#they're silvery and like humidity

[landhoe-norris]

there are BUGS at my parents' house. BUGS. living RENT FREE.

i wanna go home :(

[espionn]

IceWing tribe sheet!

icewings actually happen to be my favorite tribe, they're a little messed up but i love them. enjoy my headcanons!

Physical Appearance + Traits:

-IceWings live in the cold and barren arctic north, and have developed very specific adaptations in order to survive. Rather than being warm-blooded and keeping themselves insulated, they kept their reptillian cold blood and slowly adapted to a consistently cold internal body temperature. As a result, they require no warmth at all for their bodies to function; they do not insulate themselves with fur or fat like mammals do.

-Their scales are pale, usually with a bluish tint although other colors are not unheard of. When well taken care of, they gleam and sparkle like ice.

-They are naturally cold to the touch, giving off a chill to anyone close by. In warm environments, especially humid ones, the cold will sometimes cause moisture from the air to condense on their scales, letting drops of water settle on them and drip from them. This, at first glance, can sometimes look like they’re “melting”, and has made some believe that IceWings are literally made from ice, and they can melt in the heat. (This is another headcanon that didn’t originate with me, it comes from @flamebringer0. If you see this, I adore your headcanon, I hope you don’t mind me including it among with mine!)

-Sharp spikes bristle their necks and run along their spines and tails. This can make it difficult for other tribes to gain the upper hand in fights without being wounded by the spines. They can also use their tail as an effective weapon.

-They can summon a storm of tiny shards and crystals from the ice that tends to coat their throat and produce frostbreath, which can quickly deliver frostbite to any dragons who aren’t well adapted to cold.

-Icewing horns are sometimes straight, resembling icicles, sometimes jagged, and sometimes branch off into something more antler-adjacent. They are always sharp, but just slightly more fragile than other horns.

-Some IceWing scales tend to get a bit darker and more silvery as they age, and likewise they tend to hatch with bright, snowy-white coloration. Some will have speckled patterns and general variability between colors across their bodies.

-Their dark eyes help absorb light and allow them to see past the bright glare of sun on ice. 

-Their bodies are long, slender and elegant, especially among royals. Their faces are long and pointed, and they are more agile and maneuverable than most tribes expect. They are generally smaller than SkyWings but taller than MudWings.

-Their serrated claws help grip ice, and make their attacks more punishing. They have a sharp and sturdy point on the end of their snout, which can be used to crack ice without harming them.

-They are not a very physically varied tribe, but the royal and noble IceWings have a look distinct from those on outskirt villages. They often have fewer spines, straighter horns, narrower wings and paler colors, whereas lower-ranking IceWings have more practical antler-like horns, more spines, and a more muscular appearance. (Sketch displaying this below.)

Life Cycle:

-IceWings are hatched in small clutches of one to three. Parents will carve out a nest in the ice, lay the eggs, and then allow them to freeze over again until the dragonets break through the ice. It is believed that the colder the eggs during incubation, the more powerful the dragonets will become. 

-They take around 5 months to develop and are hatched strong enough to free themselves and big enough that most predators aren’t interested in them. They are also hatched with a delicate layer of spines all across their bodies that resemble frost crystals, though these later shed off. Dragonets can also go several days without eating after hatching, which is unusual for dragons. 

-Most parents are available to watch their dragonets, so these abilities simply serve as precautions for the case of missing or neglectful parents. 

-They grow somewhat slowly, reaching maturity a bit later than other tribes.

-IceWings, especially those of high rank, are expected to be strictly monogamous, and their marriages are usually more of a formality than a real union of affection. They aren’t incapable of love, certainly, but marriage is not treated as an act of love among nobles and royalty. Sometimes even lower-status IceWings marry out of societal expectation and not for their own happiness, but things are generally less strict.

Society + Culture:

-IceWing society is strictly ranked by class and birthright. There are seven divisions, referred to as Circles; the Seventh Circle is made up of dragons of low status, living in small villages on the outskirts of the tribe and scorned by those in higher Circles. The First Circle, meanwhile, is almost entirely comprised of royalty and other dragons of high honor and status. In the palace, dragons are expected to greet and interact with others differently depending on their relative ranking. The system is extremely strict and ruthless, and disrespect is one quick way to be lowered down the ladder. During her reign, Queen Snowfall tore down the wall used to keep track of the placement of each dragon, and made great steps toward lessening this aspect of their culture, but it continued to subtly persist long after her death. 

-Lower-circle IceWing society is simple and straightforward. They live in communities quite detached from palace life, hunting for themselves and helping each other raise their dragonets. As all IceWing animus dragons were strategically kept in royalty, most animus gifts did little to improve the lives of those outside the First and Second Circles. The best way for a low-born IceWing to rise in rank would be through military work; otherwise, the groups remain fairly stagnant. Protests and revolts, though, are surprisingly uncommon. Most Sixth and Seventh Circle IceWings are simply too detached from royalty to be concerned with wealth differences, and royals likewise rarely bother to interfere with Sixth and Seventh circle dragons.

-While in the palace, during the worst of the class division, all dragons were commanded to wear necklaces made from a heavy metal that matched their rank. First-Circle necklaces would consist of one ring, Second-Circle necklaces would have two, one inside of the other, and so on. The more circles, the heavier the necklace, and Seventh-Circle dragons, on the rare occasion they visited the palace, would be forced into a constant bow by the weight of the metal.

-IceWings are quite superstitious, not unlike SkyWings. Their beliefs vary by region, but a generally common one is that the deep, impenetrable ice cap they live on harbors some ancient, powerful force, and that if it ever were to break or melt away, that power would be unleashed and cause havoc; they see the ice as a protective field that froze over at the dawn of time, and if it unfroze it would be the end of everything they know.

-IceWings will sometimes wear polar bear fur or the pelts of elk and deer, though not for warmth. Lower-Circle dragons will wear the pelts and sometimes even antlers of their own prey, for bragging rights. Higher-Circle dragons simply wear them as a fashion statement and a show of wealth.

-IceWings are educated much more about their own tribe than others, and generally prefer to stick to their own affairs. They have few exports to trade and little interest in those of others. They are not the most diplomatic tribe.

-After the perceived theft of their last animus, they not only blamed NightWings, but also harbored resentment for every other tribe with animus magic, believing themselves to be the original carrier of the gene and therefore the rightful possessor of it. They are extremely protective of even the least useful of their animus gifts. 

Diet: Carnivorous. IceWings eat arctic mammals like elk and polar bears, and aquatic mammals like seals and even sometimes narwhals and orcas. They also eat fish and, rarely, a few species of birds. They have no way to cook food and no desire to. Other than a few types of berries in the mountains near the SkyWing border, no plants grow in the arctic, and IceWings live on meat alone.

[caramelpenguin]

part 2 to the snogging boys 🍺💟

They don't talk about it the next day, slightly hungover and bleary-eyed. They don't talk about it the next week, even when the words are biting at Wille's tongue. They don't talk about it at all.

It's Simon who mentions it again, two parties later, this time at Maddison's. 

They're sitting opposite each other on the floor of the corridor, taking a swig of a soothing bottle and passing it between them. It's humid and sticky where everyone else is drinking and yelling to boisterous music, but here, tucked away in a little alcove, it’s crisp and cool, like the world has paused for them.

Their fingers brush as the bottle is passed back to Wille, the sounds of the party are muffled and he almost chokes when he registers what Simon just asked. "Wh-What?"

“Remember that summer?” Simon should be painted in acrylics. His neck is golden and smooth, lovely and stretched, tipped back against the wall as he gazes at the ceiling, looking too relaxed, too distant for what he just asked. Wille can’t count how many dreams he’s had over the years about his own lips travelling across, pressing silvery, moonlight kisses into Simon’s skin, forming constellations. He feels the question hanging between them. "Did you like me? As in, like like me? That summer?"

"I-um. Uh." His throat is suddenly dry, hands clammy. Telling the truth is unthinkable. Maybe a small playful crush would be understandable, something that they could laugh at together. The honest, raw truth of flooding, aching emotions, that are lodged deep in his chest is too much. Too big for this moment.

"It's okay, Wille. I get it."

His breath catches in his throat. "You do?"

"You told me you weren't straight the next year. You realised you like boys. So…did I play a part in that?" He asks, and it would be teasing and it would be funny, if Simon's eyes weren't boring into his, searching for something, if his smile wasn't just a bit too painful, tight. The walls are too confining.

Wille’s pulse quickens, like a warning alarm in his chest. The question lingers like a firefly, flickering in the dark. He should’ve expected this, for Simon to ask, all calm and matter-of-fact, as if they’re just talking about the weather and not their past and their friendship and when it was maybe more than a friendship and everything. His head is spinning now, buzzing with the weight of what ifs.

His laugh comes out strained, cracked at the edges. He forces a smile. "I mean, yeah, I guess you were part of my… awakening." Wille shifts on the cold tile, avoiding Simon’s eyes by looking down at the bottle in his hands, twisting it in his fingers like it's some kind of lifeline. The liquid swirls inside, a small galaxy trapped in glass. "But, like, I was sixteen. Everyone snogs their best friend at sixteen, right?"

Simon tilts his head, his lips pulling into a soft, half-hearted grin. The kind of smile that doesn’t reach his eyes, the smile he normally tries to hide. "Right. An experiment. It makes sense that you were just figuring things out,” he murmurs. Wille has to avert his gaze, has to avoid the brown eyes that are prying into his soul.

Silence stretches between them, thick and uncomfortable. His mind is a mess of tangled thoughts and a spider-web of memories too delicate to touch, that he’s not ready to confront. These memories are safe in his dreams, softened by sleep. Not in real life when they’re not tipsy enough to forget. 

"Besides," Wille continues, his voice a little too loud, a little too rehearsed, "you were, like, the only person I knew back then who was even remotely... you know." He shrugs, forcing himself to sound casual. "You were kind of my only option."

Simon's laugh is soft, bitter, a song playing in the wrong key. He leans back against the wall, the coolness of the corridor pressing into him. "Your only option, huh?"

Wille winces. His chest tightens. He wants to fix it, but the words are stuck, locked in his throat.

Simon shakes his head. He’s still smiling, even if it’s sad now, even if it doesn’t reach his eyes. "Maybe you’ve had enough to drink." He grabs the bottle back from Wille, who lets it go too easily, like it’s a relief to have something taken from his hands.

Wille watches as Simon takes another swig, his gaze drawn to the smooth line of his neck again, the way the skin catches the dim light. He watches the way his throat moves as he swallows, and the familiarity of it—the way Simon's neck gleams, the way his own fingers itch to trace along the curve of it—sends a familiar pang through his chest. For a moment, he considers leaning forward, closing the space.

Wille’s never been good with words. He feels them too much before he can speak them, and now his heart’s racing faster than his brain can keep up. 

"I wasn’t just—" Wille tries again, his voice barely a whisper. His hands clench and unclench. He looks at Simon’s profile, the way the light dances across his skin, but Simon isn’t looking at him. He’s staring at the ceiling again, expression carefully neutral.

The weight of all the unsaid words is suffocating. 

Simon barely moves his lips, but his words are soft and clear. "It’s fine, Wille. I get it. Really."

NOW ON AO3

[plantaffinity]

Do you have any tips for peperomia? They're all so beautiful but I have killed every single one I've owned

Oh peperomias are the best! Here's my general tips of what they like;

They actually like a bit of shade, maybe even a lot of shade, it depends on the type of peperomia. Generally the ones with dark (like black) or silvery/glittery leaves dislike direct sun, and the ones with thicker and plain green leaves (like f.ex the peperomia hope) like more sun and can even be kept in windows! Just keep an eye on them in case they dislike their spot. If there's too much sun, the ones with thinner leaves will go a bit crispy and the ones with thicker leaves might get sunburn. Sometimes sunburn is cute and consistent, but sometimes it's a sign that you need to move your plant. But in any case, most if not all peperomias like shade or partial shade so that is your best bet if you're unsure of what signs are which. If there's too little light, your peperomia might start rotting. This is connected to their watering, so let's talk about that.

There is a lot of variation in peperomias, and the general rule with watering would be that the more it looks like a succulent, the more you should treat it like one. Peperomia obtusifolia (my fav) might have moderately thin leaves, but their stems are really really thick, so this one needs to dry out a bit between waterings. Peperomias that have both thin leaves and thin stems will need to be treated a little more like you'd treat a begonia. Don't overwater, but make keep an eye on it so it doesn't go too long without water. But peperomias with thin stems and thick leaves can be tricky, you need to keep an eye on them because once the stem starts rotting or drying up it's basically over for that branch. I use skewers if I need to check the moisture of the soil!

Like the crassula, Peperomias usually have shallow and thin roots. This means that you can accidentally give them too deep pots that they won't fill up simply because they don't want to, and that soil on the bottom won't dry very well and might cause root rot. Since the peperomia has thin roots, the roots can be more sensetive. It's a good idea to place your peperomia pretty deep into the pot and then fill soil on top instead, and to use a shallow pot (which they also look beautiful in when they get longer branches), this just makes it so that your plant won't topple over since the leaves and stems are heavier than the roots. This doesn't count for some peperomias that are more begonia-like though, which I have less experience with.

I think they like humidity, but don't overdo it on the more succulent-like peperomias. I've always seen the peperomia as a perfect starter plant, since it is sturdy and doesn't need a shit ton of sunlight. I would also recommend getting small (young?) plants, because it always seems to me that they are much better at adapting to a new environment and new habits than large plants which might be thrown off by such a sudden change.

I think that's all the tips I have 🤔

[onlineplantsnz1]

Cascading Beauty: Trailing Indoor Plants for New Zealand Homes

In the world of indoor gardening, trailing plants have a unique charm. Their lush, cascading foliage adds a touch of elegance and tranquility to any living space. New Zealand, with its vibrant natural landscapes, provides an ideal backdrop for incorporating trailing indoor plants into your home decor. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the most popular trailing indoor plants that thrive in New Zealand's climate and conditions.

1. String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus):

The String of Pearls is a stunning succulent that's perfect for hanging planters or trailing down shelves. Native to South Africa, this plant features round, bead-like leaves on long, slender stems. It requires bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. In New Zealand's temperate climate, it can be grown indoors and, during the warmer months, placed outdoors in a sheltered spot.

2. Devil's Ivy (Epipremnum aureum):

Also known as Pothos, Devil's Ivy is a versatile and low-maintenance trailing plant that thrives in various lighting conditions. It can tolerate low light but truly shines in bright, indirect light. This makes it an excellent choice for homes in New Zealand with varying light conditions. It's known for its heart-shaped leaves with marbled patterns, adding a touch of elegance to any room.

3. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum):

Spider plants are classic trailing indoor plants known for their air-purifying qualities. They produce arching, variegated leaves that resemble spiderettes, which can be pruned and propagated to grow more plants. Spider plants prefer bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. They're a great choice for New Zealand homes looking to improve indoor air quality.

4. Trailing Jade (Senecio jacobsenii):

The Trailing Jade is another beautiful succulent that's well-suited for hanging planters or trailing over ledges. Its silvery-green leaves have a unique, finger-like shape. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light and requires well-draining soil. In New Zealand, it can thrive indoors year-round and outdoors during the warmer months.

5. English Ivy (Hedera helix):

English Ivy is a classic trailing plant with dark, glossy leaves that can add a touch of sophistication to your home. It's known for its ability to climb or trail and is often seen in hanging baskets. English Ivy prefers bright, indirect light and regular watering. It can be grown indoors in New Zealand throughout the year.

6. Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus spp.):

The Lipstick Plant is a unique trailing plant known for its striking red, tubular flowers that resemble lipstick tubes. It's a tropical plant, so it appreciates warmth and humidity. While it prefers bright, indirect light, it can tolerate slightly lower light conditions. In New Zealand, it can be grown indoors with proper care.

Conclusion

Trailing indoor plants can add a touch of beauty and tranquility to your New Zealand home, whether you're in the heart of a bustling city or surrounded by nature. These plants not only enhance the aesthetics of your living space but also offer benefits such as air purification and stress reduction. When choosing trailing indoor plants, consider your home's lighting conditions and the care requirements of each plant species. With the right selection and care, your indoor garden can thrive and bring nature's elegance indoors. Happy gardening

[teomuchtohandle]

Gardening Stuff

So I said that I wasn't going to purchase any seeds for the garden, that I was going to focus on buying supplies instead. And. I did get supplies.

New Supplies

iGrowtek 2 feet LED Grow Light Stand - $56.99 on Amazon. (Yes, hiss boo Amazon, but there's nowhere local that sells lights that already have a stand.) I'm going to set this up either on my desk or my dresser, wherever I end up having the most room. Epic 6-Cell Seed Starting Trays - $59.99 on Epic Gardening. I tried using the flimsy starting trays with the peat pellets last year and did not like it. I'll be trying these this year.

Epic 6-Cell Domes & Trays - $79.99 on Epic Gardening. These will be vitally important for me. Not only is humidity good for seeds, but it will keep my (demon) cat from eating the seedlings. She ate all of my pepper seeds last year.

Old Seeds

Seed Savers Exchange Silvery Fir Tree Tomato (Purchased 2021, good until 2025)

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange Jalapeno (Purchased 2021, good until 2023)

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange Sweet Pickle Pepper (Purchased 2021, good until 2023)

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange Cosmic Purple Carrots (Purchased 2021, good until 2024, never opened)

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange Danvers 126 Carrots (Purchased 2021, good until 2024, never opened)

Seed Savers Exchange Tom Thumb Pea (Purchased 2021, good until 2024, wasn't pleased with last years results)

Seed Savers Exchange Webb's Wonderful Lettuce (Purchased 2021, good until 2026, wasn't pleased with last years results)

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange Verona Red Radicchio (Purchased 2021, good until 2026, wasn't pleased with last years results)

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange Jericho Lettuce (Purchased 2021, good until 2026, wasn't pleased with last years results)

Seed Savers Exchange Globe Basil (Purchased 2021, good until 2026, never opened)

Potential New Seeds/Supplies

All of the following are from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange

Grow Great Vegetables in Tennessee (Book)

Keuka Gold Potatoes (Description said that they do well in clay soil)

Morden Midget Eggplant (Description said that they're good for containers)

Pike Muskmelon (For my partner's mom. She tried cantaloupe plants last year but the rabbits ate them. I thought we might try again this year.)

Sherwood Red Okra (For my partner's dad. He likes okra and his family used to grow it when he was a kid. Mom doesn't like the gooeyness, but this variety is supposed to be less slimy than others. If she doesn't eat it, my partner, dad, and I will.)

Sweet Potato Collection, Orange, White, & Purple (I don't really know what color I like best, I've only ever had orange. So I'll use a couple of slips from each color, and then I'll sell/give away the rest.)

Welcome-to-the-Garden Pollinator Collection (A collection of herbs and flowers that pollinators like. I would like to bring more into the garden, lack of pollination was one of the problems we had last year, but IDK how my partner's family will feel about more bees around.)

[sentir-mucho-expresar-poco]

Tips to Assist Your Outdoor Furnishings Last Forever

Selecting the right materials and also covers can keep your outdoor patio furnishings looking immaculate for many years. From summertime rainstorms to sweltering heat and also scorching sun, good outside furnishings has to fight the components. Plus, if you intend to leave your outside furniture outside year-round (and also live in an area with winter weather), it will additionally have to endure below-freezing temperatures as well as ice. To provide your outside furnishings the most effective chance at survival, begin by picking materials that can deal with extreme weather and also temperature changes. Then, buy covers as well as storage space units to safeguard cushions and also paddings. One essential variable is going with materials that are confirmed to withstand rainfall as well as humidity. These consist of weatherproof galvanised steel as well as concrete composite, waterproof artificial wicker, and teak wood, which is naturally weather-resistant and immune to fungus. When revealed to the components, woods like teak will certainly develop a silvery grey patina over time. Acacia wood is an additional fantastic product for outdoor usage, yet it calls for a little bit more maintenance than its metal-based counterparts. While normally weather-resistant, acacia can still be sensitive to wetness and also moisture. To keep acacia wood furniture looking new, Search recommends covering it to maintain excess moisture away. And also the very same goes for other pieces of outside furnishings, too. Although our items can be left outdoors, we always recommended using a waterproof or water resistant cover when it's drizzling or if you're planning to allow them sit outside for a long period of time. If you truly want your outdoor furniture to last for life, covers are a must. Pieces with a galvanised steel frame or aluminium will certainly stand up to temperature changes. Another excellent choice is artificial rattan as well as items made with polypropylene. They're made to stand up to temperature changes and also can be conveniently incorporated into any kind of outside space. No matter if you favour the modern-day look of galvanised steel or the boho aesthetic of synthetic rattan, these items will certainly survive drastic temperature level adjustments. There's more at gardenfurnitureoffers.co.uk

Splendid Garden Furniture

Garden furniture can add beauty to your home. Garden is an augmentation of your home and it should be furnished well. An ineffectively furnished front yard with old furniture can deface the beauty of your home. Centers and gardens are a piece of a house click here and ought to be given due consideration. Embellishing your home with the right sort of outdoor furniture will finish its look. It can make your home appealing and command the notice of guests. Nonetheless, it is important that you choose the right type of furniture.

Outdoor furniture things like garden loungers, sofas, chairs, coffee tables, and so forth should blend well with the insides of your home. For example, in the event that you have a contemporary look inside, conventional or antique looking furniture won’t be a good decision for the outdoors. This is the principal dependable guideline while choosing outdoor things.

Another important angle that you must consider while buying garden furniture is the suitability to climate conditions. The climate conditions may not be something very similar in all pieces of UK. Hence, choose furniture that suits the climate conditions. Probably the most ideal choice is to choose all-climate furniture things. It is low on support and will sustain a wide range of climate conditions.

There are numerous decisions for outdoor furniture things and we are sure that you will be spoilt for decision. These furniture things can likewise be ordered online from the comfort of your home. They accompany a value match ensure. You can anticipate the best costs for garden furniture. They are accessible in different materials like wood, rattan and metal. Here are a portion of the variations that you could choose.

Variations For Furniture

Wooden Furniture: There are numerous choices in the type of wood. The absolute most preferred woods are teak wood, oak wood and hard wood. Wood looks rich and is a record-breaking top pick among buyers. A few woods might require upkeep like covering with stain, yet a few woods like teak barely need support.

Rattan Furniture: Rattan garden furniture is incredibly sturdy yet adaptable. This component of rattan empowers producers to shape it in stylish designs. It looks modern and stylish. In addition, it is light in weight and can be moved around without any problem.

Metal Furniture: Metal furniture has an old world appeal. It looks unmistakable and is accessible in created iron with a covered completion. Metal furniture is very low on support.

Under every one of these classifications, you can discover a lot of furniture things like garden loungers, Teak Garden Furniture, seats, coffee tables, chairs, sofas, outdoor tables, swing seats, bar stool and tables, garden loungers, parasols, and significantly more. Every one of these furniture things are accessible in an assortment of shapes and sizes to address different issues. They are styled with the most contemporary designs.

In any case, a few things of the garden furniture have a classic and rustic look. It is for those buyers who need to add a bit of old world appeal. Outdoor furniture might require somewhat more exertion as far as cleaning and support, however it merits the endeavors. Your home will be the jealousy of your neighbors and guests.