#the moss was a great idea since it tends to be a hiding spot for the babies and its great for the others to latch on to

[dentist-brainsurgeon]

I've found a total of 7 babies so far, 6 on one side of the tank but in various spots so it's hard to get a decent picture of those 6 let alone any of em bc they're so tiny. Also I've really only seen the one snail, hopefully it stays that way! Not to mention I've had an explosion of the tanks micro fauna(cyclops, detritus worms, rhabdocoela) which I appreciate. As much as I dislike the algae buildup, everyone in the tank thinks otherwise since they're constantly munching away at it so I don't really get to clear it away as much as I'd like

[evolutionsvoid]

The Mossy Sleeper is a denizen of temperate rainforests, a habitat filled with rain, fog and moss. This species is not found anywhere else, as it relies heavily on these specific conditions to survive. It lives on the forest floor, where it hides and hunts among the ferns, shrubs and moss. Though it is large in size (with adults being eight to ten feet in length, and four feet at the shoulder), it can be a surprisingly difficult creature to locate! This is because the Mossy Sleeper is a master of camouflage! It cloaks itself so well that for the longest time people could not properly identify what type of animal it was! With bony growths, a quadrupedal gait, long tail, toothy snout and lazy lifestyle, many believed that the Mossy Sleeper was a reptile. While some may wonder why no one noticed the lack of scales, you have to remember that this species coats itself from head to tail with layers of moss, algae and debris! They shroud themselves in a cloak of vegetation, one that is so dense that it practically serves as an extra pelt! This kept observers from seeing their true bodies and from noticing the presence of hair. It turns out that this species is mammalian! Beneath all that greenery, the Mossy Sleeper has a specialized coat of fur that allows this incredible disguise to work. The outer most layer of hair is long and coarse, but it also appears to be absorbent. These factors cause the hair to quickly become tangled and damp, which serves as an excellent growth medium for algae and moss. The coarseness gives these growths something to hold onto, while the absorbent nature allows the hair to act as water reserves. The same goes for the patchy dermal armor that grows on its back and limbs. These too are coarse and porous, allowing all sorts of plant life to grow on top of them. In time, the Mossy Sleeper will become thoroughly coated in vegetation, with random debris becoming stuck in the growths for extra effect. By combining this green cloak with its slow lifestyle, the Mossy Sleeper can easily blend itself in with the surrounding landscape. The second part of its name should be a good hint at what speed this species lives on. Mossy Sleepers are quite lethargic and prefer to stay in one place for long periods of time. They can and will walk around, be they do so almost begrudgingly. A brisk walk can easily outpace them, as they slowly plod their way through the ferns and trees. What Mossy Sleepers really want to do is lay down on the ground and wait. They can sit in one spot for not just hours, but days and weeks on end. The near constant rain provides water, and their own veggie coat can provide food in a pinch. This shroud of moss and algae is what allows them to blend in with the rainforest floor. As they sit motionless, the growths shall reach the ground and they will become just like any other moss-covered log. Their bony growths further add to this effect, as their brown coloration and random shapes make them appear as branches and twigs. The growth of these protuberances are random and erratic, making it so that no two Mossy Sleepers will be identical. Their brittle consistency makes them a bit fragile, but these occasional breaks help change the Sleeper's silhouette over time. After laying and waiting for a few days, you will be hard pressed to pick them out of the landscape. Their breathing is quiet and they are great at remaining motionless. As some have said, you can only tell a Mossy Sleeper apart from a log when you wake up one morning and find that it has walked off! I can embarrassingly attest to this, as I too had a hard time tracking down a specimen. After hours of searching and coming up empty, I decided to take off my heavy pack and take a rest. I found a nice log to break at, and the spongy moss was almost as soft as a blanket! I laid on top to catch my breath and admire the glistening canopy above. I must have been pretty tired, as I apparently dozed off. I later awoke to an odd motion, as if I was bobbing down a river. Much to my surprise, it turned out my napping log was actually one of these creatures! My obnoxious violation of personal space must have irritated the Sleeper and it decided to move to a different spot. I couldn't believe my eyes! I was riding atop the very thing I sought for! I did my best to remain calm and not startle the poor beast, and eventually it came to a rest. From there I took my leave and dismounted. I think I stood there staring at the creature for hours, just so blown away by what just happened. It was a truly amazing experience! That was until I realized that my backpack and supplies did not make the trip with me. I had to retrace its steps to find my gear before dark fell or some pesky critters nabbed my food!

Speaking of food, the Mossy Sleeper is an omnivore. I would say it is an opportunistic omnivore, but that would imply too much energy and motivation. They are more like a "I will eat whatever happens to be around my face" type of creature. Ferns, fruits, nuts, rodents, lizards, insects and any other morsel is good enough for them. Their disguised bodies do well at fooling small critters, and they may dine on the creatures that try to use their bulk as a shelter. Though their large canines and horned carapace may give off a monstrous look, they are rather laid back and nonthreatening. I mean, do recall I accidentally slept on top of one! As for predators, the Mossy Sleeper has very few. Their disguise makes them difficult to find, both through sight and smell. Since they are coated in moss, debris and other crud, their own odor is masked. This same coat also serves as a means of defense. If something wants to run up and take a bite out of them, they will just get a mouthful of algae, moss and hair. The branch-like growths and brittle armor helps with this as well, taking the blow before it reaches any vulnerable flesh. With these layers, the Mossy Sleeper has time to retaliate, often striking with its heavy tail or taking a bite with its large fangs. Though their jaws are not super strong, they are capable of holding on for quite a long time. Their rather effective strategy is to simply grab hold with their teeth and then just sit there while the trapped beast tires itself out. Eventually their would-be attacker will regret its decision and seek to flee, at which the Sleeper will let them go. They will then limp off to lick their wounds, while the Mossy Sleeper claims its hard won nap. Though Mossy Sleepers are large and unique, they are often forgotten when it comes to the public mind. Funny enough, I believe it is its disguise that is to blame for this! Since they are hard to find or see, many tend to forget about them as they wander the rainforest. Even adding them to paintings or drawings can fail to garner attention, as their entire purpose is to blend in with the background. If you depict them resting and hidden, then you have a done a good job at representing them (though your audience may not notice). If you draw them up, obvious and mobile, though, you will draw the viewers eye but ignore the very thing that makes them interesting. It's a battle that is quite hard to win! The only real mention I have heard of Mossy Sleepers in the outside world is when I came across folk who wished to refer to these creatures as "Moss Dragons." I do not know their motivation for such a title change, but they were quite into the idea. I, however, was fully against it. The term "dragon" is already messed up enough as it is, and this species did not fit at all with the "Dragon Beasts." The only thing to come from this name change is to create the idea that this species is harmful or dangerous, and nobody wants that! Thankfully, the world chose not to care about this attempt, and I haven't heard a thing from it since. What I have run into, though, are local cultures that have given the Mossy Sleepers a far more fitting image. Due to their green growths and peaceful lifestyle, they shown as emissaries of nature and spirits of the earth. Through them, one can focus on their oneness with the natural world and seek to blend in with the air, earth and trees. In some cases, the Mossy Sleeper is seen as a creature of dreams. While it lays and rests, it is said that it moves on to a different plane, where it thrives and seeks. Those who are more attuned to the realm of dreams may be visited by this spirit, and it shall guide them to its hidden, sleeping body. There bthey may learn from the creature and further find themselves. It makes me wonder: what if you accidentally use one as a bed? Does that mean anything? Probably that I am a fool, but I hope for a more dignified answer.   Chlora Myron Dryad Natural Historian --------------------------------------------------------------------- The world needed some more mammals and I was happy to oblige!      

[imagine-loki]

A Warrior’s Life

TITLE: A Warrior’s Life

CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: Chapter Fifty-Seven AUTHOR: wolfpawn ORIGINAL IMAGINE: Imagine Viking Loki coming to your village, raiding, and pillaging, before deciding there is something about you that intrigues him and deciding to take you back to Asgard with him. There, you are forced to learn a new life and language, and though you hate what has happened to you, you learn that Loki is not as bad as you think.

RATING: Mature

“Here is where your Uncle Thor and I tend to come when we hunt.” Loki declared as he pulled on his horse’s reins; Nafi mirroring the action. “It is sheltered, dry and there is a river close by.” He explained hoping to pass on valuable lessons as they went.

“Over through those trees.” Nafi pointed in the direction where the river was. Loki nodded, not sure how his son would know that, but the boy answered for him. “I can hear it; mother says all the senses are important in the wild, not just sight.”

“Your Mother, as usual, is right,” Loki smiled. “You are so astute. Now, what else do we require?” He asked testing what his son was being taught.

“A fire,” Nafi answered confidently.

“Very good, very observant of you, the best thing to do is to gather everything you will require before you start, otherwise, the flames may die while you are gone in search of more dried wood. Take your axe and cut some dry branches, and keep an eye out for some loose bark and moss too, they are great for kindling the flames; I will go in search of some logs.” His father instructed.

It took close to an hour to collect everything they required, so placing it in a safe spot, Loki instructed Nafi to get a heavy dark pelt that his mother had packed for him and his bow and arrows so to begin their hunt.

“I am not too good at archery yet,” Nafi admitted downheartedly.

“Well at least you are saying yet, I am still atrocious at it.” Loki chuckled. “Though this is more about you and I spending some time together than anything, if we manage to actually bring down a kill, then all the better.”

“Will Vali go on hunts with you some day?” Nafi asked curiously.

“Yes, of course. The day will come that he will be old enough to join us, and you and I together will teach him; then when you are on a raid or courting some maiden, he and I will go on a few, and the day will come that it will simply be the two of you.” Loki replied; smiling at the thought of his two boys as men going out together to spend some time hunting as he and Thor had done for years.

“So when he is older, I will still be welcome to come too?” Nafi’s voice was filled with hope.

Loki ceased walking and pulled Nafi around to face him as he knelt down to look the boy in the eye. “Nafi, why do you have this idea that because of Vali, I will lose all interest in spending time with you?”

“Because he…” Nafi bit his lips together. “He was born to Maebh, she is your wife now and I’m not…”

Loki shook his head sadly. “Nafi you are our son, we accept you as ours, which is all that matters, your parentage is utterly irrelevant.” Loki took a breath realising he could say too much. “Maebh is your mother, which is all you need to care about do you understand?” Nafi nodded. “Now no more of these comparisons to your brother, he and you will have a close bond, I will not have either of you think either of you is more or less important than the other.”

“Yes, father,” Nafi answered.

Loki rose to his full height once more. “Good, now how about we try and hunt something?” He asked, putting an end to the conversation.

“Other than a cold,” Nafi smiled, earning a chuckle from his father.

X x X x X x

“Rest love, you need to get some strength back.” Frigga encouraged, taking a fed and winded Vali from his mother.

“It does not seem to do me any good when I rest.” Maebh dismissed.

“I think you wrong, if you are recovering from an illness, it is often required to rest. I think you are simply declining due to you being your stubborn and easily bored self on the matter.”

“Do not try to hide your words behind any false sweetness.” Maebh snorted. “Fine, I will take a short rest.” She conceded, heading to the bedroom.

“Darling?” Frigga called after her, causing Maebh to stop and look over her shoulder at her. “You are not one to just do as you are told without contest, are you sure you are alright?”

“I choose my battles Frigga; I know when it is better for self-preservation to simply submit, all that would occur should I have continued to battle you on this would be waste an hour arguing back and forth with you and exhaust myself more, because I know you will continue to badger me until I do.” She explained.

“Well Eir will be here soon, so I will just mind this little man and I will call you when she arrives, is that alright?”

“Thank you, Frigga.” Maebh gave her a small smile.

“Anytime sweetheart.”

As soon as Maebh got into the bed, she curled up on Loki’s side and closed her eyes, taking in his essence and a moment later, sleep claimed her once more.

When she woke again, she regretted ever going for the nap. She felt even more tired but also thirsty; so she rose from the bed and went to get herself a drink. Since Frigga had not attempted to wake her, Eir must not have arrived yet, so she deduced that she had not been asleep for too long.

She went into the living area, where she was met by Gertrude, the maid, but there was no sign of her mother-in-law or her son, so she went to check outside, knowing it was a warm day.

The sun was high in the sky and it warmed her face as soon as she walked out. Taking a deep breath, she was relieved to not feel ill for the first time in days; when she opened her eyes again, she was shocked to see a woman standing in front of her. “May I help you?” She asked, getting into a defensive stance.

“I need to speak with Prince Loki.” She declared.

“My husband is not home at present, he and our older son are on a hunt.” She informed the newcomer.

“That is why I am here, he knows that he is not…”

“Do not dare to finish that sentence,” Maebh warned, going into an offensive mode, stepping forward towards the woman.

The woman’s eyes widened. “So you know.”

“We know enough, now, nothing good can come of this, so do not push it, let it rest.”

“You expect me to do and say nothing?” She asked incredulously.

“Your son loves the memory of his father, and no doubt he is hearing of him from your older children, do you want them to know their father was not the man they think him to be?” Maebh asked, forcing herself not to spit out just how terrible a man the brute was as she thought of the few moments of life he had in her presence, and the pleasure she had in killing him. Tyr’s wife sucked her teeth for a moment as she contemplated what was said. “It does you no favours to do this.”

“What he did…”

“I understand your anger, I have had to witness it myself from my husband’s perspective, but your anger is misdirected. Nafi is not at fault for simply existing, or for who he has the physical attributes of, but your husband and Loki’s first wife, they were the ones to do you all wrong.”

The woman swallowed with tears in her eyes. “How does he do it? There is not a season between them; he had her heavy with child as I carried Barwin.”

“He loves him as his son. Nafi is a good child; he is loving and kind and is in no way at fault for what happened. Loki and I love him, he is our son, but he is also close friends with Barwin.” The other woman froze. “Do not impede their friendship; neither child should have to suffer. If you are not able to physically see them around one another, then we respect that, in which case, Barwin is still welcome here at any time.”

“Or he can come to my home.” The women turned to see Frigga standing in the doorway, a happy Vali smiling at the sight of his mother.

“You all know.” The woman looked at the Dowager. “And none thought to tell me.”

“I am sorry for your troubles Regardottir, but we thought you already knew,” Frigga stated sadly.

“I mourned who I thought was a good man, but he…”

Maebh looked at the other woman and pitied her; she was as much a victim as Loki and Nafi. “I am sorry.” She took Vali from Frigga as he was reaching for her.

“I always wondered why Barwin was so fond of that boy, if only he knew.”

“They never need to know.”

“He is his image, how do you plan to explain that to him, especially when there could never be denying that one is his father’s son.” She indicated to Vali.

Maebh gave a smile as she looked at her son. “That is something we have yet to concern ourselves with, he is only a young boy, but if it comes to a time that he need know the truth, we will come to that when it arises.”

“Where is she?”

“She?”

“That whore, where is she?” The woman asked in anger.

“Last I saw of her, she was looking a little less than fresh, and that was a season ago. Maebh replied. “Truthfully, the less I see of that woman the better.”

“If I ever set eye in her” The other shook.

“I am sure brother will be willing to give you leniency in your sentence. I know my husband and indeed, I will be arguing on your behalf.” Maebh swore.

The widow was about to reply when a cart pulled into the yard, turning around, they saw the healer sitting on it, looking confused at what she had walked in upon, sensing the tension. “I had best leave, Barwin, and the others will need to eat soon.”

“We are sorry.” Frigga apologised.

“It is as you said, you were never at fault.” Taking deep breaths, the woman turned to leave.

“What is your name?” Maebh enquired.

“Helena.”

“Helena, Barwin is still welcome anytime, as are you.” She smiled kindly.

“I have heard much of you warrior princess, you are more terrifying than I could ever have comprehended.”

“How so?”

“There are those who are fighters, and those who are carers, it appears you are both at once, I never thought such a thing possible.”

“I was taught that to be a good fighter, you have to have something worth fighting for, they are very much interlinked in my view.”

“Well thank you for your understanding and counsel today. I am sure it has not been easy for either you or your husband to have Barwin here, considering.”

“Actually, we never had an issue with Barwin, he is just a boy, and he too is not in any way to blame for what has occurred.”

“Yes, well…” though it went against etiquette, Helena simply left without another world, but neither royal said anything about it.

Eir cleared her throat. “I clearly chose the worst possible time to arrive.”

Frigga stepped forward. “No, you have not, you are most welcome at any time my dear friend, I am so glad you could come.”

Eir looked at Maebh in an assessing manner. “I can see the reason for your concern. Princess, you are not looking the least bit well.” As though on queue, bile rose through Maebh’s throat, running to the nearest wall, she protected Vali from being hit by any vomit and threw up violently. Frigga rushed over and removed Vali from her arms as Eir went over and held her hair back, assessing her as she did so. “I think it best if you go inside princess; I need to check you over.”