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charles-leclerizz · 3 months

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🏎️ ๋࣭ ⭑blue views

🏁 Pairings : Carlos Sainz X fem! Reader

🏁 Warnings : smut [nothing major, listed at the end of the writing], fluff, stress [which is aliviated by the smut]

🏁 Word Count : 3.6k words (3612 words)

🏁 Summary : It’s time to celebrate! For everyone else that is. You, on the other hand, will be planning your’s and your fiance’s “engagement week” festivities, until you die. That is, until an impromptu intervention is planned.

🏁 translations via radio comm below

🏁 credits : word dividers by @heavenlayt

🏁 Music player : Good to be by Mark Ambor

“Carlos!” You shouted out, leaning back against the heel of your soft wedges as you reached behind you for more cocktail glasses. The sound of your fiancé’s loafers against the terracotta staircase echoed throughout the ground level as he made his way to the kitchen, where you were working alongside half a dozen cooks.

“Si, Mariposa?” He came up behind you, plucking the crystal margarita glass from your fingers and taking a sip of the peachy, carbonated concoction that you had masterfully created. You giggled when he hummed happily and kissed your neck, “It’s delicious.”

“Ay, Ay, Señor. Tienes que esperar a la luna de miel” An elderly voice scolded from your left followed with a hollow bonk. Carlos hissed, rubbing the back of his head where a thick wooden rolling pin had struck him playfully, “You wound me, Maria.”

He followed with a pained “Literally.” When Maria had merely shot him a fond look over her shoulder as she went back to washing the tomatoes in the deep-set ceramic sink.

“You’re absolutely sure that everyone got the invites?” You leaned down to inspect the dozen drinks that you had made, “Because we invited at least 60 people, and if I make 60 drinks and there are not exactly 60 throats present to ingest them. You are going to remain abstinent until we’re married.”

Carlos stared at you open mouthed, a betrayed expression overtook his face, “So you would choose Maria’s wishes over mine? muy cruel.” He then bought his hands up from your waist to brush your hair from your shoulder, dragging his fingers up your arm-he slipped off the thin spaghetti strap of your white, cotton summer dress to press short, sweet kisses on your skin, “I mean can you really resist this?” He reasoned.

“It would be very easy Mi Amour.” You harrumphed, ignoring the tingling shocks that fluttered beneath your skin at the drag of his lips against your shoulder. You jolted forward when you felt his other hand travel from your waist, down to the front of your dress, “Carlos- I have so much to do. I mean I promised Alex and Lily I would make trifle for dessert, but then your parents have this one friend who hates custard! I mean did you hear the story, he literally puked, and I will not have him puke in my engagement party, nope. Not on my watch.”

You wagged your finger in the air before grabbing another five glasses from their upside-down position on the kitchen island where you were working. Taking the washcloth that sat comofortably in the front pocket of your plaid apron, you began wiping away the droplets of water from the crystal before continuing to babble about your long list of duties for the upcoming week of festivities.

“So, I need to also make these cute fruit tarts that I made that one time. But then I realised that Charles and Max hate kiwi, and the whole dessert is basically that, so for them I’m making this great chocolate gateau, the one at the restaurant? Since they really fucking liked that one.”

You grumbled out the last part, crushing up your freshly picked strawberries that had previously been resting in a metal strainer along with a cream, cotton cover up to keep them moist. The marble mortar grinded against the matching pestle as the sweet fruits reduced to a thick paste.

“On top of that the other like, 40 guests have very specific wants, so I have 20 different things to make along with this signature drink that Jenni designed for us! You know her, right? the bar tender at the other restaurant in Monaco, I learnt how to make it, and you said its good. It’s good right?”

You add a few cups of carbonated water to the pinkish paste in front of you, before turning back to Carlos, who had been patiently listening to you rant- mainly due to the fear that if he were to stop, you would give his ear the same treatment as the berries that remain crushed beneath you, “Si, mi mariposa. Very good.”

You sighed before fully spinning around to face him, resting your back on the dark wood counter, looping your hands around his neck, “I’m sorry Carlito.” You brush a singular strand of hair that fell from its carefully crafted style onto his forehead, “This isn’t very fun for you, is it?” You move onto your tiptoes to reach his cheek.

“Nonsense, I have Papa and Guillermo coming to help with the decorations outside, I think Blanca and Mama are also coming- to help.” He chuckles when you groan happily and bring his head down to kiss his lips graciously.

“Thank you, Mi Amour.” You murmur against his mouth, running your fingers through his hair as his arms came to circle your waist, pulling you against his chest. You sigh against him, melting in his embrace as you barely manage to hold yourself up and anchor yourself on his broad shoulders that strain against the baby blue polo top, he chose to wear.

“AY, SEÑOR,” Maria bumped Carlos slightly as she came rushing through the walkway, trotting determinedly through the low, exposed brick archway and outside to the patio area that was protected from the morning sunrays by the lattice structure that stood tall whilst being overtaken by winding ivy.

Beneath this, Maria sat down at least 3 trays full of freshly sliced vegetables, sun drying them as preparation for the multiple dishes that would be served that evening, “Si no estás aquí para aportar nada útil, sal de la cocina.” She screeched whilst heading to the other side of your estate, towards the large garden that housed many seasoned plants, ready with multiple fruits and vegetables for plucking.

“I think she will cook me next.” He shuddered before laying his forehead on yours, “Do not worry, Mariposa. Everything will turn out fine.”

“Why did I suggest an engagement week.” You pouted, nuzzling your head into his chest, to hide away from all the responsibilities you had brought onto yourself. You shake your head wildly, causing flurries of hair to escape from the bun you had messily done up, “All I know is that it must go well. Maria will for sure have a heart attack if it doesn’t,”

“I still think it’s a good idea” He comforts you, until the melodic sound of the doorbell resounds throughout the house, and he detaches from you, “That must be the back-up.” He winks at you as he jogs off to open the large, rustic door. You watch from the kitchen as Carlos laughs boisterously whilst embracing his family.

His mother and sister quickly wave him off, ushering the men out to the acres of back garden they have yet to decorate to approach you.

Blanca dances up to you, wiggling her arms and hands excitedly as she beams at your exhausted face, “There she is! Beautiful bride-to-be, our mariposa.” The knee length dress she chose skims her legs as the burgundy silk falls from her shoulders delicately, she hugs your neck tightly, swinging you both side to side whilst you flail around.

“Hola, diabla.” You chuckle, catching your mother-in-law’s eyes, you wait until Blanca removes herself from you for Reyes to do the same, but instead of violently rotating you like a ragdoll, she rubs your back and coos sympathetically.

“Ay mi muñeca, you look too tired to be a blushing bride.” She moves her arms from being drawn around your neck to rub your shoulders.

“What can I say? There’s too much to be done for me to be blushing.” You shrug, already going back to pouring out 10 more drinks, adding to the sea of glasses in front of you.

Blanca tuts disapprovingly, “This is not what being engaged is meant to be, it’s meant to be fun! And new! And sexy!” She waggles her eyebrows suggestively, ignoring her mother who had picked up your to-do list and hid her face in the paper.

“Blanca, please.” Reyes rolled her eyes, “But she’s not wrong.” She reaches for a spare apron that hung rejected on the back of the pantry door.

“No, mamá please,” You attempt to snatch the apron away from Reyes, who tuts disapprovingly and had already begun to collect multiple utensils from your spacious kitchen whilst talking quickly with the cooks who had been diligently making progress on the rest of the menu, “I can’t possibly allow you to do my work.”

Blanca plucked the neatly tied bow around your waist, undoing the stained, pale blue cotton that protected your dress, “No, your job is to relax, and let my culo brother treat you nicely. Champagne, strawberries, chocolate.” She listed off the aphrodisiacs one by one, pushing you through the living room and up the stairs. You braced yourself on the railing as you let her guide you through the landing.

“I have all of that in the food that I should be making,” You whined, stomping your foot, and swivelling to level her with your eyes, “There is just too much to do before tonight. And the boys don’t even know what to do for decorations.”

Blanca swatted her hand through the air, as if physically plummeting away your doubts, “You’ve had the entire family added on your Pinterest board.” You snorted at that, but pressed your lips together when she shot you a look, “If I can’t whip them into shape, consider me a bad sister from day 1.” She planted her hands on her waist before pointing at your bedroom door, “Now either you can start yourself a bath, or I will.”

You harrumph and dig your feet into their spot on the newly waxed, wooden floors beneath you, “I see how it is.” Blanca squints her eyes at you, “Fine, I see how it is.”

You half expect her to push you into the room, but instead she leans over the banister and shouts, “CARLOS !!”

“Blanca!” You gasp, grabbing her dress and tugging her back from the beam, “W-Why would you?” You splutter.

“AY CARLOS !!” She continues to screech until you slap a palm over her mouth, careful of the nude brown lipstick she had worn.

“Si diabla?” Your fiancé shouts back up, already at the base of the staircase. Blanca licks your hand, causing you to yelp and jump back, giving her the perfect opportunity to answer, “Your fiancé is anxious as fuck.”

“What else is new?” He chuckles, hand braced on the railing as he emerges from the winding staircase. Carlos takes in the new scene, you are tackling Blanca onto the floor, she’s squealing whilst attempting to wrangle free from you, tummy first on the floor, “Mi amour, if you are going to leave me for my sister...” He starts, crossing his arms and tilting his head at you.

“You both are insufferable.” You grit out, twisting the knob to your bedroom, wating for Carlos to step inside. He stops momentarily when Blanca darts an arm out and begins to ramble to him in Spanish, Carlos answers just as quickly before his sister reaches up to smack the underside of his head.

“Blanca!” He shouts out after her, but she ignores him and sprints downstairs to assist with the preparations. Carlos turns back to you, slumping forward to rest his head against the door frame that you were currently leaning on, arms folded amusedly as you looked at him from under your eyelashes. He pivots his neck, gazing fondly into your eyes, “You’re pretty.” He mumbles, bringing a limp hand up to rest on your cheek, thumb moving soothingly against your face. You lean into his touch, “So are you” You breathe out, leaning upwards to ghost your lips over his.

This moment was merely poetic, the two of you, finding respite in the chaos within each other. His soft touch as he leaned forward for more, you grant it, because you craved him as deeply as he did for you. The astringent sweetness of his lips against yours and the heavenly feeling of his fingers cradling your hips made you moan out as he caught you weight when your knees gave out from beneath you.

The door creaked shut behind the two of you, your palms digging into the waistline of his shorts to tug his shirt out, his fingers dance down from your neck to the large cut-out of your dress that showed off the curve of your spine. Carlos broke away from you momentarily, his eyes still shut as he chuckled when you whined, chasing his lips desperately, “Jump,” He murmured, bracing himself by tugging you close and digging his fingers into the back of your thighs.

You complied, hopping into his secure hold before attaching your mouth to his once again, nipping at his full bottom lip. Carlos passed through the bedroom with ease, his muscle memory allowing him to walk underneath the long archway that led to your shared bathroom. He released you gently, his fingers pinching the hem of your dress on your way down, he bunched up the flowy linen, dragging it up to your waist and tugging it over your head- leaving you in just a pair of white, lacy underwear.

You laughed slightly, your hair mussed at taking over half of your face, “Carlos” you huff out. He laughs at your annoyance, gently moving the strands out of your eyes before tracing the dips and curves of your chest and stomach with feather-light touches.

Sighing, you tilt your head back, allowing him to press his lips against the column of your neck. You loop your hands around his neck, stumbling backwards towards the sink whilst bringing him with you. Carlos hoists you up and onto the counter, finally stepping back to gaze at your naked body, his eyes ravish you, the stiff peaks of your breasts and curve of your stomach, you watch him intently when he finally makes his way down to your panties, a damp patch already forming.

Carlos approaches you once again, his breath fresh and minty against your skin, “Tan bonita.” He compliments, trailing warm, open mouth kisses on your collar bone, starting from your shoulder until he reaches your sternum, “Tan deliciosa.” He moves to your breast, decorating it with his own purple-ish love marks, he littered them across until he enveloped your nipple into his mouth, his tongue licking against the pebble until it hardened beneath his attention.

Carlos turned his attention to the other whilst his other hand slipped beneath the elastic of your underwear, his middle finger teasing your wet slit, “all for me?” he moaned against your breast.

“of course.” You bury your hand in his hair, arching into his touch before he lowered to his knees in front of you.

“F-fuck” you whine, biting your lip harshly as he settles between your legs, he shucks you closer, harshly tugging you to the edge of the counter as he inches his mouth closer, hot breathe settling on the front of your underwear. You arch your back at the feeling, fingers teasing your peaked nipple, “please,” you whisper, eyes darting down to where Carlos had begun to lave lazily at your newly soaked panties.

“Please what? Huh?” He whispers, tongue darting out to push further into your throbbing hole. You whine, thighs threatening to clamp shut around his head, your hand inches down to shyly tug at his hair and guide him closer to your leaking cunt, “can’t even talk now? ‘s okay mariposa. I’ll take care of you.” He promises, laying one of your legs over his shoulder.

You breathe hitches slightly when you feel him drag his lips up your hip, only for his teeth to sink into your underwear band, trailing it off you.

You scrunch your eyes with a gasp when his kisses trail up from your ankle, to your calf and towards the inside of your thigh- you growl playfully when you hear him chuckle and coo up at you, “you were just stressed...” he pressed an open mouthed kiss to your skin, “being so diligent..” he continued, tongue ghosting over your leaking folds, “so perfect.”

“Carlos,” You moan, scratching your nails against his scalp, “you’re being mean. Hah. It’s not good to be mean to your future wi-“you cut yourself off with a scream, well, a muffled one, you managed to cover your agape mouth with your hand. He dove into your sex, tongue searing through you as he fucked the muscle steadily into you, curling it to poke gently at the sensitive, spongy part within you.

Carlos let his eyes flutter shut, the sweet taste of you staining itself onto his tongue, how he could stay like this forever, fuck the dinner, he only ever wanted to taste you. Only you.

“taste so good,” he panted against you, his tongue nudging your clit, in an oh-so delicious way that made you bite down on your fingers to stop your needy moans leaking down from the open, semi-circle window towards your in-laws, who were dedicatedly preparing your back garden to host a multitude of people.

“uh uh mariposa, quiero oír tu voz.” He reached up with one hand, tugging your palm away from your still open mouth.

“I-“you gulp heavily, trying to unscramble your mind from its mush state, “I- wan’ want more, need you to- do something please.” You bring your other leg to his shoulder, locking him between your limbs.

Carlos huffs out a laugh, biting playfully at your tender skin, he brings up one hand laying his fingers gently against your pussy lips, creating a ‘V’ to spread them wide, exposing the sensitive area to the midday warmth. And then, he spat, a fat string slowly drips from his mouth to land directly on your hole, he gawks at it with interest, his large puppy-dog eyes shining with lust.

You blush and cover your face, “come on- please? I’ve been soo good, did ever’thin you wanted.” You babbled, gyrating your hips against his face, baiting him into pleasuring you again until the delicious wave reached the crown of your skull until the tips of your toes.

“have you? You been my good girl? Hm?” He arches a brow at you, but stops you from answering when he lays his tongue flat against your clit, gently shaking his head side to side until you begin to shake and whine, “yeah, I know mi amor, se siente bien, ¿sí?” he whispers, prodding you cunt with his index finger, “you want it, don’t you?”

You hummed, eyes widening as though he had proposed all over again, “yeah, come on, please, pretty please with a- ahh,” once again, he wouldn’t let you finish your pleading, instead, he answered you with your prize, him pushing his fingers into you, your wetness dripping down into his palm and along his wrist.

Obscene squelches echoed through the bathroom, along with explicit sounds of his knuckles slapping against your skin and your high-pitched moans.

“yes- oh, don’t stop.” You sobbed, tears pricking at your eyes when he thrusted in a second finger, stretching you out whilst he crooked his digits to continue stimulating your g-spot mercilessly.

“don’t plan on it,” he promised, delving back in for another sacred taste, he tongue worked wonders against you, drinking in your nectar as though from the gods- letting in slip down his throat graciously. You groaned and bit your lip harshly, arching your back at angles that chiropractors would wince at until you could feel that euphoric feeling begin to bloom within your stomach.

Your walls fluttered around Carlos’ fingers, making him smirk against you and continue his movements, hungrily licking and slurping at you until your toes curled and eyes crossed over, “fuck,” you grit out, gasping laboriously as the tight knot finally snapped and torrential pleasure rained over you.

“te entendí my love,” He crawled over you, bracing himself above with his hands planted on the thick, white marble countertop you were currently blissed out on.

You brought your shaky hands up to his face, kissing him gently, “what about-hah, what about you,” you panted, wrapping your arms around him, continuing to softly brush your lips against his face. His temple, stubbled cheek, and muscled neck.

“We still have-“ He looked down at the heavy, silver Rolex on his wrist, “40 minutes, until Blanca comes hunting for us.” Carlos looked over to the floating bath that sat in front of the Juliet balcony, “and we have a bath.”

“That is just by a huge ass window,” You reminded him, glancing over to the open doors, revealing the intricate black grill of the balcony along with the pristine view of your tall trees that lined the well-kept entertaining space of your garden.

“Well, I doubt they don’t know what’s going on, I mean, my sister probably told them to leave a box of condoms outside.” He shrugged.

“In that case,” You started, your low whisper a mere breath of warm air between the two of you. Marinating hard and heady eye contact with him, you reached down to take his hand in yours, then slipped the two fingers that still dripped with your wetness, into your mouth.

Carlos stared at the sight, a short, strangled noise leaving him when you popped out his digits with an all too innocent noise, “Better make the most of it,” You leaned back against the mirror, hand open for him to carry you.

He groaned, shaking his head slightly before hoisting you in his arms, “best 40 minutes of my life.”

[Smut warnings : alot of kissing, fingering, sucking, love-bites, fem! oral recieving, fem! fingering recieving.]

📻 Kcccchh.... come in.... come in...translatiion available...over

📻 Kchh...Spnish..to engli..sh....over

Ay, Ay, Señor. Tienes que esperar a la luna de miel - Oh, Oh, Lord. You have to wait for the honeymoon

muy cruel - very cruel

AY, SEÑOR - OH, SIR

Si no estás aquí para aportar nada útil, sal de la cocina - If you're not here to contribute anything useful, get out of the kitchen.

mariposa - butterfly

Hola, diabla - Hello, devil

Ay mi muñeca - Oh, my doll

Si, diabla? - Yes, devil?

Mi amour - My love

Tan deliciosa - So delicious

Tan bonita - So beautifull

quiero oír tu voz - I want to hear your voice

te entendí, mi amor, se siente bien, ¿sí? - I understood you, my love, it feels good, yeah

📻 Kchhhhh.loosing sign....al.....kcchh....over and out...

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angelkakewritings · 4 months

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Suck It and See. (Rodolfo Parra x Reader)

Written by: ANGELKAKEWRITINGS

18+ MDNI

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the canon characters of the COD franchise including Rodolfo Parra.

Pronouns Used: She/Her/Hers

CW: NSFW, Oral Sex (M receiving) , Porn with a plot, Implications of power imbalance between Rodolfo and reader, cumming without warning (poor rudy lol), Rodolfo being a big simp for reader, lust, car sex, semi-public sex, kissing, mutual crush, kissing after a blowjob, Rodolfo speaking spanish.

Author’s Note: Hello again :3 I hope you guys have been doing well! I’ve been back again on a COD streak as MW2 is a comfort game of mine filled with my favorite comfort characters including Rudy <3, I hope we get to see him again and the rest of the vaqueros soon. With that being said, please enjoy this little piece I wrote, it includes a line from Quentin Tarantino’s last movie that inspired this fic. Also, I heard the last line somewhere in a song but I can’t remember if it’s an AM song or Fontaines DC but all credit where credit is due <3!

The sunlight that cascaded down like honey made the city of Las Almas appear like the vibrant swatches from a fauvism palette. The splendid horizon of his hometown that was adorned in grand murals of La Virgen De Guadalupe and decorated with banners of summer colored papel picado were not as kind on the eyes as the little woman that sat beside him in the passenger’s side.

She was his comrade, his fellow soldier and a friend.

But after witnessing the pretty image of her beestung lips wrapped around the rim of a Coke, Rodolfo found himself pathetically wishing to be pressed into a glass bottle and be taken internally by her.

He was a quiet and stoic sergeant that was driven by logic not emotion. But when it came to her? He found himself being reduced to nothing more than a simple, defenseless man.

(1)

“You want me to suck your cock while driving?”

“Perdoname?”

The vulgarity of the question was softened by her bunny pink tongue and her glossy eyes that watched in delight at the sight of Rodolfo’s ears burning a bright red. The sensation of his insides being reduced and melted down into a gelatinous mass brought him back to his adolescence where he could remember trembling in his vintage Reebok shoes before sharing his first kiss behind the building.

His rich chocolate brown eyes flickered between the open road and back to the beauty who was now sitting on her side with her supple thighs crossed over each other. She was waiting ever so patiently with her button of the seatbelt mimicking the way she would appear on the battlefield with her finger over the trigger and ready to make her kill.

He pondered over her siren-like ability of luring men to their death both on and off the battlefield.

‘Did she get a kick out of making men fall like dominos?’

“H-here?”

Her lips curled into a feline-like grin as she nodded her head.

“Only if you’re comfortable, Sergeant.”

Rodolfo was paralyzed in absolute happiness as he presented puppy dog-like eyes before nodding his head back in response.

(2)

Breaking free from the bondage of the seatbelt, she crawled over his lap like a deadly little succubus to claw and paw at the utility belt that sat on the concave of his pelvis to allow his erection to spring free from its constraint.

Her mouth watered at the sight of his dick, how it wept delicious droplets of pre-cum at the simple sensation of her plush tits pressed against his lap.

“Carajo…” Rodolfo involuntarily hissed under his breath as her soft lips wrapped around his girth to place wet kisses to his mushroom headed tip before slowly devouring his flesh hole. He found himself slack jawed at her warm and wet buccal lining wrapping around his veiny cock as she bobbed her head back and forth.

He took a hand off of the steering wheel to intertwine his gloved finger into her loose and glossy hair, encouraging her to take him further down.

Shamelessly, she looked to her side to look up at her superior who was whimpering and dripping sweat from the temples of his forehead as his dick protruded under the skin of her dewy cheek.

The air around them suddenly felt so thick that not even a wasp knife could break through the atmosphere, his hand traced down her spine and down to her tailbone where he would cup handfuls of her plump ass as she worked on him.

“F-fuck…” Rodolfo slurred out as he was on a euphoric high from having the girl of his dreams pressing her doll-like nose against his pubic bone.

Without warning but no harm, his thick semen flowed down her throat and coated the inside of her mouth as the sweet symphony of his curses and grunts filled the air of the van.

But before the young woman got a chance to catch her breath, Rodolfo pressed his lips against her lip oil and semen covered ones in an angel soft kiss.

It's not like they were falling in love, he just wanted to let her know she was doing him no good.

#fanfic #oneshot #writing inspiration #my writing #mw2 fanfic #rodolfo parra x reader #rodolfo parra x you #rodolfo parra smut #mw2 smut #cod modern warfare #COD #las almas

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sovonight · 8 months

Text

desire

—✧✧✧—

some context (set after the following fic, but still context)

contains the lightest brush of sexual content known to man

—

Xan's gentle fingers work through Radri's hair, smoothing the last of her tangled strands. A final wash of warm water follows, streaming down her tresses and over the curves of her bare shoulders, leaving them clean.

"There," Xan says, and kisses the top of her shoulder, "It is done."

The bath sits to their right, filled with warm water from which rises a pleasant fog of steam. It's large enough to hold the two of them side by side; Xan allows her to enter first, then follows. Sinking into the warm water beside her, Xan tips his head back against the rim of the tub with a content sigh.

With the damp strands of his hair pulled back from his face, Radri can see his profile in its entirety; his eyes are closed, and the corners of his lips rest neutrally, casting an ambiguous light upon his expression, but she can reach inside her heart and know: in this moment, he's at peace.

Xan opens his eyes, glancing at her.

"You're smiling," he says.

Radri finds that she is. Rather than hide it, she lets it stay on her lips; she's happy, and she wants him to see.

"I was just thinking," Radri says. "Mere days ago, we were in the ruins of the old city, preparing to face Sarevok."

"And now we are here, granted a room in the Ducal Palace," Xan follows for her. "Truly, for all the outcomes I imagine for us, I can never predict the one that you will lead us to."

"I've never stayed anyplace like this. Even this bath is so… lavish," Radri says. The ceilings seem to rise so high above her; she wonders how they fit all these rooms into the height of the building. Beside her, Xan sighs.

"It is still nothing compared to what I could show you in Evereska," Xan says. "In the baths, the water is heated to the perfect warmth, and leaves the skin feeling soft. The air is scented, sweet and inoffensive, and strings of green leaves tumble down the pillars…"

"The baths?" Radri asks, both interested and amused, for she will never tire of his constant comparisons to Evereska, "You've never shown them to me."

At that, Xan gives her a sidelong look and a raised brow.

"I think you forget a crucial element of my memories," Xan says, "Namely, my own self's presence in them, at the time of the event."

"If it's about your state of dress, you're already unclothed now," Radri says.

"Of course, now," Xan says, "But to have shown you earlier, I would have…"

There's a slight furrow in his brow, now; she wishes to smooth it again, so in the middle of his words, Radri leaves a kiss upon his bare shoulder. His train of thought stops.

"Radri…?" Xan says, and since it's within her reach, she leans up to kiss the tip of his ear.

To her surprise, Xan does not voice her name again, or ask what she's doing; he's grown still, and the slightest flush has begun to develop in his cheeks, spreading there from the tips of his ears that she had so easily shown her affection to. Beholding him now, something stirs in her heart, and Radri folds ripples into the water between them to leave another kiss, this time on the line of his jaw.

But as she draws away, Xan sways in to follow, and meets her lips with his own. Warm, soft… his kiss coaxes her lips open, and she accepts, letting herself melt into his lead. In the background, she notes distantly the sound of droplets meeting the water, and connects it to the rising of Xan's hand, which has come to the base of her head, tangled in her damp hair, holding her to him. Still, there's space between their hearts that she could lessen, so she does her part to reduce the distance, drawing closer to him until she has met his chest with her own. He accepts her with a welcoming hand at the small of her back, and Radri finds her head tipped back against the rim of the bathtub, until at last Xan pulls his kiss away.

"Estel'amin," Xan whispers, and Radri opens her eyes, meeting his gaze. She dips into their bond, and finds love; a trace of disbelief, even after all this time; and something else, foreign to her. Focusing in on their love, Radri smiles up at him.

"I love you," she says, and tilts her head up, meaning to kiss him again—but Xan turns, letting her catch only the corner of his lips, instead.

"Not yet," Xan says, managing the words with an uncharacteristic amount of difficulty. "Have… have you had your fill of the bath? Shall we go to bed, then?"

"Not really," Radri says to his first query, and to his second, "Are you tired already?"

She had felt nothing like that from him, and indeed to her eye he appears fully awake and aware. The budding blush of earlier has deepened, casting an obvious wash of pink across his features; it's a sight that she so rarely gets to see that she's loathe to abandon it now.

"I see," Xan says, sounding like a man who's been sentenced—perhaps not to death, but to something approaching it. "Then let us stay a moment longer." He returns to his place beside her, though a strange caution is laced through his movements. Worried, she turns to face him.

"You don't have to stay," Radri says, though again she can find nothing through their bond that suggests he's in pain, emotional or otherwise. "I'll miss the look on your face, but I can find it again in reverie."

"Really?" Xan asks, "And how do I look, to you?"

"Endearing. So very endearing," Radri says, and admits, "It makes me want to hold you close and kiss you again."

Xan sighs; though she can feel that he's flattered, there's an undercurrent of regret there, too.

"It will have to wait, I'm afraid," Xan says, "I am not quite ready, yet."

His pink cheeks… his closed expression. All of a sudden, Radri understands.

"Oh," she says, her face reddening almost as much as his has, "Oh. Was it—that I—?"

"You have given me a gift, Estel'amin," Xan says, "It is one thing to commit the curves of your body to memory, but it is another entirely to know how it feels to hold you against my skin… and I must stop there."

"Must you?" Radri asks, and only when Xan stares at her does she realize, mortified, that she's voiced the words aloud.

"You… have no matching desire to continue," Xan says, stating the obvious with a trace of uncertainty, as though wondering if she had in the span of a conversation been abducted and replaced by a doppelgänger, "And I would not have you push yourself for my sake."

It's true; he can feel her heart as clearly as she feels his, and the extent of her desires have not changed.

"No, but I…" A part of her craves the look on his face; there's something so satisfying in his yearning, his longing, his flushed features, his desperation… "I want to see you."

Xan says nothing, and Radri burns, staring into her reflection in the water, too afraid to see what expression he might be wearing after hearing her words. But the bond cares not for her fear; she knows what his answer will be before he even says it.

"Then let us move to the bed."

—

Xan has donned one of the robes by the bath, and wrapped it closed around his body, even though they'll only be unwrapping it, she imagines, once they begin. Besides the robes, he's otherwise unclothed, and though she could have changed into her usual lounging attire after toweling off, Radri has chosen to match him.

She finds herself arriving at the bed first, and takes a seat by her pillow, her legs folded to one side beneath her. Xan is slower to join her, and she's given the chance to observe the way the silken robes hang from his body; despite having fastened them properly around his waist, one of the sides has already begun to fall away, revealing a generous glimpse of his chest. Radri finds her face growing warm again, and glances away as the bed dips, marking his arrival.

"Still so shy," Xan says, fond. His hand rises to caress her cheek, coaxing her gaze back towards his. "The sight is yours, and was yours not five minutes ago."

"W—well," Radri says, "You hid it away again. And…."

And we haven't done this before, she thinks. Knowing what she's asked of him, what they are here to do, everything feels different. Despite having no vision into her thoughts, Xan seems to understand what she's left unsaid, and gives her a soft smile.

"I only thought that you might enjoy undressing me," Xan says. "Or would you rather that I do it myself?"

Un… undressing him…. Before her conscious thoughts have even managed to turn this concept over in her mind, her fingers have risen to the smooth fabric, betraying her desire. Xan's smile grows, and he takes her hesitant fingertips, raising them to his lips.

"You can touch me, Estel'amin," he says, and kisses them; elation runs from his lips to her heart, and she feels as though he has sealed both his permission and unspoken request into her body. Xan guides her hand to his cheek, leaving her fingers draped along the side of his face and his jaw, then waits with patient eyes.

Her heartbeat is in her ears again. Xan's skin is soft, and as Radri drags her fingers down the column of his neck, she observes the new prominence of his every breath, every minute tensing of muscle, and every beat of his heart, pulsing against her fingertips. Her touch arrives at the hollow of his throat, and here she finally pulls her gaze away from the subtleties that had so mesmerized her, and looks to the task ahead: freeing him from the confines of his attire.

Her fingers slip beneath the neckline of his robes, dragging it aside. As the fabric slides away, revealing the pale skin of his bare shoulder, a slight shiver runs through him, felt by her in turn through her fingertips. Feeling endeared, Radri leaves a spontaneous kiss in the space between his neck and shoulder.

"Estel'amin," Xan sighs; her name brushes against the side of her neck, and she feels him leave a kiss upon her hair. She had had a vision—the robes, pooled around his waist, with only the tie left to undo—but it is far less important to her now than hearing him, feeling him, sigh against her again.

"Tahlimil," Radri whispers to him, "Will you kiss me?"

His hands find the curve of her waist, the back of her neck, and draw her to him; Radri raises her lips to his, and lets him fall into her. Whispered words escape him between kisses, words in elvish of love, beauty, and gratitude, which melt sweetly into her heart. Her confidence bolstered, she continues her hand's journey from his bare shoulder, pushing the sleeve down his arm; reading her intent, Xan relinquishes his hold on her waist to let the sleeve fall away. Left without this anchor, the smooth, silken fabric slips free of his shoulders entirely, leaving his chest bare.

"Estel'amin," Xan sighs again against her, and pulls away; she wonders for an instant if she's done something wrong, but when his gaze finds hers, there is nothing but love and longing in his eyes. "May I?"

His fingers rest along the neckline of her own robes, just short of teasing beneath it; he wishes to undress her, too. A sudden sensation of vulnerability descends upon her, coupled with a renewed flush on her cheeks; she's nervous, but with anticipation.

"Please," Radri says, internally glad now that she had decided to don a robe as well. She expects him to slip it off her shoulders as she had done for him, but his fingers slide just beneath the hem and slip slowly down, following the neckline's steep descent towards her waist. She had not tied her robes very securely in her nervousness and haste, so it takes only a single, deft pull to undo her knot, and then her robes hang freely, framing a bare strip of skin down the center of her body. Even more is revealed in shadow: while the robes follow the slope of her breasts, it only does so until their apex; beholden to gravity, they leave no coverage for the skin beneath. Xan has already seen her; Radri reminds herself of this, and yet she remains shy beneath his gaze.

"Will you look at me?" Xan asks. Only then does she raise her eyes to his. The flush in his cheeks has deepened; his eyes have grown dark, and seem to be set upon her with the intent of drinking her in. His fingers, still holding the tie of her robes, now release it to reach out to her skin—only to stop short, hesitating. She'd wanted to see him, to touch him; she's given him no similar permission.

"You can," Radri finds herself saying in a near breathless whisper, "If… If you wish… you can touch me, too." In the wake of Xan's hesitant silence, she guides his trembling hand to her skin, letting one side of her robes slip off her shoulder as she pulls his touch to the curve of her waist—then, in a slow drag, she guides his hand up. His palm finds the tender swell of her breast, and here, his silence breaks; he releases a low, breathy rendition of her name. Xan kisses her, and in doing so he leans her back—back, against the pillows. Lowering his head, his lips find her neck, and his soft hair pools upon her skin; Radri releases a breathy laugh at the way it tickles her jaw, and feels him smile against her.

"I love you," Xan whispers there, and trails his lips down to leave a kiss upon her heart, "My Radri, Estel'amin."

The points of his nails ghost over her tender skin as he explores her. His fingers find the bud of her nipple, and her breath hitches; Xan stops, raising his head to meet her eye, and flushed, Radri gives him a nod. Though she half expects him to lower his head again, he doesn't; Xan's eyes remain locked on hers as his fingers begin their gentle massage, and his other hand travels up from her hip to slide beneath the fabric upon her other breast. His touch is hot, releasing rare sparks of pleasure from her, and Radri can't help but squirm beneath him, her back arching for his attentions. Watching this, he smiles.

"Xan," Radri breathes, her hand grasping his shoulder, "I—Ignore me. Let me feel you."

She feels in their bond his quick acquiescence, but in practice, he takes his time; Xan drops his head to her lips, kissing her leisurely, before he parts to give her a loving, almost dazed look.

"I cannot ignore you," Xan says, "Your body so inspires and invigorates the mind…"

His fingertips trail down the curve of her body, from her breast, to her stomach, to her hips, leaving an excess heat in the wake of his touch that all seems to rise into her flushed cheeks.

"It—it's not much," Radri finds herself stammering, embarrassed. Is this what he thought, too, when he saw her the first time? "I… I know, it's…"

"Beautiful," Xan says, and kisses her neck again, "For it is your body, and you are so, so beautiful…."

"Xan," she says, "T—Tahlimil. I… I—"

And her breath catches, feeling something hard press against her inner thigh, through the silken fabric of Xan's half-donned robes. When she slides her thigh against his length, his hips twitch forward in response, seeking her friction and warmth—and when she looks up into his eyes, Xan's boldness has faded, overtaken by embarrassment.

"Estel'amin," Xan says, with some difficulty, "I cannot kiss you to your heart's content if you indulge in my pleasure."

The look on his face is completely new to her, avoidant and almost shy. Though a part of her is satisfied to see it, the rest wonders if she's pushed him with her request, after all.

"Would you rather that I not?" She asks.

"It… it is not a question of rather, but of your wishes."

"But what about yours?" Radri asks, worried now. "Did—did you perhaps wish that I not ask for this after all?"

"I only wonder how much pleasure you could derive from the experience," Xan says. "It is a simple event, and brief—and no doubt made briefer by your presence before me."

"But you would enjoy it?"

"I would," he admits, ever honest with her.

"Then I want to," Radri says. "Will you let me?"

After a long, long gaze, Xan only nods; and while the bond, as well, communicates this simple acceptance, beneath it lies a hidden depth: a roiling wave of yearning, love, and want. Radri sighs internally with relief; she has not pushed him too far.

"Would you lie back for me?" Radri asks. Xan complies, lying easily back against the pillows, and as she sits up to trade positions with him, Radri finds herself with another opportunity to observe the full length of his body. His musculature creates such sharp and delicate shadows; they draw lines down the column of his throat, shift upon his chest with the rise and fall of his even breaths, and then descend into the folds of his still-fastened robes, the tie of which lays low upon his waist. Though the robes do their part to hide the bare skin of his hips, they cannot conceal the presence of his arousal, which has already tented the fabric.

Radri finds herself staring, for a moment, at the way his breath moves through his chest, his stomach, and even, ever so slightly, bobs the tip of his arousal. Then she runs her gaze back up to his face, where his eyes meet hers with less of the heat of earlier, and more cool calm. Xan's desires are still apparent in their bond, but the wave that she had felt earlier has fallen still, blanketed by a layer of nervousness. Radri realizes then, too, that Xan has fallen quiet.

"Will you talk to me?" Radri asks. Xan looks at her with a trace of confusion.

"Now?" He asks, "About what?"

"Anything. I miss the sound of your voice," Radri says.

Xan raises a brow, his nervousness now layered with amusement.

"I must admit, few have ever told me that before," he says, "And none so sincerely. What shall I talk about? My love for you? The taste of your lips? The feel of your body against mine?"

Her blush returns to her face, ignited again in full force; through their bond, Radri feels a bloom of satisfaction from him, given form by the slight smile on his lips.

"N—none of that," Radri stammers, and his satisfaction only deepens, "Perhaps—I wish to know, how you… pleasure yourself."

There are moments when she feels his love for her and his pleasure intertwine, and crescendo into a release—but it is a secret kept for when he is apart from her, concealed from her attention by occurring only when she should already be deep in reverie.

"I want you to guide me… I want to feel you gasp, against me," Radri confesses, "And I want to look into your eyes as you do."

Xan stares into her eyes, and must have searched their bond, for he appears astonished to have found her wants sincere.

"Shall I tell you what I imagine, then, in those moments?" Xan says. "You are there. You are always there…"

He reaches for her in a wordless request, and she lowers her head to his, meeting him in a kiss.

"You kiss me," Xan whispers, against her lips. "Your hand rests against my chest. I cannot feel the touch of your fingers through the layers of my robes, only their weight and warmth…"

She places her hand upon his chest, and he takes it, dragging it higher, to rest where it had in his thoughts. His other hand buries itself in her hair, curving along the base of her head to pull her into another kiss; the leisurely pace of before is gone now, and he seems… almost desperate.

"It is our last meeting," Xan says. "I must go—or you must—and this is your last, sweet gift farewell. I dare not hold you too tightly, but you slide your arms up across my shoulders, and press the length of your body to mine…"

She does as he describes, returning them to the sensation she had felt only briefly earlier in the bath, of her bare skin against his; a slight pleasure sparks as her breasts, her nipples still firm and sensitive from his earlier attentions, press against his chest. Her thigh slips between his, sliding once more against the firmness of his length. Instinctively, his hips buck up against her, and she feels the fabric begin to slip.

"Not yet," Xan gasps against her, stilling his hips, "Estel'amin…"

"You have me in your arms," Radri murmurs to him, "What next?"

"Your body, your lips… they are intoxicating," Xan says. "My arousal grows, but I cannot yet bear to let you go, and can only pray that you do not notice. You whisper so sweetly that you love me… you promise that we will see each other again."

"We will," Radri whispers, and kisses him again, "We will. I love you, Tahlimil… we will always find our way back to each other."

"Then, you feel it… my distraction… my shame. I have so narrowly failed to conceal it from you. I would never ask… and yet you offer."

Heart beating faster now, her hand slips from his shoulder, trailing slowly down his side to find his still-clothed hips. His hand, trembling, comes to rest over hers.

"You feel me," Xan says. "You drag your hand along my length… and despite the fabric between us, I imagine that I can feel your skin upon mine…"

She thinks that his hand will guide hers, but Xan seems too drenched in anticipation, so Radri sends her touch lower herself, approaching the hardness still pressed against her thigh. Her fingers drag along his length; the fabric is thin enough that she can feel the contours of his arousal underneath. Xan has now tensed against her, determined to hold his hips still, but when her thumb smooths over his tip, he releases a shaky breath and thrusts up into her hand.

"Estel'amin," he sighs, "Your… your touch, is so different from mine…"

Radri smiles, and dips into their bond again; the nervousness of earlier has long since disappeared.

"I have felt you through your robes," she reminds him of his place in this story, "Now, do I undress you?"

"Yes," Xan sighs again, the 's' held into his exhale. His eyes have fallen closed, and he's begun to rock into the soft friction of her thigh.

"How is it that I undress you?" Radri asks, content to watch him.

"It does not matter," Xan says. "There are always too many layers to contend with… they are gone."

"Mm," she murmurs in acknowledgement, and abandons his arousal for a moment to undo the tie at his waist. With the smooth texture of the fabric, and all his movement, the knot has already been loosened and comes free with ease. The robes slip away from his hips, at last, and his body is left bare.

She cannot see his length from here; she would have to pull away from him, and she's loathe to abandon the contact between their bodies, the way his every breath can be felt against her. But she can feel it anew, and as her fingers stroke up to his tip again, she finds that a small amount of fluid has welled there; she draws a lazy circle there with her thumb, and he releases a soft moan against her.

"You are undressed," Radri murmurs. "And now?"

"Now you wrap your fingers around me," Xan says, breathily, "As you build my pleasure, you bring your lips to mine, and you kiss me… You have me promise, that…"

She wraps her fingers around his length, and Xan abandons his words in an exhale of pleasure; Radri kisses him, capturing the end of the sound. Other such sounds follow as she drags her hand up and down his length in cadent strokes, sinking into their bond to read the waves of his pleasure. His gasps, of her name, of yes, of please, are like a melody to her ears, sweeter than his early morning aubade. The rocking of his hips, which had been in time with her hand's movements, now begins to grow desperate.

"Tahlimil," she whispers, and kisses the corner of his lips so that she might not silence his voice, "What do you promise me?"

He is lost, almost lost—but not so far that he can't follow one last direction from his beloved.

"That I'm yours," Xan breathes, "Yours, only yours."

Through their bond, which had until now been overwhelmed by his pleasure, Radri feels a tug of need—for her acceptance, her approval, her love.

"You are mine," she promises, and kisses him; she feels him push into her hand, and his body arch into hers, as his climax washes over him. His lips grow slack against hers as all tension leaves him, and he sinks into the pillows, utterly spent.

Radri gazes at his half-lidded eyes, and the neutral line of his lips, so red and bruised with kisses. If she looks into their bond, she knows she will find his contentment.

"Did this please you?" Xan asks, when he has found his voice again. Radri smiles.

"It did," she says. Xan sighs in relief, and with a murmured spell, her hand is cleaned of his come.

"Well, I hope you have no other plans for the evening," he says, "For I would now like nothing more than to fall into reverie."

"Can I join you?" Radri asks.

"Still you ask, after all we have shared," Xan says, with drowsy amusement. "When would I ever desire to refuse you?"

Personally, she can think of quite a few scenarios in which he might refuse. As if he'd had a clear view into her thoughts, his lips quirk up into a partial smile.

"I have nothing to conceal from you. You have already seen me at my most desperate… my most undignified," Xan says, and takes her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. "Tell me, Estel'amin… What might you wish for us to share tonight?"

And though she is tempted to ask for his original fantasy, she feels that what he had just led her through has already surpassed it. Radri curls up beside him, holds their joined hands to her heart, and asks to see those elusive, Evereskan baths.

—

? after

full xan/radri compilation

#xan x radri #sovo writes #since hearing the magical sequence of words i have found the will to post this

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francology · 8 months

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Coastal Guardians

Hello lovely reader! Before we get into this week's topic, I have something exciting to share HEHE .

I've had the opportunity to see some mangroves myself at Kuching Wetlands National Park last month! Also got to see dolphins but wasn't quick enough to whip out my camera to record. Overall, it was a nice break from staring at texts and numbers all day :]

If you're interested you might want to consider Borneo as your next holiday destination (specifically Sarawak).

ALRIGHT let's dive right in!

Mangrove is well-known as a salt-tolerant wetland species of tree that is easily identified with its aerial roots (Bahmanabadi 2022). It is a forest that is typically at the coast line beside land and sea. The weaken the force of waves and serve as a shielding medium, hence the nickname - Coastal Guardians. These unique ecosystems are primarily found in tropical and sub-tropical coastal regions (Bandh et al. 2023) and are considered the sole "blue carbon" forests, believed to have evolved approximately 114 million years ago (Bandh et al. 2023).

Protecting coastlines

In addition, they act as nature’s own sponges, retaining extra water to stop inland floods, releasing small droplets into the atmosphere to cool the temperature down (Expert Insights 2023).

The mangrove ecosystem offers many essential environmental services, which include shielding coastline against wind, waves, and water currents; mitigation of damages done by hurricanes and tsunamis as well as soil erosion prevention and sediment accumulation (Expert Insights 2023).

In addition, mangrove forests reduce wave height by about 31% (Ahmad Mustafa Hashim, Catherine and Husna Takaijudin 2013), thus helping to prevent devastating floods that could otherwise damage homes, assets and infrastructure. In fact, several studies have shown that nearly 66% of the energy from waves is absorbed by the first one hundred meters of mangroves in a coastline (Mclvor et al. 2012; Menendez et al. 2020).

Supporting bio-diversity

Mangrove trees have unique aerial rooting systems that acts as nutrient cyclers and a breeding ground for fish and other marine life. The mangrove ecosystem has a huge biodiversity with many birds and other animal species. It also supports a unique community of fungi, microorganisms, plant species, with higher animals such as migratory birds (Kandasamy and Bingham 2001).

Moreover, mangroves are essential nurseries to many marine animals such as shrimps, crabs, and different varieties of fishes. They serve as a vital interface between coastal and terrestrial ecosystems, providing support for a diverse range of species, including those from terrestrial, estuarine, and marine environments (Kandasamy and Bingham 2001).

Mitigating climate change

Another remarkable feature of mangroves lies in their capacity to sequester carbon at a rate four times higher than that of rainforests. They draw in carbon dioxide from the air for photosynthesis which is stored within their biomass and sediment. In waterlogged mangrove habitats, decomposition is slowed down which allows it keep the carbon for longer periods of time (Chatting et al. 2022).

Even though we understand how important mangroves are for a healthy environment, they are facing a serious threat globally.

"My only wish now is that the government takes efforts to preserve the dwindling mangrove forests. They wrongly think developing forests is dead investment, that it fetches no returns. After decades of effort, people now realize the blessings these trees can bring. The mangrove trees in private lands also should be preserved.” - Kallen Pokkudan (Mangrove Man)

He was an environmental activist who was prominent in India’s mangrove conservation and was committed to conserving mangrove vegetation in Kerala region of the Indian coastline. His specialisation was to educate people about mangrove conservation and their significance in shielding coast regions from catastrophes including tsunamis and landfall hurricanes. These moves won Kallen Pokkudan recognition and respect as a defender of Indian mangroves.

The latest findings from the Global Mangrove Alliance present a troubling scenario: 67% of mangroves have already suffered damage or vanished, and an additional 1% is disappearing annually. This ongoing pattern places mangroves in significant jeopardy of total eradication. An initiative taken by the Global Mangrove Alliance seeks to mobilise $10 billion in investments to reach their goal of increasing the mangrove habitat by 20% by 2030. These investments are intended to enhance the resilience of coastal communities and enhance the quality of life for an additional 10 million individuals through various restoration and conservation initiatives.

References:

Ahmad Mustafa Hashim, Catherine, SMP and Husna Takaijudin 2013, 'Effectiveness of mangrove forests in surface wave attenuation: a review', Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology, vol. 5, no. 18, pp. 4483 - 4488.

Bahmanabadi, Y 2022, Mangroves are powerful coastal guardians, Saratosa, viewed 14 October 2023, <https://www.sarasotamagazine.com/travel-and-outdoors/2022/11/mangroves>.

Bandh, SA, Malla, FA, Qayoom, I, Mohi-Ud-Din, H, Butt, AK, Altaf, A, Wani, SA, Betts, R, Truong, TH, Pham, NDK, Cao, DN & Ahmed, SF 2023, 'Importance of blue carbon in mitigating climate change and plastic/microplastic pollution and promoting circular economy', Sustainability, vol. 15, no. 3, p 2682.

Chatting, M, Al-Maslamani, I, Walton, M, Skov, MW, Kennedy, H, Husrevoglu, YS and Vay, LL 2022, 'Future mangrove carbon storage under climate change and deforestation', Frontiers in Marine Science, vol. 9, no. 781876, pp. 1 - 14.

Expert Insights 2023, The vital role of mangroves in mitigating disasters, Tidal Basin, viewed 14 October 2023, <https://www.tidalbasingroup.com/the-vital-role-of-mangroves-in-mitigating-disasters/>.

Kandasamy, K and Bingham BL 2001, 'Biology of mangroves and mangrove ecosystems', Advances in Marine Biology, vol. 40, pp. 81 - 193.

Mclvor, AL, Möller, I, Spencer, T and Spalding, M 2012, 'Reduction of wind and well waves by mangroves', Natural Coastal Protection Series: Report 1, Cambridge Coastal Research Unit Working Paper 40, pp. 1-27.

Menendez, P, Losada, IJ, Torres-Ortega, S, Siddharth, N and Beck, MW 2020. 'The global flood protection benefits of mangroves', Scientific Reports, vol. 10, no. 4404, pp. 1 - 11.

WWF n.d., The global mangrove alliance: uniting to conserve and restore valuable coastal forests, WWF, viewed 14 October 2023, <https://www.worldwildlife.org/projects/the-global-mangrove-alliance-uniting-to-conserve-and-restore-valuable-coastal-forests>.

#ecology #tropical #biotechnology #mangroves #entryoftheweek #science #yaymidsembreak

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princesscolumbia · 9 months

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Uuuuuugh! Today was one of THOSE days! At least I got some decent Indian food out of it.

Have a chapter:

Ranma stood on the pinnacle of the wasted remains of Beryl's fortress, her Moon Crescent Wand held forth and tears streaming down her face. Her friends were dead, she knew that. One by one, they had sacrificed themselves so she could make it here in a last ditch effort to save the whole of the Earth. Rei, Ami, Makoto, Minako...this is for you! Summoning up every last ounce of power she had, forcing every bit of will in her tiny, teenaged frame into the beam of light that arced between her and the horribly mutated form of the would-be Queen Beryl, she somehow felt that, even though there was no possible way for it to be true, that her friends were by her side.

As Ranma felt the last of her life slip away into the cleansing fire from her wand, she saw Beryl's body fragment, then disintegrate into youma-dust. She collapsed to her knees, then dimly felt her body, still clad in her princess dress, thud against the rock of her lone precipice. As consciousness slipped away, one thought flitted through Ranma's head, I wish that my friends were still alive, and that everything were normal again...

She didn't notice as her Ginzuishou began to sparkle...

Ranma snapped awake. Sitting up quickly, he scanned the room he found himself in, he was...home. It was just a dream, he realized. He wasn't totally sure why he dreamt he was a princess from the moon, or why he should know four other girls that were somehow helping him, although he was sure the evil witch queen was symbolic of all the women in his life in some way.

He just prayed his mother never heard of the dream, though. Imagine how unmanly she'd find a white, lacy dress?

Usagi cradled the limp form of his fiancé in his lap. She looked so peaceful, so beautiful... "Why aren't her eyes open?"

Usagi heard Ryoga stepping closer to him. A friendly hand on his shoulder got no response from the sometimes-female martial artist.

"C'mon, ya stupid tomboy..." trailing off, Usagi hit himself in the head. He forced back tears and said, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. I meant to say, you know, thanks. For helping me."

"I know I'm no good at this feelings stuff. I just couldn't tell you how much I love you." he realized that one of the droplets of water on Akane's face wasn't from the dragon spring. Another joined it as Usagi lost the battle with his tears. "C'mon, Akane, get up." There was still no response, "Akane?"

He couldn't even tell if she was breathing.

"AKANE!!!"

Usagi found herself sitting upright in bed, sweat pouring down her face, her heart pounding like a hummingbird was trapped in her chest.

"Usagi?" came the voice of her feline advisor, "Are you all right?"

Realizing she was indeed all right and once again fully FEMALE, the young girl nodded. "Nightmare." she stuttered.

"Must have been," replied Luna, "I haven't heard you shout like that in your sleep since...well, it's been a while." Usagi nodded, knowing exactly when the Moon Cat was talking about. "Was it...Beryl?"

Although the girl's face couldn't really get more ashen, the slightly confused yet pained look was replaced by one of deep emotional ache. "No. No, it wasn't about Beryl."

They sat in silence for a while, Usagi getting her breathing under control, Luna letting her charge recollect herself.

"Usagi?" Luna queried. She waited for the girl to respond with a 'Hmm?' before continuing with, "Who's Akane?"

"I..." Usagi's face returned to the confused and pained look, "I don't know."

Nabiki heard her alarm clock go off and slapped her hand down on the end table. Having missed the clock entirely, the morning tormentor continued to blare at her. Finally opening her eyes with a groan, she turned her head in an economy of motion that reduced energy expenditure to an absolute minimum. Fixing her gaze on the fuzzy blob that was making the noise, she lifted her arm, steered it like a drunkard over the blob, and let it drop. Mercifully, this ended the noise that was piercing her brain at the ungodly hour of...What time is it, anyway?

She blinked, rubbed her eyes with the hand not presently on the clock, and squinted in an effort to focus through the foggy blur that persisted whenever she opened her eyes first thing in the morning. 6:00 AM, she read, I don't care if the rest of the world gets up at this hour; this is cruel and unusual! Sighing, she plopped her head back on her pillow and merciful unconsciousness played tag with her. Her little game with Morpheus was interrupted by Akane's door opening and shutting, indicating her little sister was on her way out for her morning run. Dimly, she realized that the male (or mostly male) Saotome's would soon be awake and sparring right outside her WINDOW! Sighing and biting back the urge to just storm into their room and give them a good preemptive chewing out (for two reasons. One, Mrs. Saotome didn't spar in the morning, so it would be rude to wake her, and two, that was Akane's shtick.), Nabiki reached up to pull the covers off her chest, with the eventual goal of also kicking them off her legs.

It was about that time she realized she had something cool and metallic on her chest. Forgoing the covers for a moment, she grasped the metal item and lifted it to her eyes. What the...? she thought. Why do I have a key on my chest?

Suddenly, her morning fog was clearing much, much faster.

Rei sighed, leaning forward slightly on her broom and gazing wistfully in the direction of the school her friends were attending. While she certainly didn't miss the homework, her priestess duties kept her from being in the one place where all her best friends gathered every single day.

Not that she cared for the Meatball Head, certainly not. Little manga thief...

Also, there had been times when she was at the shrine while everyone else was at the school, or she was at her private school her grandpa had arranged for her and her communicator would go off, and she'd have to stay put, unable to protect her friends.

Of course, a certain pony-tailed ditz didn't make things easy on that count...

Sighing once again, she grabbed her broom and began to sweep when she saw something down on the street near the temple gates. She almost didn't think anything of it at first, but then it went by the gates again. The temple wall obstructed most of her view of the street, but what looked like an odd assortment of vehicles was heading down the street...right towards the school.

Hopefully Usagi would be late again and not have to face whatever this was, especially if it was a new threat.

Not that Rei cared about Usagi, of course not.

Nabiki normally ate breakfast with her family. Today, a mystery had presented itself that was so unusual that she felt forgoing the luxury of the early morning soap opera that was Ranma and Akane's relationship was very much worth it. She sat in her room at her desk, her laptop open and in front of her, the mystery key sitting on a piece of paper next to it on the left, her bowl of soup on the right. She picked up the bowl and slurped down a bit of it, not standing on manners since she wasn't at the dinner table. Let's see...symbol for 'woman'...nothing, she moused back to the search box and typed another string, 'Female', 'brass' and 'unlock', no...'feminine key'...EW! Quickly hitting back to remove the offensive and highly pornographic search results from her web browser, she decided to take another tack. Hmmm...the symbol for 'woman' comes from the ancient Greek goddess Aphrodite, she typed in a few keywords and hit 'enter.' Damn, still nothing! Well, nothing relevant.

Sighing, she sipped at her coffee. "OK," she muttered, "Nothing for 'woman,' or 'Aphrodite' as relates to a brass key..."

Why would someone have dropped a brass key on her bed, and how did they defeat the security measures she had in place, let alone getting into a house of martial artists completely undetected? Sighing, Nabiki gulped down more soup and began to gather some of her schoolbooks and other, less reputable books on wagers and numbers keeping. There was a light tap at her door, followed by Kasumi's gentle voice, "Nabiki, you should be getting ready for school."

Nabiki tensed up. She hadn't told anyone about the key, for some reason she had this incredible desire to keep it's existence secret. "I am, sis. I'll bring my dishes down on the way out, okay?"

"Very well, let me know if you need anything. Your bento will be on the kitchen counter."

"Thanks, sis."

As Kasumi's footfalls faded behind the closed door, Nabiki's eyes fell back on the key again. Aphrodite, goddess of...

Sudden inspiration hit and Nabiki and she did another search for 'goddess of love greek.' Aside from one very odd entry for a shrine in a neighboring ward for a Norse goddess of love, nearly every entry except the Wikipedia result came up as "Venus." Gulping down the rest of her coffee and soup almost absently, Nabiki tossed in a search string of, 'venus key.'

While no results came up with anything fitting the description of the key now in her possession, there was a couple of interesting articles from several of the various boards and clubs devoted to the Sailor Senshi. It seemed that one of their members was named 'Sailor Venus' and some theories about their abilities and where they came from. Not having time to do serious study, Nabiki bookmarked the search results and powered down her computer.

Almost as an afterthought, she shoved the brass key in her uniform pocket before leaving her room.

Usagi trudged into the gates leading to her school, not really ready to face the day. She had, for once, managed to get there on time, but at the price of her much-cherished beauty sleep. A couple of her classmates called out greetings, which she returned sleepily. As she was waving to Makoto, who was chatting with the only other tall girl in school, she noticed a girl in school uniform who would have nicely qualified as a member of The Ministry of Silly Walks. She was holding her book bag up to shield her face, making exaggerated 'tip-toe' steps, and occasionally bouncing off a tree as she aimed, only somewhat accurately, toward the front door of the school.

While Usagi's namesake was never very curious, her advisor's earthen counterparts were notorious for it. Disregarding the native lagomorphic tendencies ascribed to her zodiac animal and embracing the propensity Luna rarely practiced but Artemis did with startling regularity, Usagi altered her course and went straight for the strangely stepping girl.

While high school is a time when most people learn to become adults, complete with the acclimation to what some refer to as the 'social contract' of behaving more mature than one really is, there are some people who just never grow out of the child-like tendency of asking questions in a direct manner. Usagi, as you may have guessed, is one of these people.

"What are you doing?" she asked in a straight-forward, non-aggressive manner.

The other girl tensed up for a moment, then thrust her arms to her side, taking the book bag along with them. She faced Usagi and said, "It's no business of yours what I'm doing, Tsukino!"

Usagi's eyes bugged out, "Mia?!"

Mia's face was now turning red, "Yes, it's me."

"What happened to your armor?" fell out of Usagi's mouth. It registered to the part-time magical girl that she had never seen Mia outside of the armor since the girl had transferred in.

Mia started to growl a response, "It...what is that?" she interrupted herself and looked over Usagi's shoulder.

"Sorry, Usa-chan's usually not here on time, just wanted to say hi. Where was I?" Makoto said after waiving at Usagi.

"The American, Paul?" replied Kita.

"Oh, right. Well, he was cute, but he really didn't look all that good. I just don't remember what I saw in him..."

Kita grinned, "You mean other than the fact that he looks 'just like your old sempai?'"

"Hey," snapped Makoto with a smile on her face, "You take that back!" She proceeded to put the other girl in a headlock. They began laughing, until they both saw...

"What is that?!" burst Kita from under Makoto's arm.

"...and I'm like, 'Oh, my god!'" said Minako, "And she's like, 'Oh, my god! And I'm all, 'Totally!'"

The cheerleaders that were gathered around the star volleyball player of the school simply giggled in the way that young girls do the world over as Minako's stunning use of vocabulary resonated with them.

Before Mina could continue, one of the girls pointed in the direction of the school gate and said, "Like, what is that?"

Ami was in the library, happily immersed in a book about higher functions of calculus, and so missed the whole thing entirely.

By the time the respective Sailor Senshi's attention had been drawn to the school gates (sans Ami and Rei), the entirety of the school's populous that hadn't yet gone inside stood gawking at a sight that was quite unusual for...well, just about anywhere.

A strange, somewhat futuristic vehicle that resembled a cross between a bus and a shuttlecraft from Star Trek: The Next Generation had pulled into the main courtyard of the school. Not in any sort of proper manner, following any of the proscribed paths, but straight in through the gates and right in the middle of the grassy lawn. Behind that were two smaller vehicles, rather like motorcycles but completely covered and with rather large cannon-style weapons on the sides, both bearing banners with a strange assortment of symbols that none of the students could really read. Behind them was a more platform like vehicle, with a large stage-like surface in front of the main cabin, which was actually positioned toward the back of the vehicle. Behind that was another vehicle, and another, and so on stretching for pretty much as far as anyone could see, all of them looking in some form or another very much like something one would find in a sci-fi series.

As the strange procession pulled into a parking position, a man in some sort of uniform hopped out of the lead vehicle and climbed up onto the platform vehicle. He slowly, seemingly reluctantly, grabbed a device from a compartment near the cab of the vehicle and shuffled out to the center of the platform. Sighing, he activated the device, which proved to be a microphone as feedback shot through the ears of everyone in the courtyard. It quickly died down, and the man began to speak.

"Sorry, that was unintentional. Atmospheric changes and all that. I..." he leaned away from the microphone and toward the lead vehicle, which had the head of another man sticking out of the driver's side door. While only those closest to the vehicles could hear what the driver was saying, the microphone was still on, so everybody heard, if somewhat faintly, the speaker's half of the conversation, "Listen, this is stupid...yes, I know it's orders, but the speech is ancient...it's downright archaic and you know it!" he waved vigorously in negation of whatever the driver said in response, "OK fine, whatever." He sighed and put the microphone back up to his mouth. "I bring the Court of the Moon Kingdom a message from the Mighty and Majestic Realms of the Riginium Empire, all hail the Emperor, may he continue to rule for time and all eternity. The message from the Emperor is this; We bring you greetings and good wishes, Queen Serenity of the Moon Kingdom. We wish to formalize the arrangements between our two states using the Anciente and Noble Practice of joining our two houses through matrimony."

At the mention of "Moon Kingdom," three faces in the courtyard went totally white, and they all thought at once, Oh, please don't mention Senshi!

As for the rest of the people, students and teachers alike, they were suddenly abuzz with newfound rumor. Some Emperor, from some far off country, wanted his child to marry someone from their school! They had royalty attending and didn't even know it! Suddenly the sight was less an oddity and more like entertainment.

The speaker continued, "And so, We present the heir to the Empire, the..." the speaker fought to keep revulsion from showing on his face, "The seed of Our loins, the hope and crowning jewel of all Our peoples, the Lord Prince Xavier Ba'heedan the Magnificent, the First."

As the speaker turn on his heal and fled the stage as quickly as possible, trumpets began to sound, or a very acoustically advanced sound system began to sound, there wasn't a single square inch of brass in sight. The next vehicle in line, the one behind the stage, trundled forward. It looked like a sort of futuristic mini-bus, but with tank-like treads instead of wheels. The front split open with a hiss and voluminous amounts of steam as the music blared to a crescendo and a ramp lowered down to the grass. As the vapor cleared, a teenaged boy could be seen walking down the ramp.

Older women would have called him handsome. Younger women would have called him hot. Teenage girls would have called him (and were calling him) bishonen. Men would bowed to him, boys would have glared at him in jealousy. He was good looking. Every single girl on the lawn was suddenly love-struck. They knew that no matter what guy came along, his looks would always be a distant second to this paragon of masculinity. Calmly, casually, he descended the ramp. He held up a small device, panned it across the crowd, looked up and nodded in satisfaction, then clipped it to his belt. Then he walked. Girls began to swoon as their fantasies suddenly took them away to a thousand private islands with the gorgeous hunk passing through their midst.

Usagi was frozen in panic. She didn't know who the Riginium Empire was, she didn't care. She did know that as long as she, her friends, her family, and her school hoped to have a chance in hell of never being the direct recipients of a youma attack, their identities COULD NOT be revealed as Sailor Senshi. And here was this guy, who not only knew about the Silver Millennium, but had referred to her ancient mother by name, and was talking about some 'matrimony' thing that her brain was giving her all sorts of alarms for but she couldn't quite figure out why, and looked like he was headed straight for...

"Ah," he began in a silky smooth voice, "You would no doubt be Princess Serenity. Yes, you look just like your pictures. I am surprised to find you here, of all places, but no matter." He reached out, took her hand, and kissed the back in a gentlemanly manner. What girls watching the scene that weren't smoldering with jealousy sighed heavily, a couple even fainting. "I am Prince Xavier. I look forward to a long and joyous betrothal."

...her. Crap! "Uh..." she began to stammer, "That's nice and all, but I think you're mistake...WAIT A MINUTE, BETROTHAL? MATRIMONY?"

The prince was obviously surprised, "Why, of course. Did your mother not explain these things to you? It has certainly been long enough..."

"MY MOM DID NO SUCH THING! MY MOM LIKES MY BOYFRIEND! I..." it suddenly occurred to Usagi that he wasn't talking about her Mom, the one who made her bunny shaped pancakes, but her Mom, the one who'd been dead for a thousand plus years.

The prince took her sudden stop as an opportunity to speak, "Oh, is Queen Serenity here? We didn't detect her when we came..."

Suddenly, a technique came to Usagi, one that was perfect for dealing with just this sort of situation. It was cunning, it would be unexpected, and it would win her at least enough time to find her friends, who had conveniently disappeared, and it would remove her from the presence of Mia, who was looking far too smug. She didn't know where she came up with the idea, but she made a mental note to thank whoever gave it to her.

"TSUKINO SECRET TECHNIQUE!!!"

Prince Xavier stood blinking at the spot where Usagi used to be just a moment prior. "Hmph!" he sniffed, "That was hardly proper."

Nabiki sat casually, one hand in her pocket under the desk, idly turning the key while her lieutenants briefed her on their respective spheres of influence. She was running mostly on automatic, the mystery of the key consuming a good portion of her thoughts. She still hadn't revealed it to anyone, but she had an idea on how she might get more information.

"OK," she said as the last girl spoke, "It sounds like business as usual. For now I'd like to keep it that way." As a few girls groaned, she spoke up, "Hey, not only could the school use a break, but I think we all deserve some downtime unless there's a special project." The group reluctantly acknowledged Nabiki's decision, having grown rather accustomed to the rather steady influx of money that the general chaos they stirred up could provide.

The other girls had already started gathering their books. "Junko," the older girl looked up, "You follow the Sailor Senshi pretty closely, right?"

Junko blushed slightly as the other girls began teasing her. It was rather well known among Nabiki's lieutenants that Junko was a closet Sailor Moon fangirl. "Yeah, I do..."

"Great, hang out for a bit, would you? I've got some questions about them, my little sister's birthday is coming up soon, I want to make sure I get her something nice." This wasn't a total fabrication. Akane's birthday was coming up soon, and she did have a good sized collection of Sailor Senshi manga and other assorted materials, but that wasn't the point of Nabiki's query.

Once the others got out of earshot, Nabiki leaned forward. "So," began Nabiki, "What can you tell me about the blond girl? The one that's not Sailor Moon, that's Mars, right?"

Junko giggled, "Nope, wrong on that count boss! Sailor Mars has black hair. It's Sailor Venus that has the blond hair."

Nabiki knew that from her brief research that morning, but holding one's cards close to the chest was all important in information gathering. "Right, I don't pay much attention to them myself, this is for Akane, you understand."

"Sure thing, boss! Sailor Venus is the Senshi of Love, and she can kick some real butt too!" she scrambled in her bookbag for a moment and pulled out a magazine called Senshi Beat. She took a moment to flip open to a page, then pushed the magazine over to Nabiki, "See? That's a photo spread someone did of Sailor Venus last month." Indeed, it showed the fetching blond not just in a press conference, but also doing a bit of posing and even a few shots of her in active battle. Nabiki recognized that the girl had a little fighting skill, but only street brawler ability magnified by whatever powered her Senshi abilities. Nabiki didn't grow up in a martial artist's home for nothing, and she had retained her ability to gauge the fighting form, if for no other reason than to be able to set odds in a wager.

"That's great!" Nabiki said with false enthusiasm, "Do you mind if I borrow this?" she said, already slipping the magazine into her bag.

"Oh, sure," said Junko, "The next issue is coming out this afternoon anyway."

"Thanks, Junko." said Nabiki as she stood, "Talk to you later."

Ami was casting confused glances to the other students in the hall. When she had left the library at the appropriate time to go to class, the halls were mostly empty, but they filled up quickly and with a greater amount of chatter than usual. Not one to pay much attention to that sort of thing, she generally tuned it out. The first mention of, "Moon Kingdom" was enough to cause her to stumble, but most people ignored the nerdy girl when she stumbled. She began listening closer, but the reports weren't making much sense. Something about a prince and a bunch of strange cars and trucks and a few mentions of a funny man on a stage all blended together in a very confused jumble of references that Ami couldn't make heads or tails of.

Being more focused on attempting to cobble all these various thoughts together, she was taken by surprise when a hand reached out from the girl's bathroom and yanked her in. Her startled yelp was cut off when she saw Usagi's face.

"Usagi, don't do that! You frightened me!"

Usagi ignored Ami's statement, "Is he out there?"

Ami's bewilderment simply increased. "Is who out there?"

Now Usagi looked confused, "You know...him!"

Ami simply glared at Usagi, "Is this one of those conversations where I should find Mina to translate through Makoto?"

"Grrr!" Usagi actually growled, "Lousy traitors! They just disappeared..."

Ami grabbed Usagi's shoulders and shook her, "Usagi! Make some sense!"

The blond blinked at Ami, "Didn't you see what happened in the courtyard?"

Ami thought back to the very little she had glimpsed of the usual morning crowd on her way to the library. "When, exactly, was I supposed to see anything?"

Just then, the bell rang. "Aaah! I'm going to be late!" Usagi yelped. She charged out the bathroom door, leaving a very confused Ami behind.

Nabiki was putting her books away to head out to lunch. Sure, she didn't have anyone to meet today, given that she'd dismissed all her lieutenants before morning study hall, but she didn't really like sitting in a closed classroom when the entire lunch hour was available for her to enjoy the lawns and courtyards of the school, one of the few things that their pineapple-for-brains principle had done well and in a pleasing way. Perhaps there was something of good report in that be-cursed island Kocho Kuno always rambled on about.

Besides, it got her away from Tatewaki Kuno for a while.

This led to her enjoying her noon repast beneath a rather well tended shade tree as a light breeze cooled her face. She realized that she just hadn't had the time lately to just enjoy pleasant lunches anymore. Perhaps she should find a way to do her usual lunchtime business in another way, or maybe delegate a bit more. It was her final year of high-school, about time to find a local replacement anyway, someone she could hand the reigns of her rather well established little high school empire...for a 15% per annum partial ownership fee, of course.

Nabiki's pleasant thoughts were interrupted by a shadow crossing over her. She looked up to see an older boy, very likely a 19 year old, standing in her sunlight. "Is there something I can do for you?" she said slightly frostily. Her lunchtime was going so well...

"Ah, Nabiki. Still as cool as ever. I have a business proposition for you."

Nabiki furled her brow. She was hoping to dedicate time to the mystery key, not business. Still, business is business... "Before I deal with you, I really must know who you are."

"I graduated from this school at the end of last term. I heard quite a bit about your exploits before I did so, however, and I know you will be interested in what I have to offer."

Nabiki noticed he didn't actually answer her question, but decided to play his game. "I see, so what did you have in mind?"

"I have come to learn of a shipment that went astray," began the young man, "The company that was supposed to take ownership went bankrupt, and so the shipment is simply sitting in a warehouse."

The cash register bells in Nabiki's head overrode the alarm bells briefly. "What's the shipment?"

"I can't say that here, the materials in question are in rather high demand."

"OK," said Nabiki, "Why come to me?" She had dealt with mystery shipments before, including finding some rather well placed recipients that were very...generous to her for her efforts, but this mystery former student wasn't like any of her previous contacts, who she was very familiar with.

"Quite simply," said the stranger, "My associates wanted to avoid the more...heavily monitored sources of contacts. Your name happened to come up, and I knew how to contact you."

Curious, thought Nabiki, "I assume you want me to meet your contacts somewhere?"

The man simply nodded and relayed the location of a warehouse nearby.

"Fine, I have school to finish, I'll meet your associates later on, say, five o'clock?"

"Very well, I shall tell them to expect your arrival."

Ranma lay stretched out under a tree on the other side of the school. He had his bento napkin spread out over his eyes, his hands behind his head, and one ankle resting on the other knee, lightly dozing.

Akane looked up from her English homework, "It's rather quiet today, isn't it?" she observed.

Ukyo scratched down an answer for her math homework, "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, sugar. I'm getting more work done today than I usually get done in a week."

Ranma merely grunted in agreement.

Ami was growing increasingly frustrated by the chatter going on around her. AP English was supposed to be one of her few refuges in the school from the constant chattering and nattering of the rumor crowd, yet today's favorite topic, the mysterious happenings that she had somehow completely missed that morning, was being endlessly debated by the others in her class.

"I just haven't ever heard of any 'Riginium Empire,' even anciently."

She now had a choice to make. Did she swallow her pride and show all the other geeks in her class that she out-geeked them by several orders of magnitude and thereby alienate yet another social group, or keep silent and have the unsolved mystery of just what the hell everyone was talking about plague her waking moments?

"Maybe they just changed the name of an older country? It's happened before, especially with revolutions..."

She at least had a better idea of what had happened based on the conversation. Apparently, some prince had walked onto school grounds with great fanfare and proposed to another student, one the other intellectuals in her class didn't like to much.

"That isn't the case here, if we can rely on the lackey's comments on the microphone. The speech he gave is apparently a very old one."

Her increased knowledge was obviously still not giving her the whole story. Why would Usagi have acted the way she did before class?

"I still say it's a hoax. After all, even if the Riginium Empire is real, the Moon Kingdom is obviously not."

Ami stiffened in her seat, her eyes suddenly as big as saucers. She had just added 2 and 2 and gotten 48. Without a word, she scrambled all of her supplies, papers, and books together, threw them into her bag, and ran out the door.

The rest of the class sat in stunned silence for a moment, including the teacher.

Ami poked her head back into the room, "Sorry, sensei. I...uh...need to do some research on...a sociology project." She was gone again before the stunned sensei could merely nod.

Usagi was doing her best effort to hide under her desk without actually leaving her chair. Pretty much the instant she had stepped into her classroom, her classmates were pestering her with questions, asking who the mysterious stranger was, and (the teenager rumor mill being what it was) whether she had gotten "romantic" with him or not, all conveniently ignoring her initial reaction and current vehement denials.

Just as she was about to burst into tears, two things happened.

The first and most welcome was Ami bursting through the doors and breaking very quickly into an impromptu speech in a vain attempt to get the teacher to let Usagi out of class for a bit. It was a vain attempt not due to the usual and expected reasons that no, other students could not just haul students out of class for poor excuses and Usagi's grades were slumping...again, but due to the second thing that happened.

Said second thing was presently swaying, for such a paragon of masculinity did not dangle or hang, on a well crafted tether, his foot through a loop at the end of the tether and one hand gripping the tether at shoulder height. Said tether was swaying just outside Usagi's classroom window, and a low humming noise could be heard, indicating the presence of some sort of craft holding the tether aloft. Every girl in the class was instantly up against the windows in effort to get a better look and (perhaps, just maybe) get their object of amore's attention. Even Ms. Haruna was stunned speechless.

"Fairest princess, I was hoping to...oh, dear..." the combined females of the class were devastated by the disappointed look on Prince Xavier's face. They turned to look to see what had upset their paragon of manliness, only to see Usagi's empty desk and the door to the classroom closing.

Nabiki sat in study hall, quietly soaking up information she considered vital. Said information had nothing to do with math, or science, or any of the other many subjects taught at the school, but more to do with the subject of the key still residing in her pocket. She was carefully paging through the copy of Senshi Beat she had received from Junko, earmarking pages with mentions of Sailor Venus. The teacher in charge had almost threatened to take the magazine away from Nabiki, but the mercenary girl had merely glared menacingly at the man, who quickly backed down without saying a word. Nabiki went back to her magazine with a secretive smile, making a mental note to give a bonus to whoever had dirt on the man. Or just give a bonus to whoever could dig up the dirt.

During the course of her research, she had learned what little Sailor Venus' fans could dig up. There was a strong suspicion that Sailor Venus was also Sailor V, who's crowning achievement was crushing The Syndicate, a crime organization in Europe with suspected ties to the occult. Since Sailor Venus' surfacing in Japan, Sailor V had simply vanished, and their costumes were remarkably similar, based on the few crime artist's sketches that existed from Sailor V's assault on crime and the photos taken since the first youma invasion four years ago. Nabiki had to admit that with the evidence at hand, it was quite likely true. Of course, rumors that Sailor V was still operating in Europe kept the crime activity low, so neither Interpol nor the Senshi were eager to make the connection.

Nabiki paused in her perusal of the magazine and stared hard at one of the images of Sailor Venus. Some fool cameraman with a death wish had gotten close enough to a battle between Sailor Venus and a youma as Venus was using one of her special attacks. The cameraman had to have been one of the pros, as the picture quality was high enough to clearly show each link in the chain Venus was summoning, the last link was actually in the process of forming from whatever the Senshi used to make their attacks. (Nabiki doubted it was Qi, they just didn't seem to be that good as martial artists) The chain wasn't what caught her interest. What she focused on instead was just above the Senshi's hands, hovering in space near Venus' ear.

It was a symbol, made of light, probably five inches across and six inches high. It somewhat resembled an ankh, though the bottom leg was straight down, and the top loop was shaped like a circle.

It exactly matched the symbol on her key.

The library was a place of studious learning. A place where the willing student could go and find portals to the unknown, adventures from long ago, knowledge never seen by minds so young in the history of the world. School libraries represent the greatest achievements of mankind from the earliest dawn of the species, condensed down to several thousand tomes and written in such a way that anyone of average intelligence or higher could, with a few hours of concentrated effort, gain insight into the secrets of the universe.

Consequently, it was the ideal place for Usagi to hide from her teachers and fellow students with inquiring minds, as it was the last place the bunny-haired girl would be caught dead in. She just wished she'd thought of it sooner. Or thought of it at all, as it was Ami who had dragged her into the library.

Usagi was presently fidgeting with her pencil case, trying to keep from making too much noise and getting them kicked out of the library. She had finally landed on a game of "balance the pencil," wherein she displayed some decidedly un-Usagi-like, totally not clumsy behavior of balancing four pencils, two pens, an eraser, a pencil sharpener, and two paperclips on all ten of her fingers, when Ami said, "Ah-ha!" in a definitive tone. This startled Usagi, who promptly dropped all ten implements, making a clattering noise that earned her a sharp glare from Ami. This was fine with Usagi, as Ami hadn't taken her eyes off her computer screen since they had sat down.

Ami dismissed her irritation with her Princess and turned her computer to face Usagi. "This is what I've been looking for."

Usagi felt her brain seize up at the screenfull of legalese. "Uh..."

Ami had apparently anticipated Usagi's lack of comprehension and continued speaking without a beat, "It's a treaty. More specifically it's a contract." Ami turned the computer back around, her eyes flitting over the text as she re-read the salient parts. "The contract is a mutual peace accord, where the Riginium Empire and the Moon Kingdom, who apparently shared a border when we had a functional space fleet..."

"We had a space fleet? Like with X-wing fighters and stuff?"

Ami rolled her eyes, "You watch too much science fiction. There's no such thing as an X-wing fighter." Ami ignored the disappointed look on Usagi's face and continued, "The peace accord says that the two kingdoms are to exist side by side, neither making any moves into the other's space without permission, so long as both sides remain loyal to the contract."

Usagi's brow furrowed, "So what does that have to do with this prince?"

"I'm getting to that," Ami said, "Apparently, it's traditional in the Riginium Empire to include in all treaties with other nations a clause that the Champion Prince of the Riginium Empire, who upon defeating all challengers on their home planet should..."

Ami never got to finish her sentence, because just then the library doors burst open. Framed in the doorway was Makoto and Minako, looking a bit henpecked. "Usagi!" Makoto burst out.

"No shouting in the library!" snapped the librarian, who had immediately come running when she heard the door open.

"No time for that now!" said Mina, "We've got a situation!"

Usagi stood up indignantly, "You...you guys just LEFT me out there!"

Makoto rushed to Usagi's side, "Yeah, sorry, I kinda panicked..."

"Me too!" interjected Mina.

"...but we've got to get you out of here! That prince guy has got some sort of device that he's using to track you. Right now the hall monitors've got him stopped at the end of the hallway..."

With that statement, all earlier infractions were forgotten. Usagi clung to Makoto's arm, "Get me out of here! Hide me!"

"Uhm..." began Ami, "If you'd just sit down with him..."

"That's why we're here." said Mina, plowing right over Ami's words, "I've got the cheerleading squad on standby outside the gates. They volunteered to provide a distraction while we get you home."

Ami spoke up again, "We really don't need to do this..."

"Great!" said Usagi, completely ignoring Ami as she raced for the door, "Let's get out of here!"

Makoto and Minako moved like a coordinated pair of guardians, which is technically what they were, and ushered Usagi out of the library and out of sight. As the doors clapped shut, a slightly frazzled Ami held her gaze forlornly on the spot she had last seen her friends. "...you all really need to hear about the rest of this contract..." she said to the air.

The librarian blinked at Ami, then at the doors. She sighed, muttered something about disrespectful students, and went back to her reshelving duties.

Nabiki stepped out of the school gates to find the mystery man waiting for her. "I hope this doesn't take too long," said Nabiki, "I don't want to miss my sister Akane's cooking."

"Ah, yes. That would be a shame, now, wouldn't it." replied the man.

Damn! thought Nabiki, I'd hoped he'd say something definitive. It was a rather obvious bait to anyone who knew of Akane's cooking, and even in her first year of Home Ec. class was infamous for the culinary disasters that she produced. I guess I'll have to find some other line of questioning. I know this guy wasn't in Furinkan last year, but I can't prove it without more information. Nabiki hid her frustration as she began walking next to the man.

Some time later, with Nabiki attempting several different lines of questioning to try and pull some tidbit about the enigma she was following and getting nowhere except further away from home, they arrived at the entrance to a warehouse building. It was now late enough that the sun was beginning to set. The windows, what few she could see, were dark. She glanced questioningly at her guide. "We keep them covered from the inside," he said, "This particular shipment is rather valuable, after all."

Nabiki simply nodded speculatively as he opened the door for her. Keeping her composure took quite a bit of effort, as some sixth sense was screaming at her that this situation was extremely bad news.

"No, she won't be doing an interview," said Makoto into the phone. There was a pause as she listened to the voice on the other end of the conversation, then, "I don't care if you're from Asahi Shimbun, you're not gonna interview her!" she slammed down the phone. Before she could even take her hand off it, it rang again. Makoto lifted the receiver, quickly tapped the switch hook, checked to make sure the dial tone came on, then set the phone on the table, leaving it off the hook. She sighed and walked over to the front door to help Minako.

"Listen," said Minako, "I understand you've got questions, we all do, but we really don't know anything about this prince character and what he's doing in Juuban looking for our friend."

"But if we could just ask her directly..." asked a student with a badge pinned to his uniform shirt that said, 'Student paper.'

Makoto gently pushed Minako aside, "Are you hearing impaired?" growled the tall brunette, "She aint talkin', not now, not later, not ever!" She used her height and every ounce of intimidation she could summon to loom over the student reporter. "Don't you have somewhere to be?"

The boy, knees knocking, nodded, babbled something in agreement, and took off running.

Luna watched it all from the stairs, "My goodness," she said under her breath to Usagi, "What caused all this?"

Usagi sulked in her bedroom doorway, feeling like a prisoner in her own house. "Some prince showed up today. He knew about the Moon Kingdom and everything."

"A prince?" restated Luna in confusion.

Usagi nodded. "Some sort of empire. 'Rejonium' or something like that." Unseen by Luna, Usagi began absentmindedly flipping a coin through her fingers, once again casually displaying a level of dexterity the Moon Princess had never before possessed.

Luna blinked, looked back to Usagi from her vantage point at the top of the stairs, "Riginium?" she clarified. At Usagi's nod, she gasped, "Good heavens! I didn't even know the Empire still existed!"

Usagi, having her attention distracted again, dropped the coin clumsily, "You know about these people?"

"Oh, yes," said Luna, "It's a bit hazy..." they both shared an annoyed look, as Luna's and Artimis' swiss cheese memories were a continual bane to the Sailor Senshi, "But they were a neighboring kingdom. Very warrior-like, always issuing challenges and taking it as a personal affront if you didn't accept."

"They're barbarians?!" gaped Usagi.

"No, no," said Luna, "They were very well bred, with great knowledge of science and history being a large part of their education, along with training. No, it's more like the old dueling code here on Earth. A sort of 'gentleman's duel' to determine honor. To turn down a dual was considered a tremendous insult that could result in wars if the participants were in the right families."

"Great!" said Usagi, "And now I've got their prince wanting to marry me!"

Luna blinked at Usagi for a moment, then shouted, "WHAT?!"

Unfortunately, Ikoku Tsukino, Usagi's Earthly mother, came through the door at that moment, "I'm home from shopping! Oh, hello girls." she said with a smile as she saw Makoto and Minako. Usagi rolled her eyes and shrugged at Luna, who couldn't talk now without blowing her cover in front of Usagi's mom. The younger Tsukino padded down the stairs and said, "Hi, mom!"

As Ikoku went into the kitchen, Makoto automatically following to help put away the shopping, she said, "I had the most interesting encounter today. A small gaggle of girls came up to me and asked if I had betrothed you to a prince!"

Usagi, Makoto, and Minako plastered smiles on their faces, cringing inside as they forced out a giggle to join Usagi's mom in her laughter.

Nabiki followed her guide to the center of the warehouse, her hand in her pocket and firmly gripping the key bearing the Venus emblem. Not that it would provide a whole lot of protection, but a poke in the eye with a large brass key would have to hurt enough for her to get out of a bad situation if it came down to it. "So when do your associates arrive?" said Nabiki.

"They should be here right about..." they heard a door open on the other side of the warehouse and some male voices floated over to them. Nabiki struggled to see the newcomers through the dark of the warehouse. She saw them as mere shadows as they approached, but she could hear them as they came further in.

"...I just want to get this over with. I don't like dealing with unknowns."

Reasonable, Nabiki thought. One does not become a successful business person without wanting to know all the facts.

"Listen, the boss says that this guy can deliver, and you've seen him in action. You want to tell the boss he's wrong?"

Finally, the two newcomers stepped into the light of the single bulb that was lit in the warehouse. The both wore long sleeved shirts with high collars, clean, pressed pants and sport coats, and seemingly matching ties. Nabiki's eyes narrowed in suspicion. Sure, they could be just well dressed businessmen, but they could also be well dressed thugs.

The first voice, the man on the right, didn't answer his collegues question but turned to face the mystery man that brought Nabiki. "This kid is the one we're waiting for?"

The man nodded, and the other two men simply nodded and backed away. The alarm bells were suddenly screaming at her, and one thought began to echo in her mind. It was odd, as she had never heard the particular phrase before in her life.

The mystery man turned to face her as the shadows seem to darken around him, "You have succumbed to your greed. The path to your destruction has been chosen." His form seemed to twist, his clothes shredded as his skin took on a monstrous color. The man...no, the youma (for Nabiki had now recognized what she was facing) began to grow and shift, it's torso stretching obscenely into a twisted mockery of the female form. It's arms bulked up, shadowy tattoos slithering across the skin of it's arms until it resembled a dark parody of Yakuza markings. It's face stretched into something resembling a lizard, and it's tongue flicked own, showing that it was silvery and forked.

Nabiki had already began to step backward, trying to keep her eye on the creature and evacuate at the same time. The two men, she noticed, did not make a move to assist her or the youma, but neither did they act surprised. The creature took a lumbering step toward her on cloven-hooves and hissed at her. With that, Nabiki turned on her heal and ran, hoping to make it to the doorway and out onto the streets of Nerima, where some over-powered martial artist was bound to be wandering by.

She didn't make it two steps before a massive, clawed hand slammed her against some nearby crates, pinning her face first.

Sailor Moon ran like a woman possessed, anger etched all over her face. Jupiter and Venus kept pace a few steps behind, keeping a concerned eye on their leader as they leaped from rooftop to rooftop.

When it was just her mom asking questions, Usagi could laugh at the whole thing and almost pretend the whole bad day had been some sort of silly story she and her friends had made up. When the first reporter, followed by another inquisitive group of girls, showed up at the door, it went from silly to irritating. When Mrs. Tsukino noticed the phone was off the hook and placed it back on the cradle before Makoto could warn her off, it went from irritation to nightmare as the phone once again started ringing with call after inquiring call from newspapers, TV stations, friends, associates, dubious relations, relatives, and even a few wedding planners who all wanted to get in on the action.

Ikoku had finally taken the same route as Makoto and just left the phone off the hook.

Soon thereafter the press started camping out on their street, followed shortly by star-struck girls who wanted to inveigle their way into the inner circle of a girl who would soon be a princess of some sort. About an hour earlier, the Tokyo PD had finally been summoned to evict the paparazzi and fangirls, but the police efforts weren't entirely effective, and the occasional fangirl or really stubborn cameraman would sneak through the police line.

After the fifth incident (Usagi finding a fangirl with a camera in her shower, Makoto physically tossing the girl out the front door, Minako destroying the camera and the film), the once and future Princess of the Moon decided she couldn't take it any longer, gave her mom a flimsy excuse for staying with Makoto (which her mother, too frazzled by the situation to argue, agreed to), got to a secluded spot between houses she had used for transforming in the past, activated her Sailor suit, and ran off into the night, her fellow Senshi just a few steps behind her.

Sailor Jupiter could hear Venus on the communicator with Mars and Mercury. As there was no youma present, there was no reason to do an all-call, but that didn't stop them from calling in some friends to get together to find a way to get out of the situation, or at least cheer up Sailor Moon.

Abruptly, Sailor Moon came to a stop. Jupiter and Venus stumbled into each other, trying to brake their momentum. Moon stood silently for a moment, then slumped to her knees, weakly punching the roofing tiles beneath her. "Stupid prince..."

It was at that moment Sailor Mars arrived. "I came as quickly as I could..." she trailed off when she saw Sailor Moon, and was by her friend's side in a heartbeat. The raven-haired girl draped her arm over her friend's shoulders, "Hey, meatball head, what's with the long face?"

Nabiki could feel her ribs begin to creak as the youma held her pinned against the crate. Her feet were kicking ineffectually six inches off the floor while her left arm was pinned between her stomach and the crate, and her right arm was stretched out and had somehow managed to remain unpunctured by the creature's talons. Her head was turned to the right, where she could see the key she'd been holding with a death grip glint in the low light of the warehouse.

Abruptly, she felt a tugging sensation. Having spent enough time around Ranma, Happosai, Cologne, Miss Hinako, and other Qi adepts, she knew automatically that she was experiencing her first ever Qi drainage.

It wasn't pleasant.

Her face twisted in a rictus of pain and a strangled noise escaped her throat. Were she of a mind to objectively examine the experience, she would have supposed it was rather akin to having one's brain, eyes, throat, heart, stomach, reproductive organs, and digestive tract all being pulled out of one's body through the small of one's back.

Finally, through the fog of pain and withering, smothering darkness that began to envelope her consciousness, she cried out the words that had been rolling in her mind since she had entered the warehouse.

"VENUS PLANET POWER, ACTIVATE!"

Sailor Moon was crying into Sailor Mars' shoulder as Mars uttered soothing noises to their princess and leader. Mars wasn't able to make a whole lot of sense of what Moon said, but she did gather that it had been a very, very rough day and it all involved a prince that had showed up at their school.

Mars kept the boiling fury she felt toward anyone who would do this to her friend in check as she attended to Moon. "Tell you what," she said comfortingly, "If I ever see this prince guy, I'll Burning Mandala him, OK?"

Moon giggled weakly through her sobbing, and the crying was greatly reduced. Venus and Jupiter, who had sat down nearby, smiled encouragingly at Mars, knowing that sometimes all any of them needed was a good shoulder to cry on. At this rate, maybe they could go over to Jupiter's place and stay the night and let this whole thing just blow...

"Ah, Princess. There you are. That power suit certainly does give you quite the speed boost." Prince Xavier said as he stepped off what looked to be a hovering motorcycle. "Once we had pinpointed you on our scopes I must say even the captain was impressed by how quickly you were moving."

...up. Naturally, the prince once again showed his incredible sense of bad timing, right when they had almost calmed Sailor Moon down.

Sailor Mars flinched back in surprise when Sailor Moon growled. "YOU!" spat the Defender of Love and Justice. She shrugged off Sailor Mars and stood, spinning to face the prince. "This ends right now!"

Inexplicably, Xavier's face lit up in a grin. "Oh, excellent! We are going to do it the right way!"

Sailor Moon, enraged at the apparent disregard this stranger had for her personal distress, simply howled and charged at him.

The youma was thrown back, smashing into some crates and boxes. Blinding light pierced the warehouse as the echo from Nabiki's phrase faded away.

Nabiki found herself floating above the floor, spinning slowly as her clothes seemed to evaporate. She felt ribbons of light and color swirl around her body, gently caressing her curves until they took the pattern of a jumper around her torso and then abruptly solidified into a sort of fabric. More ribbons fluttered about her wrists, then became metal wrist bracers. A bit more of the magic swirled through her hands and fingers, finally forming fingerless gloves. She instinctively gripped down, making fists with her hands. She felt a caress of magic around her feet, almost tickling her as the sensation traveled up her ankles, finally collapsing to form boots. The energy billowed around her waist and suddenly formed up a skirt. She felt rather than saw the gem form on her head and the magic spread out to create a tiara.

After a moment of blinding light and change, Nabiki found her feet settling on the floor. She felt a power surging through her like she had never experienced before. She felt like she could lift a truck...no, a building! She felt like she could jump over a building!

Nabiki wondered briefly if this was what Ranma felt like all the time.

Ranma, grateful for the brief break he seemed to be enjoying, actually smiled as he punted Tatewaki Kuno a block and a half back to the Kuno mansion. A sudden sneeze distracted him briefly, but he blithely shook it off and sauntered off to the market to pick up the greens Kasumi asked for at the last minute. He decided to whistle a tune he'd heard once.

Three minutes later, Ryoga wandered by the same spot, face buried in a map of Kenya and completely missing the fact that he was in Nerima before disappearing around a nearby corner.

Nabiki was suddenly brought back to her surroundings when she was launched into a pile of boxes by the large fist of the youma. Pushing herself up and dusting off her fuku, she realized that she had taken a blow which should have shattered at least a few bones and was able to hop back up unscathed. Another phrase tagged her mind, coupled with some gestures that seemed a bit silly. Dodging a clawing blow, she realized that it didn't really matter if it was silly or not, the last goofy phrase that went through her mind worked out pretty good, so this one might work out as well.

"VENUS ONE YEN COIN SHOWER!" she shouted. From literally nowhere one-yen coins formed in the air, already flying at terminal velocity, and peppered the youma's body. The attack lasted a second, but to Nabiki's very well trained eye, it appeared that more than 4,000 coins had struck the youma, all at very high speed.

With a hideous gurgling noise, the monster shuddered on the floor, then collapsed into a pile of quickly dissipating dust.

Nabiki stood over her foe and basked in the victory. This spot belonged to Ranma, or Akane, or any one of the martial artists that crossed her life's path. Nabiki had never understood the thrill they got from pummeling their opponents to dust until now.

A scuffling noise interrupted her thoughts. She realized the two men that were part of this little trap were still around. She smiled ferally and turned toward them slowly.

Sailors Mars, Venus, and Jupiter watched in awe as their normally clumsy leader performed martial arts combat like a seasoned pro. Sailor Moon dodged, counterpunched, slid, flipped, and kicked with all the precision of a world class martial artist, at least first-dan ranking, if not higher. To Jupiter's slightly-more-trained-eye-than-the-others, it looked like the fight would be over soon, with The Moon Princess emerging triumphant.

Sailor Mercury skidded to a stop next to Jupiter, clearly out of breath. "What's going on...MOON, STOP!"

While Sailor Moon ignored Mercury in order to dole out a Royal ass-kicking, Jupiter held Mercury back from jumping in. "Hold it there, Water-lily, she needs to blow off some steam."

Mercury struggled to get free, "But you don't understand! If she beats him..." she trailed off and Jupiter turned to see why.

The scene seemed to freeze in time for a moment as Jupiter took it all in. Sailor Moon had her right leg extended upward in a quite vicious snap-kick, her face contorted in an angry, "Kia!" her arms in balancing positions and poised in the follow-through from her last punching combination, and her left leg slightly bent at the knee, her left boot planted firmly on the roofing tiles. Prince Xavier had two swords that Jupiter didn't remember him bringing to the battle stretched out, as though both arms had been swatted aside (which they probably were), his feet were inches off the roof, his legs bent as though interrupted in a jump, back arched, head tossed back and chin pointing at the sky.

An instant later, the tableau was broken and the Prince flipped through the air, slamming down on his back, swords clattering across the roof, clearly knocked out cold.

Sailor Moon finished the follow-through for the kick, resumed a stance, then realized the fight was over. She began jumping for joy, ecstatic that not only did she win a fight without her Senshi magic, she also creamed the guy that turned her day into a living nightmare.

Mars and Venus promptly began cheering as Moon began dancing around the roof with joy. Jupiter was about to join in their festivities when she heard Mercury's quiet, "Oh, dear..." She glanced at the blue haired Senshi and saw a great deal of concern etched on the other girl's face.

Kaneda hid in the shadows behind a dumpster. The chick the demon guy had brought had to be a Senshi, that was the only explanation for the light show and subsequent total defeat of their demonic contact. How in the world someone so powerful would land in a trap like that Kaneda would never know.

The senshi had already taken out Daiki. When the demon guy had gone down, the two had made a break for it, hoping to escape while the senshi cleaned up the mess. They didn't expect her speed, however, and Kaneda once again proved that you don't need to outrun the bear, you just need to outrun the other guy.

This led him to the aforementioned dumpster and hiding. He struggled to get his breath under control, hoping that he had somehow ditched the senshi.

He realized he'd have no such luck when a fingerless glove grabbed his shirt collar. His world became a blur as the senshi effortlessly jumped like a reverse pachinko ball up the sides of two buildings, quickly landing on the rooftop of one of them and standing on the edge, casually holding Kaneda at arms length. He looked down and nearly lost the contents of his bowels as he realized he was now seven stories up and the only thing keeping him from dying was a very pissed senshi.

"So," she said, "I've already talked to your pal. He seems to believe that you'll know more about your youma friend than him." She gave him an evil smile, "You can understand how I'm rather interested in more...information."

Kaneda had heard about this sort of situation. He now had a choice of death by falling or death by hitman when his bosses found out about him turning stoolpidgin. He really wished he hadn't gotten out of bed this morning. "I...I don't know..."

"Bzzzt! Wrong answer!" she let go with the hand that was holding him aloft. Before he could scream in panic, her other hand shot out and grabbed his shirt. "So, let's try again. What do you know about the youma?"

Death by falling was suddenly a much more immediate threat. "OK, OK! The boss has been in contact with these guys, I don't know a whole lot more than that."

Nabiki smirked. This was so much more fun than simple extortion. "So, you know nothing more? Let's say I remove my fingers one by one," she demonstrated by pulling her index finger from the fist gripping his shirt. The sudden slack caused Kaneda to drop a quarter inch, "Until we get to the point where my hand just doesn't hold you up anymore?"

Kaneda panicked and gripped the bracer around the senshi's wrist, hoping to avoid a nasty destiny as a road pizza. "'Retribution!' They call themselves Retribution! They're trying to form a syndicate with a bunch of the Yakuza families!"

Police sirens could be heard from down the street. For the first time since he joined the clan, he was glad to hear the sirens. Maybe the cops could talk this crazy lady out of dropping him.

"Retribution...forming a syndicate...that's it?" said the senshi casually, pulling her middle finger out of the fist.

"YES, YES! I SWEAR, THAT'S ALL I KNOW!"

Nabiki nodded, satisfied that the hoodlum was revealing all the information he had. She pulled some bungee cable from her belt that she had picked up at a nearby sporting goods store after she'd taken care of the other thug. 'Taken care of,' of course, meant that she had tied up said thug with a display case of cargo netting after throwing the thug through the window of the sporting goods store, setting off the alarm and summoning the police. "Next time you meet your bosses or this 'Retribution' they're so fond of, I want you to tell them that I'm going to be all over them like feathers on a duck from now on." She tossed the loop she already tied on the cord around a metal fixture on the roof top.

Kaneda scrambled to maintain his grip on the senshi's bracer, "Who...who are you?"

She yanked him close, so their noses were almost touching, "I'm Sailor V."

She abruptly shook him off her hand, and he screamed as he began to plummet to the ground. Sailor V was right behind him, having leapt off the building right after dropping him. She looped the cord around his ankles and used her senshi enhanced speed to tie a secure knot in the cable. She flipped mid-air and pushed away from the building face, letting Kaneda fall to the extent of the rope, slam against the building, and get yanked back up. Sailor V flipped again, landed in the street right in front of the incoming police car, bounced up against the building on the opposite side of the street, ping-ponged back and forth back up to the rooftops, and roof-hopped away from the scene.

Sailor Jupiter gripped Mercury's shoulder, "What's wrong? She kicked his butt."

"That's precisely what's wrong." said Sailor Mercury. "It's part of the standard treaty that the Riginium Empire signs with all it's trading partners and allies. It means that..."

She was interrupted by a groan from the now stirring prince. He sat up, shook his head to clear it, then boosted himself up to his feet. "Excellent!" he began, "I shall have the captain begin the arrangements immediately."

Sailor Moon stopped her victory dance and glared at the prince, "What preparations?" she snapped.

"Why, our marriage, of course."

"What are you talking about? I just kicked your butt like a youma!"

The prince let the Earth-bound reference slide, "That's it exactly. Surely your advisors have explained the ceremony to you."

Sailor Moon turned to Mercury, "Do you know what he's talking about?"

Mercury sighed and pulled out her computer again, "As I was trying to tell you, by agreeing to the ceremonial battle and proving your worth by defeating the Riginium representative in combat, you...er, provide full consent to the, um...matrimony ceremony to..." she lost her nerve toward the end of her 'explanation' and just waved vaguely at the prince.

Sailor Moon blinked in confusion at Mercury, trying to piece together what the other girl said.

Jupiter managed to decipher Mercury's words. The blue haired girl always tended to use large vocabulary when she didn't want to deliver bad news. "You're kidding!" Jupiter blurted out.

Sailor Moon looked frantic, "What are you saying, what's going on?!" She turned in panic to look at Prince Xavier.

He simply shrugged in that annoyingly handsome way he had, "Why, we're to be married tomorrow now that you've given your consent in the traditional combat ceremony."

Moon turned to Mercury to translate. The young genius looked down at the roofing tile, "He proposed, you said yes."

It was the punctuation mark to a very, very bad day. Moon's mind was overwhelmed, and she fainted. Her last conscious thought was, Please, please don't let it be the prince that catches me!

Sailor V flew into her bedroom through her open window and landed nimbly on her feet. She had a huge grin on her face, her breathing was deep, as if she had finished a particularly good jog, but she felt more like she had just deboarded the most intense roller coaster ever.

She flopped down on her bed face up, enjoying the exhilaration and afterglow. She was going to have to get more information about the senshi, possibly by going straight to the source. The magazines were good, but there was only so much they could actually dig up on the secretive super-group.

Sailor V reached up idly and ran her fingertip over the tiara that had formed on her forehead. She touched the gem in the center and was startled when her seifuku suddenly collapsed, leaving her clutching her transformation key in the same hand that was caressing the tiara. "Well," Nabiki muttered to herself, "That solves that problem before I thought of it."

She suddenly heard the latch of her door opening and dropped the key behind her pillow. The door opened to reveal Kasumi, who did a double-take and gasped, "Nabiki? I didn't know you were home."

The younger sister propped herself up on her elbows, "Oh, sorry 'bout that. I had some unexpected business that kept me late and I didn't want to cause a fuss when I came home. I snuck in just a few moments ago."

Kasumi blinked and processed what her sister said. Were Nabiki the type to sweat under preasure, she'd be drenched. She knew Kasumi was smarter than everyone gave her credit for, but she was also nice and polite to a fault. "Well, OK," began Kasumi, "I can warm up some dinner for you if you like."

"That'd be great, sis," said Nabiki, "I haven't eaten since lunch and I've still got studying to do."

Kasumi nodded and closed the door.

Nabiki retrieved her key from behind her pillow, gazed at it lovingly, and clutched it to her chest. "All this time I never knew...WOW it feels good to be one of the power-players!" Grinning broadly, she began to change out of her school uniform and into something more casual to go enjoy her sister's excellent cooking.

#nabiki tendo #sailor moon #sailor venus #sailor v #kasumi #ranma 1/2 #ranma saotome #usagi tsukino #bishoujo senshi sailor moon #bssm

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sigmadolos · 1 year

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angry sigma starter call - @ofpowr

Water droplets dripped from Sigma’s hair as he sat against the wall for a moment, heart still pounding in his chest. They needed to move, Dazai had a timer after all given that poison. But his head fell forwards, resting against his knees as his fingers curled into the wet fabric of his clothes. He was a fool. He was the same fool he’d always been.

Tears burned his eyes and he could hear Dazai moving as he slowly lifted his head. Each tear burned as it rolled down his cheek, even as he forced a too cheery smile for their situation while his eyes closed. God, they both were fake, weren’t they? Dazai and him. What a pair. He swallows the lump that felt like it was suffocating him. “ It hurts so much. “ It comes out as a whispered croak, far louder than he would have wished. Even the hellish torture of the Furies in Tartaros might have been less painful than this. Of seeing people burn each other and turn to tear each other limb from limb. Of being thrown aside or reduced to just his ability again. Again. After everything he’d been through, it always came back to his damn ability. Like he was just a tool to be used and thrown aside time and time again. He’d thought this was different. He’d cared for them, he’d treasured those bonds. It had seemed like it was different for so long - but Fyodor had just been so willing to drown him or burn him alive alongside Dazai, and Nikolai just wanted his ability now. It felt like this pain was a knife twisting deep in his chest. His head HURT, burning with sorrow and something darker.

“ ....I’m angry. That’s new. “ Sigma’s smile lingered for a moment before it faded and his eyes slowly opened. What was ordinarily an inviting and warm silver gaze had turned as hard as bullets, even with the tears that still slowly fell. “ I’m...really, really angry. “ He’d had people treat him worse, but THIS is what made him angry, this was what it made feel like something ugly was being formed in his chest. Even when he’d killed, it’d never been maliciously intended, only necessity. He had nothing left to lose. His gaze flicked up to look at Dazai probably now, grey unyielding in the angel’s new found anger. “ We’re bringing them both down. “ Somehow. Even he wasn’t sure to what he might do or what extent his wrath burned. He only knew that if he was falling from the Heavens, he’d drag them down to crash into the mud with him.

#ofpowr #boys surviving the soup #apparently this is what it really took to send sigma into a lil crisis #he really has 0 idea on his anger levels #hope this works but if not lmk!#i was also tempted for a DOA one with violence #but ended up with this #although if you'd lIKE another versed one-#ic || the angel of the aerial casino

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robertnelson2-blog · 2 months

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Enhance Your Space with a Fragrance Oil Diffuser: The Ultimate Guide

In today's fast-paced world, creating a peaceful and inviting atmosphere at home or in the office has become increasingly important. One effective way to achieve this is through the use of fragrance oil diffusers. These devices not only add pleasant scents to your surroundings but also offer numerous therapeutic benefits. In this guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about fragrance oil diffusers, from how they work to the different types available and tips for selecting the perfect one for your needs. Fragrance Dispenser Australia

Understanding Fragrance Oil Diffuser:

Fragrance oil diffusers are devices designed to disperse essential oils or fragrance oils into the air, filling a room with delightful scents. They typically consist of a container for the oil, a method for dispersing the oil into the air (such as heat or ultrasonic vibrations), and controls for adjusting the intensity and duration of the scent.

Types of Fragrance Oil Diffusers:

Ultrasonic Diffusers: These diffusers use ultrasonic vibrations to break down the essential oils into tiny particles, which are then released into the air as a fine mist. Ultrasonic diffusers are popular for their quiet operation and ability to maintain the therapeutic properties of the oils.

Nebulizing Diffusers: Nebulizing diffusers work by using pressurized air to atomize the essential oils into tiny droplets, which are then dispersed into the air. These diffusers do not require water or heat, making them ideal for preserving the potency of the oils.

Heat Diffusers: Heat diffusers use heat to evaporate the essential oils, releasing their aroma into the air. While they are simple to use, they may alter the chemical composition of the oils and reduce their therapeutic benefits.

Evaporative Diffusers: Evaporative diffusers utilize a fan or natural airflow to evaporate the essential oils, dispersing the scent into the surrounding area. These diffusers are often compact and portable, making them suitable for smaller spaces.

Choosing the Right Fragrance Oil Diffuser:

When selecting a fragrance oil diffuser, consider the following factors:

Room Size: Choose a diffuser with an appropriate capacity for the size of the room you wish to scent.

Runtime: Look for diffusers with adjustable runtime settings to control the duration of the scent.

Design: Consider the aesthetic appeal of the diffuser and how well it complements your space.

Additional Features: Some diffusers offer additional features such as LED lights or built-in timers for added convenience.

Benefits of Using Fragrance Oil Diffusers:

Aromatherapy: Certain essential oils have therapeutic properties that can help alleviate stress, improve mood, and promote relaxation.

Air Freshening: Diffusers can effectively eliminate unpleasant odors and freshen the air in your home or workspace.

Mood Enhancement: The right scent can create a welcoming ambiance and enhance the overall atmosphere of a room. Diffuser Australia

In conclusion, fragrance oil diffusers offer a convenient and effective way to enhance your environment with delightful scents and therapeutic benefits. By understanding the different types of diffusers available and considering your specific needs and preferences, you can select the perfect diffuser to create the ideal atmosphere in any space.

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oeudsnfd · 2 months

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Why Every Home location Wishes a Hit Package

I lengthy thought hit bottles ended up being for the type of diner culinary arts culinary experts who also call for tweezers to plate a leaf of parsley. Nonetheless I came across the Oxo Wonderful Grips Chef’s Squash Bottles now I am doubtful how I ever ready without.

I very first received the containers to assist my shrubs, people fresh fruits and vinegar syrups which are so excellent in drinks. The cup boxes I needed previously stored shrubs in dripped and put over every time I tried to fill up the tangy fluid into a take in.

I acknowledged a squash pot was the perfect solution, however the kinds I needed previously weren’t appropriate. They didn’t close up, challenging I fifty percent-undefinedresolved by increasing a bit component of plastic material-type materials include about the opening up within the bottle before I connected the top rated. I stumbled upon storage units that was incorporated with a bit cone-made restrict to maintain throughout the spout’s tip, nevertheless i realized I might personally do away with these quickly.

Since I Have purchased them for shrubs, I’ve uncovered a variety of purpose of the OXO click containers. Listed below are five far more excellent reasons to consider adding some squeeze containers to your way of living:

Enter inside the Oxo Great Grips Chef’s Squash Pot. The design and style and elegance is wizard: the reduce is leashed around the top with accommodating plastic-type substance, therefore it cannot go deficient. You turn it unlock, and it also maintains taken care of as you may set, so you then click it shut. The action of capping the container also clears the nozzle from the extra fluid, so next time you utilize it, it passes freely.

If you may have ever made an effort to make home made mayonnaise as well as other emulsified sauces, you know it may possibly all go terribly completely improper inside the blink of your respective eyesight. Because it’s most trustworthy to resource from your gasoline drop by decrease in the beginning, a press package will be your finest insurance policy. With its good thought that allows for max control of making level, you will never break a marinade again.

In case you have a selfmade bush, salad getting dressed, marinade, or condiment being positioned in a squash jar in the entry way of the fridge,small bottles for liquid I dare you not to visualize up millions of methods to utilize it. It is actually so easy to seize, squirt, and positioned away. Many people are greatly deterred by the most lightweight inconvenience—such as setting up a clutter or needing a spoon—but decanting your do-it-yourself sauces in to these pull bottles triggers these people to be in the same manner simple to operate as Heinz ketchup.

If you are setting up glugs of organic and natural organic olive oil from the pot, it’s very simple to operate a whole lot more than you want. The squash bottle’s filter tip droplets the source of gas decrease, relevance less likelihood of soaked, overly oils-undefinedloaded roasted greens.

I like acquiring factors in big amounts. I am just at the moment going through a 2-quart jug of soy marinade plus a gallon of maple syrup. I exchange a cheaper add up to a pull package for on a daily basis use, and stash the other stockpile within my basements. It can be environmentally friendly to acquire significantly less massive packages (as opposed to several smaller sized size kinds) and my squash containers make purchasing in large quantities in this way sensible.

Fine, I is definitely not what type to drizzle swooshes of gastriques or discounts throughout my plate, but maybe you are. I recognize in case the time ever arrives after i must have perfect pretty dots, doodles, or another types during my meals, I actually have the perfect useful resource to create them.

How to find a plastic material normal water bottle

What types of plastic are safe to use?

Things You Didn't Fully grasp About press Containers

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ejaydoeshisbest · 2 months

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Chapter 4

"This is my favorite spot," you said, as you led me to the cave. It was like a mythical sea beast about to swallow us whole. Back in the city, we avoided places like these, unless you were a stupid teenager hiding from the world. They were always ready to erupt with the angst they bided in their bellies. Or you sought these places when you felt you were lonelier out there in the world and wanted solace.

There was a claw in my chest, pulling me from going with you, but you seemed to be the good sort. Maybe it was how sure you were as you held your net on one hand, and with another hand still loose on my arm. I hadn’t realized that I was letting you guide me all the way here. My eyes scanned the spot where your fingers curled around my bony wrist. I was fair-skinned compared to your tan. But a childhood under the sun did not hide the subtle scars running along your arm.

They were marks of adventures from growing up here, I knew. My classmates boasted their grazes and scabs as if they were prizes won from scuffling in the playground. Yours must be a daily, natural thing. I have a feeling you will earn more for days and months and years to come. I couldn’t help looking at one particular spot near your neck, though. It looked different from the others.

I was still not moving. You were patient with me. “What are you thinking of?”

“That there may be a giant squid or octopus about to grab us and take us into its lair.”

You chuckled. It was the first time I made someone chuckle. “Ha! I wish. Then nobody would come to bother our waters, and they’ll leave this place alone.” You tugged at my arm. “There’s nothing inside but smooth rocks and more water. You’ll like it. I’ll show you.”

You were the type of boy who smiled more often than frowned, I imagined. When I was younger, my classmates all teased me about being the most sensitive amongst them all; a shy plant drooping at the slightest touch of insult. Our advisor was exasperated every time I hid in the corner and cried. They all pushed me to bear the taunts because that was how I got tougher, they said. I thought that was how I simply survived; to be reduced to a role for all my own childhood and even beyond: a butt for all the sharp, pointed jokes. So maybe that was why I nodded and followed you inside. You led me again and gripped my arm tighter, and I felt my ears drown in the waves as the darkness covered my eyes.

It still felt like we were sliding down the mouth of a beast. I told you as much, and you smiled and squeezed my arm back for reassurance. There was a moist, cool breeze moving past us; salt air collected from the sea.

“To be honest,” you began, voice echoing in the pauses between the waves, “I pulled you from the sea because you looked like you were about to jump in. And you have on a nice clean shirt, too. I'm not sure how easy it is to wash stuff out of that kind of white.” Your practicality tickled me. I smiled in the dark. “But seeing as how you’re shaking now, maybe you wouldn’t have dared after all.” He shrugged. “Still, your face…” and then you trailed off.

“My face?” I caught my breath when our bare feet stepped on soft weeds. I thought it was a tongue sliding between us. My toes gripped them so I wouldn’t slip.

"I kind of get the feeling that I've seen you somewhere before,” you said. We stopped, and I heard steady droplets falling from all around us. You turned towards me, close enough so that I could see the whites of your eyes. “But, you're a new face. And, well, not many people here wear the kind of clothes you’re wearing. Are you from the mainland? Are you from the city? Is that where your home is?"

A simple question that seemed to stump me in the moment. Should I nod yes, that I came from the city since that is where I stayed, even though I didn’t actually belong there? I didn’t call that place my home. We lived in a silent apartment with two bedrooms. My father’s bed is bigger but emptier. I only see Papa for two hours each night and an hour in the morning when he walks me to school.

Should I tell you that I had once lived here? That the trees here witnessed my wailings and tantrums? But that was a memory long gone. I am still trying to remember who my lola is though my heart insists that I already know her. There are notes in the air that I cannot hear; a deaf, distant siren lamenting the sweetness of my lost time with her.

“It’s okay if you won’t tell me. I understand.” Your voice was so calm it moved me. “You won’t have to say a word if you don’t want to. You can think whatever you can think here, and feel whatever you feel.” There was a shy smile on your face. “I’d rather you here than in the sea where the waves can take you.”

Then you jumped again and I thought for a second you would leave me here alone and swim away. But there you were a couple of steps away from me. You dropped your questions as if it was nothing but one of the droplets of water that dispersed in the dark. You did a little twirl and splashed your feet in invisible water. You had dropped the net beside me, and now you were reaching your hand out again and nodding at me to come join you.

Whatever was pulling me back, the friendly pull of your smile was stronger. I shivered when I stepped into the pool of cool water and you laughed at the face I made. It felt like I was intruding on a secret, but you grabbed both of my wrists this time, your thumb on my bone, and led me gently toward the middle of this pool, the water engulfing my feet. I was like a babe trusting his guardian not to let him sink.

“It doesn’t go any deeper,” you reassure me. “You’re safe. Here, we hid a lantern between the rocks over there.” You let go of my arm as you ducked into the dark. For a moment, there were only shadows and outlines, and then the suddenness of light struck my eyes. I squinted to see you holding a lantern in your hand.

There was a flat stone in the middle of this pool. You placed the lantern on top; how you lighted it with matchsticks in this damp place was beyond me.

The light showed the charm of this cave. To some, it would all be simply smooth stones and a wide shallow pool at the center. There were no words to describe why this was your favorite place. I only felt it. The warm glow of the lantern reminded me of stories told under thick, soft blankets. Whispers about a prince off on his journey. But when I saw that the droplets of water came from a high ceiling with rocks reaching down, I thought they looked like teeth about to close in on us.

Our shadows were plastered on a smooth wall. Yours was a giant near the light source, looking down at me. Your shadow made a motion to pat my head. I did laugh a little then, when you said, “There, there.”

You left the lantern on the stone tablet and weaved around the columns of stones to show me how safe it was. I watched you walk around me, and I stilled. I allowed the sounds of distant waves, occasional breeze, and loud water steps to fill my ears.

“This cave will not swallow you,” you said as you approached. You stopped a couple of paces away. “You’re part of this world now. So long as you’re here and don’t make a mess of things, no monsters will come get you.”

“That sounds like a warning from an elder.”

You winked. “Worked for us even now. Some of the older kids don’t disturb shrines or groves here.” Your face changed, suddenly. You sighed. “Wish I could say the same with the greedy bunch throwing dynamites in some parts of the beach here, and those cutting down trees in the mountains. I wish they'd be the ones swallowed by sea monsters.”

Even if there was an edge to your voice, there was still a hint of hope. A touch of jest. I did not know what to do, and I was afraid to ask, so of all the silliest things I could have done, I stepped closer towards you, the water sloshing around your feet. I slowly raised my hand to make the shape of a fish, swimming around freely.

“I saw wings on a fish when I came here. Out there in the sea. They had the sun in their scales. Maybe they wanted to flee from the group you mentioned.” And then I dared to say more because you said that I could say anything I wanted. Words leaped from my tongue faster than I could cage them. “I wish I could be like them. The flying fish. To have gills and scales so that I could go into the quiet depths of the ocean when sometimes the wind is too harsh, and to go deeper into where corals sprout when there are storms. And if I got tired of the sea, or saw that the sun was kind, I would fly whenever and wherever I pleased. And it wouldn’t matter if everyone looked and pointed at me. And I wouldn’t listen if they told me to choose between being a fish or a bird or to stay in the water or be with the wind. I’d simply fly or swim away to my own peace, at my own pace.”

I quickly dropped my hand when your shadow did not move. It had no eyes, but I could feel the weight of its stare. The chill set in and I knew that I’d done something wrong and you would look at me the same way all the others looked at me and I braced myself for when you would push me away and run to get your lantern, leaving me here alone in the pool. I was afraid to look at your face.

“My name is Jiro,” you said as you turned towards me. The light hugged one side of your face as shadows clung to another.

A moment of stunned confusion passed before my weak hands pointed to my chest, where my heart was beating. “Mikha. Short for Mikhael.”

My fears melted away when you clasped my shoulder and told me how nice it was that you spotted me rooted in the sand. It was like my heart caught the rhythm of the waves while floating in this still pool.

I told you that I didn’t talk much, and I didn’t know what to talk about anyway, and by the way your eyes glanced to the side, I could tell that you were unsure to pry me open, brave as you were. So, you embarrassed yourself with stories of your adventures; how you caught a slimy fish that stank your hands for half a day, and how you collected hermit crabs because you thought they were drowning. The steady sounds of both droplets and surf went on as your hands moved with the tempo of your stories, morphing into shapes that wiggled and darted.

You coaxed me just a bit. “They say you can tell most things to a stranger. If anything is bothering you, you can let it out here with me.” You gestured to the cave. “Or you can let it out here. You can talk to your shadow if you want.”

A cave that holds secrets. Back in the city, people vandalized places like these. They mark them as if they were their territory with spray paints. They can’t bear leaving something so empty without so much as marking them with vulgarity.

It did seem easier talking to you. I never got more than a few sentences out to my classmates when we were all new to each other. After they found out I was boring and labeled me as the weird harmless alien, I didn’t feel the need to talk at all. A fitting label: ALIEN. They were speaking in a language I did not understand, talking about things in the world I had no interest in or knowledge about. They talked about cars and watches and cartoons, these kids who have whiter, cleaner clothes than I could ever wear, washed by maids or old distant aunts.

I have never encountered anyone like you who takes someone to their favorite spot on a whim. If only there were ten of you in our school, then it would be a brighter place.

I opened my mouth, and I told you about the games I liked and the books I read. I told you I liked ube ice cream the most and that I would like to learn how to swim, too.

Our stories filled the empty cave. Our chuckles mingled. It was like your favorite place was welcoming me too when I heard my voice bounce off its walls. Maybe I would hear myself when I come back here. Once or twice our hands collided as snippets of our different lives played out through shadow.

It was easy with you. There was a naturalness to it, how my words connected with yours, like a tail of a kite or two rivers joining, or like thread tied to thread.

Then you hopped behind me and our shadows on the wall merged. You told me to stay still as your hands waved behind me, conjuring a person with wings, then with tails, then with four arms that flexed and two heads that laughed.

When we looked at each other, that was when I pulled away. Because just as I was about to be familiar with the ease of your smile and the calm way you guided me... just as I was about to return your smile with my own under the lantern’s soft glare, the shadow from half your face reached towards me, and it threatened to erase all of your features if I didn’t step away at that moment and leave you alone.

It said that this moment was pleasant, but it will never be mine. After the exchanging of stories, there will be no new ones together. You will be gone and I will be alone once more. You will go back to your adventures hunting crabs and fish. The tenderness of the sea will hold you and I do not know what will happen to me. You will dive where I cannot reach you, just like my mother has done to us.

We are strangers, as you said. Your kindness may be true tonight, but will it remain so when the daylight reveals me for who I truly am? The night has some mystery in bringing people together, I’ve heard it said. What would happen if that spell broke and all you would see under the sun’s glare was a weird alien crawling from the deep?

My mouth shut like a clam disturbed and I felt the pool pulling my legs to the bottom where I could not resurface.

You called my name. I did not turn around. The waves were in my ears again. I saw bubbles escaping through my nose and mouth. I needed to breathe. You twisted my shoulders so that I faced you. I told you that I thought I was drowning. You told me I was fine. I looked at the steady brown of your eyes.

“I don’t want to be alone,” I said, and in shame, I turned away. I wanted to bury my head between the rocks.

“You’re not alone. You have me here. This whole place is beautiful, you can count on almost anyone to help you if you’ll allow them.”

You held my gaze. I let you help me up. The droplets falling from the ceiling returned. The pool was shallow.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

You shook your head. You looked thoughtful. “You looked like how I was when I first started swimming. I was so scared of the sea before, which sucks when your whole life is near the beach. So, people started teaching me how to befriend the waves.”

“You were afraid?” My voice was again small.

“At the start, sure I was. I mean, even now I wouldn't test the waters at night.” You shrugged and showed your hands. “But how will you learn if you don’t at least try to face your fears? It’s either that or be afraid of the waters forever and sink.”

“And now look at you. You’re practically made for the sea,” I said.

You chuckled. “I think that nobody’s made to be anything. I think we have to try and discover what we like and keep doing what makes us good people. That’s what Nanay Gloria says, anyway.”

I was about to smile at your words when you mentioned the name. It couldn’t be... there were many Nanay Glorias everywhere, it’s a common enough name for their generation.

“You don’t mean—?” I began to say before you cut me off.

“You’ll love her. Everyone in the community does. She’s actually waiting for her grandson today. Could not shut up about him for a week. Wish I could have met him today.”

I blinked. “You just did.”

I didn’t think you could get any livelier, but something about what I said pulled all your limbs up as if a string drew you upwards. Your eyes lit up and you raised your arms, about to spill another story. I was laughing, eager to listen to what you have to say. Maybe I could remember my lola better through you. But footsteps from outside closed your mouth. We turned towards the opening of the cave.

Papa emerged from the darkness and saw us. Your arms were still reaching towards the cavern ceiling. I was slumped against a boulder, my feet circling in the pool. We all looked at each other, surprised, friendly, confused.

“Uh, hello,” my father began. He’s been looking for me, everywhere. I did not realize that time had passed inside these walls.

I stood. “Papa, this is Jiro.”

On the way back, we told each other what happened, retracing our steps in the sand. Papa told me it was good sense that we walked where the waves didn’t wash up our footprints.

Lola was looking over the beach. She waved at all of us; her frown disappeared as soon as she saw you with me. She embraced you like she did me. You hugged her back as if you were lying down in a patch of soft meadow grass. You looked more like her grandson than I did, all smiles and warmth.

“Good,” Lola said as she looked down at both of us. “You sure know how to pick your friends. Jiro is a good kid.” You beamed. Then lola brought her hands to her hips and added, “But this one hasn’t been visiting me as lately.”

You raised your hands up. “The fish are biting, Nanay! And you’re busy too with the festival of flowers.”

I felt my father’s hand on one shoulder, and Lola’s on another. Yours was there just a while ago. We were about to go home and you were standing still, the waves rolling behind you. We looked at each other, beamed, and shyly you trailed your foot across the sand. I waved at you, and you waved back. As we headed towards the home I do not remember, I thought you told the wind to whisper in my ear: come back tomorrow. I must have imagined it. I would like to, though.

Tomorrow, maybe. Then maybe the rest of the days while this alien skin of mine roams this island.

#lgbtqia #gay romance #boy meets boy #friends to lovers #philippines #childhood friends

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evansgreve71 · 7 months

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Who's The Most Renowned Expert On Glass Replacement Near Me?

Misted Double Glazing Repairs Near Me If you wish to have your home's energy efficiency to be as efficient as possible, it's important to find misted double glazing repair services close to you. The right glass and window frames can not only provide superior insulation, but also help reduce condensation and warm your home. This will also help lower your monthly heating costs. Fixing condensation Having condensation on misted double glass is a typical issue. Condensation on misty double glazing can cause a glaring problem and may affect the quality of the view through the window. It can also impact the insulation properties of windows. In the winter months condensation can be an issue. It can lead to dampness and the growth of mould. Window condensation can be difficult to fix. In some cases it's as simple as renewing the seal on the window. However, this doesn't solve the issue. The best option is to replace the entire window. If the mist originates from the inside of the glass, then you'll have to identify the source of the moisture. A small crack or leak in the glass could cause condensation. You can eliminate the water droplets by using a hairdryer. You should be careful when using the hairdryer to avoid damaging seals. A dehumidifier can be a fantastic solution to misty windows. A dehumidifier can help to control humidity and stop condensation from developing. An extractor fan is another option to keep your home dry. It is also a good idea to use it when cooking. You should also keep your windows open to allow continuous airflow. It is possible to hire professionals if you're not confident in the job. Alternatively, you can buy repair kits from your local hardware store. These kits come with holes that you can drill into the glass. They're not suitable for extreme misting, but they do occasionally remove small amounts of water. The price of these kits is contingent upon the type of window frame you have. Replacing seals Contrary to what many people think, replacing seals on misted double-glazing repairs isn't very difficult. double glazing near me will require specific tools and equipment. You should also know how to identify the kind of condensation. There are many reasons why windows might mist. Failure of the seal is one of the most common causes. Failure of seals can cause condensation between the panes. It is recommended to do this immediately. The issue could be costly to repair, so seek help from a professional. Typically, window suppliers will be able to recommend the best course of action. First, you must remove the old seal. Then, break the glass panes. Then, clean the panes. Be careful not to break the seals. Kits can be purchased to make this process easier. Repairing a misted window can be high. It is possible to replace your windows. While this may be more costly it will provide clear views. The type of seal that you own can impact its lifespan. Certain seals fail immediately and others may begin to decline gradually. You should consult an expert to determine whether your seal is in need of replacement. There are companies that specialize on misted window repairs. They use specialized equipment to assess the quality of the seal. They will then compare your seal to samples, so you can select the most suitable option. A high-quality seal will help to stop drafts and draughts. This will help you lower your heating costs. It will also increase the energy efficiency of your home. It is recommended that you upgrade your windows to energy efficient models if you are looking to replace them. They can be up to 50% more efficient than older single-pane windows. Repairing a void in the middle It can be a hassle to have windows that look misty. It can also make your home look unattractive. But, there are solutions to resolve this issue. The first step is to identify the issue. This will help you decide the best course of action. The windows you have and the location of your house will determine the most efficient and effective method. For example, it may be more cost-effective to fix your windows that have become damaged rather than replace them all. There are other ways to avoid a problem that you can't solve. Clearing the condensation is the most effective method to deal with it. You'll require hairdryers to get rid of water between the panes. Be sure to keep the temperature low and to keep the seals from being damaged. This issue can be resolved scientifically with the help of a drying agent. It is pumped into the top of the glass panel. This will help prevent the condensation as well as improve your energy efficiency. A good way to identify the most effective solution for your situation is to speak to an experienced window company. They can recommend the most cost-effective solution for your home. They can also provide a warranty on replacement glass units. You may also want to check the manufacturer's specifications for the possibility of being able to replace the beading strips yourself. Utilizing a moon knife or thin, stiff blade, you can remove the beading without having resort to a drill and a hacksaw. This is much easier with a little hand pressure. Repairing a difficult-to-open windows or door Fortunately fixing a difficult to open window or door with misty double glazing isn't as complicated as it might seem. It is essential to determine the cause of the problem so that you can fix it. The most effective way to resolve the issue is to reach out to the company that provided you with the window. They will be able to tell you what to do. A window that appears to be misty is usually a sign that the window is not functioning properly. It can be caused by many different causes. A damaged glass panel could be the main cause of condensation as it may let moisture into the gap between the panes. Extreme temperatures can also cause the frame to expand or shrink. Modifying the gasket seals of the window frame is a way to solve the problem. The seals keep moisture from getting into the cavity. However, the seals may be worn out over time and should be replaced. If the gasket seals have failed You can have them replaced by a professional. This is a less expensive alternative to replacing the entire window. Depending on the size of your window, the price can be anywhere from $175-$650. Alternatively, you can put up a window board for temporary solutions. If the window is not opening, you may need to replace the sash. The replacement sash is installed into the window. It should be simple for you to slide it up and lock it securely. To maintain a low level of humidity it is also possible to use a humidifier. This will prevent moisture droplets turning to condensation. To dry the glass you can use a sock attached to a wire. This is most effective with clean glass. Avoiding rotting frames You must ensure that you do the job right regardless of whether you are performing double glazing repairs or replacing a damaged frame. If you're not sure of what you're doing then you might want to contact a professional. There are a myriad of ways to treat framing that is rotting. However, some methods work better than others. It is all dependent on your budget and the level of your expertise and your expectations.

You can remove rotten wood by chiseling, plane, or with power tools. A wood moisture measurement device can be used determine the moisture content of your wood. If the moisture content is higher than 20% the wood is at risk of dry rot. This can lead to warping and cracking. If you've had misted double glazing repairs, you will probably require drilling through the unit to draw the moisture out. To loosen the putty, you may also use a heating gun. After drilling the hole, insert the plug. This plug may be replaced every six months. You could also consider a dehumidifier for condensation reduction. It's a good idea look for pests or fungi. These could pose a danger to your health, and to the structural quality of your home. If you're experiencing major problems with your double-glazing it is a good idea to contact the company from which you purchased it. Many warranties cover hardware repairs for the first five years. However, you'll need to follow up in writing. You can find double glazing repair stories online and on the internet. It's a good idea window frames to be painted after they are damaged. The paint shields the wood from the elements and can stop rot from developing. It is also important to keep the moisture content of the wood to a minimum at 9 to 14 percent.

#window repair near me #double glazing repairs near me #double glazing near me #window repairs near me #upvc window repairs near me

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gobboguy · 7 months

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Chapter 33: In the Shadow of the Orc Queen

As the night wore on, the raucous celebration of Orcish victory slowly began to wind down. Orcs paired off, their primal urges leading them to engage in passionate lovemaking right there in the dining hall, their lustful moans and grunts filling the air, ensuring the future of their race in the most direct way possible. Many others, overcome by the heavy indulgence of the feast, had passed out in various corners, their snores adding a bass note to the cacophony of the aftermath. Their dreams were likely filled with visions of future conquests and triumphs.

In the early hours of the morning, as the first light of dawn began to pierce through the stained windows of the castle, Ionia, her body still slick with filth, called the celebration to a close. Her gaze, however, remained fixed on Roderick, who was now visibly drained and utterly exhausted. With a commanding tone, she demanded that he meet her in her room, the very room that was once his royal quarters.

Ionia's eyes narrowed with authority as she barked her command at Roderick, her voice carrying the weight of her newfound power. "You, Roderick, enter your former quarters. I have matters to discuss with you, and I won't be kept waiting."

Roderick, weary and defeated, dared not argue. He nodded, his shoulders slumped in resignation. "As you wish, Queen Ionia," he muttered, unable to meet her gaze. With a heavy heart, he turned and made his way towards the room that had once been his sanctuary, now a chamber of impending dread under the rule of the Orcish queen.

Roderick, his fear palpable, could only nod in compliance, dreading the humiliations and torments that awaited him behind the closed doors.

Roderick's heart sank as he stepped into his former quarters, now reduced to a disheveled mess. The once grand room, adorned with regal tapestries and elegant furnishings, was now a crude reflection of Orcish habitation. Coarse fabrics replaced the luxurious bedding, and the air was heavy with the potent blend of Orcish perfume and the acrid scent of bloodgrog.

He waited in anticipation, his eyes skirting the sight of his belongings carelessly strewn in the hallway. When Ionia finally entered, her appearance shocked him. Her eyes were glazed with drunkenness, and her belly bulged from the copious consumption of food and drink. Despite her disheveled state, her demeanor exuded a strange confidence, a stark contrast to the refined queen she had once been.

With an unsteady hand, she motioned for him to wait. She stumbled into the adjoining bathroom, the sound of running water echoing through the room. After a moment, she summoned him. She lay there, immersed in clear water, submerged in a bath while her naked form unabashedly on display. Water droplets clung to her skin, highlighting the contours of her corpulent body. Roderick tried his best not to look but she flaunted her nudity without a hint of shame or embarrassment

"Come closer," she demanded, one leg lifted out of the water. "Sharpen my nails. A queen must have sharp claws to rule." Roderick hesitated, his gaze momentarily captured by the sight of her, before he reluctantly picked up a file and began to sharpen the pointed, obsidian nails of her foot. To the Orcs, the act of sharpening a superior's nails was sign of abject submission.

Ionia's voice, raw and gravelly, cut through the air, its Orcish lilt sending shivers down Roderick's spine. The room seemed to constrict around them, emphasizing the stark reality of his fallen status. "In the new Farfield, you have a role, Roderick," she proclaimed, her tone devoid of any mercy. "You'll serve as my Master of the Treasury. A fitting position for an ex-king, don't you think?"

Roderick's pleas fell on deaf ears, his words dissipating in the cold, damp air of the chamber. He saw desperation reflected in his own eyes as he begged Ionia to reconsider, to remember the love they had shared, the life they had built. But her eyes, once warm and affectionate, were now glazed over with a fanatical determination.

"Ionia, please!" he implored, his voice cracking with emotion. "The Orcs have clouded your judgment. This is not you! Remember who you used to be, my cousin."

Ionia's response was a snort of contempt, a sound that reverberated in the room, emphasizing her disdain. Her naked form glistened under the soft glow of candlelight as she unabashedly flaunted her corpulence in the bath, her heavy breasts buoyant in the water.

"The weakness of humans is evident, Roderick," she retorted, her voice dripping with scorn. "But the strength of the Orcs… that's what I've embraced. Farfield will no longer cower under the rule of human frailty. We will be a kingdom like no other, under the dominance of the Orcs, and I will lead them to unparalleled glory."

As Roderick dutifully filed her other obsidian nails, the silence in the room felt oppressive. The weight of her words hung in the air, suffocating any hope he had left. With a dismissive wave, she signaled his departure, her eyes promising an ominous fate for Farfield. "Leave now," she commanded, her voice echoing with finality. "Tomorrow afternoon, the fate of Farfield will be decided permanently." Reluctantly, Roderick left the room, the heaviness of impending doom settling like a leaden cloak upon his shoulders, leaving him to contemplate the nightmare that Farfield had become.

#fantasy #goblins #orcs #literature #gobboguy #SongsofPower4

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airoxitube · 9 months

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AirOxi® Spider – a versatile aeration device for shrimp farming

Shrimp farming is a very complex aquaculture system. The common shrimps farmed in India are:

Pacific white shrimp (L vannamei or P vannamei)

Giant tiger prawn (P. monodon)

Shrimps respond immediately to changes in dissolved oxygen levels

Although shrimps are scavengers and will eat almost anything, the farmed species are very sensitive to environment factors and micro- organisms. They are very susceptible to viral and bacterial infection, unlike the native fish which are a lot more resistant and hence easier to manage in a farm environment.

Even within the 2 major species farmed in India, L Vannamei is the more common species and they are very susceptible to the smallest changes in the environment like temperature, salinity, pH, stocking density, dissolved oxygen ammonia, salinity, etc.

Like all aquatic animals, the dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in the water have the highest impact on survival, immunity and growth of shrimps. Their entire metabolism changes in the presence of sufficient DO.

All other parameters remaining same, when proper dissolved is made available, feeding becomes better and faster. In shrimp farms, the difference in feeding time has been observed to reduce from 45 minutes to 10 minutes for the same amount of feed. This shows a huge difference in the health and growth of the shrimps.

Types of aeration for shrimp culture

There are many ways to provide aeration in an aquaculture farm. But the basic principle is the same – mix air and water together and this will dissolve some oxygen in the water.

take in air or oxygen and pass it through.

The paddle wheel aerators do it by splashing water in the air and this causes the droplets to dissolves some oxygen in the droplets as the come down. However these drops of water are very large and the surface area available is very less so the volume of oxygen that dissolves is very less

Submersible aerators like jet aerators are the other way to aerate shrimp and fish ponds. These suck in air from the atmosphere and pass it at high speed just below the surface of the water. The AirOXi® Squid and AirOxi® Scorpion are examples of this. These are better than paddle wheel aerators but still the velocity of air is so fast that the time available for oxygen to dissolve in the water

To get a proper exchange of air with water, and hence proper dissolution of oxygen, there are 3 things that are needed

Slow speed of air in water to increase time of air in the water

Small bubbles to increase surface area available for dissolution

Long distance of travel by the bubbles in the water so time available is longer

Aeration tubes are designed so that the bubble size is small and some special aeration tubes are designed so that pressure is low and the tubes work well with both, root blower and ring blower. The aeration tubes like AirOxi® are also designed so that they reduce the pressure and velocity of air coming from the blower, and so the bubbles rise up at a slow speed.

And finally to ensure that the distance is long enough to dissolve more oxygen, the aeration tubes must be installed near the bottom of the pond, ideally not more than 15 inches above the pond bottom.

The AirOxi® Spider is a ready to use self sinking aeration device that is only 5 inches high and is very easy to assemble and use. It has one inlet of 0.5 inch and 6 outlets of 0.5 inch

These outlets are designed so that the high velocity and high pressure of air from the blower is divided properly and reduces the speed of bubbles in the water, and also breaks them into smaller very fine bubbles.

All these 3 conditions for good aeration in shrimp aquaculture ponds are met when one uses the AirOxi® Spider. However if any shrimp farmer wishes to change the height of the AirOxi® Spider, the lid is reversible and that will add another 2 inches to the height. More height can be added by tying the box of the spider with concrete blocks.

The box is hollow and weight can be put in it as per the water depth and buoyancy.

However if any farm requires customized height adjustment, then they can use just the 6 way of the self sinking aeration device and use any wooden stick to attach the tubes to this 6 way connector

AirOxi® spider is very versatile

Any type and size of aeration tube with inside hole of 0.5 inch / 16 mm can be attached to it

The length of aeration tube that can be used with it can be changed from 1 mtr to 3 mtrs

The weight that is filled inside the empty Spider box can be changed as required

The height at which the aeration tubes are releasing air can be changed as needed

The pressure and velocity of air can be changed as required – slow air for high aeration, and fast air for high movement of water

This self sinking aeration device can be installed in any type of pond – nursery, growout, biofloc / BFT or RAS

It can be installed in any type of water body – mud bottom pond, PE lined, Cement tanks, HDPE tanks, Fibre tanks.

The AirOxi ® Spider will work with any blower – Diaphragm Air Pump, Ring blower, Two stage ring blower or Root blower

This versatility, ease of use and ease of assembly makes AirOXi (R) Spider one of the best aeration devices available for aquaculture today.

You can visit the manufacturers website for more inforamtion and even buy it directly from their website

AirOxi is a registered trademark

To know more call us at:

+91 – 9652122060

Email: [email protected]

[email protected]

www.buy.airoxi.com

#fish farming #shrimp farming #airoxi #fish #aeration solution #airoxi tube #aquaculture #airoxitube #aeration tubes

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princelandscape · 1 year

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Roof-Top Gardens: The Avant-Garde Gardening Method in Singapore

As Singapore developed itself into an ultra-high-tech global financial hub, agriculture and farming practices took a back seat. With innovative new ways of farming like drip irrigation and rooftop garden, Singapore can now hope to survive the test of time. Today, with the abundance of high-rise buildings, Singapore has less than one percent of tillable land. In a land-starved region like Singapore, even the climate brings some challenges to food production.

Singapore, located near the equator, has a hot and humid climate with frequent rains and rising sea levels all year. As such, gardening and food production is under great stress. But the growing popularity of rooftop gardens in recent times has been a big blessing to Singaporeans. New irrigation methods, such as drip irrigation, are also popular today.

The New Culture of Roof-Top Gardens

The urban culture and day-to-day city life can be really stressful. As such, a short stroll on the terrace of a high-rise will not only be healthful, but it will also bring peace and delight to citizens. The government of Singapore has realized the importance of cultivating rooftops. Today, more than 90 percent of high-rise buildings have resorted to rooftop gardening. The rooftops of the skyscraper shopping malls in Singapore are covered with sprawling and colorful gardens with rosemary, eggplants, papayas, bananas, etc. This is simply stupendous and awe-inspiring.

Importance Of Roof-Top Gardens

Rooftop gardens provide numerous advantages to citizens. They are not just beautiful to the eyes; they bring many more benefits to city dwellers.

A rooftop garden in Singapore offers several advantages beyond aesthetics. Temperature control, architectural improvement, raising environmental and ecological awareness, supplying habitats and food for local species, and enhancing hydrological efficiency are all typical goals of rooftop gardens. Buildings with rooftop gardens have the ability to increase in value since they offer several advantages while requiring little upkeep. The structure's cooling burden is reduced, the building facade is shielded from damaging elements, and acoustic insulation is provided, among other advantages. Rooftop gardens are an effective strategy for reducing the carbon footprint.

Green roofs provide various benefits. They help to manage storm-water since the substrates can store water, reducing the "Urban Heat Island" effect, which is a major issue in cities, and creating more public spaces for enjoyment.

Rooftop gardens in particular, as communal spaces, generate a special sense of community. They serve as a venue to promote interpersonal as well as human-nature connections.

Singapore: Among the Greenest World-Cities

Singapore is one of the top nations in the world-famous for designing exquisite rooftop gardens. It is known as "the City in a Garden" and is regarded as one of the greenest cities in the world. This is astounding as Singapore is an Island city with little space for gardening or farming. Yet the sheer innovative genius of Singaporeans has enabled technologically advanced solutions to make beauteous gardens a living reality and sensation.

In order to maintain the greenery in the tough weather conditions of Singapore, micro-irrigation methods like drip irrigation are becoming increasingly popular. The drip system makes it possible to slowly release water in droplets, giving plants the proper amount of moisture.

Even though the rooftops are a little expensive to install, in the long run, however, green roofs are more cost-effective since they can lower building energy use and increase roof longevity. So, if you wish to go for exquisite and well-planned rooftop gardens in Singapore, a veteran landscaping and gardening solutions company like Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd will be a great choice.

Blog Source: https://landscapecontractorsingapore.wordpress.com/2023/01/02/roof-top-gardens-the-avant-garde-gardening-method-in-singapore/

#green roof maintenance #rooftop garden singapore #green roof

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ausp-ice · 2 years

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"You must look—with your eyes wide open." Owner: Me TH Profile Name: Lucin Idea: Lucidity Gender: None Pronouns: they/any Masterlist: #235 Edeia Website | Edeia Discord | Personal Website

Lucin is an individual that values experiencing things, particularly experiencing things with full lucidity. They dislike anything that clouds awareness or judgement, anything that impairs the mind, whether the cause is internal or external, mundane or magical, whether it is in regards to themself or others.

They feel strong enough about the matter that they will often remove the effects of "willing impairment," such as drugs and alcohol. This has led to them gaining the ire of others at times, but they simply chitter and vanish.

Their personality is not necessarily energetic, nor is it lethargic. It is simply very aware and very present. They seem neither relaxed nor excitable, externally—they do feel these emotions, but they are simply aware of every emotion they feel and only act as they wish.

Abilities High Definition: This can apply to themself and others. When active, this ability results in heightened awareness and crisp clarity in all your senses: sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste. Time may seem to slow for some. You can focus on precise details or broaden your awareness to everything around you. As the ability improves your processing capabilities as well, so you will not experience sensory overload while under its effects.

Clarity: They can remove the influence of anything that negatively affects an individual's sensibilities. This can include physical substances such as alcohol, drugs, and poison, as well as mental effects such as denial, hypnosis, gaslighting, etc. They can temporarily reduce the effects of a depressive episode, mania, and similar states of mental disorder. They can remove or shield themself and others from the influence of magic that manipulates an individual's emotions, opinions, awareness, etc. as well. Those under these effects tend to feel very clear-headed and undisturbed.

Understanding: This can allow Lucin or anyone under the effect of the ability to clearly understand what another individual is intending to communicate, as well as improve their own ability to communicate things clearly.

Restoration: Lucin can call forth a memory, no matter how old or faded, and restore it to high definition. They can reverse this if desired as well, and the effects are not permanent. Related, they can replay a memory, allowing themself and/or the individual in question re-experience the memory, whether in first or third person or switching between those states.

Abstraction Lucin's Abstraction is a world that feels as though it is a collection of slow-motion macro shots of light and water. There is a lake that reflects the bright sky, and each step scatters droplets that sparkle in the sunlight-like rays and drift as if in slow motion. Every detail is starkly clear. There are plants, largely gray-blue, scattered with dew. Pounding on the surface of the lake can shatter it, making glassy fragments float in the air alongside the water droplets. You fall through the surface into a place that echoes your memories. Reach out to one, and it will be replayed in lucid detail.

History Lucin was once a chimera from a different dimension, a creature made from the alchemization of an owl, a lobster, some other parts of living creatures, inorganic substances, and materials with mysterious properties.

They woke with intelligence but not knowledge. The one who made them was a human alchemist who wished to understand the secrets behind the universe, and for a time, the chimera listened to all that the alchemist said. They were called Noru then.

They listened, and they watched the alchemist become lost in obsession, creating more devices, materials, creatures… curiously, Noru was one of the few who stayed willingly.

One day, the alchemist opened a breach in reality, but they fell to the floor immediately after, unconscious. Creatures were escaping through dimensional crack floating in the air, but Noru hesitated. They investigated the alchemist and could not determine whether they were alive or dead. Then, with a resounding crack, everything went white.

Unbeknownst to them, all in range of the dimensional "explosion"—everyone in the lab—was scattered to countless different realities. Noru woke in the world of Ideation in the Ancient Ages, and began to wander.

They became a sort of legendary beast in the areas they wandered. They watched, observed, taking in every detail of this new world. Years passed, and then they started to develop strange magic—their Idea, but they were not aware of it.

Then, the Age of Secrecy came. They met an Edeia who explained the situation to them prior to the Convergence of Secrecy, though they did not wish to hide in a Sanctuary. They wanted to experience the world. They accepted Secrecy but refused the contract, thus wandering the world while attempting to remain hidden. They were spotted a few times, leading to some myths/legends of them, leading to Resolve confronting them and asking them to go to a Sanctuary.

They didn't want to, so they ran. It was rather fruitless since Resolve could jump to their location, but then they toppled off a cliff and fell into a lake. As they sank, watching the rippling light above them, they thought: I don't want to hide. I want to see the world with open eyes.

There was a feeling like a door opened to them, and they embraced it. In a bright flash of light, they Actualized, bursting out of the water.

Resolve watched, arms folded behind their back. "I suppose that makes things more convenient. You would certainly be able to hide yourself better as an energy being."

"Did you plan this?" they asked. "Did you know?"

"I supposed, and I was right."

Lucin—as they chose their name later—was let loose by Resolve after they finally agreed to the contract. Being able to make themself invisible and intangible did indeed make their explorations easier, and they wandered unseen among humanity, further tuning their Idea as their experiences shaped their interpretations. As they understood their magic more and more, they began to share what could be considered blessings of lucidity and clarity to those they felt could use it.

During this time, they met Muted Crown, and the two became fast friends. They did not spend all their time together, but often gladly "collaborated" to free minds and wills from anything that held them back. After Muted was exiled to Sanctuaries, Lucin would sometimes visit. They were one that Muted spoke to before they embraced their new identity as Crown.

When the Age of Reunion began, they were happy to exist more freely. Free of the bounds of Secrecy, they would often assist individuals in need of lucidity, or sometimes even give it to those who were not looking for it.

#creature #my species #original species #art #my art #queue #procreate #edeia #spirit

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lokiskitten · 3 years

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Request for @cara-serpens !!

“Loki is tortured, really badly tortured. He may be freed from the avengers and female reader ( which he knows well as she was always friendly to him ) but nobody really cares about his condition. It’s not just injuries and pain, but also pure fear as soon as someone approaches him. Will female readers succeed in making Loki feel safe? Can she take care of his wounds on the body and in the soul and give him a feeling of secureness and comfort? How would he react?”

Loki Laufeyson | gruesome torture

Loki Laufeyson x fem!reader

plot : after finding out that the Avengers have been secretly torturing Loki instead of sending him back to Asgard, you step forward and offer him your help in hopes that he will be able to recover.

warnings : dark!avengers, mention of physical torture, electrocution, mention of open wounds.

Screams of pain echoed through the underground levels of the Avengers’ compound, fuzzy sounds accompanying the groans and whines as you stepped forward through the hallway. You had been originally tasked to check up on the building’s batteries, the box being located a few floors bellow earth- but after hearing such noises you couldn’t help but grow curious but concerned regarding who could’ve been making such sounds. Following the screams, your feet were soon to lead you until a closed door against which you pressed your ear in order to receive confirmation regarding your doubts and chosen path. The screams had to come from the inside of this closed area. Without hesitation, your hand pushed against the metallic door and allowed it to open, shock filling your organism upon stumbling onto such a horrific sight.

None but the Asgardian god of mischief who was known as Loki appeared to be tied down against a metallic table, wrists and ankles restrained by leather straps which held hip back from escaping this gruesome situation. He was receiving electric shocks coming straight from a device locked against his scalp, which had easily led his hair to get messy. However, other form of bruises appeared to cover the rest of his naked body, whether they were sealed or open wounds. By the table’s side stood Tony- visibly enjoying to provide his enemy with pain though it was none but Banner who controlled the entire torture device. Whilst Stark simply wished to see pain and fear reflect in Loki’s eyes, Banner stood there in an uncomfortable manner. You could tell Tony had probably forcefully dragged him into this mess.

You were soon to understand that your leader had lied to all of you- claiming that they had lost Loki through the battle only to be able to sneak him down here in order to make his own justice. But this simply didn’t work out for you. Banner was the first one to notice your presence, though you had to speak up in order to catch Tony’s attention. “What are you doing?” You asked, watching as Iron Man’s head lifted to make eye contact with you. He knew that now was too late to back away, and that his prideful self would have to admit what he was doing without speaking a single lie to you if he wanted to maintain his reputation. “Just giving him a taste of his own medicine.” Tony answered arrogantly, easily leading you to drift off to the doctor in hopes to make this whole thing stop. You were aware that there was no way in hell you would’ve been able to make Tony change his mind.

“Stop this.” You ordered, earning a rather uncomfortable eye contact with Bruce who then looked towards his superior as if he was physically asking him if he was allowed to obey your order. “Banner- if you do this-..” Tony began, only to end up being cut off by your determined self. “Bruce. Whatever he told you, this is not the right way.” You spoke empathetically. Thankfully, your strategy adding up to the doctor’s natural empathy ended up leading the man to stop the electricity from nourishing the machine by pressing on a simple button, both of you earning a head shake from the Avenger standing by the table. “Jesus Christ-“ Tony cursed, feet beginning to lead him towards the controllers though you were soon to stand in his way in order to stop him.

“Does Thor know about this?” You asked, hoping that reminding Tony that Loki’s brother was one of yours would make him change his mind for good. Unfortunately for you, it was rare for Iron Man to ever fear much as his huge ego held him back from doing so. “There’s a lot of things Thor doesn’t know.” Joked the man, rudely underlining the fact that he believed Thor to be a muscular idiot whilst still trying to get past you. But your tough self refused to move, which ended up leading the older man to groan in annoyance. “Fine. Two hours break for him. I wouldn’t want to skip my lunch.” Tony spoke before making his way out of the secret torture room alongside Bruce who appeared to be in pure distress. The doors closed and locked behind you, trapping you in here with poor Loki who was still attempting to recover from this tough step.

He was panting, his chest rising and dropping at quite an incredible rate. You could tell that the demigod was exhausted, and even if he had wrecked havoc around New York, you couldn’t help but feel bad for him. Carefully nearing the table, you watched as droplets of sweat ran down his bare skin- which you soon understood was water that Tony had sprayed around after removing his armor to make sure the electricity would properly pass through his body. His ankles were the first thing you freed, remaining cautious regarding his usually agressive persona. You didn’t want to risk having him put his anger out on you. “I’m gonna free your wrists now, okay? Remember, I’m doing this to help you.” You informed before undoing the upper leather straps.

Unlike what you would’ve expected, Loki’s body simply rolled to the side before falling to the floor and nearly crushing your feet- which he would have if you hadn’t backed away after freeing him. He appeared lifeless, though you could clearly tell that he was breathing due to the weak movements of his back. The poor man simply didn’t have the strength to use his powers nor move any longer- and god knew for how many hours Tony had probably left him here, through pain and torture. You were soon to assume that Loki was probably cold, his wet and bare skin being an awful duo when it came to warmth. “I’ll fetch something to warm you up.” You informed before moving away from his body, walking around the room and seeking for a blanket or other piece of clothing to offer him.

Meanwhile, the demigod found the strength to turn around and look up at your back, surprised that a human such as you who on top of that was part of the avengers would agree to help him. Groaning out of pain as he sat up on his elbows, the raven haired man carried on following each of your steps to make sure you wouldn’t attack him by surprise. Thankfully, you were soon to lay your hands on a blanket, body turning around as you approached Loki’s injured self. However, the demigod surprisingly began to place his hand before his body and lower his head- probably out of fear that you were meant to hurt him again. Besides, humiliation stole away his envy of being touched by anyone at the moment. “Pl- please.. I learned my lesson.. I can’t take anymore of it...” he admitted breathlessly, earning a sigh from you.

“I’m not here to hurt you, Loki. Even if I admit you’d deserve a good beating for wrecking havoc in this city.” You answered, his blue eyes peeking up at you in a shy manner. “It’s just a blanket. See?” You added, raising the large piece of fabric above your chest to make sure he would be able to see it properly. After waiting for a couple of seconds, Loki ended up nodding weakly, visibly agreeing to receive the blanket he was in desperate need of. “Sit up.” You asked him, just in aim to be able to wrap the clothing around his back and keep him warm. However, when the male found himself sitting up on his bum, you couldn’t help but notice the wide scars which adorned his back. They appeared healed. “Is that from Tony?.. they look old-“ You began, only to be stopped by the demigod himself.

“I don’t wanna talk about it.” He responded as his hand rudely took ahold of the blanket, and all of that whilst avoiding eye contact with you. You sighed. “Fine. But looks like I’m trapped in here with you for now.. So the best we can do is remain polite.” You responded wisely before sitting down beside him as Loki wrapped the thick material around his body. It wasn’t the first time you had encountered the demigod, and you had felt surprised to see that he had stolen the Tesseract and attempted to reduce New York to dust. It just didn’t look like something he’d do. Unfortunately, your alliance with the avengers had always held you back from getting to know him better. You two made eye contact for a brief second which allowed you to notice the open wounds on his face and chest- the only part of his body which remained uncovered.

“Will you allow me to get a closer look at those? They might get infected..” you asked, tone lowering just so slightly as you remembered the way his healed scars looked. They didn’t appear as if anyone had taken care of them, which had resulted in a rather healed for sure but bumpy texture. Face to Loki’s lack of response, you decided to take the decision by yourself. Getting up from where you had been sitting, you made your way until the pharmacy cupboard which was part of Bruce’s small handmade lab. You managed to lay your hands on everything you needed- bandaids, alcohol, coton...- which now allowed you to make your way back to Loki. The raven haired man remained suspicious, looking up at you with squinted eyes and following every single one of your steps.

Upon sitting on your knees beside him, you could sense Loki attempting to move further away from you in the most discreet manner- a detail you didn’t bother to speak up about. You could understand he felt afraid and uncertain, but you were willing to prove to him that you meant ho harm or whatsoever. “Just a little bit of alcohol on a piece of coton will do just right.” You explained through your steps, keeping Loki informed of every move just like doctors did with young children. “It might sting a little, but I assume a tough guy like you went through worst, Mmh?” You joked before your hand gently started to approach Loki’s face, the man’s head backing away as you tried to reach his skin. It annoyed you.

“I’m afraid you’re gonna have to make efforts too, because otherwise we’re still gonna be here when Tony would have finished his lunch.” You explained, underlining that him constantly backing away could lead this cleaning process to take hours. After hearing this sentence, Loki’s head finally ceased to move away though his blue eyes remained on you- orbs shooting daggers and body getting ready to intervene if you ever attempted to backstab him and bring him harm. “Breath in.” You asked empathetically before allowing the alcohol coated coton to gently collide with the bruise on his nose. The poor boy winced loudly, his entire body tensing up as your arm went motionless. “I’m sorry.” You spoke, leading Loki’s eyelids to open.

“Sorry?..” he asked whilst making eye contact with you, his calm self now allowing your hand to take care of his face without letting go a single sound. “Yeah. Why?” You carried on discussing with him, believing that it was a good way of distracting his brain from the pain. Loki’s eyes looked away, orbs growing moist as he bit down on his gum. The truth was, no one had ever apologized for manhandling or neglecting him- and hearing you say such a thing to him had honestly reached and pierced through his heart within a matter of seconds. He couldn’t help but remember the horrors Thanos made him go through before he arrived in New York, and the constant conflicts with his father. However, his pride held him back from thanking you or allowing his tears to go down.

“There you go. All cleaned up.” You informed once you had finally finished to clean his face, this statement dragging Loki out of his painful thoughts. You got up from where you had been sitting in order to throw the dirty pieces of coton away and put the rest of the medical furnitures back in their place, and all of that whilst Loki allowed himself to get lost in his thoughts again. “This might cause a civil war, but I’ll inform you brother that you’re here as soon as I can.” You notified as the demigod finally found the strength to get up to his feet- blanket wrapped around his waist- though he still had to lean against the table for support. Is this what empathy feels like? The demigod asked himself as he continued to stare into the void. After such a long time spent by himself, he had forgotten about the many assets of friendship.

You kept Loki company until Tony finally unlocked the room for you to exit. Not once had the demigod thanked you for what you did and were about to do for him, and yet you still felt guilty about leaving him in Tony’s hands until you were able to find the god of thunder. However, for the first time ever, you had been able to distinguish fear and gratitude through Loki’s wealthy orbs.

I’m so sorry this took a while to write! Was having a writer’s block. But here it is now! I hope you was able to enjoy it❤️ take care.

special tag for my best friend @devilsuga who I’d heal and protect on my life if I had to.

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