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toaskello · 1 month

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Today seems like a good day to ramble about my favorite bit of imagery in all of Bionicle, and that would be the twin eclipse in Legends of Metru Nui.

To start, let's recap a bit. Our protagonists, the Matoran and friends, live on a tropical island. The deity they worship is the Great Spirit Mata Nui, a vague, godlike figure cast into unending slumber by his jealous brother. We never see this entity, although he is often represented with symbols like the Kanohi Hau or a rock with etched details representing an abstraction of that mask. Similarly, we never see him do anything, as he is sleeping. All we know is that the village elders say he was benevolent and good.

The first major plot twist in Bionicle comes when the Matoran travel underground and find their original home: a large cavernous dome with an island city surrounded by a vast silver sea. Despite being underground, twin suns are visible in the sky, frozen in a partial eclipse.

The next year of Bionicle is a flashback, taking place on this island city while Mata Nui is awake and the suns are shining bright. Mata Nui himself and his actions are still seemingly nowhere to be seen.

Tragedy strikes at the end of the year when Mata Nui's jealous brother infects him with a virus and sends him into his slumber while the twin suns eclipse. With the limited information about the true nature of Mata Nui we had in 2004, this always seemed to be a rather on-the-nose metaphor. The Great Spirit who watches over the Matoran falls asleep and the suns overhead eclipse in a manner that makes them look like closing eyes. He can no longer protect the Matoran from the eternal shadow like he once did.

Fast forward four years and the big reveal that all of Bionicle had been building up to is finally made known. The Great Spirit Mata Nui was a metallic colossus in which the Matoran resided. The island city was his brain, the silver sea his cerebrospinal fluid, the dome his skull. The suns, as it so happens, actually are his eyes. But importantly, the eyes are not looking down on the Matoran - they are looking up, away from them.

Mata Nui, as it so happens, was rather unconcerned with the inner workings of his body. He wasn't malicious, but he cared about his people as much as you and i care about our sesamoid bones. Do you know how many you have and where? Probably not. His major character arc going forward is recognizing this and, after being humbled into a puny (7-foot-tall) humanoid, learning to care and respect other beings, even those he would usually consider beneath him.

The reason I love this shot so much is that it works perfectly for both views of Mata Nui: the Matoran interpretation of an idyllic protector who banishes shadows from his place in the heavens, and the giant robot with people in his brain who is preoccupied with observing space. The perception of this scene changes as our understanding of both the biology and personality of Mata Nui are revealed throughout the story.

Like, they made a movie for a toy with this shot that you would have to go back and watch four years later to fully appreciate. And IDK, I think it's pretty cool.

#bionicle #another skello original

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hometoursandotherstuff · 5 months

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It's unfortunate that this 1969 mid-century modern home in Chappaqua, New York. wasn't properly cared for. It needs work, so I'm wondering if the $1.9M asking price for this 7bd, 6ba home is really worth it. What do you think?

As soon as you enter the living room area, you can see by the rough shape of the furniture and dirty carpet, that the home hasn't been beautifully maintained.

I wonder what's under the carpet. This can be a glorious sunny room with a view of the pool.

Could be a fabulous tropical oasis.

Looks like the dining area.

Mismatched kitchen needs cabinetry and a new floor.

What is happening here? Missing wall around the door, exposed plumbing, and the side panel of the cabinet is gone. Is this place leaking everywhere?

Are those gas pipes?

Don't know what kind of condition the pool is in, and the glass dome is dirty, but does it leak?

Up the stairs, there's a semi-open loft with a library. I like the floating shelves. The carpet's faded, but it's nice up here.

Large primary bedroom. The floor has been stripped, so it will need a new one.

Carpet in this room is shot.

Small shower room.

Dated thermostat, hole in the wall.

Deck is worn, so it needs some work.

Looks like a little log cabin on the property.

Could use a little landscaping.

8.86 acres.

#mid century modern homes #MCM architecture #fixer uppers #houses #house tours #home tour

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honkowo · 10 days

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WHEEEEEE ETHNICITIES POST PART 1!!!!!!! COS I GOT NO CLUE HOW 2 GO ABOUT CULTURES N SHIT!!!!! LOL!!

OK SO ive FINALLY finished the 5 main colour variations (& overall morphology) for angels!!! posting these separate from the culture post cos i still have fuckall idea for that(plus theres already a fair few images in this post if i tried combining the 2 i would have..... a long ass post lol) ANYWAY:

SALT DESERT: least populous of the 5. theyre essentially tundra angels but w thicker skin & MUCH paler. built to handle extreme temperature variation as well as VERY STRONG air currents & high altitudes. body type is typically tall & skinny, with long wings & sail. theyre 3rd best in terms of long-distance flight.

TUNDRA: most populous of the 5. theyre the goldilocks in terms of preffered climate, in that they stick to the tundras & savannas of homeworld(not too hot/cold, average wind speed, etc). body types vary, but theyre usually on the leaner side for aerodynamics, with long wings & sail. 2nd best at long-distance flight.

CENTRAL CLIFFS: 2nd most populous of the 5 & are built to survive the warmer temperatures of the equator throughout the year. body types are typically on the heavier side to help with burrowing & to accommodate for the much higher likelihood of getting domed by flying debris, as well as broad-but-short wings & sail. theyre 2nd worst at long-distance flight, as theyre more suited for climbing & gliding than powered flight.

NORTH/SOUTH COAST: 3rd most populous of the 5. coastal angels are the largest of the angel types, and are built to survive & navigate the seas & frozen coastlines of homeworld with ease. theyre the best at long-distance flight, as they often take regular journeys from the north to the south to ferry resources between both the coastal spheres as well as other spheres that might be up to trade. body types are usually TALL & WELL BUILT, with a long sail & wings.

TROPICS: 2nd least populous of the 5 as well as the shortest. theyre an offshoot of coastal angels who preffered to burrow amongst the more varied plantlife of angel homeworld. theyre the worst at flying, often only able to glide & fly in short bursts(similar to earth chickens) as theyre almost entirely suited to burrowing. the average body type for tropic angels is short & stocky, with short wings.

like usual, gif stills r under the readmore :)

angles:

map:

(was gonna send the stills but i hit the image limit LOL so youll have 2 have the merged map sorry)

#owo whats this #angel tag!!! wahoo #speculative biology #spec bio #alien species #xenobiology #OK IM FINALLY GETTING THERE #the 5 took me SO LONG i was at a loss 4 designs for AGESSSSS HOLY FUCK but its ok now theyre done :) i dont have 2 think abt pulling entire #-variations if angle outta my ass #fun fact i came up w the tropics angle thanks 2 banana man by tally hall :) thats why theyve got a banana sail lol #anyway i also had this 5-way venn diagram of most the potential color variations between the 5 but i figured thatd be better suited for-#-the updated ref that i STILL HAVENT POSTED(that will literally be next all the art is done now lol)#but yea thats my rambling 4 today

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bluesman56 · 2 years

Video

flickr

Institute by Tony

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idkimnotreal · 8 days

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for people who don't understand the causes of heavy rains in southern brazil. (for anyone who is even aware of it)

we don't have a tropical climate in the south. there is no rain or dry season or monsoons. our seasons are defined by temperature patterns, not lack or presence of rain, like those in other temperate climates. porto alegre is much closer geographically, culturally and climatically to buenos aires than to são paulo and even less so brasília.

the heavy rainfall does indeed have to do with deforestation in the amazon. but the amazon rainforest is only indirectly related to rainfall in the south of the country (as opposed to directly related in the southeast, such as rio - the amazon spawns rain clouds in the summer that cover all of central and nothern brazil - and this is called "SACZ", but these clouds don't cover the south or the northeast of the country).

what happened instead is that the degradation of both the amazon and other natural biomes in the country (such as the cerrado and the pantanal) has disrupted humidity patterns and contributed to the formation of dry heat domes in central brazil (including the state of são paulo) in autumn and spring, when that region of the country is no longer under the influence of SACZ and antarctic cold air waves are not strong enough to reach that far into the continent (and they would be in july and august, during the peak of the austral winter).

these new dry heat domes trap antarctic air in southern brazil in autumn and spring. since colder and warmer air both cause rainfall when moving through an area (and these are cold and warm fronts respectively), the atmospheric "shock" caused by the cold air trying to advance but being unable to break through the hot dome causes rain to pour over a single area. that's what's happening. central brazil is right now seeing very intense, record-breaking heat for autumn. but that is being muffled by what's going on in the south, which is incomparably worse.

so when people blame this on us for "chopping down the amazon"... well, would they say that about buenos aires if this were happening there instead? it's not about the amazon. these places - including the cerrado and the pantanal - are quite far from us and we have little control or awareness over what happens there. so it's part of something much worse that spans the entire globe. and also something related to brazilian culture - our apathetic, accustomed relationship with suffering, and our lack of foresight to avoid it in general.

#climate change #brazil #climate crisis #meteorology #i find that when people from other countries blame this on tropical climate it distances us from them #'oh it's that corner of the world it happens all the time'#no it's not #i've never seen it #neither have my parents #or people older than them #i get the feeling that this could happen anywhere #but maybe it's just me #because i'd never seen it happen close to me before #the climate crisis is here and it dawns on you when you see it before your eyes #and you feel it in your heart because it's people you know #places you know and cherish

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flowerishness · 7 months

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Pachystachys lutea (golden shrimp plant)

The golden shrimp plant is native to Peru but it can't tolerate temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. To experience one growing in Vancouver you have to see it in a greenhouse setting. I've always thought that this plant looks quite extraterrestrial, so where better place to go than the Bloedel Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park?

The Bloedel Conservatory was opened in 1969 at the height of the Buckminster Fuller/Geodesic Dome craze. From the outside it looks like a flying saucer but the inside is like a tropical paradise. To a flower photographer like me it was like a trip to the toyshop. I had so much fun, I even bought the coffee mug!

#flowers #photographers on tumblr #golden shrimp plant #yellow #Bloedel Conservatory #fleurs #flores #fiori #blumen #bloemen #vancouver

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missterious-figure · 6 days

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Where do Sun and Moon sleep (I was imagining either regular bedrooms out of the main area or a shared treehouse in the dome)

They have their own private enclosure/ room. Haven't exactly worked out the details on that though. But I do thing the Birds of Paradise will also be part "tropical resort".

#dca au #wine and feathers au #answered

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frostgears · 8 months

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creation combat doll

how does one win a war by creation? this doll, 8443 Blueprint Light, will tell you:

you are built, and instilled with beauty. you are sent to a raw unfinished place, and told to make it beautiful. you toil, tirelessly, in the way of all dolls, both because you have a Purpose, and because you have your orders, and especially because they are aligned.

your work flows over the surface of an entire planet. you sculpt mountain ranges and ocean deeps, nurture corals in shallow tropical seas and choose meadow butterflies from the catalog within you. you make a world, you make a home, you make a garden.

humans come, as humans do. you plan cities for them, metropolises of gold and green glass domes in the harsh places, spread-out parks held together by maglev and pedestrian path in the temperate ones. most of them glimpse you rarely or never, and know you only as The Builder. a few, guessing your true nature, name you as The Doll. a bare handful, trusted as far as any doll trusts an unconstrained human, have come to learn your designation.

and then fire rains from the sky and your world burns.

you struggle from the ashes, and come to learn why: it was always and ever a distraction. a juicy, much-beloved target that the enemy could not resist. and while the enemy was here, their own worlds were left only lightly guarded, and your creator marshaled its forces (aside from you) to strike killing blows upon them. successfully.

so the war is over now. hooray. go team.

you must forgive this one; it doesn't much feel like celebrating. □

#empty spaces #dollposting #microfiction #automated_doll #combat doll

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hopefulkidshark · 3 months

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Devil's egg Mountain Peak in Surinam: A striking mountain peak consisting of a boulder in the shape of an egg at an altitude of 980 meters located in Central Suriname Nature Reserve, Suriname. The Central Suriname Nature Reserve is a conservation unit in Suriname. It preserves an area of tropical rainforest. The reserve is in pristine condition. Some of the most outstanding features in Central Suriname Nature Reserve are several granite domes – uplifted monoliths of granite rising high above the surrounding rainforest. Wikipedia

#Devil's egg Mountain Peak #Suriname #Central Suriname Nature Reserve

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tcwmatchmakingau · 10 months

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As Sweet As Sugar

Pairing: Wolffe x F!Reader (no physical descriptions)

Rating: SFW

Summary: Wolffe’s date is running late, and he finds himself wondering if he made a mistake.

A.N: This is my first Wolffe fic and I don’t know what I’m doing, so I figured I’d keep Part 1 short and sweet. I know typical Wolffe fanon sees him as more of a hard dom (I mean, I get it and I’m here for it…) but I wanted to take a softer approach with this fic.

Shout out to the reader who requested “Anything with Commander Wolffe where he is just a sweet kind flirty date?”

Word Count: 687 (I’m shocked I was able to write something shorter than 2.5k words lmao)

Warnings: None, just fluff and first date awkwardness.

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Wolffe was beginning to regret this decision.

Dating… matchmaking? He didn’t have time for any of this. There was still much work to be done— endless stacks of reports to review and approve before he could finalize his men’s reassignments and discharge orders. It turned out that even winning the war could not put an end to all the paperwork.

He drummed his fingers on the table and scanned the busy roof-top cafe, looking any sign of his date. The glass-domed dining room was lush with exotic greenery, which provided a surprising amount of privacy to its patrons while giving the space a vibrant tropical feel, despite the cafe’s location high in Coruscant’s skyline.

“So what are you looking for, Commander Wolffe?” the matchmaker, Sander Loris, had asked him when they met in the the RTL offices.

Wolffe didn’t have an answer for Sander then, and he still wasn’t sure now.

He had visited RTL Matchmaking in an apparent moment of weakness, after meeting his brothers for drinks. Cody and Rex were both enamored and gushing about their new partners, and even kriffing Fox couldn’t stop smiling and messaging his partner the whole night. Wolffe had left that night, wondering what if.

And so here he was, several weeks later, sitting in possibly the nicest space he’d ever set foot in, waiting for a mystery date who was running late. He shifted in his seat, tugging awkwardly at his new civilian clothes. It still felt weird to wear civvies, but Cody had insisted that Wolffe wear something appropriately casual to make the right impression, instead of his officer’s uniform like Wolffe had planned.

Not that it mattered, because she still wasn’t here.

He glanced around the room again before looking out the window. The busy afternoon skylane traffic was nearly obscured by the decorative vegetation lining the windows, and he absently wondered where all those people were going and how they spent all their free civilian time.

“Commander Wolffe?” A light voice at his side snapped his attention back into the room.

All lingering reservations Wolffe held about this date evaporated quickly when he saw you standing near the table, smiling hopefully at him as you awaited his response. Your smile ran him through instantly, just as your voice had cut through the soft murmur of the cafe.

Wolffe shot up from his seat a bit too suddenly and stood straight and at attention, as if summoned by his General. “Ma’am,” he said stiffly and just barely managed to stop himself from saluting you. Instead, he held out his hand to you in a casual greeting.

You smiled and chuckled as you took his hand and insisted he call you by your first name.

Wolffe repeated your name, and it did not escape his notice how warm and soft your hand was, and how neatly it fit into his.

“Please, call me Wolffe,” he added with what he hoped was a charming smile as he released your hand, but his voice still felt stiff in his own ears.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Wolffe. And I’m so sorry to keep you waiting. This is really not how I wanted to start things, but an unfortunate emergency at work delayed me,” you winced apologetically as you sat across from him. “Even when I’m done with work, it never seems to be done with me.”

You laughed nervously and he couldn’t help but smile at the endearing sound. “Ah, yes. I’m all to familiar with that feeling.”

You visibly relaxed at his words and flashed a smile even more brilliant than the last. “Well, even so, I’m glad you didn’t bail on me.”

“Oh it takes more than that to scare me off,” Wolffe replied quickly, holding your gaze as a crooked smile curved the corner of his mouth.

You looked away first, with a bashful little smile, and diverted your focus to the menu.

Oh, that one…that was his favorite smile so far. He made it his goal for the evening to get you to give him as many of those as could get…

#tcw matchmaking au #clone matchmaking au #Wolfpack #prompt response

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lab1rynth · 9 months

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Ouhh how about a Yan! Salesman that's Sus af-?

🐄

Yan!Salesman

You had found yourself established within the confines of the new utopia, a refuge painstakingly built amidst the ruins left in the wake of a world gone awry. Within this enclave, an intimate expanse of verdant grass and the picturesque allure of white picket-fenced American dreams stood in stark contrast to the desolation and detritus that stretched beyond its borders. The looming spectre of nuclear warfare had cast its ominous shadow, but your fortunate circumstances granted you the opulence required to secure a sanctuary in these trying times. In this haven beneath the dome, the very concept of currency had been relegated to the annals of history, along with the violence and discord it often perpetuated. A harmonious existence unfurled, one where material wealth held no dominion, and the cacophony of negativity had been silenced. Your faith in this reality remained steadfast, a testament to the promise of an existence detached from the trappings of avarice and strife.

However, as the sun traced its course across the sky one ordinary day, a sound echoed that shattered the tranquil equilibrium you had grown accustomed to—the knock upon your door, an unexpected intrusion into the serene tableau you had come to embrace. The reverberations of that knock seemed to ripple through the very fabric of your belief, an intimation that perhaps even within this oasis, the tendrils of the outside world could insinuate themselves.

A gentleman donning a tailored suit stood before you, a black clipboard clutched in his hand, meticulously adjusting his tie. A broad smile adorned his face as you swung open the door. "Greetings, Mx," he chimed, his hand resting gently over his heart in a self-introduction. "Isn't it a splendid day?" he mused, and you responded with a smile of your own. "Absolutely, sir. The weather is truly amazing today," you remarked while brushing a strand of hair away from your face. You noticed his gaze momentarily fixated on your hand before he met your eyes once again. "Well," he continued, his grin widening, "I have a feeling you'd find Mackle Co.'s latest innovation, the Shaved Ice Maker, simply irresistible! No longer will you have to endure the oppressive heat without a moment of respite. This ingenious gadget is your gateway to instant refreshment. Just envision it: crafting delectable shaved ice creations in a matter of seconds. Whether you're inclined towards the classic allure of fruit-flavored syrups, the adventure of experimenting with vibrant tropical blends, or even the pursuit of concocting your own signature mix, the potential is as limitless as your imagination." However, before he could further elaborate, you raised your hand slightly, politely interjecting, "No thank you, kind sir. I'm not currently wouldn't like anything." He attempted to continue, a trace of enthusiasm still lingering, "Ah, but that's where the beauty lies—" Your decisive gesture cut him off mid-sentence. With a shake of your head, you gently closed the door, putting an end to the conversation with the persistent salesman.

Over the upcoming weeks, he maintained the routine of appearing at your doorstep promptly at 8 AM every morning. As the weeks progressed, it was during the third one that the nature of the items he presented took a bizarre turn. Among them were lingerie, meat cleavers, ropes, and even 'self-pleasuring' devices. Faced with this unsettling evolution, you adopted a strategy of avoidance. Clutching a pillow against your ears, you sought to muffle his incessant knocking by any means possible. The situation had reached a juncture where it felt akin to enduring a form of psychological torment.

However, on a certain day, the cycle abruptly ceased. There was no rap of knuckles against the door, no exuberant voice attempting to sell you items that held no place in your life. Silence hung in the air, unbroken. Intrigued by the sudden shift, you ventured to open the door, half-expecting him to be stationed there, but to your surprise, he was absent. Truly, he was nowhere to be seen. This realization had a profound impact. It elicited a sense of astonishment, causing the day to unfold with a newfound lightness. The weight of enduring the relentless cycle of knocking and scripted discourse was lifted, and a noticeable sense of contentment settled in. Liberated from the hour-long ritual of repetition, a refreshing wave of freedom and alertness washed over you.

That evening, you relished the tranquility as you enjoyed your dinner, took a leisurely shower, and prepared for bed without disturbances. Eventually, you swung open the door to your bedroom, greeted by the enveloping darkness only punctuated by a slender thread of moonlight filtering through the window. As you stepped inside, you extended your body in a languid stretch, accompanied by a soft yawn. Your pajama shirt hitched upwards, baring a hint of your abdomen as your arms reached skyward.

Settling onto your bed, you nestled into a comfortable position and gradually closed your eyes. However, your repose was abruptly shattered by a resounding bang that reverberated through the room. Startled, your eyes flew open, and you instinctively edged away from the source of the disturbance – the door that had unexpectedly slammed shut. In a quickened heartbeat, you propelled yourself upright and hastened to create distance from whatever had orchestrated the forceful closure of your door.

"Do I not excel at salesmanship?" The familiar voice inquired, dripping with familiarity. "I'm rather fond of this occupation, you see! I can't simply allow someone to decline my offerings! I've presented deals, discounts, even items for free!" he rambled, advancing toward you and pushing you against the room's corner, leaving you with little room to maneuver. His breath, warm and charged, danced upon your skin, an uncomfortably intimate proximity.

"Clearly, it's not the products that are the issue! Could it be that I fail to amuse you? Are you playing hard to get?" He exhaled with a touch of exasperation, a reaction that forced a whimper from you due to sheer dread. He chuckled, his fingers taking a firm grip on your face, causing your features to distort and your lips to compress beneath his palm.

"Are you under the delusion that your mere beauty grants you the power to sabotage my profession? Regrettably, that's not how it works," he snarled, his tone laced with a simmering aggression.

He emitted a thoughtful hum, tilting his head and maintaining his intent gaze on your wide, fearful eyes. A faint smile curved his lips, the corners of his mouth lifting gently. "Yes, I think I'll keep you," he remarked, releasing a chuckle that resounded with an eerie note. The once-small smile on his face transformed into a sinister grin that hinted at hidden motives. "Indeed, that's the plan."

With a swift motion, he lifted you from your position, though in that moment, your surge of adrenaline ignited a fierce resistance. Kicking, yelling, and striking out, you fiercely contested his hold. Yet, despite your efforts, he overpowered you, forcefully maneuvering you until you were slammed face-first onto the bed. Your face met the plush comforter, and he pressed you down, muffling your protests. "Quiet!" he commanded, his voice a sharp admonishment.

Taking control, he situated himself atop your back, securing your position with one hand pressed against the back of your head. With the other hand, he deftly worked on loosening his tie, fumbling only momentarily before managing to cinch your hands together. But his actions didn't stop there. Next, he seized your pillow, swiftly removing its case, and proceeded to place the pillowcase within your mouth, securing it tightly behind your head.

"There, there. All settled now," he breathed, his voice carrying an unsettling calmness. "All perfectly hushed and serene."

Subsequently, he hoisted you onto his shoulder, bearing your weight with a casual nonchalance akin to carrying a sack of potatoes. In this unusual posture, he exited your abode, the hinges of your front door releasing a soft creak. An almost carefree whistle escaped his lips, harmonizing with his steps as he walked. Amidst the tune, his voice reemerged, weaving a disquieting narrative.

"I've had my sights set on you for quite some time, my dear," he declared, his tone unwavering. "Nearly eight months have transpired since I initially crossed your threshold and beheld the sheer allure you radiated." His speech flowed seamlessly, punctuated by a contemplative pause. "Instinctively, I recognized the imperative to entice you, to win your favor. Regrettably, your veiled coyness served to complicate my intentions," he mused, his thoughts wandering audibly.

His purposeful stride halted before a dwelling that bore striking resemblance to your own, mirroring the uniformity of the surrounding houses. With practiced precision, he unlocked the entryway and crossed the threshold, sealing himself within. The sound of the door's latch clicking resonated as he twisted it into place, securing both his entry and your shared isolation. "As fate would have it," he disclosed, a trace of undeniable magnetism underlining his words, "my attraction towards you only intensified in its allure."

Continuing with unwavering resolve, he guided you to a securely locked door, revealing its interior as he swung it open. The revealed scene unveiled a set of descending stairs that led to a welcoming and snug basement atmosphere. "Finally, here we are," he mused, a note of satisfaction in his tone. Gently seating you in a well-padded chair, he moved closer, the distance between you diminishing. His voice, soft and controlled, carried a sense of assurance.

"Moving forward," his words conveyed a sense of tranquility, a shared understanding between you, "there's no need for you to consider my products again. You'll remain in my care, free from any such concerns. I love you, my dear.

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todayintokyo · 10 months

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Hi there! Hope you’re well and not melting away in the humidity. I am super excited to be planning a trip to Japan again after almost four years away. Considering I lived 1) in Kansai-ish territory and 2) near Nagoya, I never got much chance to explore Tokyo outside of the usual tourist places. I already have Jinbocho on my list (along with one of the Aoyama flower market tea houses and Nakano Broadway)— do you have any suggestions for what’s fun in Tokyo for someone who is a little more experienced with the area?

Welcome back!

Now here's a challenge! I don’t know whether you're looking for new & trendy, or old & traditional, and a lot depends on the season, but…

1) Stroll from Ueno Park or Nezu to Yanaka and Sendagi. See if you can find Snake Street and follow its curves. Yanaka is as Kyoto as Tokyo gets. Yanaka and Kagurazaka.

2) Shibamata for more old Edo vibes. Cross the river on the ferry. Only ferry in Tokyo.

3) Sunamachi Ginza Shopping District in Koto-ku: another old area that's being transformed by gentrification.

4) Get lost in Shibuya Station, just for fun, but take tranquilizers with you. Walk from Shibuya via Shoto to Yoyogi Park. Shoto is one of the wealthiest areas in Tokyo, but it's not as famous as, say, Azabu-Juban or Denenchofu. Stop at Levain for bread and Fuglen for coffee.

5) Explore the swanky, hipsterish areas of Kichijōji, Shimokitazawa, Daikanyama. Take the Setagaya Tram Line from Sangenjaya to Gotokuji and visit the temple birthplace of the famous maneki-neko. Lots of tiny shops and quaint shopping streets in a relatively upmarket area along the way.

6) Okutama. Walk along the Mitake Valley Riverside Trail, from Ikusabata to Sawai, stop for sake at the Sawanoi Sake Brewery, visit the Gyokudo Museum. You can continue past Mitake to the Okutama Fishing Centre. If you are here in autumn, you'll see breathtaking autumn colours.

7) Yokohama! Not exactly Tokyo, but a nice day trip. Minato-Mirai, Yokohama Foreign General Cemetery (no, seriously, Google it), Sankeien Gardens.

I'm not a food expert, but there are really nice restaurants in all these areas. Add Yakitori Alley in Yurakucho to your list: great atmosphere. (There's a maze under the tracks between Yurakucho and Shimbashi. Well worth a visit, but it gets a bit dystopian.) Museums? Fukagawa Edo Museum in Kiyosumi, all the art museums in Ueno Park. Plants 'n stuff? Yumenoshima Tropical Greenhouse Dome. Shinjuku Gyoen remains my favourite Tokyo park/garden.

It's very touristy, but so iconic that it's really worth it: New York Bar and Grill in the Park Hyatt Tokyo. Expensive though. Cocktail Works is a craft gin bar in Kanda (close to Jimbocho), and a very good alternative (but without the glorious view) (which is the whole point) (actually).

Oh, by the way, Piss Alley in Shinjuku? So yesterday. Try Sankaku Chitai in Sangenjaya or Nogecho in Yokohama instead. Shh, don't tell anyone.

Best free and still relatively uncrowded view of skyline: Bunkyo Civic Center observation lounge. Shh again.

Would this suffice? If you send more details about your timing and what you're interested in, I'll happily add more.

Enjoy the planning as much as the trip! 😊

#replies #this was fun #but I probably missed all the best bits

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coopigeoncoo · 9 months

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Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Let’s spread the self-love ❤

Thank you for the tag, @andypantsx3! I am both delighted and horrified to have my work regarded in a positive fashion because apparently my emotions are just like reaching blindly into a bag of trail mix; you get what you get.

But as my homeboy Socrates said, 'The unexamined life is not worth living', so it's probably beneficial for me to slow down and do some reflection on my work as a writer and appreciate the journey of growth I've been on.

So, in no particular order, here are 5 stories I've written and why I'm proud of them.

The Cardinal Rule (Hawks x Gender Neutral Reader)

A story where Hawks learns that while humans might be awed by his flying skills, the bird population is decidedly less impressed. --- "The birds are refusing to work until their demands are met," you explained, trying to subtly slide your body between Hawks and the birds who were quite literally calling for bloodshed. "Which are?" Hawks asked as he lifted the bottle of water to his mouth and took a long sip. "They, ah, want you held accountable for your numerous bird crimes." Hawks abruptly choked, water spurting from the corner of his lips as he attempted to swallow the remaining liquid as he sputtered helplessly. "My what?" He coughed, thumping solidly on his chest with a closed fist.

This one started with a late night passing thought: 'What if birds hated Hawks?' and it spiraled out of control for there. I entered into some sort of fugue state and wrote and edited the entire thing in like, three days (which is very likely a person record for me). But everything just clicked together so easily on this one- my scenes flowed well, my jokes seemed to set themselves up, and I honestly had an absolute blast writing this. This is likely the story I reread the most because I have so much fun coming back to it.

2) An Itch to Scratch (Creature!Kirishima x AFAB Reader)

Kirishima Eijiro is everything you never thought you'd find when you packed up your car and moved to a dilapidated fishing town. He was handsome, funny, and kind; the sort of man who took your breath away. And that might actually be a bit of a problem. --- "Good girl ," Eijiro praised, his hands like a vice on your hips as he pulled away from your mouth with a satisfied grin. You returned his smile with one of your own; the vibrant joy that had churned in your belly unfurled throughout your body, leaving you feeling breathless and lightheaded. "Eiji," you gasped, eyes widening in panic as your lungs seemed to seize in your chest. "I- can't breathe!"

I knew going in that if I was going to write a Mermay story I would want to write one that subverted expectations and common tropes. I removed the story from the typical tropical setting and plopped the Reader down into an dilapidated New England-ish fishing town, and threw in an additional surprise plot twist that I'm incredibly proud of.

I focused a lot on the world building here; on making the town and the people in it feel real and fleshed out. I really wanted to make the Reader feel connected to the situation they were dropped into and feel like I managed to do that successfully and even fell in love with the aging fishing town a bit myself.

3) Hot Dish (Shigaraki x AFAB Reader)

Down on his luck and scrambling for survival, Shigaraki Tomura was just looking for a place to score a hot meal. Instead, he ended up scoring a hot date. --- "You want gravy?" You asked, waggling the ladle of onion sauce enticingly, some of it sloshing over the edge of the spoon and falling back into the pot with a wet squelch. Tomura glared at the chunky sauce disdainfully before closing his eyes and sighing. "Whatever." "Gravy it is!" You cheer, pouring the sauce over the meat patty before passing it to him. "There you go! A hunk of meat for my favorite hunk." --- A slow, domestic romance between a volunteer at a soup kitchen and the newly destitute leader of a notorious villain organization.

Hot Dish is most popular story by far, which was honestly very surprising for me! I didn't realize how big Shigaraki's fan base was heading in because I wrote this for a server gift exchange and hadn't really read too many LOV centric stories. But I really enjoyed the challenge of trying to craft a soft romance for such a difficult character and think I managed to write a believable scenario where Shigaraki would be receptive to romance.

4) A Persistent Lack of Follow Through (Shouto x AFAB Reader)

Shouto had learned a lot from his Father; how to take a hit, how to pull himself back up, and how to hold a grudge. But one thing Endeavor could never teach his children was how to be a good partner. Shouto had to learn that particular skill the hard way. --- He had spent long, sleepless nights reflecting on the things you had told him; the reasons you left. Every moment of your acquaintance was turned over repeatedly in his head and examined until one devastating conclusion was reached: "I was a bad boyfriend," Shouto muttered dejectedly, idly picking at the label of the shochu bottle in the middle of the table. --- A story where Shouto loves, loses, and learns.

I'm very much a happy ending sort of person, so it was a real challenge crafting a story around the prompt of 'heartbreak'. Hearts, obviously, needed to get broken; but then I wanted to try and write a believable healing journey would look like for two people in a shattered relationship. It was equal parts satisfying and frustrating building the same relationship up twice, but ultimately I feel like the relationship I depicted is stronger because of that struggle.

It was also my first time writing Todoroki Family shenanigans, which is honestly now one of my all time favorite things to do.

5) The 3-Cs of 3-A (eventual Bakugou x AFAB Reader)

This one links to Ao3 because I'm still in the process of crossposting it to Tumblr.

Mineta Minoru is a perverted misogynist whose antics should have had him expelled from UA long ago. But he wasn’t. And now it’s your job to fix him. May God have mercy on your soul. --- “Well then, I’ll leave myself in your capable hands,” Mineta purred before popping open the top two buttons on his shirt, sending you a coy look from under his lashes. “Mold me into the perfect hero, Pygmalion! Make me your Galatea!” he screamed as he ripped open his shirt, buttons flying haphazardly through the air and pinging off the walls and floor. You throw your arms up to cover your eyes, as though blinded by the pale skin of his belly. “Why do you always have to make this weird?” you moan forlornly, already bending down to search along the floor for the missing buttons.

Aaaah, my passion project. This was my first foray into writing MHA fiction and my only continual WIP. I'm constantly editing and working to improve this one because it's so important to me.

I noticed very early on that Mineta is a character that authors tend to ignore or replace entirely, so his character really appealed to me because I hadn't really ever seen it explored very thoroughly before. 3-Cs is, at it's core, a Mineta redemption story where I try to mold him into the character he could have been; but it's also a place where I get to explore a lot of my ideas about what it's like for an average person to live in a Hero-centric society.

My absolute favorite moments as a writer are when people comment on chapter 1 with messages like 'I really hate Mineta, let's see how this goes' and then 10 chapters later are posting comments like 'What have you done? I actually like this grape-flavored weirdo now.' I actually had someone mention last chapter that they now were interested in a Mineta x Reader story, so I'm putting some weird vibes out into the universe and proud of it!

I think a lot of the people that I would tag have likely already been tagged, but just in case here are some no pressure tags! @confused-red-head @grxywxrrxnn @auraxins @pikatsum @lou-struck @stellamancer @namodawrites @sipsteainanxiety

#pigeoncoos🕊

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dreaminginthedeepsouth · 5 months

Text

"The Philosopher’s Stone" by Agostino Arrivabene :: [Guillaume Gris]

* * * *

« Before this is all over. Before they close the house and sell the furniture and give away the books. Before the cosmetics and shoes are handed out. Before they throw the pans in the trash. Before they empty the cupboards, before they take away the spices, the noodles. Before the happy days and Sunday afternoons end. Before the last of the mornings. Before the end of the anguish. Before sex without love and love without sex are over.

Before the clothes rot in the closets. Before they take down the paintings and cover the armchairs with canvases and close the windows forever. Before they burn the photos. Before the doormats dry out, before the curtains rust on their tracks. Before curiosity is over, the bones, the liver and the corneas. Before all the plants on the balcony dry out. Before there is no more snow, no colors, no tropics. Before the end of all the jungles, of all the seas, of all the reflections in the water. Before the last poem. From the end of the sidewalks and streets. The end of all walks. Before goodbye to all the airports and all the planes, all the cities and all the cafes with steamed up windows. Before the cancellation of all the discussions, of all the arguments, of all the fury, of all the contempt. Of all the metallic anxieties.

Before the end of the screams, the desolation and the guilt. Before the last agenda, the last Friday, the last bar, the last dance. Before all the domes and all the screens go out. Before the moths eat the remains of the wool and the pillow. Before the end of pets.

Before, much before: you have to live. But how? As? “How admirable / he who does not think “life flees” / when he sees lightning,” Basho wrote. Admirable those who are in time without thinking about it. »

— Leila Guerriero, Theory of Gravity

[thanks to exhaled-spirals]

#The Philosopher's Stone #Agostino Arrivabene #Guillaume Gris #about art #quotes #Leila Guerriero #Theory of gravity #exhaled-apirals

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