Feb 19
‚modern prometheus‘
because it truly feels like my guts are being ripped out everytime I’m on my period! yay! 🤩💋
my commissions are open & you can find my art on redbubble!
taglist (comment/dm me if you wanna be added x)
seen from Germany
seen from United Kingdom
seen from China
seen from Yemen
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Australia
seen from United States
seen from Australia
seen from Australia
seen from United States
seen from Australia
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from T1
seen from United States
seen from T1
seen from United States
seen from Colombia
‚modern prometheus‘
because it truly feels like my guts are being ripped out everytime I’m on my period! yay! 🤩💋
my commissions are open & you can find my art on redbubble!
taglist (comment/dm me if you wanna be added x)
Menstrual Cycles and Aliens
“I apologize, but Williams is doing what?”
Kate sighed, brown eyes rolling at Ka’oolai’s stiff confusion. “Bleeding Niagara Falls out of her uterus. She’s gonna need a couple days.”
“Katy.” Jasmine hissed. “That is not how you explain this shit to people.”
Kate’s lips thinned in exasperation. “It makes them listen! God knows how many times I had to describe it so graphically to get all the men in my family to understand that you can’t just ‘suck it up!’”
The three sat in the dining lounge, a room on the transport ship meant for relaxation for workers on their breaks. Ka’looai, the ship’s second-in-command, had inquired about Pilot William’s ask for absence. Kate Blanche, the engineer and second roommate to De’maya, had answered in her usually blunt way. Luckily, The third roommate and Quartermaster of the ship, Jasmine Lativos, had been there to cushion Ka’looai’s immediate confusion.
Ka’looai held up their four hands to the two humans, insectoid limbs the notable deep, iridescent purple of their native race, Yamogai. They resembled a mix of a beetle and praying mantis, tall with hard, spiny exoskeletons. They displayed a variety of colors like humans (tho more vibrant), but the most common was purple.
“I apologize… I do not understand. Does Pilot Williams have an open wound? Do they need to go to the medibay?” Ka’looai’s voice sounded like the vibrating of beating wings, so they had to pronunciate other languages precisely in order to be understood. So they spoke slowly and with a deliberate concentration. This voice also gave way to an accent that made them pronounce certain letters like ‘v’s. There was a running joke with humans that Yamogai were related to Germans, as their accents were similar when speaking English.
Jasmine shook her head. “No. She’s experiencing a part of her menstrual cycle, the human female reproductive cycle.” Ka’looai cocked their head, so Jasmine continued. “Every month, we expel the inside lining of our uterus, the organ that develops a human fetus if the female is pregnant. If a female isn’t pregnant, our uterus removes the old lining of tissue and blood and gets rid of it from our body to create a new lining in case she does become pregnant. It’s the same muscle contractions as childbirth, though at a smaller fraction. This process can be extremely painful for some, if not most people, and De’maya is one of them. So she just needs some time off to deal with and recover from this experience.”
Ka’looai stared for a moment, mantis-like eyes seeming to stare through the humans souls. “I… see. I will inform the captain, then. Is there anything else we must know about this… event? I assume you two experience it as well as you said every human female does?”
Kate shrugged, long brown braid shifting in her shoulders. “Mine isn’t so bad usually. I’m one of the lucky ones. I get irritable and the occasional back pains, but I don’t need time off recuperate necessarily.”
“Irritable?”
Jasmine smiled, more of grimace for those experienced in reading human expressions. “Annoyed. Aggressive. The process increases the amount of estrogen and testosterone in our bodies, hormones that can heavily influence our emotional states. So we can be a bit…” Jasmine paused to think. “Intense.”
“Ah.” Ka’looai’s antennae twitched emphatically. “That is why I sensed the rise in strange pheromones. So this increase of chemicals affects you physically, emotionally, and mentally. I see why Pilot Williams asked for an absence then. Will the two of you require the same?”
Jasmine made an expression that Ka’looai could not understands. She bared her teeth while narrowing here eyes and scrunching her nose, dark skin wrinkling. Her hands rolled synchronously back and forth, a gesture the Yamogai recognized as a sign for uncertainty. “My cycle is more chaotic. Many factors can influence the way it is, and I tend to be influenced heavily by those.” She gestured at the other human. “Whereas Kate’s average is light and less painful, and De’maya’s average is heavy and extreme pain, mine can be either depending on my situation. If I’m stressed and haven’t taken care of myself, it’s usually pretty painful. If the opposite, I can usually function pain free. It depends.”
“What do you mean by light and heavy?”
“That refers to the amount of blood and tissue we expel. Light is very little, medium is a bit more, heavy means a lot. Some people have more lining than others. The heavier the flow can also increase the amount of pain.”
“Is this process different for every human?”
Both women nodded.
“And you still work through such obstacles?”
“Pretty much.” Jasmine confirmed.
“Interesting.” Ka’looai hummed, the sound vibrating the air rhythmically. “So human females expel a large amount of their own blood and tissue every month simply for not reproducing. And it is incredibly painful, yet some of you still function through it. No wonder females are in higher demand than males. You are a hardy species.” Their laugh sounded like the erratic buzzing of fly multiplied by ten. “Is there anything else I need to know?”
“Oh, there’s a shit ton if you wanna properly educate yourself on human reproduction.” Kate waved a scarred, oil darkened hand. “But Jaz gave you the basics. Hah, you may know and understand it better than the average human male.” Kate chuckled dryly and Jasmine huffed. “But that’s a debate hole that can be saved for another time.”
“If you want to learn more, read some human biology books, and we can answer any questions you have.” Said Jasmine. “Make sure they’re recent ones tho, the outdated ones are full of a lot of misinformation.”
“I see. I will do so. Human biology continues to fascinate. I have always found learning about other races to be rather intriguing, and humans never disappoint.”
“Yeup.” Kate leaned back and threw her arms behind her head. “Just don’t start making jokes about us leaving puddles and shit everywhere, or not being trusted behind the wheel.” Her eyes narrowed and she bared her teeth in a not-friendly-smile. “I will commit some “transgressions,” if so.”
Ka’looai’s antennae twitched. “Understood.”
~~~~~~
I’m currently going through this month’s rounds, and felt like distracting myself. Finally had the motivation to write and of course it was during a shitty time of my life. Needed me some alien feels that understand my woes better than my own family. I know this prompt has been done a lot, but I wanted to give my own take on it.
Logging my period on my stupid little app like I’m a weary eldritch-pursued captain lost at sea,,,
Captain’s log, day 2:
The future appears bleak. The monstrous red beast continues close on my heels as I navigate waves that tower high above and crash against the ship with a devastating fury. My beloved first mate, Extrastrength Ibuprofen, has succumbed to the elements. She will be sorely missed.
Captain’s log, day 2 (update):
Why has God bequeathed upon me such ceaseless pain? I stand at the bow of the ship in repentance, wringing my hands and begging for mercy. I pray to an empty sky, it seems.
Captain's log, day 2 (update 2)
ough. ouchie.
Captains log, day 5:
The scarlet vengeance persists. It seems God has abandoned me at the gates of Hell. Rations are running low. The ship's most skilled navigator, Hot Waterbottle has likewise been thrown overboard in the fray. I fear all hope may be lost.
Captains log, day 7:
I believe the monster has finally abated in its terrible pursuit of me. Forsooth, light shines once more upon my face and freedom stands at my door, beckoning me in. I shall wear my best white linens upon this most joyous day.
Captains log, day 7 (update):
fuckign hell.
you could make a Baki boys headcanons with an o / s on their days (period / menstruation)
(sorry, I'm on it, and GOD is horrible .....)
Hi, I'll just cover Jack and Baki for this as you didn't specify. I really hope it got better, and I'm sorry this didn't get to you in time! Please feel free to read it next time and I hope it makes you feel a little better. - Medinah ♥️ Jack 💙 Makes his lap a cushion for her. Stays all day in bed with her, never leaving her side. He just wants to support her and make her feel better. Hugs her to take her mind off it. 💙 Makes her really healthy and wholesome food that helps the flow of her menstruation better. He is really attentive to what she eats and how it vitalizes her. 💙 Helps her stretch to alleviate some tension in pelvic area. He knows an important part of having a smoother cycle is how you move and treat your body. 💙 Uses online forums to get advice. Tries to find devices or medicines to help lift the stress and pain. He has a lot of respect for her, beginning to understand after being with her for a long time the hardship women have to go through. 💙 Brings her all of her favourite foods. Sits and binges movies and shows with her until she falls asleep on his shoulder. Proceeds to cuddle her all throughout the night. Baki ❤️ Feels so bad he could almost cry. Hugs her and keep whispering sweet nothings into her ear. Just desires to comfort her and take her pain away. ❤️ Softly massages her and asks if she is okay. Gives her warm drinks and medicine which he hopes will help. ❤️ Encourages her to take naps, holds a hot water bottle against her stomach to administer some warmth to the area. ❤️ He becomes extra clingy during this time, and would like to keep her indoors and close to him. He literally will wait outside the bathroom until she's done and walks her back to their room. ❤️ He stresses about her to the point that he loses sleep. He only snaps out of it when his s/o gently kisses him and tells him she will be fine, just to keep on hugging her. He also always makes sure sanitary towels and spare clothing are stocked up at his place!
if you're thinking "Wow it's awake early" it's because I got woken up very abruptly by cramps. Because covid-19 has apparently irreversibly fucked up my menstrual cycle so now it's just gonna happen whenever the fuck it wants without rhyme or reason >:[
Period be like during the day I will wear the night pads and during the night I will wear the BIGGER night pads
Does anyone have menstrual underwear recommendations?? Brands like Thinx without Thinx concept stealing habits and without Thinx price tag-if possible
The Mother!
Hey, guys! Have you heard about this crazy fermented beverage thing called “kombucha”?! Did you know that consuming fermented things is supposed to be really good for your body?! Did you know that it costs $3.99 USD for a 480ml bottle, but you can trick yourself into thinking you enjoy making it at home for just pennies a glass?!
Kombucha brewing is a perfect hobby for people who have recently experienced gastrointestinal problems, people who spend way too much time at home, or people who simply just want some sort of low-commitment responsibility in their otherwise meaningless lives but don’t, like, want to join a religion or get a dog or anything. It may not be as visually rewarding as a plant, but it’s nearly impossible to kill, AND it tastes great with alcohol; why have a baby when can you can birth your own unconditionally-loving and endlessly-giving kombucha offspring right at home?!
The Homeworking™ Guide to Home-Brewing Kombucha
Visit your friend in Toronto who you know makes kombucha and just casually be like, “So I’ve been thinking about making kombu–”
Friend puts their finger on your lips, says “Say no more,” and proudly foists upon you a SCOBY (aka a Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast, aka The Mother!)
Carry that weird alien globule around for another week, including taking it on 3 flights, in a <100ml container that you realise isn’t leak-proof until it spills all over your luggage
Get home, prep some ginger lemon tea, get excited about how you’re going to CHANGE! YOUR! LIFE!
Find some instructions online and realise you’re doing it wrong
Continue to do it wrong 3 more times before finally reading the entire instructions start to finish; take 2 more trips to grocery store; somehow blame millennials for everything you did incorrectly
Finally make some damn kombucha tea, ferment it, secondary ferment it, consume it
Repeat for the rest of your life!!
Advanced kombucha brewers may want kick their process up a notch by trying a technique I started today purely by accident, which involves timing your kombucha ferment with the start of your menstrual cycle! It’s a win/win for both your digestive system AND your probably barren uterus; no need for pregnancy, as simply by uttering the words, “I guess I’m making kombucha?” you are now The Mother! to The Mother!
If you don’t think kombucha brewing is for you, and you secretly scoff at all your friends with huge jars full of cloudy golden liquid and phlegmmy SCOBYs atop their kitchen cupboards, and you even just hate saying the word SCOBY because it kinda sounds like annoying stoner vernacular, hey, I’ve been there! But then I remembered that your post-20s is a continuous series of self-reflections wherein you find yourself saying, “Welp, I guess I’m this type of person now!” and so here we are! Hot Tip: pair this activity with a kale salad to really hit peak Single White Female 2017.
In other news, it snowed two days ago, so it’s officially turtleneck weather, aka my favourite time of year! Which is why I also just got back from a spontaneous trip to LA (pictured) with my friend T (not pictured). Life is just full of surprises, and I really can’t wait to see what previously-abhorred activity I hypocritically embrace next!
Colophon Turtleneck: UNIQLO; sweatpants: Alternative Apparel; t-shirt: $0.99 Katy Perry California Dreams tour shirt; socks: UNIQLO; undies (not pictured): Aerie; glasses: Steven Alan Optical deep sale; glass jug: IKEA; glass bottles: Amazon, free with AmEx points; manicure set: Sephora, used twice; mammogram pamphlet: William F. Ryan Community Health Center; ponch: ice cream + terrible posture; mixing bowl: Rosti via MoMA Design Store; cutlery: MoMA Staff Caff [sic]; LA hallucinations: Runyon Canyon, “difficult level” trail; future: so bright I gotta wear a brimmed cap; Aronofsky: probably could have made some better “jokes” but I’m just appropriating the punctuational device because I am lazy and haven’t! seen! the! film!; oh yeah: Happy Holidays!