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imnotwolverine · 4 years

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The Monster’s Lair - Well Wishings

Vampire!Henry x Belle - multi-chapter

< Chap 6 | Chapter 7 - Well Wishings | Chap 8 >

Disclaimer: Dark adult fairytale - angst, kidnapping, strife, minor reference to blood and death

Author’s note: I had such a writer’s block on this chapter. The first two scenes took like..two days?😅And then, to make it even worse, I still felt like it was terribly bad, making myself completely rewrite the whole thing a few days later. Not super interesting to you readers, but to all fellow writers; you probably know the struggle. So here we are, finally, after endless cups of tea and me staring at my Drive docs; the next chapter!

Word count: 5.450

Reading music: Ólafur Arnalds - Woven Song

(Link to my Masterlist)

The wind wailed and howled - like his heart. Cold, bitter and alone, the man sank through his knees, his callous fingers brushing with sorrowful tenderness over a headstone. The inscription had nearly vanished beneath a thick layer of moss, but the memory remained.

It had been long years since he put this stone in place, but the pain would never relinquish. Would never pass. Like a deep scar that ran across his soul, the old man was living through his old days - unlike her -, his heavy heart even more sorrowful today as the realisation hit that he was truly alone now. Just like she had predicted.

‘I’m sorry.’ He shivered, bottom lip trembling as a tear rolled down his wrinkly cheek. ‘I’m so sorry darling.’ And with that the burdened tears started to cascade, shoulders shaking as the truth settled in; another stone needed to be made. Another young soul had danced with death too soon.

Gone was his wife. Gone was his daughter. Gone was his will to get up, old man Arthur just sitting there in defeat as the evening cold started to lick through his raggedy clothes.

Winter was coming, and with it, it brought death.

And in his despair, it was all he could wish for now.

*Tic - toc - tic - toc*

The grandmaster clock snoozed quietly in the half-dark, a pale moon light seeping through the windows as slow minutes passed by.

*Tic - toc - tic - toc*

It had been hours since the Master left, the library feeling eerily cold despite the fire that was warming the safe haven of written paper and its enchanted inhabitants. Cups, quills, chairs and that large imposing clock, they all had fallen into a slumber some time ago, the company asleep except for one. One woman, Belle, her eyes staring blankly at the flames as they licked and danced on charred logs, her fingers grasping around the handle of a small knife she had snuck in the pockets of her skirts after dinner had finished.

With unblinking browns she watched the fire ever so slowly die out, time passing by lick by lick, the dying fire soon to also drift into a slumber. Wildly, her thoughts scratched at her skull, her limbs heavy with worry.

Was the Master to be trusted? Would he indeed contact her father? Belle didn’t feel so sure and was preparing herself for the worst; whatever that may be. Death?

The Master wouldn’t be the first to disappoint her. Life was like that. Decent men were deceiving men. And it couldn’t be denied that he was indeed rather peculiar; he hadn’t eaten dinner like she had, his eyes instead just watching the roaring flames, his ears peeking in quiet interest as he listened to his enchanted staff playing tunes. For many hours he and Belle had just sat there, silently, the fire cracking and the music playing.

Comfortably numb.

Belle couldn’t help but wonder: did it perhaps have something to do with those fangs of his? Could he not eat like humans do? Or was he perhaps just waiting until he was hungry enough to eat her in one go?

Either way. She wasn’t planning on finding out: she had to leave.

Sitting here, she tried to work out what escape strategies she could sum. Alone, she would most definitely not make it. That much was clear. Her ankle was still tender and the Master’s strength and wit was obviously far greater than hers. With a pensive look on her face, Belle sat in the Master’s large reading chair, the old leather warm and smooth beneath her fingertips as she pushed herself up, knife hidden back in one pocket and the book he had gifted her in the other.

The book.

Reaching down to feel the soft lambskin cover of the pristine copy of Apuleius’ Cupid and Psyche, Belle wondered; could she outsmart him? Could she? And..even worse of a thought to have; did she..want to?

Turning towards the large windows that rose up high behind her, she saw the clouded night sky outside, trees weeping in the late autumn wind, bringing with it a sneering cold and a few drops of rain. Winter was coming, and with it would come even more hunger, more despair; it was very unlikely that the village’s stocks had been properly refilled after the long summer drought.

It would be a harsh winter.

Did she want that hunger? The scornful looks of the villagers as she returned from a strange disappearance? Did she want that thin bed of hay to sleep in? Another ragged dress, the fabric too thin to keep out the biting cold? She shivered at the thought that she was, in fact, caught in a cage of gold. Like Psyche had been in her marriage to her monsterly husband.

Would Cupid come to save her like he had Psyche?

Hood drawn and eyes watchful, the Master moved silently through the thicket of the pine forest, the hut of Arthur and Belle not far from here as the tree line thinned.

The weather was restless, winds howling and rain drops falling like tiny needles onto his pure skin - not that he could feel the cold, not for centuries now. Although today, for the first time in those long centuries, he could almost argue he had felt something. With Belle, in his library.

Perhaps it had just been a trick of his mind. He had not seen any person in years. And perhaps it had been real. The slight flutter in his cold heart. The slight rise of heat on his porcelain skin.

He could swear he had felt something.

Licking his lips he reached the final line of trees, in his vision a light that was warming the small cottage from within. Arthur was still awake.

Alright. He had to do this.

But, being seen might not be a good idea. Not yet. He preferred to reveal himself on his own terrain, safely hidden away from the scorching eyes of the villagers. He had to remain safely hidden away from those who would act foolish - like trying to kill him or such thing. It would all only become a greater mess.

And so the Master slipped the letter underneath the cottage door, his knuckles rapping quickly on the rough wood. *1-2-eh-3*, before his feet swiftly carried him back to the safety of his prickly lair. The trees his hide-away and their branches his evergreen friends.

Meanwhile, behind the door, one tired-to-the-bone Arthur rubbed his eyes, thinking he had imagined the sound of knocking on his door at this late hour. With a side-eye he watched the heavy wood, before noticing a white blur just beneath it. A letter?

Quickly pushing himself up with cracking knees and groaning lips, he moved to pick up the piece of paper, his curiosity peaked as he pushed open the door to find nobody there in the dusk of night.

Strange.

Folding open the pristine parchment he saw a neatly written note, his eyes trying to decipher the careful handwriting, but failing as his meagre education left him stranded; he was close to illiterate. And near blind at that. With a shivered sigh he carefully folded the letter away in his pocket, his mind now set to fetch help, find someone who could read the letter for him.

Was this to do with Belle? Was she still alive? Sweet Belle?! Oh please! Oh..he had to make haste!

‘Hmm..’ Ismael licked his lips, the juice of succulent meat dripping down his chin as he reached for a napkin, dabbing it off. With an unreadable expression his eyes flew over the delicate handwriting, Arthur standing a few feet away, eyes desperate to pick up any sign of good news.

Where the villagers were living on meagre portions, the Les Comtes ate like kings, the table well dressed with meats, fresh vegetables and fatty gravy. Cups of velvety red wine were served for the whole family, their well-dressed smiles conversing softly as they all sat, ears half-listening to the curious situation at the far end of the table.

Arthur couldn’t care for it. Not for the injustice that he quietly felt in his empty stomach. Not for the whispered gossip. All he cared for was Belle.

‘I’m afraid she’s in grave danger, Arthur.’ Ismael finally looked up, Arthur’s face melting in utter despair. ‘B-but she’s alive then?! Do tell me she’s alive!’

‘For now.’ Ismael placed his serviette down and gestured to a servant to refill his cup, his eyes studying the trembling old man that stood before him. ‘Tis the monster.’

Quiet gasps filled the long table, other family members shooting up confused looks, conversation dying down as Ismael’s father scoffed a silent; ‘I knew it.’

Arthur was close to tears by this point, his eyes flitting back towards the paper that Ismael held in his hand, the young master shrugging as he continued; ‘Let us walk, Arthur.’ And with that he pushed himself off his chair, his large hand pushing Arthur into the direction of a long hallway as his other hand angled the freshly filled cup of wine from the table. With slow strides he preceded Arthur, his voice buzzing on the echoing stone as he explained the contents of the letter.

‘You see, it appears he has captured her and is willing to set her free..in return for..’ He looked down Arthur’s shaggy clothes. ‘..a great sum of money.’

‘What?!’ Arthur gasped.

‘Tis unfortunate, Arthur.’ He pushed open a door, leading to a spacious study with a fire already cracking. ‘But your luck may just be on your side as you have brought this news here, first.’ Ismael gestured the old man to step inside, a careful hand closing the door behind him.

Arthur swallowed as he watched Ismael walk past him, the young master’s hand laying the monster’s letter on a near-empty desk, his brows furrowed. ‘Now Arthur. I can think this long and hard, but in fairness..none of us would want Belle harmed, now, do we?’

Arthur quietly agreed as Ismael took a sip of his wine.

Ismael licked his lips.

‘Therefor I have a proposal. One that would solve your predicament, Belle’s..and mine.’ His lip quirked in a smile as he tapped on the letter. ‘We shall meet the beast at first light, in the forest. I shall take my best men and we shall rid of him with an ambush. ‘Tis time we get rid of him once and for all.’

‘Oh that’s wonderf-’ - ‘BUT. I do expect payment in return, Arthur..And..well..since you have little means of fortune on that aspect.’ His eyes lowered to Arthur’s shaggy clothes. ‘..I’ll accept your daughter’s hand in marriage instead.’

Arthur blinked, his face rippling with shock, bafflement and confusion. Marry his Belle? But then again, what other option did he have? The villagers wouldn’t dare go into the forest. It was indeed a heroic deed of the Le Comte to offer such a thing. Besides, they’d be rid of that darned beast at long last. And Ismael was well to do, meaning Belle would be taken care of, even though it was clear her heart didn’t sing for the man.

‘V-very well.’ Arthur nodded.

One moment he lost Belle to a monster. The next he lost her to the young lord. It seemed to be the lesser evil to chose the young lord.

‘Good. That’s settled. We’ll pick you up at dawn, Arthur. Now go and rest, ‘twill be quite a day tomorrow indeed!’

‘What is it?’ Belle asked, still shook from the way the Master had given her a lightning speed fast piggy back ride to the abandoned well. It was as she thought; he was a monster indeed! He did not just have fangs. No. He was also beyond strong..and frighteningly fast.

Would she be able to escape him at all?

‘Sshh.’ He hushed, blue eyes squinting as he looked through the misty morning ferns, eyes pricking at sounds that Belle couldn’t hear. Then his brow furrowed, his face washing over with displeasure as he turned back towards Belle, the pretty brunette staring at him with a mild panic in her eyes.

Was the deal off?

And then his eyes drifted down her body, resting for a moment on the top of her skirts, her feet shifting uneasily as her stomach fluttered from his unapologetic, steely gaze, eyes seemingly boring straight into her core.

But it wasn’t erotic. Not for him. Not this instant.

The Master had picked up on her every movement in the library yesterday. He knew she held a knife there, hidden in her pockets. And he hoped she wouldn’t use it. Wouldn’t HAVE to use it. And for that reason he was contemplating whether it was wise to do what he was to do next; lay a spell on her. He didn’t truly want to. He wished he could explain the situation, make her follow on her own free will. But there was no time.

Not now.

His eyes shot back at her unsure gaze, deep brown doe eyes looking at him with question. ‘I’m so sorry, Belle.’ He whispered, stepping closer and gripping both hands around her head, the immediate panic rising in Belle’s heart, his beastly fingers digging harshly in her skin as she tried to squirm away from him, to escape.

‘No..no. Please.’ She whimpered softly. ‘Please. Let me go.’

‘Belle....I will never hurt you, Belle.’ - ‘NO please. Ahh..!’ Belle’s eyes started to glisten as her hands gripped around his unmoving wrists, his strength so great that she didn’t stand a chance against him. Strong and built like a mountain, no scratch or claw could move this man. ‘Please..’ She muled.

‘I would never..hurt..you.’ The monstrous man whispered tersely, seemingly upset as well, his eyes flickering with equal despair but his hands unmoving.

Was this how she’d die?

Looking in bewilderment, feet trying to kick his legs away - and failing - she noticed his lips move, a nearly inaudible speech falling from his lips, his fangs shining between them, sending Belle in a horrid overdrive to escape.

Tempus texunt; tu dormies. Loquor, vos expectare. Curro, non abscondam. Ego ambulo, non stabit.

(Time weaves; you sleep. I speak, you wait. I run, you hide. I walk, you stand.)

And just like that...Belle’s body calmed, her long lashes blinking as she let go of his wrists, her tearing eyes drying as he unweft his fingers from her hair, her brown locks disheveled by the struggle they just had. Like in trance she watched him, his eyes still sorrowful, but calmer as he turned on his heel.

With purposeful strides he walked off through the bushes; out into the opening where the old well was situated, the crack of a dead branch alarming that someone else was present here, too.

It was time.

Arthur’s heart was beating like a war drum, his ears buzzing to the point he was fearing he’d pass out before they’d even reach the old well. Before him walked the great Ismael, a torch in his hand as the warm flames licked at the morning dew, their synchronous feet stepping over old fallen branches as the dark forest slowly swallowed them deeper and deeper into its ominous embrace.

It was a mild relief to know that there were more men, circling from the dark of shrubbery, their watchful eyes awaiting the arrival of the monster, ready to take him by surprise on his own terrain.

The forest was quiet, too quiet, no birds singing their song and no squirrels squabbling about their nuts. The lack of sound added onto the haunted feeling of this gloomy forest, Arthur’s neckhair rising at the thought of being watched by more than just Ismael’s men.

He was here, somewhere.

The monster.

And with him he held Belle, his sweet daughter, her life dangling by a silken thread as those beastly claws were probably digging more bloody trails in her delicate skin. How else had her dress become so evilly torn? So bloody? Oh, poor Belle!

With large, terrified eyes the old man followed Ismael into the beast’s domain, his old knees about to buckle as the old well now came into view, the grubby stone overgrown with moss and a tiny trickle of sunlight managing to wash through the thick branches above.

Ismael halted amidst the ferns and gestured Arthur to proceed, handing him the torch. ‘I’ll hide here. Remember the plan Arthur. Don’t let him know we are here.’

And then Arthur was truly alone.

Again.

Perhaps, if things ran their course, God would be merciful, and take him and Belle without pain. Had they not suffered enough? Wasn’t it a good time to join his wife..her mother? Had he even been good enough a man to be welcomed through the heavenly gates?

In Arthur’s mind death seemed to be the only, truly viable solution in this situation. But first, perhaps, just maybe, this plan of Ismael would come to fruition. Perhaps things would look up for once.

The ferns before him shifted, the earth and leaves cracking beneath heavy feet, drawing with it Arthur’s trembling attention.

At first all Arthur could see was the movement of the large green fern leaves, his torch held up before him, as if it were his weapon - his real weapon, a hunting knife, hidden beneath his shirt.

‘S-show yourself!’ Arthur said, his voice cracking awkwardly with panic.

And then a large shadow appeared from the foliage. Broad and impressive stood before him the silhouette of a man the size of a mountain, his dark voice booming through the quiet forest air; ‘Arthur.’

Arthur slinked to an even smaller size, blinking eyes watching as all his flickering torch could catch was the glisten of two eyes, burning eyes..evil eyes. Quite instantaneously he forgot all the words he should be saying, all the things he should be doing. Frozen in place, worn boots nailed to the ground, he watched as the large shadow slowly entered the small forest lair, joining him on the bed of moss and leaves, the light of Arthur’s torch now revealing that it was no beast indeed..but a man.

A man?

‘WHO MAY THEE BE?!’ Ismael jumped in, lips turned in a dismayed snarl as he scowled at the stranger before him.

‘Your conscience, good lord.’ The Master retorted, glimmering blue eyes staring daringly at Ismael, the young lord infuriated by the lack of propriety on the strange man’s end. Would he not introduce himself like the gentleman he appeared to be? Strange clothes he wore indeed, the fashion and cut belonging to a generation that was no younger than his late great-grandfather.

Had he found those clothes somewhere?

Who was this man?

‘Tell me thy name!’ Ismael barked, pulling out his sword and pushing it dangerously close to the stranger’s neck. The stranger, however, didn’t flinch, his ocean blue eyes watching in unblinking curiosity, head tilting like that of a dog as he looked Ismael straight in the eye.

‘SPEAK!’ Ismael continued, sword probing so close now that the tip touched the top of the stranger’s high-necked blouse.

‘You must be Ismael.’ The stranger finally spoke, his voice deep and smooth like honey on dewy lips.

‘SPEAAKKK!!’ Ismael raised his sword, the silvery point nipping the man’s neck just above his collar, slow blood pooling where the metal was being pressed further and further into delicate flesh.

But no response.

All the stranger did, was smile, his eyes growing colder now as he watched Ismael lose control of the situation, sword pushing harsher and harsher into the pale skin of his neck.

Did he not feel pain?!

Ismael swallowed, his eyes flitting down to the blooming blood, bright red slipping down his well-oiled sword, his own cold blood starting to boil with agitation.

‘RED..!’ Ismael howled, the whole forest seemingly shifting as a great many feet cracked on twigs and bark, heavy soles making way towards the small lair.

And again the stranger didn’t seem impressed, his eyes not once leaving Ismael as his smile grew and grew.

‘Do THEY know what price is to be paid..?’ The stranger spoke, eyebrow quirking up as he finally looked at a flabbergasted Arthur, his attention still not caring for the six other heavily armed men that were appearing from the greenery.

Arthur’s eyes shot in terror between Ismael and the man, his tongue not managing to bring forth words as all he could do was gulp and shiver.

‘It were to be simple, Arthur.’ The monstrous man sighed, Ismael’s sword still pressed evilly into his skin. ‘And promises I am to keep. I came unarmed. You, however, have not quite managed to hold up your end of the bargain; for silver blinks in my eyes and blood spills upon it.’

With a cold stare he looked back at Ismael before continuing; ‘I asked for naught. Just the cover of dusk and no evil eyes. Was that too much..Arthur?’

‘W-what?’ Arthur finally croaked. ‘No..no sum of ex-ex-exchange?’

The Master narrowed his eyes at Arthur, confused. A response that made it clear that one person here had spoken falsely. The old man looked back at Ismael, whose complexion started to become even more terse, cheeks draining white. It didn’t take a genius to decipher what had happened. He had lied. The old man started to shake his head, fear making place for disbelief as Ismael huffed.

‘He lies, Arthur! Do you not see! Look at him!’

‘Lies? I..I..I trusted you milord. My..B-Belle..’ Arthur stammered, Ismael’s henchman now joining in as some three swords were now suddenly aimed at Arthur, the old man shivering with more than just fear; he was furious! How could he have been fooled like that?! They were to assist in saving Belle, not threaten him. And Ismael had promised he had spoken truthfully about the letter’s content. The doubts in Arthur’s belly had been proven right yet again; Ismael was not to be trusted. He had lied. And how!

Was it just to get Belle?

Rage boiled in his fatherly blood, fingers daring to push away the wicked blades that pointed close to his chest and chin.

But before Arthur could do a thing of stupidity, the air shifted around him, a wind dancing as the strange monster man seemed to vanish in thin air, the cries of falling men around him indicating that a miracle had befallen. Looking around in shock and awe, he saw the three man near him disarmed, their eyes wide with shock as they looked for their swords that had disappeared without a trace, feet scrambling back up from the forest floor.

After another crying second, the monstrous man walked out from the other side of the lair, the other three men now disarmed as well, his steely gaze luring back at Ismael, who was now backing up towards Arthur, his sword held high to either fend off that stranger or the old man.

It was then, with yet another blink of the eye, that Ismael stood behind Arthur.

What was this sorcery? Arthur thought, blinking with confusion. Was he losing his sanity or had Ismael just about teleported behind him? A thought that wasn’t worth investing in as he now too felt the cold of steel of Ismael’s sword against his stubbly neck.

‘A great price to pay indeed.’ Ismael growled lowly.

The strange man lowered his chin, eyes casting a flaming gaze, foreboding no good as his lips curled up. For a moment Arthur forgot about the steel that was licking his neck, a new terror running up his spine.

Shiny and fearsome, two large fangs appeared from behind those snarling lips.

A VAMPIRE.

What followed next was but a blur.

Suddenly Arthur found himself on the ground, the sword and Ismael gone as the ground trembled and the air shrieked. Arthur tried to scramble up, but his old bones and rapid beating heart were making it near impossible to move, his hand having to clutch for his chest as all he could feel was its heavy thumping, little stains of black starting to dance before his eyes.

He was too old for this.

‘Belle?! OH BELLE!!’ Arthur jumped off his trusty steed’s back, feet hitting the ground running as he picked up the blur of blue that came from the forest edge, her eyes blinking in confusion as she was caught in his crushing embrace.

‘Papa..’ She gulped, confused arms returning the warm hug of her father - was he not mad at her for running off?

‘Are you alright? OH! I was so worried..and..’ He leaned back to take her in, not a hair out of place as her mouth fell open in silent confusion, watching as his eyes started to glitter with tears.

‘Oh papa...Gods..I am so sorry..I..’

‘No no..oh..you are safe.’ He squeezed her into his embrace again, scruffy hair tickling her glowing skin. ‘I feared you had been...that you..’ He watched the forest behind her, evil branches sticking out prickly and dark.

‘No papa. Nothing happened. I’m safe. In fact it was nice..I read to the animals and..’ Arthur refused to hear;

‘NO! Speak no lies Belle. You must promise me; never shall you return there!’

‘But papa...I lie not! Here, you must see, you must-’ She tried to drag him back into the tree line, but his heels dug heavily into the dirt, head shaking no.

‘Don’t be daft, Belle!’ He pulled back, hand linking around her tender wrist and gesturing towards their cottage. ‘Now, no more silliness and let us go home.’ He spoke, leaving a hesitant Belle in his wake as she casted one more look over her shoulder, the forest critters watching in curiosity as she was dragged away by her father.

Back to her normal life.

Back to safety.

Safety. Ha. That’d be nice, wouldn’t it?

Gulping, hand still clutching his heart, Arthur listened as great howls and cries scattered through the forest. The howls were beastly and raw, confirming what Arthur feared; this forest was no safe place indeed.

As the slow morning light grew in strength, so did the terrifying sounds die down, all the way until all Arthur could hear was the silent flutter of leaves as the strange man returned, his clothes dirtied but his face calm.

Was he going to kill Arthur now, too?

Arthur swallowed and tried to make himself as small as possible, eyes looking away from the cold gaze of the monster. There was little use in running now, Arthur’s old bones making no match to the obvious strength that lingered beneath the strange man’s expensive clothes.

‘You do not run.’ His dark voice stated with surprise.

Arthur blinked, half-expecting to be already dead by this point, his head shaking firmly as he kept his eyes lowered to the wet soil beneath him.

If he didn’t kill Arthur straightaway..was there a chance Belle was alive, too?

‘Please sir, my daughter, Belle, kno-know you of her whereabouts?’

The Master’s lips curled in a gentle smile, but the old man didn’t see, his trembling form still staring in bewilderment at the ground. It was time, the Master decided, his fingers snapping together, making two brown eyes blink behind the wall of ferns. Awakening.

Arthur looked up with confusion when yet another sound came from the ferns, a person brushing through the large green leaves. And not just any person.

BELLE.

‘Papa?’ She spoke dreamily.

‘Belle!’ He cried, his grounding shock suddenly forgotten as he lunged at his daughter, arms crushing her in a tearful embrace. ‘Belle..oh..’

She was alive..

‘Papa.’ She hummed, returning the embrace, before looking over her father’s shoulder, meeting the slightly hurt gaze that lingered in the Master’s eyes.

Was he sad?

Clearing his throat, the strange Master spoke. ‘She cannot return, Arthur. A great misfortune will befall her..and you.’

Arthur’s brow furrowed as he slowly turned, arms spreading out to create a human shield between the strange beast and Belle. ‘Of what you speak? Belle is perfectly safe with..’ - ‘No.’

‘No?’ Arthur gulped, befuddled.

‘Ismael will not stop until he has all his heart desires. And he will take all you have in the process.’ The Master inhaled sharply. ‘History will repeat itself.’

Arthur frowned, eyes brushing down the small cuts and bruises that marred the strange man’s skin. Sword cuts. Bruises. And bite marks.

Bite marks?

So many questions popped up in Arthur’s head, before pieces started to click into place.

Ismael’s strange obsession with Belle?

Ismael’s father and his obsession with her mother and aunt?

‘History repeats..’ Arthur breathed.

‘But it’s your sister’s betrothal party! This will be fun!’ Arthur watched with befuddlement as his wife sat there, refusing to ready herself.

With a sour face she turned on her seat by the table, watching her husband as he settled his hands in his sides.

‘Fun? Only the devil would call it that.’ She spat, turning back to spoon through her gone-cold soup.

‘Then are you not happy for her, wife?’ Arthur’s question wasn’t condescending, but honest and caring, his voice tender as he squatted down beside her. His wife bit her plump rose lip, eyes darting back at him as she slowly shook her head, fire burning within them.

‘If she were to wed any other man; yes. But him? HIM?! Do you not see Arthur? They forced her! Nearly me as well! Were it not for…’ She swallowed her words, nostrils flaring as she rubbed a hand over her swollen belly, her rage dwindling as she sighed in defeat.

‘Oh darling sweet! Please. Do not fear, my dear.’ Arthur cooed, pressing a kiss on her cheek before he moved to sit down beside her at the table, his hand cupping over the hand she kept safely over her belly.

His wife remained quiet, eyebrows furrowed in distress.

Arthur continued with a brush over her swelling belly; ‘I understand your worries sweet wife. I do, I do. And trust me. I’ll keep you safe. The both of you.’

It had been one year since her sister’s wedding, and it was the first time his wife dared to join Arthur to another feast at the Les Comtes. Their sweet baby daughter Belle was kept under lock and key by the old hag Hella, who lived a few cots away, the old woman trusted like nobody else.

And his wife? She was nervous beyond words, her head shaking in refusal whenever a cup of wine was offered. Arthur felt sorry for putting her in the situation, but as conversations flowed, he soon lost track of her exact whereabouts, some fellow employees of the estate discussing the chance of extending the stables he worked in.

It was when a loud ruckus disturbed the music, instruments coming to a halt, that Arthur’s eyes flew up. What followed were the most horrid minutes, hours, months..years..of his life.

Lain in a pool of blood, his wife was found. She had, from hear say of the Grandmaster Le Comte, tumbled down the great many stairs - what had she done up there anyways? Blankly she stared back at him, her neck evilly twisted, mouth agape, as if screaming.

What should have been a great feast to remember, became a great horror to remember instead. And despite Arthur’s doubts, he silently accepted it to be an unfortunate accident. The only thing that was clear, was his failure as he watched his wife’s unblinking brown eyes.

He had failed her.

Reality slipped back into Arthur’s aching heart; he had not kept her mother safe. So, could he keep Belle safe..at all?

With pleading eyes he looked at the monster, those gentle blue eyes calm and studious behind a slathering of blood. So human. But so evil as well.

‘W-what are you intending to do with her?’

The Master hummed. ‘Tis why I invited you here, Arthur. I wished to discuss our options...your options.’ The Master licked his lips as he folded his arms behind his back, feet striding towards the edge of the forest lair. Arthur waited.

‘It was one thing to find Belle here, in my domains. But you, with these armed men? It further complicates the situation.’ He turned on his heel. ‘I let them get away, Arthur. Frightened they are, but alive. I wish no harm, truly.’

‘Ha..’ Arthur breathed, his heart beating wildly in his chest; merde - shit! Not only did this monstrous man just admit to taking captive Belle, also had he admitted to hunting down 7 adult men. He may not look quite the monster, may promise he wouldn’t harm, but he sure was capable of great violence.

‘There can only be one hero in this tale, Arthur.’ The Master continued. ‘And I’m afraid the superstition runs religiously in the villagers’ veins. Walking out of here unscathed will be frowned upon.. or worse.’

Arthur gulped. ‘Then..then..harm me.’ He pulled open his blouse and presented his bare neck to the vampiric beast, those monstrous blue eyes staring in fascination - as if he overthought the offer.

‘No.’

‘Please..milord. I just want Belle to be safe. I..’ Arthur quieted his pleading as he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder.

‘Tis okay papa. He has been good to me.’

‘No no..do not lie to me Belle. It’s okay. I’ll keep you safe.’

‘No papa. I lie not. Not now. I speak the truth.’ Her fingers squeezed into his tight shoulder. ‘Please papa. I-I don’t want you to get hurt.’ Belle’s voice became more timid, emotional.

For a moment the monster man looked down at the ground, thinking.

‘Go back to the village and the Les Comtes will turn their wrath upon you. They will rile up the villagers. They have done so in the past to hide their tracks, hide their crimes. They would do it again.’ He took another sharp breath. ‘I could offer you solace and shelter though. My halls are great, but empty. From there on you could see to travel north or west, where other lordships may take you in.’

Arthur blinked and turned slightly, this turn of events quite unexpected, eyes searching Belle’s, her head already nodding “yes”.

‘You would have me stay in your ...’ Arthur hesitated.

‘Lair.’ The monster grinned charmingly. ‘Yes.’

‘Tis all I wish for papa.’ Belle chimed in, tugging at his sleeve. It would resolve some of her sorrows; no cold, no hunger, no jealous villagers..and a chance to start anew. With of course one but: she couldn’t be sure of the monster’s true intentions.

Slowly Arthur started to nod. ‘Very well. But I must return home first. I cannot leave the horses untended. I must alarm my stable boy. I..’

Belle sighed. ‘Papa..’

‘No! No buts! I shall never let my horses become victims of my own poor life choices. Tis my choice and there’s that.’ He turned on his heel, hand reaching for Belle. ‘You must come with me, Belle.’

Belle blinked, eyes glancing over her father’s shoulder to meet those mysterious blues of the Master.

Did she - Did she want to? What if the villagers would find out and harm them? What if..what if...What if her heart wished for..for something else? What if..she wanted to..stay?

Chap 8 >

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#henry cavill fanfiction #henry cavill fanfic #long fic #beauty and the beast au #angst #kidnapping #belle #vampire!henry #vampire #the monster's lair #well wishings

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azwriting · 4 years

Text

A Tragedy (Forget Me Not, Kylo Ren x Reader) - Chapter Seven

Hi guys, here’s chapter seven! Sorry it took so long, I kept rewriting a lot of the parts because I couldn't settle on the best way to write it. Also we are going to pretend that purple kyber crystals exist...Anyways I hope you all like it! Let me know if you want to be added to the taglist!

Summary: (Y/N)’s relives all of her most important memories and realizes Kylo and her were more than friends.

Warning(s): Suggestive Material (not really), Mentions of death and pain,

Word Count: 6997

(Y/N)’s eyes fluttered open to the sound of the man whispering her name. Her eyes wide open, untrained, and filled with tears. A tidal wave had crashed over her, returning her past as if it had never left.

She was in a brightly lit meadow, the sun casting a warm halo around a man and woman, who sat contently behind their house in the Nayli countryside. Their attention was captivated by the toddler, their daughter, who sat in front of them on the soft yellow blanket. Her (Y/E/C) eyes were wide as her chubby hands lifted a shiny rattle up into midair.

A fire filled her vision next, smoke infiltrating the lungs of the four year old girl being rushed through the burning house by her frantic father. Once outside, her father placed her down on the grass, a safe distance away from the fire. “Stay here, I have to go find your mother!”

The man instructed moving to leave, but the young girl’s tiny hand caught his. “No Papa please don’t leave me, I’m scared!” She sobbed. Another part of the house crumbled down in the background as her father stood frozen for a moment. He quickly retrieved a purple crystal from around his neck and placed the oversized necklace around his daughter’s neck.

“Wear this it’s a Kyber Crystal, one like the Jedi’s used to use in the stories your mother and I told you. It will keep you safe until we return.” The child’s hand clamped around the crystal watching as her father ran back into the burning house, only to never return.

The girl sat in a small white hospital room, any evidence of the fire being cleaned away as she now wore a white medical gown, the purple Kyber crystal still hanging from her neck. Tears streamed down her face, she knew her parents were gone, and she was all alone. A woman with fair skin, warm gentle eyes, and her dark hair braided up entered the room sometime later. Her eyes traveled from the focused little girl to the floating syringe beside her, a knowing smirk forming on the woman’s face.

“Hello dear, what’s your name?” The woman offered her a sincere smile, stepping closer.

“(Y/N) (Y/L/N)” The girl whispered, the syringe dropping in the background.

The woman frowned, “My name is Leia Organa, can you say that?”

The child smiled softly, “Lele.” Leia laughed, she supposed that was close enough.

“(Y/N) love, would you like to come home with me?” The girl nodded eagerly, perhaps this woman could provide her a new home, a new family.

The woman with a long braid trailing down her back, Leia, carried the girl into a spacious looking condo overlooking the capital of Chandrila, Hanna City.

“Leia you cannot seriously be thinking of taking her in?” A deep voice spoke causing the little girl to whimper, snuggling deeper into Leia’s shoulder.

“I knew her parents, (Y/M/N) and (Y/F/N), it’s the least I can do. She’d be an orphan if I didn’t!” Two men sighed audibly and a large wookie mumbled incoherently as well. “There’s another reason though…” Leia moved to put the girl down on a soft white carpet where a black haired boy with brown eyes, looking to be a year older than her, played with levitating toy blocks. As soon as the girl sat next to the boy, her hand lifted and flew a blue block over to her. The boy’s head lifted, shooting her a glare to which she only giggled at.

“She’s strong with the Force, Luke.” Leia said to the sandy blonde haired man.

“You said (Y/L/N)?” Luke questioned. Leia only nodded and Luke let out a small laugh.

“What’s funny kid?” the dark haired man asked.

“She must be the ancestor of Qui-Gon Jinn, Old Ben’s master. His great niece or something! You have to keep her then…”

The brunette man sighed once again, “Great another Force User, as if I wasn’t already outnumbered!”

The girl, age six, woke in a dark room, a nightmare about her parents demise causing tears to fall thickly down her face. She quickly climbed out of her bed, her tiny legs carrying her to her sense of comfort. She looked out at the living room seeing the bustling nightlife of Hanna from the large open balcony, before entering the room next to hers. The boy was in his bed, tossing in his sleep, as the young girl approached his bed still crying. He suddenly woke from a sniffle, sensing her distraughtness in the Force.

“Nightmare again?” He questioned rubbing his eyes, black hair messily splayed across the pillow. The girl only nodded and climbed into bed, into his open arms.

“I’m sorry for waking you all the time Benny.” She whimpered in his embrace.

“It’s okay that’s what I’m here for (Y/N/N), always.”

The girl and Ben were three years older, running through the meadow of Naboo, visiting for a political meeting Leia had to attend. The family had escaped to the quiet fields one afternoon though. The little (Y/H/C) girl was chasing the bouncing black curls of the boy.

“Ben!” She called out, laughing, her smaller legs unable to keep up with the Ben’s long strides. His legs already growing longer than hers, it was not fair.

Ben only chuckled teasing her, “Keep up (Y/N)!” The girl huffed pushing her legs to go faster, leading her to take a misstep and go tumbling into the plush green grass. “(Y/N)?” Ben halted before doubling back and diving into the grass beside the unmoving girl, lying face down in the grass.

“Ben is she okay?” A woman’s voice called from up the hill. He rolled the girl over to see a sheepish smile on her face and the boy let out a sigh of relief.

“I fell.” She giggled and Ben with his warm eyes laughed in return.

“So clumsy!” He pulled her back up to her feet before the same woman, Leia, shouted for them.

“Kids come here, Han take a photo of us!” The children groaned to themselves, not another picture.

“Coming Lele!”

“Coming Mom!”

“Can you hurry up?” Ben groaned watching as the girl fiddled with the wire paneling of the office door.

“Can you give me a minute?” The girl rolled her eyes, keeping her attention on the multicolored wires. The two had been locked up in a stuffy office all day while Ben’s parents dealt with political problems, and it was time for a jail break. Rewiring a blue and red wire, the girl watched as the door flew open. “Ha take that Spaceboy!” Her teasing was cut short by C-3PO entering the room, clearly the reason why the door had truly opened.

Ben gave her sly look and she pushed him out the door past the gold droid. “Go Ben go!” The girl shouted as the two ran through the hanger and out onto the landing strip, heading for the fastest piece of junk in the galaxy.

“Young Solo, Miss (Y/N) where do you two think you are going?” C-3PO called out to the mischievous children. Ben only smirked to the girl as they raced up the ramp and into the cockpit. He slid into the pilot seat and she into the co-pilot. Oh Han would regret teaching these two partners in crime how to fly. Barely being able to see over the dash the two took off in the Falcon for a joyride.

When they returned later, the Falcon covered in branches, Leia and Han with their arms crossed and faces red with anger awaited them.

“Oh we’re so screwed” Both children uttered.

Months later the children would find themselves back on the Falcon, with nervous expressions and intertwined hands trying to find comfort in one another.

“They’re only sending us away because of me.” Ben mumbled, his inky black curls moving to hide his face.

“No they want us to become Jedi’s, to master the Force!” The girl corrected, an excited expression taking over her face. She would become a Jedi, like the ones her parents told stories about.

He only shook his head, “N-No… my p-parents are scared, scared of m-me, of this part hidden in me.” The girl’s smile dropped, eyes widening at his words. Squeezing her best friend’s hand, she urged him to look at her. His warm brown eyes held a look of sadness and fear, bottom lip trembling slightly.

“Well I’m not Ben.”

The girl and Ben were two years older dressed in variating shades of brown robes. Ben, with short black hair and a small braid trailing down his shoulder, was now officially a teenager as they sat cross legged on opposite sides of the room. Master Luke had to split them up, the two were always causing distractions during lessons. They were supposed to be meditating, searching the Force, but the two friends only continued to steal glances at each other, something strange and unfamiliar twisting its way into their stomachs.

Ben was meditating in his hut when the girl bursted through the entrance obviously excited.

“C’mon Spaceboy its time!” Ben popped open one eye, glancing over at her. He was mildly annoyed with her for disturbing his meditation, but her grinning face seemed to diminish his irritation.

“I’m coming, I’m coming!” He stood and the two walked out to the overgrown field just beyond the temple and huts, their place. Sitting down beside each other, the young padawans watched as the sun set beyond the ridge, their hands merely touching in the grass.

The girl clad in nothing more than a white nightgown and tears exited her tiny hut and walked to the one a tad further from the temple. Inside the other hut, lanky teen Ben awaited her on his cot, eyes turning sincere as she entered.

“Are you okay?” He whispered already shifting over in his small cot.

“N-No” She choked out, lying down beside him, her body trembling.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

She shook her head, “No, just hold me.” Ben awkwardly wrapped his arms around her, her head resting against his bony chest. Feelings inside them both beginning to awaken as they fell back to sleep.

Another year had passed and the girl now 14, with a thick braid trailing down her back wielding her purple lightsaber. Master Luke had thought the color odd, the color symbolizing a connection to both sides of the Force, and the girl purely exhibited the Light side. But she had been drawn to it because of her father’s necklace which she could not part with. Or perhaps it was a possible indication of what her future held. Ben, 15, stood confidently across from the girl wielding his blue lightsaber. His hair was becoming longer, padawan braid becoming lost in the sea of curls, and he had grown beginning to tower even more over the girl. They grinned cockily at each other as they lined themselves up for a training session.

They were the strongest amongst the group of padawans, in combat and in mastering the ways of the Force; Therefore the perfect partners, the perfect challenge as they continued to grow stronger. Ben striked first obviously impatient, but the girl easily deflected the advance with her saber. She went to strike back but he was too quick, moving swiftly to the side. The girl groaned repositioning herself for the next move. Ben swiped at her once again but she ducked and rolled off to the side.

She quickly stood back up with a slight smirk plastered across her face. With black hair covering most of his eyes, Ben sent a playful smile her direction which she rapidly dismissed leaping forward to steal a strike. He didn’t seem to catch onto her plan, seemingly too distracted by something else, causing her to tackle him to the ground. Ben groaned looking up at the girl smiling down at him, her saber merely inches from his neck.

“Gotcha Spaceboy.” His face turned a bright shade of red, his words seeming to be stuck in his throat.

“I hate you.” He finally choked out, a flustered expression still on his features.

“I know.”

The two, another year older, climbed into an old Tandem X-Wing. They had successfully convinced Master Luke to allow them to go to Chandrila for a grand ball Leia was hosting. They just had to be back within two day cycles and were not allowed to tell any of their fellow peers, which was not a concern. Ben did not talk to anyone really and although the girl was friendly with her peers, she stuck with her partner in crime. They’re had been some sort of tension rising within the New Republic though, something Leia nor Master Luke would tell them about, but the ball was being thrown in an attempt to regain back the New Republic’s favor.

The girl leaned forward in her seat, placing her chin on the handsome boy’s shoulder, his eyes locked tightly on the vast darkness of space ahead. He was a terrific pilot at such a young age, taking after his Father, Uncle, and apparently his Grandfather. His Grandfather, Anakin Skywalker, was once a powerful Jedi Knight before being murdered by Darth Vader. Master Luke always told them stories about him, stories he had been told by the man Ben was named after. He always seemed to be saddened by the stories of his murdered Grandfather and his Grandmother who died after childbirth. Ben missed them, even if he had never met them.

“We’re almost there.” He mumbled and the girl smiled, they were almost home.

Landing in Hanna, the two were greeted by Leia, her eyes watering as they fell on the two children before her. In fact, they were not children anymore, instead transitioning into beautiful young adults. She had not seen them in five years, only ever seeing the occasional hologram.

“Ben!” She grinned excitedly pulling her towering son into a tight embrace.

Ben laughed hugging his mother back, “Hi Mom!” Leia pulled back and held her son’s face in her hands, examining all the new little details and changes occurring on his face. The girl knew Leia saw it too, he looked like his Father…

“Hi Lele.” The girl spoke up from the side, her large smile never fading. Leia released Ben and turned to her, pulling her into a tight hug.

“(Y/N) dear, my goodness how beautiful you are becoming as well!” The girl giggled into the embrace as Ben questioned, “Is Dad here?” Leia pulled back from the hug and frowned.

“No he had business he had to attend to, he’s sorry he couldn’t be here Ben.” Ben stiffened and nodded slowly, his eyes glazing over.

“Well,” The girl cleared her throat, “We should go get ready for the ball, I don’t believe Jedi robes are considered appropriate for tonight’s festivities.” Leia nodded and ushered them off, watching as the girl silently comforted her son, something odd transpiring in the Force around them.

The ball had officially commenced and the event center overlooking the city was filled to the brim with people dressed in elegant wear. The girl nervously walked around the dancing couples, picking at the seam line of her mauve colored dress. Leia’s handmaids had transformed the young padawan into a princess: with purple vines painted up her cheeks, white gardenias and lavender woven into her tightly curled hair, and flowers and vines embroidered into the mauve colored dress. She looked like a child of spring.

Eyes followed her as she moved throughout the ballroom, hers only searching for one. And there he was across the room, in dark blue robes, brown eyes wide and already locked on her. His wild hair was tamed and sleek, his red tipped ears poking out slightly as he stalked across the floor to her. He stopped in front of her and the girl’s heart rate picked up, he was becoming outrageously handsome, it was not fair for her best friend to be so… distracting.

“Dance with me.” Ben blurted out, hand restlessly tugging at the high neck of his blue tunic.

“Of course.” She smiled and the two awkwardly stuttered into the flow of the dancing couples.

“You look stunning, if it wasn’t obvious.” The girl blushed fiercely head dropping in an attempt to hide from his prying eyes.

“Thank you Benny, you look handsome as well!” His cheeks flushed a bright red and he dropped his head as they continued to waltz.

“What are these white flowers? They smell beautiful.” He mumbled into the crown of her head.

“Gardenias, my parents used to grow them by the house in Nayli. They are supposed to represent pure love.” Ben pulled back slightly, smirking down at her, making her heart rate pick up once more. He was close, too close for them to be just friends.

“Is that so?”

The pair were back at the Jedi Temple, age 17 and 16, smirking confidently at each other as they positioned themselves for another fight. Their power only continued to grow, and they had an ongoing wager on who would win, both of them the strongest padawans especially together. With quick strategic movements the two danced around the training room as other padawan’s watched curiously, despite their apprehension of Ben. He moved with such agility, it left the girl a little breathless as they kept deflecting each other’s strikes. Suddenly as the girl stepped forward her ankle rolled, causing her to lose her footing.

Not being quick enough to deflect the impending attack from Ben, a scream pierced through the previously focused and tranquil atmosphere. The girl crumbled to the ground in agony, her hands flying up to her neck only to instantly cry out again. Ben dove to the floor, their lightsaber’s long forgotten.

“(Y-Y/N), I-I’m so s-sorry!” Master Luke rushed over alongside other students, quickly examining the singed skin on her neck.

“Bring her to the infirmary now!” Ben with tears streaming down his pale face, pushed away the other students and lifted the girl himself. “Nephew.” Master Luke warned sensing the fear and self-hatred rising in him. He simply ignored his uncle watching the girl’s eyes flutter shut, lightheaded due to the movement and the white hot pain radiating from her neck.

“It’s going to be okay, you’re going to be okay.” Ben reassured more to himself than her as he carried his best friend to the infirmary.

The next memory, (Y/N) had seen it before, but there was more to it than she had previously seen. The girl was lying in the infirmary bed once again, and Ben’s head was still pressed against their intertwined hands, sobbing. “Ben,” She whispered to the clearly distraught boy, “Look at me.” His head slowly raised to latch onto her own watery (Y/E/C) eyes. “I-I’m in love with you.” She whispered, cheeks burning.

Ben inhaled sharply, pushing himself out of his chair to hover over her. A large smile broke across his tear streaked face, “I’m in love with you too.” He quickly pressed his lips to hers, both forgetting the sacred code of the Jedi. A Jedi will not know love, will not be involved in romantic relationships, as it will only prove to be a distraction. Their sweet innocent kisses grew heated, the girl sitting up to remove his tunic, hers soon following.

They broke their kiss at the removal of their shirts and the boy whispered, “I love you.” His sweet eyes were hooded in love, lust, and amazement as he stared down at the girl.

“I love you more.” She gleamed pulling him back into a feverish kiss, a silent vow being passed between their shared breaths and confessions. Their love was worth living in secrecy over…

Pressed against the side of the temple, the girl and Ben stole quick kisses in between lessons. “Ben we have to go before someone notices we’re gone.” She giggled as he pressed his lips all over her neck and face.

“No, we can spare another minute.” He mumbled against her skin before pressing another chaste kiss to her lips.

“Ben Solo! Where are you? Don’t make me hologram your mother!” Master Luke shouted from somewhere, causing Ben to groan dropping his onto her white clothed shoulder, a string of incoherent words tumbling from his lips.

“I forgot I have my private lesson today…” He lifted his head displaying his bottom lip jutted out in a pout.

“Go” The girl giggled, “before we get caught, or worse he calls Leia and she chews both of our ears out.”

Ben laughed, “The latter sounds worse.” She giggled agreeing as he pressed his lips to hers one last time. “I’ll come find you after.” Ben whispered, his hot breath fanning across her face, before parting.

Months later the two sat stiffly in an empty classroom, guilt and nerves etched onto their faces as a furious Master Luke stood before them. They had been caught, caught in a compromising position that clearly stated they were romantically involved, the biggest no in the Jedi Code. “How could you two be so careless? You both know the Jedi are not allowed to have partners, let alone be involved in such activities as you two were!” The girl and Ben both ducked their heads, blushing at the fact they had been caught during one of their nightly secret hut rendezvouses.

“Children can you please excuse the two of us for a moment?” Leia’s voice rose from her hologram placed directly in front of them. Not needing to be told twice, Ben and the girl rushed out of the room, stopping outside the door threshold to eavesdrop. “Leia why are you not furiously chewing them both out? They are jeopardizing their ability to become Jedi!”

His sister sighed, “I’m not mad Luke, that’s why. I think you should allow them to continue being together.” Ben and the girl’s head whipped to look at each other, surprised by Leia’s words. Apparently they weren’t the only ones.

“What? Why?” Luke demanded confused.

“Luke they will continue regardless of your advisory and remember our parents. Who married in secret, who’s secrets were their demise. Please I beg you don’t let that happen to my boy. Don’t let that happen to (Y/N).” Luke let out a frustrated sigh, fisting his graying hair into his hand.

“Fine, Fine! But no one else is to know of their relationship.” Luke reluctantly agreed. Ben and the girl outside the door let out a loud cheer as they embraced each other tightly. Leia laughed hearing them and Luke groaned, already regretting his decision.

“You two also need to be taking precautions, I don’t want to be a grandmother yet!” Leia called and Ben’s face burned bright red.

“MOM!”

Kisses were being peppered across Ben’s exposed skin as he carried the girl on his back, heading to the quiet fields ahead. The sun was touching the horizon as the day came to an end, soft pastels painting the sky and clouds. Ben squatted down once he arrived at their spot, letting down the girl. The two sat, the girl placing herself between Ben’s legs, her (Y/E/C) eyes watching the sunset with immense happiness. “So beautiful.” She traced the swirls of lilac woven into the pink sky with her index finger.

“You are.” Ben whispered pressing a kiss to her hair, eliciting a small snort from the girl. The two watched the setting sun for awhile, enjoying the tranquility of the evening when Ben spoke up once again. “Will you marry me?”

The girl jumped in his arms spinning to look at him, wide eyed. “What?”

Ben’s face flushed immediately, “I mean I don’t have a ring, but marry me?” The girl gawked for a moment, her mind unable to process fully.

“We’re so young though…”

“So, you’re the one. My grandfather was nineteen when he married my grandmother. I’m 18 what’s the big difference?” The girl’s face broke into a large smile as she turned fully, straddling his lap.

“I’m the one?” She whispered hands lifting to cradle Ben’s cheeks.

“You always have been. You and I were written in the stars, brought together by the Force.”

The girl giggled, “Such a poet Mr. Solo.” He snickered lightly, still waiting for her response. “Yes, of course.” She answered finally. Ben’s grinned so widely, pulling her down into a messy kiss.

“Shit,” Ben breathed when they parted for air, “I’m going to need to find a ring.”

“(Y/N) wake up.” Ben whispered one night, weeks later.

“Hmm what?” The girl shifted in her small cot, seeing Ben fully dressed in his darkest robes, kneeling down beside her.

“If we leave now, we’ll be back before dawn. No one will know, not even Luke.” The girl blinked heavily, pushing away the sleep still clinging to her.

“Leave to where?” She questioned, puzzled.

“To get married.” Ben smiled, as if it was obvious.

“Oh you were serious about that?” The girl joked, pushing her blanket off. Ben scoffed helping her stand as he did. “What about the rings? And a dress? Witnesses? Ben what about all of that?” She questioned looking into her love’s eyes.

“You’re lack of faith in me is disturbing. I have it all figured out don’t worry about it.” The girl narrowed her eyes, observing him.

“Okay let’s go!” Ben grinned and pulled her out of the hut and towards the old Tandem X-Wing.

The sound of wind brushing through trees and water slowly lapping against the shore filled the girl’s ears as she walked towards the balcony overlooking the endless blue of the Naboo lake. The place she had loved so much as a child and now she would be wedded here. At the place where Ben’s grandparents had secretly sworn their endless love to each other and now she would do the same. The ivory dress, with white flowers blooming throughout the body and sleeves, blew gently in the warm breeze as she walked towards her fate. She grinned to herself in excitement with nerves filling her to the brim as she thought of their secret wedding about to take place.

It was simply beautiful in Naboo: she could feel the warm setting sun on her skin, the smell of cherry blossoms floating through the air, and the gentle warm breeze flowing through her. A crown of white gardenias and lavender was placed on top of her ivory lace veil and her purple kyber crystal still hung from it’s usual spot. She could feel it in the Force, in a way, her parents were with her.

The girl looked up to Ben, who grinned whole heartedly down at her. Their hands intertwined as the Minister asked them to recite the vows of unity.

Ben and the girl in synchronization recited, “My soul honors your soul. I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides. I honor the light, love, truth, beauty and peace within you, because it is also within me. In sharing these things we are united, we are the same, we are one.” The girl’s (Y/E/C) eyes filled with tears as they placed the delicate silver bands onto their ring fingers.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride.” Ben eagerly swept the girl into his arms and bent down placing a sweet passionate kiss to her lips. The Minister excused himself as the two broke away.

“My wife, (Y/N).” Ben breathed out testing the word for the first time.

“My husband.” The girl whispered back, grinning. C-3PO congratulated them but the two ignored their one witness, only focusing on each other. “How did you find this lovely gown?” She questioned her husband.

“I had some help.” Ben smiled looking over to the woman standing next to C-3PO, his mother.

Leia approached them, tears in her eyes, “As much as I would love for you two to stay longer so we could celebrate, you have to go before Luke finds out you left, and find a way to hide those.” She pointed to their left hands adorned with a silver wedding band. The couple nodded saying their goodbyes before running back to the X-Wing, hand in hand.

“Would you stay still?” The girl groaned trying to remain still, but her back was starting to kill her.

“How much more do you have to do?” She questioned Ben, who sat to her side, illustrating her portrait into a large piece of parchment.

“Not much, now stay still.” He responded eyes flickering up to study another area of her face.

“You’re lucky I love you.” The girl mumbled observing the black leather necklace that hung from Ben’s neck, holding and concealing his wedding ring underneath his brown tunic. A similar necklace hidden under her tunic as well. They had been married for 3 months and Leia had kept their secret, vowing that she only wanted them happy. Ben snickered, the ink from his pen gliding perfectly against the piece of paper as he continued to commit her image.

“I know.”

“Ben talk to me.” The girl pleaded as her husband’s screaming woke them both up in her tiny hut one night. He had been distant lately and the girl was unsure why. She could feel this other side of him edging it’s way closer and closer to the surface, but she was unsure what it even was. His nightmares seemed to consume him every night, dark circles starting to form around his eyes.

“It was you, you died.” The girl nodded slowly not showing any sign of being bothered by his words.

“How?”

Ben only shook his head, “I’m not sure it was blurry, but you were crying and there was smoke… but that’s not the worst part.” The girl’s hand rubbed up and down Ben’s back soothingly, silently asking him to continue. “You were being carted through the streets of Hanna. Your skin was pale, flowers placed in your hair, your whole body l-lifeless.” Ben shuddered at the thought, tears slipping down his cheeks.

“Love, I’m not going anywhere.” She comforted wrapping her arms around his shaking frame.

“I know, I will protect you. I promise.” Ben stated coldly into the quiet night.

The girl and Ben, now 19 and 18, walked across the vast fields of the planet. “Ben where are we going?” The girl groaned, not being able to see behind Ben’s large hands, that covered her eyes and most of her face.

“We’re almost there, patience my wife.” He laughed at her impatience. She sighed annoyed but allowed him to continue to lead her to the unknown destination. “Okay stop, but no peeking!” Ben instructed after another 10 minutes. The girl felt his hands leave her eyes but she kept her eyes closed as told. She could smell the sweet smell of multiple flowers and the faint sound of lapping water. “Keep your eyes closed.” He reminded her sounding farther away. The girl heard the sound of a swoosh, like a door opening, before warm calloused hands grabbed hers, guiding her forward. After a moment Ben stopped, “Open.”

He was close enough that the girl could hear his racing heartbeat pounding inside his chest. Slowly opening her eyes, a wide open living space greeted her. There was a kitchen on the side, a hallway behind them and another long hallway in front of her.

“Ben where are we? Who’s house is this?”

Ben let out an uneasy laugh, “Um, it's ours.” The girl whipped around with wide eyes, looking to the smiling boy.

“What?” She questioned, a smile erupting across his face.

“It’s our house, the original owners have long abandoned it. Master Luke said after we are done training we can live here. Think of it, we will be Jedi Masters, training padawans, going on missions around the galaxy.” the girl grinned, letting out a small squeak of excitement, before rushing around the house to examine it. It needed some work but nothing too bad, surprisingly, but she had a suspicion that Ben had been fixing the place up. The girl stopped by a large window beside the kitchen, observing the quiet terrain surrounding the house.

“No neighbors? You can’t even see the temple from here.” She felt Ben quietly step up behind her, moving her hair to the side.

He planted soft open mouth kisses down her neck, “No one to hear us.” His voice came out huskily and the girl turned to face him with a smirk on her lips.

“Ben Solo you are positively evil.”

Ben laughed, “That’s why you love me.”

She scrunched her nose up, “An argument could be made.” Ben went to argue but she quieted his words by placing a feverish kiss to his waiting plump lips. He kissed her back immediately, their kisses soon becoming sloppy and needy.

“I love you (Y/N), more than anything.”

The next images were familiar, the setting of a nightmare. Ben had not come over to the girl’s hut that night, instead falling asleep in his own hut. She was worried about him, more nightmares and dark thoughts were plaguing Ben. He had even begun to express his doubt over what his place was in all of this. The girl just hoped that her love would be okay… The girl jolted awake to the sound of screams and the smell of smoke.

Grabbing her lightsaber, the girl rushed out of her hut, seeing the main Jedi Temple on fire in the background. Her eyes were automatically drawn to the bodies lying in the field, slaughtered in cold blood. She stood frozen, what was happening? She could hear screams within the temple and immediately began to run to help, but she was yanked back by a shadowy figure causing her to drop her lightsaber. “Ben! We need to help them!” She twisted around his arms to see blood smeared on his one cheek and how disheveled looking he was. There were tears wind whipped and dried on his cheeks, leaving behind a streaky mess. “Benny?”

The girl questioned fearful of the dark glimmer in his eyes. “(Y/N) we don’t belong here.” The girl went to cut him off but he shouted at her, “Let me finish!” She was frightened, this was not her Ben. “Luke tried to kill me, he sensed my power, my strength, our strength! We were a threat to him!” Ben exclaimed, looking back to his destroyed hut. Were?

“Are you hearing yourself? This is your Uncle, Ben.” The girl tried to reason with him, but he would not hear it.

“They’ve been lying to me about everything. You know my grandfather, the great Anakin Skywalker who was murdered by Darth Vader? He wasn’t!” The girl’s eyebrows furrowed, what did he mean? “Anakin Skywalker was Darth Vader! One of the most powerful Sith Lords to live, and I have that blood in me.” The girl shook her head in disbelief, was Ben really related to Darth Vader? How had he even come to find out about this? Why had everyone lied to them?

“Join me, my love.” Ben pleaded still having a firm grip on her upper arms.

“You know I can’t follow, I can’t, we can’t!” The girl pulled against his grip but it only tightened making her grit her teeth.

“I have and you can too. I can protect you.” The girl shook her head violently, tears pouring down her crimson cheeks.

“I can’t follow you, you know that.” Ben huffed out frustrated, releasing his hurtful grip on her arms to push his hair out of his face. She backed away slowly until she heard the loud pleas coming from the temple once again. She turned to run but a hand grasped her once again.

“No (Y/N), I can’t lose you too!” Ben pleaded sorrow plaguing his eyes.

“I’m sorry Ben, but you already have.” The girl trembled as the words fumbled out of her mouth. Her hand reaching up to yank off the second black necklace she wore.

“N-NO!” Ben choked out, but it was too late. The girl handed him the necklace holding her wedding ring, before she pulled herself free of his grip. She was angry, upset, and regretted her actions but she could not focus on that as she ran inside the burning building. Inside the burning temple, smoke filled her lungs and vision.

She was not inside long before an awful loud rupture blared over the sound of crackling fire. She looked up to the ceiling, panic filled her bones, knowing what was to come. “(Y/N)!” A pain filled voice cried outside, just in time as the roof collapsed, caving in on top of her.

The girl stirred against the hard platform, her eyelids and lungs feeling heavy. “I don’t know R2, she just shut herself out of the Force, I can’t sense her anymore. That’s why she must forget, it's the only way to keep her safe from him. Set course for the Hosnian system, she will be safe amongst the Republic.”

The girl coughed, eyes fluttering open for a moment blinded by the bright light, “Master Luke?” She heard shuffling and then a shadow appeared in her eyes, blocking out some of the light. “Master Luke, where’s Ben? Is he okay?”

The shadow let out a deep pained sigh, “Shush dear everything’s okay, close your eyes and rest. Everything will be okay.”

The last two memories were not hers, (Y/N) knew that, yet despite that they entered her mind. Ben was covered in smoke and tears in the bedroom of the house, the house he had gotten for him and the girl. “She’s gone, She’s gone, She’s gone!” He repeated over and over again, losing control at the end. He had tried to run after her, but the roof caved in before he could enter. Now she was gone, he could not feel her in the Force anymore. Her pure light energy was gone, replaced by a hollow feeling inside him.

The tears poured down his face as he let out a gutted scream filled with anger and devastation. Ben retrieved his lightsaber from his side, igniting it. The blue light illuminated his sorrow filled face as he let the rage take a hold of him. He began slashing the corner of the wall in the bedroom, before eventually collapsing to the floor in exhaustion. His trembling hands reached out to collect her grey and black lightsaber from the floor and the black necklace with her small silver band tied to the end of it. Ben held the items in his hands as his sobs continued to shake him to his core, his mind racing around one single thought, his love was gone.

The next one, Ben was clad in all black robes on his knees in tears, staring out at the blackness of space. The setting around him began to fade and shift into what he was weeping over. Two coffins being carted through the dark streets of Hanna. Hundreds surrounded the coffins and horses, carrying flickering candles, mourning the loss of the two Chandrila children. In one coffin a hologram of Ben Solo laid lifeless dressed in dark blue robes and covered in white flowers. In the next coffin was the girl in a dark purple dress. Her hair was adorned in lilacs, lavender, and white gardenias, just like Ben’s nightmare. She looked beautiful just as he remembered her, but the color to her skin was gone. She was just as lifeless as he felt.

Ben hiccuped feeling a shaky hand being placed on his shoulder. He looked up and through his veil of tears he saw his mother standing beside him. She was crying watching the coffins moving slowly through the quiet streets, silently comforting her son, despite all that had happened. Leia knew her son was not dead, she knew he had turned and caused the destruction of the new Jedi.

Her hand swiftly was removed and the image began to fade, Ben back on the Star Destroyer. He quivered, clenching his gloved fists as he felt the darkness inside rise. His love was gone and he blamed Luke Skywalker. Ben swore he would find him and destroy him, as another realization dawned upon him. Just as Hanna was being led to believe, Ben Solo truly was dead.

(Y/N) looked ahead, her face soaked and her body trembling. “(Y/N)?” The man asked once again crouching down to her level. Her (Y/E/C) eyes fell onto him, inhaling sharply.

“B-Ben?”

His warm eyes filled with tears and hope, “Yes, it’s me! It’s Ben, your Ben… your Ben.” He trailed off pushing her hair back behind her ears and settling them on her cheeks. (Y/N)’s heart was pounding in her chest as her mind tried to process everything, it was all too much to handle, to bear. The girl was her, Kylo was Ben, her Ben. The fire flashed in her mind, then the massacred students, his dark rage burning inside.

“N-No, no, you’re not!” She sobbed out pushing his hands off of her face. “You’re not him! Ben Solo is dead!” (Y/N) screamed standing up abruptly. He stood with her trying to grab ahold of her, trying to calm her down. (Y/N)’s eyes fluttered shut remembering the shared kisses, shared embraces, their unclothed bodies moving together in such synchronization. It was all too much she could not keep it in. She was a volcano about to erupt.

“D-Don’t touch me!” (Y/N)’s hands stretched out to push him off, but instead a power, a force, inside of her sent him flying backwards. Kylo was ten feet away on the ground, looking up at her bewildered, a part of her now unlocked like her past.

Without so much as a second thought, (Y/N) took off running back into the house and into her room. Her name was (Y/N) (Y/L/N), she remembered who she was, she remembered the love, happiness, and pain.

She wished she could forget again.

Taglist:

@benpeggycartersolo

@2heures

@thephantomwriter

@thefandomzoneisdangerous

@carol-chann

@gambitsqueen

#kylo ren #kylo ren x reader #kylo ren fanfiction #ben solo #ben solo x reader #ben solo fanfiction #star wars #star wars series #Adam driver x reader

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jabbajambler · 3 years

Text

Human

The Mandalorian/Din Djarin x f!OC

Word Count: 2,117

*GIF by JStarrC*

It was dark in the cockpit, but the stars outside shined brighter because of it. I followed the patterns the best I could, trying to remember the constellations that Mando had told me about. That night we shared so many stories, most weren't ours, but they were still nice.

I told him a story of a young girl. She was ripped from her family as an infant, raised to be a powerful warrior. They told her that one day, she would be the strongest of them all, that no person could ever match her power. In order to keep that power, however, she had to block herself off from the world.

She could no longer dance in the storms, prank her friends, or even fall in love. But it was too late for all of that.

They criticized her emotions, taunted her and claimed she could never meet her true potential. So, she left. For a long time, she battled her inner demons. Being alone with her thoughts, she struggled to keep them at bay.

She fought her darkness her entire life. In the end, she gave up her life for the greater good.

Mando compared it to the Creed. He wasn't too far off, really. They were similar in many ways. But there was something else to his reaction. A sadness of sorts. Perhaps a realization that him and the girl were not too different.

When I told him how the girl was reunited with her love in the end, there was a light. He radiated this warm energy that filled the ship with joy.

Him and the girl truly weren't that different at all.

The little green child sat on the control panel next to Mando, cooing quietly and pressing the buttons on the box next to him. I likely should have warned him, but the little guy was so cute, I couldn't help but just sit back and watch. It pressed a small green button and quietly looked around when nothing happened.

"Stop touching things." Mando instructed, not paying too much attention to the curious child. I giggled quietly from my seat, continuing to watch the tiny thing.

I looked at him as he blinked his big brown eyes. How could you possibly stay upset with something so unbelievably cute.

His ears perked up and he slyly moved his arm towards the box again, flicking a red switch that caused the entire ship to shake. Mando immediately reached over and turned it off, grabbing the child and placing him in his lap.

I leaned forward and rubbed the kid's fuzzy green ear while he whined. Glancing up at Mando, I tried to watch for any reaction, but there was nothing. He refused to even turn his head towards me.

"Let's see... Sorgan." Ah, so now he speaks. "Looks like there's no star port, no industrial centers, no population density. Real backwater skug hole. Which means it's perfect for us...You ready to lay low and stretch your legs for a couple of months, you little womp rat? Nobody's gonna find us here."

He set the child down in the seat to his right. I assumed it was to get him out of the way, but it was such a soft gesture that it brought a little smile to my face.

Mando swirled in his chair to face me, his eyes boring into mine from behind the helmet. At least, that's what it felt like. I really hated not being able to read his face. Of course, I could sense his emotions if I wanted to, but it was almost like violating his privacy.

"What? Can't keep your eyes off me?" I teased and leaned forward in my seat.

He scoffed. "Whatever you say, Princess."

My breath hitched and my face grew red from anger. "Keep calling me that and just see what happens."

So much for getting along again.

"I'd like to see you try."

┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉

We managed to find a small clearing of the forest to land. I had never seen such a beautiful sight before. While Mando powered down the Crest, I gawked at the land before me, wondering what the lush grass would feel like.

I've seen greenery before, but never to this extent and not for a long, long time. It was incredibly difficult to not run out and embrace the nature of the planet.

"Listen." Mando sighed and stood up, facing the child. "We're gonna go out and look around."

I was practically shaking with excitement, ready to go outside to actually see everything. Although, I was surprised that he was voluntarily bringing me along. I figured there would be some argument to be had.

"It shouldn't take too long." He continued. "No, don't touch anything. We'll find some lodging and come back for you. You stay right here." He pointed to the child, his voice firm. "You stay. Don't move. You understand?"

The child whimpered a response.

"Great."

I left towards the hatch with Mando not far behind me. "Any idea where we're headed?" I said as I pressed the button beside me to lower the ramp to the ground.

"Aren't you the one who knows everything?"

There was a quiet coo that broke the short, tense silence between us. I could see Mando turn to look at me out of the corner of my eye.

"It wasn't me." I pointed down at the ground between us where the child now stood, gazing up at us.

He sighed deeply and shook his head, looking between me and the child. "Oh, what the hell? Come on."

We walked through the trees with the child waddling behind us. I struggled to take my eyes off of the gorgeous plants. They reached out to me and I could feel myself drawn to the place as we spent more time here.

The last thing I needed was to get stuck on another planet.

We walked in silence until we came across a small village filled with huts. All the locals gathered in a spacious restaurant of sorts, talking and drinking with one another.

On second thought, I wouldn't mind getting stuck here.

We found ourselves a small table at the back. While Mando stared dead ahead, my attention was immediately drawn to a young woman on the other side of the building, staring at us. Her hair was dark and short and she wore a rebel tattoo proudly on her arm.

You didn't see many of those anymore.

Mando helped the child onto a stool before he sat himself down on one next to me "What are you all tense about?" He glanced around before his gaze settled on me.

I nodded towards the stranger, trying to not alert her. "That woman-"

"Welcome, travelers. Can I interest you in anything?" A middle-aged waitress came over, interrupting me with a big smile on her face.

"Bone broth, for the little one." Mando spoke, his voice calm and collected as usual.

"Oh, well, you're in luck. I just took down a grinjer, so there's plenty. Can I interest either one of you in a porringer of broth as well?"

"Yes, one for-" He started, gesturing towards me.

"No thanks. The one is fine." I stopped him, not feeling very hungry with a possible threat on the lovely planet.

"Very well."

I nodded again towards the rebel woman. "That woman over there. When did she arrive?"

"I've seen her here for the last week or so."

"What's her business here?" Mando questioned, finally noticing the suspicious woman.

"Business? Oh, well, there's not much business in Sorgan, so I can't say." She chuckled.

I tossed a small pouch of credits onto the table as I leaned against it. Mando looked over at me, then at his cross-body belt, quickly realizing that his credits were no longer there.

"She doesn't strike me as a log runner. Well, thank you, ma'am. I will get that broth to you as soon as possible, and I will throw in a flagon of spotchka just for good measure. I will be right back with that." The waitress smiled before turning and leaving to fetch the broth.

I looked over towards where the woman once sat, only to find it empty. "She's gone."

I tried to stand, but I was pushed back into my seat by Mando's hand on my shoulder. I scowled and tried to stand again, but of course, was forced back down.

"Stay here. I'm going to look for her."

"But-"

"Stay. Here." He stood up and tossed a credit to the waitress. "Keep an eye on them." He demanded before swiftly leaving the building.

I groaned and ran my hands over my face. Did he not trust me to go after her? I mean, I am the one who caught sight of her in the first place. Besides, I can take care of myself if anything were to happen. He knows that.

I couldn't bring myself to sit here any longer. As soon as the waitress returned with the broth and spotchka, I left. Mando had no right to tell me to stay put, especially if he was putting himself in danger.

There were a few grunts and the sound of fire crackling from behind a couple huts. Of course his first reaction would be to get in a fight.

I followed the sound, coming across the woman flipping Mando onto his back. They rolled on the ground until they both came to a sudden halt, pointing their blasters at one another.

The sound of the child slurping his broth caught the attention of the two on the ground. I could hear Mando's exhausted sigh once his gaze landed on me.

"I told you to stay back there."

"And how many times do I have to tell you that you can't tell me what to do?" I crossed my arms over my chest and tapped by foot against the ground.

He glanced over at the woman that held a gun to his head. "You want some soup?"

┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉

The rebel woman, whose name we learned is Cara, sat with us in the hut, sipping a bowl of broth. She had been going on about her time as a fighter and while it was interesting, I couldn't hold back the irritation I had towards Mando.

I played with the child, avoiding being brought into any sort of conversation. Although, I do recall Cara saying 'I like her' while they were whispering when we first came in. That made me smile.

"How'd you end up here?" Mando asked her.

"Let's just call it an early retirement." Cara sipped her broth. "Look, I knew you two were Guild. I figured you had a fob on me. That's why I came at you so hard."

"Yeah, that's what I figured." He shifted in his seat, his posture straightening.

"Well, this has been a real treat, but unless you wanna go another round, one of us is gonna have to move on," she stood and finished off her soup, "and I was here first." She shrugged and set the bowl down on the table, leaving without another word.

"Well, looks like this planet's taken." Mando turned towards me, gently nudging my elbow as he spoke. "Myrah?"

Nope.

"Myrah, come on." I refused, keeping my focus on the giggling child. "Are you going to stay mad at me forever?"

I took a deep breath and tried to keep messing with the green baby. "Are you going to act like a dick forever?" I snapped back.

In all honesty, I didn't want to be upset with him. I wanted things to go back to the way they were before, but it doesn't seem like that's going to happen any time soon.

He shook his head and sighed, clearly irritated. "Oh, will you get over yourself?"

"I'm not the one who got all butt hurt just because someone tried to help them-"

"I didn't need help, Myrah. I was fine on my own. I didn't need you in the first place. You intruded on my mission."

That hurt.

No, that was more than hurt. I knew it was his mission, I knew he never asked for me, but to hear him say it made it so much worse.

He didn't need me.

"Whatever... Let's just go back to the ship." I quickly left the hut with my head held high. I couldn't let him know that he had gotten to me.

I wished that I could just hide behind a helmet like he could.

#the mandalorian #the mandalorian x oc #mandalorian #mandalorian x oc #din djarin #din djarin x oc #dyn jarren #jedi #oc #star wars #pedro pascal #pedro pascal characters #babyyoda

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ramheavenandhell · 4 years

Text

Rickceiving Love and Forgiveness

AN: I wanted to write something involving the One True Morty and something about Rick finding salvation or something, so this little piece was born. Didn't exactly turn out as I had expected, but I hope you'll like ^_^ Warnings: mentions of character death, angst, platonic love Summary: Rick's time has finally run out and his imminent death is unavoidable. In a last attempt to make peace with himself, he visits the Mortyism Cult to meet the One True Morty.

Rickceiving Love and Forgiveness Rick chugged the last contents of the bottle down before he grumbled and threw it carelessly in the backseat of his space cruiser. He was internally scoffing at his own wretchedness. Mocking himself mentally for even being dumb enough to travel to where he was currently going. It was common knowledge that Ricks didn't believe in the existence of god or something like the afterlife. Religion was only something that had been made up by people to extort money from dumb and gullible sheep. So, it was ridiculous that he was on his way to see someone that was supposed to be some kind of prophet. 'What does it even matter now?' Rick wondered. 'This is already the end. And nothing matters anyways… never had…' He fumbled for another glass bottle on the bottom of his ship, hoping to find one that wasn't empty yet. Despite not wanting to believe in any religious bullshit, the point was that Rick was going to die – very soon. It was just his luck that he had contracted a deadly illness that couldn't be cured – not even by Rick Sanchez himself. So, this only left him with one last option. To just accept and embrace his upcoming demise. The reason why he was on his way to such a remote planet now was because he had overheard some rumors. Apparently, some Ricks had been visiting this one person that everyone called only the One True Morty. Rumor had it, that Ricks who were close to death would visit him to…"lighten their conscience" was probably the right phrasing for it. Of course, Ricks weren't innocent people. From stealing, drug and weapon dealing, seducing mafia bosses' daughters, ranging up to blowing up entire solar systems, their crime records folders were thicker than the book "War and Peace". And sometimes people just found it easier to accept their own death when they were able to accept the sins that they had committed. It was one particular rumor though about one certain Rick that had picked his interest the most. This Rick was said to have been suicidal, but before offing himself, he went to see the One True Morty. It was said that after meeting that Morty, the Rick had come back as a completely changed human. He didn't try to kill himself and was supposed to live even now as the happiest Rick in the entire multiverse. Of course, that rumor sounded too sketchy to be really true, but it made him wonder if meeting this special Morty would give you some kind of epiphany or something. Well, Rick told himself that he had nothing to lose anymore. At best he could only gain something from this and if not… well, it's not like it really mattered. Emptying another bottle, he neared a little dwarf planet on which the cult had been relocated. At one point, the Mortys who followed the cult had lived on the Citadel of Ricks – as a minority, of course, that hadn't been paid much attention to at the time – however, after they found the one that had been dubbed the One True Morty, they had moved off to this tiny planet. He began to land on a decent sized platform, which resembled a parking lot. It was mostly empty, but there were two or three other vehicles there, which looked exactly like his own. It was a little reassuring to know that he wasn't the only Rick who had come to pay the One True Morty a visit. After he got out of his space car, he walked over a little platform that led towards what must be the reception building. Inside of it, he found a few Mortys clad in brown robes bustling about. One of them, who wore pure white garbs instead, immediately approached him. "Hello, lost one. How can I help you?" he asked in a calm and quiet voice. Rick wondered if the other was currently drugged because his eyes were half lidded and the way he talked sounded pretty odd. And what was up with "lost one"? Deciding to ignore that – just like the stupid red face paint – he finally answered. "I'm here to see the One True Morty. Do I need an appointment first or is he free right now?" "Of course, you can meet him now. Please follow me." The Cult Morty murmured. Rick walked after him as he was led out of the building through another entrance and they approached what must be the main building. He studied the palace-like structure with disdain. It was made of white marble and adorned with lots of gold. The scientist sneered. This cult seemed to be just like other religions that were only after other people's money in order to gain wealth. Even if this cult was founded by Mortys. "You either charge your followers a lot or you keep running a pretty busy business." Rick commented. "Oh, our cult doesn't charge. The services of the One True Morty are all free. We keep living from the donations that we receive from the followers of the One True Morty." The Cult Morty explained, not looking offended by the other's accusations. "Donations? Really?" Rick lifted on side of his eyebrow. Looking at this grand temple made it hard to believe that that was really the case. The Morty seemed to notice Rick's disbelieve and explained further. "Yes. Some of our donors are wealthy and powerful Mortys, but we also have some Ricks who are blessing us with gifts every once in a while. This building for example had been donated by a Rick who thought that our previous housing wasn't worth for the One True Morty." Of course, Rick wouldn't be able to know, but when the Mortys had started the cult, they lived literally in a garbage dump. They had built a little makeshift hut with what they could find for the One True Morty and that had been it. This cultist had been there on the day when the generous Rick had left the humble hut and looked around the dumping grounds with new and clear eyes and then proclaimed loudly that this wasn't living conditions for anyone, especially not for the One True Morty. The donor thought that the blessed one only deserved to live in a palace that would represent the same beauty that the One True Morty represented even though no building would ever be able to come close enough to it. Rick wasn't exactly sure what to think anymore. So, a Rick had let this entire palace be built for the Morty that he was going to see now… Must have been one heck of a revelation that this guy had gotten if this was his way of saying thanks. He didn't comment further on the topic and just silently followed the boy inside the building. They walked through some hallways before the cultist stopped. "Please wait here while I inform the holy one of your arrival." With those words, Rick was momentarily left on his own. The place was eerily empty and silent. Occasionally he would see a Cult Morty scurrying through one of the corridors, but that was it. With all the white, polished marble, the place seemed also very sterile. Normally he would welcome such surroundings, but somehow he felt very uncomfortable even if the hallway that he was waiting in was lavished with carpets and a comfy-looking sofa as well as some chairs. However, he remained standing even if he had no idea how long he would be left to wait. Instinctively Rick reached into the inside of his lab coat and fished out his flask, taking one big gulp and noting sadly that this was rest. He re-pocketed his now empty flask and could only continue to wait. After what felt like hours, but could have been no more than ten minutes, the Cult Morty finally returned. "The wise one is now ready to see you." Again, the boy led the way and Rick just wordlessly followed. As they walked through the hallway, another Rick came from the opposite direction. He looked relieved and had a bright smile on his face, walking as if all the weights that life had ever put on him had been lifted. Rick only raised one side of his unibrow and wondered if he would look like that when he was going to leave, too. It was hard to believe, then again, he didn't really care that much about it. The Morty stopped in front of a doorway that was only covered by a piece of cloth, lifting it to the side and urging him inside. A funny remark was on Rick's tongue, but he kept his mouth shut and entered. He had actually halfway expected to be led into a small, darkened room that would only be lit by candles or something like that, so the bright spacious room, which had huge open windows that reached from the floor all the way to the ceiling were a little surprising. Even more surprising was the sight of the one who must be the One True Morty though. Rick really didn't have any idea what the other was supposed to look like, but since he was a Morty, he figured that he would look like—well, just another Morty, of course. The boy on the other end of the room was certainly a Morty – he had the round face and round eyes – but instead of the pubescent boys that he was so used to see, this one looked more like a grownup or at least like an adolescent that was far older than just fourteen. He was clad in white robes that were open in the front, revealing a defined chest and a six-pack as well as a strong, long neck. Instead of the short brown curls that awkwardly adorned his grandson's head, the OTM had a Mohawk. Shockingly his left arm was replaced with a mechanical one. It looked like an intricate piece of art and was made out of gold. Rick was immediately reminded of the "Golden Touch" that he had heard about in rumors. The oddest thing about this boy was the golden light that was surrounding him. The scientist would have been convinced that it was just a set up for ambience and the light came actually from somewhere else and just shone on him if his eyes weren't radiating a bright light of the same color. "Please come closer, Rick." The One True Morty spoke. His voice was calm, but thankfully sounded more normal than that of the cultist from before and his friendly gaze was also not weirding Rick out as much. Finally getting out of his rigidity – he hadn't even noticed that he had just frozen up on the spot and staring – Rick approached the other. As the Morty motioned to a floor pillow in front of him, the older man took a seat. "I-I heard about other Ricks who came here." Rick started the conversation a bit awkwardly. "So, I decided to give it a shot, too, I uh guess…" "I know why you are here, Rick." The other replied, still with the same calm voice and friendly expression on his face. "Oh, you do?" the scientist's brow lifted in equal surprise and disbelieve. "Then we can just cut the chitchat and go over to you doing your magic number or whatever it is you do." The Morty closed his eyes and regret was edged into his features now. "There is no "magic trick". And I cannot cure what you have. I know that it is not what you want to hear, but your quickly nearing death is unavoidable." Rick's face fell and he was surprised that his opposite knew about that. "Yeah, I figured that much already." "But that was not the reason for why you came here anyway." The other continued. "No, it isn't." The scientist agreed. "I'm here to clear up my conscience or-or something like that. I guess." "Why do you think that you need to do that?" Rick's mouth formed a thin line. He didn't like that this started to sound like some kind of therapy session. But then again, this was what it was and he knew that before he came. "Well, I guess I don't really have to tell you that. Especially not to a Morty. It's pretty obvious, isn't it? I mean, I'm a Rick!" "You Ricks do not want to believe in the afterlife, yet you fear that you might end up in hell for the things that you have done in your lifetime." The One True Morty summed up. "And while it is true that you may have committed many sins, your self-flagellation is pointless. For all the things that you Ricks do, you are not monsters." "Not monsters?!" Rick sat up straighter. "You've got to be kidding me! I-I-I knew this one Rick for example. He—he and his Morty once got stuck in a collapsed cave and do you know what he did? He survived by eating his Morty. He ate his own grandson! So you can't tell me that Ricks aren't monsters!!" "That was merely out of self-preservation. I do believe that his Morty would have done the same if they would have chosen for the Rick to become the sacrifice." The One True Morty looked unfazed by what he had been just told. Then he asked as if Rick's outburst had never happened, "Just why are you afraid of something that you do not believe in?" The scientist's mouth fell open and he stared for a moment with wide eyes at the out-of-this-world boy. "I… urgh. You're right. This is stupid. I shouldn't have come here." Rick got up and was about to leave. "And now you want to run away like a coward? Have you not done this your whole life already? I had the impression that you came here because you decided to stop running." The old man halted as One True Morty continued. "Obviously, you did not really come here just to confess. And this also is not about you being worried about going to hell." "No." Rick turned back around again. "Your nihilism is the only problem here. The fact that nothing matters, not even your impending death." For a moment, they just looked at each other before the elder sighed and took a seat on the pillow again. The talk wasn't over yet. "I must inform you that I cannot help you with that issue." Rick opened his mouth to reply, but the Morty lifted his mechanical arm and continued before he could say a word. "I simply am the wrong person for you to talk to. However, I can help you smooth the way so you can receive what you are searching for." As if the words weren't confusing enough for the scientist already, the actions that came from the One True Morty afterwards were even more so. The boy leaned forward and his mechanical arm reached out to touch Rick's shoulder. It didn't just stop there because the scientist was suddenly pulled forward as the Morty's other arm reached around him. Rick found himself suddenly in a hug and on top of that, the One True Morty moved his head forward to give him a kiss on the forehead. A weird, warm feeling spread through Rick and he wasn't sure if it came from the touch of the mechanical arm, or the other's golden aura or was it just from being hugged by a Morty – he had no idea why or what it was! Soon, he was released from the embrace again and the One True Morty grabbed a paper and a pen that laid by his side and began to write something on it. Rick was still frozen on the spot, stuck in some kind of trance-like state almost and only was ripped out of it after the boy had finished writing and handed the note to him. Dumbfounded he looked at the folded piece of paper. "Fly home now, Rick, and give this to your Morty." Rick finally took the paper, curious as to what was written on it, but not daring to look at it. He had a feeling that he was not supposed to see it since it was written from one Morty to another and while he usually wouldn't care about something like that and also didn't believe in superstitions, he was sure that something bad would happen if he did. So, he just pocketed the small slip of paper and stood up. The One True Morty smiled at him and wished him a save travel. Rick didn't reply, still feeling confused and whatever it was what the other had done to him when he touched him. As he passed through the hallways back towards where he had parked his space cruiser, he slowly came out of his daze and finally took notice of his surroundings. The white marble walls looked beautiful and bright and he hadn't noticed before that there were some patterns on them. On the outside, it was even more beautiful. The air was warm and crisp, the sun shone gently and the sounds of singing birds and an occasional breeze could be heard. For some reason he felt lighter as he walked with a much straighter posture and while he may not have noticed it himself, he wore a small smile on his face. The mood that he was in didn't falter on his way home and the thought of dying soon wasn't as dreading as it was before. Rick had always hated having to face his own mortality. Even if he always acted as if nothing mattered because if someone precious to him died, he could just move to another dimension where they were still alive, he always hated thinking about his own end – no matter how unavoidable that was. After all, he lived a dangerous life-style. Not only the adventures and battles against all sorts of alien mercenaries and intergalactic governments, but also his habit of abusing alcohol and other drugs. Yet, while it may seem to onlookers that he was suicidal, he clung to life like a beast. Even knowing that it was all in vain and would eventually amount up to nothing, he kept on fighting against death for as long and as hard as was possible for an almost god-like human. Of course, he knew that it would make no difference how long he stayed around or even if he had been born at all. Ricks died all the time out there in other dimensions and he'd once visited one in which he never even came to exist. The universe doesn't care about such things. It will continued to exist and expand whether Rick was around or not. It had done so for millions of years and will continue to do it for millions of years more. That thought had made him miserable for such a long time and he actually loathed the universe for it, trying to plunder it and show it his middle finger as often as he could. He took it for a ride and tried to hold on as long as he could, but the universe would always throw him off again in the end. And yet, as he looked at all the stars, solar systems and asteroids that he zipped past on his way home, he couldn't hate it. He admired its beauty, looking at it with the same eyes that his grandson had looked at it the first time that he had taken him out to space. Morty. He needed to see his grandson. The little dork that he constantly treated like a pet or accessory. Rick knew that he was a bad grandfather for always dragging the brunet on dangerous adventures, abusing him for his own selfish whims and on top of that treating him like shit. He had never said how much he loved his grandson, how much he enjoyed his company, how flattered he was by his cute little hero worship or how proud of him he was when the boy showed that he had learned a thing or two from him whether it was something about his inventions or about aliens. While Rick wasn't one for bonding – at least not openly, at the risk of others mocking him for it – maybe now that his end was near was a good time to make up for it and tell him. However, first he should give him the note. Rick still wanted to know what the One True Morty had written, but he resisted the temptation. For some odd reason he was sure that all of his happiness – as little and as fleeting as it may be – would be ripped away from him if he even so much as peeked at it. He landed the ship in the driveway and entered the house through the open garage door. On the workbench laid a half-finished device that he had tried to tinker with before he gave up in frustration and sallied to the dwarf planet on which the One True Morty was located. He sunk into his swivel chair and looked at the wires, screws and other pieces that were strewn around. Out of habit, he reached into his lab coat and retrieved his flask, unscrewing the cap and guiding the bottleneck to his lips before remembering that it was empty. Now that he was back, he could actually refill it. Rick did have a small fridge installed in one of the shelves where he stored some emergency spirits. Instead of swiveling over to get it, he just placed the empty flask on a free space of the workbench and ignored it. "Hey, Rick. You're back." A round head with brown curly locks peeked inside the garage. Warmth flooded Rick's chest at hearing and seeing the boy and he couldn't help the sad smile that sprouted on his face. "Hey, Morty." He softly replied instead of making a comment how the boy had just stated the obvious. "Is something wrong, Rick?" Morty worried a little at seeing the unusual facial expression on his grandfather's face. "Kind of. But it's not really important." Rick replied, but his features didn't change. "I have something for you." He reached into his lab coat and pulled out the piece of paper. The brunet looked at the note in confusion before he accepted, unfolded and then began to read it. Whatever was written on it couldn't have been very long because he was finished in a matter of seconds. Morty looked stunned before he turned his gaze back to Rick and looked at him oddly for a moment. Then he suddenly hugged him, the piece of paper falling onto the ground. Only the words 'Please forgive him.' were written on it in golden ink. Yet it seemed as if there was written so much more than just that small, simple sentence. "I love you, Grandpa Rick." Morty said and hugged him as if it was the last time that they'd see each other. And maybe it was. Not that his grandson would know since Rick hadn't told anyone about his illness. Even if he wasn't entirely sure how much time he still had, he was sure that it wasn't much. The scientist was stunned by his grandson's actions at first and tears began to well up in his eyes. He returned the hug, but despite the fact that he had started to cry, he was smiling. Rick felt that it was much easier to accept his death now. He knew now that he had been truly loved in his life. And even more, he knew now that he mattered. Even if it was only to his Morty, Rick had mattered.

AN: Although I had this laying around for a while because it felt off and I wanted to fix it, I still wasn't quite able to figure out what exactly is wrong with it. So, since I'm running out of stuff to post, you get it in this form even though I'm not quite happy with how it turned out…

#rick and morty #ram #rnm #rick #morty #one true morty #mentions of character death #angst #mortyism cult #platonic love #hopesfanfictions #fanfic #fanfiction

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lifestainedpages · 5 years

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“Thanks for having me over Vee!” Talia glanced around at the spacious accommodation Venessa lived in. “Your house is amazing... It’s sooo big.”

“It’s not much really. It needs a lot of work but it’ll do for now. My pay isn’t too bad thankfully!” The two took a seat on her sofa and Venessa began to talk about some of her latest gigs. Talia felt a pang of jealousy at the fact that she couldn’t invite anyone over to her little hut on the hill. The neighbours probably looked on in disgust and as soon as the paparazzi found out she was living in a hut in the Pinnacles they’d have a field day for sure. What had she done purchasing such a lot? Ambitions too big for her boots.. and her pockets. How was she ever going to pay back the loan and expand her tiny living space? She didn’t even have a bathroom... “Talia?”

“Huh? Oh, sorry. My mind wandered a little there.”

“That’s ok. Something you want to talk about?”

“Errr, no it’s ok-”

“Come on Talia, something is on your mind.”

“I’m just a little envious of your house and then I got to thinking about how the money just isn’t coming in fast enough... I think I made a mistake... I- I sound like a complete whinge-bag, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. You set your sights high, Talia, just like the rest of us! It won’t happen overnight and I know that your little house must be driving you up the wall right now but things will get better.”

“I know. It’s just the promotions at work don’t seem to be coming fast enough and the tips from playing at the Orchid are great but they only really pay for my groceries a few times a week, you know. I have a 35,000 simolean debt to pay off and I need a bigger house to live... Izzy suggested getting myself online for the fame which I can only hope will bring in some money too but I’d have to spend money in the first place... I just feel stuck, Vee.”

#simblr #sims 4 #sims 4 legacy #shawlegacy #gen1

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heroquills-a · 5 years

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🏠 (i imagine it being all messy lmao)

🏠 - What does their living space look like?

ooon the contrary, you’d be quite surprised. i did do a post about this in the past, i think, regarding what sonic’s place looks like. but some aspects have changed since then but it still generally has the same layout?

so sonic and tails live together in green hill zone. there’s this decent, big sturdy tree they found among several other trees that they decided to construct into a tree house of sorts with a bit of a modern twist to it.

so imagine something like

just with a tropical setting instead of a cabin aesthetic. it’s more like a hut, kinda.

anyway it’s relatively cozy, especially the den/livingroom area- which is actually nestled inside a hollow part of the tree. it’s got a real nice, tropical rainforest feel to it. its small but spacious, and the general area is decently hidden unless you really know what to look for. tails also set up a security system just in case, but honestly it’s one of the safest places you could be.

in terms of living conditions, there really isn’t a whole lot in the place? in fact i’d say the messiest part of the house would actually be tails room/lab/workshop to be honest. and they have a tiny bot that tails built which is basically a modified roomba with the personality of one of those ali vector robots and it basically helps maintain the place while they are away (and kinda works as an assistant for tails.)

but,, yeah sonic’s room is honestly really tidy because he keeps most things in his closet and doesn’t really have much else to keep in his room besides a bed, a nightstand, a dresser and his guitar. there might be some clothes left on the floor but eventually either sonic takes care if buzzert doesn’t get to it first lmao.

second messiest part of the house would probably be the den if only because thats usually where tails and sonic hang out if they’re just chilling & what not, playing videogames or watching tv or something lmao. but yeah.

this place kinda doubles as their base since tails set up so many systems and tricked the heck out of the place to make sure they’d be well protected and eggman wouldn’t discover them.

more under the cut + some diagrams to give a vague idea of what the layout is

so here’s the overall layout of the place (please excuse the shitty sketch lmao i am not an interior designer)

couple things to note;

they use the balcony as their front door more often than not because tails can fly and sonic can run up walls/platforms and its easy to access if you have special powers so, yeah

which is funny because it’s not technically their front door, its just a balcony/platform. their front door is really that secret entrance you see but they like never use it honestly akfjhfgh. that’ll be the one a normal person would probably use

in the den there’s two couches that kinda face eachother and create this little lounging space and they have a big flat screen + rad gaming & movie set up in there which is the main source of entertainment if theyre hanging out. but there’s also some cupboards and stuff for various toiletries and housing items and what have you.

tails’ workshop has two different levels. upstairs (which connects to the bridge to the rest of the place) is the lab for researching/programming/what have you, downstairs is the workshop for building stuff.

secondly, here’s what sonic’s room looks like specifically in terms of layout

his bed is a modified hammock. it rests at about waist level, like any other bed and is lined with a lot of plush padding & pillows and kinda gently slopes in towards the center (esp if he’s laying down in it). it’s actually really comfortable and ideal, almost like a little nest.

it sits next to a window that he typically leaves open because he loves feeling the breeze brush through his room and listening to the night sounds of green hill. its usually very peaceful. even during the day. (unless of course there’s a storm or something lmao.)

next to his bed is just a simple little night stand that has some discarded stuff on it, like a water bottle and maybe some snack wrappers or fliers he’s collected on his travels that advertise events around the world to check out. there’s also a lamp, and he usually sets his phone on it too.

the dresser is kinda where he stuffs what clothes he does have. there’s really not a whole lot in there but yeah there’s some things. whats more prominent is that there’s a few picture frames sitting ontop the dresser one of him and tails, one of him, tails, knuckles and amy, and then an older one of his family back on christmas island before jules passed away.

sonic keeps basically everything else in his closet. though recently he’s taken his guitar out and has it sitting out in the open now so that it’ll remind him to use it more often these days.

there’s definitely some plants in his room too, because he wanted to maintain that nature aesthetic. he’s got some flowers & vine plants growing in there, the vine plants’ pots hang from the ceiling and their tendrils grow along the ceiling and along the walls a little bit.

yeah i think that’s basically it, if i think of any more things i’ll probably add it to this post later but yeah thats what sonic’s living conditions are like. besides, still having nomadic tendencies and sleeping in random spots where-ever when he’s not here.

#🌀 — i just only have a steadfast heart of gold. ❪ headcanons. ❫#long post #whew #gomxmusemasterlist #asks

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fantasyelffanfic · 6 years

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Star Wars - Thief in the Darkness - Chapter 5 - Kylo Ren/OC fanfiction

Chapter 5

-o-o-o-

" Even against all odds and all logic... we still hope."

-o-o-

I was dreaming. Trapped in that light place between wake and sleep. Not quite a memory, but yet not quite an hallucination of the mind. The world around me was a blur, details only become known to me when I focussed on them. The rest was like a soup of fog and mystery. I felt no pain and no sensations. There was no wind, no heat or coldness. Just me and the visions that played out before my eyes.

I was there again. A moment in the past that I wished to never revisit again. Everything was as I remembered it, it was all the same. The same dirty barren hut that I'd once called a home. The same childlike fear that made me want to hide. The same drunken brute of the man who had once been my own flesh and blood.

"Father, please. I won't do it again, I swear," I pleaded. I recognised my own voice, but it was different, an echo of my younger self, filled with youth and innocence.

The man that advanced from the shadows was as I remembered him. Huge and broad, carrying a strength about him that was intimidating to any tiny child. With clenched fists, he loomed over my knelt form, breathing harshly. The fury in his eyes burned me. Lucid with hatred.

For me...

There were no words needed from him. There was no escaping the fate I knew which was coming. He grabbed at the clothing that covered my skinny shape and pulled. With ease, he began to drag me towards the corner of the room, where a small cupboard sat hidden below the staircase. The coal hatch. Its door was small, barely large enough to get a dog inside.

"No, father! Please, no!" I struggled like a wild animal, kicking and biting at him to have mercy on me. Tears burned a scalding path down my dirty cheeks.

I did not stand a chance against his brawn. He pushed me into the small opening. The lack of light inside sent me into a blind panic. Soot and dust choked my airways as I cried. The space was so narrow, I could barely move. The walls seemed to close in around me and my throat began to close up with it in fear.

"No!" I lashed out with my foot to try and prevent the door from closing, but it was no use. The last I saw before the blackness engulfed me was my fathers sneering face.

My eyes flashed open. My lids were sluggish and heavy as though weighted down. Blinding light burned my retinas as I blinked up at the ceiling. I took a second to gather my senses, breathing deeply.

My head lolled to the side and I became aware of the room around me. I was in a cell of sorts. It was a circular shape. Its walls were like molten liquid, rippling a soft golden hue. An energy shield. I rose to my feet and glanced around the area. The room was spacious but rather empty, save for the occasional cell that lined one side of it. In front of me was a large set of sliding doors. Guarding them were two armed stormtroopers garbed in their familiar white armour.

Events of what happened in the forest flew across my mind. Of the attack from the First Order. Rey. The masked man in black. It slowly began to sink in and with it my predicament.

I'd been taken hostage.

I paced within my prison like a caged beast. Whenever I moved too close to the edge of the cell its energy would prickle at my skin. I could feel its heady thrum; an unspoken warning that it would be wise not to touch it.

"Where am I?" I called to one of the troopers, who gave no response. I sighed and rubbed my face in frustration. "Are you deaf? Where is your leader? I want to see them."

The doors behind them swung open with a loud whoosh. On the other side stood a man. He was human, lanky in frame and wore a dark-suited uniform. His hair was like pale straw and slicked over in a military fashion.

His icy blue eyes found me and within them I saw cruelty and malice. I instantly knew he was an asshole. There was a hungry, starved look about him. There was no sign of kindness or joy in him anywhere.

He strode into the room and paused before my cell, looking me over. His eyes trailed down my form, from my booted feet, up to my face and back again. He grimaced with what I could only describe as disgust. I felt a sense of violation, dirtied by his perusal. Like I was a thing, not a human being.

I glared at him in return and rotated on the spot, holding my arms out. "What's wrong? Have you never seen a woman before?"

The man slid his arms behind his back, squaring his shoulders. Clearly he was someone of great importance; of high power and influence.

He gave me a derisive sneer.

"So, you are the one who attacked my men?" He shook his head in mockery. "You're nothing but a child."

"Why don't you step into my office?" I beckoned to him, goading him, "I'll make you cry like one."

His hawk-like nose twitched and his nostrils flared. It was obvious that he didn't appreciate me talking back to him. He was a man who favoured obedience and submission.

"I'll have you beaten for your insolence," he retorted with the confidence of a snake.

"Fuck you." I countered.

The two troopers behind him lurched forward, blasters at the ready and pointed at me. He gave a mirthless laugh, "Do you not know who I am?"

I gave him a brief look-over with disinterest. I couldn't have given a tiny rats ass who he was. To me he was nothing more than a captor.

"I am General Hux," he began, straightening his back with pride, "General and High Commanding officer to the First Order and Supreme Leader Snoke."

An awkward silence followed.

I lifted a brow up at him, "Oh, I'm sorry. Am I suppose to know who that is?"

General Hux smiled, though there was nothing pleasant or warm about it. "You will do, in due course."

"What do you want from me?" I asked with a roll of my eyes, bored with the frivolities. "Where am I?"

Hux threw out his long arms as though in welcome, "Why, my dear, you are at the First Order's headquarters. The Starkiller." Something akin to fear must have shown across my face, for his own expression grew sly. Calculating.

"I won't tell you anything." I declared, quietly but surely.

"Oh, but you shall," General Hux purred coldly, "And once we get the information we need, you won't be necessary anymore. You and your scavenger friend will die."

That had my attention instantly. I shot forward a step and stared hard at his annoying smirking features.

"Where is she? Where's Rey?" I growled at him, "What have you done to her?!"

"She's alive and well," he replied slyly, "for now."

"I swear," I leaned closer, a whisper of a threat upon my tongue. "If you touch her, I will personally smash your face in so hard you'll be shitting your teeth out."

Hux lifted a pale brow and shook his head at me. His eyes were intense upon my face, something unpleasant crept across their brightness, making me shudder in revulsion.

"I will enjoy teaching you the errors of your ways... Count on it."

I fell silent. The threat behind his words held a promise. Not just of violence, but of something more sinister. I could feel it in the way the atmosphere crackled unpleasantly, humming with a charge that made me extremely uncomfortable.

"I have a feeling we'll be seeing each other often." He smiled at me, his thin lips tilting in a way that made my confidence diminish. With nothing else to say he turned away and began to walk out of the door.

I watched him go. A mixture of helplessness and dread settled in my belly. Now that I knew my location it gave me no comfort. Rey was here somewhere, trapped in this hell with me. I had no idea if she was safe or even alive.

I cast a glance at the two troopers standing post by the door. They paid me no attention, which I was glad for. I wandered around my cell. There were no windows and no other entrances to get in or out of the room. There was no chance of escape, not without getting my ass singed by the energy shield surrounding me.

A single sobering thought hit me. If we stayed here, inevitably, we were going to die. Once the Order had what they needed, they would dispose of us.

I sighed and silently prayed that someone would come for us. Han Solo. Finn.

Anyone...

A motion from the corner of the room caught my attention. A shadow lurked within the darkness, lingering and reticent. It moved, stretching out into a long black form with wide shoulders.

"Who's there?" I called out to them, "Show yourself."

There was a pause. A moment of hesitation before the person glided forward into the light. My eyes drifted over that familiar black mask. The midnight cloak that trailed against a set of darker boots.

It was him. The masked man from the forest.

Though I could not see his eyes, I could feel the intensity of his stare. Eerily observant. Had he been here the entire time? Had he been an audience to my exchange with General Hux just now? Worse still... Had he been there even when I was laid upon the floor unconscious? Vulnerable and defenseless.

"You." I stated, turning my body to fully face him. "Who are you?...Where is Rey?"

He offered me no reply. Instead, he waited there quietly, like a spectre in a graveyard. I couldn't even hear his breathing or see the motions of his chest as he inhaled. It was unnerving.

He made me uneasy, I realised. My eyes kept dropping from him, nervously. I swallowed a lump in my throat. I thought back to our meeting in the forest and of the immense power he'd shown.

I hesitated and then finally found my voice to speak. "Have you come to interrogate me?" I asked.

I searched my brain, trying to think of something to say, trying to think of a plan of action. I was at the Order's mercy and had been taken for a reason. I had to try and use that reason against them. It's what had kept us alive, thus far.

"You want to know about the map? Let's bargain." I nodded to him, stepping to within inches of the cell barrier. "I'll tell you what you want to know. But..." I began slowly, finding the courage to lift my head and stare at the place where his eyes would be. "If you hurt Rey, you will get nothing fro-"

"You don't know anything about the map," came his muffled voice from behind the mask. Sure and oddly soft. Deadly.

My mouth fell open, stunned. How did he know that? It was true. Though I was aware of the existence of the map, I had not personally seen it. I knew nothing about the missing Jedi Master, Luke Skywalker. Or his location. Declaring that I had was my last playing card to deal. Yet the masked stranger before me had called my bluff.

But how had he known?

Then it clicked. He could read thoughts and memories, of course he would know! How could I have been so stupid!

"If you already knew that then why are you here?" I said, shuffling my position slightly to try and hide my anxiety. "What do you want from me?"

His powerful fingers lifted and tugged at the leather of his glove in a lazy manner. It was such a small movement, graceful and innocent. I couldn't look away from them. They were beautiful hands, strong and yet capable of many things. Evil things.

I took a step back in caution and he seemed to notice it.

"You're afraid." It wasn't a question. More like a statement. A fact declared. His tone never changed, but there was something within it that made me feel like a mouse standing before a lion.

"No." I bit out through clenched teeth. "I do not fear cowards."

"You feared your father."

What the f...

Ice and fire flashed down my spine. My eyes widened, blazing with fury. I shot forward, wishing with all my might that I could reach across the space between us and claw at him.

"How dare you mention my father!" I shouted. "You know nothing about me. You have no right to know those things, it's none of your business. So stay out of my head!"

A muffled chuckle came from him, barely heard, but there nonetheless. "Did I touch a nerve?"

I spun away from him, hating the fact he was knocking a chink in my armour of resolve. I was shaking and I could feel my shoulders tightening like a bowstring. He was baiting me. Playing mind games. Trying to break my spirit down and use my weaknesses as his tool.

I hated him with every fibre of my being.

My own heavy breathing surrounded me. I could feel his eyes upon my back. I refused to face him. I was done with this conversation, with him and the First Order. I would give them nothing.

I heard him move away, striding towards the doors. They slid open and he was almost passing across the threshold when I began to speak...

"You're going to fail," I whispered. A taunt. A promise.

"Am I?"

"Yes." I nodded, feeling surer than ever. Confidence gave my voice flight across the room to him. "People like you always fail."

He said nothing. He left without saying a single word. The oppressive heaviness of the atmosphere dissipated into an eerie silence. I was left alone once again with my fears, my thoughts, and my determination.

After all that happened since leaving Jakku, I had to have courage. I would survive this. I vowed it.

They would not win...

#kylo ren #kylo ren x reader #kylo ren x oc #fanfic #romance #star wars #the force awakens #reylo #armitage hux #armitage hux x oc #kylo ren/ben solo #kylo ren/reader #kylo ren/oc #kylo ren x rey

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kirukkals · 5 years

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GEORGIA - The little Europe!

When I mention Georgia, not many people living outside the middle east have even heard of this tiny beautiful country. It borders Russia, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and just about 3 hrs flying from UAE. This was on the cards right from 2016 as a quick getaway holiday place. It happened now in Jan 2019 and we never imagined it would be another different experience all together.

Two reasons we chose Georgia - small country close to UAE which meant 3 to 4 days would do, and this time of the season would mean experiencing snow. We did a 3 day trip but I wish I had another couple of days to explore all parts of the country. Our friends had just been to the place for over a week, so we took their advice, booked ourselves the same guide for the entire 3 days.

We landed early morning in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. We headed west to Bakuriani, in search of some snow and were not let down. It was my first time to see an entire city covered with snow. Houses, fir trees, cars buried in snow, white roads and it felt like we were a part of a Christmas fairy tale movie. Our hotel apartment had a beautiful mountain view where all the Christmas trees were covered with snow.

Then of course, we did all the things that someone who has barely seen snow does, throwing snow ball at each other and attempting a snow man but what came out was infact a snow witch. We even tried sledging in steep slopes. Skipped the skiing, partly coz we were already tired after these games. It was freezing and though we had jackets and caps, it was too windy and cold. We weren't prepared with the right footwear, thought we could rent them, there was no such option and had to manage with ours. The first night we stayed in Bakuriani and experienced heavy snowfall. The entire night it rained snow. And WOW! The next morning, I couldn't take my eyes off the mesmerising mountain view. Nature is truly wonderful.

The next morning we wanted to do the Bakuriani to Borjomi train journey. So when our guide dropped us at a place, it didn't look a bit like station and all of a sudden a real sized train emerged from the corner. Only after the train arrived, did we notice that the place had tracks, had a platform that was hidden and a station exists and it was covered with a blanket of fresh snow. This train, with just 3 coaches, lazily covers 37kms in 2.5 hrs, just the right thing to do first up on a holiday morning. The train journey was absolutely snow scenic. We passed through snow forests, villages with colourful huts covered with snow, distant snow capped mountains and I could go on & on about the snow! If you have watched The Polar Express movie, you will know what I am talking about. Borjomi is yet another beautiful little town which is popular for its mineral rich water. We did a quadro bike ride in the Borjomi park which took us deep into the snow forest, middle of nowhere and white and blue were the only covers. That evening we moved to Tbilisi, the town centre.

Now, our guide Sukho is a Georgian, a proud native and he thoroughly enjoys explaining the richness of his country. All the 3 days that he showed us around, he made sure we appreciated the history behind the place. He was very helpful, open, good natured, friendly, humorous and all that. But what I could not stop noticing was that how much he enjoyed portraying his country and its culture to all other people. He is a good singer, a guitarist, worked earlier in media and quit his regular job to do what he likes the most.

Now you might even wonder why I am writing so much about him in my travel blog. We felt good to have had a guide who is a local. That way, we got to learn a lot about their way of life, food, festivities, history, culture, languages, their music, and so on. Can you imagine that Georgian music recorded on a golden disc and sent on the Voyager into space?! UNESCO has termed one of their writings as an ancient one?! Pagan was their religion and Christianity came in much later?! Their territory is still unstable and they had a war as recent as 2008?! They have been invaded over and over that they are always ready for a war?! Well, this and a lot more inside info is possible only with a native guide. That too a proud one! I definitely don't regret being an Indian, but at the same time I might not be a proud one. But looking at such people, I feel I should try to be more appreciative of my own culture and country and propagate it better to people around me. So, I started with Sukho himself and told him to visit India someday soon!

Getting back to the places, we visited the Uplistshike cave town which lies near the Gori city. The cave town is an amazing place to visit if you like to see and hear about ancient history. Made out of sandstone many centuries back, it still stands out as a massive structure on that mountain. We got some climbing to do and it was a windy place. The hill town has seen many great rulers, influencial queens, successful clay pot wine making, pagan worship, sun god worship, back to back invasions, it has been burnt down a few times and reconstructed, Christianity started taking form, and so on. The prison, fireplaces of common people, rulers main hall, pharmacy and many such spots are still seen. It takes us back to that age to imagine people would have lived there and walked the sandstone steps. The highlight was the secret tunnel through which they escaped during war. Easy steps are now built for us to pass through, but to think that people used that way to get out to the fast flowing river and escape, it is all quite incredible. What an easy, comfortable, modern life we live in today!

Gori in itself looked like a city that has been in and out of war many times. Burnt down structures, isolated houses, and the winter trees gave an eerie war feel to it. When mentioning this to our guide, he briefed us about the prevailing unstable conditions and the war that took place in 2008 between Georgia and the separatists with Russian backing. It is terrible to hear about such war in the 21st century. Joseph Stalin the great communist leader was born here in Gori. And on the way, we saw a few refugee camps, neatly built row houses with basic amenities given by the Georgian government. And to mention again, felt the sincere patriotism in our guide who said every Georgian will fight till his last breath to save his territory and culture.

Mtskheta is a beautiful old town with shops lined up showcasing the artisans work. Local sweets made out of walnuts, hazelnuts, honey, apples, pomegranates etc are mouth watering delicacies. Georgian salt and pepper tastes unique, similar to our Indian spices and could make a good seasoning for salads and soups. Honey is also a popular product being sold there. Georgia's main export is wine. Woollen clothes and art on clay wine pots are not to be missed. The cathedral in Mtskheta and Jvari Monastery are historical buildings. The belief is that the sacred robe of Jesus, the one that covered him during his crucifixion, is buried there. The winding roads up the hill to Jvari is a beautiful drive.

In Tbilisi, we stayed right at the city centre. Freedom Square is a popular happening place in the city and Hotel Marriott stands facing this. Well, being a budget trip (always!), we stayed in a small hotel apartment just behind the Marriott. All Seasons Hotel had a spacious comfortable room, neatly done. For the location, room, and breakfast, the rent was very less. Just like in the European cities, we saw cobblestone streets, freelance music bands, people wining and dining merrily. Because Romans & Greeks lived there ages back, we see a lot of their influence in the architecture.

The other attractions in the heart of the Tbilisi city are the Bridge of Peace, Roman bath, waterfalls, Narikala fortress, river cruise and the St. Trinity church which is the modern day construction. Georgians celebrate Christmas on Jan 7th and walking around on the eve helped to see the colourful city. The city was lit up and it was a festive mood all around.

For the very short time that we had, we could only cover so much. Still, it is a very memorable holiday which will be cherished.

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accuhunt · 7 years

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Dreamy Airbnbs to Experience Europe Like a Local.

As a travel blogger constantly on the lookout for authentic experiences, I often wonder if the romance of travelling to Europe is somewhat fading away. The internet is saturated with travel recommendations, and even places that promise to be offbeat have succumbed to the masses. It’s no wonder that the residents of places like Venice, Mallorca and Barcelona are protesting against the mass influx of tourists.

I was conflicted about extending my stay in Europe on a few trips in the past, but my recent travels in Slovenia, Germany, Austria and Bosnia and Herzegovina, made me realize that Europe – as anywhere else in the world – is a continent with many layers and many untold stories. Stories that even seasoned travellers often overlook.

If you ask me, the key to unravelling some of its layers is spending time getting to know the locals, many of who opened up their homes (and hearts) to me: the Slovenian family who invited me to join their traditional Sunday lunch with herbs and veggies sourced from their organic garden; the architect couple who asked me to join them on a roadtrip to their favorite spots along Istrian Croatia and showed me the forests where they collect wild asparagus and mushrooms; the Bosnian friend who broke down at the memory of his brother’s death in the war and lamented about the struggles of unemployment in Bosnia… then insisted on paying for my dinner.

Staying with local hosts in Airbnbs across the European countryside has made me shed some of my pre-conceived notions of Europe – and afforded me a chance to experience the traditional way of life, discover interesting neighbourhood hangouts, sample delicious local, organic food, and cycle amid pristine natural beauty.

Not on Airbnb yet? Sign up with my referral to get 18$ off your first stay.

Based on the last four years of travelling, these are my favorite experiential Airbnbs in Italy, Germany, Austria, Georgia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Slovenia and Croatia – many of them under 100 Euros a night:

Burmesterhaus: Berchtesgaden, Germany

Mt Watzmann from my window ❤

Originally built in the 1860s with a view of the stunning Bavarian Alps, Burmesterhaus has been aesthetically restored by a Finnish couple who now call these mountains home. I quickly fell in love with the modern penthouse on the top floor with a view of the snow-hooded Mount Watzmann, and enjoyed hiking through Berchtesgaden National Park, home to surreal alpine lakes and tiny, picturesque villages. But what I loved more was chatting with my host Marketta, on cold winter evenings, in the charming, cozy library, over a cup of tea, hearing stories of life (and how it’s changed) in this unique part of Germany.

US$ 72 (INR ) per night ; http://ift.tt/2yANnkQ

Read: First Time to Germany? Practical Tips to Plan Your Travels

Wine Cellar Fabrka: Ljubljana, Slovenia

*checking for hangover!*

One of the coolest beds I’ve slept in this year – in a wine barrel in the basement of a 300-year-old building in Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia! This creative apartment, designed to look like a wine cellar, is furnished with old wine artefacts and even contains a draught wine tap at the side of the bed – you know, just incase you get thirsty at night Jokes aside, my hostess Jolanda gave me some rather unique tips to explore Ljubljana and rural Slovenia.

US$ 60 (INR ) per night ; http://ift.tt/2g1m8ZG

Read: Culturally Intriguing Ways to Experience Europe

Apartment Pina: Motovun, Croatia

Traditional and classy – my abode in Istrian Croatia. Photo via Airbnb.

I spent my first four hours in Croatia chatting with Olja and Milan over wine like old friends do. My Bosnian hosts call the Istrian hill town of Motovun home – and their warmth convinced me to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina the following week! As architects with a special interest in restoring old buildings, Olja and Milan have transformed their traditional stone house, which is atleast 400 years old, into the most charming apartment while retaining the antique elements of the house. I spent many afternoons sitting by the window above the cobblestoned streets, listening to Mozart on the record-player, and writing or reading or thinking.

Somewhat stranded without a car, they invited me for a road trip to nearby villages, showing me places that feature in their everyday life – the olive farmer from who they collect freshly harvested olive oil, the forests where they go to pick wild asparagus, and their favourite restaurant with a stunning view of the Istrian countryside, with olive groves stretching to the horizon!

US$ 68 (INR ) ; http://ift.tt/2yzKnoM

Read: How Croatia Compelled Me to Rethink Travel Blogging

Pile dwelling: Bosanska Krupa, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Living on stilts above the River Una. Photo via Airbnb.

If I’m completely honest, I was a bit wary of venturing solo into the countryside of Bosnia and Herzegovina after some of the things I read online – like it’s advisable to not stray off the beaten path for there are still many undiscovered land mines from the war. Luckily for me, my sweet host family in the lesser known town of Bosanska Krupa – home to the unique Una River with river islands scattered all along its length – alleviated all my fears. I loved my traditional handmade wooden hut, built on stilts like an old fishing hut, complete with a traditional water mill to power it. Even more, I loved hiking along the emerald blue river, discovering hidden waterfalls and wildflower meadows with my Bosnian hostess; she spoke little English and I spoke little Bosnian, but sometimes you don’t need words to forge a friendship.

US$ 48 (INR ) per night ; http://ift.tt/2g1rog5

Read: Why Long Term Travel is More Like Real Life and Less Like Instagram

Alpegg Chalets: Tyrol, Austria

Sunset above the Alpine wooden chalets. Photo via Airbnb.

Some experiences are worth splurging on. Like the traditionally built wooden chalet overlooking the snow-covered Kitzbuehlen Alps on one side and Europe’s largest dry coral reef on the other, with a private sauna and organic garden. Over dinner, almdudler (a popular Austrian drink made of lemon and wild mountain herbs) and casual banter with my Tirolean hosts Corrine and Rolando, I felt less like a guest and more like an old friend. On my last evening, after jumping and swimming in Alpine waterfalls that were 8 degrees cold, I sat in the hot sauna with a view of the Alps and only one thought in my head: this is what real luxury is like – eco-friendly, traditional and experiential.

US$ 369 (INR ) per night ; http://ift.tt/2g0MmM3

Read: An Open Letter to Parents: Let Your “Kids” Travel

Terra e Pane: Umbria, Italy

My artistic abode in Umbria, Italy.

When I found myself with a free week in Berlin and craving Italian food, I impulsively landed up at Terra e Pane, the home of an Italian artist deep on the countryside of Umbria. Living in the artistically built wood and glass home, surrounded by ancient olive trees, my mind attuned to the laidback Italian way of life. My host Enrico invited me to join his friends for a traditional Sunday brunch in a 500-year-old stone mansion, where we ate pizzas fired up in a traditional stone oven, and even took a group siesta under the olive trees. You can’t get more Italian than that, can you?

US$ 31 (INR ) ; http://ift.tt/2yBAsii

Read: Living With An Italian Artist in Umbria

Chalet Bohinj: Bohinj Lake, Slovenia

The last village on Lake Bohinj!

Living in the last traditional wooden house, in the last village on Bohinjska (Bohinj Lake), surrounded by nothing but rugged mountains and dense forests, felt like living away from civilization itself, somewhere at the edge of the world. By day, we hiked in the alpine scenery and around the pristine Bohinj Lake (much quieter and less touristy than Lake Bled); by night, we lit a fire in the wooden stove to keep warm, played classical Slovenian music on the radio, slept in the cozy wooden attic and felt like we were living in a Murakami novel.

US$ 128 (INR ) per night ; http://ift.tt/2g0z6a7

Read: Confession: I’m Not a Backpacker

Khatuna’s loft: Tbilisi, Georgia

The loft I never wanted to leave.

Have you ever fallen in love with a place so much that your feet feel less itchy? That happened to me in Tbilisi, thanks to the loft we found on Airbnb. Aesthetic, homely and spacious, the windows opened up to the mountains and the ravine of the River Vere; upstairs, in the attic, was a collection of old books that I spent hours browsing through. I felt so at home in the loft that it was hard to tear myself away and head into the stunning countryside – the kind of place any digital nomad or long term traveller would love calling home for a while.

US$ 40 (INR ) per night ; http://ift.tt/2g1mdMY

Read: If You’re Looking For The “Shire”, Come to Georgia

Hermann & Dorothea’s home: Munich, Germany

Our cozy attic with a skylight window! Photo via Airbnb.

It is one thing to drink beer alongside other tourists in Munich, quite another to share beer and life stories under the July sunshine in the garden of your local Bavarian hosts. Hermann and Dorothea welcomed us to their home in Vaterstetten, a typical Munich residential neighborhood, like family, and invited my friend to join them for a delicious vegan brunch with their Syrian refugee friends, while I was away for work in the city. I loved staying in the wooden attic, done up with artefacts from their own travels (of which India features prominently), with a skylight window overlooking the green neighbourhood – and hearing stories of their work in theatre with refugees.

US$ 48 (INR ) per night ; http://ift.tt/2yBcBiM

Read: Longing For Somewhere Far Away

Apartma Šavli: Soča Valley, Slovenia

My “office” in the Soča Valley!

On the last leg of my Slovenia trip, I found myself in Magozd, a little Alpine village home to only 70 people! In the backdrop of the magnificent Mt Krn, I joined my host family for their traditional Sunday lunch, crashed their weekly run to the community farm in Triglav National Park and hiked lesser-known trails along the popular Soča River. On his day off, my host Tonin invited me on a trip through the Soča Valley, and showed me the rivers that remind him of his childhood, old hanging wooden bridges that few outsiders have discovered, and the ever-changing mountains he grew up hiking in.

US$ 73 (INR ) per night ; http://ift.tt/2yBbHmG

See all my favorite Airbnbs in one place, on my “Europe like a local” wishlist.

Which of these Airbnbs would you most like to stay in? Have you stayed at any cool, unique Airbnbs in Europe?

*I wrote this post in collaboration with Airbnb. As you know, I only recommend places I’ve truly loved.

Join The Shooting Star on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram for more adventurous yet responsible travel experiences around the world.

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Dreamy Airbnbs to Experience Europe Like a Local. published first on http://ift.tt/2w0EToM

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thehairytraveller-blog · 7 years

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Seeing the World | North Vietnam

Phong Nha

After crossing the DMZ, its wasn’t long before we were arriving the beautifully picturesque Phong Nha national park. The drive in is jaw dropping as you’re surrounded by dense forests on insane mountain backdrop; from this we knew we were in for a treat! For all your needs, Phong Nha is basically one street that has everything: convenience stores, hostels, bars and a single nightclub where all the backpackers go to at night.

We stayed at a gorgeous little guest house called Nguyen Shack, right in the centre of the main street where our room was basically outside. We paid £16 for two nights in a double room with a fan and it was awesome; it was 3 walls and the door was a curtain that made up the forth wall. As you open up the curtain, you are greeted by a breath-taking backdrop of the mountains in the national park. This easily became one of our favourite hostels due to the view, the vibe and the people; the staff were amazing. The main hub for the whole strip is a hostel called Easy Tiger, everyone goes here at the end of the day to meet people, have some drinks and listen to live music. It’s a great venue with an awesome atmosphere and if you’re ever in Phong Nha, you should go here for a drink (go between 7-8 as its 2-4-1 spirit and mixer).

The whole of the town is connected and the staff in every bar and restaurant know each other, so that it made it very easy to rent a scooter through a staff member at our hostel. For 130,000₫ we received a scooter with a full tank of fuel for the whole day from the store next door to our guest house. BARGAIN! With this we could visit the whole national park in all its glory. For me, the greatest part of our time in Phong Nha was literally just driving on the roads through the jungles and over the rivers, it was amazing. I would’ve been happy just doing that all day. The only issue we had was that our bike broke down, but we manage to get it sorted and inform the company we rented from.

Phong Nha is mainly famous for its large cave systems, especially Hang Son Doong, the world’s largest cave. It’s over 200m high, 150m wide and 5km long and even has its own jungle, river and climate. Unfortunately, you cannot enter this cave just on a whim, in order to get in you’d have to pay $3660 and these tours usually sell out within hours. We decided we’d go for a smaller, public cave called Paradise Cave. This is over 7km long, but only the 1st km is available without a tour and the entry alone cost 250,000₫. For me, it was a lot of money to spend for 1km, but the cave itself is absolutely stunning; it’s littered with massive stalagmites and stalactites, it’s amazing to see. There are other caves in the area that are available for the public, such as the Dark Cave and the Phong Nha Cave. These two caves are more expensive than the Paradise Cave, with the Dark Cave going at 450,000₫ per person (waaaay out of our price range!).

After making our way out of Paradise Cave, we made our way to the Phong Nha Botanic Garden. The entry price was 40,000₫ and I personally believe it was worth it. As you enter the garden, you are greeted by two monkeys in a huge cage (they’re not cooped up in a tiny cage), a couple of porcupines and a huge python, all in cages. The monkeys were incredibly lively, and seemed to like having company. From here you can make your way around a set out route, which takes you to all the attractions in the park. BE AWARE, it can be quite a hard hike at points, but the scenery on the way is stunning; it’s full of swimming holes and waterfalls and so much wildlife. We spent a couple of hours here, just hiking and having a little swim. I didn’t want to leave.

Phong Nha quickly and easily became one of our favourite places on our travels and I can’t recommend enough that you go and visit whenever you’re in Vietnam; it’ll be more than worth it! So many people miss this place as they don’t know anything about it, I hope I’ve helped change your mind.

Hanoi

After a long bus drive from Phong Nha (8 hours) that cost us 120,000₫, we arrived in the beautiful city of Hanoi. It was quite a walk to our hostel, but we managed it and arrived at Central Backpackers Hostel in the Old Quarter where we paid $30.00 for two beds in an 8-bed dorm for 3 nights and this included a free (delicious) breakfast every morning. From our first impressions, we could tell that this hostel was definitely part of a chain and had a lot of money put into it. The reception had multiple computers we could use as well as a movie room, where we could rest and watch some DVDs, which was handy as we arrived at 5am, but couldn’t check in until 12pm. Eventually we could check in and head up to our room; they were spacious, air-conditioned rooms, with an ensuite and plenty of luggage room. Bonus… the beds were super comfy with real duvets! Central Backpackers was a lot more of a social hostel than any other that we’d stayed in in Vietnam, and it made for a nice change. The hostel has a rooftop bar, which overlooks Hanoi old town and every night they offer each guest ‘all you can drink’ beer, it makes for a great, yet heavy night. This is then followed by a free pub crawl run by the staff at the bar, where they take you to a few clubs and bars within Hanoi, it was awesome.

Hanoi itself is a very busy city and there is always something to do, no matter what you’re into. In the centre of the city is Hoàn Kiếm Lake (Lake of the Returned Sword) and every weekend, there are celebrations and entertainment all around it. On one my favourite experiences in Hanoi was just walking around the lake and taking in the sights and sounds of the hustle and bustle. The government arranges all the entertainment in order to try and bring back original Vietnamese culture and games for the younger generations. Here you can buy food and take part in the multiple activities such as tug-of-war, double dutch and more creative activities; it’s just a happy place where everyone is in high spirits. As we were there, they had arranged a Korean Festival, where you could try the food, experience Korean culture and listen to some live K-Pop, which is an experience in itself. In the centre of the lake is the Turtle Tower, which gets its name from an ancient story which states that a Golden Turtle rose from the water to give the Vietnamese Emperor a magic sword to defeat the Ming Dynasty. Unfortunately, you cannot get to the tower, but I feel the story of the lake is enough. You can however, make your way over a wooden red bridge to the Temple of the Jade Mountain (Ngoc Son Temple). This is also in the centre of the lake on the Jade Island and is open between 8:00-18:00; this is not free however and will cost you 20,000₫ for entry. You can pass over the bridge, but to enter the temple, you have to pay. We didn’t go inside the temple, but from what I’ve heard, it’s an awesome experience with a giant preserved body of a turtle (could this be the magic Golden Turtle?).

In Hanoi, there are plenty of place to take in the history and the culture of Vietnam, including one of our favourites, the Temple of Literature. This seemed more like a huge courtyard, with statues of turtles and a beautiful room where the Buddhists pray. It was a magnificent place, with stunning architecture and whilst I was there, I couldn’t help but imagine what it was like when the Monks lived and worked there. We were quite fortunate as whilst we were walking around the temple, a lot of students arrived from their graduation to take their photos; it reminded me of my own graduation (which seems so long ago now!). Entrance fee to the temple was 40,000₫, but afterwards we felt like we got our money’s worth as we really enjoyed it.

Other noteworthy places to visit in Hanoi would be the One Pillar Pagoda, the Ho Chi Minh Museum and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. All these places are located within a stone’s throw of each other and can easily be done in one day. The One Pillar Pagoda is one of the most iconic historic Temples in Vietnam and sits in the middle of a small moat. It’s almost 1000 years old and although we didn’t go into the temple, you can see the history, just by looking at it. Admission price is 25,000₫ and it’s open from 8:00-11:30 daily then 14:00-16:00 on Tuesday to Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. In regards to cafes, our favourite placed in Hanoi was a small place called The Hut. You are instantly made welcome into the café and the staff treat you like old friend. They also have a tattoo shop in the café which is run by a young guy called Nghia Hoang and he is one of the most talented tattoo artists I’ve ever met; the lines he can get with a needle are insane. Needless to say I had to get a new tattoo and I received a beautiful piece about 3 inches tall and wide and it only cost me 1,000,000₫ (£35).

We stayed in Hanoi twice, and the second time we stayed there we checked in to the Hanoi Lotus Hostel. This is more of a small and homely hostel, with capsule beds on the bottom bunks of the dorm (a capsule bed has a curtain around it to separate it from the room). We paid $24.00 for two beds in an 8-bed dorm for 3 nights and this came with an awesome free breakfast and awesome staff members; they were always on hand to answer any questions as well as offer advice on what to do in Hanoi and how to do it. Tamsin and I usually prefer the smaller, homelier hostels like Hanoi Lotus where we can get away from the loudness, but all of our friends preferred the more ‘party hostels’ and stayed in the infamous Hanoi Rocks Hostel. We spent some time there with our friends that we’d met along our travels and it’s a great place to hang out; they even host a lot of parties that are open to the public.

Lastly is the food. Vietnam is known for its delicious food including the Phở, Cao Lau and (my personal favourite) the Banh Mi. Hanoi hosts what may be, in my opinion, the best Banh Mi in Vietnam at Banh Mi 25. For 25,000₫ you can get a Banh Mi with 3 meats, vegetables and cheese; it’s great for a lunch time snack and I couldn’t recommend this place enough.

Cat Ba

From Hanoi, we paid $11 each for two tickets to the island of Cat Ba. This included a 4.5 hour bus journey to the coast, a 45 minute ferry ride through the absolutely beautiful ‘sea mountains’ (for want of a better word) and a 20 minute bus to our hostel, Cat Ba Central Backpackers. We spent 3 nights here and for two beds in a 14-bed dorm we paid $30.00 and the hostel was lovely. There were a few issues with the staff at some points, but the hostel itself was really nice and the beds were so comfy!

In Cat Ba, it’s not so easy to see everything without a tour, fortunately though, EVERYWHERE sells tours. We met back up with Emma and Jordan (from Cambodia) and headed to their hostel to buy our tour tickets. They cost us $12 each from Garden House and the tour was amazing, $12 was such a good deal (most places want $20+ for the same thing). The next day we were up early to head out on the tour. We started by getting on a boat and driving through the fishing villages in the sea, where people live and work to supply fish for the whole island. It’s extraordinary to see these floating houses and the dogs and cats just living peacefully on these ‘rafts’. We then arrived at a floating house and disembarked, only to hop into a kayak and kayak through the amazing mountains and see the beautiful landscapes. We even got a chance to see some of the Langur Monkeys in the wild (they’re awfully endangered, so we were very fortunate). From here, we had lunch consisting of some chicken, rice, cat-fish and other delicacies; it was delicious. After about 30 minutes, we were given the opportunity to go snorkelling and have a bit of a swim in the water. Unfortunately, the snorkels weren’t the best quality, so we didn’t use them, but the swimming was great. Lastly, we headed to the Monkey Island. Now don’t be fooled, the monkeys here are not cuddly creatures, they are violent and if you have the smallest amount of food (or not) they will chase and try to bit you. I was chased by a monkey for just taking a photograph from far away! The island itself is only small but incredibly beautiful and we were given the opportunity to hike to the top of the hill. It was a relatively easy hike, however, there are elements where you have to physically climb and that just adds to the fun. I made it to the top and the views were amazing, I’d advise anyone to do this hike, just watch out for monkeys. This tour was the highlight of our time in Cat Ba and we felt that for the price, it was well worth it; even the tour guide, T, helped make it an awesome tour. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who’s thinking of going to Cat Ba, it won’t break the bank!

The last place we visited in Cat Ba was the national park, a 59mi2 landscape which is home to 32 types of mammal, including most of the world's 65 remaining golden-headed langur, the world's most endangered primate. The entrance to the park is 40,000₫ and 5,000₫ for parking (we’d hired a scooter again, 130,000₫ with a full tank from our hostel) and it was definitely worth the money; also, it’s only open from 8:00-19:00. The main thing to do in the national park is the hike. Now this hike is definitely a lot harder than the one on Monkey Island as it’s a lot steeper and it’s a lot more humid in the jungle. We finally made it to the top and the views were incredible, you can see for miles and the backdrop is littered with beautiful mountains and dense forests. I do recommend that you go and do the hike, but do not make the same mistake as me and wear long sleeves and trousers, you WILL sweat more than ever!

As a notable mention for Cat Ba, I definitely recommend that you visit the Cat Co beach 2 at night when its dark. It’s probably better to visit at around midnight, when all unnatural light is off and it’s pitch black. The reason behind this recommendation is that Cat Co beach is home to the bioluminous plankton. If you haven’t seen this before, it’s invisible plankton in the water that glows bright blue when disturbed. We stood and watched the whites of the wave streak with blue when they crashed. It’s truly a bucket list moment that has been ticked off. It’s not the most obvious and bright, but it’s definitely there and it’s definitely beautiful.

Vietnam quickly became one of our favourite countries that we’ve visited and I think it’s safe to say that that is because of the North. Tamsin and myself fell in love with the beautiful landscapes and the sense of community in these places. If I can recommend any country to visit, it would be Vietnam: the people are great, the food is cheap and the country is full of an incredibly interesting modern history. Do visit Vietnam and do spend a whole month; if anything it’s not enough.

If you have any questions about my time in North Vietnam, hit me up on social media or via email and I’ll be happy to answer them as quickly as possible.

Stay blessed, stay you.

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maizestove · 7 years

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Travel Tips for Tulum, Mexico

I am back from Tulum in Mexico after one week of tropical paradise vacation! As promised on Instagram, I have compiled all my travel tips for Tulum, Mexico, here for you. I hope these will be helpful for anyone who is planning a trip to Tulum. Otherwise they might help you to decide to visit this beautiful place in Mexico. Tulum is packed with fantastic places to stay, eat, drink, enjoy. However I will only share here the places I actually visited, tested, and that I can recommend. So let me not prolong it too much. Here we roll!

Hotel: Prana Boutique Hotel: Tulum has many hotels of course. The majority is located on the beachfront, a few ones are in the pueblo itself. Now since I was staying in one hotel I can only recommend that one of course. I was staying at the Prana Boutique Hotel in Tulum village. I opted for this hotel because it sounded very tempting: Prana is an eco-friendly hotel with only seven rooms. Thus it is a quiet, relaxed, and intimate hotel run by two cool guys with friendly staff. The hotel features a lush garden and pool, a lovely small restaurant and pool bar, a boho lounge area including a little souvenir and crystals shop. The rooms are dispersed in various buildings made in the traditional style of the region. There are even two spacious tents for glamping if you prefer that.

The hotel offers free bikes if you want to drive down to the beach. Otherwise there is free parking for your rented car. Cool bars and restaurants as well as the main shopping street of Tulum are just around the corner. There is also a huge supermarket just 5 walking minutes away. I recommend you enjoy a good breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant ‘Nido’ (try the yummy granola with fruits and yoghurt), relax at the pool with a good book or swing in one of the hammocks in the garden. Also for dinner you can opt for the restaurant and try their freshly cooked meals such as an octopus burger or a delicious tropical scallop ceviche. Oh, don’t forget to sip a Bloody Maya cocktail at the pool bar. With good Mezcal of course!

Places to eat & drink:

In the village: Del Cielo Tropical Bar: One of my favorites in the pueblo! This tropical bar could be in LA, San Francisco, Paris, or London. It has a strong hipster vibe and serves us some delicious fresh treats. My go-to for breakfasts! Try the tropical porridge and their smoothies! Oh and the coffee is excellent. I even brought back a bag of local coffee beans. Another important fact: Free wifi! Yay!

Tulum Art Club: This fantastic gallery slash café in the village is another cool option for breakfast. Art is exposed everywhere, you can buy everything, and you can enjoy Tulum’s best Coconut Chia pudding with tropical fruits for breakfast! Do not miss the yummy coco coffee, too! Ok, ok, I am a bit coco-nuts!

Teetotum Hotel & Restaurant: This hotel & restaurant in Tulum village is another must-visit. It has a fun and colourful retro vibe. Expect tiles, 60s style cushions, vibrant colours. The courtyard is lined with potted plants and the restaurant serves a delicious breakfast. Get the huge green smoothie to kick off your day! Wowzers!

Estancia Jujena: This is actually an Argentinian asado in Tulum village but if you go for breakfast it is a charming little courtyard with a shabby-chic attire and hearty egg dishes, fresh fruits, and fine coffee.

On the beachfront/jungle side: Safari: This open-air restaurant is located on the ‘jungle side’ of the beach road and can easily be detected. The bar strikes a tropical wallpaper background and the restaurant features an open fireplace and the kitchen is in a parked trailer. Can it get any cooler? Yes, add light garlands across the palm trees and great food – voilà!

Hartwood: Now Hartwood is somewhat of an institution in Tulum. It is supposedly the hardest table to get in town and trust me: you better reserve a table! There are two options: You either queue at noon to catch a table for dinner or you book well in advance via email. I booked a table one month in advance and enjoyed amazing food: a Yucatán ceviche with tropical fruits as a starter, grilled octopus as a main dish, accompanied by a yellow lentil salad with pickled cactus. Excellent and friendly service is included!

Gitano: Yet another hot spot on the jungle side of the beach road! Gitano is particularly popular on Friday nights with live music and a fantastic boho-glam atmosphere. Excellent cocktails are served up while you wait to be seated (some say they have the best Mezcal cocktails in town). All trees are illuminated with light garlands, lanterns, and dozens of candles are burning everywhere. Magic! Their ceviche is a dream: Served in a young coconut half with fresh fish in lime juice with coconut, sprouts, cilantro, zucchini. Take me back, please! On weekends you must have a reservation!

Posada Margherita: This place is a real gem! I did not know that it was an Italian restaurant (and hotel) when I entered there. I was attracted to it by the armada of potted plants at the entrance and a dream-like pathway leading into a lush courtyard lined by coconut palms. I stepped in and found myself in a dreamy set worth a movie: Potted plants everywhere, little huts, benches, vintage pottery. A cute little candle boutique welcomes you before you enter the open air restaurant with magnificent views of the Caribbean. Homemade pasta, enormous smoothies, and a breeze will make you want to stay forever. After lunch I just went down to their private beach and spent the rest of the afternoon sunbathing and swimming in the Caribbean. There will be a full blog post about this place soon!

Mur Mur: Here another place where I had a good and delicious dinner under a canopy of swaying palm fronds and light garlands. I enjoyed delicious roasted beets with goat cheese and nuts, a tender grilled octopus, and a fried banana with sour cream and cocoa nibs. All accompanied by well chilled Mexican white wine. Thumbs up!

El Tabano! This restaurant is a perfect option for a great plate of Mexican food. It can get busy on weekends, but during the week it is actually fine and rather easy to get a table. I had excellent fish tacos there!

Canopia: This cute little restaurant serves great and healthy breakfast in the morning and Thai food for dinner. I went there for breakfast and had great coffee, an intense green smoothie and a chia bowl. Great to start the breakfast: a green coffee beans tea to activate your metabolism. Oh and an evergreen for breakfasts in Tulum: A plate with tropical fruits!

Beaches & Beach Clubs:

Playa Paraiso Beach Club: This was my favorite beach and beach club! Imagine huge beach beds with swaying linen curtains, a canopy of coconut palms, white powdery sand, and food and drinks served on your sunbed. Yes, this beach deserves the name! Additionally they have good sanitary facilities – not unimportant on a beach! The sunbeds are for rent but the prices are ok – the big sunbeds as descirbed before are 250 pesos (around 12 Euros) for two.

Zamas Beach Club: Here the beach is not perfect (lots of seaweed) but the bar is perfect and directly on the beach. You can watch pelicans dive bombing for fish while you are sipping on a cocktail!

Mivida Beach Club: A relaxed beach club located on a sandy bay with rocks on one side. You can unwind here while being served drinks and food on your sunbed. Plus if you are staying at the Prana hotel you get a discount here.

Beach at the Tulum Ruins: When you visit the Mayan ruins of Tulum, don’t forget to pack your swimwear and a towel. Because you want to go down to this wonderful beach and swim! This beach is free of sunbeds, bars, restaurants. Just sand and the Caribbean. And a few other tourists haha. But it is worth it! Especially if it is a hot day and you got all sweaty while walking around the ruins.

Great icecream: Origami Ice Cream: I read somewhere that you should not eat ice cream in Mexico. You know germs and stuff. Well, whatever you want, but when I passed at Origami on the beachfront I could not resist! I had a fantastic scoop of luxurious chocolate ice cream. So good and no, I did not get sick afterwards! Go for it!

Artehelado: If you want good ice cream in the village itself, then go to Artehelado. It is off the main road but you will find it easily. The ice bar is located in a colourful cargo container, Acapulco chairs are dotted around it and most of the times there is a tiny little market next to it selling local goods and handcrafts. Nice after beach stop-over before heading to the hotel!

Things to do around Tulum: Tulum Mayan Ruins: This is a must! The Mayan ruins of Tulum are located 3 km away from the village and can be reached by car or bike. As with most sites in Mexico you will be welcomed by various sales people trying to sell you all kinds of daily tours and cruises. My tip is just to go for it by yourself. Before reaching the ruins you have to walk through a tacky touristy shopping are but then after a few hundred meters you will reach the ancient walls of Tulum. The fascinating fact is that the Tulum ruins are the only Maya ruins located directly at the coast. So the sight is pretty majestic. You get the classical snapshot of beach, Caribbean, and Maya ruins. Plus afterwards you get to swim on the beach (see above). Don’t forget to equip yourself with sunlotion, sunglasses, water, a towel and your swimwear.

Grand Cenote: The cenotes are a highlight of the Yucatán peninsula. These are natural sinkholes that expose groundwater. Imagine crystal clear water in submerged pools that are partly below the surface. The Grand Cenote is wonderful. It is very close to Tulum village and offers a great natural pool on two sides. Some say it is pricey compared to other cenotes (entrance fee is 180 pesos per person), but I think it is worth it. They have great sanitary facilities, showers to prepare yourself before going into the cenote (only biodegradable sunscreen is accepted or none at all), and they have lockers and snorkeling equipment to rent. Swimming in the Grand Cenote was a marvellous experience. The water is so clean and fresh. You swim next to little fish and turtles. I was lucky as it was really not busy when I arrived there (I went there around 11 am). Count 1.5 hours or max. 2 hours to stay there and enjoy it. Oh and if you have a smartphone that goes under water – take it with you!!! So much fun!

Chichen Itza: Mexico’s most popular archaelogical site is Chichen Itza. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is worth a visit despite all the shortcomings of mass tourism sites. Don’t be surprised when you arrive to a packed parking lot, lots of tourists everywhere, queuing for entrance tickets, and a multitude of souvenir sellers scattered all around the site. It is the usual shenanigans. Plus bear in mind that – unlike in previous years – you can not climb the pyramids at Chichen Itza anymore. Still it is a fantastic site with breathtaking buildings and pretty unknown culture to us Europeans.

Valladolid: If you visit Chichen Itza, plan a stop-over at the close by town of Valladolid. This quiet little Yucatécan city has not the touristy glitz and glam of coastal resorts but exposes an authentic Mexican lifestyle. Colourful houses line the streets, colonial churches and palaces dot the town, and the people live their normal daily life here. Stroll around the city center around the main church to get a notion of a Mexian provincial town.

For lunch, head to the Hotel El Mesón del Marqués. This colonial building features a green courtyard with a spring and tables all around it. Sit down and have a great lunch. Order the homemade guacamole – it will be prepared right before your eyes by a waiter! As a main try one of the local dishes from Valladolid. I had a Pollo Pibil – it is spiced chicken cooked in a banana leaf with black beans and rice. Delicious!

Other practical tips: A rented car comes in handy in Mexico! It is really safe to drive around Yucatán and you are so much more flexible with your own car. Tulum village is about 3.5 km from the beach so if you are based in the village (like I was) you either have to take a cab or a bike (available at the hotel) to go to the beach. It is nice to do it but in the evenings I would not recommend to take the bike to the fancy clubs and restaurants at the beachfront. The street is poorly illuminated and partly completely dark. Plus with a car you can get around the peninsula easily and visit various cenotes, Mayan temples and other cities.

Make sure you have enough cash with you! Most restaurants and bars in Tulum are cash only. Just a few of those that I visited accepted credit cards. You can withdraw money in Tulum village at the main square (there is a HSBC bank), but there are also many ATMs along the beachfront (however some of them are only for US dollars).

Get some good sunscreen with you (even for a little walk in the pueblo – I got a burnt neck on my first stroll!) and bring a mosquito spray. Most restaurants and bars are outdoors and they burn special woods to keep mosquitoes away. Still bring some – also for a relaxed sleep.

Shopping! Tulum’s main street is packed with little shops selling Mexican souvenirs, handcrafts, all kind of tchotchkes. I saved the last day to do some shopping and bought two Mexican blankets (Saltillo), a little Tree of Life (Arbol de la Vida), Mexican pottery, and a full array of spicy sauces. Oh and local coffee from Del Cielo (see above). For more upscale shopping (including fashion) head to the beachfront – but you’ll spend also more there!

Finally I have no more to say apart from: Tulum is fabulous! I loved every day there, I enjoyed it to the max. It is still very authentic (especially the pueblo) and the beachfront has a special boho-glam vibe. It is far away from noisy mass tourism and drunk youngsters. Go and see it for yourself as long as it is as beautiful! I hope my travel tips for Tulum will help you. Happy (virtual) travels!

Photography/iPhone photography by Igor Josifovic

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