Samuel Page - Penguin rookery on Snares Island. From the album: [1907 Sub-Antarctic Expedition]; circa 1908; North, W.

I dont think breakcore is healthy for me judging by this image

[Dec. 28 2023]

I have joined a trend! They’re all trans, and asexual, just like me but that’s pure coincidence. And projection. Not canon, but in my mind that’s all canon.

Original is below the cut

could you do penguins? any species is ok

Penguins. Written by Bernard Stonehouse. Illustrated by Trevor Boyer. 1979.

North Brunswick Township High School Alumni 1983 Raiders Marching Band (Snare and Roto Tom Drummer, Concert Band Xylophonist (Percussionist)) Anyone have yearbook photos or videos to post? https://dinzel.bandcamp.com/track/party-on-charlie (Coney Island, New York) https://m.youtube.com/shorts/p7V-yHtAQYk DiNZeL

This curious critter is a worm like no other: The pigbutt worm

Bobbing along in ocean currents a half mile below the surface is a worm like no other. Our team first spotted the unusual pigbutt worm (Chaetopterus pugaporcinus) in 2001 and had a tough time determining how to categorize such a curious critter. Working closely with our collaborators, DNA analysis eventually confirmed we had encountered a new species of bristle worm that drifts through the midwater instead of living on the seafloor.

Over the last two decades, these worms have only been observed in Monterey Bay and a few near the Channel Islands off the southern California coast. This little worm is about the size of a hazelnut, and even using our high-resolution cameras, it took the eagle eyes of our expert biologists to spot these miniature orbs in the massive ocean. Our skilled submersible pilots were able to gently sample them and transport them back to the ship alive for detailed examination.

Chaetopterus pugaporcinus casts out a web of snot to capture bits of organic material called marine snow to eat. Mucus is a useful substance for snaring food in the deep sea where it may be sparse. Numerous other animals get their nutrition this way too. Animals of all shapes and sizes in the ocean perform an essential climate service by taking up excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and transporting it deep in the ocean. These assorted midwater mucous-feeders help repackage carbon to sink more rapidly to hungry seafloor communities.

Date Night

ZORO X READER! FLUFF! (Pls send requests! I’m on my knees begging for ppl to send them 🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️)

“Zoro, when's the last time you took me on a date?” I asked. “A what?” He asked. “Exactly! You don’t even know what a date is! And I don’t either, but I do know that couples go on them,” I huffed as I fell back onto the training mat. “Sounds dumb,” he said as he swung his ginormous weights. “That’s because you don’t have any romantic trait in your whole dumb buff body…” I sighed. “Why does it matter if we go on dates? You know I love you? Isn’t that enough?” He asked. “It is… but I don’t know. Wouldn’t you like to see me get dressed up, and I mean… it’d be kind of nice to see you all dressed fancy too. Then we go eat, you get me a flower and put it in my hair, and then we walk under the moonlight,” I say as I fantasized the whole experience. “Sounds like a hassle, and I think you’ve been reading too many of Robin’s books,” he said as he dropped his weights. “I guess… I guess you’re right. It is a lot to ask for…” I sighed and headed out of the training room. “Hey! Where are you-“ but I didn’t stay back to answer, I just headed down to the room to take a nap. I’ll just sleep it off, maybe he’s right…

Zoro’s POV

I went to look for (Y/N), but before I could reach her she locked herself in the girls’ room. “Zoro? What’s up?” Nami asked behind me. I turned around and let out a loud sigh. “I just… I’m just confused…” he said. “Hm? Confused about what?” Robin said as she walked down the stairs.

I now sat in front of the 2 women ready to ask some questions. “Alright Zoro, so what happened?” Nami asked. “Well, (Y/N) started asking all these questions about a date? And I said that it sounds dumb and why should we even go on a date if we know that we love each other already… and it all just sounds like a waste of time… And now she locked herself in the room and I just don’t know why,” I sighed as I fell back into the chair. “You idiot!” Nami snared as she hit my head. “Ow!” I yelled, feeling a bump form on my head. “Zoro, I think the reason why (Y/N) is asking for a date is because she wants to see that you love her,” Robin explained. “But I already do that. I let her follow me when we visit islands, we train together, I help her during fights… What more could she wa-“ Nami smacked my head again, causing another bump to form. “She means actual romantic stuff, you moron! I can’t believe you thought that was a showing of love, at that rate she’s no different than a crew mate!” Nami huffed. “You should think about taking her out sometimes, and treat her more like a girlfriend and less like a regular crew mate. We know that you love her, and I’m sure she knows too… but sometimes someone wants to experience classic romance. Did she say what kind of date she’d like?” Robin asked. “She said she wants us to dress up, go eat, put a flower in her hair, then walk under the moonlight…” I trailed off. “Oh my poor (Y/N), she’s so pure-hearted,” Nami smiled. “That does sound wonderful,” Robin agreed. “And easy,” Nami pointed out. “What restaurant would I even take her to? You said the next island is about 2 weeks away,” I said. “That is true… but luckily for you we do have an outstanding chef!” Nami said excitedly. “That’s right, I’m sure Sanji wouldn’t mind helping,” Robin smiled. “That curly-brow? I don’t kn- Alright I’ll ask him!” I said before Nami could smack me again. “Good! And we can dress (Y/N) up! Oh, and ask Sanji to borrow one of his suits,” Nami said. “Alright…” I said as I walked towards the kitchen. “Oh, before you go Zoro…” Robin called out and handed me something.

(Y/N)’s POV

I woke up to a knock on the door. I slowly dragged myself to the door and opened it, to greet… no one. Hmmm. I looked down and saw a letter. “Ooh, what’s this?” I asked myself as I picked up the letter. I noticed my name was printed on the outside, I closed the door and opened the letter.

Dear (Y/N),

Meet me by the dining room at 8PM. Nami and Robin will be stopping by in a few seconds.

Zoro

“Is this… a date?!” I asked excitedly, I began hopping around the room until I realized. “Hey… the letter said Nami and Robin would be here in-“ I was cut off from the knocking on the door. “Oh nevermind,” I said and ran over to open the door. “Nami! Robin!” I said excitedly. “Hi (Y/N)!” They said as they walked in. “So, why are you two in the letter?” I asked, confused. “Well that’s because Zoro asked us to help you get all dolled up,” Robin smiled. “He did? Really?” I asked. “oh Yep, now come on! Your date is gonna start in about an hour, we gotta be quick!” Nami said as she began rolling up her sleeves. “Huh?” I asked, as I noticed the two girls had stars in their eyes.

“We really outdid ourselves,” Nami smiled as she wiped her forehead. “Mmhmm, you look beautiful (Y/N),” Robin smiled. I looked into the mirror and gasped, I had a beautiful emerald green satin, off-shoulder corset top midi dress, with a slit that goes up to my knee. Nami let me borrow a black ankle strap heel, with some matching jewelry. Robin also put some curlers in my hair, and it left some beautiful loose waves. “You think so? Do… Do you think Zoro will like it?” I asked as I felt my face heat up. “Aww… and he better, or I’ll knock some sense into him,” Nami said. “Now, now, (Y/N)’s already 10 minutes late. I’m sure her date won’t be too happy if she’s a minute longer,” Robin giggled. “Beauty takes time Robin, I’m sure Zoro knows that. Now we just need a light rosy lip gloss, to tie everything together. The second Nami finished putting the lip gloss on me I rushed out the door, but not before hugging both of them and telling them a bunch of thank you’s.

I walked slowly towards the dining room, I noticed a figure standing outside the door. “Zoro?” I called out. “There you are. I was just thinking that my date stood me up,” he smiled as he approached me. I blushed when I saw him all dressed up. “H-Hi…” I stuttered. “What’s wrong, beautiful?” He asked as he grabbed my chin, making me face him. “N-N-Nothing…” I said, flustered. Zoro chuckled and moved his hand down and grabbed mine. “You look beautiful. I gotta thank Nami and Robin for making you look almost perfect,” he smiled. “Almost perfect?” I asked. “Yeah, there’s something missing,” he said as he pulled a flower from inside his coat pocket. “A rose?” I asked. “Mmhmm,” he nodded, and slowly placed the bright red rose behind my ear. “Perfect, well you’re always perfect… but I do like how you look in a dress,” he smiled. If romance could kill a person, I’d be a goner. “Th-Thanks,” I blushed. “Now let’s get to that dinner, the idiot-cook made,” he said and led me inside the dining room.

We walked into the dining room, and I gasped the second I saw the beautiful setup. “Zoro, did you do all of this?” I asked. “Well… Usopp did the setup, but he did outdo himself,” Zoro said as he led me to the cloth covered table with a candle and a vase filled with roses. “Wow,” I said, and Zoro helped me into my seat. Then pushing me in, towards the table. He then sat in the seat across from me. As soon as he sat, Sanji walked out with 2 trays. “Oh hi, Sanji,” I waved. “Hello m'lady,” Sanji smiled, and I saw Zoro roll his eyes. “Today we have a Sun-dried tomato chicken and gnocchi. With a side of cesar salad and a glass of Pinot Noir,” he said as he poured us a glass and placed the meals down. “Thanks Sanji, everything looks delicious,” I smiled. “I’m glad, and I’ll leave you two to your meal,” he smiled and quickly walked away. We began to eat until I noticed something, “Hey Zoro, isn’t it crazy that Luffy hasn’t smelled the food yet?” I laughed. “That’s because I have him tied up in the basement,” he replied. “Y-You what…?” I asked. “Yeah… I didn’t want him ruining our date, so I took matters into my own hands,” he said mischievously. “You sound like a mafia boss,” I sweat dropped. “Now finish up, I still have another surprise for you,” he said. “Ok!” I smiled.

We quickly finished up the meal, and Zoro led me to the deck. I was surprised to see Brooke standing in the middle of the deck. “Hi Brooke,” I waved. “Hello, (Y/N)! Hello Zoro!” He said. “Now grab your lady and hold her tight,” he said and Zoro quickly pulled me into him. Moving his hand to my lower back, and guiding mine to his shoulders before placing his other hand to my lower back. “Z-Zoro?” I blushed. Suddenly Brooke began playing a slow tune on his violin, and Zoro and I began swaying to the music. “You said you wanted a date, and I wanna keep you happy. So I asked some of the crew to help me set this up, cause we both know I couldn’t have done this all by myself,” he explained. “You asked Sanji to help too?” I asked, shocked. “Yeah, but the damn curly brow made me do some favors in order to get his help…” Zoro said, annoyed. “Oh Zoro, you’re so sweet,” I teared up. “Hey don’t go tearing up. I told you already, I love you,” he said softly. “I know, and I love you too,” I said before we both leaned in for a passionate kiss.

But our romantic moment was eventually ruined as we heard some banging coming from downstairs. “Luffy! No!” Usopp yelled, as he, Franky, and Chopper chased after our captain. “I smell it! Where’s the food?” He yelled and ran around the deck. “Those idiots… I put them in charge of keeping him tied up…” Zoro sighed. I laughed as I watched everyone trying to catch Luffy, but he kept slipping out of their grasps. “Come here,” I said and pulled him in for another kiss. “I can get used to doing this kind of thing again,” he said, before deepening the kiss.

Dearest parental figure, if you’re tired of beating medieval ghost and his princess with a stick could we check in on medieval Gaz?

If not I will sit right back down to enjoy the trauma. Please and thank you.

(dreamy sigh) Gaz...

Yeah I can do some medieval Gaz, where did we leave of? The man of the hour was stealing away maid!reader for some mischief, er, sleep...

You think it's rather fun sneaking around with a man who could freely walk the halls with you and incur no judgement. The way Gaz pulls you around corners and presses his hand over your mouth leaves you giggling. Maybe you've had a little too much to drink. But! It's so much fun! You stumble up stairs and hold a finger to your lips to shush Gaz as you pull him back behind a tapestry. He spends a brief moment marveling at the secret servant's passage before casting his wicked grin on you and making you laugh all over again.

"You're going to give us away doll," He tells you seriously, though it's hard to take him so seriously when he smiles like that. You do your best to quiet down the giggles and give him your best most serious look. He snorts, quite elegantly, and bites his lip to prevent a repeat of the sound.

"If we aren't doing anything but getting a sleeping tonic for you, then what's there to give away?" You whisper ask, though calling it a whisper is too quiet an adjective. You're a little louder than you really should be.

"You don't think a pretty thing like you following a strange man to his quarters is cause for talk?" He asks, holding the door for you on the other end of the tunnel.

"I don't think you're strange," You tell him with a smile and a quick raise of your brows. Gaz rolls his eyes but his grin doesn't leave him. You think he looks rather dashing when he smiles, more rakish than his usual stern expression --handsome as that may be. He opens his mouth to respond and stops, looking around as you make your way to the storeroom.

"Why're we in the kitchen?" Gaz asks, apparently not so upset by the change in scenery he can't swipe an apple from the nearby basket. You hum, pulling the herbs you need.

"You said you wanted a tonic," You settle the necessaries on the middle island.

"Didn't really mean-" He grumbles and sighs, "Alright, tonic, fine." He relents.

"What else could you have meant?" You tease, rolling up your sleeves and turning to get the kettle on. You nearly run into Gaz, the proud set of his shoulders hardly twitching as you lean back against the counter to avoid bumping him. His hands settle on either side of you on the island, fingers drumming impatiently against the wood. He's awfully close. The smell of his cologne, the rich dark leather and currant of it, is terribly enticing. He makes you want to lean close with one breath, one warm glance.

He has a habit of boxing you in, doesn't he? You're not sure if you should be indulging in it or trying to break him of it. He leans close, dips his head towards your shoulder, and you find yourself baring your neck to make room for him. He breathes deeply, and you wonder if he's enjoying your perfume the way you're enjoying his. The brush of his breath against your skin raises goosebumps. You can't help but shiver.

"Are you being purposefully obtuse, or do you really not know?" He murmurs, and you wonder if it's just the angle or if you can truly feel the brush of his lips against your neck. It must be his breath, or your hair, anything else. It makes your breath catch in your chest just the same. Makes you freeze like a rabbit in a snare, waiting for his next move.

When he does finally move away from you the air feels terribly cold. The warmth of him leaving you as quickly as it had appeared. "I'm going back," He tells you, "take the tonic to my room when you finish." You wish your brain would unstick itself from the tar he plunged it into, that you had anything witty to say back. Gaz doesn't wait for an answer, he leaves you to your work in the kitchen. Leaves you to calm your pounding heart by yourself. A charming man is more dangerous than a tyrant, but you can't say you don't enjoy it.

my mom recently read in a novel that some larger praying mantis species have been known to kill and eat hummingbirds. I know about bird-eating tarantulas, but I was curious if you knew of other insects who prey on birds, mammals, etc.? I know most will scavenge anything, but what abt critters who hunt? the idea of insects who hunt large prey is fascinating to me

large generalist predatory insects like mantises and katydids predominantly eat other insects, but the majority of the vertebrate prey they take is probably frogs and lizards, and typically ones smaller than themselves. hummingbirds might not be too representative of typical vertebrate prey because (I believe I heard a mantis researcher say) their metabolism is so tightly wound that the stress of being caught is enough to kill them, and all the mantis has to do is hang on, which they definitely can do. still, vertebrate predation is pretty impressive for orthopterans and mantodeans, since they’ve got to do it all without venom!

army ants of various types are also famous for their ability to catch vertebrates, but most army ants are actually specialists on other social insects (ants, wasps, termites), and the few generalist predator army ants still predominantly prey on invertebrates (and don’t skeletonize cows and horses like they do in cartoons).

diving beetles will hunt fish and aquatic amphibians—there’s a reason their larvae are called “water tigers!” belostomatid water bugs are probably the most impressive aquatic vertebrate-eaters though, and use powerful venom to subdue surprisingly large fish, tadpoles, and even other vertebrates:

outside of insects, there’s a lot of spiders that can feed on herptiles, either by overpowering them with strength like huntsmen and tarantulas, or by snaring them in webs like widows, the most successful snake eaters:

plus, there’s always the famous Nephila orbweavers whose sturdy webs can catch avian prey, but this is probably a fairly rare occurrence.

going over to centipedes, giant scolopendrids are quite successful predators of vertebrates, with any species large enough likely preying on herptiles, and occasionally on some far larger than they are!

Scolopendra venom is evolved to take down large prey, so it’s no surprise they’re some of the most prolific vertebrate-eaters in the arthropod world. some very large Scolopendra (gigantea, maybe galapagoensis, viridicornis, heros) will hunt bats, sometimes by hanging to catch them in flight. other predation on mammals and birds seems to occur opportunistically, especially where the prey is helpless: S. galapagoensis was recorded feeding on baby rodents in the Galapagos; other island species like Cormocephalus coynei will feed on seabird chicks (enough with the “fluffy” avian favoritism, Nature! ‘pedes gotta eat).

oh, speaking of nestling-devouring, there’s also some freaky observations of slugs munching on soft mushy songbird babies! someone on Twitter had their nest camera record some chicks getting eaten by a large Carabus ground beetle, but I can’t find it again.

but I think the most shocking example of vertebrate predation by an invertebrate is probably Epomis, another ground beetle. as larvae, they feed on frogs far larger than they are by letting themselves get attacked, latching onto the would-be predator, and munching on it until it perishes. adult beetles also prey on amphibians, but just run them down instead of luring prey.

(there’s also video of the adult beetles preying on frogs, but they seem to all be stolen by some weird content scraper YT channels, so I’ll not post them here.)

let me know if I missed any good examples of vertebrate predation by bugs!

Thinking about these characters…

About Deli and the scent of caramel and apple sticking out to him as the FDA members walk past. Thane of his clan, and then a chief. Desperate to prove himself, not even realizing he has been groomed and manipulated by an older woman. Blackmailed into this ever-tangling web of conspiracy by a threat of a secret that was perhaps never a threat at all but a betrayal, because she is a part of it. Who believes he is the master of his own destiny and cannot see the strings.

About Colin. A child of the Dairy Islands, no matter how removed, the descendent of a man murdered for trying to do what was right. Watching over his shoulder his whole life. Seeing his best friend stab the Queen of Candia, himself emerging covered in her viscera with the realization that he cannot continue “whatever this is” because Deli is perhaps as heartless as those people who murdered his grandfather and his father.

About Lady Amangeaux and her tiny child. The dowager queen abandoned as soon as she was no longer tied to a man’s title. The woman grasping at straws, desperate to hold on to her privilege and now desperate to hold on to her son. Searching for meaning, locked in an empty manor save for her son and her staff, surrounded by stacks of books. Abandoning her title to ensure his safety.

About Bishop Raphaniel, the liar. Webs and webs of his own falsehoods to hide the source of where he got his magic, or that he can do it at all. Running from his nightmares, haunted by a vision. Trapped in someone else’s web and wriggling desperately to be free, trapping himself further in the snare. Desperate for truth, not seeing the irony of it when his whole life has been carefully crafted by his own lies.

And Karna. A child who never truly got to be a child. A child who has seen more than most of the adults she interacts with. A child who is ruthless and rotting because there was never any point of trying to be anything else. A girl who became a woman, who moulded that ruthlessness into a water steel dagger to aim at the heart of whoever stands in her way.

[ A young, female Javan rhino calf enjoys a mud wallow alongside her mother. ]

"This is the first official announcement of a newborn of the critically endangered species after an investigative report published earlier this year threw into doubt the government’s claims of a steadily growing population. In its report, the nonprofit environmental NGO Auriga Nusantara revealed that 18 rhinos had been missing for years, and at least three of them were confirmed to have died since 2019, yet continued to be listed in the official population count. None of these missing or dead Javan rhinos were publicly announced by either the agency that manages Ujung Kulon National Park or the Indonesian environment ministry. The ministry’s announcement of the newest calf doesn’t give an updated population count — something the ministry typically used to do to bolster its claims of stable population growth for the endemic species. In the last official mention of the Javan rhino population, the ministry said in a press release in September that there were “about” 80 rhinos left, with an average of three births per year. Notably, it didn’t give a death rate. Auriga’s report also highlighted worrying indications that attempted rhino poaching has resumed in Ujung Kulon since 2018, following three decades without reported incidents. It noted the discovery of a snare positioned specifically to catch a large mammal like a rhino or banteng (Bos javanicus), adding that sightings of people carrying firearms and other illegal activities have also been increasing all over the park. Accounts by communities and partner organizations in the Ujung Kulon area have reported seeing poachers entering the coastal park from the sea. Once ranging throughout Southeast Asia, these rhinos have been hunted to near-extinction, with a single population remaining. Since the 2011 death of the last Javan rhino in Vietnam, the critically endangered species now only exists in the Indonesian park at the western tip of Java Island. Javan rhinos face several unique threats, such as an unbalanced sex ratio of about two males for every one female; a lack of genetic diversity within the existing population; the potential for disease transmission from cattle herded by nearby communities; and being confined to a single habitat that’s now nearing its carrying capacity for rhinos and is located in an area prone to natural disasters."

- Excerpt from "Indonesia reports a new Javan rhino calf, but population doubts persist" by Basten Gokkon.

Home III

Part II , Part IV

Word Count: 1.2k (not proof read) The three begin their journey, the path becomes a little more steady for Azriel's companions. Who they've invited along becomes much clearer...

They had gathered again at dawn, Mor had sent word just before Aodhan had bid his goodnight and slipped into his own room. It seemed Azriel was eager to join their cause, but for whatever reason, she'd have to figure that out later.

Feeling the goodbye Azriel and Mor had shared sent something warm yet sad through her chest. From what Mor had shared, the two were close, and now having to part after only being reunited. She felt a small pang of guilt wash through her, but it was gone as quick as it came.

They'd set out not a moment after, her mare Cara taking off into a swift gallop, the muscles of her strong body straining around her legs. Cara had been her companion for years now, trusting her was like second nature as she felt the wind press to her face, the solidness beneath grounding her thoughts of her body being in free fall. Azriel and Aodhan flew in tandem, the beats of their wings in her ears let her know they flew above her. She laughed to herself remembering the shock in Azriel's voice as he'd seen her familiar, Brien, shift his form of a docile feline to one of a swift hawk, taking off in front of them all. Ever the noble one, making sure the way forward was clear of things she couldn't see.

"He enjoys putting on a show" she had said to him, his sound of agreement still full of wonder.

Although she'd barely spoken more than a few words to the male, his hands remained a steady thought in her mind. She'd expected some roughness to them, from what she'd gathered of his build with her breeze moments prior. He was steady, in every sense of the word. The gush of air had swirled around him easily, no snare from a twitch or slight movement. He had felt like a predator, unmoving, waiting for the right moment to pounce. The wings were the same, sure of the space they occupied, unyielding. His hands had been like nothing she'd ever touched before. The deep ridges, the smoothness that separated healed over wounds to the roughness of the little skin that remained. Fire had done this, hot scorching fire eons ago. It was a miracle he could feel anything at all in those hands. She'd never forget them, couldn't even if she tried.

The journey wouldn't take them long. Inderre was as close to North as you'd get before you reached Monteserre and Valhallan, both of which they'd avoid, slipping though the small strip of land in between the two borders, unclaimed, and they'd reach the passage for her home.

Samhain was a month and a half away, not much time at all really. She'd spent longer from it than she'd hoped, Aodhan had come to request her back not even a week ago, the chieftains restless for her return. She supposed it was natural, the unease. No one had ventured from the Islands in her almost seven hundred years of existence. But, times were changing, and the islands needed to change with it. They'd been apart from the world for too long, while they were safe now, she needed to ensure that lasted. It only took one wrong move and their hidden world could be deemed a threat to be eradicated.

Azriel's presence with them was a welcome one, to her at least. While Aodhan had been buzzing with energy beside her when they were first introduced, she had felt the disdain for the male roll off him in waves after that. She couldn't blame Azriel though, from what it seemed the male was out of his depth for once. Her eyes were always a sore subject for those around her. She could sense the stares, the questions lingering on their tongues. She had gotten used to it fairly quickly, with her winds filling in for the sense she lacked. They paved a new world for her, singing in her ear all she needed to know. Their voices filled in the rest of what the breeze could not tell her, and all Azriel breathed was solitude.

She could feel him now, pressing between the currents of air, parting waves invisible to everyone but her. His gaze strayed from the path ahead of him from time to time, and flitted to the top of her head, no doubt wondering if she'd slip from her saddle.

They'd stop for a day or two in between, and each time she told him of her home and the festival he'd been hurriedly invited to. "Samhain is a time of rebirth. We let go of what no longer serves us and welcome in the new. It marks the end of our farming season the the entry into the dark time of year." Azriel had set down the roasted meat he was eating as she explained. "We usually celebrate the most on the Eve of All Hallows, when the veil between our world and the next is at its weakest, and the ancestors of our home can watch over us, but it usually lasts for a week in all."

She heard Aodhan make some off handed comment about the more...debauched happenings during the time of year, and Azriel's loosened laugh following had her own chuckle coming forth.

They had fallen into a silence save for the crackle of the fire after that. Aodhan had deemed it time for him to wander, to which she'd reprimanded to not go far. While they were far off the beaten track, the woods didn't take kindly to rowdy intruders. Aodhan had waved her off but grabbed his hunting knife to stave the lecture on her tongue.

She faced the fire as she heard the last of his footsteps in the foliage soften to nothing, and felt Azriel turn from where he'd seen her son go off to her. "If you hadn't mentioned he was your son I would never have guessed"

She smiled, "he takes after his father more than anything." There it was again, that silence. But there was something more this time, something cold and silent and-

The first tendril snaked across the ground beside her closest to the male, slowly inching itself closer to her hand that propped her up as she leaned back. She didn't move, detected no malice or ill intent in its movements, but she still couldn't place exactly what it was.

It slowly creeped to her hand and that was when she felt another of the same being at her legs, moving to slide over her knees. She heard Azriel's intake of breath, and the almost silent swear under his breath.

"Are you going to explain what exactly has become interested in me?" she kept her voice even, but with his reaction she wasn't sure if she should have stayed in her position as long as she had.

They're my... shadows." At the mention of them, the wisps which had slowly encased her lower legs and her hand became slightly heavier, as if Azriel had given them permission to.

She huffed, lifting herself and her hand. The shadows followed the movement, and circled it still as she brought it up to her face. While she couldn't see, the natural movement usually eased the discomfort of those who could. "Hello little one."

It tightened slightly on her, nothing painful, more solid in its hold. At last she turned her head to Azriel, "and hello to you too, Shadowsinger."

Taglist @mis-lil-red , @justdreamstars , @florencemtrash

Birb of the day: The Tomtit (Petroica macrocephala)! There are five subspecies of this bird and each inhabits a specific island or island group in New Zealand: North Island, South Island, the Chatham Islands, the Auckland Islands, or the Snares Islands. It munches on small invertebrates like spiders, beetles, and moths, as well as on the occasional fruit. It’s known for its curious personality, as it often perches on a branch to observe others or to scan the area for a meal. Photo: Jake Osborne, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0, flickr #AnimalFacts #birds #ornithology #nature #birb #tomtit https://www.instagram.com/p/CicvMMRrPJe/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[Nov. 23 2023]

No way, trans people and T4T relationships are real?! That’s crazy.

Anyways, new crackship; I couldn’t help myself. I should also post here more often because I posted a bunch of different art on insta, but not here.

It’s spooky season! In honor of the season, I’ve put together a rec list of some of my favorite LOTR and Silm horror fics. So curl up with a warm drink, tuck in…and maybe leave the lights on. 😉 Please leave a kudos and comment if you enjoy!

A Hidden Hunt in Hollow Dells by Zdenka (T, Petty-dwarves, 100 words):

The Dwarves of the great cities tell tales of the Elvenfolk to frighten their children, but the Petty-Dwarves know the tales are true.

A Treatise on the Origin of Dragons by Piyo13 (T, Sauron, 2.9k):

"A Treatise on the Origin of Dragons, recorded by Mairon" In which Mairon conducts a scientific experiment, and Orcs aren't the only form of corrupted Elf to have ever graced Middle Earth.

autumn fruits with me prevail by Anonymous (T, Thranduil, ~200 words):

On his head he wore a crown of berries and red leaves, for the autumn was come again.

cold be sleep under stone by Feanoriel (NR, Ar-Pharazôn, ~600 words, character death):

Under the barrow, a dead man dreams.

consuming by simaetha (T, Khamûl & Sauron, 1k):

...For one of the hungry Houseless, if it is admitted to the friendship of the Living, may seek to eject the fëa from its body; and in the contest for mastery the body may be gravely injured, even if it be not wrested from its rightful inhabitant. Or the Houseless may plead for shelter, and if it is admitted, then it will seek to enslave its host and use both his will and his body for its own purposes. It is said that Sauron did these things, and taught his followers how to achieve them. - Laws and Customs Among the Eldar

Heed No Nightly Noises by Marta (M, 4.7k, Pippin, Merry, Barrow-wights, Lalia Took, and OMC, minor character death):

"The hobbits sprang to their feet in alarm, and ran to the western rim. They found that they were upon an island in the fog. Even as they looked out in dismay towards the setting sun, it sank before their eyes into a white sea, and a cold grey shadow sprang up in the East behind. The fog rolled up to the walls and rose above them, and as it mounted it bent over their heads until it became a roof: they were shut in a hall of mist whose central pillar was the standing stone. "They felt as if a trap was closing about them; but they did not quite lose heart. " (from The Lord of the Rings, "Fog on the Barrow-Downs")

lengthen the night and shorten the day by kimaracretak (G, Lalaith, ~100 words, character death):

Death cannot take Lalaith from the river.

nights so frozen by simaetha (G, Varda, Lúthien, and OCs, ~900 words):

Varda: Star-Queen, Kindler, Sublime, Ever-white. Every angel is terrifying. - Rilke

Nine Fingers by Prackspoor (G, Frodo & Sam & Merry & Pippin, 6.3k):

On their way home from Minas Tirith, the Hobbits have a strange encounter on the outskirts of the Barrow-downs...

only the sleep eternal / in an eternal night by simaetha (T, Shelob, ~700 words):

“The world is a terrible place,” you tell the small creature, kindly. 

The Snaring of Gorlim by Zdenka (T, Gorlim/Eilinel, 1.4k, character death):

Gorlim searches for Eilinel.

This Will I Do by amyfortuna (NR, Míriel Þerindë & Ungoliant, ~800 words, character death):

Míriel makes a deal with Ungoliant, and she'll see it through, no matter the sacrifice.

Too Bright for Mortal Lands by amyfortuna (T, Beren/Lúthien, Díor/Nimloth, 1k, character death):

"...The wise have said that the Silmaril hastened their end; for the flame of the beauty of Lúthien as she wore it was too bright for mortal lands."

Watcher Of/In the Woods by ncfan (T, Andreth, 2.4k):

"Outside, the world was changing." Andreth, in the time following the Dagor Bragollach.

With Both Hands by crackinthecup (T, Morgoth & Ungoliant, 1.5k):

“This is my domain, Dark One,” Ungoliant said, and her body was revealed in the light of Melkor’s gaze, dark and heavy and sagging, splayed across her webs like a hole through the fabric of the world. She dwarfed Melkor by her sheer size. “Our ties were broken long ago. You promised that I would feed to my heart’s content and beyond, yet I was hungry then, and I am hungry still. Begone! I owe you nothing.” It is said in the Silmarillion that Melkor went to Avathar to seek out Ungoliant and plot his revenge with her. This is the story of their meeting.