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thenightcallsme · 7 months

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ATWOW | Neteyam Sully, pt. 5

"The further we walk along the sandbar, the further we are closed in. The Reef People stand at all sides; we are entirely at their mercy."

Synopsis: You and the Sully's have reached the Metkayina Clan at their seaside village, Awa’atlu. Their acceptance is something to be fought for, and despite your willingness, it is no less challenging. (A/N: this is just a bit of a world-building/filler chapter)

Pairing: Neteyam x Fem!Ometikaya OC (Gi'anya, or Gi for short)

Contains: established OC POV, mentions of menstruation if that makes you uncomfortable (mostly me projecting my health issues onto MC lol), less talking more thinking in this one,

Word count: 4,735

find the rest of the chapters in my masterlist here :)

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By some miracle, the grazed bullet wound on my thigh has healed. No purplish bruises, no angry red hints of infection, no scab, not even the silvery hint of a scar. Unbroken blue skin takes its place. Cuts and bruises on both Sully brothers from the incident during their last raid have just begun to fade, all injuries that are less serious than mine for the most part. And yet I’ve healed days before they have even begun. I ran my fingers over the soft unmarred skin in wonder upon removing the bandage, and if I’m honest, it almost unsettled me. Though I’m not surprised.

All my life this has happened. An accidental bite of my tongue heals in an hour, a graze on the knee scabbing over in two. Being called to my talents of healing and crafting, I do not often partake in hunts or any activity that entails injury. But on the rare occasion I do injure myself, nothing ever lasts. My body is untouched by scars. Even the littlest things like chapped lips and dry skin are almost nonexistent for me. Not to mention my immune system and stamina are impeccable, as if my body is in a constant state of replenishment too advanced to be natural.

I once brought it up to the human scientists who lived alongside us. One theorised that my cells work at an advanced rate, an attribute of my half-Avatar heritage (as far as we know, at least), and offered to run some tests. Already burnt out by the excessive and invasive tests for my unusual menstrual cycle, I declined. Count it as a miracle, I had reasoned. It’s best not to challenge something good.

My conception and its mysteries have influenced a constant state of questioning. Nothing about who my mother and father are—or were. That is something I accepted to be lost in time. It's myself that I question. The five toes and fingers, the fine hairs on my brow and the queue stemming from the base of my skull were questions answered by the Sully children; having at least one Avatar parent gave the possibility of a few inherited traits. Those traits were black and white through the extensive knowledge of their creation. Perfect genetics concocted in a lab do not leave room for imperfections, and those perfect genetics did not include incredible cell sustainability. And then there’s my menstrual problems, something not recorded in Na’vi women and something not programmed into the Avatars.

How, how, how… It’s a ruthless cycle of endless questions not meant to be answered. The regeneration doesn’t bother me as much. The menstrual problems, however…

Na’vi women experience their cycle twice a year at the height of their heat. The surge of their female hormones causes an extraordinary desire for a male counterpart shadowed by a light shedding of blood from the womb. Accompanying that is the slightest hint of pain and pressure. Nothing crippling, just noticeable enough to entice the occasional hiss and wince.

Eywa, do I envy the other women.

Four times a year, I spiral into a week-long suffering so debilitating I wonder if the end is near. My presence from clan life is snuffed like a flame as I lay curled in my hut, a mess of tears and too much blood for me to handle. I spend most of those weeks submerged in lonely streams if I can make the journey without vomiting. Of course, I battle the same…wants as the other women. It dances with the debilitating pain in a dangerously tempting, mind-numbing tango.

The visits paid by a certain someone in those weeks are almost unbearable.

The scientists told me I display symptoms of disorders that are entirely human in nature, opening up a can of worms they were eager to explore, given my mysterious conception. They did the best they could with the limited knowledge and Na’vi adapted health equipment they had. Something was wrong, that much was concluded, but to know the extent of it would require surgeries and more of those terrible internal exams. In the end, I was left with no solid answer and extensive knowledge of the human menstrual cycle and its inherited flaws.

Oh well. There is no use thinking about it today of all days, especially with the bleeding stage of my cycle about a month away. Those four weeks are worth spending enjoying the moments I’m able to function. So I brush the thoughts away, instead testing the unbroken stretch of skin across my thigh. How strange…

Jake believes today will see our journey’s end. A flat expanse of water stretches out endlessly beneath the flock of Ikrans, reaching its watery grasp to each corner of the horizon. Soon enough, his prediction manifests.

Peaking from the endless ocean is the promise of land; spires of rocks and greenery that meld into staggering mountains dance in a misty haze on the horizon. Small islands orbit one gigantic one that reaches for the heavens with jagged fingers. A wall of arching roots exploding from the sea floor keeps the islands in a circle of calm waters, filtering out the strong currents and merciless waves beyond. As our Ikrans cross the protective boundaries, I get a glimpse of shallow pools climbing the natural walls, teeming with life. Not just the splash of a tail or glitter of scaled bodies, but intelligent life. Na’vi life.

We are here.

Greenish bodies pause in acts of play and leisure to turn skyward as our Ikrans soar past. Some point, some remain unreadable from this distance. Some dive into the waters below and disappear beneath marbling azure blues and emerald greens.

The stretch between the wall and the main island is crossed in just a few minutes. My Ikran dives to skim the surface of the water. Small bodies of aquatic life jump through the calm ripples alongside Vaana as if in competition. It’s not long before they’re lost to the sea. Standing at attention along the approaching shore is a compact network of gigantic mangroves. Their great roots dive dramatically in and out of pale sand and crystal waters. Nestled into the root system are the woven huts and platforms that make up Awa’atlu, the settlement of the most westerly Metkayina village. We’re halfway when the deep bellow of a horn echoes across the bay.

The Metkayina dive from their platforms, abandon shore-side activities and emerge from the waters atop strange creatures as our Ikrans approach an outstretched catwalk of sand. A crowd has already gathered as the first of us touch down. Neytiri’s Ikran screeches a mighty cry. I run my hands along the stretch of Vaana’s white neck, fingers following the purple and black patterns as I silently urge her to remain quiet. Our arrival is meant to appear in some confidence, but too much may strike the wrong impression.

I slide off Vaana, feet met with the unfamiliar scorch of hot sand. Sand beaches are not common in the jungles of Pandora and are often traded for natural pools and gushing waterfalls. Even then, the sand isn't nearly as fine, nor responsive to the heat of the sun. I share a wordless look with Kiri, who falls into step beside me as we shadow her brothers. With a nod she returns, I look ahead at the approaching people, pulling my woven shawl tight around my shoulders at the sight of them. Some brandish wooden spears, some carry children on their hips. Some appear curious, others cautious. And some…some look ready to strike. Yips and cries are passed between the Metkayina as Jake takes the lead, palms outstretched and arms flourishing in a sign of peace.

The further we walk along the sandbar, the further we are closed in. The Reef People stand at all sides; we are entirely at their mercy.

It doesn’t take a second look to see a striking difference in anatomy besides the obvious green skin and markings, which closely resemble ripples instead of stripes. In both males and females, their ribcages are wider, protruding in great contrast to their soft stomachs. A jutting form branches from elbow to pinky resembling that of a fish's fins. Thin and tufted tails are traded for oar-like ones, thicker and flat. While I try not to stare at one face for too long, I’m caught off guard by the blinks of blue eyes. Their eyes are double-lidded, one layer blinking towards the inner corners before the outer layers meet in the middle. Swirling designs cover their skin, etched permanently in black ink.

It shouldn’t take an expert to understand the difference; their bodies are built for the water.

The hushed whispers set me on edge. My ears prick this way and that as my brain attempts to pick apart every conversation. One woman leans towards her friend, whispering that she is unsure why we are here. It’s one of the more tame comments, and though I wish to bare teeth at some, I know it is not wise. They are right to be unsure, right to question what they do not know.

From the crowd, two boys that I assume are similar to my age emerge. The one in front is taller, staring us down through heavy brows. Intimidating. His black braided hair is pulled into a topknot high on his head. A leather band circles his thick bicep, stitched with small shards of iridescent paua shells and practically shouting his ranking. A warrior. Strapped to his grass loincloth is an impressive blade. Behind him, his shorter companion appears more curious, albeit still on the offence. He, too, carries a blade, but his arm is bare of a band. Neither of them is marked by the swirling tattoos.

As they advance, their gazes leave Jake and Neytiri to focus on us. Kiri and I linger a step behind Neteyam and Lo’ak, who incline their heads and draw two fingers from their foreheads outwards in a sign of respect. The gesture is not returned. Kiri and I make similar gestures regardless. Still, their ruthless stares do not soften.

The pair pass behind the brothers to reach Kiri and me, the two of us no longer able to cower behind the broad shields of Neteyam and Lo’ak’s backs. They turn over their shoulders to keep a close watch. In usual fashion, Lo’ak is distracted within seconds and his eyes travel elsewhere, melting into awe at something I cannot see. Neteyam, however, is entirely invested. There’s a sort of warning in the way he watches the Metkayina boys. The tall one seems to find it amusing.

The two are unapologetic in their dissecting stares, brows raising and lowering as they take us in. The taller one’s blue eyes remain on me longer. Too much longer. His gaze is too slow as it drags over my body, too curious. When our gazes meet, the hint of a smirk pricks at his full lips. It takes a ridiculous amount of will to school myself into indifference. I couldn’t be more thankful when his friend nudges at his arm, pointing at Neteyam’s swishing tail.

“Look, what is that?” He says with a bemused grin. “Is that supposed to be a tail?”

At his loud comment, a few curious onlookers giggle and laugh. His friend finds great amusement in it. Neteyam’s jaw clenches but, unsurprisingly, he chooses to remain silent. Not interested in childish jabs, I follow Lo’ak’s gaze to the shoreline, which has caught my attention in its intensity.

Emerging with grace so admirable it's envious, a Metkayina girl approaches. The sea of people part for her without hesitation. She’s important. Small braids stop behind her ears to unravel into a glistening shroud of black curls strong enough to resist the weight of water. Beads of water trickle down her heart-shaped face, following the curves of her soft cheekbones, the bridge of her nose, the plush of her full lips. The further it trickles, the further my eyes travel. Subtle curves, short but lean. Shells that reflect different colours upon each footstep are woven together with ropey twine to fashion the most beautiful top I’ve ever seen.

She was beautiful. Utterly beautiful. So much so that I envied it more than I envied her grace—not out of spite or self-hatred, of course. It’s impossible for me not to recognise her beauty out of awe. …An awe Lo’ak shares.

She approaches the two boys, sweet face souring as she hits away the shorter one’s outstretched hand.

“Do not. Rotxo. Aunong.”

Rotxo retracts his hand, grin falling at her tone. The other, Aunong, simply shakes his head, returning his gaze to stare me down. I try my best at faking obliviousness.

The girl turns her gaze to regard us quietly, a vague calculation in her pale blue eyes. Nobody has shown outward kindness yet, and in a way, neither has she. All she does is regain courtesy. However, there’s an aura to her that sucks me in, catching me so off guard that I smile, shoulders relaxing. She doesn’t hesitate to smile back.

Lo’ak nods his head towards her. “Hey.”

She looks away with a flustered huff that almost resembles a giggle, as musical as her breathy voice. Lo’ak’s tail swishes.

Eywa, already?

Kiri sighs at her brother's eagerness, a sound quickly drowned out by a guttural bellow.

Launching from the calm waters come three creatures, all bones and scaled, sleek skin, fish-like and foreign. Close to the base of elongated, slim jaws clustered with razor teeth spread a pair of wings wide. Blue bodies melt into fiery wings not nearly as flexible as our Ikran’s and fin-like in structure. A smaller pair sprout further down the snake-like bodies, merging into a flat tail. Over the sand bar they fly, mounted by males who, without a second glance, appear to be decorated warriors.

The creatures dive towards the water and submerge tail first. Spiked spines peak through the surface beneath the males. The first one to emerge onto the sandbar catches not only my attention, but the entire devoted attention of the Metkayina. They yip in response to his grunt. Tonowari.

Tonowari is the chief of the Metkayina tribe. If I had not known so already, it would have been obvious in his attire. His loincloth is impeccably detailed, with beaded swirls of purples, greens, and blues. Strapped to his chest is what must be their equivalent of a warrior belt to us; a curved, thick leather strap that comes from his left hip, crossing over his ribs and over his left shoulder. A spine-like design of shells decorates the piece, and around his neck a huge display of mollusc shells that dance in the space between purple and blue. A cloak of yellow feathers lines his broad shoulders before descending into braided orange yarn.

With each slow, purposeful stride, Tonowari digs the head of his spear into the sand. The hostility he presents is not near as much as I had expected. He instead appears confused. Surprised. Swirling patterns inked in black stem from the point of his wide nose and the curve beneath his full lower lip. The patterns dip beneath his jaw and fall down his neck to cover his chest. Vaguely, they seem to ebb and flow like the soft lapping of waves against the shore.

“Olo’eyktan,” Tonowari says by way of greeting.

Jake bows his head, repeating the gesture his sons gave to the boys. Behind him, the rest of us bow our heads to do the same. “I see you, Tonowari.”

The chief of the Reef People returns the gesture. “Jake Sully.”

As Tonowari turns to greet Neytiri under customs was no longer required under our exile, a woman emerges from the tight-knit circle, clad in a get-up as exquisite as the chiefs. The Metkayina bow their heads and bear the spears skyward as she passes. At the sight of her less welcoming face, my stomach turns, recalling Jake’s warnings about today.

The Tsahik of the clan approaches her mate, hips swishing, sending ripples down an incredible grass skirt. There’s a fullness to her hips and roundness to her pale stomach that promises the bearing of a child. A thick netting tangled with shells hugs her throat tightly, falling down to cover her fuller breasts. Similarly to her mate, facial tattoos mark her face, stemming from her nose and beneath her lower lip, although more modest. Delicate. Where his covers all of his neck and chest, hers follows a central line from her mouth, over her throat and between her collarbones. It disappears at her sternum, reappearing beneath her breasts reaching her naval. A beautiful headpiece holding a flat shell against her forehead is tucked into a thick head of wild black hair. Her eyes are wide and aware, lips parted as if something is dying to be said.

“I see you, Ronal,” Jake says before she can question anything. Neytiri echoes his words. “Tsahik of the Metkayina.”

The Tsahik does not respond, painfully silent and painfully critical in her stare.

“Why do you come to us, Jake Sully?” Tonowari asks after a long pause.

Jake looks back at his family before answering. “We seek uturu.”

Ronal’s questioning eyes turn bewildered. “Uturu?”

Her judgment is off-putting, but I do not blame her. Uturu does not just mean a place to stay for the Na’vi, it means protection. Alliance. A welcoming into one’s way of life as if those seeking it were family. Acceptance is celebrated in our cultures but not without the allowance to question.

Jake nods. “Yes, sanctuary for my family.”

Tonowari seems torn as his mate wordlessly advances towards us, searching, judging. “We are Reef People. You are Forest People. Your skills will mean nothing here.”

Ronal levels Neteyam and Lo’ak with hard stares as she breezes behind their parents. The two of them lower their gazes out of respect, not the challenge that she seems to be searching for. I chew at the inner flesh of my cheeks as she comes Kiri and I’s way. Respect her, understand her. The first indication of negativity will have the Tsahik demanding our retreat.

“Well, we will learn your ways,” Jake reasons, turning back to give his mate a silent call for help. “Am I right?”

“Yes.”

Neytiri can barely breathe out her answer before the Tsahik’s hand wraps around her tail. It slips from her grasp as Neytiri turns. Their gazes meet, hard and demanding the other to speak first, but Ronal drifts away without paying her any more mind. Instead, she reaches for Tuk’s arm to hold it high above the child’s head.

“Their arms are thin,” she announces. Tuk backs away so fast that she stumbles from the comfort of her mother, instead thumping into her father’s thigh. Ronal continues, doing the same to Kiri as she had just done to Neytiri. “Their tails are weak. You will be slow in the water.”

With an indignant ‘ow’, Kiri snatches back her tail, holding the tufted end to her shawl-draped chest. An energy of incredulousness buzzes from my friend. I place a hand on Kiri’s shoulder, squeezing softly. Don’t bite back. Let her express her concerns. Kiri seems to heed my silent plea. When her gaze travels to me and the hand on her shoulder, I have to remind myself of the same plea. Especially when her three-fingered grasp pulls at my wrist.

Ronal is anything but gentle as turns my palm skyward, eyes jumping over each finger. She pulls at my other hand to do the same, recounting the extra digit over and over as if certain she has imagined it. Jaw hard, she raises my hands skyward so hard my shoulders ache in protest. I look to the sands below in shame.

“These children are not even true Na’vi!”

A collective gasp rolls through the crowd like a ripple in a lake, upset by the plunk of a skipped stone. This, I had expected. Beyond the forests, nowhere else on Pandora has seen the uncanny forms of the Avatars and their descendants. Na’vi are incredibly accepting in appearance, but our culture has never accounted for physical mutations, something unheard of throughout history. Instead, I’ve come to learn that acceptance lies in expression; the clothes you wear, the way your hair is done, the precious stones and woven jewellery decorating your body. All things controllable. I do not fit that narrative.

“Yes, we are,” Kiri counters, but Ronal has already had enough, prowling away as the murmurs and gasps continue.

The others look on, helplessly silent as she grabs for Lo’ak’s hand. It’s a rebuttal to Kiri’s comment, proof that we are not true Na’vi. I share a sympathetic look with Lo’ak, who runs his tongue behind his lower lip to subdue any arguments. There is nothing we can do but listen.

“They have demon blood!”

The murmurs grow deafeningly loud, horrified and angry. My ears flatten as I attempt to drown out their words. Some back away, positioning themselves on their haunches as if prepared to strike. Considering the wooden spears in their hand that happen to tilt down from the clouds…I wouldn’t be surprised.

“Look. Look!” Jake brandishes his hand, extending his fingers and waving it before the Tsahik’s face. “Look, I was born of the Sky People and now I am Na’vi. All right? You can adapt.”

Unchanging in her display of disgust, all Ronal does is drop Lo’ak’s hand, drag her eyes venomously over his father’s face, and then prowl back to Tonowari’s side. Jake spreads his hands wide and turns to address the crowd.

“We can all adapt. Okay?”

At the ensuing silence and unsure look on the clan leader’s face, Neytiri steps forward. She regards the Tsahik with her chin purposefully high, looking down the flat bridge of her nose as if the female was her lesser counterpart instead of her equal. Unsurprisingly, it is Neytiri who is unapologetic and unafraid to display her distaste for our treatment. My respect for her is endless, but I cannot help but fear for the response.

“My husband was Toruk Makto,” she begins, voice dancing between contempt for the female and pride in her mate. “He led the clans to victory against the Sky People.”

Ronal scoffs. “This you call victory? Hiding amongst strangers? It seems Eywa has turned her back on you…Chosen One.”

At the sarcastic power behind the name thrown at Jake, Neytiri’s lips curl back into a livid scowl, fangs bared. Ronal reacts in kind by mirroring the look. The two women snarl at each other. Strangely, in their clashing, the Tsahik and Neytiri are incredibly alike. It is their stubborn pride in the protection of their people that cannot coexist. Jake places a hand between the two.

“I apologise for my mate,” he says slowly, trying to appease the Tsahik without offence to Neytiri. “She’s—”

“Do not apologise for me.”

“—flown a long way, and she’s exhausted.”

“Jake.”

Jake shoots her a look. With a huff, she falls back a step to remain in line with him.

“Toruk Makto is a great war leader!” Tonowari suddenly announces. At the dizzying speed that everyone's head turns, it seems we have all forgotten his presence, entirely captivated by the unnerving clash. He steps forward, a giant hand falling on Jake’s shoulder. “All Na’vi people know his story.”

The onlookers nod slowly, humming their hesitant agreements. Tuk tugs at her father’s arm as the Metkayinan chief addresses his people. He picks up his daughter, cradling her small body to his chest tightly. The image of him holding her as if he had just carried her across a battlefield, face twisted in desperation for a godly miracle to promise her safety, is signal enough. Its time.

Slowly, Kiri and I drift to either side of her mother. We are not shy in our closeness—we have a part to play, after all. Kiri flocks beneath her mother's outstretched arm, a hand reaching up to hold the one resting on her upper arm. Neytiri’s own free hand rests on my shoulder, her thumb running over the curve at the base of my neck. The great warrior that holds us has lost all hints of hostility, eyes downcast and touch comforting. Her sons stand as our shadows, towering over us women. I look back to see Lo’ak watching his mother with convincingly sad eyes. Neteyam gives me a reserved nod.

“But we Metkayina…are not at war.” Tonowari turns back to Jake then. “We cannot let you bring your war here.”

“I’m done with war. Okay?” Jake pleads. “I just want to keep my family safe.”

His quiet, defeated voice breaks beneath the anguish. For a moment, the chief and his mate go quiet, considering his request as they take us in. Weak, hopeless, broken. That’s how we look, just as Jake had instructed us to. The Metkayina would not sway easily; he had thought right. Manipulative as it was, we had to capitalise on our desperation, drag it out and brandish it like scars of war.

“Uturu has been asked.” With great difficulty, Neytiri repeats what we have come here for. It shames her to seek help from a foreign clan. To ask twice is unbearable.

Still, they remain silent, sharing an indecipherable look.

“Do we have to go now?”

Tuk asks the question quietly against her father’s neck. He reaches his hand to her skull, cradling it in his palm to hush his daughter with the promise of everything being okay. Clever girl. The scene captivates Ronal entirely as if she had just witnessed Eywa herself descend from the heavens. Leave it up to the innocence of a child and the threat of danger to pull on even the coldest heartstrings.

One million words are spoken between the chief and his mate, but not one lands on my ears. Through raised brows, lowered eyes, hard jaws and pursed lips, they soundlessly speak entire conversations, going over the risks and the gains, what is morally right but what is wrong for their people. A sigh, a nod, then…

“Toruk Makto and his family will stay with us.”

My heart flutters. A breath I had not known I was holding escapes my lips. Neytiri squeezes my shoulder.

“Treat them as our brothers and sisters,” he continues, speaking to the contrasting sea of emotions that surrounds us. “Now, they do not know the sea, so they will be like babies taking their first breath. Teach them our ways so they do not suffer the shame of being useless.”

Jake chuckles softly, bewildered. To Tuk, he murmurs, “Hey, what do we say?”

Tuk looks to the chief with a beaming, utterly youthful smile. “Thank you.”

The praise is echoed between us. Kiri’s voice is an unenthusiastic whisper, barely anything more than a breath as she does the same.

“My son, Aunong, our daughter, Tsireya, will show your children what to do.”

Tonowari gestures to his children as he speaks, first the tall boy with the wandering eyes, then the pretty girl who had told him off earlier. Tsireya beams at us, and so far the only person happy with our arrival, and I couldn’t be more relieved that she will be the one to show us our new way of life. Her brother, on the other hand, looks mortified. I’m just as displeased that he has to do the same.

“Father, why do—”

“It is decided.” Tonowari cuts him off firmly with a pointed finger and a shove of his spear into the sand. Aunong stares his father down.

“Come!” Tsireya wastes no time in skipping towards us, breezing past the boys with a welcoming smile towards Kiri and I. She takes my hands in hers and pulls me away from the confinements of the circle. At first, our arrival was unbearable, dragging out like a terrible memory on repeat to torture me. Now, the pace has kicked up, and everything moves too fast for me to comprehend. “I will show you our village.”

I smile back at Tsireya. First impressions mean nothing, I tell myself. So what if the rest of the Metkayina are hesitant to accept us? As long as I can find a friend in the chief's joyous daughter, our time here may not be so bad.

#avatar #avatar the way of water #atwow #neteyam #neteyam avatar #neteyam sully #neteyam x reader #neteyam x oc #fanfiction

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nap-mak · 9 months

Note

Batty Koda as a big brother

Batty covers up his pain with jokes in hope it will derail the conversation oway from unwanted territory. For the most part the fairies and forest critters wave it off to him just being odd. But you know better. The doctors might not have gotten a chance to experiment on you but that doesn't deter your experience from what you saw while there. It was only by a stroke of luck that you escaped, Batty doesn't like thinking about the other possible outcome, keeps him up at night. This also doesn't go unnoticed by Crysta who also can see through Batty's facade.

Through trial and error you and Crysta manage to break through some of Batty's walls, helping him with his trauma, though some wounds are yet to be mended or are better left untouched, too damaged to be truly healed.

You both share your fair share of problems, Batty with his permanently changed anatomy, and you with your lost parents. He doesn't say it outright but he hears you sometimes, at night, crying, when you think no one else does. As much as he wants to comfort you he knows that you need your space. He's made himself clear to you that you can come to him if you're feeling down, that even though he acts like he has a few screws loose he's always gonna be there for you, all you need to do is ask. That's why he leaves you alone, because he knows that sometimes it's better to process your pain alone.

Being the byproduct of multiple acts against nature, Batty has been left with some unfortunate side effects. Some are more easy to ignore than others like his chapped lips, while the antenna in his head proves itself again and again to be his worst hurdal yet. Especially when he “switches to a channel” that he'd rather not remember, but you've learned a way to combat this. Batty responds to soft touches, a soothing hushed voice that beckons him back to reality, promising that danger is far in the distance. This also is probably why your opinion of Zak worsened when he messed with Batty's antenna the first time tbh.

Being close with Batty is gonna result in you getting close with Crysta, she's a caring girl with a sense for adventure, she sympathises with your situation and helps you get acquainted with the forest. If Batty, for whatever reason, temporarily leaves he will leave you in the care of Crysta and her father. Don't get him wrong, he does trust the other fairies but he trusts Crysta the most to look after someone so dear to him.

Although Batty has already established Ferngully as a paradise he's not unaware that danger still lurks, though some of it is chipped oway due to being friends with Crysta. Batty might not have grown up in the forest but he's well aware that animals gotta eat. Though fruit bats only have a handful of predators that doesn't deter him from acting out on his paranoia. He knows what an empty stomach does to you, and he couldn't imagine what would happen if one of them set their eyes on you.

BEAUTIFUL, GORGEOUS, I LOVEEEEEEEE

tysm for sending me this!

#fanfiction #ferngully #batty koda #headcanons #sibling reader #not my work!#talented friends

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soft-lilith · 14 days

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Spilling my woes into your whisky

Word count 2.7k | Angst and Fluff

Soooo @writersdrug encouraged me to post my brain farts and I will do so from now on. If any of you have complains, got to her. /s

I hope you like it.

AO3 Mirror

The golden liquid in your glass looked so tempting even with the knowledge that you hated its taste. Small drops of water ran down the pretty looking glass, forming a small puddle underneath. Faint music entered your ears, but you couldn't hear a thing.

Your arms rested on the bar like heavy bags of meat. Between them were three beautiful rings.

One of them was way too expensive and was the reason you literally kicked his ass. Who spends 12 grand on a stupid engagement ring? He did. Idiot. Big, loving, caring idiot. You hate him so much, hate him for leaving you alone in this hell called life.

A tear fell on the gold ring with a beautiful design inspired by nature. Inside was a simple inscription.

Eternally yours.

Liar.

He is such a liar. How dare he ever give you hope of a life of bliss, a life by his side, a life away from this suffocating pain?

With trembling hands, you raised the glass to your chapped lips and gulped it down in one fell swoop.

Disgusting. You would never understand why he liked the taste of this shit so much.

As the woody note spread through your mouth, an image entered your brain.

It was one of those nights, the nights after an extremely hard mission. No words were spoken. Moonshine was the only source of light with the lit end of your cigarette.

Your head rested on his hard chest, listening to his heartbeat, while his nose rested in your hair. It was a ritual that was incorporated shortly after you first landed between his sheets.

It was all fun and games back then. But even on your first night, you couldn't shake the feeling that could best be described as weird. A mixture of fear and hope, lust and love.

On nights like that, the two of you became each other's world, and everything outside the door of your dorm was nonexistent. Leaving behind the cruel world you just fought in. He poured himself his favorite whiskey and you lit a cigarette. Both habits you tried your best to get rid of. But in moments like this, it was a treat, a reward for increasing your kill count. Something that was necessary, but the worst part of your job.

At the end of the day, you are human, and taking another's life leaves you with scars. Some of them are hidden and some of them show through a cigarette or a glass of whisky.

The bartender didn't need a word from you to know you needed another. Another drink to get closer to numbing your pain. You were used to pain. In fact, pain had been your longest friend. It was there when you grew up and the days you started basic training. The day you joined the team and the day you tasted him for the first time.

How it could find you anything but repulsive is beyond you. But he did. He kissed every scar life gave you, kissed the still-healing wounds of your past.

Your tears began to mingle with the snot running from your nose. It must look so hideous, a woman who doesn't move an inch, her eyes looking somewhere that wasn't in this bar, dressed in all black, her husband's uniform jacket draped over her shoulders.

"Stop stealin' me clothes, bonnie!", he complained to you. With innocence in your eyes, you look at him, in his shirt and nothing but his shirt.

"It's not my fault I look so much better in them."

He crossed his big arms over his chest as he looked down at you. Smiling, you rolled onto your back and locked eyes with him, placing your hand on your exposed thigh.

"If you want them back, you have to take them off first," you cooed and his eyes narrowed.

"Ye're a ratchet woman."

Before you could pout, he picked you up with ease and threw you over his broad shoulders. Your laughter echoed down the hallway leading to your shared bedroom.

"No, wait, I-!"

A slap on your butt cut short your pleading and his grip on your waist tightened.

"Ye'll see what ye get for playin' games, bonnie."

And you did. You walked funny for three days.

You put the empty glass back on the bar. The alcohol burned in your throat, but the pain wasn't strong enough to conceal your pain.

"My condolences."

You almost jumped at the male voice that ripped you out of your trance. How hard did you dissociate to not even notice that someone had sat down next to you?

"Thank you."

Nothing more, but enough. Hastily you wiped away some of the endless tears. With the nearby napkins the bartender had placed down with a sympathetic smile the moment the first tear left your eyes, you blew your nose and removed some of the ruined makeup under your eyes.

The man got a shot in front of him, which was quickly emptied and set down for a refill.

You felt your pulse in your head as you tried to pull yourself together. Should you try to talk to him? After all, the two of you were nothing more than strangers sitting in a bar in the middle of the day, getting drunk.

"What... What makes you drink at 14?"

A deep chuckle escaped his lips. As if you had asked the most unnecessary question. From his point of view, you probably did. You blinked a few times before playing nervously with your refilled whisky glass.

"It's 19."

Your head turned towards the man. His dark blond hair looked unkempt, and there were dark circles under his piercing blue eyes. There was no way you had sat in that bar for 5 hours bathing in grief.

"He's right, darling," the bartender explained, giving you a gentle look. "Would you like me to call you a cab?"

Slowly your eyes returned to the rings in front of you, as if they could speak for you.

You have been looking at wedding bands for a while. None of them seem to be 100% up to scratch, and with an increasingly annoyed fiancé by your side, you were even more unsure. But how could he not get anxious when this was the 4th store you went to look for rings?

"Come on, bonnie, just pick yin that ye like."

You looked at him with a slight pout.

"I don't vibe with any of them... maybe we should look somewhere else?"

He looked at you with his smile that still made your knees weak. Gently, he placed his hand on your cheek and you automatically nuzzled into it.

"If that's whit ye want, we can look somewhere else."

There it was again, his endless understanding when it comes to everything that concerns you. You will never fully comprehend how he was able to put up with your bullshit. And while he showed that he would rather have it done, he never once lashed out at you. Never.

"I just want them to be as beautiful as the ring you gave me," you explained as you moved closer to him, resting your forehead on his chest.

"I ken, bonnie, but if ye want something like that, ye'd need tae rob a bank wi' me."

A laugh escaped your lips and you pulled him into a hug. He kissed the top of your head before resting his chin on it.

"So which bank are we going to hit, Clyde?"

His laughter made you feel warm and fuzzy, and his hand moved up your back to your head, kissing you longingly.

"I love ye," he whispered against your lips.

"No need. I have nowhere else to go," you simply said, emptying another glass.

And you spoke the truth. There was no way you could go back to your house, back to the base, back to all the places that made you think of him.

Silence fell over the man and the bartender, who continued their work. And it stayed that way for a while. Endless tears soaked the bar as you just sat there staring at those stupid rings.

All the broken promises were catching up to you. The promises of sitting on the porch, gray hair and grandchildren playing in the front yard. The promises of traveling the world, making new memories. The promises of always being by your side.

But here you sat, broken, alone, and with the fire that once burned within you extinguished.

"My mother died of cancer."

It took you a moment to register what the man was saying. You turned your head to look at him. There was no sparkle in his blue eyes, and you could see that his inner turmoil was more than a simple storm. Your caretaker overcame his grief and raised your hand to place it over his.

For the first time since he sat down, he looked at you. There it was, a glimpse of what you would call familiarity. His eyes were different than his, but they had seen the same horrors.

"It's not quite the same as losing the love of your life, but I think I'm close to understanding how you feel," he continued, after downing another shot of clear alcohol. How he could drink without making a face was beyond you.

You let out a broken chuckle and your eyes went back to the rings you had picked up from the bar.

"Thank you for opening up, even though I'm just a stranger."

"You're not a stranger."

Confused, you tilted your head. The gears in your head couldn't turn fast enough to put together if you'd ever met this man before.

"We both fight on the same battlefield. We both buried our friends. We both made other people bury their friends."

Your mouth opened slightly before it formed a small smile. Tears streamed down your face again. He was right. While the two of you were talking to each other for the first time, he was not a stranger. He was a comrade, a team member who fought on the same front line. The same battle scars tainted your mind and body.

He couldn't hold your gaze any longer, looking almost shy as he turned his eyes back to his shot glass. Your hand still rested on his as another comfortable silence fell over the two of you.

So many unspoken things were fighting their way to the front of the war that was going on inside your head. You hated yourself so much for every fight you ever had with him. Especially because they all seemed so petty looking back on them now.

"Stop telling me what to do, Soap! I may be your girlfriend, but I'm not your property!"

"Jesus fucking Christ, bonnie, I'm just worried aboot ye!"

A bitter laugh came over your lips as you glared at him.

"Sure, tell you that yourself. Maybe one day I will believe it myself."

You were expecting a slap, and if you were honest, you really deserved one for saying all those things to him. How could you ever have faith that anyone would ever be in love with you? Look at you, a disgrace to your family, hiding the fact that you were a murderer behind the cloak of your uniform, a little whore who fucked all those men in the hope that they could see you, the crying girl inside of you, still waiting for her prince to fight his way through the darkness surrounding her.

But it wasn't a slap in the face, in fact, there was never a raising of his hand. No, he just grabbed your arm and pulled you into a forced embrace. At first you struggled, but eventually you gave in, embracing his warmth as you cried your eyes out.

"Stop thinkin' that ye're no worth my worry, bonnie. It hurts tae see ye like this."

Endless apologies and tears left your body as you continued to cry in his strong arms.

You flinched as the man's phone went off. Gently, you removed your hand so he could answer the call.

"Yes? Yes, I'm at the bar. No, I'm fine. I can text you the address. Later."

He typed something into the device before sliding it back into his pocket. It was only now that you noticed his accent, which your foggy brain had a hard time pinpointing.

"Sorry for the startle."

You couldn't help but chuckle.

"Please, I'm sorry for being so jumpy."

There was something close to a smile on the man's lips. After putting on your rings on your left hand and his on your right, you reached into your jacket pocket. A crumpled pack of cigarettes was placed on the bar. You pulled the ashtray toward you before lighting the cancer stick with a lighter.

"Old habits die hard," he said almost with a teasing undertone, and you sucked your teeth.

"Old habits die hard," you repeated before taking a long drag on your cigarette.

It had something comforting about it, sitting in that chair, at the bar, ignoring the glaring horror waiting outside that front door. And as you sat next to the stranger, you felt yourself starting to calm down, at least a little.

"Are you thinking about revenge, if that's an option?"

Good question. But you already knew the answer.

"Will killing the freak who took his life bring him back into my arms?"

You could see your counter question sinking in as he was about to speak when the front door of the bar opened and a group of young soldiers stumbled into the bar. Great, just what you needed. Some of them were holding a girl close, displaying her like some kind of trophy.

It seemed that you weren't the only one who was more than disdainful at the arrival of the group of people. But once again, your new acquaintance was too slow or too wrapped up in his own thoughts to react faster than one of the men who ordered a round of drinks. The boy stood a little too close to you and his smell made your nose wrinkle.

His eyes lingered, checking you out, before he began to speak.

"He's not worth it."

Your eyes widened and your trembling hand clenched into a fist. But he didn't stop. All those words slowly turned to white noise as you froze. You wanted to stand up and beat the shit out of this asshole who thought it was appropriate to go up to a grieving widow and hit on her. You couldn't, though, which made you hurt even more.

The alcohol kicked in as a dizzy spell washed over you.

Not only that, but endless memories were being dumped on you. The feeling of his 5 o'clock shadow under your fingers, the feeling of his rough hands on your thighs, the feeling of being whole for the first time in your life as you lay in his arms.

A loud sob escaped your lips.

I loved you so. I loved you so and yet

Traitor that you are get a bullet through your heart

Join me right in here, and take a look at my insides

I loved you so. I loved you so and yet

Strangely, the white noise had stopped and you heard someone calling your name. Still not quite back in the present, you turned your head toward the voice calling for you. Slowly, your eyes moved up to meet those of your teammate.

Ghost's brown eyes looked slightly red and unusually emotional. Or as emotional as someone like him could be. You had trouble processing how he found you in this bar in the middle of nowhere.

"Come on, darling, let me take you home. The others are worried."

The words caught in your throat as you tried to answer him. All that happened was another tear falling onto your jacket. Ghost held out his hand to support you. As your stitches were pulled, you put your half-finished cigarette into the glass ashtray. It took you a moment to see the blood on his hand. Ah, that's why the white noise stopped, you thought as you carefully stepped down from the barstool. Ghost put his arm around your shoulders to help you out of the bar.

And as you stumbled along, you turned to the man at the bar who had a genuine smile on his lips as he looked at you. Your lips said, "Thank you," but your vocal cords didn't obey. The new acquaintance gave you only a nod before turning back to his drink.

#lili writes #cod #x reader #call of duty #cod fanfic #cod soap #reader x soap #tw grief #tw angst #tw death of a loved one #tw described blood

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witchyfashion · 11 months

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This zero waste lotion bar is an all-over, daily rich moisturizer that keeps you hydrated without any waste. Loaded with skin-loving butters, natural plant oils, and wild-crafted vegan candelilla wax to seal in moisture. Made with only 6 plant-based ingredients you can actually read!

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#zero waste #vegan beauty #vegan #vegan skincare #cruelty free #cruelty free beauty #cruelty free skincare #organic

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dulluhan-iralun · 1 year

Note

At what point was Cassandra Dimitrescu set apart from the rest of the Swarm?

Specifically, when did Miranda see Cassandra as her Hand; Cassandra Dimitrescu is her Mother's Shadow, so when was it an established vision for the Crow?

—————

The girls were a century old when Miranda enfolded them into the duties of the Coven. They were well-versed in its functions by then, and the priestess of the Black God was not one to suffer idle devotion.

Alcina remembered the day the call came in her boudoir; the pack of cigarettes and the poor maid that had been drained in its wake.

“Your huntress. Cassandra. She will inherit your title as Hand.”

Alcina’s grip tightened over the receiver. “With respect, Mother Miranda,” she murmured. “Cassandra is too young —“

“To be wasted as a mantelpiece display in your gallery. She is old enough and strong enough to begin her assignments.” Miranda’s voice was quiet; the warning was as clear as the strike of steel on a frigid morning. “Prove to me that she is worthy, Alcina, or I might make better use of her.”

Hand of the Burnt God. A lofty title, one that Alcina had once relished; for the Hand was closest to the Heart, was it not? The Hand was the one that struck, and too many nights she spent with bodies in her wake and wounds that festered and ached in any form she took.

Cassandra stared up at her with the wide-eyed wonder of a child blessed with a treasure, how eager to please and to provide. To prove oneself worthy. “Truly, Mother? I — I’ll be the Hand?”

Alcina smiled, if only to prevent herself from weeping. She swept a tender hand along the silken hair of her middle child, dark like her own. Ebony spill against the pale winter. “Truly,” she replied. “Mother Miranda sees your potential.”

It was a blade twisting in her chest on the day she escorted Cassandra before Miranda. To watch the eager look of excitement on her child’s face pale into confusion, horror, realization…and then smooth into cold determination. Gone was the sparkle of sweetness, the twinkling hope.

The Wolf had come.

————

Heavy is the Head that wears the crown, but heavier still the Hand that wields the sword. Mother Miranda's expectations for perfection were ones that none of the Coven were exempt from, though perhaps none were held to such a standard as her own brood. Each falter was a flaw, each error was sin. She was only grateful that such things were a rarity among her daughters; Bela held standards that rivaled the priestess, and Daniela's sweetness was potent enough to soften even the Crow's pecking beak. Cassandra...

Defiance seemed to be a natural state of being for her middle daughter. Wild-willed and headstrong; there seemed to be little pleasure greater than aggravating Mother Miranda. Despite this, Alcina was pleased (and petrified) when Miranda named Cassandra as Hand. Training the Wolf was a thrill she hadn't felt in some time -- a venture in testing her own resilience, her own stamina and strength and wit. They battled with the singular goal of victory in mind, and no matter how bloody and broken they left one another, they ended their days with a smile.

————

Cassandra’s first mission was a resounding success. Alcina expected nothing less from the Wolf; the battlefield is where she thrived, and the smile that she returned home with was as bright as a thousand suns.

Mother Miranda had simply nodded, smiled in the way that she did, as if she had known all along.

The second assignment nearly saw Alcina tearing into the Crow. A ridiculous task, set against ridiculous odds that left Cassandra all but crawling back by the bed of her nails. The state of her physical form was nothing compared to the state of her mind; lost in vicious self-loathing and failure even as her sisters fussed and hovered and Alcina coaxed blood-soaked towels between her chapped and cracked lips to heal.

The Dragon’s rage was a tempest the day she marched into Miranda’s temple. “You sent her to her death!” she roared. “You knew this would happen and yet you still forbade me to assist.”

“She needed to be humbled,” Miranda sniffed. “A Hand abides by the Head.”

Alcina reeled back incredulously. “She’s had one mission! What more does she need to be humbled for?”

Miranda’s pale eyes slid towards her, lip curling with distaste. “Cassandra has always been…too big for her britches, as they say. She needed to remember whose commands she bent to.”

(reply answered by raffinit)

#shadow and soul asks #shadowandsoul swarmlings #cassandra dimitrescu #alcina dimitrescu #mother Miranda #raffinit reply

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katsukikitten · 2 years

Note

Ooh ooh! For the prompt game, 31 and our boy Katsuki? Just that line already has my heart racing and if you give me more context oh my… but of course, only do this one if you want to!!

On another note I hope you’re having a fantastic summer and are taking good care of yourself!

A/N : Great minds think alike I see 👀 my summer has been rainy but good. Lookin ta be sun all next week so I'll be in the POOL

PROMPT : I think you're in love with me.

Large hot palms have you pinned to the cracked training mat. Keeping your thrashing movements to a minimum as he hooks his feet into the back of your knees, keeping all of his weight onto your pelvis.

Asshole.

What was with him anyway? Constantly choosing you as his partner. Constantly taking you to long and boring meetings making you write down each and every word, VERBATIM just for him to toss the paper with your tightly looped font into the can with a hiss. "Don't need em"

He was picking and singling you after your first year at this agency and he didn't once let up.

Especially not during training.

And especially not after the incident, of the close call you had brushing shoulders with Death.

As if getting electrocuted by the villain while you were holding up a falling building was your fault. When someone was meant to watch your flank.

But that was all under the bridge now, you were perfectly healed thanks to your secondary quirk that let you bounce back from almost anything.

Still you find yourself pinned under the brutish ash blonde who snarls more than he does frown. Glaring down at you with poison bromine eyes as his grip tightens on your wrists as they groan in protest. He leans closer to you, nose close to yours.

"Again." And with a roll of your eyes you indulge your boss once more.

Throwing a dirty sucker punch before he's ready, still his agile body moves with quickness as he dodges your mighty fist, only to catch it in his own. Pulling you quickly into his chest, so harshly that you bounce off of his hardened muscles before he pulls you back into his chest. Sharing mingled breath before a moment in time slows down, his free hand coming down to squeeze your hip with an intensity that matches his burning ember gaze.

It dawns on you then, when his eyes flicker to your parted, panting mouth for a fraction of a second, exactly what's going on here. This is explains it, explains the rumor of him staying in your hospital room after visiting hours were up. Explains how he your favorite lunch order shows up on your desk with his paper thin excuse that the place fucked his up at first. How your chap stick never runs out and just how your water bottle is always, always full.

As if it were some type of magic.

Although you didn't know him totally, you know Bakugou Katsuki well enough to see that he only did things like this to people he liked.

A devilish cat smile forms on your lips as if you were finally the big bad cat that caught the sad little mouse.

"I think you're in love with me." It comes out sanguine, eyes twinkling with mischief in the harsh lighting of the basement agency gym.

Confirmation comes in a deep blush that rushes up his thick throat and burns brightly at the tips of his ears, eyes widening. His mouth flounders open to retort but before he can you rear your head back.

Slamming your forehead into his causing him to loose his footing and falls on his ass onto the mat.

He props himself on his elbows as you've earned a nasty glare as you laugh loudly watching a giant bruise form on tender skin. Shocked to finally get down to the bottom of his hot and cold nature.

Before he can rise you straddle him, for once allowing yourself to feel him beneath you. Shoving his shoulders into the mat and leaning over his face closely.

Lips brushing his with the same cat smile on your face as you send a shiver down his spine with one spiced honeyed word.

"Again."

#kitten games 🖤🐈‍⬛ 🎮#kitten writes 🖤🐈‍⬛🖋️#bakugou drabble

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puppyexpressions · 1 year

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Winter Dog Care and Gear

Unless you live in some sunny, warm southern clime, harsh winter weather is hard on both humans and dogs. You may have to change up your winter dog care routine to keep them warm and protect them from the effects of freezing temperatures, harsh winds, ice, snow, and dry air.

However, with some care and preparation, winter doesn’t have to be bleak. You can easily offer your dog the protection they need to enjoy outdoor time, and keep them warm and occupied indoors.

Winter Dog Care: Paws

Snow, ice, and road salt wreak havoc on a dog’s paws. The cold surface can dry out paw pads, causing them to flake and crack. Road salt, which is sharp and often combined with harsh chemicals, is a real canine hazard. Not only is it an irritant, but it’s also potentially toxic if ingested. The goal of balms or boots is to protect your dog’s paws from conditions like frostbite, as well as healing any damage that does occur.

Mushers Secret Paw Wax

This cream is made of all-natural wax; the name kind of says it all. When applied to your dog’s pads and between toes, it creates a semi-permeable barrier against ice and snow. Buyers praised Musher’s Secret for its effectiveness against snow, ice, and salt, as well as blistering pavement and hot surfaces in summer. Mushers Secret is Available on Amazon

Certified Paw Rescue

Organic ingredients in this balm soothe cracked, sore pads and help heal cuts and wounds. Made of food-grade ingredients and completely safe if ingested, this product is a perennial hit with owners whose dogs suffer from rough or cracked paw pads. Certified Paw Rescue is available on Amazon

XSY&G Waterproof Dog Boots

Prevent weather damage altogether by putting your dog in booties. Well-constructed boots protect dogs’ paws and keep them warm in freezing temperatures. The weatherproof reflective boots have a rubber sole for good traction. Plus, they don’t impede movement.

XSY&G Waterproof Boots available on Amazon - Available in 4 colors - Black, Leopard, Orange and Pink

Kind Melt Pet Friendly Ice Melter

Substitute a safe, non-toxic ice melt for harsh road salts to clear your walk and steps. This biodegradable product has a time-release formula that melts ice and keeps surfaces ice-free for up to three days. It’s also proven effective at extremely low temperatures. Kind Melt Ice Melter is available on Amazon

Winter Dog Care: Nose, Coat, and Skin

Just as humans feel the effects of dry air and cold temperatures with chapped lips and flaky, dried-out skin, so do our dogs. Dogs’ noses can become chapped, cracked, and flaky. Regardless of coat type, your dog’s skin can become itchy and dry in winter. This can lead to infection or hot spots. To keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy, shampoo a little less frequently and brush your dog often. Also, consider adding some of these products to your winter dog care routine.

Warren London Hydrating Butter for Dogs

This non-oily conditioner hydrates your dog’s skin and coat, helps fight itchy skin, and detangles fur. It’s useful for all breeds and any type of coat. Customers say that it absorbs easily, moisturizes itchy skin, and leaves coats smooth and soft. Warren London Hydrating Butter is available on Amazon

Natural Dog Company Snout Smoother

This all-natural balm is made with olive oil, beeswax, rosemary extract, and other organic ingredients. It is safe for all dogs, including puppies and those with sensitive skin. Because of the natural ingredients, even if your dog licks the moisturizer, the product will be absorbed; noses will also stay soft and healthy. Vegan and Organic Skin Soother for All Dog Breeds and Sizes This Snout Smoother is Available on Amazon

Outdoor Winter Dog Gear

Besides thick-coated northern breeds meant for winter weather, many dogs feel the effects of cold like we do. If you’re bundling up for an especially cold outdoor excursion, so should your dog. Some dogs will be fine with a warm sweater; others may need more insulation.

Bingnet Dog Turtleneck Sweater

This acrylic sweater is designed to cover your dog’s neck, shoulders, and body. It’s stretchy, soft, and generously cut to fit even deep-chested breeds.

This cute sweater is available on Amazon - available for all size dogs. You can chose between a pawprint, dog bone or deer design.

Fuamey Waterproof Reflective Dog Coat

Don’t let cold weather stop you and your dog from outdoor adventures or training. This waterproof, windproof jacket keeps dogs warm, while reflectors add a safety feature. Whether your dog is working or playing, the jacket will keep them warm without restricting movement. This cute Jacket is available on Amazon in 8 colors.

Keep Your Dog Warm Indoors

If you keep the thermostat set low in winter, your dog may need something to take the chill off. Humans have down quilts and snuggly throws. Why not give your dog a little bit of extra warmth, too?

Round Donut Bed

The aptly named Anti Anxiety Donut Bed has a raised rim and is well-padded, so even arthritic and senior dogs can get comfortable. The plush synthetic fur is ultra-warm while still being breathable. This Donut Bed is available on Amazon - available for all size dogs.

Self Warming Crate Pad

This versatile pad can be used without a crate, too, as a floor mat or, as one customer noted, on top of the printer where her dog loves to nap. It captures dogs’ body heat and radiates back warmth, so it’s self-warming without cords or batteries. The notched corners fit snugly in a crate and the bottom is a non-slip fabric. Self Warming Crate Pad is available on Amazon - available for all size crates.

Winter Dog Care Cheat Sheet

Protect your dog’s paws from outdoor surfaces. Wipe them off (even between toes) when you go back inside.

Consider your dog’s breed and coat type, and whether they may need a sweater or jacket.

Brush your dog’s coat frequently to get rid of dead skin. Condition as necessary.

If your dog’s nose becomes dry or chapped, use a healing balm or cream.

Make sure your dog has a warm place to sleep inside, especially if you keep the house cool.

Provide mental and physical stimulation and play while indoors.

#winter dog care #winter dog gear #winter #dog health #dog care #cold weather #dog health in cold weather #dog gear

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onlinehomesupplience · 3 days

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Discover the Sweet Relief of Carmex Cherry Lip Balm

Why Your Lips Deserve Carmex Cherry Lip Balm

We all know the discomfort of chapped lips—the constant dryness, the painful cracks, and the persistent irritation. What if there was a solution that not only soothed your lips but also provided long-lasting protection with a delightful scent? Introducing the Carmex Cherry Lip Balm, available now at Vita-Point.

The Perfect Blend of Care and Convenience

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kiyosolution · 22 days

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The Beauty Sleep Secret Overnight Lip Masks with Copper Peptide by Kiyo Solution

Introduction:

Understanding Copper tripeptide:

Copper tripeptide is a compound consisting of copper ions and small protein fragments known as peptides. Renowned for its potent antioxidant properties, copper tripeptide stimulates collagen production, promotes tissue repair, and enhances skin elasticity. These attributes make it a coveted ingredient in skincare formulations targeting aging, fine lines, and skin rejuvenation.

The Benefits of Overnight Lip Masks with Copper Tripeptide:

Intense Hydration: Overnight lip masks create a barrier that locks in moisture, preventing dehydration and chapped lips.

Repair and Regeneration: Copper tripeptide accelerates the skin’s natural healing process, repairing damaged lip tissue and promoting cell turnover.

Plumping Effect: By stimulating collagen synthesis, copper tripeptide helps restore lip volume and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Antioxidant Protection: Copper Tripeptide scavenges free radicals, neutralizing oxidative stress and preventing premature aging of the lips.

Enhanced Absorption: Overnight application allows the active ingredients, including copper tripeptide, to penetrate deeply into the lips, maximizing their effectiveness.

Introducing Kiyo BEAUTY Overnight Lip Mask:

At Kiyo BEAUTY, we’re passionate about harnessing the power of cutting-edge ingredients to deliver transformative skincare solutions. Our Overnight Lip Mask combines the hydrating properties of hyaluronic acid with the rejuvenating effects of copper tripeptide, creating a luxurious treatment that nourishes and revitalizes your lips while you sleep.

Key Features of Kiyo BEAUTY Overnight Lip Mask:

Copper tripeptide Complex: Our formula contains a concentrated blend of copper tripeptides, scientifically proven to enhance lip firmness and elasticity.

Hyaluronic Acid and Panthenol: Hyaluronic acid attract and retains moisture, ensuring optimal hydration and plumpness for smoother, more youthful-looking lips.

Niacinamide and Alpha Arbutin: The combination of niacinamide and alpha-arbutin is a potent duo, offering a highly effective, multifaceted solution to visibly reduce hyperpigmentation.

Gotukola and Green Tea : Gotu kola, rich in triternene saponins, tightens and firms the skin while supplying flavonoids, antioxidants that combat free radical damage. This herb enhances collagen formation and skin tissue, maintaining elasticity and a youthful appearance. Meanwhile, green tea extracts, abundant in antioxidants and tannins, provide healing and soothing properties, particularly beneficial for dry and dehydrated lips.

Non-Greasy formula: The lightweight, non-greasy formula absorbs quickly, leaving your lips feeling soft, smooth, and replenished.

Dermatologist Tested: Kiyo BEAUTY Overnight Lip Mask is dermatologist tested and free from parabens, sulfates, artificial fragrances and colorants, making it suitable for all skin types, including sensitive lips.

Cruelty-Free: We’re committed to cruelty-free skincare, and our Overnight Lip Mask is never tested on animals.

Incorporating Kiyo BEAUTY Overnight Lip Mask into Your Skincare Routine: To experience the full benefits of our Overnight Lip Mask, follow these simple steps:

Before bedtime, ensure your lips are clean and dry.

Using the applicator wand, apply a generous layer of the Overnight Lip Mask to your lips.

Allow the mask to absorb fully overnight.

Wake up to softer, smoother lips with a youthful, plumped appearance.

Conclusion:

Upgrade your lip care routine with Kiyo BEAUTY Overnight Lip Mask, infused with copper tripeptide for unparalleled hydration, repair, and rejuvenation. Transform your lips while you sleep and awaken to a more youthful, radiant pout. With Kiyo BEAUTY commitment to quality and innovation, achieving luscious, kissable lips has never been easier. Unlock the beauty sleep secret and indulge in the luxury of our Overnight Lip Mask today.

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bodyshopindia · 2 months

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Shea Butter for Skin: Nourish Your Skin with Natural Goodness

Shea butter, a natural fat extracted from the nuts of the shea tree, is a beauty and skincare staple in many cultures worldwide. Renowned for its moisturizing, healing, and anti inflammatory properties, it has been used for centuries to keep skin supple, healthy, and radiant.

Whether you are battling dry, cracked skin, seeking relief from sun damage, or simply aiming to maintain a healthy glow, shea butter is a versatile and effective ingredient to incorporate into your skincare routine.

Benefits of Shea Butter for Skin

Shea butter's rich composition of fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants makes it a treasure trove for skin health. Here's a closer look at its benefits:

Intense Hydration

Shea butter's high fatty acid content, particularly oleic acid and stearic acid, acts as a natural emollient, effectively locking in moisture and preventing dryness. This makes shea butter a go to remedy for chapped lips, dry elbows, and rough knees.

Healing Properties

The anti inflammatory qualities of shea butter aid in the healing of wounds and relieve skin irritations. It treats minor cuts, scrapes, and burns, as well as skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

Anti Aging Effects

Because free radical damage damages the skin and causes premature aging, shea butter's antioxidant component shields the skin from this harm. Its ability to boost collagen production reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Skin Protection

The inherent SPF of shea butter offers some defense against damaging UV radiation, assisting in the prevention of sun damage and early aging.

Include shea butter in your regime and see the difference in your skin. Its regular use can keep your skin healthy and youthful.

Using Shea Butter for Skin Types

Shea butter's versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of skin types, including:

Dry Skin

Shea butter's intense moisturizing properties are ideal for replenishing dry, flaky skin. It's rich in fatty acids that help lock in moisture and reduce dryness, ultimately reducing wrinkles and fine lines.

Oily Skin

Shea butter regulates sebum production, reducing oiliness without clogging pores. It also helps to lock in moisture, keeping skin hydrated and supple.

Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin can safely use shea butter. All thanks to its non comedogenic properties and gentleness.

Mature Skin

The anti aging qualities of shea butter can aid in lessening the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles. In addition, it reduces the appearance of scars and stretch marks.

Incorporating Shea Butter into Your Skincare Routine

Want to use shea butter in your skin care routine? Here are ways to enhance your skincare routine with this wonder ingredient:

Moisturizer

You can use shea butter lotion as a daily moisturizer for the face and body.

Lip Balm

Use butter to keep lips hydrated and protect them from harsh weather.

Hair Mask

Apply shea butter to hair as a deep conditioning treatment to nourish and soften dry, brittle strands.

DIY Skincare Recipes

Shea butter can be used as a base for various DIY skincare recipes, such as face masks and body scrubs.

Shea butter is a natural wonder that transforms your skin's health and appearance. Its moisturizing, healing, and anti-aging properties make it a valuable addition to your skincare arsenal.

Use shea butter for skin and discover the path to soft, supple, and radiant skin.

Experience Shea Butter Radiance at The Body Shop

As you know the nourishing benefits of shea butter for your skin, why not make it an experience with The Body Shop's Shea Butter range? Its commitment to harnessing the natural goodness of shea butter reflects in its meticulously crafted products.

Make your skincare routine a celebration of natural goodness with The Body Shop's Shea Butter range. Nourish your skin, rejuvenate your senses, and glow with the radiance that comes from giving your skin the care it truly deserves. Your journey to shea butter radiance starts here!

#Shea Butter #Shea Butter For Skin #Shea Butter Lotion

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hubs24 · 2 months

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Chapstick alternatives for those allergic to beeswax: What to look for

Finding the right chapstick alternative for those with beeswax allergies can be a daunting journey. With the vast array of lip care products available, identifying those that are truly beneficial without causing allergic reactions is key. In this exploration of beeswax-free lip balms, we aim to highlight the ingredients to look for and the options that can soothe your lips without the worry of an allergic flare-up.The quest for the perfect lip balm is more than just a quest for comfort; it's about finding a formula that nourishes, hydrates, and protects, all while being safe for sensitive skin. Those allergic to beeswax need not compromise on quality or effectiveness. Modern formulations offer a range of alternatives, such as shea butter, coconut oil, and more, that are not only gentle but also potent in their moisturizing capabilities.Whether you're battling harsh winter winds or the dry heat of summer, the right beeswax-free chapstick can be a game-changer. This guide aims to arm you with the knowledge to make informed choices about your lip care, ensuring you can enjoy soft, supple lips year-round, free from the worry of allergic reactions.

Navigating the World of Chapstick Alternatives

Choosing the right chapstick can be a daunting task with the plethora of options available in the market. The major divide comes between synthetic and natural chapstick alternatives, each with its benefits and drawbacks. Synthetic chapsticks often contain petroleum-based products which, while effective in providing a protective barrier, might not be the best in terms of skin health and environmental impact. On the other hand, natural chapstick alternatives leverage ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, and essential oils to nourish and repair dry, chapped lips.The debate between synthetic and natural choices goes beyond mere ingredients. It encompasses factors such as environmental sustainability, skin health, and long-term care. Environmental enthusiasts often lean towards natural alternatives, attributing to their biodegradable and sometimes organic components. For those with sensitive skin, natural ingredients pose less risk of irritation or allergic reactions, making them a safer choice. However, the efficacy of hydration and lasting power can differ vastly between individual products, regardless of their natural or synthetic status. Understanding the properties of key ingredients and their impact on lip health is paramount in making an informed choice. Embarking on a quest for an allergy-friendly chapstick is more than just about avoiding chapped lips; it's about finding comfort and safety in a world filled with allergens. The journey beyond beeswax has opened up a treasure trove of options for those seeking solace from irritation. Here, we dive into the allergen-free wonders that promise soft, supple, and soothed lips without the worry. Let's explore these guardian angels of lip care that ensure your smile remains vibrant and healthy, free from the clutches of common allergens.Allergen-Free Chapstick Wonders:- Shea Butter Magic: A favorite for its moisturizing prowess, shea butter is a safe haven for allergy-prone lips. - Coconut Bliss: Dive into the tropical tranquility offered by coconut oil-based chapsticks, a boon for sensitive skins. - Jojoba Joy: Revel in the hypoallergenic joy that jojoba oil chapsticks bring, perfectly mimicking the skin's natural oils. - Candelilla Euphoria: Discover the vegan marvel of candelilla wax, a beeswax alternative that caters to all, including our vegan friends. - Castor Oil Charm: Embrace the soothing spell cast by castor oil chapsticks, a glossy option for those desiring moisturization and shine. - Argan Oil Allure: Get enchanted by the luxury of argan oil chapsticks, a nutrient-rich choice for pampering parched lips. - Vitamin E Vitality: Infuse your lip care routine with the healing essence of Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant for rejuvenated skin. - Sunflower Seed Serenity: Bask in the gentle, nourishing touch of sunflower seed oil chapsticks, a light yet effective moisturizer.

The Role of Coconut Oil in Beeswax-Free Lip Care Products

Coconut oil has emerged as a stellar ingredient in the formulation of beeswax-free lip care products. Its natural emollient properties make it an exceptional alternative, offering both hydration and protection to the delicate skin of the lips. Unlike traditional lip balms that rely on beeswax as a base, products utilizing coconut oil provide similar, if not superior, moisturizing benefits without using any animal-derived ingredients. This makes them an excellent choice for vegans and those with sensitivities or allergies to beeswax.Moreover, coconut oil is rich in fatty acids, which are known to repair the skin barrier and reduce moisture loss. Its antimicrobial properties also help in protecting the lips from infections that could be caused by bacteria. This is especially beneficial during the colder months when chapped lips are more susceptible to cracks and infections. Another advantage of coconut oil is its sustainability. As a plant-based resource, it is more eco-friendly and easier to source ethically compared to beeswax. By choosing beeswax-free lip care products formulated with coconut oil, consumers not only benefit from its hydrating and protective powers but also contribute to a more sustainable and ethical beauty industry. Embracing a more sustainable lifestyle doesn't have to mean compromising on your daily self-care rituals. Lip care, an essential aspect of grooming for many, is witnessing a revolutionary shift towards greener alternatives. If you're keen on nourishing your lips while being kind to the planet, dive into our curated compilation of petroleum-free and beeswax-free chapstick options. These eco-friendly alternatives promise to keep your lips hydrated and happy, without the environmental guilt.

Eco-Friendly Lip Care Choices:

- Coconut Oil-based Chapsticks: Luxuriate in the tropical goodness of coconut oil, an excellent natural moisturizer that soothes and hydrates. - Shea Butter Lip Balms: Revel in the rich, creamy texture of shea butter, offering deep hydration and protection against the elements. - Candelilla Wax Lip Care: Explore the wonders of candelilla wax, a superb vegan alternative that seals in moisture and smoothens. - Hemp Seed Oil Infusions: Benefit from the regenerative properties of hemp seed oil, a powerhouse of nutrients for your lips. - Almond Oil Chapsticks: Indulge in the gentle care of almond oil, famed for its soothing and conditioning abilities. - Cocoa Butter Delights: Treat your lips to the decadent moisturization of cocoa butter, a shield against dryness and chap. - Olive Oil Balms: Enjoy the timeless nourishment of olive oil, a natural remedy for soft and supple lips. - Jojoba Oil Blends: Discover the balancing act of jojoba oil, mimicking the skin's natural oils for optimal hydration.Transitioning to petroleum-free and beeswax-free lip care not only benefits our planet but also enriches our skin with nature's purest offerings. By opting for these sustainable alternatives, you are taking a significant step towards a healthier lifestyle and a cleaner environment. Let your lip care routine reflect your eco-conscious beliefs, starting now. Read the full article

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