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marsmarbles · 3 months

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If you have the time, could you maybe do a scene with bigb teaching grian how to bake his famous cookies? Or maybe something a bit more angsty, like one of them getting to the other only to find their leftover items? Or whatever you want honestly! Thx for the secret soulmates food! :p

I had an idea for this request but it would be too much to draw so I’m actually gonna try and do some writing instead. Sorry for those who don’t like reading. It’s kinda long.

Golden Light to Silver Shadows

Grian nervously stood before the Food Crew’s bakery entrance, clamping his sweaty hands on a present he had spent all day preparing for BigB. Turning the knob of the door and pushing it open activated an alarm system set up by Fwhip. A bell rang and a few note blocks could be heard. It was a charming little jingle to welcome customers. The bakery was cozy with cherry plank walls and coffee colored spruce floors. A few circle tables were sprinkled in the center of the room with booths lining the walls. Lanterns, succulents, and baskets of flowery bushes hung from the ceiling. BigB was sat behind the counter. He was examining the creases in the floorboards with his head resting on his hand. He had been daydreaming. BigB loved his bakery, but it was admittedly boring to wait for customers. The door jingle alerted him to Grian’s presence.

“Grian!” BigB lit up in excitement, his antennae wiggled with joy. The genuine excitement to see Grian was more than enough to make Grian’s face flush. “Hey, BigB. I uhhh… made something for you.”

Grian slid a bag of cookies across the counter with shaky hands. They were neatly wrapped in a shimmery clear bag, tightly fastened with a blue ribbon with gold accents. “This was my first time ever making cookies, so sorry if they’re bad. Maybe you can show me your secret recipe,” Grian laughed nervously.

BigB gleefully loosened the blue ribbon holding the bag shut, took a cookie, and ate it whole. It was crunchy and thin and….hollow(?)…they weren’t bad by any means. For Grian’s first time, BigB appreciated the love and effort he put in. He had waited all day for someone to show up to the bakery. And the fact that it was Grian made it even better. He didn’t want him to leave just yet.

“How about we make some cookies together! The cocoa beans should be ready in the greenhouse,” BigB suggested, gesturing to the entrance to the greenhouse just behind him.

“I’d love to!” Grian quickly replied. The word ‘together’ was enough.

After BigB stashed away the cookies for later in the top cabinet, he and Grian made their way to the back door to the greenhouse. Grian had to do an awkward shuffle around the counter to keep up. The greenhouse was gorgeous. Golden light shone through the semi transparent overhang and broke through the flowers and leaves. Parrots chirped and bees buzzed. Luscious plants swayed in the gentle breeze. Glow berry vines slung from the ceiling as axolotls and frogs popped out from the ponds, curious of the new visitor. Grian stared in awe. This was more of a massive nature preserve than any greenhouse he’s ever been in.

“Grian?” BigB broke Grian out of his trance. “The cocoa bean farm is over here.”

“Uh right,” Grian said, adjusting his glasses and wiping his mouth and chin with his coat sleeve (just to make sure he didn’t drool while distracted).

BigB led him to a cluster of jungle trees. They reached high, popping out the top of through the ceiling. Podzol and bamboo were dotted around in clumps. Just past the cocoa bean farm was the end of the greenhouse. Through the transparent walls could be a seen an expansive jungle forest, stretching well beyond the world borders. BigB pulled off a ready cocoa bean plant and inspected it for abnormalities. After checking that it was good, he held it out for Grian. “Why don’t you try to break this one open?”

“Uhh I dunno,” Grian held his hands up, unsure.

In that moment, Grian took a pause. Actually, the whole world felt in slow motion. Something unseen had disturbed the peace. His Watcher senses were tingling, so to speak. Something was about to happen….. Suddenly, as the world picked back up in speed, BigB’s calming smile was shot down with an excruciating pain all throughout his body; every muscle, every ligament, every organ, each and every follicle of hair. The cocoa bean plant dropped and exploded on impact with the earth. A jolt went up his spine and his legs went out on him. He tumbled to the ground. He had no process time to scream or cry out in pain. He just fell.

“BIGB!!!!” Grian shrieked, dropping to his knees to assist him just as fast as BigB fell. “B-BIGB WHAT HAPPENED ARE YOU OKAY??”

“I-I…I think I’m going…J-Jimmy…he-”BigB managed to get out with a weak shaky breath.

“BigB! BigB! Please I need you to stay with me BigB,” Grian frantically cradled BigB in his arms. He could feel tears welling up in his eyes. He checked chat…

…Jimmy had fallen to his death…

Oh, fucking of course, Grian thought. Grian hadn’t considered Jimmy being in control of BigB’s lives, but with that confirmation he’d might as well think of this as his final moments with his secret soulmate.

“Grian….” BigB mustered the strength to caress Grian’s cheek and wipe away a tear. “…it’s ok….i’ll be right back….it’s just one life….”

“BigB….” Grian quietly whined, taking BigB’s hand, keeping it held to his cheek. He felt it go cold and his arm become heavy. Grian saw the last of the light in BigB’s dark eyes fade as his body became limp. Grian pulled his lifeless corpse into one final hug. And as BigB dissipated into smoke and billowed away…..Grian was left alone.

All the light and magic that the greenhouse had greeted him with was gone. The birds went silent, the bees hid back into their hives. The trees and flowers went grey and the golden light became silver shadows. Silently, Grian collected BigB’s fallen items, keeping his head down to hide his tearful look. And as he slowly closed the chest he stored BigB’s items in, he heard voices in the distance. It was a collection of people, most notably Scott, Martyn, Fwhip, and Joel, with a tomato faced Jimmy stomping ahead of them.

“Jimmy!!! We’re sorry!! We didn’t think you’d miss the water!” Scott cackled as he tried to explain himself to Jimmy.

“It was bad maths!! Bad maths!!” Martyn pleaded with a giggle.

“We didn’t think you’d die!!” Scott added, trying to breathe through his laughter.

“IM NOT HAVING ANY OF IT!!!!” Jimmy snapped back at them. “PLAYING BUNGEE JUMP WITH FISHING RODS IS THE LAST THING WE SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT DOING IN A PLACE LIKE THIS!!! WHAT DO YOU THINK IMMA TELL BIGB, ‘THAT IT WAS JUST A PRANK’!!??”

Jimmy stormed into the bakery, and as he slammed the door, Fwhip’s voice was cut off; “but it was just a prank-“

Grian could here Jimmy stomp about in the bakery. He must’ve been looking for BigB. Jimmy ran out into the greenhouse and froze to find Grian and the aftermath of the incident. Grian stood there with a clenched fist and a chest by his feet. He gave Jimmy a stone cold glare with his dark eyes. Jimmy flinched at the sight of his expression.

“I put BigB’s stuff in this chest,” Grian said almost robotically, pointing to the box.

Jimmy desperately wanted to apologize, but Grian looked like he would accept nothing; not even a notch apple. Grian stiffly walked past him.

“I’m sorry….about BigB…” Jimmy made an attempt at an apology, hoping that Grian could find it in him somewhere to forgive him. Grian paused.

“It wasn’t your fault, Tim….” Grian said without turning back to him. “It was their’s….”

Grian continued walking, leaving Jimmy to wallow. He made his way to the bakery and took a seat at one of the circle tables. The room felt cold and desolate compared to before. Like it was a completely different place that the greenhouse had spat him back out into. He shuffled his chair forward and laid his head down, waiting for BigB’s return.

I actually had a lot of fun writing this, even though I wouldn’t consider myself a very skilled writer(and there’s most definitely a lot of mistakes I made lol). I felt like it was easier to depict a full scene compared to a comic(which would’ve probably taken me weeks). So I’ll do more writing like this in the future.

#mars ask #mars art request #chained life au #trafficblr #traffic shipping #mcyt #traffic life #traffic smp #mcyt fanart #writing #my writing #giran #grianmc #bigb #bigbst4tz2 #biggri #jimmy solidarity

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helloescapist · 5 months

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Let's Go | Akaza + Headcanons

The Request: “I have a request, could u possibly do a Hashira Akaza x demon reader, like when he finds her scared, he takes her in? Plus reader has a bamboo muzzle like Nezuko”

I hope you see this, and it meets your expectations <3

Word Count: 3222

Setting: Akaza x fem!demon!reader

Content Warnings: mentions of gore/violence, horror, abuse, cult behaviors, rituals, bound reader, some themes may be triggering for some readers.

Summary: the lure of perfume, the temptations of a blood art that drew him to this damned place, and the circumstances behind the art had not been what he had expected, nor the responsibility that would follow.

A/N: It's giving-- the cat he didn't want, but cannot abandon either.

Aged stones crumbled beneath his feet, cracked with every step he took. The touch of wet stone beneath his callous feet, the indigo dipped toes that pressed against each step, wandered from soaked bolder to moss swept stones. Vines that had long since claimed the path and dug out the history of the mountain.

Moss, and the skitter of inferior lifeforms that danced across the ground to flee his steps. Puffs of clouds painted in hues of slate gray, and the shadows of the nights crept amongst the hills. Rolled over the edges and whispered the depths of unheard secrets. Faint figures evading his sight, drew from shapes unknown. Structures unfamiliar, faint as the ghost that wandered amongst abandoned buildings. Robbed of life and offering only glimpses of the life that had once been through the shambles of ruins. The stillness of the night lingered amongst his skin, the touch of mist that struggled amongst the loss, the empty void of purpose. Structures, abandoned baskets, and rice ponds overrun by evasive vines. Stagnant air that threatened to suffocate his lugs, crush the coos of his senses, the touch of gold kissed citrine eyes that scanned his surroundings all too aware of the distinct pull upon his senses. The nagging way he could not draw himself away, tugged closer and closer each attempt that he dared to deny its siren’s song. The warmed amber notes of vanilla that warmed his soulless body, whispered embraces despite the blood that puddled at his feet, soaked into the earth and drenched the crops around him. Devoid of the sharp metallic scent that often accompanied the evidence, replaced by something sweet, and tempting. With only the wanning moon to guide his path, the grit of his teeth drew Akaza’s fist closed and clamped over the skull of his opponent. Each step matching the growl that blossomed at the base of his throat, the snarl that greeted the night air as he advanced towards a trembling monk. Wretched in blood, soiled in his own vomit upon witnessing the decapitation of his own friend, unworthy of brandishing the title of Sohei. Rattled his teeth that met the chatter of his jaw, the widening of his pupils horrified and spewing verses that meant little to the Upper Moon. His cowardice muddled over the pad of bare feet against stone and pebbles, his footing guided by his own revolt. The beads at his ankle were a mere mirror of the prayer beads clasped between the fingers of the Third Moon’s next target. The fold of the man’s pitiful body, mulled over on bent knees uttering bullshit of mercy, the weapon at his side abandoned lacking the bravery required to yield it, let alone flee.

The etched emblem baring his ranking danced across his cornea, Akaza’s eyes caught on the damning markings of the would-be warrior smeared in horrendous vows. Blood draw from the outer corner of the pretend devotee cut across his cheeks, trailed down his jawline, marred by the tears of his sniveling whimpers that elicited no sense of empathy from the demon, rather the insisting bemoaning only excited his wrath. All too aware of the bubbling at the pit of his stomach, and the gnaw of his lower lip unamused of his would-be opponents. The path behind him littered with bodies of the lesser creature’s comrades that neither thrilled, nor animated his senses, each baring the telling depictions of gore upon their faces. Movements that fell into dances, prayers that felt incomprehensible to the Upper Moon despite his familiarity with Buddhism. A warped religion, strayed from its original purpose, sacrificed amongst the denied followers, and accumulated from the blood of unsuspecting travelers. The voyage had betrayed the foul practices of the temples, morbid displays of carcasses strung amongst the trees, dripping blood to the soil, and hummed of talismans that bore no translated significance. Each step led Akaza up the mountains, the gravitational pool leaving him heedless, and defiant. Unable to escape the invisible threads that guided him up the abandoned steps, coated amongst the mist. A macabre game of hide and seek born of an invisible scent that beckoned his attendance, and the pests that dared to stand in his way, unable to even offer him a bit of entertainment. An annoyance at best, he had met with little restraint, the scent warmed his senses, cooed sweet nothings that Akaza could not describe. The break of spring nights warmed against his skin with only the moonlight to immolate the markings depicted across his skin, the glint in which his eyes caught the fading moonlight, clung to the grotesque symbolism depicted in corroded rust at the flesh of his cheeks. “I will not repeat myself. Where. Is. It.”

The depths of his voice revealed the severity that lurked beneath his surface. The amusement devoid, robbed of all satisfaction. Lack luster scuffles that could not pacify him, and the distinct fragrance of vanilla and peaches that robbed him of the distinct metallic scent of iron, and the rush of blood upon his fingertips had muddled his satisfaction. Drew his ire, a blood art had drawn him to this damned land, forgotten by buddha, and abandoned by the kami, drenched in the blood of victims, and worships of a false god. Its blood painted across worshiper’s face, masks delineate of religion. A numerous pulls of deviants dressed in monk clothes that had captivated the mountains, infested the surrounding area as termites harvest upon a fallen tree, etching away at the core of its being until there is nothing left but a carcass. Their mere presence, painted figures that loomed amongst the foliage, dripping in the blood art’s scent drawing him up this forsaken path. Lulled, and whispered begging, the horrified mumble of trembling bottom lips as the man before him trembled and wreathed. As though his tongue had suddenly been cut from his mouth, the erratic shaking of his eyelashes clenched at the tears that began to form, the pop of knuckles, guided forward in a single gesture. A path carved from foliage, broken through weeds, and trembled branches, snapped at the weight, and drawn upon the depths of the inner sanctum of the shrines. “T-There.” Quivered beneath the Upper Moon’s etched eyes, death that followed the sound of dripping as blood puddled from his superior’s severed head puddled beneath the demon’s feet. Painfully aware of the agonizing leap of his heart as the creature loomed forward. Akaza’s somber expression traced amongst the symbolism, the left-over residue of fingerprints utilized to mark the man’s skin.

“Very well,” dry as the night air, crackled upon the silence of the man’s shivering. The tips of blueberry flesh, fingers that captivated the faithless monk’s scalp, gathered at the remainder of hairs that had begun to grow as he followed his deceitful path, te force of a thousand men bend in a moment’s notice. The sickening crack of bones, splintered fragments torn from flesh. Asunder, wrecked from the axis, just above the transverse process at the neckline. Snapped, child’s play between his fingers, the rattle of the mandible finally seizing its insufferable chattering of misplaced winter, fear forever captured upon the victim’s face, and the wrinkles that creased upon Akaza’s brow as he discarded both craniums with little remorse, nor a second thought. Useless, and lacking any fighting spirit, an unworthy snack for one of his standards. Tossed over his shoulders as his feet guided him to the inter sanctum. Each step drawn upon his own annoyance, the familiarity in which he had been toyed with, drawn to this location unsavory. Far too similar to the antics of the Second Moon, and as the revulsion began to seep into his stomach, the scent had begun to flourish into heavy notes. Suffocating tones of peach. Earthen leaves left to the wind, unwashed vanilla. Breath drawn into his lungs, seared upon his senses. Robbed him of thoughts, claimed his waking conscious. Drew out quiet memories, something sweet, and tender, yet dared to rob him of his senses. Threatened to consume him, to rob the oxygen from his longs, to clasp its nails into the taunt skin of his neck, digging into the flesh until there would be nothing more, not even a single breath, and the distinct cry of a woman.

Help me, please.

It had not been what he expected, the blood art had surpassed his expectations, but the details had been blurred. The enticing waves of ambered vanilla touched on the desires of comfort, and security. Tender notes of peaches, sweet and alluring. Temptations that could lure any man within the radius of its reach, tempt women to wander in the dead of night at the scent of spilt blood. Tossed caution to the wind and abandon sense with heedless doubts drawn to the sweet allure of cushioned promises wrapped in sweet sentiments. Such a deceptive blood art had led Akaza to believe that the source would be nothing more than a Cretan that roamed the depths of scum along side Doma. Delighted in folly that followed the devastation of others around them, danced to a tune unheard by others as victims threw themselves at their feet. Enamored with suffering, and savoring the flesh of innocent who were heedless to the dangers they had roamed in under the guise of religious calling—unsuspecting and little mor than sheep to the slaughter. The depiction of a throne built on the bodies of worshippers, snacking on the pearls of agony. A sloth of pleasures, and unbothered by the ways of the world, nor having any shred of dignity. No, this had not been what Akaza had expected in the slightest.

The would-be worshippers had taken a turn, embedded in chants and prayers that fell on the screams of the bound. Bowing repeatedly between fallen words, uttered in hums and the rubbing of palms. Heads bowed low to the ground with each dip of their spines. Desecrated holy robes, staunch with fresh blood, and the grotesque markings upon their cheeks. Stale eyes that neither followed the trace of the Upper Moon’s steps, unphased by his presence, sacrificed to the falling of words at the bow of their backs. Entranced with a ritual that churned his stomach and raised his eyebrow. A display worthy of the Second Moon was depicted before him, reeking of perfume and blood. Drawn out upon a fallen altar, chains coiled and wreathing in each movement. Blood staunched, spilt across aged stone. Cracks that had surmised into the boulders it had been built upon. Bodies littered to the side, varying in ages and sizes. Finest silks shredded and stripped of jewels, to the thin of bones of travelers robbed of their coin purses, left over straw hats and baskets of farmers and gathers among the mix evidence of their wares taken from corpses, the sacrificed of wanders lured by silken scents. The faint of painter, coated in blood and distinguished markings of some perverted holy talismans bound and coiled amongst the chains that withered and wreathed. Forced upon the strips of bamboo, the very altar of holy worship encased in a pit of sharpen black bamboo, with only one path to fall upon its worshipers. A monk at the center of the altar, his arms raised above his bald head, and the draping of the finest silk kimonos wrapped across his body revealing the depths of his deception. Prayer beads crafted of the precious stones caught amongst the lanterns, sparkled in each of his movements at the dagger glinted not the flame. The blade fell upon spilt blood, and the scream that followed the blooming scent of peaches and vanilla. Fresh as the blood that tarnished the ground beneath your knees. Cries of agony muffled by the bamboo forced between your lips, and the tears caught upon your hair. Lavish robes, hung upon your bones, an embellished deity, little more than a puppet of religious plight. The dip of his fingers drawing Akaza’s immediate ire, his body betraying his sense. His movements one of a possessed man, the callous of his hands the paint of indigo at his finger tips at the pull of hair in one fluid movement. Ripped the skull from the priest’s body, the tumble of its bones rolled from the altar. Popped upon the rocks with each fallen chant of worshipers, unresponsive to the gore before them. The quiver of your eyes captivating his senses, bathed in the scents of the night, faintly aware of the acts to follow.

Only brought back to the state of mind upon the bodies that had fallen to his feet, the quiver of your body, and the lavish scent that had been snubbed from the night, the cut upon your cheeks healed as such shallow wounds prevent little implication for any of your kind. The small jerk of your body, recoiled from his touch met at the unsure clench of his teeth. The depths of a conscious he could not connect with, reminding Akaza of his unfamiliarity and uncertainty of interacting with a woman. The clip of his brow revealing the small annoyance, small slips of a memory that he could not grasp, nor the melancholy it burrowed into his soul before crushing the chains that bound you between your feet. The fold of feline ears pinned to the base of your skull, tucked backwards and skittish with each of his movements. The tuck of a tail, no perhaps two burrowed into your kimono, as your eyes traced him warily, the small touch of a canine mirrored as you regarded him. The pulls of citrine gleamed, ambered honey shyer than he would ever admit meeting your own gaze. The shiver of your body and pull of your muscles. Frail and tender, far too much time spent as a false deity, tortured, and inappropriately cared for. The Upper Moon’s small quip of his brow, and tug of his lips. Eyes that fell upon the bodies of the slain, faintly aware of the blood bath he had elicited, nor the way it clung to his clothes. Pondered if feeding you such spoiled products would be enough to give you the energy to flee from his sights, fully aware of the wary state in which you regarded him. He didn’t blame you. Something small, something that touched upon his memories, shy eyes that looked away from him… Women were like this, were they not? His lamenting drawing him to the conclusion, that what little strength that remained in your bones would be enough to seize you from this place, if only given the time, or resources which he had… well provided unintentionally. The spoils of such disgusting creatures at his feet nothing to appease his appetite, nor tempt his own hunger. Perhaps, you only needed the time… to regain yourself.

Such horrors… Ah, I scared her.

The pad of his feet, drawn upon the steps, falling in line wordlessly. Not so much as a parting word, fearful of the fragile state of your body, pondered upon if such parting of his words would shatter you. You had already been through… Ah, no he didn’t wish to think of it, nor consider the implications his own actions had had upon you. The beads of his ankles trembled with each step, and the grit of his fingers as the folded into fist. Uneasy as the moonlight that caught upon his raspberry-kissed hair. Knotted his stomach and made his skin crawl…. It had been so many years since he had felt this way, the melancholy of a life he could not remember ebbing at his conscious and drawing one step after another, unable to find the will to run from this place. Morning would come soon, the touch of coils, the shuffle of fabric across the ground. Caught at stones, and trembled with unbalanced steps. Life devoid upon your bones, malnourished and struggling to bear the weight of the lavish kimono. Embellishments, and the peek of kitten ear posed forward, no longer bound to your locks as your eyes traced him curiously. The peek of you behind his shoulder quick to dismiss as the mere need of escaping this area before any utilized your blood art for personal wealth once more. Yet, as he descended the mountain shrine steps he became faintly aware of the phantom tracing his every movement. A delicate dance of small steps that mirrored his own, and the silhouette that ducked behind trees and boulders when he would dare to peek over his shoulder. Akaza’s own confusion, whispering reassurance that it was merely coincidence that you had opted to follow this very path. The occasional snap of a twig, and attempt to catch you peered over, still as the moonlight. Perhaps attempting to remain out of his sight with the stillness of your breath before slipping between the trees. Oblivious to the peek of your tails flickered amongst the branches. Akaza far too aware of the feline eyes that traced his movements, uncertain of what game you were playing, or if perhaps it was all circumstantial--- women were not prone to following him around after all, and he certainly did not invite such interactions.

The final steps before the stones washed away from the path, corroded into abandoned forests, and the village he had wandered amongst, the reclamation of foliage, and the forest captivated upon the frays of abandoned houses, the small rustle of leaves, and yowl in the base of your throat, remained muffled by the bamboo placed between your canines. Your clear agitation, and duress providing him with the ample courage to finally turn back to regard you. The slip of your kimono, entwined upon the branches and revealing the touch of thighs that ignited the highs of his cheeks. The annoyed huff of air as his eyebrows drew together, met under the curses of his breath and bitter confusion. Turned his back, and dared a step forward, before letting out his own growl before turning back to you. His steps thundered across the stone and drawing the blades of your shoulders up, and arched. More catlike than predator as his fingers drew the slip from the branches, untangled the furrowed cloth and met your eyes with frustration. “You can go,” he instructed, releasing you from the foliage. Content with this being the last of your interactions, except for the draw of your ears. Once again, pinned to your hair, the lavish state of your apparel ridiculous to the environment, and any hopes of voyage. The bend of his knees bearing his weight, and the intentional scowl of a display before relinquishing his back before your eyes. The usher of his fingers at his back, ushering your weight onto his back. Neither of you would make it very fair in such wear, and with daylight approaching, he did not have the time for this. The haughty huff of his breath that drew at the heat of his cheeks, and the small touch of a growl as he uttered, “Let’s go.”

Taking You In Headcanons | Akaza

He doesn't want to do this.

He REALLY doesn't want to do this.

Akaza has a natural aversion to women-- and if you do not know his background, there's a very valid reason as to why he's not one for harming, nor seeking out a woman's company.

However, for the very same reasons, I just can't see Akaza outright abandoning you either, but let's be clear, he really doesn't want to do this.

I really feel like you become that cat that he does not initially want, and does everything he can to send you away. He considered biwa woman to take you in.

Accepted that for whatever reason (his conscious) that he could not just leave you to her, and accepted that... it's only a matter of time before that bastard Second hears of this.

Caretaking, is not what he has spent his life focusing on, and in some ways, it could hinder his actions. He'll debate back and forth of leaving you to your own devices-- and as time goes on, and the Upper Moon Three is confident you can take care of yourself, he's going to.

I mean, he'll check in, but for the most part, he will take advantage of your new found independence to seek out scuffles.

Akaza cannot sit still, and he will NOT take you with him. If you choose to remain by his side, you will have to accept that there will be long periods in which he travels, and you will remain behind. What you do in the mean time is of little concern, as long as you remain faithful and honest. Any attempts of insincerity, or manipulation will sever all bonds.

Remember, clingy is by no means attractive to him.

Until that time comes, I think Akaza would begrudgingly under take the tasks of taking care of you, and nurturing you back to your full potential.

In fact, I think physical needs come fairly natural to him, and may even be a pain if you're seeking out a physical relationship because he will not be openly engaging in emotional wellbeing.

No really, such open vulnerability will take him quite some time to approach, and it will be done out of a bit of spite. He'll do it, but he's going to complain.

Taking care of you was not a decision, or a commitment he took likely, and Akaza does not make rash decisions. While he may be quick to seem engaged, and curious, he does not make a commitment without being sure of himself, and his capabilities. Whether it's a long term relationship, or temporarily caring for a wounded cat.

Because of this, you will have to understand he will not be quick to meeting any emotional damage you have sustained in the duration of your capture, nor will he grasp the depths of damage that PTSD can inflict on another person. He can't even face his own trauma

In fact, he can be down right insensitive.

First call to action will be that he will secure suitable clothes for you. One in part because you reek of that damned place, and he cannot cope with that. It's like being stuck with Doma, he's not doing it. There is also the realities that this outfit, is just not realistic. Let's be honest, he's not going to seek out outfits that are revealing, or offering a lot of exposure. In fact, I think he would stick with traditional, and modest clothing, but with the ability for you to work, and move across the terrain.

He doesn't like the idea of you fighting, and will do everything he can to avoid placing you in such circumstances, but he is well aware that, you need to be able to defend yourself. The world is cruel to women. He will keep this in mind in securing your clothes.

He'll seek out the opportunity to sponge out all of this perfume. yes, he understands that it is your blood art, but you reek, and because of this, I can expect he will drop you off at a waterfall/pond fairly routinely to keep the reminiscent of your blood art to more maintainable quantities.

Not to mention he's worried about you luring something big in while he's away.

in preparing you for your routine scrubbing, I imagine the moment will come that he will attempt to remove the bamboo muzzle. If you do want it to be removed, he will happily do so. Likely uttering a number of curses to the perverts who have done this to you.

But if like Nezuko, you have opted to remain this way, he will say nothing other than inquire about how you intend to eat. It's just not practical. This however, will be the end of this discussion. He has no desires to force you into anything, nor will he even attempt to dispute your choices.

No really, think about it. He asked Rengoku for CONSENT to become a demon. I just cannot imagine Akaza forcing anything on anyone.

Rather, I imagine that every little thing will need consent.

Consent to touch you.

Consent to help brush out your hair.

Consent to enter the room when you've finished changing.

Everything.

Realistically, his next step will be to feed you, and it's one that he takes high importance on. if you have selected a proper diet for a demon, he will be particularly choosy about what he feeds you. He's not feeding you women or children, don't get your hopes up, but I can imagine him selecting worthy food. A nice husband, perhaps a kabuki artist that has just began to take the stage. Nothing dirty, or tainted.

However, in the event that you have opted for a demon-vegan life style, I can foresee him struggling. Nothing crude or agitated, but genuinely concern that is appearing as anger. He's not going to press the issue-- but are you getting enough sleep to meet your needs?

Akaza is by nature not the sort to have plush bedding, nor anything really fussy. He's always on the go, that I imagine that more often than not he opts to rough it, but if you have selected your substance to remain from dozing, I imagine that he would go to great lengths to figure out what you would need to receive optimum beauty sleep.

If you get past his prickly ill-ease with women, you'll find that he's actually a snuggler and not one to argue with you crawling into bed with him. I dare say, he secretly enjoys it.

Akaza is upfront, and honest with all of his intentions, and because of this, he told you upon taking you in what his expectations were. for you to one day, care for yourself.

He is natural at reading people, and because of this all of your physical needs will be met with little hesitation. In fact, more often than not you will find yourself wowed by some of his gestures. such as the way he brought a hair tie charm in your favorite color despite never being told it was so.

As I've said, he's not one for emotional conversation, and things that dip far too deep into his surface will likely leave him bruised and prickly. In part because, he doesn't want to recall his life as a human, and even more so, Akaza is aware that he is one of the few unable to recall.

Is it a sore topic for him?

Yes.

But he doesn't know why, and that is enough to ensure he doesn't want to dig deeper into it, and he doesn't want you to either. To the same extent, he will assume you have no desire to dig deeper into your own needs. Akaza is also not certain he can meet them. Nightmares in the middle of the night of your captivity.

Will not be met with talks and comfort. Rather, they'll be met with uncertainty before he just folds his arms over you, and beckons you to bed. Hoping that the press of his body is more than enough to reassure you that those days are long gone.

Really, these slips of insecurity, of raw emotion leaves him anxious and uneasy. It's out of his element, and nothing that he feels secure in exploring. In fact, he's probably a terrible listener because he is imagining any scenario that will get him. out. of. here.

More so, Akaza will naturally be more protective of you than he will ever admit, or hint to. Really, aside from the Upper Moons and the Master, none will be aware of the depths of his safeguarding he has over you.

So much so that you will delight in how attentive he can truly be.

#demon slayer x reader #kimetsu no yaiba x reader #kny x reader #🍡tsuyospeaks #akaza x reader #upper moons x reader

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fascinatedscrawls · 9 days

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Phic Phight Prompt: Clockwork Takes Danny Stargazing

Word Count: 1320

For @jackdaw-spwrite

Summary: When Danny agreed to put effort into his study habits in exchange for some out of this world stargazing, this isn't what he imagined. It's so much better.

"This way."

Danny meant to follow Clockwork and his directions, but when he followed him through one of the many doors in the older ghost's domain he felt himself stop short mid-flight.

Unexpected sights, sounds, and scents flooded in - tall trees with shiny bronze bark and almost clear leaves that rippled like water, thorny bushes that looked wild as they rustled only to fall into and out of almost recognizable shapes, little rivers and ponds splashing with something more orange than blue. The last might be due to the ceiling, or rather, the startling lack of one.

That might be the strangest thing of all because Danny could swear that they were walking further in to Clockwork's maze of a home.

A home that was firmly in the green and purple tinged Ghost Zone.

The ghost zone which didn't have red-orange sunsets like the one lighting the garden and the sky above it.

A quiet thunk of something hollow against a rock drew Danny out of his distraction with only a small, guilty startle. The garden wasn't large enough that he'd lost sight of Clockwork, thankfully, so it was a quick, short flight that brought him back to the cloaked ghost's side.

Growing older in a way that felt pointed, especially when paired with that knowing smile, Clockwork tapped the large round paver that sat below them. It bisected two curved spaces whose complete outline looked like an hourglass with each half filled with a different set of plants.

Danny thought he recognized maybe three of the flowers he saw growing in both and even that was a generous assumption. He wasn't even sure if that thing filling with water until it tipped over before setting back into place with a thunk was even made of bamboo like the one Jazz had in miniature in her room (she claimed it was for meditation, but how something slowly tapping away could help someone concentrate was beyond Danny) - it was electric blue with silvery edges.

"You know, when you promised to take me stargazing this isn't what I imagined." Danny pointed out looking back up at the cloudless and, more importantly, starless sky before raising his brows at Clockwork expectantly. He didn't do all that studying, listening to lectures and letting himself be quizzed on the different leaders of the Infinite Realms for nothing. Clockwork bribed him with some 'out of this world' stargazing and Danny was going to hold him to it.

Though, he had to admit, the garden was pretty cool. He would need to see if he could get some pictures or something for Sam so she didn't interrogate him later for more information.

Well, she'll probably do that either way, but with pictures she might feel generous enough to let him eat and sleep occasionally while grilling him for answers.

The not-bamboo thunked again and Clockwork gave the paver another tap.

"Be sure to stay within the circle."

Because Clockwork was sometimes (frequently) allergic to explaining, that was all the warning Danny received before the colorful garden vanished into inky darkness.

Danny held still, straining his eyes to try and make out the shape of the paver below them. If this was another test instead of a reward he may just scream. A quiet scream, but a scream none the less.

Thankfully, it didn't take long for his eyes to adjust - Clockwork's faint glow along with his own even more muted shine eventually assured him that he hadn't moved. If that was a test, hopefully he passed.

Putting that aside for now Danny looked up and felt his jaw drop because the garden wasn't just in shadow.

It was gone.

In its place was a vast array of stars, the pinpricks of light almost flickering through a bright fog - clearer than any view he's ever seen on Earth. He squinted as he tried to differentiate the brighter lights from the dark, trying to pick out planets and stars that he knew, his brow furrowing as he couldn't quite manage to place any of the clusters he was seeing.

"Where are we?" How far was Clockwork able to take them? What kind of power was this? Could Danny do something like this?

Oh, no, wait. Danny didn't want a power like this because he was sure it would leave him stranded light-years from home without anyone to help him get back. Well, except for Clockwork. The minor reassurance was enough even if the fear lingered a little longer than he'd like in the face of this cosmic beauty.

"Closer to home than you might think." The ghost in question assured him, flickering into his more childlike form before pointing behind Danny. "If you turn around you may find something a bit more familiar."

Spinning in place Danny squinted even harder at the distant stars as clouds of gas and dust shifted slowly between him and them.

Except the clouds weren't moving slowly anymore. As he watched they started moving faster and faster, going from indistinct fog to thicker streams and threads then swirling into knots until an indistinct shape started to appear. Around them distant stars winked, flickered, and died while others newly sparked into being.

Light grew at the center of the undulating clouds, particles moving inwards before bursting out again and again.

"No way." All the stars around them paled in comparison to what he now suspected was happening. Danny didn't even realize he was drifting forward until a light hand landed on his shoulder.

"We are currently in two times while also being in neither." Clockwork informed him, unoffended by the way Danny couldn't look away from the star - the earth's star - his star - the Sun - as it formed. "I do not want to test which one you would find yourself in if you left."

One hand moving to cover Clockwork's, Danny couldn't find the words to tell him that leaving was the last thing he wanted to do right now. How he was glad his eyeballs couldn't dry out so he didn't have to blink, that he didn't have to worry about oxygen or radiation, that this might be the first time he was truly happy he got in that lab accident because without it he would never get a chance to see this.

Because Danny loved the stars, the light they provided, the life they could support, the hope they could bring. He loved every one of them.

And no other star ever loved him back more than this one, Danny was sure of it.

His vision blurred and he blinked away the water gathering there as he tightened his grip on those increasingly knobby fingers.

"Thank you."

That ghostly hand was cold, but the gentle squeeze Clockwork gave him in response was warm and fond.

"Worth memorizing the whole lineage of Royal Roses?"

Danny barked out a laugh at the now distant frustration he'd felt while going through fourteen generations of people who were minor players in the Ghost Zone at best.

"Absolutely." Danny tried to devote at least the same amount of attention to memorizing the play of light on the gasses and rocks around them. "Though I'm not sure how you'll ever top this as far as bribes go."

Clockwork hummed.

"There are plenty more stars to gaze upon." Something thunked, not his staff but the not-bamboo thing, reminding Danny just how accessible the stars might be when they were visible like this from Clockwork's garden. Smugly, Clockwork continued, "And when you get bored of stars, there's always planets."

Danny's scoff at the thought of being 'bored of stars' cut off as he whipped around to see if Clockwork was joking. Judging by the tilt of his head he wasn't and, yeah, alright. Turning back to stare at his favorite star once again, Danny resigned himself to being Clockwork's best student.

He'd do a lot to see something like this again.

#phic phight 2024 #jackdaw-spwrite #danny phantom #clockwork #one shot

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intcritus · 7 months

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Fingers gentle in tracing over Itachi's scars, warmth under the moon and humid nights ring around the ears with soft thunks of bamboo shoots and pond decore. Babbling that wasn't irritating but calm enducing to even his mindscape. Fushimi merely watched as his lover slept in his presence, like the shadow stuck to his very feet, the beast in human skin still screamed beauty and deadliness in his slumber. Gentle with each caress and movement of his wide palm to tenderly release Itachi's hair from his loose ponytail, a habit of the Oni's, the larger of two merely continued to pet and pamper his mate.

Though his gaze did lift upon the door shuffling in near silence. The Mother of his beauty, merely checking in on them, it seemed and he couldn't help but smile with the tenderness of a smitten fool for her son. Mikoto, was a divine being in her own right, and like Fugaku, he felt pride and over the moon to have such a beauty alike, in his own arms. The words didn't need to be spoken, but the door shutting was enough to allow his focus to return to his love. Leaning down to blot out the stars so he could press his lips to his lover's temple and adjust himself to lie just beside him. / @nvrcmplt

mikoto knew that fushimi was the man for her son. though her approval ranked above the rest, it was obvious that the uchiha was quite taken with fushimi and his people. to her clansmen, they were family, that was how easily they settled into this chaotic family. it didn't matter that some of them were different, nope. even fugaku, who was the most stubborn man hadn't taken but a day to bond with one of them. clarence, what a lovely child he was. fugaku was a stability that he needed. kenta, oh, that one was her secret favorite. he was a mischievous child, but so generous in his helping with her errands around the compound. though, she always urged him to rest, no need for him to be on go when he was safe here.

fushimi though, she had witnessed a great deal between her son-in-law and her child. the love between them was palpable, even their gods had approved and blessed them repeatedly. a very rare occurence, but then she had grandchildren to fawn over and that in itself still made her giddy. her aim had been to check on them, especially after itachi and sasuke had had, what oleg had appropriately called the zoomies, and had tuckered themselves out.

chuckling quietly to herself, she slides the door to their room open, stopping in the doorway at the tender scene before her and even more so at fushimi's sweet smile. it makes her heart warm knowing her eldest son had encountered such a love that he sleeps so soundly. yes, she truly had all faith that her son was well-loved. and fushimi looks at her son like fugaku looks at her when he thinks she isn't looking. smiling fondly, she steps back and shuts the door, slanting her gaze at her husband.

❝ ━ did he eventually fall asleep ? ❞

fugaku grunts in response but even he can't hide the fondness and tenderness in his gaze. when his wife raises a brow, his shoulders slump, a faint grin, ❝ ━ it took a bit, but they're resting. wouldn't let me go for awhile. ❞

mikoto shares his grin, knowing that the growing bond between him and clarence was a delicate one but as far as the uchiha was concerned, clarence was one of them. ❝ ━ i'm glad, you enjoy being a father once more, don't you ? ❞

he shrugs, but the faint grin doesn't leave his features and he tugs his wife in close, kissing her forehead. there's no need to linger here, their child was in good hands, just as their other child was resting peacefully for the moment. family was everything to him as the patriarch, and it was finally complete and he was humbled by it. guess it was time for him to relax a little when it came to his children, but then he'll always want to protect them from the world and themselves. regardless, he's grateful that his oldest....ah, one worry assauged.

❝ ━ it's nice, isn't it ? there's so much to look forward to with our family expanded. they fit in quite wonderfully....❞ more gentle prattling fades with their parting footsteps, the moonlight casting a glow over the compound. and somewhere, being pestered by an immortal is sasuke, who is putting the older male into a chokehold, quietly calling him brother. what a good night....

#( uchiha patriarch ic. )#( uchiha matriarch. )#nvrcmplt #🥀. » FUSHIMI. ai okuu ni oyobu.#me writing you almost 1k words for this because my brain wouldn't let it go w eeps #👑ˑ » ( answered. ) ᶜʰᵒᵒˢᶤᶰᵍ ᵇᵉᵗʷᵉᵉᶰ ᵈᵉˢᵗʳᵘᶜᵗᶤᵒᶰ ᵃᶰᵈ ᵖᵉᵃᶜᵉˑ

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nec-romantic-nightmare · 1 year

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Something I wrote for my class again

This time Rakuen experiencing some hate from another oc I have who I just call Captian

He's arrogant and cruel and hates demons-

This is also Rakuen's struggle with belonging most due to the actions of others around her

Green - Captian

Blue - Himiko

Red - Rao

Pink - Rakuen

--------------------------

Spite of Others

Rakuen hummed silently her claws gently moving across the still koi pond, making little ripples that the fish swam up to curiously gently sucking on her claw before fluttering away into deeper water.

It was peaceful outside the palace, the tall looming building casted a shadow over the small secluded pond, any light that did creep out was colored green by the over head bamboo trees that grew there.

She was waiting outside the palace as Rao had to attend a meeting with Himiko and other royal delegates, she....Preferred to wait outside hoping to avoid a certain Captian of the guards-

"Well well...." a low arrogant voice snorted.

Rakuen's hair stood on the back of her neck, the koi in the pond startling and fleeing into deeper waters as the shadow of the looming man grew nearer.

"So the Priestess' little hellion waits outside like a mutt waiting on its master...Hm at least she knows your worth...." He laughed with a wicked smirk on his face.

Rakuen didn't respond or raise her gaze, her hands shaking, maybe if she didn't speak he'd leave her be-

A rough hand grabbed one of her pink horns and pulled her upwards to look him in the face. She cried grabbing his wrist digging her long black claws into his arm. He let out a pained noise and shoved her backwards to the ground harshly, kicking up dust around her.

"DONT put your claws on me you damned demon!" He spat rubbing his now bleeding wrist, it staining the sleeve of his haori. He threw his arm back and grabbed his katana roughly glaring at her disgust covering his features, green eyes cruel and vicious. "I should kill you like I do the rest of your kind....But that foolish woman we call a queen and her little regent are soooo fond of you...Their little PET demon pfff...I would-"

"You would WHAT, Captian?"

A stern voice cut the suffocating air, Rakuen letting out a sob covering her face and shrinking where she sat on the dirt.

The guard Captian whirled around and all color drained from his face when silverish-blue eyes stared down at him. Himiko's face looked calm, though her upper lip twitched trying to hold back a scowl, her eyes burned with rage. The queen had guards and a fuming Rao behind her, Rao's fists were clenched so tight her knuckles looked even paler.

"Y-you're highness I was jus-"

"Tormenting my apprentice?!" Rao blurted out, her voice shaking with rage, had Himiko not put an arm out in front of her she was sure the other woman would have torn the Captian apart.

"Rao. Please. He will be delt with....For now...Captian I recommend you leave my presence this moment...We will be having a conversation about your actions....And position."

Captian's face twisted and he stared to Rakuen then back at Himiko. "WHAT?! My position? MY position? Over HER?" He motioned to Rakuen violently, pulling out his katana pointing it at her Rakuem shrieking when she looked up, Himiko jumping in tense fear but Rao was a step ahead of her jumping forward and landing a kick right into his chest knocking him backwards.

"Guards!" Himiko spat.

The guards behind her yelped hesitating but they rushed towards their Captian and grabbed him, one kicking his katana aside. Captian swore aggressively but he was tugged away by his fellow guard quickly, as Rao stormed after them.

"Rao!"

"I'm making sure he doesn't get into any more trouble!" She called back her tone had lessened in anger but was still tense.

Himiko sighed turning back to Rakuen who was was still crying into her arms and shaking, small whimpers escaping the younger woman. She approached her slowly trying not to spook the terrified girl anymore. She carefully sank down to her level sitting beside Rakuen still shaking slowly looked up at the other woman, soft sobs and deep breaths still leaving her mouth.

"Rakuen...Are you-"

The younger woman threw her arms around the taller's waist hiding her face soft whimpers muffled by Himiko's chest. Himiko sighed her expression pained seeing the younger woman shaking in her arms. She caressed her brown hair gently, her fingers brushing against Rakuen's pink horns the smaller woman flinching and pulling away.

"Himiko- Don't....I...My horns-" She touched the one Captian had grabbed frowning, she felt her claws tap it and winched.

"What about your horns Rakuen? Other than that rough grab they seem al-"

"That's what I mean...!" Rakuen stood up, her face twisted with disgust and pain, she looked down at the koi pond tears rolling down her cheeks. "Their....If I didn't have them...Then I..." Himiko stood up slowly walking towards the younger woman, she followed Rakuen's eyes to the water, koi nervously avoiding their reflections.

"There is nothing wrong with your horns, or your claws or your fangs Rakuen...It isn't you. You aren't misplaced because you did something wrong....Man....Is cruel. Some seem to forget what cruelty we ourselves are capable of..."

Rakuen didn't lift her gaze Himiko stared at her reflection, gentle guilt creased her forehead but with a sigh love flooded Himiko's eyes and she turned to face Rakuen properly taking her clawed hands.

"You're magnificent Rakuen. Captian's cruelty, others like him....They don't understand that. They're too caught up in their own hatred to realize this. They swear the imps, the chimera, the onis...All demons are the only ones capable of evil....Yet they strike you without knowing you. You file your horns, hide your claws...You tug on your ears when people stare and you hold your tail when it wags...."

Rakuen looked at Himiko her bangs falling over her eyes. "They judge you without understanding the effect."

"I don't belong....It's expected." Rakuen finally spoke her voice meek, distant. "Don't belong? Rakuen..."

"Himi....Just....Just leave it..."

Rakuen pulled her hands away and stepped past the taller woman, she walked towards where Rao had rushed off with the guard Captian, probably towards Ankoku temple, her tail dragging behind her.

"Rakuen...."

#okami #okami rao #okami himiko #okamioc #okami game #okami hd #fan character #oc fiction

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angelica-song · 2 years

Photo

小池宋杨万里泉眼无声惜细流，树阴照水爱晴柔。小荷才露尖尖角，早有蜻蜓立上头。

This is a special picture based of a poem Xiao Chi (A little Pool) by Yang Wanli for the Asian Pacific Heritage Festival - Art Exhibition. It depicts a beautiful summer’s day where a spring water is quietly creating a streamlet, shadows of trees reflect in the water, several lotus leaves and a lovely dragonfly under the soft sunlight. It forms a lively picture of a little pool, showing a harmonious relationship among things in nature. I wanted to show that thorugh my picture with delicate tones and feelings of relaxation.

I also wanted to use this poem, because it reminded me a lot when I first visited Beijing and I saw blue dragonflies for the very first time. It was really a spectacular sight amongst the Lotus flowers and I remembered how much I enjoyed being there. That is why this picture is close to my heart, and I hope to show everyone the beauty of China within this and the tranquility I felt being there.

Feel free to visit the gallery inworld too, along with many other creatives.

NOTE: Hair and outfit are multiple items that have been heavily edited together to fit for the purpose of the picture.

___________BODY__________

Bangs: bonbon - leifang bangs pack [AD] Hair buns: [ Love Soul ] Hair*103*Black (Shop closed) Hair strands: Air_Kazura A01_Black_CM* Hair: [monso] Luka Hair [AD] Hairbase: NONNATIVE - POPPY HAIRBASE LELUTKA EVOX Mesh Head: LeLUTKA Kaya Head Skin: [avarosa] Hani LeL EVO X [AD] Lipstick: [ODIO] 0520 LIPTICK (GG - fee to join) (used at 55% opacity)

___________OUTFIT__________

Flower Accessory: kotte - chrysanth hairpin Dress 1: *Cila*LanYi Morden Han Chinese Dress (Old gacha item) Dress 2: [spectacledchic] Spring Qi Xiong Ru Qun

___________DECOR__________

@Fantasy Faire !NEW! [AD] .: Runic :. Crystal Fantasy Flower

OTHER *bbqq*-Ancient Boat nani - dreamy pond taikou / bamboo tree [ keke ] even dragonflies dream (Shop closed) [ keke ] sacred lotus group (Shop closed)

thank you all~ ♥

View On Flickr

#secondlife #scecond lfe #sl

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lakemacquariefencing · 4 months

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Creating Zen Retreats: Aluminium Privacy Screens for Meditation Gardens

In our modern, fast-paced lives, the search for moments of tranquillity and inner peace has never been more critical. Meditation gardens, thoughtfully designed to offer a serene refuge for reflection and relaxation, have gained immense popularity. To enhance the privacy and aesthetics of these sanctuaries, aluminium privacy screens Newcastle have emerged as a versatile and durable solution.

The Zen Retreat Concept

Zen retreats are meticulously crafted spaces designed to promote mindfulness, meditation, and contemplation. Inspired by Zen Buddhism, these gardens emphasise simplicity, minimalism, and a deep connection with nature. Key elements of Zen retreats include carefully arranged stones, flowing water features, lush greenery, and peaceful pathways. The overarching goal of a Zen retreat is to foster an environment that encourages inner peace, relaxation, and personal growth.

The Role of Privacy Screens

Privacy screens play a pivotal role in enhancing the Zen experience within a meditation garden. They provide a sense of seclusion and tranquillity, shielding the space from external distractions and unwanted views. Aluminium privacy screens, in particular, offer several advantages for meditation gardens:

Durability: Aluminium is renowned for its exceptional durability. It can withstand a wide range of weather conditions, remaining rust-resistant and resilient when exposed to the elements. This durability ensures the longevity of your meditation garden, allowing you to focus on your practice without constant maintenance concerns.

Low Maintenance: Aluminium privacy screens require minimal upkeep, making them a practical choice for individuals seeking to create a serene retreat without the hassle of ongoing maintenance. This allows you to dedicate more time to your meditation and garden enjoyment.

Versatility in Design: Aluminium screens can be customised to fit any design aesthetic, whether you prefer a modern, traditional, or minimalist Zen garden. They are available in various colours and patterns, allowing you to create a visually appealing backdrop for meditation that resonates with your personal style.

Play of Light: Aluminium screens can be designed with intricate patterns that cast beautiful and soothing shadows, creating an enchanting play of light. These effects can significantly enhance the meditative atmosphere, helping you achieve a heightened state of mindfulness.

Easy Installation: Aluminium privacy screens are relatively straightforward to install, provided you follow the manufacturer's guidelines or hire professionals. This ensures a hassle-free process when designing or revamping your meditation garden, making it accessible to a wide range of garden enthusiasts.

Creating a Tranquil Meditation Garden with Aluminium Privacy Screens

Plan Your Garden Layout: Start by meticulously planning the layout of your meditation garden. Determine the optimal locations for your privacy screens, considering areas where you need the most seclusion and where they can enhance the garden's aesthetic.

Choose Your Aluminium Privacy Screens: Select aluminium screens that not only provide the desired level of privacy but also harmonise with your garden's design. Consider patterns that allow filtered sunlight to create a calming ambiance while ensuring privacy.

Install with Care: It is essential to hire professionals or follow the manufacturer's guidelines to ensure the proper installation of your privacy screens. This step is critical for achieving the desired level of privacy, safety, and aesthetic appeal.

Integrate Zen Elements: To complete the tranquil atmosphere of your meditation garden, incorporate various Zen elements. Consider adding a koi pond, a meticulously arranged Japanese rock garden, a stand of graceful bamboo plants, or even a wooden bridge that meanders through the garden, inviting contemplation.

Personalise Your Space: To truly make the Zen retreat your own, add personal touches that resonate with your spiritual journey. Meditation cushions, wind chimes, or a statue of Buddha can infuse your sanctuary with a unique, meaningful energy.

Creating a Zen retreat with aluminium privacy screens in your meditation garden is a profoundly rewarding endeavour. These screens offer both privacy and aesthetics, enabling you to immerse yourself in a serene, tranquil space where you can cultivate mindfulness and inner peace. By artfully combining the principles of Zen design with the practicality and versatility of aluminium privacy screens, you can craft a beautiful sanctuary that invites self-reflection, rejuvenation, and a deeper connection with your inner self. In this hectic world, your Zen retreat becomes an invaluable haven for finding balance and serenity amidst the chaos.

#aluminiumprivacyscreensnewcastle #aluminium privacy screens newcastle

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dragontamer05 · 11 months

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Flaws and all I do honestly and genuinely like Pokemon Violet, and I'm still willing to defend it on some points.

However I'm not that blind, nostalgia driven or any other reason you want to give to ignore / not see it's problems.

And I'm not even talking glitches - and whether or not something's been patched (I mean since so many love btow comparison even that game has it's fair share of glitches that even today haven't been patched and people use them to like speed run n shit )

Like even from a strict graphical stand point, there are moments where it genuinely looks nice - the pokemon models are great, but oof I can admit and agree it's also rough in places that giving a fair comparison in someways I think just when it comes to like shading/lighting alone I'll say it both Arceus and Sword/Shield look better

hell hate on the chibi style all you want but bdsp are pretty games,

Violet and Scarlet again they do have their moments but at times feel like someone bumped up the brightness a bit much. Like during the times of the game when it's the evening / sunset, night, just any point with a lower light the way the shadows and light are makes it look rather nice. but like idk morning/rest of the day it is so bright.

While there are some unique spots like the bamboo forest or mountains, even the starting area with the bit of hills , little pond ect kinda nice

at the very least idk give us back random npc houses away from the city/towns. Maybe it's a farmers in the olive fields or a like a cabin tucked away in the mountains. At least seeing over world weather more often would kinda be nice

I think S/V did also do well in proving one point which was that- Sword and Shield had the right idea of having the world pause while doing certain actions. Cause sure maybe it looks silly but I'd sure as hell rather have things get frozen in place while I mess around in the menu screen or climb up something then. Be doing all those things and having to worry about not being in an area where I'm going to get swarmed and immediately yeeted into an unwanted battle because some pokemon gunned for my ass and is right on top of me now.

Imagine how annoying it'd be to finish climbing a ladder to have a pokemon right beneath it.

#pokemon

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mylnalbum · 3 years

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~ Completed Suits ~

Cloud: Bamboo Shadow in Pond

#love nikki #love nikki dress up queen #ln #lnduq #love nikki suits #cloud #cloud suits #bamboo shadow in pond

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honeyfizzly · 2 years

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All yttd character name meanings cause I haven't posted on here in forever, long post lolz

Most of this taken from wiki

Beware of spoilers lol, I'll add my own personal notes about the name

Sara-> Sa meaning "(silk) gauze; gossamer" and Ra means "good; pleasing; skilled".

The Hebrew meaning for Sara means "princess/noble women" which is pretty fitting as she has the highest winning rate

Chidouin-> Chi "one thousand", Dou "shrine hall" and In "institution"

Jou-> "length; height"

Note that nankidai said that Jou's name originated from the line "stand up Joe!" From the manga "Ashita no Joe"

Joe isn't really a westernized version of Jou in yttd as vgperson states that both names are used in the source material, the name Joe is used in a more causal manner.

Tazuna-> ta "rice field" zuna "rope; cable"

Kazumi-> Kazu "peace" Mi "oneself"

Mishima-> Mi "three" Shima "island"

I think the island mightve been possible referencing how Mishima would be the first protagonist of your time to shine island existence. Could be just a coincidence though

Kai-> Kai "precept"

Satou- Sa "assistant; help" and Tou "wisteria"

Note that Kai also means shellfish (hence the "kain you believe it" surrounded by shellfish in his laptop) but Kai's name uses different Kanji from the shellfish one.

Alice-> his name is most likely a reference to the band "Alice in chains", since he is a man named Alice who is in chains. The German name Alice means "noble"

Yabusame-> ya "eight", bu "currency" and same "rain"

Reko-> re "waterway" ko "child"

Yabusame-> Ya "eight" Bu "currency" and Same "rain"

Note that her name was spelled as "Reco" but since C isn't really pronounced in the Japanese language, it later on got canonized to be "Reko" and "Reco" was used for her stage name.

Nao-> na "greens" o "cord, thread"

Egokoro-> e "picture" gokoro "heart"

Kanna-> Kan "god; deity" Na "what"

Note that there's also a flower that shares the same name as her

Kizuchi-> Ki "tree" zu "ferry" chi "pond"

Shin-> shin "truth; genuiness"

Tsukimi-> tsuki "moon" mi "see" (aka moon watching or moon viewing)

Qtaro-> Taro "strong, heroic, masculine"

Note that his name is a reference to a Jojo episode where a character uses the name "qtaro kujo"

Burgerburg-> this name dosent really have a meaning.

Qtaro's initials spell out bbq (BurgerBerg Qtaro)

Sou-> sou "suddenly; smoothly"

Keiji-> kei "respect" Ji "two"

Shinogi-> shino "bamboo grass" gi "tree"

Gin-> Gin "silver"

(I couldn't find the meaning for his last name rip)

Note that Sou is also an anagram for the Japanese word for lie, Uso

Hiyori-> hi "sun" yori "harmony"

Note that it can also be read as sunny weather

Midori just means green

Ranmaru-> Ran "orchid" Maru "circle"

Kageyama-> Kage "shadow" Yama "mountain"

Anzu-> An "apricot" Zu "child"

Kinashi-> Ki "tree" Nashi "pear tree"

Shunsuke-> Shun "excellent; genius" Suke "involve oneself; shellfish"

Hayasaka-> Haya "early; fast" Saka "slope; incline"

Naomichi-> nao "direct" Michi "road; path; route"

Kurumada-> kuruma "car" da "rice field"

Mai-> Mai "dance"

Tsurugi-> tsuru "crane (bird)" gi "castle"

Hinako-> Hina "chick" ko "child"

Mishuku-> Mi "honorable; beautiful" shuku "inn"

All of the floormasters have pun names

Sue miley-> smiley

Hoemi-> small smile

Tia safalin-> tears are a fallin

Han'naki-> half crying

Rio ranger-> rearrange

Rio lazier-> realizer

Toto noeru-> to arrange

Koko roeru-> to gain a heart

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foxghost · 3 years

Text

Joyful Reunion, Chapter 91

Translator: foxghost @foxghost tumblr/ko-fi1 Beta: meet-me-in-oblivion @meet-me-in-oblivion tumblr Original by 非天夜翔 Fei Tian Ye Xiang Masterpost | Characters, Maps & Other Reference Index

Book 3, Chapter 21 (Part 1)

Autumn sun is burning bright overhead as Li Yanqiu brings the horse to a halt outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony. An evening breeze has set the banners to either side of him fluttering.

“Long Live Your Majesty!” The Black Armours army salutes, falling on one knee in front of him in an earth-shattering display.

Xie You and Cai Yan have slowly made their way to the palace, but Li Yanqiu has stopped there before the steps, his mind wandering for a little while. Earlier, there was that one moment where it felt as though he … sensed something.

“Good work,” Li Yanqiu says.

The Black Armours part like the tides, leaving a path open. Li Yanqiu steps into the main palace. The Jiangzhou Imperial Palace has seen its share of trials and tribulations, but after some repair and renovation it has become even more extravagant than the one in Xichuan. A eunuch steps forward to untie Li Yanqiu’s cape for him, after which Li Yanqiu keeps walking through the corridor.

Both Zheng Yan and Lang Junxia have already arrived. As Li Yanqiu walks by the Eastern Palace, he glances inside to find Lang Junxia sitting in the corridor playing his flute. He doesn’t get up to bow even as Li Yanqiu passes by.

“It has been a wearisome journey.” Li Yanqiu pays no mind to Lang Junxia, and simply says to Cai Yan, “Go get some rest.”

Cai Yan trails him from behind. “The auspicious hour where we must offer sacrifices to the heavens is at dawn tomorrow. You should try to sleep earlier as well, uncle.”

“We may have a new home, but I’ll be taking my medicine as always. Don’t worry.”

And so along with the other servants of the Eastern Palace, Cai Yan bows as Li Yanqiu departs.

In the Palace of Eternal Autumn,2 Mu Jinzhi is painting her eyebrows in front of the mirror. Her clothes, accessories and makeup have also been delivered, and her maids are opening and checking each box over one by one.

“Who got on your nerves this time, Your Majesty?” Mu Jinzhi says with a smile, her reflection looking at Li Yanqiu in the mirror, one eyebrow raised.

“No one in particular got on my nerves,” Li Yanqiu replies, standing behind Mu Jinzhi. "No matter how sharp your eyes may be, there are times when you can be mistaken.”

Mu Jinzhi puts down her hairpin and says, “A request to recruit retainers for the crown prince’s palace has been issued. We should get a list of candidates after the civil exams and let him take as long as he likes to choose.”

Li Yanqiu replies courteously, “Thank you for keeping this in mind and taking the trouble, Empress.”

They hardly have anything to say to each other, and so as soon as Li Yanqiu finishes saying this, he leaves the room. In the mirror, Mu Jinzhi rolls her eyes at his back.

Li Yanqiu returns to his bedroom and looks out at the clear skies outside.

Zheng Yan happens to be sitting beneath the veranda, asking a servant to open up a case for him to search for his wine.

“Zheng Yan.” Li Yanqiu is wearing a slight frown. “Why are you still here?”

“The crown prince despises me, Your Majesty.” Zheng Yan says courteously, “With Wuluohou Mu around, I no longer have a need to see him roll his eyes at me. Don’t you think he and I would both be happier if we don’t see each other?”

“The sight of Wuluohou Mu makes my blood boil.” Li Yanqiu gives his reply to Zheng Yan just as amicably, “All four of you great assassins are warped — from what I can see now, it actually seems like Wu Du, the least accomplished amongst you, is more upright than you lot. I keep wondering if Wu Du’s poisoned you people, and that’s why you three have become this way.”

Now those words have essentially insulted Zheng Yan along with the rest. One brother Li used to be sharp as a blade, while the other is brocade with hidden needles. Zheng Yan sussed out Li Yanqiu’s disposition long ago, and knows he’s furious.

Zheng Yan says at once, “Forgive me, Your Majesty. I’ll head over to the Eastern Palace right away.”

Only once Zheng Yan is gone does Li Yanqiu heave a long, long sigh.

“Your Majesty, it’s time for your medicine.” A palace maid brings him his medicine. Li Yanqiu takes it without looking, drinks it, and casually tosses it into the courtyard. The coloured glaze bowl shatters into a million pieces with a quiet crash.

“Wow —!” Duan Ling has finally arrived in his new home.

The chancellor’s estate has given Wu Du and Duan Ling a courtyard house only an alley away from the main house. Compared to their old house on the outskirts of the estate in Xichuan, their new home is a lot bigger, with four buildings, two gates, a spirit screen, and a back courtyard where they can keep horses. They’ve even been assigned a steward and two servants to have at their beck and call.

The courtyard has a rockery and a pond; the land behind the pond is a bamboo grove. Peach trees are planted at the edges, while a gentle stream is led into the pond, flowing back out through a zigzagging water duct. The bamboo pipes are set on top of the wall, and the water itself is drawn from the chancellor’s main estate.

“The Lord Chancellor said you should rest for now,” says the steward. “Have a bath and wash off the dust of the road. There will be a banquet in honour of your return tonight.”

“You may go. We don’t need anyone to wait on us,” Wu Du tells the steward in the front courtyard. Duan Ling is inside looking this way and that; their new home is outfitted with silk brocade blankets and screens; carved windows cast ornate shadows on the walls, reminding him of the Viburnum. Even the decorative items are made of celadon. There’s also a study provided for him to study in.

The steward carefully helps Wu Du into the room.

“Certainly.” The steward seems to have predicted as much from Wu Du, so he merely stands out in the courtyard — but he isn’t leaving.

Duan Ling stops to think, then he tells the steward, “Master Wu’s house contains secret information of the martial arts societies, and too many poisonous things are kept here. He’s worried that it may unintentionally injure you and the other servants, so you don’t need to stay here in the courtyard house. If we should need anything I’ll go ask for help at the Chancellor’s estate. You may go.”

The steward nods then, and after giving both Duan Ling and Wu Du a bow, takes his leave.

The only way Wu Du and Duan Ling can have a conversation is to not have any outsiders around — otherwise they may drop dead before finding out how or why.

“There’s money here too!” Duan Ling says in the next room over, “Two hundred taels of gold!”

Duan Ling had already written a report of the treasure from Tongguan. Now that Mu Kuangda has a mountain of gold, Duan Ling doesn’t even know what the chancellor is going to do with it. If it’s for spending though, it’s enough to buy an entire city. This bit of reward isn’t really all that much money.

But Duan Ling is still pretty glad to have it. At least they won’t have to eat flatbread at every meal anymore.

Sitting in the room, Wu Du says, “If there’s anything you want to eat I’ll go out and buy it for you.”

“You stay put. Stop moving.”

Duan Ling comes in with bedding in his arms, and after telling Wu Du to scoot over, he puts another pillow on his bed.

Wu Du stares at Duan Ling and says, “If you sleep in this room, I’ll sleep on the floor. Right there, just off the bed. That way I can keep you safe.”

“You’re not worried I’ll stomp you to death when I get up to get water at night?” Duan Ling says smilingly.

Wu Du recalls that this was precisely what he said himself several months ago, and suddenly finds it really funny. Both of them laugh.

Wu Du says, “Let me do this.”

“Can’t you just listen to me?” Duan Ling says seriously.

“Alright alright.” Wu Du replies, “But you’ve got to give me something to do. I’m injured, but I’m not a cripple.”

Wu Du really doesn’t feel right having Duan Ling wait on him this way, but it’s not due to Duan Ling’s identity — it’s because for all his years he’s never had anyone take care of him like this before.

“Then take a bath,” Duan Ling says to Wu Du.

Wu Du raises a hand and sniffs his sleeve, upon which his face goes bright red. Duan Ling leaves the room to summon a servant to bring them water.

The young servants carry in a huge tub and set it down in the corner room. Then they add bucket after bucket of hot water, then some cold water to cool it down.

“I can wash myself,” Wu Du says hurriedly.

“Strip already,” Duan Ling says to him, then he carries Wu Du’s dirty clothes off to the back courtyard where he tosses them into a basin. He draws some water and soaks the clothes in them before he heads back to the house to search for clean clothes. Mu Kuangda has found the right person this time; the steward they met earlier is extremely considerate, and Duan Ling has somehow forgotten to give him a little bonus.

Soon, Duan Ling comes in with a bundle of fresh clothes, and he rolls up his sleeves to scrub down Wu Du. Wu Du still has bandages wrapped around his hand that mustn’t get wet, and he’s trying to scrub himself with one hand. When he sees Duan Ling come in, the blush on his handsome face spreads all the way down to his collarbones.

Duan Ling holds Wu Du down and scrubs him clean all over. Ever since the night he sustained those injuries, Wu Du hasn’t had a bath. And now with his left hand resting at the edge of the tub, his wide and strong shoulders and back are above the water, letting Duan Ling scrub him as he wishes.

“Don’t fall in now. Hey don’t—don’t—don’t—don’t reach any lower!”

The bathtub is huge, and Duan Ling has leaned halfway into the tub. Wu Du can feel that Duan Ling really is seriously trying to scrub him down, but alas Duan Ling’s hands keep moving all around his body touching him and Wu Du can’t take much more of this.

Duan Ling says, “Raise your leg a little.”

Wu Du finds Duan Ling quite amusing all of a sudden, and in a bout of playfulness he wraps one arm over him and pulls him in. With a splash, the ground all around the bathtub is covered in water.

Duan Ling says angrily, “Why you!”

Duan Ling is soaked through, while Wu Du’s cheeks are suffused with a blush. He laughs. “You go ahead and bathe. I’m done.”

Duan Ling says, “You’re too dirty. Stop moving.”

Duan Ling unties his robe, removes his wet clothes and pants, and climbs onto Wu Du to straddle his thigh naked. When he does, an unbidden and indescribable sensation rises to the surface of his heart. He’s never felt this way before, not in any instance where he’s touched Wu Du skin on skin.

Duan Ling’s face also starts to take on a blush; it’s almost like he’s returned to that night when he was still a child, that night when he saw Lang Junxia’s body through the window panes. Yet when he faces Wu Du now his heart is beating even faster, as though there’s an exceedingly novel and exciting sensation just hiding behind a layer of gauzy silk, waiting for him to reach out for it.

“Why’ve you stopped talking?” On the contrary, Wu Du has come back to himself. With one arm languidly resting on the edge of the tub, he uses the other hand to give Duan Ling’s pale back a pat, staring at him with a questioning look in his eyes.

“No—no reason,” Duan Ling says nervously.

In that instant Wu Du seems to have realised something as well; his eyes are smiling.

Duan Ling hums something quiet, and without looking up to meet his eyes, he keeps scrubbing at Wu Du’s chest with a cloth.

Outside the room, footsteps approach, and both Wu Du and Duan Ling stop moving.

“Hey buddy, don’t you still owe me a cup of wine?” Zheng Yan’s voice says indolently.

Duan Ling is quite startled — he’s never met Zheng Yan before, so he’s assuming it’s someone from the chancellor’s estate barging into their house. But Wu Du is wrapping one arm around Duan Ling’s waist and pulling him closer.

Without a pause, Zheng Yan keeps walking towards them and opens the door to the corner room. Right as the door opens, Wu Du is holding the fully naked Duan Ling in his arms, making him drape himself on his chest, burying Duan Ling’s head against his shoulder.

When Zheng Yan comes in it’s to a view of Wu Du holding a young man, the two of them taking a bath together.

“Zheng Yan! Can you take a hint or what?!” Wu Du says impatiently, “Get outta here!”

Zheng Yan bursts out laughing uncontrollably. He hurriedly closes the door and says, “Continue, don’t get mad at me please. I truly never expected that.”

Wu Du replies, “Wait outside. That’s enough out of you.”

Duan Ling only looks up again once Zheng Yan’s footsteps have grown distant, and before that he was pressed up against Wu Du, both of them naked. He had felt their hearts both beating out of their chests, as well as that thing between their legs swelling up so much they’ve gone stiff.

They face each other, a little out of breath. Wu Du puts a finger in front of his lips to pantomime shh, and that they should continue washing up. Duan Ling swallows, and scrubs Wu Du’s hair for him.

“All done now,” Duan Ling says quietly, and steps out so quickly that he nearly slips on the floor.

“Careful.” Wu Du reaches out to wrap an arm around Duan Ling’s waist, making him stand upright.

Duan Ling quickly wipes himself down and puts on a pair of pants. The blush has faded from his cheeks. He helps Wu Du out of the bath to dry him with a cloth, but when he gets between Wu Du’s legs, the dry cloth bumps into the erect, powerful thing standing there, and they’re both blushing crimson again.

Wu Du throws a robe around himself. His injuries are almost all healed, and he can already walk with a little bit of a limp. He puts on a pair of wooden sandals and limps his way across the veranda, dragging his feet, passing by Zheng Yan as he heads to the main house to look for things.

“So fast?” Zheng Yan says, “I didn’t scare it out of there, did I?”

Wu Du spits profanity at Zheng Yan, startling Duan Ling who’s still in the corner room, as it’s the first time he’s ever heard Wu Du say something so foul. Soon enough, the sound of wooden sandals are approaching him again as Wu Du slowly clacks all the way back to hand Duan Ling clean clothes for him to change into.

Once they’ve dressed properly, the servants come back to get the bathtub. Wu Du’s hair is still dripping wet as he leans against the daybed, barefoot and dressed in nothing but a bathrobe. He raises his left hand so that Duan Ling can change his bandages for him, before he starts engaging in an intermittent conversation with Zheng Yan.

I do not monetise my hobby translations, but if you’d like to support my work generally or support my light novel habit, you can either buy me a coffee or commission me. This is also to note that if you see this message anywhere else than on tumblr, do come to my tumblr. It’s ad-free. ↩︎

The Palace of Eternal Autumn is the imperial empress’s palace, and sometimes the phrase stands for the empress, just as “Eastern Palace” stands for the crown prince. ↩︎

#相見歡 #fei tian ye xiang #joyful reunion #xiang jian huan #fox translates things

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pigeoncoffee · 4 years

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ultimate single word island names list

as you all know i loved single word town names on new leaf.. whilst ive been brainstorming names for my new horizons island i’ve compiled the ultimate single word island names list!

enjoy!

Ocean/water words: • Brook • Bay • Boat • Canal • Coral • Cove • Creek • Current • Deep • Dock • Drench • Driftwood • Drip • Drain • Gulf • Kelp • Lake • Marine • Pond • Reservoir • River • Rinse • Rill • Rockpool • Sail • Sailboat • Scuba • Spring • Snorkel • Stream • Sea • Seaweed • Seabed • Surf • Swamp • Tarn • Tide • Tidepool • Water • Yacht

Summer/Beach words: • Coast • Conch • Dock • Dune • Harbour • Palmtree • Pier • Summer • Sand • Sandcastle • Shell • Seaside • Shore • Sunburn • Sunscreen • Wharf • Vacation • Voyage

Fish/Aquatic animal words: • Barnacle • Clam • Carp • Crab • Eel • Fin • Flounder • Herring • Limpet • Lobster • Mackerel • Otter • Oyster • Plankton • Salmon • Scallop • Shark • Shrimp • Starfish • Stingray • Squid • Sunfish • Tadpole • Trout

Animal/habitat words: • Antler • Ant • Anthill • Burrow • Bee • Beehive • Bumble • Barn • Bat • Bug • Cobweb • Den • Fleece • Fur • Gull • Hive • Hornet • Honeybee • Ladybug • Ladybird • Nest • Paddock • Raven • Roost • Rook • Seagull • Snail • Toad • Web

Plant/flowers words: • Aloe • Bud • Bamboo • Bloom • Clover • Cosmos • Daffodil • Fern • Heather • Lily • Lilypad • Leaf • Lotus • Orchid • Orchard • Palm • Petal • Primrose • Rose • Stem • Seed • Sprout • Tulip • Wilt • Wilted

Forest words: • Acorn • Birch • Branch • Bramble • Bark • Chestnut • Elm • Elder • Fir • Grove • Juniper • Maple • Oak • Sycamore • Stump • Sap • Sapling • Spruce • Tree • Twig • Thicket • Wood • Yew

Other outdoor words: • Acre • Bury • Barren • Cavern • Cave • Cliff • Coal • Dale • Dell • Earth • Field • Fossil • Garden • Hill • Henge • Hedge • Isle • Island • Lawn • Leaves • Mountain • Meadow • Marsh • Moor • Moss • Nature • Peak • Pebble • Rock • Root • Stone • Shire • Thorn • Uproot • Vale • Valley • Vineyard

Food words: • Avocado • Berry • Butter • Chai • Cider • Cake • Coffee • Coconut • Currant • Egg • Eggshell • Eggnog • Fig • Fudge • Honey • Honeycomb • Icecream • Jam • Jelly • Lemon • Mushroom • Muffin • Mocha • Nut • Pancake • Pear • Pea • Pie • Peanut • Pickle • Popsicle • Radish • Rice • Raisin • Rum • Sesame • Sushi • Syrup • Toast • Walnut

Herb/spices names: • Basil • Chive • Cinnamon • Clove • Dill • Fennel • Herb • Mustard • Nutmeg • Parsley • Saffron • Sage • Spice • thyme

Calm words: • Airy • Away • Awe • Aura • Calm • Drowsy • Dream • Hope • Haven • Haze • Lazy • Lull • Nurture • Quiet • Relax • Rest • Safe • Soft • Serene • Slumber • Silent • Yawn

Cosy Words: • Blanket • Boots • Cotton • Cosy • Cinder • Flannel • Glove • Knit • Knitted • Mitten • Quilt • Raincoat • Sweater • Slipper • Teapot • Teacup • Warmth • Weave • Woven • Yarn

Cute words: • Adore • Blush • Bonny • Cupid • Cuddle • Dainty • Delicate • Ethereal • Fluff • Giggle • Glitter • Lovely • Precious • Sweet • Wonder

City/Town/Building words: • Cabin • Camp • Campsite • Cottage • Home • House • Igloo • Inn • Loft • Mill • Market • Park • Road • Shelter • Street • Tunnel • Tavern • Village • Ville

Weather/time of day words: • Blizzard • Dusk • Dawn • Draft • Drizzle • Downpour • Fog • Flood • Flurry • Gust • Hail • Humid • Mist • Misty • Midnight • Noon • Night • Overcast • Rain • Rainfall • Raindrop • Rainbow • Rise • Storm • Soleil • Sunset • Sun • Season • Sleet • Typhoon • Thunder • Weather • Wind

Seasonal words: Spring/Easter: • April • Crisp • Dew • Dewdrop • Easter • Farm • Farmyard • Floral • Florist • Flourish • Grow • Growth • Hatch • June • Plantpot

Autumn/Halloween: • Afraid • Bale • Bonfire • Cackle • Casket • Creep • Coffin • Costume • Carve • Cemetery • Chilling • Disguise • Eerie • Fall • Fright • Frighten • Firework • Grave • Ghoul • Ghost • Grim • Gore • Hay • Harvest • Howl • Haunt • Haunted • Halloween • Lantern • Morbid • November • Phantom • Rake • Strange • Scream • Scare • Spook • Tomb • Trick • Wicked • Witch • Warlock • Zombie

Winter/Christmas: • Arctic • Chill • Carol • Elf • Festive • Frost • Frostbite • Firewood • Gift • Garland • Holly • Holiday • Ice • Iced • Icy • Icicle • Jingle • Jolly • Merry • Noel • Nativity • Ornament • Present • Reindeer • Rudolph • Scrooge • Sleigh • Snow • Skate • Snowman • Snowball • Stocking • Tinsel • Winter • Wreath • Yule • Yulelog

Mystical words: • Amulet • Cauldron • Chalice • Conjure • Coven • Charm • Cherub • Enchant • Fairy • Fairies • Gargoyle • Goblet • Goblin • Golem • Gnome • Hidden • Hex • Imp • Myth • Nymph • Potion • Spirit • Sprite • Spell • Secret • Shadow • Siren • Wand • Wander

Gem stone words: • Amethyst • Amber • Jasper • Jade • Onyx • Opal • Sapphire • Topaz • Quartz

Colour words: • Bronze • Blush • Fuchsia • Hazel • Ivory • Linen • Ochre • Pale • Peach • Pewter • Sepia • Seafoam • Tawny

Space words: • Aurora • Asteroid • Cosmic • Crescent • Eclipse • Gravity • Luna • Mercury • Meteor • Moon • Nebula • Orbit • Planet • Solar • Star • Venus • Zodiac

Direction words: • Around • Across • Above • East • Far • North • Over • South • Under • West

Other words: • Ash • Ablaze • Beam • Backpack • Dust • Ever • Edge • End • Echo • Cranny • Comb • Frail • Gutter • Hole • Lune • Lush • Letter • Nimble • Nook • Old • Plain • Paper • Rinse • Range • Ridge • Rust • Rusted • Rot • Rotted • Silk • Set • Settle • Sponge • Swelter • Swell • Smog • Urn • Umbrella • Vain • Vile • View • Way • World

#animal crossing #animal crossing new horizons #acnh #animal crossing new leaf #acnl #ac #island name #island names #town names #town name #nintendo #switch #helpful

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cheri-translates · 4 years

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[CN] Gavin’s Same Path Date (Eng Translation)

🍒 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for a date which has not been released in English servers! 🍒

Gavin’s Qixi Collection: Date / Call 1 ♡ / Call 2 / Records / Event / Special Call

Legend has it that the Qilin is a lucky beast. If you can obtain a Qilin, all bad luck will be eliminated.

MC: Does the Qilin really exist...

Before me is a towering mountain. I’ve walked for four days and four nights in order to get here.

The elder of the temple had pointed to this mountain on a map and told me that if I crossed this path, I’d be able to see a Qilin.

MC: May the gods bless me, that I may find the Qilin soon. Otherwise...

I take a deep breath, entering this legendary mystical mountain.

The mountain is incredibly quiet and deep, and it looks as though no one has ever visited.

After exerting much strength, I only manage to climb halfway. I lean against a tree and gasp for breath, patting my grumbling stomach.

MC: So hungry... and I’ve finished the food I brought...

When I raise my head, I see something gleaming not too far away. Curious, I walk over.

MC: It’s a pond!

Schools of red carp swim unhurriedly in the clear water.

MC: Great! I wouldn’t have to worry about being hungry now!

I carefully bunch up my skirt, stepping barefoot into the stream.

There used to be a small stream in the village where I would often fish. My skills can finally come in handy.

Sunlight wisps down the shadows of trees. In the cool water, I hold my breath and bend down, stealthily approaching a fish which is swimming slowly.

Plong--

A small stone flies through the air and pelts into the water. The fish disappears in an instant.

MC: !

MC: Where did that stone come from?

I scan my surroundings, but fail to find anything out of the ordinary.

Not giving much thought to it, I once again focus on my grand undertaking of catching a fish.

Another red carp swims over to my feet lazily. Perhaps due to the sparse number of visitors, these fish aren’t very wary of humans.

MC: Since you bumped into me yourself, you can’t blame me.

I stretch out my hands joyfully, the tip of my nose almost smelling the scent of grilled fish.

Plong--

With another soft sound, a stone accurately plops near my feet, channelling a wave of ripples.

The red carp immediately swims away.

MC: Who is it?!

I turn around angrily, certain that someone is causing trouble for me.

The trees in the mountain are lush, and everything is so calm and quiet that even the sound of a falling leaf can be heard clearly.

MC: You better show yourself obediently. When I catch you, you’re doomed!

I roll up my sleeves fiercely, preparing to return to the shore. However, I end up stepping into mud.

MC: !

My body lurches forward. In the middle of my panic, I see a white figure flashing across the green mountains and forests.

The bamboo forest sways, and a soft robe brushes across my cheek. My waist is held firmly by a pair of arms.

At this moment, my five senses are amplified. Water flows underneath my feet, and I smell a clear and cold breath. I blink, shifting the sleeves away from my face.

And I meet a pair of amber eyes.

The wind coursing through the South Mountain, the leaves falling into the pond, and thousands of sceneries all pause before him, becoming accompaniments to his wilful eyes.

MC: ...who are you?

??: The person you were looking for just now.

He places me on the shore before looking me up and down.After verifying that I’m harmless, he turns around to leave.

MC: Hey, young gentleman.

[Trivia] MC calls him 公子 (“gong zi”), which typically refers to a pampered son of a wealthy family.

I stop him.

MC: Thank you for just now!

??: It was no trouble. There’s no need for thanks.

MC: Are you looking for the Qilin too?

??: No.

His response is short, but he suddenly pauses in his steps after brushing past me.

??: You're injured.

MC: Hm?

Following his line of sight, I discover that the sole of my foot had been cut by something at some point, and is currently bleeding.

MC: It hurts!

??: ...you didn’t seem to feel it just now.

MC: It suddenly started hurting once you mentioned it.

??: ...

He squats down, signalling that I should show him my calf.

MC: Young gentleman, you-

While checking my wound, he interrupts me.

??: My name is Gavin.

He applies some medicinal herbs. When he lifts his head to look at me, the gold coloured ornament used to tie his hair glints with a brilliant light.

Gavin: I’m not called “young gentleman”.

Once my wound has been wrapped, Gavin stands and casts me a glance.

Gavin: The water here has poison in it. If you aren’t careful, the poison will spread even further. Even though your wound isn’t serious, it’s better to rest for a while before moving again.

MC: All right... um... Gavin.

Gavin: What’s wrong?

MC: Why didn’t you let me catch the fish here?

Gavin: All the living creatures on this mountain have a certain spirituality. It’s best not to disturb them.

MC: But...

I can’t help but swallow my saliva, rubbing my stomach which has been starving since this morning. I raise my head and toss Gavin a pitiful glance.

MC: You can’t bear to see these spiritual fish get eaten, but you can bear to see an innocent young lady starve to death on this deep mountain?

Gavin: ...

Gavin: You can choose to leave this place.

Rays of light break free from the dense leaves, illuminating Gavin’s face.

Gavin: There’s a village not far from the bottom of the mountain. Head down the mountain now, and you should make it in time for dinner.

Gavin’s indifferent expression tells me that I wouldn’t get to eat grilled fish today.

MC: Sigh, I guess there’s no other choice then.

I scan my surroundings, then bend down to pluck a dandelion. I eat the dandelion puff, and a faint sweet scent of greenery diffuses in the air.

Gavin’s eyebrows arch upwards involuntarily, and shock flashes in his eyes.

Gavin: Human... [coughs], why do you eat everything?

MC: It’s nothing to fuss about. You don’t allow me to catch fish, so I have no choice but to pluck these dandelions to eat. This much is allowed, right?

There are many dandelions in the area behind Gavin. Perhaps this mountain is truly filled with aura. They are much bigger than normal dandelions.

MC: It’s not convenient for me to move with my leg in this state. Could you help me pluck a few? They’re just behind you.

I lean over to point, but Gavin suddenly turns his head, finally looking at me seriously for the first time.

Gavin: Are you sure you want to stay here?

MC: Of course. I already said that I'm here to look for the Qilin. I won’t leave until I find it.

Gavin lowers his eyes slightly and looks at me, a few strands of hair falling on the side of his face.

Gavin: These are not the only edible things on the mountain. Once your leg recovers, I’ll take you to find other kinds of food. By then, if you still want to search for the Qilin, I’ll bring you there.

MC: Are the fruits on this tree green plums?

Looking at the tree filled with green plums, I turn around excitedly and ask.

[Trivia] Plums symbolise perseverance, hope, and beauty thriving in adversity. As plum trees blossom between two seasons, it is also seen as a symbol of spring - bringing warmth, transition, and the promise of fruitfulness.

Slight hesitation flashes across Gavin’s eyes.

Gavin: They should be.

He reaches out, plucks a few, and hands them to me.

Gavin: Try it.

Not putting much thought into it, I take the fruit from his hand. After wiping it on my sleeve, I take a bite.

MC: Oo!

Gavin: How is it?

MC: It’s so sour!

I cover my face to hide my expression, which I’ve lost control of due to the sourness of the fruit. I splutter, making “pooh, pooh” sounds.

MC: This fruit is obviously not ripe yet!

A smile flashes in Gavin’s eyes, but he conceals it with a cough.

Gavin: Is it very sour?

He holds up a fruit and gives it a bite. Then, he nods.

Gavin: It is pretty sour.

MC: ...

My eyes trail from the silver coloured patterns on his clothes to the expensive-looking jade ring on his waist. I sigh knowingly.

MC: So you’re truly a son from a noble family. Just from a glance, I can already tell you haven’t gone through many troubles in life.

I mutter softly, and Gavin casts a glance at me.

Gavin: What did you say?

MC: Ah, nothing much.

He looks exquisite - probably a noble son from a family near the mountain, which explains why he doesn’t have experience differentiating sweet and sour fruits.

I raise the green fruit in front of Gavin, and speak in a serious tone.

MC: These types of green, hard fruits are not ripe. You can’t eat them. Next time, don’t eat them by mistake. They’re really sour.

With an exaggerated expression, I spend a long time explaining this to Gavin.

Gavin watches me. Sunlight pours down on us, illuminating his smiling side profile.

Gavin: Mm, I got it.

His eyes seem to contain the entire amber of summer. Even if he simply looks at me with a glance as light as the wind and clouds, it’s enough for me to get lost in them.

MC: Gavin, why did you agree to look for the Qilin?

Gavin: You’re very persistent.

Gavin: I’ve never met someone who would put so much effort into a legend, so... persistent.

For some reason, Gavin’s face turns a faint red when he says this.

MC: Your face seems to have turned red?

Gavin: You misperceived.

He coughs, then turns his head slightly.

Gavin: I remember that in the legend, only people who have crossed the Southern Border at the top of the mountain can find the Qilin.

MC: Mm, that’s right. But this legend is only found in the ancient books of the temple. How did you know about this?

Gavin doesn’t respond, walking in front of me.

Gavin: I’m the only one who is familiar with this terrain. Let’s go, I’ll take you to the top of the mountain.

MC: We should be reaching soon, right? We've been walking for so long.

Gavin: It will be in front after we cross this mountain stream.

With the tips of his toes, Gavin flies across the river surface, leaving me stunned at the other side of the river.

Gavin: What’s wrong?

MC: ...have you ever considered that not everybody has your skills. For example, me.

Separated by the swift current and steep rocks, Gavin and I look at each other.

Finally, Gavin reaches out his hand to me.

Gavin: I’ll catch you from here. You just have to take the first step.

MC: Y-you said it. You definitely have to catch me.

Trembling, I take the first step. My toes touch a stone in the water.

Gavin stands on the other side of the river, maintaining his posture of reaching out to me. Separated by the water, his gaze gives me an incomparable peace of mind.

At this moment, the stone underneath my foot starts to loosen.

MC: Ah-

I frantically attempt to stabilise myself, but lose my balance and am about to fall into the water.

Gavin: [in the gentlest of gentle voices] Don’t panic.

Along with his voice, he stands on the stone in the middle of the river, wrapping me entirely in his arms.

MC: Phew... that scared me.

Gavin: Are you very frightened?

I look up from his arms, and see an almost-smirk on his face.

MC: Such a deep river - it’d be strange if I wasn’t frightened.

Gavin: I see.

MC: Huh?

Gavin: You have been pulling on my clothes. And you haven’t loosened your grip even till now.

Only now do I realise that both my hands are gripping onto Gavin’s clothes tightly. Because of the amount of force exerted, his clothes have gotten ruffled, revealing his nice chest.

I hurriedly avert my eyes, my face turning red.

MC: [coughs] That is... I’m sorry.

I hurriedly retract my hands, following Gavin as we step onto the final path.

Gavin: We’re here. This is the other side of the mountain.

Gavin turns around. The look in his eyes carry a certain peace and quiet, as though he has known the answer from the start.

Gavin: Looking at this, are you disappointed?

At the other side of the mountain, there isn’t a Qilin beast. There isn’t even a pathway.

What’s in front of me is a cliff of ten thousand feet. An ancient wind brushes past my dress, as though mocking humans for overestimating their strength.

MC: So, a legend is just a legend...

While I speak, a sudden wave of dizziness overcomes me. My vision becomes blurry, and even Gavin turns into several shadows.

I try to stabilise myself, but countless images of dandelions appear in front of my eyes. I suddenly recall the dandelion I ate in the afternoon.

MC: Gavin... I think the dandelions here are poisonous...

Before I can finish speaking, I feel like a bow snapped into two. Suddenly, I fall off the side of the cliff.

The howling wind sweeps past my ears. My arms hit the sharp rocks, drawing long streaks of blood.

The sky grows increasingly distant, and there’s a burgeoning fear in my heart.

Gavin: Hold onto me tightly!

Suddenly, a white figure steps off the cliff, catching me while I’m in the abyss.

MC: Gavin...

Under the Baizhang Cliff, the hand Gavin holds mine with is searing and powerful.

But my eyes involuntarily fall onto the horns that have appeared on his forehead.

They are golden coloured, and have an ornamentation I have never seen before.

I clearly remember what was written in the ancient books of the temple--

In the South Mountain, the Qilin appears from the cliffs. The Qilin has horns on its forehead. It circles the clouds, and the world is peaceful.

It turns out I had already found the Qilin from the very start.

Gavin: It’s okay now. I’ll bring you up.

Gavin carries me up into the clouds. I feel the poison spreading in my body, and I'm unable to make a sound. I lean into Gavin’s arms and lose consciousness.

By the time I wake up, the moon is already at its peak. I open my eyes, and what I see is clothing with silver patterns.

MC: !!!

I’m sleeping in Gavin’s arms!

Gavin is leaning against a rock, his large clothes wrapping me in his arms.

I turn my head slightly. His hand is supporting the back of my head, and he looks to be in a light sleep.

My movements cause him to stir. A pair of brilliant eyes, which opened suddenly, look into mine.

Gavin: Don’t move. Your poison has just been detoxified.

His voice sounds a little weak.

I touch his hand, and it’s extremely cold.

MC: Gavin, were you the one who detoxified the poison?

Gavin: It happened too suddenly. I gave you my blood to drink.

His right hand is hidden under his large sleeve, and I can only see some traces of blood.

His face is as pale as snow, and I feel worried.

MC: How... much blood did you let me drink? Why is your face so pale?

Gavin looks at me, revealing a slightly resigned smile in his eyes.

Gavin: Not much. I have a unique physical state, so my wounds don’t heal easily. It’s difficult to stop the bleeding.

So what’s written in the ancient books is true. While the Qilin is a harbinger of auspiciousness, it also bears the consequence - the slightest wound would lead to unstoppable bleeding.

Even though he already knew this would happen, he still helped me detoxify the poison, even though we simply met by chance.

Noise resounds from beneath the mountain, and several flaming torches gather on the mountain path.

??: There was a sudden golden light on this mountain today. The Qilin must have appeared! This time, we must definitely find it. Only then can we save our village!

Hearing this, I’m shocked.

The people from the temple arrived so quickly...

As the lights linger, Gavin straightens up, his eyes cold.

Looking at his pale complexion and the traces of blood on his sleeve, I block his path.

Gavin: What’s wrong?

MC: I know that you’re the Qilin.

I stare straight at Gavin.

Gavin: So?

Several images flash across my mind--

The moment he flew down and carried me in his arms. The seriousness on his face when he squatted down and tended to my wound. The cold wind under the steep cliff...

MC: So, let me help you.

Gavin lowers his eyes slightly and looks at me, a complex emotion in his eyes.

Gavin: I don’t need your help. Those mortals at the foot of the mountain were sent by the temple. They have always been searching for the Qilin. The scent on your body is the same as theirs. You’re from the temple too, aren’t you.

The trees are silent. The cold moon makes no sound. The god I’ve been searching for is standing before me, robes stained with the heavy night.

Right now, I have so many things to say. But under Gavin’s penetrating gaze, I only convey one thought.

MC: When you rescued me, I decided to stop looking for the Qilin. I... I never wanted to hurt you.

There’s a subtle movement in his eyes, but he doesn’t say anything.

Something occurs to me then, and I can’t help but ask softly.

MC: So from the moment I stepped into this mountain, you already knew who I was... Then why did you still help me find the Qilin? And why did you rescue me? And reveal your real identity in front of me... Weren’t you afraid that I’d be conspiring with them...

Gavin: I wasn’t afraid.

He stares at me. His pale face doesn’t hide his sarcasm.

Gavin: For thousands of years, you weren’t the only one to climb the mountain in search of the Qilin. But no one ever found it. Why do you think this is so?

His eyes cut through the night and pause on my face. His tone is calm.

Gavin: Taking you to look for the Qilin was merely to let you lose hope early and return home. Revealing my true identity in front of you later on... that was something I didn’t expect.��

In that moment, I understand everything.

As long as he doesn’t take the initiative to get close to humans, even if thousands and ten thousands of years pass, no one will be able to find the Qilin.

A god who could have chosen to hide away had rescued me multiple times. He saved me - someone who was looking for him as well.

The thoughts in my heart become increasingly resolute. I meet Gavin’s eyes and say firmly.

MC: Since that’s the case, let me help make the Qilin remain a legend forever.

Gavin is slightly shocked, but he quickly turns his head, rejecting me.

Gavin: No. If you help me, the people from the temple will make things difficult for you.

MC: That wouldn’t happen. I’m the temple elder’s only direct disciple. I have a pretty high position, so no one will make things difficult for me. As long as I say that I couldn’t find the Qilin, they will leave.

I pat my shoulder, pretending that it would be an easy feat.

With my slightly anxious expression, Gavin finally agrees.

Gavin: All right. I trust you. But you have to guarantee your own safety.

I nod vigorously.

He takes off the jade ring on his waist and places the warm and clean jade ornament into my hand.

Gavin: No matter what, this time, you’re the one saving me. If there are any wishes you want fulfilled, just shatter it, and I will appear.

Gavin’s eyes are searing, and his tone is serious.

Gavin: Trials and hardships are inevitable.

I keep the jade ornament. As the noises draw closer, I take a few steps forward, but can’t help tossing a final glance at Gavin.

He looks at me from afar under the moonlight. The bamboo leaves are flying, softening his outline.

[Trivia] In ancient China, jade was worth more than gold. It’s more a symbol of virtue than a mere accessory. Jade is believed to bring people good luck, and protect its owner.

I walk out of the forested area and see the people from the temple.

People from the temple: MC! How was it? Have you been to the top of the mountain? Did you see the Qilin?

Hidden under my sleeve, I grip the jade ring tightly. I pretend to look extremely disappointed.

MC: I didn’t... there’s only a cliff at the top of the mountain, and nothing else.

People from the temple: A cliff! The records in the ancient books were actually wrong?

I never tell lies, so they accept this information easily. However, the person standing at the forefront suddenly turns to me, his tone serious.

Person: MC, the elder already said that if we can’t find the Qilin, you will have to be the Guardian of the temple. You will have to bless the village day and night in the temple. Do you remember that?

I nod slowly.

MC: I remember.

When we leave, I turn back towards the mountain.

MC: In the future, in this lifetime, we will probably not have the chance to meet again. Take care, Gavin.

Once we return, I’m locked in the temple.

A long time passed after that, and I got used to being accompanied by ancient books from the temple every day.

Outside the window, the moonlight is slightly cool. I retrieve the jade ornament, looking at it closely under the moonlight.

MC: I wonder how Gavin is doing now...

There is a sudden gust of wind. I hurry to close the window, and the jade ornament I left at the side gets blown to the ground, shattering into two halves.

MC: Why is it broken!

I hastily reach out to pick up the jade ring, but the wind has become so strong that I can no longer move.

The wind grows increasingly louder, causing leaves to rustle. Before my eyes, a gigantic golden mark suddenly appears.

It appears one stroke at a time, and looks very ostentatious.

The wind chimes under the eaves make a final sound, bringing with it the faraway echo from the distant valley.

Gavin: It’s finally broken.

I lift my head in shock.

The crescent moon hangs in the sky. The wide leaves on the ancient trees sway with a cold shadow.

A youth dressed in white leans against the eaves, a wine flask casually placed on his curved leg. His head tilts as he looks at me.

His other hand holds onto the shattered jade ring.

Gavin: Have you thought of a wish?

Stunned, my head looks towards the man underneath the moon.

MC: Gavin...

With a soft laugh, Gavin tilts his head upwards and finishes the wine in his hand. Then, he flies down in front of me.

Gavin: Mm, it’s me.

He looks me up and down, then furrows his brows slightly.

Gavin: You’ve been locked in?

MC: Mm... not really. There was a flood disaster. I failed to bring the Qilin back to eliminate bad luck, so I have to be in the temple to use my power and pray for the village.

Gavin: Back then, on the mountain, you didn’t tell me that you’d be confined once you came back.

MC: That’s because I was worried you wouldn’t let me help if I mentioned it...

Gavin watches me silently. Moonlight, like a light summer breeze, falls on the corners of his eyes and brows.

Gavin: Why would you help me when you would be locked up? Simply because I rescued you?

MC: Isn’t such a reason enough?

Gavin: It’s not enough. You sacrificed your freedom. It’s too heavy a price to pay.

Gavin’s eyes are incomparably clear and bright. The gaze of his lowered eyes appear as though he’s looking at me for the very first time.

Gavin: Why would you do it?

Gavin’s face is illuminated by the candlelight. His gaze brings with it persistence, and also warmth.

The wind flips through pages of a book on the table. A little panicked, I hold up the book to cover my face, wanting to conceal the inexplicable emotions in my heart.

MC: T-there’s no reason. I just didn’t want you to be discovered by them.

With his line of sight blocked by the book, Gavin doesn’t speak. After a long time, his voice sounds in the quietness.

Gavin: “A handful of firewood is tied together, and the stars in the sky are shining. What kind of night is tonight? Can I see my beloved?”

[Trivia] I provided a very loose translation of what Gavin says, which is: 绸缪束薪, 三星在天, 今夕何夕, 见此良人.

It’s part of a poem from 诗经 (”shi jing” - “the book of songs”)

There are split views on what this poem means, but many scholars believe this poem celebrates a wedding, where both parties are teasing each other in the bridal chamber.

MC: !

I hurriedly set down the book, and realise Gavin is slowly reciting the poem on the page I accidentally flipped open.

MC: ...if you know the meaning of it, then read it to somebody else.

Gavin leans against the window, his eyes shifting from the book to me.

The night is beautiful, and the galaxy seems to be within reach.

Gavin: Of course I do. But you moved too quickly, and I didn’t get to see the next line. What is the next line?

He has a serious expression on his face, as though he genuinely wants to know what the next line is, and nothing more.

It was just a random poetry collection I had read when I was bored. To think the wind would blow the pages to this particular one...

This is a poem written for a lover. And I’ve never read it to anyone before.

A corner of my heart feels a slight tug. I don’t dare to look at Gavin’s face. With my eyes lowered, I recite softly--

MC: "I want to ask you - how does one kiss this beloved person?”

[Trivia] This is very loose translation of what MC says, which is: 子兮子兮，如此良人何?

As mentioned earlier, this poem is meant to convey the warm, sweet love between newlyweds.

I feel a sudden, gentle touch on my forehead. Widening my eyes, I lift my head and watch as Gavin takes the book and looks at me with a bright smile.

Gavin: Your wish - I have heard it clearly. Wait for me.

It has been several days since Gavin left.

I heard that an oracle spoke to the elder of the temple one night, and he released me.

As such, I am no longer locked up in the temple, and only have to make blessings at the temple from time to time.

But one thing has been out of the ordinary.

MC: No way, I just wanted to plant some flowers. Why did I dig out gold?

Weakly, I pick up the gold piece. This has happened numerous times.

Ever since Gavin and I parted, I tend to meet with “good luck”.

While I’m looking at the gold piece in distress, I hear a commotion from afar.

??: The flood has subsided! The flood has subsided!

The elderly woman from next door is walking back from the field, her face filled with unparalleled joy.

MC: Granny Tian, what happened?

Granny Tian: MC, the flood has subsided!

MC: What?!

Granny Tian: It must be the protection from the gods. Last night, a gigantic rock suddenly fell from the South Mountain, forcing the river to change course. Because of this, the flood is gone!

MC: South Mountain... the river changing course... could it be Gavin?

Granny Tian: What? Who’s Gavin?

I immediately find an excuse as a cover.

Not long after, the village hosted a grand festival to commemorate the resolution of the flood.

I walk into the crowd wearing a white curtain hat, and I can see joyful faces and blooming fresh flowers.

The weather is fine, and dandelion flowers are floating in the wind.

On the altar of the temple, the elders have completed the sacrificial ceremony. A few young women wearing curtain hats are rushing to the altar. After placing all kinds of personal items on it, they pray devoutly.

This is a very ancient custom. It is said that on this day of the festival, the gods will hear the voices from mortals.

Which is why females like praying to the gods on this day in hopes of obtaining their beloved.

Young lady: With blessings from the gods, may I meet the husband I am longing for...

After observing for a while on a lower platform, I’m just about to turn around and leave when a young lady calls out to me from the altar.

Young lady: Sister MC! You’re from the temple, so your prayers will definitely be effective. This is a rare festival - why not give it a try as well?

MC: I...

Although I initially want to refuse, the encouragement from the women nearby leaves me no choice but to step up to the altar in resignation.

I place the shattered jade ring on the altar, close my eyes, and make a pious prayer.

MC: May my homeland experience good weather from now onwards, and may my loved ones be together. May... my beloved person live a safe and smooth, worry-free life.

Suddenly, a faraway wind courses past, stirring my heart.

The wind pauses before me, then envelops me, lifting me up gently.

A huge, golden coloured mark appears in the air. This time, I can see the pattern clearly.

It’s a Qilin, surrounded by auspicious clouds.

At some point in time, Gavin has appeared in the air, his white clothes making a rustling sound, like a god descending from the heavens.

The young women standing near the altar look towards Gavin, utterly flabbergasted. Then, they hastily kneel on the ground, trembling while asking with excitement.

Young lady: Great god, have you graced our mortal realm after hearing our calls?

Gavin’s eyebrows arch upwards, and his lips curl into a smile.

Gavin: I am not a god. And I didn’t come because I heard a call.

His clothes drift in the air, his hair ornament reflecting a brilliant light.

Gavin: I hurried across the mountains and rivers over a thousand miles, just for one person.

Flowers fall out of my basket, scattering all around.

I fall into Gavin’s embrace. He holds onto me firmly, and I am encased by his clean and cool breath, which brings with it an ancient wind from the mountains.

My curtain hat is blown up by the wind. I frantically reach out for it. When I turn my head, I see Gavin’s smile.

Gavin: The flood has been resolved. Your mission is completed.

I nod my head nervously. Gavin sees this and lets out a laugh.

Gavin: Do you still remember the wish you made that night?

I look into Gavin’s charming eyes, my heart beating like a drum.

MC: I remember. I want to see the views you see, and experience the world you experience. I want... to be by your side.

I once thought my life’s desire was to find the Qilin.

But when I was about to give up, he suddenly fell into my life, carrying the light-filled sky.

At that moment, I was certain that he was a legend belonging only to me.

Gavin stares at me. He suddenly laughs, tapping my forehead gently.

In that instant, golden light weaves around. The auspicious clouds gather, and all the flowers bloom.

Dandelion petals dance in the air. The auspicious clouds accumulate under our feet, and the sound of wind chimes drift from somewhere.

Gavin’s voice dissipates in the air, drifting towards the people on the ground.

Gavin: I helped your village resolve the flood. In return, I will take the most beautiful lady on the altar.

The wind surrounding us causes flower petals to swirl in the air. When the flowers fall and the wind has scattered, two people have vanished from the sky.

A very long time later, a beautiful legend arose in this land.

Legend says that on this big altar, a young lady’s devout prayer drew a god who rode the wind.

The god took the young lady away. In exchange, the land received many years of peace.

Nobody knows what happened to the god and the young lady after that.

But dandelions bloomed and filled the entire mountain.

- End -

...did the dandelions end up outside a certain grandmother’s house in Gavin’s Old Haunt Date? 👀

Phone call: First // Second

#mlqc #mlqc cn #mlqc spoilers #mlqc gavin

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