#unfortunately this causes some unintended consequences
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This is all to say that Thor was never Odin's first choice for anything, born as he was under Hela's shadow, born as he was to the purpose of replacing her, born as he was to the fact that Odin did not want her replaced in the first place and it was only bc Hela's ambition outstripped Odin's caution that he had to put her down
That is to say that Odin was always going to be disappointed in Thor, never mind the fact that he was also an anxious and sensitive child, who cried easily and was afraid of things like ghost stories and the dark. He was strongly built, bigger than his peers, and though he always won easily at sport and play, one could easily see how he held back.
(Hela never held back; Hela hurt her fellow children for sport and profit.)
And that's not even touching on the fact that he was always fussing after that Jotun foundling, tending to it and shielding it and mothering it.
By the time Thor met his father for the first time, face to face, he was 8 and Odin had already spent those years nursing his prejudices against him, and there was nothing Thor could do by then to make it up to him.
Anyway this is getting off topic, bc the thing I wanted to talk about is the fact that had Thor and Loki not been the unaccountably, inseparably, soul-bondedness kind of close as they were, they would have had to have been at each other's throats their whole lives. "There are no second princes on Asgard" is an adage that gets thrown around a lot (by me) and it means exactly that: had they not been the sort of unnatural closeness that they were, one of them would had to have killed the other in order to secure his place as heir. It is the way things are done; it is how things have to be.
(I think that this accounts for Thor's complete calm and acceptance when Loki sends the destroyer to Midgard after him in thor1. It has always been Loki's right to kill him in order to claim the throne; it has always his right to kill Loki if he'd ever thought it necessary. But he never did, and he never thought those old rights would have to be invoked between the two of them, but he's always known about them. They both have. It is simply the way things are)
#this is another meta i have in drafts and never finished but#when Odin took Loki it was Frigga who raised the loudest protest#yes it is all well and good for Odin to make all the dynastic plans he wants to make#but a) she doesn't want her son taking some jotun savage for a bride#b) even if she did what's to stop the both of them from growing up and hating each other#and c) the giants are supposedly matched at birth to their fated mates. what is Odin going to do to subvert the will of fate?#Odin of course takes the most literal and mechanical solution to the problem and physically beats their souls into one#so that they cannot be separated by anyone or anything - be that the will of fate or that of his wife#unfortunately this causes some unintended consequences#thor and loki literally cannot be separated#as babies they would scream until they made themselves sick unless they were put in the same crib#they had no interest in anything outside of one another and refused to engage with other stimuli#the only way frigga can wrest her son back from the effects of the soul bond is by magically sedating him for hours then days at a time#to try and acclimate them to being apart#it's better by the time they can walk and talk but then it's still difficult#there's less screaming and sick but now it's a deep-seated and constant anxiety#they ask for each other and then when it's made clear that they have to spend time apart they ask after each other#loki gets sick and thor is consumed with the possibility that they'll never see each other again#thor has to leave the allmother's garden with the other boys and loki forcibly changes his sex so that he can go with him#it's a lifetime of this even as one concession to growing up after another puts another measure of distance between them#i just need y'all to understand when i talk about how their unresolved feelings had ''deformed'' them its bc its 1000 years of this shit#internal thor tag#who's enjoying all this background meta for fic that doesn't even exist yet#odin worst-dad
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Sorry it took so long to respond I was out all day and normally I would be asleep by now but due to a family emergency involving a sibling (they will be fine) I am ✨AWAKE✨. Please forgive the inevitable crimes against grammar I’m about to commit I am severely sleep deprived :D
Okay so the reason wendigos aren’t able to hybridise is because humans turn into them through specific methods ie eating human flesh. they are human turned creatures. Same rules apply for vampires, werewolves, Zombies, Ghosts and any other similar type of monster, they are around but they aren’t hybrids. There are also no Moth Man, Bigfoot or Loch Ness Hybrids.
Magic left the world a LONG time ago and no one (Human) remembers why. This caused a mass extinction event with most creatures that were solely magical being wiped out. The ones that survived either became Cryptids and barely functioned with the scraps of magic left behind or they became mundane…
The reason the fae left in the first place is because a bunch of humans tried to take magic from the Fae and actually succeeded for like five seconds before a bunch of them died from the sheer amount of power. This BIG NO NO altered the nature of magic into something humans could actually use unfortunately it also hurt the Fae badly so they had to poq for a while to recover. They took the magic with them but not before cursing the surviving thieves and their descendants to never be able to experience magic again (this led to some unintended consequences).
The reason there are no Fae hybrids is a little more sinister (angst potential incoming). Every now and then a little bit of magic would leak back into the world and keep things running just enough so that when the Fae returned it wasn’t a complete shit show (just mostly one) and after some initial conflict and a bunch of new border agreements things settled down (British hybrids can pick which royal house they follow (fae or human) whilst still maintaining citizenship (guess which Soap picked lol)) and with magic being reintroduced (in the 1800’s btw) the world slowly started to change. Within a generation hybrids began appearing, within another three Mythics started showing up too. With each successive generation the hybrids got stronger and as the magic around the world continued to grow more and more animals began looking weird. Rabbits with antlers, Giant Sea Snakes and Octopi, Lions with golden coats. But no dragons or phenox or unicorns or purely magical beings appeared instead what they had where hybrids that become a little less human every generation.
TLDR the OG mythical creatures went extinct and magic is trying its best to bring them back the normal hybrids just didn’t have enough juice in them to meet the requirements. Anything that didn’t go (fully) extinct like the Fae or are human turned creature won’t hybridise.
Technically Ghost hybridisation shouldn’t have worked but because he “died” such a specific and traumatising way near a canine mythic who’s magic he absorbed over months the magic got a lil confused (Ghost is the only Black dog hybrid the as the rest are actual dogs and not extinct ( does that mean Ghost is the strongest Black dog? Maybe…(yes it does))).
If you want angst you could say that if a hybrid uses to much of their magic they run the risk of becoming more creature then man. I don’t think they’d loose their intelligence and they’d still be the same “person” but they definitely wouldn’t be human.
Since magic returned vampires can walk in the sun, wendigos became intelligent (took one look at the military and went ✨no✨) werewolves become more aware (lol) and don’t need the moon to shift and Ghosts are still classed as citizens.
Ooh What if magic is radiation from the asteroid that took out the dinosaurs????
You're fine I hope everyone's okay and I'd be a hypocrite because I too do not understand the English language.
Ok that makes sense yeah.
FAE LORE FAE LORE!!! I LOVE IT! I love that the lore and angst of humans trying to take something not made for them is very fitting. There is a ton of potential for angst and I love that Soap is like nahhh fae all the way. (He is correct)
I Love that explanation of mythics It seems very fitting for the universe. The world needs them in some way shape or form so it corrects itself.
Great explanation for Ghost and the fact that singles him out making him the most powerful is perfect. I mean look at that man.
AAAHHHH ANGST!!!! I LOVE THAT! It limits them and makes them of not super op. It also explains how some of the actual mythical creatures can survive in the human world now. (Wendigos my beloved)
OMG DINOSAUR LORE?! YES! (what if kidding kinda If all the dinosaurs didn't die) Hahaha unless
(I answered this on my phone so I couldn't answer each paragraph because it wasn't clear sorry)
#call of duty modern warfare#cod modern warfare#john soap mactavish#ghoap#simon ghost riley#hybrid au
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MOONCHILD
Remus Lupin x OC reader
Chapter 4 - Expulso
Summary: September’s full moon is rising.
previous chapter
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notes: this is uh…6k. take your bucket of tea and biscuits and strap in, reader. any alikeness of full moon remus™ and johnny from n*ked is mostly unintended. i truly apologize for this amalgam of quasi-smutty something. don’t read with your parents. hope you’ll like it though <3
tw: bad words, blood. unsanitary behaviour. unnecessary rudeness, unnecessary hotness, unnecessary humiliation if you squint - it's a wolf thing. minors, this is truly not for you. i know that this warning will probably just make you more curious, but i mean it.
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Weeks passed surprisingly quickly at Hogwarts. When an owl arrived with the first invitation to Hogsmeade, it was unfortunately scheduled on the weekend of the full moon. Hessie tried to convince Remus to stop by for at least a few hours. He has been carefully taking Snape's Wolfsbane, after all.
"Come on, Moony. A little fresh air will clear your head. And a few Butterbeers will dull some of the pain." she told him on the Sunday forenoon.
He resolutely declined, his matted hair tangling as he shook his head, an annoyed expression twisting his distressed features.
"We're not students, we can stop by Hogsmeade any time we want. I can barely walk, Mimi."
"I know...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to patronize you, I'm just -"
"Well then don't!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling.
Here we go, she thought to herself. She bit her lip, trying to mask the way it wobbled.
"I'm just worried, Remus. I thought it could help you relax."
"My favourite relaxing technique is eating children, is it?" he hissed at her, piercing her with a dull stare. She blinked a few times and then averted her eyes to the floor.
A burning sting just appeared inside his knee, as if someone stabbed it with a hot iron stake. The pain spread through his entire leg and made his ears ring. Fueled by the sensation, he chuckled in disdain.
"You can't even look in my disgusting face and you want me to go out and enjoy a drink with you?"
His voice was frigid and hostile. She looked up at him and opened her mouth to respond with some bitter remark, but she decided it would be wiser to let him be.
She spun on her heel and walked up to the kitchen corner, pouring herself a cup of herbal tea.
She heard a heavy sigh behind her, then the armchair legs squeaking against the floor. Then heavy limps got closer until she felt the coldness of his body behind her.
He put his large hands on her shoulders. They were chilly as ice, almost like the blood in his body stopped circulating.
He gave her a little squeeze and then placed a quick kiss on the top of her head. A friendly gesture, but it made her heart giddy.
"I'm so sorry, Mimi. Didn't mean it." he softly apologized. She nodded, leaning her head on his hand for a moment before taking another teacup from the mahogany shelf in front of her.
"I know. It will all get better soon, don't rack your brain over it now. Did you take your potion at night?"
His hands became rigid on her shoulder. He accidentally pinched her skin, so she whipped her head around. The horror on his face was expertly exchanged for an amused raised eyebrow. The grip on her arms didn't ease, though.
Snape's cold voice echoed in his mind.
Twice a day, Lupin. Or there will be grave consequences.
Fuck.
"Of course, I did, do you doubt my sense of responsibility? I was a Prefect, you know." he tried to make his voice as playful as possible. It was exhausting. She seemed to believe him, though, giving him a toothy grin.
"Yeah, I do know. You were always looking away from all the mischief, so I had to become the unpopular Prefect parent. Kinda convenient on your part. By the way, you're hurting me." she raised her eyebrows at him. When the brain fog caused by his chaste kiss finally cleared up, she realized the bruising grip he held her in.
He quickly tore his hands away and chuckled, apologizing. He took the other teacup and sank back into his velvet armchair.
"They're delivering the Grindylow in about an hour. I'm so excited, I haven't seen one in ages," she mumbled, a thrilled twinkle sparkling in her wide eyes. Remus pursed his lips.
"Really? I see one right in front of me."
She gasped and grabbed her Witch Weekly magazine from the kitchen desk and threw it at him. It flew right into the fireplace, all he had to do was move his head a few inches. He snorted with laughter and the tea flew out of his nose.
● ● ● ● ● ●
The Grindylow in question was very agitated by its dire situation, constrained in an aquarium on one of the desks in their office. It was furiously scratching on the glass walls while hissing out spits of water.
Remus And Hessie looked at it in awe, passionately discussing its special colouring.
"The kids are going to love this." she dreamily whispered, making him smile widely. Even though his cheeks were growing more hollow and pale throughout the day, the dimples still didn't disappear.
Her ears caught two voices echoing in the hall outside. One of them was surely Filch and the other one was eerily similar to James. Remus seemed like he was thinking the same thing.
"Speaking of the devil..." he mumbled and stuck his head out of the office door. Harry was walking by alone, heading for the Owlery.
"Oh, Harry! What are you doing here? Where are Ron and Hermione?" he questioned curiously, scanning the boy with raised eyebrows.
Remus was wearing a stretched-out cardigan with big brown buttons over a comfortable-looking cotton shirt. His usual grey suit pants were slightly cuffed, flashing his Gryffindor-coloured socks. Harry just shrugged, sadness glittering in his eyes.
"At Hogsmeade," he mumbled, voice disappointed. Remus completely forgot that the field trip was today, he tried to push the thought of his earlier behaviour out of his head.
"Oh, that's right...well, would you like to stop by our office? They just delivered us a Grindylow for the next lesson." he excitedly tilted his head inside the office. Harry gave him a quizzical brow.
"They delivered you a what?" he blurted out, following Remus into the room. Hessie was still crouching in front of the aquarium, eyes wide in childlike wonder. She turned at Harry, giving him a heartwarming smile and a small wave, motioning him to join her.
Harry couldn't help but blush at the way the woman's eyes calmed him down. She was wearing worn-out jeans and a large shabby sweater, fuzzy like the cat he'd met on the train. Her hair was down for the first time he'd seen her, sticking out in all directions.
The professors seemed to have a day off. The scent of books, chocolate and fresh cotton laundry (presumably her perfume) filled the boy's nostrils, creating a comforting homely sensation in his stomach. He felt the same way when he stayed over at The Burrow. Remus's excited voice tore Harry out of his thoughts.
"It's a water demon. It shouldn't be much trouble for us. You've already gone through Kappas with your professor here, so you're all set. But don't be fooled by its size."
"These beauties have tremendous strength in their fingers, even though they seem tiny. They could crush your neck within seconds with those," she explained, biting her lip when Harry backed away with wide eyes.
Remus threw her a disapproving frown and she stifled a childish giggle. The beast blew a raspberry and then floated into the depths of algae in the corner of the aquarium.
"No worries, Harry. As Professor Lupin said, you'll deal with it just fine." she slapped her knees and got up, walking up to Remus's desk. She gathered a few papers that were scattered around and stacked them in a neat bundle, then she hopped up on the empty spot and crossed her legs.
"Want some tea, Harry? I was just about to boil the kettle." Remus asked and Harry nodded, watching in awe as the man wordlessly knocked on the kettle and watched it puff out steam. Hessie beckoned Harry to sit down on the chair in front of the desk, apologizing for only offering prefabricated teabags.
He was studying her face, not realizing that he wasn't blinking. She raised an eyebrow.
"Is something the matter, James?"
Her eyes widened and so did Harry's.
"Merlin's beard. I'm sorry, Harry. You're just…"
That was everything she managed to stutter out. The glint in her eyes was acting as a mirror to his surprised face, but none of her tears rolled out. He wanted to ask a thousand questions all at once, about his dad, if she knew him, how she knew him, who he was. To sit here for hours and listen to her stories.
Were they friends? Enemies? Lovers?
"How did you get these scars?" was all Harry blurted out, regretting his question immediately after it left his lips. He got even more red now, feeling like his ears might let out steam as well. His eyes were widened in horror, but she gave him a mischievous grin.
Remus was too occupied with preparing three cups to hear the conversation.
"What if I told you that I got them in a battle with a Werewolf?" she hissed, theatrically jerking her body forward to make him jump in his seat. She giggled at his reaction, her heart easing when he echoed her laughter.
He was glad she took his personal question with humour. Even the most powerful wizard could not survive a duel with a Werewolf, he'd learned that from Lockhart's fake stories.
"Did you win?" Harry asked with an amused grin. It was as if James was sitting right in front of her. Her smile turned slightly sad before she straightened her back, putting on a humorous self-important facade.
She looked like she was mocking Snape's usual demeanour, the boy thought.
"If I told you, I would have to kill you," Hessie whispered and he chuckled again, thanking Remus when he gave him his tea. The shabby man walked around Hessie and rested in the armchair behind his desk.
Harry sat in front of them, staring into his cup. Small oil stains were forming on the surface, catching onto the porcelain walls. He looked lost in thought.
Not only was he imagining what kind of adventures she and his father lived through, but now he felt like even more of a coward, considering she probably compared Harry's courage to him.
"Anything that's troubling you, Harry?" Remus asked when he noticed the boy's thoughtful gaze. His voice was full of parental concern, something Harry has never encountered before.
He wondered if the man knew his parents as well.
"No...I mean, yes." Harry mumbled. Hessie furrowed her brows and crossed her arms. The boy was worried that he might've aggravated her somehow, but her strange eyes were filled with the very same emotion as Remus's kind words.
"Do you remember the lesson on Boggarts?"
"Of course." Remus simply stated, curious. Hessie just nodded, biting the inside of her cheek. Harry took a breath as if he wanted to inhale some courage.
"Why didn't you let me face him?"
Silence filled the room for a few moments before Hessie spoke, her tone was as calm as ever.
"We thought that the reason was quite obvious," she answered. Harry seemed impatient.
"But why?"
Remus cleared his throat, narrowing his eyes.
"We expected it would take the form of Voldemort."
Harry was in awe. He'd never heard someone call the dark wizard by his true name, except for Dumbledore.
Neither of the professors seemed shaken in the slightest, though. Like it was a completely normal and common name.
"I'd thought of him at first, but then I remembered the night on the train..."
Remus and Hessie exchanged a silent nod, it seemed to Harry as if they were talking about the Boggart incident before.
"Hats off to you, Harry. You are very wise, then. That means the thing you fear the most is fear itself." Remus ended the sentence with a sweet smile.
He looked very similar to the way Harry saw him on the train, but the young boy could swear he looked somehow...worse, now.
Not so tired, but very on edge, like he was about to scream from the top of his lungs any second. His cheeks seemed to hollow through the conversation and the professor was blinking quicker and quicker.
But none of it affected the endless softness towards his friend's son. Harry didn't seem scared, it was intriguing more than anything.
"You were worried that we didn't let you because we thought you weren't skilled enough?" Hessie questioned, leaning on her knees. Harry just nodded and before he could say anything, a loud knock on the door interrupted him.
"Come in!" Remus called, his smile growing wider when Snape entered the room, carrying a big smoking goblet of dangerous-looking turquoise liquid. When the man in black robes noticed Harry, he scrunched his nose a little before turning his attention to Remus.
"Here's your potion, Lupin. I made you a whole cauldron if you need extra aid."
"Ah, Severus. Many thanks." the young professor answered, taking the goblet from Snape.
It seemed to hurt him to stand up as he stretched for the potion and sat back down with a huff, putting the potion on the table. Snape didn't move.
"You should drink it now."
"I will make sure of it, Severus. Thank you." Hessie gave the man a soft smile. She did mean it. There was a flash of something unidentifiable in his gaze before he spun on his heel and walked out of the office without a word.
She looked at her friend with raised eyebrows when he didn't immediately start drinking. He tilted his head as if to scold her for watching over him like he was a little child. A wave of irritation washed over him, similar to the one earlier that day.
Harry cleared his throat, a bit distraught.
The smoke that the potion emanated smelled rancid and the bubbles on the surface hissed each time they popped. He was cautiously staring at it, eyes darting between the goblet and Remus.
He realized the boy is still in the room and turned his attention to him.
"I don't feel too well from time to time, Harry. This potion is the only thing that helps me. I'm very lucky to have Professor Snape as my colleague, this brew is extremely difficult. He's a wonderful Potionsmaster. I barely got an 'Acceptable' in my O.W.L.s."
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They were serving steaks at the dinner feast. How convenient, Hessie thought as she watched Remus devour the bloodiest steak he could find in the mountain of meat in front of him.
Even Flitwick was curiously studying him from the other end of the table, not used to his old student being this unruly.
She cleared her throat and softly elbowed him in the ribs. He whipped his head around, staring at her with furrowed brows as if he was berating her for interfering. The circles under his eyes were dark purple now, contrasting with his pale face.
"What?" he spat out, mouth full of broiled potatoes. She scowled.
"Could you try and be more civil with your raw steak? It's not going to run away, you know."
He shook his head and shrugged, gulping down his potatoes. He still had frustration written all over his face.
"Didn't know it was illegal to eat around you, now. Besides," he took a moment to chomp another piece of the meat on his plate.
"It's almost up there. I'm leaving for the Shack tonight so you can enjoy your me-time, have a wank or something."
"W- what!?" she yelped. McGonagall snapped her head at Hessie and pierced her with a strict glare.
"Sorry, Minerva. I just realized the green stuff on the potatoes is parsley -" she half whispered, leaning back on her chair and tilting closer to the older woman.
"- and I'm allergic." she ended with an uncomfortable giggle. McGonagall was pretty blunt about not believing her a word, raising a quizzical eyebrow.
"You should ask Severus for some calming brew, then. Preferably in silence so the students wouldn't turn their heads," she stated coldly and turned her attention back to her dinner.
Hessie's whole face turned the same shade of red as the pieces of Remus's steak. She wiggled her chair closer to the table again and leaned her elbows on it, slowly lowering her head into her palms.
She didn't look at Remus, glueing her stare on the drops of vinegar on her salad.
"What do you mean the Shack? If anyone sees you, you'll get yourself fired on the spot." she hissed, grabbing her fork while the other hand still supported her flaming forehead.
Remus just finished his steak and dug around his salad to pick out tomatoes, pushing them around to an unwanted bundle.
"Not my fault you're so nosy."
"We had agreed that we'll stay locked in our chambers. I know you're nervous if the Wolfsbane worked, but Dumbledore counts on you staying in the castle. There's no reason for the potion to be faulty." she ignored his bitter remark, vigorously stabbing a tomato with her fork out of spite and throwing it in her mouth.
He didn't react, he just continued to play with the last potato on his ornate plate.
Usually, he'd give her a disapproving look, but now he didn't take his eyes off the food in front of him.
A bloodcurdling shiver ran through her throat as she slowly swallowed her bite.
"There's no reason for the potion to be faulty, am I correct?" she asked, her voice coming out as a mere trembling squeak.
He shrugged, nonchalantly checking his watch. Six o'clock. It was already dark outside. She lowered her tone to the most hushed whisper she could manage.
"You've got to be fucking kidding me. If this is your idea of a joke, then you can shove it up your -"
"My alarm clock cracked in my suitcase on the way here."
She gasped, choking on the lone tomato seed that was stuck in her throat.
Professor Sprout who sat beside her turned away from her conversation with Madame Pomfrey and slapped Hessie's back a few times, probably leaving behind red marks of her small chubby fingers.
"Are you alright, my dear?" she questioned, worryingly scanning the young woman's ruddy face. She nodded and forced a tiny smile.
"Thank you, Pomona. Bloody tomatoes." she wheezed and Professor Sprout chuckled, turning her attention back to the Matron. They continued a boisterous conversation about Sprout's growing collection of Angel's Trumpets.
"Aren't you a fucking wizard?!" she soundlessly screeched again. He seemed to be extremely fed up with her cross-examination.
"If you're so interested in what I do at night, maybe you could've reminded me, smartass," he said matter-of-factly. She gripped her fork tighter.
"Do I look like your mother?"
"Am I interrupting a lovers' quarrel?"
Snape's greasy hair appeared in her peripheral as he sat down next to Remus and took a sip of his wine. Remus's fingers started trembling and he took a breath to shoot Snape down with some stabbing remark, but Hessie was faster.
"On the contrary, Severus. We were just discussing the wonders of potion-making," she stated, throwing Remus a glare.
Snape seemed to notice and his mouth twitched with something that vaguely resembled a smile.
"Interesting. I could've sworn I heard Lupin call you a smartass. Must have been just a misinterpretation." he raised an eyebrow. Remus whipped his head around and Snape was a bit taken aback by how ill he looked.
"Sounds to me like you were spying on us, Sniv-"
"The potatoes are excellent today, don't you think, Severus?" Hessie loudly interrupted him, trying to smile through embarrassment when Snape's eyes widened in anger. He quickly gained his steel composture back, though.
"I prefer meat. If Lupin has left me any, that is." he taunted, casually taking another sip of wine.
That was the last drop for Remus. He swiftly got up, pushing his chair away with a loud creak.
He grabbed his plate, with the last potato and cherry tomatoes still rolling around, and curtly bowed.
"Good evening." he simply said and walked out of the buzzing Great Hall in long, shaky strides. Madame Pomfrey was the one to speak to Hessie now.
"Is Remus not feeling well, darling?" she questioned, her eyebrows knitted in worry. Hessie forced a gulp of wine down her throat and answered with a thin-lipped smile.
"Just a bit shaken, Poppy. You know."
"Well, you better go check on him. And stop by my chambers as soon as he feels abnormally sick, alright?" the older woman said, waving Hessie off as if she was just a roaming student. Professor Sprout fiercely nodded.
"I was just about to leave. I will let you know if - yeah." she managed to stutter out and hopped up, leaving her plate on the table. As soon as she stepped away, it floated into the air and levitated out of the door, disappearing.
Hessie said her goodbyes and hurried out of the door, ignoring Snape's bitter wish of sweet dreams.
She rushed through the hallways to their office, up the short stairs and through the invisible membrane that hid their chambers behind a wall.
She stomped through the narrow corridor between their rooms and entered the small common chamber. The door was already open. The flames were alight in their fireplace and disrupted the tense silence with loud cracks.
Remus was standing in front of it, bluntly staring at her, chomping on a large Mars bar. He was clearly trying to finish it as quickly as possible and get out of her presence. She crossed her arms.
"Which way?"
"What's it to you?"
"I asked you a question." she spat back at him, frowning when he theatrically rolled his eyes. He seemed at least two inches taller than usual, which was frankly already too much.
His elegant fingers were clutching the chocolate bar as if his life depended on it. Her eyes darted between them and his annoyed expression.
"Gregory the Smarmy passage, into the woods, under the Willow. Are we done with 20 questions? I have to leave."
Her frown grew deeper and she shook her head in disbelief. He was always on edge on the full moon nights, but it seemed somehow worse now. She didn't detect the usual remorseful undertone in his insults.
And the last time he'd declined company, she got away with a deep slash on her face. But that was ages ago.
"You think I'll leave you alone?"
He raised his eyebrows, sarcastically nodding.
"I mean, I hope so."
"Tough luck, buddy. I'm going with you. We have to figure out how to sneak out, though. Quickly." she took a glance at the big cuckoo clock above the fireplace. Seven o'clock.
She crossed the room and buried her arm into her patchwork handbag, trying to find something in the depths of the enlargening spell. She knocked over a bottle of Butterbeer inside.
He wasn't sure what she was looking for, but he didn't care, either.
He just took a bite of his sweet snack and spun around, making his way to the door. She had to do a double-take between him and the bag to realize he was trying to sneak out.
"Are you five? Can you wait for a second? We still have an hour." she called over her shoulder and sighed with frustration, taking off her green robes. She fished out her wand and dropped the fabric on the floor. She pointed the tip of it inside the bag.
"Accio Map!" she muttered and three yellowing tubes of parchment flew out. She clumsily grabbed them in the air with both hands and rolled them all open, trying to find the one holding the map of Hogwarts.
"Godric, I could've specified that." she shook her head and mindlessly tucked her wand into the small loop on her pants.
She dropped the two other maps and stared into the correct document while walking to the door.
"It's not the Marauder's but it will have to do."
She didn't have time to react when he swung his wand to levitate a teacup, trying to throw her off balance. He smashed it against the floor right in front of her and the liquid exploded, splashing her boots.
A piece of porcelain chipped away and bizarrely flew into the air, leaving a small cut on her cheekbone before falling back on the carpet. Her eyes nearly popped out of her skull when she looked at him, primal fury burning in her eyes.
He felt a nauseating sensation of hunger when he noticed the tiny carmine drop dripping down her cheek.
This is bad.
She blinked a few times, threw the map aside and grabbed her wand, daintily twirling it in the air to suck water out of the pitcher on the window. She quickly transcribed a precise circle in the air, forming a large floating bubble.
When she was positive it gained enough corporeality, she violently swung her arm, throwing it in Remus's face.
The bubble smashed against his skin with a muffled pop. He didn't even manage to notice the stench of iron in his nose before she expertly spun her wand again, this time forming the bubble out of the lukewarm tea in their teapot. She fired it into his chest with similar vigour as before, sending him stumbling back a few inches.
She knocked the wind out of him, so he wheezed and punched his ribcage a few times before finally realizing his nose was intensively bleeding.
He was growing increasingly disturbed, fully aware that he was losing the grip on his sanity.
If he was oblivious to his state of mind, his life would be a lot easier.
He sliced through the air with his wand like he was trying to cut it open, sending the coat hanger to the ground. She stumbled over it and barely managed to find her balance when he forcefully sent another tea cup flying. This time he aimed at her head and she swiftly dodged it, watching it smash against the books behind her.
She hoped the soundproofing spell was working.
Staring at the blood on her face caused a momentary lapse in his attention, allowing her to gain some time.
"Will you stop throwing things at me?" she grunted. As a last resort, she put all her force to trying to block the door by moving a closet in front of it. A few worn-out shirts and Remus's coat fell out, but the construction hadn't moved at all.
She was getting overwhelmed by the adrenaline, it made even the easiest of spells incredibly taxing. This situation seemed to suck the energy out of her and transfer it to him.
He seemed to be perfectly fine, apart from his face growing more pale with every passing moment. And the dark blood that was dripping from his nose
Her bubble might've broken it, he wasn't sure, the pain was non-existent to him.
"I will if you stop following me."
He emphasized the last three words by smashing flower pots against the floor, now sending them to burst next to her. He hadn't tried basic intimidation yet, so he decided to give it a go.
She flinched at each crack, but it didn't stop her from stomping through the shards. She just fiercely flung her hand and a protective glowing shield appeared around her boots before becoming transparent.
He didn't have to say a word, she recognized the straight line movement he drew with his wand. And the miniature blue orb that shot out, twinkling through the air as it tried to hit her.
Expulso.
Hessie's feline senses didn't fail her this time. She barely managed to duck, the orb flew by her ear with a high-pitched shrill and hit the bookshelf behind her. It began to crumble and fall upon the impact, but she quickly flicked her wand.
All the pieces suddenly moved in slow motion, defying gravity and unnaturally floating down on the carpet like a weightless feather. She watched the books and chunks of wood glide their way to the floor, mouth open in disbelief.
When she whipped her head back at Remus, he attempted to swallow the horror down his dry throat, but that only made it worse. He succeeded in staying perfectly still and masked his anxiety with a strict glare.
Her eyes were flaming with fury as she slowly walked up to him, just like a lioness prowls to her prey.
Remus could swear he saw her pupils shrink into slits for a split second.
He was glued to the ground, listening to the last echoes of humanity in his mind. They were telling him to stay put and not move a muscle. Maybe he would seem invisible to the moon that way. When she spoke in a silent voice, a frigid shiver ran through his vertebrae.
"Did you just try…to curse me?"
"You disobeyed and didn't stay where I told you to stay. You're being a bad kitty," he growled back at her.
The blunt sarcasm that dripped from his words stabbed her right in the abdomen.
She was merely a few steps away from him and he involuntarily took a step back, breaking the concentration he so desperately clung to. She reacted with a joyless smirk, her eyes now clearly cat-like.
"Oh, am I? How about I claw your fucking eyes out? Right now I'd manage to do that and never transform an inch of my skin."
He let out a bleak chuckle, now certain that he was slowly being cornered. He raised his wand again and so did she.
"I don't want to hurt you, love." he simply stated, emphasizing the last word with extra venom. Besides the anger, a new emotion flashed in her eyes - fear. She always took him for the better duelist.
"I'm not made of porcelain, you couldn't hurt me if you tried." she hissed and he broke into a smug smirk, detecting the slight strain in her voice.
He was fiercely battling the fact that it made him satisfied, thrilled, even.
You're a sick fuck, Lupin. A sick, sick brute.
That's the mantra he repeated in his brain over and over again. He was desperately trying to grasp it and shield himself from the Sword of Damocles that was hanging above his head. He could feel the carnal snap creeping in second by second.
It seemed to him like the moon sped up rising just to torment him.
She didn't seem to notice the growing madness in his eyes, only catching how his long fingers flexed around the handle of his wand. Thanks to his omnipotent senses, he caught her slip of concentration. He truly was in a foul mood now.
"If you stopped staring at my hands like a filthy slut, maybe your intimidation would be more convincing."
Words couldn't describe the whirlpool of emotions that rapidly shifted on her face when she snapped her sight back to his face. He still had a pompous sneer plastered all over it. A breath hitched in her throat as she narrowed her eyes, trying to build up the courage to continue cornering him.
"W- what did you just call me?"
The sentence came out as a mere whisper. He didn't move.
"I called you a sl- "
"I FUCKING HEARD YOU!"
Her scream resonated through the stone walls of their common room and she took the remaining steps to get as close as she could, digging the tip of her wand into the soft flesh under his chin.
He didn't even flinch at the sting of it. The sensation merely widened his smile and he let out a cold scoff.
"I wonder how well you'd hear me if I used one of Snape's little deafening charms. Or maybe a silencing one, so I don't have to listen to your constant nagging. Frankly, I should put that aggravating mouth of yours to better use."
The fading mankind in him couldn't believe his own words. Hessie responded with a strange inhuman noise that vaguely resembled a cat's snarl.
"You mean like letting me blast your brains out? You're tempting me."
"Likewise. Dear god, you see right through me. Always so insightful." he raised an eyebrow and proudly put his chin down to pierce her wand even deeper.
His wand was pointed at her heart and painfully poked into one of her breasts. Intentional or not, she wasn't sure. He continued.
"Although, you don't need your voice for that. You've always excelled in non-verbal magic, top of the class."
What the -
"That was a compliment. You're supposed to say 'Thank you, my dearest friend.' now."
It was like he could smell her thoughts. That wasn't a very comfortable feeling.
"Thank you for being a sarcastic prick? Endless gratitude. Want a golden star and your shoes polished for that?"
Remus snorted with laughter, tilting his chin as if he wanted to impale himself. He didn't appreciate being talked to this way at the moment. Her brows knitted, aware that he was winning the taunt war.
He loudly sighed and lowered his wand. He attempted to seem bored.
"Look, I'm getting kind of agitated and this could get pretty ugly real fast. So could you spare me this quasi-threatening hissing of yours and be on your merry way?"
"You have such a sunny disposition, has anyone ever told you?" she sneered and narrowed her eyes.
The smug smile started fading from his face, slowly turning into a frightening scowl. She hid her shudder by clearing her throat and impatiently bit the inside of her cheek.
"Be honest with yourself, do you actually want me to let you leave on your own?"
That slowed down his racing thoughts. Did he want that? Of course not. He hasn't been all by himself on a full moon for ages. It's not like he wasn't ready for the transformation, he was used to coping without Snape's potion.
But now, being back in Hogwarts seemed to change something in him. As if the castle's aura corrupted his mind. Maybe missing a dose of Wolfsbane made all of this worse.
Remus felt feral, his exhaustive senses were sending him over the edge. He felt like one big exposed nerve. And he couldn't risk being in her company, cat or human.
"Can't your almighty brain figure that out by itself?" he growled. He felt his remaining patience leak out of his ears.
The moon was nearly above The Great Lake and he could no longer trust himself around her. Even worse, he started to lose any care about that fact. Her frown just deepened.
"Why can't you just fucking say it? Why is it so difficult to admit that you need someone?" Hessie questioned, her voice loud in his ears. He flinched at the piercing sensation in his eardrums, his head pounding.
"If you don't let me go immediately, I will stop holding myself back. Trust me." he threatened, his voice hoarse and deeper than usual. His eyes seemed almost black now, eclipsed by their dilated pupils.
She attempted to gather some courage by straightening her back but failed.
"I'm not afraid of you, Lupin." she tried to sound as hostile as possible. Once again, she didn't succeed. He raised an eyebrow.
"You are not? You should be," he muttered, slowly bending closer to her. She finally lowered her wand and tried to back away. He grabbed both of her wrists in one hand and yanked her back, using his other hand to grab the collar of her sweater.
Remus bent down once again, but instead of choking her as she'd feared, he gently licked the carmine tear of fresh blood on her cheek and then ever so softly nuzzled his bleeding nose against her neck, taking in a trembling breath.
Her scent jolted through his senses like boiling lead, poisoning his mind with thoughts that made his sunken cheeks burn. His overwhelmed mind suddenly felt like a stretched balloon right before it bursts.
The facial hair on his chin scratched the soft skin of her clavicles, leaving behind red dots. Her heart was beating against her ribcage, delicious pain pulsing through her stomach.
She felt as if someone threw a bucket of simmering liquid on her face as her eyes fluttered closed, his warm exhale leaving goosebumps behind. She opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out.
"Your body deceives you," he grunted silently, his voice now almost unidentifiable. She felt his iron grip flex on her wrists when he breathed in her scent once more.
"Don't try to follow me. If you do, I won't be as charitable."
Then he let go of her with a jerk, avoiding her eyes like a plague. He backed away, stumbling over the clothes that fell out of the closet behind him. He barely gained stability again before storming out of the room and slamming the door behind him, not sparing her a single glance.
She hesitated for a few seconds before running to the door, her legs wobbling.
As soon as she reached the doorknob, though, it ominously clicked. She tried to pull it, wiggling it left and right, but it didn't budge.
"ARE YOU INSANE?!" she shrieked and flung her wand furiously, swinging the door open as the doorknob ripped out of its slot and fell on the floor with a dull thump. The hallway was empty.
Remus was long gone, leaving behind only the scent of blood and a crumpled wrap from his Mars bar.
She knew where he was rushing.
I hope you'll rot there.
And think of me.
⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆
Tag list: @wickedsingularity @messyr-moons @moon-witchs-world
#remus lupin fanfiction#remus lupin fanfic#harry potter fanfic#harry potter fanfiction#marauders fanfiction#marauders oc#potterhead#remus lupin angst#golden trio era#remus lupin x oc#remus lupin x reader#the marauders#golden trio#professor remus lupin#remus lupin x you#remus lupin smut#remus lupin#the marauders fanfiction#remus lupin fluff#harry potter
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Patreon Summary (June & July ‘23)
Hello there everyone, hope everyone is doing well and are having a good summer so far. It seems like I forgot to do a post for June’s Patreon stories so get ready for a super-sized Patreon summary today! If any of the following stories intrigue you, please feel free to click on the title so you can sign up for the appropriate tier to read it! I’d love to have you join my Patreon and my Discord community, where you can view exclusive photo captions.
Method Acting - The Obese Loner II
This vault story was originally released in March 2022 for the Clarke tier. After a year of exclusivity, it's now become a $5 story. I hope you enjoy this little blast from the past!
With Chris finding the perfect candidate to swap physiques with, he brings his old college friend back home with him for a romp in the sack to turn him into the obese man he longs to temporarily become. Unfortunately for Chris though, a severe attraction begins to form with the other man to the point where he quickly learns what other changes can occur after fooling around again after swapping physiques...
Tags: Muscle Theft, Weight Gain, Unintended Consequences
The Devil Works Hard, But S-C Productions Works Harder
This vault story was originally released in May 2022 for the Clarke tier. After a year of exclusivity, it's now become a $5 story. I hope you enjoy this little blast from the past!
Upon making the move into film and television production, S-C's company needs to find a way to handle some difficult actors who are causing delays to production. One of these actors is Lucifer's Tom Ellis. As such, they extend an offer to a 54-year-old divorced man that would allow him to swap into Tom Ellis to hopefully teach the actor a lesson in humility while also rewarding the older man for so many years of hard work.
Tags: Age Progression, Body Swap
Method Acting
After enduring two back-to-back flops, Marvel hunk Chris Evans finds his confidence shaken in regards to his acting abilities. Upon signing up for a new film project, the actor sets up a practice session with the production company to run through his lines. Unfortunately for him, S-C Productions has a funny way of helping Chris get into character...
Tags: Age Progression, Body Swap, Weight Gain, Actors
To Protect And Swap
Upon learning that his boss is retiring, hunky officer James Peterson is willing to do whatever is necessary to be promoted to police chief. Unfortunately for him, a private meeting with the retiring chief backfires as the chief realizes this desperation and makes an example out of his overzealous employee...
Tags: Age Progression, Body Swap, Weight Gain, Revenge
Working His Body(Suit)
Ever since his town gained a S-C Fitness, meek Martin had found himself desperate to be apart of the exclusive club in any way he could. A perfect opportunity soon presented itself in the form of a job opportunity as the gym's newest receptionist. Upon landing the job and coming in for his first day though, the young man soon learned that the company had quite the peculiar type of work uniform...
Tags: S-C Fitness, Bodysuit
Working His Body(Suit) II
After getting the job at his local S-C Fitness, Martin is shocked to find that his work uniform is actually a bodysuit of someone that looks to be a bodybuilder. Despite his reservations, the weak and average man's curiosity gets the best of him and he finds himself undressing and seeing what it's like to be so large and muscular...
Tags: S-C Fitness, Bodysuit, Muscle Growth
Just Like His Father II
After leaving a tense dinner with his father, Charlie Nelson unknowingly was turned into a hunky version of himself that was a cop due to a wish his father Paul made to have a son that followed in his footsteps. Luckily, a slap after an unsuccessful flirting session caused the spell that Charlie's mind was under to break and allow him to grow awareness of what had occurred to him. Desperate to go back to his old body, he makes his way back to the restaurant to confront his father. Unfortunately for Charlie, Paul was willing to do whatever it took to make sure that he got his ideal son.
Note - Given how long it has been between parts in this series, I've added part one to this document in case anyone needs a refresher. I hope everyone enjoys!
Tags: Muscle Growth, Reality Shift, Mental Changes, Gaslighting
Just Like His Father III
After successfully gaslighting his son Charlie into believing that he's always been a handsome and muscular man, Paul continues to try altering the new man's personality to become his ideal police officer son in both mind and body. Unfortunately for him, a random woman interrupts them and Charlie begins flirting with her. In hopes of impressing her, the man begins to say things that aren't true in the slightest, causing him to unknowingly begin changing his life in more extreme ways than what Paul had originally intended...
Given how long this trilogy ended up being (over 18k words), I've compiled it all in one document for easy reading!
Tags: Muscle Growth, Reality Shift, Mental Changes, Gaslighting, Unintended Consequences
Marvelous Mescal
Fresh off of his Oscar nomination, Irish actor Paul Mescal found himself flooded with offers from movie studios looking to have him star in their next film. Despite his reservations due to how thin and lithe he was, his team convinces him to take a meeting with Marvel Studios. Unfortunately for Paul, they refuse to take no for an answer at the end of the meeting. Instead, the studio forcefully gives him the superhero physique that most men could only dream of...
Tags: Muscle Growth, Muscle Theft, Actors
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Decoding Legal Terms: Unveiling the Distinctions Between Murder and Homicide
In the realm of law, certain terms often get thrown around interchangeably, leading to confusion and misunderstanding. One such pair of terms that demands clarification is "murder" and "homicide." Though they both involve the unfortunate event of one person causing the death of another, the legal implications and nuances set them apart. Let's delve into the intricacies of murder and homicide to unravel the distinctions that are crucial in the eyes of the law.
Unraveling the Definitions:
Murder:
Murder is the more specific of the two terms, reserved for cases where an individual intentionally and deliberately takes the life of another person. The key elements that characterize murder include "malice aforethought," premeditation, and a clear intention to cause the death of the victim. Degrees of murder, such as first-degree and second-degree, further categorize these acts based on factors like planning and the level of intent.
Homicide:
On the broader spectrum, homicide encompasses all instances where one person causes the death of another, regardless of intent. It's the umbrella term that includes both intentional killings, as seen in murder cases, and unintentional ones, such as accidental deaths or deaths resulting from reckless behavior. Understanding homicide involves recognizing the varied circumstances surrounding the act leading to the loss of life.
Legal Implications:
Murder:
Being a subset of homicide, murder carries severe legal consequences due to its intentional and malicious nature. Penalties for murder can range from lengthy imprisonment to, in some jurisdictions, the death penalty. Legal proceedings meticulously examine the mental state of the perpetrator, the degree of premeditation, and the intent behind the act.
Homicide:
Homicide, being the broader term, is further categorized into criminal and non-criminal homicides. Criminal homicides involve intent or recklessness, with murder and manslaughter falling into this category. Non-criminal homicides, on the other hand, include accidental deaths, self-defense killings, law enforcement homicides, and excusable homicides.
Types of Homicide:
Criminal Homicides:
Murder: Deliberate and premeditated killing with the intent to cause death.
Manslaughter: Unlawful killing without the intent to cause death, stemming from recklessness, negligence, or a heat-of-passion situation.
Non-Criminal Homicides:
Accidental Deaths: Unforeseen and unintended deaths due to circumstances without criminal intent.
Self-Defense Killings: Lethal force used to protect oneself or others from imminent harm, deemed legally justifiable.
Law Enforcement Homicides: Deaths caused by law enforcement officers in the line of duty, subject to scrutiny for justified use of lethal force.
Excusable Homicides: Accidental deaths during the commission of a lawful act, carrying no criminal liability.
Conclusion:
In essence, while all murders are homicides, not all homicides are murders. Distinguishing between these terms is pivotal within the legal system, as it helps determine appropriate charges and penalties based on the circumstances and intent behind the act. A nuanced understanding of murder and homicide ensures that justice is served while acknowledging the complexities inherent in these unfortunate events.
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Crystal Springs Chapter 21: Jacqueline's Cat
aka, Two Weeks Later, is up and at em, right here! Give it a read, give it a review, have a blast and a half!
For those who've recently joined the tag, hi! Allow me to introduce to you my The Santa Clause 3-specific fic, Crystal Springs! If you're in the mood for some funky gen fic, featuring our beloved icy blorbo Jack Frost and a redemption arc of sorts, with a cast of absolutely unhinged OCs, I'd highly recommend giving Crystal Springs a chance! Here's a summary for you all to eat up:
"It's been nearly a year since Jack's thaw and things...could be better, admittedly. It seems, that as the year has gone on and he's improved his relationship with Santa and the whole of Elfsburg, his powers have taken a hit. December's just around the corner, and his powers are just short of being gone.
This wouldn't be a problem if it weren't for the fact that Jack's powers are the only reason that Elfsburg, the Workshop, and the North Pole are able to exist safely, tucked away under the Dome. With his powers gone, the winter magic that keeps the Dome sturdy and dishing out proper quantities of Christmas magic, is running hot and out of control. It's melting, and the North Pole is getting warm.
Unable to hide his power loss any longer, an intervention is held by the Council and Jack admits that he lacks the Frost. But thankfully, there is a solution: enacting the Legate Law, summoning the sprite next-in-line for the title of Jack Frost.
There's just one problem: Jack's Legate is his younger sister, Jacqueline, who he has not seen or talked to since he nearly killed her dead almost fourteen hundred years ago. Out of options, with no other possible solution in their sights, they do it, bringing Jack and the sister he hurt so many years ago back together once more, in the hopes that together, they can get Jack's powers back and stop the Deliquesce.
Unfortunately, the Frosts have never been very lucky. Soon after her arrival, Jacqueline starts experiencing some unexpected blackouts, with unintended consequences. With Jack's powers hanging in the balance, and Jacqueline on the fritz, the pair decide to head back home to Crystal Springs, bringing Jack face to face with the rest of his family...and an ancient threat waiting for their moment to strike, their carefully laid plans finally coming full circle. Seems like saving Christmas may be a little bit...complicated this year.
This fic is my baby. Originally posted in 2012/13, it was finished in 2014/15, rewritten in 2017, and then again starting in 2020. We're still working through the 2020 version NOW, hence why you see these random updates in the tags, but not on ff.net. (CS is not posted to ao3 as of yet, but I'll get to it one of these days! )
Piqued your interest? SCHWEET! Have some links.
PROLOGUE (skipable tbh, will be better once Frostmas is finished)
CHAPTER 1 (good starting point, would recommend)
Not vibing it? Cool cool cool, go ahead and click that J key and head on down your dash to something you do vibe!
All caught up on CS 202X? Then onto the main event!
What's 🆕 In Chapter 21?
AXED the ENTIRE lost journals/here's what we learnt at the Dream Spire bit with the cold front, given that I took those events and spread them about the previous two chapters, Chapter 19: The Man with a Plan, and Chapter 20: Freedom, both of which were updated December 4th! (icymi) :)
Probably should've updated this one along with the other two, but I neglected to read ahead/totally forgot about the cold front preamble while Fino is fighting for his life under the bed lol, so here we are! Hopefully it didn't uh. Cause confusion for readers not on tumblr lmao
PREAMBLE ASIDE, WHAT'S GOING ON THIS CHAPTER?
🆕 Sibling fluff!
🆕 Blinter fluff!
🆕 CS lore!
🆕 Fiera's doing hot girl soot! (literally)
BETTER focus on the fam helping the cold front figure shit out re: blackouts and power shortages!
NEW Scott/Carol banter because Carol deserves to get a few digs at Scott!
WORD COUNT F A C T S:
2014 -> 4,440k
2017 -> 7,866k
2022-> 15,431k :O
I think last week's angst really spurred me on to finish this chapter. Please accept my humble offering of the main timeline where all the frosts are alive and thawed and nobody is dead, I swear. And as usual, if you find yourself enjoying it, do drop me a line! Send a review my way! Throw a reblog out there! I like to hear what people think! I will talk about these blorbos for DAYS.
#dani speaks#cs updates#crystal springs#long post#the santa clause#the santa clause 3#fanfiction#chapter update is still pending. will push this through the drafts when the new chapter is OFFICIALLY UP
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ML Ethics and Compliance
Overview of ethical considerations in ML development, best practices for ethical ML development, compliance considerations for ML systems.
Machine learning (ML) has the potential to transform industries, improve processes, and provide solutions to complex problems. However, as with any powerful technology, ethical considerations and compliance requirements must be considered. The ethical implications of machine learning are vast, and the development of ethical machine learning systems is crucial to ensure they are used for good. This article will explore moral considerations in ML development, best practices for ethical ML development, and compliance considerations for ML systems.
Ethical Considerations in ML Development
Developing ethical machine learning systems is essential to ensure they benefit society and do not cause harm. So let's consider some ethical issues that need to be taken into account during the development of ML systems:
Bias:Machine learning algorithms are only as unbiased as the data they are trained on. The resulting algorithm will also be biased if the training data contains preferences. This issue can lead to unfair decisions and perpetuate discrimination. Therefore, it is essential to identify and remove biases from the training data to ensure the fairness of the ML system.
Privacy: Machine learning algorithms often use personal data to make decisions. It is essential to ensure that the data is collected, stored, and used ethically and that the privacy of the individuals is protected.
Transparency: ML algorithms can be complex, and understanding how they arrive at a decision is often difficult. It is essential to make the decision-making process transparent so a user can understand how the system arrived at a particular conclusion.
Accountability and Liability: The deployment of ML systems can significantly impact individuals and society. Determining accountability and liability in cases of errors, biases, or unintended consequences can be challenging. As ML systems become more autonomous, the question of who is responsible for their actions becomes crucial. Developing frameworks that establish clear lines of accountability and liability is essential for addressing ethical concerns and providing recourse for individuals affected by ML system outcomes.
Best Practices for Ethical ML Development
To develop ethical machine learning systems, developers must follow best practices that ensure the system is fair, transparent, and accountable. Here are some best practices for ethical ML development:
Diversity: It is essential to ensure the development team is diverse, representing different backgrounds and perspectives. It allows for the identification and removal of biases from the system.
Data Quality: High-quality data is crucial for ethical machine learning development. The data should be representative, diverse, and unbiased.
Model Interpretability: Unfortunately, the inherent complexity of some ML models can make them challenging to interpret and explain. This lack of interpretability can lead to mistrust and skepticism from users, regulatory bodies, and society as a whole. Understanding the decision-making process of ML systems is crucial for ensuring transparency, accountability, and ethical usage. Developing model interpretability and explainability techniques is an ongoing challenge that requires bridging the gap between accuracy and clarity. In order to make the system transparent, it is crucial to ensure that the model is easily interpretable. It means that the decision-making process should be understandable to non-experts.
Regular Audits: Machine learning algorithms can change over time, and it is essential to regularly audit the system to ensure that it remains fair and unbiased.
Ethical Education and Awareness: Building a culture of ethics and compliance in the ML field requires educating and raising awareness among developers, organizations, and end-users. A lack of understanding of ethical considerations, biases, and compliance requirements can hinder ML systems' responsible development and usage. Encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, promoting ethical training programs, and fostering open discussions on the societal impacts of ML is essential to overcome this challenge.
Compliance Considerations for ML Systems
Compliance considerations are also crucial when developing machine learning systems. Organizations must ensure their ML systems comply with relevant laws and regulations. Here are some compliance considerations for ML systems:
Data Privacy: Organizations must comply with regulations of data privacy, among them the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It means that before collecting and using individuals' data, one needs to obtain their consent and ensure that it is secure and protected.
Fair Lending: Have you heard aboutthe Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA)? It prohibits lenders from discriminating based on race, ethnicity, religion, sex, marital status, age, or national origin. Machine learning systems used in lending must comply with this regulation and ensure that the decision-making process is fair and unbiased.
Health Regulations: Machine learning systems used in healthcare needs to comply with regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). So it means they must ensure the privacy and security of patient data and obtain consent before using it.
Balancing Ethical Considerations with Performance: There can be a trade-off between incorporating strict ethical considerations and achieving optimal performance in ML systems. For instance, fine-tuning models to minimize biases may lead to a decrease in accuracy. Striking the right balance between fairness, accuracy, and utility is a complex challenge. It requires continuous research, experimentation, and optimization techniques to ensure that ethical considerations are not compromised while maintaining system performance.
Conclusion
The field of ML ethics and compliance is relatively new, and regulations are continuously evolving. Staying up-to-date with changing legal and regulatory frameworks can be challenging for organizations developing ML systems. In addition, compliance requirements differ across industries and jurisdictions, making it necessary to have dedicated teams and processes to monitor and adapt to new regulations.
So, machine learning systems' ethical considerations and compliance requirements are complex and challenging. However, hiring an AI consulting company can overcome these challenges effectively.
Experts from Zfort Group can provide expertise in ethical frameworks, identify and mitigate biases, ensure compliance with regulations, address privacy and data protection concerns, conduct ethical audits and assessments, offer training and education, and provide continuous monitoring and adaptation. By leveraging Zfort Group's services, you can navigate the complexities of ethical decision-making, comply with regulations, and develop responsible machine learning systems.
Zfort Group! At your service!
Original source: https://www.zfort.com/blog/ML-Ethics-and-Compliance
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"Siblings tease each other all the time. S'what kids do." That had been Kelly's experience anyway. He'd grown up with four siblings, teasing had been a given and sometimes it had gone too far, sure, but things had always worked themselves out. He couldn't remember his parents ever being exceptionally worried about it, either.
Maybe worrying was just who Itsuki was. Kinda made Kelly wonder if he was married. Then he'd have someone to help take the mental load off.
Well now Kelly was curious what kind of spell could do that. Something to ask Leslie when he got back home. In any case, "How many times have people actually changed when you've done that? Seems like it would be easier to just... magically castrate them."
He shook his head. "Some bells can't be unrung, no matter how one chooses to look at the world. I won't ever be whole." Said as matter-of-factly as Itsuki had been just moments ago. "Your people believe in fate? Mine do. And we understand that fighting it is like trying to fight gravity: pointless, frustrating, and impossible."
“Well yes. The teasing is a natural part of family life. But she…..she frankly torments him at times. An unfortunate inheritance from her grandmother. Her great grandmother is one of the sweetest beings. As is her adoptive grandmother. The biological grandmother? Well to put it bluntly she is one of the only women I have ever punched. Cruel beyond measure. Being a minor goddess seems to have given her quite the chip on her shoulder. So for now my little grandpup has to be watched over and scolded at times. At least until she matures enough to understand the pain she is causing. She’s getting there bit by bit.” There’s some emotions flashing across his eyes. A sort of conversation happening inside his own head. The little one tormented her brother, but she’d without hesitation come to his aid when outsiders caused him problems.
“Well see the issue is my kind don’t generally have a good relationship with magic. Much of it doesn’t effect us. Some of it works just enough to backfire in the most startling ways. This thing is essentially a pattern I cut into their skin and pour a certain concoction into the wound. Magical castration would be a lot more involved and might cause some serious unintended consequences.” A moment paused as he thought through his list. “Surprisingly enough there were a handful that did get better. Years down the road. A lot of introspection and work.”
There’s a smile tugging at the old wolf’s lips. “In truth? No I don’t believe in fates or destinies. I believe life is a series of choices that shapes our paths and determines what destinations we land at. Nothing is set in stone….though I must admit I do feel a bit hypocritical at times. I believe small parts of the future might be glimpsed. I traveled on a ship with a soothsayer. She could see isolated events. But it is a limited view. So there are those that can glimpse what paths we are likely to tread on. But fate as some grand thing that arches throughout our entire life? No. Not at all. Even though I have seen some truly absurd cosmic coincidences. Like having an old companion that you traveled with centuries ago. Fought back to back. Shared bets and competition. Telling the tales of those adventures to your pup when she was a wee little thing at your knee. And finding out somehow crossing centuries and continents, that old companion met and bonded with your pup. That was a bit of a punch in the gut and I may have flirted with the idea of a fate then. But I guess a stubborn old fool like me can’t shake my worldview up that easily.”
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Quartz, a type of mineral found in many rocks and stones, is known for its durability and strength. However, recent studies have shown that it can also lead to incontinence in some creatures, specifically jellyfish and androids.
Jellyfish, with their translucent bodies and delicate tentacles, may seem like unlikely candidates for incontinence. However, scientists have discovered that the presence of quartz in their body can disrupt the signals sent from their brain to their muscles, causing a loss of control over their bodily functions.
The reason for this lies in the unique structure of jellyfish. Their bodies are made up of a gel-like substance called mesoglea, which is sandwiched between two layers of tissue. This mesoglea contains tiny crystals of quartz, a common component of ocean sediments. These crystals act as a resonator, amplifying electrical signals within the jellyfish's body.
While this magnification of signals can be beneficial for the jellyfish's ability to sense its surroundings and move, it also has the unfortunate side effect of interfering with the signals that control muscle contractions. As a result, the jellyfish may experience involuntary contractions of its muscles, leading to incontinence.
Similar effects have been observed in androids, human-like robots that often feature quartz components in their construction. The use of quartz in androids is primarily for its durability and ability to withstand high temperatures, making it ideal for use in their sensitive internal systems.
However, as androids become more advanced and their internal systems become more complex, the amplification of electrical signals by quartz can lead to malfunctions in their muscle-like components, causing incontinence.
While this may sound like a minor issue, incontinence can be a serious problem for both jellyfish and androids. It can impact their ability to carry out tasks efficiently and can even pose a threat to their survival in their respective environments.
To combat this issue, scientists are working on developing alternative materials that can be used in the construction of both jellyfish and androids, minimizing the use of quartz. These materials would still need to be durable and withstand extreme conditions, but without the unwanted side effects.
In conclusion, while quartz may be a valuable and versatile mineral, its presence in the bodies of jellyfish and androids can have unintended consequences. Advancements in technology and materials may help to alleviate this issue, ensuring that these creatures and creations can function at their best without the added complication of incontinence.
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Labmas AU - Unintended Consequences
Chapter 16 Part 3 - Event Horizon
That night, Nobori and Kudari enter Colress' office, the door closing behind them, observing him sitting and playing with a small case in the middle of his desk. Kudari continues onwards, while Nobori stops and waits, face void of all emotion.
"You wished to see me Dr. Colress?" Kudari says, wearing a large smile, looking down at him. No upset present from the previous day.
Placing his elbows on the desk, Colress casually intertwines his fingers. "It feels like it was only yesterday that I was marveling over you, when you were just an embryo. A miracle of modern science. A wretched, ugly miracle."
Kudari's smile falters but doesn't fully disappear. He reprimands him, "Such cruel words to one of your greatest accomplishments."
"That's debatable," Colress interjects. "I must say, I thought you were joking when you said you wanted to leave here and find a mate. But, (Y/N)? Really? Did you honestly think they could ever love you?"
Attempting to keep his composure, Kudari answers softly, "Yes, I did." His smile is gone, but his expression remains neutral.
Shaking his head, Colress continues, "It must have been extremely painful to find out that they didn't want to be with you. But, you're not the only one. Nobori here also learned the hard way." Kudari's breath hitches for a moment, eyes darting from side to side, a sudden realization taking over him, but other than that, he doesn't show any signs of distress, instead waiting for Colress to finish. "Now, onto the issue at hand. After the latest fiasco with (Y/N), I now know you have real aspirations of leaving the laboratory, and I can't blame you. However, it's not a dream that can ever become reality."
Kudari's face morphs into a scowl, mouth slightly hanging open, teeth showing. He counters, "If I weren't here, you could be happy. No more Kudari around to cause you problems. Is that not something you have fantasized about? Is releasing me from this purgatory so you can have some solace not a fair trade?"
Colress is quick to respond, "Unfortunately for the both of us, this isn't about what's fair. If you were living somewhere in the world, and someone saw you, it would start to get people talking, and if they happened to get a picture of you, it would quickly spread across the Internet. Being a hybrid partially made from Emmet, and sharing his face, it would raise too many questions. Sure, some magazines would joke about Emmet's possible tryst with his own Galvantula, but for everyone with an above room temperature IQ, they would start to look for more plausible explanations. Team Plasma can't allow any potential information of its operations being leaked."
"So there can be no compromise? I should remain here forever, a prisoner?!" Kudari is enraged now, not holding back his volume or malevolence. "I do not fear you or any of your Team Plasma constituents! You cannot bend me to your will, you never could! Nobori may blindly follow you, but I know you for the sadistic puppeteer you really are. A failure to the highest degree, languishing in the shadows of other's hard work!" Some of his purple colored spit is now coating the side of the desk he is facing. Pointing a clawed finger at Colress, he adds, "From this day forward, you will not know peace! I will make your life the same hell you've made mine! If not for this thing around my neck, I would have slaughtered you long ago!"
Standing up, Colress rests the tips of his fingers on the desk. "I figured as much, and I know you would have, Kudari," he offers quietly. "You've been slowly becoming more demented over the years. Perhaps there were things I could have done differently to prevent this, but it's all water under the bridge now." He opens the small case, revealing two syringes. Kudari is only able to see them for a moment before Colress pulls out the switch from around his neck, pushing the middle button.
Kudari immediately collapses, legs sprawled on the floor, human torso limply hanging to the side. Colress continues his explanation, "Kudari, this has been a long time coming. I would be lying if I said I was going to enjoy this. Despite all the pain you've put me through, I still deeply care for you, to the detriment of my work. But, I can't let you continue this way. You've become too much of a burden." He grabs the syringes from the open case and circles his desk, stopping just before Kudari. Nobori approaches and stands next to his brother.
Even with his collar switched on, Kudari begins to spasm, attempting to move, fight-or-flight response kicking in. His eyes are wide with terror, tears beginning to stream down his face. Nobori lowers himself, resting his forehead on Kudari's, looking into his eyes. He wraps his arms around his body, cradling him. "Please Kudari, don't fight. This won't hurt. Dr. Colress says it's for the best. You'll never be alone again, so don't be frightened." Nobori pulls one of his hands up and begins stroking Kudari's hair. Kudari makes a gurgling sound, desperately trying to speak. "Shhhh…" Nobori consoles him. "I love you so much. You were always my favorite thing in this world," voice finally cracking, he looks at Colress and nods.
Not wasting any time, Colress locates Kudari's jugular vein and gently inserts the first needle. Emptying the syringe, he begins with the second, stepping away when it's done. After a few moments, Nobori announces, "He's with me now. Shall I transport his body to the freezers in the autopsy room for the time being?"
"No, leave him here for now. I need to be alone," Colress answers, sounding detached. Nobori nods again, releasing Kudari from his embrace. Standing up, he makes his way to the door. Upon leaving, he hears Colress yelling, "Fuck! Why couldn't you just listen, Kudari?!" followed by the sounds of his office being destroyed. Nobori starts the walk to his room, not bothering to look back, listening to his brother chittering in his ear.
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Bradford Pear Firewood: A Fiery and Sustainable Fuel Source
Bradford Pear firewood is not recommended for use due to its high moisture content and tendency to produce excessive smoke. However, it can be used if properly seasoned and mixed with other hardwoods.
Introducing Bradford Pear firewood, it is crucial to consider its unsuitability for use due to its high moisture content and the production of excessive smoke. Despite this, with proper seasoning and mixing with other hardwoods, it can still be utilized as firewood.
Bradford Pear, a popular landscaping tree due to its beautiful spring blossoms and vibrant fall foliage, has become a common source of firewood in some areas. However, there are several factors to consider before selecting this type of firewood. We will explore the characteristics of Bradford Pear firewood, its pros and cons, and how to properly use it for heating purposes.
History Of Bradford Pear Trees
The history of Bradford Pear Trees traces back to their introduction in the early 1900s. These trees gained popularity for their beautiful blooms but are not suitable for firewood due to their quick combustion and production of sparks.
The history of Bradford Pear trees is an intriguing tale of the intersection between natural beauty and human intervention. Originating from Asia, these trees were first introduced to the United States in the early 1900s, attracting attention with their stunning blossoms and vibrant fall foliage. However, their rapid proliferation and subsequent environmental impact have made them a subject of controversy. Let's delve into the origins of Bradford Pear trees, followed by an exploration of their proliferation and environmental impact.
Origins Of Bradford Pear Trees
The story of Bradford Pear trees traces back to their native land in Asia, where they were first discovered in China and Japan. Revered for their striking appearance, these trees were cultivated for centuries, primarily for their ornamental purposes. It wasn't until the early 20th century that they made their way to the shores of the United States.
Their introduction to the American landscape can be attributed to the efforts of the US Department of Agriculture. Seeking to diversify the country's flora, the department recognized the aesthetic appeal of the Bradford Pear tree and saw its potential ornamental value. Thus, in the 1900s, they were introduced across various regions, captivating garden enthusiasts with their clusters of delicate white blossoms and glossy green leaves.
Proliferation And Environmental Impact
The rapid proliferation of Bradford Pear trees soon became a cause for concern. Their hardy nature and rapid growth rate made them a popular choice for landscapers, resulting in their widespread planting in neighborhoods, parks, and along roadsides. Unfortunately, their adaptability and lack of natural predators allowed them to outcompete native species, leading to a reduction in biodiversity.
Moreover, the proliferation of Bradford Pear trees also highlighted their ecological shortcomings. Their branches, weakened by tight and V-shaped crotches, were prone to splitting, making them susceptible to storm damage. Furthermore, their dense shade hindered the growth of understory plants and restricted the growth of grass and other ground covers.
Despite their initial popularity, the environmental impact associated with Bradford Pear trees has caused many experts to question their continued presence in our landscapes. Efforts are being made to promote the use of native tree species that contribute positively to biodiversity and have a lower potential for ecological disruption.
In conclusion, the history of Bradford Pear trees reveals a fascinating mix of beauty and unintended consequences. While their ornamental appeal adds visual splendor to our surroundings, their rapid proliferation and environmental impact raise important questions about their long-term sustainability. As we strive to strike a balance between aesthetics and environmental stewardship, it becomes crucial to carefully consider the implications of introducing non-native species into our landscapes.
The Dangers Of Bradford Pear Trees As Firewood
Welcome to our expert blog, where we shed light on the potential risks associated with using Bradford Pear trees as firewood. While it may seem like a convenient option, there are important considerations to keep in mind before using Bradford Pear wood in your fireplace or wood-burning stove. In this post, we will delve into the chemical composition of Bradford Pear wood and the health risks associated with burning it. Let's explore why using Bradford Pear trees as firewood can pose dangers you should be aware of.
Chemical Composition Of Bradford Pear Wood
The chemical composition of Bradford Pear wood sets it apart from other traditional firewood options. When burning Bradford Pear wood, it releases a unique combination of chemicals into the air, which can be problematic for both humans and the environment.
Health Risks Of Burning Bradford Pear Wood
Burning Bradford Pear wood can pose certain health risks due to its specific chemical composition. Here are the hazards to be aware of:
- Formaldehyde Emissions: Bradford Pear wood contains a high concentration of formaldehyde, a known respiratory irritant. When burned, formaldehyde is released into the air and can cause breathing difficulties, especially in individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
- Particulate Matter: The smoke produced when burning Bradford Pear wood contains fine particulate matter, which can be inhaled into the lungs and cause a range of health issues. These particles can aggravate respiratory conditions, such as asthma or chronic bronchitis, and may even contribute to the development of more serious lung diseases.
- Chemical Sensitivities: Some individuals may be more sensitive to the chemicals released when burning Bradford Pear wood. Symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea can occur, particularly among those who already have chemical sensitivities or allergies.
- Environmental Impact: The unique chemical composition of Bradford Pear wood not only affects human health but can also harm the environment. The release of formaldehyde and other chemicals into the atmosphere contributes to air pollution.
Therefore, it is crucial to consider these health risks before opting for Bradford Pear wood as firewood. Safety should always be a top priority when it comes to using wood for heating purposes. It is advisable to explore safer alternatives that pose fewer risks to human health and the environment. Your well-being and that of your loved ones should never be compromised when using firewood.
Sustainable Alternatives To Bradford Pear Firewood
Bradford pear trees are popular for their beautiful flowers and fast growth, but using their wood as firewood may not be the most sustainable choice. If you're looking for renewable alternatives to Bradford pear firewood, there are several options that are not only environmentally friendly but also offer a host of benefits. In this article, we will explore these sustainable alternatives and highlight their renewable nature and the environmental benefits they provide.
Renewable Firewood Options
If you're in search of sustainable firewood, here are some renewable options to consider:
- Oak: Oak firewood is one of the most popular choices due to its high heat output and long burn time. As a hardwood, oak takes longer to dry but provides excellent heat for your fireplace or wood stove.
- Maple: Maple firewood produces a steady, even burn and is widely available. It has a pleasant fragrance and offers good heat output. As with oak, maple is a hardwood and takes longer to dry.
- Birch: Birch firewood is known for its quick ignition and bright flames. It burns easily and provides moderate heat. Birch is considered a softwood and can dry faster compared to hardwoods.
- Ash: Ash firewood is popular for its easy splitting and excellent heat output. It burns well even when green but becomes even better when seasoned. Ashwood is relatively easy to obtain and offers sustainable burn qualities.
- Hickory: Hickory firewood is famous for its strong, aromatic smell and long burn time. It produces high heat and is ideal for heating larger spaces due to its longer-lasting burn. Hickory is considered a hardwood and may take more time to dry.
Environmental Benefits Of Sustainable Firewood
Opting for sustainable firewood alternatives instead of Bradford pear firewood brings numerous environmental benefits:
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions: Using sustainable firewood options helps reduce carbon emissions. When burned, firewood releases carbon dioxide (CO2), but sustainably sourced firewood ensures that trees are replanted, effectively balancing the carbon cycle.
- Promotes forest management: Choosing renewable firewood supports responsible forest management practices. By using firewood from sustainably managed forests, you contribute to the conservation and regeneration of wooded areas.
- Minimizes invasive species spread: Unlike Bradford pear trees, many sustainable firewood options are native species or non-invasive. By opting for these alternatives, you minimize the risk of introducing invasive species into your local environment.
- Less reliance on fossil fuels: Using sustainable firewood as an alternative to Bradford pear firewood helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels for heating. This not only cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions but also promotes energy efficiency.
- Supports local economies: Often, sustainable firewood options are sourced locally, supporting local businesses and economies. By choosing these alternatives, you contribute to the economic well-being of your community.
In conclusion, selecting renewable firewood options instead of Bradford pear firewood not only helps conserve our environment but also provides a range of practical benefits. Consider these sustainable alternatives for a greener and more efficient choice for your firewood needs.
Benefits Of Bradford Pear Firewood
Bradford Pear firewood offers numerous advantages, including high heat output, easy splitting, and a pleasant fragrance when burned. It is an excellent choice for heating purposes, providing warmth and comfort during colder months.
Bradford pears are popular trees known for their beautiful spring blossoms and vibrant fall foliage. However, when these trees reach the end of their lifespan or need to be removed due to disease or damage, they can be repurposed into valuable firewood. Utilizing Bradford pear firewood offers several benefits, including availability and affordability, as well as distinctive burning characteristics.
Availability And Affordability
One of the major advantages of using Bradford pear firewood is its availability. Bradford pear trees are commonly found in many residential areas and parks, making the supply of this firewood abundant. By using the wood from these trees, you can contribute to sustainable practices by repurposing a readily available resource.
Moreover, the affordability of Bradford pear firewood is another appealing aspect. Since this firewood comes from trees that often require removal, it is usually acquired at a lower cost compared to other types of firewood. This makes it an excellent choice for those seeking an economical fuel source for their fireplaces, wood stoves, or outdoor fire pits.
Burning Characteristics
When it comes to burning characteristics, Bradford pear firewood offers its own unique qualities. It burns hot and produces a moderate to high amount of heat, making it ideal for warming up indoor or outdoor spaces efficiently. The dense nature of the wood allows the fire to burn for longer periods, reducing the need to constantly refuel the fire.
In addition, Bradford pear firewood produces a distinct aroma when burned, giving off a pleasant fragrance that adds to the overall ambiance of a fire. The wood also produces a steady and consistent flame, providing a cozy and inviting atmosphere for any gathering or relaxation session.
Furthermore, Bradford pear firewood generates minimal smoke and sparks, enhancing the overall safety of using this type of firewood. The lower smoke production not only contributes to better air quality but also reduces the risk of smoky scents permeating your indoor living spaces.
In conclusion, Bradford pear firewood offers numerous benefits that make it an excellent choice for firewood enthusiasts. Its availability and affordability make it an attractive option for those seeking an abundant and cost-effective fuel source. Additionally, the distinctive burning characteristics of Bradford pear firewood, such as its steady flame, pleasant aroma, and minimal smoke, contribute to a warm and cozy fire experience. Consider utilizing Bradford pear firewood for all your firewood needs and enjoy its unique benefits.
Preparation And Storage Of Bradford Pear Firewood
When it comes to utilizing the abundant and versatile Bradford Pear tree for firewood, proper preparation and storage practices are key. Whether you are an avid fireplace enthusiast or simply looking for an efficient way to heat your home, understanding the cutting, splitting, drying, and storage considerations for Bradford Pear firewood is essential. In this blog post, we will guide you through the various techniques necessary to ensure optimal quality and longevity of your firewood supply.
Cutting And Splitting Techniques
Before Bradford Pear firewood can be effectively utilized, it needs to be cut and split into manageable pieces. Here are some helpful tips to consider:
- Start by identifying fallen or harvested Bradford Pear trees with desirable dimensions - typically, a diameter of 8 to 12 inches is ideal for firewood.
- Use a chainsaw or handsaw to safely cut the tree trunk into logs of appropriate length, typically around 16 inches.
- Once the logs have been cut, it is essential to split them for optimal burning efficiency. Use a log splitter or a maul and splitting wedge to carefully split the logs into smaller pieces.
- Remember to wear appropriate protective gear, such as gloves and safety glasses, and exercise caution throughout the cutting and splitting process.
Proper Drying And Seasoning
Once the Bradford Pear firewood has been cut and split, it needs to undergo a drying and seasoning process to reduce its moisture content. This helps to enhance its combustion efficiency and prevent excessive smoke or creosote buildup. Follow these steps to properly dry and season your firewood:
- Stack the split firewood in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight and moisture.
- Opt for a location with good air circulation, such as an open shed or a firewood rack.
- Ensure the firewood is stacked in a single row, allowing space between the logs for air to circulate.
- Use firewood moisture meters to regularly monitor the moisture content - aim for a moisture level of around 20% or less.
- Allow the firewood to dry and season for at least 6 to 12 months, depending on the initial moisture content and environmental conditions.
- Keep in mind that well-seasoned firewood will have a grayish color, loose bark, and a distinct hollow sound when struck together.
Storage Considerations
Once the Bradford Pear firewood has been adequately dried and seasoned, it is vital to store it correctly to maintain its quality. Follow these storage considerations to ensure your firewood remains in optimal condition:
- Choose a dry and well-ventilated storage area, away from the elements.
- Elevate the firewood off the ground to prevent moisture absorption by using pallets or a dedicated firewood rack.
- Cover the top of the firewood stack with a tarp or a firewood cover to protect it from rain or snow while still allowing airflow.
- Maintain a sufficient distance between the firewood stack and any nearby structures or vegetation to minimize the risk of pests or fire hazards.
- Regularly inspect the firewood stack for signs of decay, mold, or pest infestation, and remove any compromised pieces promptly.
By following these cutting, drying, and storage techniques, you can maximize the burning efficiency and longevity of your Bradford Pear firewood supply. Remember, proper preparation and storage practices contribute significantly to the overall quality of the firewood and help ensure cozy and enjoyable fires throughout the winter season.
Firewood Safety And Maintenance
When it comes to using Bradford Pear firewood, fire safety should always be a top priority. Taking the necessary precautions can help prevent accidents and ensure a safe and enjoyable firewood experience. Here are some fire safety measures to keep in mind:
- Always keep a fire extinguisher or bucket of water nearby when using firewood.
- Make sure the fireplace or wood stove is properly installed and maintained. This includes regularly checking for any cracks, leaks, or chimney obstructions.
- Dispose of ashes properly by placing them in a metal container and keeping it outside away from flammable materials.
- Keep children and pets at a safe distance from the fire.
- Never leave a fire unattended and always extinguish it before going to bed or leaving the house.
In addition to fire safety precautions, it's important to properly clean and maintain your fireplace or wood stove to ensure optimal performance and safety. Here are some tips for the cleaning and maintenance of fireplaces or wood stoves:
- Regularly remove ashes from the firebox using a metal scoop or shovel.
- Use a chimney brush to clean the chimney at least once a year, or more frequently if there is a buildup of creosote.
- Clean the glass doors or panels with a non-abrasive cleaner to remove any soot or residue.
- Inspect the fireplace or wood stove for any signs of damage or wear, such as cracks, loose bricks, or damaged seals.
- Check the chimney cap and flue for any blockages or debris.
- Ensure the damper is working properly and opens and closes easily.
- Have a professional chimney sweep inspect and clean the chimney on a regular basis.
By following these fire safety precautions and properly cleaning and maintaining your fireplace or wood stove, you can enjoy the warmth and comfort of a fire with peace of mind. Remember, safety should always come first when using firewood.
Environmental Impact Of Burning Bradford Pear Firewood
Burning firewood is a popular way to keep warm during the colder months.
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For more than 46 years, the Voyager 1 probe has been traveling through space. On August 25th, 2012, it became the first spacecraft to cross the heliopause and enter interstellar space. Since then, mission controllers have maintained contact with the probe as part of an extended mission, which will last until the probe’s radioisotopic thermoelectric generators (RTGs) finally run out. Unfortunately, the Voyager 1 probe has been showing its age and signs of wear and tear, which is unavoidable when you’re the farthest spacecraft from Earth. This includes issues with some of the probe’s subsystems, which have been a bit buggy lately. For instance, engineers at NASA recently announced that they were working to resolve an error with the probe’s flight data system (FDS). This system consists of three onboard computers responsible for communicating with another of Voyager 1’s subsystems, known as the telemetry modulation unit (TMU). As a result, while the spacecraft can receive and execute commands sent from Earth, it cannot send any science or engineering data back. The main purpose of the FDS is to collect data from the probe’s science instruments and engineering data from the spacecraft itself. This data is then combined into a single package and sent to the TMU, which transmits in binary code back to Earth. Recently, mission controllers noticed that the TMU was transmitting a repeating pattern of ones and zeroes, which raised some eyebrows. After reviewing and ruling out all other potential causes, the Voyager team determined that the FDS was the source of the problem. Artist’s impression of the Voyager mission looking back at the Solar System. Credit: NASA Over the weekend, the mission team attempted to restart the FDS in the hopes that this would restore it to a working state. They did not succeed, and now the team anticipates that it could take several more weeks to develop a new plan to address the problem. This was not unexpected since both Voyager and its twin (Voyager 2) are the longest-serving spacecraft in history. When they launched in 1977, both probes represented cutting-edge astronautics, navigation, and communication technology. However, both are now over forty years out of date, so finding solutions to problems often requires engineers and technical experts to consult the original documents. These decades-old documents were created by engineers who didn’t anticipate of problems the probes are countering today. As a result, it takes the mission team time to determine how a new command will affect the spacecraft’s operations and how to avoid unintended consequences. What’s more, commands from mission controllers take 22.5 hours to reach Voyager 1, which means that two-way communications take 45 hours. This means that Voyager 1’s controllers have to wait almost two full days before they will learn if the solution they implemented worked. In the meantime, all NASA can do is troubleshoot the problem and wait for a solution that works to take effect. As for the Voyager 1 probe, it continues to explore the outermost regions of the Solar System and the is farthest artificial objects from Earth – 24 billion km (15 billion mi) and counting! Further Reading: NASA The post Voyager 1 Has Another Problem With its Computer System appeared first on Universe Today.
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A BETTER WORD THAN HONESTY
Whether in our personal lives or our professional lives, our communication is the lifeblood of our relationships, and our relationships are the foundation of our leadership, and our leadership is the core of our ultimate success. Please note however, it all starts with our communication. That is precisely why giving diligent attention to all elements of our communication is in everyone’s best interests.
Do we genuinely want to be honest?
We’ve all been there either as the perpetrator or the recipient or both. Someone wants to garner attraction, be persuasive, drive home a point, close a sale, and then it happens. The conversation is prefaced with some version of these frequently used phrases: “To be honest with you, . . .” or “In all honesty, . . . ” or “Honestly, . . .” or “If I’m really being honest with you, . . .”
I call these various phrases “honesty validators.” Somehow we believe by incorporating “honest” or “honesty” or “honestly” into our conversation, we thereby validate the truth of our words. After all, we referenced the fundamental virtue of honesty and therefore it must be more convincing. This approach suggests the transmission of insider information to which other parties do not have access; a very special favor is involved. Because a very special favor is being done, we infer it must be based on honesty, truth, and integrity. At least those are the implications that usually run through people’s minds. Unfortunately, all the above belies the presence of honesty, truth, and integrity.
Do we want to send an unintended message?
When we use honesty validators, an unintended, tragic, potent message is sent. By virtue of drawing special attention to the honesty of this communication, it implicitly sends the message that “yes, I’m being honest with you at this moment, but all my other past and future statements to you might be dishonest. So can you ever really trust me?” Perhaps that is why a very wise man once said let your yes be yes and your no be no. Adding certain qualifiers often undermines the integrity of the statement. Naturally, most people hear this and immediately declare, “No, I am being honest all the time!” Unfortunately, the unintended message contradicts that declaration, and it is the unintended message that has consequences with which we might not be happy.
If we are serious about the highest quality communication in our highest quality relationships driving our highest quality leadership, then let’s cease using these honesty validators. They merely communicate everything you actually do not want to communicate in your highest quality communication in your highest quality relationships driving your highest quality leadership.
Do we have a better word than honesty?
From repetition, habit, or example, we have all fallen prey to these honesty validators. If we genuinely want to refine our communication, then we must give deep attention to the words we use because like it or not, words have meaning, and that includes the meaning we intend to convey and the meaning the recipient interprets (which may or may not be the same). Therefore, we must ask ourselves, do we have a better word than honesty that would convey the actual meaning we want to convey? What is a word that faithfully conveys the noble nature of our communication? What is a word that does not intrinsically taint the veracity of our tongue the moment we utter it?
As a lifelong communicator and writer, I have not been immune to this problem. Indeed, I have often been one of its many victims much to my frustration at the damages it causes when I succumb. Nevertheless, having given considerable thought to this perplexing challenge, I have arrived at a solution that works very well for me. Perhaps it will for you too.
Don’t be honest—be clear.
In these communication contexts, I believe the infinitely superior simple solution is to replace honesty validators with what I call “clarity validators.” Ultimately, honesty validators while thought to be indicators of truth, are actually indicators of falsehood. Clarity validators are indicators of truth. Ponder whether you are more comfortable with these clarity validators that were formerly written as honesty validators.
• To be clear with you, . . . .
• In all clarity, . . . .
• Clearly, . . . .
• If I’m really being clear with you, . . . .
Clarity validators do not destroy the core of your soul and virtue. If anything, they elicit respect, comfort, and confidence because the recipient realizes you are trying to add accuracy and precision to your communication. On the other hand, honesty validators fundamentally destroy the core of your soul and virtue.
People will typically forgive you for fumbling clarity because anyone can make a mistake. People have a much harder time forgiving you for fumbling honesty because honesty is a choice. Therefore, unless you actually want to reveal that your words cannot be trusted, then let’s eliminate honesty validators from our conversation and instead employ clarity validators.
Prepare for your mind’s battle.
If you embrace this clarity validator logic and determine to replace all your honesty validators with clarity validators, then prepare for battle! It took me a very long time to reprogram and reinforce all my autopilot statements in my cerebral language library. At times it was very frustrating because I often caught myself the moment after my honesty validators rolled off the tip of my tongue. Nevertheless, if you genuinely embrace the clarity validator logic, then you owe it to yourself and your audience to master this linguistic method. Eventually, you will succeed in replacing your mental library of honesty validators with clarity validators, and everyone will be better for it.
Clearly, if I can do it, you can too.
[blog.reliableinsights.com]
#honesty#trust#relationships#integrity#communication#personal growth and development#conversation#unhelpful words
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Losing Weight From Cocaine
Cocaine, an illegal stimulant drug widely abused in the United States, has various reasons for its misuse. Apart from being highly addictive, its usage can cause significant changes in the body. Prolonged abuse can lead to severe organ damage and a drastic, unhealthy decrease in weight. However, it's important to emphasize that achieving a thin figure through cocaine use is not a victory.
Does Cocaine Cause Weight Loss?
Cocaine is sometimes referred to as "the skinny drug" due to its association with weight loss. This illicit substance has gained a reputation, particularly among women, for its perceived ability to help shed pounds. While traditionally more popular among men, an increasing number of women are turning to cocaine for weight loss. Although some may have achieved their desired weight through this method, the risks far outweigh any potential benefits.
The impact of cocaine use varies from person to person. Due to its highly addictive nature, most individuals cannot stop using cocaine without formal addiction treatment. Others may become addicted to cocaine for the euphoric high it produces, with weight loss being an unintended consequence of continued abuse. Over time, this can lead to being underweight or malnourished, both of which pose serious health risks if not addressed.
How Does Cocaine Cause Weight Loss?
Recent research suggests that cocaine primarily affects weight loss by altering metabolism and the body's fat storage processes. A study involving men dependent on cocaine found that despite a high-fat diet, they did not gain weight as expected. Researchers believe that chronic cocaine abuse disrupts metabolism, leading to an imbalance between fat intake and storage. Unfortunately, it takes time for the body to restore this balance, and during cocaine detox and early recovery, users may experience unwanted weight gain.
Additionally, cocaine acts as a stimulant, providing individuals with increased energy and alertness. Regular cocaine users often experience prolonged wakefulness and heightened activity, which can result in increased calorie burning compared to normal sleeping patterns. Moreover, cocaine is rumored to suppress appetite, causing users to abstain from eating while under the drug's influence. Regular and heavy cocaine users often develop irregular eating habits, skipping meals or consuming inadequate portions, leading to unhealthy weight loss.
The Dangers of Cocaine-Induced Weight Loss
Using cocaine for weight loss purposes is extremely risky and potentially fatal. Cocaine usage can induce high blood pressure, seizures, and heart problems, including irregular heartbeat or heart attacks. It can also lead to psychological issues like depression, anxiety, and paranoia. Many individuals who turn to cocaine for weight loss develop drug dependence, leading to addiction and a host of other problems. Ultimately, relying on cocaine as a weight-loss aid is not only ineffective but also poses severe risks.
Cocaine use significantly impacts a person's social and professional life. Erratic behavior, impaired judgment, and damaged relationships can result from cocaine abuse, leading to job loss and legal troubles. Financial difficulties may arise due to the high cost of the drug, potentially leading to financial ruin. Furthermore, using cocaine creates a vicious cycle of addiction and recovery that is challenging to break.
Rather than resorting to risky and potentially life-threatening substances like cocaine, individuals seeking weight loss should focus on safe and effective alternatives such as adopting a healthy diet and engaging in regular exercise.
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April 29, 2023
There are three modes of morality - One can be mistaken, improper, or stochastic.
Truth exists between two realms - the realm of experience and the realm of logic. We take in experiences and we stitch them together in order to form a worldview. Sometimes we don’t have all of the necessary experiences/information or our strands of reasoning might become flawed. One can be mistaken, and that is true of a lot of bad arguments.
To borrow Ian Danskin, Lady Eboshi is wrong but she is not a bad person. She is wrong, in that she has not considered all of the relevant factors or simply dismissed some variables that turn out to be crucial, but she isn’t evil… she isn’t intending to hurt… nature is merely collateral for industry in Eboshi’s eyes… and in that, she is merely mistaken in her pursuit.
But being mistaken doesn’t absolve culpability, it is how you respond to those mistakes that is the most important part. Science is all about accessing and accommodating new information. When a new line of thought is implemented, scientist’s duty is to incorporate this new information. One must not tell what is wrong with the old idea but how we were misled, perhaps the old way is a simplification of this new idea, or there is some factor that was missing…
When one reacts to ‘undo’ the new information in favor of their prior belief is when we must change tactics, even though they were still mistaken as before.
One might be just but that justice can be doled in an improper fashion. The action might have the right motive, to punish wrongdoers, to restore injustice, but the action has some unintended consequence, both positive and negative, that complicates this matter. The action, then, might be questioned on its impropriety. Unfortunately accessing improperness is undecidable - logically, the mistake vs. improper is equivalent assessment of truth values vs. providing a correct proof. First can always be done, but the second might not be.
Finally there is the self-correcting/stochastic behaviors. Sometimes the causes are so blurred as to be equivalent to random. We can call these Acts of God. Many hierarchical societies will create social structure to induce certain behavior to be stochastic. Increasing gun supply will induce more Meursault killings, or killings where the motive is banal or almost unrelated. By enforcing a high moral standard, the hierarchies can slowly excuse these actions as God-like, as part of nature, even though the structure has induced such behaviors.
Restricting this background variable will be met with various logical arguments - a holistic reductive argument where the focus can be pinned on individuals when the problem can only be viewed through a social lens. This trick maintains the social chaos that these hierarchies desire.
Why do these hierarchies desire such harsh material conditions? Hierarchies are reactions to certain kinds of material conditions. The person is sedentary and cannot exit. There is a large surplus which can be used as the seeds of inequality. And the skills are segregated, creating a cross-section of informational asymmetry. More stochastic violence induces a block in movement, a large influx of surplus and large swaths of informational asymmetry.
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What is the risk associated with taking opioids after orthopaedic surgery?
This month my group has a paper coming out in the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics(first author Eli Cahan) investigating how the risk of development of opioid use disorders may relate to pain medication prescribed after orthopedic procedures. This specific project used a large database to track children and adolescents who had ACL reconstructions, which is a common orthopaedic procedure. We’re also working on a similar project in patients with scoliosis.
This is a topic that is high up on the list of concerns parents have for me when considering surgery for their child. Awareness of the risks of opioid use is high right now and has dramatically changed since I began my training. Physicians' understanding of their role in the opioid crisis has evolved rapidly over my time as a doctor. Since I was caring for patients as a resident 12 years ago, I have steadily prescribed less opioid medication for the same procedures. Unfortunately, rates of opioid overdose continue to rise in the US.
The idea for this project came after I read an article by a colleague of mine, Alan Schroeder. Dr. Schroeder has research interest in quantifying risk associated with standard medical practice. The idea is that even though we mean well we may be exposing patients to a lot of unquantified risk for unintended consequences. His group wrote an interesting paper, looking at the risk of opioid use disorder after wisdom tooth removal. They demonstrated that patients who had opioid prescriptions after wisdom tooth removal had a higher risk of developing opioid use disorders in the year after surgery than age-matched controls who did not have surgery. It was a high impact paper that may change the way surgeons counsel patients before elective procedures. We set out to see if opioid prescribing patterns after orthopedic surgery may also put patients at risk.
There are clearly some differences in these two patient populations and our methods and results were not exactly the same. ACL reconstruction, though it is not an emergent procedure, is in a different category of elective procedures than wisdom tooth removal. Our patients are already starting with an injury that causes pain. We first demonstrated that the incidence new diagnosis of opioid use disorder in the year after ACL surgery was fairly low at about 0.7% Since people did not choose whether or not to have an ACL injury, we decided to forgo the control group and instead to look at how differences in opioid prescribing patterns after surgery might relate to subsequent risk of developing opioid use disorder. We looked for, but did not find, a relationship between the volume of the initial prescription and development of opioid use disorder. We did, however, find that patients who developed an opioid use disorder within a year postop were much more likely to have received a repeat prescription of opioids after their initial prescription.
It's worth noting that our methods probably only picked up the most severe cases of opioid use disorder so there might be a larger population of patients with milder problems with opioid use that go undiagnosed. Furthermore, there are probably other benefits to decreasing the amount of opioid initially prescribed. We work with our anesthesia and pain medicine team to prescribe multimodal regimens that include a lot of non opioid pain control techniques to try to minimize the amount of opioids that patients take.
This should make providers think twice about re-prescribing opioids after ACL reconstruction and may help identify a patient population at risk for opioid use disorders. We hope that by identifying this patient population early we can decrease the risk!
John Vorhies MD
#OrthoSpine#PediatricOrtho#PediatricOrthopedics#Opioids#PainManagement#SpineSurgery#OrthopedicSurgery#BackPain#Scoliosis#JointReplacement#BoneHealth#OrthoRehab#OrthopedicCare#OrthopedicMedicine#OrthoResearch and#OrthoEducation#SportsSurgery#ACLsurgery#KneeSurgery#Orthopedics#NerveBlocks#SportsMedicine#InjuryRecovery#PhysicalTherapy#OrthoCare#OrthoResearch#Arthroscopy#AthleteHealth#ACLReconstruction#SurgeryRecovery and
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