searched for around the island

JJ had stretched a hand out to her which she took stepping away from the pile of clothes she had left as the made their way to the tip of the peak the girl had to admit the view was beautiful

"On three" JJ began to count down their fingers still intertwined with one another as he stared at the girls smile her shoulders slightly shaking in anticipation

𝐎𝐍𝐄 He couldn't process how someone like her could even give him the time of day. How she could let him into her bubble of creativity, let him touch her upon her spirituality, she was something that he could understand unlike any subject in school or any problem through at him in life. He knew that she couldn't even begin to understand how bad he has it for her, how bad he has it for them.

𝐓𝐖𝐎 The blonde then turned to look at the dark skinned boy below them both. He was sure that he was the smartest person to walk the planet he'd be an Einstein one day going off to make the world better and giving the government a run for their money leaving him behind taking his heart with him and he'd let him take it to the ends of the earth with no fuss

𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 It was settled how could he let someone like them go? The simple answer was that he couldn't even if we wanted it was a the stupidest mistake anyone would ever be able to make and he was sure of himself he wouldn't

𝐆𝐎 They finally jumped still hand and hand as the cold water hit their skin screaming was the first thing they heard when their head were out of the water beginning to swim to shore as the girls laugh erupted his ears as a melody

Pope was the first to reach them both engulfing the two in a hug the water transferring to his shirt off their bodies didn't seem to phase him as JJ laughed openly pushing his wet hair from his face before wrapping an arm around them both before Bonnie's did the same both arms wrapped around both boys shoulders and waist

Her boys they all thought

<><><><>

"That's what I'm talking about now freshly caught" The group sat around a fire eating fish in silence Bonnie had her head rested on Popes shoulder and her legs were over JJs lap as he rubbed his palm against her flesh leaving a trail of goosebumps as he went

The rest of the pogues couldn't help but sneak glances in awe it took long enough John B would say but the silence was enough and spoke for itself

Kiara watched them all with a sinking feeling in her stomach she wasn't chirpy about it how was she supposed to be when the boy she had feelings for found that same feeling in other people?

<><><><>

Pope could feel himself stir as he began to blink away the sleep from his eyes at the sound that evaded his ears on the usually silent island when the pogues weren't talking and the waves weren't crashing against shore he happened to look up in the sky at helicopter that flew over the ocean close to the island

"Guys wake up!" The boy was immediately up on his legs grabbing his shoes and JJs lighters that once rested in Bonnie's bag before he was off

Bonnie woke up the sight of the brown skin boy that once lied next to her running from her peripheral view was enough to get her on her feet as she quickly tapped JJs thigh before going to follow him

It didn't take long to catch up to Pope as you both ran up the hill to a pile of wood that you had made just in case as the boy cursed at the spiking lighter that wouldn't erupt in the wind until Bonnie cupped her hand around it making a small flame that was enough to light the sticks and tree branches as the pair began to yell waving their hands in the air

"𝐇𝐄𝐘, we're over here!"

"𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 help us!"

The plane continued a it seemed no matter how much the pair screamed it was deemed useless as they both panted heavily until the plane began to turn to its side wings frozen in the air as it turned around

"Pope, Pope they see us!" The girl yelled tapping his shoulder jumping up and down until the boy picked her up his arms resting under her thighs spinning in circles as they both screamed in victory

The pogues began to run after the plane that landed in the pond as the door opened and a middle aged man long hair and a button up shirt stepped out

"Well what do we got here?" Pope ran up to John B wrapping an arm around his shoulder as both boys exclaimed in victory while Bonnie approached JJ with a bright smile that he couldn't quite mirror as she hugged his side her head resting against his bicep and just the peak of his shoulder and the blonde didn't hesitate to hold her before he handed her her bag

"You know, just some castaways." John B replied brightly

"Well I'll cross that off the grocery list, you know I got just the thing for y'all the two things you need on a deserted island first aid and rum" The man tossed both of the said items the rum landing in the pond before getting picked up by Sarah and the first aid landing in Popes hands

"So what's the story, you guys sink a boat?" He said as if it was the most reasonable thing in the world

"Jumped off one. Her dads." John b replied nodding over to where Sarah stood beside him with a skeptical look on her face

"In-laws man their tough. Well have no fear Jimmy's here I got you" The group began to laugh

"Well all hail Jimmy guys! Let's go." Cleo cheered as the group began to get on the plane the last two left were JJ and Bonnie as the two looked at each other before following their friends

"So what we're you doing all the way out here?" JJ questioned not fully sitting back in his seat Bonnie sat In between both him and Pope waiting for the man's response

"I got a little guide outfit in Saint Vincent I was spotting fish." Jimmy responded starting up the plain as the engine roared to life

"What we're you spotting?"

"Oh you know the usual Wahoo... I'd hand on to something get a little spicy on takeoff" The brunette didn't miss the look on JJs face as he squinted at the man before before clutching onto one of the handles that hung from the ceiling as the plane began to accelerate up into the air

"Wahoo don't run in September ever. So whoever this man is he's not a fisherman" The girls head snapped to look at the blonde her lips slightly parted

"Maybe the run just starts earlier out here" Pope tried to reason a small look of alert taking over his features

"Are you sure about that? In the Caribbean" JJ shot a look at the boy as Bonnie's knee began to bounce up and down a habit she had when she was trying to think or when she was anxious

"No I know what this is, he's working for my dad and he's probably been looking for us the entire time." Sarah spoke up in her seat next to Cleo all eyes shifting to her

"All right we gotta find out looking for some sort of... clues" The blonde trailed off as he looked at the bag on the back of the pilots chair as he looked at Bonnie and John B

"Hey Jimmy, how long you had this bird?" The boy questioned as JJ stretched an arm across the isle way sticking a hand in his bag

"Probably about ten years"

"How long you been flying?" Bonnie spoke up as the man shook his head with a smile that made her stomach uneasy

"I've been flying all my life"

"Uhh who's the lovely lady right there?" John B through another question back like a grenade ready to blow

"That right there? That's Cynthia" The man laughed loudly overly loud the Bonnie though his headphones probably had something to do with the fact

JJ began sprawling some of the things he got from the man's bag out on his lap as Bonnie picked up the book flipping through pages for anything useful as JJ handed Sarah a picture

"The costal venture oh my god this is the boat we were on with Eberhimi and the cross" Sarah whispered

"So he was looking for us?" Cleo questioned even though it was more than a statement as JJ agreed nodding his head

"He's working for my dad" Sarah declared before the plane began to shake as Bonnie fell into Popes side the boy wrapping his around her without missing a beat

"You guys better hold onto something we got some unexpected turbulence up here" Jimmy called back

"Guys whatever it is it's happening fast look." Kiara pointed out the window and everyone could see an island the plane began to approach

"It's Barbados. It's where I lived there before I moved with my dad to the cut" Bonnie stated as she remembered the memories she had before her dad moved them both to the obx just when she was seven on the peak of turning eight

"Okay there's seven of us, one of him. You know my vote we storm the cockpit." JJ stated the girl honestly questioned it logic majority of the time

"No who's gonna fly the plane dumbass" John B protested

"I've seen Pope fly simulators" The blonde responded and the girl pinched at his arm for putting him on the spot to which he pouted genuinely beginning to rub his arm

"I crop-dusted for my uncle last summer this is not the same thing" The brown skin boy shook his head

"We don't have time to pretend that's a real option" Kiara responded

"Do you have an idea?"

"Something safe."

"Why don't we just wait until the plane lands somewhere safe, and if someone comes to mess with us we handle it." Bonnie interrupted the banter and everyone seemed to agree

"I like the handling part" JJ responded and the girl couldn't help but roll her eyes

"Just put that back" She pointed to the stuff in his lap as John B began to stir up conversation with Jimmy again as the man turned his head catching JJ putting back one of the books he had taken back in his bag

"Hey what the hell are you doing man" He had reached back pushing JJ letting go of shift sticks to control the plane in the process as the plane began to drop

"FLY THE PLANE!"

"Please fly the plane!" Jimmy had finally took control of the stick pulling upwards with abnormal force and soon the plane finally crashed in the water beginning to sink

"We got to get out come on" The group jumped one by one until it was Bonnie and Kiara left Pope had his arms out for the girl and Bonnie reluctantly jumped out the plane into the boys arms as JJ took the girl from his grasp beginning to swim of the direction underneath the pier

"Kie went the other way!" Sarah exclaimed as they watched the girl begin to run of the shore deeper into the island men dressed in khakis and cargos chasing after

"What are we going to do we're going after her right?" John B questioned as he watched his best friend get dragged away

"What can we do?" Pope questioned

"That girl always has to play fucking hero" Bonnie panted JJ still holding her tight in his grasp

"Guys my dad didn't, didn't sell our house we can crash there until we figure something out" The girl continued beginning to shake from the cold clear water and the pogues had settled on that idea quietly swimming to another part of the shore making it to land

<><><><>

[glitterp0prhaps0dy]

Broken Noses

Floyd had been fortunate to encounter such kindness since his arrival. From Barb's welcoming attitude to Thrash's... unique charm, Riff's chaotic camaraderie, Carol's enthusiastic presence, Demo's polished demeanor, Val's fearless spirit, and even that peculiar fish-like vendor who mysteriously showed up once a month - everyone had extended a hand of friendship. Even Rebel, who had her reservations initially, had warmed up in her own way. It was a motley crew of rockers and misfits that Floyd had somehow found a place among.

However, unbeknownst to this eclectic group, not everyone in the city was thrilled about the new Pop Troll's presence. There was a discordant note in their harmonious existence, a shadow lurking just out of sight. As they ventured into the market for a day of fun and exploration, little did they know that their pleasant outing was about to hit a sour note.

Their ignorance wasn't their fault; how could they have known? The city was a big place, filled with all sorts of characters, and they had been lucky enough to mostly encounter the friendly ones. But luck, like the weather in a rock ballad, can change swiftly and without warning.

So, as they laughed and bantered, making their way through the bustling market, a storm was brewing on the horizon. They were yet to realize that their day, which had started with such promise, was destined to end on a discordant chord.

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

Rebel scrutinized the shopping list, her eyes narrowing as she tried to decipher the scrawled items. They stood at the entrance of the market, a replacement for the one previously charred courtesy of Riff's antics. "You know, we'll probably save time if we tackle this list in separate teams," Rebel proposed, glancing up from the list to the others. "Everyone okay with splitting up?" she inquired, gauging the group's reaction.

Carol was absentmindedly spinning a drumstick between her fingers, lost in thought as she hummed a tune only she could hear. Barb was fiddling with a small, intricately designed pendant hanging around her neck, her eyes occasionally darting around the market's entrance, taking in the hustle and bustle. Riff, with his ever-present energy, was tapping his foot rapidly on the ground, a beat forming in his mind as he surveyed the surroundings with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Floyd, meanwhile, was adjusting his hat, a slight look of apprehension on his face as he observed the lively market, still somewhat new to the chaos of the Rock Trolls' world.

At Rebel's suggestion to split up, each paused their individual preoccupations, their attention turning towards her to respond.

Carol halted her drumstick's spin, catching it with a practiced grip. "Sure thing," she said with a nod, already scanning the market stalls for musical accessories.

Barb released her pendant, looking determined. "Yeah, splitting up works. I'll take the food section. Quick in, quick out," she stated confidently, her leadership qualities shining through.

Riff ceased his rhythmic foot-tapping, a grin spreading across his face. "Sounds like a plan! I'll head towards the fireworks and...stuff," he declared, barely containing his excitement at the prospect of exploring.

Floyd adjusted his hat once more, offering a hesitant but willing smile. "Okay, I'll manage," he said, his voice carrying a note of uncertainty but also a readiness to participate.

Rebel noticed Carol veering off course, her enthusiasm for drumming accessories momentarily distracting her from the task at hand. Quickly stepping forward, Rebel gently grabbed Carol by the elbow, guiding her back to the group with an amused shake of her head. "Hold up, we're a band, not a solo act," Rebel teased, earning a sheepish grin from Carol.

Once everyone was back together, Rebel unfolded a slightly crumpled piece of paper, clearing her throat to get everyone's attention. "Alright, team, here's the game plan," she began, pointing to each item on the list as she assigned tasks to the group.

"Carol, you're on kitchen duty. We need rockberry jam, some crystal sugar, and don't forget the bass-boosted beans," she instructed, handing over a small basket to Carol, who nodded enthusiastically, mentally preparing herself for the culinary quest.

"Barb, you're tackling the home essentials. We need new strings for the sound system, a couple of lava lamps for ambiance, and if you can find any of those glow-in-the-dark ceiling stars, grab 'em," Rebel directed, giving Barb a knowing look that said, 'make our place the coolest cave in town.'

Riff was practically bouncing on the balls of his feet, eager for his assignment. "And Riff, you're on entertainment and miscellaneous. Pick up some spark rock for the fireplace, a few vinyl records of classic rock bangers, and... please, try not to get distracted by the fireworks stand," she added, her tone a mix of sternness and jest.

Finally, Rebel turned to Floyd with a gentle smile. "And Floyd, I've got the perfect task for you. Can you handle getting the fluffernutter spread? It's just one thing, and it should be right at the entrance. Plus, it's essential for our snack stash," she explained, handing him a small, lightweight bag. Her tone was encouraging, making it clear she had chosen something within Floyd's comfort zone to ensure he felt included without being overwhelmed.

Carol sprung into action, her drumsticks magically appearing in her hands as she approached her mission with the enthusiasm of a rock star hitting the stage. To the casual observer, her shopping method resembled an impromptu performance; she tapped on cans as if testing their sound quality, drumrolled on the countertops, and even managed a mini solo using a pair of zucchinis as makeshift mallets. Her journey through the food aisles was less about the destination and more about the rhythm along the way, though she never lost sight of her ultimate goal: the rockberry jam, crystal sugar, and bass-boosted beans.

Riff, with a mischievous glint in his eye, took off towards the entertainment section. His path was anything but straight, zigzagging through crowds, occasionally stopping to inspect something shiny or unusually shaped. He couldn't help but detour through the pyrotechnics section, eyeing the sparkliest fireworks with a childlike wonder, though he remembered Rebel’s warning just in time to pull himself away and continue on his quest for spark rock and vinyl records.

Barb moved with purpose, her gaze fixed on her list of household essentials. The lava lamps and glow-in-the-dark ceiling stars were a must for setting the right vibe at home. She navigated the market with the efficiency of a seasoned shopper, though she couldn't resist pausing at a stall selling vintage rock posters, reminiscing about concerts past before snapping back to her task.

Meanwhile, Floyd explored the market with a mixture of curiosity and determination. The variety of goods on display captivated him; from exotic fruits that looked like they belonged in a science fiction movie to musical instruments that seemed to play themselves. Despite these distractions, Floyd maintained his focus on finding the fluffernutter spread, his eyes scanning each stall with increasing intensity. Finally, he spotted the stand he needed, but the vendor behind it was fast asleep, snoring gently. The precious fluffernutter spread sat just beyond, tantalizingly out of reach. Floyd hesitated, pondering his next move, his mission momentarily thwarted by the slumbering obstacle before him.

Floyd mulled over his options, his internal dialogue a whirlwind of considerations. ‘Should I wake them? No, that seems rude. But then again, they are sleeping on the job. Maybe there's another stall with fluffernutter spread, but I've wheeled around this market three times already and this is the only one I've seen. Why would they choose to nap now, of all times? Do they not want to sell anything?’

He continued to ponder, weighing the pros and cons of each potential action. ‘If I try to grab it myself, that could end badly if they wake up. They might think I'm trying to steal it. On the other hand, if I don't get this spread, I'll be letting Rebel and the others down. But really, who sleeps through market hours? It's both impressive and baffling.’

Floyd's thoughts danced around the dilemma, seeking a solution that felt right. ‘Maybe they had a rough night? Or perhaps they're not feeling well. Ugh, but I really need that spread. Okay, what if I just gently wake them up? A polite nudge, nothing too startling. That has to be the best option, right? Yeah, I'll do that. Just a gentle wake-up call. No harm in that.’

Resolved but still a tad uncertain, Floyd prepared to gently rouse the vendor, hoping the interaction would be as smooth as the fluffernutter spread he was so eager to acquire.

Before Floyd could even attempt to rouse the slumbering vendor, the vendor startled awake on his own. He had an unusual appearance, with grey-purple skin, black hair, and a muddy blue nose. Sporting a headband and a red and black shirt, along with black shorts, a leather vest, and studded bracelets, he certainly stood out in the market crowd.

"Whoa, sorry about that, dude," the vendor said, blinking groggily like a frog awakening from a nap. His voice was laid-back and chill, with a hint of an edgy surfer vibe.

"Hey, wait a minute... you're that troll everyone's been talking about! Cool! The name's Sid Frett," he introduced himself with a casual nod, acknowledging Floyd with a friendly grin.

Floyd narrowed his eyes at the troll before him, piecing together where he had heard that name. That's right, during one of Riff's more colorful stories about wild parties, he had mentioned a notorious party aficionado named Sid! "I'm Floyd," he replied, his attention momentarily diverting back to the essential item on his shopping list. "It's nice to meet you, really, but I'm actually here to buy something from you. The fluffernutter—" Floyd's introduction was abruptly cut short as a hulking brute of a troll approached the stand.

This imposing figure had long, red and black hair that tumbled messily down his back, and his head was adorned with a fearsome animal skull. His outfit screamed 'wild'—wearing leather pants that had seen better days, with patches and studs adorning the seams. Around his waist, a belt with bones and teeth dangled, clinking with every step he took. His chest was bare, save for the straps of a harness that held various pouches and what appeared to be small tools or weapons. Tattoos snaked up his arms, telling tales of victories, battles, and perhaps even lost loves in a visual tapestry that was as intimidating as it was intriguing.

The brute exhaled sharply through his nose, a visible puff in the air, as he glared directly at Floyd, sending a shiver down his spine. The uncomfortable tension was palpable. Then, with the same intensity, the brute's menacing gaze shifted to survey the stand and Sid Frett, assessing the situation with an unreadable expression.

The brute troll's voice was a rumbling growl, as if each word was dragged up from the depths of a dark, tumultuous sea. "Sid," he barked, his gaze still locking Floyd in a chilly embrace before dismissively turning to the vendor. "I'm here for the usual."

His words were clipped, a sharp contrast to the laid-back aura of Sid Frett. The brute's massive frame loomed over the stand, casting a shadow that seemed to swallow the light. He leaned in, the bones and teeth on his belt clinking ominously. "Make it quick. I've got places to be and things to... handle." The last word was almost a hiss, filled with a menacing promise.

Sid, for his part, seemed unfazed by the aggression, nodding amiably. "Sure thing, big guy. Just give me a sec."

The brute then turned his attention back to Floyd, his eyes narrowing to slits. "And you," he sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "What's a pop troll doing here, eh? You lost, little boy? This ain't your bright, shiny world." His posture was aggressive, an unspoken threat hanging in the air between them. It was clear from his demeanor and his words that he had little regard for Floyd, viewing him as an unwelcome intrusion into his domain.

Floyd swallowed hard, the unease twisting in his stomach making his words tremble as they left his lips. "Just... healing up and... hanging out with friends..." His voice was barely above a whisper, a stark contrast to the brute's domineering presence.

The brute troll snorted, his disdain for Floyd palpable. "Healing up? In *our* city? You pop trolls are all the same, weak and relying on others to pick up after your messes. What, can't handle a bit of real troll life without running back to your sugary songs and sparkly dances?" His voice was like gravel, harsh and unyielding, each word designed to cut deep.

"You don't belong here, pinkie. This place," he gestured broadly, encompassing the market with a sweep of his arm, "is for those who can handle themselves, not for delicate little flowers who wilt at the first sign of trouble."

Just then, Sid returned, holding the dangerous item the brute had requested. He caught the tail end of the brute's tirade and immediately frowned. "Hey, no cool, dude," Sid interjected, his voice firm yet calm. "No need for that kind of vibe here. We're all just trying to get along, you know?" Sid's laid-back demeanor didn't waver, but there was a note of seriousness in his voice that suggested he wouldn't tolerate any further aggression towards Floyd. "Let's keep it mellow, alright?"

In the bustling market, a subtle commotion began to draw the attention of Barb, Carol, and Riff. From a distance, they spotted Floyd, his wheelchair unmistakable amidst the throng of shoppers. They exchanged quick glances, an unspoken agreement between them, and began to navigate through the crowd, their steps quickening as they closed in on their friend.

Meanwhile, Floyd, despite the coil of fear tightening in his chest, found a spark of defiance that surprised even him. Looking up at the brute troll, he mustered all the sass he could gather. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize we were measuring toughness by the ability to be rude to strangers in a marketplace. In that case, congratulations, you're the toughest troll here," Floyd retorted, his voice laced with sarcasm.

The brute's face twisted into a scowl, his eyes narrowing dangerously. The tension crackled in the air, the brute's anger visibly rising like a storm cloud ready to burst. Floyd's retort had struck a nerve, and the situation teetered on the edge of escalating further.

Floyd, sensing the brute's anger reaching a boiling point, couldn't resist pushing just a bit further, his voice dripping with an audacity that seemed to draw strength from the looming threat. "And here I was thinking the market was for shopping, not for flexing muscles you probably got from lifting your ego."

The brute's face turned an alarming shade of red, veins bulging like road maps on his forearms and forehead, his fists clenching so tightly that his knuckles whitened. The fire of rage in his eyes blazed even brighter, threatening to ignite the very air between them. It was clear Floyd's words had fanned the flames of his temper into a full-blown inferno.

Sid chuckled lazily, his laid-back demeanor contrasting sharply with the tension in the air. "Looks like pop trolls do pack some sass after all," he remarked, a smirk playing on his lips as he sided with Floyd.

Enraged by Sid's amusement and Floyd's defiance, the brute's temper erupted like a volcano. With a roar, he launched himself at Floyd, his massive fists swinging wildly. Before anyone could react, his knuckles connected with Floyd's face in a sickening crunch. The force of the blow sent Floyd's wheelchair tumbling over, the sound of impact echoing through the market square. As Floyd crashed to the ground, stunned silence fell over the onlookers, their eyes wide with shock at the sudden violence.

Floyd cried out, the sharp sting of pain radiating from his nose, now bleeding and seemingly misshapen from the brute's punch. His arms bore the harsh scrapes from the rocky ground beneath him. "What the hell, Grog?" Sid Fret exclaimed, his usual mellow tone replaced by one of concern and disbelief.

Cradling his face in his hand, Floyd struggled to comprehend the sudden onslaught of pain. "What... the fuck," he gasped, each word punctuated by a wince.

Grog, towering and fuming, paced back and forth like a storm about to burst. "You think you can just roll into MY territory, spouting sass like you own the place? Pop trolls—nothing but a bunch of glittery weaklings, thinking they're all that with their shiny stuff and their sugary music. Well, not here, not in MY area! I don't take disrespect lightly, especially not from a pop troll who doesn't know their place. You're nothing here, you hear me? NOTHING!" His voice boomed across the market, his rage palpable, eyes blazing with an intensity that silenced the murmurs of the onlookers. "This is rock territory, hard and unforgiving, not some sparkly dance floor for you to twirl on. Remember that." His words hung heavy in the air, a declaration of disdain for all things pop in his rugged, untamed corner of the world.

Floyd, battered and in agony, with his nose broken and his leg shattered, his face a mess of blood and bruises, refused to succumb to defeat. Despite the excruciating pain, he rallied his spirit for a counterattack. With a burst of resilience, he shot his hair out like a lifeline, targeting Grog's neck, the strands wrapping tightly in an attempt to subdue the giant. For a moment, Grog seemed to falter under Floyd's desperate grip, but the brute's superior strength quickly became evident. With a fierce jerk, Grog tore Floyd's hair from his grasp, severing the vibrant strands. Floyd, feeling the acute loss as though it were a limb, wailed in anguish. The severing of a troll's hair, a deeply personal part of their being, inflicted a pain that was both physical and profoundly emotional.

In a display of sick, twisted satisfaction, Grog turned his attention to Floyd's wheelchair, the only thing that allowed Floyd a semblance of mobility and independence. With a cruel grin spreading across his face, Grog lifted his foot and brought it down with all his might, crushing the wheelchair beneath his heavy boot. The sound of bending metal and breaking parts echoed through the market, a cruel testament to Grog's brutality.

But as Grog reveled in his destruction, his moment of triumph was abruptly cut short. Out of nowhere, he felt a powerful force collide with his face, the impact staggering him backward. A sharp, excruciating pain exploded across his features, and when he reached up to touch the source of his agony, he felt a distinct shape imprinted on his skin—a hoof print. 

Through the haze of his shock and pain, Grog heard a roar of anger, and as his vision cleared, he locked eyes with his assailant: Rebel. She stood there, fuming, her posture radiating pure fury and defiance. The unexpected counterattack left Grog screaming in a mix of rage and pain, his plan to dominate and terrorize now met with fierce resistance. Rebel had launched herself into the fray without hesitation, her kick a clear message that she would not stand by while injustice unfolded before her eyes.

Rebel stepped forward, her presence commanding, yet eerily calm in the wake of the chaos. The rage that had ignited her actions moments ago seemed to cool into a chilling, controlled demeanor. She fixed her gaze on Grog, who was still reeling from her unexpected assault, her eyes conveying a depth of resolve and menace that belied her tranquil posture.

"You know," Rebel began, her voice low and steady, a stark contrast to the surrounding tumult, "there's a thin line between bravery and stupidity. You just leapt over that line with both feet." She took a step closer, her eyes never leaving Grog's, her stare piercing through him like a sharp blade. "I suggest you think long and hard about your next move because if you so much as breathe in Floyd's direction again, I'll ensure that the consequences are... memorable."

Her words hung in the air, heavy with the promise of retribution. It was clear from her tone and her posture that this was not merely a threat but a guarantee—a calm yet terrifying assertion of her capability to protect her friends and make anyone regret crossing her. Grog, despite his earlier fury and aggression, found himself unnervingly subdued under Rebel's gaze, a testament to her formidable presence even without overt aggression.

Barb, Riff, and Carol rushed over to the scene, their expressions a mix of concern and anger. Riff immediately scooped Floyd onto his back with a gentle yet firm grip, while Barb knelt beside them, dabbing at Floyd's bloody nose with a tissue, her movements careful and tender.

"Whoa, buddy, we got you," Riff said, his voice a mix of anger and concern.

Barb's voice was low and soothing, a stark contrast to the violence that had just unfolded. "Floyd, you're going to be okay. We're here now."

Carol hovered nearby, her usual flamboyance tinged with worry. "Oh, the horror! The absolute barbarity! To lay hands on such an exquisitely delicate Pop visage! Fear not, for we shall compose a ballad of revenge so dramatic, the very skies will weep at its telling!"

Meanwhile, Rebel and Grog were locked in a tense staredown. Grog towered over Rebel, his frame bulky and imposing, but Rebel's stance was unwavering, her gaze sharp and intimidating.

"You should pick your battles more wisely," Rebel's voice was calm but laced with an icy threat, "especially when one of them is the daughter of King Thrash. I'm sure he'd be thrilled to hear about your... hospitality."

Grog's anger bubbled beneath the surface, his fists clenched at his sides. The mention of the King, coupled with Rebel's unflinching demeanor, seemed to pierce through his rage. With a final glare that swept from Rebel to Floyd, he spat out a venomous threat. "If I ever see you again, Pop troll, it won't end well for you."

With that, Grog stormed off, each step heavy with restrained fury. Rebel watched him leave, her gaze cold and calculating until he disappeared from view. Then, she turned back to her friends, her expression softening as she approached Floyd and the others.

"Let's get out of here," she said, her voice a gentle command that brought the group together, ready to support one another in the aftermath of the confrontation.