#the tenderness of citrus fruits

[sweetercalypso]

Abby masterlist || main masterlist || daily clicks

thinking about girlfriend!Abby and her obsession with fruit 🍑🍉

🫐girlfriend!Abby who washes blueberries for you and places them on your tongue, peels your oranges and kisses the gleam of citrus off your lips after every bite

girlfriend!Abby who loves when you eat fruit because she swears it makes you taste sweeter when she goes down on you

girlfriend!Abby who eats apple slices off the tip of her knife and thinks about you when the juice runs down her chin🍎

girlfriend!Abby who painstakingly takes apart pomegranates for you, making sure that every seed is removed from its tender, white flesh

girlfriend!Abby who’s Pavlov’d herself into thinking about you every time she eats fruit, and she comes home ravenous after every trip to the market

🍒girlfriend!Abby who lovingly insists that she feeds you by hand every time she comes over. “I want you to eat well,” she says, fingers lingering over your cherry-stained lips. The twisted corners of her mouth tell you that she’ll be eating well too

girlfriend!Abby who pulls you into her lap every morning to share strawberries and blackberries that stain your mouths for the rest of the day 🍓

girlfriend!Abby who shows her affection in subtle ways and fruit is her favorite way to say ‘I love you’.

[writingwithfolklore]

Describing Foods - A Masterlist

                As a broke university student, I love reading about food. It’s almost like eating a real meal myself <3.

I get a little angry when characters are eating a meal and I barely get to experience it with them. In that, I mean I don’t just want to know what it is, but what it’s like to eat that food—how it tastes, smells, sounds, and feels. Is a perfect croissant still a perfect croissant without the crack of the exterior, the airiness of the pastry inside, the smell of yeast?

                Probably not. When writing about a dish, the smell, texture, technique, taste, and how it looks are all important to painting the experience, so here’s some words to use when describing a meal:

Taste:

Acidic: Sharp tasting. Often used to describe tart or sour foods as well.

Aftertaste: A different taste that remains in the mouth after eating something

Bitter: Tart, sharp, and sometimes harsh flavour.

Bittersweet: Less harsh than bitterness. Tartness + sweetness.

Bland: Has no significant flavor or texture

Briny: Just means salty. Often describes pickled foods.

Citrusy: Bright flavour like… well citrus fruits—oranges, lemons, limes, etc.

Cooling: Mimics that cooling feel—like mint.

Earthy: Reminiscent of soil. Can be used to describe wines, root vegetables, and mushrooms.

Fiery: Another word for spicy.

Fresh: Light and crisp—describes produce or herbs.

Fruity: Sweet and reminiscent of fruit.

Full-bodied: Rich and ‘feels heavy’ in your mouth. Can describe wines or soups.

Herbal: Bright, fresh, sometimes earthy from the presence of herbs

Honeyed: Sweet or candied taste like honey.

Nutty: Taste similar to the flavors of nuts. Often used to describe certain cheeses.

Rich: Full, heavy flavour. Often dishes that contain cream taste rich.

Robust: Rich + Earthy. Used for lots of wines or aged liquor.

Savory: Describes meaty, earthy dishes and soups.

Sharp: Harsh, bitter, or tart taste. Used to describe acidic foods.

Smoky: Reminiscent of the smell of smoke.

Sour: Biting, tangy, tart flavor.

Spicy: Burning taste.

Sweet: Sugary.

Tangy: Tart, biting taste—feels tingly

Tart: Sharp, bitter, or sour flavour. Used to describe acidic foods.

Woody: Earthy, sometimes nutty taste. Describes some coffees or cheeses.

Yeasty: Earthy taste reminiscent of yeast. Describes beer and bread.

Zesty: Fresh, vivid, or invigorating flavour.

Sound/Texture:

Sound has a lot to do with texture, so I've combined them for this section!

Airy: Light, pillowy texture (think inside of croissant)

Brittle: Hard but easy to break

Bubbly: Usually during heating, when bubbles rise to the surface—low sound.

Buttery: Smooth, creamy texture (think certain pasta sauces)

Chewy: Food that needs to be chewed thoroughly. Can be light and bouncy (chewy bread) or heavy (steak) and sticky (candy)

Creamy: A smooth and rich texture, comes from dairy.

Crispy: Light texture with slight crunch.

Crumbly: Food with loose structure that falls apart into crumbs.

Crunchy: Firm, crisp texture with a sharp, loud noise.

Crusty (behave): Food with a hard outer layer and soft interior (many loaves and breads)

Delicate: Light and fine, feels like it can come apart easily.

Doughy: Soft and heavy, usually pale colouring.

Fizzy: Usually liquids—a hissing sound, feels like ‘static’

Flaky: Light, characterized by layers that come apart during eating.

Fluffy: light and airy.

Frothy/Foamy: Airy bubbles, usually in a drink like a latte.

Gamey: Usually refers to meats when they’re very “meaty”

Gooey: Viscous, sometimes sticky texture from moisture in a dense/solid food.

Hearty: Firm, robust texture.

Juicy: Tender and succulent texture from liquid in a solid food (steak)

Molten: Hot, gooey

Oily: Slick, heavy, lingers on the tongue.

Silky: Fine, smooth texture that feels sleek.

Smooth: Texture free of grit, lumps, or edges.

Snap: A quick, sharp, crackling sound when broken.

Squelch: A soft sucking sound when pressure is applied. Somewhat gross.

Sticky: Gluiness in the mouth.

Succulent: Tender and juicy

Tender: Soft and easy to break down

Velvety: Smooth and rich

Smell:

Acrid: Strong, bitter, unpleasant

Comforting: pleasant, probably calls back to a nice memory

Damp: Wet smelling—probably a bit earthy

Delicate: subtle, faint, not overpowering

Earthy: reminiscent of soil

Fetid: Caused by decay—unpleasant

Fishy: reminiscent of fish

Floral/flowery: Reminiscent of flowers

Fragrant: Sweet or pleasing

Fresh: Cool, crisp, refreshing—produce, probably not cooked

Funky: Something’s gone off

Heady: Strong smell, pungent, rich

Musty: Not fresh

Perfumed: Pleasant, reminiscent of something (can be perfumed with citrus, say)

Piquant: stinging, pungent—tickles the nose

Powerful: strong

Rancid: Definitely gone off, decomposing

Ripe: Strong, usually unpleasant smell

Savory: spicy, salty, no elements of sweetness

Sour: has gone off

Spicy: Sharp, tingles the nose

Tangy: Strong and bitter but in a good way

Tart: Sharp

Woody: earthy smell, reminiscent of wood

Sight:

Usually texture gives us a really good picture of what a food looks like, so here’s some non-texture sight additions:

Blistered: Bumpy exterior.

Caramelized: Usually golden brown

Cloudy: Splotched. Almost see through if not for a slight white or grey mist.

Colourful: Bright and vibrant

Glassy: Resembling glass

Glossy: Smooth, shiny

Marbled: Two colours intertwined

Opaque: Not transparent. Can’t see through.

Ripe: Colourful (can be to a fault). Nearing the end of its edible state.

Scaly: Covered in scales, fish.

Shiny: Appears wet or glossy

Sparkling: Glimmers under the light

Stuffed: An ingredient placed inside a larger part with no additional space.

Translucent: Allows light through

Vibrant: Striking, bright

Food Prep:

How the food is prepared gives it these other attributes. If your character is familiar with cooking (or is the cook themselves!) they may describe food this way.

Baked: Cooked in an oven. Results in browned or crispy outer layer.

Blackened: When food is dipped in butter and coated with spices then cooked in a hot pan—spices darken, making it appear ‘blackened’

Blanched: Food scalded in boiling water and moved to cold water so it stops cooking. Texture comes out soft.

Braised: Food that is briefly fried in fat and then stewed in a pot. Results in seared, crispy exterior with a tender interior.

Breaded: Coated with breadcrumbs/batter then baked or fried so it turns crispy

Broiled: Food cooked with intense radiant heat in an oven or on the grill. Results in a darkened appearance and crispy texture.

Caramelized: Food slow-cooked until it’s browned, nutty, and has a bit of sweetness.

Charred: Grilled, roasted, or broiled and gains a blackened exterior and smoky flavor.

Fermented: Food that’s sat with bacteria, yeast, or another microorganism and has produced acids, alcohols, or gases. Results in a biting, pungent flavor. (Kimchi is fermented)

Fried: Food cooked by submerging in hot oil. Creates crispy, crunchy texture and golden colour.

Glazed: Food with a coating brushed onto its surface. Appears glossy with a thin, flavorful, and crisp outer layer.

Infused: Food steeped in liquid with another ingredient so it carries the essence of that ingredient. Used with herbs usually.

Marinated: Usually meat soaked in liquid containing flavourful herbs, spices, vinegar, or oil.

Poached: Food cooked in near boiling water. Results in tender, moist texture.

Roasted: Food cooked with dry heat in an oven or over the fire. Results in browned exterior and crisp coating.

Sautéed: Food cooked quickly in small amount of fat.

Seared: Food cooked in small amount of fat until caramelized. Finished by roasting or grilling. Results in crisp exterior and tender interior.

Smoked: Food exposed to smoke from smoldering wood for a long time. Results in that distinctive smoky flavor.

Whipped: Food beaten to incorporate air. Light and fluffy.

What did I miss?

[pupkashi]

oranges

gojo knows how to peel oranges

a/n: just something simple inspired by the poem oranges by jean little, i cried the first time i read it, hope you guys enjoy <3

wordcount: 843

masterlist

there was a lot you did for satoru.

you helped ground him, reminded him to drink water, made him food, taught him how to fold clothes and do laundry, showed him all your favorites- from places to eat and videos to play.

you reminded him what love felt like, your tender touches late at night, gentle thumb pads wiping away hot tears, soft whispers and proclamations of love.

satoru always wondered what he did for you.

he didn’t think much of the quality time he’d spend with you, he thought that was a given. he often brushed past the shower of compliments he gave you daily, figuring that was the standard. the little gestures of holding doors open, buying you flowers, remembering your favorite candle scent and buying your shampoo seemed too natural to him for it to be considered and outward act of love.

“you want some oranges?” you asked, looking at him with a smile from the kitchen.

“i could go for some oranges” he replies, getting up from the couch and joining you in the kitchen, taking an orange in his hand.

his thumbs easily tear into through the peel, gently digging his finger and separating it seamlessly from the sweet fruit, continuing his motion until the peel comes completely off, all in one piece.

you on the other hand, are putting too much force into your thumb, your finger piercing straight into the flesh of the fruit, shrieking when the juice gets on your face a bit.

“how do you always peel it so neatly? i have never once been able to” you huff, setting the now punctured Orange on a towel, washing your hands in the sink before drying them off.

“cmon sweetheart it really isn’t that hard!” satoru grins, taking your orange and easily peeling it apart neatly. “you have to do this, and then… get it there and boom!” his smile widening as he stares at you, a pout on your lips and an annoyed look in your eyes.

“yeah yeah mr. ‘I’m so good at everything’” you tease, tasking the orange from his hand and munching on a piece. “they’re sweet today” you smile, putting both your pieces and satoru’s in a bowl, heading back to the couch the two of you were on.

two weeks later the two of you are cooking dinner, reading off the recipe and realizing the dish called for an orange.

“can you hand me an orange?” you ask, turning around and thanking him as he hands it to you. you were determined to not make a mess this time, it’s just an orange after all.

but as gentle as you were, the peel wouldn’t budge, and the little force you applied proved to be just a little too much as your fingers pierced through the flesh again. you groaned in frustrations satoru already taking it from his hands, a smile on his face as he so easily peeled it.

“coulda just asked” he hums, handing you the orange, you’re glaring at him, giggling when he misses your nose.

“thank you angel boy,” you mumble, chopping the orange and adding it in.

one year later you’re sitting together in a grassy field, the wild blowing past the two of you, your laughter and love filled gazes scattered in the wind.

“i got some oranges from the market today!” you grin, taking them out of the wicker basket and showing them to your snowy haired lover. “you owe me breakfast in bed if i can finally peel this damn citrus fruit” you wager, satoru easily sitting back, a small smirk on his face as he nodded.

“I’ll do so breakfast in bed for a month if you peel it in one piece” your eyes widen at his proposition, nodding before looking at the fruit in your hands.

it’s only ten seconds later that you’re throwing yourself back, saying the fruit was obviously defective because ‘there’s no way the peel was that easy to cut through!’

satoru takes the oranges from you, peeling them perfectly and separating them into neat sections.

“I’m glad i have you to peel my citrus” you smile one night, taking the mandarin slices from his hand and humming in delight as the sweet taste hits your tastebuds.

“I’ll always peel your oranges for you” he replies, voice soft, his blue eyes seem a little lighter and his face a bit more relaxed as he looks at you.

it’s been years since then, and you never learned to peel oranges, the times you’d attempt to, juice would get everywhere and the peel coming off in chunks, the aftermath looked like an orange massacre.

satoru’s heart flutters when he sees the citrus fruit, knowing you’ll hand it to him, for him to peel for you. he knows you’ll always ask him to do this for you.

satoru is grateful everyday that you can’t peel oranges, because with the boundless things you do for him, he knows this is the one thing he’ll always be able to do for you.

taglist (send an ask to be added!): @chilichopsticks @anime-for-the-sleepless @4sat0ruu @safaia-47 @nanamikentoseyebags @fushironi @nineooooo @the-mom-friend-dot-com @luna0713hunter @torusmochi

[the-enfolded]

Unend Departure Dinner

Celebrating the maiden voyage of the Ship

Courtesy of Chef Quino Del Belsaban (chef) and sous-chefs Voro and Mikelord

We will tonight celebrate the commencement of the journey, and it’s our pleasure this evening to treat you all to a very special and unique singular meal, compliments of the Cosmological Consortium’s Highest Light subcommittee.

We begin with ephemera of mineralflower enclosing lavenderwater-infused mirrorhawk mousse, dusted with riftgrass pollen, nestled on a sprouted microbloom tuft, crowned with edible Serapha Nebulaflorum.

And of course our signature cocktail tonight the Aurora Prismatica, exquisite Empyrean lavender and silk cordial, layered with zephyr of eldermanflower, misted with Alpinian plume of Verdure and lightly smoked with charcoal of Sequestrian hacklethorn. I personally recommend you enjoy it on the rocks – perhaps unorthodox, but just trust us on this one.

Buloga pearl caviar tartare, accompanied by shaved roast of sloe, crowned with frosted Ebonreef truffle, drizzled with 100-traversal-aged prang syrup and garnished with chinchona leaf. Enjoy.

The palate-cleansing salad is up next. My friends, a medley of crisp frisée, tender mini prunus hearts, and heirloom rubus misted with essence of blackened citrus of elderthief, sprinkled with delicious and nutritious high-altitude breadmoss and garnished with greens from the gardens of Gloria. Please enjoy.

Our main entree, my friends: sovereign spice-seared filet of Vildefeluvian lake grouper, ladled with reduction of burk buranah, brushed with crushed pistachio and golden salt, served atop a bed of rare black macrograin sourced from the marshes of Ackute. Dig in.

Miravette Reserve, an aromatic honeylight wine from the Highest Light? Quite delicate, notes of straw and almond, very well-balanced, very intriguing

And for our grand finale, exquisite bombe of blonded and blued chocolate mother-of-mica, encased in a delicate wind-woven sugar dome, decorated with self-caramelizing tufted sugar frond, rosewater foam, and edible silverleaf confetti, and finished of course with a touch of our most rare and fine melt-velvet orchid extract. It’s been our pleasure to serve you this evening everyone. Thank you so much.

Ingredients (by request)

Hors d'oeuvre (Un inspired)

Ephemera of mineralflower - phyllo pastry blossoms lightly brushed with strawberry syrup and sprinkled with gold decorator sugar “minerals”.

Lavenderwater-infused mirrorhawk mousse - salmon cream-cheese mousse (go very easy on the lemon juice) with chili flakes, and smoked paprika, partially lavender tinted

Riftgrass pollen - paprika and a hint of turmeric, edible glitter mica

Sprouted microbloom tuft - ball of sprouts, local wildflower micro blossoms

Serapha Nebulaflorum - Rosemary blossoms, saffron, cornflower petals, and marigold petals

Cocktail (Fold inspired)

Empyrean lavender and silk cordial -

lychee mogu mogu drink(as base silk cordial - can be blended smooth if needed), strong chilled butterfly pea flower tea (as lavender cordial - spoon gently over appears lavender/indigo in basic conditions)

Zephyr of eldermanflower - small amount of Plum Soju spooned gently on top (mildly acidic, turns top of butterfly tea magenta/violet) substitute a tiny amount of white peach or other clear fruit juice of your choice for a non-alcohol version

Alpinian plume of Verdure - Blossoming heather sprig)

Charcoal of Sequestrian hacklethorn - torched cinnamon (not recommended, maybe a cherry wood? smoking not essential for how sweet and floral this cocktail is)

On the rocks - giant ice cubes

Appetizer (Fold inspired)

Buloga pearl caviar tartare - chia caviar with butterfly-tea dyed tapioca pearls served on a base of crème fraîche (alternatively could try black lumpfish caviar too, if available)

Shaved roast of sloe - if sloe = slow thinly shaved oil and sea-salt roast purple potato, if sloe = the gin plum, sliced and roasted umeboshi red plum for garnish (both plum and potato used)

Frosted Ebonreef truffle - crunchy dried shiitake snack mushroom frosted with silver edible mica glitter,

100-traversal-aged prang syrup - balsamic vinegar, fresh raspberry and apricot jam reduction with a touch of soy sauce (strained)

Chinchona leaf - shiso leaf

Salad (Un inspired)

Medley of crisp frisée - a base of curly endive and pea shoots

Tender mini prunus hearts - almonds and dried apricot cut into hearts (both in prunus family),

Heirloom rubus - raspberries and blackberries

Essence of blackened citrus of elderthief - sugared and caramelized blood orange and mini clementine slices, scant raspberry balsamic vinaigrette

High-altitude breadmoss - French bread triangles brushed with olive oil and coated with dried parsley and dill (needs work to become more tasty - try garlic bread triangles and a lighter dusting of herbs)

Greens from the gardens of Gloria - parsley and “spring mix” greens.

Main (Fold inspired)

Sovereign spice-seared filet of Vildefeluvian lake grouper - pacific cod with salt, pepper and old bay, pan seared in vegetable oil and basted with butter

Reduction of burk buranah - supposed to be a cab-sav beurre blanc, but used a Béarnaise instead

Crushed pistachio - crushed pistachio (blanched to remove brown hulls) Golden salt - golden decorator sugar because it looked pretty, but could also try a turmeric-ginger-garlic golden salt,

Rare black macrograin sourced from the marshes of Ackute - black rice

Wine (Un inspired)

Miravette Reserve - 2020 Gérard Bertrand Orange Gold (clean and citrusy, good with fish)

Dessert (Un inspired)

Exquisite bombe of blonded and blued chocolate mother-of-mica - Mirrorhawk pearl of white chocolate strawberry Lindt rolled in blue/yellow cake sprinkles, on a split lemon madeleine shell with blue and yellow chocolate button and crème fraîche ganache

Delicate wind-woven sugar dome - blue cotton candy

Self-caramelizing tufted sugar frond - punished and caramelized marshmallows on a strawberry pocky stem with strawberry syrup and golden sugar embellishments

Rosewater foam - pink lychee gel foam

Edible silverleaf confetti - oregano leaves dusted with silver edible mica glitter

Melt-velvet orchid extract - strawberry vanilla syrup

Enjoy!

[lifelikesimz]

LIFELIKESIMZ - ISLAND FUSION CARRIBEAN CUISINE FOOD TRUCK

With this food truck includes 15 new items. That's 11 dishes and 4 drinks total. ONLY available by purchasing at food truck.

✧JERK CHICKEN & RICE  -Marinated in a fiery blend of scotch bonnet peppers, thyme, garlic, and spices, then grilled to smoky, crispy perfection. Paired with fluffy, coconut-infused rice that balances the heat, the dish offers a perfect harmony of smoky, spicy, and subtly sweet notes. - §15 ✧JERK PORK & RICE  -Marinated in a spicy-sweet blend of scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, and thyme, then grilled to smoky perfection. The tender, juicy pork packs bold heat and flavor, while the coconut-infused rice adds a creamy, slightly sweet balance. It's a fiery, savory combination that's pure comfort. - §10 ✧CURRY GOAT & RICE  -Tender, slow-cooked in a rich, aromatic blend of curry powder, garlic, ginger, and spices, creating a deep, savory flavor. The meat is melt-in-your-mouth juicy, with a slight heat and earthiness. Paired with fluffy rice that soaks up the flavorful curry sauce, it's a comforting, spicy, and satisfying dish. - §15 ✧BEEF PATTIES -Flaky, golden pastry pockets filled with seasoned, spiced ground beef. The filling is savory with hints of curry, thyme, and heat from scotch bonnet peppers, creating a perfect balance of flavors. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, they're a deliciously satisfying snack or meal. - §10 ✧RASTA PASTA -A vibrant, creamy dish featuring al dente pasta tossed in a rich, flavorful sauce made with bell peppers, onions, garlic, shrimp, and a hint of jerk seasoning. It's a perfect blend of spice, creaminess, and color, creating a comforting, bold dish that's both savory and satisfying. - §13 ✧OXTAILS & RICE -Slow-cooked to tender, fall-off-the-bone perfection in a rich, savory stew of spices, herbs, and aromatic vegetables. The deep, flavorful sauce soaks into the meat, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience. Paired with fluffy rice that absorbs the delicious sauce, it's a hearty, comforting, and satisfying dish. - §18 ✧OXTAILS & MAC-N-CHEESE -Slow-cooked to tender perfection in a savory, spiced stew, are paired with rich, creamy macaroni and cheese. The oxtail's deep, flavorful sauce seeps into the cheesy, velvety pasta, creating a satisfying, indulgent combination of savory, creamy, and hearty goodness. - §18 ✧SEAFOOD GUMBO -  A hearty, flavorful stew brimming with shrimp, crab, and fish, simmered in a rich, spicy broth made with a roux, bell peppers, onions, and aromatic spices.  - §25 ✧STEAK & SHRIMP -  a mouthwatering combo of juicy, perfectly seared steak with a savory crust and tender shrimp, seasoned to perfection. The rich, smoky flavor of the steak pairs beautifully with the shrimp's sweet, delicate taste, creating a satisfying, flavorful dish.  - §22 ✧PORK RIBS -  Pork ribs are tender and juicy, slow-cooked until the meat falls off the bone. Coated in a smoky, sweet, and tangy barbecue glaze, each bite is a perfect balance of charred, caramelized edges and flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth meat.  - §25 ✧GRIZZADA TARTS -   Sweet, flaky pastries filled with a rich, coconut-based filling that's both creamy and slightly chewy. Infused with a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg, each bite offers a perfect balance of warmth and sweetness in a delightful, bite-sized treat. - §6 ✧SUNRISE DRINK -A vibrant, tropical blend of refreshing fruit juices, with hints of citrus and a touch of sweetness. It's the perfect balance of tart and fruity.  - §5 ✧SEASIDE DRINK -A refreshing blend of crisp, tangy citrus and tropical fruit flavors, with a hint of sweetness and a cool, breezy finish. It's light, invigorating, and perfect for sipping on a sunny day by the ocean. -  §5 ✧LIME LIGHT DRINK -A refreshing, tangy beverage with a zesty citrus punch. It's bright, slightly tart, and perfectly sweetened, offering a cool, crisp sip that's both invigorating and thirst-quenching. -  §5 ✧RUM PUNCH COCKTAIL -A vibrant cocktail blending tropical fruit juices with smooth rum, creating a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors.  - §8 (BASEMENTAL MOD COMPATIBLE)

These dishes will be released each week   over the month of February

SILVER TIER EARLY ACCESS - 2 WEEKS

BRONZE TIER EARLY ACCESS - 1 WEEK

PUBLIC RELEASE - 3 WEEKS FROM DATE OF RELEASE

DOWNLOAD HERE

[soapoet]

What are you like as a spouse?

requested by anon.

like & rb if it resonates ♡

01.

Shufflemancy: Stay with me by Anson Seabra

As a spouse you are a little territorial. You trust your partner, but everybody else is under your careful scrutiny. You very easily pinpoint weeds in your garden, and pull them out root and stem swiftly. Your spouse can rely on you to be on the look out for all sorts of dangers, big or small. Security is of great importance to you, both regarding your relationship and your loved ones, and yourself. Perhaps less so yourself, as you seem to have an instinct to protect which sometimes overrules your own safety. You could relate to the knight archetype to some extent, the concept of serving and protecting. There is an intensity to your love that is like a fine wine, and simply intoxicating to your partner. You're akin a guard dog; out in public you are an intimidating presence ready to bark and bite should need arise, but behind closed doors your service is paid for in tender love and care and you melt when your partner dotes on you. And your spouse adores this duality in you, dominance and submission merged into one.

You're observant, and pay careful attention to your partner's wants and needs, and this lends itself to both an intuitive understanding and awareness of your partner's feelings and the shifts that occur, and makes you a great gift-giver too. You're also a great example of the "girlfriend effect" (regardless of gender) because you encourage your partner's authentic self expression and help them daringly try new things, style wise but also in general. It is safe for your partner to take leaps of faith in career and other matters that may come with risks, because you stand watch and are always there to catch them should they fall. It's possible that you're a late bloomer, or have a series of tumultuous relationships before finding your person, which leads you to take things slowly, desire clarity, and develop effective communication skills to avoid misunderstandings with your spouse. You have a deep need for emotional support and reassurance, so your spouse is somebody who you can truly trust and feel the ground sturdy and secure beneath your feet in their presence, and find shelter and comfort in their arms when you need it.

For some, the term spouse is used loosely, as formal marriage may not be of interest to you if you have any qualms regarding tradition, or simply prefer the intimacy of privacy. Some could opt for court house marriage with a lowkey get together with loved ones at a later date, and others none, and simply commit as life partners without legalities or traditions taken into consideration. If marriage does occur, it's likely to happen later once career matters are stable.

If you and your partner have children, you are your child's biggest cheerleader and encourage any interests of theirs, fuel their passions and show up to their activities to support them. Strong likelihood of children who are outcasts of some sort, deemed strange by their peers, bullied, could be neurodivergent, queer, or otherwise experience difficulties growing up, which you are uniquely equipped to handle and care for. Some in this group may simply decide to have no children of their own, or consider fostering as an alternative, but could otherwise deal with children, especially the unfortunate, in their community or on a larger scale in society.

Additional details: oddly specific spotify playlists, swords and daggers, rpgs, tarot, history, psychology, the moon, moths, wolves, pirates, red or purple lips, cherries, citrus fruits, birthday dinner, makeovers (self or room idk??), emails, documents, nintendo, tattoos, kuromi, donuts, fairs or theme parks, escape rooms, the nightmare before christmas, wednesday and the addams family, fate: the winx saga, euphoria, purple, chai, scorpio/aries/aquarius/gemini, saturn/mars/moon/lilith, april/march/november/december.

02.

Shufflemancy: This side of paradise by Coyote theory

As a spouse you are a breeze. A gentle caress of the sea blowing through your spouse's hair on the beach. You're a little bit of an old romantic, and may have an affinity with the classics or period dramas. You enjoy simplicity and peace, breaking bread at the kitchen table and quality time simply spent in the vicinity of your dear. Merely cooking together can be an adventure, as can the clean-up. You're attentive and try to be both a good friend and lover to your spouse. Resting your head on their lap and enjoying the silence, the act of nesting behind closed doors appeals to you, but you're partial to little getaways too just the two of you, slipping away somewhere near or far to see what you may find and get up to.

Physical closeness is important to you, but it is not possessive, suffocating, or clingy, but gentle and warm like a shelter from the storm. Your marriage is airy and light, and even the ceremony that got you to this point may be very cozy and intimate, invites sparce and spaces dimly lit. It's a very solitary life that you lead, with little socialising outside your little bubble. Contact seems restricted to only family and a couple of long-time friends and little else. You could even choose to live in the countryside or farther from the hustle and bustle of lively cities.

Should you have children, you are a very involved parent, as is your spouse. Messes are happy accidents and you emphasise comfort and peace in your child, and encourage them to make good friends, and you may very well come to consider your children's friends bonus children who can trust you as safe adults when they have nowhere else to turn to. Neither of you are very hard on your children, and do not mind if they don't succeed at everything so long as they try and have direction all within themselves. You're forgiving and patient, both with your spouse and children. You would do particularly well raising a child of the opposite sex, masculines doing well at raising feminines and vice versa.

You may take longer to feel ready to date in general, or due to circumstances or personal issues have a delay in romance, but once you do stumble upon love, commitment is sure and stable and long-lasting. Many are likely to marry their first love or first serious partner, and others could experience the classic friends to lovers arc that slowly blossoms but then remains in bloom forever if cared for.

Additional details: paper planes, strategy and simulation games, chess, archeology, history, cartography, geography, museums, genealogy, family events (dinners, birthdays, weddings, baby showers, funerals), babysitting, cats and mice, twitch, youtube, memes, news, acoustic guitar, green, lotus flowers, blankets, sweet tea, conventions, comics, anime, cartoons, arts and crafts, sticks and stones, seaside, countryside, camping, hiking, road signs, numbers, dirt roads, pine trees, virgo/aquarius/cancer/libra, mars/sun/neptune/ascendant, january/march/july/september.

03.

Shufflemancy: Somebody to you by BANNERS

As a spouse you are quite the little ray of sunshine, but also the sudden gust of winds of change. You are collaborative, and may serve as either the artist or the muse. Both, perhaps, as there is inspiration being exchanged between you and your spouse like sparkling water shared between two cups, clear and fizzy, as sharp as it is delightful and refreshing. You're enthusiastic and cheer your spouse on, loud and proud, supporting them in their trials and assure they have your arms to run into when they return with their accolades and treasures. You may easily get flustered, and try to avenge your spouse by attempts to charm and woo them in return, even if just to wipe the smug smile off their face as their bask in the glory of making your little heart flutter.

You may be a little needy, or quick to feel discouraged, but you're just as easily brought back to your feet with kind and reassuring words and helpful hands. You try your best to make yourself useful even in situations that are new to you, especially if your partner could use the help. You're able to laugh at yourself, but also communicate when the stumble actually hurt so that your spouse can kiss it all better. Regardless of your age, you will retain a youthful air about you, which will keep things interesting as you always find new adventures and things to share.

If you have children, you'll let them grow in whichever direction they best find the sun and rain to bloom in their time and their way. You love your freedom, and want to bestow it upon your child too, who will grow up to be very close with you and consider you a great friend and trusted confidante with whom they may share all their joys and sorrows without judgement. Some of you may not have children and instead raise fur babies, travel the world with your spouse, or create an alternative kind of family of misfits and kindred spirits amongst your peers.

You are very bubbly and sociable, and eagerly introduce your partner to your friends and make merry with theirs. You could really rejoice in the merging of your individual friend groups for the sake of building a community to call home. You enjoy exchaning favours, and have the mindset and desire of managing tasks between both you and your spouse and your community so that different strengths get utilised to combat defeat should somebody have to face big challenges they're not equipped to handle. So, though you may be called chaotic from time to time, you're still a good taskmaster and collaborator, who does not keep score, and manage your spouse and groups of people well even though things aren't colour coded and organised from A to Z.

Additional details: daydreaming, dream journals, streaming, paperwork, paint, coffee stains, red and blue, strawberries, avocado, live chat, chopsticks, van or camper or truck, packages, identity crisis, illness/medicine, learning, waiting, theatre, pets, money, siblings or cousins, slurpees, sushi, suburbs, small towns, interviews, phone calls, sneakers, broken windows, kpop and jpop, manga or manhwa, lore, toys, polar bears or bears in general, empty playgrounds, twitter/x, instagram, lost and found, wooden trinkets, herbs. capricorn/sagittarius/leo/pisces, jupiter/venus/uranus/vesta/chiron, march/june/august/october.

04.

Shufflemancy: Dandelions by Ruth B.

As a spouse you seem to be a jack of all trades, the scales of justice perfectly balanced. Your diligence and the ease at which you tackle tasks, the perseverance you show despite life's challenges, and how you always get back up again when you get knocked down, all makes you a wonderful partner. You are goal-oriented, but know when to slow down and relax. You push your partner to chase their dreams, but know not to push too hard and when to offer up comfort and quiet reassurance instead.

You may have a little bit of a saviour complex, as you pride yourself in both your ability to help and your emotional intelligence. You are patient, and know that in life there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all, and you're uniquely able and willing to find missing pieces of puzzles so that everybody finds what works for them, and will be a healing presence to your spouse especially. Your spouse finds you to be a rock, but let's not kid ourselves and pretend you don't melt like butter when they pull you close and tell you to relax, and lull you to sleep with a heartbeat and fingers running through your hair. Your spouse is well aware of how hard you work and how heavy the burdens on your shoulders sometimes become, and insist that you are no Atlas, at least not in the sanctuary you call home where you may rest and recharge.

Should you have children together, you may settle into traditional or otherwise clearly defined roles and assure neither of you take on too much and both get to be involved in the life of your children to an equal extent. You're likely the problem solver and the one to help with the homework, and deeply encourage active and social pursuits to ensure your children grow up healthy and experience relationships with people of all walks of life. With the combination of you and your spouse, your children are likely to grow up gentle but quick to defend the underdogs and fight injustice. Assuring your children have access to options and opportunities as well as a safety net to fall back on should it be needed is something you will both make sure of. Note that this is the only group I have no alternatives for and sense no absence of children, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ if you really do not want children, take double or triple the precautions.

You may enjoy home improvement or possibly have either you or your spouse working from home. You delegate responsibilities fairly and make consistent efforts to show your spouse your care and affection, especially through acts of service and the kindest of words when they are at their lowest. Though you are responsible and often do things by the book, there is a little streak of mischief and wanderlust that I sense, which keeps things interesting, making you a balance between homebody and explorer. You may have great banter with your spouse and frequently tease each other.

Additional details: car rides, crying, nerves, vhs tapes, siblings, young people, writing and rewriting, praise, headbands, flannels, glasses, family issues, guardian angels, cleaning, mermaids, rodents, deer, letters, arguments, flowers, office (work or the show idk), radio station, static, noise, real estate, architecture, mushrooms, pickles, salads, sleepless nights, muscle pain (or strain), sleepless nights, sleeping on the couch, glasses, hair cuts, lilies and elderflowers, soap, hugs and hand holding, patience, reluctance, overcoming fear, hearing music from another room, virgo/cancer/capricorn/aquarius, pluto/sun/venus/juno/union, june/august/october/november.

05.

Shufflemancy: Slow dancing by Aly & AJ

As a spouse you like to be in charge, or wear the pants, so to speak. Somebody has to tell the waiter your spouse asked for no pickles, right? Though you have a dominant energy about you, you are very nurturing and full of love and care and can be surprisingly sensitive emotionally. You like to stay on top of things and have things to do, places to be, and you could serve as something of a secretary in your relationship. Your spouse can always rely on you to know what to do and to get the Christmas cards sent out on time. You have a taste for the finer things in life and enjoy indulging in these together with your spouse. You likely introduce your spouse to many new things, be it music, literature, politics, foods, or some lifestyle and habits you maintain.

You revel in the quality time spent with your spouse, though you're independent and encouraging of them living their life separate from yours too whilst you engage with your own endeavours. You are secure and loyal, and give your spouse no reason to doubt your commitment and you speak as highly of them as they of you, so shenanigans and misfortunes stay at bay. You may have only few but close friends, but keep them for life and they enjoy the company of your spouse. You may frequently host dinner parties or other intimate get togethers in your home with the few privileged to know the two of you.

As a parent you would raise well-mannered and good children, to whom you would teach many of your own talents and push them to hone and master their own abilities and take both their interests and responsibilities seriously. You have a close bond with children even if you do not have them, which for many may be the case, and you could instead together with your partner be very involved with the children of your friends or family and serve as godparents or the cool aunts/uncles. You may still teach these children valuable lessons and be an important adult figure in their lives, and possibly lend your talents to teach them new skills.

You may also work with your spouse, be it through a mutual or related field, literally sharing the same workplace, or by joining up to start a business together or works as collaborators on separate passion projects. You're highly encouraging of them and push them to pursue their goals and even wildest dreams because with you in their corner there aren't many places in the world they couldn't go.

Additional details: co-op games, cookbooks, bullet journals, weddings, calendars and memos, perfect timing, awkwardness, dogs and canines in general, horses, rapunzel, children, phone calls, electric guitars, drums, men and fathers, streetlights, stalking, power outages, doctor's appointments, pedagogy or social work, education/school, stage fright, long distance travel, reunions, road trips, ice cream, spicy food, alcohol, orange and pink, pearls, grapefruits and blood oranges, hot chocolate, lgbt+, anxiety or depression, archery, sleepovers, libra/taurus/leo/cancer, mars/mercury/pluto/descendant, april/may/october/december.

06.

Shufflemancy: Comethru by Jeremy Zucker

As a spouse you are a natural in many ways, even, or especially if, you worry that you aren't. To your spouse you are a very nurturing and compassionate, gentle lover, who is intuitive and always seems to know the right words that they need to hear or the moment to hug them from behind and press your head against their tense and tired back. You dedicate yourself to being a source of light to your spouse, and tend to be quite romantic, albeit you get shy and blush even decades into the marriage when they return the sentiment. You learn quickly to express boundaries and communicate your needs to your partner if that has been a struggle in your past as they make a big effort to make sure you make your voice heard. You carefully consider their feelings, as they consider yours. You could as a couple have an almost telepathic connection, an inherent understanding and the blue print of each other's soul, knowing each twitch and micro-expression to know when the other requires assistance or wishes to leave a situation, etc.

You may find the role of a homemaker ideal, though you aren't without your own ambitions and occupational ideals. You could for a time be a stay-at-home spouse, or parent, but simultaneously engage with your own projects and end up working from home. You really make home feel like home, and your spouse finds relief and peace every time they return home. You have an eye for aesthetics and a way to make any space feel cozy, inviting, warm, and comfortable. Even though you are more of a homebody and like the solitude, your friends may rejoice in their visits and feel at home in your house and you could occasionally agree to host bigger holidays in your home, because really, nobody does Christmas like you do.

You are very clever and learn quickly, and your curiosity takes you on quite a few adventures in just one afternoon, and you enthusiastically share these wonders with your spouse and coax out their own adventurous and speculative side. You could spend hours talking and never seem to run out of things to speak of, but also find comfort in enjoying the silence. You're affectionate and like to be close to your partner, but eventually slip away as your mind begins to wander and take you in different directions. You have a youthful and ever-curious energy that your spouse delights in.

As a parent you would truly dedicate yourself to parenthood and rejoice in even the little steps and achievements of your little ones. You are doting, but not a doormat and find that your children trust and respect you without being told or taught to. You encourage your children to think for themselves because you value logic as much as feelings. Good reasoning skills and the ability to judge things on a case by case basis is something you will instill in your children. Your children are likely to grow up very independent and just the right balance of kind and clever to be an asset to society. Both you and your spouse share a deep distaste for the state of the world and are dedicated to raising children who know wrong from right and don't blindly follow anyone or anything and have the wires between head and heart connected. You and your spouse may both do a lot to improve your community and work to eventually leave the world better than how you found it.

Additional details: tears, keys, incoming text messages, psychiatry, therapy, home, teaching or writing, good luck, headaches, cramps, horror movies, haunted side of youtube/tiktok, conspiracy theories, stim toys, minecraft, rabbits, birds, cats, hoodies, grey and blue, energy drinks, vitamin water, winning, brownies, pancakes, soup, winnie the pooh, lion king, 2000s cartoons/music, fuzzy socks, beaded curtains or string lights, green or hazel eyes, candles, intuition, dust, sleet or snow, cold/grey/dreary weather, iron and vitamin d deficiency, water colours, astrology, vanilla or coconut scent, bubble baths, gemini/cancer/virgo/scorpio/libra, jupiter/neptune/moon/lunar nodes, february/may/june/october.

[hawkinsbnbg]

For all the things those nimble hands could do, Eddie didn't know how to peel an orange without making a mess.

Steve always found it amusing how his husband could craft intricate pieces of artwork, but when it came to simple things, he suddenly became clumsy with flailing limbs and confused puppy eyes.

Despite his many attempts and determination, Eddie always failed in the end with ruined oranges clutched in his hands while juices spilling everywhere.

And Steve would eat them anyway. Because they didn't waste food, and because they loved each other at their best and their worst.

They were sitting on the couch with his feet in Eddie's lap as those deft hands rubbing and kneading the soreness away from his muscles.

"Wish I could learn how to do that," Eddie said while watching Steve peel the orange.

And you don't need to because I'm glad I can always do this for you, Steve wanted to say.

Instead, he tore the fruit in half and then shuffled into Eddie's lap.

As he fed his husband and himself section after section, he thought the aligned stars might as well have their names written on them.

Their fates were twining red strings, woven and knitted into a lovely knot.

"Teach me how to do it, sweetheart?" Eddie held him securely and pecked the corner of his lips.

"Peeling oranges?" Steve arched his eyebrow.

"Yeah, so I can pick out the white parts for you," Eddie gazed at him, warm like the Sunday morning when they slept in and cuddled while it was raining outside.

Steve met those chocolate eyes that filled his veins with honey and turned his inside into molasses.

Their love was a gentle thing, but no less powerful.

Just like an orange. It was built to share with many pulps and juicy flesh. And yet, its skin was unyielding, stubborn to a fault.

Even Steve had had to look up for a few tricks to take it apart.

And perhaps, that also applied to their love. To reach the rewarding part, one had to work for it.

Nothing had ever been easy for them.

But here, sitting in Eddie's lap and tasting the same orange with him, Steve felt like all those years, all their pains and losses had finally paid off.

"I can pick out the white parts myself," Steve pointed out gently.

"And what kind of husband am I to not help you with it?" Eddie countered with an easy smile. "We're one half of each other's, darlin'. I'm not gonna let you do anything alone."

"Even peeling oranges?" Steve leaned closer to whisper into those plump lips.

"Especially peeling oranges," Eddie gave him a citrus kiss, sour and sweet, fond and tender.

And Steve was putty in those loving hands.

Maybe, he thought dimly as Eddie took off his shirt, they could make marmalade together next time.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Notes: On Food

A compilation of notes on how to describe food in writing.

How to Describe Food: Flavour & Texture

1. Write about the flavour.

Rich -> full, heavier foods. Often used to describe foods containing cream (e.g., potatoes & garlic, soup, and chocolate cake).

Bland -> has little or no flavour.

Bitter -> a tart, sharp, and sometimes harsh flavour (e.g., coffee).

Citrusy -> a bright flavour (e.g., lemons, limes, oranges, and other citrus fruits).

Fresh -> a light and crisp taste. Often used to describe produce or herbs. (e.g., apples, lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, etc. Or bakery items like breads, muffins, etc.)

Fruity -> any taste reminiscent of sweet fruit flavours (e.g., grapes, blueberries, peaches, etc.).

Smoky -> a taste reminiscent of the smell of smoke (e.g., BBQ).

Sour -> a biting, tangy, tart flavour (e.g., lemons, Sour Patch Kids, and other sour candies).

Sweet -> a sugary flavour (e.g., candies, ice creams, desserts, etc.).

Zesty -> a fresh, vivid, or invigorating flavour (e.g., tacos, Italian pasta salad, etc.).

2. Write about the texture:

Mushy -> soft, but in an unpleasant way (e.g., if you cook vegetables too long, they’ll get mushy).

Tough and chewy -> are similar. Both describe foods which are difficult to eat because you have to chew them for a long time (e.g., meat can be tough or chewy, especially if it’s cooked too long and it gets dry).

Tender -> similar to ‘soft’, but it’s mostly used to describe meat which is cooked well, so it’s soft and juicy.

Crunchy -> food that makes a lot of noise when you’re eating them (e.g., dry food – like potato chips, or hard cookies – can be crunchy).

Words to Describe Different Flavours

For rich, spicy, or savoury flavours. The following words represent complex, spicy, or flavourful seasonings and dishes: buttery, caramelized, peppery, piquant, salty, sapid, saporous, savoury, smoky, spicy.

For sweet or fresh flavours. These descriptors characterize fresh or sugary dishes: ambrosial, bittersweet, bright, fruity, honeyed, minty, nectarous, saccharine, sharp-tasting, sweet, syrupy, treacly, zesty.

For subtle flavours. Some dishes are on the milder side. You can use one of these words to describe the taste: bland, mellow, tasteless.

For sour flavours. A sour or complex taste can be challenging to articulate. Here are some descriptive words to help: astringent, briny, citrusy, fermented, sour, tart, vinegary.

For hard or crunchy textures. Use these words to describe a crispy or chewy texture: broiled, caramelized, crusty, flaky, leathery, sizzling, thick, thin, toasted, toothsome.

For soft or fluid textures. These words can help you describe drinks, desserts, or other soft items: crumbly, doughy, fizzy, gooey, juicy, luscious, mashed, mushy, rubbery, runny, simmered, smothered, spongy, sticky, tender, velvety, waxy.

For the smell of food. Here are common food adjectives you can use to describe smells: acrid, astringent, bright, citrusy, fermented, heady, honeyed, minty, nutty, peppery, pungent, rancid, rotten, smoky, sour, vinegary.

Tips for Describing Food in Writing

Be specific. There are a lot of food words that are vague or general, like “delicious,” “yummy,” “succulent,” “delectable,” “mouth-watering,” or “finger-licking.” Avoid these overused phrases. Focus on the food's particular flavour, texture, or smell to make your writing more evocative and precise. Rather than describing a soup as “tasty” or “scrumptious,” try more specific words like “buttery,” “chunky,” or “minty.”

Consider your purpose. Decide if your goal is to explain a culinary experience or make the food sound appetizing. A clear understanding of your intention and target audience can help you shape your writing to be the most compelling.

Evoke all the senses. While you lean heavily on taste to describe food, remember to explore the texture, smell, sight, and sound of a dining experience as well. Including sensory language that incorporates the other senses creates a more robust experience for readers.

Sometimes less is more. Food writing is most effective when it’s focused, allowing readers to zero in on the essential details of the dish. If you include too many descriptors or attach multiple adjectives to each noun, you can overwhelm or confuse readers.

Sources: 1 2 3 ⚜ More: Writing Notes & References ⚜ 100 Sensory Words

If these writing notes helped with your poem/story, please tag me. Or leave a link in the replies. I'd love to read them! Writing Resources PDFs

[just-some-random-blogger]

Feel Like Dying

There's nothing quite like airing out the pains and horrors of living in front of a lively fire next to someone who's not quite alive.

Astarion x Reader | 1k+ | cw: gender neutral!reader, suicidal ideation?, angst, soft!astarion, fluff, typos, etc.

A/N: I got sick and was in so much pain :D i figured writing something will help. But I couldn't finish it when I was sick, but now I did (((: YAY

Tagging: @sloanexx @amiraisgoingthruit

Pain was coursing through my being. It was a stream with an irregular flow, one moment it was calm, and another it was raging. It was fleeting then roaring. It was a pain that could not be quelled by medicine or magic, it was the sort only time could heal.

"Don't you think you should do something about that?"

I turn over my shoulder, craning my neck as the silver haired man sat down on the log beside me. I feel a bead of sweat form on my temple, "do what about it?"

"Oh, I don't know," he sighs, placing his hands on his lap, "have Shadowheart use a healing spell on you."

The fire before us crackles.

I shake my head, watching cinders fly around the orange flames. The color reminds me of the snack I took with me. I turn to my side and grab the two oranges, handing one to Astarion.

He pulls his hand away from his lap, avoiding the citrus with disgust, "oh, no, darling. None for me."

I pull the one orange away, placing it on my lap. I lean my elbows on my thighs and turn to the fruit in my hand.

I press my thumbs into the orange skin, but find myself too weak to pierce it. My arms begin to shake. I feel pain rush up my limbs. I release the pressure and sigh.

Astarion catches this. His expression softens, "a healing potion, perhaps."

"It's not the type of pain that can be healed," I tell him, "it's a different kind."

He makes a sound then speaks softly, "I am rather acquainted to pain."

I turn to him, lips tugging down, "unfortunate."

"Yes. It very much is unfortunate," he takes the orange from me, "to those I've inflicted it upon."

We both knew that's not what he meant when he said that, but neither of us point it out.

I watch as Astarion peels the orange. The smell of it tingles my nose.

He hands me a segment of the fruit. I stare at it for a moment then stare at him. His red eyes were somehow softened by the campfire, as were the curves of his cheeks and jaw.

"Well, go on," he raises the bit of orange, "I didn't peel this for nothing."

I take the orange from him and eat it. The juice explodes in my mouth. I chew a bit then thank him.

He peels me another part and hands it over.

I take it, ready to say thank you again, but then a hot bolt of pain shoots through me.

Astarion senses this and stiffens in his spot.

I hunch forward, trying to contain my reaction to the pain, but a whine manages to leave my lips.

"Scream," he says, "wail, shout, cry over the pain. Who cares if it's the middle of the night. Be hurt if it hurts."

I slowly straighten up and sigh, "my head will throb if I scream."

"Oh..." he thinks for a moment, "then maybe don't do that."

I huff through my nose, "sometimes I wish I was numb. I wish this hurt didn't faze me. I wish I just... was not."

Astarion turns to the orange in his hand. He splits it with his thumbs. He then takes my hand and places it there.

His touch lingers. It remains long enough that I turn down and watch his fingers rub my skin. I clutch the orange and look up at him.

He pulls away. His lips part to speak, but I beat him to it.

"But then I remember pain makes gentle touches all the more tender," I press my lips into a soft smile.

I look at the orange in my hand, two segments still connected into one. I split them in half.

The action draws out a memory, a time that feels distant to the present. I recall sharing orange segments, apple slices, grapes, watermelon, and peaches. There were no words spoken in the memory, there was no other sound save for the ambience, but there was an apparent ease, an air of comfort between us.

The person in my memory had no face, just a blur of a smile as they reached out to hand me fruit. Still, the memory brought me peace, the memory takes away from the pain I was feeling.

Astarion recognizes this.

I raise the orange slice by his face. I stuff the other in my mouth and lick the juice on my lips.

Astarion turns to the citrus, then slowly lifts his eyes up to mine. He takes the orange into his mouth.

A mix of sweet, sour, and bitter swarm his tongue as he chews. He is surprised he enjoys it as much as he does.

Another ripple of pain courses through me. Astarion scoots over and wordlessly offers his shoulder. I lean on him and ride out the pain in silence.

[thoughtswordsandnonsense]

Hot Blooded

This is a continuation of a previous fanfic I wrote called Desire. 18 + content ahead, please do not interact if you're a minor. If you haven't read Desire yet I do recommend reading it first so some gaps are filled in.

Violet’s Pov:

Sun shines through the window as I wake, casting a warm glow to the room. Reaching across the bed I come up empty, cool sheets touch my flaming skin. Sweat forms all over my body as I let out a groan of frustration, the dampness between my legs has me aching with need. The sheet covering my body only adds to the overheating of my body so I kick them off.

 Pleasure sparks through me so fast it has my toes and fingers curling into Xaden’s sheets. I gasp a tagged breath as it dissipates as fast as it came. 

“Where are you?” I beg down the bond to Xaden, 

“I didn’t think you’d be awake yet, I stepped out to explain our absence for the next few days. Devera was a bit smug about it, she told me to tell you and I quote ‘Have fun, don’t add to the population’ “ He trails off with a chuckle and I groan, scraping my face with my hands as I roll over and shove my face into the pillow. 

“I’m gonna throw myself out the window,” I whine down the bond and he only responds with a laugh. 

“Please don’t,” Is the only response he gives as I lay there sweating and dizzy. His scent of mint and citrus wafts up from his pillow and into my nose. 

The door creaking open has me turning my head to look at Xaden who looks perfectly fine as he strides in with a tray. He’s wearing grey sweatpants that leave little to the imagination and a tight black t-shirt covers his chest. His muscles are fully on display as his onyx eyes look down at me, accessing my body as he sets down the tray on his nightstand. “How are you feeling?” He asks quietly, sitting on the edge of the bed as he looks down at me. 

A tender hand brushes my hair out of my face, his skin hot against my own. “Like I’m wearing winter clothes in the middle of summer.” I whimper as I lean into his touch, it’s not nearly enough to stop the aching but for the moment it will do. “That’ll go away soon enough,” He comments softly. 

“You need to eat,” He demands quietly, his eyes searching mine for any kind of protest. My stomach grumbles as I tear my gaze away from him to look over at the tray. There’s fruit, toast, two large clear cups filled with water, and a bowl that I can’t see into. 

“I could’ve gotten it myself, I’m not that delirious with need.” I look back at him as he rolls his eyes at me. “You could just say thank you, ya know?” It’s my turn to roll my eyes as he shifts away from me, turning himself to face the tray as I sit upright with my back against the headboard. “Thank you,” I grumble and shift to make room for him. He hands me a piece of toast and I take it from him, taking small bites as we eat in silence. 

I’m the first to break the silence once I finish my slice of toast. “So, dragons have heats?” I ask as he finishes his slice of toast. “To my understanding only mated pairs do.” He answers and I nod my head. “So this has happened to you before?” I ask and he sighs, running his hands through his devilish black hair. “Once, in my first year.” His answer is short as he looks down at me, even with both of us sitting he’s taller than me. Every fibre of my being is making me want to climb into his lap as he shifts his legs a bit wider as he stays seated on the edge of the bed. “Did you know what was happening?” I ask tentatively. 

“I pieced it together eventually, can we not talk about this?” He begs as a blush covers his cheeks and nose. “Fine, I’ll drop it for now.” I move quickly from my position to being in his lap, my legs on either side of his waist as his thick arms wrap around me. His warm hands rest on my ass cheeks as I loop my arms around his neck, pulling him close to me as I look at him.

There’s a thin sheen of sweat at the top of his forehead, his pupils are full-blown as his lips part in a gasp as I drag myself over his clothed cock. Pleasure sparks throughout my body and I mewl in his hold, my fingers curling into the hair at the nape of his neck. His chest heaves as he looks down at me, his hands tighten their hold on my ass as we both get hit full force with pleasure from our dragons. 

“Touch me, please,” I beg and he smirks as he drops a kiss to my forehead. 

“I’ll worship you thoroughly in a moment, just - let me hold you for a second.” He pants against me, his breath that smells like mint fans over my face. His touch sends sparks throughout my body as he holds me against him, he’s entirely too clothed for my liking.

 My hands trail from his neck, down his spine and to the bottom of his shirt where I drag the fabric up, exposing his toned torso. “Desperate to get me naked again Violence?” He pants as he pulls back, I wrap my legs around his waist as he lets go of my ass, quick to take over. 

Grabbing the back of his shirt he drags the dark fabric agonizingly slow over his tawny skin. My fingers trail over the dark hair that starts at the bottom of his abdomen and goes up the defined muscle that tones his stomach.

Tracing the newly exposed skin, he shucks his shirt off and throws it across the room. His body shudders under my touch as he looks down and grabs my hand as my fingers move to trace his collarbones. “I said I was worshipping you, Violet. Not the other way around.” His voice is stern and commanding, I shift in his lap creating delicious friction that has me gasping and throwing my head back.

“That’s it.” His gruff voice rings out and faster than I can comprehend I’m underneath him, the bed against my back as he hovers over me. He’s quick to get my hands and pin them above my head, the rest of my body unable to move as he pins me down with the weight of his own body. My legs dangle over the edge of the bed as we both take a handful of shuddering breaths. “If you try to move your hands I’ll tie them to the headboard.” He threatens, need pangs through my body as I feel wetness pool in between my legs. “Okay.” I squeak as he moves. 

He kneels on the floor as he spreads me wide, dragging my ass closer to the edge of the bed as he stares up at me hungrily. “Be a good girl and don’t move your hands.” He says huskily before moving down, his lips quickly attach to my clit and suck against it, his broad shoulders keep me spread out for him as my body arches against him. I whine loudly as he sucks on my clit, pleasure scorching through my body.

One of his arms move and I feel pressure at my entrance as he teases the outside of it, only slightly pressing in before backing away. His ministrations continue like that for a few moments before I’m begging and writhing against him. “Please, fuck, please I can’t. Stop teasing.” I beg and he chuckles the vibrations hit my clit and I shriek as he sinks a finger into me. The aching needy feeling comes back in full force as he slowly fucks his finger in and out, curling it up to hit the right spot.

My hands clench tightly into the tangled bed sheets as I fight the urge to lace them through his hair. The pressure changes from slight to fuller as he adds a second finger into the mix. Sucking more harshly against my clit and I cry out, it doesn’t take long to come undone. I let out a scream of pleasure as he takes his fingers out of me and replaced them with his tongue. Lapping up all of it as spots dance throughout my vision, his eyes gleaming with delight as I come down, his tongue slowing down as he pulls back. 

My cum glistens off of his chin and he’s quick to stick his tongue out to clean it up, using the back of his hand to wipe up what his tongue couldn’t reach. “Please, let me touch you,” I beg and he smirks at me. “No.” His hand moves back as his two fingers slide inside again, he looks down at me like a man starved as he slowly fucks his fingers in and out. “Can you take more? I don’t want to hurt you?” He asks breathly and I nod my head yes. “Please.” I whimper and he smiles at me, adding a third finger to the mix has me feeling delightfully full.

They curl up and I cry out as he watches my reactions intently. He palms himself over his joggers as he finger fucks me. “You’re doing so good for me, I’m so proud of you Violet. Being such a good girl.” I mewl under his praise, if it weren't for the current circumstances I’d say something snarky to retaliate.

His pace speeds up as my legs shake, the pressure building up quickly as he brings me close to another orgasm. His thumb touches my clit, applying enough pressure that I’m crying out again. My hands move from the sheets to his wrist as I gush around his fingers. My nails bite into his skin as I come undone with a scream. “Fuck please, fuck Xaden. It’s too much.” I whine and he stops. Looking from my face to my hand that’s wrapped around his wrist. 

“Do you need me to stop?” He asks as he takes his hands off of me completely. “No, fuck it’s just so much. God, I feel like I’m on fire.” I whine and he smirks “Good, if you need me to stop I will at any moment but right now I’m glad you want more.” He grounds out the last bit as he moves his hand to wrap around the wrist of the hand I grabbed him with. 

“Now I do believe I gave you a simple order Cadet.” He says menacingly, staring down at me like a predator that just caught their prey. “What did I tell you to do?” He questions lowly and I smirk down at him, “Not move my hands.” I respond “And what did you do?” His gaze flicks from my hand to my face. “Moved my hands,” I answer and he pounces, dragging my body to the top of the bed where he pins both wrists, he grabs something from his nightstand and quickly has my wrists pressed together and a soft tan rope is wrapped around them.

Tight enough that I probably can’t get my hands out but not tight enough to cut off circulation. My hands are above my head as he ties the other end to one of the planks underneath the mattress. He tugs a tug at it before letting go and smirking down at me. “Can’t follow simple orders.” He tuts as my thighs rub together. One of his shadows falls from his hands, ghosting over my stomach and breasts, the cool sensation causing goosebumps to rise on my skin. 

He backs up and moves off the bed as his shadows dance softly over my skin. His cock is tented up in his jogging pants and it has me salivating at the thought of him fucking me with it. He palms it and I feel my skin flush at being caught.

“You’re just a cock hungry slut aren’t you?” He questions as he leans against the desk on the other side of the bed. “Fuck you, no I’m not.” He laughs darkly as I feel a harsh pinch on my nipples, my back arches as I yelp. Pain and pleasure cursing through me as he watches. “Try again,” He comments lazily as he shucks off his pants, his thick veiny cock springing free. His hand pumps lazy strokes as he watches me intently.

The shadow dances down my abdomen and settles over my clit, adding pressure and coolness that has me writhing against the restraints. “Fuck you’re too full of yourself.” I bite out and a sharp tug on my clit has me crying out. “Fine, fuck yes, but only for you.” I groan and the sharp tug stops, going back to a deliriously good pressure that has my legs shaking.

Gasps leave my mouth as I feel the pressure build higher and higher, my toes curling into the bed as the shadows begin mimicking the sucking motion he was doing to me earlier. “I don’t even have to touch you to have you coming undone.” His voice is hoarse as his cock twitches in his hand. “Cum for me Violet, please.” I shatter as my vision darkens and my ears ring, my body convulsing as his shadows cease. 

He crosses the room in a couple of quick strides, undoing my restraints as he kisses me, warm lips meet mine as he nips at my bottom lip. My body tingles and feels floaty as I pull back from him. Taking a few gulps of air as he scooches me over, sitting on the bed and pulling me next to him. My head is on his chest as he holds me close to him, one hand circles around my waist and the other rubs soothingly up and down my back.

The room spins as I come to my senses and it takes me a moment to realize my body is vibrating with the aftershocks of my orgasm. “You did so well for me, good girl. Take all the time you need.” He says softly and after a few moments, my body calms down. One of my arms is under his head and my other rests on his stomach.

Need pangs through my exhausted body as my legs drape over his, I whine into his chest as the need builds up again. My heart goes alarmingly fast as I writhe. “Fuck, Xaden, make it stop.” I plead and he kisses my forehead reassuringly. “I can make it go away for a little but we’re not in the clear for the next day or so,” I whine at his words, my body over-stimulated and hypersensitive.

“Please, fuck I can’t. It’s so overwhelming.” I sob and he shushes me with a soft kiss, his lips move against mine as tears fall from my eyes. His hand moves from my back to my face, wiping away stray tears as he kisses me tenderly, my jaw cupped in his hand.

 I pull back as another pang hits me even harder, yelping at the pressure and need. Xaden’s worried eyes find mine, “I can make it stop Violet but I don’t know if you can take more.” He whispers and I whine in his hold, “Fuck, please don’t leave me like this.” I plead, more tears falling from my eyes, and for the first time this morning, I can hear the strikes of lighting and thunder pounding relentlessly outside. 

My skin feels like someone threw me into dragon fire as I writhe in Xaden’s hold. “Violet, I need you to calm down, you’re going to hit burnout if you keep going.” His voice is urgent as he forced me to look him in the eyes. “Please, fuck I can’t take this.” I’m breathless as he searches my face for any sign of hesitancy. “Violet, take a few deep breaths, you’re okay. Can my good girl do that? Take a couple of deep breaths and then I’ll keep going if you want me to.” His voice is deep and calm as I take stuttering breaths, he encourages me to take more as I feel my body become less tense. “That a girl, you’re doing so good for me.” He reassures me as my heart rate comes down, my body warm but no longer burning. “I can take it, please. I need you.” I mewl and he nods his head.

 “Hands on the headboard.” He demands and I’m quick to move, hands clenching against the headboard as he moves behind me. His cock trailing up and down my folds before sinking agonizingly slow into me. His hands are on my waist, helping hold me upright as he pushes his cock in. Inch by inch he stretches me out and I’m so deliriously full. His fingers are no match for his cock in how they stretch me.

We’re both breathing raggedly as he sinks himself fully into me. “Move,” I whine and he complies, snapping his hips in a way that has his cock dragging against my g-spot in every thrust, one of his hands snakes around to my breasts and tweaks my nipple as the other moves to my clit to rub it. Each thrust has me feeling him deeper and deeper, and there’s no doubt in my mind that I won’t be able to walk after this. “Such a good girl, take my cock so fucking well.” Xaden rasps and I moan, my hands clenching tightly onto the headboard as his shadows snake around my body.

Xaden’s hand falls from my breast and is quickly replaced by cool shadows that pinch and twist my nipples. I shudder around Xaden, my body tightening as I cum again. A harsh slap to my ass has me yelping and lurching forward, a hoarse moan falling from my parched lips as he fucks me. “Fuck go harder,” I beg and he stills for a moment.

“Are you sure?” He asks me softly, leaning over me and moving my hair from one side of my neck to the other, leaving small kisses as his cock throbs inside me. ‘“ I wouldn’t ask you to if I didn’t think I could take it.” I choke out and he presses small kisses from my neck to my back. 

He moves away with his cock still inside of me. “Remember, you asked for this.” He says gruffly before snapping his hips against mine hard and fast. My hands fall from the headboard as my back arches, my face in his pillow as he fucks into me relentlessly.

‘Fucks’ fall from my mouth as I feel him twitch inside me, his finger also moving at a pace that has my clit throbbing. Shadows cooling my heated body as I tumble closer to an orgasm. Xaden finally being rough with me has me tumbling over the edge as he fills me, fucking his cum deep inside of me as I lose my breath. 

My body feels weightless as it drops to the bed, Xaden gives a few light thrusts before sliding his cock out. I hiss at the sensitivity as he lets go of me and falls to the other side of the bed. Both of us panting from exhaustion. “You okay?” He asks, turning to face me as I weakly lift my head to look at him.

His usual put-together appearance is devilish with sweat gleaming on his face. My mind is hazy as I manage to nod. He pulls me into him, letting me be the little spoon as he wraps are sweaty cum coated bodies together. Silence covers the room, the only sound being our breathing as I drift. My eyes close as my breathing slows,

“Tell your dragon we’re having words once they're done.” Xaden comments and I sigh mumbling out a “Not worth the trouble. He’ll just threaten to incinerate you.” He grumbles before dropping a kiss to my head, my hair splayed out every as I drift back into unconsciousness.

[aghostiewitdahoodie]

⟣ Pairing: Simon “Ghost” Riley x F! Reader

⟣ Warnings: None

⟣ This is my work, my writing. Do not steal or repost elsewhere.

Ghost is not one to manifest endearment- an imperishable wall he has built throughout the years of labour and untold agonies. An astonishing discovery for others; you are the complete opposite of the man they had known as a bearer of a cold heart.

A facade they are acquainted with, as behind closed doors, when the exhaustion is stripped away and the notorious mask is off, is Simon, your Simon.

Still, you have to thread carefully; there were times, and certainly there will be times when it is difficult. The gnawing hollowness you tolerate when he is deployed has remained on the far end of your tongue until today.

Simon expected the tender engulfment of your embrace when he arrived; however, he was greeted with the bedroom door slammed shut. His duffel bag is to be released from the unforgiving grip of his gnarled hand as he unveils the oranges he bought from the market before heading to your shared home. The favourite of yours and the resentment of his.

There you lie in the comfort of your bed, sulking with a heavy heart, unknowing of your lover’s presence in the room. A familiar scent is detected in the air, which causes you to face your surroundings. “How many more oranges can you peel, Simon?” You questioned, aware of his hatred of citrus. Placing a peeled fruit on a bowl, his sunburned irises gaze at you. “How many would it take for you to forgive me?”

[katieaki]

My ✨ post-apocalyptic Lesbian Cowgirl Mailman choose-your-own adventure✨ has just updated! Read it here for free on my Patreon and vote in the poll! Here is a guide to get you started, the summaries of each part of the story thus far, the complete collected text, and FAQ, all in one place. They have everything you need to know about Lou, her requited-but-complicated love, the religious assassin who just beat the tar out of her, the worst person she's ever met, and the ill-advised journey she is on! There is also a discord where Pony Express readers from all across god's green internet can gather, here!

✨Read the update for free on my patreon & vote on what happens next! ✨Excerpt below the cut.

Lou was awoken by a light knock on the door. She croakily told whoever it was to enter, and sat up. Her head pounded and the pale light coming through the window felt like needles in the back of her eyes. Not Shiho nor Ikue, but Solitude, entered, carrying breakfast on a tray. When Lou saw them, she groaned involuntarily and fell back on the bed.

“Gods, is it that bad?” Lou asked, rubbing her face. Shiho and Ikue were right to be mad enough not to want to help her, but it was going to be painful to face that, especially hungover. Surprisingly, Sol laughed a little.

“Shiho offered to bring this in for you, but I thought it might be a little more comfortable for everyone if I were to help out initially,” they said. They set the tray down on the beside table and placed a cool hand on Lou’s forehead. “How are you feeling?”

“Besides the barrel fever? Real ashamed of myself,” she said. It was all she could do not to mention the pounding, twisting, tender heartbreak that consumed her. She felt like she could barely open her mouth without it spilling out of her onto the quilt.

“I can’t say any of us expected that, but–” they shrugged and went to remove the dirty washbasin. “Everything was alright in the end. Everyone rallied. Eat your breakfast. I’ll be back with some hot water.”

Lou sighed and shifted to put the tray on her lap. They had started serving her smaller and smaller portions, but it still looked like too much to eat. Whoever had prepared it had seemed to anticipate that she’d be feeling a little peaked. Instead of a full course with fish, salad, and a citrus fruit, it was all easy, stomach-friendly food: a bowl of rice, ochazuke, a lightly seasoned rolled omelet, and a couple umeboshi. Lou was surprised to find herself absolutely ravenous. She supposed she’d had a big night the night before. Did crying make you hungry? She wished Artie was there to see her eating like she was, but felt immediately childish for having that thought, like she was expecting praise. Like she’d know what to do with praise if she got it.

[death-by-mercury]

Thank you for the tag @mrs-venus-beaufort 💕

Do you have a pet?

Yes, mischievous dog and angel cat 💗

Comfort food!

Always Potatoes (pan fried so crisp on outside and tender inside and seasoned well with smoked paprika and garlic and stuff or Montreal seasoning but really potatoes are great in any form or way of cooking!!!! Or spanakopitas or even things like Aloo Gobi or a good homemade pizza/pasta dish or fresh crusty bread with some olives, feta or Parmesan or any strong similar cheese (but no mouldy or stinky cheeses), artichokes, red peppers and lots of olive oil!

How many languages do you speak?

I am obviously have English as first language, I never attempt to speak French but I understand it completely, I am learning many languages on duolingo such as Italian, Spanish and German but separate from duolingo plan on Irish and European Portuguese. I love learning languages <3

Random Fact about myself.

I love all things lemony! I love citrus 🍊 they are my favourite fruits in the whole freaking planet! But I love plants and fruits and vegetables of all types in general.

Something you’re proud of.

Some of the art I do. I’m proud of anything I put my best efforts into. <3

Tagging @hammill-goes-fogwalking @boozilla-valentina @shamanbluesss @milkyway-ashes @greensleeves2107 @thatmothertucker

[serpentface]

hello i would love to hear about culturally specific dishes in the blightseed setting. what do the animals taste like hows their fat content... herbs and seasonings and the trades involved perhaps..... hows the salt economy? love your setting and if you have a list of ingredients i will invent meals in my head and be well satisfied... i just love food and cooking in world building it is so important to me :-)

OK this is crazy because I had literally just cooked a Lore Friendly Meal the night before I got this ask.

Since this is a super broad question gonna default to Imperial Wardin since that's what I'm writing in right now and has the most developed food economy. (Sorry.)

This region currently dominates the eastern Inner Seas tradeway so has a very broad access to imported foods and spices, and many of its staples are not originally native to the region. Its regional cuisine is quite diverse and varied, largely owing to its status in the tradeway and a long history of immigration to the region (as well as a wide variety of native regional variations in diet).

For simplicity's sake I'm mostly going to stick to staples that are grown in-region (whether native or not) or commonly imported. Also mostly sticking to domesticated plant life, or very common and easily acquired wild plants. (Also not all these plants/herbs/spices would be 1:1 with real-world equivalents, or would be of unique variants that don't exist irl, but if they're basically the same thing I use the IRL word)

Staple base foods: maize, barley, wheat, and rice (closer to O. glaberrima than O. sativa), red yam (a yam regarded as very delicious), white yam (a hardier but poorer tasting yam, often associated with poverty), cassava, chickpeas, other legumes.

Staple vegetables (regionally varies): Cabbage, lettuce, okra, onions, garlic, chili peppers, celery, peas, kolis (a drought tolerant, cactus-like plant. Young stems are tender and edible), camiche (a tree that produces edible seedpods and young leaves).

Staple fruits: Dates, figs, pomegranates, olives, melons, apples, bitter cherries, kolis fruit, nara (a type of citrus, comparable in flavor and sourness to lime).

Widely used spices/herbs/flavorings: cumin, saffron (VERY expensive but natively grown), coriander, culantro, thyme, fennel, sage, tumeric, cardamom, ginger, firebug (an insect that is dried and crushed, provides a reddish hue and slight acidic flavor), anuje (a tree sap which is the region's most popular sweetener).

Livestock: cattle, horses (the small 3 hooved kind), hogs, ducks, geese, one domesticated species of gazelle, some camelops (rare in this region, imported), one type of small domesticated lacetor, several types of fowl.

Other meat (common wild game, or livestock raised in smaller or more localized capacities): crocodiles, gazelles, aurochs, salutachin (a meat dog breed), doves, nechoi, lacetor, hippegalga, anara (a large semi-aquatic rodent), hespiornis, unkata (a large flightless bird), ibis, pheasants, rabbits and hares, caviar ants.

(Of the fantasy game, most nechoi have a strong, lean gamey meat, but an-nechoi is fattier and milder. Lacetor is generally mild and tough (with a few very fatty cuts) and benefits from slow cooking and heavy spices. Hippegalga is lean and mildly gamey and has a nutty quality. Anara tastes like wild rabbit, but slightly fattier. Unkata kind of just tastes like turkey.)

Alcohol: Wine is very important and is consumed (mostly watered down) on a daily basis. Date wine is most common and least expensive by far; only small parts of the region are ideal for viniculture and grape wine is somewhat uncommon. Other fruit wines are common (bitter cherry and kolis fruit being most popular). A very strong liquor is produced from anuje sap, with sweeter and lower ABV versions available as a kind of dessert wine. Grain-based beers and liquors are widely available, but not as prized as fruit/anuje drinks. Mead is somewhat rare and is mostly seen as inferior to anuje.

Salt economy: this region is a dominant player in the salt trade, having a large area of salt flats and marshes in its south. Salt is widely accessible throughout the region via internal trade routes.

Fishing: The region has a huge fishing industry along its coasts and the diet in the coastal cities is enriched with seafood. Pretty much any edible sea life is eaten. (Dozens of fish species, octopus, squid, clams, urchins, oysters, scallops, crabs, lobster, shrimp, etc etc). The tiny, schooling larval form of yotici are also sometimes eaten.

There's also a 'whaling' industry for leviathans, which have very rich, blubbery meat high in iron (I guess I'd describe it as a fattier, stronger, bloodier version of alligator meat), and uhrwal, which have very tough, gamey meat and are considered an acquired taste, used specifically for delicacy dishes.

Misc lore:

Arthropods are not widely eaten in the region and have stigma as peasant or famine food. Some local exceptions are made for locusts, and the eggs of caviar ants (there is a very small industry of ant farming in Ephennos, brought by White Sea qilik immigrants).

Dogs have been used for meat in this region for hundreds of years (largely in the form of the salutachin, a breed specifically developed for meat), but the practice declined under the 3rd Burri empire (in which context it was seen as an 'unclean' food). Cultural trauma from feral dogs eating the dead (and in turn being eaten by starving civilians) during a siege-induced famine has made it specifically taboo in Godsmouth. Dog is now widely considered a famine/poverty food in most of the region, though corn-fed salutachin is still a delicacy in the city-state of Wardin.

Animals that eat human flesh are taboo to consume in most parts of the region (whether this extends to all/most predators or just obligate scavengers varies).

Eggs of skimmer gulls and ibis are considered delicacies.

The basic diet varies across the region, but a huge proportion of the established cuisine revolves around cumin, onions, and peppers for flavoring.

The majority of the diet for an average person is built on savory grain porridge and mashed legumes.

Dairy products are important to the everyday diet in the eastern 'dairy belt' of the region, but are of lesser significance elsewhere. Horsemilk and cow's milk are both common.

Maize is usually consumed after nixtamalization for greater nutritional content.

Most people (especially in the cities) do not eat meat on a regular basis, as even for self-sustaining farmers and herders, the value of livestock for milk, textiles, labor, sacrifice, and trade means that frequent slaughter is often unsustainable. Most get their everyday protein needs met with legumes, and those in coastal cities have broad access to seafood.

Animal sacrifice is vitally important to the practice of the Imperial Wardi faith, but the meat of sacrifices is not eaten (outside of a few specific rites and festivals) and is instead burned.

Khaitmeat is rarely eaten outside of desperation (or opportunistic slaughter of old/injured animals) due to their great value and a developed taboo around its consumption in some parts of the region.

Hunting is a pastime for the urban upper class and typically forbidden within the territories of the city-states without an expensive 'license' (unless one one's own lands, which also generally requires having big money). Poaching for meat in the outskirts of cities is common among the urban poor.

Hunting is a key part of the diet throughout the rural parts of the region, many rural commoners eat meat more frequently than their urban counterparts on this merit.

Some established dishes (either vaguely conceptualized, or have come up specifically in writing):

Pounded white yam and nothing else (a famine food).

Pounded white yam with whitefish and pepper soup, a hearty common meal in Godsmouth.

Savory cornmeal cakes (cornmeal cooked in vegetable broth, lard or olive oil, peppers, onions, cumin, salt, cheese, wrapped in a corn husk and cooled to be eaten on the go).

Shitty cornmeal cakes (a famine food) (cornmeal with weevils in it, you can't really get the weevils out and it's protein so might as well, salted and cooked in water).

Grain festival beef/horse stew (tough bone-in cuts slowcooked with peppers, onion, garlic, and any other available vegetables. Usually heavily spiced. The resulting broth is used to cook the grain (usually hominy, rice, or barley), the meat and vegetables are served on top, sometimes with cream or cheese).

Hominy porridge with milk and sprinkled cheese.

Wheat porridge with dried dates and anuje.

Reed duck boiled in date wine, flavored with peppers, coriander, cumin, and saffron (VERY fancy).

Pickled kolis stem bulbs.

Fermented kolis stem bulbs and cabbage.

Gannegal soup (made with bull penis, hominy, garlic, onion, cabbage, and chickpeas in a spicy broth, supposed to support fertility)

Raw hippegalga meat, thinly sliced with onion and hot pepper, all marinated and cured with nara and eaten cold atop barley or rice (also supposed to support fertility)

Anaebi soup (made with reed duck, lily bulbs, rice, and okra, supposed to support a healthy pregnancy)

Cow tripe and cabbage soup

Finely chopped meat/fish/shellfish or vegetables with onions, wrapped in dough and fried or baked.

Peledyo (A strong, heavily fermented fish sauce favored in the coastal cities (this is pretty much a garum ripoff), which is mixed with wine, vinegar, honey, etc to form the base of other sauces)

Very spicy shellfish soup with a peledyo, wine, and pepper broth.

Caviar ant eggs marinated with nara, vinegar, chopped onions and cabbage, mixed with rice.

A sweetened bean porridge made with cream and anuje.

Hummus-esque spread made with chickpeas, garlic, onion, peppers, and olive oil, usually eaten with bread.

Whole spitroasted horse

A type of root vegetable sausage (intestine casing stuffed with mashed cassava or yam, onions, garlic & cumin seeds which have been cooked down in lard, sometimes with minced meat/offal. Boiled all together.)

Blood sausage (usually horse or cattle)

A kind of donut fried in oil and then soaked in anuje and fruit syrup.

Roasted peppers and onions sauteed in heavy cream, usually served atop grain or a grain porridge.

Toasted locusts, locusts fried with rice or barley, pounded white yam stuffed with fried locust and onions (opportunistic meals during locust plagues)

Fried sprats with pepper and onion sauce

Crab stock soup with onions, peppers, crab meat or whole softshell crabs, and crab roe (sometimes with cream)

Squid ink soups (variety of seafood or seafood-stock soups, blackened by squid ink)

A simple 'trail mix' made with dried camiche seeds and hominy

Dessert bread glazed with fruit syrup or anuje, covered in dried dates

Raw minced lacetor with peledyo, garlic powder, cardamom, coriander. Used to top grains or to be eaten with pounded yam.

Thinly sliced uhrwal flank simmered with date wine and vinegar.

Fatty cuts of an-nechoi belly, usually slow cooked and eaten in soups.

Minced kolis stalk, onion, and pepper, salted and marinated with nara or vinegar

Roasted figs with cheese

Also here's the lore friendly meal I cooked, the grain festival beef stew. Here served in only the lore friendliest of dollar store paper bowls

This specific dish is eaten as a part of yearly grain festivals celebrating the end of the harvest. In most contexts it's an agricultural community event with each family contributing whatever vegetables and spices are on hand, and each donating some of their harvested grain. It's cooked in a huge pot and usually serves dozens of people.

The exact vegetable/herb/spice components would vary wildly within the region, timing, and by the success of the various harvests, but will generally be farmed (rather than foraged) due to the nature of the festival as an agricultural celebration and thanks-giving. Cumin, peppers, and onions are considered the absolute bare minimum necessity. The grain will usually be maize, barley or rice, and may be mashed into a savory porridge instead of eaten whole.

This will usually be one of few times a year where meat is eaten in abundance in the agricultural context. The meat is almost always beef or horse, usually tougher bone-in cuts are chosen for this specific dish. These animals will have been slaughtered specifically for this festival, with the best cut of meat from each being burnt in an offering of gratitude to Ganmache and Anaemache (ox-face and river-face of God, both of which are associated with agriculture and harvests), at the base of what will become the cooking fire.

The meat and vegetables are cooked on low heat in water until the meat is soft and tender and a broth is formed (which should be very strong and spicy, as it will be used to flavor the grain). Some of the broth is drained and used to cook the grain, which is then served with the meat, vegetables, and a few spoonfuls of broth on top. In the eastern dairy belt, milk/cream may be added to the broth, and/or it may be topped with crumbled cheese or sour cream. This is next to heresy in the west.

---

For my easily accessible grocery store equivalent, I used a beef shank, 2 onions, 2 jalepeños, one habanero, a bunch of garlic, okra, and cabbage. Seasoned with cumin seeds and tumeric (very lore friendly) and a sazon packet because I had it (most of the spices involved are at least passably lore friendly). Also jasmine rice (not lore friendly but it's what I had).

I first toasted cumin seeds in olive oil, then added the vegetables and stirred until they were cooked down. The meat and vegetables/spices were cooked in water on low heat for ~5 hours and seasoned to taste. Some of the broth was then removed to cook the rice. Meat + vegetables are spooned on top of the rice, along with some broth.

Results: It's preddy good. Might be a little better with roasted or sauteed rather than heavily cooked down vegetables, but the latter is how it would be eaten. I also had a sore throat at the time and ended up just drinking the rest of the broth. It felt amazing. 6.5/10.

[danika-redgrave124]

Eclipse Yuu's Specialized Candy for Therapeutic Uses

Energy Candies (For Stimulation & Revitalization)

These candies are designed to provide a quick boost of energy for students who need an immediate pick-me-up or to recharge after a long day. They have a bright, uplifting flavor to match their purpose.

Flavor: Citrus Burst (a combination of lemon, lime, and orange with a hint of tangy grapefruit)

Description: The citrus flavors are sharp and refreshing, packed with an energizing zing. The intense brightness of the citrus fruit flavors instantly awakens the senses and revitalizes the person.

Wrapper: A lively, citrus-inspired wrapper with a bold orange base and yellow accents to symbolize the refreshing and energizing flavors of citrus fruits.

Flavor: Tropical Breeze (mango, pineapple, and passion fruit)

Description: A sweet and slightly tangy mix of tropical fruits that refresh the mind and body, leaving a zesty, warm aftertaste. It’s perfect for lifting spirits and revitalizing after exhaustion.

Wrapper: A cheerful wrapper with a teal background, decorated with playful pink and yellow accents that evoke the vibrant colors of tropical fruits.

Sleeping Candies (For Relaxation & Restfulness)

These candies are meant to help students wind down and get the rest they need. They have soothing, calming flavors designed to prepare the mind and body for sleep.

Flavor: Lavender Honey (lavender and honey with a light vanilla undertone)

Description: A calming blend of floral lavender and sweet honey, paired with a smooth vanilla aftertaste. The gentle, soothing flavors help ease tension and calm restless minds, promoting peaceful sleep.

Wrapper: A pastel lavender wrapper with soft gold accents, conveying a peaceful and calming aura, like the soothing flavors inside.

Flavor: Chamomile Mint (chamomile with a subtle minty finish)

Description: A gentle chamomile flavor with a cool minty touch that’s refreshing yet calming. This blend helps reduce anxiety, making it easier to unwind before bedtime.

Wrapper: A soft green wrapper with white accents, symbolizing the calming, natural qualities of chamomile and mint.

Therapy Candies (For Comfort & Emotional Support)

These candies are designed to offer emotional support, providing comfort during stressful moments or when a little extra care is needed. They have rich, soothing flavors to nurture and calm those who consume them.

Flavor: Caramel Rose (rich caramel with a light floral rose essence)

Description: The warm, sweet notes of caramel combined with the delicate flavor of rose make this candy feel like a warm hug. It's deeply comforting, offering emotional relief and a sense of tenderness.

Wrapper: A soft caramel-colored wrapper with pink details, invoking the warm, comforting sweetness of caramel and the delicate floral rose notes.

Flavor: Chocolate Almond Truffle (dark chocolate and roasted almonds with a dash of cinnamon)

Description: A comforting and indulgent flavor, combining the rich depth of dark chocolate with the nutty warmth of almonds. The hint of cinnamon adds a calming spice that helps soothe frayed nerves.

Wrapper: A deep brown wrapper with gold foil highlights, representing the rich, indulgent chocolate and the comforting warmth of roasted almonds.

Focus Candies (For Concentration & Mental Clarity)

These candies help with focus, mental clarity, and enhanced concentration for when students need to be sharp or are working on tasks requiring attention.

Flavor: Green Tea & Lemongrass (green tea with a refreshing lemongrass finish)

Description: A delicate, earthy green tea flavor with a crisp lemongrass finish. The clean, refreshing taste helps clear the mind, making it easier to concentrate and stay alert.

Wrapper: A pastel green wrapper with delicate yellow highlights, representing the fresh, revitalizing flavors of green tea and lemongrass.

Flavor: Pomegranate Acai (pomegranate, acai berry, and a hint of mint)

Description: A fruity, antioxidant-packed combination of pomegranate and acai with a cool minty touch. This candy helps stimulate the brain and improves mental clarity, with a refreshing burst of energy.

Wrapper: A rich, dark red wrapper with bold purple accents to represent the vibrant, antioxidant-rich pomegranate and acai berry mix.

Mood-Boosting Candies (For Happiness & Upliftment)

These candies are designed to lift the mood, boost spirits, and bring a smile to someone’s face, perfect for when students are feeling down or need a quick emotional lift.

Flavor: Raspberry Lemonade (tart raspberries with a sweet lemonade base)

Description: A tangy and sweet combination of tart raspberries and refreshing lemonade. This candy’s vibrant flavor is perfect for bringing a little sunshine to a gloomy day.

Wrapper: A vibrant pink wrapper with cheerful yellow dots to symbolize the zesty, sweet combination of raspberry and lemonade.

Flavor: Tangerine & Mint (fresh tangerine with a hint of cool mint)

Description: The juicy, tangy taste of tangerine mixed with a cool, minty finish. This flavor is refreshing and uplifting, a perfect candy for when someone needs an emotional pick-me-up.

Wrapper: A bright tangerine-colored wrapper with refreshing mint green patterns, representing the zingy tangerine and cool mint flavors.

Calming Candies (For Stress Relief & Anxiety Reduction)

These candies are perfect for when students are feeling anxious or overwhelmed, offering soothing flavors designed to calm the nerves.

Flavor: Eucalyptus Lavender (eucalyptus with a calming lavender aftertaste)

Description: A fresh, herbaceous flavor with eucalyptus, paired with a floral, calming lavender. The combination provides stress relief and anxiety reduction, creating a sense of peace.

Wrapper: A pale lavender wrapper with soft mint green and silver detailing to evoke calm and peace, reflecting the eucalyptus and lavender flavors.

Flavor: Cucumber Melon (cucumber with honeydew melon and a hint of mint)

Description: A crisp, refreshing blend of cool cucumber and honeydew melon with a hint of mint. This candy offers a fresh, soothing sensation perfect for relaxing after a stressful moment.

Wrapper: A gentle green wrapper with light pink and blue swirls, conveying the fresh, relaxing flavors of cucumber and melon.

[satancopilotsmytardis]

Drabble-A-Thon Prompt #9

Pairing: Shigadabi

Rating: Explicit

Prompt: From @zehei, Alien!Dabi from their previous commission Hunter's Favorite with feminization.

Contents: Alien!Dabi, hermaphrodite!Dabi, mating cycle/heat, infertile egg, feminization, non-human genitalia, oral sex, fingering

Tomura really had no idea what to expect when he took Dabi off of his planet and out into the wider universe with him, but he knows he didn’t expect to find that Salkeh were incredibly adaptable and beyond clever. He’s pretty sure the only reason that they hadn’t achieved space travel on their own is because each small family unit spends all of their time making sure that their egg bearer is well taken care of throughout their heat. But they don’t need to hunt to get Dabi the food he needs to ensure that his egg is born healthy, and as the Galactic Foundry is able to outlaw the sale of Salkeh eggshells unless a Salkeh themself are selling the remnants of their eggs, Tomura stops having to take poaching jobs. One of Dabi’s eggs sells for hundreds of thousands of credits, the unique wavy patterns of the outer shell already being well-sought after, and the aurora borealis glow that the inside of the shell makes as it oxidizes means that the wealthiest of people across the galaxy want it to be made into jewelry and nicknacks that showcase their status at just being able to find something so rare. The money is all nice, but Tomura definitely just likes it because it means that he gets to book hotels like this one for them to spend Dabi’s entire heat in. 

The lavish room has a large circular bed sunk into the floor and he’s brought two bags of their own pillows and blankets so that his little mate could be as comfortable as possible. He was able to have four servings of roasted bone marrow sent up to their room along with two plates of beef tartare, and a special treat of piles of whipped cream and fresh fruit– though he was very very clear that there could be absolutely no papaya that could poison the Salkeh– and as soon as Dabi was in their nest and Tomura was bringing him his food, he started purring. Tomura’s chest is tight from how adorable Dabi looks. The Salkeh is around four feet tall, a long, thin tail with a tuft of dark fur at the end of it that is nearly as long as his body. The rest of him is covered in a fine, but very, very tough, white fur that has varying splotches of the darker color over it, long pointed ears sitting at the top of his head with a messy nest of black hair, big blue eyes with pupils that are blown wide as his sharp fangs crunch all the way through the bone once he’s licked out every drop of the tender marrow, claws glossy and black on his fingers and toes, his feet more bird-like than anything else. He’s cute and small, and when people notice his eyes and size first, they think he might be young. But his species is just small, after some discussion and some math, Tomura learned that Dabi is actually four years older than himself as far as earth years go. 

Dabi finishes the last bone, having started with the meat, and licks his claws clean before using a napkin to wipe away whatever his tongue missed. Tomura expects him to start in on the dessert, his heat always making Dabi absolutely ravenous because he barely eats when he’s actually in it, but instead Dabi coils his tail around Tomura’s wrist and tugs him closer. He goes happily, crawling into the nest with him. Dabi purrs louder as he lays back against the pillows and blankets, the smell of citrus and lemongrass starting to waft around them as his body heats. 

“You’re not still hungry?” 

“I’m hungry for my mate.” Dabi responds easily, spreading open his legs. He usually can’t see his cock or his cunt, and his cock isn’t out yet, just barely pressing against his sheath, the lips of his cunt opening more readily and already starting to flush in sharp contrast to his white fur. Tomura leans in and gives Dabi a kiss, which he accepts happily, but he wants his hands and mouth elsewhere, and Tomura isn’t going to make him wait. He knows that no matter how they’ve discovered they like to play at other times, when Dabi is getting into his heat, abstaining or edging crosses the threshold into genuine pain all too quickly. 

He brings a hand between Dabi’s legs, thumbing over the barest press of his cock, and half-purring himself, “You’re so cute like this, princess.” It’s amazing how kinkiness has been able to transcend species barriers, and how readily Dabi has been eager to explore ones that Tomura hadn’t even tried before. His mate always has a giggle about people mistaking his gender because he’s an egg layer, but he likes it when Tomura calls him his baby girl when he’s playing with him. “Like you have a pretty little clit.” He strokes his thumb over him again and feels his cock pressing out a little more from his sheath as he kisses down along his chest. His fur is fine and deceptively soft under his lips as he does so, delighting in being able to feel the vibrations of Dabi’s purrs beneath his mouth. Dabi spreads his legs as wide as he can when he moves between them, but they always end up hooked over his shoulders, his three talons and dew claws digging into his back and leaving him with a distinctive line of scars that he delights in seeing whenever he catches sight of them in the mirror. 

He moves between his legs and immediately drags his tongue in one long lick over him, from his center up to his emerging cock, circling his tongue over it twice before closing his lips around it, the taste of him that herbal lemony tang that he’s started to crave when they don’t have time for this. He sucks gently on the tip of his cock, coaxing it out as his lover moans and digs his claws into Tomura’s skin as he does, and then he moves his mouth down to his cunt. He’s gushing properly now, definitely in his heat given how quickly the slick has started to soak their nest, and he licks inside of him, trying to get his muscles to loosen up for him. His walls squeeze his tongue in a burning, constrictive wetness that he knows feels a million times better around his cock, but he lives for the sounds of his princess falling apart for him. He’s more than happy to bring him to his first orgasm with his tongue and fingers alone as he takes three to play with his baby’s cute cock, teasing the little bumps of bone that line his underside beneath his skin. 

He’s barely started working his mate to the edge when Dabi tangles a hand in his hair, careful not to slice through his scalp or hair with his claws, and pulls on his locks to get his attention. 

“What is it, baby girl?” Normally his lover can be patient for at least the first orgasm, needing to be stretched a bit before his smaller body can accommodate his much larger cock. He presses a kiss to the base of his cock, “What do you need?” 

“You will mate me properly, now.” Dabi insists, digging his talons into his back just hard enough he’s forced to move up his body if he doesn’t want to be skewered. “I can accept your cock without being prepped.” He can but it’s not as comfortable for either of them. 

“Why are you in such a rush, princess?” He asks, kissing at his neck, over his soft cheeks, and up to his forehead. Dabi starts purring again despite himself, especially when Tomura shifts his hand from his cock to his cunt and starts to press one finger inside to at least stretch him a bit before they move on. 

“I want my egg.” 

“Baby, it’s still going to take a few days.” It always takes at least two for him to be able to produce enough seed to satisfy Dabi’s body and get the egg to form, infertile because of their genetic incompatibility, but still. If he didn’t have a partner, it would take a full week before he produced a completely hollow one. 

“You have three. Mate me, now.” He rolls his hips and Tomura gives him a second finger to watch his back arch and his ears twitch so cutely as his eyes close and he lets out a soft mewl at the stretch. 

“Why three, baby girl? You know we have the room for eight.” They’ve never had Dabi’s heat last that long, but Tomura always wants to be safe. 

“But the house will only be available for three!” His mate whines. 

Tomura stops moving his fingers inside of him. “What house, Dabi?” 

Dabi is panting a little, his walls clenching around his fingers and a slight tremble going through him as he lays underneath his body, looking up at him with those big blue eyes. “I found a permanent nest for us. On Nesoter. If I can bring my egg to them in the next three days, it will be ours without any other payments. We can have a territory all our own.” Dabi was kicked out of his family because his coloration was unfavorable for hunting, because he should have stopped laying eggs when his younger brother was picked to carry on their bloodline, but his body never stopped. Tomura hasn’t had a real home since he was five. They’ve talked about settling down somewhere, but he didn’t realize that Dabi had actually found somewhere for them to live. 

“You’re amazing,” He murmurs because there isn’t room for any other words around the warmth in his chest. 

“Yes, that is why you worship me like royalty. Now make me a queen by giving me your cock.” 

“You’re not a cat.” 

“Nyan.” He scratches lightly at his skin, but Tomura doesn’t complain. He doesn’t care. He’ll happily fill up Dabi’s pretty pussy as many times as he wants it if it means that he can keep being as good to his mate as his mate is to him. 

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