Weekly Reminder
Nov. 16th, 2025 12:32 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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your_favourites
Challenge #226 - Masked Character
Challenge #225 Voting
[November 23rd 2025 (04pm Central European Time)]
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[HELP NEEDED] Special Challenge
♥
The Mistress of the Shadowland, Second Book, The next Chapter
Nov. 16th, 2025 12:18 pmhaebinIt is the time for a new chapter, right? Please enjoy it and thank you so, so much for reading and commenting. ♥
( The Mistress of the Shadowland, Second Book, The next Chapter )
due South: Ghost Song by exeterlinden
Nov. 16th, 2025 11:05 pmmific posting in fancakeFandom: due South
Characters/Pairings: Benton Fraser/Ray Kowalski, Diefenbaker, Victoria
Rating: author's rating is ?NC-17 for angst and violent imagery. I'd rate it Mature.
Length: 9998
Content Notes: see rating note above. No AO3 warnings apply.
Creator Links: exeterlinden on AO3, exeterlinden on DW
Themes: Mystery and Suspense, Mythical Creatures: werewolves, Angst with a happy ending, Friends to lovers, AU: fork in the road
Summary: It appears on the fire escape one late evening in early winter, big and dark and silent.
Reccer's Notes: This gripping and spooky story starts with a different version of Fraser's chase and snowy huddling with Victoria, then segues into current (AU) canon with Ray Kowalski baffled by the big, black, mysterious, wolflike dog that intermittently appears on his fire escape, trying to get in, sometimes with Dief trying to chivvy it away. Also, Fraser's been distancing himself, and when he finds out about the dog's visits he's most unhappy. Things get weirder, and Fraser gets weirder, and then Victoria returns to push them all into crisis. The ending took me by surprise, and I liked it a lot! An excellent read.
Fanwork Links: Ghost Song on AO3 and Ghost Song on Dreamwidth
Characters/Pairings: Benton Fraser/Ray Kowalski, Diefenbaker, Victoria
Rating: author's rating is ?NC-17 for angst and violent imagery. I'd rate it Mature.
Length: 9998
Content Notes: see rating note above. No AO3 warnings apply.
Creator Links: exeterlinden on AO3, exeterlinden on DW
Themes: Mystery and Suspense, Mythical Creatures: werewolves, Angst with a happy ending, Friends to lovers, AU: fork in the road
Summary: It appears on the fire escape one late evening in early winter, big and dark and silent.
Reccer's Notes: This gripping and spooky story starts with a different version of Fraser's chase and snowy huddling with Victoria, then segues into current (AU) canon with Ray Kowalski baffled by the big, black, mysterious, wolflike dog that intermittently appears on his fire escape, trying to get in, sometimes with Dief trying to chivvy it away. Also, Fraser's been distancing himself, and when he finds out about the dog's visits he's most unhappy. Things get weirder, and Fraser gets weirder, and then Victoria returns to push them all into crisis. The ending took me by surprise, and I liked it a lot! An excellent read.
Fanwork Links: Ghost Song on AO3 and Ghost Song on Dreamwidth
Hewwo
Nov. 16th, 2025 02:48 amelf_wizard posting in addmeName: K/zheida
Age: 36
I mostly post about: nothing in particular right now, i'm trying to get back into using this site, i think i'm really over social media in general and i miss LJ stuff haha BUT mostly rp doodles probably, and some artwork now that most sites are making it near unbearable to post drawings that are lgbt romance. Anything n everything
My hobbies are: drawing, writing, rp, world building, music archiving (usually old obscure osts for various anime n rpgs) gaming, watching anime, reading Manga (I need to read more books... 😭) d&d/tabletop, cooking, sewing, crafting idk do a lot of things but I'm not necessarily good at many hahai
My fandoms are: i don't really consider myself "in fandoms" I just sort of like what I like and make merch for it sometimes, I rarely interact in fan content so I'm not rly a big fic reader, I'm much more in the oc crowd than making fan content. BUT here's some stuff I love: record of lodoss war, weathering continent, RG Veda, Saint seiya, magi labyrinth of magic, land of the lustrous, dungeon meshi, Slayers, lunar: sss&eb, mana series, final fantasy, Lufia, -- really lots of old fantasy anime n games from the 60s to late 90s with the rare occasional newer thing
I'm looking to meet people who: are chill and around my age, anyone who's interested in original characters n anything listed above
My posting schedule tends to be: unsure yet but I'd like it to be every day if I can manage it
When I add people, my dealbreakers are: I guess just general hateful content, which I don't see happening often. Other than that I am NOT a fan of anti/proshipper wank I am frankly too old for it. Both sides get on my nerves and I will typically unfollow ppl who start engaging in that arguing.
Before adding me, you should know: as related to above; I am a believer of fiction being fiction and separate from reality. I don't really care what people choose to write or create. (we can point out real life patterns in themes chosen, but that doesn't make any of it real or inherently harmful) However, I like to be critical of media n can sound harsh about it sometimes, but I'm never going to tell anyone not to like something just bc I don't care for it.
Age: 36
I mostly post about: nothing in particular right now, i'm trying to get back into using this site, i think i'm really over social media in general and i miss LJ stuff haha BUT mostly rp doodles probably, and some artwork now that most sites are making it near unbearable to post drawings that are lgbt romance. Anything n everything
My hobbies are: drawing, writing, rp, world building, music archiving (usually old obscure osts for various anime n rpgs) gaming, watching anime, reading Manga (I need to read more books... 😭) d&d/tabletop, cooking, sewing, crafting idk do a lot of things but I'm not necessarily good at many hahai
My fandoms are: i don't really consider myself "in fandoms" I just sort of like what I like and make merch for it sometimes, I rarely interact in fan content so I'm not rly a big fic reader, I'm much more in the oc crowd than making fan content. BUT here's some stuff I love: record of lodoss war, weathering continent, RG Veda, Saint seiya, magi labyrinth of magic, land of the lustrous, dungeon meshi, Slayers, lunar: sss&eb, mana series, final fantasy, Lufia, -- really lots of old fantasy anime n games from the 60s to late 90s with the rare occasional newer thing
I'm looking to meet people who: are chill and around my age, anyone who's interested in original characters n anything listed above
My posting schedule tends to be: unsure yet but I'd like it to be every day if I can manage it
When I add people, my dealbreakers are: I guess just general hateful content, which I don't see happening often. Other than that I am NOT a fan of anti/proshipper wank I am frankly too old for it. Both sides get on my nerves and I will typically unfollow ppl who start engaging in that arguing.
Before adding me, you should know: as related to above; I am a believer of fiction being fiction and separate from reality. I don't really care what people choose to write or create. (we can point out real life patterns in themes chosen, but that doesn't make any of it real or inherently harmful) However, I like to be critical of media n can sound harsh about it sometimes, but I'm never going to tell anyone not to like something just bc I don't care for it.
Buone feste!
Nov. 16th, 2025 12:03 ampitchblackrenegade posting in holiday_wishesHello from a second-time participant! Here are my wishes. If you have any questions for me, don't hesitate to PM me.
Wish 01. Comments and kudos on my stories
I write fanfiction focusing on rarepairs and minor characters in the Pokémon fandom, with some other very small fandoms and original work sprinkled throughout.. I'd be thrilled to receive comments on anything that catches your eye. You can find my works under the AO3 username Audrelite. 99% of my stuff is 1k words or less so it's nice and short, but I do have some shorter one-shots as well. (I'm not a longfic writer.) No concrit, please, and I'd appreciate if you didn't mention that you're coming from this event or that you're fandom-blind.
Wish 02. Gift fics based on my exchange requests
I'd love to receive gift fics for any of my exchange requests, except for Original Work (including Object and Concept Anthropomorphism). Since my likes and DNWs, both general and NSFW, continually change over time, please consult the Optional Details of the latest exchange I've signed up for. My AutoAO3 App page, listing all of my requests, can be found here, and some giftbox-style events not hosted on AO3 I've signed up for can be found here.
Fandoms I frequently request include Pokémon, Beyblade Burst, and the Teen Titans animated series; others I'd really love gifts for include The Ice Guy and his Cool Female Colleague, Metal Fight Beyblade, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, the Seven Deadly Sins anime, Toonami, and many others. Please see the links above for specific info.
Wish 03. An EPUB file of any book off my Kindle list
Find my e-book wish list here.
Wish 04. E-Giftcards
Amazon, Spotify, Google Play
Wish 05. Someone who's read the Black Dynasty series by Marilena Barbagallo so I can gush about it
I've been utterly obsessed with this dark romance series for most of this year, and I've been very lonely since I can't really talk about it with any of my friends. Guess this is what you get when you love 1) dark romance and 2) Italian books—"niche" is an understatement to the nth degree.
Wish 06. Pipe Dream Wish: New iPad Mini
To keep my fanfic writing alive! (The fact that this iPhone X I've been using for my writing and creative endeavors has lasted me over 8 years astounds me to no end.)
Thanks very much for checking out my list, and happy holidays!
Merry Christmas to all of you. I know I'm early, just can't wait.
Nov. 15th, 2025 11:09 pmpattrose posting in holiday_wishesMy name is PattRose. I am 73 years young and I love this group. This is my second year. Here is my list.
1. Anything from my Amazon Wishlist https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3LCG6J88B8PIZ?ref_=wl_share
2. Icons for the Sentinel (tv)
3. Icons for Almost Human (tv)
4. Icons for Reacher (tv)
5. Icons for Will Trent (tv)
6. Fan art for The Sentinel (tv)
7. Small humorous fic for The Sentinel
8. Recommendations for 5 good mystery novels
9. Recommendations for 5 good comedy movies
10. Three to six-months paid memberships for Dreamwidth
1. Anything from my Amazon Wishlist https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3LCG6J88B8PIZ?ref_=wl_share
2. Icons for the Sentinel (tv)
3. Icons for Almost Human (tv)
4. Icons for Reacher (tv)
5. Icons for Will Trent (tv)
6. Fan art for The Sentinel (tv)
7. Small humorous fic for The Sentinel
8. Recommendations for 5 good mystery novels
9. Recommendations for 5 good comedy movies
10. Three to six-months paid memberships for Dreamwidth
Wildlife
Nov. 16th, 2025 12:16 amysabetwordsmithScientists recover 40,000-year-old mammoth RNA still packed with clues
Researchers decoded 40,000-year-old mammoth RNA, unlocking real-time biological secrets frozen since the Ice Age.
Researchers have sequenced the oldest RNA ever recovered, taken from a woolly mammoth frozen for nearly 40,000 years. The RNA reveals which genes were active in its tissues, offering a rare glimpse into its biology and final moments. Surprisingly, the team also identified ancient microRNAs and rare mutations that confirm their mammoth origin. The finding shows that RNA can endure millennia—reshaping how scientists study extinct species.
Researchers decoded 40,000-year-old mammoth RNA, unlocking real-time biological secrets frozen since the Ice Age.
Researchers have sequenced the oldest RNA ever recovered, taken from a woolly mammoth frozen for nearly 40,000 years. The RNA reveals which genes were active in its tissues, offering a rare glimpse into its biology and final moments. Surprisingly, the team also identified ancient microRNAs and rare mutations that confirm their mammoth origin. The finding shows that RNA can endure millennia—reshaping how scientists study extinct species.
Sunday Word: Contretemps
Nov. 16th, 2025 04:50 pmsallymn posting in 1word1daycontretemps [kon-truh-tahn, kawntruh-tahn]
noun:
1 a minor dispute or disagreement
2 an inopportune occurrence; an embarrassing mischance
adjective:
It’s enough to make an artistic director throw up a white flag, though Sachs’ decision to retire had nothing to do with this latest contretemps. (Charles McNulty, Stephen Sachs documents an American family torn apart by Jan. 6 in his new play, Los Angeles Times, March 2024)
Shiffrin has won so often, in fact, that when she skips a race, or two, it spawns a minor contretemps. (Bill Pennington, Mikaela Shiffrin Wows Skiing When She Races - and When She Doesn't, The New York Times, February 2019)
The latest in this series of contretemps between the Congress president and the BJP is the rebuttal by Arun Jaitley, currently union minister without portfolio, who felt compelled to take on Rahul in a Facebook post a day after he got home from hospital following a kidney transplant. (Sujata Anandan, Saving the drowning farmer , Salon, June 2018)
This little domestic contretemps is then, I presume, disagreeable to you! (E Phillips Oppenheim, The Yellow Crayon)
She had meant to take a stroll herself before breakfast, but saw that the day was still sacred to men, and amused herself by watching their contretemps. (E M Forster, Howards End)
(click to enlarge)
Origin:
1680s, 'a blunder in fencing,' from French contre-temps 'motion out of time, unfortunate accident, bad times' (16c), from contre, an occasional, obsolete variant of contra (prep.) 'against' (from Latin contra 'against;' + tempus 'time' (Online Etymology Dictionary)
When contretemps first appeared in English in the 1600s, it did so in the context of fencing: a contretemps was a thrust or pass made at the wrong time, whether the wrongness of the time had to do with one’s lack of skill or an opponent's proficiency. From the fencing bout contretemps slid gracefully onto the dance floor, a contretemps being a step danced on an unaccented beat. Both meanings are in keeping with the word’s French roots, contre- (meaning 'counter') and temps (meaning 'time'). (The word’s English pronunciation is also in keeping with those roots: \KAHN-truh-tahn\.) By the late 1700s, contretemps had proved itself useful outside of either activity by referring to any embarrassing or inconvenient mishap - something out of sync or rhythm with social conventions. The sense meaning 'dispute' or 'argument' arrived relatively recently, in the 20th century, perhaps coming from the idea that if you step on someone’s toes, literally or figuratively, a scuffle might ensue. (Merriam-Webster)
Creative Jam
Nov. 15th, 2025 11:51 pmysabetwordsmithThe November crowdfunding Creative Jam is up with a theme of "Love and Sacrifice." Come leave us prompts, or claim some for your own inspiration!
This is the 149th Creative Jam! There is none in December, so January will be the 150th. \o/
What I Have Written
From My Prompts
crowdfunding Creative Jam is up with a theme of "Love and Sacrifice." Come leave us prompts, or claim some for your own inspiration!This is the 149th Creative Jam! There is none in December, so January will be the 150th. \o/
What I Have Written
From My Prompts
The Mighty Nein 1x01
Nov. 16th, 2025 12:25 amsettiaiFor anyone interested, the first episode of The Mighty Nein is available on YouTube for the weekend in advance of the first three episodes going live on Prime Video next week. The episode can be found here if you want to watch it.
To the shock of no one, I've watched the episode, and I have thoughts!
( Spoilers under the cut. )
To the shock of no one, I've watched the episode, and I have thoughts!
( Spoilers under the cut. )
Holiday Wishes 2025 is now open!
Nov. 15th, 2025 09:01 pmdoranwen posting in holiday_wishesGo forth and post (one wishlist per person)! If you're unfamiliar with the rules or need a refresher, you can find them here on the community profile. Wishlists will be accepted through December 31, 2025.
Once your wishlist has been approved, remember to tag it with at least one tag for each of the six categories listed on this post (Region, Country, Username, Holidays, Week, Category). If the tag you want to use isn't already available, you can post a comment to that post to request that it be created. In the case of fandom- or fanwork-related wishes, please tag for all fandoms requested.
Fanworks created to fulfill wishes can be posted to the AO3 collection.
Note About Shipping: At various times, shipping may be difficult in some parts of the world. If you know this is likely to be an issue for someone mailing you something, we encourage you to make a note about this in your wishlist. Editing your wishlist after the fact is therefore expressly permitted for the purpose of addressing the best ways of getting wished-for items to you.
I wish you all a wonderful holiday season! :)
Once your wishlist has been approved, remember to tag it with at least one tag for each of the six categories listed on this post (Region, Country, Username, Holidays, Week, Category). If the tag you want to use isn't already available, you can post a comment to that post to request that it be created. In the case of fandom- or fanwork-related wishes, please tag for all fandoms requested.
Fanworks created to fulfill wishes can be posted to the AO3 collection.
Note About Shipping: At various times, shipping may be difficult in some parts of the world. If you know this is likely to be an issue for someone mailing you something, we encourage you to make a note about this in your wishlist. Editing your wishlist after the fact is therefore expressly permitted for the purpose of addressing the best ways of getting wished-for items to you.
I wish you all a wonderful holiday season! :)
Tech adaptation.
Nov. 15th, 2025 11:15 pmhannahAs I told several people I would, today I cleaned my computer. The physical object. I got the Q-tips, the Isopropyl, the canned air, the screwdriver set, watched a couple of videos and read some manuals, and got to work. It was a delightfully straightforward set of tasks and, unless I'm running a hyper-specific program that has moments of taking up 100% of the CPU, my computer's now nice and quiet. The only issue I've got right now is the front LED is blinking in an irregular frequency, which tells me one of two things: a physical component needs to be replaced at some point, or the LED itself isn't working properly. Absolutely nothing I've done so far today has caused me any further issues, so I'm not going to worry too much. I'll see what happens the next time I get the urge to play Stardew Valley.
Also of note, though much less pleasant, was having to bear through a couple anxiety spikes. It's been a while and I'm out of practice with them, and I haven't forgotten how they keep lingering. I hope it's all gone by tomorrow.
Also of note, though much less pleasant, was having to bear through a couple anxiety spikes. It's been a while and I'm out of practice with them, and I haven't forgotten how they keep lingering. I hope it's all gone by tomorrow.
Something About Seeds...?
Nov. 16th, 2025 12:04 pmmagnavox_23*Blink... blink, blink*
What type of tree is this out the front of Jack's cabin?
(click to embiggen)
I am not super familiar with the abundance of North American flora...
Could I interest you in a gum, wattle...
bottlebrush?
...paperbark?
.......woollybutt?
............vicious hairy mary?
What type of tree is this out the front of Jack's cabin?
(click to embiggen)
I am not super familiar with the abundance of North American flora...
Could I interest you in a gum, wattle...
bottlebrush?
...paperbark?
.......woollybutt?
............vicious hairy mary?
Book Check-in: "Wooing the Witch Queen"
Nov. 15th, 2025 08:13 pmbluapapilio
Basic summary: In a Gaslamp-lit world where hags and ogres lurk in thick pine forests, three magical queens form an uneasy alliance to protect their lands from invasion…and love turns their world upside down.
My thoughts: I believe I heard about this from someone on here (here maybe), otherwise I wouldn't have picked it up on my own, so thanks! I'm really starting to think I need to sit down and find more stories like this for listening at work, they really help uplift my mood. So far I've read:
Nettle & Bone
Legends & Lattes
The Secret Society of Irregular Witches
Wooing the Witch Queen
These all have some level of darkness or angst but nothing too dark for me. I do plan on reading this author's Scales & Sensibility. I'm think about cozy mystery and cozy horror (like 'How to Survive Camping'. Anyway---
Saskia's parents were murdered by her uncle but she later rose up and took back the throne. Now she lives with ogres, goblins and her bats and crows spending her days doing experiments to protect her kingdom. She is a bit impulsive with her feelings.
Felix was married off to his childhood friend but her father enslaved him and used his name to enact crusades. Felix eventually escapes, heading to Saskia's kingdom to seek asylum.
However, in her haste to get back to her work and used to dealing with tiresome dark wizards, she assumes he's the dark wizard she was looking to hire to fix up her library which has long been in disarray since her uncle messed it up.
Felix's kind and gentle nature quickly wins over one of Saskia's familiar crows, Oscar, which is just the start of Saskia's heart softening towards him.
This has themes of found family, suffering and healing from abuse, being true to oneself, simp!male lead POV and a more dominant female lead.
I'm not a fan of lust first stories but it wasn't too extreme here. They're attracted sexually first but nothing happens until later when they've already caught feelings.
I was a little ehh about the narration at times but overall liked it.
I won't be reading the sequels because I couldn't stand Lorelei which is the focus of the second book and I'm not that interested in seeing an Alana romance though I'm curious who could win her heart.
My favorite aspect was definitely Felix simping over Saskia and being happy to let her take the reigns. And his relationship with the crow Oscar, that was lovely! Oh, forgot to mention, Saskia is bisexual! I loved the housekeeper and Saskia's sort of 'second in command', I kinda wished there had been more of them/their backstory but it wasn't bad what we got at all. The Winter celebration with all the gift-giving was so lovely. Oh, here's another review I thought was great.
CWs:
-Saskia has moments of grief where she remembers her parents murder (she heard it happen)
-Both Saskia and Felix were abused as children and young adults, it doesn't go into too much detail but their trauma is brought up at times
-Felix's wife had a terminal illness and died, it doesn't come up too much
-Lorelei comes across as a sex pest to me though she doesn't outright lay her hands on Felix I don't think (I kinda blocked those parts out in annoyance), but in the preview for the next book she kidnaps someone and makes him her 'boy toy' though I hear he becomes willing
-Both Saskia and Felix were abused as children and young adults, it doesn't go into too much detail but their trauma is brought up at times
-Felix's wife had a terminal illness and died, it doesn't come up too much
-Lorelei comes across as a sex pest to me though she doesn't outright lay her hands on Felix I don't think (I kinda blocked those parts out in annoyance), but in the preview for the next book she kidnaps someone and makes him her 'boy toy' though I hear he becomes willing
My rating: 4.5/5
