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#I really need to practice grass and water surface lol
rannvadraws · 5 years
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Me? Absolutely in love with Wulfhild? How did you guess? Gave her some archer protection and reinforced leggings since razorwhips have sharp scales. Tried to colour Mistletoe after mistletoes, so a tad lighter both in coat and eyes than her sister Windshear. I might have gotten stuff wrong but oh well
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writing-gifts · 3 years
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datura (moth!bruno x butterfly!reader)
—–
A/N: I made more art! You might have already seen it though lol Anyways this chapter got longer than planned but I really wanted to Bruno and reader to do some things before Summer ended.
First Chapter || Previous Chapter || Next Chapter
Reader is gender neutral!
----
[Late Summer]
The crowds along with the heat had become more tolerable recently, which you were glad for. Now you were able to gather as you usually did, instead of going out to the forest clearing with Bruno every couple nights. 
Part of you will miss it but you need to spend your energy on making up for lost time. It would get cooler from now on and slowly the flowers would start to die out.
You wonder how long your Daturas will last. The last time you flew by the area, the shrubs they grew on looked greater in size and there seemed to be a few more flowers so you could guess they would at least survive the beginning of Autumn.
“Do Daturas last through the fall?” you ask Bruno. It would be best to make sure.
“Yes, so no need to worry about not being able to get your nectar." 
“Okay, that’s what I was hoping. Now I don't need to panic-gather." 
You relax on the arm of your daybed. "Honestly, I should have asked earlier but guess it slipped my mind.” 
“You know, it’s actually quieter in our usual Datura spot now.”
You sit up. “For real? We should go then.”
“Right now?”
“Why not? I need to catch up!”
Bruno raises a brow. “But you have more time.”
“Why do it later when you can do it now?”
 “...I guess I can’t argue with that. And it wouldn't hurt to start saving up.”
With that, you’re off the daybed and heading to your bedroom to find your bags.
When you return you hold out a satchel for the moth to take. “You can borrow my canisters. I don't want you to go home empty handed.”
“Thanks. I'll make sure to get these back to you quickly.”
“It's cool. I have a bunch of extras. I don't even know how I let myself collect so many…”
You did know, but you didn't want to admit that every time you saw one that was a color you liked or had a nice design, you couldn't stop yourself from getting it.
“Okay, let's go!”
Tonight the moon was fully out in the clear sky so you decide to not bring your lantern along. As long as you stay near Bruno you should be okay. 
The both of you walk through the path you’ve taken several times, however it is even more narrow than the last. You couldn’t even walk next to each other. 
Having fewer flowers will be sad but at least the foliage will finally back down when it gets colder.
When you finally reach the end of the path, you're shocked by what you see. The Daturas have spread a lot since that last time you were here. 
You and Bruno fly above the thick layer of dark leaves that had pretty much over taken the area. Before you could at least get to the grass if you wanted but now you can't even see the ground anymore.
"They grow so fast!"
"Be cautious, there could be creatures hiding in the leaves. It’s unlikely but we shouldn't get careless.”
Heeding his warning, you stick close to your friend while you both gather. It must have kept you focused on your task because you're done quicker than you expect. Bruno notices this too. 
“Didn't do any of your taste testing?” 
“Not being able to see through all the leaves is a little worrying I guess.” 
You fiddle with your satchel strap. You would usually try to sit around after gathering but you were ready to go back home. 
“Want to head back then?”
You nod and you both fly back down to the path.
“You know--isn't it weird that we could just get attacked at any time,” you ask Bruno as you walk behind him.
“Well that's just nature.” Bruno answers unbothered. “Are you scared?”
“No, it just sucks that one moment you could be standing around unsuspecting and then the next you're in another creature's mouth! You don't even get a chance to fight back." You grimace. "Nature’s kinda cruel….”
“It can be, but there are definitely good things about it too.”
“Of course there are, like the flowers. Everything else can leave though.”
“Even me?”
You deadpan at the back of his head. “You know what I mean Bruno. Just the dangerous things, I can trust you not to hurt me.”
“But even those things have a role to fulfill and keep everything in balance.”
“Ugh, stop being reasonable.”
Bruno smiles over his shoulder at you and you can’t help but feel he’s being cheeky with you. 
“And sometimes the things you think are dangerous can also surprise you...”
“Huh?” You weren’t sure what he meant by that.
The moth doesn't respond immediately, and you see consideration flash on his face before he turns away.
“You remember the wasp I mentioned knowing?”
“Oh my g--” You stop yourself before you say anything rude. “...Yes.”
“Well, he's actually one of my closest friends.”
Your eyes widen and you can't stop yourself. “B-But, they eat us.”
“Well actually it's their young that does that, but this wasp lives on his own.”
It wasn't unheard of for colony type bugs to live on their own but It was somewhat rare so you’re still a little surprised. 
“Oh...He’s the loner type?”
“I guess you could say that. So he doesn't have to do the ‘killing and delivering the body to the nest’ drill. I think that's actually the main reason why he left."
“I mean...I guess that's good? For us at least.”
“But you see what I mean?”
“Kinda, but I don't plan on trying to befriend any insect killers anytime soon.”
Bruno nods. “That’s fair. I know our relationship is strange.”
You try to gather your thoughts before speaking. The moth didn't seem upset but you wanted to make sure.
“I won't lie...I-It freaks me out a lot, but I do think it's kinda neat that you befriended someone that would be seen as an enemy. And as long as you're safe I can’t really complain.”
“I am. I’ve known Abbacchio for years now. He can be cold at times but underneath that he’s extremely loyal and has a good heart. And if you decide to get to know him you’ll see it too.”
So that’s his name…
You also wanted to introduce Bruno to your friend so you would feel rude if you immediately dismissed the idea, even if Abilene and Abbacchio weren’t exactly on the same level. And this wasp managed to gain Bruno’s trust and respect, so he had to be safe. 
“You don't have to. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
You start to fiddle with your bag strap again. This was definitely something you couldn’t agree to on the fly. “Maybe one day…? I’m not sure yet.”
“That’s completely fair,” Bruno replies, seemingly satisfied with that answer. “Just let me know if you ever want to.”
You weren’t sure if you would but you nod. 
"Let's hurry, I'm getting thirsty."
----
While Summer was finally drawing to a close, Bruno finally managed to get you in the same area as a pond. He said it was one of the best times in the year to visit and when you arrive, you’re glad that he convinced you to come along. 
The moonlight reflects off the pond and lights the area. You see various bugs hanging around, singing and dancing, and enjoying the last of the season. Some of them are even flying surprisingly close to the water. 
However, the fireflies are tonight's stars as their warm glow turns heads and sparkles on the water’s surface. 
It was lovely. Maybe even more so than the forest clearing. 
While you stare, enthralled, you notice the bright red flowers growing out of the pond practically demanding for your attention. 
“I see you’re eyeing the Red Flare Lilies,” Bruno says. “Still nervous about getting near the pond?”
”I am but I didn’t know there were such pretty flowers growing out of it...”
“Then we should get a closer look, yea?”
You want to but hesitate. The last time you got close to a pond you almost became a meal.
“What's wrong?” 
“Nothing.” Your eyes might be playing tricks on you, but you’re sure you see the surface of the pond ripple near one of the flowers. 
“Okay, I might be a little freaked out! What if there’s frogs?”
“It's not impossible, but if anything, you should be more worried about fish--”
You groan. “You should have just lied to me.” Any urge to go had been wiped away.
“Well it’s a pond so there’s no point pretending, but you didn’t let me finish. This pond mainly carries small fish and no one has ever reported encountering frogs here so it should be safe.” 
Even with that explanation, you still aren't sure. That was something that could change at any time.
“If you don't want to, I can just go out for you?”
“B-But look at all the lily pads and frogs can move super quickly! I’m not going to send you out there for nectar I could get anywhere.”
No matter how tempting that flower looked it wasn't worth it. Being an insect meant constant danger but you took the necessary precautions to lessen that danger. But ponds--they were just too dangerous. It honestly baffled you seeing those bugs getting close to the surface willingly.
Bruno looks concerned, which makes you force yourself to relax your shoulders.
“Sorry--”
You're interrupted by some bugs in the distance yelling out Bruno’s name to greet him. A few of them actually come over to properly say hi, and you stand silently to the side as they surround him excitedly. 
You aren't really surprised that he’s popular. He could be charming when he wants to be. It's a little awkward standing there though.
 “Where have you been Bucciarati?” A fluffy moth asks.
Bruno opens his mouth to reply but a young cricket--you think--latching onto his arm speaks next. “I missed you! The other adults never want to play with me,” they pout.
A beetle speaks right after. “How’s Narancia been?”
You watch and listen while Bruno tries to handle the small group before looking back out to the pond, but before you can zone out, someone asks about you. And for some reason, Bruno introduces you. 
You feel stiff with all these eyes on you suddenly. You were definitely not prepared and you’d get the moth later for this.
“I've never seen a nocturnal butterfly...” the child stares, looking confused.
“Oh no, I should actually be asleep right now--”
“I love your wings!” the fluffy moth compliments.
You smile slightly. “T-Thanks, um...” 
The group was excitedly talking at you and it was hard to keep up. Fortunately you don’t have to say much more because Bruno shoos them away shortly after.
You release a breath. “Okay Mr. Popular, warn me next time...”
“Me popular? Hardly." He smiles slightly, looking apologetic. "And sorry, I didn't think anyone would actually come over. Let’s go sit down.”
He leads you to a quiet spot where the grass isn’t as wild and overgrown. And you both lounge on a rock to look out at the pond and insects.
“This place is beautiful.” 
You lean back on your arms, no matter how hard you tried, your gaze would always drift back to the Lilies. 
“Even the pond.” 
“It is. Especially with all the fireflies.” The way Bruno sounded, it was different but you couldn't place your finger on why. You glance over and he looks a little sad? Wistful?
You feel as if you saw something personal. 
“I know right! I’m kinda jealous.”
“Why?” 
“Well other than it looking pretty, they can just light the way with their bodies. I kind of wish I could do that too. It would be pretty useful.”
“But your diurnal.”
You almost laugh at the moth’s response. “Maybe I should become nocturnal then. I'm already part way there."
All these nightly escapades with Bruno were starting to eat into your usual sleeping time causing your days to get shorter. You'd even find yourself waking up way past noon sometimes.
“Okay then I'll become diurnal in your place so I can collect from all the day flowers for you."
You purse your lips. “Hmm, I don’t think you'd be able to handle the switch. You’d probably fall asleep randomly even more than you already do.”
“In my defense, I have a little one constantly waking me up when I'm trying to catch up on my sleep.”
You giggle. That was a valid point. 
"How much sleep do you even get?”
Some days you could see a hint of exhaustion on the poor moths face when he came to visit you.
“I wish I knew.”
That answer was definitely worrying. A sleepy bug is a vulnerable one.
“You’re not sleep deprived and just really good at hiding it, right?” 
“Don't worry. The elders near me like to take Narancia off my hands when I get too tired or when I need to go somewhere. I honestly think they want to adopt him for themselves,” Bruno chuckles a bit.
"But you probably wait until it gets pretty bad don't you?”
"...What is considered pretty bad?"
The lack of a clear answer confirms your statement, but you’re not exactly sure what to do about it yet so you decide to let it go for now. 
"Nevermind," you sigh and continue watching the bugs glide across the water. 
“I really thought the flowers would have tempted you onto the pond,” Bruno brings up suddenly.
“D-Did you want me to go?”
“Not exactly. I was just hoping you would see there were good things about it.”
“I did say it's pretty but anything related to frogs is bad.” You say it without really thinking but when you see the slight look of disappointment you wish you could take it back.
“I’m sorry, I just--” You take a breath. You'll just be honest. “...I might have done something stupid when I was younger. Now I just stay very cautious around giant bodies of water. But don’t take that the wrong way, I’m still happy you brought me here!”
He nods, understanding.
“You come off as really carefree and careless a lot of the time, especially when I first met you. It kind of makes me worry."
You're unsure why he brings that up but it wasn’t too surprising. You wouldn’t say it outloud but you did still do some things that Abilene and Bruno would probably not approve of when you were alone. But it wasn’t anything too bad. Well not to you anyways.
“At least now I can take comfort knowing that you probably aren’t doing anything more dangerous than staying out late,” Bruno says.
“Most likely, so you don't need to worry about me--just think relaxing thoughts,” You bump your shoulder into Bruno and he gently bumps you back with his elbow. 
“I don't think that's possible, especially with that answer.” 
Bruno turns to you when he notices you're staring at him without saying anything. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I just have a feeling you and Abby will get along well.” 
----
You were pouring and mixing nonstop the last couple of the days. This was it--this was one of your last couple of chances to bake. Eventually the weather would drop too low in temperature and you wouldn't be able to do it again until next Summer or late Spring if you're lucky.
“Is this really necessary?”
You invited Bruno to help you, but he was mostly watching you go into a baking frenzy at this point.
“Is this necess--Yes!” You mix even harder, slightly frustrated. The batter wasn’t as thick as it should be and you weren’t sure why. You just hoped you didn’t completely ruin this batch of cookies.
“Was that supposed to be my voice--Nevermind,” Bruno sighs. “You're not even eating most of what you’re baking and I don't think I can eat anymore either.”
“Just take the rest with you and give it to Narancia.”
“That's still way too much. Aren't you tired? You should take a break.”
You finally put down the wooden spoon you were using to look at the moth. 
“Maybe I went a little overboard, but I just want to try so many things and there's so little time.”
“A quick break won't hurt though.”
“Sure.” You reach for the handle of the spoon. “But let me just finish this--”
“That's what you said the last time.”
“....Okay, okay.” You place the spoon back down and head towards the dining table where Bruno’s sitting. 
“But only for a moment.”
Even though you were being stubborn, you really were exhausted. You had lost count of how many things you baked all together but it must have been a lot since you had probably visited most of your neighbors at least twice. You hadn’t gotten the hang of treats low in sugar yet, but when you did Abilene would be on the list too.
Spreading your wings, you stretch your arms above then outward.
“You really do have lovely wings.”
You force your wings down. "...Where'd that come from?"
You were doing your best to not overthink but it was much harder said than done. The moth had to be messing with you bringing that up so suddenly. 
“I think I always knew but it was pointed out recently.”
What does that even mean???
“Then--well you have nice wings too!” You want to shift the attention from yourself but it didn't mean you weren't being honest. 
You move to get behind the stool Bruno’s sitting on for a better look at his wings and partially to avoid his piercing gaze, but he looks over his shoulder at you.
“I really like them--the shape, the pattern. They really suit you!"
You internally cringe from how that compliment came out, but there were times where you did want to touch them. Fortunately, you keep that part to yourself.
His wings slightly shift. “Thank you.”
There's slight frustration from how coolly he takes your compliments. One day you'll finally fluster him.
You sit down across from him and lay your head on the table. “It's kind of cool that wings come in so many different shapes and colors...I actually know someone who has these cool transparent wings. I thought she was a butterfly but turns out she's a moth."
“Are you talking about Mrs. Joestar?”
You slightly lift up your head to look at Bruno. “You know her?”
“I met her recently. She's very lively for her age."
“I know right! She keeps teasing me too,” you pout. “Her husband’s even worse!”
Bruno smiles, a playful glint in his eye. “Because you make it so easy.”
“…Don't turn against me, I’m begging you.”
“I'll think about it.”
“Urgh, whatever.” You rest your head back on the table. “Anyways, doesn't she really look like a butterfly?”
“Yes, if I hadn't seen others like her before I probably would have thought so too.” 
“Hmm, butterflies and moths are pretty similar to be fair. We have to be descendants of the same things….” 
Eventually, you find yourself shutting your eyes while you're prattling off to Bruno about viable ancestors. You tell yourself you'll just rest them but when you open them next you're in your bed under your covers and Bruno’s gone.
You sigh once you realize what happened. That moth got you.
You force yourself out of bed once you remember the cookie batter sitting out. It was too late to cook it now so you would just have to put it away for tomorrow.
When you walk into the kitchen, it's cleaner than when you left it and a box of baked cookies are sitting where the bowl once was.
You smile and grab one. They came out better than you hoped.
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track2hack · 2 years
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9.10.21 Hawk is ready for the Arion showjump 💪
had a REALLY good jump lesson on Hawk this morning (was forecast to rain this arvo so we went early but the sun is currently shining out the ass so yay for an unnecessary early start on my day off), we're still lacking lots of bend on the right rein and he is still unfit but still a whole heap better than when I got him! he was very distracted and bracey when I first got on and thru warming up on the flat since he hadn't been in the jump paddock for a while and kept wanting to drift on one corner but he eventually focused down for a good open canter on both reins
had a quick reminder about bending and working properly over his back which he Didn't enjoy and was very grumpy about being made to work properly and use himself correctly, then once he was consistent and stopped resisting we popped a crossrail a couple times (both reins) which he was more than happy to do and tbh probably found it quite boring since it wasn't very big!
did a low oxer (maybe 40cm?) and started baby steps (for me anyway lmao, he knows how to do everything) on learning how to see a stride, it's Very Helpful that he'll just take off from anywhere and that he's so forgiving about it lol. then we put it up again (just testing the waters on what I'm happy doing so it wasn't huge but to me Everything Feels Bigger Than It Is, so it was probably only 60ish but it felt like 1.20) and just got comfortable going over that a few times
schooled a double (2-stride) and I need to start kicking my ass about not dropping the contact after a fence because I DID have a few problems with him running out the 2nd due to my lack of steering haha but we did go through it fine after that!
had another attempt at doing the white wooden fillers, they don't have jump stands next to them and he's a showjumper so therefore it's Not A Fence so there was quite a discussion about stopping him from running out and keeping him straight, he's wiggly coming up to them but he did eventually jump them!
after that I think was doing a course, which was oxer > crossrail > fillers > double > oxer > crossrail. I struggled a lot riding him thru the corners and keeping the canter so most of our lines were a little bit wonky lol, he took the opportunity to run out from the filler (my fault for turning too sharp and not being straight on approach) and from the 2nd double (also my fault for not being straight and dropping the contact) but other than that he was very good and we had no other problems! he's a very honest horse when he feels like and was super forgiving when I put him in a bad spot but tbh I think that's just because he enjoys it
he was very sweaty by the end of it but was happy as to stand and be fussed over, he did catch himself on the inside of his leg when he slipped turning on long grass so I feel a wee bit bad about that :( but it doesn't seem to bother him and it's only a surface scratch so he should be fine to keep going unless it blows up (which, knowing dinky fragile thoroughbreds, it probably will).
mr Eddie is still sore and not quite himself so I think I'm gonna scratch him from the show and just take Hawk, which means I need desperately to practice floating him before the day lol
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blackberry-gingham · 3 years
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Just for Geos bday 👉👈 could i request smt mermaid reader x geo. Like she decides to get legs to visit him that special day. So they pass all day together and like george sho wa him his world and its cute and just 🌸.
*We interupt the hockey player reader x figure skater Paul one shot that I was working on for this very important message*
Oooooo yaaaaas this is so sweet 🥺🥺 And always yes to mermaid reader lmao.
Ugh, curse my east coast time slot, or else I might've been able to get this on time and put it out on his actual birthday 😪 Anyway lol, enjoy and happy belated birthday to Geo ♥️♥️♥️
---
Today is a very special day.
Soft, filtered rays of sunlight undulate down to the ocean floor. It's a bit dark given the depth, but it's enough to make you stir from your sleep. You stretch and swish your tail through the water around you, just before you remember what day it is.
With a burble of air bubbles, you gasp. Your boyfriend, George, is having his birthday today. You snap your tail and launch off your rock, speeding out of your underwater cove straight up to the surface. The water feels as though it's rushing around you, and you briefly wonder if this is how it feels to run in the wind.
Soon enough, you breach the surface with a dramatic flip of your hair. The morning sun beats proudly overhead, and with a little configuring based on its position... It would appear, it's roughly 10 am.
Wonderful! That gives you just enough time to get ready.
You dive back down to your cove and head straight to your small chest of things. It doesn't take long to find what you're looking for, and at least you fetch a beautiful sundress that you found half buried in the ocean floor and some odd trinkets of jewelry to go with it.
See, George thinks he's going to spend his day in and around the ocean with you, but boy do you have a surprise for him.
Back in the old days, during a not so bright spot on the culture of your people, it was common for mermaids to use their powers and trade their tails for legs in order to climb up on land and lure some poor, unsuspecting human to their watery graves. It was a source of food at the time, but as you said, things have changed.
However, the power to switch to legs never went away... It's just extremely uncommon to see.
You've been practicing in secret for months now, all with the anticipation of surprising George with it and having a day on land together. What better time to put it in action then his birthday?
So you fix up your hair as best as you can underwater. You slip on the dress and the jewelry in what you hope is the right fashion. Hm, but something feels... missing.
Ah! You swim back over to your trunk and pull out a pair of slightly tattered, but nonetheless matching heels. These required almost as much practice as transforming and walking, but you managed.
At last, you're ready, and without a moment to lose you swim towards the shore, heels in hands. You can hardly contain your excitement.
You breach a good few feet from the dock where you can already see George is waiting. With a bit of fanageling you manage to slip on your heels and steadily make your way up onto the large, flat beach rocks. Luckily they're not too slippery today, and you safely make it to the little wooden trail.
Feeling confident, you strut as best as you can over to the dock. However, excitement overtakes you and you start to run.
"George! Geooooorge!", you call.
The man in question whips around, entirely confused as to who might have followed him out here... Then, he catches sight of you, a face he recognizes all too well, running and yet wobbling like a baby deer on two legs and a pair of heels.
He blanks completely, suddenly not sure if he's actually awake right now. It would make sense, considering he's dreamed this dream a thousand times before...
You run up and throw your arms around him, giving him a long hug and a quick kiss. "George, it's me! Happy birthday!", you give an excited, tiny little hop, and nearly turn your ankle in the process.
Luckily, George snaps out of the fog of him mind and catches you before any damage is done. He steadies you and helps you straighten up again, but he doesn't let you go.
You breathe a sigh of relief and to to thank him, but when you catch sight of the absolute wonder in his eyes... It catches you off guard.
George reaches out with a shaking hand to brush a bit of hair out of your face, then brings it back to caress your cheek. He takes a gulp of air and a soft, breathy laugh escapes his lips, "... So it is", he says.
Without another word, he pulls you in for a kiss as a salt breeze rustles your skirt and hair. When you seperate, a slow smile makes it's way across his lips as he looks you up and down one more time.
George takes your hand and gives it a gentle squeeze, "Come on then, how'd you like to see the town? And then...", he nods to your legs, "you can tell me how you did that"
You laugh and promise you will as he leads you back to his car. Thousands of things you've never seen before whiz past your eyes faster then you can ask about. George can't help but be amused by your childlike wonder, and he does all he can to answer your questions.
He takes you to all the best spots in town.
First up is the park. You've never seen such lush and soft grass on your entire life. George introduces you to the concept of feeling grass between you toes, and you marvel at how different and wonderful it feels from the sand.
A breeze of fresh air rushes over you as you both lay in the sunny grass, holding hands. You could stay here forever.
But the day moves on, and with the promise of bringing you back one day, he shows you the shopping center next.
It's an amazing place filled with shiny objects and pretty things. You go into just about every store just seeing. George tells you about everything you inquire after, never growing tired of your curiosity.
You don't really get anything, given that you'll be back in the sea soon enough. However, George takes you to the Jewelers and gets himself a new watch and let's you pick out anything you like to take back down with you.
And at last, he takes you to dinner. You're so use to the hustle and bustle of the beach and other locations that the quiet hush of the upscale restaurant. Luckily, your outfit just meets the atmosphere and things go off without a hitch.
To someone who's use to only eating fish, the menu seems impossibly huge with the wide array of dishes. George makes some recommendations, but you decide to stick to what you know for now. The food is delicious and you end the night with two flutes of champagne.
Now that the sun has begun to set, you really must be getting back to the ocean. Despite all the fun, you're quite exhausted from keeping your legs up.
With a hint of sadness that the night must end, George tells you he understands and brings you to the car.
It's a bit of a drive back to the beach, but at least it gives you time to rest. George parks the car and the two of you walk arm in arm out to the abandoned dock. An orange glow ignites the sea and the land while highlighting your beautiful face.
"Well... I guess this is it?", George kicks at some dust, wearing a frown.
You take his chin gently in your hand and lift it up so he sees you eye to eye, "Don't worry, we'll see each other soon", you give him a kiss. "Happy birthday my love"
George smiles and gives you a kiss back. He holds you steady as you finally get to take off your heels, still holding your hand even as you walk away. It's not until you're out of arms reach that he lets go.
You throw one more look over your shoulder and shoot him a flirty wink, "Don't look so glum now, it's your birthday! Tell you what, how about I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Promise?"
"Promise"
With that, you leap of the planks, dive into the water, and speed on home. After all, you need to get your rest for tomorrow.
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alwaysraineh · 3 years
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🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🍄 (the mushroom is a gift bc I love u)
🥺🥺🥺 i love my mushroom thank you 😭💕💕
okay so this took me ages cause i had to find something i thought was worthy of your attention but also i was curious about counting the flowers and if i'm right there are 316 of them 😂 which issssssss too much for me to count sentences lol SO after much deliberation i have decided simply to present you with what is basically an entire chapter of Oslasil (largely removed from context but featuring a scene that was very fun to write)
ENJOY, MY LOVE! 💕💖💖💝💕💘✨✨✨😘
“I’m not playing your game.”
“Why not?”
“Have you looked around yourself in the past four hours? There isn’t anything to spot and guess! There hasn’t been since we passed by Calcheth. Everything is flat and grassy and identical to what’s beside it.”
Haroch shakes his head. His eyes are bright and welcoming, and there’s a slight flush on his cheeks. He’s enjoying this far too much. Though, if Veridis is honest with himself, this may be the closest he’s come to having fun in… he doesn’t know how long. It’s an odd feeling, but not unpleasant. Spending time with Haroch has never been unpleasant.
“You’re talking like a quitter, Veridis.”
“Hey!”
“You can’t get offended when you’re the one who gave up before he began!”
“I’m not offended. I just don’t appreciate being called a quitter.”
“Then step up to the challenge!” Haroch exclaims, knocking their shoulders together. “I’ve already spotted something green.”
Veridis stares at him with narrowed eyes, but he meets the gaze steadily. Obviously, Veridis is going to have to play by Haroch’s rules to gain back the upper hand. He huffs out a breath, more amused than frustrated, and turns his focus to their surroundings. It doesn’t take long to scan the environment and, just as he suspected, Veridis sees nothing green.
“Haroch, you’re losing your mind.”
“No, no, I’ve spotted something that’s green. You have to guess.”
“There isn’t anything.”
“That’s not a guess.”
“Okay. I guess that there’s nothing green.”
“You didn’t even try.”
“Ugh. You are relentless.”
Veridis tries to ignore Haroch chuckling beside him so he can do another sweep of the countryside. Nothing catches his eye as being particularly green; the storms have beaten this place down with their sickness. Most of the grass is prematurely yellow. The bits of prairie that are another color are the areas that are browning or that have already died off completely. Everything in camp fits within the same color scheme.
“I want another hint.”
Haroch’s eyebrows practically fly off his head, they shoot up so quickly. Prat. “Seriously?”
“Yes. I get to know more than the color, don’t I? I want more information.”
Haroch’s eyes roam Veridis’s face like he’s studying the elf. He bites his lower lip, but even that can’t hide his smile. It seems like years before he nods. “Okay. Um- yeah, alright. The thing I’ve spotted is both green and close to you.”
A quick scan of the ground around them is no help at all. Veridis is starting to see how this game would keep children entertained at the market. What he doesn’t understand is how the children don’t lose their minds with frustration when they can’t find what they’re meant to be spotting.
“Haroch.”
“Yeah?”
“I have absolutely no idea what you want me to find.”
“Are you giving up?”
“… Maybe.”
Haroch throws his head back and laughs. Veridis knows it’s at his expense, but it’s still a beautiful, infectious sound. He finds himself unable to stop smiling because he’s trying so hard to suppress his own laughter. When Haroch has composed himself enough to sit still again, he places his hand on Veridis’s shoulder and leans closer. His hand is, thankfully, just far enough from the pulse point that he shouldn’t be able to feel how fast Veridis’s heart is racing.
“You’re very unobservant for a ranger,” Haroch finally manages to say. He’s still a little breathless.
“Bold claim coming from a farm boy,” Veridis snaps back.
He doesn’t mean the words to be hurtful, but the moment they leave his lips he regrets them. Haroch stares at him, wide-eyed, and falls victim to another fit of laughter. Veridis’s brow creases in confusion.
“You really haven’t played games before. I guess a part of me still thought you were joking, but clearly I was wrong. And who are you calling farm boy? I seem to recall that the place you call home is a certain farming down in southern Theiq.”
“Hey, you can’t gloat until you can prove you actually spotted something green.”
“Wow. You’re going to accuse me of cheating at a game you don’t even know?”
“Maybe I am.”
Haroch rolls his eyes. “Big tough ranger you are. You refuse to let someone else take a guard shift so you can watch for danger, but you won’t look at your belt and notice that your very own dagger has a green hilt.”
Veridis glances down out of instinct and immediately feels foolish. He should have guessed this far sooner. Haroch is watching with a soft expression when he looks back up. Veridis doesn’t think of himself as particularly competitive, and yet… he can’t let this end here.
“Give me another guess.”
“What, really?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure? I won’t go easy on you. I thought I was making it simple by spotting your knife. If we go again, it’ll be harder.”
“If you won’t spot something for me, I’m going to spot something for you.”
“… You know what? Go ahead. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
The sun is high overhead by the time they stop playing the game. Both have lost track of what the other has spotted and who has guessed more than the other. In the hours that passed as they played, not a single traveler came up the road they’ve made camp on. So when Haroch makes his way closer to the edge of the stream, Veridis finds himself following.
They remove their boots so they can dip feet in cool water and take turns tossing pebbles to see who can make a larger splash. Veridis plucks a long piece of grass from beside him and begins twisting it around his fingers about the same time that Haroch leans back and settles his weight on his elbows. Veridis notices him staring not long after when he tries to look past him to watch the road.
“What?”
“Why wouldn’t you let Seilyn take the watch?”
“We just met, Haroch. I don’t trust her.”
“You don’t trust anyone.”
“Exactly.”
“Why not?”
Veridis shrugs and turns away from Haroch’s imploring eyes. “I’m a ranger. When you see what I’ve seen and do what I’ve done, it’s kind of hard to trust people.”
“I suppose.”
Haroch tips his head back so he has a better view of the sky. Veridis’s eyes are drawn to the column of his throat. He follows it up to Haroch’s jawline, and from there his lips, his nose, his eyes. He has long eyelashes. They’re as dark as his hair; even the midday sun can’t light them up. His lips part as he draws in a deep breath.
“How come you answer so many questions about yourself by saying you’re a ranger?”
“It’s applicable.”
He chuckles, and his lips tug into a ghost of the brilliant smile he’s been wearing all morning. “Sure, but why not anything else?”
“If I tell someone I’m a ranger, it wraps up everything about me that everyone else finds odd and ties it into a neat little package. I don’t have to try to elaborate on some habit I have, or find a reason for the way I act. I can say I’m a ranger, and they accept that at face value. They don’t tend to ask more questions. Unlike someone else I know.”
“You can’t blame me for being curious.”
“And why can’t I do that?”
“Because you’re the only ranger I know. You’re the source of my information. Soon enough I’ll know all the dirty little secrets you rangers keep from the rest of us.”
“Sure, Haroch.”
“I’ve never met anyone who kept as many secrets as you do.”
“Yes, well, I need to.”
Veridis stands and crosses camp to snag two apples from one of the sacks. Haroch rolls onto his side to watch him go. Veridis tosses one of the apples to Haroch as he returns to his side. Haroch snatches it out of the air and sits back up, turning the apple over in his hands. He twists the stem off and flicks it into the water. Veridis watches it as it floats away and vanishes beneath the surface.
“If I asked you something, Veridis, would you answer honestly?”
“Depends on the question, I suppose.”
“Right. How would you feel about another game, then?”
“I don’t think I could find something new to spot if my life depended on it.”
Haroch chuckles, pressing the back of his hand to his lips to cover the half-chewed apple in his mouth. For a bastard raised on a farm in the grasslands of Froel, he has good manners. Veridis only spent a couple of hours in Roldt’s presence, but he has no doubt that all the good in Haroch came from his uncle.
“Not that one. No, I used to play this one with my little sister. I suppose it isn’t actually much of a game, though.”
“What is it, then?”
“An exchange of information. I ask you something, you answer. You ask me something, I answer. Whatever we want to ask, but you only answer what you’re willing to share.”
Veridis bites into his apple as a way to buy himself more time. He’s finding, lately, that he does enjoy Haroch’s company, and talking with him seems to make the day pass quicker. Still, he could ask things the answers of which would put Veridis in danger.
“I don’t have to answer if I don’t want to?”
“Nope. And if I ask something that crosses a line, feel free to tell me off. Just as I would if you pushed too far.”
“Would you?”
Haroch shrugs with a grin. “Probably. I never needed to with my sister, so I can’t say for sure. Then again, she was much younger than you.”
“… Alright. I’ll play your game. If I get to ask the first question.”
“Go ahead.”
“Why didn’t you ever tell me you had a sister?”
“Technically I have two. Also two brothers. My father’s children with his wife, of course. Kheidan is hardly younger than I. Then there is Rona and Wynmar. Pennaedra is the youngest. She’s the one who would play games with me. She was just shy of her fourth year when I had to leave.”
“It sounds like you care for her very much.”
“I do,” he says. He smiles sadly at his hands. “Aceline hated that Pennaedra would spend so much time with me. Oh, but I love her. She’s the sweetest girl. Never cared that the rest of her family hated me.”
“I’m sorry you couldn’t see her before we left Aerilon.”
Haroch waves his hand dismissively. “We would have needed to go to Penketh for that, and I’d really rather not have to see my father or Aceline. Besides, I’m not sure Pennaedra would even know me anymore.”
“All the same.”
Haroch looks at Veridis as if seeing him for the first time. The tightness around his eyes softens. His tongue darts out to wet his lips, and he swallows a couple of times.
“Thank you.”
It isn’t until he clears his throat and turns away that Veridis realizes how close they’ve gotten. He scooches away as subtly as he can.
“What about you? Do you have any siblings?”
Green skirts and freckled shoulders flash through Veridis’s mind. He shakes his head with a frown.
“No. Or… yes? Not exactly.”
Haroch’s breath comes out in an amused huff. “That doesn’t make any sense.”
“My father was married once before he knew my mother. They had a daughter together. We met only once, when I was young.”
“I had no idea.”
“Yes, well, I don’t like to dwell in the past. I mean, why don’t you ever talk about your family?”
“I tried to avoid all of them if I was able to. Other than Roldt and Pennaedra, they aren’t good people. Kheidan, in particular, is rather cruel. And I suppose I don’t see the value in sharing stories about people I don’t care for.”
A beat passes as Haroch flings the rest of his apple across the stream.
“What were your parents like?”
The question makes Veridis’s blood run cold. He has to remind himself several times over that he doesn’t need to answer if he doesn’t want to. He shouldn’t. If he does, he should lie. The less that Haroch knows about him, the better. If Haroch is oblivious, he’s safe, and there is one less person in this world who could track Veridis.
And yet, there’s a part of him that needs to answer Haroch honestly. Veridis has no doubt that it is the same part of him that wanted Haroch on the team. The same part that has allowed a certain amount of openness. The same part that will undoubtedly get him killed one day.
Veridis tosses the core of his apple into the stream and leans forward so he can let the water run over his hands. When he sits back, he dries his hands against his shirt. He can feel Haroch’s eyes on him. He doesn’t know if the nervous tremble in his fingers is a result of Haroch or his question.
“I never knew my father very well. We were… distant with each other. He never loved my mother the way he loved his first wife, and there were times I wasn’t sure he even remembered that she was there. Oh, but my mother… she was withdrawn from the world much of the time. There were times she didn’t know I was around, and other times she simply didn’t care for my presence. But she loved my father dearly.
“’He likes the summer,’ I can remember her saying. She would go into a frenzy every year after the first snow. Her cheeks would be painted and she would trade her usual dresses for gowns that were bright and vibrant. She was glorious under the influence of winter. Where others always seemed to crumple in the cold, she blossomed.
“It was these times that I loved her most, that I needed her most. These were the times when she would remember me. Her arms would cradle me and her hair would tickle my face and her lips would sing praises for me. But… only in the winter. Only when she was bright, when she wrapped herself in satin gowns colored like the summer.
“Her favorite was a soft orange, more pink than yellow, and I remember it brought out the light that appeared in her eyes during those months. The hope and the warmth and the gentleness. But when the snow stopped falling and the first buds burst, she was gone. The gowns were gone, the paint on her cheeks was gone, the laughter and smiles and embraces were all gone. It was like she would take all the happiness in the world with her when she closed herself off again.
“’He likes the summer,’ she would say, and become the summer for him. But it was an act, like everything she did. When the real summer came, she could not be what she was not. She couldn’t make my father love her the way she deserved.”
For a long while, the only sounds are the burbling steam and the soft susurrate of the breeze through the grass. Veridis clenches his hands into fists to stop the trembling, but it feels now as if his entire body is a taut bowstring. He’s honestly not sure if a response from Haroch would release the tension or add to it. He can’t bring himself to face Haroch; his eyes have started to unfocus from where he’s locked on to a rock on the opposite bank. He can feel his teeth grating as if his jaw has been wired shut.
Haroch lets out a soft breath. The warmth of a hand hovers over Veridis’s shoulder briefly before it is drawn away without ever touching. Then the hand returns- this time on the ground beside Veridis’s hand, just inside his field of vision. There to hold if he wants it, but not forcing interaction.
“I think that’s the most I’ve ever heard you speak at once,” Haroch murmurs.
Veridis chokes on a quivering laugh. After a few more deep breaths, he is able to look at Haroch. He’s watching Veridis carefully, as if he might startle and flee like a while animal. Veridis can’t say that the thought hasn’t crossed his mind. He swallows to try and rid himself of the lump that has formed in his throat, but nothing happens.
Veridis feels shaky and unstable, like he could be blown away if the breeze were but a breath stronger. Though he left out key identifying details, everything that he’s said is the truth. It has been a long while since he’s thought about his mother at this length.
Usually, the briefest thoughts of home invoke anger or fear, but now… Never in the three years since he left has he considered returning. Never has he imagined his mother, shut in the house with no one to comfort her in the spring time.
Veridis wonders how she survived the first winter that he was gone.
Hot tears prick at his eyes. He blinks rapidly to banish them, startled and confused by their presence. For a second, he believes he might fall over. He places both hands on the ground to either side of him to steady himself and draw in a quivering breath.
“I didn’t mean to say so much,” he finally manages to whisper.
Haroch supplies a gentle smile. “I’m glad you told me.”
He doesn’t say anything more during the time it takes Veridis to compose himself. He doesn’t touch Veridis, either, but Veridis can feel the warmth of Haroch’s hand beside his own.
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angryteapot · 5 years
Text
Last Laugh
Characters: Reader, Steve Rogers
Word Count: 1485
Warnings: None, I think? Let me know if I need to add anything.
Summary:  You and Steve are workout buddies. But really, you're no match for Captain America, so you're just there for the laughs and his muscles.
A/N: Just something I wrote forever ago, back when I didn’t care about unrealistic workout regimens lol. I re-read it and nearly died from the awfulness of it. So yeah... read at your own peril, I guess. 
Want to be tagged in more garbage? Send me an ask! <3
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You stand outside in the morning chill in your thin workout clothes, with your phone and headphones in hand. You shiver, but know you'll be sweating in no time once Cap comes down to join you. You play a game on your phone, enjoying standing still while you can. 
Steve walks through the compound entrance, calling out to you, "Hey Y/N, shouldn't you be doing warm up stretches?" You grin at him saying, "I'm hoping a cramp will incapacitate me so I won't have to run."
He smiles and shakes his head, and you both stretch a little before your run. The compound training area is huge, and you're seriously not looking forward to attempting to keep up with the super soldier. You aren't a fan of running unless it's a life or death situation, in which case you're nearly as fast as Steve and Bucky, to everyone's intense surprise. 
You start out at a light jog, music blaring through your headphones and motivating you to match your pace with the pounding rhythm. You speed up a little, Steve matching your pace. You're finally finishing your second lap around the perimeter when Steve signals to you that he's going to go full speed. 
You're surprised that he stuck with you for so long, considering that your running pace wasn't even enough for him to break a sweat. You, on the other hand, were already overheating and peeled off your thin sweater, leaving you in a tank top. You took a minute to get some water, deciding that one more lap should be sufficient before you collapse.
You're going at a good pace, enough to make your lungs burn and legs ache, but not so much that it's overwhelming. You're not even a third of the way through your lap when Steve breezes past you, shouting, "On your left!" with a shit-eating grin. Ugh, that asshole. Now you know how Sam feels whenever he trains with Steve. 
By the time you finish your lap (about 5 normal-people-sized laps), Steve has passed you up and shouted "On your left!" three more times, each time accompanied by a bigger grin at your glare. 
You collapse on the lawn, chugging water and trying desperately to catch your breath. Steve finishes another lap before jogging up to you with a smile, motioning for the water in your hand. You throw it at his head with a mock glare, chuckling at his affronted expression when he catches it.
You flop down on your back, pulling the headphones out of your ears and putting them in your pocket. Steve smirks down at you, taunting, "Given up already, Y/L/N? We're barely getting started." 
You glare up at him, staring at his stupid muscles and that stupid smirk. "You can workout to your heart's content, Captain. But I'm remaining right where I am. Maybe I'll practice my Dead Man's yoga pose." 
He laughs at your antics, dropping into position for push ups a few feet from you. You lazily turn to look at him, giving him a look that said 'you're crazy'. He only arched an eyebrow and laughed at you before starting his push ups.
You stared up at the sky, catching your breath, when an idea hit you. For Steve, working out hardly ever had him out of breath. Laughter, though, always had him gasping for air like a fish out of water. You formulated a plan and rolled over towards him until your head was right next to his whenever he did a push up. 
When he went down, he held himself effortlessly and looked confusedly at your upside down face next to his. 
"Hi," you said cheekily with a smile. 
"... Hey?" was his confused reply before he pushed up again for another push up. 
When he went back down again, you were humming some song and looking up at the clouds. Steve smiled fondly because of how close you were and how comforting it was just to have you near while he worked out. He continued his push ups, your splayed-out hair brushing his nose whenever he was in the down position. 
You suddenly spoke, so softly that his super soldier hearing was the only reason he heard it. Between your humming, you had whispered, "My ass on the grass," with a slight giggle. He huffed out a laugh, amused at your weird comment.
You continued your plan to hear his adorable laughter until he was paralyzed with it and gasping for air. Still looking at the clouds, you saw a vague rabbit-looking shape and sing-songed, "Bunny with the money, looking for the honeys." 
Steve let out a snort at this, and you were disappointed that it wasn't a full laugh. Time for Phase Two, then. Few knew that Steve "Captain America" Rogers was ticklish, and those that did know were threatened with death should they try anything. You, however, were always the exception from his wrath; only earning the Eyebrows of Disappointment ™ while he playfully threw you onto the nearest soft surface and tickled you until you begged for mercy.
The next time he was in the down position, you whisper, "Abs for the grabs," as you reach under him and lightly tickle his clenched stomach. 
He laughs in surprise, twitching hard as he holds himself up with one hand and swats you away with the other. 
Yes, success! Thinking it was a one time thing, he continues with his push ups while you formulate more rhymes. 
You rhyme his various body parts while poking and tickling said part until he's gasping for breath, his eyes and nose adorable scrunched with laughter. 
You poke his forehead next, saying," Frontal lobe gets the probe!" His face scrunches while he laughs, though still not giving up on his workout. Time to bring out the big guns then...
You suddenly shout, "Pecs that flex!" and place your hands on his pectorals, squeezing the firm muscles and laughing hysterically to yourself. 
Steve's eyes widen in shock as he bursts out laughing, almost falling from his position as he gasps for breath between each laugh. 
HELL YEAH, you are triumphant! When he finally catches his breath, there's a mischievous twinkle in his eye, and you know that you're in for some payback. 
You try to scramble away, but (still in push-up position) he pushes up hard, his hands leaving the ground as he come back down, landing in the down position again; this time with his hands on either side of your upside-down head. You lay there gaping like a fish, half impressed at his dexterity, a quarter aroused, and a quarter mock-fearful about whatever his payback is going to be.
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*Image is only used to show the position, no implied appearance of Y/N*
But he doesn't move, only holds himself up as he gazes intensely at you. You swallow, gazing fondly into his ocean eyes. Said deep blue eyes roam your face before looking into your own bright eyes again. He notices your breathing, blush-tinged cheeks, and your slightly-parted lips. 
You swallow and try to joke, "Elbow to elbow!" while hooking your arms around his bent elbows. 
He smiles beautifully and, unable to stand his longing anymore, whispers, "Mouth to mouth." 
The words barely register in your brain before he lowers himself further, his soft lips meeting yours in an upside down kiss. When he pulls back, your eyes flutter open and you roll over, pushing yourself up and looking him in the eye. 
You give him a small smile (because he looks adorably anxious) and move back in to kiss him again. He sighs and sinks into the kiss, dazedly pulling back after a moment and resting his forehead against yours. 
You share a smile, and while he thinks you're moving in for another kiss, you stop with your lips barely brushing his. He glances at you, waiting for another kiss, when you suddenly whisper, "Tongue to cheek," licking a broad stripe up his cheek.
Before he can process what just happened, you laugh joyously and spring up before sprinting away towards the compound. He stares after you in shock before grinning devilishly, jumping up to sprint after you. He has a difficult time catching up to your unnatural speed, but he eventually does, and slings an arm around your waist, lifting you up and swinging you around in circles. 
Peals of laughter escape your lips as he spins you, with you clutching onto his arms for dear life. When he stops spinning, he holds your body tight to his, your feet not even brushing the ground. 
He grins at you adoringly before kissing you softly and putting you back down on your feet. You hug him and grab his hand as you walk into the compound together for your customary post-workout breakfast. 
Glancing up at his satisfied smile, you think you could get used to actually keeping up with him on a run if it ended with playful chasing and victory kisses.
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velvetinewitch · 4 years
Text
fluffcember: sunrise, ellalion
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@cheesecake-angel​, here’s your ellalion fluff! i loved writing them, thank you for forcing me to. also thanks to @paper-shield-and-wooden-sword,  @raiswanson, and @siarven for hosting fluffcember!!  find a list of characters to send a ship (platonic/romantic) in for fluffcember here!
Ella wakes her early that morning, or late that night. She shakes Ara's shoulders until the writer shifts, her dream-state fleeing her. She mutters groggily under her breath, her eyes flickering half-open to the pale blue hues of their room. 
"I wanna show you something," Ella whispers, strands of hair spilling into Ara's space, voice soft as to not disturb the silence of the atmosphere. "You're going to have to close your eyes, just not yet." 
Ara searches blearily for the blaring red alarm clock and scowls at the low numbers. She curses Ella, but the girl just lets out a breathy chuckle. She reaches for Ara's hand, tugging her from the sheets despite her complaints. 
"Do I have to get dressed?" Ara asks. She puts her palm to her mouth to muffle the yawn.
Ella examines her outfit, the fluffy, leopard-print pajama pants and the warm Christmas shirt (despite it being July). Despite the heat of the night, Ara bundles up to keep from freezing. Ella, who had fallen asleep against their fridge, had always found it ironic. Her magic was fire, but it did nothing to keep Ara warm. "You're fine," she decides. Her brow wrinkles. "Did you really sleep in your shoes?"
Ara stifles a giggle at her distaste and lets her lead her out of their dorm. The lights in the hallways are dim, glowing just enough for them to see the floor and walls. Ella speedruns down the stairs, her feet loud and heavy on the carpet. Ara lags behind, slow with a resting terror that her tired mind will abandon her body and let her trip. Before they step outside, Ella reaches for Ara's hand, lifting it to cover her eyes. Ara laughs at the action, but holds her fingers there, squashed against her nose, no rays seeping in through the cracks. Ella takes her other hand and uses it to guide her, pulling her forward through the doors and into the outside world. It isn't freezing, or even chilly, just a soothing gesture of the summer temperature. The dew on the grass soaks into her shoes and the bottoms of the pajamas as they walk. When Ara whines to Ella, Ella offers to carry her. It's almost tempting, if not for the last time they'd attempted that. They mutually agree that Ella, while she may be a junior Olympic athlete, doesn't need to practice any weightlifting. For their safety.
The path Ella leads Ara down is familiar, even without her vision. The small breach in the magical Boundary sits beside a large Willow tree that had grown into the carved out mountainside. Among the roots, a hole breaks through, steep and dirty. Ella helps Ara down it, their feet sliding a little as they break out of the campus territory. Generations of students before them have dug through the mountain, casting spells to hold the ground in place, setting infinitely burning candles in coves along the walls. Now, a semblance of the brightness break through Ara's skin, brilliant red. The echo of their footsteps bounces along the walls.
As they walk, they talk. It isn't a small, thinly knit conversation of formalities. They'd agreed, when their friendship first began, that conversations like those would be worthless to them. Instead, Ara asks what her childhood home looked like- tall columns, white pristine walls, rugs made of silks beneath Ella's bare feet while her butler chased her. Ella listens to Ara reminisce of the stories her mother would tell her before bed, poetry and fairy tales about love of all kind. Even their kind of love, something strong, not quite romantic, but nothing like a simple friendship. Ella grins when Ara says this, threatens a kiss. Ara threatens a punch, but it's playful, and the laugh she earns is something that calms her.
Their destination is only just beyond the exit of the tunnel. Ara can't see it, but she can feel the dirt path beneath the soles of her feet, and the green trees are imprinted in her memory. The music of the wind plays in their leaves.
"Did you know the band kids enchanted the trees?" Ella asks.
"Really?"
"Rain told me,” Ella continues, sounding proud of herself for her insider knowledge. “If you listen hard enough, you can hear whatever song makes you happiest."
Ara strains her ears to hear it, and laughs when the sound of her mother's favorite radio song reaches her. Her smile must be telling because Ella squeezes her hand. The music is slowly joined by the hum of running water, and Ara knows they've reached the end of their journey. Ella pulls her forward towards the oasis, the spot in the center of the dense wood, where a stream leaking off the main waterfall travels to the edge of a higher set of cliffs and falls, forming their small shoal at its base. Sometimes, during the school year, kids will sneak down here at night, using their magic to change the landscapes. Once, Asrian stole the stars in the night sky and tucked them under its surface, the water rippling with opal constellations. Pallet and Kaden had tie-dyed it with their own magic once, transforming it into a sea of color. Sometimes, the hydrologic sciences kids visit, putting on a show with their ability to manipulate its shape. No student of Nyxivis has lived until they’ve experienced a floating ecosystem of glass.
Ella tugs her to the left, where Ara knows the ground curls inwards, a small indent behind the springs, where the water is a bit like a curtain. Magic, as always, prevents the water from splaying on you, and the sound of the water isn’t loud enough to be overpowering. Best of all, the view is gorgeous. Through that clear curtain is the serene water like a giant puddle, and past that is the cliff, and past that, the valley, a city of lights stretching before them. But Ara's eyes are still closed, her hand shielding her from that beauty, even as they duck into the cove and find a seat facing the distance.
"It'll be a few minutes," Ella says. She scooches closer to Ara, drawn to the warmth and the pressure of their touch. Ara waits impatiently for the time to come, cracking sarcastic jokes that make Ella reply just as dryly. Then, finally, Ella nudges her waist with her elbow, and gives Ara the okay.
It's the sunrise that meets her eyes when she pulls her hand away and blinks off the darkness. The suns beams, as it ascends, scatter in the falling water like prisms of fire. On the surface of the puddle below them dance the rays, flames of daybreak against the cooling pond. Ara feels her breath catch, her mind whirring to narrate the scene before her. “You could propose to me right here, and I’d say yes,” she says finally.
“Good,” Ella says, rummaging through her pocket. Ara startles, but Ella pulls out the ring without a box at all, holding it out to her casually. The cherry golden color glints in the light. “It’s a… non-romantic engagement ring. In a ‘no homo’ fashion.”
Ara laughs as she takes it, and if she’s crying, no one could blame her. “Fuck you, Ella,” she says with a sniffle. “I didn’t get you a ring.”
“I’m not sure that’s how this works, babe,” Ella grins, leaning into her further, playfully pushing her to the side with her shoulder. “Actually, I’m not really sure about this at all, it’s not exactly traditional.” Ara pushes back stronger, and it becomes a war, until they’re giggling and shoving and Ara tackles Ella into a wrestling match. With a shriek and a splash, they pull themselves through the curtain and into the shoal, letting that golden fire bathe them as they fight under the sunrise.
(saying this again lol) find a list of characters to send a ship (platonic/romantic) in for fluffcember here!
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avengeultrons · 6 years
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Title: Final Days of Summer (Reader x Peter Parker) 
Summary: Summer is coming to the end but the reader and Peter are both determined to make the most of every last moment together.
Word Count: 1830
A/N: If you’re reading this on Friday, August 3, I’m a camp counselor until the fifth and hopefully I’m having fun. LOL! Hope you guys enjoy! :) --
Summer was winding down to just a few hot weeks in the blazing heat, the final days of lingering golden sunshine. You had two weeks until school started, two weeks of bike rides to the lake where sun bounced off the water and sparkled like sequins, two weeks of melting popsicles in the park with Peter and painting in front of the fountain. You had to make the most of it.
“What should we do today?” Peter arrived at your house bright and early, sitting on the step of your porch with his feet dangling over the dewy grass. It was early in the morning, the sun hiding behind the trees, the neighborhood quiet except for the birds singing their summertime songs.
You smiled over your coffee mug at him, grabbing the empty picnic basket from the chipping wicker table in front of you, “We can bike down to the water and have a picnic if you’re up for it. There’s a spot of rain on the radar but I think it’s moving south,” you said. You were hoping he was up for it because you already had your swimsuit on and were eager to get your toes into the cool lake.
“Sounds fun to me,” his bike was lying on its side in the grass, back wheel still spinning from when he was hollering at you to watch him dart full speed down the hill.
A wide, giddy grin lit up your face that made Peter’s face turn pink as he watched you jump up and dash inside to put together a picnic. He sat there on the creaky wooden step of your front porch, his stomach twisted into knots. His aunt had finally convinced him to say how he felt, but if you didn’t start on your trek soon he would surely lose all of his motivation to do so.
“Ya ready, Pete?” you jumped from the top step and onto the sidewalk below, hefty picnic basket in your arms. You set it in the basket of your bike and hopped on, dangling your feet as you waited for your best friend to join you.
He laughed as you flipped a pair of obnoxious daisy shades over your eyes, your heart skipping a beat as he did so, “I’ll race you!” he shouted, taking off up the hill to lead the way out of your neighborhood.
Though the sun was still out at your favorite lake spot, a blanket of dark clouds were rolling in slowly. They seemed to glare down at the two of you as you threw a large gingham picnic blanket onto the dock, placing your picnic basket on top. Peter ran up the hill to the large oak tree that suspended its branches over the water like dangling arms, a rope swing that your grandparents had tied long ago still swaying in the breeze.
You howled with laughter, Peter letting out a yelp as he ran full speed to the rope and swung over the water before dropping in, “God, it’s freezing!” he shouted as he came up for air. A small smile broke on your face as you set up your picnic.
You and Peter were best friends, always. The two of you did everything together, but today felt... different. Things between the two of you were starting to feel like more. You rolled your eyes, pulling your shirt off before diving off of the dock into the water below.
“It is,” you finally said in agreement, your teeth chattering as you waded in the deep, frigid water. Peter laughed at you, doggy paddling circles around you. You watched him carefully, as he kicked around. “Stop that, you’re making me nervous!” you teased.
The truth was that Peter was the one that was nervous, he had to find a way to expel his anxious energy. His pink face and shifty eyes were making your stomach fill with butterflies, so you decided to pull a prank on him to help him relax. “Help!” You squealed dramatically, holding your breath as you kicked and splashed, diving under the water.
“Y/N?” he watched for a moment, his heart beating loudly in his ears. Surely you were just pulling his leg, trying to joke around a little.
“It’s got me!” you yelled again, choking on your own laughter.You were under the water for a long while, and nothing but air bubbles were visible on the surface.
“What’s got you? Y/N!” Peter’s eyes widened to the size of golf balls. Maybe you were serious this time. “Holy shit,” he mumbled, taking a deep breath before he dove after you.
You had considered yourself a prankster for a while, a good actress, too. Your eyes were wide open as you watched Peter scramble after you, legs kicking with such force that you were almost surprised when he didn’t sprout fins and gills and swim away. You were trying your best to hide the grin as you shut your eyes when he got close enough, Peter grabbing you by your arms to pull you up to the surface.
Once you broke the surface of the water, you burst out laughing. You could see Peter put the pieces together in his mind until he gasped and followed you to the dock, splashing you hard as you climbed the slippery metal ladder up to the dock.“You’re such a loser! Was that supposed to be a joke?”
“It wasn’t supposed to be a joke, it was one! Why are you so anxious today?” you asked with a laugh, lending him a hand out of the water. He rolled his eyes at you and took your hand, his face turning red. Peter dropped your hand as soon as he saw the quizzical look on your face. “Up for lunch? I packed peanut butter sandwiches!”
You and Peter pulled your picnic blanket up to the edge of the dock to dangle your legs over the water as you ate sandwiches and drank fizzy sodas straight from their glass bottles. Peter was playing an upbeat pop playlist on his phone, singing along to the tunes.  It was the epitome of summer to you. “I wish that this didn’t have to end,” he looked over at you with a bashful smile. Peter seemed to gaze up at you through his long eyelashes, making you practically woozy over the honey coloring in his dark eyes.
“I know,” you blinked out of your daze, popping a grape into your mouth. Peter sighed loudly next to you, staring out at the water.
You nudged him with your elbow and tossed another grape into the air, catching it smoothly in your mouth, “What’s going through your head? You’re acting kind of distant.” You looked up at the sky as a rumble of thunder echoed through the trees, each sound growing louder and louder. Maybe the rain would skip over you? Peter blinked, his face going scarlet as he messed with his hair which was now practically a wet, curly poodle atop his head. “I, nothing. Really, nothing,” he shrugged and managed a light laugh which you raised an eyebrow at. “Okay, fine. Y/N, I do really need to tell you something actually.”
As if the Gods above were playing some sick joke on the two of you- probably because of your mean prank on Peter- the heavens opened up with rain. Not just any rain, a torrential downpour of large, heavy drops of warm rainwater. The kind of summer rain that was harmless, but sent everyone indoors.
The two of you yelped and ran for cover under the oak tree, laughing as you dragged your soaking wet picnic blanket along with you. You were wiping water from your eyes, “Well, that’s ironic,” you said with a laugh.  Rain was still managing to get the two of you wet despite the large tree’s covering. “Guess we’ll just wait for the rain to stop and head home?”
“Well, there’s no lightning, and we still have food to eat. We’re already in our suits,” Peter pressed play on his phone once more and placed it on the dry earth next to the tree’s roots. He stepped into the pouring rain and offered you a hand, “Let’s dance.”
“That’s so corny, Peter!” you rolled your eyes, taking his hand in yours as you bit back a smile. At first, Peter and you were jumping up and down dancing hecticly. Peter was doing some 70s disco move as you stepped and snapped to the beat.
Then, the next song played, slowing things down. The rain was suddenly not coming down in full force, not pounding the ground or the water as hard as it was before. You took Peter’s hands and laughed as he spun you. You lay your head on his shoulder as the two of you swayed together in the rain. “This was my dad’s favorite spot as a kid. My grandparents put that rope swing up,” you said quietly, leaning back to look up at him.
“That’s awesome. I like you,” Peter said it all so fast. So fast that it took a moment for his words to register in your head.
You smiled, cocking your head to the side, “I know, me too. Well, not that I like me too, but I like you, too. Not that I don’t like myself, but not like that. You do mean like that, don’t you?” he nodded, taking your hand as you spun out to stand in front of him.
You held both of his hands as the next song played, a poppier song with a dancing beat. The two of you danced like this, holding each other’s hands and waiting for someone to do something. Peter twirled you around and pulled you into him, dancing in a sort of fast waltz. You couldn’t stop laughing as the two of you danced in the rain, the most cliche thing that anyone could think up, “I’m gonna dip you!” Peter said.
Peter couldn’t stop laughing as threw your head back when he dipped you, your hair grazing the grass. Rain was pouring down from the sky even harder now, which you hoped was now a blessing from the Gods instead of a joke.
When he pulled you back up, his face was alight with glee. Curly hair was sticking to his forehead, dripping with rainwater. He pushed your own hair out of your face and did what you thought he would never do; Peter kissed you
Peter Parker, your best friend, had kissed you in the rain on a hot summer day at your favorite place in the world. He’d finally done it and it was electrifying and full of glee. The kiss was like every summer day you’d spent together; full of joy and warmth and love. The cage of butterflies in your stomach broke open, leaving them to flap around wildly.
Peter had taken a chance and it worked.
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The Wonders of a Mindscape
This is the next lesson on Astral Travel! Enjoy~
What Is a Mindscape?
What I call a Mindscape also goes by many other names: Mindspace and Headspace are a few of the ones I’ve seen most often. A Mindscape is a protected space in the Astral reserved specifically for you. No other entities can enter the Mindscape unless they are A) attached to you in some way or B) have your explicit permission. Often, your mindscape already has many features that you have subconsciously introduced. Sometimes a Spirit Teacher/Guardian/Companion will chill there. HOWEVER. You must still ward this space because as I said, entities that are attached to you <i>can</i> get in... this includes energy parasites, trickster spirits you inadvertently invite in, and entities that force there way in by attaching themselves to your energy and/or cloaking themselves with it. Astral warding is a bit too much to include in this one post, so I'll cover it in the next one.
A Mindscape is a place that is influenced by you and your state of being. Let’s say you have a really Nature-y Mindscape. Forest sounds are playing almost all of the time, you can hear the distant waterfall, a gentle breeze is going. When you feel sad, sometimes your Mindscape will become sad right along with you. The Birds might stop singing, the waterfall in the distance might become silent, the air might become still. If rain is a “sad” thing for you, it might even start raining. Because your Mindscape is influenced by you, you can also consciously change it. You can change the landscape, or make flowers grow in a blink of your eye. You can zap a pretty little dress or an awesome leather jacket on yourself and build a castle on top of a shallow mountain. It’s the only place in the Astral where no rules apply.
In no other Astral Space can you do these things because the space will not be connected to you. You might be able to make flowers grow in the blink of an eye, but only if you have the talent, seeds, and energy to do it. If you zap on a piece of clothing, you’re taking that thing from somewhere else in the Astral. Remember this when you start to visit the Astral.
You can also temporarily disable the “no rules apply” feature of your mindscape. By doing this, you make the Mindscape a place exactly like the Astral--minus the entities. This makes your Mindscape a great place to practice Astral magic and the like. It is why I am telling you about this now: so that BEFORE you get yourself hurt somehow in the Astral, you can practice how being there feels first. You can practice offensive and defensive protective Astral magic, which is somewhat different from the spells you’re used to casting in the physical world. You can practice any new abilities you might find yourself having without many repercussions (other than tiredness). You can have a place to go when you need a little quiet time. You can even have a place to interact with your spirit companions--somewhere where you can probably actually *see* them in a way you wouldn’t on the physical plane.
Okay, But How Do I Get To This “Mindscape?”
With all this, now that I’ve probably gotten you excited, I think I’d better actually tell you how to get to this fantastical place. It’s quite simple really, and like Projection, there are multiple ways to do it. My favorite way involves meditation. Once you get there, it is easy to get back.
A Mindscape is connected to your mind; that’s why it’s called a Mindscape. I’ll share a few methods with all of you and you can try them out. If none of them work for you, pm me and I’d be willing to talk about some ways that might. I do recommend setting a time limit for yourself, though. What feels like a few minutes in the Astral could very well be a few hours here, and vice versa. Set an alarm that will bring you back if you get too lost.
Imagination
Sometimes the simplest way involves the least amount of work. Just start imagining your Mindscape how you think it would look/sound/feel/smell to you. Imagine the most minute details; the grass under your feet, or the stone walls of a mansion. Perhaps you will imagine a vast ocean or a beautiful forest. Maybe you’ll find your home in the mountains; or maybe you’ll find it in a nice, cozy cottage filled with herbs and crystals of all kinds. Get Creative. :) Remember that imagination is only the way to get there; this is a valid experience you will have. The things you will do and see and smell and feel are real, even if they’re just in a mindscape. That’s kinda the point lol.
Meditation
Sometimes during meditation, your mind will start to drift. You’ll start to think about random things, or maybe you’ll start daydreaming. Let it drift. Find yourself at peace, and sink deeper and deeper until you discover a place suffused with your thoughts and emotions. Relax. Also, keep in mind to meditate in a way that is right for you.
Guided Meditation
There are times when we need a guide to help us get places. My guided meditations are text-based. You read along and eventually, you break away from the guide and begin to take on your own view of things. Questions will prompt you to come up with your own, unique answers. This method is good for those who read a lot and find themselves getting sucked into the book, letting their own surroundings fade away.
Here’s a guide that I’ve used and have had others use before:
Prep: Get comfortable. Prop yourself up on a few pillows or drag a big, warm blanket around your shoulders. Make sure you are in a safe place where you will not be disturbed. Do not read this until you are ready.
The Guide: Your surroundings melt away from you. You find yourself falling in a void, though you are not afraid. You are safe. The invisible (or is it visible?) wind cradles your body, slowing your fall somehow. Eventually, the darkness that surrounds you begins to take shape. Look around and note what you see. What sights befall your mind? What scents? What sounds? The wind that cradles you, what does it feel like? You continue to fall, wondering if you’ll hit the ground. You cannot be hurt. Your fall slows, gently letting you down in the deepest part of yourself. Your feet touch the ground. The wind moves away.
Open your mind.
A Doorway
Doorways lead places. That has always been true. On the physical plane, they only lead to one place, and it has to be adjacent to the room you’re in. That is not as true on the Astral. There, a door is merely a passageway. A portal. Since anything can be adjacent in the Astral, the normal rules don’t apply. Imagine a door in your mind. It should be closed. Put your hand on the handle but don’t open it yet. Tell yourself that this door will take you to your mindscape. Believe it. Tell the door this. Open it.
A Watery Adventure
In the physical, water connects two landforms together. In the Astral, water just connects. Bodies of water can be another valid entrance into your mindscape. Like the door method, you just have to tell yourself the water will take you to your mindscape and not someplace else in the Astral. Draw yourself a bath. Relax into the water. Let yourself (your mind not your body please don’t drown) sink deeper into the water… deeper. Don’t hold your breath; you can breathe Astral water like air. Assert that when you reach the water’s surface, you will be in your mindscape. Then start to swim to the top.
Note: Do NOT try this method if you have a tendency to fall asleep while meditating.
Music
If you’ve ever wanted to know what a sound feels like, this is for you. Some of us like to zone out to music. Especially when listening to our own playlists, they can take us to a place of peace and relaxation. You sit down, put on your headphones, and start playing your favorite tunes. This helps to block out the rest of the world and is an especially good method if you’re not distracted by the music in your head.
Then, listen… feel the beats of your music. Notice how they move through you, changing you, resonating in some space in your mind. This works kinda like echolocation. Use the sounds to identify your astral space. Hear with your mind the way the music bounces off of objects; trees, ground. Once you know that it’s doing that, you know that object is there. When I did this the first time the music bounced off of a tree, making a sort of “wooden” sound,  and the tree appeared in front of me, clear as day.
Bilocation
This is good if you have a hard time focusing while just sitting or lying down. Bilocation is the act of splitting your consciousness between a physical action and moving in the astral. For example, you could draw or doodle while the rest of your mind wandered into the astral, almost like a daydream. Some people like to jog or exercise. The physical exertion helps them focus their mind.
I, personally, liked to Travel while throwing. I’d wedge up my clay and it’d relax my body, loosening it and getting me focused. I’d sit down at my wheel and begin to center my clay. While I did that I was simultaneously centering my mind. After that, I could leave my body behind, which knew all the physical motions and what to do, and switch my mind to focus on my mindscape or some other place in the astral.
You can also paint, craft, play an instrument, or do any other “mindless” thing where you are physically moving your body.
How To Create Or Make Additions To A Mindscape
Some of us don’t have mindscapes that are readily made and filled with many things. If none of the above methods have really worked for you, this could be the case. Please note that most of the below methods can also be used to enter your mindscape once it’s been created.
Draw it!
If you’re the artsy type, then this is for you! What better way to create a mindscape than to actually create it? The best part is once you have it drawn/painted/stitched/whatever, that physical representation of your mindscape can become a portal to enter it. Focus on your rendition, and imagine yourself actually being in the place you have created. If you’re making an addition, start the drawing with a part of your mindscape that already exists so you can connect the two.
Start With Darkness/Light
Sink deep into yourself. Once you feel you’ve reached the deepest point, it’s time to create. Out of the Darkness, make a place that appeals to you. Imagine a waterfall or something. Have any of you ever seen Barbie: Rapunzel? You can imagine your Darkness (or, if you prefer, Light) as a canvas waiting to be painted on. Imagine that the paint brush creates the grass or stone under your feet, then watch it happen. You can also make additions this way; just take a brush or a finger to a place you want to make an addition and imagine it being created.
Write about it!
If you’re not the best at drawing or even imagining, this could be the method for you. Write about your mindscape like you’re describing a place in a book. Use the 5 senses just like a good description would do. Here’s an example from a book I’m writing:
The sky was a vivid green. Both moons hung in the sky, even though it was the middle of the day. The vegetation was every shade of blue and purple, so unlike the stark green plants in the Mundane world. Shadows darted in between the trees; flowers glowed with a strange luminescence. Soft chirps and other weird noises made up the song of this crazy forest that smelled like earth and plant and dark things. Strangest of all were the creatures that peered out from the darkness, their eyes a mixture of the darkest gold and the softest gray.
Once you’ve created it to your satisfaction, you can also use your description to enter your mindscape. The description should pull you into your mindscape when you read it. It’s like reading a good book and letting the rest of your surrounding fall away as you are sucked into a different universe; kinda like the strange place I’ve described here. You can also make additions to your mindscape simply by adding to your writing~
Connect The Idea of Your Mindscape To A Physical Object
Another way to get to your mindscape is to attach the idea of it to an object. I have a favorite crystal I carry around with me almost everywhere. I can spend a few days meditating on the fact that this crystal will take me to my mindscape. Doing so will help me associate the idea of it to my crystal. First, you have to get a good sense of your mindscape. Think about what it looks like, feels like to be there. Attach this idea to the object by sort of mentally “throwing” the idea at it. Then, you keep thinking, over and over again, “This crystal is connected to my mindscape. It will take me there if I will it.” You have to do this a few times over the course of maybe a week before the connection will stick. Also, as this is an addition, your mindscape has to already be created so you can more completely connect it to the object. Once it has, you can use the object to get to your mindscape by fitting your consciousness into the crystal.
Alright, I think I’ve exhausted my knowledge of mindscapes for the time being. I’ll make additions to this document if I find other ways that I know of. Remember everyone, you don’t have to visualize the things I’m talking about. If you’re using the writing method, for example, try something crazy: describe your mindscape without using sight. Talk about how the grass feels under your feet or the scent of a salty ocean on the cool breeze. The ability of your mind is not limited to sight.
The next lesson will focus on how to protect yourself while astral traveling. Until then, practice being in your mindscape and getting there. Practice moving your astral body there and keeping your conscious focused on the astral, instead of in the physical.
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taleacorven-blog · 4 years
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10 Things You Learned In Kindergarden That'll Help You With Concrete Stamped Patterns
In a nutshell, I might like to pass on my lesson realized. Sealing is VERY important - Really don't get lazy about that, but You should not try to restain it or you may end up dissapointed. Also of no surprise, sealing the cracks was marginally productive at most effective.
The matter to recall below is when you variety your driveway, patio, sidewalk, and so forth. what ever the application, 1x4s or 2x4s will be the forms(2x4s perform greater since they tend not to bow as much) you will often have 4 inches of concrete all through the entire slab if you quality it correct.#three) The most important) when an estimate is finished on asphalt, in general ,the estimate is figured at 2 inches thick(this is where asphalt will usually appear up small) since In order for you it any thicker, that could be further. This can be just one motive you have to start mowing your asphalt right after it will get a crack, as a consequence of grass or weeds. LOL. Finally it's the homeowners final decision, but you're going to get additional bang to your buck with concrete. two inches vs four inches, thirty yrs vs five to 10 years....
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However, installers say driveways might need to get replaced quicker or very last for a longer period determined by upkeep.
Hardwood floor set up can take anywhere from a few days to over two weeks, dependant upon demolition, wood type, the issue of your subfloor, whole sq. footage in the project, and installation strategy. Demolition is necessary Should you have current flooring you ought to substitute with hardwood floors. New-building houses will not require this move, since the subfloor is primed and ready for floor set up. All through demolition, the flooring crew may perhaps find that your subfloor has harmed wood, uneven surfaces or other issues that should be addressed before the new wood is usually laid down. Crews may well cost on an hourly fee for subfloor repair service, along with the work can take a few hours to several days, based upon what’s hiding beneath your floor.
After looking at the varied opinions, I uncover I designed the right determination about five years ago Once i changed my 25 yr outdated concrete driveway in lousy situation with concrete pavers. Did all the function myself. Rented a concrete cutter, compactor and brick cutter as needed.
The only real cause the asphalt melts almost everything apparent is because of It is shade. Black absorbs loads of heat even if It truly is 10 levels out.
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Look after drainage troubles that direct water far from the structure, so it doesn’t pool around the patio and erode the fundamental subgrade.
Ideally, our final publish on this issue served you zero in on the sort of hardscape that best suits your style, your own home’s aesthetic and also your outdoor dwelling needs.
Water dependent acrylic sealers will boost the stamped concrete with a reduced to high gloss end with out darkening the surface area to make it look moist. Drinking water based mostly acrylic sealers may be applied to unsealed stamped concrete driveways, or concrete driveways Beforehand sealed which has a water based mostly acrylic sealer.
I am guaranteed it may differ by point out and municipal creating code, but exactly where I Reside concrete driveways are thought of a "lasting composition" and so are assets taxed at a Substantially better level than asphalt, that is considered to be a "temporary construction".
We install wonderful, functional landscapes. But our work doesn’t quit there. We’ll stay with you for the prolonged haul, caring for your property by all 4 seasons.
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swanfrcst · 7 years
Text
between the moonbeams
fandom: owari no seraph | gureshin | ~4k words
summary: the hiiragi’s reign must end – and this duty rests in guren’s hands.
a/n: late entry for @onsshipsweek day one: the past & royalty & falling into darkness ||| this is a vague royalty/assassination plot au...give me the gureshin angst
content warnings for: character death (lol)
(this will be posted on ao3 after it’s beta-d and fixed up a bit but i wanted to get it out for the week before it was SUPER late...)
NOW:
“Are you ready?” Shigure asks quietly, carefully.
Guren cannot see her face behind the thick black mask she wears, but her tone carries her worry well. Worry about too many things to properly articulate in the sharp, curt way Shigure often does.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Guren responds. He slips on his own mask, securing the straps behind his ears. One last check of the knives hidden in the folds of his clothes, the homemade bombs strapped snugly to his waist, the sword sheathed tightly to his side.
A quick glance to the four people standing beside him reveals that they are all standing at attention, waiting for Guren to give the command. There is tension between them, borne from urgency and determination. Guren inhales and wonders if he will be sending all his friends to their deaths.
“Operation Namanari, begin.”
Inside the castle, the hallways burst with light and cheer. Hiiragi Tenri’s party is bustling with exotic foods and upbeat music, nobles dressed in rich silks and gleaming gems coasting room to room. Shinya keeps his smile bright throughout the entire evening, making small talk with various men and women and bowing politely whenever he passes one of his older brothers.
It’s not until Mahiru appears at his side, beautiful silver dress trailing behind her like swan feathers, does Shinya realize how tired he is.
“You look a little worse for wear, brother,” Mahiru says. And what a hypocrite she is, Shinya thinks, for Mahiru’s still got her royalty smile painted prettily on her lips, even when she is talking to him.
“Well,” Shinya replies, letting himself relax for the first time that night, carefully rolling a glass of sparkling wine between his fingertips, “I’m not the best people pleaser in the royal family.”
Mahiru cocks her head, considering Shinya first and then the crowd around them. There is no one paying any attention to them, and there was still some time until the planned speeches and banquet party. Humming lightly, Mahiru daintily places a gloved hand on Shinya arm, smile shifting into something more organic, more real.
“Shinya,” she says, “Won’t you accompany me to the courtyards? It looks like both of us could use some fresh air.”
Immediately recognizing the spark of adventure in her eyes, Shinya barks out in laughter. “It would be my honor.” 
BEFORE:
Shinya sticks his face through the gilded iron bars of the fence and says, “You know that commoners aren’t allowed this close to the castle without permission, right? You should leave before my father catches you.”
There is a startled cry and the boy who had been furtively crouching behind a bush raises his head above it.
“What’s it to you?” he snaps defensively, and Shinya notes with curiosity the smudges of dirt and mud on the boy’s cheeks and the way leaves and sticks have become matted in his dark hair.
“I’m a prince, duh,” Shinya replies. “And you’re trespassing on my house.”
The only reason Shinya is at the castle’s back gate is because he is awfully bored after having escaped the pesky private tutor. Besides, Shinya is practically last in line for the throne anyways, and all his siblings know he couldn’t really care less about being a king. In the end, it’s up to Kureto and Mahiru can fight it out. But for now, Shinya is too young to understand what exactly it all means.
Shinya also hasn’t seen anyone outside of his family or the castle staff before, which is why he decides to stay and talk to this strange boy instead of running away and alerting a guard.
Surprisingly, the boy doesn’t cower in fear or run away. Instead, he glances around quickly before stepping out of the bushes with an angry glower. Shinya supposes it is meant to be menacing, but as someone who has lived with Hiiragi Tenri for eight years, the boy’s expression is simply amusing.
“Listen, you,” the boy hisses in a quiet rage, “I don’t need a stupid prince to tell me what to do! I can go where ever I want and do whatever I want and you can’t stop me!”
What is his problem, Shinya wonders, and falls into silence, staring at this strange boy who spouts strange things and is somehow not afraid of anything.
The boy snarls in response to Shinya’s silence and raises his face to glare at Shinya. His eyes are dark and alight with passion, but it is markedly different from the ambition often reflected in brother Kureto’s gaze. Shinya immediately decides that he’s made a new friend.
With this epiphany in mind, Shinya smiles and waves at the boy, who stops growling in confusion. “Wait here,” Shinya says, and runs off before the boy can respond.
Shinya heads straight for the pathway hidden behind a ring of large stone sculptures and a thick grove of trees. There’s a hole in the wall blocked by a big rock, the hole big enough for Shinya to squeeze through. As long as he’s not gone for too long, this secret should stay with him for years to come.
For now, he just wants to meet his new friend. So Shinya squeezes his eyes shut to prevent bugs from getting on his face and painstakingly shimmies through the hole, carefully pushing the rock back as much as he can once he crawls out. The strange boy watches him this entire time, tense but anticipating.
Brushing off the dirt on his knees and elbows, Shinya confidently marches toward the boy, who quickly turns around, making sure his back isn’t facing Shinya – a motion Shinya takes note of. But these mysteries he can solve later. After all, Shinya’s got all the time in the world.
“Hello,” Shinya says, putting on his brightest, most charming smile. The roughness in the boy’s expression fades a little, as if he’s letting his guard down.
“My name is Hiiragi Shinya.” he continues, “Would you like to be my friend?”
NOW:
Guren glances up at the full moon, frowning. Perhaps it would have been better to wait until there was less moonlight – less chance of them being seen. But Hiiragi parties were a rare, exclusive event, and Guren did not have limitless patience. By this point, it was now or never.
At his side, Goshi reaches out and taps his shoulder twice before flashing Guren a thumbs up and slipping away into the shadows. Shigure and Mito had already left earlier, each of them fulfilling their part of the plan.
After Goshi leaves, Guren presses his back against the rough, tall wall surrounding the Hiiragi castle and counts his breaths, marking the seconds that pass by. Accompanied by nothing but the moonlight and the white noise of crickets singing, Guren manages to still his movements and let his thoughts wander. All at once, the sword by his side seems heavier than normal, as if reminding him of the weight his actions will carry.
(              There was once a time where Guren had stood next to the youngest Hiiragi prince as an equal, kissed his scrapes and bruises until the young boy had shed tears from laughter rather than pain, held his hand under the midday sun and the starlight from a new moon. There still are times when Guren wakes up to the memory of a warmth pressed against his side, the echoes of kisses fading from his cheeks, his neck. Once, he wakes up with tears in his eyes and a name on the tip of his tongue.               )
But of course, duty outweighs love, and Guren has had years of practice shutting away his heart.
On their way to the courtyard, they pass by a lone servant carrying a tray of food through the hallway. Her dark blonde hair is tucked neatly into a small braid, and when she sees them approaches, immediately begins to kneel.
“No, no,” Shinya cries, a little flustered, although the serving girl seems more affected, judging from the way she trembles, “it’s quite alright, please stand.”
“Mahiru-sama, Shinya-sama,” she whispers, “Please excuse me.”
Mahiru, however, has stilled, carefully watching the girl as she slowly rises to her feet, head bent and eyes averted.
“What’s your name?” Mahiru calls out. The servant flinches.
“S-Sayuri, my lady,” she says, still refusing to meet Mahiru’s eyes.
“Mahiru,” Shinya asks, “What in the world are you doing?”, because Mahiru’s got that look in her eye that spells nothing but trouble.
“Oh, nothing you need to worry about,” the princess says, brushing off Shinya’s concerns with a wave of her hand before turning back to the servant. “Sayuri, darling, won’t you accompany Shinya and I? Just bring that tray of snacks with you, it’ll be appreciated.”
Of course, the serving girl can’t refuse, so she bows and follows Shinya and Mahiru into one of the Hiiragi family’s many courtyards. This one has a curved koi pond in the middle of the grassy space, a cobblestoned path winding through the trees planted against the wall.
Humming cheerfully, Mahiru carefully gathers her dress and walks along the edge of the pond, peering at the fish that flit about. The moon reflects on the surface, casting glowing silver ripples across the dark water.
The courtyard is far quieter than the commotion inside, and Shinya sighs deeply, stretching his arms out. “Finally,” he says, laughing, “I have escaped.”
Mahiru scoffs. “If only.”
(There is a rustle in the treetops, and a startled bird squawks and takes flight. “A squirrel?” Shinya asks carelessly, following Mahiru around the pond. She shrugs. Both of them ignore Sayuri, who has fixed a sharp look onto what seems to be empty space.)
The two siblings stand before one of the stone benches lining the pond, Shinya brushing away the dust and grass before gesturing for Mahiru to sit down. She smiles sweetly at him, waving Sayuri over and plucking a small pastry from the plate. Shinya sits next to her, stretching his legs out in a manner very unbefitting of royalty. The two let the blessed silence wash over them, basking in the moonlight.
“Say,” Mahiru muses suddenly, breaking the silence. She carefully smooths out some wrinkles in her dress, flicking away imaginary lint. “This would be a perfect night for an assassination, wouldn’t it?”
Shinya, who has just taken a bite of a small slice of pie, chokes. It takes a bit of sputtering and sipping from a glass of water offered by Sayuri for him to recover. Meanwhile, Mahiru still wears the same amused expression, as if she is in on some secret Shinya doesn’t know.
Perhaps she is – Shinya wouldn’t be surprised.
“You shouldn’t speak like that, sister,” Shinya says, although it is more of a reflexive response than anything.
Mahiru coughs softly, and Sayuri says gently, “Is there anything you need, Mahiru-sama?”
“Oh,” the princess says, “I’d like one of the specialty rolls brother Seishirou has been raving about. Get some for Shinya as well.”
Sayuri sets her platter of food down and bows deeply before quickly walking away. Watching this quaint exchange, and observing Mahiru’s nonchalant demeanor, Shinya suddenly has a very bad feeling about what the rest of the night holds.
THEN:
“Guren, where have you been all day? I already told you that today we were going to meet an important ally, how could you forget?!”
As Guren steps through the foyer of the safe house, he rubs his face and does his best to ignore Mito’s snarls grating at his eardrums. She is standing in front of him, arms crossed and brow furrowed, but Guren realizes he barely has the energy to care.
“Something important,” Guren says flippantly, pushing past Mito and walking toward the kitchen. “Narumi and his men can wait.”
“They’ve been waiting!” Mito screeches, pivoting sharply and storming after Guren. “You realize they are the only viable providers of the materials we need? Do you want to throw our entire operation into jeopardy?”
Guren ignores Mito’s ranting and goes straight to the bedroom, locks the door behind him. Eventually, she falls silent and leaves, no doubt to fume some more elsewhere. If it were at any other time, Guren would feel guilty and irresponsible – but –
.
Shinya finds him in their regular meeting spot: a small, hidden alcove about a mile from the castle. He’s smiling ear to ear, a cloth bag in one hand and a wine bottle in the other.
“You’re extra smiley today,” Guren notes, swinging down from his comfortable position wedged on the branches of a tree. “What’s the occasion?”
“Well,” Shinya says, gesturing for Guren to come closer, “it’s not every day that you ask me to meet you, so I thought I’d celebrate you finally deciding to take the next step in our relationship!”
He is joking, Guren knows, but Guren’s throat still closes with the knowledge of what he is about to do. But he is careful to let none of it show and playfully hits Shinya’s arm instead.
“What relationship?” Guren says with a small smile, “I only keep you for the food you bring me.”
Shinya nods knowingly. “Of course. Who knows what kind of food you commoners eat every day? It’s about time you treat yourself.”
Saying so, Shinya waves the bag in Guren’s face and sits, placing the bottle of wine next to him as he opens the bag and begins to carefully take out the prepackaged snacks inside. Guren, however, stays standing, even when Shinya looks up expectantly.
“What’s wrong?” Shinya asks, “Are you ok?”
Guren is so, so careful to make sure that his expression stays neutral, as if he didn’t quite care about what he would be saying next.
“Shinya,” he begins, watching as Shinya recognizes the change in atmosphere and sets the package in his hands down. “We should end this.”
“End this? Are you afraid of being caught?”
“No, it’s just – there is no point in us meeting any more. In fact, there was no point in the first place. It’s time to move on.”
A lie, a lie, a lie, but who is Guren to tell?
NOW:
Guren hears “I’d like one of the specialty rolls – “ and immediately tips his head up and left, waiting for the visual signal. Already, the palms of his hands are sweating, almost soaking through his gloves. In the corner of his eye, a shadow shifts; one of Shigure’s throwing knives streaks silently through the air and lands snugly in the dirt next to his feet.
Bending down to pocket the knife, Guren flashes a hand signal in Shigure’s general direction. Then, he sets his shoulders and begins to climb the wall. The rough stone digs into his hands, and even his gloves aren’t thick enough to stop the chill from slipping past the fabric. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending how he looks at it), the climb is longer than expected and he has the time to really stop the slight tremors in his arms that aren’t caused by physical exertion.
He reaches a dip in the wall, where the surface has been smoothed out by wind and rain, and swears under his breath. Now he has to carefully shift to the side, searching for a better path. Even in the darkness, Guren can feel Shigure’s eyes on him, tracking his movement, ready to provide assistance if needed.
But Guren knows that if he does not climb over this wall himself, he will never be able to carry out the task he has been assigned. So he grits his teeth and pulls himself over the final stretch of concrete and stone.
Once his vertigo settles, Guren takes in the courtyard below him. There is a grove of trees in front of him, effectively shielding him from Shinya and Mahiru who are sitting in a stone bench facing away from him and toward a small fish pond, idly chatting about kingdom affairs.
Guren can’t see Shigure, but he knows she is positioned to his right, knives and wire traps at the ready. Behind him is Mito, crouched on top of the wall with a quiver slung over her shoulder and a taunt bow ready to fire. She’s got a bottle of oil and a flint stone by her side as well, along with sheets of flammable cloth.
This is for the greater good, Guren repeats in his mind. This is for the greater good –
A flash of silver whistles through the night, moonlight catching off the polished metal of Shigure’s knives as they shoot past Shinya and Mahiru. Six, seven, eight of them find spots in the dirt, in the cracks of the stone path, in the barks of trees. Another flick of the wrist, another five, six, seven slip out of the trees, and this time, the razor-thin wires attached to each knife flash in the moonlight.
Shinya’s eyes grow wide, and he leaps to his feet, ready to flee (or fight? he doesn’t know).
“Mahiru,” he says urgently, “Mahiru, what – “
Sayuri closes the courtyard door behind her and peaks down the hallway, listening for footsteps. When she hears none, she quietly bolts the door shut and wedges a block of wood in the gap between the lock.
Then, she pats down her dress and quickly walks away. The blades hidden in the sleeves of her uniform press against her skin – a reminder.
THEN:
The talk of the city is this: Mahiru is getting married.
A political marriage from the looks of it, betrothed to a prince of a neighboring country, a country with access to certain natural resources that the Hiiragi kingdom lacked.
But when the Hiiragis do their annual parade around the capitol to celebrate King Hiiragi’s birthday, Mahiru sits upon her carriage dressed in lavish robes and with a satisfied smile dancing on her lips. Guren stands among the gathered crowd, watching along with the rest of the city as the Hiiragi royal family passes through.
Curiously, the moment Mahiru turns her head in Guren’s direction is the moment when the sun sparks off the edge of the carriage, momentarily blinding Guren. He curses silently and brings his hand up to shade his eyes, but when his vision clears, Mahiru is looking away and the carriage has passed.
No matter. Guren has gotten what he came for, and quietly slips away through the crowd.
A few days later, Hiiragi Mahiru knocks on the door of the safehouse listed on the letter she’d received. The door swings open to reveal a timid-looking girl who bows when she sees the visitor.
“Come in,” Sayuri says, “Guren has been expecting you.”
Mahiru stays for less than half an hour. When Guren walks out into the living room, Mahiru, dressed in a simple cloak and body void of any makeup or jewelry, seizes him up and smiles unkindly.
“So you’re the man who has my brother in the depths of misery,” she says, voice carefully flat.
“It was a mistake,” Guren replies with just as much emotion. “And I think we both know that duty comes first.”
After this exchange, Mahiru listens carefully to Guren’s plan and agrees to it with little resistance. Before she leaves, she turns to Sayuri and says, “I will be seeing you soon, then.”
Sayuri simply bows and the door closes behind Mahiru, her footsteps fading away into the night.
NOW:
Mahiru sits on the stone bench and does not move, even as a knife flashes right in front of her face, narrowly missing her nose, even as Shinya jumps up and cuts his arm on a taunt wire stretched through the air. She is calm, eyes fixed on a point in the distance.
“Shinya,” she finally says, “If I were you, I wouldn’t move.”
And Shinya freezes because this is the voice Mahiru uses when she is deadly serious, when she expects complete compliance and nothing else. But why?
Suddenly, Shinya feels something shift underneath his feet, and a tremor shakes the earth. Shinya leans down to steady himself against the bench, swearing under his breath as the invisible wires leave cuts on his cheeks, his arms, his shoulders. Then – there is an ear shattering explosion and part of the castle goes up in flames.
“What is going on?” Shinya screams, planting his feet firmly into the ground as another explosion rattles the earth. Ash has begun to float from the interior of the castle where the explosions had gone off, the wind dusting black flakes of burnt material onto the grass.
Still, Mahiru sits calmly, hands folded neatly in her lap, hair still pinned perfectly with not a strand out of place. This image is so unbearable wrong, and dread begins to pile low in his stomach. Shinya ignores the fact that there are razor sharp wires hovering by him that could kill him in an instant and steps forward to grab Mahiru roughly by the shoulders.
“Mahiru,” he hisses, and Mahiru slowly meets his eyes. “Explain.”
A flicker of weariness reflects in her eyes. “I am sorry, Shinya,” she says quietly, even as another explosion echoes through the night. “But this is for the best.”
“For the best? What best? Why is this happening?”
But before Mahiru can answer, and arrow streaks out from the shadows, lodging itself neatly into Shinya’s shoulder. He yells in pain, stumbling backwards, even as another knife sparks through the air, a warning.
An assassination, Shinya thinks through the haze. But why? Who?
And why does Mahiru not care at all?
Through the crackle of flames and the chaos from the castle in front of him, Shinya hears the soft tap of something – someone – landing on the grass behind him. Mahiru turns her head, eyes widening a fraction, but Shinya doesn’t notice. Instead, he turns around, slowly, as carefully as he can with an arrow in his shoulder.
There is a person, dressed in all black, face covered with a mask that is flat and dull and catches no light at all. The person lifts their head up, seemingly glancing over Mahiru first, then Shinya, and just as Shinya is about to open his mouth to speak, another explosion drowns out his words.
The last thing Shinya sees the masked figure, framed by the light of the full moon, and the silver glint of a blade as it swings down, down, down.
AFTER:
Guren stumbles out of the smoke, into the streets of a city that was far too active for this early in the morning. But it’s to be expected – the Hiiragi castle is in flames and no one knows why.
Turn left, pass three alleyways, another left – into a small medicine store and down the staircase into the storage cellar he runs, pushing open the hidden door and finally coming to rest before a group of people gathered in the secret room. Standing at the end of a wooden table is a man, tall and slim, with pale white skin and an unsettling smile. He watches Guren as he catches his breath.
Sayuri and Goshi immediately come to his side, checking for injuries. Guren knows that Mito and Shigure will be here soon as well.
“You did it,” the man says. “I didn’t think you could, considering – “
Guren barks out a peal of laughter, rough around the edges and sharp in the middle. He pulls off his mask, peeling off his gloves. Sayuri quickly takes them.
“It hardly matters now, does it?” Guren sneers. “We’ve completed our part of the mission, and that is the end of our association with your rebel group.”
The man only smiles, hands clasped behind his back, unperturbed. “So be it,” he says, “I wish you luck in your future endeavors, Ichinose.”
Behind Guren, the door swings open, and Mito and Shigure step into the room. They do not close the door behind them. Guren takes a deep breath, straightens his back.
“Let’s go,” he says, and leads the way out into the darkness.
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