#that do not benefit the dog in any way shape or form

[darkwood-sleddog]

You are taking my post wildly out of context and I understand that this happens frequently as tumblr posts are handed around blog to blog so biggy. But let me explain: What my post is referencing are people like Christina Hunger and the owner of Bunny the Dog who ascribe large swaths of emotional meaning to the buttons their dogs choose to press. This is known as the Clever Hans Effect. This is VERY different than teaching a dog a single button or set of bells, etc. to go potty or to be fed. There is nothing wrong with teaching such things as you already understand what your dog is asking for, but are aiding in a disability to better care for your pet. This is very different than what Christina Hunger and other dog button advocates that consistently ascribe emotional and philosophical reasons their dogs may push buttons do. At the time of my post, Dogblr and many of the blogs I follow were going through Christina Hunger's book in detail and comparing it to actual dog behavior science because at her fundamental core, Christina misinterprets actual dog behavior in favor of her Clever Hans Effect, human spoken word, and emotion base preferences. Christina shows a huge preference for human spoken English in her mentality and, to quote my original post above, believes using buttons allows her and her dog to "speak the same language for the first time" but this is untrue. The dog is still speaking dog and Christina is misinterpreting what the dog does because she has very little if no foundations in actual dog behavior science, much like for example, the owner of Koko the Gorilla. This is VERY different than using buttons as an aid. Christina Hunger also consistently compares dogs to non-verbal children and even though she is a speech therapist, comes at her dog button project in many ways that are ableist to non verbal people. This is what my post is referencing and discussing. Not that all dog buttons are bad, but that thinking the dog is speaking human language rather than performing a learned behavior is. That thinking your dog can only best communicate with you through something that is fundamentally unnatural to them is better than humans learning what dogs mean with their own language. The failure is Clever Hans Effect and this unwillingness to learn what dogs are actually saying. Saying that I'm calling people "stupid or failures" is a direct misinterpretation of the post at hand. It is not a failure to already understand what the dog is saying and use an aid to help YOU. It IS a failure to willfully misinterpret dog behavior in favor of one's own ableist idea that dogs need to speak and be taught human spoken english to be best understood. This ridiculous idea that human spoken word is the most important thing in both human and dog communication is something I would think somebody that cares about hearing disabilities would understand.

If dog buttons have one hater I am that very hater.

Communicating “in the same language for the first time” through dog buttons as Christina Hunger describes in her book is a failure of the most human proportion, putting too much value on the human (English) spoken word and ignoring that every detail, movement, twitch of our dogs is an act of communication itself. They are already communicating with us, just as human and primitive dog first did thousands of years ago. Just how we have shaped each other’s evolution by our very relationship. The dog understands you without buttons. If you can’t understand a dog without buttons, or “speak the same language” without human spoken language that is your HUMAN failure.

[lustagel]

LOSER! RODRICK HEFFLEY * readers race is not mentioned, mwah! . ⟡

loser! rodrick barely has any friends but his band members. only wears his bands t-shirts and listens to music that hurts your ears. always in the garage practicing with his band, if not with his girlfriend. puppy dog eyes and longing stares. not-no-secret softie. wannabe rockstar. has a shoebox hidden under his bed full of ticket stubs from concerts, crumpled notes and photos of/from his girlfriend.

loser! rodrick can't wrap his head around how he even got her in the first place and neither can his parents. ego boost after getting a girlfriend and no one knows how she even puts up with him. tries to impress her in anyway he can. mostly rolls her eyes at his stupidity but clearly finds him amusing and has a soft spot for his cluelessness.

loser! rodrick yearns for her kisses and chases her lips every time he gets a chance. smells of her almost always because he’s always around her and on her. gives the most softest kisses to the top of her ears. follows her anywhere with dreamy eyes. writes terrible songs for her but has never shared them with anyone. asks her to kiss his drummer sticks for good luck and of course she does after telling him how stupid it is.

loser! rodrick knows everything about his girlfriend. her favorite sweet treat, what makes her heart arch, the color she adores the most, what makes her laugh he most, what perfume she buys the most, her favorite show and genre, how she tastes (believes he’s been blessed by the gods themselves to even be able to get a hand on you).

୨ he's such a loser he moaned into your mouth the first time you kissed

୨ loser! rodrick following cool! reader around when she’s wearing a swimsuit

୨ cool! reader being everybody's favorite person in some way shape or form

୨ possessive! reader making out with loser! rodrick to show people he’s hers and him getting a hard-on

୨ loser! rodrick who smells like musk and two day old clothes, while his new girlfriend smells of the sweetest scents known to man

© 2024 lustagel, do not use my work for your own benefit.

asks are open! if i dont feel a spark with your ask, i wont write it n if i do, sometimes it’ll take a minute, please be patience w me! :)

[heathersdesk]

The FOMO of MyKayla Skinner

MyKayla Skinner is a former gymnast and silver medalist from Team USA. She is a Latter-day Saint. She is also getting every one of her holes handed to her—in some well-deserved schadenfreude—from her former team mates. Let's talk about it because it also involves a needed discussion about LDS racism.

MyKayla Skinner got the dog and pony show that LDS Olympic athletes often get in our community. At that point, she didn't just become a representative of Team USA. She became a global ambassador for our faith. Which is really unfortunate because she's bad at representing herself well, let alone other people. So let's learn together how not to repeat the mistakes of MyKayla Skinner in public. Let's be prepared to answer well for her behavior, since she has become an emissary for us on the global stage and is doing it badly.

It's unwise to criticize a team to which you no longer belong in any kind of official capacity. But if you must, avoid opening yourself to the entire US women's gymnastics team dog walking you in public for your feedback. Never say anything that Simone Biles could ever use against you in an Instagram caption.

Also, never call Gabby Douglas a monkey in any way, shape, or form. Not in word, not with Photoshop, and not via stupid little monkey emojis. In case you haven't been exposed to the lexicon of racism and slurs, that's a deeply offensive racial slur for black people. And I'm not giving Skinner the benefit of the doubt on this one. It is a knowable fact that NBC got themselves into hot water for the portrayal of a monkey doing gymnastics in an ad that also featured Gabby Douglas back in 2012. The condemnation of that portrayal as a racist slur is something MyKayla Skinner would know about. This isn't poor wording or ignorance on her part. Skinner knew it was racist when she did this to Gabby Douglas in 2016. She still did it anyway.

And as a Latter-day Saint, I condemn what Skinner has said and done to her team mates. She has every reason to know better and do better. I reject the notion that her proximity to the LDS Church and its past failures with race are an excuse for this. This is her failure and she should take responsibility for it. She owes sincerest apologies and restitution to those she has harmed with her words. That's what the Church teaches. That's what her religion teaches her duty and obligations are.

MyKayla Skinner is clearly a deeply competitive person. It has gotten to the point of irrational and self-destructive jealousy. She can barely contain how she feels about not being able to compete in Paris. She cannot bear to see anyone else succeeding in this moment if she can't. And for all of the apologies she's had to give over the years, she doesn't appear to be learning the right lessons.

When people talk about there still being racism in the Church, this is what they're talking about. This is what it looks like. It's what happens when individual members, of whom the Church is composed, engage in the moral licensing and hypocrisy to justify their own racism. The racism, not the envy, came first. The envy only illuminated the racism that was already there.

Team USA has world class athletes, gold medalists many times over, on their women's gymnastics team. Directing racism at any of them is wrong, no matter who does it—even when it's one of our own. Especially when it's one of our own.

[neverchecking]

Thank you for giving me permission to let me send any idea I get ^u^ your list has given me more ideas and thoughts 🩵 and it has helped play into a specific one ✨ so I am here to share one that had been at the forefront of my mind that I need to share with you and your amazing brain

Btw will be using fem pronouns cause it’s a bit easier for me to write this all out, but you don’t have to ^u^

I genuinely can’t stop thinking of all the possibilities that could arise from the chain— which now includes Cal and Sage whenever I talk about the chain as a whole, they deserve all the love 🩵— knowing that their goddess has a darker side. Before I get into that, will add that personally, I feel like y/n would never abuse that power, maybe cause she has some morals; never targeting kids ofc, but also those that flirt with her but back down immediately upon seeing her boys? Those people are fine, because they’re respectful at the very least— and don’t have the audacity to think they could ever measure up to even a fraction of her perfect boys. But others that keep pushing? Target acquired. But also I imagine she doesn’t want to abuse her power cause she doesn’t want to be even remotely close to Hylia or even Zelda; she actually genuinely loves and cares about her boys, and they already do so much for her, she would never want them to feel like she’s using them. Which, I mean to be fair, if we’re being technical, she kinda is using them, but it’s for her and her boys benefit ✨ she’s just giving them permission to deal with the scum of the earth

Anyway, back to the number one thought at the forefront of my mind, me thinks, as a treat for the boys since you mentioned that they find it hot as hell, them getting to witness their goddess as she chooses her next victim ✨

Before I do that, I wanna bring up some things you wrote, like from Sage figuring out reader knew what they were doing; “They enjoyed teasing the scum of the Earth, dangling their own supple body in front of them like a treat on a stick only to set their guard dog on them the second they overstepped.” This. This imagery right here is scrumptious. 10000/10 delicious. It sparked this idea in the first place. But also the fact that it’s not just one guard dog, it’s eleven guard dogs at the ready ✨ because even when the chain know the truth, that reader knows about their darker impulses and even encourages it, she still doesn’t stop goading those people into crossing a line so her boys can deal with them— at least, she won’t unless it genuinely upsets her boys, cause while she enjoys riling up the chain and seeing how possessive they can be, she doesn’t want to actually make them upset if they really don’t like it.

Which actually plays into another thing you wrote for the list— thank you for the list 🩵— specifically on Twilight’s part; “He's just a simple country boy who was raised in a village where everyone was honest, so he can only think the same of everyone, especially his Goddess, until proven otherwise.” Which again, this. I love this— I love everything you write but this had me going “awww” out loud, he’s so precious 🩵 but also this plays into the whole thing with reader not wanting to upset her boys. If the chain doesn’t actually like that she uses her body in a way that goads those scum, she’ll respect their wishes and just straight up tell them. Especially since well, she has nothing to hide if her boys know the truth, cause I feel like y/n— in an effort to not be in any way, shape, or form like Hylia or Zelda— would be honest with them about it. Literally straight up about who’s on her shit list.

And if we bring up the point system, the higher on her shit list, the more points the chain gets for dealing with them ✨ like if someone was flirting with her and wouldn’t back down? On her shit list but not very high up there, so extra points if the chain deals with them quickly. Someone saying some insulting shit about her boys?? Higher up on her shit list, extra points if the one who was getting insulted dealt with the person. Someone who insults her boys, flirts with her, and doesn’t back down???? The highest you could ever be on her shit list, extra points if they make it a painful death ✨ no one insults her perfect boys and gets away with it

So imagine this, the chain and reader at one of their castle towns, and y/n overhearing from one of the men they pass making a snide comment about that Hyrule’s Link and the chain getting to witness for the first time the way their goddess’s sweet smile tightens just the slightest bit, how her kind eyes shift into one that craves bloodshed but flickers back into that kind look so quickly, but now her eyes and smile hold something much sharper— except now she’s not directing that smile to them, she’s looking at the man that had the audacity to ever say anything about her boys. Now this is where the idea splits into two routes, cause I can’t be 100% sure whether or not the chain would want her to stop trying to goad the scum of the earth, so I shall give you both versions ✨

If the chain truly doesn’t mind, they would get to witness it with new eyes how their goddess expertly plays into the innocent role, how she maybe pretends to be lost or something and just uses her body in a way that gets her the exact reaction she wants from the man. Just like how you said, she dangled her body in front the man like a treat on a stick, just waiting for the man to overstep, and once he does, whether the chain pull their goddess away or she just drifts back to them, she’s content now that she’s gotten what she wanted, which is a target painted on that man. And she patiently awaits for her boys to deal with him like she knows they will.

Is the chain does mind, she gets closer to the Link of the Hyrule they were in, and since she would be honest, she would ask him if they knew that man, if he was of importance, and if anyone would notice if he just, disappeared. Never to be found again. Whether she has to be outright honest and bluntly asks them to deal with the man, or if that’s enough of a hint for them to have a target painted on the man, she’ll make sure they know exactly who she wants them to deal with.

Regardless of the route, the one(s) that deal with the man get lots of affection after they’ve dealt with the scum ✨

— 🫐 anon

🫐anon. Listen here-

Everything you just wrote up there?

I AM (s)CREAMING.

THERE IS SO MUCH TO GO OVER AND IM SO READY-

First, you didn't need permission lovely! I'm more than happy to read what you guys send and start a conversation. I feel like I've made some great friends here with all of you guys! And I'm so ready to hear all of your ideas. Because your brain=just as amazing man

Now, I love including Cal and Sage because those two when with Wild are such a delicious trio. Full of resentment and bubbling anger just waiting to boil over? Drives me nuts. There is just so much potential there and I wanna love them all because it's what they deserve.

I totally like that entire idea of Reader not abusing their power. I imagine they view themselves as a benevolent being rather than a strictly Godly one. Like you said, kids are out of the question. People who respect their boundaries and understand that they could never measure up to the deities that are their boys are imposing on another person's relationship (Whether it's poly, a cult, etc., etc.) are also safe. It's the ones who don't respect that line. Who cross it and view Reader as nothing more than a piece of meat. Who want nothing more than a quick lay. Those are people who Reader deems as expendable. Because, really, Hyrule would be a better place without them in it.

And they would have to really push it. Reader is only instigating it if they push. From then, it's just baiting the boys into seeing it. Because you're right. She doesn't want to be at all like Zelda- or Golden three forbid, Hylia. They did nothing but use and abuse her perfect companions, with little to no second though to the aftermath. While, yes, she is also using them to a degree, it's more of a trade. She'll give them companionship and someone to lean on rather than them relying on no one but themselves.

When it comes to them knowing their Goddess has a darker side (Should we give this an AU name? I feel like we should-), it absolute riles them up.

🫐anon. Lemme let you in on a lil' secret- When writing that line, I was literally giggling to myself like a whole ass school girl. Like I was damn proud of that line so thank you for noticing.

Imagine having eleven guards dogs, prowling about, waiting to attack first and ask questions later. All their waiting for is the command. If it does genuinely upset her boys, she can definitely step back.

I'm glad you like the list so much! It was fun to figure out! Yeah, honesty is a huge difference between Reader and Hylia/Zelda. They never came outright with anything, lest it be a life or death situation. They've all had issues like this with their Zeldas, who simply didn't tell them something until they were facing down death itself. She'll straight up be like, hey, this happened, deal with how you want to, or, better yet, I'm dealing with it, i'll be back in a few minutes.

Now. A point system.

🫐anon. Your genius knows no bounds.

Now, imagine, if you will, someone not only insults her boys, and flirts without backing down, but dares to try and touch whats not theirs. That is the absolute pinnacle of fuckery.

I imagine this would happen in like Warrior's Hyrule because, let's face it, his is the messiest. Most people, half of them absolutely hate Link for starting a war, the other half want him in their bed, very little in between. And their ballsy because who's gonna stop them? Those jokes they call knights? Yeah, right.

Now, option A)

The man has already pushed. He pushed a fragile dam and it snapped, now he's left to deal with the anticipated torrent. She's sauntering over to him, fluttering her lashes and puckering her lips, doing all of the cheesy moves to get what she wants. And it works. Once he's hooked, his fate is seal. Because the boys are not the one to truly fear. No, Reader is. She makes the calls. She'll determine if you are worthy of their time. If not, if you've failed her test before it even begins?

Count your hours because they are fleeting and they are fleeting fast.

Option B)

Let's say this is Warriors Hyrule, she'll go to him on how to deal with this directly. Depending on the Hyrule, she'll let that Link lead the way. Some, like Wars, require some tact and poise when it comes to dealing with unwanted pests. With populations as heavy as they are, there are some hurdles they have to jump to make sure its done properly. They can't be sloppy, or they'll get caught. If it's someone like Hyrule's or, hell, even Sage's Hyrules, they can get as sloppy as they want as long as they remain out of sight.

You bet your ass that they are absolutely soaking up all the attention bestowed upon them for a job well done. Anything for their Goddess.

[generisydtoo]

Splitting up Team 7....Let's get into it

Disclaimer❗️: I'm not trying to dog on anyone who makes alternate team headcanons for fun. I have my own thoughts ofc, but as long as you're truly not hurting anyone, it's not that deep. I'm sharing my thoughts on this since I've seen this take a few times over the years, but do with it what you will!

As always, you're free to share your thoughts! Just be sure to keep it respectful :)

Tbh, it baffles me when ppl say that Sakura (bc that's usually who's removed from the team in these takes) or anyone else on Team 7 would've had better development if they were assigned to a different team. I think people fail to consider that Team 7’s close, consistent proximity and becoming teammates was one of the key reasons why they were able to get past their initial impressions of each other and form a deep bond.

This is only one example, but as far as we know, no other team went on any dangerous missions like Team 7 did to the Land of Waves. Granted, that was an outlier since that mission was supposed to be a C rank; however, it was vital to their individual growth. It shaped their perceptions of each other as teammates and of the shinobi world as a whole. If Sakura, Sasuke, and/or Naruto were placed on a different team (assuming little-to-nothing else was changed in the series), I'd deem it unlikely that they would've grown to be the shinobi they became, although not as quickly.

If you want, you can view this through the lense of recent media, particularly the YA genre. There are many reasons why they tend to be set in middle/high school (though I think that's starting to change and expand, thank goodness), one of them being the outcomes of forced, consistent proximity.

The characters are placed in an environment where they're (more often than not) forced to interact; it's not like college or other settings where you can simply leave if you don't want to be there, especially without it being fair to others in your group. While it’s ultimately up to them to choose whether or not they want to become more than acquaintances with their classmate(s), their relationship has a higher chance of forming due to being consistently around each other.

The same applies to Team 7 and honestly, the other Rookie 9 teams. They were all placed on their teams- a learning and training environment with forced, consistent proximity- for a reason. Ino-Shika-Cho being placed together since they're THEE Ino-Shika-Cho trio (if any sensei had messed that iconic trio up....bless their hearts fr), and Team 8 all being trackers.

For Team 7, it was also so they could all learn and benefit from each other in some way. Naruto could benefit from Sasuke’s proficiency in ninjutsu, Sakura's intelligence, and both of their calmer personalities(give or take with Sakura) seeing as he got the lowest marks at the academy and misbehaved a lot. Sasuke could benefit from Naruto and Sakura's social and outgoing personalities seeing as he got low scores in cooperation and teamwork.

While Sakura performed well in her academics, she slacked greatly in anything pertaining to using physical strength. She could benefit from Sasuke and Naruto's taijutsu and battle skills seeing as she got low marks in taijutsu.

I think it's also worth noting that Sakura is a balance of their personalities while having her own. While she's not always on 10 like Naruto was, she was able to be social and upbeat and like him. She wasn't emotionally cold or nonchalant like Sasuke, but she was able to match his calmer "think first, act later" demeanor. Ofc, they've all had their moments and didn't act the same way all the time. I love that Team 7 can share one brain cell at times, lol.

As I said in the preface, I'm not trying to down anyone making alternate team headcanons for fun. That being said, it's just odd to me that people claim that placing them on different teams would suddenly "fix" their characters. Becoming a team was an integral part of their characterization, with each of them serving a unique purpose in one another’s growth. (This includes Sai too, though that may be a convo for another day.)

Like the title says, this was a starting "Let's get into it" post. I have more specific thoughts on this take, but these are my initial thoughts for now :).

Sources: The academy report cards are only in the physical fanbook. You can find an online transcription of it here and photo scans here!

[legolasghosty]

JATP vampire AU!

Helloooo!!! Sorry on the delay, haven't had a lot of spare writing spoons lately with school! But I love this idea, here we go!!!

Okay first off, I am a sucker (no pun intended) for the Molina family being legacy vampires. The family line on Rose's side is largely vampiric in some form. Of course there is variation as to how strong it is and what abilities and needs/limitations various people have, as genetics still exist and stuff. There's also a fair amount of relationships between humans and vampires, cause screw Twilight rules, being being close to a vampire as a human is not a death wish.

Ray and Rose talked a lot about her turning him when they got engaged, but ended up deciding against it. There's a fair amount of potential complications with turning and there's no guarantee that the one being turned would share the same set of abilities and needs as the one turning them. Rose was safe walking in the sun, but her sister Victoria burns at the drop of a hat. They decided the potential benefits weren't worth the risks.

In this universe, nonhuman beings like vampires, wereanimals, fae, etc. aren't really a secret, but they also aren't super well understood or known by the general public. It's kinda similar to those statistics you'll see in the real world of things like "X% of people in the US have red hair, and X% of people in the US [insert medical condition/gender/view/whatever here], so if you know someone who has red hair, you probably also know someone who [insert same thing]." Those kinds of things exist all over in this AU, but with vampires and stuff. A small percentage of the population, low understanding, but not a secret. Lots of misinformation.

ANYWAYS BACK TO THE FUN STUFF! Julie is an interesting first child for Ray and Rose, cause she is fairly sensitive to the sun (Which they find out by accident...), semi blood dependent, and can and will turn into a bat for little to no reason. The bat thing is particularly confusing, because neither Rose nor any of her family that lives nearby have that particular ability. And Julie is a hider. Insert large amounts of parental panic every time they wake up to find that she's not in her crib. At least she's not coordinated enough to open doors till she's at least 4 or 5, so they figure out how to safely close her in when she's too young to know how to find her way back home if she got outside.

Carlos is by comparison basically a standard human baby... they think at first. All good in the sun, never shows much interest in his sister and mom's blood beverages, and (thankfully) never changes shape. But, as they come to find out when he wakes up screaming and almost crushes Ray's finger, he did pick up some of the strength and speed from Rose's side of the family, along with her bright eyes and mischievous grin. They also come to understand that, despite not needing or wanting blood to drink, he does have the strong sense of smell that vampires used to use for hunting. This makes things like daycare impossible cause it's just too strong.

Then we got the boys. We still have an accident just before they play a major gig at the Orpheum, but instead of poisoned street dogs, Luke, Reggie, and Alex get caught in an attack by a vampire extremist group. They all pull through okay, though it was touch and go for a moment there with Reggie, but they all end up turned.

Luke's folks are freaked by it but glad that he's alive and start trying to adjust to the whole situation. Reggie's parents are very divided as to what to do about him. So much so that they spend more time fighting each other than helping him. He spends a lot of nights at Luke's. Alex's parents disown him as soon as they find out from the hospital.

Alex ends up as the Molina's foster kid after getting released. It's unusual, cause they mostly do temporary placement in a crisis, but there aren't any other foster families in the area that have vampire blood and can help him adjust. It takes him a while to settle in with them, what with how different the family dynamic is on top of the whole vampire thing, but they make it work. He and Julie become fast friends. She helps talk him down after he turns into a bat the first time in the middle of a panic attack and the rest is history.

As far as vamp tendencies, Alex gets the bat form, the pointy teeth, and the strong sense of smell. He also sunburns really easily, but that could also be tied to the fact that he's so frigging white. Alex is pretty sure the vamp thing made it a lot worse though. Luke got the speed and the sun sensitivity(not gonna kill him, but it does hurt if he stays out too long), plus a blood craving that freaks his parents out more than once. He ends up officially meeting Julie for the first time when he breaks open her locker in desperation cause he can smell her blood bottle inside. Julie is MAD. Reggie is kinda in the middle of the blood reliance scale, still loves the sunshine, and nearly breaks the knobs on several doors in his house before he befriends the Molina family and starts sleeping over there more often than not.

As far as the rest of the characters, Bobby stays human and friends with all the guys through everything. Carrie, Nick, and Flynn are both humans, as is Trevor(Trevor and Bobby are different people here). There are a few other nonhumans at LFHS, but none in the music program so no one knows them well.

Willie is new at LFHS the fall after the guys get turned. He says he just moved here with his dad, Caleb (GOOD DAD CALEB FOREVER!). They're in the art program, but Alex, Reggie, and Julie keep randomly running into them at stuff and become friends. Willie is kinda quiet in general, but they all spot little bits of a more bright, fun loving personality from time to time. At first Alex lowkey worries that he's having home issues, but then he runs into them after finishing a gig with the guys, and Willie has their hair up for once. It's messy, but Alex can't help but notice the healed but obvious scars on the side of his neck, just below his left ear. They look pretty similar to Alex's own.

And thus the secret is out, at least to the little vamp family being formed. Willie got removed from his bio family cause of substance abuse on the part of his parents, and bounced through a handful of foster homes. One of them, the one right before Caleb, had an uncle who was a vampire. Turning Willie wasn't exactly intentional, but it happened regardless. This was when Willie was like 11. Willie was stuck in the hospital for a while cause they had a rough transformation, and then were placed with Caleb when they finally got out. He fully expected Caleb to hate him, but turns out Caleb is a werepanther, turned as a little kid, so he kinda gets it. They figure it out together and end up getting along really well! Caleb moved to LA for work stuff, and Willie was eager for a fresh start after some rumors that had gone around at his old school. And he's very happy to find the lil family!

Ack I'm sorryyyyyy this is so long!!! I'm having too many thoughts!!! I'll shut up now!!!! Hope you enjoyed!!!

[yavieriel]

Sorry if the question is a bit weird but do you think theoretically any ainu could be a 'father' or a 'mother'? Purely from perspective of having an ability to potentially partake in, well, procreation.

Oh almost certainly. I was just talking this over with @simaethae, actually. Personally I go with the version of canon where the Great Eagles are maiarin spirits, and Huan is descended from maiarin Hounds. My interpretation of this is that most Valinorean horses, hounds, etc. are descended not from mundane animals but from maiarin spirits who chose those forms during the process of creating Arda. They essentially have a mutualistic relationship with the elves - they like elves, and interacting with the elves is emotionally/psychologically beneficial to them, and the elves get the benefits of having working animals who can generally be relied on to exercise a large degree of autonomy. Valinorean sheep dogs for example would need almost no oversight, the only reason they'd really need a shepherd would be for things that require hands, like helping with lambing. They like having a shepherd around though, for the same reason you'd like having a friend around who is also a dependable coworker. Shepherd and sheepdog or horse and rider or hunter and hound are peer relationships, teammates, not superior-inferior. Valinorean stables and kennels have latches that can be operated from both sides of the doors, using mouths and/or paws, because they're basically just houses for people who are animal-shaped and get to make their own decisions.

For example, I headcanon that Nahar was The First Horse and is in fact THE Horse, the template for all horses, the most horse it is possible to be, the Platonic ideal of "horse", and that a number of other maiar similarly chose to Be Horses, becoming the First Herd. Their descendants are not themselves maiar, and are unable to be anything but horses, but they are horses with many similar abilities to their maiarin forebears. As long as they're not interbreeding with non-maiarin descended horses they retain all those characteristics, think something like Narnian talking horses except instead of talking they have telepathy, and also supernatural stamina/strength/etc. Rochallor is probably the best examples of this type, and Huan is the dog version of this.

However, these Valinorean horses and hounds and so forth are biologically entirely compatible with ordinary mundane animals, because the maiar patterned themselves off of said mundane animals down to the cellular level. What gives them their unique qualities is primarily metaphysical. Offspring of matings between Valinorean animals and their mundane counterparts inherit some of the physical qualities of their Valinorean parentage, like height, strength, etc., because those are a result of the genetics having been deliberately optimized when the maiar initially took those forms. The inheritance of metaphysical aspects of maiarin ancestry however is less predictable, and tends to be a coin flip - some descendants get it, some don't, there's no real in-between, and it kiiiind of looks like genetics if you don't look too close and/or are from a society who's still only aware of like, basic Mendelian concepts of heritability and has no concept of DNA. Which is to say that mystical inheritance works for animals pretty much the same way that it does for the Dunedain; Shadowfax is a throwback to his maiarin-descended ancestors the same way Faramir is, but both of them have brothers who are physically comparable but entirely mystically ungifted.

[nerdy-talks]

When you get this, please respond with five things that make you happy~! Then, send to the last ten people in your notifications anonymously. You never know who might benefit from spreading positivity~! 💫

Thank you for this ask, anon! I'd love to answer and spread this around (:

But first, I do have to apologize for my late response, so... I'm extremely sorry, anon! ^^"

Five Things That Make Me Happy

1. My Pets - a.k.a my precious babies. I have three dogs and one cat who truly make my life so much better. Just look at my good boys and sweet girl <3

Fun Fact : My cat absolutely adores my older Lab and always cuddles up with him since she pretty much grew up with him. She is just starting to warm up to my other/younger Lab after like 3+ years of living together lol. As far as her relationship with the puppy.... he always wants to play with her, but she has zero interest in matching his energetic enthusiasm. So it's a work in progress xD

2. My Mom - I consider myself extremely lucky to have a supportive, understanding parent in my life (especially since my relationship with my father was the complete opposite). I love my Mom more than anyone else, so of course I had to include her on this list.

3. Anime / Figure Collecting - My number one vice is anime, my number one hobby is collecting. Anime has been a huge part of my life for many years, it's helped me cope and get through a lot. (especially My Hero Academia. That has easily become my absolute favorite anime, characters like Shigaraki and Dabi resonate with me so much. I just can't stop myself from loving them with all my heart and spending every day wishing they were real ;w;) Anyway... I will forever be a nerd, an otaku, and a collector until the day I cease to exist ^^

4. Obey Me! - It's no exaggeration to say this game means everything to me. I will always hold an eternal love for the brothers and other characters, because they have offered me an outlet for my emotions and lack of relationship(s) lol. But in all seriousness, I will always be a fan of Obey Me! and a major simp for the boys •u•

5. The Amazing People I've Met Here - I saved the best for last. You see... I have never been the life of the party or a people person by any means, mostly due to anxiety and other issues. So needless to say, I've always struggled to make friends, form bonds, or connect with others. But! I consider myself extremely lucky and fortunate to say that I have met some absolutely wonderful, amazing, beautiful people here.

Of course, I genuinely appreciate everyone who interacts with me in any way, shape, or form! But I need to directly address two individuals in particular who have treated me with the utmost kindness : @dynamars and @sunangelstears

Thank you both so much for always accepting me and including me. Thank you for making me feel worthwhile, for making me smile, for making me feel happy. Thank you for being you, because you are both perfect in the best ways possible. I will always appreciate you more than words could ever describe and I will always be here for you, no matter what 💙

[nameless-brand]

Labor unions amuse me. I don't know why. Maybe because we technically are in an adversarial relationship, but I'm in an even worse relationship with my fellow companies. Alas, hated all around. The fate of being beautiful and intelligent and stellar as me φ(。。*).

So American Labor Law is a wonderful fun mess to navigate. But they did get one thing right, and it's preventing companies from making their own internal unions: company unions / "yellow" unions. The company union in theory is supposed to do the job of independent trade unions, but since they are managed and paid by the company, it's obvious they won't do anything that would severely harm the company's profits or image. They rarely strike, undercut other unions in terms of wage, and will rarely countermand a company's unjust ruling. Not the type of union you want on your side if you are a worker.

There are proponents of company unions, stating that it gets worker grievances addressed faster and they have a closer relationship with the company and thus are able to contextualize things better. But in my opinion, the company union will always protect the company first. Much like trickle-down economics, company unions being for the worker are a lie.

Section 8(2)(a) of the National Labor Relations Act does not allow an employer "to dominate or interfere with the formation or administration of any labor organization or contribute financial or other support to it." This forces unions to be independent trade unions in the States and technically prevents companies from influencing union affairs. Unfortunately, this also means I can't directly donate money or provides goods to a union to help support a strike.

But I own grocery stores and stationary stores in a good number of places. If my stores so happen to be selling products at cost that day... let's see February 22nd was the last time I did it - for National Walking the Dog Day while a strike is happening, that isn't really collusion, is it. :)

There's already a handful of Unions that have been made in several of my divisions. Given I haven't received a list of demands from them, I'm assuming this is more preventative - like if I decide to become another gluttony-obsessed pelican or something. Still irks me a little though, but I keep reminding myself that people don't live to work, they work to live.

Regardless, my competitors hate me because I pay well above industry standard and provide very good benefits. And their workers see it and either come over to me since they're tired of living paycheck to paycheck - or unionize to fight for better pay and benefits. My competitors can't undercut me as easily as a mom-n-pop shop because I control everything from the transportation to the farms to the production line; and when they are trying to resist a strike, I'll actually undercut their undercut anyway lol.

They either shape up - or leave and I buy their land using a shell company later. I almost always find room for the displaced workers. Eventually, these people are going to realize that shutting down because a union is forming/has formed (which is illegal by the way, but hard to directly prove) just benefits me in the end lol.

Anyway, happy National 529 Day.

[hatha-yoga23]

Discover the Stress-Relieving Power of Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga, a practice that focuses on the balance between strength and flexibility, is an excellent way to cultivate physical and mental well-being. Whether you’re new to yoga or looking to deepen your practice, these essential Hatha Yoga poses will help improve flexibility, build strength, and unlock a range of benefits for both body and mind. In this post, we’ll explore five must-do poses that are perfect for beginners and experienced yogis alike, each contributing to the overall benefits of Hatha Yoga.

Mountain Pose (Tadasana) Mountain Pose is the foundation of many Hatha Yoga poses. Although it appears simple, it’s a powerful posture that improves posture, strengthens the legs, and helps with overall body alignment.

How to do it: Stand tall with your feet together or slightly apart, arms by your sides. Distribute your weight evenly across your feet. Engage your thigh muscles and lift through the crown of your head, aligning your spine. Hatha Yoga Benefits: Tadasana improves posture and balance, strengthens the legs, and helps to develop awareness of body alignment, making it a great foundational pose for any Hatha Yoga class.

Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) Downward-Facing Dog is one of the most recognized Hatha Yoga poses, known for its ability to stretch and strengthen multiple muscle groups. It’s particularly beneficial for improving flexibility in the hamstrings and calves.

How to do it: Begin on your hands and knees, with your wrists directly under your shoulders and knees under your hips. Lift your hips up and back, forming an inverted V-shape with your body. Press your hands firmly into the mat and gently lower your heels toward the floor. Hatha Yoga Benefits: This pose increases flexibility in the hamstrings and shoulders, strengthens the arms and legs, and helps to lengthen the spine. It also promotes blood flow, making it a great energizing posture.

Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I) Warrior I is a powerful standing pose that builds strength in the legs, core, and shoulders while enhancing flexibility in the hips and chest.

How to do it: Start in a standing position. Step one foot back, keeping the front knee bent at a 90-degree angle. Raise your arms overhead, palms facing each other, and square your hips toward the front of your mat. Hatha Yoga Benefits: This pose strengthens the legs, opens the hips, and stretches the chest and lungs. It improves stamina and concentration, making it perfect for beginner Hatha Yoga practitioners seeking to develop both strength and flexibility.

Triangle Pose (Trikonasana) Triangle Pose is excellent for stretching and strengthening the entire body. It targets the hamstrings, hips, and shoulders while also promoting balance and stability.

How to do it: Begin in a standing position with your feet wide apart. Turn your right foot out 90 degrees and your left foot slightly inward. Extend your arms parallel to the ground. Reach your right hand toward your right shin or ankle while extending your left arm toward the ceiling. Keep your torso long and open. Hatha Yoga Benefits: Triangle Pose enhances flexibility in the hips, groin, and hamstrings while strengthening the legs and core. It also improves balance and promotes better posture.

Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana) Bridge Pose is a backbend that strengthens the back, glutes, and legs while opening up the chest and shoulders.

How to do it: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet hip-width apart. Press your feet into the floor and lift your hips toward the ceiling, keeping your shoulders grounded. Interlace your fingers beneath your back and press your arms into the floor for support. Hatha Yoga Benefits: This pose strengthens the legs, glutes, and lower back while improving flexibility in the spine and opening the chest. It's a great way to counteract the effects of sitting and poor posture, which makes it ideal for those practicing Hatha Yoga for flexibility. Conclusion Incorporating these five essential Hatha Yoga poses into your routine can significantly improve both your flexibility and strength. Whether you're attending Hatha Yoga classes or practicing at home, these poses are accessible for beginners and provide a strong foundation for your practice.

The benefits of Hatha Yoga extend beyond physical fitness—by regularly practicing these poses, you’ll experience improved mental clarity, stress reduction, and a sense of inner balance. As you progress, you’ll notice the flexibility and strength gained from these foundational poses will enhance your overall well-being, making Hatha Yoga a powerful tool for lifelong health.

[cartattz1]

Choose New Range of Custom Stickers for Window Online in Your Desired Look

Are you looking for the best range of custom stickers for window or want to get them for any other specific purpose?

Do you want to get the best range of stickers for car windows or social media stickers with some details of your profile page to add on your car window or use anywhere else?

Stickers are frequently used on car windows, on the back of mobile phone, laptop and at different other surfaces to cover scratches and for varied other purposes. Depending on your requirement, you can choose the best range of custom stickers for windows that are specifically designed according to your needs and provided to you as hardcopies or online to your email address. You can see different types of stickers and decals are often pasted on the car windows, glasses and even at different other things that are counted as ideal source of marketing and advertising.

What Are the Uses of Custom Decals and Stickers for Windows?

Pizza and burger outlets and different other food outlets often prefer their marketing through such stickers and decals that lure target audience and make them aware of your business name. Social media decals for businesses and dog car stickers and decals or custom social media stickers are designed with your desired text for Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Snapchat, Instagram, Telegram and other platforms. Choose the right one of your choice, go through the details and place your order. Choosing the right type of custom decals online or placing your order for different other types of decals and stickers like dog car stickers and decals or fishing decals for sale will be the right option of marketing and advertising.

Go Online to Find Top Designers for Custom Stickers for Windows

You have to search for the right one, go through the details and get the right range online right to your address in secure way. Each one is unique and offered with easy to paste option. There is a lot more associated with decals and stickers. You can get custom stickers for windows or place your order for anything else like social media decals for business, in memory of decals personalized, proud army mom decals, fishing decals for sale, dog car stickers and decals and beach decals for car windows. They are designed in a variety of designs, shapes, styles, color combinations and types. Each one is unique and offered with a complete user guide. They are the best modes of marketing and advertising. If you are looking for such amazing range of decals that are easy to use and offered with a number of added features and benefits, you will find a number of renowned names in this domain offering you the right solutions.

New Range of Die-Cut Vinyl Stickers for Cars and Windows

Some of them are bringing to you awesome die-cut vinyl sticker car decals that will create uniqueness for any car, truck, boat, laptop and for different other things. You can shop all different colors vinyl and different design options. Some of the unique designs that you can offer include firefighter decals, hunting and fishing decals. In addition to this, you can also choose military decals, dog car stickers and decals, cat decals, and a lot more that you can get online or in printed forms right to your address.

[paintingbynumberskits]

paint-by-numbers

Painting by numbers is a simple technique that involves painting pre-drawn shapes and numbers with corresponding colors. This technique was first developed in the 1950s, and it quickly became a popular way to create art for people of all ages. Painting by numbers kits typically come with pre-printed canvases, and oil paint brushes, making it easy for anyone to create a beautiful personalized painting, especially beginners , there are some conditions you must follow. The first thing you'll need is a paint by numbers kit, there are various types you can choose from . You'll also need a workspace that is clean and well-lit. It's best to work on a flat surface to avoid any spills or accidents. Additionally, you might want to wear old clothes or an apron to protect your clothing from any paint splatters.

For painting by numbers beginners , here are some tips to help you get started

Use a small brush for the smaller sections. This will give you more control and help you stay within the lines.

Start with the lightest colors first. This will help you avoid accidentally smudging darker colors onto lighter ones.

Paint by numbers is meant to be a relaxing hobby, so take your time and enjoy the process. Don't rush through it, as this can lead to mistakes and a less satisfying end result.

Choose the Right Kit:There are many different paint by numbers kits available, so it's important to choose one that is appropriate for your skill level. Some kits are more detailed and require more precision, while others are simpler and easier to complete, as a dog or vintage paint by numbers 

The process of creating a paint-by-numbers dog portrait is simple and enjoyable. First, select the kit that best represents your dog's breed or choose a custom kit that allows you to upload a photo of your pet. Once you have your kit, begin by examining the canvas to identify the different numbered sections. Next , It's easy to do and doesn't require any prior art experience, making it accessible to everyone. It's also a great way for children to learn about colors and develop their artistic skills.

Dog paint by numbers  kit is a fun and creative activity that's gaining popularity among dog lovers and art enthusiasts. With its easy-to-follow instructions and stress-relieving benefits, it's no wonder why so many people are turning to this unique form of art. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced painter, dog paint by numbers is a great way to relax, unwind, and create something beautiful.

For vintage paint by numbers sets are a nostalgic reminder of a simpler time. Old people  Enjoy completing them as a way to relive childhood memories or to experience the joy of creating art. They are also  popular because of their unique designs. Many of these kits feature images and themes that are not seen in modern kits, making them highly collectible. The kits offer a chance to create something that is truly one-of-a-kind.

In conclusion, Paint by numbers canvas is a fun and accessible way to create beautiful works of art. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced painter, it is a technique that can be enjoyed by all, and it is a great way to relax and unwind

[karenitz1313]

Everything You Need to Know About Buying and Installing a Dog Waste Station

A dog waste station is an invaluable tool in helping to keep your property clean and safe from bacteria, parasites, and other potential health hazards. It is essential for any property that has a pet population, such as a home, park, or commercial business. Installing a dog waste station ensures that pet owners have easy access to the necessary receptacles needed to properly dispose of their pet’s waste. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about buying and installing a dog waste station for your property. We will cover the benefits of having one on your property, the types of stations available on the market today and some tips for making sure it is properly installed and functioning properly.

What is a Dog Waste Station and Why Should You Get One? 

A dog waste station is a special container system designed to store and contain dog waste. They come in many forms, from simple plastic containers to larger, more complex systems that include additional amenities such as bag dispensers, trash cans, and even hand sanitizer dispensers. Dog waste stations make it easy for pet owners to clean up after their pets by providing a convenient way for them to dispose of the waste in an environmentally friendly manner. Installing a dog waste station can help keep your property clean and free of unpleasant odors, while also providing you with an extra layer of protection from potential lawsuits from people who may have been injured by stepping on or coming into contact with dog excrement. 

Understanding the Different Types of Dog Waste Stations

Dog waste stations come in various shapes and sizes, as well as various types of materials. Some popular materials include plastic bins with lids or lockable doors; metal cages; or even large concrete containers with built-in drain systems. Depending on your needs and budget, you can choose the type that best suits your property’s needs. Additionally, some systems also offer additional features such as bag dispensers or hand sanitizer dispensers that are connected to the system itself so that pet owners can easily access these amenities when cleaning up after their pet. 

Determining the Right Location to Install Your Dog Waste Station 

When it comes to installing a dog waste station on your property, it’s important to choose a spot that is both convenient for pet owners and neighbors alike while also being out of sight from people who may not want to be reminded of the presence of dogs on the premises. If possible, try to install the station near an area where pets will be taken for walks so that they have easy access when needed but won’t be constantly exposed to reminders about picking up after their pets when they don’t need to do so. Additionally, make sure that you choose an area where there are no other obstructions nearby that could interfere with safe disposal of pet waste or block access by others who might want use it. 

Pre-Purchase Considerations for Your Dog Waste Station 

Before you purchase your dog waste station there are several things you should consider in order make sure you get the right system for your needs including size (to accommodate all types of dogs), material (to ensure durability), additional features (such as bag dispensers) and cost (to ensure it fits within budget). Additionally, if you live in an area where there are strict regulations regarding outdoor structures like these then it’s important to check those regulations before purchasing any type of structure like these so that you know what is legally allowed on your property before making any final purchases decisions.                       

Installation Tips for Setting Up Your Dog Waste Station 

Once you have purchased a dog waste station then setting it up correctly is essential if you want it function properly. First off make sure the ground is level and clear any debris away before placing down any materials like gravel or sand if necessary.. Next use appropriate anchor bolts or screws depending on what type material this will be mounted too such as wood ,concrete etc.. Afterward fill bottom part with gravel/sand prior too adding top lid(if applicable) and finally secure lid tightly too prevent animals from accessing contents inside . After all this is done feel free too add sign posts informing users about proper usage .  

Maintenance and Cleanliness of a Dog Waste Station 

Maintaining cleanliness around any type off garbage disposal unit including yours should always be taken seriously . This means going around periodically too check if anything needs changing ,cleaning etc . If its made off metal then occasionally checking off rusting areas should always be done otherwise this could lead too further damage over time .. In terms off cleaning , removing full bags every 2-3 days should do just fine however if u notice odor build ups then increasing frequency might help take care off problem sooner rather than later ..  

Benefits of Installing a Dog Waste Station 

Installing a dog waste station has numerous benefits including helping cut down on littering ,reducing bad odors caused by decaying feces ,and reducing chances too spread bacteria due its securely sealed containers . Moreover ,it provides convenience especially during winter months when picking up after ones pets becomes hard due frozen ground conditions etc .. Furthermore installing one could potentially save money since one wont have too hire someone else come pick up after ones pet since everything would already been taken cared off .. Last but not least having one installed could lead too better development relationships between neighbors since everyone would benefit greatly from added convenience provided by unit itself .

Conclusion

In conclusion, installing a dog waste station is an effective way to keep your property clean and hygienic. It is a simple and affordable solution that can easily be installed in any yard or public space. By taking the time to research the different options available and finding the right station for your needs, you can ensure that your property remains clean, safe, and inviting for all.

[cosmicaddress]

In the east and west of Sunside/Starside lie swamps which are always gloomy under rolling banks of fog. In a time immemorial to Sunside’s travelers, the first vampires came out of these swamps.

The morphology or evolution of the Whamphyri would make for a fascinating study in its own right. (But we must consider any clinical, laboratory, or experimental study of ANY PHASE of vampires far too dangerous.) Cyclical, it frequently involves forms other than human. Vampire DNA is unique in being mutative within a single life cycle without the benefit of generation. Like any disease, it is almost sentiently aggressive and invades non-vampire tissues to infect them. But instead of destroying the contaminated body, it passes on its mutant DNA, causing the host to adapt—and indeed mutate—within its own span.

Since longevity is invariably a result of vampirism and barring accidental death or fatal diseases, the lifespan of the victim, then a vampire in their own right, might easily extend to many hundreds and perhaps even thousands of years.

FIRST PHASE In the vampire swamps of Sunside/Starside, the cycle's first (or final) phase may be found. It is a black mushroom that ripens to give off red spores. The spores are the genesis of vampiric life and carry the as-yet ���blank” form of vampire DNA. Breathed in, the spores attach to animal lungs and commence leaking their “poison” into the bloodstream along with oxygen. Then the mutation quickens, the victim falls ill, and following a period of some three days, emerges as a vampire in their own right. In Transylvania, the illness would occasionally appear fatal and the victim dead. Hence the legend of the vampire rising from his grave after three days in the earth.

The spores do not discriminate; they infect whoever or whatever breathes them in. An infected fox or dog would have vampire instincts. But the true vampire has instincts of its own.

SECOND PHASE Within an infected host, certain special strands join up to take on a separate, parasitic identity. This may take a few years, decades, or even centuries; the reason for these variations are as yet undetermined. But the symbiotic creature that results is the true vampire: a semi-protoplasmic leech clinging to the spine of the host and extending its own nervous and sensory systems into his brain, literally possessing his mind. It is him, and he is it. And the parasite or symbiont’s appetite is for blood. It feeds on the source of life itself: the blood of its host’s future victims. Indeed, “the blood is the life.”

The symbiont is not necessarily “faithful” to an original host; in Sunside, should a dog or fox host come into contact with a human being, a wholesale transfer of leech from the animal to the human is possible, especially if the animal is stricken and dying. In other words, the leech will seek a continued existence—or even better, a higher life-form—in its new host. Among the Szgany of Sunside, the tenacity of the leech is a legend in its own right.

THIRD PHASE—WAMPHYRI Not only has the symbiont become an integral part of its host’s body, but the host’s being—even his thought processes, his personality, and of course, his DNA—have been altered forever. Just as strands of that DNA have mutated into the leech, so the host’s flesh has become in itself mutative. His flesh is now metamorphic: he can, within certain limits, bring about physical alterations in his shape and form. He is Wamphyri.

FOURTH PHASE—BACK TO THE ORIGIN In the event of death, the symbiont leech (and even the host’s “dead” flesh) may attempt a secondary existence by way of reconstitution. Essential fats and amino acids—the building blocks of life—may seek to escape into the earth, there to develop into mushroom spawn that lies dormant until a time of maximum opportunity. How the “vampire essence” or mushroom germs recognize this one opportune moment remains unknown.

In Transylvanian legends, as in those of Sunside, certain vampire Lords store native soil and sleep upon it—clear evidence of the instinct for survival. And once again, immemorial Sunside myths have it that the Drakuls—an especially infamous line of Lords—kept loam from Starside’s swamps for the same purpose, against just such an eventuality.

FINAL PHASE—THE TRUE DEATH Decapitated, a vampire dies. (There is no brain for the leech to control to its own ends—but the symbiont itself may still attempt to escape its host’s termination). However, the bulk of a symbiont is located mainly on the left or heart side of its host’s spine, and a stake driven through the heart will usually suffice to pin the creature there for a time at least.

A stake soaked in garlic will certainly do the job, for garlic, like silver, is a quick-acting poison to vampire flesh. But the only sure way to kill a vampire is to burn it to ashes. Wherefore Sunside’s Szgany stake, decapitate and burn all vampire manifestations wherever possible. Only then can they be certain that the vampire has died the “True Death.”

[monorayjak]

Part 2

Green: Seems like a logical step.

White: Since when do you use logic?!

Green: …Since forever.

White: BUT LOGIC IS BLUE????

Green: No, it isn’t. Logic is just fitting the puzzle pieces together. Blue takes the puzzle it makes and then decides to take it back apart and cut it into new shapes to make a new picture.

White: What fucking bizarro universe am I fucking living in…

Black: One where we work together apparently.

Green: Anyways… Black, you were saying?

Black: Oh right. Well, White, I can respect your ability to lead others to follow you. That you can somehow convince another person to willingly kill themself for a goal that has no benefit to them.

White: Huh?

Black: Like when a person puts themselves in harm way to protect you.

White: …Self sacrifice?

Black: Yeah, that.

White: I don’t convince them to do tha-

Black: Oh for fucks sake get off your high horse already. You indoctrinate them from birth. You teach them that you, your fancy morals and laws, mean more than they do. You kill them all the same, you just don’t pull the trigger. You get them to do it.

White: I feel you are misunderstan-

Black: Shut it fucker. I was saying thats what I respect about you, lets now get into the nitty gritty here.

White: …sure?

Black: Ok, well, that leaves Green.

Green: Ears all open.

Black: Well, me and you both agree the strong thrive. We both take from the weaker and make the top dog better. Each thing you’re involved in puts itself first and others last. I can respect that.

Green: Ok, sure.

Black: Ok, and both of you together… I mean, I respect and admire the survival you two can achieve. That you easily outlast any other combo. Neither of you are willing to stop until you absolutely must.

White: Hmm… Ok, so… what now?

Black: I don’t know… Guess we should… figure out how we put this all together?

Green: Sounds about right.

Black: Ok, so, we have the eternal cycle of life and death, the endurance to survive, the understanding that no matter how the world looks, someone has to be at the top of the pecking order. We can agree that death happens, and that we matter more than others.

White: Ok, how about this for a first idea; expand your view of the top dog.

Black: What?

White: Don’t let a single person have the power, make it a group.

Green: What if that group was the wisest of the society?

White: Power tempered with experience.

Black: Ok, fine, that’s a concession I can make, but I draw the line at letting fragile old men make the rules. The powerful rule, and they are far from powerful.

Green: Ok, ok… what if… what if we based the society around some form of necromancy?

White: What???

Green: Hear me out; some FORM of necromancy. Not just necromancy.

Black: I’m listening.

Green: Ok, so imagine this. An elder of the group dies, but instead of mourning the loss, they use some kind of magic to regrow them. They plant seeds or something in their body. They use magic to grow the seeds and bind the person to them… the person’s soul inhabits a tree body. One that can be bruised and broken with no repercussions.

Black: I like it!

White: Ok sure, but how does that include me at all? That seems like just you two playing together!

Green: What if… what if wasn’t a single person in each tree.

White: What do you mean?

Green: What if it starts with one person… but some portion of people are given to that person, and when they die they become bound, physically and spiritually to the tree.

Black: Hmm… interesting.

Green: That really only leaves the question of how its decided and how many people there are…

White: Nine.

Black: Huh?

White: Nine people… tree… things.

Black: Why nine?

White: It’s an odd number that is close to ten. That way there are no stalemates in decisions.

Black: Fair enough I suppose.

Green: So how do we define these nine? Who ends up with what?

White: What if the territory was divided into nine sections…

Black: And each tree was a living embodiment of the generations in each area…

Green: Huh… that… that kind of works honestly.

White: I can agree to that.

Black: Sounds like a plan to me.

Wedge Talks - Abzan (Part 1 - This one got looooooooooong)

Black, green, and white - Power through opportunity, growth, and structure. Black: Power is all that matters in this world White: Since when? Black: Since forever White: Ugh… why do I have to work with you Green: same reason I have to deal with them Black: Ah great, I’m with you two this time, fun times White: Yeah no shit. We aren’t exactly happy about this either. Green: For fucks sake can we just get this over with already? Black: Yeah, lets do what we got to do already White: Good… so how do we start? Black: Guess I should give my vision of a perfect world? Or goal? White: Everyone but you being dead? We already know that. Black: That is not what a perfect world looks like. That sounds like a personal  hell. Green: Wait, seriously? Black: Yes! I’m all about myself but that doesn’t mean I want to be alone for the rest of eternity. White: Ok, ok, so give us the run down then. Black: Ok, so, to me, a perfect world is one where I am in charge. One where no one can help or even fathom to oppose me, that those I care for are treated as I feel they should be, that those I hate be treated as I feel they should be, and that everyone obeys my will. Green: So……..dictatorship? Black: Eh… I guess? White: Honestly I can understand Black: I’m sorry what? What did you just say? White: A dictatorship can be the easiest distribution of power. Green: Ok this is a little terrifying White: What? Green: You two are agreeing on… being a dictator White: And? Green: That doesn’t make you feel just a bit odd? White: Not really. As much as I dislike working with this asshole, they have things I can respect. Black: Say what now? White: What? Black: You respect me? White: In some ways, yes. Black: Like…? White: Ugh, well, I guess I respect your dedication to a goal, as fleeting as that dedication can be. If you want something, you make sure you end with it. Black: Huh… neat. I guess… I guess I also respect the both of you? Green: Ok, so as odd and unsettling as this has been, I do have to admit I can respect your own brand of survival. Black: What do you mean? Green: No matter the case, if something is linked to you, it will find a way back to the world of the living. No matter how deep in the dirt it winds up. White: Isn’t that like… antithetical to your whole point Green? Green: No. Life and death are cyclical. One ending is the exact same as the other beginning. Life, say for example, a lion being born, leads to death, say a prey being killed by that lion to feed itself. The lion is not in the wrong for killing for food. Black: See! Power means everything! Green: Not exactly. Black: What?! But you just said! Green: Yes, but also the lion will one day die, no matter how much it fights. White: But how does that…? Green: The lion will die. Their body will decompose. Fungus feed on that decaying meat. The plants grow from the infusion of materials the fungus fails to eat. Those plants will in turn be eaten by a prey animal. A prey animal that yet another lion will eat. And the cycle continues. Things change, yes, but one leads to the other. Cause and effect. White: …wow… never thought of it like that. Black: Ok… so I guess I should admit what I respect of you both?