(read Vertically)

feeling very normal and not devastated by this chapter

This arts is so lazy sorryyyyyyyyy

Hnk Oc

HnK Yas B*tch Slay

"Oh," Phosphophyllite stops in place, kneels down. "A flower!"

Light reflects off their hair. Throws facets across their shoulder, the bare stretch of their cheek. Antarcticite stops, too, and turns back towards them.

"A flower?"

Snow is heavy around them; the temperature is cold, and Antarcticite is solid. A flower shouldn't-

"Yeah!" Phosphophyllite chirps, looking up at them. Their face is open, bright. 

Even though the sunshine is pale, and washed out, their face glows.

(the rising morning sun, welcoming them home)

A sharp blink. Antarcticite follows their own path back, crosses over to Phos' winding, unsteady one. They've not made it that far. Home is still nestled just before the horizon.

There, small and bristling with frost, is a flower.

"Oh," they kneel. Puts their weapon aside, and reaches out a tentative, unsure, hand.

Yet they don't quite dare touch.

"What kind is it?"

Phos hums, thoughtful. Leans closer, and their arms brush. The presence of another gem, one that isn't Sensei's comforting size is- odd.

(Antarcticite does not, they find, hate it)

"You don't know, do you?" they ask, when Phos doesn't say anything, and they offer a sheepish little laugh, expression contrite.

Antarcticite huffs. But something fond lingers in their chest, and hesitantly, they press a finger to the flower's petal.

The thing shivers at the touch. 

But it doesn't wither. 

"I've never seen one before," they admit, softer than they want.

"Never?"

A shake of their head.

They've seen ice, patterned like flowers. Twisting and reaching, endlessly stretching. And they've seen dried ones, dying ones, unspoken kindnesses left from the others.

But this is different.

The flower is alive. Perhaps it won't be for long, but right now, in this moment, there it is. Its petals alive and vibrant, turned towards the sun.

An arm brushes against theirs.

"It's pretty, right?"

Antarcticite taps at the petal. Watches it rise, then fall, with the motion. The sun curls over it, pale and waning. 

If they turn their head, they'd see Phos' face.

"Yeah," they say, leaning back. Picking up their weapon. "It's pretty."

Despite themself, they let their gaze shift to Phosphophyllite.

(a smile, as bright as the summer sun)

Something for a school assignment

Decided to post this since I'm kind of proud of it!!

Basil wip :)

eSims for Gaza is facing constant eSim shortages.

They get over a thousand requests for connection a day, but their email inbox is regularly sitting at 300-500 eSims. With the bombardment of Rafah and continual internet blackouts, the need for more eSims is particularly urgent.

Even if you have already sent an eSim or donated to an eSim donation drive, there is more you can do. The team is calling for people to campaign in their communities to help spread the word about eSims and encourage donations.

You can help by printing out posters and putting them up in local businesses, on telephone poles and notice boards, or wherever people are likely to see them.

[ID: Poster headed “eSIMs for Gaza” with an illustration of a red poppy, a QR code, and a link to tinyurl.com/gaza-esims; copy reads “Sending eSIMs is an immediate, concrete way to help Gazans on the ground. Scan below to learn how you can get involved.” End ID]

Download color poster

Download black and white poster

Or make your own poster, pamphlet, or protest sign with one of these QR codes: