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ixiot-ghostrebel · 11 months

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Sagau touched starved reader but you know got trauma so not comfortable with being touched. Like staring like a cat for affection but terrified of being hugged back or things like that

You got it, Anon! Though, I will warn you a little: I'm not going to go too deep into detail with the trauma stuff. It'll be very brief.

Touch Starved! Reader Wanting Hugs From Zhongli, Diluc, and Al-Haitham...With A Twist.

Zhongli

The moment he realizes that you are touched-starved, this old man isn't exactly sure what to do. After all, you got some extreme PTSD going on after the whole "imposter-creator" fiasco.

He does try to approach it as a topic, but since you're weary of (quite literally) everyone and find suspicion in every action, you kind of catch on to his intentions. And Zhongli notices this, but he's still going to take it slow.

"I assure you, Your Grace, I will not push your boundaries lest you are uncomfortable." He's sincere and means every word. To him, this is like signing a contract. He's the God of Contracts, so this is especially important to him. What he says is solid as stone—his dedication to prove that is clear as day.

This man is also very keen—he sees how you look like a touch-starved cat when you want affection, but are too scared to approach and ask. It kind of breaks him, but he doesn't show it because he wants to prove that he's not helping out of pity, but understanding.

In the end, Zhongli will probably be able to be near you, and get in a few (with consent) head peats that you are very well aware of. It's going to take time for you to warm up to him before this guy gets to hug you.

Diluc

This guy probably understands your intense cat-staring the most. He sometimes feels like that after his father passed. He's very unsure and awkward of what to do, if I'm being honest.

After a little while, of course, Diluc feels like he should place the offer out. He feels too awkward and guilty for just noticing you like this and not doing anything about it.

"Your Grace...I hope I'm not crossing any boundaries, but please know that I am willing to offer you any assistance you need." It's only later does he realize you wanted hugs and were too scared to ask for it.

Yeah...he's not exactly that open with his emotions either, so it will definitely be awkward, but he is willing to give it a few tries. Diluc will also be the first to pull back and apologize if he realizes you are in any discomfort.

To say it took a while is only putting it in the simplest form.

Alhaitham

Oho...if you though Diluc was awkward, consider this man. He's more "thinking machine that feels" than like his roommate ("feeling machine that thinks"), so he definitely does not understand the "social cue" that is your cat-stare.

He has done research (aka read books way back in the days and remembered the contents) and understands the mental turmoil you've gone through, so he has gone through the steps of trying to get out of your way, and also try and link you to a therapist. This, of course, kind of fails.

"Your Grace...please get some therapy. It's beneficial for your mental health." Quite literally might drag Tighnari or someone else into this if he can't convince you. This is quite literally out of his expertise.

The entire "I want a hug" cue flies completely over his head, and had it not been for Kaveh (and/or Nahida), he probably wouldn't have realized his mistake.

...Yes, it took what felt like 3 eternities just for him to try and give you affection. Must I say anything else?

Ghost Rebel Side Notes: AND HERE WE ARE! Anon, I am so sorry for taking 30 years to do this, but I have finished it! Boy, I was so tired and stressed these days, but I'm kinda glad I finished this!

For anyone waiting for The Lost Shining God of Celestia Pt. 2, please have some patience—I currently do not have much motivation to work on that series. Instead, feel free to dump requests in my mailbox!

Also—feel free to dump any HSR requests into my mailbox! I want to give them a try :)

✦ Check out The Ghost Rebel’s Blog Description & Info Page to See if Their Mailbox is Open! ✦

#genshin impact sagau #genshin sagau #self aware genshin #sagau x reader #genshin self aware #sagau #sagau genshin #yandere sagau #genshin cult au #sagau brainrot #sagau cult au #sagau angst #sagau isekai #imposter sagau #sagau zhongli #sagau alhaitham #sagau diluc #sagau impostor au

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bonefall · 7 months

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Moorland Research Notes

I usually let these sit in my drafts because they're kinda messy, but no one actually knows anything about moorland, including myself shortly before starting this deep dive. So I'm just going to post this in the hopes that it's useful in some way

This post is about moorland in the UK, I have not done any research into moorland in other places, and then I focused more specifically on lowland heath.

Feel free to use this information for anything you so desire, and check out the sources I put at the bottom of this list if you'd like to learn more. I really hope this helps out WindClan Fans in particular

I do plan to condense what I've learned and chosen into a "Welcome to BB!WindClan!" type post at some point, but this is a REALLY broad post on what moorland is.

What is moorland?

Moorland is a broad term that lumps together several completely unique biomes, most of which are partially or completely reliant on the management of human beings. They are defined by low-growing flora and acidic soils, which makes them difficult for non-specialist plants to grow in.

These can be sorted further into upland or lowland, dry or wet.

Because many types of moorland are dominated by heathers, they are also called heathlands. Though the terms Moor and Heath are sometimes used interchangeably (and this is where a lot of confusion comes from), usually, Moor refers to upland/wet, and Heath refers to lowland/dry.

I have to stress a that LOT of the confusion is coming from this. Heather will grow in both, and the terms get used interchangeably, but an upland/wet moor is FUNDAMENTALLY different from a lowland/dry heath, down to the very soil.

Most specialists will open up an explanation by defining how they're using the Moor/Heath distinction, and will stick to those terms, but just keep in mind that in casual language, ALL of these biomes get called moors, and places without any heather will get called heath.

They can also touch. There are locations where upland moor slopes into lowland heath, or upland heath kisses lowland moor, and there can be very special species that exist in the transitional space between these areas. This too is yuri.

It is not a prairie. It is not a savanna. Please for the love of god stop portraying moorland as prairies and savannas

lots of purple. why he ourple? heathers and purple moorgrass.

Common heather is also called ling, flowery bell heathers are sometimes called erica, and gorse can be called whin or furze

Maritime heath, dune heath, blanket bog, upland moor, transitional upland heath... these are all frequently lumped under the same term even though they are very different.

How are moorlands managed?

Above 700 meters of altitude and in harsh weather conditions, you get montane heath. Near coastlines, you can find maritime heath. These are the only two that are completely "natural" and require no human management.

In wet moors, the elements will beat the vegetation down into peat. Above the peat is turf, the top layer which grows the visible flora. Peat = below, Turf = above. Peat has historically been used as a fuel, and if that bottom layer catches fire, IT IS DISASTROUS.

Because of this, most upland moors (which are usually wet and PACKED with peat) are managed primarily through grazing. There are even breeds of sheep and cattle who have been specially bred to thrive in upland moors-- such as the iconic highland cow. (Though overgrazing can be a problem, too.)

Sheep are used to graze back the heather (sometimes called ling), and in good modern practice, goats are brought out along with the flock to eat pioneering shrubs and saplings. Pigs are also used to control bracken and combat ex-pine plantations with scattered needles, because of their ability to churn soil.

However, controlled burns are still done in some circumstances and when required (LIKE BEFORE A HEATWAVE). Because of the serious danger, it's considered inferior to good grazing management. It's done carefully, in controlled patches, both to not set the underlayer of peat on fire and to make sure there is differently-aged patches of flora in one area to support different species of animals.

If peat catches on fire, it will burn for days or weeks... and can even smoulder underground after you THINK it's been put out.

In DRY LOWland heath, proper burning is common. Gorse and heather grows strong, woody, and flammable, and the thin layer of peat below can combine to devastating results when a wildfire does eventually break out. Large swaths of dry heather and gorse is an ecological powderkeg, even if it was only growing on mineral soil.

Worse, the older heather gets, the woodier it becomes. Woody heather can cause high-temperature fires that absolutely devastates new growth, leading to a slower recovery and causing a controlled burn to become uncontrolled real fast.

Burns are typically conducted in winter, when it's cold, and grazing animals are deployed in summer.

Cutting is also important in lowland management, literally cutting out squares of turf to expose the ground. This is good for mason bees, specifically.

Moorland. Is. Flammable. Fire risk = HIGH.

If you do not manage the moorland, the moorland will manage YOU. with FIRE.

Do NOT set the peat layer on fire. Whatever you do, do NOT let the peat get set on fire. PEAT FIRE BAD.

The controlled burning of moorland is "swaling", or a "muirburn."

Pigs and goats have special abilities when used in grazing management

Pigs are a tactical nuke

Sheep will graze heather a lot harder than cattle, causing grassy "sward". They should be kept away from it in winter.

MOORLAND IS NOT GRASSLAND. Sward BAD.

Cattle will graze moorgrass a lot harder than sheep and bite back any sheep-induced sward, but trample the soil with their heavy hooves.

Bones tell me about the funny cat environments

Victoria Holmes (the original writer of Warrior Cats, for those who have just walked in, still in your bathrobe and perhaps comically eating some sort of breakfast bagel, on a cat giving a detailed ecological lecture to a bunch of other cats) has spoken about how she based the environment of the Forest Territories on New Forest, Hampshire UK.

[ID: New Forest's heathland on a misty morning. It's dominated by common heather with a few sparse trees, and a New Forest Pony grazing alone.]

That means that WindClan's moor was a lowland heath, characterized by sandy soils with excellent drainage. This is consistent with the thin layer of peat, deeper layers of sandy soil and clay (as encountered by tunnelers), and lush vegetation that's seen in DOTC and Tallstar's Revenge.

If that's not enough evidence, it's also described after its destruction in these terms;

New Forest boasts some of the widest swaths of well-managed lowland heath in the entire UK. It's been managed collectively for hundreds of years, and exists in tandem with bogs and old-growth forest for miles. The heath is just as important as the trees, here!

In TNP, the forest is tragically bulldozed to create suburbs. While they were at it, they also bulldozed the geography of Great Britain because, suddenly, there is a MOUNTAIN in Southeastern England; a region notoriously flatter than the Onceler's ass

So once the Clan cats get to the Lake territories, we could be dealing with a completely different biome. They might have gone from dry, lowland heath, to wet, upland moor.

However, descriptions of the new territory are scarce, to put it lightly. In spite of the Lake Territory being the setting for the past 20 years, WindClan's land is rarely shown. When we do get a glimpse of it, like in Crowfeather's Trial, we only get told about the presence of certain species such as gorse. Because of there being no tunneling, we don't know what's exactly below the surface, either.

Occasionally though we are made aware of the presence of "moorgrass" (possibly Molinia Caerulea) and the smell of peat, pointing towards it probably being upland moor. The bigger question is actually where all the sheep are? There should be a lot of sheep here, but instead, there only seems to be horses.

Aaaaand lastly before I close out on canon material, Lungwort.

Lungwort is a herb that becomes a plot device in A Vision of Shadows. ShadowClan becomes sick with a variant of greencough, and it is said that Lungwort would be its only cure. However, it "only grows in WindClan" and the leader, Onestar, has refused to let them have this medicine.

But lungwort doesn't grow on moorland. ESPECIALLY not wet, upland moor, which we might maybe possibly be dealing with now.

Lungwort is a FOREST plant, it needs the absolute opposite conditions of a moorland. It requires moist but well-drained ground, FERTILE soil, and full or partial shade. There's no way that WindClan has it and ShadowClan doesn't, OR its neighbor ThunderClan, in the WOODS, who Onestar has no power over.

It would also poison a cat but honestly 75% of the plants they use in canon would also do that, so, whatever.

What they SHOULD have gone for is great mullein which prefers full sun and well-drained soils, so it could feasibly be found best in some parts of WindClan, regardless of which sort of moor or heath primarily makes up their territory.

What sorts of plants are found in moorlands?

In moorlands, you'll find plants that can withstand poor soil quality and full sun. In upland moors, they also have to be hardy in frequent heavy rains and high winds. Because it has conditions that so few plants are able to handle, moorland is chock-full of specialists and unique species that aren't found anywhere else!

Historically, moorland could not be used for agriculture exactly because of this. With the invention of artificial fertilizers and introduction of (invasive) pines from America, moorland is under serious threat. Even if it's just next to a pine plantation, the trees will attempt to spread.

COMMON HEATHER, also called Ling, is the big bad boy associated with most moorland, and used for a bajillion different things. First of all, it was used in construction for thatching. Second of all, it can be used as a yellow dye, especially on wool. Third, honey made from heather pollen is as thick as jelly. It's found on all sorts of moorland, and is an extremely hardy species.

BELL HEATHER, sometimes called Erica, is more commonly associated with lowland heaths. It's one of the best flowers for pollinators in the entire world, and attracts tons of insects.

GORSE, also called Whin or Furze, smells overwhelmingly like coconut. It is also covered in wicked thorns. It's highly flammable and can burn ridiculously hot, making it excellent to collect as kindle.

PURPLE MOORGRASS is associated with upland moor, but will grow basically anywhere nothing else could. It's scary hardy, surviving in acidic soil down to a PH of 2 (THAT IS THE SAME LEVEL AS YOUR STOMACH JUICE), and can grow as tall as 4 feet (and even taller, apparently, next to its bestie girls heather and gorse).

In heath, tormentil, milkwort, and heath bedstraw are indicator herbs, and wavy hair-grass, bristle bent, and vernal grasses are found here and there.

PLEASE remember that moorland is not grassland. When grasses go from sparse to common, it's a very bad sign. It means the soil is losing its acidity, and converting into a different biome.

Bramble, bracken, nettles, perennial ryegrass, and broadleaf plantain are some of the species that can indicate that a heath is becoming a grassland. A few patches or examples are fine, but if they're eating into the gorse/heather/moorgrass, it's time to call in some management.

There's also the fascinating, parasitic plant called dodder. Dodder likes to twirl around heather before suffocating it to death. Cool plant! I don't know where else to mention dodder. I just think it's neat.

Threats to Moorland

I mentioned the problems in passing through this whole post, but to restate, these are some of the major problems that moorland faces.

AFFORESTATION: When trees are added.

[ID: A sitka spruce plantation on upland moor in Scotland, followed by a clip of Markiplier who condemns it in no uncertain terms.]

American pines, such as the douglas fir and sitka spruce don't belong here. These are commercial plantations and they exist to make money, but are touted as "eco friendly" because uneducated rubes think 1 Tree = 1 Ecology Point. They provide diddly or squat to native wildlife, destroy valuable moorland which can negatively impact carbon capture, and let fools pat themselves on the back for doing nothing but put government money into a logging company's pocket.

(there are also only 3 native conifers to Great Britain-- the scotch pine, the common juniper, and the yew. All others are introduced.)

But even worse than being a wooden blight, these are wooden blights that spread. If there's a plantation nearby, it WILL begin to encroach on the surrounding moorland, and the traditional sheep and cattle will not eat the saplings. GOATS are being added to herds in modern grazing management to combat this new problem.

The native birches (silver and downy) plus the scotch pine will also move in when moorland is not managed! They are pioneer species, which success the moor into secondary woodland.

OVERBURNING: When moorland is burned too much.

Even if you don't set the peat on fire and cause an even bigger problem, too much burning is bad for the biome as well. This is often done to serve hunters, who want to perpetually keep common heather in the youngest state possible to support grouse populations... and grouse populations alone.

Properly managed moorland will be burned in sections, NOT all at once, so that there's a healthy mix of plants in different ages to provide shelter and food to the animals that live in the environment. Too much burning will decimate the insect population, and prevent peat buildup.

("Hold on Elder Bones, why is peat good?" Carbon capture and soil acidity! It's super efficient at combating global warming, and peaty soils will prevent the moor from quickly succeeding into a grassland.)

NUTRIENT ENRICHMENT: De-acidifying the soil and making the soil welcoming to other species

Specifically from dog and horse droppings, but also from the addition of fertilizers. The biggest thing that can be a problem here is how conservationists try to balance public access to these spaces with the "recreation pressure" from having too many visitors.

SOURCES

I have had to do SO MUCH READING. OH my god, this was not easy research, please appreciate this big, beautiful list of resources I am giving to you

GREAT BRITISH LIFE: A really good intro to heathland (This article was written by Katie Piercy from the Cheshire Wildlife Trust)

WILDLIFE TRUST: Heathland and Moorland, Moorland, Lowland Heath, Cheshire Heath, Bell Heather, The Roaches

BUGLIFE: Upland heath as it relates to insect populations (website contains insect-centric guides to many unique UK biomes)

NEW FOREST: Heathland information and history

NATIONAL TRUST: Bickerton Hill and the Restoration Work

WIKIPEDIA: The Roaches, Yorkshire Dales, Heath, Moorland (listen kids, wikipedia is always a great place to start. Just make sure to double-check the claims you see there.)

COUNTRY LIFE: A flowery article that describes the North York Moors (this one's just really pleasant!)

AN ACTUAL LOWLAND HEATH ECOLOGIST: Dr. Sophie Lake's Presentation for the NPMS (This is the most detailed and proper source on this list, if you want to learn some serious info, PLEASE check this one out)

#Moorland #Lowland Heath #WindClan #hello everyone I hyperfixated on this for 12 hours straight

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glorious-mysteries · 6 months

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In Memoriam

In Memoriam, Private D. Sutherland killed in Action in the German Trench 16 May 1916, and the Others who Died.

So you were David's father, And he was your only son, And the new-cut peats are rotting And the work is left undone, Because of an old man weeping, Just an old man in pain, For David, his son David, That will not come again.

Oh, the letters he wrote you, And I can see them still, Not a word of the fighting But just the sheep on the hill And how you should get the crops in Ere the year got stormier, And the Bosches have got his body, And I was his officer.

You were only David's father, But I had fifty sons When we went up that evening Under the arch of the guns, And we came back at twilight — O God! I heard them call To me for help and pity That could not help at all.

Oh, never will I forget you, My men that trusted me, More my sons than your fathers' For they could only see The little helpless babies And the young men in their pride. They could not see you dying And hold you while you died.

Happy and young and gallant, they saw their first born go, But not the strong limbs broken And the beautiful men brought low, The piteous writhing bodies, They screamed, "Don't leave me Sir," For they were only fathers But I was your officer.

-Ewart Alan Mackintosh

#what gets me about this poem is that mackintosh was only 24 when he was killed #he sounds so much older here #poetry

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moonchildridden · 2 years

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EXCUSE ME?!?!?!?! PEAT WEARING PRAPAI'S RACER JACKET?!?!?!? PEAT WITH GLASSES ON?!?!?!? PEAT'S GIGGLE?!?!?!? PEAT SMILING WHILE LOOKING AT FORT?!?!?!?! FORT HELPING ADJUST THE JACKET?!?!?!? THE LITTLE KISS IN THE END?!?!?!?!

OH MY FUCKING GOD

#love in the air #prapai x sky #fortpeat #fort thitipong #peat wasuthorn

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novankenn · 1 month

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20 Weeks after... The Day after... Everyone is Irish

(Post that Started it All / Post that followed after)

Weiss was nervous as Joan her now steady girlfriend lead her towards the entrance to a fairly massive two story stone and timber home. She knew it was only a formality considering Joan had already announced their relationship to her family... no Weiss was mostly okay... it was Pyrrha and Jaune she was concerned for.

Pyrrha: JAUNE! Stop!

Jaune: I'm sorry! Did I hurt you? Are you okay?

Pyrrha: Jaune please, I'm okay, you're just doing it again... you're hovering and you don;t need to... I'm okay. We'll be okay.

Weiss looked over her shoulder and watched as Jaune hovered about the showing Pyrrha Nikos. While Jaune had announced his own relationship to his family... they had yet to find out about the bundle of joy that was on its way. Though with how much Pyrrha was showing Wiess and Joan figured that maybe there was more than one bundle on the way.

Joan: Ready, Snow-Angel?

Weiss blushed, as she always did when Joan used that pet name. Unable to control her voice she just nodded. The door was yanked open just as Joan raised her hand to knock...

Joan: MA!

Moma Arc: About time the four of ye got here! Get you arses inside, it's a bit chilly out here... and YOU!

Jaune: MA?

Moma Arc: You best be ready, 'cause you knows the rules young man!

Pyrrha: Jaune what is she...

Moma Arc moves past Weiss and Joan to get beside Pyrrha and gently takes her hand to assist her towards the door.

Pyrrha: Oh hello!

Moma Arc: You just come along deary, and welcome to the family.

Pyrrha: Um... Jaune?

Jaune: You see Pyr... um... it's like this... um we're having a baby and no Arc...

Moma Arc: nor McMurray is ever born to thee unwed... so little missus... welcome to the family.

Pyrrha: I... I...

Moma Arc: Girls! You know the drill!

Arc Sisters: Aye!

Pyrrha was shocked to see the homely and welcoming interior of the mansion D'Arc... but not as much as her seeing the sea of at least two dozen girls with various lengths and shades of blond hair.

Jaune: God damn it! Their all here.!

Moma Arc: You dang right they is! Girls!

Pyrrha was lead to a love seat and took a the free space next to Weiss. Joan no where to be seen, with Jaune also vanishing.

Pyrrha: Weiss are you okay?

Weiss: I'm scared... Pyrrha... terrified.

The pair of young ladies were startled when the drums, penny whistles, fiddles and hand clapping started.

Weiss / Pyrrha : ...

ARC Family: Step we gaily, on we go Heel for heel and toe for toe Arm in arm and row on row All for Marie's wedding

Step we gaily, on we go Heel for heel and toe for toe Arm in arm and row on row All for Marie's wedding

Pyrrha and Weiss began to blush as a pair of the Arc family, two adorable young girls no more than maybe seven or eight came skipping through the room carrying bouquets of Lavendar and Heather over to Pyrrha and Weiss...

Weiss / Pyrrha: Ah? Thank you?

ARC Family: Over hillways up and down Myrtle green and bracken brown Past the shielings through the town All for sake of Marie

Step we gaily, on we go Heel for heel and toe for toe Arm in arm and row on row All for Marie's wedding

Pyrrha / Weiss: ...

Joan and Jaune reemerged from amid the gathered Arc clan, both in formal suits with kilts... causing both Weiss and Pyrrha to blush even more at the fine figures their significant others cut.

ARC Family: Red her cheeks as rowans are Bright her eyes as any star Fairest of them all by far Is our darling Marie

Step we gaily, on we go Heel for heel and toe for toe Arm in arm and row on row All for Marie's wedding

Pyrrha / Weiss: EEP!

Two of each of the sea of blonds helped them from the love seat while pushing Joan and Jaune into the now empty seat.

ARC Family: Oh plenty herring, plenty meal Plenty peat to fill her creel Plenty bonny bairns as well That's the toast for Marie

Step we gaily, on we go Heel for heel and toe for toe Arm in arm and row on row All for Marie's wedding

Jaune: They are so going to be pissed at us...

Joan: At you, Jaune. Pissed at you.

Jaune: I'm not...

Joan: You know the rules... we were born together... we get married together...

Jaune: I know... I know...

ARC Family: Step we gaily, on we go Heel for heel and toe for toe Arm in arm and row on row All for Marie's wedding

Step we gaily, on we go Heel for heel and toe for toe Arm in arm and row on row All for Marie's wedding

Jaune / Joan: ... so beautiful...

(Images generated by perchance ai text-to-image)

ARC Family: Step we gaily, on we go Heel for heel and toe for toe Arm in arm and row on row All for Marie's wedding

Step we gaily, on we go Heel for heel and toe for toe Arm in arm and row on row All for Marie's wedding

Joan is placed next to Weiss, while Jaune is paired with Pyrrha. The quartet quickly finding themselves gently being shuffled along into the backyard...

ARC Family: Step we gaily, on we go Heel for heel and toe for toe Arm in arm and row on row All for Marie's wedding

youtube

/==/ SO NOW it is confirmed... I've totally lost it! /==/

#rwby #jaune arc #pyrrha nikos #joan arc #weiss schnee #google translate #the Arc family #ai generated illustrations #youtube #Youtube

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cornyonmains · 2 years

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Something I really liked about episode 9 was that we got to see this really honest moment where Prapai is just speaking to Sky the way he really wants to, without any pretense or calculations or walking on eggshells so he doesn't say something to send him flailing two steps back. It's just him, indulging in a moment where he can finally let himself be completely enamored. And all credit to Fort, who acted his entire ass off in this scene, because you can just see that affection manifesting as this desire to protect Sky so intense it felt almost primal. Like if anyone were to even look crossways at Sky in that moment he'd rip them apart.

If we're viewing the character of Prapai through a transformative lens, this is a huge moment for him. You can see this internal process happening inside him as he stares at Sky where Prapai is realizing that now is the time to put away childish things, and try to be the person Sky needs him to be. In fact, one of the most immediately redemptive aspects of Prapai's personality, is that when he realized something was terribly wrong with Sky, that pushy nature of his kicked in, and the idea of that being a deal-breaker never even occurred. Prapai said, "He has baggage, I'll help him carry it." And that was that. No hesitation.

Prapai is pushy, arrogant, and used to getting his way, but if we view him as a character on a journey to becoming a better person, it is hard to find fault with the way he loves when being sincere. This is where the casting for Sky comes in, because Peat was such a great choice. He's able to telegraph this incredible vulnerability that allows you to see him as Prapai does in this scene, as cute and vulnerable, and made to be adored. It's this perception, as Prapai grows, that's going to help Sky feel safe enough to trust him.

God, I can't wait for Prapai to find out about Sky's ex. Because if he doesn't beat him to death, it'll only be because he was stopped from doing it, and that's going to be so satisfying to watch. Someone going feral over a weaker, more vulnerable partner is one of my favorite guilty pleasure tropes.

#love in the air #lita #prapaisky #prapai x sky #thai bl #payurain #payu x rain

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hiddentrails7 · 1 month

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The BG3 Pokémon teams, Halsin and Minthara edition! I'm still working on Jaheira and Minsc, since I want to get more info on them outside of BG3 to form their teams. Maybe I'll play BG2 and BG1, we'll see if I can afford to do it. But for now, here's two more teams I thought a lot about. :]

Halsin

(Oh the love I hold for him is,,, a lot. Both romantic and platonic is so sweet)

Ursaluna

“I believe it was Hisui’s swampy terrain that gave Ursaluna its burly physique and newfound capacity to manipulate peat at will.” (Pokémon Legends Arceus)

…big bear… bear father…

Venusaur

“There is a large flower on Venusaur's back. The flower is said to take on vivid colors if it gets plenty of nutrition and sunlight. The flower's aroma soothes the emotions of people.” (Pokémon Omega Ruby & Pokémon Alpha Sapphire)

It's a big flower monster that can help potientally avoid a fight with its rad ass smell. Amazing. Much Halsin.

Arboliva

“This calm Pokémon is very compassionate. It will share its delicious, nutrient-rich oil with weakened Pokémon.” (Pokémon Scarlet)

It's a very sweet Pokémon, and Halsin would absolutely let it give out its oil/olives to the tiefling refugees and random weak Pokémon he finds.

Ampharos

“It gives off so much light that it can be seen even from space. People in the old days used its light to send signals back and forth with others far away.”

Halsin isn't really one for technology and over advanced stuff. So he communicates with Ampharos instead.

(Call Lightning was also reaaalllyyyy useful and I've come to associate it with Halsin)

Kangaskhan

“To protect its young, it will never give up during battle, no matter how badly wounded it is.” (Pokémon SoulSilver)

Okay, so tell me why Halsin WOULDN'T want the protective powerhouse that is Kangaskhan.

Golduck

“GOLDUCK is the fastest swimmer among all POKéMON. It swims effortlessly, even in a rough, stormy sea. It sometimes rescues people from wrecked ships floundering in high seas.” (Pokémon Sapphire)

He likes ducks :],,, and I really think him having a Psyduck at some point would be so funny. Like.

“Kagha shut the fuck up Psyduck is sleeping.”

☆

Minthara

(Ms. Strap-On department herself. I've actually grown to really like her)

Araquanid

“It launches sticky water bubbles. Foes who lose consciousness while trapped inside these bubbles will get torn apart by Araquanid's gnashing jaws.” (Pokémon Violet)

I like to think Araquanid was her first, since she was raised in a household that worshipped the spider god. Fierce, but capable of being sweet. On rare occasions.

Samurott

“One swing of the sword incorporated in its armor can fell an opponent. A simple glare from one of them quiets everybody.” (Pokémon Black)

Samurott is a very paladin Pokémon.

I actually chose Unovan Samurott over Hisuian Samurott because I don't think she really needs the Dark type– they're actually both really stern in their Pokédex entries, and it just… feels better idk.

Grimmsnarl

“With the hair wrapped around its body helping to enhance its muscles, this Pokémon can overwhelm even Machamp.” (Pokémon Shield)

A morally grey-coded Pokémon that is also an absolute unit? Fuck yes. Absolutely Minthara coded.

Drapion

“Possessing a sturdy build, it takes pride in its strength, taking down foes without using toxins.”

Of course, the prideful Poison/Dark bug is going on Minthara’s team. It really works for her, especially if you stick with the Absolute stuff.

Scolipede

“Highly aggressive, it uses the claws near its neck to dig into its opponents and poison them.” (Pokémon White)

The Paladin needs her poisonous steed!! Her very aggressive steed that tolerates her and her alone!!

Banette

“BANETTE generates energy for laying strong curses by sticking pins into its own body. This POKéMON was originally a pitiful plush doll that was thrown away.” (Pokémon Ruby)

She's a Vengence Paladin that put parasites in her brain while under the Absolute for power. She and Banette get each other.

#halsin silverbough #minthara baenre #balders gate 3 #bg3 #pokémon au #pokémon crossover

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bird-inacage · 2 years

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He’s just so tired of being hurt, but so resigned to it. I think for a moment he gave himself a glimmer of hope that maybe - maybe this time would be different. But as soon as Prapai propositions him, all of Sky’s hope shatters.

His face just utterly killed me. ‘But why? Yet again? What did I do to deserve this?’

#LITA #love in the air #love in the air series #prapaisky #love sky #sky #peat wasuthorn #sky is going to be breaking my heart repeatedly #i felt like i was punched in the gut #i love you so much #sky protection squad #prapai you done some real damage here #you better spend every waking moment making it up to sky or so help you god

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rab1dm1ke · 1 month

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Melony🍉

Facts:

-21

-5’8

- Parents: William (Watermelon man) and Rosemary Seedless

Occupation: Game developer, game designer, artist, hacker and twitch streamer

Physical changes: I changed her body since her being a watermelon and I’ve seen other people do it. I changed her outfit to fit her character more and incorporate watermelons more. I messed with her hair to have some fluff and dark green raccoon strips so she has more watermelon representation. I toned her skin since I’ve seen others do it but I’ve actually never seen someone do a mid tone on her. I gave her watermelon chew strings cause I think she would be one for a chewing habit when nervous or anxious. I made her have spandex shorts so she actually looks like she’s wearing something underneath and altered those little leaves on her head to make them actually looking like leaves.

Changes: I changed quite a bit due to the fact to me she never seemed important or impressionable even in Revelations so I fixed that. So I made her mentally around her age maybe acting childish often but still acts her age and not a 5 year old since that was kinda stupid cause she’s 21 for peats sake. I made her a Game developer so her being a hacker and artist can be put to some use and it can also lead to her having late nights and have a reason for sleeping often. I don’t understand how her dad is the Watermelon man and she didn’t get abilities from genetics so I decided to add that so she had similar abilities like her dad but when she got the Deity mask is gave her god powers which I think would’ve led to some power meltdowns and I imagine her dad also is helping her train sometimes. I decided to give her a mother since it seemed right but not like she’s alive. I gave her a last name cause it felt right so it’s now Melony Seedless. I think she would hang out with Tari and Axol the most cause they gaming and drawing together.

[Unfinished]

#smg4 #smg4 fanart #unfinished #smg4 rewrite #smg4 melony

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emblematicemblazer · 4 months

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World building and theories of Engage

Zelkov

Zelkov's name comes from the Georgian word ‘Zelkova'. Zelkova Carpinifolia translates as ‘column of stone'. In Japanese culture, Zelkova trees are symbols of bravery and wisdom due to their appearance. They have bold, column trucks with elegant umbrellas of bold leafage. It is also believed that a spirit lives in the tree and will protect any village under it. Wise and brave; they are definitely two qualities one could associate with Zelkov as well as being a reliable protector for Ivy.

He is adorned in black/grey/brown tonal shades, a nod to his former deadly profession. Black helps him to blend in with the shadows and the dark. Black is associated with mourning, he is mourning the family he lost in a bandit attack.

The keys that line his jacket are not ideal for a profession that requires sneakiness. I can imagine them clattering around. I believe they have a symbolic meaning more than a practical purpose. Keys can represent knowledge, success and new possibilities. Zelkov aims to open the room to a new hobby to ‘kill time', the door stays open until he has found a new door to open. Keys also lock precious things away. Zelkov's could use the keys to lock the handmade treasures he has made away. In Japan, three keys tied together are considered lucky because they open the doors to love, health and wealth.

Upon his cloak are symbols of eyes. The eye symbol has various different meanings depending upon culture and religion. In Christianity the eyes are a tool created by God. They reflect God, the soul and they serve as a guiding light. God's eye is considered all seeing and compassionate. In Buddhism there is a divine eye known as ‘dibba cakkhu’ which symbolises an eye able to see karma. The Buddha was believed to be able to see people as they really are and their karmic destinations. Hinduism also has an eye that can see beyond the physical realm, the ‘third eye's or ‘Ajna chakra’ which looks inward and towards God. It is the eye of the higher self. In Japanese face reading, if you have ‘yin sanpaku’, white sclera can be seen below the iris rather than above, then you are more likely to run into danger or there is a sinister element to your personality. The eyes on Zelkov's cloak are yin sanpaku, sinister or unlucky eyes.

The cloak serves a practical function, it can be a blanket, a pillow, bandages, an umbrella and protection from the elements. Zelkov's is the only one dressed appropriately for the weather. His clothing is not based on vanity, rather his clothing is designed for him to not be seen. His boots lack the theatrical point, the point is subtle and is designed to assist with trudging through peat, boys and snow. The belts and straps serve a practical purpose, knives can be tucked into them and bags and items can be hung from them.

Zelkov's casual wear has the same level of practicality. Once again he is covered in belts, very useful to hang items for his hobbies in. Imagine a paintbrush tucked into a chest belt.

His clothing is covered in studs, of course they have an association with someone wanting to look tough or edgy, however they also serve a practical purpose. Studs, or rivets help to keep the integrity of belts and fabric in ideas where wear is especially hard. Studs help stop leather belts from cracking. The studs are on areas of the body that would come into contact with a surface when crawling or climbing to protect the garment or accessory.

#fire emblem engage #fe engage #fe zelkov

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ditzybea · 2 years

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Anyone? Really?

Really?!

Why did no one tell me that watching KinnPorsche was like a gateway drug? I never watched a BL series before and now I have subscribed to three streaming services exclusively showing Asian dramas. Not to mention the two dozen or so new accounts I'm following on Instagram!

I've watched KinnPorsche, all of TharnType, I'm caught up on Unforgotten Night, and I just started CutiePie. And my watchlist just keeps getting longer!

A little warning would have been nice, it's all I'm sayin', because I have no chill.

UPDATE! Cutie Pie was better than I thought it would be. Don’t Say No was a hot mess....that I watched in one day. And the angst in Love Mechanics is killing me. Like I said...NO CHILL!

UPDATE UPDATE! Bad Buddy was so good. Not enough kissing...but that says more about me than the show 😁. Old Fashioned Cupcake was so sweet and realistic. Loved it.

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE! On my God...Love Mechanics. Oh my GOD! Loved it on so many different levels. YinWar...such a great couple. I love them both...equally...and completely. And JimmySea in Vice Versa are gonna break my heart, I just know it. Sea Tawinan is A-Dor-Able!

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE! Watched Why R U and phew...ZeeSaint. I need a drink after that. Jumped right into Love by Chance season 1, because Saint is adorable, and some parts were pretty cringy, but I am in LOVE with Perth. I want to watch everything he's done. I am also full-on obsessed with Love in the Air! I get upset when the episode is over. Hopefully this feeling lasts.

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE! I had to stop and restart Love by Chance 2. I hated that they essentially retconned TinCan and started over. I thought they left it a great place at the end of Season 1. Probably didn’t have enough material to start from there for the second season and tried to stretch it out. Oh well, I really only watched it for Perth anyway. Love him so much! Tum and Tar’s relationship still makes me feel icky. They did it better in TharnType a little, but here it was worse. I’m just gonna float in AePete for a little while before I find another ship to ruin me. Hoping for a third season, I need Ae and Pete back together on screen.

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE! Well, I was introduced to OffGun with Not Me. The story was really good, I watched almost the whole thing just today, and I liked the development of the relationships. I only have one gripe to make. The only full-on declaration of love (i.e I love you) came from a couple that had like four scenes and never fully were together on screen. REALLY?! Don’t get me wrong, there were a lot of pretty words that meant love, but an actual “I Love You” came from a guy with a crush.

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE! Ok, this week I watched Theory of Love with OffGun. I loved it! I love really angsty stories anyway and this checked all the boxes. Story was well done, none of the characters were super annoying; all round good one. Unforgotten Night....ugh! I just can’t. After the tenth time Kamol called Kim his lover, I was tapped out. The story was mess and acting was not good. I love trashy as much as the next person, but I couldn't do it. I will say that KhomBaiboon was adorable and I was hoping for more of them. It seemed like everyone was just uncomfortable in their roles. And I am the only one who is loving ViceVersa? It’s a slow burn, but I love everything about it. Plus it brought Perth back! My heart flipped when he came on screen. I ADORE HIM! And Love in the Air is NOT disappointing. It kills me to wait a week for an episode. Boss and Noeul are killing it and I have a feeling that Peat and Fort are going to as well. I can’t wait until they are all interacting!!! And I may have watched "the scene" a few times by now. I can't help myself.

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE! I wasn’t going to update until the weekend, but I just watched all of Semantic Error and y’all! To all the people that recommended this one...THANK YOU!!!! It was so so so good! I loved it from start to finish! I need more of them! I was talking to the TV it was that good. I think I haven’t done that since first season of Ted Lasso. It gave me the same feelings of Lasso, like a warm hug! I’m going to bed now with a light heart.

WEEKLY UPDATE!!! This week I watched Star in My Mind and Star in Your Heart. I had been seeing clips KluenDao popping up my YouTube suggestions and I looked right up my alley. I have always been a sucker for mutual pining and jealous bouts. Not to mention the main protagonist being lusted after by at least four different people at one point. What? It’s a guilty pleasure. JoongDunk were good and they have great chemistry. Some of the dialogue was little cringy, but I am poor barometer for that. I think The Notebook is terrible, mainly because of the dialogue. And honestly the only reason I watched the sequel was to see how it ended. It was a little boring, sorry. Also, I knew the twist in Vice Versa was gonna happen. I knew they were gonna be separated, but that does not mean I was not heartbroken when it happened.

UPDATE! It has been a while since I last updated, so here we go. Vice Versa ended and I loved it. It was completely different and beautiful to watch. I agree with a lot of others, I wanted some of Tess and Tun living in other world, but JimmySea were so lovely. And I can not wait to see what else Sea does.

I watched SOTUS and SOTUS S as recommended by a commenter. I really liked it and SingtoKrist were a great couple, I have crushes on both now in varying degrees. Not a fan of bullies so it was hard to sit through the first few episodes. The push and pull between Kongpob and Arthit was a great enemies to lovers. I mostly watched the second season because there was angst coming and I am an angst whore. It was bit boring, but they were good.

Love in the Air ended and I loved the whole thing. FortPeat were amazing in their half of the season. Sky’s love letter was realistic and not over the top lovey, which is a huge pet peeve for me. Peat played his PTSD so well. It was played really well into the story and was believable. I may have also bought the presale on the special episode and preordered the box set. Never done either before, hopefully everything works out. 😬

I am LOVING Between Us and WinTeam/BounPrem are amazing. I had seen them on in passing for awhile but I hadn’t really watched them, but DAMN! I also watched Until We Meet Again to see the other half of Between Us and I have some feelings. It was a great story, angsty and bittersweet and uplifting...but Dean is a dick! I know it is an unpopular opinion, but I can’t help it. Ohm is great actor and very beautiful, but....he was always pushing Pharm to do things when he wasn’t ready for, whether it be meeting In’s sister or learning about their shared past. I don’t know. He was really selfish in my opinion. Also what was up with Sin’s wig? How can they make someone as gorgeous as Ja creepy looking with that wig. And poor Fluke! That poor kid probably used buckets of Visine and the reason he was so small was because he was very dehydrated. Also their family trees were really hard to keep track of. I’m still not sure who is and isn’t related to who. The world is not that small. How did I not know that all of my favorite BL actors were in one show? But it was a fun surprise each time another favorite popped up.

UPDATE!! Not sure if anyone still reading this to this point, but I’m gonna keep adding to it. I watched Cherry Blossoms After Winter and I liked it. It was a little on light on the intimacy, but it was sweet. I just really wanted more kisses, I can’t help it. I really liked Taesung and Haebom’s relationship. Sucker for protective boyfriends. It did feel a little rushed at the end, but worth the watch.

Finally watched We Best Love 1 & 2 after seeing people raving about it. It checked all my boxes; hidden/secret crush, bickering, really sweet relationship, little bit of jealousy, break up then make up, and great kisses. Definitely worth the time. The secondary couples were kind of glossed over, but SamYu make up for it. Loved it. EDIT! A quick addition to my We Best Love watch. If you can watch the Special Edition version, DO IT! Shots linger a little longer, some scenes are longer, and some things are explained a little better. If you thought Sam broke your heart before, ohhh just wait.

UPDATE! Been a few weeks, so here we go. I've ventured into non-BL dramas for a little bit. I finished Vincenzo on Netflix and OH MY GOD!! It was amazing. Highly recommend! I also watched True Beauty on Viki. Super cute and angsty! And everyone was right, both men were swoonworthy. I even read through the entire webtoon to see how it would have ended if there was a second season.

Ok, back to BL. I watched My Tooth Your Love and it was adorable. The couple, Andy and Yujin, were so good together. Fully enjoyed, but I could not stop seeing Sam Lin whenever I looked at Yujin. I just couldn't help it and I'm ok with it.

Between Us came to an end and well....it was a bit underwhelming, but not why you'd think. The story didn't really fall into the normal tropes in BL, in my opinion. It was a straight up love story. There it a normal drama. People complain when queer stories are not told like "straight" ones and then people are complaining when this one was. You can't please everyone. I was underwhelmed because there were too many couples. There were 5 couples. FIVE! And with only 12 episodes, there was not enough time. As cute of couple as BeePrince were, it just didn't seem to fit. They could have been cut out and their time could have been given to the others. At least with DeanPharm and PruekManow they had time UWMA, but WanTul didn't get enough time. You have to grumpy and sassy would have been so fun to watch.

I watched Lovely Writer and man! I was so much. It was too much. I understand that it was supposed to be a commentary on the BL industry, much like War of Y was last year, but they crammed too many tropes into one show, into one storyline. You name the trope it was in there. Grumpy/sunshine, fan culture, lying/deception, hidden agenda, childhood friends, only one bed, hidden relationship, love triangle, soul mates, closeted parent etc. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it, but it was so much. I kept waiting for another one to pop up. I will say one thing, KaoUp have got kissing down! Damn! I was impressed!

UPDATE!!! Ok, its been a while since I've posted and I have not stopped watching. Bed Friends was not what I was expecting. I thought it was gonna be sexy, which it was, and fluffy, which it was. What I was not expecting was the trauma that they wrote into it. Uffda! I loved the chemistry between Net and James, they really are adorable. I wasn't big fan of Yim's character, his voice grated a bit, but I love Tutor and him together, so I'm excited to see their show next.

I watched Roommates of Poongduck 304 and fell in love with Ji Woong and Seo Bin. Their chemistry was really sweet and Ji Woong was so good. The angst was just the right amount and I wish they had left in the finale kiss as is, but what can you do.

I watched a few Japan BL's; Jack O' Frost, The End of the World With You, and Beautiful Man 1 and 2. No lightness is these, aside from a few comedic moments. These are your more grown-up BL's. I do like that episodes were short so I can watch them in one day. The relationships were a bit more uneven, not toxic per se, but one was definitely subservient to the other. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed them, but.....

The Korean's BL's this year are gonna get their own post because reasons!

Keep the recommendations coming! :)

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anthologiemystika · 1 year

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Orchids: Their Care and Use in Magic

Orchids are by far my favorite flower and for many reasons. They are beautiful, easy to purchase (you can usually find full grown orchids at your local florist or supermarket), and come in some of the most dazzling colors in creation. They are also one of the more overlooked magical flowers to use. Below I will go over the uses, care of, and nature of these picky little beauties.

One of the best thing about Orchids is they are an indoor plant not typically associated with witchcraft, which is perfect for those in the broom closet!

Uses

Orchids are a water element plant with power in both the Venus and Aquarius signs. Orchids are associated with the gods Bacchus and Pan. During a celebration of Bacchanalia, the celebrants killed the son of a satyr. When the satyr prayed to the gods to be given pity, his son was given eternal life and turned into an Orchid, which is how they came to be. Orchids are mainly used in love spells, however are also good for communication. Giving an orchid to a person is said to help put romantic energy into movement. The tubes that hold the flowers, once dried, can be turned into powerful amulets for love. Orchids are also good for contacting the spirit realm, as well as for letting your loved one know you are thinking of them. Overall Orchids are a wonderful flower and plant to use for any spell to contact someone you love either living or dead, help grow new love, and help create peace and harmony in a given space.

Care

So Orchids are a bit picky to everything, too much water and their roots rot, too much light and they burn. Do not put them in soil!!! They require a bark and peat mixture to grow as they breathe through their roots. Water them once a week or so by letting running water flow through the bark and drain, only for a few moments. Alternatively, you can soak them in a small layer of water for about 15 minutes. DO NOT USE ICE TO WATER!! This is a common misunderstanding and can lead to damage to the roots! Place them in a well lit room with no direct sunlight. The room also needs to be able to get to complete darkness overnight as Orchids are one of the few plants that need to “sleep”, by not being in a dark enough room for about 7 hours a night, they could die. When the last few flowers fall off, cut the stem tube they grew from off but leave the rest of the plant. The stem tube can be dried and used for amulets and talismans and, as long as you continue taking care of the plant under the right conditions, they will bloom again and again (I have had mine for close to 5 years now!). There are many subspecies of Orchids, some may be toxic to pets if ingested. Please always do your research before adding them to your home for your furry friends.

#Orchid #plant magic #witchcraft #witchblr #orchids #pagan #RomeoPosting #Green Witchcraft #Garden #Plant care

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tadpoledyke · 12 days

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For those of you who asked, here's the first of my lesbian knight fantasy short stories and I hope to write more.

Lady Deleilun, eldest daughter to King Meuric of Guineda. Rumours surrounded her as thick and tangled as the black locks that cascaded and bounced around her face.That her real father was a fairy king, a Kelpie, or some other terrifying otherworldly being. That she came from the peat bogs, birthed by the mud itself, and if one looked her directly in her deep brown eyes, they would sink into the ground where they stood, slowly engulfed by the warm earth. When a baby with skin like spiced mead is born to alabaster parents, people start talking.

She was never to be a reagent though. Seven years after Deleilun, when her hair was just beginning to grey, Queen Eira birthed twin boys, fair of skin and hair. Siors and Steffan would then grow up to fight. First for their father's affections, then the throne of Guineda.

This had left the young princess to spend her formative years in solitude. While the royal household slept, she would steal manuscripts to read by candlelight, curled up at her windowsill. On warmer nights, if she felt she could get away with it, she would ride into the woods on horseback with a dagger strapped to her thigh.

A lady of her calibre usually had plans of betrothment in the making the minute they procured their first blood. Often, even before that. Gangly, underdeveloped girls wedded to equally immature and awkward boys all for purse and politics. But the rumours around Deleilun kept suitors at bay. Every monarch for miles knew that no dowry was worth angering the faefolk.

That was until swordsmen on their patrols started to see an embodiment of Áine herself instead of an unrefined youth. The twigs in her hair were now more endearing than unkempt, and the whisperings of her beauty, political knowledge and charming manner were starting to outweigh any fear of fae curse. By the time Deleilun turned twenty, the proposals were coming in thick and fast.

Among the nobles from across the lands that tried, there was nobody who could spark even a flicker of interest in her eyes. With most noble ladies her age already married and bearing children, her parents were apprenhensive.

A windy autumn eve, three days to Mabon. The wine, simmered with honey and fruit of the season just as the princess liked, was flowing like water. Lords and princes from as far south as Brittany had displayed their skills with swords, bows and quills: reciting poetry in praise of their lands, themselves and the lady of their affections.

Then came the turn of Prince Cain, heir to the throne of the neighbouring kingdom. Twig-armed and squeaky-voiced, it seemed a miracle that he could even pick up a sword. With a smug smile, he began his verse.

Honor’d thy womb would be

to hold and bear mine fiery seed

Not a second did pass before Deleilun’s jewelled goblet clattered to the floor.

You wretched men with eyes like wolves!

With bile for blood!

Wine soaked into the hem of her dress, staining the soft white wool red as she strode across the court.

Where I see maiden you see meat!

You want not wives nor mothers!

Accursed is the woman who shares your bed!

Accursed is the daughter she shall then bear!

Cain reached for his sword but a steely gaze from one of his knights stayed his hand.

If you so think my womb be a coffer,

So help me God,

I shall see that it will never be filled.

this maiden betrothes herself

To the rich, wet soils

The wrinkled trees

The blossoming flowers, the babbling brooks,

sweetest of fruit that Guineda bears,

And the providence from which they come!

And thus, she shall never lay with a man!

I declare with all thee and God as my witness!

I will never lay with a man!

Meredydd inhaled sharply, trying their best to maintain a knight’s stoic expression. There was more poetry in the fair maiden’s outburst than there was in any of the verses the nobles had recited that night. And what a maiden she was too. A hallowed sight. Earth brown skin glowing with passion, fire behind her eyes and a single tear rolling down her plump rosy cheek.

This was the same girl who had regularly awoken them in the dead of night to steal candied ginger and almonds from the castle confectionery. These were more than simple midnight treats, though. They were currency to bribe the stable-hands with, should they be spotted trying to sneak her horse out.

Her face would flicker in the weak lamplight and Merydydd’s arms would ache. Sore from training, those arms would still labor. Hoisting the princess onto her horse, picking her up when she would Tumble into the creek. Over years of this midnight ritual, she had learnt to control her horse with just her legs, the way knights did to keep their hands free for weapons.

How long before I can hunt pigeons with you and the other squires then, Didkins?

We don’t hunt pigeons, your highness. You need a falcon for that and even father doesn’t have one.We shoot deer on horseback, sometimes boar and pheasant. All things you will be able to do when you stop snapping your bowstring at my arm.

Keep calling me that and I’ll keep doing it, Didkins!

She laughed and snapped her bowstring once more. And by God and all his divine creation, Merydydd could never forget that laugh.

A gentle tap on their shoulder brought the esquire back to reality. Most of the guests and the royal family had left the great hall. The torches were starting to dim, and nobody was bothering to top up their grease.

Merydydd. I am assigning you to Lady Deleilun’s quarters tonight. Inside. I know it is not customary but the King insists. After tonight…

The older knight trailed off, trying to find the proper words to describe the unspeakable

Yes, Sir. His Majesty is right to worry. Nothing men want more than a woman they can’t have.

Sir Ivor placed a heavy hand on Merydydd’s shoulder.

No blunders tonight, son. If the Lady is hurt her father will have my head.

Yes, Father.

It was just past midnight when Merydydd gently opened the heavy oak door to Lady Deleilun’s room. The first thing they sensed was the warmth from the fire, which bathed the whole room in a flickering orange light. A cool autumn breeze whistled through the gaps in the window shutters, made from beautifully carved deer antlers. Deleilun’s ladies in waiting cuddled up on a soft hay mattress on the floor, while the princess herself was fast asleep in her elaborate bed, lost within the pile of pillows, blankets and a soft bearskin for warmth. Her beloved tomcat Llew paced around the bed, yellow eyes alert to any vermin that may emerge from the walls.

The young soldier propped themselves up on the window ledge and gazed out over the castle grounds, determined not to fall asleep.

It was difficult. The fire was warm. The gentle rhythmic snores of all three ladies was comforting. Merydydd took to pinching themselves every minute or so to keep awake.

A sudden rustle and the sound of tiptoed footsteps made them start and jump from their post. They spun around, ready to draw their sword.

I thought sleep would have taken you by now, soldier.

Merydydd could not decide where to look as the firelight flickered delicately across her bare skin. The only thing that covered her was the soft veil over her hair, from which dark, curly tendrils emerged. The rest of it was in two long braids that fell over her chest.

It was hard to think of the chivalrous thing to do in this moment.

Lady Deleilun squinted a little, and then smiled softly.

Didkins?

Merydydd’s face only got redder as she approached.

Hand me that dress before I freeze my tits off. Where’s all that knightly chivalry?

She teased as her old friend rushed to grab the woolen robe she had pointed out.

Merydydd finally spoke.

Do you need the chamber pot, my lady?

Deleilun shook her head and turned around, motioning to Merydydd to lace her dress up.

They did, trying not to think about the way their fingers felt brushing against her soft skin.

I’m restless. I need to go to the chapel.

It’s not safe, your highness! There’s a reason I’m here.

Come with me then. You’re armed aren’t you?

Merydydd placed a hand on the hilt of their sword and nodded. Deleilun smiled and grabbed her Didkin’s hand before they could object. The pair crept from her room, tiptoeing down the stone steps and across a small stretch or garden to the chapel.

Deleilun knelt before the altar and quickly made a sign of the cross as Merydydd tried to light one of the old, half-melted candles. The castle had a few chapels and this one was the least used. Covered in moss and ivy, it was hardly appropriate for nobility, but she liked the solitude it provided.

He finally got a flame going and sat to the side, avoiding eye contact.

Merydydd’s training for knighthood had intensified in recent years, putting a stop to their midnight adventures. Deleilun remembered all of his complaints about the weapons the squires had to train with; purposefully made to be heavier than those used in combat. They certainly did his biceps good. The presentations of proposals had given her an excuse to look at him from afar. He had grown into a fine man of honourable stoicism.

What she saw now was the Didkin she was accustomed to. Bashful, boyish charm. Hair the colour of autumn leaves, tousled by the wind that brings them. Innumerable freckles dancing in the light of burning tallow. In contrast with his muscular frame, his face was still soft. Grey-green eyes wide, with beautiful long lashes that curled upwards like new shoots.

She sighed and turned her eyes back to the wooden cross. Symbolism of the Son of Man aside, it was a calming shape. So simple. Drawing the eyes in a repetitive motion.

Do you think I’ll miss out, Didkin? On copulation, that is.

He replied without looking up from the candle flame.

I wouldn’t know, my lady.

She raised her eyebrows.

Really? Young handsome squire like yourself?

His cheeks flushed at her compliment and he turned his face upward, away from the candlelight so as to hide it. Once it subsided, he turned to meet her expectant gaze for the first time that night.

It’s not that simple, Deleilun.

He whispered. She could not help but smile slightly at his use of her first name. Just as he used to do in the days when they would play in the paddock, muddy from spring rain. Running and tripping and rolling and wrestling, alongside the other children of the noble households and the hunting hounds.

You remember picking llygad y dydd for me? Almost every day, in the seasons that they grew. The little white ones?

He nodded.

You are a good man, Didkin. You always have been.

Didkin looked at the cross, then at Deleilun, then back at the cross.

There is something I must show you, Deleilun.

He sighed, voice quivering a little as he slowly crossed himself. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. He then stood up, kicked his boots off and started pulling his trousers and leggings off as well. Once those were off he gathered the clothing covering his top half, and lifted it up over his chest as his friend looked on, alarmed.

Goodness Merydydd what-

Look, Deleilun. Please just look.

Her eyes scanned his form, every curve and crevice more pronounced in the yellow candlelight. She was about to ask, what injury warranted the swaths of bandages around his chest, when her gaze landed in between his sturdy thighs. No phallus extended from the bramble bush of pubic hair.

Put your clothes on before you catch your death, you sheep’s dick.

Merydydd nervously put their clothes back on, never taking their gaze off Deleilun. She had turned back towards the altar, lips pursed in thought.

I’m sorry, your highness… I… should not have … I can explain …

Deleilun smiled slightly and shook her head

You can’t surprise me with much, Didkins.

Father’s mother, somewhat prophetic. Before she died, told mama she would birth a girl destined to be a knight… I suppose that’s me.

Deleilun turned to face them, grabbing both his hands.

Are you a girl though, Didkins?

Merydydd bit their lip as the princess continued

When I was born, so many thought, from the way that I looked, that I could never be my father’s daughter. Some people still fear that. Even I don’t know the truth.

He sighed.

The truth is I don’t feel a woman. But I am no man either: only as much man as it takes to pick a lady’s favourite flowers.

And teach her to ride? And handle a bow?

Deleilun added, smiling as she made little circles around his knuckles with her thumbs.

She giggled as she met eyes with the squire and pulled him closer. Merydydd smiled slightly, already feeling the rumoured pull of her peat-bog eyes.

#tales of guineida #fancy rambles #short story #butch femme

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