#that you can prevent or eliminate by using aggression

[deldaydreams]

Same Old Lie

Warning: Yandere stuff, gender-neutral reader.

-English is my second language so it could be some mistakes.

Summary: You were an anomaly-timeline agent. Your job was to make sure that canon events in your universe happened and to eliminate possible anomalies. But something went wrong. Something that shouldn't have happened in the timeline happened because of you. Because of that, you disappeared and your beloved batfam is going crazy.

A.T.A. stands for Anomaly and Timeline Agency. The agency responsible for the smooth running of every canon event and timeline in the parallel universe. And you were an Anomaly-Timeline agent. Your job was to follow the canon events in your own universe and eliminate possible anomalies. For this reason, you took on a secret identity and became little Bruce Wayne's legal guardian.

Becoming Bruce's legal guardian wasn't that hard. All you had to do was get close to his parents and make a few small changes to their will.

When you first moved to the mansion, Bruce, who had just lost his parents , didn't welcome you well at all. You didn't even want to guess what would have happened if Alfred hadn't intervened.

As I said, Bruce was very difficult towards you at first. He was doing his best to annoy you and drive you away, but over time he started to get used to you.

Maybe you weren't so bad? He stopped ignoring you at the mansion. Insinuating sentences were replaced by harder-to-deal questions. What's your favorite food? What are your hobbies? What kind of movies do you watch?..

Getting close to Bruce had its advantages as well as disadvantages. To put it simply, he would ask so many questions and go into so much detail that it was very difficult not to reveal your true identity.

However, one of the biggest problems was your “business trips”. Whenever you were going to leave the mansion to hunt anomalies or follow up on a canon event, Bruce would make every effort to keep you from leaving the mansion. Your business trips were unnecessary for Bruce. You had to take care of him. That’s why you were here. Besides, he was rich enough to take care of you as well. Why did you always go on business trips? Anyway , every time, he would eventually let you go in return for bringing him a gift from wherever you went.

Time passed. Many things happened . Bruce learned your real name (fortunately, he still didn’t know your duty and job. It’s very hard to hide something from the best detective in the world.) Bruce became Batman (Of course, he explained this to you.) And your first Robin, Dick Grayson, came to the mansion.

Dick has always been a good boy since he met you. The perfect boy who always listens to you and helps you. We can say that you have almost never had any problems with him. Just like Bruce, Dick also knew his limits. The taboos that should never be spoken about. That is why he never questioned why you never aged (Since there are different time streams in different universes, the dimensional travel watch you wear to avoid being affected by the time streams prevents you from aging physically.) or why you constantly go on business trips. Dick trusts his intuition. And his intuition is that you can leave them and disappear at any moment. For this reason, he is very aware of not crossing those limits if he wants to have a happy life with you.

Then came the second Robin Jason Todd. When you first met Jason, he was very cautious towards you. Especially when he saw old photos and realized that you had not aged at all, he was really scared of you. He was harsh and aggressive towards you at first as a self-protective mechanism, but fortunately he opened up to you in time.

When he came back after his death, Jason was naturally angry with you as he was with the whole family. The reason for his anger was your fear of forgetting him. Although he didn't accept it, when he first met you, Jason, who was jealous of your closeness with Dick, had worked very hard to win your favor. Tim's arrival after his death brought this fear to the surface again. He didn't want to be pushed to the background. The loss of those years you could have spent together had deeply affected him. But fortunately, his anger towards you passed when you hugged him and talked to him.

After Jason's death, the third Robin Tim Drake came. It was very difficult to deal with Tim, who was a very good detective like Bruce. The boy would constantly ask you questions or corner you with some of his assumptions. For this reason, you had to be extra careful around him. Whenever you went on a business trip, your bag, shirt, or any of your belongings would definitely have a chip attached to them. Luckily, Alfred, Bruce, and Dick would intervene and this tracking issue didn't go much further. Of course, what Tim did was right from his point of view. Tim, like the others, is aware that you could leave them at any moment. According to him, if they want to keep you with them, they need to know about you, down to the smallest detail. You know everything about them, so why don't they?

Finally, as you expected, the last Robin arrived, Damian Wayne. As you expected, Damian was arrogant, self-important, sarcastic, and made it very clear that he didn't like you, which didn't last long. Although Damian didn't accept it, he quickly got used to your presence and started following you wherever you went like a tail. Damian, who has a very jealous nature, definitely doesn't wants you to give others more attention than you give him, otherwise he would make your whole day miserable. Also, Damian's overly controlling personality made it very difficult for you to do your job. Who do you see? What are you looking at? Where are you going? When will you be back? Damian is worse at tracking than Bruce and Tim, and he doesn't try to hide it. Why are you going on a business trip? The Waynes are very rich. He constantly argues with you about quitting your job. Luckily, the other family members constantly come between you. Or rather, stop Damian.

You leaned yourself against the balcony railing. You were planning on watching the city here until you got caught. You couldn’t escape Bruce’s grasp tonight. He had dragged you to tonight’s gala with him. You sighed. You had escaped from the stifling hall and hid on a small balcony, and Bruce was probably inside looking for you.

“There you are. The fugitive has been found.”

You smiled at the familiar voice. Oops. It seems you were caught. Bruce wrapped his arms around you from behind. He buried his head in your neck.

“I don’t like it when you just disappear. What were you thinking when you left me all alone?” He mumbled.

You held yourself back from laughing and smiled slightly. As you turned your head slightly towards him, you were caught in Bruce’s gaze that drew you in. Those gazes… They made you feel like a predator’s prey. You turned your head back.

“Y/n, no matter what happens, you will always stay by our side, right?” His voice was hoarse. He would ask you this question whenever he felt bad.

“…Of course.” And you told your same old lie again before disappearing.

Notes: it’s messy and I know it. Probably going to make this a series. I hope you like it. And please let me know if you liked it.

[zaczenemiji]

absolutely no rush if you're occupied with other asks :D!! I love your writing so so much your descriptions and dialogue are so good 😭💓 could I possibly request a scenario where the reader (working alongside kenji as ultraman/on the sidelines as a civilian, whatever you desire!!) unexpectedly throws herself in front of kenji and takes a hit for him (bonus points of they had unresolved tension before [argument, interrupted confession, one character was sick and rejecting help etc etc; no pressure at all and pls write whatever you'd like i'm just throwing out random suggestions!!]) + the hurt/comfort to follow after? thank you so much! ☺️ i wish you the best!

In the Heart of Danger

Kenji Sato x Reader

Synopsis: As tensions between Kenji and the KDF rise, you become entangled in the conflict, leading to a dangerous confrontation that puts your life at risk.

Word Count: 2,710

Genre/Warning: Action, Angst, Drama, Established Relationship, Hurt/Comfort, Injury, Sacrifice, Violence

Author’s Note: Slight mention of themes from Too Good, Too True

MASTERLIST

For many years, Ultraman and the Kaiju Defense Force worked in harmony. But as KDF evolved under different leadership, so did its philosophy. Their arsenal grew more lethal, their strategies more aggressive. Dr. Onda's vision was clear: the complete eradication of all kaiju was the only path to true safety.

Ultraman held a different perspective. Those magnificent creatures had their own place in the natural order. He believed in protecting life; only fending them off to prevent destruction, not to annihilate them.

KDF’s methods became increasingly ruthless. Where Ultraman sought balance, KDF saw only the necessity of total elimination. The final straw came when KDF started viewing Ultraman's reluctance to kill as a liability, a hindrance to their ultimate goal of eradication.

Thus, the Kaiju Defense Force turned their attention to identifying Ultraman's human form, intent on neutralizing this perceived threat.

"Kenji, you can't keep dismissing this," you said, frustration lacing your voice. "The KDF is closing in on you. They know something's up, and they're not going to stop until they confirm you're Ultraman."

The evening air was thick with tension as you and Kenji sat across from each other in his house. It started with a simple disagreement but it had escalated so quickly.

Kenji ran a hand through his hair, his expression one of exasperation. "I know the risks, (y/n),” he replied. “But I can handle it. I've been doing this for a while now."

"Handling it?" you echoed, incredulous. "You've barely been able to stay one step ahead of them. They've got advanced technology, Kenji. They're not just going to give up."

You remember the incidents with Gigantron, how KDF was willing to get rid of Ultraman, so as to obtain Emi. And for what reasons? To use a frikking baby to lead them to Kaiju Island—to massacre, for the mass murder of those misunderstood creatures.

Kenji sighed heavily, his eyes meeting yours with a mix of determination and fatigue. "I can't stop,” he said. “If I don't transform, people will die."

"I'm not asking you to stop," you said, your voice softening. "I'm asking you to be more careful—to consider the danger you're putting yourself in."

Kenji's jaw tightened and he looked away, the weight of your words settling heavily on his shoulders, “I know you're worried about me. But I can't just sit back and do nothing."

"Then let me help," you pleaded, reaching out to touch his arm. "We're a team, remember? You don't have to do this alone."

"I can't put you in danger, too,” he pulled away slightly, his expression hardening. “It's bad enough that I have to deal with this. I don't want you getting hurt because of me."

"Kenji," you said, your voice firm. "I'm already involved. Whether you like it or not, I'm in this with you. And I'm not just going to stand by and watch you risk your life without doing anything."

He shook his head, his frustration evident. "You don't understand,” he said. “If something happened to you... I wouldn't be able to live with myself."

"And what about me?" You shot back, your eyes filling with tears. "Do you think I could live with myself if something happened to you, and I did nothing to stop it?"

There came a long silence.

He never asked for any of this—you know that firsthand. You didn’t want this either. Only a fool would want to throw away the peaceful life they had in LA, away from the chaos, the danger, and the constant fear of losing their beloved.

But when Emi came and when Kenji reconnected with his dad, you both understood. Ultraman is a vital element, the pinnacle of balance, the one that would keep the world in its equilibrium.

He who holds the scale holds the lives of many. He who carries the burden also carries fear. And with it, the sacrifices to ensure the collective safety of humanity.

Your tears spilled over, and you wiped them away angrily. "You're an idiot, Kenji,” you said. “A noble, self-sacrificing idiot. But I'm not going to let you do this alone. Whether you like it or not, I'm going to help you. And you're just going to have to deal with that."

"No. You don't get it,” Kenji's expression hardened again. “This isn't about what you want. It's about keeping you safe."

"And what if I don't want to be safe?” You demanded, your voice breaking. “What if I want to be there for you?"

"That's not your choice to make!" Kenji shouted, his frustration boiling over. "I can't lose you, (y/n)!”

"And I can't lose you either!" you screamed back. "Why can't you see that?"

Kenji's eyes flashed with anger. "You should have just stayed in LA!" he snapped, his voice cutting through the night. "You're becoming too nosy, and it's dangerous. I can't have you getting involved in this.”

You stared at him, stunned. Kenji never hurt you in any way, especially not physically. But the weight of his words hit you like a punch to the gut.

Without another word, you turned and stormed off, your heart pounding in your chest. You didn't look back, even as the tears blurred your vision.

Kenji stood to follow. But with the way you ran away, he knew you didn’t need him at the moment. Still, he worried for your safety. Quickly, he rode his motorcycle and followed you quietly from a distance to ensure you reached home safely.

Everything that unfolded hurt Kenji as much as it did you, if not more. This was the time he finally truly understood his father—why he let them move to LA, why he had to endure the pain of being separated—all because he wanted them safe.

Kenji loves you more than anything, more than you ever knew. He loved you enough to have the resolve to let you go if you finally wanted to be out of all this. You deserved the best, better than a complicated life with him.

When he had seen to it that you’re home safely, he stayed in front of your house a little longer, wanting to be there in case you needed him.

You knew what he was doing. You knew that he was following you. And you were grateful, truly grateful, that he didn’t let you be out here alone. He understood the space you needed and he respected it. This was just one of the infinite reasons you love him so much.

When you arrived home, you sat by the door, leaning on it as you let your tears flow freely down your cheeks. Kenji is a hero, and heroes need saving, too. You wanted to be the one to do that.

Little did you know, you were already doing so. You didn’t know how much you were saving him by being there for him. You have been doing so since day one—since meeting you in LA, losing his mom, coming back to Japan, raising Emi, and fully accepting his role as Ultraman.

Your eyelids became so heavy from all the tears that you didn’t notice that you’d drifted off to a nap. You were awakened by the sound of Kenji’s motorcycle engine as he started it.

You stood to take a peek through your window, careful not to let him see you. He looked your way one last time before driving off into the night.

When he was out of sight, you decided to head on over to your bed but before you could do so, you heard the mechanical sounds of drones.

Your eyes widened as you quickly looked back to see KDF’s drones heading in the direction Kenji went to. With a gasp, you hurriedly slammed the door open and ran out, forgetting about the identical watch you had with Kenji that was repeatedly beeping with an alert of a kaiju attack.

You ran as fast as you could, following the drones as you were sure that they were after Kenji. Suddenly, you heard familiar screams in the distance as the neighborhood awoke to a mundane scene of a kaiju attack.

You looked to your hand only to see an empty wrist. You groaned to yourself, of all the times you could forget it, why now?

Despite being unaware of what was happening or which kaiju was it this time, still you followed the drones. Upon turning the corner, you saw Kenji parking his motorcycle aside so he could transform.

However, this time, KDF came prepared. A squadron of heavily armed soldiers arrived, their weapons calibrated to disrupt his transformation sequence.

As the soldiers closed in on Kenji, one of them set up a cannon, aiming it directly at him. Realizing the gravity of the situation, you sprinted toward the scene, your heart pounding in your chest.

The targeting system locked onto Kenji's energy signature, and the barrel began to glow with a blue hue, signaling the impending shot. Just as the operator pulled the trigger, you threw yourself in front of Kenji.

The concentrated beam of energy hit you with full force, sending a searing pain through your body. You screamed as it disrupted your bio-energy field, causing immediate paralysis and intense agony. You collapsed to the ground, feeling your strength drain away.

The soldiers, momentarily stunned by your intervention, hesitated as Kenji caught you in his arms. "No, (y/n)!" Kenji's voice was filled with anguish as he held you close.

The effects of the cannon had taken their toll on you, but your selfless act had given Kenji the precious seconds he needed. He transformed into Ultraman with a flash of light, creating a barrier to protect you from further harm.

With the kaiju approaching the city, Ultraman's form loomed large, and the soldiers were forced to retreat, their weapons ineffective against his fully transformed state.

Although hesitant he had to make a heart-wrenching decision to choose between being your lover and being Ultraman.

He carried you as gently as he could. In the palm of his hand, your fragile body lay unconscious. He quickly ran back home where Mina awaited him.

Upon arriving, he carefully placed you in the bed Mina took out of the house. “Mina! Emergency analysis, please!” He begged. “Call my dad, do everything to save her! I’ll be back as soon as I can!”

With that, he dashed off to the scene of the kaiju attack. His mind was a mess as he fended it off as quickly as he could, even if it meant hurting it unintentionally, and even if it caused more infrastructural damage.

Ultraman’s heart pounded as he rushed home, the streets blurring past him in a haze of worry and exhaustion. As he reached the familiar door, he transformed back to his human form.

Kenji burst into the house. The scene before him made his heart ache even more. You lay unconscious on the couch, pale and still, with Mina and his father sitting beside you, their faces etched with concern.

Hayao looked up as his son entered. "Kenji," he said, his voice a mix of relief and sorrow. "You're back."

Kenji dropped to his knees beside you, his hand gently brushing a strand of hair from your face. "What happened? How is she?" he asked, his voice breaking.

Mina spoke up. “KDF used a new weapon, something we haven't seen before,” she started. “It emits a high-frequency pulse that disrupts the transformation process. When (y/n) threw herself in front of you, she took the full brunt of the attack."

Hayao nodded solemnly. "It's designed to incapacitate Ultraman before he can fully transform,” he said. “But on a human... it's much more dangerous. It's a miracle she's still alive."

Kenji's hands trembled as he held yours, his eyes never leaving your face. "Is there anything we can do?” He asked, tears racing their way out of his eyes. “Anything at all?"

"We've done what we can for now," Mina said softly. "She needs rest and time to recover. We'll monitor her closely. But Kenji... it's serious. The weapon has caused significant internal damage."

Hayao placed a reassuring hand on Kenji’s shoulder. "You did what you had to do, son. You saved countless lives tonight,” he said. “But we need to be prepared for what comes next. The KDF won't stop now that they know you're Ultraman."

Kenji nodded, his resolve hardening. "I'll protect her. I'll protect all of us,” he said through small sobs. “But right now... I need her to wake up. I need to know she's okay.”

As the night wore on, Kenji stayed by your side, holding your hand and whispering words of encouragement. He thought about all the times you had supported him, how you had insisted on helping despite the danger. The argument from earlier seemed trivial now, overshadowed by the reality of your sacrifice.

"Please wake up," Kenji murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm so sorry. I should've listened to you. I should've protected you better."

The room was filled with the soft hum of medical equipment and Kenji’s quiet sobs that refused to give up on the person he cared about the most.

As the first light of dawn began to filter through the windows, Kenji felt a slight movement in your hand. His heart leaped, and he leaned closer, his eyes searching your face for any sign of awakening.

"(Y/n)?" he whispered, his voice trembling with hope. "Can you hear me?"

Your eyelids fluttered, and a faint groan escaped your lips. Slowly, you opened your eyes, blinking against the light. When you saw Kenji's worried face, a weak smile crossed your lips.

"Kenji..." you murmured, your voice barely audible. "You're okay..."

Kenji's eyes once again filled with tears as he nodded, his grip on your hand tightening, "Yeah, I'm okay. Thanks to you. You saved me, (y/n)."

You tried to sit up, but pain shot through your body, and you winced. “What... what happened?” You asked.

Mina quickly intervened, gently pushing you back down with mechanical hands that protruded out of her spherical body. "Don't try to move too much,” she said. “You were hit by a weapon KDF used. It was meant for Ultraman, but you took the hit instead."

Hayao added, "You were incredibly brave, (y/n). You saved Kenji's life."

You looked at Kenji, your eyes filled with concern. "I couldn't let them hurt you,” you said softly. “I had to do something."

Kenji leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead. "And I promise, I'll never let anything happen to you again,” he said, his tears falling down on your face.

The days that followed were a blur of pain, recovery, and quiet moments shared between you and Kenji. True to his word, he never left your side, his worry and guilt evident in every action he took to ensure your comfort and healing.

Each morning, you woke to the smell of freshly brewed tea and the sight of Kenji bustling around the kitchen, preparing breakfast. Despite his own exhaustion, he insisted on doing everything himself.

"Good morning," he greeted softly one morning, bringing a tray of food to your bedside. "How are you feeling today?"

You offered a weak smile, propping yourself up on the pillows. "A little better, I think,” you answered. “Thanks, Kenji."

He set the tray down carefully. "You need to eat,” he said. “You've got to get your strength back."

In the afternoons, when you felt strong enough, Kenji would help you sit up and move around. He'd guide you outside to the lawn, where the sun's warmth and the gentle breeze seemed to hasten your healing. He'd support you with a gentle but firm grip.

"I don't want you to overdo it," he'd say, worry etched on his brow. "Just take it slow."

As the days turned into weeks, your strength gradually returned. The pain lessened, and the color began to return to your cheeks.

The days of your recovery were not just about healing physically but also about rebuilding and strengthening the trust and love between you and Kenji.

You had faced danger and come out stronger, more united. With each passing day, you became more sure than ever that together, your love could overcome anything.

Taglist is open! Comment if u wanna be tagged on future Kenji oneshots

@eternallyvenus @puppyminnnie @wattpadsuckssohard @sakura-onesan @reggies-eyeliner @buggs-1 @miffysoo @spencerrxids @stupidbutsmart @marimargirlies @mixvchelle @lannnu @lailuv21 @christiinee @abracarabbit @youngbananamilkshake @flutterfly365 @o-schist @brazilsho @arrozyfrijoles23 @finestflora @mmeerraa @mianbaobaoo @skyeliteratures @themourningfox @despacito-uwu16 @crimson-mage-02 @vinegarjello @btszn

[16archive]

"how mitch marner quietly epitomizes 'tough to play against'"

scout, video analyst, and sportsnet writer vanessa kezwer on mitch's defensive prowess that can sometimes go unnoticed or unrecognized, using plays from the 4 nations face-off tournament (article published february 28th, 2025)

full transcript under the cut

"don't should on yourself" is one of my favourite expressions.

as humans, we do this (spectacularly unhelpful) thing where we let expectations dictate our perception of ourselves and our circumstances. We lose our ability to accurately see, assess, or appreciate what is because we're caught up in what we think should be.

we play this game while observing other people as well, and as hockey fans, we've done so quite a bit of late with mitch marner.

in the wake of a couple quieter games at the 4 nations face-off, many familiar narratives about the canadian winger in high-stakes affairs arose. the gist:

he should be contributing more offensively.

he should be more engaged.

he should be tougher to play against.

while these arguments have some merit, they're derived in significant part from viewing marner's performance through the lens of what those elements ought to look like rather than what they do look like for him.

using the tournament as a case study (it captures his range of skills and impact nicely), we'll explore the more subtle layers that make marner tough to play against in ways that aren't necessarily recognized or valued as they challenge conventional thought (i.e. being physical, in-your-face aggressive, or freakishly fast).

up first, how marner makes life difficult for opponents without the puck.

opposition with possession: unquantifiable impact

darryl belfry, a player development coach who's worked with nhl stars and long been at the forefront of innovation within the sport, shared a thought several years ago that's stuck with me:

dictating the game, especially without possession, on as regular a basis as marner does requires an elite understanding of how to minimize the puck carrier's options while taking away time and space, ultimately forcing him to problem solve.

let's walk through four ways marner quietly and commonly leaves opponents in predicaments, breaking down an example for each.

throws off the rhythm, angle, or ease of a play

this clip of marner defending a 2-on-1 in the lead-up to his overtime winner is a prime instance of how he applies pressure in a manner that forces the puck carrier's hand and shifts the complexion of plays just enough to impact the outcome.

in response to no. 16 making himself large, occupying the passing lane, and threatening an imminent poke check, the puck carrier has no choice but to either shoot from far out with the goalie already square or make a tricky move around him.

the bobbled pass reception that follows may seem like a lucky break, but marner creates the conditions for this kind of error. in forcing the pull-back move with his pressure, he leaves the puck carrier with a sharper passing angle, making the delivery and reception a little more difficult. he also delays the pass, which leaves the receiver short on runway and a little more hurried as the puck arrives. 

while these little differences may seem insignificant as they're nearly imperceptible in real time, they can add up to advantages with big consequences like passes that fail to cleanly connect and chances that fail to materialize.

as the saying goes, you create your own luck and marner is adept at doing so.

(also of note: the ensuing battle he wins by the net that prevents a follow-up opportunity against.)

renders all options poor options

here we see marner's aptitude for transforming what initially looks like an easy play with several possibilities for the puck carrier into a "just kidding" scenario, courtesy of one strategic route.

while eliminating the option of a pass to the middle, marner maximizes the risk of a pass up the wall and cuts off the puck carrier's route. 

when a player is left without any good options and lacks the time to create anything else, a "thank you, I'll take that" type of exchange usually ensues. in this case, the puck carrier determines that his best bet is to commit the cardinal sin of attempting a move just inside his blue line, resulting in a "big yikes" turnover.

traps the puck carrier

shadow routes – following the player with possession from behind as a secondary support to immediately trap him in the event of a cut-back or stop – are a staple of marner's game. this clip, which culminates in an assist for no. 16, illustrates how swiftly the tactic can kill offensive zone sequences for the opposition.

countering the existing pressure applied by a teammate with pressure from the opposite direction often causes the puck carrier to hit the panic button and either turn back into the original pressure or throw the puck that way. bottom line: marner's tactic acts as a catalyst for possession changes.  

steers the puck carrier into poor ice

similar to controlling space in tandem with a teammate, this tactic – the easiest to discern of the bunch – sees marner independently trap opponents by angling them to the boards with his stick and body.

by pushing the puck carrier into a dead end, the 27-year-old limits what – if anything – his opponent can do, stripping the element of unpredictability and helping his teammates determine where to position themselves to successfully cut off the next play.

opposition with possession: quantifiable impact

when you consider how marner impacts the game in all the ways that statistics don't capture, the fact that he's also one of the best in the league in several quantifiable defensive categories is impressive.

here are his ranks among forwards this season, courtesy of sportlogiq:

2nd in total defensive plays

1st in defensive plays in the offensive zone

3rd in stick checks

1st in blocked passes

3rd in loose puck recoveries

that second stat – defensive plays in the offensive zone – is the one I would argue speaks most to marner being a pain to play against. the more plays he breaks up in this area of the ice, the more time and energy the opposition spends trying to exit its zone and keep the puck out of its net. 

defending is much more tiring (and much less fun) than attacking, especially when a player as offensively talented as no. 16 is on the ice.

here's a compilation of marner being in the right place at the right time to intercept passes, steal pucks, and regain possession thanks to his anticipation.

marner with possession of the puck

there are plenty of ways marner makes life a nightmare for opponents when he has the puck, but I want to zero in on one thing he excels at that doesn’t seem to receive enough attention: moving the puck from bad ice (the perimeter) to good ice (the middle) consistently.

the ability to make plays along the wall while under duress in all three zones is valuable, but the ability to improve the condition of the puck for your team in the process is a major competitive advantage. by leveraging his poise, awareness, vision, and creativity to repeatedly set teammates up to operate on the inside with time, space, and speed, marner puts opponents on their heels.

some video evidence:

he minimizes time in his own end by facilitating controlled exits and maximizes time in the opposition's end by initiating transition attacks and turning seemingly harmless possessions into dangerous chances that leave defenders scrambling.

again, not pleasant if you're on the opposing team.

parting thought

marner will never be that guy who takes big runs at opponents or wins physical battles left and right or sends teams into a tizzy with his speed. he is, however, the guy who intimidates with his skill and disrupts plays in a variety of ways. 

instead of punishing opponents with his body, he simply does so with his brain.

his game encourages us to challenge our perception of labels like "tough to play against" and serves as a reminder that quiet performances don't necessarily equate to unimpactful ones. value comes in many different forms, several of which are easy to miss.

speaking of value, the pending unrestricted free agent brings a good deal of it. in the interest of adhering to the expression I offered at the start of this piece, I won't should on the leafs, but will say marner's skillset and versatility would be tough to replace.

[msmpictures]

[☬ Ramshackle O.C ☬]

•{☬Basic Data☬}•

[ Name ]

Astrid Voldemort

Storm > Work's Pseudonym

[ Age | Birthday ]

23 - 27 | October 1st

[ Family ]

Robert Voldemort - Father

??? - Step Mother

[ Job ]

Hired murderer.

[ S.O ]

???

[ More detail of the wound ]

Second degree burn | Cuts = Enucleation (Eye removal).

•{☬ Likes - Dis. ☬}•

[ Likes ]

• To sleep [her only one 'escape']

• To draw [In her days of rest, she draws her father to remember him, even if she is not a very good artist] Although she doesn't show anyone her drawings.

• To smoke

• 💐 [She can describe them as the rainbow of her grey, so that relaxes her a bit]

• ☕ [She is addict at the coffe]

• To stare at the stars [ that makes her forget her shit of job for a while ]

• Children [Doesn't show it, but she really likes children.]

• Rural spaces [That relaxes her]

• 'Acid Candies' [I hope you understand what I mean] Although, she doesn't eat them often.

• Boxing [Is not really something that she likes, but she practices boxing often]

• Agriculture (frustrated dream)

[ Dislikes - Hates ]

• [H] HeR bOsS

• [D] To socialize [She can't actually do it, Astrid just talks with the people when it's about the business and when it's her next victim, so it's kinda awkward for her to get a conversation for more than 30 minutes]

• [H] Her own job [ She is forced to do it, she has no other choice. ]

• [D] Alcoholic drinks [ She says that tastes horrible ]

• [D] Her work partners

• [H] Did I say her Boss?

• [H] Her step mother [She is the reason why Astrid is here]

•{☬ Origins ☬}•

Warning: so long xd

( I don't wanna write a shit but this is how u could sorta understand x,d )

- Astrid Lived with her father in the Ramshackle Streets. Robert was a miner, so they were low class, despite that, they always had enough to survive without ever starving.

- She didn't care about her economic status, since she was working by selling lemonade (as a lil child) and saving her cash to buy a little house In the countryside. Besides, her father always loved her, there was nothing that someone could consider a problem between them.

- Although, Robert couldn't help but feel lonely, so he decided to look for a new lover. A woman who appeared in their life, when Astrid was about to 14.

- The woman was an alcoholic one, always spending the cash into whims and useless things, she was kinda aggressive alone and because of that never had a good relationship with Astrid, but Robert never knew about the circumstances, so he didn't do anything.

- Since the woman appeared, The small family began to have debts, so both Robert and Astrid had to work twice as hard, which did not prevent the debts from increasing drastically, in just two years. For this reason Robert decided to go with a 'friend' (who was a member of a criminal association), to request loans with the condition of paying later, but it never happened.

- This 'friend' He decided to collect everything Robert owed, and as a result of having empty pockets, he kidnapped Astrid (she was 16).

- At first they planned to use her as bait to get the money and then kill her, But after pleas from the minor, they decided to recruit her at a low level, as a kind of servant for anything basic, even burying corpses that they eliminated.

- All this in order to be the one to pay Robert's debts. But it would take a long period of time until now.

- As she grew older, the members began to promote Astrid's position, from making her infiltrate meetings to extract information to turning her into a hitman, having to sell this service to others, In order to recover the lost money.

- The rest, is History..

[⛈️] = Sometimes, she pretends to be mute, so she doesn't need to talk with anyone [That's until she finally she likes u]

•{☬Additional Data☬}•

[🌪️] = The grey hairs are sign of her stress x,d

[🌪️] = She could know everything about weapons and how to play them, but she doesn't know how to cook.

[⛈️] = I don't know what to add about her biological mother.. I'll say she divorced Robert and he won the custody of Astrid 👌.

[🌪️] = Astrid just knows Vinnie, and that because she tried to steal her and found a gun in her purse. (In that moment, Astrid was infiltrated, Vinnie too)

[⛈️] = They're not so close friends, but they help each other sometimes. Either to get information or to get beans.

[🌪️] = Once she finished paying the debts, she will go away from Ramshackle, and live her dreamed life in a house in a rural space.

[⛈️] = Astrid doesn't tell her affection with words. She does it with flowers. If she gives you a daisy, she considers you as her family. If she gives you a rose, she loves you <3.

[🌪️] = She is the kind of person who doesn't understand the jokes. She doesn't have a sense of humour. (She tries man, she tries 😞)

[⛈️] = In an attempt to kill A drunk scammer, this one stroke her with a vodka bottle in her face, and as she failed on the floor, he tried to let her blind, burning her face with a lighter.

[🌪️] = Robert doesn't know if Astrid is still alive, but he is still trying to report her missing, no matter what.

[⛈️] = I could tell she is depressed, and because of that she eats the acid candies. I thought, as Stone with Pebble, she could have an 'interior Demon', with a similar appearance to her 14-year-old self. Despite that, I can't find a name for her..

The whole pic

THREE DAYS DOING THIS SHIT I GIVE UP

[smile-files]

some great bluish bakeoff stuff!

nickel later apologizes this episode; it's prompted by balloon's confrontation, but clearly nickel was in the mindset to apologize. the fact that he didn't raise the issue himself shows how he's still really afraid of how balloon would react. at the same time, though, he's acknowledging that "standing up for what [is] right" is important and good, even if it doesn't necessarily have the most beneficial outcome; notice how this not only shows how he accepts and understands balloon's anger towards him over the past few episodes (which had the consequence of losing them the challenge and getting bot eliminated), but also suitcase's anger towards him in the latter half of ii2 (which had the consequence of destroying their alliance).

in this episode, blueberry is assuming a role that has previously been taken by nickel and, more recently, silver spoon: he has placed himself at the top of the pecking order, calling all the shots, forcing everyone to roll with his punches. now everyone's in the same position balloon has been for a lot of his time in ii. silver, in throwing the chariot (:nerd emoji: actually a litter, they use the wrong word) at blueberry, is taking a stand against him -- announcing his frustration from being treated poorly.

for the longest time, balloon had "stay[ed] away from the thorns": beating around the bush, not bringing up the hard stuff, so he could maintain his positive relationship with nickel (and by extension his sense of having actually changed, which is linked with that that relationship represents) and not face his inevitable aggressive snap-back. but, though these proverbial thorns are painful, touching them helps him actually move ahead of all of that discomfort. balloon took a stand against nickel recently, which he was justified in doing, expressing his anger at nickel for both what he did and his denial of doing it -- and nickel harshly bit back about what balloon had done a while ago. balloon touched the thorn, and got the pain.

now, when nickel is yet again dancing around the problem, balloon's frustration returns. and, as silver took a stand against blueberry (which nickel supported), balloon channels his frustration and takes his own stand: technically also against blueberry, in trying to get himself and the others to the challenge before blueberry (thereby denying the domination he has imposed), but the drive itself came from nickel. he knows touching the thorns is painful, but that it's important and good. he should stand up for himself, and he does. he literally pokes himself with a thorn, and that literally sends him and the others ahead.

for the sake of this analogy/symbolic framework, it's worth noting how they are pushed forward because of the thorn, but there's still baggage: they fly through the desert only to crash, losing all of their ingredients. at this point, though, balloon's not going to let the pain of the thorn prevent him from touching it. balloon will keep standing up for himself, even if he keeps facing setbacks and pushbacks, because he knows what he deserves.

you can imagine that when balloon confronted nickel in this episode, he was expecting the same old same old: he'd say what he's mad about, and nickel would shut him down. but he doesn't. nickel listens to him. nickel lets balloon be angry at him, lets himself face the guilt he needs to feel. balloon is able to be mad at nickel without their relationship automatically going up in flames like before. and balloon is shocked! but will he forgive nickel? what'll he say? ...well, they're taken by tyler bombard before balloon could say anything...

for all this talk of the thorn, where's the blossom? well, here it is. thematic parallels indeed! recall how balloon misunderstanding "flour" as "flower" contributed to the grand slams losing the cooking challenge in ii2, which likely added fuel to the fire of nickel's hatred towards him -- now that same flower and that same misunderstanding is a representation of their friendship: it is what remains after the pain of the thorn. balloon finding value in this meager flower and presenting it to mephone at all (thereby insisting that it has value) is what wins them all the challenge. the flower and its beauty are not just a reward for the pain of the thorn, but a product of that pain.

balloon still hasn't responded to nickel's apology, because he hasn't had the chance to... but in disputing tyler's happiness about blueberry's death, balloon both recognizes his own attempt to change as well as nickel's: attempting that change is also a thorn, a very painful one (it literally killed blueberry), and both nickel and balloon have recognized the changes the other has tried to make and has succeeded in making. nickel is very reassured by this.

and as a final flower, a final reward for balloon's persistence in standing up for himself and what he believes in, balloon is chosen as the sole recipient of the immunity cookie -- silver spoon, someone with both a history of selfishness and a history of putting others below him, is the one to make this decision. balloon is finally being recognized, genuinely, for the changes he's made.

notably, balloon never accepts nickel's apology: no, he accepts that nickel is trying to make up for what he did. and, knowing from personal experience how hard it is to make that change and be acknowledged for making it, balloon is there to support him through it, and help him realize that he can be better -- and balloon is still on that "trek" himself, as we know balloon still has a lot of flaws to work through. they both know they have to touch the thorn, but they're all the more motivated to do so because they have a beautiful flower as well:

their genuine friendship.

...

balloon continues to be very charitable with blueberry, even as blueberry is critical of himself. nickel is also charitable -- telling blueberry to "just be nicer to people" implies that he believes that such a change is possible -- though of course he expresses this in his typical snarky way.

blueberry, though, doesn't believe that he can change, just like nickel used to. no matter how much balloon and nickel believe in him, he himself has to realize he has the capacity to improve before he can actually do it.

[smaller-comfort]

So how do you imagine snail love darts and necrontyr working/combining? Cause I am interested~

Aksjdhsk ahahaha oh god okay here we go

(Tumblr crashed on me three times while I tried to write this, but I will not let that stop me from rambling at length about snail sex, speculative xenobiology, and various ways that necrontyr get to be fucked up little guys.)

Okay. Some assumptions/general thoughts: necrontyr do not have "dual-use" reproductive/waste elimination systems (inferred from Trazyn's hilarious disgust at the idea, but honestly it would be entirely believable for him to have completely lost any and all memories of necrontyr biology). A lot of higher order animals do (they're efficient!), but you start to see ones that don't when you get down to bugs and marine creatures, so that's what kicked off this train of thought.

I'm assuming also there is relatively little sexual dimorphism among necrontyr (not for any particular reason, although my understanding is that actual female necrons are a relatively new thing in wh40k lore, so that fits). And finally, everyone constantly dying of turbo cancer has led to a 'throw everything but the kitchen sink at it' evolutionary approach to reproductive strategies.

Okay, now snails: they use the darts during courtship to deliver hormones that increase the likelihood of fertilizing their partner's eggs; after the several-hours-long mating dance, they'll exchange spermatophores. (Fun fact, the penis, copulatory canal, and dart sac are all located inside the genital pore, on the snail's head. Mating dances can involve a lot of biting.) Snails have bad aim, but it's not uncommon for both snails to end up getting stabbed during courtship.

"Copulatory canal" is a deeply unsexy phrase, btw. So are most words we use when talking about sex, unfortunately. *sigh*

Anyway. While many necrontyr do only have one set of functional reproductive organs by the time they reach adulthood (either because the other set was always vestigial or because it gets removed to reduce the spread of cancer), both sets are usually present in some fashion. Sterility would be fairly common, but medical technology is able to mitigate some of that; the lower classes, at least, need to be able to breed like rabbits to feed the war machine. Gender is mostly divorced from reproductive role by the time biotransference happens; in addition to male and female, there would have been at least one other normative gender, possibly two (to account for both null and multimodal genders). Gender fluidity would have been common and largely unremarkable for necrontyr. (It's still largely unremarkable for necrons, but it's not particularly common; they're mostly fixed with whatever gender they had at biotransference.)

Okay, so, love darts. Pretty much only ever used by nobles/the military, because in the upper classes of society, sex isn't about reproduction, it's about reinforcing social hierarchies. And necrontyr social hierarchies tend to be inherently about violence in one way or another. Sexual dominance is generally more about who gets stabbed with the dart than it is about which penis is going where. (That's still a factor, but it's secondary, since genital configurations/functionality can be a bit of a wildcard.) Snails take an egalitarian approach to sex; necrontyr categorically do not. Both parties consenting to be darted would be considered weird and perverted.

Kind of going off ancient greek/roman sexual mores here; it would be entirely unthinkable, for example, for Obyron to be the penetrative partner in either sense with Zahndrekh. (Then again, Zahndrekh is a shameless pervert.) Sex between two social equals is generally accompanied by an agreement- sometimes tacit, sometimes explicit- about not using the darts. Doing so would be an overt act of aggression. Often, to prevent any potential misunderstandings, they'll voluntarily empty their dart sacs ahead of time.

Forcing someone to empty their dart sac prior to sex is a pretty common form of sexual humiliation. When done voluntarily, it's a sign of submission or respect. (Darts usually have a refractory period of a few days, depending on the person's overall health. Single-chambered dart sacs are typical, but multiples aren't unheard of. Leads to occasional 'surprise! You thought I was submitting to you but now you're getting fucked instead' situations.)

The dart sac would be located in their mouths, under the tongue; it's meant to be ejected into the soft tissue of the mouth, but it's sharp enough to pierce the skin anywhere. (This does mean kissing can be Complicated, or at least somewhat subversive, depending on everyone's social standing.) Normally it gets broken down and absorbed by the recipient's body; pulling one out tends to be extremely uncomfortable/painful.

The exact cocktail of hormones and neurochemicals it injects the other person with would vary somewhat between individuals, but can potentially vary widely between dynasties or social classes due to genetic/geographic/cultural differences. Some might include a mild paralytic agent; some sort of euphoric effect is also common. (This is all in addition to the original function, which, uh. Is to make the recipient more likely to get pregnant.) The shape of the dart varies in a similar fashion, ranging from a straight, smooth bone spike to something more elaborate with barbs or fluting.

(A bloody mouth can signify a lot of things to necrontyr- in addition to violence or illness, it's also inherently erotic. Necrons who remember this try very, very hard not to think about it when confronted with Flayed Ones.)

(Yenekh: *very sexily smearing his mouth with blood and draping himself all over Oltyx*

Oltyx: *oblivious, can't stop thinking about how pretty Yenekh is*

The rest of the flayed ones: *still not sure why their king and his consort haven't fucked nasty in a pile of carrion yet. Maybe they need a bigger pile of carrion? Yes, that's probably it. They will take care of this for their beloved king.*)

Crypteks have their own social hierarchies within their conclaves, but they're usually not as concerned with sexual politics as nobles and the military tend to be. Most people believe that crypteks all lace their love darts with poison, and the crypteks don't try to discourage that assumption. Some of them probably do, tbh.

Necrons, of course, don't have genitalia, but they can still stab each other with love dart analogues- this ranges from things like executive buffer override packages sent via interstitial channel, to actually physically jamming a spike of necrodermis into a neural input node. (From a purely aesthetic/romantic standpoint I also like the idea of love darts constructed out of crystallized core flux. The first time Zahndrekh does that to Obyron he goes into complete cascade failure and takes several hours to reboot.)

If Orikan and Trazyn did have sex pre-biotransference, one of them would have darted the other without permission (probably accidentally, being that they are both intensely nerdy losers and thus Bad At Sex by necrontyr standards), setting off a sixty-five million year hate-sex feud that neither of them can even remember the origin of. Orikan would've gone after Trazyn's mouth with a pair of pliers at some point; joke's on him, Trazyn's into that.

(Trazyn does have a collection of necrontyr love darts in the archives- all of them ones he collected personally when he was alive. He has no absolutely no memory of slutting it up back in the day, though, and probably doesn't even realize what they are. Sannet, unfortunately, does remember, and wishes he didn't. He has had to put up with so, so much over the years.)

[donnerpartyofone]

nothing to see here

I have to get over this crippling fear of being misunderstood that makes me angry, paranoid, anti-social, and sometimes even aggressive. It makes me say too much or too little. It makes me a worse writer.

I think that when most people complain about being misunderstood, they are talking about having a bad reputation, being slandered, or having no one who takes the time to get to know them. The latter thing correlates with a false equivalence between being understood and being liked, which is not a necessary product of understanding. Sometimes people also equate being understood with being correct--forgetting that someone can understand what you are saying and still disagree with it. Variations on all of those things have happened to me, just like anybody else, but my anxiety is really about people simply not comprehending the basic things that I am actually saying.

People in my life tell me that I'm very articulate, this is held to be my main quality I think, but that idea is contradicted by the frequency with which I go to great pains to explain something as specifically as possible, only to have people (often the same people who tell me I'm smart and well-spoken) completely misconstrue it, project their own baggage onto it, hold me responsible for assumptions about what I mean that are contradicted by what I just said, repeat back to me what I just said as if it were their own original idea, or even answer questions that I didn't actually ask. Mansplaining is alive and well in 2024 CE, perhaps especially among leftist men who believe they could never personally commit this crime, which presumption leaves them wide open to mansplaining all the time without thinking. But that's only a small part of the story of why so many people never seem to have the slightest idea of what I am saying to them, no matter how specific and detailed I try to be in my quest to say one thing clearly, while eliminating all over possible meanings.

I suppose it is terrifying to be misunderstood because it can make it so that you cannot control your circumstances. Advocating for yourself counts for nothing if people witlessly or willfully fail to understand your words. Language control is a major weapon of authority. I have been in corporate situations where my colleagues and I were prevented from resolving problems because upper management, who were tired of hearing about the problems, instituted language bans that prevented us from even discussing the problems clearly and effectively. I was once at an ayahuasca retreat (don't ask) where the shady organizers banned everyone from using the word "sick", which I guess was contrary to their whole healing ideology; so if you had to "get well" then you would "get well" into your bucket and an attendant would empty the bucket into the "wellness pit". One of the people I was with had grown up in an evangelical environment and went on to study religions and cults, and he pointed out that this form of language control is a classic red flag--and in particular if you are taking away a person's ability to make a critical distinction like the one between sickness and health, that can indicate a pretty dangerous situation. For another, even more obvious example, if you're in a relationship where someone is creating ambiguity around words like "yes" and "no", and inventing all kinds of subtext and context for your words, you're in trouble.

Of course, misunderstanding happens for all kinds of innocent reasons too. People don't listen that well, they don't read that well, they are just waiting for their turn to talk, they're angry and they don't think about what they're really hearing or saying, they are full of subconscious projections, they assume they know what you're talking about without reviewing your whole statement and then they just make their usual foregone conclusions. They have some narrative in mind, often a more optimistic one than whatever you are struggling to describe, and they'll contradict you with this attitude like they're doing you a big favor (like they're not kind of calling you a liar). It's incredibly frightening to be misunderstood. It's like one of those nightmares where you're running away in slow motion, or more aptly you try to scream but nothing comes out. I'm 100% sure this is why I'm so obsessed with language: I think that if I can just figure out how to say things that are always understood, then I will be able to save myself from danger.

But this fear makes me take things seriously when I shouldn't. The internet can help you find your people and it can show and teach you things you didn't know about before, but every time you say anything online, to friends or strangers, you create limitless opportunities to be misunderstood in ways that you have never dreamed possible. It is so hard for me not to correct people. I KNOW that it is not important for internet randos to understand me. I also KNOW that most people still won't understand me even if I correct them. But it is SO HARD not to say "That's not what I said" or "That's exactly what I already said" or "You're making an assumption that isn't based on anything and is also not true" or "I didn't ask" or "That's not even what I was talking about." I KNOW it doesn't matter, and that if I dig in with someone, I am likely to become MORE FRUSTRATED. But when I don't correct the person, this DANGER light goes on in my brain and all day long I have this anxious feeling like I forgot to do something important, like I left the oven on or something, and I had better go back and fix the problem OR ELSE. It's easy to decide intellectually that not everyone's opinions and perceptions matter, and it is obvious that misunderstanding is a common problem that you can never eliminate completely, so the only thing to do is ignore the situation and keep living your life. But if only ignoring the situation were not so emotionally loaded, it would be a lot easier to steer clear of making bad situations worse.

Another option is to just stop saying things altogether, and this is actually an appealing possibility. Unfortunately it comes with just as much emotional difficulty as the fruitless struggle to make oneself understood.

[ms-scarletwings]

A Speculative Analysis about Bliblies No One Asked For

Upon their nature and just where they slot into the chaotic worldbuilding of the Smiling Friends, that is. Written by an actual pest control technician.

Starting off, we know for sure is that they seem to be a highly gregarious, nuisance species of critter.

While it may seem like they could be eusocial organisms, like ants or wasps, I highly doubt they actually follow the structure of such, as it involves a rigid caste hierarchy with one breeding queen.

We’ve only seen regular bliblies that do not behave in a very organized manner, so we can rule out hives and queens. Instead, I think the available evidence suggests that they are a common pest similar to invasive rats (meaning the cheese and mousetrap analogy might actually be intentional), which can live in massive social colonies in the wild.

Like rats, the bliblies also seem to be capable of an impressive amount of intelligence. They are able to cooperate enough to summon help in order to subdue a shared threat (Alan), but also are more than capable of turning on their own. It’s possible they may even become cannibalistic during periods of scarcity/overpopulation, which is a guess going off of the RL behavior of rodents and some insects. The actual hierarchical structure of a biblie nest to what extent it might exist appears to be a matter of might makes right. While active biblie hordes will share territory and behave as an overwhelming collective wave when threatened, the colony members still act as individual units competing for immediate resources such as food and tools.

All in all they appear to be a fairly dangerous household pest if allowed to take up residence in an area, breeding incredibly fast and nesting in large sacs, possibly for warmth, as small creatures loose body heat quickly.

That said, it’s also possible that they nest together purely as a defense tactic. In the real word we see this in harvestmen, which clump together in huge balls of arachnids in order to ward off larger predators, and also scatter everywhere once disturbed.

Their biggest strength is in numbers and intelligence. They’re clever enough to run from a fight they clearly can’t win and alert the rest of their colony, but are individually quite fragile. They will even use this pathetic appearance to their advantage, feigning cowardice in order to lower their opponent’s guard. Likely, they resort to aggression as a last resort upon discovery, since they spend the earlier parts of an infestation foraging, growing numbers, and trying to avoid detection from their hosts. It’s more than a little concerning that some of them are capable of tool use to the point of arming themselves with improvised weapons AND replicating an execution by crucifixion. The fact that they have a rudimentary understanding of Christianity or at least ancient torture methods is also its own can of worms my biology education ain’t touching.

Now, if you forced me to guess how an infestation starts…. It’s tricky when we have no idea how they even reproduce. Either they don’t display any outward sexual dimorphism, they’re hermaphroditic like snails, or they breed asexually. Whatever the case, I’m willing to bet that they begin a budding invasion like roaches do. See, when one roach finds a great spot for scavenging food, they’ll mark the site with chemical signals that attract others of its kind to the area. Eventually, enough roaches gather in the same place and start spawning young collectively, hiding together in their own filth during the day, and emerging at night to hunt for scraps. And like roach infestations, one of the easiest ways to detect Bliblie harborage is the presence of feces (in their case, taking the form of “mysterious purple shit pellets”).

Likely, the best way to prevent a Bliblie infestation is keeping a clean space, sealing off entry points, and eliminating access to food- as with any similar issues. However, once a large enough nest has been established, the safest solution lies in a complete mechanical extermination of the colony. If they are smart and aggressive enough to nail you to a cross, they are going to be capable of plotting revenge in your sleep if you evict them and don’t finish the job completely. You’ll get a few of them with traps and poison, but the rest of them will only learn and adapt. Directly killing them all in one go, outright warfare, no survivors…. would be the most effective tactic. At bare minimum a decimation of the infesting population could help to break the morale of the survivors, which will be easier to push into vacating a structure once their nest site has been destroyed.

Which above else makes me so just glad we have such dedicated professionals like Desmond around to handle these creatures.

TL/DR: Bliblies are basically a smarter and scarier equivalent of Norway rats, or perhaps cockroaches.

[novankenn]

Freakshow (8)

/==- Chapters -==/

Jaune(Joan): You...

Cinder took a step back away from the growling young man, raising her hands in a show of non-aggression. However Jaune just continued to move forward towards her, his hands flexing as if he was preparing to grab her.

It was about 2 days since Cinder and her crew eliminated the entirety of the Water Street Crew, and now she was cashing in her part of the agreement.

Junior: Jaune...

Jaune(Joan): What?

Junior: Stop.

Jaune(Joan): Why? She grabbed Joan...

Junior: She's here to apologize to Joan. Right Cinder?

Cinder: Yes, I am. I wish to smooth things over between myself your sister and hopeful you as well.

Jaune ceased approaching Cinder and eyed Junior, and then Cinder. His look showing his disbelief in their statements.

Jaune(Joan): Really?

Cinder: Yes really, in FACT... I have a present for Joan. One that I think she'll very much enjoy. So can I speak with her?

Jaune(Joan): Is this... true?

Cinder: Yes it is. So may I speak with your... sister?

Jaune's gaze was still tinted with an aura of distrust, but after a nod from Junior, he relented. Closing his eyes, he let out a slow breath. In a glow of golden white light his body morphed. His shoulders narrowed, his hips rounded and he gained a modest bust. It took let than a second, and Cinder was now face to face with Joan.

The young woman was well aware of what Cinder and Junior had told her brother, but she still glared at Cinder. Her purple nail polished fingers flexing.

Cinder: Joan.

Joan(Jaune):...

Cinder: I wish to say I am sorry for what happened between us, and what I did to you a few days ago. It was... wrong for me to grab you, and I am sorry.

Joan(Jaune)n: Is that all bitch?

Cinder: No. As a show that I am sincere... I have gotten you a... present.

Joan(Jaune): Present? Like what?

Cinder smiled at Joan and then stepped back allowing one of Junior's men to open the door to the "interrogation" room. Inside Joan saw an older faunus man strapped down to the chair. A gag preventing him from saying anything intelligible. She instantly looked at Junior and then Cinder.

Cinder: This man, betrayed me, and the organization he was once part of... he needs to be punished.

Joan(Jaune): This doesn't sound like much of a...

Cinder: I want to you to punish him... in whatever way and for however long you like.

Joan's eyes lit up at that statement, and Cinder forced herself to not shudder when she saw Joan lick her lips, and rub her thighs together.

Joan(Jaune): What's the catch? What do you want to know from him?

Cinder: Nothing. I want nothing from him. I just want him to suffer.

Cinder stepped back further and motioned to the open door, indicating that she wanted Joan to enter the specially prepared room. Joan once again looked at Junior, and after he gave her a slight nod, she moved past Cinder and into the room.

Joan's fingers flexed, in excitement at the prospects of what she would be allowed to do. She flinched when she felt Cinder's warm breath on her ear.

Cinder: You can do whatever you want. For as long as you want. He's yours... to play with.

Joan(Jaune): Really? Anything?

Cinder: Yes, Joan. This is your present. Do your forgive me?

Joan: Yes...

Cinder stepped back a cruel smile on her face, and a sense of satisfaction that she had bridged a gap. A chasm that possibly could lead to her having access to Joan and Jaune at a later date.

Joan(Jaune): What's his name?

Cinder: It's Tuskan.

Joan hesitated, still unsure of the whole situation. She shivered, a sense of glee rising up her spine as she felt Cinder's breath on her ear again.

Cinder: This is not a trick, Joan. He's is yours to do whatever you want with him. I want him to suffer... and suffer for a... long... long time.

Joan gave an inadvertent moan, causing Cinder to grin over her shoulder at the wide eyed Tuskan.

Cinder: Go ahead... enjoy... your present.

Joan once again licked her lips, before moving forward her hips swaying showing her absolute glee in what was before her. Cinder waited for a moment and did her best not to wince as Joan traced a slim finger up Tuskan's arm causing him to screech in agony through his gag. His body twisting and contorting in an attempt to get free and away from the agony currently ripping through him.

Joan(Jaune): (Giggling in a childish way) We're going to have so much... fun.

Cinder said nothing further and left the room, with Junior's man. Tuskan start to shriek in pain as the door slowly closed.

Junior: Happy?

Cinder: Estatic.

[swagtastic-bougie-pompadour]

Are you ever curious what your favorite teachers get up to while all of you shooting stars are on your Treasure Hunt?

Check out today's ✨Faculty Research Spotlight✨, made for all of you science-curious students!

Or, you could just call it...

A scientific Clive Update!

Today's spotlight features Nurse Miriam, discussing her research on Pokerus (and its elimination within the region of Paldea)!

//Art from TCG, by Sanosuke Sakuma!

Clive: Go ahead and "school" us, Miriam!

Miriam: That's Professor Miriam to you, Clive! Ever since I passed my certification exam, hehe.

Clive: Yes, of course! You "popped off". And our students are pumped to have you! Now, if you'd be so kind as to give us the "low-down" on your research?

Miriam: Clive. I promise they'll listen if you're not using all of that... lingo... every five seconds.

Clive: Of course. Apologies.

Miriam: But yeah, I've been researching Pokerus lately! Here in Paldea, we actually ran a pretty aggressive campaign to eliminate it in both wild and domestic populations a few decades ago, and the result's been quite incredible! I've heard they're doing the same in Kitakami, actually...

Clive: So... no more Pokerus. What's that mean, and why'd we dump it like a bad ex?

Miriam: ...Forget it, I'm not saying anything else. Pokerus, historically speaking, has been known as a "harmless" little infection Pokémon receive that boosts their stats. It's incredibly rare, statistically speaking, but with so many Pokémon out there, it's bound to spread!

Miriam: And while we don't see effects of Pokerus on the time scale of a week, a few months, even a year out... instead, later in life, studies have found that Pokerus leads to really high vulnerability to other nasty infections. Think of it like... say, Clive, did you ever get the Torchic pox?

Clive: Of course--everyone did!

Miriam: Exactly. And now that you're a lot older...

Clive: But obviously not that much older.

Miriam: Right, obviously... but like I was saying, the fact you got Torchic pox means you can get shingles. Which is waaaaaay worse. It's like that! Except, it's not exactly the same virus reactivating in the way Torchic pox was...

Clive: So, then, you've been researching what infections these Pokémon wind up getting?

Miriam: Yes, exactly! The Pokémon we research are long past the point of infection, so it's totally safe to have them around others, but we want to see what they're more susceptible to, so we can encourage further prevention, as well as vaccination!

Clive: Fascinating! What would you say to any student interested in doing the research you are?

Miriam: Honestly, volunteering at a Pokémon center or a shelter is a great start! And of course, you're going to need a degree. I recommend Naranja-Uva! Absolutely not because I work here or anything.

Clive: Thank you for the shout-out, Miriam! And "big ups" for being our first research guest!

[mariacallous]

Poland added its voice on Thursday to calls to allow Ukraine to fire Western-supplied missiles deep into Russia as it hosted U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken for talks in Warsaw.

Kyiv has been pressing the Biden administration and other Western governments to authorize long-range strikes that it says will help to counter Russia’s relentless aerial attacks on Ukraine.

Addressing a joint news conference with Blinken, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said: “I’m of the opinion that Ukraine has the right to use Western weapons to prevent [Russian] war crimes,” adding: “The victim of aggression has the right to defend itself.”

“We should continue to deliver advanced air defense systems (to Ukraine) and lift restrictions on the use of long-range weapons,” he continued.

The top U.S. diplomat, meanwhile, said: “I can tell you that as we go forward, we will do exactly what we’ve already done, which is we will adjust, we will adapt as necessary, including with regards to the means that are at Ukraine’s disposal to effectively defend against Russian aggression.”

Blinken, winding up a visit to Europe, said he had held extensive discussions with Ukrainian officials in Kyiv on Wednesday about how they see the war developing and what their needs are, but declined to say whether Washington was ready to approve such strikes.

“What we learned from our Ukrainian partners will inform discussions that we’ll be having with other allies and other partners in the days and weeks ahead, as we work through and think through the coming months,” Blinken said.

Russia has warned that any decision to allow Ukraine to strike Russia with long-range Western missiles would deepen what it called the direct involvement of the U.S. and Europe in the war and would trigger a response from Moscow.

Putin ‘has failed’ to achieve goals in Ukraine

Blinken also said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had failed to achieve his objectives in Ukraine.

He told reporters that Putin’s goal was to “erase Ukraine from the map, to eliminate its existence as an independent, sovereign country, to subsume it into Russia for purposes of recreating a Russian empire.”

“That has failed and cannot succeed.”However, Blinken stressed that it is crucial to continue supporting Ukraine so it can fend off aggression.

Blinken, who earlier this week also visited Britain, met Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Andrzej Duda as well as Sikorski on Thursday.

Blinken praises Polish support for Ukraine

Blinken highlighted Warsaw’s staunch support for Kyiv since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.He said that more than 80% of all security and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine is flowing through Poland. “And of course, Poland continues to host some 1 million Ukrainian refugees.“This is a remarkable display of generosity and solidarity in a time when it’s most needed,” he added.

[spicedwatermel0n]

I would like to know more details about your "amorous" relationships From the negative V sector (although they are not really loving)

CW// abuse, toxic relationships

Well there's a few "relationships"

-2 & -5, -3 & -4, -2 & -4, and -1 & Eizzil. They all suck to varying degrees.

"Love" is a far different concept in their universe.

The concept of sexual feelings do not exist at ALL and when they do happen in an individual and are expressed, they're deemed mentally ill (although that isn't really key information, it helps you grasp the kind of work they're in). "The need to reproduce is not a feeling, it is a goal".

Romance isn't eliminated, but typical elements of a relationship will not feature the romance we think of. In their universe, lovey-dovey dates and taking care of each other is not the norm. It's responded to with disgust. The way love is shown is through violence, typically. "Romantic masochism" and sadism is present in those with "solid" relationships, and is what the goal is for most. As is in our world, unprompted advances would be considered harassment. The same is still applied to unprompted harm. So yes, they still torture people the way you would in our world.

It's kind of a unique concept. There's still abuse. Same qualifications as in our world. And this is shown with -2 and -5, where Eigaoh tends to abuse Ybba. The difference is the consent of it all. -2 and -4 are """healthy""" (at least in their world...) and the harm they inflict on each other is purely out of... Love? Or something. Instead of going out to eat together, they spend time finding different and creative ways to inflict pain on the other. When the other experiences said pain, they'll feel warm, fuzzy and happy. Like you would if your partner gave you flowers.

Now that I've explained that - I can probably explain the relationships a bit better. Going in order from mentions.

-2 and -5: most abusive. Ybba does everything for Eigaoh, but it doesn't ever prevent his extreme and constant anger from coming out on her. She doesn't like it, but she never voices it. Eigaoh will also do it in a loving way, but Ybba secretly doesn't reciprocate. She doesn't feel happy and fuzzy when he hurts her out of love because she's seen him hurt her out of hate.

-3 and -4: both feel nothing towards each other. The only goal they have being in each other's business is to reproduce. Use each other for their "good genetics". Have some fucked up children, who they can project the same horrible ideology onto. They don't even try to engage in consensual hurting. It's like the couple who never hold hands or spend time together yet claim they're in love because they still want to use the benefits of "being with" the other.

-2 and -4: the one that, in their universe, is considered healthiest (but we all know it isn't). When Eigaoh was 14, he began to fall for Yllaw. He would squeeze Yllaw's wrist to cut off circulation, which made him realize the crush. Eigaoh was really embarrassed about it, but when they were 16 Yllaw started reciprocating the advances. After years of denying, at around 18 Yllaw finally had enough of the "playing around" and properly advanced Eigaoh... By kidnapping him. Kind of. Like, a consensual kidnapping. It's ridiculous - I know. Yllaw drugged the boy, tied him up with the most uncomfortable restraints he could think of by the wrists, arms, ankles, knees, neck and mouth. He held him "captive" for a couple days, in which Eigaoh could do nothing but think about how much overwhelming joy he was experiencing. Yllaw was usually in view from where he was put, so he stared at him whenever he got the chance. At that point Eigaoh told himself that what he felt wouldn't be wrong, as long as it was only between the two of them. When he was finally untied the first thing he did was kiss Yllaw. Aggressively. By biting his lip and gums. And from there, the two would constantly go on dates of masochism or sadism. Either they spend time hurting each other privately so "no one knows", or they go out and torture people who fucked with the DNK together.

-1 and Eizzil: strained relationship. Eizzil wants to engage in romance in the way people in the normal world do. Legin doesn't. He's too afraid of what people would think if he did things like hold hands and cuddle with his "lover". They don't engage in hurting each other. At least not consensually. They occasionally have pathetic hand flap fights.

[the-whumpening]

Worldbuilding Wednesday #4

(Courtesy of the DM of the Tigerverse campaign, with slight edits by me)

CREATURE OF THE REALM SPOTLIGHT

CLIMBING WOLVES: Though impractical, these are a special type of canine with an incredible ability to climb. Using a special thumb-like dew claw and flexible food pads, they can grip trees to ambush prey.

HOW TO DEAL WITH PESTS: As of yet, there is no way to prevent these woody wolfies. However, you can prevent attacks by practicing S.A.F.E.

Search: A careful glance about is not sufficient to stop these starving savages. Searching low will achieve nothing accept assigning aggressive assassination attempts from aggressive attackers.

Agitate: Short of disturbing the tree of the pests, there is no known way to remove them from the property. A fire could be hazardous and harmful to humans humbly hoarded in homes. The best way to remove the reclusive rascals is removing ridiculous ridges of rumpled shrubbery to prevent hunting in your homestead.

unFriendly: Though the cubs may seem sweet, they will grow into vicious ambush killers and will learn the perfect places for ambush. Their mewls will also draw more of the paternal predators promptly putting peasants in perpetual peril.

Eliminate: Exterminate the entire pack, lest they return to familiar hunting grounds.

As long as you stay S.A.F.E., these creatures are no more dangerous than a surprise drizzle . . . of, well, wolves.

Threat Level: 🗡🗡🗡

[Image ID: three sword emojis /End ID]

[puppyexpressions]

How to Get Rid of Dog Fleas

Fleas are a nuisance. These tiny, blood-sucking parasites irritate your dog and infest your home—often before you realize that fleas have moved in. Many dogs are allergic to flea bites, which can cause intense scratching, red and flaky skin, scabs, hot spots, and hair loss. Fleas can also cause tapeworms and anemia.

Fleas prefer animal hosts but will resort to biting people when animals are unavailable. They can transmit germs that cause disease by feeding on hosts or through fecal contamination (when infected flea feces are scratched into an open wound).

If you and your dog are scratching your heads, and you’re wondering how to kill dog fleas, we’ve got you covered. Here are the four steps you need to take to eliminate these unwelcome freeloaders.

1. Understand the Flea’s Life Cycle

The first step is understanding the enemy. Fleas go through four life cycle stages:

Egg

Larva

Pupa

Adult

The adults live on animals like your dog, where they digest blood and lay their eggs. One female flea can lay up to 2,000 eggs. These eggs hatch in 1-10 days and spread throughout your home and yard every time your dog scratches, shakes, or lies down.

They then hatch into larvae that can move on the host and feed on blood and flea dirt (digested blood from the adult fleas). During the pupa stage, they form cocoons, where they wait for several days or up to one year—preferably for the fleas in the comfort of your carpet, sofa, or bed—until a warm-bodied host appears. Then they hatch, become adults, and infest their animal hosts, such as your dog.

It’s important to know about these stages because different flea treatments for dogs address different parts of the flea’s life cycle, so make sure you read the label of any flea elimination products and follow the directions before use.

2. Prevention and Treatment

The best way to deal with fleas is prevention. Flea and tick preventatives kill fleas that come in contact with your dog, preventing your pup from bringing them home in the first place. There are several options out there, from flea collars to topical liquid applicants and pills. Talk to your vet about the flea preventative that is safest and right for your puppy or dog.

If your dog already has fleas, these preventatives will still kill them, but you may need to take more aggressive action, like a prescription preventative. You can also use a flea shampoo or a fast-acting chemical treatment, such as a flea pill that kills the fleas on your dog within hours. Again, it’s important to ask your dog’s veterinarian for recommendations.

3. Get Fleas Out of Your Home

Killing the fleas on your dog is just one part of the problem. You also need to determine how to get rid of fleas in your home. This requires patience. It can take as long as three to four months to get rid of an infestation, as it takes this long for all of the fleas in your home to go through their life stages.

Here are the steps you need to take to eradicate fleas in your home:

Wash all dog beds and soft dog toys in hot, soapy water. Repeat this frequently until the infestation has ended.

Wash your own bedding, throw rugs, bath mats, and any blanket or cushion where your dog likes to sleep in hot water.

Vacuum all carpets, hardwood floors, linoleum and tiled floors, curtains, and upholstered furniture, and throw away the vacuum bag immediately in an outside garbage bin. You will need to vacuum on a regular basis to be sure all of the stages are addressed.

Choose and apply an environmental flea control spray or fogger that will treat all stages of fleas, or call a local exterminator.

Choose and apply a spray, pellet, or nontoxic flea treatment for your yard. Keeping grass and brush short will also make your yard less inviting to fleas and ticks. Patch fences to discourage raccoons, rabbits, and other wildlife that carry fleas from coming into your yard.

If your dog has ridden in your car lately, you should vacuum the seats.

Continue to treat your dog and any other pets with a monthly preventative.

During flea season, don’t let your dog interact with strange dogs. Be sure any puppy playmates are free of fleas.

4. Talk to Your Veterinarian

When in doubt, call in the experts. Ask your veterinarian about how to get rid of fleas on dogs, as vets are up-to-date on the latest flea treatments and preventatives and can help you find the best and safest treatment option for you and your dog.

[stevishabitat]

It is extremely important though to know what invasive species to look for.

My garden and surrounding homes were neglected for decades as the residents aged and could neither care for the gardens themselves or afford to hire help.

I am now battling four extremely aggressive invasive plant types that literally produce hormones that keep other plants from growing. If left unattended, they would continue to spread & choke out beneficial native species. They themselves aren't preferred by pollinators or wildlife because they aren't a natural part of ecosystem.

They're choking out trees, have almost entirely destroyed the garage, and make the whole area unpleasant due to thorns/bristles, viney trip hazards, rashes/allergic reactions, etc. I have a kiddo and we often have the neighborhood kids in the yard so it has to be usable for play, outdoor cooking, hanging laundry, etc.

So my first task has been aggressive attack against the non-beneficial species. The winter creeper, bush honeysuckle, and English ivy are all very tough once they develop the woody stems, so they have to be mowed down when they first sprout.

Japanese hops isn't as durable, but it's incredibly prickly and causes horrible rashes. I've pulled out what I can, I use "cardboard lasagna" as a weed block to prevent sprouting, copper nails to kill stumps and trunks, but it's a slow process to eliminate it entirely.

And unfortunately, I have to be very careful to only do new plantings in places that aren't at risk of growing the non-beneficials. So places they haven't got into yet (very small areas) or places I've been able to completely eradicate and keep clear for a year.

And because the neighbors yards on all sides are still infested, I'll have to retain a buffer zone all the way around and continue to aggressively mow or weedblock to keep vines & roots from creeping in.

The middle of the yard and kiddo's play area is mostly clover, violets creeping charlie, and henbit. So that's all low-growing ground cover and needs very little attention.

I've added some winter cover crop seeds to keep it from getting muddy in winter, provide winter feed for wildlife, prevent erosion, and prevent the invasives from taking the opportunity to spread while other groundcover is dormant.

I'm going to add some shorter prairie grasses this year as well to try to get deeper root systems established to help with erosion, heat tolerance, and water management.

All this to say, you absolutely cannot just let a piece of land that has already had human intervention be and expect it to somehow revert to healthy native landscape on its own.

Even places that haven't had much human intervention in the last 100 years may have previously been carefully tended by pre-colonial cultures. Humans have always been in some sort of relationship with the land, and the land thrives with proper human care.

Leaving "nature to take its course" can sometimes actually be neglect and bad stewardship. Especially when recently introduced species have changed the ecosystem or if waterways and wetlands have been altered.

I...tried to make a meme and got carried away and made A Thing that is like partially unfinished because i spent like 3 hours on it and then got tired.

I think this is mostly scientifically accurate but truth be told, there seems to be relatively little research on succession in regards to lawns specifically (as opposed to like, pastures). I am not exaggerating how bad they are for biodiversity though—recent research has referred to them as "ecological deserts."

Feel free to repost, no need for credit

[tahaindustries]

Magnetic Drive Pumps: A Leak-Free Revolution in Industrial Pumping

In industrial environments where corrosive, toxic, or flammable liquids are handled daily, safety and reliability are critical. Traditional pumps with shaft seals often fail when exposed to aggressive chemicals or high pressures — leading to leaks, accidents, and maintenance costs.

That’s where Magnetic Drive Pumps make a game-changing difference.

At Taha Industries, we offer cutting-edge magnetic drive pump solutions engineered for zero leakage, low maintenance, and high efficiency — trusted across India and abroad.

What Is a Magnetic Drive Pump?

A magnetic drive pump, also known as a seal-less centrifugal pump, is a pump where torque is transmitted from the motor to the impeller using magnetic coupling rather than a mechanical shaft. The entire pumping chamber is completely sealed, preventing any fluid from escaping.

This means:

No mechanical seal failures

No leakages of hazardous fluids

No frequent downtime

Our magnetic pumps are manufactured with robust materials such as SS316, PP, and PVDF to ensure long life in even the most corrosive environments.

Key Advantages of Magnetic Drive Pumps :

100% Leak-Proof Operation :

Magnetic coupling removes the need for shaft seals, eliminating the most common point of failure in pumps.

Ideal for Hazardous Fluids :

These pumps can safely handle acids, alkalis, flammable liquids, and toxic substances — without any leakage.

Lower Maintenance :

Since there are fewer moving and wear-prone parts, the maintenance frequency is drastically reduced, saving time and costs.

Excellent Chemical Resistance :

Available in polymer-based and stainless steel-based configurations, magnetic drive pumps are perfect for handling chemically aggressive fluids.

Energy Efficiency :

Friction losses are minimized, delivering better efficiency and consistent flow — especially for continuous-duty applications.

Why Choose Taha Industries?

Taha Industries stands out as a reliable magnetic drive pump manufacturer in India due to our expertise, manufacturing capacity, and commitment to quality.

Manufacturing Excellence :

Our in-house manufacturing facility in Ahmedabad is equipped with modern machinery, skilled technicians, and rigorous quality control processes.

Customization as Standard :

Whether you need a small-capacity pump for chemical dosing or a heavy-duty model for industrial processing, we design pumps tailored to your needs.

Global Reach :

Taha Industries supplies magnetic drive pumps across India and exports to markets like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.

Post-Sales Support :

We offer after-sales assistance, spare parts, and technical consultation to ensure uninterrupted performance of your pumping system.

Final Words: Step into the Future of Safe Fluid Handling :

Magnetic drive pumps are not just a trend — they’re a necessity in modern industries that value safety, efficiency, and zero downtime.

As one of the top magnetic drive pump manufacturers in India, Taha Industries brings you engineering that ensures leak-free operations, lower running costs, and robust long-term performance.

Know More : Magnetic Drive Pump Manufacturer in India – Why Taha Industries is the Right Choice