#he also can't make a fire so any meat he would eat would be eaten raw
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Follow-up, as promised...
Further to this post, I went rummaging.
My stars, it turns out we've got some serious goodies at the back of the cupboard.
They've all been here long enough that @dduane and I will eat well this next week or so, but the first of them, mentioned often by Dracula Daily...
...“We left in pretty good time, and came after nightfall to Klausenburgh. (Cluj) Here I stopped for the night at the Hotel Royale (AFAIK, fictional) I had for dinner, or rather supper, a chicken done up some way with red pepper, which was very good but thirsty. (mem. get recipe for Mina.) I asked the waiter, and he said it was called “paprika hendl” and that, as it was a national dish, I should be able to get it anywhere along the Carpathians.”
...is this one.
This is a standard bung-it-in-the-microwave ready meal (3 mins / 700w, wait 3 mins, eat) but there's no reason why it can't be prettied up a bit.
Taste report: the flavour was creamy, buttery, paprika-y, and entirely pleasant (if there were more of these I would scoff them) and the Nockerl (mini dumplings) were properly al dente and excellent, but it was by no means "thirsty", by which I assume spicy-hot. Okay, it wasn't labelled as such, but it was even milder than any Paprikahendl I've eaten in a restaurant.
I suspect that, like most ready-meals of this kind, including curries and chili-con-carne, its spice level has been dialled down to Avoid Shocking The Customers, though TBH most German / Austrian dishes labelled Scharf, Feurig or Würzig (all meaning spicy or hot) have been lacking in the oomph department, at least for me. (Some haven't, which is always a pleasant surprise.)
I'm going to make my own Paprikahendl in the next while because I got some sweet and hot paprikas from Polonez in Dublin, and right now, DD is in the process of making Paprikaente, based on several Paprikahendl recipes and a couple of duck breasts found at the back of the freezer. I don't know if that's authentic or not, but it smells great and I don't care. :->
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I've suggested in another post why Jonathan Harker found this dish "thirsty".
It wasn't because he he had a wimpy English palate unaccustomed to spicy food - the Edwardian era was familiar with fiery curries from Raj India, and even featured cayenne pepper as a table condiment, complete with its own caddy and (often devil-topped) spoon...
My opinion was that Paprikahendl (Austrian) / Paprikás csirke (Hungarian) was a peasant dish, with the main part of the meal a big dish of noodles or dumplings. Those would be perked up with a sauce based on some elderly chicken which had stopped laying, well-spiced so a little could flavour a lot.
Those noodles have lots of names - nockerln on the packet I posted, also nokoldel, csipetke, spaetzle, tarhhonya and so on - and were what filled people up, with the meat accompaniment more of a relish or seasoning. In the same way, for instance, Yorkshire Pudding used to be served with gravy as a first course, so the second course of meat would go further.
Rice / bread / couscous/ pasta / mian / potatoes / fufu / polenta etc. did the same; many of these are served alongside rich, spicy, buttery etc. dishes and are now suggested as fire extinguishers for "over-hot" foods because the proportions of bland vs rich / spicy have shifted.
Back when, dinner would have been lots of name-the-regional-bland carbohydrate, along with a little bit of over-hot (or -garlicked or -herby or -smoked-bacon / sausagey) protein, which might have tasted excessive alone but would have given flavour to all that bland.
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Side-note: it's another possible reason, besides conspicuous consumption, for lots of spice in (rich people's) medieval dishes; in winter and spring, all that spice would have made smoked / salted / dried meat more interesting.
The business of "spices masked bad meat" is rubbish, and originated as recently as 1939 thanks to historian J.C. Drummond, who didn't know what "green" meant in food context. Green cheese = fresh cheese, green meat = un-aged meat.
Drummond assumed a recipe to change the flavour of "green venison" was to cover that it had gone off. It was in fact meant to tenderise it as if hung a few days in the cold store, but "medieval people were primitive" has always been more acceptable pop history than "medieval people were pretty smart".
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Harker, eating the chicken-and-sauce as The Meal (Stoker doesn't mention accompaniments or Bulk Carbs like noodles, spaetzle, etc. so you'll have to trust me), would have been like someone taking a swig of hot sauce or chomp of chilli pickle and then declaring the entire meal over-spiced or "thirsty", unaware of the proper proportions of What Goes With What.
A hotter, spicier, "thirstier" Paprikahendl would definitely go with a big mound of these little noodles, so I plan to see - and taste - how it'll work.
And how it'll look, too. :->
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list of pokemon i would eat. u guys like dunmeshi now so u can't judge me for thinking abt eating pocket freaking monsters. or do idc. u can also join in this fun imagination game with me by going to bulbapedia and clicking on any pokemon and looking at the biology and pokedex sections <3
you would think farfetch'd but farfetch'd is endangered from too many people eating it. so i wouldn't. but if it wasn't endangered i would eat it. it comes with its own vegetable for chrissakes c'monnn
paras. its mushrooms have medicinal properties also it's not a crab it's a bug so i can eat it. its body is perfectly proportioned w mushroom n meat. you would think i would choose parasect over paras but i would not. paras is easier to defeat and more abundant too. and parasect is like 90% mushroom. i would kill a parasect if i was really low on veggies i guess. or if i was having a hotpot
shellder. you cook that sucker up and you can pull him out the shell by the tongue mmmmm. i just think it'd be a really fun experience (<- this guy just recently found out he is not allergic to shellfish)
on that note none of the crab pokemon. these are the easy options but i am allergic.
the vanillite evolution chain. i don't care. put syrup and/or chocolate on them due to no flavor tho.
i would not eat a happiny evolution chain egg. they need those. if the pokemon were dead with the egg though then i maybe would. i don't know that feels like a lot of protein. hotpot dish?
froakie evolution chain. i don't care i love frog legs
tropius for the fruits. the body is humongous i would not eat that. holiday feast if it died though
stantler. its tail is huge i imagine it to have the same consistency as a duck's heart but large and sliceable and chewable for longer. and even if it isn't its tail is huge. i am so curious.
slowking. i would use his crown as a soup container like how some people use crab shells for presentation. but it's not presentation bc upside down it is perhaps the most unstable bowl ever. you would need to set it up to stay stable over a fire and you could hotpot it. same goes for slowbro ig. i would not eat them without a lot of veggies and stuff tho.
i would have a pokemon that knows scald btw. make cooking go faster by already having boiled water. that's just a free tip from me for you to be able to never use ever at all.
hoppip and skiploom. living salad . "but wynn isn't every grass type a living salad?" that's dangerous talk. budew evolution line for example would definitely kill you if you ate it without being careful. hoppip is plentiful and seems to spawn/live in groups however.
for that matter i think the more flowery pokemon would make a really pretty and good salad. flabebe's pollen (which makes up its crown) for example has medicinal properties. check if its flower is edible tho. also floette's flower is thought to have terrifying power which sounds dangerous so don't eat that. for that matter don't eat anything further along the flabebe evolution line i think it's too life risky to be worth it. and you can't even eat their flowers. comfey's flower ring (the flower ring is not part of its body). you could eat comfey itself but like... you get a forever flower salad. its vine is canonically highly nutritious and the flowers gain healing effects. you should not eat comfey salad when in caves or other flowerless areas tho bc it gets nervy without a flower ring.
similarly slowpoke tails grow back plus they secrete a sweet sappy substance. so.
fire type pokemon are complicated. sometimes their internal temperature is canonically definitely hot enough to cook it alive so i think you should assume you can't really cook it? is it just forever raw? i assume they CAN be eaten because you can't tell me scovillains don't get snacked on in the wild. but are they edible for humans??? anyway i'd eat a scovillain. only part of it though i'd save most of it cos yum spice. i'd use the whole head or perhaps even both the heads for a hotpot tho. a lot of pokemon are huge and eating them would logically usually be a group endeavor.
tangela. its tentacles are canonically said to have a refreshing flavor and scent and its vines are used as herbs. this probably means that they grow on/around tangela and are not actually part of tangela esp since the vines snap off easily if grabbed so it can run away. would probably go well with comfey flowers.
shuckle produces juices by storing berries (well any organic materials but mostly berries) in its shell and you best believe i am going to have The Blender Turtle on my team. especially if one of my pokemon has the pickup ability??? come on bro
i would not eat a rotom btw but i would have the fridge form rotom for preserving food. "oh wynn what about the one that's a microwave oven?" you don't even need fire type pokemon to start a fire and you want me to have a portable freaking oven when i can have a fridge? a fridge that will never break down? that is somehow both portable and large? would YOU give that up if you were traveling? be so honest. of course if something in the fridge itself gets problems somehow--esp the "special motor" which brings about the change in rotom (rotom can only possess/change specific appliances; the washing machine model that rotom possesses for example has been discontinued and the price has skyrocketed, which is so weird you'd think washing machine companies would start making a rotom compatible washing machine the same way we have electric washing machines? even if folks don't put a rotom in it they can still sell it while also appealing to trainers? idfk), so if that breaks you're definitely paying probably a lot to replace any parts. (<- this guy is normal about household appliances.)
i would eat a legendary any legendary. wynnie don't care.
lotad. it comes with its own vegetable and it gathers around lakes with good quality water so if i see it i know the water there is safe to drink and consume too.
azurill evolution line. the ball on its tail is packed with nutrients as an azurill, and full of oil as a marill and presumably as an azumarill. these will therefore play different roles in cooking but is valuable info nonetheless.
swablu evolution line would be soooooo aesthetic. don't make soup with them tho bc if the wings are in water too long they lose their fluffiness. they'd still be edible they just wouldn't be as aesthetic.
cherubi evolution line. self explanatory. it's freaking berries
applin evolution line. also self explanatory. it's freaking apples. u have to be careful with flapple of course (its cheeks store acid capable of corroding metal) but still.
ok one more. cramorant. esp cramorant gorging form (i am allergic to gulping form)
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I just thought of something domestic how would Sylvain and Fenris react to a s/o who can cook Japanese food? (And s/o being a really good cook?)
S/O Cooking Their World’s Version of Japanese Food
Fandom: Dragon Age, Fire Emblem
Characters: Fenris, Sylvain Gautier
Type of Request: Headcanons
Notes: Thank you Fire Emblem for having least/favorite dishes for me to use as a resource for fanfiction~
Fenris
He's used to the meats and breads and cheeses (god all the cheeses) and so you show him a bowl of noodles and he can't help but make a face. It looks like worms in soup. But he's eaten worse when he's on the run.
I think he would stay far away from sushi. Just the idea of raw fish isn't something he trusts. He'd enjoy rice and how filling it is, but it's a no for him with sushi.
Seafood in general is just something I see Fenris not liking. He'll eat it because protein, but it's slimy and he much prefers just eating steak and beef.
You being a good cook does help because he trusts that it doesn't taste as gross as he imagines, but it isn't for him.
Sylvain
He loves dango so if you made him that then he’ll be really happy. Also a fan of fish too so he’d be interested to try sushi. Doesn’t know how he feels about the raw sushi, but get him a deep fried roll and he’ll love it.
Sylvain is also used to hearty meals so it’s definitely a change when you show him different bowls of noodles. He’d be a fan of the broths, but might be a bit picky depending on what kind of noodles are used.
Would not be a fan of any dishes where he has to dip the noodles into the broth himself as opposed to just eating it in one bowl.
He’d never complain about you cooking for him though. Loves feeling pampered and taken care of. Just please don’t try killing him with pufferfish, No matter how good of a cook you are, he’s not dealing with that.
#imma-write-stuff#fenris x reader#da fenris x reader#sylvain x reader#sylvain gautier x reader#dragon age x reader#fire emblem x reader#fe3h x reader
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ok im back. last night yk i was thinking because thats all i do when im tryna sleep: think abt impulse. and i. have some questons for you because im so intrigued by your design and just the. dragonborn thing. so. questions for you abt him. are the palms of his hands and fingers like, scaley? if not or maybe if yes, are there other places he has patches of scales :o i have not much knowledge on dragon borns so im picking at straws here hah- and is he warmed than the average human or colder or??? I WANT TO KNOW EVERYTHING BEETLE. ALSO I LOVE. the teef. its adorable -uni
Okay! Lore time!
• Impulse's body is covered with lil' scales, but the scales are a bit to small for you to see (makes no sense but it does to me) so when he touches you or you touch him, his skin will feel like a cheese grater or rocky type.
• Like I said before, he's a half-breed between a dragonborn and a human, giving him the human appearance and dragon abilities.
• Usually he would wear gloves to cover his hands, not because he doesn't wanna get dirty (he gets dirty all the time) but so he can cover his claws.
• Just like D&D he can breathe fire (and yes, it's real fire, even if he burps or talks to much it will just blast out if those two things happen) it can be actived by strong emotions (or if he doesn't eat food as much)
• He's known to be a bronze dragon, meaning he's taller (chubbier), hands are bigger than usual and so on.
• He's known to have a large tail to (I draw it very thin because that's only BECAUSE I can't fit the big tail in it) his tail is rocky, so idk (I guess you can use it as a pillow)
• If your wondering, yes! He does have wings, but their very small, and even if they were the regular wing size to carry him up, he doesn't really know how to fly.
• He's a dragonborn, meaning he's also a meat lover, he can only it meat, the only fruits he can eat is apples, that's it.
• Due to his large body, he's very tough and strong, stronger than Scar.
• He's a warmer, if he wants to live in the winter or any cold places, he has to bring extra warm stuff to keep him warm, because just like piglins, he'll die and turn into a zombie (jk he'll just pass out and die in 20 minutes)
• He loves to give hugs, and he surprises the other hermits with a hug attack (or a sneak attack hug thing)
• In the hot seasons he wears less clothing or just randomly takes his shirt off and puts it back on at night (because it's the hot season, and he's a warmer, to him it feels very nice and cool for him, and he likes to tease the hermits)
• He has to eat lots of food each 1 hour or every 30 minutes, if it takes a while for him to get food or any kind of meat he'll go crazy ,(not psycho crazy, more like, you haven't eaten in days and you'll eat anything you see moving kind) oh tho of course he's gonna cook it, he's not gonna just eat it raw (that's gross. Unless-)
And one more thing
• If you want a kiss 🥴😚
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that comic reminded me of a little problem i have with acorn’s story: i can’t decide if he would actually hunt for meat or not. i have no problem with him eating meat, and he wouldn’t be opposed to it either, but i really don’t know if he would have the heart to kill anything. at most i think he might eat fish if he managed to catch some in a stream, but i can imagine him catching something like a small rabbit or something and just...not having the heart to harm it.
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The Extraordinary Dragon (Part 1/6)
After about a century of me being gone and not writing a new story, I am back with a mini-series! 💙
I didn't have a good idea for a new OC so I decided to write a cute and fluffy story about Charlie training a dragon with a sad and mysterious past.
I would like to thank @am-i-space @madelineorionswan & @the-al-chemist for giving me ideas for the names of the dragons mentioned in the story. You are the best 💙 Since some of the dragons are mentioned in the later chapters I will make sure to include which dragons you named in the Masterlist for the story 💙
If you'd like to be tagged in every part the dragon with your name is mentioned please tell me and I will gladly do so 🤗
Warnings: Charlie being excited and obsessed with dragons.
Word count: 2,869
A dragon's roar awakened me. It might sound terrifying to some, but it is a pure melody for my ears. I have been working in the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary for almost 10 years now. Come to think of it tomorrow's the anniversary.
My co-workers constantly tease me, telling me that I'm a workaholic. I always disagree with them. I just love dragons and working with them. Am I a bit obsessed with the creatures? Maybe. But who wouldn't be so excited about having their dream job?
There is something so soothing working with a beast that can swallow you whole, yet if you have the right energy and you treat them right they can be more obedient than a Crup.
When I first got the job I worked with a team of researchers. Since I have never seen a dragon in real life before starting working, my boss Matthew wanted me to learn about their behavior and study them to be better prepared to do other things.
They all thought I will be bored out of my mind – because I applied for the care of dragons position and not researching – but I loved every second of it. All I had to do was wake up every morning and go to the assigned habitat and observe the dragon there and take notes. It's like reading a book about the creatures – something I did almost every day of my 7 years at Hogwarts – but you get to be around them every single day.
My mother thinks I am insane for wanting to be around such dangerous creatures and I had to promise her before I left for Romania that I will write home every day otherwise she is coming to get me at once. I guess she needs to know daily that I wasn't eaten by a dragon. The thing is that being hurt by a dragon is less likely than falling off a broom, so I don't know what she is so worried about.
The only one of my family members that knows about all my injuries and all my scars is my big brother Bill. He understands that I don't mind getting hurt and he doesn't get a heart attack every time I end up in the infirmary. It's nice to talk to someone about these things outside my workspace. Even though being a Curse Breaker isn't the safest job in the world, Bill's number of scars can't even compare to mine.
We do have protective gear and gloves but sometimes the dragon's fire and teeth are just too strong. We are lucky that we have wonderful healers that take care of us and we have remedies that heal burns within minutes so it's mostly just an annoyance.
The year after my training I worked only with Common Welsh Greens. The year after that I tamed two Antipodean Opaleyes and it was the best feeling to see them get excited and welcome me with a friendly roar every morning. Even though they were both adults it felt like dealing with two kids and it was so much fun. The latter are such sweethearts and I even taught one how to roll over. They are like dogs but bigger, way bigger.
After that, I tried to convince my boss to let me work with a more dangerous breed. It's not that I didn't like what I did but I like a challenge. I needed 2 months to convince him to let me work with 2 Chinese Fireballs and by the smirk on his face I knew I was in for a treat. They were brought to our reserve so they could breed but no matter how much others tried nobody succeeded at mating them.
When Matthew finally gave in – not seeing any harm in letting me try before they send them back – I remember I danced around my hut for a solid half an hour being so excited to work with them the next day.
I was surprised that nobody thought of the strategy I choose. It was true that they brought the dragons to us together but they didn't know each other and since nobody thought of trying to acquaint them first, I gave it a go.
After 3 days they were best mates and I gave them 4 more days to fully feel comfortable with each other before taking them to the mating habitat. I am more than proud to say that since then they have been parents 2 times. I did some great things since I started working in the Sanctuary but you never forget your first big achievement.
Due to Matthew being absolutely in awe of me succeeding after a week he allowed me to work with a bunch of Swedish Short-Snouts even though usually only a dragonologist with 5+ years of experience can work with them alone.
I was amused when I saw the faces of some of my older co-workers when they found out – thinking they were going to get the job. I love working with them even though they are the ones responsible for most of my scars. Just after the first day, one burned my entire forearm and everyone thought I was going to back off because of it but it only made me want to work with them more.
Now, after almost 10 years I have worked with every single breed of dragon except my favorite – the Hebridean Black. They are one of the most dangerous and stubborn kind and only a dragonologist with a lot of experience gets to work with them.
I got the glimpse of one when I was working with the research team but no matter how sneaky I tried to be, Matthew wouldn't let me get anywhere close to them. I even got a chance to work with a team that took care of a sick Norwegian Ridgeback even though they are considered to be the most dangerous.
A year ago I got a chance to be part of an exchange program at the Swedish Dragon Reserve and I worked with a Peruvian Vipertooth and a Ukrainian Ironbelly. My boss wasn't happy about the latter one as he reckoned I was too inexperienced to be around and try to tame the largest breed of dragons but as you can probably tell from what I told you so far, I was over the roof about it!
The Ironbelly might be the largest but they are among the least vicious ones – none of my co-workers would agree with me as most of them are terrified of them but I think they are adorable thinking since they are the biggest they are also the scariest. It's the same as with dogs – sometimes the smaller ones are more dangerous.
I got out of bed with a grin on my face. Even though I don't like to admit it I like reminiscing on my biggest achievements.
I made myself some breakfast – eggs and bacon as usual – while blasting music on my wireless. Nothing like singing while cooking and reading the letters my family sent me.
Mum and dad were going to visit George and Ron for the weekend. Bill and Fleur decided to repaint their living room. Ginny invited me to one of her games next week and Percy got another promotion.
I walked to the wall where I had a calendar hanging to mark the date of Ginny's game. It was the perfect event to meet with most of my family members and I love supporting her. I am proud of all my siblings' achievements but Ginny being the only girl among 6 boys made us all have a soft spot for her - even Percy, even though he would probably deny it if someone asked him about it.
Since I was working with three different dragons at the moment – Peruvian Vipertooth named Hel and two Romanian Longhorns Lasair and Rocker – I double-checked my schedule to see which one I am supposed to visit today. As I thought, it was Lasair. I know my schedule by heart but always check it twice– I don't want any dragon to be jealous thinking one is getting more attention from me.
My routine with the dragons was simple. First, they get their breakfast which is usually a piece of their favorite meat, except if it's our Common Welsh Green Crystal – she is the only dragon I have ever met that is a vegetarian and she mostly doesn't want to eat anything else than apples. It took us the longest time to figure out why she doesn't want to eat – vomiting out all the meat we gave her – until we moved her to an habitant with a pumpkin patch and them mysteriously disappearing overnight.
After the feeding, I like to play with them. That usually includes large balls or levitating rocks after which they can jump and run. Then it's my favorite part of the day – the flying lessons. We transport them to the part of the reserve that is built like a large stadium in the middle of the forest surrounded by mountains and it has 10 obstacles that the dragons have to learn to overcome so they are cleared for free-flying sessions.
After flying it's time for a brief pause to get the dragon back to its habitat and calm it down before giving it dinner and tucking it in.
Flying is the most fun thing we can do at our job. When Matthew told me that I am finally allowed to fly with them, I had to excuse myself and go to the bathroom because I felt like crying my eyes out. I wanted to fly on a dragon ever since I was a kid and even though I heard rumors about training them in that way, I always thought it was too good to be true.
The first time I flew on a dragon was with a dragonologist named Jim. He showed me how to properly prepare the dragon to be in the mood to have a person on its back and how to lift off and then safely land. Vulcan the Opaleye was just the loveliest when I trained with him to trust me to the point that he would allow me to fly. Even though my dream is to one day fly on a Hebridean Black, I wouldn't change my first flight for anything in the world.
Vulcan was more than obedient and so careful to make me feel comfortable and constantly made sure I was still on his back. He flew in a straight line and at an even pace making me feel so safe that I let go of his shiny scales and lifted my hands in the air. I wanted to shout from all the adrenaline and excitement that ran through me but I didn't want to startle the dragon.
It's safe to say that I didn't sleep at all that night. The second I laid in my bed I felt as if I was still in the air with Vulcan and I couldn't help but wish to do that every day.
"Good morning, Lasair. What do you want to eat this morning? Boar, deer, moose perhaps?"Lasair lifted her head sleepily at me. I teased her with the options, knowing full well that moose was her favorite. If she could speak she would ask me if I can't remember her favorite meal.
"Don't worry, you'll get what you want." I winked at her and put on my gloves before taking out my wand and levitating the big chunk of meat to her.
Lasair was one of the rare dragons that ate her food slowly, so I loved to sit down next to her and watched her chew. If Matthew saw me, he would probably murder me for sitting so close to a dragon but he doesn't know that Lasair and I have an agreement of her keeping me alive and I give her some extra meat for dinner in return.
"So, Lassy, I have some bad news." I cleared my throat as the dragon stopped chewing and tilted her head toward me. "We have to sharpen your claws today."
Lasair groaned and went back to her breakfast.
"I know, I know. Not your favorite thing to do. Trust me if it was up to me, we would rather do something more fun like play with your favorite tire or play fetch with your ball. But the boss said it was time."
Lasair didn't react to my words but laid on the ground once she finished her meal and wrapped her tail around me.
"You know that cuddling and being cute won't work on me." I chuckled. "Not this time, at least."
The dragon's nostrils started to smoke and I knew she was trying to negotiate.
"Between you and me," I whispered, "I'll throw in another piece of meat if you'll be a good girl like last time. How about some boar for dessert, huh?"
Lasair let out a gentle roar, giving me a sign that she agrees with my terms.
"That's my girl. I knew we'll find a common ground." I grinned at her and got up so we could start our day.
"Okay, Lassy. I will need you to step on this mat and do the burying motion. As if you were burying the bones of a deer." I explained when Lasair looked at the mat in confusion.
I mimicked the gesture and she copied it and walked to the mat with grace as if she was a princess.
"There you go! I am so proud of you, Lasair. You really want that extra piece of meat, huh?" I laughed to myself.
"So that is how you get all dragons to behave as if they're Crups?" I turned toward the voice and saw Matthew's amused face, observing my work with the Romanian Longhorn.
"You were never meant to find out," I said in a dramatic voice.
"Oh, it's fine." Matthew swung his hand. "You'll need all the skills."
"What do you mean?" I furrowed my brows at him as I stepped to Lasair to show her to step a bit forward so she could sharpen the claws on her back paws as well.
"Do you know what tomorrow is?" Matthew asked, observing my every move.
"No." I lied. I knew that tomorrow will be 10 years since I work in the reserve but I didn't want to boast about it.
"Come on, Charles. I know that you out of everyone here you’re the one who counts how long you are working here for." He smirked at me.
I couldn't believe it. He remembered that it's my 10th anniversary? I couldn't help but grin.
"What about it?" I tried acting casually.
"Well, the team was thinking about what to get you as a present..."
"Matt, you don't have to get me anything. You know I am just happy being surrounded by dragons." I smiled appreciatively.
"Well, how about you get surrounded by a new dragon?" He winked at me.
"What are you on about?" I narrowed my eyes at him. I was getting impatient, the excitement in me growing.
"We are getting a one-year-old Hebridean Black in a week from the MacFusty’s." Matthew started to explain. "And since you are so good at taming and being best mates with the three you’re taming now, I was thinking of assigning it to you."
"Did...did you just say a Hebridean Black?" I said in a voice that was barely a whisper. I couldn't believe what just came out of his mouth. He was going to let me work with my favorite breed?
"You heard correctly, Charles." Matthew's smirk was growing larger.
"But...but I don't have enough experience, you said so yourself. You...you should give the job to someone worthy, to someone who will know how to handle the breed." I knew that I should've just shut up and thank him for the opportunity. Working with a Hebridean Black has been my goal ever since I can remember, but I have to keep my head clear and think of what's best for the dragon.
"Thinking like this is exactly why I am giving the job to you even though I told you the last time you begged me that you need at least 7 more years before you can work with them." Something in his eyes shifted. He had the exact expression on his face as he did when he assigned me to breed those two Fireballs.
"You are up to something. What's wrong with the dragon?" I pursed my lips at him.
"Oh, the dragon is just fine. Lovely, actually. I bet you two will have a lot of fun." The sarcastic tone in his voice told me that he was hiding something from me but I didn't dare to ask him about it.
He deemed me ready to work with a Hebridean Black. To work with my favorite breed. I am not about to jeopardize that if he thinks I am the one for the job. In a week my biggest dream will come true and there was nothing in the world that could ruin that.
#charlie weasley#charlie weasley harry potter#harry potter fanfiction#harry potter#the weasleys#dragon boy#charles weasley#hebridean black#dragons#a dragon story#charie weasley hphm#dragonologist
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Aussie Wildlife FAQ
So here's questions I'm frequently asked as both a wildlife rescuer and carer and keeper at a wildlife sanctuary.
Heads up, this is a long post, I've made the questions stick out so you can easily skip through.
I've tried to make it as easy to read as possible, and to find what you're after, whilst also providing lots of info.
Poison Vs Venom, what's the difference?
Well, mostly, poison just never stops killing. Like if you poison an insect, then a bird or small mammal eats that insect and they slowly get poisoned by all the poisoned insects they eat, then something eats them, like an owl, and that gets poisoned, then as it rots the poison goes into the environment, etc. Poison never dies.
Venom has to be injected, so yes you can be envenomated by a dead animal, if you are stupid.
Poison can be inhaled, eaten/drunk or even through touch.
So if a cow is poisoned you have to dispose of the body safely, if a cow is bitten by a venomous snake, technically you can still have steak for dinner.
Are all Australian animals out to kill you?
Maybe.
They could want to kill us, I mean as a species we aren't that great.
Their ability to kill us however is limited.
So are all Aussie animals able to kill you?
No.
So we have lots of cute small mammals, like antechinus, dunnarts, pygmy possums and the like, that can bite and scratch but are very tiny bois.
We even have lots of non-venomous snakes, pythons and blind snakes.
Most lizards outside of Goannas can't cause too much damage.
Echidna's are completely defensive, have no attack whatsoever.
Lots of birds have no interest in you, unless you get near their nest.
Freshwater Turtles, Little Penguins and Tawny Frogmouths all main defense is shitting really stinky shit at you.
Even our venomous snakes, as long as you seek medical attention you should be fine. Considering we have the top 10 most venomous snakes in the world but average only 1 death a year that's pretty good.
But you still have lots of dangerous animals right?
Yes.
Maybe I should elaborate.
Any animal is dangerous, including you, if given the right circumstances. I'm a lovely person but hurt my dog and you better run.
Most animals don't want a bar of you. However, if you are a threat to them, or their babies, they will defend themselves.
A lot of animals get tagged with the word 'aggressive' which I don't like, aggression is a human emotion that I've never seen in wild animals, or even pets and things. Mostly it's defensive behaviours that people read wrong.
For example, the most venomous snake in the world is the Inland Taipan (found in Aust.), however the most dangerous snake in Australia is the Eastern Brown snake, less venomous but also less shy and lives in suburbia. Still, it only ever strikes at people when it feels cornered and needs to get you to back the hell off. And lets be real here, what else can they do?
They can't yell and scream, they can't punch or kick. Legit their only option is to bite, and even then mostly it's a closed mouth strike to freak you out into stepping back, and most people bitten by snakes are given a 'dry bite' where no venom is injected, as they want to use it on their food not waste it on us. And 90% of snake bites that happen in Australia are people either trying to catch or kill a snake.
It's fairly simple. Don't threaten animals, don't give them a reason to be dangerous and you are fine. Crocodiles in the water? Don't swim there. Sharks around? Avoid swimming at twilight. Snake? Leave it alone. Nest with baby birds? walk away.
You don't randomly show up in some strangers home and expect them not to react, so why do we expect different from animals?
What animals are on the most 'dangerous list' then? Which animals should I really avoid pissing off?
Start with the obvious.
Crocodiles, venomous snakes, sharks, some jellyfish, venomous spiders, stone fish, blue ringed octopus, birds of prey (our Wedge Tailed Eagle WILL attack drones, hang-gliders and helicopters if they come into their territory)
Then you've got the less obvious.
Ants - like meat ants, they will swarm over you then all bite down at once. 1 bite isn't so bad, a whole colony biting you, deadly.
Then there's other ants in the Myrmecia family (bull ants and the like) that are just HUGE, and have massive mandables for biting and also can sting you, and are one of the most toxic insects in the world.
Wombats - Can run at 40km/hr, skull so hard it's the only thing a Tassie Devil can't eat, able to bite your calf muscle clean off your leg, oh and they have killer booty. A hard cartilage plate in their lower back that they use to block their burrows, and if threatened can lay down and as the animal tries to get past jam their legs straight and crush the skull of a fox against the roof of their burrow, easily break a dingoes jaw or even destroy your hand.
Kangaroos - yes they box, hahaha wouldn't it be funny to box with a kangaroo. NO. Kangroos box for fun but also to defend themselves and their mob. The Alpha male is the big buff one that looks like he's on steroids. He looks like that for a reason, to defend and protect his mob. DO NOT MESS WITH ANY KANGAROOs, but really don't mess with Big Daddy (for being the alpha he gets all the ladies)
Kangaroos are made for this.
A punch from a Kangaroo can easily break you ribs.
They can lean back on their tail and bring both legs up to kick you, easily tearing you open, which they can do with the claws on their toes, and so basically dissecting you from sternum down.
Oh and if they gran you round the neck for a 'Cuddle' DUCK AND RUN. They will hold you in a kind of choke hold and then bring their legs up to kick you and basically snap you in half.
Don't even mess with Wallabies man, they may be smaller but can still do damage.
Tassie Devils - are extremely shy and slower than you, like you can actually run away from them. BUT. They have the strongest bite strength compared to size of any animal. The have a PSI of 1200 and males weigh around 8 kg. For perspective, Hyenas have a PSI of 1100 and males weigh around 50kg
Brushtail Possums - They may be cuter than the American Opossums but trust me, they don't want you around. They are solitary so most people have heard them fighting of a night, screeching, shrieking, hissing, growling and making darth vadar noises. Heads up from someone who has had to rescue them from awkward places (fire-places, BBQs, closets) They are stronger than you and they will f*** you up.
Even without them meaning to I've gotten injuries from my joey Brushies, they get so keen on their milk when you put it in that they climb your arm and their claws are sharper than cats. Also the sheer strength of them. I'm stronger than I look but if they are clinging on to a tree you are gonna need all your strength to get them off.
The can also bite your finger clean off. And I've seen injuries from people who feed wild ones and for some reason have been late to put out the food or something and they've climbed their leg or even jumped on them - stitches were required in a few of those cases (human skin is not thick like tree bark)
What's with Magpies and swooping?
Simple, they have nests/babies and are protecting them. Australia Magpies are very smart and can recognise faces. If they think you are a threat they will try and scare you off. Just like if you're walking along with your toddler and there's a weirdo doing something strange you hold the kid tighter and closer to you and move through faster.
But these guys can't just move their nests or their babies. The spot is chosen based on food availability and shelter from sun and rain, but also not being too cold. It's their spot.
I've never been swooped by Magpies, other birds yes, but not Magpies. My local birds know me as the lady that cleans and fills the bird bath. Legit the Magpies sing a specific song when it needs filling to call me out to do it.
So don't be a threat. If they are swooping in that area, try to avoid it or go through quickly.
We used to have Plovers at my school, in the bush at the end of the oval. Never a problem. One day some kids go into the bush and stomp on their nest and eggs. After that they would swoop anyone who came close to there. So the school blocked off that end of the oval. Fair call. Wasn't the birds fault.
Why is everything named so basic?
Oh you mean the snake that's black with a red belly being balled a Red Belly Black Snake, and the tree with all the doodles on it being called a Scribbly Gum?
80% of plants and animals found in Australia are found NO WHERE ELSE.
So the early Europeans had a lot of things to name and when they tried naming it themselves they would get it wrong.
2 good examples are:
The Death Adder (only considered highly venomous, not deadly, and not an Adder). Also you're only likely to get bitten if you stand on it or try to pick it up.
The Australian Magpie, they saw a black and white bird so it must be a magpie. Nope. Actually not in the corvidae family but in the butcherbird family - Artamidae.
So their solution was to either take the Aboriginal word, for example, Quoll, Kookaburra, Koala, Quokka, Taipan.
Or name it after what it looks like/sounds like/ is found
Boobook Owl - makes a sound like booooo-book
Squirrel Glider
Eastern Water Dragon
Grey Headed Flying Fox
Flaky Bark Tea Tree
Old man Banksia
This can cause confusion though as not every brown coloured snake is a brown snake, and not all Eastern brown snakes are brown. Squirrel Gliders aren't related to squirrels. Flying foxes are bats not actual foxes that fly.
What do I do if I find injured wildlife?
Well, depends on the wildlife and where it is. If it's in a dangerous position, like the middle of a highway, don't try anything.
First thing, call a wildlife rescue group, there are plenty around and they have trained people who know what to do. A quick google search should show you all you need to know, also the IFAW's Wildlife Rescue App will identify the closest group to you.
If it's a snake, adult wombat or kangaroo, or any other animal that can cause you serious injury, leave it be. The wildlife rescuers you call can give you basic info on how to help but mostly calling them is the main thing.
If it's something smaller, like a young animal or glider or baby bird and you are able to put it into a cardboard box that will be perfect. The 3 main things injured/ill wildlife need are warmth, dark and quiet. You don't need to worry about food or water. The rescuers will organise that. If you give food or water to an animal in shock you can cause more damage.
THE BEST THING IS TO DO NOTHING. I know this sounds stupid. But so many problems can occur from people who don't know what they are doing helping out. You know what they say about good intentions.
For example, picking up a Koala like you would pick up a human child (under the armpits, around the chest) you could actually break their ribs. Also so many Koalas end up needing vet care during heat waves because people pour water into their mouths - they can get pneumonia as the water goes in too fast, it is not a natural way for them to drink.
You can also get yourself injured or make the animals injuries worse. I have seen Kangaroos with broken legs get up and try to hop away from people. I have seen severe scratches on other people because they tried to pick up an animal.
What diseases can wildlife give me?
Well. I only know about Australian wildlife, and it's very different to other parts of the world.
If you get a bad bite or scratch from wildlife you should see your doctor ASAP, get the wound cleaned properly and make sure your tetanus is up to date (same as if a pet gives you a bad bite or scratch).
There aren't that many Zoonosis that are around in Australia that are easy to catch. Mostly you have to be dealing directly with sick wildlife to get them.
The main thing is Australian Bat Lyssavirus. ABL for short. Now our bats can carry it. About 1 in 1000 bats may have it and you HAVE to be bitten or scratched for it to be transmitted to you. If you are bitten or scratched by a bat your chance is 0.1% of getting ABL but it is related to Rabies, so head straight to hospital for treatment.
If you don't touch a bat you won't get bitten or scratched and so your chance of getting it is 0.
Hendra is the other virus our bats carry, however it has to go through a horse before it mutates enough for humans to get it.
Basically it's only when you get involved with wildlife that your risk of getting a disease from them is higher than VERY unlikely.
If you happen to help some wildlife, and you maybe wrap them in a towel or jumper, even if they urinate on it. You can just chuck it in the wash (I usually add a little extra disinfectant) and it will be fine. Treat it the same as if a pet had used it or urinated on it.
What's some Good Wildlife Apps to have?
Well, there's so many out there now hey? Here's some that I've found handy or know people that use.
WomSAT EchidnaCSI PlatypusSPOT are all for recording sightings of these animals (wombats/echidnas/platypus) this helps researches track where they are and how they are going which means we can help them more as well.
OzAtlas - record a sighting of anything Australian, animal, plant, fungus, insect.
FrogID - need to identify a frog? This is the app for you. Use photos or sound recordings,
Field Guide to *insert state/territory* Fauna - Have a field guide on you wherever you are without having to carry a book.
Seek by inaturalist - Helps you identify any animals, plants, insect, fungus.
IFAW Wildlife Rescue - wildlife rescue app (currently for NSW only but soon expanding) will give you advice on what to do and put you into contact with the local wildlife rescue groups.
Besides Cats and Foxes, what other invasive species have you got that cause problems?
First up, any invasive species causes a problem. In Tasmania they have issues with Sugar Gliders, because they are not naturally found there and use up tree hollows that other animals need.
Invasive species cause competition for food, water and shelter. They can also bring in diseases that didn't exist in Australia before and that our natives have no defence against (like cats and Toxoplasmosis)
Here's a quick list of invasive animal species in Australia.
Cats, dogs, foxes, pigs, water buffalo, ferrets rabbits, horses/brumbies, goats, camels, Cane Toad, European Honey Bee, Common Myna bird, deer, donkey, common starling, common pigeon, black rat, brown rat.
There's more, there's reptiles, and weeds and fish but those guys ^ are the main ones that cause problems.
I am an animal lover but unless we get rid of these animals you loose more in the long run. I'm 100% against use of poisons, I prefer having people hunt them to be honest. If you know what you are doing and have the right equipment you can give them a quick, painless death.
To give you an idea how bad invasives are:
The introduction of the rabbit is the main cause the Lesser Bilby became extinct.
The introduction of cats and toxoplasmosis is believed to be the main reason Eastern Quolls became extinct on mainland Australia
Rats led directly to the extinction of 5 of Lord Howe Island's bird species
30% of our land snakes and Goannas are at risk as Cane Toads are rapidly spreading and eat their eggs.
The Common Myna Bird is the 2nd greatest threat to Australian native birds (habitat loss being the 1st)
The fox population has been estimated at 72 million and consume around 190 million birds a year
There's an estimated 23 million wild pigs/boars and an estimated 2.6 million goats - all eating whatever they come across.
How can I help Australian Wildlife?
There's the stuff we already know, like reduce/reuse/recycle and don't litter. But there's other things you may not know about.
Turn off lights at night - any lights that you don't need, don't have them on, especially if they are outside. Lots of animals require insects in their diets, particularly moths, which can be distracted by lights. Zoos Victoria have launched educational stuff for this https://youtu.be/ZAcL4FKPtHw
Learn about them - It's not hard, there's multiple ways you can do it. There's books, tv shows, pod casts, you can follow sanctuaries and other people who work with wildlife on social media.
Planting flora that's native to your area is great as different plants can attract different animals and it's much lower maintenance, being made for that environment.
You can even find cool life-hacks like Lemon Scented Tea-Tree doesn't just smell amazing and feed lots of wildlife, it keeps the mozzies away!
There's different kinds of nesting boxes out there specific to different species that you can put up to help 'foster' that species.
You can even become friends with your local Magpies! Mine know me as the lady who cleans and fills the bird bath and all I had to do was whistle to them when I was done and now they are really chill around me and I get to watch their antics.
Debunk Myths! - In learning about wildlife you can debunk lots of myths like: a mother bird won't take it's chick back if you've touched it (fake news!) or that snakes dislocate their jaw to swallow their prey (that would be soooo painful!)
Put out water - have a bird bath and keep it clean and full. Or if you don't have one or want to get one just put water out on hot days. Summer's getting hotter and hotter and our animals really suffer. So put out a nice pot or container of water. Don't forget to put a rock or a stick in it if it's a slippery surface (like plastic or metal) so that little animals and bugs don't fall in and drown, and keep it out of the sun if it's likely to heat up.
Check roadkill - it's not pleasant but needs to be done. Don't do it if it's a motorway or somewhere dangerous, but if you can PLEASE do.
Roadkill sometimes looks dead but isn't and you don't want them laying there suffering. They may have pouch young if they are a marsupial or young nearby that will need care without their parent.
And where possible get it off the road. Species like Tasmanian Devils, Goannas and Wedge Tailed Eagles feed on roadkill and can then end up as roadkill themselves. Even if you have to drag it, it's dead and not gonna feel any more pain.
100% of people I have attended a rescue for who have called because they stopped and found a joey or young in a pouch or hiding nearby have not regretted their decision at all. Even if they were late for work, they saved a life and it was worth it.
Avoid using poisons - insecticides, pesticides, snail bait and straight up rat poison. Like mentioned in POISON VS VENOM, it just keeps killing. There are so many other options out there and they aren't hard to find. There's stuff on the internet but also at Bunnings I've found more environmentally sound options that use Tea Tree oils and Eucalyptus instead and work just as well.
Don't feed them! - Most Aussie animals are gluten and lactose intolerant. BREAD IS REALLY BAD! and if not eaten it gets mouldy and causes disease.
Putting out bird seed is the number 1 problem when we talk 'feeding wildlife'. WHY?
The 'wild birdseed' that you buy in shops isn't actually for wild birds. JUST LOOK AT IT, you don't see those seeds growing out in the wild. The main seed wild birds eat are Bottle-brush, She-oaks, Banksias, Wattle and Eucalypts. None of those are found in these bags of seed.
Even for seed eaters that seed you buy is too fatty and unbalanced
For those that don't usually eat seed, like Lorikeets, eating the seed destroys the specialised bristles on their tongues that they need to eat their natural food - nectar and pollen.
If you don't keep it clean you will spread diseases, especially psittacosis (beak and feather) for which there is no cure just a slow, drawn out death. You can also catch it and end up in hospital.
You cause an imbalance. Animals breed based on food availability, if you make food available they will breed but there might not be enough space or trees available and you create more competition and also they end up relying on you and if you go on holiday or anything they can die without that food.
You can cause health issues in other animals. Possums love bird seed but it makes them fat, making it harder for them to escape predators.
You will be feeding non-natives. For example, the Common Myna bird cannot survive on wild plants, but if there is a food source around they can. Got rid of Common Mynas in my neighbourhood by convincing my neighbours to stop putting out bird seed.
RATS LOVE BIRD SEED. Specially feral rats. Mice also love bird seed.
You make a predator hot-spot. It won't take long for predators to realised animals they prey on visit your feeding station and they will come. The most common predator I find around bird seed? Snakes. Snakes love rats and mice, rats and mice love bird seed. You do the maths.
If you want to feed them just do some research and plant trees that are food for them.
How many species are endangered?
Sadly, it's almost quicker to list what's NOT endangered in Australia.
That's hard to say as there is different ways they can be endangered. In one area they may be common, but in another they could be disappearing. You can have Endangered lists at different levels; local, state, national and international.
But the most used list is the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global extinction risk status of animal, fungus and plant species.
AKA the IUNC Red List
Here's a bit of a breakdown:
EXTINCT
26 mammals
7 birds
4 amphibians
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
7 mammals
8 birds
15 amphibians
13 reptiles
ENDANGERED
18 mammals
29 birds
18 amphibians
21 Reptiles
VULNERABLE
51 mammals
40 birds
23 amphibians
35 reptiles
NEAR THREATENED
43 mammals
37 birds
9 amphibians
21 reptiles
Then there's the "data deficient" category where they really just don't have the info.
10 mammals
11 amphibians
42 reptiles
I will continue to update this post as I think of other things. Feel free to send me any questions you have
#Wildlife#Australian animals#Aussie#FAQ#endangered animals#what people should know#long post#venom vs poison
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Star-Crossed: Bound by Blood
Chapter Two
Master List / Read on AO3
Previous Chapter
Pairing: Mando/Din Djarin x OFC Baast’Mal
Warnings: I’m making this up as a go, Canon divergent from the series during chapter 13, mild violence
A/N: I make this stuff up as I go along, if I screw something Star Wars-y up, apologies in advance, I didn’t do it on purpose, but I’m new to this Fandom. I will be cross posting this story between AO3 and Tumblr except the smutty bits. Those chapters will only be available to registered users on AO3. (I’m trying something new for people who want to read here on Tumblr, but to also avoid the smut for minors controversy. We’ll see how it goes.)
*I do not have a tag list* Please follow the story on AO3 if you want email updates, or follow @tilltheendwilliwrite-library where I post the new/latest chapters of all my stories.
***
Baast woke to the scent of cooking meat. It made her stomach rumble and mouth salivate but also confused her. There had been no one in her life for many years. There should be no one to cook. Her eyes snapped open, prepared to fight whoever had found her.
Then her eyes fell on Din playing with Grogu, and it all came flooding back. He spoke softly through the modulator, encouraging the boy to float the small silver ball from Din's hand to Grogu's.
When the child succeeded, Din whispered a pleased, "Dank farrik!"
Baast almost purred, watching him with the child. He made an excellent father, and she was of an age to desire a mate, a home, a pride. But a warrior like him deserved someone better than a broken Zentari. It mattered not that her soul cried out whenever he touched her without the barrier of his gloves.
He'd stripped them off yesterday, and she could smell him—the spicy scent of masculine soap blending seamlessly with the musk of a man warm in his beskar. But the underlying scent of Din Djarin was that of the sandy dunes of her homeworld. He smelled of warm winds and dusky plains, of tall grasses whipped by fragrant breezes.
He smelled like home.
The stars were cruel indeed to drop her in the lap of the one made for her.
She watched them for a time as he encouraged Grogu. Their bond was strong, too strong if the Jedi were to be believed. Such attachments bred fear for the one they loved, and fear lent itself to the Darkside.
The idea of Grogu's pure soul becoming tainted made her ache, and though she said she couldn't help them, Baast knew she must. Grogu deserved a chance to grow up on the side of good.
She sat up, drawing Din's notice, the man turning toward her across the fire.
"Morning."
Baast wondered at the voice behind the modulator. Would it be deeper? More robust? Would it be even more pleasing than this one that stroked fingers of violent want through her blood?
"Good morning," she murmured, voice husky still with sleep.
Before she could ask, the canteen he carried on his belt was in his hand. "Drink?"
She nodded, catching it easily when he tossed it to her. "Thank you. I'm not used to morning conversations anymore. Or any conversations in some years."
"You've done well, evading capture until now. Now, the Tribe will help."
"The Tribe," she whispered. "I've been alone for so long." The idea of being part of something was both appealing and terrifying. "I look forward to meeting your Alor."
"She will be glad to meet you. They all will. Everyone will hope-" He cut himself off, busying himself with the lizard cooking over the fire.
"Mando, they should not hope for what I do not think I can give," she sighed, lifting Grogu to her lap when he shuffled over.
"You don't know for sure you can't bond, Baast. Give it time."
Time was all she had. Life was a long thing for a Zentari alone in the universe.
Small green hands gently touched her cheeks, causing her to look down at Grogu. He cooed a sweet noise as she gazed into big, dark eyes. They were expressive in their own right, and she felt herself falling, diving once more into his mind.
The images came fast and furious. Din running, fighting, killing, but almost always alone.
Baast closed her eyes as pain washed through her for the Mandalorian. "I cannot," she whispered to the child. "It would not be fair."
Grogu frowned at her before squealing loudly. More images filled her mind, these of a man reckless with his safety, one who had little to nothing to live for.
She gasped and wrenched her face away from his hands, but it didn't stop the flow of ridiculousness. Kriff! The man had a death wish!
When Grogu disappeared from her lap, only then did he release her from his grasp.
Baast sent the green menace a glare. "That was entirely rude."
He smiled and blew a raspberry.
"I'm sorry," Din murmured, holding the child away like Grogu was a danger.
She held up her hand, continuing to glare. "Do not apologize for something he did. It sets a poor president. Invading my mind is bad manners, little one. Disregarding another's desires is a step down a dark path. This will not be allowed."
"Dark path?" Din asked.
"The Jedi and the Sith. One force believes in peace and passivity. The other wants power and are often corrupted by that passionate desire, both use the Force. He has the potential to be extremely powerful, but with that power comes responsibility. It is a razor's edge to walk, one I am not confident I have the skill to help him navigate."
Din straightened, but his shoulders lowered, relaxing his posture. "You'll help him? I didn't want to bring it up, but I'm running out of options."
"Yes," she sighed. "I know of one who may be able to help him, but I do not know if he will come at my call. Where is your covert?" He said nothing, and Baast tilted her head in apology. "That was an improper question. Forgive me."
"Always," he murmured.
She wondered if that would still be true should he learn what Grogu already suspected. "If I am to make contact, it must be from Tatooine."
"Why Tatooine?"
"Because it is the planet we agreed upon." She turned toward the fire and the spit of roasting meat before looking up at Din. "Have you eaten?"
The movement was subtle, a single negative action.
Baast hummed and reached for the cloth that tied her pants' to her calf and began to unwrap it.
"What are you doing?"
She ignored him and continued until her pant leg fluttered free. The cloth was only a couple inches wide, but it was long and thick enough to make an adequate blindfold.
She lifted it to her eyes, only for his hand to shoot out and grab her wrist. It felt odd for him to touch her with the slightly cracked but soft leather of a glove now that she knew the feel of his skin.
"You don't need to do that."
Baast blinked slowly, gaze drifting to his hand before returning to the visor where his eyes would be. "It is not a need but a want. I will do this, Din Djarin, so that you may eat freely with the child and I. This is the Way."
"It is unnecessary."
She unfolded, rising gracefully to stand before him, wrist yet held in his grasp. "When last did you eat?"
He said nothing.
She tilted her head and held out the cloth. "I have not shared a meal with another in many years. I would share this meal with you and Grogu. Allow me to honour your Creed."
There was no sound, no movement beyond what Grogu contributed to the conversation in small burbles of noise. The Mandalorian was still and silent, a hunter in all things.
Baast waited, quiet, calm. After so many years in a cell, the forest gave her peace, but those years had taught her patience. She could wait for eternity for his decision. She had the time, after all.
What went on behind the helmet, she couldn't know, but eventually, he set Grogu down, released her wrist, and took the blindfold. "Turn around."
She did so, pushing her hair back to uncover her ears. "If possible, try not to cover them. The tips are sensitive, and the fabric will feel abrasive."
The cloth came down over her eyes, hooked behind her ears, and crossed at the back of her head.
"Again," she murmured. "I can still see."
Twice more, the fabric circled before he tied a knot.
Her senses heightened, hearing, smell, and the sixth sense that had been with her all her life. The Force resonated in every living thing, glowing and pulsing, connecting all of them. She could see it like an orange glow, thin lines and thick, veining out around them.
"Good?"
"Yes." The heat of the fire warmed her skin, but before she could move, Din took her hand and elbow.
"Kneel. I'll get you some food."
Baast followed his direction, aware of the bright light that was Grogu coming to her side. He placed his hand on hers, flooding Baast with a gentle apology. She turned her hand over to hold his little claws.
A quiet hiss filled her ears, causing her to turn toward Din. The beskar blocked some of his energy, the Force somehow muted by it. Then he lifted off his helmet.
It took every effort to restrain herself from gasping. He glowed white, the shining brightness of a sun. Shock left her mute as she tracked the supernova that was this Mandalorian as he set down his helmet and removed the spit from the fire. He pulled off a piece of meat, maybe a leg, she couldn't quite tell, and brought it to her.
"Here." The deep baritone was like the softest of silk to her senses.
Baast held out her hands for the meat. His bare fingers grazed her palm as the hot meal hit her flesh, and grease trickled through her fingers.
"Thank you," she managed to force from a throat gone tight with emotion.
"It's hot. Be careful."
She stuffed down the aching need to reach out and feel the lips that produced such a voice and smiled crookedly instead. "Too long have you travelled with only Grogu for company."
He chuckled. "Perhaps."
Another wave of needy desire hit her, but Baast fought it off. She would not doom him to a half-life with an unfinished bond.
She ate and made sure he ate once Grogu was fed, asking questions about the child and how they came to be together simply to keep him talking. His voice was a balm to a soul grown used to silence.
When they finally finished their meal, she waited for him to return his helmet and come to release the blindfold. His hands were deft, skilled, and careful not to pull her hair.
Baast blinked to adjust to the quickly blooming daylight, then retied her pant leg as Din smothered the fire. She reached for Grogu and stood, ready to leave.
"I can carry him."
She tilted her head, already missing the gentle ebb and flow of the Force from him, now encased in all that beskar. "Do you object to me carrying him because you think I am weak or out of principle because he is your foundling?"
"Uh…"
She arched a brow. "Do not underestimate me, Mando. I live because I am jatnese be te jatnese. The best of the best."
"I know what it means," he huffed.
"Then stop being ori'buyce, kih'kovid," she smirked. "I will care for the child as you have cared for me."
"Atin," he muttered.
She didn't protest because, yes, she was stubborn.
"Fine." She could almost hear a pout in his modulated voice as he turned and marched out of their temporary camp. "And I'm not all helmet," he grumbled, likely thinking she couldn't hear him.
Baast smirked and gave Grogu a wink. "Come along, ad'ika. We weak ones best keep up with the big strong Mandalorian," she teased.
"I will leave you behind."
She grinned at his back. "No, you will not."
***
By the time they reached the Razor Crest, he was sweating in his beskar again, but with the luxury of the fresher within sight, Din didn't let it bother him.
He disarmed the ground defences and lowered the hatch, heading inside to get them underway. He wanted off the planet before anyone else thought to come looking for Baast'mal.
Hopefully, the Alor would know who to bribe to falsify a new chain code for her. Either that, or there would be an all-out war to eliminate the threat and bounty on her head. Or, she would spend the rest of her life hunted by the Empire.
He hated that thought. Baast was not a creature who should spend her life hiding. She should be allowed out into the light, a creature of hope and beauty.
Though he hadn't seen the true colour of her eyes, the rest of her was so mesh'la, when he'd removed his helmet, it had momentarily taken his breath. And without the helmet, her scent had filled his nose like something he'd loved and long forgotten. It was warm, soft, and decadent, all things a Mandalorian put off when he put on the beskar.
It was getting harder and harder to keep his hands to himself.
She closed the ramp and followed him to the ladder, climbing up with Grogu to slip into the seat back and to his right.
"Once we've left the atmosphere, you're welcome to the fresher, food, whatever you need," he offered, getting them airborne.
"Do I smell?"
He froze. "That wasn't what-"
Her laugher, that throaty purr, cut him off. "It's fine, Mando. An actual fresher after years of lakes and waterfalls will be pleasant."
"Hm. I have to make a stop on Nevarro, then another before we go to Tatooine. Is there anything you need?"
"Clothing. A cloak. And a weapon."
They cleared the planet, and he made the jump into hyperspace before turning around. "What kind?"
"Short sabres or staff will do."
He watched her pet Grogu's ears, gently using those long claws in such a fashion the kid was almost comatose in bliss. She sat with one foot propped on the seat, comfortably leaning on the armrest. He wondered if her skin would begin to lose its sun-kissed nature now that she was off-world.
"How did you learn to fight?" he asked, forcing himself not to think about her skin and how soft it was.
"Mandalorians are not the only warrior race. Zentari are taught from birth; the rest I learned from the idiots who held me captive. They sought to make me a weapon or a slave, with that came training, but Zentari are not so easily coerced, nor do we forget the slaughter of thousands. I am no weak-minded individual to be controlled by some Sith," she spat.
"Sith?" He knew next to nothing about Force-wielders and felt the lack of knowledge acutely.
"They oppose all things the Jedi stand for, desiring power over peace or balance. They corrupt what they touch.."
"And how does a Zentari hold out against someone so powerful?" He didn't wish to insult her, but surely a child against a master Sith couldn't win.
She sighed and looked away, watching the lights of hyperspace. "Zentari are neither good nor evil. We are Force neutral. The blood bonds distinguish much of our future. To avoid creating bonds with those that would bring harm was why Zentarus was so well hidden. But someone betrayed us. They used to brag about it, the Imps. How one who we trusted gave us up to the Empire."
"If you are Force neutral, why allow Mandalorians to know of Zentarus? Why let us come seeking mates?"
She shot those vibrant eyes back in his direction. "Because the Way was honourable once. Perhaps, at some point, Mandalore was led astray by their leader, but that was not our doing. Those that came to us knew the Way. They humbled themselves before us, and if they were denied, they left knowing such was not their destiny. Those who came knowing not the Way… did not leave Zentarus alive."
"Then I am glad I knew the Way," he murmured, wondering who would have won between the two of them had she not revealed herself.
"As am I," she nodded, looking as regal as the Sand Panther she claimed in her blood.
"Were the Jedi not part of your Way?"
She scowled. "The Jedi saw us as a threat. Naturally born Force users who required little training to do much of what they could, who lived for generations, and who were neither good nor evil. They feared what would happen if we were corrupted. An attempt was made to wipe us out. It failed, and we Zentari veiled Zentarus from those who knew not where to look."
"And that's why you didn't want to help us," he sighed, realizing the untenable position he'd put her in.
She stood, placing the sleeping Grogu down on her seat before taking the step she needed to stand between his spread knees. Her hands lifted to land lightly on the sides of his helmet, gliding over the metal. "It is no longer a want but a need. I will not watch Grogu fall to the side of the Sith because of my fear of the Jedi. He must be trained."
She leaned down and rested her forehead against his helmet as long lashes veiled her eyes. "This is the Way."
Without his permission, Din's hands found her hips and drew her incrementally closer. "I will protect you, Baast."
"We will protect each other."
He hummed his agreement and wondered at the low ripple of sound vibrating through his chest.
Next chapter
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Hi! 💛☀️I've always felt drawn to Aphrodite and Apollo, but I'm too anxious to start any kind of worship or communication. People say they won't judge or do bad things, but I worry I'll treat them wrong or sound whiny when asking for a favor even though I'd give an offering. I can't have an altar because I'm moving soon. I've been atheist my whole life and question it when I read about paganism but feel foolish when I think too hard. I think I won't be as good as other devotees, and feel sad.😓
So I dont know much about Aphrodite or Apollo personally but I do work within the norse pantheon and well...let me tell you a story.... Actually Im at work, lemme copy and paste a story.
~~~~
" With Loki in tow, Thor would sometimes go on random day trips simply to find trouble. On one such trip, Thor also brought along his servant Thjalfi. After a solid day of traveling, the three were stuck in a forest with no shelter except a large cave with a weirdly branching layout.
The cave was actually a glove which belonged to a being who called himself Skrymir. He was a giant so large and intimidating that even Thor didn’t want to bother him. Skrymir pointed the three of them in the direction of Utgard, a castle filled with giants waiting to fight.
Skrymir warned them not to irritate the giants living there. But Thor and his companions immediately ignored the warning. The king of this particular castle—whose name was Utgard-Loki—informed the three that they couldn’t stay unless each proved his unbeatable skill in some area.
Loki’s skill was eating extremely quickly, Thor’s was imbibing alcohol, and Thjalfi’s was his speed. Each of them was pitted against an opponent from Utgard, and they all failed miserably.
By the time that Loki had eaten his share of the meat, his opponent had eaten the other half as well as the bones and half of the trough. When Thor had taken in as much as he could, it didn’t even make a dent in the mead. Thjalfi had run barely 3 meters (10 ft) before his opponent had won the entire race.
As it turned out, the giant who called himself Skrymir was actually Utgard-Loki. He had been fooling the three of them the entire time—pitting Thor against a literal ocean, Loki against fire, and Thjalfi against the speed of thought itself."
~~~~
Point is: gods, no matter the pantheon, are renowned for their absolutely cockamamy shinannigans, tom foolery, bullshit, and straight up blunders. There is nothing you have done, and nothing you could ever do, that could possibly be worse than their own myths or the thousands of followers before you dear.
~ ☀
#witch#pagan#wicca#witchcraft#paganism#witch tip#witchblr#norse#norse pagan#norse polytheism#hellenic#aphrodite#apollo
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Assassins, Companions, And Family Chapter 2
This is Chapter 2 and I'm so excited!! Hope you enjoy!💋
Also, shout out to @lunavadash for liking my other two parts of this series!❤ ~Much Love!
So sorry this is short
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Excellent." Loki said smug and reached out his hand out, waiting for Hunter to shake his hand to seal the deal.
When Hunter firmly clasped their hands together, green, red, black and golden sparks and ribbons flew between and around their hands, and the deal was sealed.
"Now" Loki said as he let go of Hunter's hand and Hunter did the same. "My first order is for you to show me where you're injured. I can't have a injured worker, now can I?"
Hunter waved one flap of his cloak onto his back, undid the the shirt, and slowly showed Loki the injury, still wrapped in bandages. The bandages were slightly red from the movements and Hunter winced in pain as he moved to take it off. Loki got up, walked towards Hunter and slightly winced at what he saw.
The chest was swollen red and chunks of dead skin was shedding off. Mottled bruise littered his chest and purple was the most seen. It was dry, patchy and it was horrible to look at. Hunter clenched his fists and hissed through his teeth as Loki probed at it.
"He did hit you and severely at that, but you're resilient, aren't you?" Loki said as he settled his pale, cold hand onto Hunters chest, who shouted out silently, but kept still, trying hard not to shake.
'Cold, but soothing.' Hunter wrote shakey and Loki smirked.
"Yes. I run quite...cold. Bear with me now."
A green glow started to envelop his hand as Loki muttered under his breath and the healing process began. The skin was ripped off, and new skin grew quickly. The deep bruising started to disappear, and the red swelling started to go down. The only thing left on Hunters chest was a couple of bruising that didn't need help healing.
"There" Loki said as he slowly blew out a breath of air. "Sleep it off and you'll be fine. Speaking of such matters, I believe it's time to rest anyways."
Looking up from his chest, Hunter noticed the clock and the time. It was 1:23 a.m. Nodding, Hunter wrote something down and started getting dressed.
'Yes, of course. Thank you for healing me. When do I expect my first job?'
"We will speak of these matters tomorrow. Right now, you need rest. A growing 'boy' " , Loki chuckled as Hunter paused in buttoning up his shirt to glare, "like you, needs his rest. Once you complete your job, you'll have enough money to furnish your home and buy whatever you want. Especially for your family. For right now however, you will contact your employer and go to sleep. If you can, destroy the evidence as well. That is all."
'I understand. Thank you. One question however. While I'm grateful for you not asking about my...face, why not ask me more about it?'
"You have your secrets, I have mine."
'I'll contact the employer and I don't expect any trouble from them as they'll be dead soon, so don't worry about them. Goodnight and thank you once again.'
"Goodnight." Loki whispered as Hunter left and rounded the corner.
Loki started to clean up by magically vanishing it away. Leaving the dining room, he arrived in his room with a snap of his fingers and got dressed to sleep. Finally laying down, he felt drowsy and magically drained from everything that happened.
'Finally. Come tomorrow and the child should be set for his first mission. Mother would be proud. Not for what I'm about to do, but for saving him. More or less.' He thought he drifted off to sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hunter entered the room and started to undress, marveling at the almost healed skin, and going to the closet to see if he could find some sleepwear.
Finishing, Hunter located his backpack and started to search for the phone his employer gave him. Finding it and fishing out something cylinder with a button on top, he took them with him. Reaching the bed, he slowly and gently started to shake Shadow awake. Opening his eyes, Shadown yawned, got up to shake himself, with also being careful of the egg, and moved himself. Moving over, Hunter gently picked the egg up and started to lift the covers up from the bed to slide between them. Shadow moved towards them and waited for his caretaker to settle the egg, so he could get under the covers as well.
With a soundless yawn, Hunter finally settled down and made space for Shadow. With Yin between them and his caretaker near him, Shadow fell asleep quickly again, feeling safe at once.
Turning the phone on and settling down the cylinder tube within reach, Hunter started to search for the employer's phone number and quickly found it, typing up a text to send to them.
'Проходящая миссия остановлена. Локи захватил и нанял меня с моего согласия. Больше не в состоянии это делать или слушать вас. Извиняется.'*
It didn't take long for the bubbles, indicating a text was being written, to show up.
'Что вы имеете в виду?! Я тебя нанял! Вы должны слушать меня! Выполни эту чертову работу, ублюдок!'**
'Я больше не принимаю заказы от вас. Повторяю, я больше не слежу за тобой и не хочу твоих денег. Миссия сейчас заброшена.'*
'Ты сукин сын! Я пришлю своего мужчину для тебя! Будь осторожен, потому что я убью тебя и твою семью, неблагодарная сука!'**
'Нету.'*
'Нет ?! Что ты имеешь в виду, нет !? Послушай меня, ты будешь сожалеть об этом, поэтому я дам один шанс забрать все обратно или я убью тебя сам!'**
'То, что вы говорите, не сбудется. В тот момент, когда вы связались и угрожали моей семье до всего этого, я планировал вас бомбить, ребята.'*
'Хватит играть в эту глупую игру. Ты убьешь Локи и вернешься сюда. Я проясняю себя?'**
'Я не думаю, что вы понимаете, я не шутил. Ты угрожал мне и моей семье, и теперь я собираюсь убить тебя.'*
Hunter lifted the cylinder tube, pushed the button, and dropped it next to the phone.
No reply ever came.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The news channel appeared on TV as someone turned it on.
"-explosion happened in an abandoned warehouse called the Brooklyn Army Terminal located in Sunset Park, at 2:07 a.m. It happened all of a sudden people have stated. Authorized figures however seem to say that the warehouse was used by a group of people storing weapons. Many were killed in the explosion and it seems to have come from the inside. We have footage of the building exploding, but we warn you that it's quite graphic." A news reporter said.
The news was then cut off to a blurry and gray video of an old abandoned building exploding. Fire was sprouting from the shattered window and was growing higher in size. It turned back to the news reporter once again.
"It seemed that it was intended and police are now investigating why and how this has occurred. If anyone has any answers to what and why this has occurred, please-" The TV was muted as Loki put down the control.
"Did you do this?" He said as he turned to Hunter who wasn't there in the living room. Loki snapped his fingers and a whiteboard with a black marker appeared, allowing Hunter to write down his answers.
'Yes.'
"With what?"
'Bombs.'
"How?"
'I planted them in secret when they stated that they were going to kill Yin and Shadow if I didn't cooperate.'
"Is that where your employer stayed?"
'Yes.'
"So this is what you meant when you said that I shouldn't worry. Who were they?"
'A Russian group. They were trying to obtain your body for experiments.'
"Hmm. Were they a small group?"
'Yes.'
"Alright then. Have you eaten yet?"
'No.'
"Are you hungry?
'Yes.'
"What do you want to eat?" Loki asked as he turned away from Hunter and walked towards the kitchen. "While Midgard technology is easy enough to comprehend, compared from where I am from, it wasn't that difficult to figure out. I'll order some breakfast from the diner below. You'll eat anything, won't you? I also found some fresh fish for the pup."
'Yes, thank you.'
"Yes yes. You're welcome. Can't have you and your pup starving, can we? You have have a job today and I'll tell you over breakfast. Just grab your pup and egg."
'Of course.' Hunter wrote down and placed the whiteboard with its marker on a flat surface. He walked towards the room.
Entering the room, Hunter noticed Shadow already up and about, exploring the room, different from when he left Shadow to continue sleeping.
Strolling over, he picked up the egg, wrapped it tightly in its blanket, settled down the egg onto the bed again, and made a soft sound, calling Shadow over.
Bending his knees, he started to move his hands in a certain way, Shadow's eyes focusing on it.
'Loki is boss now. Listen, learn, don't disrespect. Attack if only you need to protect self or egg. Clear?'
Shadow excitedly started to shake his tail and head, confirming he understood. Getting up, Hunter went towards his backpack, and fetched a bowl. He went and picked Yin up, cradling it, opened the door wide and left, Shadow right on his trail.
Going down the hall, Shadow kept up, already being bigger then he should be for his age. Entering the kitchen, Hunter noticed breakfast already set up. Loki looked up from a new thick book he had and looked towards them.
"You're here so now we can eat. I put the fish on the kitchen counter, so do what you can with it."
Seeing Hunter nod, Loki walked towards the table and waited for Hunter to finish, opening the book and starting to read. Approaching the counter, still cradling Yin, he started to wash and clean the fish, pulling apart the meat and bones separately, making it safe to eat. Mashing it, he served it in a bowl he brought with him.
Walking towards the table, he settled the bowl down onto the floor. Shadow, who was following him, waited near the table as he saw Hunter make a halt movement. Going back, Hunter fetched the whiteboard and marker, knowing he was going to need it. Hunter then sat down near Loki.
"You taught him well." He paused for a moment looking at Shadow and looked up. "I'll tell you your mission after we eat. Let's speak, however, about lighter subjects." Loki said as he put away his book and started to eat, Hunter soon joining him. When Hunter started, still gently holding Yin, so did Shadow who quickly gobbled down his mashed fish.
"How was your sleep?" Loki said between bites. "I hope it was restful for you and your furry family."
'It was. Yours?'
"It was restful. Now, I want to know why this group hired you? Care to explain?"
'I am well known in being hired for a low price, killing anyone they want me to. Usually, I do pros and cons on if I can kill them, not accepting if I know I can't. I never miss, except until you, of course. I told them I would fail, they didn't listen, but it seems they got what they deserved. Thought you would be an easy target however, considering the Avengers are after you. Should have know you wouldn't have let down your guard.'
"Hm. Were you trained or self taught? I'm guessing trained, however."
'You are correct. I am trained. Now, I have a question for you. What do I call you? What terms or titles do you want me to use? Master Loki, Sir Loki, Mr. Loki, or do you prefer a family name, Mr. Friggason?'
"I would prefer Loki. Just Loki." He said calmly. "And yourself?"
'Hunter. Just Hunter.'
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
*Passing mission is stopped. Loki captured and hired me with my consent. No longer able to do this or listen to you. Apologizes.
**What do you mean?! I hired you! You should be listening to me! Get the damn job done, you bastard!
*I no longer accept orders from you. I repeat, I no longer watch you and do not want your money. Mission is now abandoned.
**You son of a bitch! I'll send my man for you! Be careful because I will kill you and your family, ungrateful bitch!
*Nope
**No?! What do you mean no!? Listen to me, you will regret it, so I will give one chance to take everything back or I will kill you myself!
*What you're saying won't come true. The moment you contacted and threatened my family before all this, I planned to bomb you guys. You won't be able to do anything you're saying.
**Stop playing this foolish game. You will kill Loki and you will return here. Do I make myself clear?
*I don't think you understand, I wasn't kidding. You threatened me and my family and now I'm going to kill you.
#marvel#loki#avengers#tony stark#mcu#fanfics#loki laufeyson#iron man#hunter#writing#my writing#assassins companions and family
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