#wreath & flowers stuff

[a-la-rascasse]

Jim // Indy 500 🇺🇲, 1963.

#the embroidery on the back of his racing suit!!! #I need this kind of stuff back!! along with the pretty flower wreaths #indy 500 #indianapolis 500 #indy '63 #classic f1 #60s #1960s #motorsport

[slivensays]

#flower wreath #coloured pencils #my stuff #I hade some time on my hands

[diejager]

Hello hellooooooo

I hope you are doing great !!

(I was waiting patiently for your requests to be open again lmao)

So, my brain was just thinking of something for monster!141 and I just need to share it somewhere 😵‍💫

As you may know, penguins' love language is giving pebbles to their loved ones

Penguin hybrid!Hunter just giving monster!141 pebbles and little rocks to show them that they love them 🥹

Alright, I'll go back to my knitting now BYE

*gets out by the window with a parachute*

Pebbles Cw: weird courting, tell me if I missed any.

You didn’t have any noticeable differences to a human, having the appearance of any human with a some quirky and funny behavioural traits that all of them enjoyed. You had your moments of oddity, but you didn’t seem that far from a human, having no tail, ear or horns, your skin as smooth and soft as any. They dropped their suspicions of you being a hybrid, a monster or even an inter dimensional creature of some unknown source.

And somehow, they find small trinkets - small, round pebbles picked out of a bunch to be perfectly rounded, smooth edges and glistening under the light, and sticks, long and robust, but small enough to sneak into the base without being caught - placed in the areas they often found themselves frequenting.

Price would find a cluster of pebbles on his desk, arranged neatly in a ring, a curious little thing that he shrugged off, putting them away for the time he’d be able to catch the culprit red handed in the act. Price chucked it up to being Soap and Gaz pulling a prank on him, an unsuspecting and benign trick for a little laugh between them, he didn’t bother with it too much.

Ghost found his small collection of sticks and rock on the books he liked to read, placed near the corner of his desk in his office, the arrangement was neither crude nor clean, it was a chaotic abstraction that he didn’t understand.He didn’t know what to make of it, no one would be brave enough - stupid enough - to pull something like this on him and on his stuff without knowing the risks they put themselves in.

Soap and Gaz had a few placed that belonged to them alone, like their rooms or their locker in the armoury, small areas that everyone knew was theirs. Gaz was the first of the two to find flowers and pebbles in the top compartment of his locker, picked with utmost care to keep the petal from bending. Soap found his collection of sticks and flowers stitched in a pretty crown placed around the collar of his vest, a little present full of romance and adoration. Both of them couldn’t help but find this weird act endearing.

Until Price saw you rush out of his office, a sweet, love-filled smile plastered on your face as if you’d been given the miracle of your life. If he pushed the thought farther, he could almost see a little tail wagging behind you, oh so overzealous and overjoyed with something you did. Peaked by it, he looked into his room and caught the bright petals of a daisy gently placed in the middle of a wreath of stick. He looked at it with a renewed aww and curiosity, feeling your affection roll of your intricate design, made and catered to him as if you’d made each and every single one of his boys a little courting gift-

It was an instinctual courting behaviour seen in monsters and hybrids alike. It stopped him in his tracks, causing him to question himself and your file, he’d been sure that you were human through and through, holding not a single ounce of monster blood in your veins, you’d done tests. Tests, he had to remind himself that these tests were - despite being physical and DNA tests - noted down if the recipient had any traits deemed worthwhile, something useful in the minds of a battle or in a dogfight.

That would give reason to some missing holes in your file, the little things that made you so charmingly you in every aspect was missing from your papers, reserved for people who came to know you. It warmed his heart, to see you so comfortable with them that you ended up forging such strong, emotional connections that you started giving them gifts. He’d have to take it up with the other boys, tell them what he just found out: your little, courting gifts, your hybrid roots that they could explore and your lovable smile when you’d successfully given your gift, and see where they would go from there.

Taglist: @craxy-person @crowbird @dead-cipher @iwannabealocalcryptid @iizx7y @mxtokko @yeetusspagheetus @capricorn-anon @perfectus-in-morte @sae1kie @yeoldedumbslut @bvxygriimes @distracteddragoness @konigsblog @angelcakes-22 @cassiecasluciluce @ramadiiiisme @ramblingsofachaoticthinker @ki-cant-spel @im-making-an-effort @love-dove-noora @jinxxangel13 @daisychainsinknots @0alk0msan @mul-pi @danielle143 @virginalsacrifice @beau-min @makayla-666 @urfavsunkissedleo @mixplara @notspiders @brokenpieces-72 @luvecarson @petwifed @aldis-nuts @randominstake @stay-088 @heartelysia @jggykhug09090 @cassiecasluciluce @hayleybarnesx @shironasumi

#x reader #cod mw2 x reader #cod mw2 #simon ghost riley #simon ghost riley x reader #ghost mw2 #simon riley x reader #john soap mactavish #soap mw2 #soap x reader #gaz mw2 #kyle gaz garrick #gaz x reader #gaz #captain john price #john price #price mw2 #price x reader #john price x reader #monster 141 #monster 141 au #monster cod au #Penguin hybrid!reader #tw: hybrid #hybrid #hybrid!au #hybrid au

[illdowhatiwantthanks]

Alex Cabot x Reader Headcanons

from my own wishful thinking & context clues & absolutely nothing else

Smart as fuck.

Loves brunch. Orders an omelet and a mimosa every time.

Grew up crazy rich. Trust fund baby.

New England law royalty.

Her favorite flowers are mums.

Would roundhouse kick anyone else who tried to hug her, but is super snuggly with you.

Eerily good at reading people.

Legendary speeches and closing arguments.

Would make an excellent politician, but doesn't like the ethically slimy things required.

Sees the good in you when you don't.

Stays up so late on weekends, then sleeps til noon. Even though you have told her time and time again that this is bad sleep hygiene.

Hot when she wears glasses and she knows it.

Chooses your outfits when you go on vacations because she wants the Instagram pics to be perfect.

Leaves you little love letters on sticky notes when she has to leave before you wake up.

Loves to Netflix and chill all weekend. With a big emphasis on the chill. 😉

Very hard to intimidate.

Not great about saving money, but she doesn't really have to be.

Spends an ungodly amount of money on omakase.

Doesn't let many people get close to her, but is very close to those she lets in.

Makes sure you're included in conversations because you can be a little on the shy side.

Ridiculously long nighttime skin care routine.

Has watched every single comedy special on Netflix.

Nearly unstoppable when she turns on the charm.

Makes you get to the airport 2.5 hours early, despite the fact that you both have TSA PreCheck.

A slut for cacio e pepe.

Will choose a hotel based on nothing but how the pictures there would look.

Her suitcase is always too heavy, and she always asks to put stuff in yours.

Has a parfait for lunch every day.

Cafe con leche supremacy stan.

Silk sheets only.

Sweeps you away on far-flung vacations as often as she can.

A gin-and-tonic is her Bad Day at Work drink.

Got in trouble all the time as a kid for playing with her mom's makeup.

Would 100% use her family's private jet if you hadn't convinced her it was socially and environmentally unethical. She hated that you were right.

Mulled wine on Christmas Eve. Always.

Will melt if you give her jewelry. Doesn't even care that she could buy herself better pieces.

Lets you get quirky and colorful with holiday decorations inside, but outside it's classic white lights and wreaths and candles only.

Would never ever admit it but gets pissed when you don't interact with her Instagram posts.

Favorite candy is Skittles, but she feels this undermines her badass bitch persona at work, so she'll only eat them at home.

Secretly likes to wind down with a joint on Friday nights after work.

Reminds you to wear SPF moisturizer. Every. Single. Day.

Holds your hand firmly in crowds so you don't get separated.

Takes so long in the shower in the morning that sometimes you have to get in, wash, and get out all while she's still showering.

Gets a facial and a massage every week like the bougie bitch she is.

Gives absolutely no fucks.

You do not want to be on the receiving end of an Alex glare.

The ultimate hype man. Believes in you so much that you actually believe in yourself.

Never not running late because it takes her so long to get ready. But somehow always gets there on time?

Compliments you incessantly. Like to the point that it flustered you at first.

Has to drink herbal tea instead of coffee after lunch or she'll be up all night.

#alex cabot #alex cabot x reader #alex cabot hc #alex cabot headcanon #law and order svu #svu #alex cabot fanfiction

[oftlunarialmoon]

Ciao lovelies! I have written before on the topic of Age Regression many times, from explaining what Age Regression is, to Age Regression Self-Care, to Age Regression Journaling. I never explicitly said before now, but I, myself, am an age regressor to cope with stress (and some other mental health reasons). The reason why I have officially decided to come forward and say so is because I feel that I want to keep writing posts on the topic of age regression, some with personal experience perhaps, so I want to be open with you all and let you know why I continue to write on this topic. I’ve also noticed some of this blog’s audience is made up of age regressors like myself, and I want to provide you all with some content from a safe, welcoming, and open-minded source. All that being said, today I’ve decided to write down 101 activity ideas for Age Regressors/ Things to Do When Bored, Age Regression edition. Please be sure to let me know in the comments (yes, you can even comment anonymously!) if you like these ideas, please be sure to tell me your favorite!

101 ACTIVITIES FOR AGE REGRESSORS

Outside Activities for Summer

1.       Play on a swing-set!

2.       Play hopscotch!

3.       Color with chalk!

4.       Build Fairy houses with materials you find outside!

5.       Take pictures of your toys in nature! This works especially well for dinosaur toys, animal toys, et, because they look like they’re meant to be in nature!

6.       Jump rope!

7.       Go swimming!

8.       Go fishing with a net and play catch and release!

9.       Go to a beach and find cool seashells!

10.   Read a book outside in the sun!

11.   Go for an ice cream!

Outside Activities for Fall

12.   Find leaves and flowers and press them into a journal. You can also do Leaf rubbings, where you put a piece of paper over a leaf and use a crayon to rub over it to get the imprint of the leaf on the paper!

13.   Carve a pumpkin!

14.   Go to a pumpkin patch and take lots of pics among the pumpkins! You can even pick out one to take home and make into a Jack-O-Lantern (like #12)!

15.   Collect cool leaves and make a leaf arrangement/wreath!

Outside Activities for Winter

16.   Build a snowman!

17.   Build a snow-fort!

18.   Have a snowball fight!

19.   Try to catch snowflakes on your tongue!

20.   Make snow angels!

21.   Play hide and seek in the snow!

Outside Activities for Spring

22.   Collect flowers and make bouquets!

23.   Make flower crowns!

24.   Play tag with some friends!

25.   Weave grass into cool shapes!

26.   Collect cool rocks/gemstones…You can even pretend to be a dragon who’s collecting rocks for their hoard!

Indoor Activities for Any Season

27.   Redecorate your room!

28.   Clean your room! (I know, bleh, but if you clean then you’ll have a clean slate for #27!)

29.   Change your phone’s wallpaper/lockscreen (check out our Instagram Highlight for some of ours!)

30.   Play with makeup!

31.   Try out new hairstyles!

32.   Play dress up!

33.   Play with some dolls!

34.   Play pretend! You could pretend to be a teacher for your dolls/toys, or even have your stuffies go on super cool adventures with you!

35.   Craft! You can make accessories, décor, toys, clothes, anything! Check out our DIY tag for lots of fun crafts!

36.   Read some kid books!

37.   Stim! I like crinkles when I’m small, and I also like slime and flappy hands!

38.   Play with squishies!

39.   Walk around a store and look at all the toys and kid stuff!

40.   Go on a Dollar Store shopping spree! You can get a lot of stuff at a dollar store for under like $20!

41.   Color in some cool pictures!

42.   Design a new OC (Original Character) 

43.   Draw some comics! They can be of yourself or of your OC’s!

44.   Cosplay your OC’s/any character you like!

45.   Do a photoshoot!

46.   Make a sensory bottle!

47.   Set up a dollhouse!

48.   Make beaded bracelets!

49.   Make yourself a snack!

50.   Or a meal!

51.   Bake some cookies (just be careful with the hot oven, okay?)

52.   Have a dance party with your stuffies!

53.   Make a playlist to regress to!

54.   Find new regression YouTubers!

55.   Play some video games! I love Slime Rancher , Animal Crossing, and more!

56.   Play with some phone apps! I love Animal Crossing Pocket Camp, Pastel Girl, and Pokémon Go!

57.   Try to mix your own perfume!

58.   Design a picture using glitter!

59.   Draw some fashion designs!

60.   Start an age regression journal! 

61.   Practice some age regression self-care!

62.   Make a self-care box!

63.   Make figures from modeling clay!

64.   Paint your nails!

65.   Give your stuffies/dolls a makeover!

66.   Find cute regression music! 

67.   Make posters for your room!

68.   Make gifts for your friends!

69.   Find a new penpal!

70.   Write letters to your pen-pal!

71.   Start a sticker scrapbook!

72.   Open some blind-bags!

73.   Watch some toy youtubers. Our YouTube Channel has some toy videos, my other favorites are Cookie Swirl C and My Froggy Stuff!

74.   Make your own YouTube Channel!

75.   Create a mystery to solve with your stuffies!

76.   Solve a Crossword Puzzle!

77.   Solve a Wordsearch!

78.   Finish a puzzle!

79.   Design your own puzzle!

80.   Make an escape room for your toys!

81.   Paint something!

82.   Watch cute anime like Himouto Umaru Chan!

83.   Watch cute shows on Netflix like Twelve Forever or Hilda!

84.   Watch fun shows on Hulu like Gravity Falls!

85.   Go to the library!

86.   Play chess or checkers!

87.   Watch a movie! I like Welcome to Monster High!

88.   Go see a movie in theatres!

89.   Make temporary tattoos using food coloring!

90.   Make your own T-shirt using a blank T-shirt and fabric paints!

91.   Take a little nap!

92.   Put on a play with or for your stuffies!

93.   Make clothes and accessories for your stuffies!

94.   Make clothes and accessories for your dolls!

95.   Make furniture for your dolls!

96.   Make your own blindbags for a friend!

97.   Upcycle your old clothes and jewelry by designing them into something new!

98.   Visit a thrift store!

99.   Go to a museum!

100. Go to the mall!

101.  Visit an Arcade!

WHEW! I hope that is enough ideas for you bored little ones out there. Have a great day!

#agere #age regression #sfw littlespace #sfw agere #age regressor #sfw age regression #agereg #age dreaming #sfw little blog

[leiandroid]

gaara&ino | a little outtake of a psychiatric ward au :)

ino is a "schizophrenic", she hears things which she believes are people's thoughts, and so claims she can read people's minds. she has motor ticks and a tendency for repetitive actions which is channeled through her hobby of arranging flowers. her room in the ward is filled with flower wreaths, arrangements etc, and she gets very anxious when they are out of place. she also has OCD.

gaara is a narcoleptic kid with anti social and behavioural issues. he wears a straight jacked most of the time and it only gets tied up when he exhibits signs of going into an episode (his episodes are characterised by violence and destruction and is a great threat to himself and those around him, but especially himself). his room in the ward is padded to avoid injury.

gaara often uses his narcolepsy as an excuse for getting out of trouble and avoiding certain conversations and people.

due to the heavy medications that gaara is always under, his emotions are extremely subdued and he doesn't feel any of them in any real intensity, the meds keep him emotionally invalid and numb.

ino and gaara become unlikely friends when gaara was going into an episode and some of the other patients were enabling him by feeding his anger by bullying him and throwing stuff at him. ino punched one of them in the face and dragged gaara away from them.

gaara bit her arm hard enough to draw blood but she withstood it through tears in her eyes and told him, "i won't hold that against you because i know you're scared."

when the nurses finally arrived, the worst of it had already passed but he was still given some medications to placate him. to which ino says, "he really hates those, you know?"

gaara just stares at her, puzzled. it is the first time someone has stood up for him and has voiced his thoughts that he keeps to himself.

from then on, she sticks to gaara like glue. he finds solace in her room because it smells of earth and flowers and it is very calm and quiet. ino's voice is bright and melodic and she has full conversations with him without him needing to open his mouth because ino says she can read his thoughts better than anyone else's; and he accepts this as true because more often than not she's right about what he's thinking.

because of this, ino speaks on his behalf to the nurses and doctors and other patients. gaara gets particularly moody when the doctors ignore ino's words and turn to him to ask, "is that right gaara? do you really feel [insert what ino said]?" he just angrily nods, and ino crosses her arms haughtily and reminds them that she can read his mind and "you don't have to talk to him like he doesn't understand."

they develop an unhealthy attachment that causes both of them anxiety when they are separated. ino needs to protect him and gaara needs the peace she brings him. however, gaara causes her a lot of grief when he destroys her room at times during his fits which triggers her OCD and she has to lock him out for hours or even days at a time to re-arrange her room. similarly, gaara feels exposed when she reads him too well, many times he can be heard yelling at her to get out of his head. their fights are as explosive as their friendship is easy.

gaara's once bare and empty room slowly gets filled by colourful blankets and pillows and plushies that ino buys for him. he can regularly be found sleeping under a large soft pile in the corner of his room.

ino is always excited to see temari when gaara's siblings come to visit. even though gaara isn't always thrilled or really feels like seeing them, he sits through it just so ino can get a chance to talk to temari. ino looks up to temari as a role model. and temari appreciates ino who takes care of gaara and has given him a friendship he otherwise couldn't have gotten in the outside world.

inoichi likes gaara because he sees how happy his daughter is around him, but he is wary of him due to his tendency for violence and only hopes he doesn't truly hurt ino.

#gaaino #gaara #ino yamanaka #NARUTO #my art #leiandroid #mostly definitely platonic #though they did try to kiss once and were like hmmm perhaps not #ino supremacy

[clusterbuck]

17 before they’re together I’ll throw up

17. fixing the other persons clothes absentmindedly or like tucking their hair behind their ear U KNOW WHAT I MEAN THAT SOFT STUFF // i wrote this on a plane and only mostly remembered the prompt but it’s pretty much there yk

maddie and chimney get married on a sticky hot day in late july.

it requires considerable manoeuvring to find an available venue on a date where all of the 118’s A-shift can be spared to go to a wedding, and half the call centre too. several favours are called in, and more still promised, but it’s worth it for this: maddie, radiant as she walks down the makeshift aisle in her own backyard, jee-yun toddling along in front of her strewing flower petals from a wicker basket. chimney, standing under an arch wreathed with flowers and ivy, his eyes shining with tears at the sight of his soon-to-be wife and daughter.

buck stands across from chimney, ready to do his duty as maddie’s best man, and wonders if it’s possible to burst from secondhand joy. if it’s possible to feel so happy for someone else that your body can’t contain it, that it has to come spilling out somehow.

he turns to look out over the audience, their dearly beloved friends and family. everyone is watching maddie, the same shared joy on all their faces—

everyone except eddie, who’s looking back at buck.

buck catches eddie’s eye and eddie grins, a small, fleeting thing that’s meant for buck alone.

maddie reaches the end of the aisle, finally, and a stray tear slips down chimney’s cheek. they turn to face bobby, who gives them a warm smile before launching into his opening remarks.

the ceremony is short and to the point, but full of beauty all the same. maddie and chimney have written their own vows, and buck finds himself choked up, overwhelmed not only with happiness but with the relief of knowing that maddie gets to have this. that maddie gets a marriage that will be happy, and safe, and a husband who loves her more than she’d ever thought possible. a husband who will have her back through everything.

that maddie gets to be happy.

when the vows are official there is cheering, and then there is dinner, and dancing, and drinking. the evening goes by in a blur of glasses passed from hand to hand and songs that make buck beeline for the dance floor, grabbing the first available person to tug with him.

he dances with maddie, and with jee-yun balanced on top of his feet, and even convinces chimney for a song or two. he dances with hen, and with karen, and with hen and karen, and with just about everyone at the wedding, but somehow eddie never seems to be around for him to commandeer.

so buck does, in his slightly inebriated opinion, the only sensible thing, and goes to seek eddie out.

he finds him leaning against maddie and chimney’s back door, a few feet away from the rest of the celebrations, a wine glass held loosely in his hand. eddie looks up when buck’s footsteps approach, and the corner of his mouth curls into a hint of a smile.

“hey,” buck says, settling against the wall beside him. “hiding from something?”

eddie huffs. “not really,” he says, swishing the wine around in his glass but not taking a sip. “just taking a moment.”

“okay,” buck says. “how much more of a moment do you need?”

eddie raises his eyebrows, shooting him a sideways glance. “depends on what you’re about to say next.”

“you haven’t danced with me,” buck says. “i’ve danced with everyone else, but not you.”

eddie hums.

“you should come dance with me,” buck says, and tries not to let the words feel like anything more than they are.

eddie turns his head, still leaning against the wall. “i should?”

buck takes a step back towards the party and and holds out his hand. “yeah,” he says. “you should.”

eddie takes a moment to glance between buck’s face and his outstretched hand, but then his warm fingers slip into buck’s.

the music changes as they reach the dance floor, softening and slowing down. buck half expects—fears—that eddie will take a step back, that he’ll change his mind, but eddie just stands across from him and settles his hands on buck’s waist.

“i owe you a dance,” eddie says. “never specified what kind.”

buck puts his hands on eddie’s shoulders.

eddie wrinkles his nose. “this feels like a bad middle school dance,” he says, and for a moment buck thinks he’s going to step away again. but instead, eddie steps closer, and closer still, and buck’s arms go from chastely on his shoulders to wrapped around his neck.

“better,” eddie murmurs, from somewhere close to buck’s ear.

buck doesn’t know how long they stay there, swaying gently back and forth. his world narrows to the heat of eddie’s hands on the small of his back, the brush of eddie’s cheek against his, the warmth of eddie’s exhales by the back of his neck.

when they finally part, as if by some unspoken agreement, neither of them goes far. the space between them is measured in inches, or fractions of them, and eddie keeps his eyes fixed on buck’s, and buck thinks—

maybe.

eddie swallows, and buck thinks maybe he hasn’t been imagining the way eddie looks at him.

eddie lifts his hand, and buck holds his breath. he stays as still as possible, his eyes fixed on eddie’s hand, and he thinks maybe—

until eddie tugs at his collar, pulling his tie back into place.

“you were wonky,” eddie says.

“i—” buck starts, but he can’t seem to find any words to finish his sentence.

eddie just smiles. “ready to go home?”

“yeah,” buck breathes, and wonders if eddie means it the same way he does.

when eddie’s hand slips into his, buck thinks maybe he does.

soft prompts 💗

#911fic #buddie #buddie fic #ask emma #emma writes #tusera

[cherrieguroo]

Animal crossing new horizons headcanons for the nerd bunch

Steph

- normcore I think that's what people call it but it's basically just like. a normal town with no specific style. but her house is decorated to her liking and she has her villager's home in a forest she planted herself. she also has mods and she has just a part near the top of her island where there's just a shit ton of bells just dropped on the floor.

-steph definitely gives me black tulip door wreath vibes.

-steph's favorite villager is cherry and she changed cherry's catchphrase to 'bitch' so now she says stuff like "Yeah, go for it, bitch. This oughta be good…’

-steph has a room in her house purely for 'summonings' after she found out if you combine a specific wall and flooring you can create a summoning circle.

-steph refuses to pay tom nook, so her house isn't upgraded that much.

-steph set up a small space in her island for the nerds to fool around in whenever they visited. that space now mostly consists of pit falls and stumps. someone also left a switch there and steph didn't even try to figure out who put it there and just kept it as decor for her house. also Steph has green mums outside her house which she says is supposed to be a weed farm.

Grace

-grace definitely has meticulously designed her island and it's fairycore. rip star fragment trees grace would have loved those. her island has a shit ton of pink tulips everywhere too. grace has a part of her island which is just a forest with a lot of flowers. she also has those like custom design paintings in said forest that read 'god is good' or some shit and she thinks every island should have a god forest.

-grace has the pink wedding event door thingy.

-grace has two tricycles she put outside of nook's cranny that she pretends belong to timmy and tommy

-favorite villager is ruby sorry

-grace loves the wedding event items and her island and house are full of them

Ruth

-her island is a mess to me lmao. her island tune is the iconic part in careless whisper and tiffany is her favorite villager. none of her island is actually decorated btw. and she constantly wears one of those custom design dresses that make it look like the villager has a bikini. ruth collects gyroids after she was taught how to get them by Richie. she just collects the little guys and has them outside her airport as a welcome thingy. ruth uses the effects feature a lot, mainly putting hearts on stuff. only decorating Ruth really did on her island is make a rainbow flower field which she and the rest of the nerds call the gay flower trail. ruth seems to be eternally broke. Richie offers her money and she accepts and ten minutes later she somehow managed to waste it all on the most useless decor

Richie

-his island is littered with references to animes. he has two godzilla statues outside his house. has definitely gotten much more advancements than the others. wishes he could have started out on a modded island but it's too late. his house is made to be his dream home and his room has custom designs of anime posters on the walls. he completed his museum and probably has most furniture items in his catalog. he also completed happy home designer and has a lot of amiibos. richie redecorated all of his villager's homes, both interior and exterior. richie made a crab rave on his beach. richie also collects gyroids and uses them to decorate. he also likes setting up little songs with them for specific rooms in his house.

richie's island flag is this.

Pete

-somehow the one with the best looking island. it's five stars somehow and each villager gets custom personalized yards. pete is really into flower breeding. he's also trying to complete the museum but keeps forgetting to catch some seasonal creatures and fish. pete NEVER skips blather's fun facts. in fact he writes all of them down and annoys Ruth and Richie with them. he's even memorized some for the more common fish and bugs that especially pissed Richie off when he was collecting everything (like sea basses)

petes house has the highest happy home academy rating

#starkid #hatchetfield #npmd #nerdy prudes must die #hatchetverse #team starkid #stephanie lauter #steph lauter #peter spankoffski #pete spankoffski #ruth fleming #richie lipschitz #grace chasity

[songsofadelaide]

Valerian

Valerian ; A flowering plant that symbolises strength and loyalty.

"Somewhere in the middle: a girl falls in love with an angel. Wings tipped gold and prayers in their blood-stained kisses. Even God is laughing now." — "piety", MJ

Zagreus had been warned by his grandmother about this before. The goddess Demeter made the slight of consorting with a mortal and it broke her heart more than she could explain in words. She left an eternal winter in her wake after the death of her mortal husband and the disappearance of her daughter, and suffice to say it was the only explanation for the devastation she felt.

When word spread that the snow had started to melt in the woods where you and your sisters often gathered fruit and crops, you were warned by the elderly farmers that it may be due to the recent apparitions of supernatural forces they had no explanation for, but you could only thank the gods that the endless winter may be coming to a close. 

On his head was a wreath of flaming laurels, unlike anything you've ever seen.

And yet, when you found him in the middle of the woods, feet ablaze and a faint trail of sparks and ash on the ground, how could you not believe him? 

I recall writing this at the height of my Hades game enjoyment. I managed to beat the game at least five times now and I'm careful about the stuff I include in the Pact of Punishment if I want another win. I thought Zagreus falling in love with a peasant mortal and not learning from his grandmother's regrets and heartache was a pretty cute plot to start off from until I remembered he can only stay in the mortal realm for a short period of time and the only way he and reader can be reunited is through... death. So do I kill reader or what?! I've no idea how to pick up from this after that realisation lol. I am very much looking forward to the next game where we play as Melinoe instead. For now, we keep this in a deep freeze.

#songsofadelaidewrites💛 #mari's prompts 🎠 #hades #hades supergiant #hades game #zagreus #reader insert #zagreus x reader

[outeremissary]

For @archduke-enver-gortash- thank you again for the patience, Romeo, and for letting me play with Zeke! This was originally for OC Kiss Week, but ultimately was only finished this weekend. I had a ton of fun working on this. I got lost in about four different kinds of nature sauce just planning it, as you can see...

Extra doodles and process stuff below the cut <3

The height difference kept cracking me up. Some silly doodles in honor of all the times I thought "this can't be a comfortable pose" while sketching.

Initial concept work. On god the novel cover comment is said with full affection for the design of childhood favorite talking animal books. The pencil in the first one is also being used to censor "Bhaal"- I'm too lazy to take a new pic, that's from showing a friend who hadn't finished the game.

Sketch -> lines -> most of color

Pre-fill version of the final thing. The white has its own charm, and it was hard to commit to one or the other.

Despite what the initial list had, here are the actual final wreath components. As intended, at least.

Zeke: queen of the night flowers, ferns, moon vine, short-tailed shrew bones (I just really really like venomous shrews), cockroaches, foxglove

Kas: yarrow, wheat (and grass), barn swallow wing, acanthus (of the unrealistic illumination kind), California poppy, aconite/wolfsbane, giant silkworm moth

#archduke-enver-gortash #ockiss24 #(it counts. in spirit.) #bg3 #zeke #kasander #emi art #thank you again for bearing with me as I got lost in 'what if there were like ten different kinds of plants' #double nature durge was too exciting ^^;; #I really enjoyed drawing this

[echo-bleu]

Mettarë/Yestarë traditions

In Númenor and Gondor (On AO3)

Today is the winter solstice, which corresponds to Yestarë, the first day of the year, in the King's Reckoning (Númenor and early Gondor calendar) and the Steward's Reckoning (later Gondor). In elven calendars, it usually falls in early spring or at the equinox instead.

Tolkien said little about it, except that the last and first day of the year, Mettarë and Yestarë, fall outside the calendar proper. I wanted to come up with some headcanons for the holiday for my fics.

Mettarë is the last day of the year, and as such, a day of closing and ending.

You are meant to finish as many ongoing projects and things as you can in the week leading up to it to be able to start fresh in the new year.

Mettarë is also the day for the worship of Mandos.

For Men, death is an end and a new start, and Mandos is the Judge and the Guardian of the Halls through which they must pass to go beyond the world. Mettarë is about closure, and remembering the dead and letting go of your grief.

If someone in the household died in the previous year, you spend Mettarë sorting through their possessions.

(personal items, mostly, clothes and such, whatever you can afford to keep untouched until Mettarë)

Then you put them all into the room where they slept (or a room you can associate with them, but it’s usually a bedroom. Depending on who mourns them, might be their childhood bedroom, or even their front door if they lived alone and you could afford to keep the rent up/not sell it until now, etc. If needed, it could be a room they’ve only been to once while travelling, or even a random closet or a cellar with their stuff in it in a pinch).

Usually people decorate the door somewhat, with dried flower wreaths and bouquets that they made in the summer for that purpose.

During the day of Mettarë, the household will also welcome in anyone who knew and loved the deceased, and the guests will bring either something of the deceased that they can afford to give away (or something that reminds them of them) or more dried flowers, maybe also dried fruit.

At nightfall, after all but the closest people have gone, they gather around the door and light a candle, which they put on the floor in front of the door (far away enough that all the dried flowers don’t catch fire, please, we’re trying not to burn down the house).

They say a prayer to Mandos in Quenya that goes something like “please Mandos, give them a second chance and call them again so that they might go beyond the world and be at peace” (but like, archaic).

That is because there’s a belief that on Mettarë, the doors of Mandos might open just a fraction for all the people who didn’t answer the call the first time, and Mandos will call them again.

This is derived from various elven beliefs and traditions, but Men go through Mandos too on their way outside the world, and it’s unclear whether they can miss the Call or not, so better be safe. In any case, that’s how it coalesced in Mannish beliefs.

Then they open the door just a fraction, and they will leave it like this until dawn, with no one going in or out.

(if someone else usually sleeps in that room, they might relocate for the night, but this is why you wouldn’t normally use a kitchen or a living room)

If the candle is snuffed out quickly by a draft, it is believed that this might be the fëa of the dead finally answering the call and going through the crack of the door. If it’s not, they already answered the call, or they never will.

The candle, while it is there to call the loved one’s fëa and light the way, is really more symbolic and also a bit of a hazard, so you don’t leave it burning all night.

It’s not really done to snuff out the dead’s candle, of course, so you should select a candle that will only burn for a couple hours at most.

In third age Gondor, candles that burn for exactly two hours are sold for that purpose, sometimes decorated with flowers, but most people will just use the end of a regular candle.

Often families will reminisce about the dead loved one while the candle burns.

In the morning, on Yestarë, the first day of the year, the family takes down the decorations and opens the door wide.

They bring out all the possessions of the deceased, which they sorted through and stacked in the previous day, and they start handing them out.

Usually anyone who was close to the deceased will take one personal item that belonged to them, so various people will come in through the morning to pay their respects and take an object.

It’s mostly the same people who came the previous day, and left things of the deceased in the room, so a lot of them will just take the same thing back, but they might leave “theirs” and take something else. The family/spouse/children/whatever still normally gets final say over who gets what if there are disagreements, but it’s very bad form to argue over this. Usually they’ve mostly agreed on it the previous day.

People symbolically take one thing but of course, if there is a need, someone might get the deceased’s entire wardrobe or whatever, this is a day of charity.

Then anything left is taken to be donated to people who need it. Large official building (city hall, feast halls, the lord’s reception room, etc) will be turned into a donation space on Yestarë afternoon, where you can bring things to donate and people who need it can receive them.

If you haven’t lost someone during the year, you can still honour Mandos and the dead on Mettarë.

It’s a good day to go through your own stuff and pile up what you no longer need and can donate.

A lot of families will still decorate a door and go through the ceremony, for any fëa that doesn’t have anyone to do it for them. Over the years though, it’s become more and more symbolic and ritualistic, rather than meaningful.

Dried flowers are still popular for the door, but so are other things, like death imagery: various objects decorated with skeletons or skulls, depictions of Mandos and his Halls, and also depictions of Valinor, because death and Valinor have coalesced together somewhat in the minds of Men.

Mettarë door ornaments are a flowering market in the weeks leading up to it.

Those without a loved one to mourn usually don’t light a candle, but they might also add something in the shape/likeness of a candle on the door.

Then on Yestarë morning, people exchange small gifts. You’re supposed to give your loved ones something of yours that you picked the previous day, but many people make or buy new things instead.

It should still be small, inexpensive gifts.

Then in the afternoon, families go to the donation spaces and bring anything they no longer need to donate. Everyone gathers, and it’s a time of collective enjoyment and celebration of the new year.

But there are no drinks or food while the donations are ongoing, out of respect for those who are in mourning.

Usually the local lord (or king) will preside over the donations. If he’s a good lord, he will donate more than anyone else and make sure that the poorest people get everything they need.

Then a large buffet is served, at which everyone, regardless of class, is invited.

In some places, there is a dinner and feast specifically for the court, but the lord is supposed to provide for everybody on Yestarë night, so there will still be a free meal for the lower classes.

In terms of dress code, you can dress up on Mettarë but keep it sober, with little jewellery or bling.

You should also do your hair in the simplest way possible. If it’s long, it should be in a simple plait.

This is derived from the First Age Noldor tradition of braiding the hair of the dead in a single plait as part of the funeral customs, so that they might not be too attached to their body and refuse the call of Mandos.

That’s of course a very Noldorin belief, but it spread to Númenor (probably through Elros, but perhaps also from those who came from Thargelion and Nargothrond) and they’ve kept it up, though they no longer remember the cause.

On Yestarë, you can go all out and dress in your best clothes.

Food is also very simple on Mettarë, with no drinking allowed. On Yestarë, fast is broken at dawn with a large breakfast, but made only of plants and dairy, no meat. Then a large animal (or more depending on the size of the town or place) is slaughtered in the morning and roasted in public for the feast.

The actual dishes vary depending on the area, and change dramatically in Fourth Age Gondor, when the start of the year is moved to the spring.

Yestarë isn’t really a food-based festival though (unlike, say, the harvest festival) so it’s mostly going to be large, filling dishes rather than delicacies.

Note: none of this is canon. I meant to write more details and stories involving actual characters, but I also wanted to post it today, so. Feel free to use it in fic if you want! (and please tell me if you do!)

#tolkien #lotr #lord of the rings #the lord of the rings #silmarillion #the silmarillion #echo's fanfiction #kinda #tolkien headcanons #mettare #yestare

[copias-sewer-rat]

THE BLOOD DROPPING FROM THE DARK ROSE IS ALWAYS THE SWEETEST (Cardinal Copia x f/reader)

Flower Shop AU! for Ghost (the band). Copia is still a Cardinal. Just cuteness and a bit of setting for this chapter. Around 2.8K words. I used a name for the female character instead of y/n because I am not the biggest fan of it, hope you don’t mind. ⸸tags: some mockery of Catholicism, mentions of death (but very brief). Do not mind the titles of the chapters, they are songs that I want Ghost to cover at some point ;) ⸸my masterlist⸸ ⸸Read on Ao3⸸ Enjoy!

I - Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)

The Monday morning sun hit your eyes. Still drowsy from sleep you checked your phone. The alarm was about to go off. Decided to stay under the covers until the last second, you closed your eyes and thought about your plans for the week. There were some big orders for this week, which you were glad for. Being a florist was not always the most rewarding job monetarily, but the fact that you were working on your dream job was more than enough to make up for it.

Wanting to have some resemblance of control over your week, you made a mental list. Twenty bouquets, some for weddings, others just normal displays of random affection between lovers. Seven funeral wreaths, which sometimes broke your heart to make. You remember a very painful wreath that you had to make about a baby who had died because of some sort of medical negligence, you remember how you could not stop crying for the entirety of that night. You also had a couple of wedding preparations that were due in a couple of weeks, but you needed to visit your usual provider just to check some details. 

Remembering you had to visit your provider, your mind wandered to that pretty bizarre event you had to prepare an arrangement for on Friday. You had been visited by a couple of nuns a week ago, they seemed very friendly and cheerful, and although your history with Catholicism was not the best, they were very nice to you. They both also looked gorgeous, wearing some makeup and a tight attire that you had never seen wear to a nun, maybe they were from a branch of the Catholic church that was more permissive on that stuff regarding appearance. However, you could not know, you had been out of it for a few years.

The taller of the two nuns said that your shop had been in the radar of their congregation for some time. They had been waiting to perform some sort of ritual in town to ask for your services and now the time had come. You asked if they were from out of town and that is why it had taken some time to book you. The other sister, a bit older, but still breathtaking, said that they were from town. They just usually toured all over the world giving ceremonies. Now it was the turn of their hometown. You had been living in this quiet little town for a year and a half so you honestly did not know much about specific groups or the community in general, you really did not care about any of it. You were assigned with preparing a ceiling and floor arrangement, wild and unpredictable. The sisters told you that the venue was a bit big and that they were told by their superiors that they preferred something dark, but that it could still be seen in dim light. You had a herculean task before you. Nonetheless, you had always enjoyed a good challenge. While asking for your budget for the project you were answered with a “whatever you may need”. Your mouth was agape at the answer, no need to push the topic further.

Before continuing your train of thought, the phone alarm went off. You jumped out of bed, actually very excited to start your Monday. 

You showered, dressed in a smart but comfortable outfit and prepared your breakfast and coffee to have in your truck. Before even thinking of how the arrangemet would be, you actually needed to see the venue first. The task had been avoided long enough. You picked a black card from your glove compartment which was given to you by the tall sister. It had the name and address of the venue engraved in bright white, the contrast feeling very dramatic and theatrical. Setting your google maps to the location, you put your favorite playlist and drove off towards your destination. After a fifteen minute drive and moments before finishing your rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody, you arrived to the venue. You found yourself before a concert venue when you were hoping for a church or an abbey. Maybe the congregation did not want to litter their precious church so they booked an easier place to clean afterwards. The turned off neon sign read ‘The Rat Trap’. Quite a fitting name for a concert venue, no doubt. The name was the same as the card, so you must have been at the correct spot.

Exiting your truck a couple of figures came into view in front of the establishment. They wore metal masks and black outfits. For a second you thought that you had the address wrong, these people did not seem very church-like. You shrugged it off and decided to ask anyway. 

“Good morning. I was looking for a venue in which I am supposed to set some flower arrangements? Is this the correct address?” You spoke, your voice clear and pace slow, trying not to trip over your own words, not wanting to embarrass yourself so early in the morning. The silence was heavy between you three. Maybe that was only your imagination, because they took a step back and opened the metal door behind them. You thanked them with a smile and entered the building. The venue was enormous, but it was weird seeing a concert venue empty and with the lights on. 

You only took two steps in, looking at how busy the place was with more people wearing those silver masks, when suddenly an older woman approached you.

“Good morning, dear. Can I know what business brings you here?” She questioned you, with a bit of poison in her tone. You got the feeling that you had interrupted something. 

“Yes, good morning to you too.” You said, trying to sound as professional as possible. “My name is Claire, I am from Dewdrop, the flower store. My services were booked by a couple of nuns a week ago to make an arrangement at this venue for this Friday.” You said, short and to the point. 

“Ah, yes, that…” The woman said, and you realized that the flowers were definitely not her idea. “Well, I guess there is no turning back now that you showed up. My name is Sister Imperator, you can come to me with any questions.” You were about to interrupt her with one, but she continued speaking. “Nonetheless, all this idea of the flower arrangement is from the Cardinal, so you better speak to him directly about it.” She finished talking and started walking, hoping for you to follow, so you did, not without asking the question that had been bugging you since the very beginning. 

“Sorry, I have a question… What kind of church is this?”

Sister Imperator gave you a quick glance back and a smirk: “Just your typical church.”

You remembered what you had seen until now, the nuns, the people at the entrance and from inside the venue with those weird looking masks as you said to yourself: “Typical church, my ass.” The weird knot in your stomach was not going to prevent you from doing your job, you were more professional than that. You were even curious about those people, hoping to learn about what they stood for and to what dude from above they prayed to. Your step quickened to follow her closer. 

You two said nothing to each other until the sister stopped abruptly before a door, it looked like a dressing room. You were a bit scared about the whole backstage thing, you had been to concerts, but you had never been so lucky as to go there. Sister Imperator knocked with a very curious rhythm, to which you heard a male voice respond with: “Come on in!”

The sister opened the door, but she signed for you to hold. You did as you were told and she entered the room leaving you outside of it on your own. You were nervous, she said that you had to talk to the Cardinal. From your knowledge from when you were a child, being a Cardinal is a pretty good position in the church. Thinking about it, you felt yourself getting smaller and smaller, reliving memories from your childhood that you had not thought about in a very long time. You were considering saying ‘fuck off’ to your professionalism and making a swift escape. There had to be a back door that you could slip through somewhere without no one noticing. As soon as you looked down the hall before you, searching for such a door, the one behind you opened and you knew there was no turning back. You just hoped for your face not to give away your emotions. 

Sister Imperator told you to enter the room, and as you did you were struck with the sight of a man wearing a red cassock and some black eye and lip makeup, which made him look ready for Halloween. You could not stop staring at him, he was like nothing you had seen before, and when he rose from his seat to greet you, you caught yourself being too weird by looking so much and tried to smile warmly. You tried to shake hands with the Cardinal, but he was quicker, grabbing the hand you were extending with his gloved one and kissing the back of it, leaving a bit of lipstick there. Your face got a pink tint to it and your instinct told you to run away. Nonetheless, you decided to push your instinct down at least for now, to see the outcome of this reunion. You could always refuse the job, you just wanted the details of it first. You had not even noticed, but Sister Imperator had left the room and you were now alone with the Cardinal. 

After kissing your hand, the man before you introduced himself as Cardinal Copia, a hint of what you presumed to be Italian in his pronunciation. He said nothing else, waiting for you to introduce yourself, but he forgot to let go of your hand.

“Claire Brown, nice to meet you Cardinal Copia” you tried to make the hold less awkward by gently shaking his hand. Then he seemed to realize his hand was still on yours. 

“Miss Brown, it is a pleasure to meet you at last.” Cardinal Copia said, with sincerity, following your shake. 

“Just call me Claire, please. I don’t like to be addressed by my surname, it makes me feel like I am still in school.” You surprised yourself with your honesty, the Cardinal just laughed at your justification and at this point you were both free of each others’ grasp.

“That is completely fair, Claire.” He said your name, rolling the ‘r’, just as Italians do, and you felt your cheeks tint even more, he did not seem to take notice, and even if he did, he did not mention it. Cardinal Copia gestured to the couch in front of the one he was sitting a few seconds ago and spoke with a smile: “Per favore (please), take a seat. Let us discuss flowers.” And so you did, not breaking eye contact with the Cardinal and giving him a warm smile, he did the same. 

“I have some idea of what you want, but I would like some more details if possible.” You said, taking out a green notepad that you always carried with you and a pencil with a rubber-shaped pigeon on top, a bit worn off because it was an eraser and you need to use it sometimes, even if it pained you so much. The Cardinal took notice of your eraser and chuckled a bit. 

“Fan of pigeons, sì?” He asked, nodding to your pencil. 

“Yes, I think that they are wonderful creatures and very loyal. I love all birds, I have a soft spot for the underdogs in general.” You did not know why at the moment, but the Cardinal’s cheeks flushed a bit at your comment. “About the flowers then… I was told by the two nuns who visited me the other day that you were looking for a ceiling and floor arrangement, is that correct?” You asked. 

“Yes, that is correct. It is a special occasion and I wanted something to commemorate it.” The Cardinal explained to you, but you still had many questions about the whole ordeal.

“And what is the occasion? It will be better for me to know which flowers will be the best and their collocation.” You pushed, trying to get more information. 

“A concert, back in the town that saw us grow to what we are today.” To his answer, you blinked slowly. You were thinking of some kind of mass, not a full on concert.

“I am sorry? I thought you were a congregation or a church of some sort, not a music group.” You looked puzzled, but Cardinal Copia seemed to enjoy your confusion.

“We are actually both. A church and a music group. We are pretty well known in fact.” You could not believe his words, this was some kind of mockery and the Cardinal was just teasing you. 

“Oh, is that so? What kind of music do you play?” You played along, having nothing to lose.

“Mostly heavy metal, but we also make covers of other songs and we also have some ballads.” The Cardinal replied, looking very closely to your reaction and making a dramatic gesture with his hand. 

“That is pretty daring for the Catholic church…” You regretted your words the instant they came out of your mouth. 

To that, the Cardinal smirked. “Who said we were Catholic? We are Satanists, Claire. We serve the one below, not that asshole above.” You were shocked, that actually explained so much. In that moment you noticed the Cardinal’s mismatched gaze, one eye green and the other white. The latter was actually shining a bit and you found yourself entranced by it. “We basically use the group to spread the word of our Lord and to take over the world.” You did not know what to say to that, but deep inside you were glad that they were not Catholic.

“Well, as for this show, I hope I can help you spread your word a bit with my flowers.” You said, sincerely. You had never met a Satanist, but Cardinal Copia seemed like a good person so you wanted to help, and his goals seemed a bit impossible, so you did not mind helping.

“I-I appreciate that, Claire, thank you for your em… kind words.” He stuttered slightly and you felt his confidence slip a bit because of that. You were sure that he had been trying really hard to present himself as a confident person. You felt yourself relating with the man, being a bit of a stutter yourself, so you just smiled and continued asking and taking notes.

The rest of the meeting went pretty well. Cardinal Copia told you that he wanted mostly red, black and white flowers. He also wanted the arrangements to look like an overgrown garden, so it needed plenty of different types of leaves and foliage. He later took you to the stage and pointed to the places where he wanted the decorations to be. It was a pretty big stage and you were thinking of how much money this was going to cost. You raised your concerns to the Cardinal, leaving you with the same answer the sisters had given you a week prior: “Whatever you may need.”

You tried to push your luck a bit. “In that case, I will need your phone number or something of the sort. Just to message you in case of any question or problem that might arise.” The Cardinal raised his eyebrows a bit and his white eye glistened a bit more than it did before. He fidgeted with his pocket, taking out an old smartphone, which you found adorable. He handed it to you and you saved your contact as Claire with a rose emoji and then called yourself to save his contact in your phone as well. He bowed a bit when you gave his phone back to him and you smiled a bit because of it.

After having a clear idea of what you needed to do, the Cardinal escorted you to your car. He was a gentleman and it seemed to be something natural to his person, it was very refreshing to see. Once you were inside your car you observed the Cardinal getting back into the building. As the door was opened for him you remembered the most important question of all, so you rolled your window down. 

“Cardinal! What is the name of your band?!” You shouted, a teething smile escaping your lips. 

Cardinal Copia got scared by your sudden shout and turned towards you a bit violently. However, when he saw your genuine smile, he could not help but laugh and smile back. “Ghost!” He said, and then you knew the name of the band that was going to become the soundtrack for your trip.

____

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That is it for the first chapter. I will probably edit some grammar and stuff later. Please let me know what you think and give me some feedback on how make the fic better (I am a bit rusty). Lots of love, SR🐀

#cardinal copia #cardinal copia x reader #the band ghost #papa emeritus iv #papa emeritus iv x reader #papa emeritus iv x female reader #ghost band #ghost bc #papa emeritus 4 #cardi c #papa iv #copia #copia my beloved #florist au

[bittersweet-riley]

Angel (Chapter 6)

Pairings: Simon "Ghost" Riley x F!OC!Reader

Summary: When simon's mission went terrible wrong, she was there to save him. So far only her call sign was angel, but maybe she was his angel nonetheless.

"She's a strong girl." He couldn't say more because, as mentioned before, he didn't knew Angel very well.

Warnings: Mention of blood, mention of torture, manipulation, brainwash, weapons, kidnapping, swearing, smut (kind of) in later chapters, mention of medical stuff that may not be true or accurate, description of a reader that may not be like you imagined reader, still use of Y/N, clearly female reader, perhaps bad english, third person view (switching from reader to Simon), multiple chapters

Opening

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 7

He was in the middle of the cemetery. Ghost impatiently pulled the inside of his cheek between his teeth. He couldn't believe it himself that he had actually listened to Angel.

The balaclava covered his face, the rest of his clothing consisted of simple dark blue jeans and a gray t-shirt over which he wore a black leather jacket.

Ghost didn't wanted to be too noticeable and wear his uniform or anything else that would have drawn attention to the SAS. It could still all have been an ambush.

He looked at the watch on his wrist for the third time. He had been standing in front of the grave for 20 minutes and not a soul was to be seen anywhere, besides from the cemetery keeper who sweeped the orange leaves from the paths.

Since her grave was in a military cemetery, he needed to searched every gravestone for her name for an hour before he even found the right one. Her gravestone was the only one not decorated, which Ghost found odd. He had placed a bouquet of red chrysanthemums on her cross. The red color looked like a puddle of blood next to the white cross. It made Ghost's brow furrow, almost in pain.

The cold autumn air blew through the few trees and the setting sun slowly pushed its way between the dark clouds, coloring the sky in a delicate pink-orange color. If Ghost hadn't been so tensed, he would have enjoyed the quiet evening and the singing of the birds. But every cell in his body was on high alert.

The gun between his skin and his waistband pressed comfortably into his back. A knife was strapped to his right leg and hidden under his jeans. And there were brass knuckles in his jacket pocket, just in case.

"Lovely girl." Spoke someone behind Ghost. He looked up from the headstone to the man with the rake in his hand. "Came here every day that she had off and visited her boyfriend."

Ghost raised his eyebrows in confusion. The cemetery keeper certainly couldn't see the facial expressions through the mask, but the man still pointed to the cross behind Y/N's grave.

"You knew her?" Ghost now asked. He hadn't looked further into Angel's lovers so he was quite puzzled by the fact.

The man nodded. "Only by sight. But she was a lovely soul. It's almost strange to see the cemetery without Y/N. It seems like yesterday when she was still sitting over there and decorating the grave with wreaths of flowers." He leaned on his rake and shifted his glasses back and forth. "Oh, my eyes are bad. What was her date of death again?"

Within seconds, Ghost's boredom was replaced by a heavy dose of adrenaline. He eyed the man, looking for weapons or any other kind of danger. Finding nothing on the man, he looked around the cemetery. He saw neither cameras nor other abnormalities.

For the fourth time, Ghost lifted his wrist and stared at his watch. Only hesitantly did he raise his eyes again to the strange man who was definitely not the cemetery keeper. "Today. 18:56."

The color drained from the man's face. He was speechless for a few seconds, then the rake fell from his hands and made a dull noise on the lawn. "Come." He then said and went ahead.

A feeling settled in Ghost's stomach which he otherwise only got on missions. The willingness to kill, the adrenaline, the tense muscles. The gun at his back was drawn reflexively and rested in Ghost's hand as if they were it's home.

Ghost followed the stranger to a small garden shed that was locked with several padlocks. With two keys from his large keychain and two other locks with a number code, the door was opened and the man entered the garden house first. Ghost took another look across the graveyard. The red flowers stood out the most. Then he stepped into the shed.

The door slammed shut behind Ghost. But before the man could level a silenced handgun at Ghost's head, Ghost had the man nailed to the door and disarmed. His own gun and the man's were on the floor by now.

"Who are you and how do you know Y/N?!" the man growled.

"I would like to know that from you." replied Ghost. His voice was surprisingly calm.

"None of your business!" The man snapped, making Ghost roll his eyes. With one hand he grabbed the man's arm and pulled him away from the door before twisting his arm behind his back, to the limit of his muscles and tendons. With the other hand he grabbed the man's neck and pushed him to the ground faster than the man could react. He had placed his knee on the man's lower back so that he could no longer get up. Ghost made sure that the two weapons were out of range.

"You are a soldier." The man grunted and hissed as Ghost bent his arm a little more. "Okay, okay! I'm her father! Now let go of me!"

Ghost didn't even thought about it and leaned on the man with even more weight. "Prove it." he growled.

A gasp left the man's throat. "Shit, how am I supposed to do that?!" In answer to his question, Ghost tightened his grip on the man's neck. "You met her, right? That's why you knew about the grave and the date of her death. Then you know what she looks like and what really happened. Ask me something only someone who knows her can answer."

"Tattoo." Ghost muttered bluntly. Things like eye color or hair color, even her height were on her record. Anyone could have had access to her old files and knew simple things. The most recent thing about Angel since her disappearance was her tattoo.

"Uhm, tattoo of a ring on her ring finger. From that bastard. I don't know what it looks like but she mentioned on the letter." He answered.

"How could she contact you?" Ghost growled now, too upset that Angel had put up with contacting her father instead of the military or anyone who could have stopped Ivanov.

"Let go of me and I'll explain everything."

Ghost only reluctantly let go of the man. He picked up his gun and tucked it back into his waistband, but he keeped the man's gun in his hand. As Y/N's father reached out his hand to retrieve the gun, Ghost ignored it and took a good look at the room for the first time. It was a normal garden house. Brooms, shovels, tools and much more were stowed away in cupboards. There was only a locker, blocked with a padlock.

With a sigh, the man had refrained from trying to get his gun back and was now about to open the locker with another key from the keychain. It squeaked briefly when he opened the door. A light was on with a switch inside, illuminating the few letters and pictures. 3 files were stacked on the floor, open envelopes were lying on top of them.

"At first I didn't know what the letters meant." The man explained. He took some loose slips of paper from the locker and handed them to Ghost.

The soldier took the letters with one hand. On one piece of paper there were only horizontal lines, on another the lines were all perpendicular. They weren't words, but then again, they shouldn't be roman numerals either.

"I didn't know who the letters were from either, because they all came from Switzerland." Y/N's Dad took two more slips of paper out of the locker and stacked them on top of each other. Then he held the paper up to the light of the lamp. The horizontal and perpendicular lines on the two papers merged and formed letters. The letters in turn did not form whole sentences because words were missing in between. "Each 4 letters make a message. I only found out who they were from a few months ago."

"What is she writing?" Ghost asked coldly. Angel had told him he would get all his answers. Did she mean the letters?

"Here, I wrote down all the letters separately to be able to decode all the messages." Angel's father pulled one of the files out of the locker and pulled out a small notebook from between some photos. "It's all about where Ivanov is based. He commutes between 5 places. 3 in Russia. 2 in Iran, at his weapons dealers. She shared what kind of people he looks for and what his tactics are to get recruits. In the last letter I think she tried to explain what Ivanov's next plan was but I didn't get the letters until after the bombing thing had already happened and the military got back on his trail. My daughter wrote right in the letter that Ivanov had a plan and no matter what he did next, it was a trap."

Ghost's hand clenched into a fist and the paper in his hand crumpled. "And why is she writing to a useless civilian and not the military?"

Angel's father crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm not a civilian. I'm an Ex-Swat Sniper. How do you think my daughter got into the job direction?" A laugh escaped him, which Ghost choked off with his next question. "Why ex-member?"

The man inhaled loudly. "My mental resilience was no longer sufficient after my daughter died too."

Ghost had read Y/N's file closely after he was back in England. It had been almost the first thing he had done, which is why he knew that her mother was already dead.

According to Angel's files, she only went to school until she was 16, then when her mother died, she decided to pursue a military career. After basic military training, she joined the SRS almost immediately.

Then on her eighth overseas assignment, she disappeared and was declared dead.

"And what should an Ex-Swat Sniper do instead of the military to help her?" Ghost asked next, raising an eyebrow.

Angel's father put the letters back in the locker. "That's the thing. She didn't want any help because whoever came to her would have died. She just wanted to let me know what happened and said in case she couldn't take care of Ivanov herself, that someone outside needed all the information to continue her work." The tears in his eyes were hard to miss.

Anger was still raging inside of Ghost. "Who had Angel sent the letters to in Switzerland?"

Y/N's father wrinkled his nose. "Her name isn't Angel." He turned back to the locker with an angry look on his face. "Did that bastard Ivanov named her Angel?"

Ghost was at a loss for words, but on the other hand he was never a man of many words. "Allegedly."

The man shook himself in disgust, then pulled one of the other files out of the closet. "The letters had a long line of post offices before they even got to the family in Switzerland. After a lot of research I found out that it was Elias Schneider's family, one of the soldiers with whom my daughter disappeared with."

Ghost didn't hesitated to take the files out of the mans hand and he cleared out the rest of the contents of the locker. "On behalf of the Special Forces, I'm taking charge of these things."

"Who do you think you are?!" Angel's father growled and tried to stop Ghost from taking the content from inside the locker. "You're killing her! Didn't you hear me?!"

Ghost growled back, almost like an angry fight between two dominant wolves. "Sitting here and wait could kill hundreds, thousands of people." He had put the loose letters and photos in a file and then tucked the files under his arm. "And I'll take that with me for now." The mans gun was still in Ghost's hand. He would eventually give the gun back to the man. But he did not needed an angry father with a gun right now, let alone a bullet in the back of the head.

The man stumbled to get to the door in front of Ghost and held it shut with one hand. It was a pathetic attempt to stop the muscular soldier. "At least tell me if she's okay."

Ghost blew out his breath in exasperation. "She is alive."

Now it was Angel's father again who rolled his eyes. "I know that very well from the letters. I mean... is she still herself?" He spoke hesitantly, as if he really didn't wanted to hear the answer.

"Can't tell, I didn't know her before." Ghost answered monotonously, but he could see through the man's eyes how broken he was. So Ghost took a deep breath to rein his tough personality. "She's a strong girl." He couldn't say more because, as mentioned before, he didn't knew Angel very well.

In the end Ghost didn't care what happened to Angel after all. He had the files and information he needed to continue working on the mission.

If Angel was lucky enough, she would still be alive when he went out again. And Ghost promised Simon that if he saw her again, he would save Angel.

But promises are just empty words, which in the end were always dependent on the situation.

#call of duty #cod x oc #john soap mactavish #kyle gaz garrick #price mw2 #simon ghost riley #simon ghost riley x reader #soap mw2 #cod mwii #simon x reader #john price #ghost x reader #ghost mw2

[starsarefire824]

Moonflower Ch.3 Sneak Peek ✨

Will storms out onto the sidewalk and shoves the bottle into his duffel bag. He hauls it over his shoulder where it lays heavy on one side along with his backpack, the drizzle wetting the ends of his hair that stick out from his cap and hood and dampening the shoulders of his coat.

Then he makes his way down the rest of Main Street, veering off a-ways and heading towards a side street where some small, old detached townhouses reside. The wire fence squeaks when Will unlatches it, leftover leaves still trapped inside the tiny front yard made up of concrete and flower pots.

It’s not fancy by any means, but a fresh coat of paint that Hop must have done recently shines bright white against the grey sky and his mom has put a wreath up for Easter. Surprisingly, Will always missed living where it was quieter and the woods were his backyard, like his old house. But this place is where all Will’s good memories of his adolescence. The years after The Upside Down and Henry Creel.

As he steps up, the porch booms hollow beneath his boots and the screen door groans. He raises his hand to knock, but the door opens before he can, his mother grinning up at him with tears in her eyes.

Her hair is almost completely gray and the lines around her eyes have deepened. She looks so small.

“Mom—“ he chokes out.

“Baby—“ she coos, and instantly hugs him, her cheeks resting against his chest.

Will wraps his hand gently around her head and looks to the sky, swallowing his emotion away.

“It’s been so long—-“ Joyce complains. She slaps him on his chest as she pulls away and gazes up at him with warning in her dark eyes. “Too long.”

Will sighs and shuffles into the warm living room, dropping his stuff near the door. “I know, Mom.”

Joyce pulls a cigarette from the box she keeps stashed in her pocket at all times and lights it. Motioning with her hand as she heads towards the kitchen. “Yeah, well I called, you know. But you never pick up. You know how I worry—-“

Will rolls his eyes behind her, but follows her dutifully. He throws the twelve-pack into the fridge next to Hop’s.

“You want a cup of coffee?”

“Sure, that sounds nice,” he replies politely. Will is already too cold, fingers numb and the tip of his nose icy. He can already feel it settling into his bones, whether it’ be real or imagined he has no idea. All Will knows is that he desperately misses the warmth of New Orleans already, and he’s only been gone for a day.

#byler #current wip #moonflower #will byers #mike wheeler #stranger things #justmyname #byler fanfic

[whoooooisthis]

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Summary: A celebration of summer solstice goes better than expected - sharing your customs really pays off.

Featuring: Kili x gn! reader, kinda Slavic reader, dwarven and Slavic-themed midsummer traditions, mentions of Bagginshield, also featuring my dear friend @the-axe-lass and her beloved Dwalin :) proofreading done by @erosofthepen

<-->

Erebor’s main market was particularly overflowing today, with dwarves and men alike. Cheerful conversation mixed into a pleasant buzz as everyone went about their business. However now, in the middle of June, mundane chores were brushed aside, and preparations for a Midsummer festival were in full swing.

Dwarves just loved winter holidays - Durin’s Day, Yule, and any other you could possibly think of - but you had to admit, they did not dismiss the summer solstice. And neither did the men from the kingdom of Dale, preparing countless bonfires, boats and lanterns.

Despite the festival being in over a week, your dear hobbit friend, Axe, absolutely insisted on going to the market today in search of the best ingredients for any holiday dish there might be in store. Now, you tried to keep up with her as you pushed through the dense crowd.

“Those look just wonderful, don’t you think?” Axe said as she held up a pair of earrings next to her face, the precious gems gleaming, the metal around them smithed with finesse.

“Will you be buying them for the celebrations?” You stood behind her, gazing in the small mirror and admiring the dwarven craft.

“I don’t know, maybe. I heard those stones are a good-luck charm around here.”

“Let’s hope your favourite warrior attends the feast then, so the charm will have a chance to work, hm?” You grinned mischievously as the hobbit blushed a deep cherry, muttering something about Dwalin “having to attend as a royal guard” and “totally not going there to see anyone”. In an attempt to recover, she quickly changed the topic, rambling about the Shire’s customs - the dances, gathering herbs, baking and, above all, Gandalf’s fireworks.

“Well now, now, you didn’t tell me about your traditions! I must hear them!” She bumped your shoulder encouragingly.

“We celebrate the night of the solstice, and there’s lots of stuff about bonfires - dancing around them, jumping over the fire, burning herbs. Wreaths are a big thing - they’re woven out of flowers and herbs. In the old times, young maidens used to place a candle in their wreath and let it float down a river. Boys would wait lower, and if they caught a wreath, they’d go and search for its owner, and often that’s how romance started. Nowadays, even giving someone a flower crown on that night can be a romantic sign.”

Axe seemed to be deep in thought all of a sudden. “So, a nice wreath on the night of midsummer could be a courting gift? A way to ask someone out?”

“Pretty much, yeah” you replied, brows furrowed at your friend’s odd antics. “Why do you ask?”

“Oh, I was just curious.”

←→

The day finally came, and it was filled with laughter, songs, food and drinks. Ribbons decorated all of Dale, and banners with intricate patterns were hung in Erebor. Dwarves, per their tradition, spent most of the day in the forges. The fires of hearths at midsummer were thought to be sacred, and their heat could forge the strongest weapons that were usually meant as a gift for royalty or loved ones.You could have sworn you saw the King, Thorin Oakenshield himself sneaking out of the forges with a mysterious package, but you had to wait until the evening to find out what it could have been.

And finally, the night came, and when it did, it was unrivalled in its splendour. The air was hot and thick with smoke, and the stars shone bright over the cities. It was one of the very few nights when most of Erebor dined and celebrated under the night sky, not in their glorious stone halls. Dozens of people joined together to dance through the streets, and around the tall bonfires. The herbs that were burned gave the air an intoxicating scent, which only seemed to encourage you to fill your goblet and dance away the night.

Your friends seemed to have disappeared somewhere into the crowd, so not thinking much, you joined the nearest group and let yourself be carried through the fields. You twirled, jumped and laughed, trying to sing along to the foreign tune of people from Dale, and marvelling at their flutes and bagpipes. Their culture was still foreign to you, as you were someone from outside of Middle Earth. Your white linen shirt and its embroideries did not match their garb, but they took you in with open arms like their kin, and you celebrated among them.

The dancing crowd carried you to the tallest hill between Dale and Erebor, and in your fervour you bumped into a large wooden table, and promptly apologised as you almost knocked out a pint of ale.

Only when Fili laughed lightheartedly at you, had you realised that this table is the royal one, with Thorin's throne in the middle, and the whole court sat around it.

And as you were pushed away again, you saw Kili.

You had always been drawn to him, ever since meeting him, ever since going on a perilous journey by his side. Even if other dwarves had taunted him for his lack of beard or pointy features, you had always quietly admired his beauty. To be honest, you didn't even notice the day when you woke up, and he was already engrained deep in your heart.

And he wasn't helping at all. He sat next to you by the fire, sharpened your weapons, defended you from orcs even when he didn't have to.

You danced around each other during the journey, unsure of the other’s feelings, afraid of rejection and humiliation, but constantly in fear the other might perish in battle. Now, in times of peace, it seemed even harder. Royal duties took his company away from you, the two of you only sharing looks across corridors now instead of honest conversations by the fire as you used to.

But now, there he was - mithril and gems that were sewn into his tunic gleaming in firelight, his eyes trained on you. You broke away from the dancing circle and sent him a smile over the flames.

Maybe tonight, fate would bring you two together. It was the summer solstice after all, a night of magic and festivities. But no, you brushed that idea aside. To dwarves, the solstice was barely a milestone, an indicator that it’s already halfway to the Day of Durin. Maybe it was a day full of festivities, but it was nothing like it was back home. In your culture, the solstice, Kupała’s night, was truly a day of fire: jumping over bonfires, walking on coals and dancing with torches, but first and foremost, it was a day of fire in lovers’ hearts. Wreaths were woven with the intention of finding love, soft promises were spoken under the moonlight, and often this was the only night when two young people were allowed to walk away and cherish one another’s company in quiet groves.

But how could he know that? The sly smile on his face couldn’t have meant anything. Especially that after breaking eye contact, he seemed to have already forgotten of your existence, filling his goblet with warm wine and chatting with Thorin, who looked off into the distance like he didn’t hear his nephew.

You were taken by the current of the dancing masses, losing sight of the royal table and getting further away from it, even though you desperately wished to go closer. You saw your friends in the crowd - Bofur was already standing on a nearby table and serenading, Axe and Dwalin on his left, holding hands as they finally danced together, both blushing but lost in the moment. Truly, this must have been the very first time you saw the tough warrior’s cheeks redden. Love really has an odd effect on people. And Bilbo, who after all decided to stay in Erebor, tried to look completely unbothered and only interested in the pie before him, but you couldn’t help but notice the not-really-sneaky glances he shot in the general direction of the royal table and Thorin’s chair.

You, however, searched for Kili with your gaze, but found his chair empty and his plate unfinished. He must have disappeared when you weren’t looking, but the rest of his family was seated as before.

“May I have a dance?” A voice from behind startled you, and when you turned around, you were met with the very dwarf you seeked out. Kili stood before you smiling, his hand extended in an invitation. Fire seemed to be dancing in his eyes, lighting up the deep amber and bringing up the ever-present mischievous glint. Your heart started beating a little faster, but you still tried to convince yourself it was just from exertion.

His face lit up as you agreed, and he soon snatched you by your waist and twirled around with you to the new, lively tune. You felt your cheeks redden and hoped he wouldn’t notice in the dim firelight. Strong arms embraced you, and your skin was hot beneath the hands that grasped your waist and shoulder. You couldn’t remember how long it was since Kili was so close to you, your breaths mingling, your gazes never leaving each other.

The song ended too soon, and you both pulled away, suddenly aware of the proximity and warmth that you shared. Kili smirked and bowed low before you, brown hair falling in a beautiful mess around his face. You chuckled at his antics and replied with a pale imitation of a curtsy, before taking his hand in yours again.

“Thank you for the dance. It was… amazing.” Kili blushed and turned his eyes away in embarrassment. For a moment he stroked your palm with his thumb absentmindedly, like he was on a threshold of some important decision. But then, you could see his back straightening as he pulled your hand and started walking towards a nearby birch forest.

“Come on. I want to show you something.”

You raced after him, the laughter of the dancers fading and the light of the fires dimming slowly. Soon it was just the two of you in the serene forest. Kili kept looking behind him to make sure you're still there, even though he could hear you perfectly. Each time, he tightened his hand around yours, as to make sure you're tangible, and not just a figment of his imagination.

And you did the same, because the soft moonlight falling on his features made him look like the most beautiful, ethereal dream, something that can be blown away by the wind. But he was there, and his warmth and strong embrace reassured you.

You jumped over a small stream, your feet landing in soft moss. You let him lead you, through groves and clearings basked in the silvery light. He covered your eyes with his hand, giggling, and guided you through a curtain of vine.

He brought you to the most beautiful place you could imagine. Seemingly untouched by mortal foot, dewy moss laid like a carpet around a sparkling lake. Snowy water lilies softly swayed under the force of countless waterfalls cascading down the rocks, and the sounds of nature were the sweetest music to your ears.

You gasped as you looked around in awe, your fingers still laced softly with your love's. You took all of the beauty in, brushed your hand over the leaves and breathed the fresh air deep, but when you turned back to Kili, his eyes hadn't moved from you.

"Do you like it?"

"Like it? Kili, I- It's gorgeous here!"

"Good thing it's not all. Wait here." He quickly jogged away and pulled something out of a hollow tree. He hid it behind his back as he walked back to you. Your gazes locked as he grabbed your hands and put something cold and soft in them.

A wreath.

A beautiful, hand-woven wreath of wild herbs, white flowers and red berries. You could see Kili's hand in the knots and in the placement of the flowers.

A wreath. A declaration of love. A courting gift, or a marriage proposal. And he didn't know.

Tears started to gather in your eyes. Oh, how much you wished he would know what he had just gifted you.

"Kili, it's beautiful, but I can't-" You outstretched your hands towards him, trying to give him the too generous gift back.

The prince placed a warm hand on yours, and closed them over the crown.

"I mean it."

"You can't possibly know-"

"I know, and I mean it." Kili took a step closer to you, your breaths mixing, the air thick between the two of you. "Your friend told me all about it, and I thought… I thought that if there's a chance that you feel the same about me as I feel about you, then I could at least try."

You were speechless. You had dreamt of this many times, of him somehow returning your feeling. It even felt like a dream, the kind of dream you wake up from with a bitter taste of longing, but then you brought your hand up to your love's cheek, and he was there. He was there, his skin flushing and his heartbeat just as fast as your own.

"Will you be mine, and allow me to be yours?" he asked hopefully. "Will you wear-"

"Yes." you breathed out. "Yes, a thousand times yes."

Two pairs of trembling hands lifted the wraith to the top of your head. Kili's hands set it there, and slid down your hair, ghosting over your temples and cheeks in the most tender caress. And then he captured your lips, soft and full of adoration, and you gladly reciprocated. The world stopped around you as the flame in your hearts burned united, brighter than ever.

You parted for breath. His forehead came to rest gently against yours, and you felt at home. Kili's hair slipped through your fingers as you caressed his cheek and neck. He paid respect to your traditions, and you could do just the same.

"Would you allow me to braid your hair, Kili?"

#kili #kili x reader #kili durin #kili imagine #kili x you #kili durin x reader #the hobbit #slavic #wit.fics #midsummer #solstice #lotr #lord of the rings #tolkien #tolkienverse #dwarrow #dwarves #dwarf #kili the hobbit #the hobbit kili #the hobbit x reader #reader insert

[brightgnosis]

Harvest Home Hexennacht & Wild Hunt: Happy Autumn Equinox

I don't participate in Wild Hunt activities because it's not actually a part of my practice. I barely even celebrate the Solstices and Equinoxes, honestly- and even then, what I do celebrate of them is really only to elevate HaShem and remind myself of its glory above all, as Creator and Sovereign of the Universe. I rarely actually have much that I feel is significantly practice oriented enough to really contribute to @msgraveyarddirt / @graveyarddirt's Solstice Squad activities as a result.

This year, though, I was busy when The Rents came due on September 1st and kind of forgot about them until the last minute because I was deep cleaning the Basement in early preparation for Rosh Hashanah. And so I didn't decorate on the first of Autumn like I usually do at seasonal shifts. I thought I'd take the time on the Equinox, then, to finish changing out my Summer Decorations for Autumn ones- even if it was a bit late.

Earlier in the week the door got a new Autumn wreath; I left my Summer wreath on last year through the season, because I wasn't too happy with any of the choices; Autumn decorations and I usually just don't vibe. I'm a Spring Creature through and through.

When I saw this one at Lowe's this year, however, I knew it was it for me; I loved how big it was. I also loved all of the green leaves on it, and the variety of small Pumpkins. The Pinecones are a bit of a weird addition, though, since those are very much a Spring thing to me? But it's whatever.

It goes surprisingly well together and it looks cute on the door (which desperately needs to be repainted at this point, but it's not my house). And that's all that matters to me!

And of course, since the Wreath went up, that means Pierre went out onto the stoop (then immediately got moved to the other side of the Breezeway where there was actually more room for him, ha); I still can't figure out why I love his stupid little face, but I do. I'm glad I invested in him instead of deciding not to like I almost did ... He just brings me so much joy every year.

This year I was actually able to pick him up and carry him up the stairs myself, even! A huge improvement in my strength, considering the bastard weighs about 30 pounds all on his own. Which is great, actually, because it means he doesn't blow away; a huge (and legitimate) issue I worry about with all the foam ones I always see for sale since the Breezeway gets so damned windy every year.

Then yesterday after work, my Husband took me out to get the finishing touches for inside- a few items of which I'd already picked up earlier in the week when I chanced across them at WalGreens while grabbing myself some Tylenol: A giant white light-up Pumpkin, and two smaller Pumpkins (one Orange and one Red).

For the rest, I bought the fairly typical stuff that I've been buying for the Mantle for every seasonal shift so far: Some fake flowers to make an arrangement out of, a new autumnal vase for them, and a leaf garland to go across the bottom.

I actually wasn't too sure if I was going to like it when I was picking it out. But it came together surprisingly nicely; I keep finding myself staring at the Mantle now, ha.

I did all the decorating while listening to the second half of Friday Night Shabbat Service online. Then lit the Shabbat candles when everything was up and decorated, said some Prayers, and then sat down with 'God in the Wilderness' for a bit.

I also reflected last night on the fact that I've been trying to be more active in my Homemaking, my Gardening, and my Payer Routine again since Rosh Hashanah, during the Ten Days of Awe; I want that to be my Segula, to bring me back into a state of comfort, and remind me of what I love doing and where I flourish the most- even if the house feels a bit oppressive at moments.

I didn't do any riding. No baking was done (except my Husband's Birthday Cake much later in the night before bed). Nothing special was really had ... It was just a quiet Solstice night for me; much needed, honestly, given the chaos that's unfolding for the next few days, starting from today onwards.

This blog belongs to a «Multi-Neuroatypical + Multi-Disabled» «Queer» «Childless» «Jewish + Pagan» «NonTraditionalist» Homemaker. TradWives are unwelcome.

This account is run by a Dual Faith «(Converting) Masorti Jew + Traditional NeoWiccan» & «Ancestral Folk Magic Practitioner» with 20+ years of experience as a practicing Pagan and Witch. If that bothers you, don't interact.

#SAFE TO REBLOG #Harvest Home Wild Hunt #Harvest Home Wild Hunt 2023 #Solstice Squad #Solstice Squad 2023 #Original Community Content #Original Content #Personal #2023 #Calendar Nonsense #A Direct Look At My Practice #Religion & Magic #Around My Home