Nikita Gill, From Your Heart Is The Sea: Poems; "The Anguish," Originally Published In 2018

I am so invested in your posts about Mountain and his pack of moms.

Does Mountain turn into a big kit whenever he visits them? Like a college kid who goes back home to his family during holidays.

- @ghouletteanon

(I did exactly two Google searches and these are the names for the previous drummers I found. I went with Terra over Gamma for obvious elemental reasons. I think there's three total? My inbox and DMs are open to any and all earth ghoul stans who know more than I do.)

Nothing terrible under the cut except the horror of knowing your parental figures have sex.

He knows Pebble's aware as soon as he sets foot into the deeper woods. The trees and mycelium networks are her eyes and ears, leaves rustling with wind-carried words to wherever she is. Not a single twig in this forest snaps without her knowing about it, which would give anyone else an incredible headache but Pebble seems to like it just fine.

And sure enough, he doesn't get but a yard or so before she's there. Sitting on an ancient log like she's been there the whole time waiting for him to pass by, even though he knew he'd been alone just moments ago.

She's all criss-crossed up from her arms to her legs, still as a statue as she watches him approach with his picnic basket. He doesn't say anything; he knows this routine well enough by now. Pebble can get odd, when left to her own devices for too long. The others are usually good at bringing her back to herself though.

Food helps too. Not the food she can scavenge from the forest like berries and mushrooms and prey animals eaten raw. Food that's been altered, baked, cooked. He lifts the cloth of the picnic basket and lets the warm smell of fresh bread waft out. Her nostrils flair and she stands up, quick as a wink. With one quick nod, she's off; darting through the undergrowth like a fox. It's on him to keep up, but he knows she'll come back for him if he lays behind too far. She'll get impatient but she'll always come back.

The path is different every time he visits. Some trick of Terra's to keep strangers out if they aren't guided in but he doesn't mind. He knows how much they value privacy and the time it takes to get to the destination is never too long. The undergrowth thins out, the trees grow further and further apart until they're in Ivy's garden with Ivy herself bending over to tug up a bundle of root vegetables. Pebble licks her fingertips as she walks over, delivering a loud and resounding smack to Ivy's rear end that Mountain glances away to avoid seeing barely in the nick of time.

"Pebble!" Ivy shouts, shooting up straight and cuffing the small menace in return. "Just once, a hello would be nice to hear instead of-"

"Hello." Mountain calls, walking between the rows to her with a wave. She turns around again and her happiness is so infectious that nearby plants immediately start flowering in response. Pebble takes the opportunity to dart into the little home that's been carved into the earth, set into the base of gentle slope covered in soft green grass.

"Mountain!" She cries, dropping her harvest into the dirt and leaping over the plants to catch him up in a bear hug. "Oh, I was just thinking about you! Terra was saying you were all back from tour, so of course we've been expecting you but honestly not so soon and-"

"Let that boy breathe." Comes a deeper voice from the doorway of the little home. Mountain straightens up automatically, brushing a few fly aways out of her face as Terra easily lopes over with her cane. She stops a few feet away, looks over him with a critical eye and he's acutely aware of every wrinkle and stain in his clothes, the way his right boot's come untied and how the flannel he has on now was definitely hers once upon a time.

"Suppose we'll have to take you as you are then." Terra says, a telling twinkle in her eye though her face remains firm. "What'd you bring us this time?"

"Harvest bread." He says, finally handing over the picnic basket. "Gooseberry and raspberry jam. Two kinds of cheese. Wine and whiskey and weed."

"Good stuff." Ivy says in approval.

"We'll see." Terra says. Then, "Pebble, don't you dare."

Pebble slinks out from behind Terra, hands raised in innocence even as her tail whips back. It's caught just in time by Terra's own tail, wrangled into submission as Mountain pretends to be thoroughly engrossed by his feet. He's not a prude, far from it but it just feels awkward to watch the ones who helped him with his first moments Topside be...like that.

"Welcome back." Terra says fondly after Pebble yanks her tail away and stomps off to set the table. Ivy picks up her vegetables again and goes to put her gardening tools away. "Tell us where you've been this whole time."

"All over." Mountain begins. And, like he always does, hits his head on the doorframe on the way in.

Some things never change.

oh my god guys it's their my wife!!

this has been rotting in my wips but anyways my take on the ghouls please accept it hehe

Post infirmary shift Omega since people thought my Omega design was so hot lol

(people liking my design made me sooo happy ngl)

THIRTEEN (2003) dir. Catherine Hardwicke JENNIFER'S BODY (2009) dir. Karyn Kusama ORPHAN (2009) dir. Jaume Collet-Serra BLACK SWAN (2010) dir.Darren Aronofsky HELTER SKELTER (2012) dir. Mika Ninagawa I, TONYA (2017) dir. Craig Gillespie LAST NIGHT IN SOHO (2022) dir. Edgar Wright THE SUBSTANCE (2024) dir. Coralie Fargeat

Are they really busy or did they just block me😝

pictures of buildings in the dark with one window glowing unnaturally bright. yeah <3

Slow Fashion and Greenwashing: Navigating the Ethical Mase of Sustainability

The fashion industry is shifting toward sustainability, driven by consumer demand for more ethical and environmentally friendly practices. At the forefront of this movement is slow fashion, a counter to the fast fashion frenzy that emphasizes quality, ethical production, and environmental responsibility. However, as more brands claim to be “green" or “sustainable,” greenwashing, the practice of making misleading or exaggerated claims about a product's eco-friendliness has also emerged. Understanding the difference between authentic sustainability efforts and greenwashing is essential for conscious consumers. 

What is Slow Fashion? 

Slow Fashion is all about buying less and buying better. Instead of constantly purchasing cheap, trendy clothes that wear out quickly, slow fashion asks us to invest in pieces that are: 

Made to last: High-quality materials and timeless designs that can be worn for years. 

Ethically produced: Workers are paid fair wages and work in safe conditions.

Environmentally friendly: Brands use sustainable materials like organic cotton or recycled fabrics and minimize waste in production. 

In short, slow fashion is not just about clothes - it is about changing how we think about consumption. It is a movement that promotes mindful shopping, encouraging us to connect more with the items we buy and their impact on the world. 

What is Greenwashing? 

Unfortunately, not all brands are honest about their sustainability efforts. Greenwashing happens when companies mislead customers by promoting their products as “eco-friendly” without actually making significant changes to how they produce them. This can look like: 

Vague claims: Words like “natural” or “eco-friendly” without any proof or specific details. 

Small gestures: A company might use organic cotton in one product line but continue using harmful practices in the rest of its operations.

Focusing on packaging, not production: They might offer biodegradable packaging but ignore the environmental damage caused by making the actual clothes. 

It is like a fresh coat of paint over a house that is falling apart - it looks good on the surface, but underneath, nothing has changed. 

An example of greenwashing is the H&M Conscious Collection. The collection launched in 2019, aiming to offer more sustainable fashion options. The brand claimed to use materials such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, and circulose. However, investigations and lawsuits have raised questions about the authenticity of H&M's sustainability claims (Ponte 2023). 

Misleading Environmental Scores: A Quartz investigation revealed that H&M's self-reported environmental scores were often inaccurate or inflated. The company used the Higg Index, a sustainability certification system, but the scores were sometimes misleading or incorrect (Ponte 2023). 

Class-Action Lawsuit: H&M faced a class-action lawsuit in the USA, alleging that its marketing of the Conscious Collection was misleading (Shendruk 2022). The lawsuit claimed that H&M's advertising falsely represented the sustainability of its products, leading consumers to believe they were purchasing environmentally friendly clothing. 

Recycled Polyester Controversy: The lawsuit also pointed out that the recycling used in the Conscious Collection was not as sustainable as claimed. Once plastic bottles are converted into clothing, they often end up in landfills or incineration, which is not environmentally friendly (Wright 2023). 

In conclusion, the H&M Conscious Collection shows how tricky it is to be sustainable in fast fashion. While the company is making efforts, accusations of greenwashing highlight the need for honesty and real action, not just marketing claims. 

How to Spot Authentic Slow Fashion Brands? 

Here are a few tips to help you identify genuine slow fashion brands from those just greenwashing: 

Look for Transparency: Honest brands will tell you where their clothes are made, who made them, and what materials they used. They will also share details about their supply chain and environmental impact. 

Check for Certifications: Look for third-party certifications like Fair Trade, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), or OEKO-TEX, which verify that the brand meets a high standard of environmental and ethical practices. 

Buy Fewer, Better Items: True slow fashion brands encourage mindful consumption. They will focus on creating high-quality, long-lasting pieces rather than pushing constant new collections or sales.

How can We Do? 

As consumers, we have more power than we realize. Here is how we can help move the fashion industry in the right direction: 

Buy Less: Focus on buying pieces that you love and will wear for years. Avoid fast trends and impulse buys. 

Choose Secondhand: Thrift shopping or buying from secondhand platforms extends the life of clothes and reduces waste. 

Support Ethical Brands: When you do buy new, choose brands that are transparent and truly committed to slow fashion values. 

Educate yourself: The more you know about sustainable fashion, the better choice you can make. Stay informed about brands' sustainability practices, and do not be afraid to ask questions.

Conclusion: Your Choices Matter

Slow Fashion is not just a trend. It is a movement that can help save our planet. By choosing to support ethical, sustainable brands and avoiding those who greenwash, we can all make a difference. It is about buying smarter, wearing longer, and caring more. 

In the end, fashion is a reflection of who we are, and by making conscious choices, we can show that we care about the environment, the people who make our clothes, and the world we live in. 

Let's wear our values ​​​​proudly !!!!!!!

Reference list

Ponte, C 2023, ‘The H&M Greenwashing Scandal: Has Business Learned the Lesson?’, Impakter, viewed <https://impakter.com/hm-greenwashing-scandal-has-business-learned-the-lesson/>.

Shendruk, A 2022, ‘USA: H&M faces “greenwashing” class-action lawsuit over alleged misleading & false marketing of “sustainable” clothing line’, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, viewed <https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/usa-hm-faces-greenwashing-class-action-lawsuit-over-alleged-misleading-false-marketing-of-sustainable-clothing-line/>.

Wright, M 2023, 'Greenwashing, or Conscious Shopping?: H&M's Controversial Sustainable Efforts - JOULE', JOULE , viewed <https://sites.law.duq.edu/joule/greenwashing-or-conscious-shopping-hms-controversial -sustainable-efforts/>.

So @crimsonclergy made this post and I started scribbling thoughts immediately because it was just too sweet and my brain wouldn't let me rest about it!

Cw: just the slightest touch of angst, it's not heavy but Dew's sappy and a feeling pops up but it's ok. Boys being soft, I used Phantom because that was the name in the og post 😊

Phantom leads Dew down the hall toward his room with big bright eyes and excitement buzzing off of him. It's flattering, for him to be so excited to finally get Dew in his room, to get him into his bed.

Dew had kept his distance, certain wounds only now scarring over. He was still hesitant but he couldn't deny that pull to Phantom, his sweet smile, his soft voice, everything about him screamed I promise I'm safe, I promise you're safe with me.

So here he is. Hand in hand with the quint, and finding himself mirroring his excitement.

He's not entirely sure what he expects when Phantom opens the door. Being shoved against it maybe, stripped and touched and pinned to the mattress. It's welcome, more than welcome really....

He's certainly not expecting for Phantom to squeeze his fingers when he shuts the door, he's not prepared for the soft lighting in his room or the nest of blankets on the middle of his bed. He's not prepared for Phantom to toe off his shoes and stop there, gently nudging Dew to do the same.

"Phantom..."

"S'ok. Promise, trust me. Just a little."

And he wants to say he does, he wants to tell him he doesn't have to do all this, it's really not necessary but then Phantom turns those big mismatched eyes on him and he can't say anything at all.

He guides Dew to the bed and he sits with tension settling in the base of his spine, a weird sense of the unknown making him itch just under the skin. This isn't how it usually is, sure he's had softer nights with gentle hands and lips on his, but this feels... different.

Phantom joins beside him, shoulders all the way down pressed close and Dew doesn't quite understand yet.

"Just relax Dew." He's smiling, he can hear it without having to look over. He feels Phantom move to turn the lamp off and he thinks it's time, that now maybe it'll make sense in a way he understands.

But he hears another click and the ceiling lights up with thousands of artificial stars. They spin and swirl and Dew just stares dumbfounded.

"What-" There's so much he wants to say, to ask but he can't get the words to come out. He's used to other bodies on top of him, kissing, touching, marking, but somehow this feels like more.

"Well I wanted to do this for real but it's been so slushy and gross out. Figured this was the next best thing..." He shrugs, the length of his arm dragging over Dew's.

He turns his head and when Phantom does the same their noses touch. The brightness in Phantom's eyes rivals the actual stars outside when he smiles, a soft blush on his cheeks as Dew let's his words sink in.

"It's not...it's just..." Phantom sighs. "I just wanted to have something like this...with you."

"Thank you." He lays his hand on Phantom's cheek, brushing over the little starburst splotches on his skin, bumping their noses again. "Thank you."

He scoots down just to lay his head against Phantom's chest, the quints arm wrapping around him and holding him tight. Dew smiles a little when he realizes Phantom's heart is beating just a little faster than normal.

They lay in silence for a bit before Phantom lifts his hand and points out a constellation.

"Do you know that one?"

And he does, he knows them all and his chest aches, a dull pulse like a bruise when he remembers that all too familiar voice teaching him all about them. He shoves it back, tucks it away safely in the back of his mind. It doesn't hurt as badly anymore but he doesn't need it right now.

He doesn't need that echo of a voice when he's got Phantom right here, going out of his way just to give Dew something special, when he's got his heart beating right under his ear and his arms around him like it's important, like he's important.

Dew pulls in a deep breath to steady himself, to quiet his mind. The snow covered apple scent of Phantom sinking into his veins carrying peace right along with it.

He shakes his head. "No, I never could tell them apart."

"Oh. Well I could teach you. If you want...I could show you." He speaks so softly but he can feel how earnest he is and Dew realizes with a shock through his system just how much he already loves him.

He didn't think he could, he didn't think he had enough space for him too without losing someone else. But he manages. Phantom makes space without stealing it and Dew loves him.

His throat is tight when he finally speaks. "Yeah Phantom, tell me about them. I'd like that."

Phantom doesn't comment on the shake in Dew's voice or the way his shirt gets just a little damp by Dew's eyes, but he holds him tighter as he points out the stars he knows so well, happy to finally share them with Dewdrop.