#containers vary according

[reasonsforhope]

"A team of researchers at Washington University in St. Louis has developed a real-time air monitor that can detect any of the SARS-CoV-2 virus variants that are present in a room in about 5 minutes.

The proof-of-concept device was created by researchers from the McKelvey School of Engineering and the School of Medicine at Washington University...

The results are contained in a July 10 publication in Nature Communications that provides details about how the technology works.

The device holds promise as a breakthrough that - when commercially available - could be used in hospitals and health care facilities, schools, congregate living quarters, and other public places to help detect not only the SARS-CoV-2 virus, but other respiratory virus aerosol such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as well.

“There is nothing at the moment that tells us how safe a room is,” Cirrito said, in the university’s news release. “If you are in a room with 100 people, you don’t want to find out five days later whether you could be sick or not. The idea with this device is that you can know essentially in real time, or every 5 minutes, if there is a live virus in the air.”

How It Works

The team combined expertise in biosensing with knowhow in designing instruments that measure the toxicity of air. The resulting device is an air sampler that operates based on what’s called “wet cyclone technology.” Air is sucked into the sampler at very high speeds and is then mixed centrifugally with a fluid containing a nanobody that recognizes the spike protein from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. That fluid, which lines the walls of the sampler, creates a surface vortex that traps the virus aerosols. The wet cyclone sampler has a pump that collects the fluid and sends it to the biosensor for detection of the virus using electrochemistry.

The success of the instrument is linked to the extremely high velocity it generates - the monitor has a flow rate of about 1,000 liters per minute - allowing it to sample a much larger volume of air over a 5-minute collection period than what is possible with currently available commercial samplers. It’s also compact - about one foot wide and 10 inches tall - and lights up when a virus is detected, alerting users to increase airflow or circulation in the room.

Testing the Monitor

To test the monitor, the team placed it in the apartments of two Covid-positive patients. The real-time air samples from the bedrooms were then compared with air samples collected from a virus-free control room. The device detected the RNA of the virus in the air samples from the bedrooms but did not detect any in the control air samples.

In laboratory experiments that aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 into a room-sized chamber, the wet cyclone and biosensor were able to detect varying levels of airborne virus concentrations after only a few minutes of sampling, according to the study.

“We are starting with SARS-CoV-2, but there are plans to also measure influenza, RSV, rhinovirus and other top pathogens that routinely infect people,” Cirrito said. “In a hospital setting, the monitor could be used to measure for staph or strep, which cause all kinds of complications for patients. This could really have a major impact on people’s health.”

The Washington University team is now working to commercialize the air quality monitor."

-via Forbes, July 11, 2023

-

Holy shit. I know it's still early in the technology and more testing will inevitably be needed but holy shit.

Literally, if it bears out, this could revolutionize medicine. And maybe let immunocompromised people fucking go places again

Also, for those who don't know, Nature Communications is a very prestigious scientific journal that focuses on Pretty Big Deal research. Their review process is incredibly rigorous. This is an absolutely HUGE credibility boost to this research and prototype

#covid #covid 19 #pandemic #plague #rsv #influenza #the flu #science and technology #medical research #medical technology #biochemistry #immunology #good news #hope #hope posting

[galedekarios]

gale & curing the orb - early access

writing my current series of cut content from early access made me think a lot, especially about how curing gale of the orb might have originally worked out if larian had kept to what had been set up in early access. it's no secret that a lot of things were changed or cut entirely, big and small, like for instance halsin's involvement with ketheric's fall, isobel and the shadow curse.

gale's condition, too, seemed different then.

what exactly was different in early access?

while only a few body models were unique in early access, gale's key art showed his left arm in bandages.

in early access, auntie ethel had vicious mockery lines, which hinted what might be beneath those bandages:

Auntie Ethel: I can smell what's under those bandages, wizard. You're all rot and ruin. Come to greet death early? You'll be a lovely spectacle.

we also had information from gale directly as to what happened to karsus in the aftermath of casting his spell:

Player: I was wondering about that “mighty lord” you told me about in your story. Gale: Ah, yes. Karsus Karsus was perhaps the most powerful wizard that ever lived. The child-who-would-be-a-god, the elves called him. And he tried. With a spell of his own devising he endeavoured to usurp in one fell swoop the power of the goddess of magic.  Mystryl, she was called then. Imagine what it must have felt like. To be a god. To know yourself to be untouchable. To be mistaken. As Karsus aimed his spell at her she began to unravel, and with her, the entire Weave. Too late did he realize what he had unleashed. It would have been the end of everything had not Mystryl sacrificed herself.  Gale: The goddess of magic is all magic. By dying, the entire weave was lost, and the spell that challenged a god failed. It was the end of Mystryl, the end of Karsus, and the end of an entire civilization. As the child-who-would-be-a-god was turned to stone, his empire came crashing down around him. The floating cities of Netheril were no more. An event that came to be known as Karsus’ folly.

which is in accordance with the lore:

Unfortunately, his choice was a terrible mistake, for one of the responsibilities of the deity of magic was to regulate the flow of magic to and from all beings, spells, and magic items in the world. Lacking the ability to do so properly, magic surged and fluctuated. With her last remaining bit of power, Mystryl sacrificed herself to block Karsus's access to the Weave, causing all magic to fail. The flying cities of Netheril plummeted to the earth. The severing of the link also killed Karsus and transformed him into stone, and the last thing he saw was his entire civilization being destroyed because of his actions. This was to be known as Karsus's Folly. The stone form of Karsus eventually landed in a part of the High Forest, now called the Dire Wood. The city of Karse was built around its base. Karsus was never accepted as a petitioner by any god, nor did he go to the Fugue Plane when he died. Instead, his soul was bound to the Material Plane. Those with experience in pact magic could call up his vestige, where he appeared as a giant blood-red boulder, like the one found in the High Forest where his petrified form landed. Blood burbles up from the top of the stone, trickling down the side facing the summoner, pooling at the base. When he spoke, the pool fountained upwards, its height varying on the volume of his voice.

the netherese orb then seemed to have a immediate visible physical effect on gale, in addition to the ones that carried to the full release version of the game.

so putting these clues together, i think it's safe to say that the orb caused gale in early access to be afflicted with some form of corrupted petrification, which makes sense given that it's a piece of magic unleashed during karsus's folly.

at that point, this corruption seemed to be affecting his left arm the most, perhaps either from opening the book containing the netherese magic with it, or trying to shield himself with it - but that's just speculation on my part.

so what did the early access set up in terms of curing gale from his affliction?

gale in early access showed a great interest in the astral plane, especially in the absence of time there. he has several banters with lae'zel, which are still in the game now and showing his vested interest in the astral plane as well as any knowledge or insight lae'zel might offer on it:

Gale asks Lae'zel about the Astral Plane. Has she been there? Gale: Tell me, Lae'zel, what is it like on the Astral Plane? Your home realm intrigues me. Lae'zel: Githyanki lay their eggs on other planes. They cannot mature in the Astral. Lae'zel: I will only be welcomed once I obtain a mind flayer's head.

lae'zel notices gale's interest and initiates a banter of her own:

Lae'zel asks Gale what his interest is in the Astral plane, and he equivocates Lae'zel: Tell me, Gale: what is your interest in the Astral Plane? Gale: Time. Or rather: the absence of it. In the Astral Plane, everything is eternal. Lae'zel: It will be my home soon enough, should Vlaakith will it.

in addition to these banters, which clearly show gale's interest in the astral plane - which now in the full release seems merely academic - hinted at another solution to ridding himself of the orb.

what points to that quite conclusively is gale's dialogue when he reveals the truth about the orb to the protagonist.

this reveal differs quite significantly from the full release version. most notably, the protagonist was able to ask him about his own ideas for a what might be able to cure him from the orb.

gale had something very interesting to say to that question:

Player: What would permanently rid you of the orb? Gale: The orb was kept safe and inert in a pocket of Astral Plane, suspended in time. If I can somehow manage to expel it from my body while in the Astral Plane, it will be rendered inert again. Alternatively, I could learn to control it’s chaotic magic, that is; to succeed where I failed before. But without Mystra’s favour, I don’t see how that may come to pass. Of course there could be different answers as well. Faerun brims with more magic than any one wizard could fathom, let alone comprehend. Who knows what outlandish solutions may yet present themselves?

so what does this all mean?

in conclusion, i believe originally there were either more ways to cure gale from the orb - or maybe even in a different manner entirely - than there are in the full release version of the game (begging mystra to remove it, ascension, or accepting/keeping the orb).

perhaps even one that would circumvent having to beg mystra for forgiveness entirely, without gale having to sacrifice his mortality to do so.

i think these banters and lines of dialogue show that the astral plane, which would have rendered the orb inert and stopped the corrupted petrification of his body, would have played a bigger role in gale's quest.

#gale dekarios #gale of waterdeep #karsus #baldur's gate 3 #bg3 #baldurs gate 3 #bg3 meta #bg3 early access #ch: gale dekarios #vg: baldur's gate 3 #series: baldur's gate #meta: mybg3

[highlandwhackamole]

A Grand(ish) Theory of What the Heck

I love the utterly unhinged, super detailed theories about what's going on in Good Omens, especially in season 2. I hope one or more of them turn out to be true, as some kind of glorious puzzle-box-hidden-code monstrosity. And also I think that there has to be a simpler explanation for things, for the people who are at least Somewhat Normal (tm) about this show. (... I assume such people do exist somewhere...) This is what I have been pondering recently.

The thing that started me thinking about this was this post, containing some promotional materials for season 2 that feature main characters with scenes in their heads. Like this:

Seeing this created a very similar situation in my own head, but with a nice shiny lightbulb.

All the weirdness: the car, the sideburns, the clock, the behavior of the folks of Soho, the vanishing storefront signs. The absence of God. I think this is all because everything we see is in their heads.

I don't mean it's made up. At least not entirely. Memory is already a plot point. Why not explore it on a deeper level? I've read theories emphasizing the minisodes' stories being retold by Aziraphale and Crowley. I think the whole season is like that.

You know that sort of conventional-wisdom-fact-concept that you can only dream faces of people you've seen before (or variations therein), because your brain can't make new faces up? So it just fills in what it thinks is close enough? I think that idea, applied to remembering or recollecting things, could explain so many things that are wonky in this show.

Wonky Things

Crowley parking in an impossible London location? He definitely remembers it was in London, so his brain just stuck some obvious London landmarks in there.

Awkward clattering happening when Crowley throws the stacks of books he's inexplicably carrying around the bookshop? He wouldn't actually throw Aziraphale's books! But he'd like to think he's cool and nonchalant enough to do that, and if he did it would definitely make Some Kind of Noise.

Jim walking toward the bookshop from somewhere mysterious? Maggie and Nina saw him first, and he came from that direction, so he must've walked all that way. They don't know about the elevator in the Donkey.

Aziraphale remembers tartan hills and the Loch Ness monster because he was having a jolly time driving through Scotland, so obviously the scenery must've been whimsical Scottish things.

Nina put the Honolulu roast sign up, so she remembers its presence, but perhaps the occult/ethereal visitors to her shop do not.

Maggie really did text Aziraphale about the rent, but a note through the mail slot is a much more dignified way for a scholarly angel to imagine he received a message.

On the Fallibility of Recall

This season is loaded with unrealistic inclusions. The colors are turned up to 11. Some of the scenes are more caricature than believable interaction. Remembering things never copies or reproduces them with what one might call high fidelity.

Scenes recalled by separate memories will inherently vary. One person's hefty jigger might be another person's dash. Who knows for sure where the sun was that day? You and I might recall an event having different lighting or a different color palette, sort of like viewing something with different lens filters.

According to Neil, Crowley is an unreliable narrator of the story of his Fall. He labels the variations in clock times as a continuity error in a show where Everything Is Meant, but he doesn't say whose continuity error it is. He insists that the Bentley is the same through the whole season; maybe it was the same, but remembered differently. Maybe this is part of why there's more CGI but it's harder to spot.

So What?

Is this all there is to it? I sure hope not. I like my Good Omens with enough layers to put to shame an onion wrapped in a cake and covered in a parfait.

Is this possibly the fancy footwork that's distracting from the real magic trick? I wouldn't put it past Our Gaiman. There are a lot of things one could hide in the narrative of unreliable memory.

Is this going to stop me from rewatching and repondering and remaking theories for the next couple years? Not even at gunpoint.

#good omens #good omens meta #ineffable mystery #neil gaiman #good omens questions #good omens 2

[dungeonpuppykai]

Oh my god the 5 daddy dom CE characters, poor bunny Now now .. can we go on with that and see what each one does for punishments and aftercare? please please.

Okay first, I apologize in advance because I am REALLY not good at these kinds of things (reactions and preferences etc of different characters) but I tried my best according to my thinking. Hope you like it! <3

Warning(s): BDSM and DDLG vibes, bratty!you, polyamorous relationship, brat!tamer Daddies Ari, Lloyd, Jensen, Andy and Ransom, stripping, fluff(?), bunny!reader, different kinds of punishments (mentions only), dacryphilia, behavioral adjustment. Contains mature content. Browse at your own discretion. 18+ 

🩷

Andy: 

Honestly, all five give spankings of varying degrees.

Definitely makes bunny wear her tail during spankings so he can add to the humiliation by moving it around and even teasing her with it. 

Clit spankings.

Cold showers.

Bondage and whipping.

Blindfolding. 

Makes bunny tell him why she's being punished.

Bends her over his knee.

Doesn't stop until she's promising him that she won't do it again with everything she's got. 

Likes to do it with one of her pink bunny baby hair brushes so if the flimsy toy-like object bends or breaks, which they often do, the sight can taunt and remind her every time she passes by her little sparkly dresser that Jensen got for her. 

Honestly, Andy doesn't like punishing his baby bunny too much mainly because he knows she's too weak to take him head on and because he expects her to behave well for him as he knows she's his good little bunny girl.

He spoils her so much after all.

So obedience is the least his precious Bunny can do… right?

So in short he blames Ransom and Jensen whenever she acts out. 

Sometimes she even gets the younger Daddies in trouble with the most authoritative Daddy.

Self degradation to rub her nose in it further. 

Makes her feel sooo fucking dumb for acting out. 

"All that acting out just to end up in your tiny little bunny place again, huh Bunny?"

Cuddles and back rubs as Andy allows Bunny's trembling form to calm down against his chest when he's done.

And he's only done when he's brought his point home.

Soft murmurs of comforting sweet nothings. 

They make her feel so protected that it's only a matter of time before everything from the punishment except for the lesson dissipates. 

Casually buys her anything she points at as part of the aftercare. 

Once bought her a whole orchard because the apples looked to be a pretty shade of red.

Lots of praise.

Takes care of any possible dehydration. 

Soul food after she calms down even though he enjoys to fine down with Bunny.

A nice and calming massage with kisses that tickle her skin due to his thick beard.

She exhaustedly giggles at the feeling.

Takes her of all the bondage burns and cuts.

Uses the special yellow Pikachu bandages that Daddy Ransom bought her.

Sweet and soft kisses all over her face when he takes her in his huge arms and cuddles her in the bed after he's done with all that.

Even softens up on his rules for a while.

Lloyd: 

Honestly, Bunny doesn't play around too much with Daddy Lloyd. 

Because, come on! 

It's that look that he gives her that's anything but scary in the typical sense.

A half grin with slightly narrowing eyes and Bunny knows to respectfully perch herself beside her sadistic Daddy that loves to see her tears with a whimper. 

Spankings start with hand and easily go to his leather belt. 

Bends her over a table for easy access to all her ouchie spots.

Lloyd loves tears so anything to do with them such as frustration (overstimulation, denial and edging) can stretch over days.

What? He's a brat tamer who enjoys putting them back into their little places.

He gets creative honestly.

But Lloyd and the other Daddies are always careful to talk about what they're going to do and make sure she remembers her safewords.

Makes sure to keep checking on her.

Waterboarding while fucking her roughly from behind.

Sometimes, if the other Daddies are away or busy, he will step in for them and give Bunny a combination of his and the other Daddy's punishment style.

Sends a video of her crying and sorry form to the Daddy who is away.

So, in short, Bunny doesn't fuck with him unless she's in a mood. 

Makes Bunny thank him after punishments because he's such a caring Daddy that he wants to make sure his Bunny is always on her best behavior!

Face fucking.

Bunny's poor jaw is so sore by the time he's done.

Sometimes Lloyd will cockwarm her mouth.

There's a reason why she doesn't mess with him.

Because he isn't intimidating like Daddy Andy.

Daddy Lloyd is just plain terrifying.

Sometimes will take away the matching insignia band that he got her.

It's absolutely crushing for poor Bunny.

Okay, let's be real here.

He's not too good at aftercare.

And although Lloyd is usually a confident and proud man, when he sees how good the other Daddies are he wants to get better.

Never had to and didn't use to give aftercare before Bunny. 

So Daddy Lloyd basically learns from the other Daddies.

Cuddles Bunny in the bath as they talk about the punishment and what lead to it. 

Allows her cuddle up to her favourite stuffies in his bed although usually he demands that all attention be given to him.

Also buys her expensive as fuck stuff.

Lots of sweets. 

That was a trick he figured out on his own.

Ice cream for her sore mouth is a must.

Best scalp scratches.

But Lloyd doesn't shy away from punishing her again if she starts getting too out of her place.

He can't help himself.

Ari: 

His huge and calloused hand alone is enough to make poor Bunny cry.

He's such a deception that it's almost a cruel joke on the foolish girl. 

Because Ari isn't necessarily a brooding and mysterious vibes Daddy like Andy.

Or a scary and intimidating one like Lloyd.

But man has twice their strength all packed up in one huge body of 6'5 that towers over everyone in the house. 

He's quite lenient for his category. 

But once Bunny manages to get in trouble with him…

Ari is more of a typical Daddy as opposed to the other older two who are lowkey Daddy-Doms.

Makes her straddle one of his thicc thighs and bend over so she's tucked under his arm as he spanks her ass raw. 

Man is a giant. 

Same goes for his cock.

Ari is not necessarily a sadist, unlike Lloyd, but…

Painal with his fat cock up Bunny's poor spanked ass with little lubrication is Ari's favourite way to bring things to a satisfying end. 

She isn't allowed to touch him.

Ties her hands up if she does.

"Hmmm. Let's ask the other Daddies if you seem sorry, Bunny."

Of course, since discipline is so important to Andy and Lloyd is his sadist self, they're the hardest to convince while Ari abuses her tiny pucker and teases her desperate Bunny pussy. 

Plugs it with a thick plug when he's done.

"You better not let a drop spill, Bunny."

He's not a technology man.

So her pretty little expensive gadgets that all her Daddies get her from all over the world are what he confiscates.

Makes Bunny do all the chores and outdoor activities that she dislikes because she's so used to being a spoiled little bunny princess. 

Puts her favourite movie or show on after a warm bubble bath. 

Dresses her in one of his huge soft shirts.

Juice is a must after punishments with Ari. 

Lets Bunny pig out however much she wants. 

Takes her on a nice long drive in his truck if she wants.

Definitely talks it out with her later.

His huge chest is her bed for an indefinite period of time as her ass is too sore for anything. 

If Bunny feels comfortable, he even carefully holds her above the toilet seat so her sore cheeks don't have to touch it.

Carries her everywhere.

Buys her a plushie everytime as praise. 

Reassurance.

Forehead kisses.

Ransom: 

Now Ransom is one of the two softer Daddies.

But he's similar to Ari in terms of being unpredictable.

When he wants to put his foot down, Bunny can end up the most sorry girl in the whole town.

Ransom can get pretty cruel. 

Definitely has sadistic tendencies.

Dangles her cute stuffies or her glittery crayons that she always gets with Daddy Jensen in front of her face. 

And then proceeds to tear the toys open or snaps the crayons in half before making Bunny thank him as she kneels in front of him on her poor spanked ass. 

With Ransom, the spanking methods can vary depending on how disappointed he is because it takes a lot to pull a punishment out of him. 

But once he snaps...

He has this very special little thing that he does that Bunny hates.

Cockwarming after rough p-in-v.

The girl whines from how sensitive she is each time he shifts his body weight or a vein in his cock pulsates.

"Well, too bad you deserve it, huh Bunny?"

Her walls are so worked up and overstimulated. 

But Ransom calmly goes about reading a book or watching TV as he holds her form tight against his chest by wrapping one of his strong arms around her body.

Makes sure Bunny cannot walk by the time he's done.

Carries her bridal style.

Ransom prefers to take a warm shower together where he caresses and worships every part of her body with her back against his chest.

So much praise and sweet nothings in her ear from behind. 

Bunny feels like the most loved and protected little girl by the time he's done.

Definitely makes up for whatever plushies or crayons that got harmed. 

Always has snacks ready for her to enjoy as they just relax under the warm blankets after the shower, naked bodies tangled. 

Lets her choose what movie to watch or how to spend the rest of the day.

Head pats. 

Jensen: 

Sees Bunny as a little Princess that must be protected and spoiled rotten so he's the most lenient Daddy. 

Hates to punish her and make her cry just as much as she hates it. 

Spankies are milder as compared to the others. 

Sometimes he makes her wear nappies as punishment which humiliates her so much. 

"If you're acting like such a baby then you should be treated like one, huh Bunny?" 

Constantly pokes it and asks questions about it.

Encourages the other Daddies to do the same.

Then she has to tell them why. 

Jensen is definitely the most ddlg Daddy vibes.

Corner time to let Bunny think about her actions. 

Makes her write so many lines that she swears to herself that she will never misbehave again everytime. 

Being the tech expert that he is, Jensen doesn't take her gadgets away. 

He takes the whole damn internet away so even sneaking someone else's phone or iPad would be basically useless. 

Attention deprivation.

It brings her to tears when sweet Daddy Jensen refuses to acknowledge her existence. 

Bunny has to do a little apology presentation on her pink little dice at the end in front of all Daddies with nothing but a Bunny tail on where she reflects on her mistakes and apologizes for them in a responsible way. 

But it gets so hard to do that when Daddy Jensen keeps messing with the bullet vibrator inside her.

And at the end, Bunny is just a confused little weepy baby since Jensen and the other Daddies fluster her already embarrassed form by asking all kinds of questions about the points and words in her apology. 

In the end she helplessly admits that she's just a dumb little Bunny who cannot do anything right without her Daddies.

Which is basically her learning her place. 

Lets Bunny hide in his chest for as long as she needs, rocking them back and forth as she calms down.

Even if the punishment was in front of the other Daddies, the after care is more private because Bunny is too sensitive for too much attention all at once sometimes. 

Absolutely pampers her.

Bathes or showers can vary according to what Bunny wants.

Jensen is a pleasure Daddy and he loves to worship and spoil Bunny.

Honestly, if only she behaves right, Bunny can get him to do or allow her to do anything at all.

Lots of praise shopping after she's been safely put into a cute outfit or onesie.

A whole stuffie fort awaits them on his bed when she exits the bathroom after Jensen is done cleaning her up.

Puts on cartoons.

Spoons her as she holds onto her teddy of choice.

Chocolates and juice.

The next few days are full of constant reassurance, embraces and praise. 

Carries her around the house and basically anywhere on his back.

Everything has to be served to his Bunny in her Princess cutlery and cups.

Whatever she asks for, it's hers. 

🩷

#headcanon 1.5 #ask kai #anon #chris evans characters #chris evans character fanfiction #chris evans character x reader #lloyd hansen smut #ari levinson #ari levinson smut #andy barber #andy barber smut #jake jensen #jake jensen smut #ransom drysdale #ransom drysdale smut #andy barber x reader #andy barber x you #andy barber x female reader #andy barber x y/n #lloyd hansen x you #lloyd hansen x y/n #lloyd hansen x reader #ransom drysdale x y/n #ransom drysdale x you #ransom drysdale x reader #ransom drysdale x female reader #lloyd hansen x fic #ari levinson x you #jake jensen x you #ari levinson x female reader

[strayed-quokka]

lifeblood || ji changmin

» summary: your blood was sweet, you were sweet, and changmin is addicted.

» pairing: ji changmin x female reader

» rating: NC-17 minors do not interact 

» genre: supernatural, just porn tbh, smut, vampires

» warnings: oral (f recieving), fingering, i guess blood play (according to google it counts), changmin thinks your blood is sweet (yes we went there), biting, scratching, bruising, changmin can be scary in theory but also takes care of you, rough(ish) sex, aftercare, big dick changmin because that is my brand, one use of good girl, sweet names, creampie, brief loss of conciousness if you really look, implied feelings if you squint, oh and he’s pretty fucking strong

» words: 3,296

» a/n: LISTEN I have no excuse, this is filth, it is a mess, roar changmin is to blame. And I wanna just warn that if you have any issues with blood drinking just don’t read it I warned you now PFFF. Like… it’s not for everyone and I get it. But don’t come at me for it if you proceed anyway cause changmin is a vampire and acts accordingly so yeah that is all thank q. 

The stories you’d been told when you were younger should’ve maybe deterred you from letting the night time bleed into your window, casting dark shadows along with the moon that illuminated through the sheer curtains. You were always told to be vary, to be afraid of the creatures that roamed in the dark. 

The ones that watched you when you’d turn around, the ones who’s bright yellow eyes were a threat, and even more so when they illuminated red. 

So why you were letting one spread your bare legs now was beyond you.

Changmin had been an intriguing mystery to you since you met. He seemed sweet, with dimples that charmed you and eyes that seemed so inviting, but when that smile dropped and he became hungry, everything changed. 

He could be scary, downright terrifying even, if he wanted to be. His threats that he made were real, always, and his anger was not easy to contain if he released it. Though despite all that, he possessed a hold on you so tight that every time he asked to be invited into your house, you said yes.

It was your own fault. When you’d first met, it was at a gas station and you’d managed to cut your finger somehow on the clip you press down to fill up your car's gas, and almost within seconds, Changmin was behind you. 

You should be careful.

He was warning you. Told you that your blood smelled so sweet, it may attract attention from people that would hurt you to get a taste. By the time you’d agreed to let him keep you company to protect you, it was already too late to realise that there was no way he could smell it. 

Unless he was one too. 

Once you did realise, he simply looked down at you and grinned, almost wicked, as if he knew he was caught but didn’t have any shame. Though despite all that, despite his hunger for you in particular, he had never made you feel like you needed to run away. 

And maybe that’s why you were foolish enough to let him stay around, to lick off the wound on your thumb that night and to come around every now and then to try it again. It was an addicting thrill, one that nearly made you feel high, to risk your life in his hands more and more every time. 

You were covered in healing puncture wounds from his fangs at various stages, hidden mostly though he’d been particularly careless the other day on your neck, bitten too high and now you were stuck in sweaters far too warm for the weather. He’d check on it occasionally, made sure none of your wounds ever got infected. You’d agreed for him to feed off you, but he had made it clear that he’d always check that you were healing as a compromise to you letting him. 

The way he always checked on you was one of the reasons that you were able to calm down, to tell your body that you were safe, despite the sharp pain you’d feel, followed by that same thrilling high. 

“I’ve been thinking about you all day,” he’s looking down at you, his chest bare, your ankles over his shoulders as he caresses your legs. You were left in your lace underwear that you’d learned he liked in particular and a tight cropped shirt that was doing nothing to hide your erect nipples. 

“Tell me more,” you demand, and Changmin may be annoyed by your insistent attitude if it weren’t for how you were begging the words out with light breaths. He grins instead, turns to the side to kiss your leg before retracting his fangs, letting the point that’s sharper than a blade just scratch the surface of your skin. 

It almost tickles, making you squirm. 

“Hmmm, I could,” he starts, then leans down to hover over your chest, staring straight into your eyes with ones that are a sharp yellow, “or I could show you?”

You say yes before he’s barely finished speaking, and he knows he has you right where he wants you as he goes to take your shirt off, leaving you in just your panties, ones that are clinging to you with the dampness between your legs.

He’s rather harsh in spreading your legs apart, pushing your left thigh to the side and pressing it into the mattress. The flimsy fabric slips between your folds, revealing part of your drenched cunt to his hungry eyes and you almost don’t notice how quickly he’s sunken down to lie with his head near your thigh, arms under your upper thigh before they circle up to grip your waist. 

“Baby,” it’s almost condescending, the tone he uses to speak to you, but there’s something about the draw of his voice that has any ability to bite back, fall to the back of your throat, “I’ve barely touched you.”

You know what he’s talking about. You’re so aroused by his mere presence, that the barely there touches are enough to make you wet. He could do the bare minimum and it would likely still turn you on. Changmin was just… different. Hard to explain, but he was beautiful and calculating, and he’d somehow managed to figure you out in such a short span of time that he knew exactly what to do and how to do it. 

“Touch me then,” it’s the only real demand you manage to make, but even then it sounds weak, strained in your throat though he seems to take to the request. You feel the way he hooks two of his fingers by the lace covering your modesty (barely), pushing the fabric to one side before his tongue lays flat between your folds. 

The sudden feel of him between your legs has you jolt upwards in surprise, but it makes him eager to keep going. He doesn’t need to be slow with you, can be, but doesn’t have to, and that’s one thing he really likes about you. 

“Cute,” he chuckles, and you know he’s looking at you like you’re easily breakable, and honestly, with him you may as well be. You’d always considered your control to be excellent and your reserve strong, but he had you weak. It was near pathetic.

He lays a kiss right over your clit before lightly releasing a breath over the bundle of nerves. The cool sensation makes you whimper, and he gives you no warning when he grabs your hips tighter with his hands, forcing your body up just slightly off your mattress, before his tongue pushes inside you. 

“Fuck, Min!” he doesn’t answer, too wrapped up in you, the way you taste and how your body responds to his mouth, to even begin to speak back. Your voice has gone from quiet to a pathetic mess of moans and soft pants, the occasional call of his name that only makes him go faster. 

You feel one of his hands slip away from your waist, and you’re about to complain about how cold the bone of your hip feels without his touch, but the thought is erased when his middle finger replaces his tongue inside you, his mouth moving back up between your drenched folds to twirl a pattern around your clit again just as he curls his finger. 

You’re going insane. 

“Y-yes… more. P-please,” and Changmin won’t deny you when you look this pretty under him, but he also has his own needs to take care of, and the heightened scent of you and your arousal has him desperately needing to taste. 

“I- I want… need to taste you,” and it’s when you connect with his eyes that you know he means something else. 

That’s another thing about Changmin. No matter how strong his urges are, he’s never once failed to ask you first if it’s okay. 

Though it would be difficult at this point to find an instance where you’d deny him the taste of you. 

You feel your orgasm build, your head rolling back as soon as you tell him yes, that he can do what he wants, and he quickens his pace to push you right over the edge. 

He doesn’t say anything to you, not that he could anyway when his mouth is preoccupied, but he does find the time to slip another two fingers inside you and you know you’re about to come undone. Changmin knows it too, feels it in how you tighten around his fingers and how your thighs press into the side of his head like you could crush him. 

Honestly, Changmin finds you so incredibly sexy when you lose your mind. 

It’s when you’re just mere seconds away from orgasm that he quickly replaces his tongue with his other free hand, his thumb over your clit instead, and it might’ve delayed your orgasm, made you mewl and plead and ask why, but that never comes. 

The sharp pain of his fangs in your thigh mixed in with the pleasure of his fingers brings you over the edge completely, arching off the bed and screaming his name so loud that you’re relieved you live alone. You nearly want to cry from how good it feels, barely comprehending the sensation of him draining you off the sweet crimson liquid that keeps you alive, his fingers still curled inside you as you ride out your orgasm. 

He groans, and it’s the sexiest sound you’ve ever heard. Changmin overall, is incredibly sexy, and he loves to remind you like this. You grip his hair with the strength you have left, chest moving rapidly as you tug, trying to pull him away from your thigh. 

Changmin complies. Even if his instincts tell him he doesn’t want to, that he could drain you completely and wants to, he also knows that when you pull him away, he’s going to obey. 

It’s the only thing Changmin lets you control, mostly because he knows you do it when it’s too much, when it either hurts past pleasure (though that’s exceedingly rare), or you’re becoming dazed and lightheaded to the point of it being dangerous. That’s why he listens, even if his entire being tells him not to.

His eyes are stained red now, dark and haunting, like they are every time he consumes you, and you swear his gaze is so intense that it demands your body to move regardless of your own mind. You’ve turned around on the bed before he even asks, though he’s the one to forcibly push your knees further apart, your ass up while your face rests against the pillows. 

“You’re eager, god,” you nod desperately, though you’re not sure he even notices, “you want me to fuck you like this?” 

You try to speak. You really, honestly try, but no sound comes out. Not until you feel a sharp slap to your ass that nearly pushes your whole body forward, “Yes! Please, y-yes.”

“Good girl,” you can feel him press his body against you, his cock bare against your folds and it makes you mewl, pushing against him. He has the nerve to laugh at you, leaning down so his chest hovers over your back as he whispers in your ear, “does your leg hurt?”

You’d honestly been so out of it that you’d forgotten, though this serves as a reminder of the sting on your left upper thigh. It does hurt, but not nearly enough for you to care. 

“I’m okay,” and you say it with the most conviction, your heart warming just enough that it might scare you to what the implications of your feelings may mean. He doesn’t ask for anything else, though he’s always cautious anyway, in case anything shifts in your tone that implies that you’re not okay. 

Changmin may have fucked you quite a number of times by now, and whilst you may have gotten used to his presence in the bedroom, it somehow still surprised you when his cock would bury itself inside you. Because no matter how often you found yourself like this, you were still naive enough to believe that he must be fully inside you when he’d really only come a little over halfway. 

And every time, without fail, the realisation that he was going deeper made you whimper his name in a way that sounded like a musical note to his ears. It was beautiful, to see you so out of it when he’d barely done anything that required effort. 

He stays like this for a while, cock inside you fully while your walls constrict around him, making him hiss as he’s gripping your waist with his fingers, kneading the flesh so hard it may definitely bruise as he steadies you, and you want to tell him to move, that you need him to.

Though he knows. He knows to replace his inaction with too much, because it sends you into overdrive and he loves to see you fall apart like this. Changmin is fast, unnaturally so which makes sense given who he is, but it’s the way in which he slams his hips into you that would make you collapse if he wasn’t keeping you up. 

“Oh fuck! F-fuck… M-Minnie. Harder!” 

“Think you can… can take that?” 

He loves to tease you, push you to limits that a human shouldn’t be pushed too, but you want it and he won’t deny you. 

“Y-yes. Please, Min,” his one arm goes around your chest, lifting you up against his own, your back arched while he quickens his pace, and he’s so aggressive that it may bruise both his own hips and your ass as a result, but you don’t care. 

“Wish you could s-see what you look like,” he’s trembling, nibbling on your ear before he’s gently biting into your shoulder, just sharp enough to feel but not enough to cause injury, something which takes a level of self control that he’s spent decades trying to master. You grip the arm he has around your chest with your fingers, clawing at his forearm and flesh to hold onto just as he brings his free hand to your clit, “beautiful.”

Changmin is a master at making you fall apart. The way he slams into you is animalistic, brutal even, in ways you always wished to experience when past partners just didn’t do enough, and it’s the way he shows care to you whilst treating you like a ragdoll that ultimately makes you lose your mind. 

“Fuck-” he groans, forehead falling to your shoulder, “you’re clenching.”

You know what that means. You know that aside from you being so close to an orgasm, it means that he’s going crazy from how your walls feel constricting around his cock and that he wants you to come. 

“B-bite me. P-please C-Changmin,” he doesn’t see sense anymore when you ask like that. He releases a deep growl, near possessive of you, his teeth digging into the flesh between where your neck meets your shoulder, the arm that was around your chest further up by your shoulder blades now as the other wraps around your stomach, firmly gripping you in place as he slams his cock into you one more time, your orgasm so intense that you swear you nearly see absolute darkness for just a second when you reopen your eyes. 

You cry out his name, screaming and trembling as he’s firm in keeping you unmoving which only makes it more intense, and he groans, licking the wound on your neck as you feel his cum fill you up, milking him dry as your walls clench repeatedly to grip him. 

He’s about to pull out but your hips follow his movements, keeping him close to you and you can practically feel him smirk against your neck. 

“Baby, we can’t stay like this,” but you don’t want to listen to him even if he’s right. Even when you feel him try to lick the crimson red from your skin by your neck to clean you up because you’re being stubborn and won’t let him help you properly, even then, you don’t want to move. 

However, Changmin is just as stubborn as you. That, and he has supernatural strength, able to overpower you in seconds and so he does, throwing you around and up onto his waist as he stands on the bed, your legs around his hips as you feel his cum slowly move down between your legs and to your ass, his hands gripping your flesh while he looks up at you. 

There’s something so inherently sexy about the way he can get up after an orgasm and throw you onto his waist to walk you into the bathroom, and something far more sexy about being met with the state you’re in because of him. He ruins you beautifully, litters your skin with beautiful colour that also stains his soft lips and white teeth. 

“I’m fineeeee,” but it sounds pathetic, and it’s near embarrassing how your body arches to him spreading your legs again, making him laugh at you. 

“I need to clean them,” he says, stubborn as he gently slaps your hand away that’s reaching out to touch him, “behave.”

As soon as the damp warm cloth touches your wounded thigh is when you realise that it actually hurts quite a bit more than you’d noticed, making you hiss slightly at the stinging as he tries to gently treat your skin. His eyes are hungry when he does, and you know that deep down, he’s fighting with himself to taste you again. 

“Minnie?” 

“Hmm?” 

Though you aren’t sure why you called his name, what you’re trying to get his attention for, so you just watch him fondly with eyes that give away far more than you’re ready to admit to him or even yourself. 

“You’re pretty.”

He laughs again, moving up to clean your neck and you let him without any hesitation, completely trusting him despite his instincts. 

“You’re so cute,” it makes you blush, dazed from orgasm and happy enough that he warms you with words that seem so mundane and basic, yet they’re not, “I’m gonna disinfect it but… do you wanna shower first?”

“Yes please,” your hands reach for him again, and this time he takes them into his, drawing circles with his thumbs over your knuckles, “with you?”

“If you behave,” you gasp, laughing and feigning shock though you nod nevertheless as he brings you off the counter and to your shower, stumbling slightly as you do, “careful.”

“I don’t like how you still function. It’s not fair,” you pout, letting him follow you with a hand reached out around your back just in case you fall. 

“Darling, you know you can’t compare us like that,” and he’s right, of course. He has advantages, unfair ones, but it still makes you pout. 

“Do I not satisfy you, hmm?” it’s a joke, both of you know it, but Changmin has turned you around and pressed you against the tiled wall in less than a second. His eyes are fading from their blood red to an orange hue, an indication that they’re going back to their natural state of yellow. 

“Answer your own question, I dare you to.” 

It’s the way his eyes hunger for you again, how they want you, always, and you know it was stupid to even joke, because the very answer is one thing you’ve always known since you met. 

Ji Changmin wants you the way one wants a drug when they’re addicted. He’s insatiable and he hungers for you, because you’re the only one who satisfies him. 

You're the only one that tastes so sweet.

changmin is the reason i have no sanity left and i hope it showed PFFF

I'll try to update quite soon cause I have some extra time but deciding on who to write is hard when I've been on my knees for all of them lately 🛐

tbz masterlist

#the boyz smut #changmin smut #q smut #ji changmin #the boyz changmin #changmin x reader #the boyz q #smut #the boyz #the boyz changmin smut #q x reader #tbz x reader #tbz #roar made me do it #changmin is an aftercare king always though #supernatural changmin #nc-17

[phantomyre]

Deep-Dive Analysis on Vincent's 'Chaos-Eye'

Now that we have a clear image of Vincent's Chaos eye, it has prompted a few discussions and observations. One observation was pointed out to me by my bestie @cloudimaginarysoldierstrife. This was their observation... Vincent's eye resembles a solar eclipse. Why is this significant...?

The Solar Eclipse is often associated to the end of the world or doomsday. As many of you are aware, Chaos' role in Dirge of Cerberus is connected to the end of the planet's life, namely being the 'reaper' figure created to eliminate all life on the planet. Therefore, you might see how the solar eclipse and Chaos have a fitting correlation. However, as I went further in my research, I discovered a couple of other interesting connections. One of the more nuanced aspects of Vincent's character is his duality. This is something that Square Enix has been putting a lot more emphasis on as of late-- namely Vincent's inner conflict and what he represents as both a character and his journey/function in the story of FF7. While symbolism for the Solar Eclipse is varied, there is a common view. As a general consensus, the Solar Eclipse represents transformation, harmonizing opposing forces, balance of light and dark. Duality.

This characteristic of duality and balance is seen with how the Protomateria (and Chaos) function as noted in the Omega Reports. Not only was the Protomateria created to control Omega and Chaos, but it also served to absorb/contain the impurities within the Lifestream (before it was extracted by Grimoire and Lucrecia)-- in essence, balancing or maintaining the Lifestream.

But my studies didn't end at 'duality'. Though what I found next wasn't as significant, it took a rather poignant turn. While it is widely known that Chaos' function is to destroy life and allow Omega to absorb the untainted Lifestream, what some may not realize is Chaos' fate after his duty is complete. According to the Omega reports, once all life has been taken up with Omega, Chaos' fate, and by association Vincent's fate, is to be left behind on a dead and empty planet. Eternally alone. Oh and yeah he can't die, either. Now we really know why Lucrecia is so sorry...

And what do you suppose I found when it came to the origins of the word 'Eclipse'...? Little did I realize that the original Greek word for 'Eclipse' had a very foreboding meaning behind it-- "To abandon"/"Leave behind"

Yeah. That one kinda hurt. Obviously this could all not really be anywhere near what the ff7 devs were going for and could be a total nothing-burger. However, the deliberate design choice of how his eye looks and the connections to said design are hard to brush aside. I'm not expecting a full explanation on why Vincent has that single eerie eye. But it's obvious we are meant to take note of it. My assumption is that once we get to part 3 and we have more insight on Vincent as a whole, we will likely find out if Chaos/Vincent has an impact on the planet's demise towards the end, and what his fate really will be this time around. Like they say-- the eyes are the window to the soul. And they captured the duality very well. Humanity vs. Demon. Light vs. Dark. Life vs. Death. Hope vs. Despair. It's all in his eyes.

#vincent valentine #final fantasy 7 #ff7 #final fantasy #ffvii #chaos #square enix #ff7 rebirth #ffvii rebirth

[heartfullofleeches]

Maybe you can do Snow White for the fairytale thing where the hunter reader is walking in a forest and trips on one of the dwarfs and accidentally kisses Snow White which makes Snow White think they are their true love

The forest was a mystical place.

Anyone with functioning eyes and a boundary with reality would agree. As the sole human resident of the land, you have bore witness to a plentiful share of oddities, but nothing could ever prepare you for what was to come the day after. Mermaids and winged creatures. Giants and fairy folk no bigger than your palm. You developed a tolerance to these beings, but all paled in comparison to the utter headache you gained that fateful day.

The day had begun with you scouring the forest floor for stray branches. A good source of kindling for fires, and keeping out trespassers with varying warning signs and contraptions. With your eyes in the dirt, the events unfolding around you go unnoticed until its too late. Twisted, gnarled trees with hides the color of burnt lumber shooting upright and flourish with a radiant, pinkish glow. The sudden abundant growth of flowers and wildlife. Two harrowing signs of what you were soon to come across.

You start to realize as a squirrel runs by your foot. Narrowly avoiding stepping on the rodent's tail by a hard, you watch the rodent carry the flower in its mouth up a tree and drop down onto a glass container in the middle of the field. It drops the plant over the slumbering face in the coffin and joins the rest of the animals in mourning for the lost soul. As literal tears fall from their eyes you step back - looking for an exit that's already gone. You were not prepared for this.

Every now and again there existed those who didn't heed the warnings. A young woman on her way to her grandmother's. Children abandoned by their parents and taken in by a witch. The forest centered around these individuals and made their lives something out of a picture book. You've experienced this before and they're nothing short of living through a nightmare. You can't return home until their stories are over and sometimes that can take up to years. You never age, but you feel every waking moment to this day.

Who knows how long this time will take? The time isn't a major factor, but you rather not waste a second in this hell. If you wanted to leave on your own accord, you had to do things yourself.

You walk over to the coffin. A young person rests within. Their skin is as pale as fresh snow, rose kissed cheeks the only drop of color to their frozen face. They wear commoner clothing, but the crown tucked into their hair and necklace around their neck tell a different tale. There's a strange lump in their throat, flexing with every minor breath they take. Their lips hang open with the ragged draw of air they suck in, airways clearly blocked.

The forest animals tear into the safety of the trees as you toss your axe aside and shove the lid off the coffin. You drag the unconscious figure onto the forest floor and bend them forward, patting their back with pressured blows that increase in force as they spit and wheeze. When that doesn't work, you get behind and wrap your arms around their chest - thrusting upwards with your forearms. The blockage flies out with the fourth push, the stranger limp in your arms as their breathing controls to a stedy flow. Their eyes flutter open with the most doe like expressions as a faint smile creeps onto their face.

"My love?..."

You shove them off you and try to stand, but they ground you to the floor with surprising strength. Their cold hands grip at your face, moving stray strands of hair and wiping at the dirt that coated your skin. It's never been more clear to you how callused your hands have grown until their porcelain flesh comes into contact with your own.

"I knew you'd come for me... As the apple's curse took hold I didn't fear for a single moment because I knew you'd be there."

You shove their hands away as they ghost over a scar beneath your right eye. "Listen, I'm glad you're okay, but I'm not your lover."

"Oh, but you are! My family always told me true love's kiss is the only-"

"I didn't kiss you. You were choking on something and I got it out. This should be over soon so I should be going."

You try to get up again - this time their nails stop you.

"It may not have been a kiss, but there still is a contention between us. I feel it. It was fate that led you to me... Don't throw our chance at true happiness away."

"I told you- I'm not interested!" In an attempt to distance yourself from their claws, you reach for your weapon that was no longer in the vicinity. A short man with pointy ears wields your axe instead. The tool is bigger than his whole body, but he handles it well with the help of another. There's about seven of them in total. When they notice your puzzled stare, they point it at you.

"What are you doing with our Snow?"

"I'm not doing a thing. I'm trying to get home."

The formerly unconscious individual deem as Snow pins you in a chokehold to their chest. "Everyone! My spouse has found me. Like the stories go, true love's embrace has healed me. With their aid I will be able to return home and take the throne from my step mother, and we will bring a new era of peace to all."

The dwarfs break out in cheer which you quickly shoot down. "I am not who you think I am. I'm sure your real prince or... princess is on their way as we speak."

Snow gasps. "Oh no. I think the curse has been transferred over to them! We must return home as soon as possible and get them rested. I fear they might hurt themselves if they are unbound..."

The dwarfs pick up on their message with ease. The near dozen creatures work together to tie you by your wrists and ankles. Their sheer number and Snow's arm around your neck makes it an easier task. As more fuel to the fire, they kiss you when you are completely unable to defend yourself - giggling as thei cohorts pick you up.

"Don't worry, my love. True love's kiss will make you all better. No matter how many it takes."

#Huntsman reader #yandere oc #yandere x reader #yandere x you #yandere scenarios #yandere #yandere headcanons #yandere imagines #male yandere #yandere blurb #yandere fantasy #yandere drabble #yandere x darling

[flowersandbigteeth]

If you want lighter stuff maybe drider boyfreind scrambling to make sure everything is perfect for his new pet human and heavily researching human diet

I adored this idea so it ended up being a long one ^_^ how cute <3

Drider (Vass) x Gender neutral reader

Word Count: 1Kish

W: sfw monster fluff

Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six

Request , Request, Request

The drider flipped another tab open on his phone. Toys for your human. After he’d taken you to the pet shop, he’d realized he hadn’t really prepared to adopt you. He’d found you sleeping in the forest separated from your tribe and you were just so cute, he’d picked you up and taken you home without a thought. 

You were hanging in a cocoon of silk, napping as he rocked you with his foot. 

At the pet shop they’d had clothes, leashes, packets of human treats, and a whole lot of other supplies. He had no idea what he really needed, so he’d scrambled home to research before he bought anything. 

What do humans eat? He typed into the browser. He’d seen a bunch of bags of human food at the store, but it all looked dry and brown. He was sure that couldn't be good for you. A bunch of links popped up. Mostly advertisements for human kibble. He had to adjust his search to What do humans eat in the wild? 

That turned up more promising results. Fruit, cooked meat, nuts, cooked tubers…it turned out you had a pretty varied diet. His food mostly consisted of raw meat he bought at the market. Most driders didn’t cook their food so he worried over what he should do. 

According to the article humans should have lots of protein to be healthy. He couldn’t feed you fruit alone as he had been. He’d only assumed that’s what you ate because of your flat teeth and you hadn’t spat it out. He needed to learn how to cook if he was going to care for you properly. 

Of course, since driders didn’t cook there weren’t a lot of articles on the subject on the web. The most recipes they had were chopped raw meat seasoned with herbs on festival days. All he knew about cooking was that he needed fire and seasonings. 

He surmised you would need some sort of container to hold the food in, since it would be hot, so he ordered a metal bowl with a wooden handle. Then he picked out a gas flame used for chemistry, and some rods and tongues from the same scientific supplier. 

According to his research cooking was achieved by bringing the meat or starch to a certain temperature to kill bacteria and parasites the delicate human stomach couldn’t fight. That sounded simple enough, so he added a thermometer to his order. 

Then the food could be further flavored with herbs. He frowned. The only herbs he had were for the festival and those were kind of sacred. He wasn’t hyper religious but he followed traditions. Researching some herbs that were human safe as we went, he strapped you to his back to go find them in the forest. 

You woke up bouncing in a sling over his shoulders a little confused and tapped him to get his attention. 

“Are you awake, Dumpling?” he asked, pulling your sling to his front so he could look at you, “we’re hunting for herbs. Do you know what herbs humans like look like?” 

You wracked your brain, but you’d never been a cook in your tribe. You were a trapper and that’s all you knew about. Shaking your head you looked at him with a frown. 

He pinched your cheek.

“That’s okay,” he assured you, “we’ll find something good. I’ve got an app to identify them.” 

You all poked around for a while until Vass found some kind of red fruit. He plucked one and examined it, checking it on his phone. 

“I think this is called a tomato,” he said, handing it to you, “do you want to try it? The web says it's good for humans.” 

You nodded and took a big bite, chewing enthusiastically. 

Only it was not a tomato! Your mouth exploded with heat and you coughed violently, drooling from the spicy pepper. Vass watched in horror as his precious human appeared to be dying from some kind of horrible poisoning. Your face was red, you were frothing at the mouth, and wracking. 

“What’s wrong?!” he shrieked louder than you’ve ever heard him speak, grabbing your cheeks and examining you, looking for some way to fix it. 

He shook you as you tried to slow your coughing. 

“Speak Dumpling! Speak! What’s wrong?! How do I fix it?” he rattled, panicked. 

You looked up at him with tears running down your face and uttered one word. 

“Hot,” you gasped before dissolving back into a coughing fit. 

He pulled you to him, your face clamped between his palms, and pressed his mouth to yours, shoving his tongue between your lips. You were dazed by the pepper and confused by his kiss. It took you a moment to realize your mouth was cooling down as Vass spread a tiny amount of the numbing agent he used to kill his prey mixed with his saliva over the burning flesh. 

Your coughing slowed and you panted against his lips. He finally pulled away and rubbed your back, breathing deeply as if he had been the one under siege by spice. 

“No more spice hunting today,” he wheezed, “I’ll just use the festival spices until I can order something else.” 

__ 

A few days later you sat happily in a swing Vass had made for you while you waited to sample his first attempt at cooked food. It smelled good, so you were optimistic. You’d watched him craft it with precision, carefully slicing the cut of meat into chunks to be small enough for your mouth and marinating it in something he kept calling festival spices and fruit juice.

Then he’d put it in a metal bowl and heated it until it smelled good, poking it with a little prod until he was happy with the reading on the small screen attached to it. 

You held out your hands greedily, eager to try it. You hadn’t had cooked food since before Vass had kidnapped you from your tribe. 

“Ah, ah, ah,” he said, swatting your hands away, “it has to cool back down to at least 90 degrees.” 

You pouted until he finally speared a piece on his claw and fed you. You chewed, considering the flavor. The festival spices were actually some kind of curry, though you had no idea what curry was. Giving him an approving smile, you opened your mouth ready for more. It was delicious! 

He fed you peacefully for a while, looking at you thoughtfully. 

“You know, you got me curious, Dumpling,” he said, “I almost heard it a little bit, but…what does your voice sound like?” 

You stopped mid chew, embarrassed. You hadn’t spoken in a long time it seemed and you weren't really sure it was allowed.

“Go ahead,” he said, waving a claw at you and withholding your next bite, “say something…quietly.” 

You swallowed and wondered what you should say. 

“Hi,” you murmured softly and he smiled. 

 “It’s pretty,” he said, then paused for a moment, “maybe…if you’re quiet...you can talk to me sometimes.” 

“Okay,” you said just as softly and decided that was enough conversation for the night, opening your mouth again for food. 

Vass chuckled and fed you until you were full and sleepy, curling you up on his chest to go to bed like he usually did. 

“Goodnight Dumpling,” he whispered to the darkness. 

“Goodnight, Vass,” you whispered back. 

#drider boyfriend #drider x reader #drider x human #monster fluff #monster romance #monster x human #monster boyfriend #yandere fluff #male yandere #yandere headcanons

[neurosharky]

Personality Disorders count as Disabilities

This post only contains my personal interpretation of official definitions. It may not represent the opinion of everyone who has a personality disorder and may likewise have people agreeing who do not have one.

I will use my own personality disorder as an example in the end, but would like you to know, that the same applies to all other personality disorders, even if I do not name them.

Abbreviations:

DSM-5 = Diagnostic and Statistic Mannual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition

PD/PDs = Personality Disorder/Disorders

ASPD = Antisocial Personality Disorder

In order to make this easier for everyone, I'll provide you with the definitions for a personality disorder and the one for a disability.

According to the DSM-5 a personality disorder is "An enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates markedly from the expectations of the individual’s culture" marked by at least two of the following: cognition, affectivity, interpersonal functioning and/or impulse control. It further specifies that "the enduring pattern is inflexible and pervasive across a broad range of personal and social situations", "leads to clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning", "is stable and of long duration" and is not better explained by other conditions of mental or physical nature.

The definition for disability will vary depending on ones country, but does have an overall pattern. The US definition from the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) defines it as "a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment"

The European Disability Policy (from the official european parliament) says: "Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others".

These disability definitions seem to point towards a longterm impairment in functioning and the management of daily life over a wide variety of contexts.

If it is not clear to you yet how a personality disorder may fit the definition of a disability, let me explain:

A disability has to impair you in a way, that prevents you from interacting with society/life on an equal basis with others. This can look like having difficulties in the social area, not having the same abilities when it comes to working/going to school/university, not being able to do basic activities of daily living on the same level as others, not being able to manage more complex activities of daily living such as finances, insurance, driving and the like on the same level as others, having a difference in reaction/control, having a difference in the ability to perceive reality as the majority does and more. Basically every single way in which your ability deviates from that of the majority of people and impairs you in such a way (whether visibly or invisibly) counts as disabled and the condition that causes it counts as a disability.

Now personality disorders, as mentioned in the definition from the DSM-5 absolutely impair your ability to function in a variety of contexts and very clearly are stated as deviating from that which is expected and common in ones culture. Which is a fancy way of saying "you're different than the majority of people around you". Personality disorders can impair your ability to work/go to school/uni, can impair you in the social area, can impair your ability to do basic and complex activities of daily living and can cause a difference in reaction/control and perceiving of reality.

How a personality disorder impacts a person will be highly individual, but it will inherently impair your ability to function on an equal basis to other people. It will inherently cause personal distress in some way and will be a longterm stable impairment covering a variety of contexts, therefore absolutely fitting the definition of a disability.

Claiming that personality disorders are not a disability is therefore kinda wrong, tho it is up to the individual whether they want to see themselves/ identify as disabled or not. No one will force you to use the word, but the definition of a disability does absolutely include personality disorders.

In some countries you are even able to ask for accommodations to be made and can be declared unfit to work, unfit for military service/jury duty, can be eligible for disability pay/help services and more. This would likely not be the case if PDs would not count as disabilities.

My ASPD is a disability, as it absolutely disables me when it comes to socializing, having relationships, living alone, working/uni/school, doing complex activities of daily living, has an impact on how I perceive reality (tho not caused by it, just influenced), has an impact on my reactions/control/emotional regulation/affectivity etc. I require treatment to teach me skills to lessen the impact of it slightly and give me tools and knowledge on the accommodations I may need. I cannot interact with society/the world on an equal basis to the majority of people who do not have ASPD. I am impaired, I have difficulties, I am disabled.

(first uploaded to my instagram, same username)

#actually aspd #aspd #antisocial personality disorder #antisocial #disability #disabled #disabilties #disability awareness #mental health education #mental health #personality disorder #bpd #npd #hpd #szpd #stpd #ppd #dpd #avpd #ocpd

[aukanemin]

~Commissions are open!~

Such beauty it could be if you distributed this post - or even had desire to aquire something for yourself!<ззз

Below I have described in detail almost all the information that I could imagine as neccessary, yet please do not hesitate to write for any reason in a private message or ask - it will be my absolute pleasure to tell or show you more, and I am always glad to have new delightful acquaintances!<зз

I do portraits in three formats - bust, waist-length and full-length, and with three different stages of completion - line art, flat color and full shadow work. They can be completely different in style, and you should pay close attention to the difference in the execution of these formats - the busts are always more detailed in the character's features, the atmosphere is more consistent in waist-length paintings, and full-length drawings are well suited to demonstrate clothing design or depict a scene. On average, I complete the first stage of work (sketching) in two days, and the second in three, but in case of various circumstances I may leave myself from a week to week and a half - depending on the complexity and its cost, and the duration of the work can vary greatly yet I always try to be transparent and tactful about all possible deadlines and reasons for such.

I adore to experiment with styles and learn new tones of this craft - as each meeting is a start of something beautiful, and I desire to create art that is complex and multifaced, but to an important extend I should say that I do not feel comfortable to copy or imitate other's styles of execution and sensuality, and a lot of expressions and detailing in my work are sudden - art is an journey and yet I would love to share this journey with you;зз

There is a path of my prices:

- Bust of one character up to the chest - $ 70 - Portrait of one or more characters up to the waist - $ 80 For each additional character + 20 $ - Character (or several) in full growth - $ 90 For each additional character + 30 $ Cost of more complex and expressive pieces and backgrounds are increased by tips, which I express as an deeply loyal and tactful system - it is absolutely voluntary and happens only at the end of the project, so you have ability to define their cost to your feelings and abilities and nothing over that<зз Oh!! And you have read almost everything! Thank you so much! And also here, under the cut, I describe the whole process of work and how we pay. This is quite useful information for other questions that you may have if you desire to purchase my work, therefore I may advise you to take a look at it too;з

How do we work on an order?

Please feel free to contact me via Tumblr for any questions you may acquire! ~

After I discuss the content of the painting with the client and receive additional materials from them (a photo of the person I am drawing, or references that are close to what is expected of me), I start creating the first sketch.

In accordance with the request, I make a sketch of the future painting, which will contain all its important elements and an approximate color scheme (if any) that I will use. At this stage, you can freely make your amendments, and when the content suits you, I will ask you for an advance payment of half the cost of the work without additional prices of background or detailing.

After that, work on the portrait will begin. Its duration varies on several factors - to a greater extent on the volume and complexity of the work itself, as well as on my own workload with other orders.

After completing the portrait, I will send you its version in low quality- after you familiarize yourself with it (there is also possible some edits - of tones and color, elements of shading, character features and small details), and after you pay the rest of the amount, you shall receive the final result of our artwork! ~

#price list #commission info #tes #dark fantasy #gothic #artists on tumblr #digital art #dragon age #solas #lavellan #dnd #dungeons and dragons #the arcana game #other's oc #original character #ffxiv #final fantasy xiv #iwtv #lestat #emet-selch #artist from ukraine

[talonabraxas]

Seraphim Angels – Meaning and Importance

The Order of Seraphim and Their Characteristics Depending on the Abrahamic religion to which you’re referring, the Seraphim take on slightly different characteristics. But all three Christianity, Judaism and Islamic beliefs indicate these burning beings are closest to the throne of God.

Seraphim in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam According to Christian accounts, the Seraphim are the first order of angels, next to the Cherubim, and sing His praises all day. Today, some branches of Christianity propose that there is a 9-level hierarchy of angels, with Seraphim and Cherubim being at the highest levels. However, it’s important to understand that the Bible doesn’t identify any hierarchy of angelic beings, so this is possibly a later interpretation of the Bible.

Jewish traditions also believe in Seraphim in a similar manner to that of Christians, but they give a more in depth look at their character, order, appearance, and function. Most of these Judaic references place Seraphim as fiery serpents. It’s this reference to snakes that distinguishes the Seraphim from the rest of the orders of angels.

In Islam, no specifics are mentioned about the Seraphim except there are only two who sit nearest to God’s throne. These differ in that they have three wings on their faces, instead of two. They are beings of light who carry the recorded deeds of humankind that they will present on Judgment Day.

Appearance of Seraphim In one of the few accounts we have about Seraphim in the Bible, they’re described as having six wings and many eyes, so that they can watch God in action all the time.

They are described as having eloquent and indescribable beauty. They have large, booming singing voices, and enrapture anyone blessed enough to hear them in person.

Their six wings are a peculiar feature.

Two for flying, which represents their freedom and praise.

Two for covering their faces, so that they will not be overwhelmed by God’s brilliance.

Two on their feet, to signify their humility and submission to god.

However, in the Greek Orthodox Bible, it says that the two wings veil the face of God rather than the faces of the Seraphim.

When considering translations in this way, literal interpretation of varying texts becomes important to understand the full scope and picture. This is because older languages don’t always convert easily into English.

The Role of the Seraphim The Seraphim play an important role in Heaven, singing unceasing praises to the Almighty.

Praising God Seraphim sing hymns, dance, and exalt the praises of God and His infinite holiness. This highest, holy order of angels combines love and truth while reflecting divine compassion and righteousness. They are a reminder to humankind of the Creator to His creation, showing how to sing and revel in God’s praise.

They do not sleep, keeping constant vigil over God’s throne with unceasing song. This gives them a sort of protective guardianship role in conjunction with the Creator.

Cleansing Away Sin Isaiah’s telling of his experience with one Seraph points to their ability to remove sin from the soul. This particular Seraph carried a hot coal from the altar and touched it to Isaiah’s lips which cleansed him of sin. This act purified him enough to sit in the presence of God and to be his spokesman for humankind.

The Trisagion Their ability and constancy in songs and hymns also shows us another major aspect to the purpose of Seraphim. The Trisagion, or thrice hymn, which contains the triple invocation of God as being holy, is an important aspect of the Seraphim.

In Brief The Seraphim are burning angelic beings who sit closest to God’s throne, offering songs, praises, hymns, dances and guardianship. They have the potential to cleanse souls of sin and teach humanity how to honor the Divine. However, there is some debate concerning what exactly the Seraphim are, with some indications that they are fiery serpent-like beings.

[ltwilliammowett]

Cooking like a Sailor - New England Clam Chowder

However, a warm savory steam from the kitchen served to belie the apparently cheerless prospect before us. But when that smoking chowder came in, the mystery was delightfully explained. Oh, sweet friends! hearken to me. It was made of small juicy clams, scarcely bigger than hazel nuts, mixed with pounded ship biscuit, and salted pork cut up into little flakes; the whole enriched with butter, and plentifully seasoned with pepper and salt. - Moby Dick

What Herman Meville describes here is a very famous New England dish - the clam chowder. A chowder is "a soup or stew of seafood (such as clams or fish) usually made with milk or tomatoes, salt pork, onions and other vegetables". Whilst there are different types of chowder, clam chowder is undoubtedly the best known. The definition of chowder varies depending on the part of the country, but most contain clams, potatoes, onions and some form of pork. Some use milk or another type of broth, but this type of dish was very popular on board ships where it was cooked and served in different ways. According to Savouring Gotham: A Food Lovers Companion to New York City, it is believed that New England chowder was introduced to the region by French, Nova Scotian or British settlers and became a common dish in the region around 1700. The chowder grew in popularity over the years and, according to What's Cooking America, was served in Boston as early as 1836 at Ye Olde Union Oyster House (the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the country).

But let's get to the recipe so you can cosy up at home with your copy of Moby Dick and enjoy a nice serving of clam chowder.

What do you need: 1 small onion 1 kilogram of salted pork 2 medium potatoes 1 1/2 cups of water 1 tin with about 200 grams of mussels 1 bottle with about 350ml mussel juice

1/8 teaspoon of pepper 1 1/2 cup of milk

To prepare:

cut the meat into pieces of about 2.5c and brown in a pan over a medium heat. Then set aside.

chop the onions and fry them in the pan, in the meantime cut the potatoes into small pieces and add them to the onions, cover with water and cook until the potatoes are soft.

add the mussels and their juice and season with pepper. Cook over a medium heat until they are steaming.

Add 1 1/2 cups of milk. Heat over a medium heat for 5 minutes.

Add the meat and serve. Best eaten with ship's biscuits or fresh bread, if available.

Enjoy your meal.

#naval history #18th century #age of sail #clam chowder #cooking like a sailor

[ashes-in-a-jar]

Oh my god! The vampire teeth! The teeth confiscated by the government from the Magnus Institute! The British Government has a Magnus (Institute) Protocol!

Episode 10 (thank you daily relisten):

There was, however, a small bag left on top of this statement, which appears to contain six shark teeth of varying sizes. According to correspondence with the Zoology Department at King’s College, they didn’t match any currently known species.

Personally, I don’t know what to think. I certainly don’t believe in wild tales of vampirism, but I can’t help but notice that the statement above appears to be a photocopy of a photocopy, and can’t find these supposed vampire teeth anywhere in the Archives or the Secure Containment Room. I don’t know where the originals are, but the file number is listed among multiple information requests from the Institute’s government and law enforcement contracts. It may be that they take Mr. Herbert’s statement far more seriously than I do.

Guys.

Prequel.

Government shenanigans until the Apocalypse happens??

#speculating of course but!! #pretty cool lol #tma #the magnus archives #the magnus institute #the magnus protocol #mag 10 #trevor herbert

[fuedalreesespieces]

ramble-y post incoming:

tldr: is the inukag to izanori pipeline real, and am i falling headfirst into it? yes, yes i am.

[This post does contain spoilers for Kanata Kara and Inuyasha.]

recently (and by that i mean two days ago) i decided i wanted to start a shojo manga that wasn't too long, something I could read in between lectures. i checked some of my saved manga on the website i use, and found one that i had saved purely because i'd been enthralled by the cover art, which looked like this:

(i mean, look at them!!)

...that, and it was 14 volumes, so I thought i could finish it within a week or two, reading a few chapters every day.

i was wrong. i'm on volume ten and it's been a day and a half.

i haven't finished and I'm making this post (partly because i've been rambling about it in ballistic keysmash-consistent twitter posts) to say that Kanata Kara is good. very, very good. damn that one-star review on the site i'm using, because that shit has to be an accidental click. I love the world-building, the diverse cast of characters, and the art is magnificent. I think my favorite thing of all has to be the themes represented so far in the manga, perpetuated by our titular characters noriko and izark. I may make a future post about that when i finish the manga, but there is one thing i noticed while reading that struck me as really interesting: the dynamic between izark and noriko, and the characters themselves, remind me a lot of inuyasha and kagome.

now i'm gonna preface this by saying i'm not trying to say that these are the same dynamics or something, because they aren't - I just want to point out parallels i thought were really interesting, as someone who loves both relationships in their respective mangas. i also want to establish that Kanata Kara predates Inuyasha by three to five years*- so what I really should be saying is that inuyasha and kagome remind me of izark and noriko, but you get the picture. you could argue a number of things with this in mind, but i'm not here to discuss any of that. this isn't meant to be some sort of dumb gotcha; both series are good in their own ways, and some of the similarities i'm highlighting can be attributed to similar tropes being at play!

*(sources vary, some say 1993, others say 1995)

izark/inuyasha

demons - inuyasha is half inu-youkai, whereas izark is the sky demon from a prophecy that makes up much of the manga's internal and external conflict for him. an interesting contrast i found was that while inuyasha's half-demon features are present for the majority of the manga and his human side shows up only a handful of times, it's the exact opposite for izark, whose "human" appearance reigns for the majority of the manga.

both characters were shunned by their respective communities (and humanity at large, though inuyasha had his mother for some time, and izark's mother tried to kill him). when both parents died, they began living on the fringes of society, never interacting with anyone and, according to them, "preferring to be alone."

both share moments where their demon sides take over and they are unable to control themselves - unless, of course, their loved one is present to help them. otherwise, both are trapped in a violent, bloodthirsty state of mind that makes them lose parts of their identity each time transformation is undergone. both try to avoid this part of them out of fear of losing themselves, but when occasions rise where they are in those forms, their respective loved ones pull them out of it/help them ground themselves.

powerful fighters willing to quite literally put everything on the line for their respective loved ones - i'm talking half-dead-dragging their-bodies-across-the floor and thinking "well, at least she's okay."

one interesting difference to me is how izark and inuyasha approach their humanity. izark is constantly shown in his "human" form and is only in his demon form a handful of times, and the exact opposite is true for inuyasha. izark's earlier (brief) plan of doing away with noriko is spurned from his desire to avoid the tragic fate tied with his demonic form, whereas inuyasha's earlier actions are motivated by his desire to become a full demon. izark relates his demon side to inevitability, to the idea that he might just become the monster everyone prophesied him to be; inuyasha (in the beginning) views his humanity with scorn and associates it with weakness. he wants to embrace the possibility of achieving full demon status, and why? is it just because he wants power? in my opinion, no - I think it's a way of finding a place; being free to go where he wants. inuyasha is already powerful in his own right, and even when he's given the opportunity to claim a formidable weapon like his father's sword, he says he has no interest in it (until, of course, kagome mentions he could try to claim it just to spite sesshomaru, and only then is his interest peaked.) inuyasha seeks freedom by assimilating into a full demon identity, izark seeks freedom from that full demon identity, and only then will he feel in control of his life.

kagome/noriko

both from modern era japan and get isekaied into another world - kagome's instance is time-travel, though - noriko is transported to a whole other world with different culture, geography, and language (noriko having to learn the language of the people there and taking part in their customs is one of my favorite things about the manga!!)

the beacon of light in their respective groups/found family, bringing everyone together

key players in a "Prophecy of Doom" - kagome's "destiny" is to continue the cycle of the shikon jewel; noriko's "destiny" is to awaken the Sky Demon (izark). both girls, and their loved ones, change their futures.

damsels? maybe, but never in distress:

and, of course, the most prominent parallel for me: their acceptance of their lovers and the ripple effect that love has on their lovers' relationships and life:

"i'm not leaving you no matter what happens, no matter who you are - I will stay by your side":

"you changed my life for the better":

"i've opened up and become more vulnerable":

there are a ton of other examples i could use for this bullet, since it has a pretty broad spectrum of events that could fall under it, but these are my favorites.

i also want to draw attention to the way noriko deals with feeling powerless - both she and kagome are surrounded by powerful, experienced individuals, but unlike noriko, kagome has a reign on her archery and spiritual skills pretty early on in the manga, so she contributes in battles one way or another. one of noriko's longest internal conflicts is that she feels guilty that she can't do anything to help and that people are getting hurt on her behalf:

i absolutely love the advice given to her, and how it ties into the themes of the manga. noriko feels like she isn't helping, but even a simple thank you helps - even if it's just thanking one person for a single deed, everyone is intricately tied, and that goodwill spreads. it grows. it becomes a part of everyone. you don't have to be a fighter to spread good.

conclusion: the parallels are neat and READ KANATA KARA!

#inuyasha #inuyasha a feudal fairy tale #kagome higurashi #inukag #inuyasha x kagome #kanata kara #from far away #izanori #comparison

[yoga-onion]

Celtic beliefs in trees (20)

Q for Quert (Apple) - September 2nd - September 29th

“Fruit of love - 10th month of the Celtic Tree Calendar (Ref)”

Star: Venus: Gemstone: emerald,; Gender: female; Patrons: Gaia, Aphrodite, Venus, Hera, Pomona, Nemesis, Astarte, Ishtar, Ceridwen, Olwen, Gwen, Arwen, Shekhinah, Freyja, Iðunn; Symbols: faith + gratitude, love + trust, tolerance + Abundance, self-respect, the work of fate.

The original species of apple is the crab apple. The crab apple belongs to the rose family and has short, flower-bearing young branches with thorns. The fruits are firm, round, acidic and vary in colour from yellow to crimson. September is the apple month, when the flowers bloom in late spring, the sweet fragrance is released and the fruit ripens.

Hazel, oak and apple are all legendary magical fruits, and it is believed that the three fruits together will fulfil all the needs of life. Birch, alder, willow, oak, holly, hazel and apple are designated as sacred trees in ancient Irish law. Of these, the apple and hazel were especially considered sacred trees, so much so that anyone who deliberately cut them down was punished with death.

In classical Western mythology, the 'Paradise Island', a paradise of fruit trees, was thought to contain the Tree of Wisdom, which bore three sacred apples. It is important to remember here that the apple, the fruit of love, was the food of the Celtic gods and they ate apples.

The apple tree, a favourite parasite of mistletoe, was regarded as sacred, especially by druids (Ref2). According to Druidic teachings, holy drops from heaven spilled over into the cauldron of Ceridwen, and the three drops that splashed out of the cauldron became the source of wisdom for the three apples that grow on the Tree of Wisdom. These three drops symbolise the three pillars of the Tree of Life in the Hebrew mystical philosophy of Kabbalah. These three pillars represent the masculine and feminine principles respectively, with the central pillar representing the union of the two. These also coincide with the most sacred symbol of the Druids, the 'three rays', each representing the power of vision, the power to manipulate letters and symbols, and the power to understand them. These strange three drops can be seen as a spiritual energy that gives life energy to all living things.

Legend has it that the Otherworld is a magical land of thickly growing apple trees, and that visitors from the Otherworld often come to this world carrying apple branches. Wearing a piece of apple wood is said to bring about a loved one and a long life, and is an essential part of good luck charms and spells. Apple trees were often planted in gardens in the British Isles, as they were believed to protect the home and bring love to it.

木にまつわる伝説・神話

ケルト人の樹木の信仰 (20)

QはQuert (ﾘﾝｺﾞ) - 9月2日～9月29日　

『愛の果実 〜 ケルトの木の暦（参照）の第10月』

星: 金���: 宝石: エメラルド、; 性: 女性; 守護神: ガイア、アフロディテ、ヴィーナス、ヘラ、ポーモーナ、ネメシス、アスタルテ、イシュタル、ケリドウェン、オルウェン、グウェン、アルウェン、シェキナ、フレイア、イドゥナ; シンボル: 信仰＋感謝、愛＋信頼、寛容＋豊穣、自尊心、運命の仕業

リンゴといえば、原種となるのがクラブアップル (ﾔﾏﾘﾝｺﾞ)。クラブアップルはバラ科に属し、花をつけた短い若枝には棘がついている。果実は堅くしまった球形で、酸味が強く、色は黄色から真紅色までさまざまだ。晩春に花が咲き、甘い香りを放ち、果実が熟す9月はリンゴの季節である。

ハシバミ、オーク、リンゴはいずれも伝説的な魔法の果実で、この3つの果実が一緒になれば、人生のあらゆる必要を満たしてくれると信じられている。シラカバ、ハンノキ、ヤナギ、オーク、ヒイラギ、ハシバミ、リンゴは、古代アイルランドの法律では神聖な木として指定されている。このうち、リンゴとハシバミは特に神聖な木とされ、故意に切り倒した者は死をもって罰せられたほどである。

古典的な西洋神話では、果樹の楽園である「パラダイス島」には、3つの神聖なリンゴを実らせた「知恵の木」があると考えられていた。ここで忘れてはならないのは、愛の果実であるリンゴはケルトの神々の食べ物であり、彼らはリンゴを食べていたということだ。

ヤドリギが好んで寄生するリンゴの木は、特にドルイド（参照2）から神聖視されていた。ドルイドの教えによれば、天からの聖なる雫がケリドウェンの大釜にこぼれ落ち、大釜から飛び散った3滴が知恵の木に実る3つのリンゴの知恵の源となった。この3滴は、ヘブライ神秘思想のカバラにおける生命の樹の3本の柱を象徴している。この3本の柱はそれぞれ男性原理と女性原理を表し、中央の柱は2つの結合を表している。これらはまた、ドルイドの最も神聖なシンボルである「3本の光線」とも重なり、それぞれが視覚の力、文字やシンボルを操る力、そしてそれらを理解する力を表している。この奇妙な３滴の雫は、あらゆる生物に生命エネルギーを与える霊的なエネルギーと見ることができる。

伝説によると、異界はリンゴの木が生い茂る魔法の国で、異界からの訪問者はしばしばリンゴの枝を携えてこの世にやってくるという。リンゴの木片を身につけると、愛する人と長寿を得られると言われ、幸運のお守りやおまじないには欠かせない。リンゴの木は家を守り、愛をもたらすと信じられていたため、イギリス諸島では庭によく植えられていた。

#trees #legend #mythology #folklore #celtic tree calendar #apple tree #crabapple #fruit of love #spiritual energy #nature #art #legendary magical fruits #sacred tree

[isephierreo]

Byleth's Design

This post is a full analysis of Byleth's design, their Enlightened One class, and other things I found interesting about them. (I will also mention the Ashen Wolves house, but I will focus on the design of the house itself, not its characters.)

Hair

Byleth's hair is modeled after a wolf hairstyle (ウルフヘアー), and although the wolf hairstyle may not symbolize a particular thing, the word for wolf/wolves is according to lore "the beasts who guard the Blue Sea Star". 

Outfit

Male Byleth, Bishop, and Priest class all wear armor that covers the shoulders and upper chest.

EDIT: After searching, the name of the type of armor worn by the Byleth and clerics is Gorget.

while Female Byleth wears a nun's collar.

This indicates Byleth's connection with the church from the beginning.

The pattern on Male Byleth's chest is a stylized of the crest of flames, with the 3 tears below and the 3 rhombus in the middle together forming the pattern on his chest, and the tear above are the one on his back.

Or it may be a stylized form of the Sothis tiara.

Speaking of the Sothis tiara, the pattern present on the sleeves of their coat is also a stylized form of it.

The pattern on Byleth's back is a triquetra, the triquetra has so many meanings, which vary from culture to culture, that I fail to see what it stands for with Byleth. The closest meaning to Byleth and the Three Houses concept I found for triquetra is that it is "three-cornered and connected deeply with the power of three".

Of course, no need to explain about the Byleth's pendant. (Just a little explanation: the green part is similar to the Flayn and Seteth pattern but mixed with P4. Same thing with the pink part, it's a mix between P4 and P1.)

In general, the main color in Byleth's outfit is gray, which symbolizes a lack of emotion, and that represents Byleth's emotional state at the beginning of the game. Gray is also a symbol of neutrality due to being a shade between white and black, and in the case of a basic Byleth's outfit, black is a dominant color, while white is a subdued shade (in the case of Male Byleth, white is not visible, though under his armor), but when they become the Enlightened One, the roles of black and white are reversed. This is closer to the concept of yin and yang, where the black yin is darkness and the white yang is light, but the essence of each has the color of the opposite side.

On their arms, the Byleth wear silver armor. Due to the purity of silver so high that it reflects like a mirror, it symbolizes seeing the true self in our depths. All of this points to Silver Snow, Byleth's own route, who they are discovering more about themselves and their Nabataean heritage. As for the reason that silver is only in their arms, it is because the arms symbolize acceptance and embracing life experience.

As I already mentioned in my previous post, the white and pink in Byleth's outfit are the colors of the ribbons of Sothis' hair, symbolizing their association with her. Besides, the color of their dagger is the same as the colors of her dress, blue, black, and gold.

A little note: many might think that the Byleth's dagger cross-guard is the same as the house leaders insignia inverted, but in fact it is completely different, at least within the game model. 

(The house leaders insignia itself differs from one work and design to another related to the game, and it can only be noticed after an audit.)

Enlightened One

One of the most notable things about Enlightened One is definitely the color purple, whether it's the crest of flames or the signature color of Byleth, Sothis, and the game itself. Purple is the color of the Sahasrara, also known as the crown chakra, is the seventh energy center in the chakra system. It is the highest point in the body and acts as a bridge between our physical selves and nirvana. Notably, Enlightened Byleth's tiara contains purple, unlike Sothis and Rheas' tiara. 

Like the Nabataeans, the Enlightened One's design has stylized parts of Sothis's design, as well as Rhea's.

A velvet scarf, in particular, is worn in the same style as religious or sacred-role characters in the franchise.

There is also a similarity to the dancer's design. This goes with Emblem Byleth being a dancer in Engage.

Especially since Sothis's design is more like a dancer. And the tiki's design itself looks like dancer.

Enlightened One has a pattern on the back under the cape, which is probably the crest of flames. This goes with Seiros and Dimitri, who also have their crest on the back under their cape. Claude doesn't have his crest in his Wyvern Master design, but he does at least have one in his Barbarossa's quiver. The only one without a crest on the back is Edelgard, which instead has an empty heart, which may indicate a stark contrast to Byleth.

Fencing Style

Byleth's style of carrying a sword is similar to that of the greatsword, which requires it to be carried on two shoulders due to its heavy weight.

The development of such a style is most likely due to training to wield a sword at an early age.

Although Byleth's animation is similar to the other characters' animation of wielding a sword, Byleth have a distinct animation in their final strike.

While all characters jump up to strike, Byleth hold the blade opposite to the ground and then direct it upwards during a lunge. It's like dragging a heavy sword across the ground to deal a fatal blow, and that's one ways to use the greatsword.

But when the Byleth became enlightened one, their sword-wielding style became lighter and more graceful.

They spin as if it were a dance, then counter a straight line strike with balance. They hold their left hand in a fist at their hearts as it glows as if they are praying, and then they release it with the faith power they have gathered.

The armor on Byleth's right arm is somewhat similar to the Immaculate One.

This indicates that the Byleth's right arm, which holds their weapon, represents the Immaculate One, an ability Rhea/Seiros has rarely used to end dangerous situations in battlefield. While Byleth's left arm, unarmored and unarmed, indicates Rhea/Seiros's ability to end wars with her bare hands with minimal casualties, as she did with Nemesis.

Going back to the Ashen Wolves, everyone is surely aware of the contrast in the colors of the Academy and Abyss students' uniforms. As I mentioned in my previous post, the colors of the Academy uniform represent Sothis, while the colors of the Abyss uniform represent Byleth. White, silver, black, gray, purpue. This refers to the concept of dualism, which is commonly used in the Final Fantasy series.

#fire emblem #byleth eisner #fire emblem three houses #fe3h #fe three houses #fe16