#this is about coral island fishing

[archonfurina]

game developer! are you planning to include a fishing minigame in your upcoming game? here's the number one tip endorsed by players everywhere:

) don't!

[schmaddi]

So uhm... guess who tripped and fell HARD for Coral Island's merman Semeru. Definitely not meeee~ Anyway, here's a quick sketch because I can't get him out of my head and I really need to share my obsession with sOMEONE.

(also, i know that he's currently rather grumpy, distrustful and not that outgoing, so the expression that i gave him might be a litttttle OOC for him (for now). HOWEVER. BUT. Just imagine him doing his job guarding the kingdom and stuff and keeping an eye on MC-farmer because y'know he still doesn't really trust us and all that quak, but then farmer does something dumb that he finds mildy amusing, which is why he'd have this sliiiight very tiny smile on his face. That's the kinda expression I wanted to give him. Also shoutout to @fyreiswriting because their work on Ao3 is what kept me alive these past few weeks, months? Hi fyre. Love your stories.)

[welcometoteyvat]

yoimiya 2nd story quest ?!?!?!?!

[diejager]

Saccharine and Monstrosity pt.1

Pairing: Eldritch Horror!König x mermaid!reader

Cw: kidnapping, manipulation, DARK FIC, trap, luring, mention of breeding kink, protective König, mention of partial nudity, hunting, tell me if I missed any. Wc: 4K

I got inspired by @konigsblog ‘s post.

You enjoyed the sun as much as any other betta fish mermaid, laying on the warm rocks and bathing under the bright, yellow sun. You lived in a school of fish that moved near the shores of a tropical island a few generations before, building houses under the coral reef and rocks where newly placed branches would grow and work as a natural shield. The world you lived in - the part of the ocean you called your home - was bright and colourful, the shallow waters clear and gleaming under the warming sun.

You liked all things bright and colourful, either big or small, you decorated your part of the cave with things you found while swimming around your territory. Be it a golden coin shining on the ocean floor, or a shard of coloured glass, you picked it all up and stuck it around your room. Sometimes, you found pretty things near the limits of your home, and other times, you ventured closer to the edge of the darkness when something shiny caught your attention. 

Over the ridge of sand that drew the start of the darkness, that deep and menacing slope down to the deepest part of your ocean, where darker, meaner and cruel beings born of cruelty and madness lived. It was somewhere all mers were warned of, to stay far away from the darkness and never stray from the light that fed and protected you. You thrived in the light, your body absorbing the warmth from the sun that made your scales vibrant and feeding from the fauna and flora that lived beside you: seaweeds and small fishes. 

Your kind grew up with stories of horrifying monsters and cruel creatures that lived in that abyss, lingering near the shallow to catch a pretty, little mer for their hoard. Whatever became of the taken was still unknown, once a mer was taken by One, no one would hear from them from then on. Your parents had warned you about straying too close from the shallow, daring fate when you swam over the ridge to collect those pretty gems you fancied so much.

“Don’t worry,” you’d grin at her, fins flickering behind you. “I’m a fast swimmer, mom!”

You were a fast swimmer, slipping between rocks and corals, hands cradling your little shells while you fled from the dark, twisting over the ridge and vanishing between the corals. That’s what you did most days, picking up people’s trash to make it your treasure, fingers cleaning the sand off the holes and crevasses before sticking them to your walls. You also tinkered with metal creations you found, a silver fork or a rusted-looking instrument. 

Granted, you joined in hunts, catching sardines and herrings, claws digging into its scaled bodies and teeth ripping into its flesh, the only other taste being sea salt, or bathed under the sun, but you preferred scavenging for loot. Although mers hunted alone, most found it easier to do it in groups, swarming shoals of fish and catching in a group of a dozen at a time for your little colony. So when you were fed and rested, you were back out, treading the line between the shallow and the abyss.

You swam slowly, head turning left and right for anything that would catch your attention, for that small glint hidden under a thin veil of sand or a long metallic object sticking out from the ground. You already had a few things in your arms, a few shells, human objects thrown overboard or floated into the sea, and small treasures: white pearls. You picked things up from both sides, mind in a comfortable and pleasant space, prideful of your catch so far that you were oblivious of the eyes following your colourful body. 

His pale eyes wandered over your puffy cheeks and sweet lips, those squinted eyes in mirth as you searched for more. He went down the curve of your shoulders and the swell of your breasts, perky nipples covered by pretty shells, over your soft stomach and that bright, colourful tail of yours that first caught his attention. Every scale glistened under the sun, reflecting the light on the sand while you swam, your fins curving with the twist of your tail. 

You were the prettiest thing he’d ever seen, an angel collecting treasure, just like he did. He saw the batch in your arms, clutched between your breasts when you dove to pick something up on his side. You were as adorable and innocent as you were pretty, your action oblivious of his predatory eyes, dipping into his territory without fear of retribution on his part. He liked that bold and daring attitude of yours, fitting for someone so courageously bright and flashing your bold colours to him. 

If he were to drop something closer to him, would you still swim towards it or ignore it for something closer to the ridge? If he hid until you were close enough, would he be able to wrap his limb around you? To feel your soft skin and coarse scales under his slimy arm. He was glad he decided to hunt today, searching for both prey - mer or fish, he isn’t picky about what he ate - and treasure. Hidden under a couple of tentacles, he dropped a golden coin a few feet away from him, his veil and the darkness helping him hide from your sight. 

His heart soared when he saw your eyes widen, a smile curling at the corners of your lips when you saw his little coin, diving towards him with enthusiasm. You were so close to him, hand stretching to grab the object with small, clawed fingers. When you held it in your hand, appraising it, he felt pride bubble in his chest, rising to his mind as he took this occasion to get his arm around you. You flinched when he wrapped the tip of his tentacle around your tail, squirming around in terror. In a panicked struggle to escape him, you dropped everything you’d collected and fled from him with a cry.

He watched you swim away from him through saddened eyes, hearing the thudding from the things you dropped, even the coin he gifted you. His eyes never left your fleeing body until you jumped over the edge, your tail the last thing he saw in that moment of self-deprivation and sadness. He hoped you’d come back, forgetting the fear of his sudden attention and daring fate once more.

He came the next day and the day after that, but you weren’t there, your precious smile and happy eyes were a memory in his mind, a fleeting moment in his gloomy world. He came back every day, hiding in the darkness, on the line between pitch darkness and light shading. He wished you were there every day, his eyes bleeding with optimism and hope for a single smidgen of bright colours. 

He hadn’t seen you in the following week. His shoulders slumped and caved into himself in sadness every time he came by, his blue eyes dulling bit by bit, that hopeful thinking drowning under realistic thinking and a pessimistic mind. Then he caught a glimpse of colour against the white sand. Before long, he saw arms filled with shiny items, trailing nearer to your side than his, but still chasing for treasures. 

If he wanted to approach you, to touch your soft-looking skin and run his arms over your scaled tail, he’d have to find a way to lure you in. He watched you the first few days, his tentacles curling on itself and burying himself in the sand, the hundreds of suckers searching for buried treasures to leave for you. When you turned your back to him, his unwinding arm left the things he found near the ridge for you to find and take. Little gifts for you, courting gifts he left and gifted you in an attempt to woo you. 

You were skittish and fleeing but took all his gifts with shaky smiles and grateful eyes, you knew he gave them to you. Of course, you did, you were his brave and smart little mermaid, approaching his offerings with apprehension - he felt hurt you feared and got nervous around him, but he understood you, his kind ate yours - and scanned the sand around you for any danger before crossing the line. He felt giddy when you added them to your stack, his mind-blowing with dreams and thoughts of you decorating your little cave with the things he gave you. On the ceiling, against the wall and on the ground or surfaces, you would use the things he gave you for your home. 

It sent him up the walls of his caves with joy and excitement, his limbs curling to rearrange his home to prepare for you, to accommodate your arrival to his big, lonely home.

It took a week or two - or so he thought, his perception of time was and had always been warped in some way - before you became comfortable enough to approach him, to let him curl his slimy tentacle around your tail and up your body. He could finally feel you and it made him ecstatic - he was over the moon every time he got to touch you. Little pokes, fleeting squeezes and feathery bites from his suckers on your flesh, all things he let himself taste before your coupling. A coupling between the prettiest and the cruellest beings in the ocean would unwind the seams that made your worlds, pulling the string that separated the beauty and the beast in this cursed universe.

Granted, you hesitated to cross into the pitch darkness of the abyss, dancing just a few inches from his abode with an armful of trinkets from König. Your slow and steady breath, words you blessed him with when you muttered to him, calling out to know if he was there and your grateful grin were a common, yet welcome sight in his daily swim. While a bit reluctant to join him on the other side, you eventually swam across, your eyes melting into the black before you. You were unseeing as much as you were blind, if not for the guiding palm of the Eldritch creature that you befriended and the shine of treasure you saw around him. 

You wished you could see anything but the gleam of treasure and the black mist of the abyss, your hand wandered over his, searching for his body, to feel the one who’s been gifting you treasures. Your fingers trailed upwards, feeling the tightness of his muscles, the curves and hardness of his arms were sinful. You truly wished you could see him at this moment, but you kept at your advance, clawed fingers moving slowly with unbridled curiosity. When you reached his broad shoulders and well-pronounced chest, it rumbled, a purr coming from König. Its deep sound shook you with need, your tail enthusiastically moving back and forth as you listened to him. 

“Are you happy, Schatz?”

His voice was even better than his soft purrs, in a way that made you want to melt into his arms and never bother moving if he kept talking to you, the sound of the creature that gave you gifts and affection. König’s spine-chilling voice seemed like a mix of many voices, both soft and raspy, and both deep and smooth, but it was something you enjoyed, that you found yourself liking a bit too much. 

“Yes,” you breathed, eyes travelling skyward, towards the source of his voice.

Your breath caught in your throat, choking a gasp at the prettiest blues you’d seen staring down at you. They were majestic, gem-like with a pretty sheen that made them glow like a beacon of light. You wondered why you’d never seen them, seeing how bright his eyes were. They lit up his face, or the veil he wore over his face, showing the pale streak of makeshift tears down the incision he made for his eyes. You shamelessly admired him, unbothered by the lost puppy-like stare you gave him in your glowing beauty. 

You’d crossed a threshold, where a creature of light never dared to cross, stepping into the arms of an Old One and embracing their madness. Although you were oblivious to his intentions, the loud proclamation of his courting rituals and attempts of crying out his love - the Old One’s rituals and cultures were much of a mystery to those who didn’t study them, much of a taboo for anyone outside of delusion and greed - he hadn’t refrained from his deliberate show that would be nearly shameful and embarrassing to others of his kind. 

Some wouldn’t bother with such frivolous acts: confessions from the deepest part of their dark soul, proclamation of love and undying adoration, or having to scavenge for gifts - offerings - to the subject of their attention. His kind took and took, reaching for that small glimmer of hope and beauty and corrupted it, bending it to their liking and building something from the ashes. It wouldn’t - would never - be the same as they were before, but that was how the Old Ones liked it: control, corruption, ruin, madness and power.

König wouldn’t do that, he wanted to cherish you, add to what you were and watch it bloom like those bioluminescent creatures in the abyss; even against his creator’s wishes. He’ll put you on the highest pedestal he has, eternally imprinting the image of you as his most precious treasure into his mind. You’ll be a thing of miracles, a thing of blessings, a thing of new beginnings. He wanted all and everything with you, but he’d have to take it slow, to coax you into this redundant pattern that ensured your trust and comfort and have you follow him of your own volition. 

He doesn’t mind waiting, he’s had hundreds of years of sitting and waiting, patience was a virtue he grew to learn, to hold in his giant palm and clutch like a gift from the ever-growing, chaotic universe. He can wait and plan, so he will, König will lay down his plan and wait until he can bring it to reality.

Wait he did, for you to grow comfortable enough to follow him deeper and let him pull you in from your side. It took you a month of back and forth, squirming around your infatuation with König and exchanging trinkets, words and fleeting kisses with him. He adored your little giggles when he traced your sides with a bolt tentacle, curling under your plush tits and the tip sliding under your strap. He loved the pretty shells you gave him, cleaned from sand and any barnacles, it showed him how much time you spent on it for him. His heart bloomed and swelled to impossible heights when you pecked his lips, giving him shy and gentle kisses that he grew addicted to. 

You were so sweet and so soft, your lips the taste of heaven for a creature of madness. Your hands were gentle like a cool balm over a burn, soothing his wild thoughts. Your little gifts for him - reciprocating his affection - were currently the most important things in his cave, a sign of your love and devotion. It made him wonder what would you let him do once you gave yourself to him. Would you succumb to the everlasting pleasures he could give you, or would you demand to help him take care of his own in a mutual haze? He couldn’t help himself, letting his chaotic mind conjure the most absurd and erotic dreams, his body vibrating with excitement; and now, at the peak of your trust in him, he watched his plan - a well-placed trap - come to fruition. 

“Come, Schatz,” he beckoned you forward, his burly arm stretching to coax you to follow him, holding out his open palm to you. “I have something I want to show you. Pretty things.”

Without a thought, to question his intentions or to ask why he couldn’t have bought them for you like he usually did, you took his hand and let his fingers curl over yours, intertwining your smaller digits to his as he pulled you to his chest. His embrace was as safe and pleasant as the last one - yesterday - and caused a flurry of emotions to erupt in your chest, he was warm in the cool darkness, loving in all the ways you could think. You could close your eyes and imagine a smile rippling across his face with joyfully squinted eyes peering down at you. 

Held against his chest, his other arm wrapped around your waist with a firm squeeze of his hand where your skin turned to scales. He whispered sweet promises, words of encouragement to see the way to his home and excited explanations of what awaited you. Pretty things, he said, you knew what he meant - at least you think you did - you shared much in common, and pretty things were something you both agreed on: shiny metals, interesting trinkets, shimmering shells or finely-minted coins. All things humans valued before throwing away; one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. 

How unfortunate that you couldn’t see in the dark, yet how fortunate you wouldn’t know the way back, it was something he relied on heavily to keep you, if you didn’t know how to navigate in this utter blindness, there were no risks of you trying to escape his caring hand. You were smart, you wouldn’t simply venture off without knowing where to go and how to see, especially with how vast his territory was and how dangerous it was. He shared his home with other simple-minded animals, sharks, fishes, eels and any other abyssal creature that lived and depended on the dark to live. 

Your innocent curiosity about the things he deemed pretty enough to hoard made his heartbeat, that addicting feeling he got from touching you, kissing you and speaking to you. Even if the deeper he went, the colder it became, you never once complained, your wide eyes and grinning face were the only thing you gave him. He was truly relieved to know that you were patient and understanding of his home, not one hiss or pout while you shook and clung to him, depending on him for warmth. He liked that, to see you rely on him so much. 

“We’re here, mein Liebling,” he hushed, cradling your face as he dove down, through the entrance of his cave. He shielded your fragile body with his many arms, protecting you from the rush of water current flowing against him. He chose this one to build his nest, using the strong current as a natural barrier against weaker creatures. 

When the waters calmed to a still, he loosened his hold on you, unravelling his arms to let you explore the many passages and alcoves in his home. To accommodate you, he strung up bioluminescent flora, using them as light to find your way around, with silken algae over a few rocks to mimic the beds mers slept in and a few other things that he thought you’d need: a mirror, a few floating plants to add to its mystical beauty and clusters of soft materials in nearly every room. 

He let you wander, your tail flapping back and forth to lead you down the long hall and explore the many rooms. He used a room to sleep, one as a pantry and storage, and another one to hold his hoard, but he had a lot of empty and unused space, more than enough for you and your children to thrive. He wanted to let you roam at your own pace, but he had something to show you, something he was proud of making. 

He pulled you from your little cloud of joy, wrapping an arm around you, his sticky suckers latching onto you as he coaxed you his way. Only then had you taken the time to admire König under blue light, cheeks warm with a burning flush and doe-like eyes staring at the naked expense of his hard abdomen, stomach sculpted to perfection that had Adonis shying away. His arms were big and round, muscles straining the scarred skin with delicious appeal. 

Downwards, following the sharp dip of his navel, were dozens of dark tentacles lined with round, pulsing suckers. Like an octopus, they were covered in a slimy sheen, every limb flexible and able to move independently. The lower ones were thick and soft, acting as a cover for whatever he hid beneath them, while some were thinner, whose source came from under his veil. Those, however, were a mix of normal and horrific tentacles, some had eyes replacing the usual suckers, tinted in the same colour as his irises, that glowing, pale blue. 

It made your body heat up, fingers tingling with nerves - or was it? When faced with something you found appealing, it’d be natural to feel flustered, no? König thought so, that’s how he spent the first days reacting to you, heating up to a bothersome flush to everything you did. He watched your awed stare, that daydreaming haze in your eyes when you looked him over, his whole body clear under the gentle light in his cave. 

“This way.”

Without making your gaze leave his figure, he drew you in, heading towards his biggest room where he caught and strung everything to fit his pleasure and mood. It was somewhere deeper into the system with walls strong and sturdy, and the round ceiling higher than the other rooms. On one side was a pile of golden objects of all shades, light yellow to a darkish gold, nearly bronze; on the other was a mix of pretty silver things and metallic black objects, rusted by age and the salty ocean; and on another, the smallest of them all, comprised of a few dozens of colourful shells and corals frozen in time that you’d given him. 

He saw your chest expand, your smile growing brighter and brighter at the pile of gifts you gave him, your bubbly laugh as you swam towards it, twirling around it proudly. You looked around the room, admiring his large collection and how it seemed to spill down every pile in an attempt to reach the other one, forming a protective ring around your presents, but always coming back to the bright pink, blue and yellow shells. You were happy and appreciative of the time he spent working and arranging his hoard. If he could, he’d preen and purr to you, to show just how much your proud smile meant to him, watching you appraise his work was satisfying. 

He already felt like things were falling into place perfectly, he could see the life he had envisioned with you coming to life, the little intricacies that popped into his mind seeming too appealing. His dreams were slowly becoming a reality, the things that he could only imagine were now tangible to his hands, and the future he salivated at was so, so close that he could sink his teeth into its flesh. 

He knew it. He knew it when he watched you swim to him with that big, adorable smile on your face, that it was in his hands. He could see it now, how his lonely cave would be filled with life and laughter, children with a mix of your beauty and his madness chasing one another between the many openings and your round, swollen stomach welcoming another of your children to the world. That was all he could think of while he cradled you in his arms, his tentacles latching to your tail and back. 

“You’re happy, ja?”

Next

Taglist: @sae1kie @yeoldedumbslut @tallmanlover @distracteddragoness @vxnilla-hxrddrugs @konigsblog @candlewitch-cryptic @im-making-an-effort @0alk0msan 

[reasonsforhope]

A reef that has been degraded—whether by coral bleaching or disease—can’t support the same diversity of species and has a much quieter, less rich soundscape.

But new research from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution shows that sound could potentially be a vital tool in the effort to restore coral reefs.

A healthy coral reef is noisy, full of the croaks, purrs, and grunts of various fishes and the crackling of snapping shrimp. Scientists believe that coral larvae use this symphony of sounds to help them determine where they should live and grow.

So, replaying healthy reef sounds can encourage new life in damaged or degraded reefs.

In a paper published last week in Royal Society Open Science, the Woods Hole researchers showed that broadcasting the soundscape of a healthy reef caused coral larvae to settle at significantly higher rates—up to seven times more often.

“What we’re showing is that you can actively induce coral settlement by playing sounds,” said Nadège Aoki, a doctoral candidate at WHOI and first author on the paper.

“You can go to a reef that is degraded in some way and add in the sounds of biological activity from a healthy reef, potentially helping this really important step in the coral life cycle.”

Corals are immobile as adults, so the larval stage is their only opportunity to select a good habitat. They swim or drift with the currents, seeking the right conditions to settle out of the water column and affix themselves to the seabed. Previous research has shown that chemical and light cues can influence that decision, but Aoki and her colleagues demonstrate that the soundscape also plays a major role in where corals settle.

The researchers ran the same experiment twice in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2022. They collected larvae from Porites astreoides, a hardy species commonly known as mustard hill coral thanks to its lumpy shape and yellow color and distributed them in cups at three reefs along the southern coast of St. John. One of those reefs, Tektite, is relatively healthy. The other two, Cocoloba and Salt Pond, are more degraded with sparse coral cover and fewer fish.

At Salt Pond, Aoki and her colleagues installed an underwater speaker system and placed cups of larvae at distances of one, five, 10, and 30 meters from the speakers. They broadcast healthy reef sounds – recorded at Tektite in 2013 – for three nights. They set up similar installations at the other two reefs but didn’t play any sounds.

When they collected the cups, the researchers found that significantly more coral larvae had settled in the cups at Salt Pond than the other two reefs. On average, coral larvae settled at rates 1.7 times (and up to 7x) higher with the enriched sound environment.

The highest settlement rates were at five meters from the speakers, but even the cups placed 30 meters away had more larvae settling to the bottom than at Cocoloba and Tektite.

“The fact that settlement is consistently decreasing with distance from the speaker, when all else is kept constant, is particularly important because it shows that these changes are due to the added sound and not other factors,” said Aran Mooney, a marine biologist at WHOI and lead author on the paper.

“This gives us a new tool in the toolbox for potentially rebuilding a reef.”

Adding the audio is a process that would be relatively simple to implement, too.

“Replicating an acoustic environment is actually quite easy compared to replicating the reef chemical and microbial cues which also play a role in where corals choose to settle,” said Amy Apprill, a microbial ecologist at WHOI and a co-author on the paper.

“It appears to be one of the most scalable tools that can be applied to rebuild reefs, so we’re really excited about that potential.”"

-via Good News Network, March 17, 2024

[seawing-vibes]

Decided to fill out a template from @/falling-skyzz I feel normal about . The dragons ! List of characters & design & dynamic thoughts under the cut <3

Also If anyone else fills out thus template feel free to send me the post,, I would love to see other people filling this out!!! I love templates !!

Secretkeeper & Moon • I understand theres a lot of reasonable hate for Secretkeeper but!!! I find her & moon to be a very fascinating pair! To make a long ass thought short, I think Secretkeeper is the embodiment of “product of her environment & deeply traumatize & projecting”. I think she genuinely really loves moon but obviously expresses that through being “”protective””. But I think shes genuinely a character with a capacity for change & realizing the autonomy Moon has over her own powers. Also from the perspective of Moon I think her arc around her relationship with her mom could be really interesting, especially as Secretkeepers authority becomes challenged in Moons life & she has to confront the bullshit her mother has put her through. Overall very very interesting pair I think about them a lot.

Design Note: Secretkeeper is duller in color than Moon & has less stars due to lack of moon light on the island! Also the scales around her mouth are almost completely black, making her mouth barely visible, giving her the name “Secretkeeper” as she “has no mouth to tell others secrets.”

Tsunami & Starflight • Just one of my fav siblings! This specific illustration is from the Arena Scene in Dragonet Prophesy! I really really love Tsu & Starflights dynamic of looking up to eachother & their development together just. So neat!

Design Note: Starflight has very few constellation marks in this illustration as he hasnt spent much time under moonlight quite yet!

Shark & Abalone • One of my more out-there ships! I based this on the thought that Shark was once close with Abalone (cough. Husbands.) and that relates to why he was willing to give Tortoise a lunch-break from watching the eggs. He already saw someone close to him die from being overworked to watch the clutch, he didn’t want to watch another dragon die from his sisters selfishness. I could write an essay on these two I swear

Deisgn Note: Shark is based on a tiger shark & abalone is based on real abalones! hes one of my fav designs here

Six-Claws & Ostrich • He’s just a sweet dad! the little we see of him he seems to really love her & vice-versa <3 they’re just neat

Design Note: Six-Claws is based on a king cobra & is a specific sub-“species” of hooded Sandwings ! Burn found his hood mutation & six-claws super interesting

Tamarin & Pike • My fav background friendship! They’re just fun. I like Pike just chillin out around Tamarin & describing flower colors to her to the best of his ability (she just likes to hear him ramble about a shared interest)

Design Notes: I updated how I draw Tamarins eyes to properly resemble a blind-born dragon ! Also Pike’s deisgn got some yellow in it and I really like it <3

Whiteout & Thoughtful • I just think they’re neat!! They just seem like a sweet pair love them

Design Note: none really! Just experimenting with a rando Thoughtful design that I tossed together for my “ships tier list”

Tsunami • Its just her :) my fav dragon <3!!! I definitely dont think she upholds the “princess” title once she gets older, her only link to the throne is by Coral insisting monthly visits but Tsu otherwise wouldn’t be any interesting in royal life I would imagine

Design Note: Shes caught a waaururrghh something im going bonkers I cant remember what fish that is and my reference photo seems to have dissipated into the cosmos

Anemone • I LOVE HER. SO MUCH ! Anemone haters BACK OFF!!!! Her relationship to her powers is so fucked man. Something you’d think would give her power & control is just a key by which others use to manipulate and abuse her like . Man :( shes literally never had any autonomy over her own identity & intermingled her powers into her identity So Much only for that aspect of herself to also be revealed to be a facade for someone else’s desires like. GUH I love her so much I hope shes having a good day I dont care what anyone says she deserves to be a brat and I support her for it

Design Note: none really! The stars in her talons are just metaphorical though

Snowflake & Snowfox • THE OGS!!!!!! MY FAVORITE PROBLEMATIC LESBIANS <3 Ahhh remember in the early days when they were considered the #1 most problematic ship because they were gay and also evil. I love the evil lesbians so much they’re so shitty sorry Darkstalker Snowfox should’ve been queen I would’ve loved to see that go down it’d be so silly

Design Notes: Snowfox is based on an arctic fox shedding into their summer coat!! I know its p . Away from canon descriptors of her but it was sm fun to illustrate so shhh <3 Snowflake is just grey & blueish per-canon but shes sooo fun. love her.

Okay thats all here are the individual illustrations now !!!!! Because why not !!! If these aren’t transparent its all over

[flowerandthesongstress]

complaints I've already seen about Coral Island, a new Indonesian kickstarter cozy game: the barman selling a ruined dish is an uncalled-for jab at restaurant workers! cats shouldn't hang out outdoors! eew, this woman shouldn't display her pregnancy stretch marks! where are all the kippot! why is everyone in such good shape! preposterous! this partially deaf character talking in caps lock is triggering me! no one in doctors without borders would be that tattooed, this dreadful representation is literal murder! no doctor would forget her paperwork at a library, for that matter! why is a japanese fisherman talking like a scottish pirate, this is inaccurate!

meanwhile in the game: I freed a stone statue from a magical underground prison and he put an enchantment on my hoe. his brother asked me if I liked figs is he flirting. my hippie boyfriend is heartbroken because his bucket-wearing pet duck is sick but shhh watching tv will heal him. last night when I talked to the outdoors cat she mentioned that she has a crippling fear of birds and thinks of getting therapy. a stem academic looks like a kpop idol and is getting enough sleep. he wears his astrophysics degree all over himself like a linguist would have worn alphabet necklaces, just to spite his dad but it's not working why is it not working ah shit it's working. mermaids hired me as a janitor. it's not pro bono I'm paid in diamonds. my neighbor is worried that his shiba inu went back to rejoin the mountain whence it came from. a turtle won't let me pass until I serve her spaghetti. I'm fighting capitalism with a literal scythe. the local blacksmith is asking my opinion regarding a legendary battle hammer and if it's worth the logistics hassle. it's been a year crabs are still dancing in celebration their zeal is admirable but their choreography could use some work. this giant monkey covered in two layers of meta wants to sell me a nostalgic souvenir. I know it because he sent me a polite letter. how many propaganda flyers can I fish out of this pond a challenge. I barged into a local lab and upended a barrel of seaweed over intricate circuitry now my flowers are five percent prettier. the scientist at the lab attached a mermish translator to my diving suit via the power of coffee. hold on I'm doing meal prep for next week let me finish putting ectoplasmic slime on okra

[venic-bxtch]

Joe x wife reader = romantic getaway

⋆·˚ ༘ *Husband!Joe x Wife!Reader ⋆·˚ ༘ *

The gentle hum of the plane’s engine was the only sound as you leaned your head on Joe’s shoulder, watching the horizon melt into shades of pink and gold. His fingers lazily traced patterns on the back of your hand, his touch warm and familiar. It was rare to get moments like this—just the two of you, away from the noise, away from his demanding schedule, and away from the endless pull of responsibilities. This trip was something you both needed, and the excitement of what lay ahead was already bubbling in your chest.

As the plane touched down on the private island, Joe turned to you with a grin, his blue eyes sparkling with excitement. “Ready for paradise?” he asked, squeezing your hand.

You nodded, a matching smile tugging at your lips. “Lead the way, Burrow.”

The resort was straight out of a dream: white sand beaches, crystal-clear water, and your own private villa tucked away from the world. As you stepped into the villa, you couldn’t help but gasp. The floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the ocean, the soft sound of waves lapping at the shore creating an instant sense of calm. A king-sized bed draped in sheer white fabric sat in the center of the room, and outside on the deck, a private infinity pool sparkled under the sun.

Joe dropped your bags by the door and wrapped his arms around your waist from behind, resting his chin on your shoulder. “Worth it?” he murmured, his voice low and warm against your ear.

You leaned back into him, closing your eyes for a moment as you let the peace of the moment wash over you. “More than worth it,” you whispered. “This is perfect.”

The first day was spent doing nothing but relaxing. Joe insisted on carrying you into the pool, your laughter echoing through the air as he spun you around before gently lowering you into the water. You spent hours just floating there together, the weight of the world forgotten as you talked about everything and nothing. Later, he ordered room service—a luxurious spread of fresh seafood and tropical cocktails—and the two of you ate on the deck as the sun dipped below the horizon.

That evening, Joe surprised you with a candlelit bath on the deck, the tub filled with rose petals and the soft glow of lanterns casting a romantic light over the space. He poured you a glass of wine and slid into the water beside you, pulling you close until your back was resting against his chest.

“I’ve been looking forward to this,” he admitted, his voice soft as his fingers traced gentle patterns on your arm. “Just you and me. No distractions.”

You tilted your head to look up at him, your heart swelling at the tenderness in his eyes. “Me too,” you said, your voice just as quiet. “I’ve missed this. I’ve missed you.”

His expression softened further as he leaned down to kiss you, slow and sweet, as if he had all the time in the world. And in that moment, it felt like he did.

The next day, Joe insisted on taking you on an adventure. He rented a boat, and the two of you spent the morning exploring hidden coves and snorkeling in the vibrant coral reefs. You laughed as he tried—and failed—to catch a fish with his bare hands, his competitive streak getting the better of him as he splashed around in the water. By the time you returned to the villa, your cheeks were sore from smiling, and your heart felt lighter than it had in months.

That evening, the resort had arranged a private dinner on the beach. A table for two was set up under a canopy of twinkling lights, the sound of the waves providing the perfect background music. Joe pulled out your chair for you, ever the gentleman, and the two of you shared a meal that felt like something out of a movie.

As the night went on, Joe reached across the table to take your hand, his thumb brushing over your wedding ring. “I know things have been hectic lately,” he said, his voice earnest. “But I want you to know how much you mean to me. How grateful I am for you—for us.”

You felt your throat tighten with emotion as you squeezed his hand. “I know, Joe. And I feel the same way. I wouldn’t trade this life with you for anything.”

He smiled then, that soft, boyish grin that never failed to make your heart flutter. “Good. Because I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

The night ended with the two of you dancing barefoot in the sand, the stars overhead and the world fading away until it was just you and him. As he held you close, his arms wrapped tightly around you, you realized that moments like this were what it was all about. No matter how busy life got, no matter the challenges that came your way, as long as you had each other, you had everything.

Taglist: @heavyhitterheaux @inmyfeelingsgnocchi @nami-swannn @iknowdatsrightbih @ikeepitlight @joeyfranchise @joeybsboo @funnyjb

[niqhtlord01]

Humans are weird: Thalassophobia

Alien: Can you explain this word to me?

Human: What word?

Alien: *hands over paper* This one.

Human: *Looks at it*

Human: It means a fear of deep water.

Alien: Why would someone be afraid of deep water?

Human: They aren’t afraid of the water itself, but what can be lurking within it.

Alien: What…what lurks in the deep water?

Human: No one knows.

Human: Maybe it’s a giant serpent the size of a submarine, maybe it’s a giant fish with sharp teeth, or maybe even a creature that you only see in shadows.

Human: It could be anything down there.

Alien: It sounds like you are more afraid of your own imagination then.

Human: Never doubt the power of one’s imagination. It can take you to the darkest parts of your mind just as easily as it can the brightest if you are not careful.

Alien: Do you have Thalassophobia?

Human: I do, but I didn’t always have it.

Alien: If you mind when did you get it?

Human: I was twelve I went on a family vacation off the coast of what once was the Island nation of Hawaii after they broke away from the United States.

Human: My dad booked us a diving trip off the coast and we were all excited. When we finally got out to where we were going to dive I could barely see the islands anymore; just dots on the horizon.

Human: One by one, we started going into the water until it was my turn and I fell back beneath the waves. It was like entering another world of color and beauty. Coral reefs stretching out in each direction, fish of every size and color, even an old boat wreck laying on the bottom of the ocean covered in crabs. It was beyond my wildest expectations.

Human: We swam under the water for about an hour until we reached an underwater cliff.

Human: I peered over it but couldn’t see how far it went down. The water below became even murkier and darker compared to the top.

Alien: You don’t sound terrified.

Human: I wasn’t until the clouds rolled in.

Human: Suddenly the bright coral reef was shrouded in darkness. I looked down over the cliff again and my heart froze.

Human: Through the darkness and the murk I saw something massive drifting in and out my vision.

Alien: What was it?

Human: No idea. It was gone as quickly as it had arrived, and when the clouds parted all there was below the cliff was the murkiness of the water.

Human: Only this time I knew there was something that lurked within it.

[noaasanctuaries]

BREAKING NEWS

NOAA considers sanctuary in waters around Pacific Remote Islands

Today, NOAA announced it is starting the process to potentially designate a new national marine sanctuary in the Pacific Remote Islands area under the Biden-Harris Administration. The proposed area in the central Pacific Ocean includes marine areas within the existing Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, as well as currently unprotected submerged lands and waters, an area totaling about 770,000 square miles. 

A sanctuary designation would help conserve the atolls, shoals, seamounts, banks and reefs surrounding the Pacific Remote Islands. This area is home to some of the most diverse and remarkable tropical marine ecosystems on the planet, and provides a haven for a host of wildlife, including corals, sharks, fish, marine mammals, seabirds and invertebrates.

NOAA invites the public to comment on the proposed sanctuary designation through June 2, 2023.

[itzjaza]

TAZ SKYLAR HUSBAND HC RAHHH🔥🔥🔥

OMG THANKS FOR THE IDEA POOKIE!!!!!!!

Taz Skylar as Your Husband:

The proposal: Taz had been planning this for weeks. He wanted it to be perfect. He made Emily take y/n out for a girl's day so that he could prepare everything. He cooked her favorite meal, prepped their outfits for tonight, and bought her favorite champagne. When y/n got back it was safe to say she was surprised. After dinner, Taz took Y/n out on a walk at the beach to watch the sunset. As they walked along the sand, Taz took Y/n's hand in his and stopped in his tracks. "I can't imagine a life without you," Taz said, looking deeply into her eyes. "Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" y/n's eyes filled with tears of happiness. She had been waiting for this moment for so long. "Yes, Taz!" she said, smiling widely. Taz reached into his pocket and pulled out a beautiful engagement ring. He placed it on her finger, and they embraced each other in a tight hug. As the sun set over the ocean, Taz and then pulled her into a kiss that was ruined by their friends knocking them down onto the sand for a hug.

The wedding day: It was a beautiful day in the city, and y/n was getting ready for her big day. She was nervous and excited, but she knew that Taz was the one for her. Taz was waiting outside the church, looking handsome in his suit. As y/n approached him, he took her hand and greeted her with a smile. The ceremony was simple and elegant, and it was clear that Taz and Y/n were both over the moon with happiness. At the end of the ceremony, they exchanged their vows and said "I do". The reception was full of love and laughter, and all of their friends and family were there to share in their joy. As the night came to an end, Taz and y/n said goodbye to their guests and headed off to their honeymoon. It was the most perfect day of their lives, and they couldn't wait to start their life together as husband and wife.

The honeymoon: y/n and Taz went on an amazing honeymoon to a remote island in the Caribbean. They stayed in a beautiful resort surrounded by palm trees and white sand beaches. Taz was the perfect husband, and he treated her like a princess every day. Every morning, they woke up early to watch the sun rise over the ocean. Then they headed out on boats to explore the surrounding coral reefs. Taz showed y/n how to snorkel and they saw all kinds of colorful fish. In the afternoons, they lay out on the beach and relaxed in the sun. They talked about everything and nothing, and y/n felt more in love with Taz with each passing day. At night, they went out for delicious dinners. Taz was a great cook and he would make y/n her favorite dishes. Then they danced beneath the stars to the music of a live band. It was safe to say that y/n's and Taz's honeymoon was the most magical, romantic time of their lives. They returned home with incredible memories and a new level of love and connection.

How he would be as a husband: Taz would be a wonderful husband. He would be selfless, caring, and dedicated to making his wife happy. He would always put her needs first, and would be there to support her through thick and thin. He would be a great provider, and he would always go out of his way to make sure she felt loved and cared for. Taz would be a great conversationalist, and he would always make her laugh with his charming wit. He would be a great listener, and he would always be there to lend an ear when she needed to vent. In short, Taz would be a husband any woman would be lucky to have.

[bestanimal]

Round 2.5 - Cnidaria - Hexacorallia

(Sources - 1, 2, 3, 4)

The anthozoan class Hexacorallia contains five extant (living) orders: Actiniaria (“sea anemones”), Antipatharia (“black corals” or “thorn corals”), Corallimorpharia (“false corals”), Scleractinia (“stony corals” or “hard corals”), and Zoantharia (“zoanthids”). This class contains many of the most important reef builders: the stony corals, sea anemones, and zoanthids.

Like all anthozoans, these organisms are formed of individual soft polyps which in some species live in colonies and can secrete a calcite skeleton. Some species live as solitary polyps. Hexacorals are distinguished from Octocorals by having six or fewer axes of symmetry in their body structure, and tentacles which are simple and unbranched and normally number more than eight. Reef-building or hermatypic corals are mostly colonial, building a communal skeleton around their colony. Corallimorphs are similar to the stony corals, except for the stony skeleton, and have a tendency to overgrow reefs in a carpet formation. Most sea anemones are solitary, single polyps attached to a hard surface by their base but some species float near the surface, or can deatach to escape predators.

Hexacorals are filter-feeding carnivores, using their tentacles armed with stinging cells, called cnidocytes, to catch and neutralize plankton and draw it into their mouth. Larger polyps are able to take correspondingly larger prey, including various invertebrates and even fish. Many species have separate sexes, the whole colony being either male or female, but others are hermaphroditic, with individual polyps having both male and female gonads. Most species release gametes into the sea where fertilisation takes place, and the planula larvae drift as plankton, but a few species brood their eggs. Once the larvae settle in an area, they will metamorphize into a polyp. In colonial species, this initial polyp will repeatedly divide to give rise to an entire colony. Hexacorals can also reproduce by fragmentation, where part of a colony becomes detached and reattaches elsewhere, cloning polyps to grow the colony in the new area.

Hexacorals have existed since the Fortunian. Mackenzia, from the Middle Cambrian Burgess Shale of Canada, is the oldest fossil identified as a sea anemone. Nonetheless, many hexacorals have been declining in numbers and are expected to continue declining due to poaching, ocean acidification and climate change.

Propaganda under the cut:

Hexacorals provide housing, shelter, food, and protection for so many other animals. They are The Givers of the Animal Kingdom.

The largest coral ever recorded, a Pavona clavus colony dubbed the “mega coral” lives off the Solomon Islands. It is 34m (112 ft )wide, 32m (105 ft) long and 4.9m (16 ft) high, larger than a Blue Whale, composed of nearly one billion polyps, and more than 300 years old!

Coral is loud. It can hear and it communicates with each other via sound. We’re only beginning to discover this information and understand the implications of it, and more research needs to be done, but the amount of noise-making humans do in the ocean tends to disrupt the communication corals have with each other and other reef life.

Black Corals have historically been used by Pacific Islanders for medical treatment and in rituals, and are used in modern day for making jewelry.

Sea anemones and zoanthids are popular in the aquarium trade, however, their popularity threatens some populations as the trade depends on collection from the wild.

In southwestern Spain and Sardinia, the Snakelocks Anemone (Anemonia viridis) is consumed as a delicacy. The whole animal is marinated in vinegar, then coated in a batter similar to that used to make calamari, and deep-fried in olive oil.

Most sea anemones are harmless to humans, but a few highly toxic species (notably Actinodendron arboreum, Phyllodiscus semoni and Stichodactyla spp.) have caused severe injuries and are potentially lethal.

Clownfish and Anemonefish (Subfamily Amphiprioninae) are most famous for having a mutualistic relationship with sea anemones, receiving protection from predators by hiding in the anemone's stinging tentacles, and providing the anemone nutrients in the form of faeces. Some other animals have been recorded utilizing sea anemones in a similar way, including cardinalfish, juvenile threespot dascyllus, incognito (or anemone) gobies, juvenile painted greenlings, various crabs (such as Inachus phalangium, Mithraculus cinctimanus and Neopetrolisthes), shrimp (such as certain Alpheus, Lebbeus, Periclimenes and Thor), opossum shrimp (such as Heteromysis and Leptomysis), and various marine snails. One of the more unusual relationships are those between certain anemones (such as Adamsia, Calliactis and Neoaiptasia) and hermit crabs or snails, where the anemones live on the shell of the hermit crab or snail, providing protection from predators while being provided with transportation. Another unusual relationship is between Bundeopsis or Triactis anemones and Lybia boxing crabs, where the small anemones are actually carried around in the claws of the boxing crab as little weapons.

Look at this anemone eating an entire Mola:

(source)

[onskepa]

Okidoki~ sooo how about Tonowari with a reader that’s like kiri? Like- they’re mates and our dear reader kind of keeps her head in the clouds yk? Like- she when she goes for a swim sometimes she forgets everything else and poor stressed ‘wari has to look for her. :333333 DAAAMMMN this is making me kick my feet under the covers!!!!

Hope you like this one! I made her a bit ditzy for this one.

-------------------------------------------

Fwew

Tonowari is a leader, tall, patient, good sense of direction and morality. He fits all of the requirements to be a leader to his people. So, as leader, many people would assume he has everything under control.

NOPE. If anything, he freaks out on the inside.

Fwew. A name he given to the love of his life. A pet name.

Tonowari's mate, who despite having a name of her own, everyone calls her Fwew. And for one reason only.

She has a god damn talent to get lost and not know.

Its not that she doesn't have any sense of direction or doesn't know how to navigate around the island, its just that she gets distracted why too easy.

Easily, fwew can get side tracked. By anything really.

Pretty flower? she stays put to stare at it.

Pretty seashells? She stays to gather them.

Is the sky extra blue today? She will lay down at who knows where at stare at it like its a master piece.

Anything and everything just fascinates her so easily. She hardly gets bored and would appreciate the little things.

And where does her lovely mate, Tonowari leave? In a midst of panic. He tries his best to make sure his mate is with him at all times. But like a child, you look away for one second, and gone.

He has come up with so many ways. Using bright color flowers or hair décor for his mate as means so notice where she is. But the colors dulled down due to not lasting as much as he liked.

Made a sort of head band made out of shells, so that when Fwew moves, the shells make sounds. What happened do that? The twins that kept it together broke and the shells fells off.

A wrist band that tied her wrist with his, like hand cuffs, made with the strongest vines and roots. It did worked actually....until fwew's hand began to turn pale due to low blood circulation so tonowari had to cut it off.

Tonowari was so desperate as to not lose his mate, that at one point he strapped her on his chest like a parent would with a child. Fwew didn't mind, Tonowari shoved his pride aside to keep his mate close. What happened there? The straps were cut on accident when he was cutting up some fish.

Eywa forbid she enters the ocean. She tends to lose herself more in the ocean more than the forest in the island.

She would spend hours underwater. Admiring the fishes, corals and their unique designs.

Would let the waves gently sooth her to and from. Closing her eyes and feel the rhythm of the ocean.

Tonowari would often spend more time finding his mate rather than doing his duties. The people understand and are not at all upset nor annoyed. If anything, they find it amusing.

But the village does keep any eye out for the darling mate. Take notes of where she was last seen and report to tonowari so that he doesn't go in circles.

At the end of the day, Tonowari would calm himself as he finds his dear mate. He never gets mad at her. Too in love to really scold her. If anything, he would sit as his mate would tell of all the wonderful things she saw, collected, and hear her inner thoughts.

And the following day, repeat the chaos again.

I hoped ya'll liked this list! I had fun with it!

Fwew = search, look for.

[reasonsforhope]

[Warning: Graphic (some very graphic) shark-fishing pictures at the link.]

"Suhardi isn’t your average snorkeling guide. Born on the Indonesian island of Lombok, he’s spent his life on water. While he now seeks out sharks for the enjoyment of tourists, he once hunted sharks to help earn money to feed his family and educate his two children.

Suhardi was a fisherman for more than 20 years. He first started fishing working on his parents’ boat, but was then asked to join the crew of a shark boat where he was told he could earn a lot of money. Back on deck, he looks embarrassed to divulge what a meager wage it was, but finally confesses he earned around $50 for up to a month at sea.

Now he and 12 other former shark fishermen are part of The Dorsal Effect, an ecotourism company that helps ex-shark hunters find a new vocation. Each week, the team takes groups of tourists, schoolchildren and university students to off-the-grid locations and guides them around pristine reefs. Each trip is designed to take guests on an exploratory journey of both the shark trade and marine conservation through the eyes of the Sasak people of Lombok.

Lombok is a hotspot for marine diversity, sitting just east of the Wallace Line, a biogeographical boundary separating Asia and Australia and their respective fauna. Pristine coral gardens and around 80 species of sharks can be found in its waters. The island is also part of the world’s largest shark-fishing nation. Only the whale shark (Rhincondon typus) is protected in Indonesia; all other sharks can be legally caught.

The Dorsal Effect first launched in 2013, a year after Suhardi met Singaporean ecologist Kathy Xu, who had traveled to Lombok to find out more about the shark trade. The diminutive but quietly determined Xu wanted to protect sharks, but because she knew shark fishing was poorly paid and dangerous, she wanted to hear the fishermen’s stories too. They told her how once they could fish for sharks close to shore, but now with the shark population dropping, the fishermen said they needed to travel farther out to sea, only to come home with a relatively poor catch. The reduced catch also meant reduced pay, so they often couldn’t cover their costs...

Yet, when Xu asked why fishers didn’t seek out another trade, she learned they didn’t want to be separated from the sea. They saw it as part of their heritage.

But as they spoke longer, the shark fishermen talked about the coral gardens that could be found under the waves, ones that only they knew about. Inspired by a whale shark diving trip she’d taken with scientists on the Great Barrier Reef, Xu had an idea. “If such spots exist,” she recalls telling the fishers, “I could take tourists out with you and pay you more than you earned shark fishing”.

At first, Xu guided the former shark fishermen on how to become eco-friendly tour operators. They dropped anchor away from the reef, served guests plant-based dishes, and made sure all trash was taken back to shore. But then Xu saw that something special was happening: The former fishermen had started to take the guest experience into their own hands, making sure tourists felt at home. Suhardi painted “Welcome” in large letters over the front of his boat, fitted green baize to the top deck for outdoor seating, and hung curtains in the cabin so his guests could enjoy some shade.

Suhardi has already bought a new boat with his earnings from snorkeling trips. “Every day is my best day,” laughs Suhardi, whose smile always travels from his mouth to his eyes.

While they were receiving tourists from across the globe, there was another group that Xu wanted to reach out to. “I think it was the teacher in me who felt impassioned about influencing the young,” she says. She reached out to schools and created a five-day program that would help students understand the shark trade and local conservation efforts. During the program, paid for by the school and students, participants would not only meet the ex-shark fishermen so they could ask them about their lives, but also hear from NGOs such as the Wildlife Conservation Society about their efforts to slow the trade. The Dorsal Effect also hired marine biologists to host nightly lectures and help the students with their field surveys...

The students were faced with the realities of the fishing trade, but they were also encouraged to take a balanced view by The Dorsal Effect team. The villagers weren’t just taking the fins, and throwing away the rest of the shark; they processed every piece of the animal. While they did sell the meat and fins to buyers at the market, they also sold the teeth to jewelers, and the remains for pet food.

The Dorsal Effect also takes students on an excursion to the fishermen’s village, a small island that lies off the coast of Lombok. Marine biologist Bryan Ng Sai Lin, who was hired by The Dorsal Effect team, says that on one trip with students he was surprised by how quickly the young people understood the situation. “One of them said it’s good to think about conservation, but at the same time these people don’t really have any other choice,” Lin says....

Conservation scientist Hollie Booth of Save Our Seas, which does not work directly with The Dorsal Effect, says the need to provide legal profitable alternatives to shark fishing is critical: “We are never going to solve biodiversity and environment issues unless we think about incentives and take local people’s needs into account. These kinds of programs are really important.”"

-via Mongabay, December 15, 2023

[idcbabyialreadylostmymind]

Painter Baby pt.2

Pairing- Sully family x Sully!reader

Summary- After moving in with the Meykayina it was hard living your work behind and when you finally find another muse, but what are you supposed to do after you get shot?

Warnings- getting shot, blood, I think that's it lmk if it's not

Pt.1 Pt.2

"We have to leave." When the words left your father's mouth it was like a piece of your soul chipped away. You had to leave your home, your life's work what were you to do? Start over you have years of work here. You felt like you should just turn into a puddle and just evaporate but you couldn't. For your families sake you put a happy and calm face on.

You traveled for many days and Manny nights, through rain and through shine. It was a rough and tiresome journey but you finally made it. Your father was leading you to a strange land, you traveled over a beautiful ocean and then you saw a island many people saw you and surrounded you as you got off of your banshee. It was uncomfortable to have so many eyes in your before. Your father put your hands up to show he means no harm your brother Neteyam mirroring his actions. You watched your mother and her suspicious expression.

Your father had a conversation with the Olo'eyktan of this clan and the Tsahik came and interrogated your family said you would be weak and slow in the water, she said you had demon blood. And then your mother hisses at her and it seemed they had a dominance battle who would back down first. Your father stepped in before it escalated. And it was decided that you would stay there learn the way of water. You had to learn to adapt your father said. "Sully's stick together." Was what he said before you and your siblings to your first lesson.

Tsireya and her brother taught you how to 'breath' it took a while but you got the hang of it. "How about we free dive we can show you the beauty that the Great mother blessed the water with." A boy named Rotxo suggested. Everyone agreed but your eyes were glued on the way the rocks reflected the water creating ripple like shapes on the rock. Lo'ak tugged at your tail making you yelp and you it that. "What did dad say about pulling my tail." You say pinching him hard on his arm. "Ow, It's the only way I could get your attention come on we're free diving." He said and you only rolled your eyes getting up and jumping in behind them.

You kick your arms and legs to get deeper and farther into the water. Everyone seemed to be trying to figure where to go first, but you didn't have that kind of patience. Slowly you drifted farther from them swimming with a school of fish, and then it was as if Eywa herself led you here it was beautiful. So many colors of coral, different sea creatures played and mingled around the plants you've never seen before. So caught up with the beauty in Pandora you hadn't noticed the other teens coming towards you. Your hand caressed a pink tinted coral and then Lo'ak reaches out for you and you turn around and roll your eyes as you swim upward.

Cat hing your breath you smile as you swim toward the shore. "Y/N! Where you going?" Lo'ak called out and you stood out of the water. "I just remembered something I have to do!" You yelled back running to your mauri running past your mother and father. You grab your bag and take a little box that sat under the pillow in your hammock. It had multiple painting colors and leaf made brushes. You shoved it into your bag and ran back to your the beach. Your parents only watched as your ran back and forth. "Think shes up to something." Jake asked. "Most likely." Neytiri replied.

You hopped into your ilu and rode out far, farther than you've went with anyone and you found the perfect spot for your new studio. It was a medium sized cave it had smaller humps of rocks you could paint and the walls inside were smooth it was perfect, absolutely perfect. And you sat all the paints down along with the brushes and your hands just started there magic. You painted the coral and all the beauty the water around them held it had been several hours and you didn't realize to caught up in your art work. Only stopping when you realized it was getting to dark for you to see.

"Damn it." You whisper to yourself you used the last bit of light that was left to do the last stroke of paint you needed to finish it. You stared at it, it had been the first time you painted since you left home and it was amazing all the stress from learning a new way of life kind of just washed right out of you as you painted.

You left the art supplies there deciding that this would be your new studio. Jumping into your ilu and connecting to her you ride back to Awa'atlu. You hopped off and washed your hands off in the water, jogging to the mauri your father was standing outside. Giving him a cheeky smile you wave. "And where were you." It was more of a statement than a question really. "Oh um just looking around lost track of time." You reply, you could have told them about your new art cave but painting is the only time you can be yourself and not feel judged so you kept it on the down low.

Everyday two hours before Eclipse you would sneak off into the cave and you let you mind and hands run wild with the paint. And as time went on your the artwork on the walls and rocks of the cave grew and grew and so did your talent. Everything was perfect, until it wasn't.

The same people who made you and your family flee your home had found you once more and they had Lo'ak, Tsireya, Kiri, and Tuk. Hearing they had your siblings it made your heart stop, the blood in your veins froze. Your father had gathered the clan and was getting ready to attack but you had a plan you put in motion. The man who's man was Quaritch held a gun to your brothers head as he talked to your father over the microphone. ''Sacrafice yourself to save all these people that's all you have to do Jake.'' He said and your fathers face had a look od defeat as you saw him come closer, was he actually going to do it?

But before you could think a creature came from the water it looked like a Tulkun but it didn't have a fin and then it clicked Lo'ak bonded with Payakan he was protecting his soul brother. He flipped over onto the ship some of the soldiers flipped overboard others got crushed under him and some barely got away. You jumped onto the boat and Tuk squealed, ''Y/N!'' You put a finger up to your lip telling her to be quieter and she shook her head.

You cut everyone loose and as you cut Lo'ak loose you laughed. ''Who's the mighty warrior now?'' You joked and he only laughed. You ushered them in front of you as they went deeper into the ship finally finding a way out. And Lo'ak picked a gun up, ''Do you even know how to use that?'' You ask picking one up as he did. ''Yes.'' He rolled his eyes and then before Kiri and Tuk could jump they were snatched by the one and only Miles Quaritch. Tsireya fought to get them out of his arms but he was to strong and he pushed her back.

He held up a gun and shot, you yelped feeling a pericing pain through your shoulder and down your arm. You and Lo'ak fell into the water Lo'ak cheered.

You could barely hold yourself up in the water, ''Lo'ak I-I was hit.'' was all you could say before dipping back into the water. ''Oh shit I got you Y/N just stay a float.'' He said grabbing your uninjured arm as Tsireya gently held your injured arm wrapping it around their neck helping you swim to the rock your father and Neteyam were on.

''S-she was hit.'' Lo'ak said as he watched your chest cave in with every breath you took, he scared- no petreified. Was he going to lose his big sister? Neteyam dropped next to you he patted your face keeping you awake barely as he puts pressure on your wound. ''Your other sisters where are they?'' Jake asked gripping your hand to let you know he was there, but you were slipping in and out of consciousness. ''T-the boat.'' was all Lo'ak could say. Neytiri landed and she saw your body and the blood leaking from you.

''Neytiri we have to go they have the girls.'' Lo'ak stood up ready to follow his father before Jake pointed at him. ''You are not coming, you've done enough.'' he said eyes glancing to you. ''Get her back to Ronal she will help.'' Neytiri said before getting on her banshee riding to the boat. Lo'ak jumped into the water. "W-what are you doing Lo'ak." She cried as your eyes shot open and cried in pain. "I have to help."

"No..." Was all she said before Neteyam dragged you to his ilu. "Let him go we have to get her back."

And Ronal saved you, for the most part. You wouldn't have movement in you arm for a few weeks if not a month, and having said that you couldn't be left unattended in case the leaf wrap she used as bandages ripped you could get infections, deadly infections. Your father put you on lockdown in the marui and someone was always by your side.

Until Lo'ak was asked to go get something for your father and you were finally alone. You just wanted to paint, it was your safe space so now you find yourself looking around to make sure no was around and you jogged towards the ilus.

"Y/N Sully where in Eywa's name do you think you're going?" You hear your father's seen voice behind you as you hop off the ilu you just mounted. You rolled your eyes as you drag yourself from the shallow water and next to your father. "No where now." You whisper walking back to the marui. Jake knew where you wanted to go, well he didn't know exactly where but he knew you found somewhere to paint, he knew you felt at peace in your art studio but he couldn't let you go he doesn't know what to do, he doesn't want you to be miserable. But he also doesn't want his baby girl to get hurt.

So here he sits watching you look out at the ocean of the window opening of the marui as he cuts up some fruit. And then he got an idea. "Hey baby girl I need to go do something I'll be back please stay." He said waiting for your response before he leaves. "Okay." You say only looking at the ocean. He sharply inhales before walking out.

He stepped over to the men and women who gathered wood for communal dinners. "Hey! Hey, could I have some of these bark pieces, like the flat ones?" He asked two of them looked at him questionably, before gathering five or six of them and handing them to the older man. He tilts his head down before going to the beach sitting down on the warm sand.

He used the dull side of his knife he sanded down the rough side of the flat piece of bark in his lap. He did this to all of the barks he picked them up. And then Neteyam caught his eye, "Neteyam!" He yelled out and Neteyam turned around jumping up and running to his father. "Yes father?" He asked looking at the bark and the wood chippings around his feet. "Do you know how to make that paint that Y/N uses?" Jake asked his eldest son.

Neteyam pondered for a minute and then he remembered. "Yeah she taught me how to make it one day let's get some plants." Neteyam said going to the buses that grew around the place. "Okay so we need this one, this one, and this one." Neteyam whispered to himself as he plucked a red, blue, and purple flowers. He picked a few other colored flowers putting them in his bag. "Here you go all you do is smash them into powder and mix it with hox tree maple and you should be good." Neteyam instructed Jake handing him the bag of flowers. "Thank you son." He replied patting his shoulder.

"No problem, I got to go I promised Tul I'd take her to Three Brothers Island." Neteyam said as he jogged to his little sister who had been yelling his name for the past fifteen minutes.

The Jake did as Neteyam told him.

He grabbed a pot and first started to smash the red flowers up into a fine powder, and then he mixed the hox tree maple into the dust mixing it in until it created a paint like consistency, then he grabbed a small wooden box and filled it with the paint and put the wooden lid on top of it.

It took him a while but he finally made all of them putting them in their own little boxes. He put them all into a bigger box along with the wooden canvas he made. He picked the box up and walked towards the Marui stepping inside he looks at you, you hadn't moved since he left. "Hey baby I got you something." He said you turned your body as his paint covered hands put the box down in front of you. You looked inside and your face contoured into one of happiness and tears in your eyes.

He saw the tears and worry washed over him, "Oh my god did I do something wrong I'm sorry if I did I can take it back." He said reaching for the box not wanting to upset you. But instead of crying with a frown you have a soft smile on your face touching his hand and shaking your head. "I love it, thank you." You say wiping the tears from your face and then you see his arms covered in multiple colors of paint. "You hands." You laugh and he turns them over. "What? I think look very artistic don't you think?" He jokingly asked and you burst into laughter shaking your head up and down.

After a while the laughter died down, you picked up a canvas and opened the multitude of blues he made. "I'm glad you like it now I'll let you be-"

"No!" You yelled making him sit back down. "I haven't done a portrait in a while so now you get to be my victim." You laugh and he lets a chuckle out as you begin to outline his face. He watches how focused you are and that smile he has wanted to see for so many weeks now has finally came back.

[three--rings]

Immortal Life

Hey guys, here to recommend a video game. This one was recced to me by....someone on here. Sorry I can't remember who it was, but it's been a solid month or so and that post wasn't tagged (cause I was complaining about another game.)

Immortal Life is a Steam game in early access currently. It's a farming sim set in a cultivation sect. Yeah, that's right, it's Stardew Valley but Xianxia!

There's my little farm (all photos in this post are from my game).

The premise is that you are restoring a cultivation sect that was destroyed in a tragedy. So in addition to farming to provide food and to sell for $, you are gathering resources to rebuild the sect building by building.

As it goes on, you are trying to attract lecturers to improve your cultivation and "level up" your skills.

As you can see, the art is really pretty, and when combined with incredibly soothing traditional music, it's so freaking relaxing.

The setting is equally aesthetic, with a variety of shops and NPCs. All dialogue is in Chinese with well done English subtitles. I've only found a couple of typos so far in the game.

In addition to standard farming, fishing (more Animal Crossing style than SDV), and dungeon crawling, there's also crafting with wood and bamboo, and a pretty fun cooking minigame.

The dungeon crawling is fun, with cultivation based ranged and spell attacks rather than simple sword slashing.

So far it's pretty well-developed. I've been playing a LOT of early access games in the last year and this one is pretty polished and has a lot of content already. (I haven't run into any end of content yet after 15 hours.) It's a lot more complete than say Coral Island is so far, for example.

Anyway, I'm having an absolute blast with this game. I recommend it to any fans of this genre of game, but it's ESPECIALLY nice to experience being in danmei fandom and having a lot of familiarity with the setting and cultural touchstones.

It's a Chinese-made game, so it's made for an audience who understand what cultivation is. It's not explained or dumbed down for an English audience. I don't know if it would be really confusing for someone totally unfamiliar with the Xianxia genre, but the game is clear enough in walking you through the actual game tasks.

I haven't gotten far enough to really be able to speak to how the relationships develop or any romance options. So far, just getting tiny bits of approval is a little bit of a chore. But that's how it goes.

So I think it's very worth checking out. Full price is $19.99, I got it in the recent Steam sale for a little less.