#western grey squirrels

[quinnfrankephotography]

Nice long walk this morning in the cooler weather. It's started to feel a bit like fall. Not temperature wise, but in terms of the animals and plants.

[pick-a-plush]

[pleistocene-pride]

Sciurus griseus better known as the western grey squirrel, the silver-gray squirrel, the California gray squirrel, the Oregon gray squirrel, the Columbian gray squirrel and the banner-tail, is a species of tree squirrel found along the western coast of the United States and Mexico. Here the western grey squirrel inhabits coastal and montane deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forests. They are diurnal arboreal animals which feed upon seeds and nuts, particularly acorns and pinecones, berries, fungi, buds, flowers, leaves, twigs, insects, and occasionally carrion, eggs, and hatchling birds. They are scatter-hoarders making numerous caches of food when it is abundant, and thus contribute to the seed dispersion of their food trees. Western gray squirrels are themselves preyed upon by hawks, eagles, owls, bobcats, cougars, coyotes, raccoons, cats, dogs, and snakes. Reaching around 17 to 24 inches (43 to 61cms) in length and .77 to 2.2lbs (.35 to 1kg) in weight, he western gray squirrel is the largest native tree squirrel in the western coastal United States. Western gray squirrels exhibit a form of coloration known as counter shading. The dorsal fur is a silver gunmetal gray, with pure white on the underside; there may be black flecks in the tail. Ears are large but without tufts. The ears turn reddish-brown at the back in the winter. The tail is long and typically very bushy. It usually stays curved upwards in an "S" shape. Breeding occurs from December to july, and after a 44 day pregnancy a mother western grey squirrel will give birth to one to five kits which remain in the nest for six months or more. Under ideal conditions a western grey squirrel will reach sexual maturity at around 10 to 11 months, and may live upwards of 10 years.

[tetrameryxx]

Beasts sighted

[doingitfortheexposure]

SQUIRREL!!!

Photo by Xer S. Rowan, Creative Commons Attribution license

I'm a disabled hobby photographer taking photos for the love of photography and sharing them under a free-to-use-as-long-as-I-am-properly-credited license. For more information about me, this project, and the license I use, visit linktr.ee/DoingItForTheExposure.

[ancientfrozenglaciershark]

[critter-creature-or-beast]

I had a two part American History class that covered 1877 and back, plus 1877 to present. In the 1877 and back we had a section about the first ever wildlife reserves/ national and state parks being established as people in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s started realizing that we were starting to have more man made and man transformed areas than true forest.

So the government started claiming certain areas to preserve them for people and one of the ways they got people to care about it was introducing recognized “park” animals they shipped over like the grey squirrel, classic red foxes, and pigeons; even though America already had native animals like red squirrels, fox squirrels, and various colorful birds that would become friendly in time. America’s red fox is actually hybrid of our native grey or reddish foxes and the European red fox.

“Grey squirrels were first introduced to England from North America in 1876 as an ornamental species to populate the grounds of stately homes. Around 30 separate introductions occurred until 1930 when the damage caused by the grey squirrel was recognized and it was made illegal to release a grey squirrel to the wild.”

I don't want to argue over this, but even your bolded section says they were introduced to England from North America, and Wikipedia says they're "native to the eastern and midwestern United States, and to the southerly portions of the central provinces of Canada," even mentioning their appearance in the fossil record.

However, they are listed as invasive in western North America and other locations and are a threat to native squirrel species in the areas where they've been introduced.

Intentional introduction of invasive species for aesthetics is so sad and frustrating. Please just appreciate the animals that were already there.

[outofangband]

Mammals of Maglor’s Gap and Lothlann

Now that I’ve finished world building posts on birds for each Fëanorian realm pre Amon Ereb, I’m going through mammals next! Mammals of the March of Maedhros can be found here and my environmental world building Masterlist is here!

Maglor’s Gap was the widest break in the mountains and cliffs dividing Beleriand and the lands to the north. It lay between the blue mountains to the east and the March of Maedhros to the west. Lothlann was a wide expanse of plains to the north of the Gap. The rivers greater and little Gelion ran around the western and eastern borders.

Forest steppes: wild goat, wood bison, southern white breasted hedgehog, gray marmot, ground squirrel, dormouse, woolly hares, long eared hedgehog, gray shrews, northern hog badger, sable (rare), steppe mouse, lesser noctule (bat), wildcat, red fox, red deer

Bordering mountain fences: Caucasian Tur, mouflon, chamois, alpine pika, pond bat, marbled polecat, saiga antelope, steppe polecat, mountain weasel, ibex (rare), argali

Plains: goitered gazelle, steppe wolf, wild horse, northern water vole (by the rivers), snow vole, grey dwarf hamster, common hare, common rabbit, striped field mouse, ural field mouse, harvest mouse, mountain hare, field vole (also primarily by rivers), wild horse

World building notes:

The horse based cavalry of Maglor is one of the few details we have about this region. I headcanon that the horses in question are a mixture of the descendants of the Valinor born horses brought by the Fëanorian host as well as wild horses from Estolad, Himlad, Lothlann and the other plains regions of Eastern Beleriand.

Sheep and goats provide the majority of milk and cheese products in the Gap. Some of these species are imported from other regions like sheep from Thargelion.

Domesticated bovine are rare in Eastern Beleriand outside Thargelion and parts of Estolad. There are however wild and semi domesticated bison such as the wood bison, especially on the borders of forested and forest steppe regions. Fur, skin and bones from bison are used by both Noldorin and Avarin elves for clothing and other materials.

Wild hamsters, rabbits, hares and voles were used by a select few of Maglor’s cavalry as companions and even spies.

A regiment of foot based scouts had the sigil of a hare in the form of a light silhouette upon a black background.

[horsebf]

this was unprompted but sharing my rodent md idea

house: fancy rat (specifically blue)

obvious choice for him, he is rat-coded.

wilson: degu (can't decided between agouti or patched)

he's a very round-shaped man to me so he should get a round-shaped animal.

cuddy: chinchilla (specifically brown velvet)

they just remind me of her.

now the ducklings:

cameron: norwegian lemming

she's very tundra animal to me.

foreman: cape porcupine

they're friend shaped and so is foreman.

chase: western chestnut mouse

it looks pathetic and wet, much like chase.

thirteen: gerbil (specifically grey, pied)

trust me, she's like one.

taub: eastern chipmunk

he just reminds me of them.

kutner: black giant squirrel

he gives me squirrel vibes and the coat pattern also looks similar to the animal i usually fancast kutner as.

park: harvest mouse

small™ (and they're always in situations)

[she-posts-nerdy-stuff]

Me literally like two days ago: Give me a week or so to finish this book before I start planning a new fic, and then I'll probably finish at least one of my current wips on ao3 before I start posting this one

Me now: GUESS WHO WROTE CHAPTER ONE OF ANOTHER NEW FIC

Portrait of a Dead Girl is (hopefully) going up on AO3 today folks! This is my first time writing a fic for the Shadow and Bone trilogy instead of Six of Crows (really branching out, I know) but I am so so excited about it at this point I'm really writing it for myself more than anyone reading it but ah well, and anyway I thought I'd share a lil snippet on here before I post it so I hope that you enjoy! :)

Note: I have completely warped the backstories of these characters and the worldbuilding of the Grishaverse in order to have it mimic the landscape of Western Europe in the mid 1500s, just bear with me I promise it makes sense so long as you lean into it <3

Archive warnings: Major Character Death, Rape/Non-Con, Underage

Summary:

Alina Starkov was given to Duke Aleksander Morozova of Os Alta in marriage when she was fifteen years old. Within a year, she was dead. The official cause of Alina's death was marked as putrid fever, but many at the time believed, and many in the future will go on to believe, that she was poisoned by her husband.

-

This fic is completely inspired by The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrel, which is a work of historical fiction based on the real lives of Duchess Lucrezia d'Este (née de' Medici) and Duke Alfonso ii d'Este of Ferrara. You don't need any prior knowledge of The Marriage Portrait or history to read and enjoy this fic, but know that my writing is very much going to mimic that of O'Farrel in format and although I'm hoping to write the story in my personal usual writing style I will definitely be borrowing a lot of my descriptors, symbols, and so on and so forth from O'Farrel - there will be some of mine too though :)

Snippet from chapter one:

She understands, now, the reason for their sudden journey to such a strange, lonely place as this. He has brought her here, brought her to a stone fortress far away from anything she even vaguely knows, to murder her. It is here that she will die. 

He leans towards her, resting his fingers on the bare skin of her wrist as he says something. She doesn’t listen, though she is aware that she can hear the words. The astonishment of her epiphany has thrust her right up out of her body, and she is fighting the urge to laugh at the sheer absurdity of it all as she floats above the couple at the table and bumps against the ceiling beams like the clumsy ghost she is surely destined to become. She watches herself nodding at him, mumbling a polite and customary reply to whatever it was he said, sipping her wine and taking a bite of her bread. The couple sit together and talk, eat, drink - as though nothing at all is amiss between them, as though this is a normal dinner on a normal day, that it will be followed by a normal evening and a normal night. The Alina sitting at the table is talking about the journey here, about pretty landscapes and her enjoyment of the ride he has taken her on. The Alina floating at the ceiling knows that the version of herself below is a liar; the ride here was dull, through blank and stark fields beneath an ugly grey sky. Her husband had set the pace at a trot, mile after mile of it, Alina’s back aching and her skin chafed by wet stockings. Even inside her squirrel-lined gloves, the fingers clutching at her reins had been frozen with cold. She kept looking at the mane of her horse, half expecting it to have stopped in place, encased by ice. 

Alina had wanted to spur her horse, once they’d reached the countryside and Os Alta faded into the distance. She’d wanted to dig her heels into its flank, feel its hooves fly over the stones and soil, to move over the flat landscape at real speed. She’d wanted to feel giddy and alive and drunk in the wind and rain and sky. But she did not. Because she knew that she must not. Her husband had ridden ahead with two guards either side of him, and her place was behind him - or next to him, if invited. But never in front.

Now she wishes that she’d done it anyway, that she had urged the mare into a gallop and streaked past him cackling like a madwoman, that she had released her hair into the wind as she rode, that her cloak had lashed out behind her and the hooves of her horse had flung mud across him and his guards. Even more than this, she wishes that she’d had the foresight to turn her reins towards the distant hills, where she could have lost herself off among the rocky folds and peaks somewhere he would never find her. 

But, of course, she did not. And now here she is, condemned by the manners she always has to try so hard to remember.

[quinnfrankephotography]

I ended up dawdling a lot on my walk today. It was a perfect day for it.

[mysterious-wet-stain]

GREY SQUIRREL

(Sciurus carolinensis)

Grey squirrels have mainly grey fur, but may have red-brown patches, especially around the face and legs. The species has a long, bushy tail that helps it balance when tree climbing.

Native to North America, grey squirrels were first introduced to the UK in the 19th century. The species has spread rapidly and is now common across the UK, with the exception of north and western Scotland and some islands. There are an estimated 2.7 million grey squirrels in the UK and the population is continuing to grow.

[javaghoul]

could you plan a route for Kaneki and several friends of choice to follow during a day trip to Ueno park using this map, with an included explanation please?

you will have to zoom in on the map sorry. I hope this is a good ask

this is going to be stupid and ooc. Sorry.

***

It was approaching 6pm. Kaneki was listening to a tired yet happy Hinami talk as they left the park.

Yomo was still unaccounted for.

Shuu was drying himself with paper napkins.

Nishiki was trying to strap up his left foot.

And a firefighter was cutting Banjous' head out of a steel trashcan.

This is how we got here.

~

One sunny, yet blustery, autumn day, Kaneki and his closest friends (Banjou, Tsukiyama, Nishiki, Hinami, and Yomo) spent the day at Ueno Park, in Tokyo. They met at the MAIN GATE (NR Tokyo National Museum) at 10am. All were in good spirits, except for -

Nishiki who had no idea why he was with Ken, Shuu and Banjou (who he was meeting for the first time). "I'm certain I was supposed to be at work today, but here I am with Shiro!Kaneki who was MIA after the Aogiri thing, Hinami who moved in with him, Assyama, that goateed guy, and Yomo, who looks just as confused as me...Something seems wrong here", he thought. He made eye contact with Yomo who was blinking slowly and rubbing the back of his neck. A frown was forming on his face.

"Where to first, guys?" Asked Kaneki brightly.

Determined to make the best of an odd situation, Nishiki suggested the NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURE AND SCIENCE, because it has 'science' in the title and that's his idea of fun. Yomo and Banjou groaned audibly.

"What is troubling you, Monsieur Banjou? That it is a science museum, or that you are unsure what a 'museum' is?", asked Shuu.

"Stfu, Shuu- *gasp*!", gasped Banjou, embarrassed that he'd exposed Hinami to his profanity.

Fortunately, Hinami hadn't heard this vulgar language, as Kaneki had taken the lead and headed towards the Museum of Western Art, which Kaneki intuited was less boring than a science museum. Hinami chatted animatedly alongside him.

After visiting the museum, they made their way towards THE ZOO.

Shuu was an immediate fan of the antelopes (elegant, graceful, looks clean) and the peacocks (obviously) that strolled loose through the grounds. Nishiki made some shitty remark about them, and as if understanding what he was saying, the peacocks turned on him. Panicking, Nishiki spun around forgetting he was near a set of steps. He tumbled down them, twisting his ankle.

Yomo sat down on a step near Nishiki, who was whimpering and rolling up his jeans leg to take a better look at his ankle. "I'll stay with Nishiki and help him", he volunteered.

Kaneki, Hinami, Banjou and Shuu exited the zoo and made their way towards The Boating Pond. Hinami grabbed Banjous' sleeve, pointed, and excitedly exclaimed, "Aww, look at the squirrel!" A grey squirrel skipped across their path and climbed into a bin. "I wish I had a picture of it", sighed Hinami, despite having just seen lots of cooler animals in the zoo.

Banjou decided to help. "I'll see if I can hurry him out the bin. Get your camera ready Hinami!"

Banjou approached the bin and knocked on it. No squirrel.

Banjou tapped the bin with his foot. No squirrel.

"Why don't you stick your head through the opening, Monsieur, that'll surely encourage it to leave", Shuu said, mockingly, not expecting Banjou to actually do it.

Banjou carefully looked through the wide opening, and just as he did, the squirrel launched at Banjous' face. Shrieking, he jolted backwards, hitting his head on the roof of the bin and somehow managing to get his head trapped.

"Uh, guys! Help! I'm stuck!"

"Oh for god's sake, just leave him there", sighed Shuu, already walking away.

At The Boat Pond, since there was only three of them left, they decided to rent a swan boat and try and salvage some of the day. The guys pedalled, whilst Hinami took in the sights, offered directions, and waved back to a couple of kids who waved in her direction.

The boat ride was going fine, and was by far the most successful part of their day. As they pulled up to the dock, Kaneki jumped out the boat first, and held his hand out to Hinami. After she disembarked, Shuu tried to hop out after her, but as his right foot reached the dock, his left foot pushed the boat out towards the pond leaving Shuu performing the splits above the water. And then he fell in.

It was security that dragged a soggy and muddy Shuu out of the pond, as Kaneki and Hinami had already started heading towards the exit.

~

And that was the end of their day. Kaneki and Hinami had a wonderful time.

Shuu had ruined his clothes and phone from his adventure in the pond.

Banjou was featured on a local news channel.

And Nishiki had just about hobbled to the exit on his own, because Yomo had abandoned him and went home.

[ketakiw]

The Western Ghats Of India This mountain range that extends along the western coast of India (where I'm from :D) is a global biodiversity hotspot. Even though the western ghats cover just under 6 per cent of the land area of India, these mountains contain more than 30 per cent of all plant, fish, bird, and mammal species found in India. 😌 Animals featured in the illustration- Malabar pied hornbill, Grey headed bulbul, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Indian Leopard, Gaur and Bicolored frog

Instagram|inprnt|Bluesky|Behance

[studyingblue]

05|18|24

"Here is the world, it's been waiting for you" - Jenny Lawson

Woke up early and did some stretches before eating some eggs and blueberries. After a bit of laying around I took a 40 min walk and took some pictures of a western grey squirrel, western fence lizard, and a lesser goldfinch . I also baked some spinach puffs which came out amazing and I was super proud of myself (＾ｖ＾)

🍃 Today's checklist 🍃

⭐ Made progress in my bird study

⭐ Made spinach puffs

⭐ Did some cleaning around the house

🍀 Tomorrow's checklist 🍀

⭐ More scholarship applications

⭐ Clean some more

⭐ Destress and relax ʕ – ㉨ – ʔ

[sam-glade]

Shopping Trip

Exactly a month ago @writernopal reminded me of its existence here. Well, it needed a full rewrite, because my style's changed so much, but here it is. 100% saccharine fluff, you have been warned. Literally, just fluff.

Context: In the middle of book 2 of Days of Dusk, Lissan gets 'adopted' into a noble house due to Anthea's machinations. Neither of them is happy about it, but they both agree it was a reasonable choice. Ianim takes this opportunity to get Lissan an outfit befitting a young nobleman. WC: 1660 CW: -

Days of Dusk taglist (please message me to +/-): @acertainmoshke @another-white-hole @iced-ginger-tea @poetinprose

Lissan admitted to himself – and later to Ianim, too – that he reacted badly to the suggestion. And so, the next time they were supposed to meet up with the rest of the guys in a pub, he arrived early. As predicted, Ianim was already there, nursing a light beer and watching the patrons from a corner table for six. He accepted Lissan's apologies, and yes, he was delighted to take Lissan to a tailor and offer advice.

And pay for it. This was the part Lissan had been most opposed to initially. It took Ianim assuring him that the costs were going to be covered by the First Prince's personal wealth, not the state treasury, for Lissan to get over it – after all, it was Anthea who wanted him in this role, and taking her up on the offer had a certain appeal.

"Oh, stop fretting," Ianim said in response to his second concern, amusement tinting his tone. "I promise, no silks, no metallic threads, nothing like that."

"Nothing that would make me stand out," Lissan corrected. The oddly specific list seemed prone to loopholes.

Ianim smiled at him, his eyes twinkling.

"You don't need expensive clothes to do that." Ianim looked him over one more time, a small smile playing on his lips.

Lissan smiled back and reminded himself that this outing was in part for Ianim's enjoyment.

And so, on an overcast Saturday morning, they made their way across Otterly River, and delved into the civilian quarters.

Compared to the brick and iron of the Army buildings on the Western bank, this part of the city was a whirlwind of colours, patterns, and styles. Every time Lissan made his way there, he wished he did it more often, since he'd inevitably discover another little square or alley to explore. The buildings were plastered in light colours, which just about managed to stand up to the accumulated grime from coal smoke well enough. Lissan and Ianim passed more than one facade in the process of being scrubbed clean, in anticipation of lighter, warmer days. And sure, it was much more disorderly than the military sectors, but Lissan found it organic. Charming.

Ianim hooked a hand around his elbow and pulled him in the opposite direction to where Lissan was looking.

"I swear, you've got the attention span of a squirrel at times," he muttered.

Lissan snorted, but followed his lead. They stood out, in their ashen uniforms and with Swords at their sides, but they were far from only Swords in the crowd – and they passed at least a couple people in mourning, wearing a similar shade of grey. Otherwise, the outfits were even more vibrant than the houses. Lissan gave into curiosity and paid attention to jackets men wore – often striped, sometimes embroidered on the cuffs and tails. They looked less durable or practical than the uniform but he could see himself in something like that, brown or green–

"Shall we find you a kontush first, then a less formal ensemble?" Ianim asked lightly.

Lissan stumbled and bit his tongue before a word of protest could escape him.

"I'm still getting over the fact that I'm expected to wear one," he said instead.

Master Claren's lessons in etiquette had been honestly interesting, but it occurred to him that he was treating them as purely theoretical up until now. And he got jitters.

It was fine though, because for most of the first meeting with the tailor, Ianim did the talking. He clearly knew the tailor – a stout woman who to Lissan looked like she was about three hundred years old, which probably meant she was at least twice that, knowing how long people seemed to live in the city. Ianim slipped some half-truths into the smalltalk, letting the tailor fill in false details by herself. A comment about ‘unexpected inheritance’ combined with Lissan’s age, led her to believe that his older relatives had passed away suddenly, and he’d inherited the title of a lord. It set his teeth on edge, but he didn’t interrupt.

She took his measurements as she talked to Ianim, arranging him to stand straighter, lift his arms, then drop them. It didn’t take long.

“As for the fabrics,” the tailor said, pointing him towards a table with samples laid out. “We’re looking for forest green over brass, is that correct, my lord?”

She looked at Ianim, not Lissan, and Ianim nodded in a reflex. Lissan couldn’t decide if he was glad or offended by being left out. He crossed his arms and watched Ianim lean over the table.

Ianim wore blue. He always did when he was out of uniform. It suited him, Lissan decided, looking over his slim figure. It made his eyes look so much brighter, and brought out the blush on his cheeks. However, the question was what colours he would wear, and it was something he’d never had to consider – back in Beetletun, the choices were limited by what was currently at hand. Marta cared so much more about her outfits, and so she got the first choice of colours. He didn’t mind; the same colours suited them both.

"Lissan?" Ianim urged him to come closer.

He just nodded along while Ianim suggested a shiny yellowish fabric with a faint rhombus pattern. Then Ianim pointed at a plain green material, and his breath caught. He knew this colour. It took him back to the Eternal Woods, where it had surrounded him at all sides, thrumming with life. And while the trip overall was less than successful, the memory of that place was something he cherished dearly.

"Yeah, that looks good," he confirmed sheepishly.

Ianim flashed him a smile.

"And for the ensemble, my lord?" This time the tailor addressed him for once.

"A similar green, if you have something like that, please?" Lissan said quickly. Ianim cast him a look, but Lissan didn't let him interrupt. "The stripy one looks nice," he decided, pointing at a fabric the tailor was bringing over.

The stripes were alternating glossy and matte, quite cleverly woven, though he couldn't imagine how it was made... Right, factories. Ianim had mentioned that the engineers employed by the ones in Redguard were racing to develop new machinery for the textile industry. He ran his fingers over the material; it was smooth to the touch though he felt the pattern faintly. Yes, he liked that.

Ianim chatted to the tailor a while longer, under the guise of choosing the colours for the underlayers, and finalising some finer details. Lissan let his voice wash over him. He seemed to be having fun. Every now and then, he'd glance at Lissan with that crooked smile of his, then go back to discussing fashion. 

Lissan still looked away in embarrassment as he paid the deposit. He was glad to be out of the shop. 

"You seem to have enjoyed yourself," he observed on the way. There certainly was more spring in Ianim's step now.

"Ah, yes." Ianim's smile faltered.

"I'm guessing Gullin didn't let you dress him up like that?" Lissan said quickly, before Ianim could ask about his feelings. It wasn't the smoothest segue, but it had to do.

To his surprise, Ianim snorted, then laughed unabashedly. Lissan relaxed.

"Oh, Elements, no. He made it very clear I'd have to drag him kicking and screaming to a tailor's. I think he's wearing that ratty old jacket whenever we meet up at the pub as payback for the mere suggestion."

Yeah, all right, Gullin would totally do that. He smiled and let Ianim lead him to a shoemaker.

#

It took them a month to find another morning when they could both get away from their duties. They rushed to the tailor's shop to escape the wet wind, and rubbed warmth into their hands urgently.

The outfits weren't finished, but the tailor wanted Lissan to try them on for fit. And they fit well, much better than the uniform. He smoothed out the waistcoat, running his fingers over the simple monochrome embroidery in the pattern of oak leaves and acorns. Less formal, Ianim said. This was still a masterwork he'd not thought he'd ever wear. Still, since the First Prince was paying…

Ianim arranged a linen cravat around his collar with practised movements, his eyes fixed intently on his own hands, a small frown creasing his forehead. Lissan studied his features as he waited.

To Lissan, Ianim was the perfect example of what a nobleman looked like – slim, with delicate hands and smooth cheeks. Gorgeous, yes, but unattainable. Next to him, Lissan appeared stocky, with hands roughened by working in fields and orchards for the second half of his childhood. Never before had he felt so self-conscious about the pockmarks and the little scar on his jaw, from when he fell off a tree as a teenager. There was nothing to be done about that though.

Ianim helped him shrug on the jacket and straightened his collar. A warm gleam caught Lissan's attention. Ianim got a little pin from his pocket, with an amber the size, shape, and colour of a hazelnut, framed in a simple brass setting. Lissan didn't manage to get a good look at it, before Ianim fastened it to the cravat.

"A gift," he said simply, and stepped back.

Lissan swallowed and turned to the full-length mirror. And froze.

He looked good. Very much like himself, just as Ianim had promised, but the colours matched his complexion, and the cut did wonders to highlight his physique. He didn't think that there was a way for clothes to show off the muscles he'd build up with manual work and training. He was glad to be proven wrong. And the pin from Ianim matched his eyes. His cheeks flushed at the realisation how much thought Ianim had put into it. He caught Ianim's eyes in the mirror and grinned.

"What do you think?" Ianim sounded smug. He had never sounded this smug before. Lissan's grin spread.

He smoothed down the jacket and spun around, his heels clicking on the wooden floor.

"I see the appeal. Especially if your sister is paying."