#Boom beach landing craft heavies | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

scotianostra · 3 years

Photo

On January 30th 1886 Elizabeth 'Betty' Mouat set sail from Grutness to Lerwick, on the Shetland Isles, she would be washed ashore in Norway over a week later.

In 1886 the unmarried Betty Mouat was 59 years old. She supported herself by knitting and she lived with her half-brother’s family in the tiny hamlet of Scatness near the southern tip of the main island of the Shetlands, one of the most remote inhabited locations in the British Isles.

Her background was a tragic one – her father had died six months before her birth when the whaler he was serving on disappeared in the Arctic. Her poor luck continued – a cartwheel broke her leg, and she was once shot in the head by a man hunting rabbits. She herself had suffered a stroke in her late 50's and it was probably for treatment of this she set out for the doctors surgery 25 miles away that January morning on the Columbine, a small cutter-rigged sailing craft that carried mail and passengers, on the journey she was bringing some forty hand-crafted shawls with her for sale on behalf of herself and neighbours. weather was deteriorating and the Columbine’s captain warned Miss Mouat that a rough passage could be expected. He advised that she might better wait. She was quite adamant however – sail in the Columbine she would. She came on board with her merchandise and with two pints of milk and two biscuits for refreshment during the expected three or four- hour passage. She went down into the small cabin and settled herself.

Disaster struck within half an hour of departure. The main sheet broke, allowing the boom to swing free and in the process of securing it the captain was thrown overboard. The craft carried two deckhands and now – with the Columbine unable to manoeuvre due to the unavailability of the mainsail – they too the decision to launch the vessel’s single row-boat and go to the captain’s rescue. Given the weather conditions it seems remarkable that they expected to get back to the Columbine. The captain could not be found but by the time they realised that their search was futile the Columbine had been driven too far off to reach. She was carrying Miss Mouat, the only passenger, with her. The two deckhands were successful in reaching shore and raising the alarm but given the communications of the time the response could not be immediate. It's now I will hand you over to the great Tragedian Scottish poet William McGonagall, with a a contemporary account of the events, in his own inimitable style!

The Wreck of the “Columbine” Kind Christians, all pay attention to me, And Miss Mouat’s sufferings I’ll relate to ye; While on board the Columbine, on the merciless sea, Tossing about in the darkness of night in the storm helplessly.

She left her home (Scatness), on Saturday morning, bound for Lerwick, Thinking to get cured by a man she knew, as she was very sick; But for eight days she was tossed about on the stormy main, By a severe storm of wind, hail, and rain.

The waves washed o’er the little craft, and the wind loudly roared, And the Skipper, by a big wave, was washed overboard; Then the crew launched the small boat on the stormy main, Thinking to rescue the Skipper, but it was all in vain.

Nevertheless, the crew struggled hard his life to save, But alas! the Skipper sank, and found a watery grave; And the white crested waves madly did roar, Still the crew, thank God, landed safe on shore.

As soon as Miss Mouat found she was alone, Her mind became absorbed about her friends at home; As her terrible situation presented itself to her mind, And her native place being quickly left far behind.

And as the big waves lashed the deck with fearful shocks, Miss Mouat thought the vessel had struck upon a reef of rocks; And she thought the crew had gone to get help from land, While she held to a rope fastened to the cabin roof by her right hand.

And there the poor creature was in danger of being thrown to the floor, Whilst the heavy showers of spray were blown against the cabin door, And the loosened sail was reduced to tatters and flapping with the wind, And the noise thereof caused strange fears to arise in her mind.

And after some hours of darkness had set in, The table capsized with a lurch of the sea which made a fearful din, Which helped to put the poor creature in a terrible fright, To hear the drawers of the table rolling about all the night.

And there the noble heroine sat looking very woe-begone, With hands uplifted to God making her moan, Praying to God above to send her relief, While in frantic screams she gave vent to her pent up grief.

And loud and earnestly to God the noble heroine did cry, And the poor invalid’s bosom heaved many a sigh; Oh! heaven, hard was the fate of this woman of sixty years of age, Tossing about on the briny deep, while the storm fiend did rage.

Oh! think of the poor soul crouched in the cabin below, With her heart full of fear, cold, hunger, and woe, And the pitiless storm of rain, hail, and snow, Tossing about her tiny craft to and fro.

And when the morning came she felt very sick, And she expected the voyage would be about three hours to Lerwick, And her stock of provisions was but very small, Only two half-penny biscuits and a quart bottle of milk in all

Still the heavy snow kept falling, and the sky was obscured, And on Sabbath morning she made her first meal on board, And this she confined to a little drop of milk and half a biscuit, Which she wisely considered was most fit.

And to the rope fastened to the cabin roof she still held on Until her hands began to blister, and she felt woe-begone, But by standing on a chest she could look out of the hatchway, And spend a little time in casting her eyes o’er the sea each day.

When Wednesday morning came the weather was very fine, And the sun in the heavens brightly did shine, And continued so all the live long day; Then Miss Mouat guessed that land to the norward lay.

Then the poor creature sat down to her last meal on board, And with heartfelt thanks she praised the Lord; But when Thursday morning came no more food could be had, Then she mounted a box about seven o’clock while her heart felt sad.

And she took her usual gaze o’er the sea with a wistful eye, Hoping that some passing vessel she might descry, And to the westward she espied a bright red light, But as the little craft passed on it vanished from her sight.

But alas; no vessel could she see around anywhere, And at last the poor soul began to despair, And there the lonely woman sat looking out to the heavens above, Praying to God for succour with her heart full of love.

At last the Columbine began to strike on submerged rocks, And with the rise and fall of the sea she received some dreadful shocks, And notwithstanding that the vessel was still rolling among the rocks, Still the noble heroine contrived once more to raise herself upon the box.

Still the Columbine sped on, and ran upon a shingly beach, And at last the Island of Lepsoe, Miss Mouat did reach, And she was kindly treated by the inhabitants in every way that’s grand, And conveyed to Aalesund and there taking steamer to fair England. On 7th February 1886 the Columbine was washed ashore on a beach at Lepsøy, near Ålesund, in Norway. When local villagers arrived on the scene they found Betty Mouat alive and well, after nine days living on a single bottle of milk and some ship's biscuits. Betty was repatriated to Edinburgh, and finally arrived in Lerwick on board the steamer St Clair in late March.

She became an immediate celebrity and an appeal for public subscriptions to help her attracted a letter and a donation of £20 from Queen Victoria.

Betty Mouat lived to be 93 and on her death in 1918 was buried at Dunrossness Churchyard. The bay where she came ashore in Norway is now called Columbinebukta or "Columbine Bay": on 17th May 1986 a plaque was unveiled there commemorating the event. The croft in which Betty Mouat spent most of her life has now been extended to become Betty Mouat's Böd, a camping böd close to Sumburgh Airport.

#Scotland #scottish #survival #shipwreck #northern isles #norway #history

37 notes · View notes

willow-salix · 4 years

Text

Little thing that popped out for @gumnut-logic Sensory Sunday, this one is for the prompt 'Hear'. Big thanks to @olliepig for giving it a read and promising me I wasn't crackers to write it, apparently it does make sense after all.

Every family is different, especially one as big as theirs. Every one of his siblings were unique in their own way, some of them complimented the others, some of them clashed, but each had their own place within the family dynamic, somewhere that they fitted in, that gave something to the household and they each brought something different to the table.

Alan brought the smiles and enthusiasm, Gordon brought the laughter (and often the frustration), John brought the calmness and logic that was often needed and Scott brought the confidence and drive to succeed. Virgil himself brought the comfort, provided the loving arms to hug away the strain of a bad day and the open heart to allow them to come to him with their problems and know that he would do everything he could to fix them.

Everyone had their areas of expertise but for him it was sound. He lived for it, he dreamt of it, he heard things that others often ignored. Where you could tell Scott’s mood by his food choices, so Virgil could tell their moods by the sounds they made or those they chose to listen to. They were a musical family overall, but he was the most musically driven of all.

Gordon could play guitar quite well and was passable on the piano but had never pursued it, he liked guitar because it was cool, it was portable and he’d been known to take one along with him to parties when he wanted a little attention. He didn’t play often, never really taking the time to sit down and relax with it, but if one was lying around he’d pick it up and strum a few cords, maybe sing a little if he was in the mood.

Alan was a noisier person, he liked the idea of drums (as did Scott) but Grandma had banned the purchase of them, though Alan did have a silent kit he used with headphones. Alan found the piano too tame but he liked the guitar and was learning from Gordon.

Scott played piano and guitar almost as well as Virgil did, but he wasn’t as passionate about it, music for Scott served a purpose, he played Chopin when he was worried and usually strayed into Jazz territory when he was relaxed or would strum out a little classic rock.

Gordon likes heavy music, things that can’t be played on just a piano or one guitar. He likes booming bass lines and a fast pace, he likes to bounce and scream and make his presence known.

John is an enigma in many ways, Selene could testify to that. John likes peace, John likes quiet, but he likes it on his own terms. He likes soft music, often classical like Virgil himself, and he likes it just loud enough to hear if you strain your ears but not loud enough to distract him. He’s used to the constant low level buzz of conversation from a million radio waves in hundreds of different languages as a background to his life, so when there’s silence he feels unable to settle, uneasy. Virgil knows that John often tunes the comms in to listen to Virgil play in the evening when he’s up in Five on his own. Selene is used to falling asleep with the soft strains of Vivali or Greig as a backdrop to their bedroom.

Virgil hears the world differently to others. They might enjoy music, they might notice the sounds of the Island if they really listen, if they pay attention, but he hears everything. Their little Island paradise has its own beating heart to the land. The sound of the waves crashing against the rocks makes a different sound to the softer lapping at the sand on the beach. The sand sounds different underfoot than the more ashy, crunchy earth formed from years of activity from the now long extinct volcano. The trees either swish softly or they bluster depending on the wind that whips at them, the same wind that will echo around the hangars if you left the cliff entrance open.

The house itself has a subtle symphony to it, the whisper of voices in the distance, the sound of footsteps, the odd burst of laughter or indignant yelling or the sound of machinery and digital beeps and pings whenever Brains or MAX were around.

Virgil is used to listening to everything and anything, he notices the subtle things that no one else seems to hear. He can vividly recall trying to explain how he heard the world differently to how everyone else did, how he could be easily distracted by a noise in the background and how his brain would fixate on it until it was all he could hear. No one else had understood him, they thought he was strange, that he just wasn't listening to them or was in his own world. He wasn't; he was just listening to it differently than they were.

He was invaluable on a rescue, his highly tuned ears could pick up the most subtle of variants to the ambience of the area. Within a minute of arriving he would have registered and catalogued the sounds that surrounded them, be it natural or man made. He’d identify them and file them away in his mind and then get on with the job in hand, but his ears would always be on the hunt for something new. He’d predicted aftershocks before EOS had, he’d heard the subtle twisting of metal before a beam collapsed, the pitter patter of falling stones that heralded a rock slide, he heard it all. They had all lost count of the times he had shoved them out of the way of a falling rock, a piece of wood intent on clobbering them over the head or issued a quick warning to move their craft. Virgil was their personal early warning system that they wouldn't be without.

He could identify any of his siblings just by the sound of their breathing in his comm, he was used to tuning out everything else in order to focus on them. He could tell their mood by the sound of their footsteps or their little habits. Scott cracked his knuckles when he was annoyed, Alan drummed his hands on his thighs when he was feeling impatient or bored, Gordon tapped his foot and John had a habit of wiggling or drumming his fingers when he was feeling frustrated or distracted by a problem. Virgil knew and recognised all of this.

He was comfortable with his place in the family and confident in his ability to use his talents to make things better. To him, sound wasn’t just for listening to, it was for creating and he was a master at it.Virgil knew the value of soothing music after a long day, upbeat when someone needed cheering up, peaceful when they were tired and happy when the day had been a good one.

He was the one that would provide those sounds, the one to accurately diagnose their feelings and play that which they needed the most. Virgil never judged. Virgil never made everything about him, Virgil was a steady presence in their lives, often in the background but a vital part of the family all the same.

Good days, bad days, late night, early mornings, nightmares and happy memories, Virgil was there for it all and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

#virgil tracy #music #classical music #musiclover #musicislife #Hear #thunderbirds are go #thunderbirds #thunderbirds 2015 #thunderbirds fanfiction

46 notes · View notes

kerbaldevteam · 4 years

Text

Kerbal Space Program 1.10: “Shared Horizons” is now available!

Hello everyone!

The European Space Agency (ESA) and Kerbal Space Program have come together to bring you brand new content, including the ESA space-suit texture, new parts and variants, and two of their most iconic and groundbreaking missions into the game. Gear up, fuel up and prepare to share horizons with ESA and KSP!

Kerbal Space Program 1.10: Shared Horizons is the game’s latest major update aimed to continue with our efforts to enrich the KSP experience. Build a kerbalized version of the renowned and powerful Ariane 5 heavy launch vehicle, visit comets and push the limits of space exploration with a host of new additions to the game that not only will give you more things to do, but also make the game look and perform better with a bunch of bug fixes and quality of life improvements.

Let’s go through some of the update’s highlights below:

ESA Missions

Thanks to our collaboration with ESA, put yourself to the test and carry out KSP versions of the historic BepiColombo and Rosetta missions! Drop a lander module on the surface of a comet and visit the innermost planet of the solar system to study its magnetosphere and surface characteristics, all in the name of science. Best of all, the Making History and Breaking Ground expansions are not required to play these missions!

Comets

In order to make the Rosetta mission possible, comets now roam the Kerbal Solar System. With beautiful tails and larger dimensions than regular asteroids, comets appear in all game modes and you can take on new career mode contracts to detect and visit them. Be vigilant, because you might even see one that is passing through from interstellar space!

New Parts and Variants

Kerbal Space Program 1.10: Shared Horizons includes several new parts and variants to match ESA’s style! Decorate your vehicles with a variety of flag parts that can be attached to your liking, take the brand new Magnetometer Boom along with the MTO and MPO to carry out scientific experiments on Moho or beyond, or capture asteroids and comets with the Advanced Grabbing Unit Jr., a smaller and versatile version of the “Klaw”. Additionally, there are also new variants of some tanks, SRBs, the “Poodle” Liquid Fuel Engine, and decouplers; plus, fairings have not only new variants, but some updated functionality as well.

Jool and Laythe Visual Improvements

The legendary green gas giant and it’s innermost satellite have new high-quality texture maps & graphic shaders, and now look sharper and more realistic than ever! Find a nice beach on Laythe and enjoy the view of Jool’s newly animated clouds. Beautiful!

youtube

To learn more you can read the full Changelog here:

======================= v1.10===========================

1.10.0 Changelog - BaseGame ONLY (see below for Making History and Breaking Ground changelog)

+++ Improvements

* Added the ability to fine tune fairings or use the existing, snap mode. This behavior reacts to the editor's angle snap. * Added ESA missions tutorial. * Adjusted the Remove Row button in KAL to only delete the row when clicking on the red cross, not the whole segment. * Fuel cells can be set started in the VAB or SPH for launch. * Drag cube debug information now available in VAB/SPH when show aero data in PAW debug option is on. * Improve drag cube system to handle Part Variants and Shrouds on the same part. * Add additional drag cube information to Debug Aero info in PAWs. * Persist Aero GUI UI debug window setting and Debug Aero info in PAWs setting between game sessions. * Performance improvements for engine module. * Performance and memory improvements for launching a vessel from the space centre. * Performance and memory improvements for part action windows by caching them. * Performance and memory improvements for reading and writing config nodes, so better performance for loading and saving. * Performance and memory improvements for undo and redo in VAB/SPH by caching stage manager icons. * Intended duplicated group-actions have a marker to distinguish the part side. * Converter actions now indicate resource type to differentiate them. * Performance and memory improvements for loading vessels. * Preview and select suits for Kerbals via the suit selector icon (coat hanger). * Performance and Memory improvements for game, craft and mission load dialogues. * Performance and Memory improvements for vessel loading. * Performance and Memory improvements for ModuleJettison in VAB/SPH. * The KSC's grass now changes according to the currently set terrain shader quality. * Revamped Jool, giving it a new animated shader and high resolution textures. * Laythe planet textures revamp. Low, medium and high quality terrain shaders. * ESA Collaboration missions implemented for base game. * Added EVA button to the crew transfer dialog. Functions the same as the crew hatch dialog EVA button. * Added the ability to have open-ended/uncapped fairings. * Sliders now display units in the Part Action Window where appropriate. * Optimized fairing mesh construction and exploded view heuristic by caching mouse position. * Reduced GC and unnecessary calculations performed for variants on fairings. * Reduced number of meshes and colliders for fairings to improve draw calls and standarize at 24-32 sides. * Added Marquee scrolling to a few PAW items for when the text is super long. Text is ellipsis in this case and on mouse over will move left then right. * Performance improvements in flight mode by caching variables in ThermalIntegrationPass and PartBuoyancy. * Hide UI elements that aren't being used and avoid unnecessary updates in flight mode. * Performance and memory improvements for DeltaV simulations. * Speed up craft loading and use less memory in VAB/SPH. * The PAW starts towards the outside of the screen instead of over the center of the rocket/screen. * The camera will not position itself at an appropriate distance when switching vessels to prevent the camera starting inside vessels. * KSP now has Comets! * Added two new contracts for comets. * Added surface sample science experiment for comets. * Comets can explode into smaller fragments while entering a CB's atmosphere. * Fairings can now be set to not auto-expand in SPH/VAB via a new PAW option. * Improve performance of splash FX in water by using combination aof close splashes and limiting how many occur in close proximity * Adjusted the "dark" them color to be more visible in the variant selector.

+++ Localization

* Changed Japanese translation of "Polar Crater" based on community feedback. * Stock vessel name and description translations. * Fix science done at Dessert not showing localized name. * Fix Service Module parts displaying unlocalized text for Shroud. * Fix Command parts displaying unlocalized text for Cutaway. * Fixed a localization issue on the Strategies occurring on FR, IT and PT * Fix unlocalized label for facility level during missions. * Fix grammar issue in From the Moon tutorial. * Updated SC-9001 Science Jr. perform science button so it now matches the new part name. * Fixes translation error in FTE-1 part in Japanese. * Fix missing character in KSP Merchandise link in main menu in simplified Chinese. * Improved phrasing for landing label in Russian. * Fix localized string when debugging aero details. * Fix localization issues with tab headings in Tracking Station. * Fix KSPedia - Numbers on Resources/Conversion Management page alignment in Russian and Chinese. * Fix KSPedia 'app launcher' text box on the Manual/Flight Interface page alignment in Portuguese. * Fix KSPedia text on Rocketry/Basics/Centered page spacing in Japanese. * Fix KSPedia text on Manual/Management page spacing in Portuguese. * Fix KSPedia unlocalized text for measurements is displayed in the 'Effective Range Table'. * Fix KSPedia Japanese Incorrect break line in Control. * Fix numerous part description texts. * Fix a couple of messages in tutorials. * Fix action sets override explanation tooltip text. * Fix Localization of Vessel Naming Group and vessel name in PAWs. * Removed line breaks in the Orbit's Ejection field tooltip in English.

+++ Parts

* Add fuel line ESA variant. * Add Thoroughbred ESA variant. * Added Rockomax X200-32 ESA variant. * Revamped R-11 'Baguette' External Tank and added silver variant. * Revamped R-4 'Dumpling' External Tank and added silver variant. * Revamped R-12 'Doughnut' External Tank and added silver variant. * Added new variants to the fairings size 1, 2 and 3. Now we have them in white, black and white, orange, silver and gold. * Revamped Struts and added white variant. * New Moho Planetary Observer (MPO) Probe. * New Moho Transfer Module (MTM). * Fix Mainsail's Center Of Thrust. * Fix LV-N engine FX particle offset. * Added the ESA variant to the Rockomax X200-16 Fuel Tank. * New Flag parts, these new parts can be placed on fairings by holding the Mod key or by setting the Fairing Expansion = Off setting in the fairings PAW. * Parts with Flag Decals on them can now have their decal set to mirrored. * New Magnetometer Boom science experiment.* Advanced Grabbing Unit textures revamped and added a Dark variant. * New Advanced Grabbing Unit Jr. With 2 variants * Fix for LV-N engine not stacking correctly at the bottom. * Added a white and yellow variant to all TD decouplers and TS separators.

+++ Bugfixes

* Fix Action Groups app position. * Fix mesh scale on short compoundparts causing reentry FX issues. * Fixed Interstage fairings holding onto the payload in certain use cases. * Fix dV calcs for stages drawing resources across decouplers with crossfeed enabled. * Fix unable to timewarp after using Set Position and then Set Orbit cheat. * Fix autostrut being incorrectly reset on parts attached to dynamic nodes if the part is the parent. * Fix drag cubes on J-90 Goliath, 48-7S Spark, LV-909 Terrier, RE-M3 Mainsail, RE-L10 Poodle RE-I5 Skipper, and numerous other parts. * Fix craft browser selecting wrong tab when player switches between VAB/SPH. * Fix the highlight and navigation colors not being set on game start when the settings file did not exist. * Fixed a bug that stopped the player from progressing in the Basic Science Tutorial. * Fix Action Groups app header in flight. * Fix Lights toggle image not showing all rays properly in Altimiter UI. * Fix comm link not displaying correct strength when focusing on a relay satellite. * Fix node icons being rendered on top of other Flight scene UI elements. * Fix broken off solar panels, fairings and shroud parts left on the surface causing vessels to remain in landed state after they take off. * Fix Dont Show Again not working for Delete all Messages functionality. * Fix LV-T45 config by removing duplicate definition of testmodule. * Fixed veteran kerbals dissappearing when being dismissed. * Fix Navball render issue when Maneuver mode is enabled. * Fix resources not being displayed in tracking station in Prospecting Eeloo Scenario. * Fix asteroids having incorrect mass when docking. * Fix bug causing kerbals to not respawn in Space Center. * Fix bug causing difficulty settings to revert when reverting flight. * Fix maneuver node label not showing when switching selected node. * Fix an issue where Maneuver Mode's Maneuver Editor's Gizmos can enlarge or shrink when clicked extremely fast. * Fix 3.75m decoupler and separator drag cubes creating too much drag. * Fix issue where some vessels were not being reset to the terrain when loading them in a save game where the game terrain detail settings had been changed since it was last saved. * Fix a different tone of white in the white fairing variant. * Fix Launch platform selector getting stuck when opening dialogs while it is already open. * Fix Portrait Gallery when EVAing and all gallery pictures have been hidden. * Fix lighting on specular shaded part icons. * Fix 3D object masking in Editor and RnD scenes for Windows platform and openGL forced. * Pinned PAW stays open in the editor on click events and on part selection. * Add some clarity in the strategies that have no-duration (Bail-out and Sell-out) so players dont expect them to remain active over time. * Fix Z-100 battery light showing white in toolbar and tooltip icons sometimes. * Fix fuel overlay becoming offset when dragging the root part by hiding the overlay during that drag. * Remove Jettison event for Jettison parts that are fairings as they cannot be jettisoned manually. * Fix hitching in the main menu. * Fix visual artefacts of atmosphere planets in map view at high timewarp rates. * Interior lights of ship cockpits and passenger modules are linked to the toggle lights action group. * Fixed bug causing empty stages not to be deleted. * Fix label overlap that was happening in some languages. * Part Action Windows will always close when its part is destroyed. * Fixed bug where drain valve values were being defaulted to true. * Fixed bug which caused some building lights to remain on during the day. * Fix camera out of frustum error when reloading flight scene in some scenarios. * Fix inertial tensor errors when reloading flight scene in some scenarios. * Fix log messages when running missions with test experiment node and node is set to any experiment. * Maneuver mode UI negative handles don't flip functionality anymore after adjusting the tool sensitivity. * Docking Port Actions now fire docking ports on same vessel. * The technology path lines don't disappear anymore. * Fix tutorial 'orbit 101' getting stuck when trying to get to the inclination value of 10 degrees. * Correctly handle engines burning across stages for dV calcs. * Fix decoupler handling when no parts attached to decoupler for dV calcs. * Fix stage UI dV display fluctuating up and down whilst burning engines. * Fixed NRE when changing the variant of a surface-attached LV-1 'Ant'. * Fix not copying resource amounts when copying parts in VAB/SPH. * Fix contract part naming to use real part names and not 'research lab' or 'materials bay'. * Fix for some keybindings activating when typing in toolbox part search in VAB/SPH. * Fix camera shake issues in the SPH when using shift and hovering over UI elements. * Fixed disappearing mode toggle button in KerbNet dialog. * Fix for Shadow Projection Settings resetting. * Fix PAW group headers being cut off in some languages. * Fixed an issue where the UT field in Precision Maneuver Editor wasn't able to display Universal Time in the 'y * Fix 'Cannot deploy while stowed.' bug for service bays. * Fix manuever node handles changing value incorrectly when dragging 'anti' handles. * Fix randomization error in Sentinel causing short lifetimes of discovered asteroids. * Fix Exception storm when inflatable heat shield destroyed by overheat in some situations. * Fix incorrect Line Break - Tracking Station - The string 'Last seen * PAW title now matches the new name of an asteroid after being renamed. * Maneuver node no longer moves along the planned trajectory instead of the current one when moving it ahead in time using the Maneuver Mode UI input field. * Fix crew assignment being blocked after loading second ship. * Fix the vesselSituation on unloaded space objects being Flying instead of Orbiting. * Fix flickering Celestial body self-shadow issues with DX11 platform. * Fix icons in map view not rescaling properly when UI scale changes. * Fix the EVA 'Board' button prompt not disappearing when the target vessel is destroyed. * Fix unlocalized label for mk1-3 pod lights. * Fixed the Island runway textures. * Fix camera behavior when camera mode is activated multiple times in flight mode. * Fix loading of Modders KSPedia slides. * Fix beginner tutorials being locked out after pressing Save or Load game buttons. * Fix NRE flood when creating or selecting a maneuver node with the Maneuver Mode UI Intercept tab open. * Fix Set Orbit cheat to allow rendezvous with vessels in an escaping sphere of influence situation. * Fairing panels now display the proper texture you see in the editor instead of pure white. * Fix incorrect drag cube and class size on Asteroids after they have been grappled and subsequently ungrappled or reloaded via scene change or save game load.

+++ Mods

* Add IPartMassModifier to ModuleJettison. Allows mods to implement mass change on jettison. * Fix application of mass to resource ratios in ModuleResourceConverter recipes. * Renamed a duplicated shader "KSP/Particles/Alpha Blended" to now have one named that and another named "KSP/Particles/Alpha Blended Scenery".

===================== Making History 1.10.0====================

+++ Improvements

* Tracking of vessels now works for creator defined vessels that undock and get created during a mission from another vessel. Mission creators can now assign parts that have had vessel rename and priority set to test against in mission nodes. * Moved localization files to base game. * Add checkbox to FlyThrough Test Node to allow the map marker to be hidden * Added a new icon for Test Grapple node in Mission Builder. * Add setting (MISSION_NAVIGATION_GHOSTING) to show nav marker ghosting when the target is behind you. Defaulted to on for all mission games (including ESA). * Added a new Grapple test node to verify if a grabbing unit took hold of a space object. * Space Objects can now be selected in the Distance to node. * Test vessel velocity can now be compared relative to vessels, kerbals, and space objects instead of just the orbited CB. * Nodes in Making History support comets the same as asteroids.

+++ Localization

* Fixed wrong localization for asteroid nodes in mission builder. * Fix descriptions for Shrimp and SWM-94 parts.

+++ Parts

* Kickback booster revamp and ESA variant. * Added new variants to the fairings size 1.5 and 3. Now we have them in white, black and white, orange, silver and gold. * Added a white and yellow variant to the size 1.5 and size 4 TD decouplers and size 1.5 and size 4 TS separators.

+++ Bugfixes

* Fix scenario loading in Mission Builder scene causing Mission Issues. * Fix Vessel/Part tracking on Nodes for Dock/Undock/Decouple/Couple events during a mission. * Added Create Comet node to be used on the Mission Editor. Under the Spawnables section. * Fixed minor typo in Intermediate Tutorial for Missions * Fixed label size to better suit other languages in SpawnAsteroid, mission builder. * Fix label displaying incorrect experiment for collected science data when prompted to overwrite. * Fix incorrect orbit around The Sun for asteroids spawning in missions. * Fix lighting brightness on displayed Kerbals and Vessels in the GAP. * Fix bug that impeded time warping after finishing a mission. * Fix Dawn of Space Age mission failing inmediately after lift off in some cases. * Fix drag cubes for the 3.75m Structural Tubes. * Fixed mirror symmetry placement for structural panels. * Fix GAP vessel filter ribbon disappearing when selecting alternate vessel/part selector in the SAP. * Fix #autoLOC_8005448 showing in Mission builder test distance validation report. * Fix bug causing unlocked servos to be locked when launching * Fix missing line break in node description. * Fix log messages when running missions with test experiment node and node is set to any experiment. * Fix log messages about Gene Kerman's animations being legacy when using him in message nodes in a mission. * Fix misnamed FL-TX440 Tank variants so they are consistent. * Fix a number of typos in the 'Dawn of the Space Age' mission. * Fix wrong size category for FL-R5 RCS Fuel Tank and the Heat Shield (1.875m) parts. * Fix stutter and error in planet viewer transition. * Fix button text issues on Play mission dialog for non-English text.

+++ Bugfix

* Fixed erratic positioning of Dessert Airfield windmills.

==================== Breaking Ground 1.5.0=====================

+++ Improvements

* Solar Panel and RTG now displays the power units produced based on Experience trait settings in the Part extended tooltip. * Added action groups for the fan blades for toggling the Roll, Yaw and Pitch controls independently and also Turn them all ON or OFF.

+++ Localization

* Localized Blades Control Rotations.

+++ Parts

* Fan Shrouds now have a node stack on top.

+++ Bugfixes

* Fix an issue where the Track Editor would remain open after switching vessels. * Fix for localization overlapping bug for all languages in graphics settings. * Fix spelling errors in robot scanner arm parts. * Fix tooltip not appearing for max limit axis. * Fixed bug when a KAL controlling another KAL's parameters play position stopped. * Fix issue with motors engaging on launch when they have been set to disengaged in editor. * Fixed mirror symmetry placement for propellers, blades, alligator hinges and rotational servos. * Fix Autostrut on Robotic Parts being cancelled (set to off) in some use cases. * Fix Autostrut debug visualization on Robotic Parts when locked/unlocked. * Fix the FTE-1 Drain Valve releasing particles when switching between VAB and SPH. * Fix non-cargo parts being able to be stored in a cargo container. * Fix Hinges and Pistons sometimes returning to build angle when locked. *Fix lock/unlock of robotic parts not working when fired from an action group.

Kerbal Space Program 1.10: Shared Horizons is now available on Steam and will soon be available on GOG and other third-party resellers. You will also be able to download it from the KSP Store if you already own the game.

Happy Launchings!

#Kerbal Space Program #shared horizons #ESA #Update #annoucnement #Update 1.10 #changelog #available now #comets

20 notes · View notes

blankdblank · 5 years

Text

All Is Fair

This is Pt 1 of my submission for @sdavid09‘s fright night challenge

Also a request from @lilith15000 for a Thorin x OC x Thranduil ramble i turned to a Modern AU. Should just be two parts, hope you guys like it :D

...

“Close your eyes,” the voice of your mother echoing in your ears, “and breathe.” Steadily you inhaled easing your metal ring and chain armor coated fingers over the grips of your thrusters and at the peak of your exhale your eyes snapped open at your hands jerking back propelling you forward. The glowing silver eyes you bore signaled your link to Leifje, the ship you were piloting, straight through a shadowy wall. Liefje coated in a lightning field warping around it easing the split of the shadowy wall in your section with twelve more pilots around you breaking a path for the carrier ship behind you with more soldiers headed for the ongoing battle.

There was no secret about it, the Noldor began it. An endless war over three shining jewels, jewels now since recovered and yet the aftermath tipped the world into chaos. An old evil broke free and his henchmen were running amok. As the eldest daughter of the late Jewelia Wife of High King of the Vanyar Ingwe, Nieninque, adopted younger sister to Feanor, the King of the Noldor who bore the brunt of backlash and blame for the war he triggered, you were head of the allied forces reluctantly working together at last to end this damned war.

Under your lead, and none of your adopted kin, as per the arrangement with the other Lords and Kings the alliance was headed. With your Eagles of war heading the charge through the shadowy borders the forces in the ground did all they could. Eagles, mithril craft bonding only to one Vanyar pilot, the only race able to handle the crafts without dying at the instant of the bond also found to enhance the natural powers of the pilot used in attacks combined with the guns making them lethal to any creature or craft up against them. Noldor known to harness fire yet Vanyar known to harness all elements including Lightning, a force known to kill average Men upon striking, a harsher form of fire bending aiding in the natural control over metals and in the rarest bloodlines even sand in their strong ties to the earth.

On top of the enhanced physical training Elven forces were given your elite team found a fabled level as the elite of the elite with few ever truly understanding just what you were truly capable of. The Eagles themselves sentient craft dwelling where they pleased between runs though most ever truly wander far from their pilots unless requested upon by them, both able to shrink and grow to amazing sizes to compete any task needed to get the job done.

The Hobbits aiding in special masks and vaccines to aid with the poisoned glasses and weapons.

The Dwarves for mainly brute force along with highly specialized weapons to aid in breaking through walls and buildings.

Elves for their long distance weapons, naval and air fleets to help the ground forces on Men mingled in between to aid with healing and sheer numbers to keep gaining ground. More and more the shadows were forced back but still most of those waiting back at home while this debilitating war continued prayed for peace to come sometime in their lives, yet one among them found another reckless plan he hoped to unfold a lasting peace for his homeland under barrage daily.

A distant tent grew larger at the heavy crunching of gravel under the dress boots of the disguised Prince Thorin. His patience worn thin and even in his youth a few silver hairs had streaked into his dark brown locks at the weight running a kingdom at war bore on him. Monthly there were attacks by Erebor’s oceanic borders newly formed, since the Vanyar relief addition to the war did nothing but split the earth between the countries to make it harder for the dark forces to spread, also making it more difficult for trade and reinforcements to be passed between countries. Though for the faults to their ideas the train industry was now booming at the building of bridges and speedy carriers for transport and travel that would pass under the seas parting the kingdoms for added safety.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, and the naive Prince was very desperate to have the responsibilities of the throne pressed back onto his grandfather. The front flap was eased back and a veiled woman slunk forward, old and gnarled her hands reached out to usher him closer to her table with a glowing crystal ball on it he tried not to look at for fear of what he would see.

“I know what ails you child.”

“How could you possibly know that?”

A toothy grin eased across her face barely visible through the veil also helping to shield her bright golden eyes, “I know all, and see all that ails those who enter my tent. The better to aid in their woes.”

“Your solution?”

“You wish for peace and protection. I can grant you that, though it will have a price.”

“How much?”

Her finger raised to rock back and forth, “Not that sort of price. No, the price will be one lie.”

“One lie?”

“Yes, you will tell one lie and none will question it. That is all, no more, no less.”

“What lie?”

She grinned again through a wry chuckle reminding him of the sound of scraping rusty metal, “You will not know it when you tell it. One little lie, and your people are free from this war.”

Thorin nodded and inhaled offering his hand to rest in her offered palm, a single thread was drawn simple and white she secured around his wrist that blended into his skin painlessly, “That is it?”

She nodded and stood, “That is it. Go now, enjoy your peace.” Showing him back to the flap.

For all he had heard of this fabled witch be still questioned her powers and on his path back to the main road again he turned to give the tent another glance. As if to see her laughing with another at his foolishness only to find the tent and small run down city it was in gone leaving him alone in the middle of nowhere.

…

A curious blend of ease and nostalgia washed over the Prince when a month had passed and an attack never came. Though what did come were several reports from his siblings in their own designated battalions along with a strange new face. A weekly stroll found a woman washed ashore on the beach and brought the Prince full sprint to her rescue. Discovering a distinctive mark on her skin. A tiny brown acorn on her shoulder, marking her as the Prince’s mate.

Not a single moment was wasted and the pearly skinned woman seemingly out of a fairytale swept into the path of the Prince’s life was welcomed openly when her health was restored. Mau, the golden eyed damsel quite easily swept all away with her charming giggle and dazzling smile, clearly intent on earning the Prince’s affections in return.

None were the wiser and in his sleepless nights hoping his relatives would return soon his price was left to little but a glitch to him. “How much could it really hurt, one little lie?”

Decades now a single carrier pilot traveled your route, one of the worst, Dis Durin, the most fearless of the pilots willing to risk all to get the forces straight to where they were needed. Under constant fire and through bustling stops in military bases an unlikely friendship was made, one pilot with another a working path forged a friendship after a single event.

. Years Prior .

Up in the main cockpit of one of the open carriers a small blonde boy with bright blue eyes darted up and clambered his way onto the seat who stood and barely was able to see anything out the windshield standing up. A grip on the thruster signaled a whirring sound along with a sigh from above. Open mouthed at the sudden sound of the engine revving Dis’ mouth dropped open and her head swiveled in search of her young son who supposedly went off with her husband to the bathroom, now to be seen searching himself. In a race Dis hurried onto the carrier, up the ramp, through the base floor and up the staircase finding the white blonde curl filled messy bun on the Head of the Eagle Forces dangling from the ceiling.

In her inhale readying to apologize she saw the Elleth’s arm drop down pointing at the boy saying surprisingly in Khuzdul, “See that blue switch, flick it for me.” Releasing the thruster little Fili in the Elleth’s pop back up into the wiring compartment flicked the switch, a click followed by a few pops and clicks later until the Elleth rolled forward through the hatch to land on her feet under the self sealing hatch. Crouching down she grinned at Fili saying, “Thank you. Finally, an aid worth assisting me in repairs.” Her stunning violet eyes halting the Dam in place when they met her cerulean pair, “Good to know I’ll be having another soon to help out even more.”

A single twitch of Dis’ brow was followed by the Eagle’s second in command calling out, “Snowflake! Raid orders!”

With a nod she ruffled Fili’s hair earning a giggle from him in saying to Dis, “Be glad to hear when you’re off maternity leave. Roarkin irritates the living hell out of me.” Strolling out the cockpit the aloof Elleth who seemed to stun and chill all with just her mere presence in the area exited leaving them frozen in her absence.

One year leave was demanded leaving Dis on the base left to the passing of orders bringing her into the path of her friend between missions until a final clearance of paperwork had her practically bounding up to the cockpit to dust herself off for her first flight back.

One mission after another the Orc forces were pushed back even more and with the decades passing the Durin Princess and obscure Elven Commander solidified and the pair drew notice and prestige in their longstanding partnership leading to soaring success for the allied forces.

. Current Day .

Loud gunfire ricocheted around the mithril hull of the carrier and breaking the joking commentary on the animated film you would spend your weekend watching once again, even though you had seen it a thousand times before. Whipping through a line of orc jets you sighed seeing the sky blue passenger jet in a shimmering protective bubble not far ahead of you, “Dis we’ve got a civilian craft.” Hours you had been trying to blast off the hostile jets on your tail and you linked your radio to the other Eagles stating, “I’ve got it.”

A firm grip on the thrusters later and you jolted forward towards the passenger jet. Upon reaching it Liefje lowered through the useless bubble against your craft and split open at the mask spreading across your face from the mithril band above your armored collar that sealed to the base of your neck in the straight drop from your seat. An oval portal dropped from your open ship spreading across the top of the passenger jet allowing you gracefully land inside on your feet stunning the tall blonde who instantly straightened up and brought his young son beside him from his own cushion behind his back as much as possible.

Without looking at them you strolled through to the cockpit while Liefje morphed around the hull and roared up its engines at your mental order signaling the seal was secure. Past the hall you approached the pilots who turned and eased back seeing the feather accented plates on your armored suit and mask. A few twisted knobs and pulled levers and their engines shut off allowing you to divert the plane out of the targeted zone closer to the Elven borders. “Just a slight detour.” In a glance at the silenced alert radio you added when your mask receded back to your collar, “Next time keep your scanner on.”

Turning around in your stroll back to the main seating your eyes rose to meet the eyes of the Elven Prince Thranduil’s, his forced stoic façade terribly hiding his fear at even the Eagles so easily boarding his ship melting at your ethereal presence. “It seems you’ve stumbled into quite fire show Sugar.” Instantly his brow arched up and at your smirk his son behind him whispered your nickname between giggles and your eyes turned to the screen on the wall while your ship released the jet and eased onto its side moving the portal over the door behind you.

The bargaining between Sophie and Calcipher in your favorite film made you smirk until through your ship you heard a transmission from your crew, “Ugh, if I didn’t have to head back to ranks. Right when it gets good, too.”

Turning to look at the Prince again when he stated your smirk deepened making a blush begin to form on his cheeks, “And just who might we have the honor speaking to?”

With a giggle you replied, “Someone of little consequence to you Sugar.”

Inhaling steadily in your turn as you heard Calcipher say, “And here’s another curse, may all your bacon burn.”

You giggled again hearing the Prince ask again, “You did not answer my question.”

A full smile split across your face and he swallowed dryly at your quick wink, “No name to give. I’m one of a kind.” A backwards leap sent you through the portal that sealed behind you in your mid air turn to land back in your seat turning back to the carrier headed for the Iron Hills for more forces to fill it.

Briefly you were off touring the base on which you had landed for a meal with the Princess who drew a load of attention while more and more Dwarves continued to ponder who you were. So highly ranked and yet with a nickname of Snowflake leaving little respect to be imagined for you except by the complete obedience of those under your command making strangers even fall in line you were quite the mystery.

Family was rarely discussed except by Dis and was mainly centered around her boys, at least until a lazy repair crew team had you showering in her assigned quarters freeing a glimpse of a tiny brown heart on your belly along with a tiny brown acorn on your shoulder years back. The sharing of who your One was did little to woo you to Erebor as you were dedicated to ending the war and little else could distract you just yet.

That one stunning meeting with the Elf Prince had left more of an impression that you had imagined, a simple pair of sentences traded with the blonde and you were now a popular topic within the Palace. A topic now only slightly muffled at the shout inducing announcement that Prince Thorin had found his One, with Dis furious it must be a lie as only women could have multiple One’s. For all his efforts Thranduil and even King Oropher had little access or rights to know the names of any Eagles

Filled to the brim from Iron Hills back to the Blue Mountains Dis’ carrier crossed through another dark barrier only to skip in breaking free sending the alarms spinning as a late shot from an orc ship you had taken out skimmed across the wing scraping the engine causing ti to smoke. “Dis, keep it level I’m boarding you.”

Dis, “What am I missing?”

“I’ll tell you when we land.”

“That is far from comforting Snow.”

In the circling of your Eagles they provided cover while a barrier linked Liefje to the carrier allowing you to fall through into the hull near the wing you felt Liefje mold around the ship while Dis stated over the intercom, “Excuse me passengers, thank you for choosing air Eagle for your transport needs. It’s going to get bumpy so if you wouldn’t mind buckling up and keep your screams to a minimum. Thank you.”

Rolling your eyes you unlatched the cover to the wing secures at your facial mask popping up in your climb through the latch now filling with smoke from the engine ready to blow. A few careful jerks of your metal coated hand and the securing bolts were torn free and in your slide back into the main hull you felt the wing slipping away. The hatch sealed behind you and sprinting off towards the cockpit you felt eyes on you in curious and fearful stares seeing you move so quickly in the silent carrier echoing with distant explosions and roaring orc engines chasing after you. Up the steps and around a corner you hurried into the opening cockpit catching Dis’ gaze turning to land on you wide eyed in your approach as your mask folded back.

“Respectfully Dis I’m taking control.” Nodding her head she watched you hop into the seat beside hers flinging your leg a bit higher to avoid the gearshift rising between your legs in your landing. Silver eyed you used your link to Liefje to keep a view on the orc ships chasing you into the sunlight blinding them out side their cloaked zones of darkness and shadows causing them to drop their darkening blinds on their windows leaving them to their pulsing scanners. Gripping the controls in a wide turn a hint of a wing dip then rapid rise sent the unsecured wing off towards the offending ships. In a ripple at your alarm filled turn the offending trio exploded with two more ships foolishly soaring through the wreckage while you struggled to keep the carrier level with the aid of Dis’ hold on her shifters now mostly useless at the lack of a wing.

Dis in a struggled glance at you said, “Please tell me that wasn’t my wing.”

Reaching up to jerk on a lever you grunted back, “I thought we had a no lies policy.”

A growling exhale left her and she said, “I think I would much rather the lie this time.”

You nodded and said, “Sure, then no, that wasn’t your wing.”

She nodded, sarcastically saying, “Good. I knew you wouldn’t just climb on board and fling my wing off at orcs.”

Unable to help it you giggled and grinned out the sky ahead of you in your guiding the carrier off towards Elven territories far from Moria, your intended destination for the soldiers weary from lengthy tours in combat expecting a safe return to their bases in the Dwarven keep. A stretch of ocean between you and the safety of a runway stretched on out into the horizon with a tiny speck of Great Greenwood, Amon Lanc territory more specifically, growing in front of you. Patrolling those oceans giant carriers with tiny jets sounded their own alarms making you roll your eyes again at the warning message they sent informing you of the unapproved approach. “What a croc. Again with the alarms.”

“Dwarven carrier you are encroaching on Elven territories without authorization. Continue your course and you will be fired upon.”

Linking back to the closest carrier you stated, “This is carrier BX 2794 coming in for an emergency landing.”

“BX2794 you are not authorized to land here.”

“Do me a favor, look East, hi,” aboard the ship through the binoculars reflecting light back at you curses flew from those peering out at the single winged monster carrier soaring across the ocean towards the Elven strip in base right on the coast with the aid of your Eagle flying above you at an angle holding you steady. “That’s my authorization. This big beast is currently holding 5000 bodies inside and I am landing so you call whoever and say whatever the hell you need to because I am landing and any vessel firing upon us will be met with the same courtesy.”

You huffed and cut the transmission feed then glanced at Dis whose eyes met yours, “That did not go well it take it?”

“Better than I thought actually.”

“Oh, good.” She nodded trying to remain calm, “I’m going to be court marshaled for this aren’t I?”

You shook your head, “No, I pulled rank, took control. I will make sure you aren’t penalized at all.”

“I doubt even an Eagle could promise that.”

You smirked at her, “You’d be surprised how accommodating people can be for a snowflake like me.”

“I thought the Noldor and Silvan hated one another.”

Your head tilted slightly, “I wouldn’t say hate.”

Stretches of green came into view behind the strip you were to land on inside the evacuating base echoing of another loud alarm, though in the first sight of your smoking carrier the Elven forces froze and turned once on the edge of the base pointing and shouting in awe at your smooth landing. Carefully Liefje helped to guide the carrier into the stretch of asphalt you were ordered to park in. There a securing banister was set up to prop up the remaining wing to help with the weight difference while the Dwarven forces inside were allowed to file out and see the state of the carrier while over the oceans the remaining trio of orc ships were reduced to ash bringing your Eagles after you. Refusing to leave the carrier on the control panel in the cockpit you linked into the messenger system for your headquarters confirming that you had landed safely and with a rough estimated list on what parts you would need. A second message was sent to Moria alerting them of the detour and clear health status of all the passengers soon to be diverted by rail to Moria by sunset.

Dis along with the others watched as, once the threat of fires was handled, the carrier was moved inside a long since used hangar. Within an hour a supply of tools and replacement parts arrived by rail and you got to work setting it all up how you required to get the job done. The message you had given to the ocean carrier had been played for the King and then replayed confirming by the Crown Prince that it was the voice of the same woman who had boarded him a couple days prior.

A sudden arrival of the Noldor King Feanor had spiked tensions already alarmingly high after your landing. Alongside Lords Ecthellion and Glorfindel the tall King with pitch black curls secured in a long braid down his back strolled closer to the carrier with clear sight of you removing the sheared off bolts you would use to secure the replacement wing that would be replaced by morning. Seated on a bar from the securing brace you pulled another bolt free you dropped into the bucket below listening to the sound of King Oropher speaking with Feanor.

Oropher, “We have done everything to ensure the repairs go on as scheduled for quick return to service. It was quite a marvel of a landing, one wing.”

Feanor, “Well I would never have doubted this teams skills.”

Glorfindel, “I doubt any would.”

Thranduil on his left stole another glance up at you and his expression dropped as he swallowed trying to remain calm just getting closer to you as Feanor said, “There should be little to keep repairs from the schedule either.” Under the carrier he called out, “Isn’t that right Snowflake?”

In a sudden backwards drop to dangle from your knees the men eyed your suit tied off around your waist revealing your rib length vest usually hidden underneath it “I thought I recognized that bleating.” Your grin doubled in a giggle at the upwards tick of his brow in place of his smirk he was withholding at the open mouthed stare of the Silvan King and Prince, “No need to worry old Goat should be up in the air again tomorrow.”

As if the nickname wasn’t stunning enough their eyes wandered over your toned core where their eyes fell on the brown tiny heart there making the Prince’s heart skip a beat at its naming you his One. Oropher wet his lips then said, “Surely there would be no need to rush away. Or, at least we could arrange a proper tour.”

Raising his hand Feanor wagged a finger then raised his hand to grip yours, “I knew you would play nice, see making friends already.” Releasing a leg you flipped forward planting your foot in the small of his back followed by your knees easing around his sides in your arms resting on his shoulders, in a glance over his shoulder at you he smirked, “When’s the last time you ate?”

“Sunrise. When’s the last time you ate old Goat?”

He nodded then pursed his lips, “Sundown yesterday.”

“Mhmm.” In a giggle you hoped off his back and stole a glance at the Prince giving him a beaming smile, “Hey Sugar, see you landed safely.”

Feanor’s hand settled on your head guiding you to turn speaking in Vanyar, “Try not to embarrass Prince Thranduil.”

With a smirk you replied, “He looks so cute when he blushes though.”

Oropher looked you over again in a glance between you both stating, “Yes, you were the Eagle assisting my Son and Grandson to safety earlier. Thank you for that. I am in your debt.”

You shook your head, “Not at all.”

In Feanor’s arm propping up on your shoulder and your lean against his side Thranduil stated, “Forgive me, but we have yet to catch your name.”

Feanor clicked his tongue, “Impossible as always Snowflake. King Oropher, Prince Thranduil my Sister Nieninque.” Both their mouths parted just barely then they gave a gentle bow of their heads, “Who prefers anonymity on her runs, and enjoys giving me an exceptional record to look up for her flight plans past this scuffle. No doubt a late hit, we rarely get damage to our birds past a few scrapes or singes.”

Thranduil, “Princess Nieninque, leader of the allied forces?”

With a smirk from you his blush deepened, “Everyone calls me snowflake feel free to do the same. No special treatments here.”

Oropher, “How does that work exactly? You being the leader and all?”

“I fly and fight same as anyone else. Besides many a leader has been brought down by peacocking around. As long as I am safe they are. The longer between injuries and smoother the flights rank matters little compared to statistics comforting troops entrusting us with their lives.”

Oropher nodded, “True. We have a lunch prepared if you are up for it.”

“I doubt Feanor will eat if I don’t, after you, Your Majesty.”

Oropher replied, “Oropher will do nicely.” You nodded.

“Think on it, no time for changing your mind later.” Your grin stirring an unexpected chuckle from the stoic King at seeing Thranduil shifting to be closer to your side for the walk back to their chosen quarters on base.

Oropher grinned at you, “I am certain.” A few more yards and they began the climb onto the open jeep waiting there, on which Thranduil’s eyes scanned over you lingering on your stomach.

In your climb up you lowly stated, “Careful there Sugar,” when settling beside him at his eyes snapping to your face your foot rose to prop up on the back gate saying, “Someone might think you were after my heart.”

“I, well, I would hope so.”

Your brow ticked up, “What?”

“Your, I, have your heart.”

“Really now? Sugar-,”

He pointed at your stomach and shook his head, “That one. I have that one. On me.”

“Ah.”

His brows furrowed curiously, “You’re not happy?”

“I-.”

“I do not meet your approval?”

“I did not say that.”

“I’m not-,”

Your hand rose muffling the end of his sentence making Ecthellion seated behind you turn to see what was going on between you in your hushed conversation, “We’ve spoken twice, don’t be so quick to assume what’s rattling around in my head.” In lowering your hand he nodded and you said, “Besides, I believe there is someone you should be discussing this with before you go settling any plans.”

“I’m not married.”

“Even so, there is a smaller arguably more adorable and easily confusable version of you to consider.”

“Smaller-,” A short pause later he inhaled sharply then stated, “Legolas, my Son, yes.”

“Plus there is the matter of this war.”

He nodded, “Yes.”

The simple meal, in which plans to invite you back for a full tour were solidified after news of your shared bond with the Prince was voiced. Tentatively the subject of courtship was breached, though until you could be learned more about while Legolas grew more accustomed to your possible union or even acquaintance to ease his path in this ordeal as well.

That momentary slip of his revealed something he hoped to find in his One, a woman first thinking of his Son over any tie to him, a fact you seemed adamant of, that you would not accept an offer of courtship until Legolas had given his blessing unwarranted to know he wasn’t being pressured into accepting you. That statement swayed the King over any brashness of your character upon first glance, you saw to the needs and comfort of those around you whether under your chain of command or not.

Sure enough after a sleepless night the new wing was fitted in place and on the cusp of sunrise you and Dis had the beast back up in the air for its first test run. In a steady path back over the ocean you crossed paths with those same carriers who cheered and waved complimenting your skills. Landed once again on that same airstrip you spotted that same jeep waiting there with the Crown Prince beside it. Once landed the back door was dropped and Dis was off to gather the few battalions remaining to assist in reloading the carrier with all its supplies while you handled the controls check list.

Softly feet fell up the path to the cockpit where in the doorway Thranduil sat curiously eyeing all of the various controls around you. Without a glance at him you said, “Nearly done then we can go to breakfast.”

Steadily his eyes scanned over you in your pale jeans and grey sweater hugging you tightly to your hips where the hem bunched up revealing strips of your skin there from the harness you had undone moments prior. “I wish I had more of a claim to ask you not to go.”

Pausing for a moment at the smirk having inched across your face then you raised your leg over the control as you hoisted yourself up with a grip of the back of the seat. One foot landed and was met by the other freeing the Prince to get a full look at you, “I’d have worn something nicer but aircrafts have very little space for gowns, only what you can roll up.” Moving closer to him you saw the clear ache in his eyes and settled your hand on his chest only deepening his look of desperation to cling to you holding you back from racing off back into war. The contact alone brought him closer, “You can’t look at me like that and not expect-,”

A sign from you came as he moved closer, barely a foot away humming back, “Expect?”

Closing in even more his forehead barely touched yours as you replied, “I’m leaving in three hours.”

A slow shake of his head and he closed the distance lowly pleading, “Don’t go.”

That firm aching first kiss melted into a hungrier second with a tilt of your heads, blindly arms fumbled around your back and his neck in a firm tug and the stolen awkward binding kiss of Ones lost in a war torn trail separating them soon abruptly ended at the Elven guard calling out to the Prince. Inhaling sharply in a break for air now pinned against the back of your former chair your forehead met his and you whispered, “I’ll be back in a week.” Clamping his eyes shut the Prince tugged you a bit higher to burrow his head in the crook of your neck in a tight embrace you returned around his shoulders while just for those few moments everything from your scent to the feel of your hair and skin was burned into his memory with your bodies melted together.

Released from his hold your eyes locked on his and his hand eased from your upper back down to your hip. There his fingertips eased under your shirt where he laid flat his hand against your skin sliding it upwards revealing your now periwinkle colored heart mark. The shift in color marking your clear bond, without a pause his free hand rose to cup your cheek and the distance was closed again in another firm fiery kiss breaking like the first at the call of his name. Reaching up your hand folded around the wrist linked to your middle and you said, “We should go.” Nodding his hands retracted after another gentler stolen kiss and as you brushed down your shirt it shifted around your back to settle there for the short walk out of the carrier.

A short drive had you back at their house on base where the younger Prince grinned when seeing you again and hopped up with hand extended to introduce himself fully. The entire time he peppered you with questions until the band around your wrist chirped causing you to turn over your wrist to pinch the sides reading the Braille message lit up and scrolling across the screen. Silently the men watched only to stand as you said, “Mmm, they need me for final preps.”

Legolas hopped up and in a leaning hug against your legs he asked, “You will come back?”

With a grin you settled your and on his head answering, “In two weeks, yes. One more trip out West then I have a weeklong leave.”

At that his face lit up, “You’ll be here for a week?!” in a bounce he added, “There’s so much to show you in just a week…We’ll fit it all in! I promise!” Again he hugged your legs tighter stirring a grin onto your face, “Stay safe!”

“I will.”

He broke his hold and Thranduil reluctantly joined you for the drive back, up until you were in walking distance he remained silent, breaking with a single question, “I can write to you?”

In a pleading gaze his eyes met yours and melted into a hopeful smile as you fired back, “You better write to me.” A card pulled from your pocket was passed to him and you hopped out then turned to face him in a backward step, “Just send them there, they’ll make sure I get it.” He nodded and took a deep as you smiled at him replying with a giggle, “It’s only two weeks, Sugar.” A wave from him mirrored yours, quick and barely noticeable before your turn to jog over to the carrier starting up after its back hatch was sealed.

Liefje on the side ruffled his featherlike paneled wings and moved closer to you in the morphing of your suit around your body from the bands on your wrists and ankles. A single hop up through the open hatch on his chest later and you climbed through the small tunnel and took your usual seat feeling the rings of your gloves folding around your fingers and the backs of your hands that slowly eased around the controls for a sharp signaling call from Liefje moments before he shot up into the air with the other Eagles behind him.

A letter had opened and upon reading the letter against his glee at having publicly addressed Mau as his One stunned to the core Thorin read aloud to himself in a weak whisper, “Courting Prince Thranduil…” The woman Dis had claimed to be his true One was now bonded to and beginning a courtship with Prince Thranduil. “Can’t be. She just can’t be mine…” His mouth and heart seemed torn but nothing had prepared him for the searing burn from his mark, a new common reaction since hearing from Dis about his supposed One and when they would be encountering danger.

All he knew was that something was wrong. Something was wrong and he needed to make things right. Once this mess was all dealt with he would invite you out and inspect your mark for himself. Dis was coming to Erebor for her week long leave and would see Mau for herself and see that he was not imagining things. She could see, and hopefully help him understand what was going.

Again sight of your Eagle came into view and bouncing on the end of the tarmac Prince Legolas stood beside his father, who spent the past two weeks flooding your usually empty mail bag with any and everything he could think of to fit in letters to share all he had wished to of his life to get a better footing of a relationship. Between his came a trio of letters from Legolas packed with questions and stories of his own, as often as you could muster you wrote back, and heart warmingly the weeks had both stretched on and flew by. You had never dreamed of being one to receive love letters, and though it had no clear proclamations of the emotion simply the sheer volume of them and intimate moments contained showed a hope for one day having love between you.

A drop through Liefje’s chest had you landed on your feet with your mask and suit retracting for the stroll over to the royals as Liefje took off to find a place to sleep. Again in jeans and a sweater you draped your bag over you shoulder with all you might need for a week eagerly Legolas rushed forward and glancing down you eyed the still heated tarmac making you rush closer seeing the smoke under his feet lowering his gaze that snapped up to you when you lifted him to your hip. With a grin you caught his gaze saying, “When the orange flag is raised it means this is heated for the craft tires.”

“Oh.”

Softly you chuckled then said, “It’s ok, we’ll just have to get you some proper boots if you plan on coming down often.” To which he nodded then smiled starting to share all he had bottled up for plans for your trip, through which Thranduil stole a brief pat on your side and guided you back to the waiting car that would take you to the Palace. Though quickly upon arrival both the King and Crown Prince were stolen away and without their watch you were limited to the Palace. Leaning back against the lounging couch in the theater you chatted with Legolas through Howl’s Moving Castle in which you shared your favorite bits about it that you connected a great deal of items and flying crafts inspired by the film.

By dinner the King and Prince returned to find you both getting along famously, and by the end of the week you and the boy were inseparable. Few moments were stolen by Thranduil to be alone with you in his hectic days with heavily guarded trips for you and Legolas. Your final moments however came with Legolas tapping your leg, crouched down you accepted his tight hug, “Please don’t go.”

Weakly you chuckled replying, “I have to. I’m sorry.”

A sniffle from him came before he whimpered into your shoulder, “But who’s going to love Ada if you leave?”

Lowering your hand from the back of his head you pulled him back and caught his gaze wiping his cheeks while Thranduil stood with lips just barely parted understanding what his Son had just said, “Don’t cry Little Leaf. I am coming back, but I do have a job to do. I can’t leave all the fighting to the others, and wars can’t last forever.” He nodded and you leaned in to kiss the tip of his nose after another sniffle of his and he tapped his forehead to yours in another pout, “We’ll keep writing, just like before. I’ll be back, and you keep that journal of yours up, I can’t wait to see what you can dream up.” Stirring a smile back onto his face in another nod signaling you to stand and turn to look to Thranduil who moved closer then folded around you in a tight hug at your offer, “Come here. I’ll take no pouting from you either.”

Lowly he chuckled and stepped back as you did watching you turn with a nod at his saying, “Expect a letter upon your landing.”

“I don’t even know where I’m off to first.”

He smirked back at you, “Expect a letter all the same.” Making you giggle and turn away for the trot back to Liefje who ruffled his wings excitedly after his week to recharge.

All –

@himoverflowers, @theincaprincess, @aspiringtranslator, @sweeticedtea, @ggbbhehe4455, @thegreyberet, @patanghill17, @jesgisborne, @curvestrology, @alishlieb, @jogregor, @armitageadoration, @fizzyxcustard, @here2have-fun, @lilith15000, @marvels-ghost, @catthefearless, @imjusthereforthereads, @c-s-stars

Hobbit/LotR – @abiwim, @jotink78

X Thranduil - @evyiione, @sweetlytenacious25, @tigereyesf

x Thorin – @evyiione, @deepestfirefun, @queenoferebor

#Tale Teller's Fright Night #Thranduil x Reader OC #Hobbit #lotr

17 notes · View notes

lianneoelke · 5 years

Text

Yukon Gold, Part 2: An Involuntary Dismount From the Canoe

Good morning from Fort Selkirk!

With bellies full of hearty chilli and a sky full of smoke, JJ and Falcon Heavy were ready to hit the river for our fourth day of canoeing down the Yukon River.

We were only five minutes past Fort Selkirk when JJ realized we forgot a radio and both cans of bear spray. We couldn’t just turn around and paddle upstream, so we had to land so Brian could run up the beach and grab everything (which was left on the above picnic table). After that, we were well on our way to an 80km day.

We spotted a black bear munching berries on an island.

We weren’t the only group on the river making a pilgrimage to Dawson City for the music festival. We’d play leapfrog with the same groups so often we came up with nicknames:

Spanish Armada: the group of nine Spaniards that made giant Spanish omelettes for breakfast and tied two canoes together because they had an odd number of people.

Walmart: the family that travelled with camping chairs, big tarps, and coolers. JJ disliked Walmart. JJ thought Walmart was American. Those are two separate sentences. Walmart was actually from Whitehorse.

Gold Diggers: a husband and wife that would set up on islands and pan for gold. Or so it seemed.

Reckless Youth: a handful of twenty-somethings from UBC with an aversion to life jackets.

Father & Son: they had little to say, to us or each other.

Frenchies: two French guys. That’s it.

Christmas Trees: a red and green boat of women having a jolly old time.

We learned the Spanish Armada planned to camp at the site we were aiming for that night. We could have joined them, but I, for one, did not travel all that way to the middle of nowhere to make new friends. So we had to find somewhere else. We came across another good campsite early in the day, but the weather was beautiful and we wanted to get more kilometers in, so we kept pushing. This moment would be remembered as the time we “got greedy”.

Storm clouds blew in fast. When thunder started booming, Brian told us all to get off the river. So we did. And we waited. Then the rain started. And we waited some more.

Brian (very reasonably) didn’t want to get back on the water until thirty minutes after the last thunder, but the thunder wouldn’t let up. Things were looking grim. Then we remembered we had snacks. We survived on gummy bears, chips, tea, toasted pita and hummus, and craft hot chocolate from Portland, for the two and a half hours it took for the storm to pass.

Spirits wavered but never failed.

By the time the storm passed, we still had another ten kilometers to paddle before we reached our goal of Brittania creek, and we found ourselves in the curious position of chasing the storm we had just weathered. When we finally arrived, the site was full of bugs, but at least there weren’t any new friends buzzing around.

For dinner I made a bastardized version of Pad Thai, using the canoe as a table while being swarmed by mosquitoes. I quickly realized why this particular packet of curry paste was left untouched in our cupboard for years.

By this point JJ had given up on the trappings of individuality and had matured into a fully realized single entity. So when JJ cast a line and caught their first decently sized fish at 11.36 pm, the three of us celebrated the incredible testament to JJ’s speed, momentum, and finesse. Considering all the rain we endured, we figured it was safe to build a small beach fire to cook the fish.

We all came to regret this decision, as the fish remains and fish-smoked clothes had to be dealt with before we could finally go to bed, in order to minimize bear attraction. However, since I cooked that night, I was able to dodge clean up. I went to bed without a care in the world.

Day five dawned sunny and misty. We knew this would also be a big day, but for a very different reason. This was the day we’d reach the bakery. Yes, somehow there was a bakery in the middle of nowhere on the Yukon River.

Power strokes would get us there quicker.

Of course we had to stop whenever we came across moose trampling through the bushes, beavers smacking their tails, and bears ambling down the beach.

The bakery turned out to be less of a bakery and more of a family home that sold $18 omelettes and saran-wrapped cookies (we bought them all). We payed $8 each to stay the night. Camping in someone else’s backyard to listen to their kids blast music and play in their pool felt strange after the solitude of the river, but we knew the daily thunderstorm would hit us soon and the last thing we needed was to “get greedy” again. So we settled in, washed up, and tackled laundry.

JJ waiting out the 6 o’clock thundershowers.

Of course, no camping trip with JJ (formerly Rob) would be complete without curry. JJ made us a heaping pot, just in time for more rain showers.

The next day we found ourselves fresh out of fresh ingredients, so we climbed aboard the COUS COUS train and headed for dehydration station.

Rafting up for snacks and map checks.

We had lunch at the island right before the White River, which poured all its glacial silt into the Yukon. The two rivers blended like miso soup. JJ made ramen while Brian flew his drone for a better view.

After lunch, we found a short but steep trail to hike.

After the merge we could no longer filter our water from the river, which was so thick we couldn’t even see our own feet when we dipped them in. All the silt brushing against our canoes made a constant fizzing noise, like a never-ending glass of coke being poured.

Just a couple bros enjoying happy hour with river-chilled beer.

After the relative business of the “bakery”, we decided to camp on an undesignated island covered in moose tracks. While the views and privacy were top notch, all the silt made for very muddy shores.

Brian made delicious minestrone soup for dinner, then treated us to freeze-dried ice cream sandos in honour of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing.

You can only get dishes so clean in the silty water, but on day six, cleanliness was no longer a priority. Brian had bought a last minute gold pan in Whitehorse, and while it didn’t find us any gold, it did make an excellent vessel for washing dishes and laundry.

The sky was still light at 1 am, because the sky was always light. We went to bed when it was light. We woke up when it was light. Time had no meaning on the river. It created (for me, at least) a sense of security. Openness. Like the Yukon had nothing to hide. But the truth was, we were in the middle of nowhere, hundreds of kilometers from the nearest town, on a muddy river where every island was covered with bear, wolf, and moose tracks.

We woke to the sound of splashing outside our tent. I immediately thought the moose had come to do us in, but instead of moose on the loose, we saw a gaggle of goose.

These banks were home to countless cliff swallows that zipped along the river, eating bugs. Yum.

“JJ first.”

There’s gold in them there hills. But not really.

Our last night on the river was spent at the Mechem Creek site. We set up camp as Brian howled in the cold cold creek, washing off the heat of the day.

Fire bans don’t count on the last day of the trip. Not if it’s been raining every day and you’re careful. JJ struggled to get the fire going (which Brian and I found slightly concerning, considering how dry the sticks were), but all’s well that ends well.

I made a pesto surprise COUS COUS dinner with brownie bear poo for dessert. Everyone saved some sort of fun surprise for their last meal.

“Very good food on this trip. Every meal has been at least a solid 7.5 out of 10.” - JJ

The site at Mechem creek turned out to be my favourite camp site, not least because we saved a bag of wine for that night.

We woke up at 6am up to a brilliant, clear sky.

JJ treated us to one last meal on the river.

There’s nothing better than a well packed canoe!

River travel is tiring work.

We rafted up for one last ceremonial flip of the map, which brought us to our final page. Spirits were high. Jokes were shared. We were finally on the home stretch of our 8 day, 400 km paddle through the Yukon wilderness.

Minutes away from Dawson City, disaster struck.

Brian wanted to stop for a drone shot of Dawson before we paddled in, so we radioed JJ to let them know to land at the tip of the next island. Unable to reach the point in time, JJ decided to land mid island, where the strong current had eroded the bank, causing several trees to topple. It was a bad place to land, and they came in hot hot hot.

Official statement from JJ:

“JJ experienced an involuntary dismount resulting in minor losses from the deck and a minor intake of water. However, the landing was successful.”

JJ thought the word “capsize” was too passionate for the encounter, but Falcon Heavy disagreed. When JJ’s canoe met land, the current hit from underneath, tipping the canoe and its contents upstream. Brian turned to me and said “They capsized. They did exactly what I told them not to do.” No one was injured, although Jordan’s solar panel and Rob’s hat and beloved binoculars were lost to the water. Falcon Heavy found a safe eddy to pull in, then Brian brought out the drone while we waited for JJ to get their shit together.

The paddle of shame.

We had just got back in the water when we heard the unmistakable rumble of thunder. We were faced with a dilemma: get off the water, like all Brian’s experience suggested we do, or “get greedy” and paddle hard to race the storm.

We paddled hard...

... but not so hard we didn’t have time to admire the first and only fox we saw on the river.

That’s Dawson City at the top.

This time our gamble paid off, and we made it to the docks with nae drama (except for the paddleboat that honked at us to get out of its spot).

Safe and sound in Dawson City, it was time to look back at our favourite and not so favourite moments of the canoe trip.

JJ (Jordan)

Highlight: Fort Selkirk. Just the whole fort. So cool.

Lowlight: Involuntary canoe dismount and loss of solar panel.

Gold Star: Gold Pan/Brian Shaw for getting the gold pan.

JJ (Rob)

Highlight: The River (as a tangible entity and metaphysical being) The colours, the current, the curves...the feeling.

Lowlight: Involuntary canoe dismount and loss of binoculars.

Gold Star: JJ. The physical embodiment of speed, momentum and finesse.*

*In all my years of highlight/ lowlight/ gold star, I have never seen someone award the gold star to themselves.

Brian

Highlight: All the Yukon cabins. The history of the Yukon Crossing, the trees growing out of Thom’s Location cabin roof, the historically intact cabins of Fort Selkirk (inside and out), and all the private cabins we saw in between.

Lowlight: Cleaning up the fish & fire at Britannia Creek between midnight and 1am, exhausted from the long day, swarmed by bugs, still stinking of fish, right into the tent.

Gold Star: Jordan, for making the trip (and JJ) happen by stepping in at the last minute and filling the spot, prepared and enthusiastic, and a strong paddler.

Lianne

Highlight: The beautiful site and tasty food at Mechem Creek. Also the fact that none of the canoeists that stopped by the creek for water decided to stay the night, because sharing the site would have really killed the vibe.

Lowlight: Spending hours waiting out the day four thunderstorm under a tarp.

Gold Star: The map. Following along and “staying found”, as Brian would say, was easy and delightful.

Bonus Gold Star: Brian Shaw. The unofficial leader of our canoe trip, Brian looked after us all with his experience, well-muscled arms, moon landing trivia, sexy beard, and positive attitude.

As always, most of the good pics were taken by Brian. He put together an album of the 2019 Yukon River greatest hits:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/22674099@N08/albums/72157710102335767/page1

Stay tuned for the third and final part of Yukon Gold. Dawson City will bring a music festival, rowdy casino, epic hike, and a real life Yukon character known as “the Ghost”.

#yukon #yukongold #yukonriver #canoe #canoeing #canoecamping #exploreyukon #dawson #camping #canada #explorecanada

7 notes · View notes

everythingisbetterwithpirates · 6 years

Text

Mind, Body & Soul: Dialogue Series II

Regarding: A Dirty Little Secret

Thunder echoed far away, resembling the chaos taking place on the other side of the world. Far enough that it did not come with a rumble. On a soft slope in the sandy beach, Margharette sat. Without weapons or a fancy suit. No monocle to help hide what hid in her dark blue eyes. Instead, she wore a comfortable white camisole. It matched her cotton shorts. Feet half-sank into the grains. To her left was a fuzzy coconut. It was decorated with a bright, pink umbrella and aided by a bendy straw.

What would have been a linear horizon slowly turned into a steamy, textured one. Lightning brought out the shapes hidden in the distance. And for a brief moment, the far away beats of thunder matched the rhythm of her heart. Margharette picked up her coconut, guiding the straw to her lips and watching the storms loom in the night sky.

{ Mind, Body and Soul will be expressed through three different beings.}

Rette was a fancy woman of fancy tastes. Her adoration towards all things beautiful and elegant extended beyond jewels and fabrics. Long, dark hair intricately braided behind the ears. It rose to the impossibly tight and well rounded bun at the top of her head. She was dressed in a sleek garment. Intricate embroidery which followed the movements and patterns of spiders and snakes outlined some features while shimmering, golden fabric did the rest. She drank from a saucered teacup that flared at the rim.

Mar was a physical duplicate of Rette, but she lacked the pretty dress. She lacked clothes in general. And her hair was not impeccably tied into a knot. It was loose. Slung carelessly over her freckled shoulders and back. Mar sat with her knees hugged closely to her chest. Directly across from discipline, sat relaxation. She drank from a coconut with a little pink umbrella sticking out from the side.

And then there was Gha. Only the woman’s silhouette persisted in this image. That and her typical business attire. It was a faceless being with a tight knot around it’s neck. No defining features beyond a head, a torso and functional limbs. Ashen, roughly textured skin made up her exposed extremities. There was no drink to be shared with the group. Only folded hands.

Even the empty seat across from Gha had been served with a pair of coffee cups. One was of regular size and the other a miniature version of it.

In the middle of a table was Frank the Cactus. His home was a simple, handcrafted ceramic pot. Pebbles and dirt secured him firmly in place. And as the group readied to converse, it tilted to the right.

Mar sucked from the straw before she placed the coconut on the table.

Mar: "Without our dreams, we would be stuck to the ground. You go higher. And higher... "

Mar paused, staring off into the unknown.

Mar: " ... but then you get too close to the sun."

Rette: "Is that where you burst into flames?"

Mar: "Something like that." Words were spoken with a knowing grin.

Gha: "Tell us-s-s anyway. Enjoy it. Do it. When things exp-p-plode."

Across Mar's shoulder, a transluscent plume of dark purple stroked. Soothingly so.

Mar: "Why linger in the abyss when we can gently glide across the skies? No. I want to do it. I will pursue this ardent adversary into whatever it leads to. Dark roads do not disturb me. Not living while I am alive does."

Gha's entire form shivers. It begins at the top, where two depressions on the raw and skin like texture of it's body seemed to be drawing the shape of a frown. A thick and tar-like substance oozed. Where it once created the illusion of a finely crafted business suit, it now rolled and ransacked with agitation, removing all regularity from the uniform. The would-be lines over the head deepened. A gaping maw was left behind, one that revealed nothing more than agitation in the form of black and purple needles.

Rette looked between Mar and Gha, bringing her flowery cup of tea to her lips for a long drink.Pretentious nostrils flared in preparation for battle between two stalwart sides of the same coin. For a moment, her attention drifted to the empty seat to her right. Just a cup next to another. One big. One small. Both deserving of more. She cleared her throat and turned towards the others.

Frank danced to the left without a sound.

Rette: "Very well. We shall discuss. let us begin with the obvious. Present dangers. Precautionary measures have been taken, but all it takes is one tiny error and it is over. It will spread all across this table. So much so that it becomes it."

Mar: "Oh, aye. We would cease to exist as is. But this picture is no longer just stormy skies. His plans bring a possibility that cannot be ignored. If he succeeds, it could be just like a scene from a play. Walking down the garden. Holding hands.”

Mar's gaze turned to Gha who was quietly brooding and staring into the empty seat across, to Mar's left.

Mar: "... Maybe someone crying or dying in the background. Nothing unnatural."

Gha's faceless face shuddered.

Rette: "His predatory nature will surely persist through the split. Strong on both sides, but only one would pose a high level of danger -- and it is not going to be the real him. Of course, it should be noted that I believe my words to be biased. My pants would catch on fire were I to sat your hopes are not relatable. Or contagious."

Rette nodded to Mar, taking a delicate sip from her teacup. Polished pinkie extended.

With a dislocated succession of faint 'pops' and 'cracks', Gha stood from it's seat. Though a pair of arms were discernible, it's legs slithered and dragged across the wooden floor as if they were one. Another round of ripples and needlish spikes traveled across the hazy suit.

Gha: "I. Will. S-s-s-show you. Your desires. This is one of it's many. P-possibilities."

Frank tilted to the right. It's thorny body was fantastically bendy.

Behind the empty seat, a scene began to appear. It was prompted by Gha's waving hand. Like a weathered painting, patterns and shapes flourished. A sizable portion of a ship's cabin replaced the empty darkness. Windows revealed both ocean and land in the distance. But before such escapes was a bloodstained bed. The expansion of the image revealed two bodies.

One was a grown human male. He was of shaggy blonde hair and a dark, tanned complexion. He lay face down, bleeding into the bed from the wound on the side of his head. One of his arms was wrapped around the second body. A much smaller one. That of an infant girl who looked to be no older than several months. The child's wound mirrored that of her father's.

Gha: "This could be him if his plan succeeds. And her. He did. Did not come alone. Or it. Could be us-s-s."

The scene continued to extend, revealing a gun on the floor. A dying lamp swung from the ceiling as turbulent waves began to come around.

Gha: "The inevitable conclusion of all life. Death."

Gha paced enthusiastically behind it's spot on the board. Mar and Rette steadily watched. One had a teacup, the other a coconut. Where Mar swayed her head, Rette drummed her fingers.

Gha: "Instead of them outliving us. We. Outlive them. Neither brings good tidings-s-s."

Margharette appeared on the scene, arriving to what would become her last day in paradise. Stricken with grief, she falls to her knees. The woman gasped for air, but her sobs went by silently. The picture was muted. One after the other, her cries went ignored.

Gha: "There. F-f-fallen. Every good thing once felt. Destroyed. Crushed by loss."

In the recreation of her pain, Margharette began to reach for the loaded weapon on the floor.

Frank swayed left.

Another tendril of Shadows coiled around Mar's shoulders, this time extending to her neck and bare chest. One were now two.

Meanwhile, Margharette's attempts to place the gun against her head were thwarted by a violent quake. Her grip faltered. The heavy piece fell to the ground with a thud as loud as hers. Unlike the others, this sound boomed across the space of those watching. Tightly, Margharette clutched her chest, blue eyes rising to the bodies of her loved ones. She choked. She groaned. But then nothing.

Gha: "And you couldn't even finish it yourself."

A few more twitches and Margharette's heart was finally done. Broken. Not enough strength to keep her going and away from death's door. Now, it became the key that unlocked it.

Mar: "I can be next in line."

Gha, who had been pacing a little more, froze on it's tracks. Though it's body was turned away from Mar, it's ghoulish head turned around. All the way around. The sound of bones breaking and colliding was as gruesome as that of unseen teeth gnawing and grinding.

Gha: "You. Just like. Me."

Rette took a last glance at the disappearing image, finding the clarity of it's details satisfactory. She then looked between Mar and Gha with a less severe expression, drinking quietly from her cup.

Mar's head swayed from side to side after giving Gha a confident nod.

Mar: "Our fate is shared. That was something made extremely clear after this catastrophe. The wheel spun and showed us the direction. Now we have it. That was the deal. Two more opportunities, if possible, for the third has already been taken advantage of."

Gha: "Options. There are others."

Slowly, Frank the Cactus tilted to the right again.

Rette: "None that entice all senses like he does. Even YOU will surrender." Unwavering authority composed said words.

Gha: "You defend this because you are infatuated. And because it will not be YOU that endures... "

Gha began to move closer to the table, body rapidly and gracelessly turning to match the direction of it's head.

Gha: " ... t-t-this."

Rette's flowery cup rose, used as a means to signal her agreement towards the creature at her left.

Mar: "We have been in the warm shores of paradise. Many never even see it. And while that may not be the final destination of this voyage, the risk is still worth it. Patience will be worth it. This is not the same Margharette from then. This is now. And if in the future, darkness should encase me, I am comforted by the fact that it will be YOU that stands alone. Radiance in a room of monsters. Means there will still be a chance... And I do like chances."

Mar's shaven coconut rose, mimicking Rette's previous cheering motion with her contrasting fancy cup.

Gha silently stared at the seat across even without eyes. Frail hands settled over it's own seat, but soon, Gha joined the others seated at the table.

Frank veered left, it's spine flexible but unbreakable.

Gha: "Useless. Your silence. Is not. Or is it... It is. Or... "

Rette: "Banter aside, this companionship has touched us all in one way or another. Most recently, I noted an irregularity during a session. These feelings of adoration... Of love -- they must be carefully woven into the cover story. Too many lies and the story is too weak to stand on it's own. Not enough, and we expose a weakness. One the enemy can and would exploit. Twice, because there are TWO people involved. The verbal foreplay routine when engaged in work will need to be reworked. Rephrased. Refreshed."

Mar: "This discussion has nothing to do with business."

Rette: "Everything can be business if you're gray enough."

Mar stared at Rette for a long and spiteful moment, but the feeling passed. Slid with ease. Like melted butter.

Mar: "Which is why I am making this call. What needs to be done will be done. That is what I trust you to do if it comes to such blows. Let the winds die now so that we may reach a conclusion and gaze into our future."

Rette nodded, throwing a tiny cube into her refilled cup. Gha only continued to glare ahead.

Rette: "Preparations for many possibilities have already begun. The Crabby Cabin will also be going through extensive renovations. This place will be a fortress. One where both him and her can seek refuge from what comes, given that there will finally be room for more than one person. What truly worries me is the vessel he leaves behind. With any luck, and maybe some bribes, it will be kept busy."

Gha shuddered, it's stable but fluid form vivid and animated.

Gha: "Miss-s-s. I will miss it. I. Yet. Do not know the satisfaction of making it..." The voice became even more distorted. Wisps of thick Shadows wrapped around it's head, moving in fast spinning circles.

Gha: "... Submit. In full. Without him being bound. By ch-ch-chains."

Frank tilted to the right.

Mar: "Confusing creature."

Gha: "Remind yourself. No matter how the next fall comes. You. And I. Will look the same."

Mar fell silent, turning to glance at the empty coffee cups to her right. With acceptance, she nodded.

Rette: "Then it is settled. The chance will be taken. This means that our grip on emotions, and by our I of course mean mine, will need to be better than flawless at all times. Especially when we consider what is happening deeper down the rabbit hole."

Behind Rette's ear, a Shadowy line curved and twisted. After snaking around the back of her neck, it disappeared beneath her golden garments.

Mar: "Be it by Chance or otherwise, our fates are here. Present. Some of the tails found down this road lead to heartbreak. Others to happiness. To peace. Peace that is violently forged elsewhere. Here? It is made complete by his presence. Fun. Joy. Love. Care. Affection. All siblings. All part of the same thread."

Gha: "Even I feel this. This that you speak of. To not pursue and protect this treasure would be criminal."

The three beings looked between each other and nodded. Mar and Rette rose their drinks and indulged. Gha sat still. And the empty seat remained empty.

Frank the Cactus moved again. Now it sat straight.

#ic story #mb&s #hsc #sorrynotawarstory

4 notes · View notes

halcyon-wra-blog · 6 years

Text

Operation: Endgame

“Alright boys.. this is it.” Volran's voice crackled through the comms, barely audible over the choppy waves and clanking, metallic gears of their transports. “We all know our orders. If we fail here today, our Crusade won't live long enough to regret it. Stick to the plan, follow your Captain's' orders, and you just might make it out of this alive. Teach these Forsaken a lesson they won't forget, Halcyon, and may the Light be with you.” With that, the comm clicked off.. and they were on their own, waiting in their bulky, armored, gnomish transport ships for landfall. With every churning wave, the ship “jumped,” its gears and cogs whirring and whining to compensate, water lapping over the lip of the vessel's raised metal flanks, sloshing down into the crew pit below. It was an uncomfortable, compact mess, with soldiers packed like sardines rather than warriors.. but perhaps that was the point. After all, their transport was just one of two dozen, and-

“-KA-BOOM!-”

A cannon shot rang out from behind them. Just one of the few several hundred – no, thousand? - they'd heard that day from their fleet, hammering into the towering walls of the Forsaken coastal fortifications, providing cover, both in the form of large smoke clouds and heavy shelling, for the transports to head inland.

At least, that was the hope. Before they'd even escaped the shadow of the Halcyon's fleet, the cannon fire had been matched with a second thunderous cry: The Forsaken's artillery. The Undead had more than just the small blight “grenades” they'd used on the Kingfish. They had cannonballs fit to bursting with blight, and for every shell the Halcyon threw at their sea wall, they fired two towards the transports. Some of them tried to escape, but they only succeeded in drowning themselves with their heavy armor. By the time they neared the beach, their two dozen transports had been trimmed down to a light seventeen.

Their transports jerked, bucked, and stopped at the shore. Outside their sardine cans, the guttural, vitriolic spat of Gutterspeak roared over the din of cannon fire. The Forsaken were preparing themselves. Horses whinnied, dogs barked and snapped.. and then.. silence. A sickly, still silence that seemed to go on for an eternity. This, perhaps, was what some might call “The Soldier's Minute,” where time all but stops and coalesces at once in one euphoric cacophony. Their last minute sane; whole; alive. After their loading ramp opened.. there was nothing but death.

The craft's pilot stood up, toying with his communicator, “T-Minus, five..” he counted, “Four… Three.. two.. one.” With the tug of a lever, their door janked, clanked, groaned, and released itself from its holdings. It flew down into the beach below, clouds of sand rising high into the air, revealing the absolute nightmare that awaited them: A battle line of Forsaken Dread Guards, dressed in royal red, replete with plague hounds and warhorses, ready to meet the invaders head on. Scores of barbed wire and entrenched pikes stabbed towards the transports, and short, quick fix defensive walls loomed near the back.

Their pilot turned towards them, gesticulating wildly towards the open bay ramp, “Go! Go! G-!” An arrow, shot from an archer behind the walls, landed squarely in the pilot's neck, his breath catching in his throat, blood already staining his white armor. He staggered, slumped, spasmed, and fell dead on their transport's floor. But there was no time for sentimentality. Already, the battle cries from the other transports rose like a hymn, the sounds of boots, paws, hooves and wings rising to meet the song of cannon shot. To either side of this concerted Hellhole, the battlements and towers of the Forsaken's sea wall rose high along the craggy Hillsbrad cliffs, the plague cannons still firing relentlessly at the fleet, just off the coast.

Arrows went wide, pinging far into the hillside as Forsaken were bashed in their fetid heads by Holy Hammers. Undead gurgled and fell into the sand as magic blasted through them, rotten gore and decayed ichor splattering across the beach. As their guts and entrails smattered the beach, Forsaken sinew turned into catalysts for explosions that rocked the entire seaboard, sand flying in chunks in every direction. An overzealous Crusader stepped forwards, and at a moment's notice, his armored form was nothing but paste, at least five of his fellows joining him in the afterlife.

A shrill cry rang out over the hills. Then came a snapping, a howling, and from behind the Forsaken line a horde of rancid plague hounds sprang out, skittering and pawing their way through the barbed fences, arrow shot and mines. They scampered, mouths slavering hungrily, and descended upon the Halcyon like a wave. They bit with cruel intent, their teeth lined with bile and etched with blight. They bit, ripped and tore, eliciting pleading screams and terrified cries from the more unlucky Crusaders.

The Forsaken assault was relentless. Wave after wave of hounds lashed out from behind the wall, the mounted dread guards all too content to wait the conflict out and let the living exhaust themselves on their pets. Overhead, the Forsaken engineers kept dutifully loading their cannons with blight bombs, their shots thundering out into the evening sky. Yet, the plague hounds were overzealous in their work, and they had accidentally triggered at least a quarter of the Forsaken mines in their charge.

The hills were covered in Undead flying and rolling down it in droves, tumbling down to the base in craggy heaps. At the top, two death guards holding tight to plaguehound leashes, were there to greet them. The dogs snapped, barked, and finally, the death guards simply let them fly. They bore down on the Halcyon, jumping and chomping at plate like it was aluminum foil. They thrashed, their necks jerking side to side, wrestling like they were in a death spiral.

Just as the Forsaken charged, a giant ball of Light flew headlong at their cannon. It shot through the air with a burning light, hissing, fizzing, sparking like a Fourth of July firework. It screeched headlong into the cannon, hitting it square with a thunderous "BOOM!" that rivaled any of their ship's cannon shots. The metal apparatus bent, groaned, and sloughed off the battlements, tumbling in a giant pile into the choppy seas below. The death guards were blown far and away, screaming as they were rocketed into the aether.

A cannon lost, the Forsaken rallied, their plague hounds retreated at their masters' whistles, scampering back behind the defensive walls. The mounted Death Guards took up their positions, blades drawn, shields ready for a charge.. and another ear piercing screech rang out across the hills, the very air taking on an icy mist, the Halcyon Crusaders' breath going cold.

The line of royal deathguards tightened, forming an inhuman wall in front of the archer line as the Halcyon's ragged line of crusaders charged towards them. Arrows nocked, bow strings drew back, "Ready!" A high, silky voice called over the din. It wasn't gutterspeak. Thalassian? "Aim!" A pause, waiting until their prey had run -right- into their line of fire. There was a glint of red, furious eyes, shrouded by a black hood. A dark ranger! "LOOSE!" With a twang, a snap, a clap, a volley of tight-knit, white feathered arrows sprang towards the oncoming charge.

"READY!" The voice called again, only to be drowned out by the clash of steel on steel. The battle had been joined, just in front of their line. The royal red of the dead guards' cloaks rising like a tide to meet the white of the Halcyon, sword against sword, axe against axe. The hounds converged, sensing weakened prey.

The death guards on top of the hill stepped forward to meet a crew of soldiers, their blades drawn.. and quickly lost to the ground as their heads fell from their shoulders from the onslaught of Halcyon soldiers. The engineers about the cannon gave each other terrified looks, and without a second thought, both rose their hands up in surrender. The cannon was silent.

"BANG!" "BANG!" "BANG!" "CLANG!" The cannon snapped, groaned, cracked and bent under a soldier’s merciless assault. By the time he was done with it, it indeed looked more like a smouldering, singed soda can than anything that could ever have been used for artillery. "Whoever did that is getting a damn -MEDAL,-" Volran's labored voice crackled over the comms, resisting the urge to let out a cheering laugh. "Excellent work, boys! -Excellent!- Reinforcements are coming in hot. I repeat: reinforcements are coming in!" And almost on cue, should any of the Halcyon look behind them, they might spy the armada of skiffs departing the motherships, trundling through the ocean towards their landing site.

A shrill scream rang out across the hills, crackling directly into the Halcyon's ears. The comm abruptly went silent, and from beyond a far hill, on some other beach along the coastline, the terrified, roaring screams of an entire regiment of the Halcyon's best and brightest rising to meet the screech. The chilly mist around the valley grew. The shrill, shuddering cry over the hills reached a crescendo, a trio of ghastly, flying revanents rounded on them. They were robed all in black, tattered robes, each clutching a scythe in hand. They swooped low, their mangled, scarecrow-esque faces contorting into wide, hungry maws as they sighted their next targets.

The death guards staggered, their lines breaking. They folded inwards, the onslaught of the Halcyon and their reinforcements all too much for them to bear. They fell in droves, regal armor clattering in dusty heaps in the sand. Archers shrieked, their arrows flying in disorganized waves as undead monstrosities ate their fill of rotten flesh. It was a slaughter, and a slaughter the Halcyon were winning.

From the pits of her fallen comrades, the dark ranger leapt up, her bowstring snapping in rapidfire patterns, neat, feathered pinpricks embedding themselves in the foreheads of those unsuspecting. She landed with a roll, interjecting herself into the sea of Crusaders, her bow discarded in lieu of two sharp cutlasses. They sang a siren's song, snapping side to side, slicing, chopping, cutting through the thinly-chained necks of crusaders before they could even reckon what had come. And not only that, but those three monstrous revenants were bearing down on them from behind.

With one voice, they let out an ear piercing roar, burning, icy breath blasting from their gaping maws, coating the back lines of the Halcyon's forces. Soldiers froze solid where they stood, looking more like popsicles than soldiers. The revenants were merciless, their shrill, freezing cries rattling across the valley, turning sand to crystalline silica, bodies into frigid cadavers, and soldiers into statues. One by one, the Dark Ranger followed up on each of their conquests, her cutlasses slicing clean through frozen flesh, coagulated blood oozing from every cut. Wait.. how was she not freezing? There, around her neck! A bright, orange glowing orb clanged against her leather armor, bouncing free from her cloak with every pirouette, every twist.

Finally, their freezing breath over with, the revenants descended to flank the Ranger, their scythes in hand, dead, empty eyes staring at their handiwork. With one body, one mind, they marched forwards, hands gripping about their scythes. Scythes rose and fell, chopping through the remaining cadre of Crusaders, harvesting them like wheat. The revenant on the left made its slow, careful march forwards. Its scythe raised, and with one cruel, downward swing, it acted to snuff the faint heartbeat out of those in his wake permanently.

The center revenant stepped forwards, spindly, boney fingers wrapped about its scythe, and trudged forwards. Unlike its brethren, it made no move to slice her or cleave. Instead, its ghastly, haunted maw opened wide, wider than any jaw would allow, and the beginnings of a concerted gust of frost coiled about its charred and cracked lips.

The revenant on the right turned, marching forwards with its brothers, dead eyes locked forward. It descended, scythe raising.. and then, from the inside out, its icy exterior went golden. Its eyes flashed, mouth agape as it let out a low, shuddering vibrato roar that rose up to a tenor, then a falsetto, until the creature practically -POPPED- from a Light overload cast by one of the Halcyon’s Knight-Captains.

The ranger yowled, recoiling away from the pain of the Light inflicted by the Halcyon’s Paladins. She scampered away, rolling her shoulder, shaking the pain off. Her red eyes flicked from the Halcyon to the revenants, then back again. "I let you get away once, pigs. I'm not about to make the same mistake twice." She dashed away, her light footfalls padding against the sand.. only to feel the flat end of a blade slap against her ankles.

Her arms threw out in front of her, her entire body sailing forwards with an 'Uhnf!' of effort, and she landed face first in the blood soaked sand, staggering, trying to regain her balance. She rolled hurriedly up onto her back, red eyes blazing furiously at the offending paladin and runic knight. With a snarl that showed teeth, she leapt up to her feet, drawing her swords once more, spinning, pirouetting, one slicing toward the rune-knight, another towards the Paladin.

"When will you humans LEARN?" She snarled, her legs kicking out, attempting to bash against plate, "This is our home, not yours! NEVER yours!"

The revenant on the right was violently shunted, sending the gigantic beast staggering to the left. They stumbled, colliding with one another, their frozen breath cracking against one another, snap-freezing them together. They were trapped. They couldn't move! They..! ACORN! In unison their heads looked up, and saw the small, teensy tiny little thing fall between them. Within the span of two seconds, the haunting creatures had been replaced by a giant oaken tree, their wizened, craggy faces jutting out from the bark, their scythes sticking out at odd angles.

The ranger let out a huffing a breath as soldiers charged into her, sending her sprawling onto the ground.. and then again, just as she'd tried to regain her composure, another came to knock her down. Swords went flying in either direction, arms going wide to either side, her body "puff"ing into the soft sand beneath her. Swords, bird pecks, punches, nails.. it was all she could do to bring up her arms to try and ward off the blows.

She felt a sword descend upon her neck, driving clean through her pendant.. and straight into her heart. Then slowly, almost peacefully, her arms fell to her side, no longer even deigning to resist. Instead, her red eyes gazed peacefully up at the paladin, druid, crusader and she smiled.

"We.. will.. never.. surrender," she blurbed, congealed, black blood oozing from her lips. "We will fight you.. wherever is needed. We will.. kill you.. we will.. never.. give up.. our homes.." Gingerly, sickly, her left hand reached to the pendant, which began to crack and splinter around the sword, glowing a bright, rich amber color.

"Glory to the Forsaken.. Glory.. to.. Sylvanas.." Her eyes widened with manic glee, and the pendant began to let out a soft chiming. The light growing more and more intense, the noise ringing in their ears. "We will.. never.. be.. slaves-" The pendant blasted the ranger to smithereens, and, hopefully for her, might just take some of them with her. Yet, the Halcyon prevailed. They had won. They now had their foothold in Hillsbrad, and it was only a matter of time before they expanded further inland.

#It's a long Read #Combat Event Recap #The Halcyon #Op: Endgame #IC #Guild Plot

4 notes · View notes

nightmarenomore-blog · 6 years

Text

Nature Forsworn

Bello Lake was a sight to see. In the land of 10,000 lakes, Bello was about as secluded as it gets. Peaceful waters and 20 foot evergreens along the shore. No beaches or sand banks making the lake a water - filled valley in the thick Minnesotan forest. A few docks were built at the four corners of the lake to move from north to south and east to west. I was tasked with transporting logs of timber across the lake to lumber mill with Matt & Bret, my two good mates. We had a 15 foot rowboat and ton of lumber to move. The skies had been overcast all morning so we were hoping it would stay that way, a heavy downpour would signal serious trouble for us.

We decided to make two trips, 1100 pounds of lumber and two men on the boat while the third would stand at the dock and guard the rest of the cargo. Matt and I volunteered to row first across the lake, putting Bret on watch. We lifted each 100 pound log slowly and positioned them in the center of the boat; Matt and I only had room on the ends of the boat. As Matt helped us into the water, the boat sunk down deep; we had less than a foot of space from the edge of the boat to the water; dealing with the waves was going to be a challenge if we were to avoid sink age. Matt sat at port and lit a smoke, waving us a safe journey and farewell.

As we reached the halfway point on the lake, slowly rowing to minimize any waves, the coast seemed clear. No wind whatsoever made for a still surface, letting my mind wander to take in the sights and sounds. Frogs and toads croaking from the shore, cicadas skittering and buzzing in the trees, and every now and then an air bubble popping from a fish swimming below. My rowing motions were on autopilot until Matt’s voice regained my attention

“Hey dude, look up”

I shook my head, stopped rowing, and gazed to the sky; pitch black. A storm was approaching; the overcast skies a preemptive warning for us to get to shore.

The overwhelming humidity over the last few days along with a morning cold front created the conditions for a perfect storm; my gut was rumbling harder than ever, this was no ordinary storm. In the dead center of Bello Lake, we were sitting ducks for whatever lightning bolt Zeus decided to throw our way. Sure there was a ton of wood on the boat, but that didn’t change the fact that we wanted a lightweight craft and decided on aluminum; a lightning rod in the middle of July, great thinking.

“Fuck the western dock; we need to get on land NOW”

“I see a sand bank over there Matt” as I extended my right hand and pointed to an open clearing.

Without a moment to waste, we instantly sprang into action. Instead of heading west, we went north, picking up our pace significantly to reach the shore. Before we even finished changing course, a deafening and piercing rainfall descended upon us.

A bright white arc ripped open the sky in front of our eyes, blinding us temporarily. A booming roar followed a few seconds later, sending shivers down my spine. We were on a direct collision course with Mother Nature, and we done really pissed her off this time.

“Row faster, I’m not ending up as lunch for the trout and turtles!” Matt yelled emphatically as the water level was creeping up higher and higher ready to sink us.

“Paddle better, or throw some logs overboard” I shouted back as the lumber kept the boat dry, soaking up all the water it could, yet weighing us down furthermore.

The northern shore was about a furlong away; the two football fields were the only obstacle standing between us and a watery grave if we didn’t hurry. Circle after circle we rowed yet the distance kept getting further. Our boots became waterlogged coffers, better at the bottom of the lake than on our feet. Our eyebrows were waterfalls, blinding our vision. To our disdain, this was only the beginning. The waves are finally picking up, crashing against our boat, splashing incessantly, adding to the shallow moat of rainwater between the logs.

Each second lasted eons. We would take off our boots to use them as buckets, keeping up with the waves. Hauling shoe-full after shoe-full we barely began matching the pouring rain and lake water.

“We got it! The waves are taking us to shore!”

The fear was gone and a newfound confidence leapt up my voice. Matt looked at me shocked silly before opening a massive grin and chuckling uncontrollably. His joy matched mine and we thought we made it through.

Suddenly, a flash.

The sky turned white, colors returned to the world for a split second before revealing the awful truth of the matter.

Lightning

Smoke on the water made the air warm. Sparks jumped past us, grounding out at shore. A crisp, juicy, and smoky smell permeated from the lake.

Dozens of fish, upside down

“I haven’t smelled trout this good in weeks.” I exclaimed as I pulled in a nearby floating fish.

“Stop fooling around and help! You have to alive to eat”

Matt response was cryptic yet honest. I tossed the fish and got back to the current matter at hand, surviving.

Too late, we could feel the boat tipping over. The water inside had risen above our boots and was pulling the boat under; we had to no choice. Darting a glance in each other’s eyes, we nodded.

Matt and I jumped off the boat

It was cold, bone shivering cold. It was a piercing cold, up my arms and legs. A cold shower is a pinch to the lakes freezing stab. The water was no higher than my elbows; we could wade through and push the boat ashore. I could feel the soft mud under my feet, slimy and trapping me under.

We managed to push the boat ashore and into the grass, far away from the lake. We tipped it to the right 30 to let the water drain down out. The timber logs rolled out one by one, glossy beyond recognition. We rolled the logs into a flat clearing a few trees into the forest. We lay down beside our cargo and took a deep sigh of relief.

“All that for a few logs” Smiling sheepishly at Matt

“And were not done yet” He wittingly remarked back

“After the storm maybe” scoffing I put my hands over my head and closed my eyes

“Eh what the hell” Matt complied and turned on his left side.

#writer #nature #forswsorn #write #writing #story #short story #short story telling #water #forest #lumberjack #scary #spooky #intense #dream #reality #tale #fable #narrative

2 notes · View notes

louis1kwords · 5 years

Text

June: Topics in Tropics

A broad sunrise glinted off shimmering waters, endless in every direction. Whispy, distant clouds made way for the great expanse above, remaining relegated to a sky with corners which did not exist. The ship had a sun-bleached texture and a contour that gave it the appearance of having been crafted from a single, very large piece of wood. A half-dozen small portholes along each side were the only interruption in the continuity of an otherwise monolithic wooden vessel. The youth, leaning upon a carved railing wore a tan tunic, weathered to the same shade as the ship’s wood. The faded fabric of his pants ballooned out from a belt about his middle, vanishing into tall leather coligae. His instrument, a lute-like stalk, hung from a fine braided strap, its rounded belly singing softly beneath fibrous strings crafted from lamb's gut. Fingers meandered up a thin neck and nimbly down it again. A blankness permeated the air as those notes met with the continuous lapping of waves. An unusual linear shape appeared just above the horizon, instantly grabbing the youth's eye. There was no mistaking it after so much time spent on the water-scape. The soft, saturated sand swallowed his feet as he leapt from a dinghy onto land for the first time in untold months. His body moved slowly, inhibited by the depth and wetness of the shoreline. He slogged carefully in the water, the lute strapped tightly to his back. One person’s length and he would be on easy, dry beach. With the ease of walking that the ship afforded him, exerting this effort to lift a leg was almost alien. At last, he pulled loose, nearly stumbling in the surf and reached a shallow point, the water lapping at this calves through trousers now dark and heavy with seawater. Seagulls wheeled around above him as surf crashed and frothed at his back. The strong, saline smell of his garb both disgusted and enticed him. Feet caked in sand, he looked up. What he faced now was a thick, verdant jungle. Nothing ahead of him was familiar, as his young life before the voyage had been spent roaming the labyrinthine stone roadways of the arid seaside city-state where he was born. A father log absent, a mother who sent him aboard to flee cruelty. A dense cropping of vined, mossy trees ahead hinted at the mystery of what they contained. His wide-bladed scythe hung from his belt, glinting with pure, brilliant daylight. The hacking became arduous after the first 100 paces. Healthy vines, strong trees, and thick brush obscured any reasonable pathway through. The scythe’s sharpness prevailed, but fatigue was also a certainty. A pathway through a stand of baobab was hacked away with the most concentrated blow of force the youth could muster. Sweat soaked through his tunic and dripped down from his brow and long, slender nose. And then with the final hack appeared a new sight entirely. An arena presented itself. A completed, perfect stone oval crafted by man, something he had not seen since days when he was only as tall as the lute was long. The war the limestone here had waged with nature seemed to be at a standstill, vines and desiduous forest neither enveloping nor abating from its sides. The structure stood about half a mast high, and three or four lengths greater than any amphitheater he had beheld. Stepping beneath a tall archway, he entered cautiously, secured his hacking tool, and moved silently forward. Standing in the center, a haze could be seen across the thinly vegetated dirt field, a visual feature caused as much by the human limitation of sight as by the humid air. He loosened the braided strap and brought his instrument across his chest, positioning his hands deftly on the sinewy strings. The chord he strummed was not heard, at first. The sound seemed swallowed up in the vastness of space the arena offered. Then, seconds later, a reverberating wave cascaded back from the far-off hazy depth of the rounded stone walls. The notes that played back at him had distorted slightly, gained an impossible and ethereal character. He strummed a second time, and the resounding response took longer still to return to his ears. At once, the youth noticed that the only sounds around were his own. No insects from the surrounding jungle could be heard. No wild creatures squawked, prowled, growled, or flew overhead. From the surrounding treetops, however, he was observed. The red-tailed hawk moved with terrible swiftness and intent. Its talons hung beneath it, flaunting a deadly appearance of two human hands grasping wide. Its shriek filled the concave stonework and boomed, deafening. The lute's strings snapped as the raptor initiated its attack. A beak designed for death hooked his right arm, and the youth spun away, yanking with primal desperation. His hands clutched at the scythe by his waist to free it. Crimson blood began to run down his wounded arm and his slick fingers could not protect him swiftly enough. The hawk's immense wings beat and the youth collapsed backwards, scuttling on the once tranquil, now dusty amphitheater's floor. The tussle continued as the dustclouds were stirred up around two struggling forms. Shielding his eyes and face, the youth managed to roll away beneath an archway that resembled his entrance. He glanced about frantically but couldn't glimpse his predator. Taking stock of his injuries he found the tunic had been torn and he tore it further to wrap his freshly seeping wound. As dust settled before him, the regal bird became visible once more. It remained still. Its gaze spoke a warning. Another animal's interference was not welcome. Any kingdom found here was not to be disturbed. Scrambling a path through the jungle thickness he emerged onto the beach and collapsed. Seagulls no longer circled, the gentle tide lapped at his boat. The solitary sun was still crossing, making its way to be a glorious centerpiece in a nearly cloudless sky.

#adventure #heprotecc #athousandwords #betterlatethannever #dontdrinkcoffeeatsixpm

0 notes

scotianostra · 4 years

Photo

On January 30th 1886 Elizabeth 'Betty' Mouat set sail from Grutness to Lerwick, on the Shetland Isles, she would be washed ashore in Norway over a week later.

weather was deteriorating and the Columbine’s captain warned Miss Mouat that a rough passage could be expected. He advised that she might better wait. She was quite adamant however – sail in the Columbine she would. She came on board with her merchandise and with two pints of milk and two biscuits for refreshment during the expected three or four- hour passage. She went down into the small cabin and settled herself.

It's now I will hand you over to the great Tragedian Scottish port William McGonagall, with a a contemporary account of the events, in his own inimitable style!

The Wreck of the “Columbine”Kind

Kind Christians, all pay attention to me, And Miss Mouat's sufferings I'll relate to ye; While on board the Columbine, on the merciless sea, Tossing about in the darkness of night in the storm helplessly. She left her home (Scatness), on Saturday morning, bound for Lerwick, Thinking to get cured by a man she knew, as she was very sick; But for eight days she was tossed about on the stormy main, By a severe storm of wind, hail, and rain. The waves washed o'er the little craft, and the wind loudly roared, And the Skipper, by a big wave, was washed overboard; Then the crew launched the small boat on the stormy main, Thinking to rescue the Skipper, but it was all in vain. Nevertheless, the crew struggled hard his life to save, But alas! the Skipper sank, and found a watery grave; And the white crested waves madly did roar, Still the crew, thank God, landed safe on shore. As soon as Miss Mouat found she was alone, Her mind became absorbed about her friends at home; As her terrible situation presented itself to her mind, And her native place being quickly left far behind. And as the big waves lashed the deck with fearful shocks, Miss Mouat thought the vessel had struck upon a reef of rocks; And she thought the crew had gone to get help from land, While she held to a rope fastened to the cabin roof by her right hand. And there the poor creature was in danger of being thrown to the floor, Whilst the heavy showers of spray were blown against the cabin door, And the loosened sail was reduced to tatters and flapping with the wind, And the noise thereof caused strange fears to arise in her mind. And after some hours of darkness had set in, The table capsized with a lurch of the sea which made a fearful din, Which helped to put the poor creature in a terrible fright, To hear the drawers of the table rolling about all the night. And there the noble heroine sat looking very woe-begone, With hands uplifted to God making her moan, Praying to God above to send her relief, While in frantic screams she gave vent to her pent up grief. And loud and earnestly to God the noble heroine did cry, And the poor invalid's bosom heaved many a sigh; Oh! heaven, hard was the fate of this woman of sixty years of age, Tossing about on the briny deep, while the storm fiend did rage. Oh! think of the poor soul crouched in the cabin below, With her heart full of fear, cold, hunger, and woe, And the pitless storm of rain, hail, and snow, Tossing about her tiny craft to and fro. And when the morning came she felt very sick, And she expected the voyage would be about three hours to Lerwick, And her stock of provisions was but very small, Only two half-penny biscuits and a quart bottle of milk in all Still the heavy snow kept falling, and the sky was obscured, And on Sabbath morning she made her first meal on board, And this she confined to a little drop of milk and half a biscuit, Which she wisely considered was most fit. And to the rope fastened to the cabin roof she still held on Until her hands began to blister, and she felt woe-begone, But by standing on a chest she could look out of the hatchway, And spend a little time in casting her eyes o'er the sea each day. When Wednesday morning came the weather was very fine, And the sun in the heavens brightly did shine, And continued so all the live long day; Then Miss Mouat guessed that land to the norward lay. Then the poor creature sat down to her last meal on board, And with heartfelt thanks she praised the Lord; But when Thursday morning came no more food could be had, Then she mounted a box about seven o'clock while her heart felt sad. And she took her usual gaze o'er the sea with a wistful eye, Hoping that some passing vessel she might descry, And to the westward she espied a bright red light, But as the little craft passed on it vanished from her sight. But alas; no vessel could she see around anywhere, And at last the poor soul began to despair, And there the lonely woman sat looking out to the heavens above, Praying to God for succour with her heart full of love. At last the Columbine began to strike on submerged rocks, And with the rise and fall of the sea she received some dreadful shocks, And notwithstanding that the vessel was still rolling among the rocks, Still the noble heroine contrived once more to raise herself upon the box. Still the Columbine sped on, and ran upon a shingly beach, And at last the Island of Lepsoe, Miss Mouat did reach, And she was kindly treated by the inhabitants in everyway that's grand, And conveyed to Aalesund and there taking steamer to fair England.

William Topaz McGonagall

On 7 February 1886 the Columbine was washed ashore on a beach at Lepsøy, near Ålesund, in Norway. When local villagers arrived on the scene they found Betty Mouat alive and well, after nine days living on a single bottle of milk and some ship's biscuits. Betty was repatriated to Edinburgh, and finally arrived in Lerwick on board the steamer St Clair in late March. She became an immediate celebrity and an appeal for public subscriptions to help her attracted a letter and a donation of £20 from Queen Victoria.

Betty Mouat lived to be 93 and on her death in 1918 was buried at Dunrossness Churchyard. The bay where she came ashore in Norway is now called Columbinebukta or "Columbine Bay": on 17 May 1986 a plaque was unveiled there commemorating the event. The croft in which Betty Mouat spent most of her life has now been extended to become Betty Mouat's Böd, a camping böd close to Sumburgh Airport.

#scotland #scottish #strong women #survival

11 notes · View notes

thankguard · 7 years

Text

RECAP: OUR TOP 50 AUSTRALIAN HIP-HOP/R&B TRACKS OF 2016

2016 was the year that this scene was finally accepted by mainstream media outlets, played regularly on Triple J and given the opportunity to throw mad rap events at some of the countries’ best live music venues. The number of local rap: artists, releases, managers, parties, radio shows, even blogs exploded too. MANU CROOKS was put on BEATS1 rotation & posted on The FADER. SAMPA THE GREAT racked up over half a million streams on “BLUE BOSS”. BARO blurred cultural/sonic boundaries. TKAY MAIDZA dropped a huge album + landed that KILLER MIKE collab. MIDAS.GOLD, CULT SHOTTA, BIG SKEEZ, I AM D, NICO GHOST & SAVOUR THE RATIONS all dominated live-stages across the country. The GREMLNS, PLAYBACK 808, 1 HUNNID RECORDS & TREXON WAVE showed us the future. These squads are all barely out of high-school, have a strong African heritage and are blowing up against the odds. Almost all of the above was soundtracked by producers: DOPAMINE, MIRACLE, JAMES DAMIAN ANGUS, MITCH GRUANKE & HARVEY who don’t get enough credit. JUNOR launched his AUD$ radio show on SYN which is legit. The PROPHECY BOYZ launched SAUCE - a new brand that will probs do huge things in 2K17. RARE FLOW TV, provided an essential piece-to-the-puzzle, bringing this all to life in quality music videos. Australian rap music is at an all time high. But tbh, it’s going to take another miracle to push it any further. Now that there’s money to be made here, cashed-up copy-cat rappers/labels/magazines/venues with no imagination will find a way to suck the life out of your music for a quick profit. Historically, this has happened many times over, preventing Australians from truly impacting music culture on a global scale. WTF is the diff between us and: Canada, England or America? Terrible artists will succeed if you let them. Donald Trump was elected president. We’re always a stones-throw away from making the next generation of AUS rap fans (and the rest of the world) cringe at us. Question everyone. Even THANK GUARD. Oh, btw. This blog still doesn’t make money. Here’s 50 songs that inspired us to keep hustling in 2016 in between dem long-ass shifts. 50. “VIEWS UP” - NYUON (MELB)

NYUON - an essential character in the MELB rap scene - stretches out the parameters of his sound a little more with each release. “VIEWS UP” saw him lean back towards centre after the experimentally hazy, lilting vibe of his ’15 BYMYSELF tape. With the help of producer ROOKIEPRO he pooled that self-effacing, conscious rap-swagger into his most polished track do-date. 49. “SORROWS” - BLESSED (SYD)

Taking cues from CUDI, UK alternative-pop and their own minds, BLESSED managed to instantly stand out from the rest of the trap-heavy SYD scene last year. Their output in ‘16 was super consistent, and “SORROWS” (our fav) has already amassed over 127K plays on Soundcloud. Early days, but their potential for global appeal is already proven. 48. “I.D.C.A” - 18K (BRIS)

“I.D.C.A” gives you a real wow moment the second those bars come in. 18K’s on that: modern-day BONE,THUGZ & HARMONY/vaguely MIGOS ATL, super-quick flow. His beats are perfect too. Hard hitting, modern trap sounds AND a hint of like CLAMS CASINO cloud-rap as well. 47. “30 DAYS” - DENNIS (MELB)

Mysterious producer/singer DENNIS dropped this one to no reception whatsoever. The mastering isn’t professional, but the song itself and the man’s vocals are world class. You gotta pump the volume ride it to the peak for full-effect fam. Like some new BON IVER shit without the cringe, pretty sure this came out first too. 46. “PRESSURE (ft. JACE XL)” - BILLY DAVIS (MELB)

BILLY DAVIS & JACE XL (RYTHYM SECTION) are both heavily associated with THE OPERATIVES (who monopolised vibes in MELB the last decade). JACE shows off his life-changing soul crooning over some classic BILLY DAVIS instrumentation. This would be a lot higher if it were more relevant to our needs. 45. “NO MORE” - DEEVILLA (SYD)

With this track alone, SYDNEY-based DEEVILLA proved he can write the type of song this scene needs. His flow, lyrics and overall mood on “NO MORE” summed up 2016 perfectly in terms of music & vibe. FLIP TRILL’s production on this one did all the above and more. 44. “RUN UP (ft. FLYBOII & L.U.I)” - LIL SPACELY (SYD)

Got the vibe that BLACK DANNA head honcho SPACELY had a tough 2016. But, being an essential SYDNEY rap-character that he is, the dude still managed to drop some of the livest AUS rap tracks of 2016. On “RUN UP”, he took the chunky, horn-filled instrumental from FAT JOE and REMY MA’s “ALL THE WAY UP”, puffed out his chest, and along with a couple talented homies delivered a growling, arrogant battle track that signalled his readiness to take his music national. He’s already dropped several tracks in ’17. Stay woke. 43. “FIRE” - SQUIDGENINI (MELB)

SQUIDGENINI a.k.a Bella, is one of Melbourne’s better-kept secrets right now. She’s been honing her craft for some time: playing in bands, producing solo tracks and supporting huge artists. “FIRE”, one of her only releases in 2016, instantly put her on our radar. This highly ambitious track features no-bullshit lyrisicm, eccentric production and some straight up vocal-fire. 42. “NAH BRUH, THIS IS WAGE GANG!” - VEENO (SYD)

When BABY VEENO dropped this insane freestyle in October it was criminally over-looked by many (including us). Choosing YOUNG THUG’S timeless “SEE YOU” beat from that G.O.A.T RICH GANG tape proved to us that the man has taste. The ensuing bars instilled visions of VEENO becoming SYDNEY’s trap-SKEPTA in ’17. 41. “CLAP BACK” - SAVOUR THE RATIONS (SYD)

youtube

SAVOUR THE RATIONS were one of the most influential, pro-active and entertaining AUSTRALIAN rap crews of 2016 (especially towards the end). KWAME, DOMBA, JAYJAY ASSASSIN, GYBRYLLAH SHYNE & RAJ MAHAL made their biggest moves via videos/live performances. “CLAP BACK” which was dropped on Jan 2nd, 2016 showed the boys doing their ting for their own entertainment. This year they’ll be doing it for thousands no doubt. 40. “BEST FRIEND (YOUNG THUG REMIX)” - BIG SKEEZ (SYD)

This was probably the local track we played most last year. BIG SKEEZ really stood out in ‘16 for his song-writing hustle & originality (highlighted on his S.A.T.T mixtape). Remixing such a familiar, iconic song allowed SKEEZ to let loose in the booth more than ever before, resulting in 3:14 of explosive, feverish trap-fury filled with icy-cold local references/flips. 39. “ALIVE REMIX (ft. BARO & CAZEAUX O.S.L.O)” - ESESE (MELB)

Couldn’t think of a more suitable 2016 MELBOURNE summer-rap anthem than this BARO remix if I tried. It feature local pillars: CAEZEUX O.S.L.O, SKOMES and the ESESE crew - and oozes those heavenly FITZROY day-party vibes. Hearing HENOQ and O.S.L.O both spit new-gen AUS boom-bap masterpieces in rapid succession would’ve brought a tear to the eye of every true BURN-CITY rap-fan this year. 38. “NO MORALS (ft. $KINNY DOM)” - BLACK NAPOLEON (WA)

youtube

On “NO MORALS”, BLACK NAPOLEON brought equal parts: slow, deliberate and estatic D double E style booth raps - the kind you’d hear on some UK Pirate radio set to the table. LUCHII, another PERTH-based genius jumped into the mix sounding more like a 6K Gucci, nailing the perfect guest verse. The CAMERON PARK directed-visuals for this one featured no guns, knives or punches thrown, but it still stands as one of the most violent local vids of ’16. #HOMEBAKED. 37. “FUCK THE JUDGE (ft. REMI)” - BARO (MELB)

When BARO dropped the second taste of his soon-TBR JPYNTK tape about 6 months ago, the world was torn in half by the racial violence sweeping the US. It was literally with you everywhere you went, no matter ur skin colour. “FUCK THE JUDGE”, which was released at the very hight of this chaos featured inspired verses from REMI + BARO and was accompanied by the statement: “They're killing my people. They're killing PEOPLE.” The song itself also made another (less important statement) about BARO’s unflinching confidence as a dude/rapper. It was his first absolute crystal clear “fuck u” to industry/fan expectations - a sign that he might be giving the typical AUS rap-sound a much needed kick up-the-butt in 2017. 36. “POTENTIAL (I SEE)” - LORD LEVI (MELB)

When it comes to MELB underground anthems in 2016, LORD LEVI’s “POTENTIAL (I SEE)” is practically unrivalled. The hook, flow and production on this one truly encapsulates the rise of the BURN-CITY outer-suburb high-school trap scene in 2016. LEVI and the GREMLN squad built a dedicated following last year on the back of songs like this. Trek thru any BURN-CITY suburb and “I SEE POTENTIAL” follows u through the streets. 35. “FLEX MODE” - ERIK SANDERS (BRIS)

youtube

Brisbane’s ERIK SANDERS blew up out of nowhere last year on the back of several highly-polished, US-influence nu-trap singles. “FLEX MODE” bursts out of the gate with a series of auto-tune inflected bars that twist-and-turn, merging multitudes of impressive melodies in quick succession. This one gets real wild at the end too. 34. “RIDE (ft. REZT)” - LUCHII (WA)

LUCHII has always struck us as an interesting character, but we still slept on the man in ’16. When he dropped “RIDE” like a month ago, we swore to stay woke on the PERTH creative forevermore. This one rides an island trap wave that reminded us of CHILDISH GAMBINO’s “CALIFORNIA” and MAC MILLERS new stuff, but it also hits on something completely new. The vocals reference ATL rhythms/tones AND something else, which MUST have been born in a cloud of green smoke on one of those pristine PERTH beaches. 33. “PULL UP (ft. CIDI, LORD BRAVO, DUT BOL & RANDOLPH)” - BONKI CHOL (ADEL)

In 2016, the TREXON WAVE squad was our guilty pleasure. We legit found ourselves rinsing their proficiently rugged trap cuts more than CHANCE or FRANK. “PULL UP” is the song that started the whole affair. I remember being high af on a Tuesday at like 2PM about 8 months ago just blasting this enchanting MIGOS-style cut on my speakers for an hour straight. Jut listen to BONKI CHOI and homies: CIDI, LORD BRAVO, DUT BOL, RANDOLPH bring the sauce one time. They all flaunt separate styles, personalities and lyrical tendencies on this one, but their skills/delivery are at 100 throughout. 32. “HOW U FEEL” - NICO GHOST (MELB)

Close your eyes and “HOW U FEEL” will take you to a dark, nondescript club setting. Smoke settles in over those eerie trap bells - the calm before the storm. That amazing harpsichord removes any sense of time/location. Your mind is finally empty. Nico spits that FB generation mantra: “I couldn’t really give a fuck how you feel”, lulling you into a false sense of security before ruining your life with intensity. NICO’s 2016 was pretty-much dominated by his wild live-show. But in between sets he found the time to gift us with this the premiere for this one. Was a huge step forward for us. The man’s legit. 31. “MONSTER TRUCK” - ALLDAY (MELB)

ALLDAY is huge - has been for years now. In 2016, he went through a bit of a sonic evolution and we fucked with it heavy. “MONSTER TRUCK” is a song that pushed Australian rap to places in the world it rarely reaches. This one features earnest lyrics, euphoric melodies and a skin-tight flow - years of work/experience all coming together. ALLDAY made some serious global waves last year as unique voice in the world of post-OVO rap music. 30. “LIONA” - NASTY MARS (MELB)

On “LIONA”, future-star NASTY MARS took warm, wavy, lo-fi production ripped straight from a SOULECTION cassette and crafted his own rap/soul-experiment around the peaks and flows of the beat. Although, hardly representative of this guy’s unreleased material, live show and overall position in the AUSTRALIAN rap/soul scene - “LIONA” still managed to take on a life of it’s own… just suss the comments. 29. “BLOOD THICKER THAN WATER” - LUTHER (BRIS)

One of BRISBANE’s most charismatic up-and-comers, LUTHER teamed up with AUS production royalty JAMES DAMIAN ANGUS early last year for a YOUNG THUG/LIL WAYNE style cut that blew us away. The production bangs. LUTHER’s wild, warbling trap-jitterings are fierce, crunchy and at times hilarious. Everything you want in a track like this. The dude is associated with the WORLDWIDE BOYS who will blow up this year. 28. “THIRSTY” - ANFA ROSE (SYD)

“THIRSTY” came last year amidst a never-ending avalanche of consistently jaw-dropping ANFA ROSE & DOPAMINE joint-efforts. Everything on this one from the samples, to ROSE’s perfectly structured verses - to those 808 snares cutting thru your entire being - to the lyrics enforced our theory that these dudes aren’t human. They are computer programs or clones or holograms or something. 27. “MARIA MARIA” - GEEK, CHARLES X & SELASIE WUSSAH (SYD)

This one - easily top 3 most iconic “THANK GUARD” anthems in our entire history. Seeing it live at one of our BONEY parties inspired some of the most emotional dabs ever dabbed. When it dropped back in Jan, it brought out some of our best writing ever too… so I’m just gonna quote myself here.  “On the most polished THANK GUARD Premiere to-date, a dynamic trio of epileptic acid-rappers exchange contrasting melodic flows - in a bid to win a Spanish bae’s heart.” If you don’t know GEEK, CHARLES X (of CULT SHOTTA) or SELASIE WUSSAH by now we don’t trust u. 26. “1 3 1 6” - E L K (ADL)

youtube

Adelaide teen E L K bursted onto the scene with last year with “TUTEN KARMEN”, which would have easily made the top 10 if he didn’t remove it from SC. “1 3 1 6”, a different (but equally impressive) joint also blew us away. This one brings guys like MF DOOM & JAY ELECTRONICA to mind instantly, but channeled thru the purity of a fresh, young mind with the voice of a rap-god. In 2016 alone, E L K and his PLAYBACK 808 crew went from bedroom rappers, to the creators of a legit AUS rap movement that looks poised to climb mountains in 2017. 25. “FEELING GOOD FEELING GREAT” - TOYOTOMI HIDEYOSHI (WA)

2 months ago, FourAM head-honcho TOYOTOMI HIDEYOSHI teamed up with producer SNOWEE for a sun-drenched 6K anthem. Some rare RAE SCHREMMURD vibes (if they were slightly more sober). Truly peaks at the end. TOYOTOMI is another young dude whose influence on the culture went beyond rapping last year. From short films, events to supporting those around him - this kid did it all in 2016. 24. “DOPER THAN DOPE (MACHINEDRUM REMIX)” - SK SIMEON (MELB)

youtube

One of AUSTRALIA’s best rhythmic-vocalists had a huge 2016. SK SIMEON has been a worldwide reggae force for a minute now. Born in Uganda, recorded his first song at a studio in Dandenong… But last year “DOPE THAN DOPE” - one of his best tracks to-date was remixed by MACHINEDRUM. This version (which sounds good anywhere) took SK’s insane rapid-fire singing and infectious tongue-in-cheek delivery to dance-floors around the world. 23. “NULIFE” - MAIA (BRIS)

youtube

BRISBANE neo-neo-soul singer/producer MAÏA returned to form in 2016 with her nostalgic, intimate “LOFI” Mixtape. “NULIFE” - a definite standout will swallow you up whole in a blanket of warm, jazzy melodies and pulsating rimshots. Coming very early in the year, this track really pre-empted a lot of trends that are dominating American music culture as we speak. We predict huge things for MAIA in 2017. 22. “$AUCE” - GREMLNS (MELB)

youtube

2016 was the year of the GREMLN in the suburbs of MELB. No other underground AUS rap squad made more of an impact than these guys in the last 12 months. This “SAUCE” video came about after months of anticipation and was defs worth the wait. It showed the GREMSQUAD more polished-than-ever, a bunch of real young talents standing at the crossroads between street-fame and industry acceptance. The video itself is like a cross between an old-school Tarantino movie and a London GRIME vid, but set in some unmistakably murky Burn-city graffiti spots. 21. “BERETTA” - MATT BLACK (SYD)

SYDNEY-based vocalist MATT BLACK exploded out of the blocks last year with a series of MIRACLE/DOPAMINE produced R&B/SOUL singles - the type big labels dream about every night. “BERETTA” is the whole package. A high-concept, slow-burning, futuristic love-song which cleverly compares a lover to a pistol. Two things that (depending on the circumstances) can save you or destroy you, make u feel like a man or a mouse. 20. “EVERYDAY” - DREAM$TEAM (ADEL)

So much love for duo’s with vastly different voices. When you listen to a DREAM$TEAM you got no time for boredom. You’ve got CHARLTON on the first verse who always goes in with this SHAKE070-style flow and A-grade emotionally-charged lyricism, then the other G comes in riding world-class auto-tune vibes that sit somewhere between YACHTY & TRAVI$ SCOTT. The production, which features ZAYTOVEN-style piano, is the opposite of corny… bounces hard & leaves plenty of room for vocals. These guys are insanely talented for their age-bracket. Anythings possible for them in 2017 19. “TENNIES” - TKAY MAIDZA (ADEL)

youtube

TKAY MAIDZA, easily one of the most successful artists on this list had a huge 2016. She was spun on SKRILLEX’s OWSLA radio show, played a tonne of festivals in AUS & FRANCE, but most importantly dropped a huge studio album, TKAY, which featured guest verse from KILLER MIKE (Run The Jewels). “TENNIES” was our favourite track from the album, because it combined her signature worldly sugar-rap with some hella uplifting footwork vibes. How often is boundary-pushing music this much fun? 18. “LAPUTA (TAYLOR MCFERRIN REMIX ft. ANDERSON PAAK)” - HIATUS KAIYOTE (MELB)

The one and only MELB-based GRAMMY-nominated future-soul quartet that we probs should have posted by now had to have a presence on this list, at least to show you all what’s possible. Their second album “CHOOSE YOUR WEAPON” is a must listen, but was released waybach in 2015. Last year, TAYLOR MCFERRIN recruited ANDERSON PAAK to rework standout single “LAPUTA” for a remix EP. The results speak for themselves. 17. “PEACEWALKER” - GALLU$, RAIDER KING (BRIS)

GALLU$ was real cult-force down in BRISBANE last year. His influence on the scene transcended his recordings - a huge statement considering the quality of songs like “PEACEWALKER”. This one features some heavy statements screamed with a natural Aussie accent over “GLASSSS” by PYRMDPLAZA.   “THIS INDUSTRY’S FAKE & THE PEOPLE TALK BULLSHIT // THAT SOUNDS PRETTY OBVIOUS // SO WHAT THE FUCK AM I DOING? // QUESTIONING MY OWN MUSIC LIKE // EVERY LINE THAT I WRITE // CAN’T HELP BUT FEEL STUPID.” - nuff said. 16. “ALL OF MI LIFE (MACHINEDRUM REMIX)” - YAW FASO (MELB)

youtube

2016 was a year where artists like POPCAAN & J HUS were getting love on THE FADER + DRAKE/BIEBER/SKRILLEX were jacking sounds from the Caribbean and breaking billboard records. When our own YAW FASO shared this MACHINEDRUM remix of his sun-drenched single “ALL OF MI LIFE” the timing was perfect, but as the hook declares, he wasn’t riding any trends. Reggae is one of the few genres that makes you smile, dance and forget about all your issues. This song, bursting with: FASO’s highly motivational reggae mantras, sugary buildups and super-refreshing production does all the above. 15. “IDK” - GILL BATES (BRIS)

With his LESS STRESS, MORE SUCCESS EP, GILL BATES showed a whole new side of himself to the world in 2016. Standout cut “IDK” took the catchier side of AUS rap into unknown territory: substance & self-awareness. Above all tho, it’s just a great song. That larger-than-life JAMES DAMIAN ANGUS production grabs you from 0:01… GILL’s opening line “BEEN DROWNING MY SORROWS // BOTTLE AFTER BOTTLE” takes you into his psyche… Then GILL & JAMES drag you deeper and deeper into darkness before flipping things with a bittersweet xylophone-driven hook. A world-class highlight from one of the best local releases in 2016. 14. “NEVER BEEN” - TYRØNE (SYD)

In the last 12 months, few local artists worked harder than TYRØNE. The SYDNEY rapper/producer legit dropped a full EP Trilogy, brimming with GOAT Australian rap lyricism. Song, after song the guy managed to craft a unique aesthetic for himself and his music – darkness that isn’t fake. “NEVER BEEN”, a real standout encapsulates this dedication to his craft more than any other. That skin-tight baritone flow just doesn’t stop on this one. “I SAY LIFE IS EVERYTHING YOU MAKE IT // ONE THING DAMN RIGHT I AIN’T NEVER BEEN FAKE BITCH” 13. “HIT EM” - I AM D (BRIS)

BRISBANE one-man-movement I AM D flew way under our radar until we heard this one. “HIT EM” showcased D’s near iconic nu-AUSSIE rap tone, through a stream of SKEPTA-like vocal punches that explained every move he would make in the local scene. Little did we know at the time, but he actually went on to achieve everything he rapped on this track. In a matter of months after its release: he got signed to a major label, dropped a hugely successful EP, landed a national tour and stamped his influence on the local culture. 12. “NO FATIGUE (ft. GEEK & SELASIE WUSSAH)” - CULT SHØTTA (SYD)

youtube

The video for “NO FATIGUE” really set the tone for CULT SHØTTA season in 2016. They were always a truly unique presence in the Australian rap game, but on this track, they toned things down, unleashing line-after-line of vibrant acid-raps over a relatively sparse bass-driven trap beat. As per usual, CHARLES X, GEEK & SELASIE WUSSAH each brought their A-game, showing off vastly different styles/personas, each challenging different “AUSTRALIAN RAP” taboos in the process. It also marked the beginning of director RUFFY’s much-needed string of ambitious video-work that helped elevate many-a local rapper last year. 11. “FOR GOOD (ft. SAMPA THE GREAT)” - REMI (MELB)

youtube

Couldn’t think of a better ’16 feel-good Aus-rap summer anthem than REMI and SAMPA’s “FOR GOOD” if I tried. When your air-con breaks on a 35 degree day, this song could actually save ur life. The production, hook and overall vibe really feels like a classic Triple J anthem, the type that soundtracked our lives. But, obviously everything has been re-worked for the next-generation, creating a crisper, more sonically diverse hit than we’re used to. 10. “EXISTENTIALITY” - OJIKAE (MELB)

“EXISTENTIALITY” is a lovesick vision that’s refreshingly different from the over-saturated BILLBOARD TOP 100-style R&B that the likes of TORY LANEZ and BRYSON TILLER put out. It was also the very first track released by 17 y.o VCE student Matt Cicero, which blew us away immediately last JULY. The guy wrote something original, produced the track himself and whipped out a spine-tingling vocal performance that singlehandedly dragged his ass all the way to the top 10 of this list. 9. “ASSUMPTIONS” - MANU CROOKS (SYD)

“ASSUMPTIONS” was premiered on ZANE LOWE’s BEATS1RADIO show… got our mag a global shoutout AND tore stages apart across the country in 2016. We heard more sides of Sydney game-changer MANU CROOKS than ever before on this one. With help from production masterminds DOPAMINE & MIRACLE, CROOKS departed from them brooding Toronto vibes to show Australia & the world that he can can TURN UP like the best of them. 8. “CALL ME” - DEVARN (MELB)

This song is what THANK GUARD is all about. Sonically, it’s right up our alley… but more importantly it came from a creative young dude who: thinks for himself and punches well-above his weight considering the resources/money some people on this list have at their disposal. It also tells a story we have witnessed for years now…  “ALL OF MY N*GGAS THEY WORK IN THE SUN // WAITING FOR LABELS TO HIT UP THEY PHONE // I WANT SOME MONEY TO GET ME A PHONE” Few rappers can get you on their side like Melbourne’s DEVARN. His vocals are earnest, intimate - when he raps, it feels like he’s letting you into his world. He doesn’t slur his words, or smother them in auto-tune either - you can hear every word the man is saying. Also, huge props for referencing some of our fav underground anthems >> SAUCE (GREMLNS) >> MOOSHAMAD // I HAD A DREAM WE GON’ MAKE IT. Damn. 7. “000000” - MIDAS.GOLD (BRIS)

youtube

Last year, Brisbane’s MIDAS.GOLD elevated himself to the Mount Rushmore of this new-wave. Of all the wild trap releases & intimate soul-searching cuts on his huge FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH EP, “000000” had the biggest impact on the scene. It dropped all the way back in JANUARY when local rappers were all bumping FUTURE & YOUNG THUG 24/7, but still didn’t truly believe that an Aussie could incorporate these sounds into their music so convincingly. MIDAS truly made this quality JAMES DAMIAN ANGUS/MO LIASON beat his bitch from 0:01, before abruptly taking the track down a notch in its last third, flipping the beat and creating a Schoolboy Q-esque bleary-eyed, kushed-out vibe that eased the track out from its original energy. 6. “WHIP IT” - BIG SKEEZ

youtube

We’ve been huge supporters of BIG SKEEZ for a long time. Every track he dropped in 2016 wreaked of originality in both vision and character. SKEEZ, a dude climbing his way up a ladder of: elegant email signatures, cut-throat managers and concrete industry rules, often collaborated with us thru a simple fb message - or just bumping into him in the city. This made us question the likelihood of his success to some extent, but when this video for “WHIP IT” dropped, it turned all our dreams into a reality. The WAVY BADMON, along with his SYDNEY crew absolutely owned the big screen, turning up like a pro to one of the standout tracks from his under-rated debut mixtape. Seeing this whole evolution transpire before our very eyes gave this CERNE STUDIOS production a real sentimental value for the whole THANK GUARD team. 5. “ABSURD” - ANFA ROSE (SYD)

ANFA ROSE and DOPAMINE’S magnum opus will make you cry like a Canadian watching Drake sing the national anthem. The silky smooth, “Absurd” is a beautifully executed blend of 808s, pianos and harmonies. When it comes to polish, no local track released in 2016 comes close to this one. DOPAMINE stripped back that instrumental, focusing on an ethereal and ominous beat with a chordal pattern that slides effortlessly from note to note. ROSE’s delicate melodies fuse perfectly with the instrumental and his lyrics, which are reminiscent of DRAKE’s odes to RIHANNA, or THE WEEKND’s odes to drugs. 4. “RUN IT (ft. LEVI, PHANTOM & KMALITH)” - MIKE WANG (MELB)

When low-key GREMLN MICHAEL WANG dropped this fire squad track all borders between Australia & America went up in flames. The MELBOURNE underground literally outshone the AUSTRALIAN i-Tunes charts. Nothing would make sense ever again. In terms of flow, lyricism and local impact… this was without a doubt one of the best Australian rap tracks released in 2016. WANG, LEVI, PHANTOM & KMALITH came out, guns blazing with their own jaw-dropping take on that MIGOS-style flow (and this was all before “BAD & BOUJEE” blew up). That little OVO-style hook/breakdown “I GOT BANDS…” really added a whole other dimension to the song too. Don’t even get me started on the message behind these lyrics and their relevancy to our scene, the city of MELBOURNE and the racial/cultural tensions often overlooked by most Australians. 3. “BLOWIN’ UP (ft. MIRACLE)” - MANU CROOKS (SYD)

youtube

“BLOWIN UP” was MANU CROOKS flipping the switch and making a statement: his rise to success is about much more than bangerz. Being able to rap and record full-time is any local rapper’s dream and seeing the SYDNEY rapper get premiered on The FADER must have motivated thousands of Australian teenagers to keep hustling in 2016. Honestly, didn’t think someone from this new AUS rap-scene would make the pages of a mag like The FADER for at least another year. That stamp of approval means a lot. Manu’s tuned-up, magnetically charismatic vocals definitely stole the show on this one…Dude just seems to know exactly what to rap and when. But, none of this would have been possible without his equally talented bros: DOPAMINE & MIRACLE who both shined, bright as ever on this one.  DOPAMINE always knows just the right amount of syrupy autotune to sprinkle over his mates vocals & this beat speaks for itself. MIRACLE’S production and vocals contributions always help bring a track to the next-level. All 3 of these guys will no-doubt make even more Australian-rap history in 2017. 2. “WDUBI (ft. NASTY MARS & MARCUS)” - BARO (MELB)

When the mind of a black sheep is re-configured to entertain the mindless masses, an artist has reached their final frontier. BARO (NASTY MARS & MARCUS) did this last year with “WDUBI” - the first taste from his eagerly-awaited JPYNTK tape. On first encounter, it plays as the perfect Australian new-gen rap jam. But on further inspection, everything about it: the production, vocal stylings and somber sonic undertones expose it for the beautiful alien it really is. All three verses loosely acknowledge US 2K16 rap (CHANCE, GAMBINO etc), but overall this track really does’t follow the rules set by the American market at all - which is why we love it so much. That NIC MARTIN production plays a huge roll in this also. Something about those double-timed snares/claps and the tempo made this one feel so damn refreshing. We really played the fuck out of this one last year. THANK GUARD. Oh btw “AND IF WE HAVE A SON I THINK WE’LL NAME HIM STEVEN” - line O.T.Y 1. “BLUE BOSS” - SAMPA THE GREAT (SYD)

LMAO. In 2016, a lot of local bro’s hyped their shit like crazy. Walking around like the TUPAC reincarnate, talking smack online & sharing videos on FB 10 times a day… and SAMPA THE GREAT quietly drops a song that makes them all look foolish, raising her to instant-legend status. SAMPA is emotionally mature, intellectually elegant, socially conscious. Her words can fight wars or comfort a child. She is the type of person you’d want running for president, let alone running the local rap scene. “BLUE BOSS” is like a world-class 2K16 surprise rap-hit, but also feels timeless. Unlike kindred spirits NONAME & KAMAIYAH, SAMPA keeps her production and overall-vibe as earthy as possible, creating her own unique place in the rap-world. Considering the desperate need for more female rappers in this country, the quality of SAMPA’s vocals and her all-too-rare modest demeanour, we had to give “BLUE BOSS” the #1 spot. Posted by PAULINE HANSON

#aus #features

1 note · View note

islandsunfla · 7 years

Text

ANNA MARIA ISLAND OFF-SEASON RENTALS MAKE THE BEST FLORIDA VACATION

ANNA MARIA ISLAND OFF-SEASON VACATION PERK

You’re probably wondering exactly when is the off-season?

NO CROWDS, LESS TRAFFIC.

When off-season hits it’s like a switch flips. The transition really is that drastic. One of the most noticeable aspects of the off-season is the traffic. Your morning/afternoon/evening commute will be shorter, there are far fewer cars on the road.

Everything is just a little easier in the off-season. You don’t get stuck trying to cross the bridges, grocery store lines are a breeze, and there is no wait for a table at ANY of your favorite restaurants.

BEACH RENTALS ARE CHEAPEST IN THE OFF-SEASON

Across Anna Maria Island’s off season you’ll see the prices on beach rentals drop to the lowest rates of the entire year. This is the perfect time to plan a vacation, or even a last minute getaway.

This is the time to search for the best deals. You might even luck out and find discounts stacked on top of these already low rates. When high season comes around discounts are not super common, however, always be sure to check Anna Maria Island Condo Rentals for an up to date list of discounts any time you are planning a visit.

“SEE THE “REAL FLORIDA”

When you visit Anna Maria Island in the off-season there are fewer tourists, and therefore, you really can get a feel for the authentic local flavor. That “real Florida” vibe that only locals know about is a bit watered down when there are so many visitors. When slow season comes around you’ll find locals have more time to chat about the island life.

WEATHER, RAIN AND FLORIDA HEAT

You may notice the off-season coincides with a very hot time of year, and also hurricane season. While this may not seem like the ideal time for a vacation, Floridians will disagree.

There are several benefits to planning a vacation in the middle of the hot summer. First, it’s a great time for swimming. That is obvious. Second, your relatives will think it’s too hot and won’t want to come with you. Not that family vacations aren’t fun, but it can be hard to manage the vacation schedule of a large group. You’ll actually get to relax on this vacation!

Florida off-season weather may seem like a deterrent, but really, you can plan a vacation ANY time of year in Florida and end up with more rain than forecasts predict. If you are worried about a hurricane interrupting your stay then consider travel insurance. It will cover you in the event a named storm makes land fall and evacuation is necessary.

There is something special about experiencing a heavy Florida storm. They tend to come out of nowhere, and disappear just as fast. The crack of lightning with booming thunder can be both exhilarating and relaxing at once.

ENJOY THE AIR CONDITIONING

Any Floridian will tell you ALL buildings and indoor places have air conditioning. We aren’t just talking about little window units. We’re talking about fresh air conditioning blasting on ultra high. Yes it will be hot outside, but Floridians know how to keep it cool.

CUSTOMER SERVICE STANDARDS DON’T SUFFER

When visiting during the off-season you’ll still find the same great customer service and friendly faces that you experience during the high season. This time of year may be a break from the hustle bustle, but employees in the travel and tourism industry work just as hard to impress visitors no matter the time of year. In fact, you may even find people are just a little friendlier and have more time to really go the extra mile.

Get ready to find the best off-season vacation. Contact us today!

youtube

If it’s your first visit, take a few hours to explore our peaceful little island. Get your toes wet (literally) on a boat tour around Anna Maria Island, or take to the skies for a parasail ride. Rent a bike, scooter, boat, or jet ski to explore for yourself, or hop aboard the free island trolley for a chauffeured tour.

Of course, you could just enjoy a lazy day on the Gulf, aboard Captain Kathe’s Cortez Charter. As we like to stay, on Anna Maria Island you’re free to do everything or nothing at all.

Beaches

Florida is home to 1,200 miles of golden coastline, with powder-soft white sands that rake in the superlatives. And yet, even among such fine company, Anna Maria Island still reigns supreme.

Named by TripAdvisor as America’s #1 Beach Vacation Destination, our pristine sands are considered some of the best in the nation. And for good reason: tall, wispy sea oats frame protected shoreline, where foamy waves roll onto iridescent sands. The warm Gulf breeze and ubiquitous salty scent is the the sweet, sweet icing on our island cake.

Read more about Anna Maria Island beaches. And don’t miss our Insider’s Guide, exclusive to Absolute Anna Maria guests, where we detail our favorite beaches and sandy corners.

Fishing

Without a doubt, after sunbathing and swimming and beachcombing, sport fishing is the most popular pastime on Anna Maria Island. It’s part allure – will you catch “the limit”? – and part simple pleasures – fresh Florida seafood is a definite delicacy – but whatever the secret sauce, Anna Maria Island fishing is a perennial favorite among our guests.

If you ask us, one of the best ways to while away an afternoon is on an island pier. Three fishing piers – Bradenton Beach City, the Rod & Reel Fishing Pier, and the historical Anna Maria Island City Pier – offer a relaxing environment and some serious catches. Be aware that if you fish off the beach, a fishing license if required; if you fish off a licensed pier, you’re covered. (Always check current regulations, as requirement change per state and federal law.)

Of course, fishing on Anna Maria Island doesn’t have to be laid-back. Hire a fishing charter and head out into the Gulf of Mexico, the Bay and the Backwaters, and explore the wilds of Florida waters. Tours are tailored to you, whether you’re a serious angler, a family with kids, or leisurely fishing for your next meal.

One thing is sure: there’s always something special about spending time on the water. Remember what anglers say – days spent on the water don’t count against your days on earth.

Don’t miss our Insider’s Guide, exclusive to Absolute Anna Maria guests, where we detail our favorite fishing spots and charters.

Attractions & Recreation

Anna Maria Island’s recreational options are almost as numerous as grains of sand on the beach. From boat rentals, parasailing and jet skiing, to sail boating, scuba diving and snorkeling (check out the sunken ship 200 yards from your condo’s front door!); from kayak rentals, bicycle rides and scooter adventures, to air boat tours, wind surfing, and dolphin tours; from mini-golf, shark-teeth treasure hunts, and fishing, to alligator tours, greyhound races and manatee watching, Anna Maria is determined to thrill.

Don’t miss our Insider’s Guide, exclusive to Absolute Anna Maria guests, where we detail our favorite attractions, activities and tours.

Restaurants

On Anna Maria Island, our restaurants enjoy some of the best real estate anywhere: beachfront, Gulf-front, Bay-front and Waterway-front. But if there’s anything that could even hope to outshine the view, it’s the food: just-caught seafood, fresh produce, and all other matter of home-cooked delicacies, served under an umbrella with a side of sea breeze.

The Anna Maria Island dining scene offers an incredible variety of restaurants from Cuban to American, from German to Italian, from French to Chinese. Trust us when we say, you haven’t truly experienced the island until you’ve witnessed the spectacular sunset from your favorite restaurant, café, or bar & grille.

Read more about Anna Maria Island restaurants. Don’t miss our Insider’s Guide, exclusive to Absolute Anna Maria guests, where we detail our favorite restaurants, on and off island!

Entertainment

Anna Maria Island and its neighboring cities offer a full schedule of live entertainment, mind-bending fun, and intellectual stimulation. Close to home you’ll find the Island Players live theater, South Florida Museum and Aquarium, Ringling Museum of Art, Selby Gardens, Jungle Gardens, DeSoto National Park or the Manatee Players, and the Asolo Center for the Performing Arts and many other venues.

Of course, if you can drag yourself off the island – and really, it’s debatable; once we’re here, we never want to leave! – you could visit the G-wiz science museum, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, the Sarasota West Coast Symphony, Tampa’s Florida Aquarium and the renowned Dali Museum in nearby St. Petersburg.

Then there’s Adventure Island and Mote Marine Laboratories, where you’ll come face-to-face with live sharks in a 135,000-gallon shark tank. Learn about marine life and stroll along a boardwalk, in picturesque waterfront areas filled with lush vegetation.

Our neighboring cities also play host to year-round excitement with training and seasonal games for teams like baseball’s legendary Pirates, the Red Sox and the Tampa Devil Rays, as well as Super Bowl champions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Stanley Cup winners, the Tampa Bay Lighting.

Golf is also another favorite pastime, and with more than two dozen public and private courses from which to choose – not to mention at least 200 more within a short drive – Manatee County and its neighboring communities are a virtual golfing paradise.

Our Florida beach rental condo is located within 10 minutes of the internationally famous David Leadbetter IMG Golf Academy and Nick Boliterie Tennis Academy both located in Bradenton Florida.

Tampa is 35 miles north, where you can go wild at find Busch Gardens. The most famous Mouse in the world, as well as Disney World and all the Orlando attractions, are only a two-hour drive to the northeast.

Don’t miss our Insider’s Guide, exclusive to Absolute Anna Maria guests, where we detail our favorite entertainment offerings!

Shopping

Beach shops. Elegant boutiques. Gift shops. Jewelry stores. Art galleries. Treasure troves. Souvenir markets. Craft shops. Mom-and-Pops.

Anna Maria Island is something of a shopping paradise. From elegant evening wear to one-of-a-kind souvenirs, from casual beach gear to artisan coffee, there’s something to please absolutely everyone here. So whether you’re looking for something with local flavor, or just a replacement for the beach towel you forgot on the lounge chair, you’ll find it.

And for bigger shopping trips, the nearby cities of Bradenton and Sarasota offer four full-service shopping malls, hundreds of specialty shops, quaint shopping villages, upscale boutiques and flea markets. Driving south along Florida’s Gulf Coast, you’ll discover Sarasota and the world-famous St. Armand’s Circle shopping district, renowned for its upscale shopping and fine dining.

For the shop-till-you-drop type, the Prime Outlets Mall in Ellenton is just the place. It’s the largest manufacturer’s outlet on Florida’s West coast. A beautiful Caribbean environment is the setting for over 135 designer and brand name outlets that will save you 25%-75% off retail prices.

Don’t miss our Insider’s Guide, exclusive to Absolute Anna Maria guests, where we detail our favorite shopping stops!

Join AnnaMariaCondoRentals.com on Things To See & Do on Anna Maria Island

HOW TO INQUIRE AND RESERVE ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND

ANNA MARIA ISLAND OFF-SEASON RENTALS MAKE THE BEST FLORIDA VACATION

0 Comments

August 25, 2017

…

http://bit.ly/2ixX3cE 449 800 Terry Whyte http://bit.ly/2gd7Ub2 Terry Whyte2017-08-25 17:53:242017-08-25 17:53:24ANNA MARIA ISLAND OFF-SEASON RENTALS MAKE THE BEST FLORIDA VACATION

Things To Do

0 Comments

April 29, 2017

http://bit.ly/2gbQMmc 882 1200 Antonio Bortolotti http://bit.ly/2gd7Ub2 Antonio Bortolotti2017-04-29 11:58:072017-07-12 15:51:56Things To Do

Blues, Brews & BBQ on Bridge Street

0 Comments

April 15, 2017

http://bit.ly/2gbQMTe 349 657 Terry Whyte http://bit.ly/2gd7Ub2 Terry Whyte2017-04-15 07:30:552017-06-30 13:51:31Blues, Brews & BBQ on Bridge Street

Easter Family Fun on Anna Maria Island!

0 Comments

April 8, 2017

http://bit.ly/2gbQNqg 239 356 Terry Whyte http://bit.ly/2gd7Ub2 Terry Whyte2017-04-08 07:00:492017-06-26 06:24:25Easter Family Fun on Anna Maria Island!

Quick & Easy Anna Maria Island Smoothie

0 Comments

March 26, 2017

http://bit.ly/2geonfn 667 1000 Terry Whyte http://bit.ly/2gd7Ub2 Terry Whyte2017-03-26 09:00:142017-05-03 07:50:59Quick & Easy Anna Maria Island Smoothie

St. Armand's Circle Sarasota

0 Comments

March 21, 2017

http://bit.ly/2gckvv9 163 300 Terry Whyte http://bit.ly/2gd7Ub2 Terry Whyte2017-03-21 13:24:482017-05-03 07:53:06St. Armand's Circle Sarasota

St. Patricks Day Parade 2017

0 Comments

March 20, 2017

http://bit.ly/2ixJ46J 532 800 Terry Whyte http://bit.ly/2gd7Ub2 Terry Whyte2017-03-20 17:21:072017-06-26 05:43:49St. Patricks Day Parade 2017

Parasailing On Anna Maria Island

0 Comments

March 20, 2017

http://bit.ly/2iy1moi 422 874 Terry Whyte http://bit.ly/2gd7Ub2 Terry Whyte2017-03-20 11:23:292017-05-03 07:58:45Parasailing On Anna Maria Island

Cortez Fish Market

0 Comments

March 19, 2017

http://bit.ly/2ixAaWQ 659 900 Terry Whyte http://bit.ly/2gd7Ub2 Terry Whyte2017-03-19 16:20:492017-05-04 06:07:10Cortez Fish Market

PreviousNext

Hello

Things to do

Of course, you could just enjoy a lazy day on the Gulf, aboard Captain Kathe’s Cortez Charter. As we like to stay, on Anna Maria Island you’re free to do everything or nothing at all.

Beaches

Florida is home to 1,200 miles of golden coastline, with powder-soft white sands that rake in the superlatives. And yet, even among such fine company, Anna Maria Island still reigns supreme.

Read more about Anna Maria Island beaches. And don’t miss our Insider’s Guide, exclusive to Absolute Anna Maria guests, where we detail our favorite beaches and sandy corners.

Fishing

One thing is sure: there’s always something special about spending time on the water. Remember what anglers say – days spent on the water don’t count against your days on earth.

Don’t miss our Insider’s Guide, exclusive to Absolute Anna Maria guests, where we detail our favorite fishing spots and charters.

Attractions & Recreation

Don’t miss our Insider’s Guide, exclusive to Absolute Anna Maria guests, where we detail our favorite attractions, activities and tours.

Restaurants

Read more about Anna Maria Island restaurants. Don’t miss our Insider’s Guide, exclusive to Absolute Anna Maria guests, where we detail our favorite restaurants, on and off island!

Entertainment

Our Florida beach rental condo is located within 10 minutes of the internationally famous David Leadbetter IMG Golf Academy and Nick Boliterie Tennis Academy both located in Bradenton Florida.

Don’t miss our Insider’s Guide, exclusive to Absolute Anna Maria guests, where we detail our favorite entertainment offerings!

Shopping

Beach shops. Elegant boutiques. Gift shops. Jewelry stores. Art galleries. Treasure troves. Souvenir markets. Craft shops. Mom-and-Pops.

Don’t miss our Insider’s Guide, exclusive to Absolute Anna Maria guests, where we detail our favorite shopping stops!

Join AnnaMariaCondoRentals.com on Things To See & Do on Anna Maria Island

HOW TO INQUIRE AND RESERVE ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND

ANNA MARIA ISLAND OFF-SEASON RENTALS MAKE THE BEST FLORIDA VACATION

0 Comments

August 25, 2017

…

http://bit.ly/2ixX3cE 449 800 Terry Whyte http://bit.ly/2gd7Ub2 Terry Whyte2017-08-25 17:53:242017-08-25 17:53:24ANNA MARIA ISLAND OFF-SEASON RENTALS MAKE THE BEST FLORIDA VACATION

Things To Do

0 Comments

April 29, 2017

http://bit.ly/2gbQMmc 882 1200 Antonio Bortolotti http://bit.ly/2gd7Ub2 Antonio Bortolotti2017-04-29 11:58:072017-07-12 15:51:56Things To Do

Blues, Brews & BBQ on Bridge Street

0 Comments

April 15, 2017

http://bit.ly/2gbQMTe 349 657 Terry Whyte http://bit.ly/2gd7Ub2 Terry Whyte2017-04-15 07:30:552017-06-30 13:51:31Blues, Brews & BBQ on Bridge Street

Easter Family Fun on Anna Maria Island!

0 Comments

April 8, 2017

http://bit.ly/2gbQNqg 239 356 Terry Whyte http://bit.ly/2gd7Ub2 Terry Whyte2017-04-08 07:00:492017-06-26 06:24:25Easter Family Fun on Anna Maria Island!

Quick & Easy Anna Maria Island Smoothie

0 Comments

March 26, 2017

http://bit.ly/2geonfn 667 1000 Terry Whyte http://bit.ly/2gd7Ub2 Terry Whyte2017-03-26 09:00:142017-05-03 07:50:59Quick & Easy Anna Maria Island Smoothie

St. Armand's Circle Sarasota

0 Comments

March 21, 2017

http://bit.ly/2gckvv9 163 300 Terry Whyte http://bit.ly/2gd7Ub2 Terry Whyte2017-03-21 13:24:482017-05-03 07:53:06St. Armand's Circle Sarasota

St. Patricks Day Parade 2017

0 Comments

March 20, 2017

http://bit.ly/2ixJ46J 532 800 Terry Whyte http://bit.ly/2gd7Ub2 Terry Whyte2017-03-20 17:21:072017-06-26 05:43:49St. Patricks Day Parade 2017

Parasailing On Anna Maria Island

0 Comments

March 20, 2017

http://bit.ly/2iy1moi 422 874 Terry Whyte http://bit.ly/2gd7Ub2 Terry Whyte2017-03-20 11:23:292017-05-03 07:58:45Parasailing On Anna Maria Island

Cortez Fish Market

0 Comments

March 19, 2017

http://bit.ly/2ixAaWQ 659 900 Terry Whyte http://bit.ly/2gd7Ub2 Terry Whyte2017-03-19 16:20:492017-05-04 06:07:10Cortez Fish Market

PreviousNext

Hello

Click here to add your own text

The post ANNA MARIA ISLAND OFF-SEASON RENTALS MAKE THE BEST FLORIDA VACATION appeared first on AnnaMariaIslandCondoRentals.com.

http://bit.ly/2gbQKe4

0 notes

bartarb · 7 years

Text

RECAP: OUR TOP 50 AUSTRALIAN HIP-HOP/R&B TRACKS OF 2016

youtube

0 notes