#humbug scrub

[jeanhm]

Animals galore

We've had enough wine for a while so today we went to Humbug Scrub Wildlife Sanctuary. This was a gem of a find, not commercial at all. I don't think charging $5Aus per adult would even cover the feed costs but they just care about the animals, most of which are either wild and who come for a feed, like the multitude of emus and cockatoos or they are rescued animals, either orphaned or injured. We arrived just as they opened and there was no one much about but there were a lot of emus hanging about waiting for food and sticking their heads into cars looking for food. the chap feeding them opened up the wallaby enclosure and frankly we were mobbed by wallabies of all different sizes, one about 3 weeks out of the pouch - he was tiny and kept getting trodden on by the others in their bid to be fed or scratched. Initially we didn't have any food for them but went back and got some pellets and spent a very happy 30 minutes being mobbed - with one goose of course which seems to be the norm!

Then it was off to the kangaroo enclosure. These are a little more wild and thus we couldn't go in with them but could feed through some little windows and one got hold of Andy hooking his "fingers" through his wedding ring so until I unhooked him, the food was well and truly caught, as was Andy's hand! we then wandered off to have a look at the grandfather's grave and the original cottage where they set up their home and the sanctuary in 1905. It was set up as a bit of historic interest. The chap now running this is the youngest of the youngest of the 12 children and he seemed ancient - its a worry as to who will look after the animals when he is gone.

We wandered around the bird cages, most of whom are rescue parrots of some sort, peacocks and chickens and then had another cuddle session with the wallabies before going back to meet the koala they rescued called Annabelle. This was an absolute highlight as we went in with her and could stroke and scratch her. She was a bit huffy as she wanted a different eucalypt stalk than the one she'd been given but once a new stalk arrived she munched happily and was completely at ease with us being there even dozing off at one stage.

I didn't realised that koalas have two thumbs, they have hands and feet like ours but their "index" finger is two clawed and acts as a second thumb to help them climb and cling. I also didn't realise that they were such fussy eaters, its not just eucalyptus, but she likes a particular type! It was lovely to learn all about her and get such close up time without paying a fortune.

It was clear that the sanctuary doesn't get any support and few visitors as its very low key and really all ab out the animals, the fact that visitors come is sort of irrelevant which is a shame as they clearly need the money to keep the animals fed.

This was certainly well worth the donation we made and I would advise anyone coming to this area to go there for an up close and personal encounter with animals in a totally non commercial way.

#humbug scrub animal sanctuary #humbug scrub #koalas #wallabies

[nnnyxie]

i love you! i mean it!

holidays are perfect for romancing. unfortunately for him, he isn’t the best at it. (kageyama tobio)

warnings; light swearing

sfw, gender neutral

kageyama was a rather odd person. not in a weird or bad way, per se but— in a way that makes you confused as to how he’s had friends for this long.

aka, he’s socially inept.

which is why it makes ‘romancing’ you so much more difficult.

he isn’t the best with words, that’s very clear. he has a hard time with physical affection, mainly because he didn’t get much of it as a child. he isn’t great with gift giving, especially since he has only ever gotten volleyball supplies for christmas (aside from the gifts you make him). really, the best he could do was spend his quiet times with you,

which was more than enough— you enjoy his presence.

now— when kageyama asks things, he usually isn’t very clear with it. such as right now, he’s asking you on a date, yet—

“do you wanna uh… like— hang out? after my practice…” —it’s not very clear that he is.

“oh, yeah. that sounds good!” you smiled, thinking that this was a friendly hang out. which was nice but, slightly disappointing.

“i’ll pick you up then,” he said with a blush, that goes unnoticed.

—

“so what did you have in mind?” you ask as the two of you make your way out of your apartment complex. “well… i heard they’re doing something downtown— we could check it out.” he was fiddling with his fingers. it was weird to you (a little cute too). kageyama isn’t really the type to get nervous.

“you look very nice, by the way.” he spoke quietly, and chewed his bottom lip. “oh! thank you, tobio. you do as well,” you smiled a bit. he isn’t really the type to give compliments, you’ve known this since high school— so, having him say that sent warmth to throughout your chest.

downtown was beautiful. there were lights hanging upon poles, wreathes hanging on store doors, food and hot chocolate stands scattered along the sidewalk— there was even an ice skating rink in between the large space of two buildings. it wasn’t something you were used to. you never really did things like this as a kid or teenager. your family was more of the ‘stay in, ba-humbug’ type. they hardly decorated the house and only gave out a couple of presents. which was lovely but, seeing other families do big holidays made you feel jealous.

anyways— you were happy to be experiencing this with kageyama. honestly, he’s the only one you’d want to see this all with.

“do you want hot chocolate before we go anywhere else?” kageyama asks, he’s stopped fiddling this his fingers. instead, they’re by his sides. “yeah, that sounds good. marshmallows on top?” you smiled excitedly. he gave a nod and nervously took your hand.

—

when getting the drinks, he fumbled with his wallet— dropping it at least 3 times. then, when grabbing the drinks, he accidentally squeezed too hard and spilt them everywhere— he asked for a couple more since he did that but— they refused, saying that he had to pay for them again. which, he ended up doing.

after finishing the drinks (and dying of embarrassment), he decided to take you to the ice rink down the block— he thought that he could redeem himself there.

he didn’t.

instead, he slipped 27 times.

and on the 28th— he fell hard on his head.

“tobio— oh my god! are you okay!?” you rushed to help him up. he groaned, rubbing the back of his head. “that shit hurt…”

“holy shit— you’re bleeding!” you rushed to get him up and helped him out the rink. “do they have a nurse station?” you asked aloud to yourself, looking all around.

since there appeared to be none— you decided to rush to the emergency room, praying that it wouldn’t take hours for him to be seen.

—

kageyama was now sat on a hospital bed, wearing the cheap scrubs the hospital provided. the top of his head was wrapped up and he held a frown.

“hey, this kind of stuff happens to a lot of people. don’t feel so embarrassed, tobio.” you sat next to him on the bed and he sighed.

“it’s not that i’m embarrassed— well, i am. but— i just ruined the entire afternoon. i ruined our date.” he put his face into his hands—

your eyes buldged at this, “date? what do you mean?” he looks up at you a nods, “our date. i ruined it.” “tobio, we were on a date!?” you asked, very shocked and embarrassed (at yourself). “yes? i asked you this morning…” he tilted his head slightly. like a puppy. “no, you asked to hang out.” “is it not the same thing?” you laughed, “not exactly, no.” he says a small ‘oh’ and looks towards the floor, frowning a little. “so does this mean you didn’t want it to be a date?” “no! no, i did! i do! i’m just surprised, is all.”

“well i’ll be clear the next time.”

‘twas a teensy nervous abt this tbh

be sure to check out my christmas event!

#haikyuu x reader #kageyama tobio x reader #kageyama x reader #tobio kageyama x reader #hq x reader #/ᐠ - ˕ -マ works — ♡︎ #ᓚᘏᗢ events ᗢᘏᓗ

[typingtess]

Tiptoeing through the “Survival of the Fittest” guest cast

Pamela Reed as Roberta Deeks Natalia Del Riego as Rosa Reyes Both are back from “Flesh & Blood” week before last.

Dominic Burgess as Herman Cooper Was Jerry Summers in Dr. Death, Uncle Eddy in Better Things and was John Wayne Gacy in Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.  

Appeared in episodes of Doctor Who, Leverage, Rules of Engagement, 90210, Maron, Family Tools, Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD, Raising Hope, Dads, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Leftovers, We Need to Talk, 2 Broke Girls, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, Feud, The Night Shift, Teen Wolf, The Flash, Supernatural, Queen of the South, The Good Place, American Horror Story, The Rookie, Santa Clarita Diet, Perfect Harmony, Modern Family, The Magicians, Star Trek: Picard, Fantasy Island, Our Flag Means Death and 9-1-1: Lone Star.

Piper Curda as Lisa Cho Was Casey in Rule the Mix, Kennedy Van Buren in A.N.T. Farm and Jasmine King in I Didn’t Do It.

Guest roles include Law & Order: SVU, Malibu Country, Body of Proof, Live and Maddie, The Rookie, Legacies and Raven’s Home.

Bobby Hogan as Marine Private First Class James Williams Appeared in an episode of 9-1-1: Lone Star and American Horror Stories.

Cyrus Hobbi as Marine Staff Sergeant Pierce Plays Yuri on General Hospital.

Also appeared in episodes of Ballers, Betrayed, Liza on Demand, Young Rock and The Family Business.

Jesse Boone as Nicholas "Nick" Embry Was in episodes of The Heights and Betrayed.

Susan Slome as Jordana Hanson Guest starred in episodes of High Incident, Ned and Stacey, Married with Children, Just Shoot Me, Party of Five, Malcolm & Eddie, Payne, Judging Amy, Good vs. Evil, The X Files, It’s Like You Know, The District, Without a Trace, Friends, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, George Lopez, Angel, Miss Match, Scrubs, Jake in Progress, House, Kitchen Confidential, Everybody Hates Chris, Crossing Jordan, Grey’s Anatomy, The Mentalist, The Mindy Project, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Criminal Minds, Silicon Valley and Shooter.

Marcus Antony Brunner as Marine Private First Class Edward Hanson New.

Written by:  Andrew Bartels wrote or co-wrote "Allegiance", "Zero Days", "The Grey Man", "Humbug", "Fighting Shadows", "Driving Miss Diaz", "Angels & Daemons", "Where There’s Smoke…", "Glasnost", "Old Tricks" "Battle Scars", "Fool Me Twice", "Warrior of Peace", "Reentry", "The Prince", "Smokescreen", "The One That Got Away"/"No More Secrets" two-parter, "Yellow Jacket", "Missing Time", "If the Fates Allow", "Red Rover, Red Rover", "Divided We Fall" and “Genesis”.

Directed by: Eric A. Pot directed “Resurrection”, “Windfall”, “Traitor”, “Internal Affairs”, “Home is Where the Heart Is”, “Forasteira”, “Reentry”, “Hit List”, “The One Who Got Away”, “Kill Beale Vol 1”, “Fortune Favors the Bold”, “A Fait Accompli”, “Imposter Syndrome”, “Indentured” and “Sorry for Your Loss”.

#NCIS: Los Angeles #NCIS: LA #tiptoeing #NCIS Los Angeles #ncis la

[allen-tiller]

The Haunts of Adelaide: Revised Edition The Haunts of Adelaide: Revised Edition is for sale on Amazon.com.au​

BOOK: https://www.amazon.com.au/Haunts-Adelaide.../dp/B08JLQLLC5

Large Print: https://amzn.to/3fiA3cX

Dyslexic Edition: https://amzn.to/3hPGhCR

The Haunts of Adelaide: History, Mystery and the Paranormal is researched and written by award-winning historian, Allen Tiller.

This second edition of The Haunts of Adelaide has been completely rewritten with extra historical facts, footnoting, an index, more photos, and most importantly, more ghost stories!

Join Allen Tiller, one of Australia's leading paranormal historian's, as he documents some of Adelaide's most haunted locations and the history behind the buildings, the people, the urban legends and the ghosts that haunt Adelaide and its suburbs, in this completely revised and rewritten edition.

Inside you will discover the ghosts that dwelled at Graham's Castle, Younghusband Mansion, The Adelaide Arcade, and Waterfall Gully. Find out the truth behind Schneider's Alley and read about the tiger of the Union Hotel!

Get spooked with 30 stories from the other side: The Haunts of Adelaide: History, Mystery, and the Paranormal: REVISED EDITION

#HauntedAdelaide #AllenTiller #History #Mystery #arthur kingsmen #Adelaide Arcade #Humbug Scrub #ikemen vampire #harry houdini #Schnieders Alley #Waterfall Gully #paranormal #https://youtu.be/aojabiosfnw the post 3 secrets for... #haunted #ghosts

[whump-town]

The most surprising part about Christmas these days is that old Bah Humbug himself is standing in David Rossi’s kitchen wearing the Christmas sweater Penelope knit him six years ago allowing Emily to convince him into another glass of wine. From where Derek’s sitting he can’t see Hank but he knows his son is right under their feet being snuck crackers that Dave has already told the three of them are for a snack platter. There are traces of age between Emily and Hotch, shared in the lines of their smiles and the grey hairs overtaking their ink-black hair. Hotch gives a big dramatic huff as he picks Hank up, settling the toddler on his hip as Emily collects their wine glasses.

Derek had spent an entire night in the shower scrubbing Emily’s blood off of his body. He’s listened as a man beat her. Wished her luck as she untied her hair, preparing for a night of playing the seductress so that they could catch the bad guy. He’s argued with her until they were both screaming, both having made up their minds about something and unwilling to cave. He’s placed his hand over a pulsing wound, begged her to keep her eyes open just a little longer.

He carried her casket across a cemetery.

He’s argued with her about Hotch.

It was Derek who Hotch stumbled into when his adrenaline finally crashed after New York, his hearing gone and his body ceasing function. Derek has scrubbed Hotch’s blood out of the carpet, patched a hole in his wall from a bullet that could have easily ended his life. He pulled Hotch off of Foyet, held his shaking, trembling body in his arms as he sobbed and lost his mind. He’s had scream-out fights with Hotch too, far too many to count. And it was Hotch that Derek wanted to meet Hank the most. Because it was Hotch that was unwavering certain Derek would be a fantastic father. Who gave him a box of parenting books and Jack’s old crib with a simple unspoken shrug.

He didn’t need to clarify to Derek why.

Neither had men in their lives as children that could teach them how to be good men. How to be a father.

All they had were examples of what not to be.

What not to do.

They’ve come a long way. So much has changed.

Hank plops himself down in Hotch’s lap, toppling over so that he’s laying on Hotch and Emily. He lays on his back, sticking his fingers through the loosely knit sweater Emily’s wearing, and watching the two talk with big, curious eyes. “Hops,” Hank stage whispers and when Hotch doesn’t answer, when he keeps talking to Emily. Hank nudges Hotch’s stomach with his foot, “Hops.”

Hotch smirks, still looking at Emily, and stops. He looks down at Hank, patting the boy’s stomach, “what?”

Hank smirks, squirming and pulling closer to Emily. “I love you.”

Hotch’s smile falters and then it twists. He leans forward, moving his hand to hold the side of Hank’s face. “I love you too.”

Emily lets them have their moment but then pokes Hank, “what about me, you butt?”

Hank smirks. She tickles him and he shouts, giggling and worming around. “I love you!” he shouts. “I love you too! I do!” Emily keeps on until Hank can’t even get words out and when they’re both breathless she lets up. She pulls him up in her arms and kisses his cheek. “I love you too, stinky boy.”

Hank squirms out her hold and tucks himself under Hotch’s arm, watching her there and sticking out his tongue. “Hops!” he yells when Emily reaches for him again.

Hotch stops her, “leave the poor kid alone.”

What Derek Morgan wouldn’t give to be tell that scared little boy that Carl Buford hurt that things are going to get so much better. He spent his childhood waiting to die, wanting to die. But he made it. Buford is dead and Derek Morgan is alive, with a family he built. With a family he trusts.

Hank is resting his head on Hotch’s chest as he listens to Hotch and Emily talk, his thumb creeping dangeriosuly close to his mouth. It’s too early in the afternoon for him to take a nap, not when he’s likely got an entire guest room full of presents to open from his favroite aunts and uncles but he’s entirely content. He’s completely safe laying right there with Hotch’s arm wrapped around his back. Hank looks up, aware suddenly of his of father’s eyes on him. He waves at Derek.

Derek smiles.

He made it.

He lived.

Derek waves back.

#Buford #carl Buford #criminal minds #aaron hotchner #emily prentiss #derek morgan #hank morgan

[ao3feed-jily]

they say it’s your birthday…

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/HSUbmXYwF

by floweryfran

A banner in Sirius’s painted handwriting reads GOOD GOD YOU’RE OLD.

“Not as old as you,” she reminds him.

“Bah humbug,” Sirius says, hugging her tightly. She runs a hand over their hair, pulled back into a sensible low knot. He runs a hand over hers, shorn short, almost mullet-like, wavy and unspeakably cool. He holds her face between his hands like a crystal ball and presses his lips to the wrinkling spot between her brows. “Can’t believe you haven’t broken a hip yet, Nana.”

She scrubs her fingers along their scalp. “Can’t believe you haven’t been put in a retirement home yet, Papa.”

twenty-seven is a big age, and lily lives to see it.

Words: 1957, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Series: Part 11 of nothing left (but some blood where the body fell)

Fandoms: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M, Gen

Characters: James Potter, Lily Evans, Harry Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and others - Character

Relationships: James Potter/Lily Evans Potter, Harry Potter & James Potter & Lily Evans Potter

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, lily evans potter’s birthday

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/HSUbmXYwF

#ao3feed #fanfic #Harry Potter #Jily #James Potter #Lily Evans #Lily Potter #Lily Evans Potter

[brasskier]

First chapter of my six-part fluffy geraskefer modern AU holiday series spanning five years of holiday celebrations is up! 

Christmas 2016, or The One Where Flights are Cancelled. After a string of delayed flights and closed rail lines, Geralt, his new music teacher friend Jaskier, and his on-again/off-again girlfriend Yennefer find themselves trapped on Christmas Eve. Thank god for duty-free stores.

Read it below the cut or on my ao3

When Geralt first met Jaskier, checking an ID he was almost certain had to be fake (it wasn't; Jaskier was twenty-four), he slid off his coat to reveal an incredibly garish reindeer-emblazoned tie. At Geralt's judgemental stare, he shrugged and said, "work party."

"Pre-gaming or post-gaming?" Geralt gave him a sympathetic smile.

"Post." He settled onto the barstool, called for a Blue Moon - "and don't forget the orange slice!" - and let out an exhausted sigh before returning his gaze to Geralt. "It's just - it's my first year teaching, and I'm not really used to the political fraternizing, which is hard enough. But they nearly cut the music program before they ended up hiring me, so not everyone's exactly happy to see me there." He scrubbed a hand against his face, noting silently that he needed to shave. "Sorry, didn't mean to chew your ear off." Geralt shrugged again from the doorway. It was a slow, dull night, the usually thriving college-town bar nearly dead over winter break. 

"Not like I don't get paid for it." This elicited a chuckle out of Jaskier, who seemed to relax some. "You teach music?" 

"Yeah." He smiled fondly. "High school. Had every intention of making it big and touring the world, or maybe becoming principal trombone at the Phil. Just wasn't in the cards." 

"I'm not exactly familiar with classroom politics, but I know someone who might have some pointers." He was referring to, as he'd later reveal to Jaskier, his on-again/off-again, city councilwoman girlfriend. 

"I do like Christmas, you know," Jaskier's voice came again from the bar, between sips at his beer. "Just not the parties." 

"Humbug." Jaskier giggled again, swiping the foam mustache off his lip with the back of his hand. "Geralt, by the way."

"Jaskier." He sat in contemplative silence for a moment. "What time do you get off?" Geralt's brow furrowed, startled by the question. "It's just - I just - sorry if that was a little forward." He heaved a sigh. "My apartment's decorated. Thought you might like to see it." 

"Hmm." He glanced down at his watch, then up at the bar, empty save for Jaskier and a handful of other patrons. "Ten." Jaskier's face lit up. 

Decorated, as it turns out, was an understatement, and Geralt couldn't help but gawk as Jaskier led him through the threshold of his tiny apartment. A beautiful, grand tree stood in the corner of the living room and stretched so tall it nearly scraped the ceiling. Tinsel and garlands adorned the doorways and the arch leading to the kitchen, a buffalo plaid throw was carefully folded on the back of the couch, and a single stocking hung just below the television. Lights snaked around the perimeter of the room, warm white and snowflake-shaped. 

"Do you like it?" Jaskier asked pleadingly, shattering the protracted silence.

"It's cozy," Geralt remarked. It really was. He flopped unceremoniously onto the couch while Jaskier disappeared into his kitchen.

"Jack or moscato?" He called from the archway, holding up a bottle of whiskey in one hand and white wine in the other. "Sorry, I don't have much right now." 

"Jack is fine." He gazed around the room absentmindedly. "On the rocks." Jaskier returned before long, pressing a glass of whiskey into his hand before sipping at his own glass of wine. 

"Wanna watch something? I have Netflix." Geralt, against his better judgement, shrugged and agreed.

Jaskier was back at the bar not even a week later, excitement flashing across his face when he laid eyes on Geralt. To his credit, Geralt was keenly aware that the man had never visited the bar in his life prior to last week, let alone frequented the establishment. He just decided some things were best left unsaid.

Speaking of unsaid, Jaskier was in love - it was obvious from the way he’d follow Geralt around like a lost puppy. Started lingering around the bar every evening, choosing the seat nearest the door every time, inviting Geralt back to his apartment just as frequently. And Geralt would usually accept, watch stupid movies through all hours of the night until his new music teacher friend inevitably passed out, and then silently creep out of the apartment.

It was three days before Christmas, and the chatter of choice for the evening was holiday plans. Jaskier, as it turned out, had a flight to catch back to Jersey. 

"The worst part's taking NJ Transit down to Lettenhove," he groaned, nursing a bay breeze complete with the little paper umbrella. "It's always delayed coming out of Newark." Geralt himself had plans back in the mountains of Vermont, mainly dinner and then watching his younger brothers play football with nothing but shorts on in the freezing cold over a few cigars with his old man. 

"I have a layover in Newark," he remarked idly. Yennefer - who had hit it off interestingly with Jaskier, to say the least - was heading to New York, and he'd arranged his first flight so they'd be on it together. Which meant it was way earlier than he liked.

"What time? Maybe we'll run into each other." Jaskier looked way too excited by that possibility, leaning back on the bar with all the composure of a middle-schooler. Geralt, despite his best efforts, couldn't help but find it endearing.

"8:15," he grumbled, exasperated just thinking about having to be at the airport at 6am. Jaskier's head perked up.

"Delta?" He asked, grin growing impossibly bigger by the minute. Geralt nodded, and Jaskier was already tearing through his phone to pull up the app. "What gate?" 

"Hold on." He fished his own phone from his pocket with a quick glance over his shoulder to make sure his boss wasn't nearby, and pulled up the screenshot of the boarding pass Yen had sent him. "B4?" Jaskier nearly fell off the barstool.

"Geralt," he squeaked, struggling to right himself. "We're on the same flight." Just as soon as he'd regained his composure he lost it again, doubling over with laughter. 

"So's Yennefer," he added, and Jaskier shrugged.

"Well, then I'll be sure to pack my trombone." Geralt couldn't stop the snicker that escaped him at the sight of Jaskier's shit-eating grin.

For as much as he might wax poetic about the prospect, Jaskier absolutely despised a white Christmas. Which, just as well, is exactly what they got. He was shivering in just the time it took to flee his Uber and shuffle into the waiting warmth of the airport. Security went blessedly quickly, as it tended to at six in the morning - precisely why he settled on such an early flight. (Nevermind the fact his parents practically demanded it of him.) 

He was nursing a venti peppermint mocha latte - light and sweet, with an extra shot of espresso - when Geralt appeared at the edge of the terminal, and he patted his instrument fondly when Yennefer waltzed up behind him. 

"Geralt!" He exclaimed, rising from his seat and wrapping his free arm around him. "Yennefer!" She held a hand up as he moved towards her.

"Not so fast. I'm not sure if I like you yet." His face fell briefly, but he laughed anyway. 

"Can take the girl out of New York but not the New York–" he began to joke, but Yennefer cut him off with a roll of her eyes.

"Save it. I'm from Connecticut." That finally, properly, seemed to shut him up, and he nestled back into his seat with his coffee. She softened a little. "Where are you going?" 

"Me? Just south Jersey," he perked up. Geralt looked like he had something to add, but before he could the gate attendant started boarding calls.

The flight was thankfully brief, if a little turbulent. Geralt spent the journey playing peacekeeper in the middle seat, while Yennefer idly read some news articles she'd saved on her phone, and Jaskier slept soundly against the window, curled around his trombone. 

It was midday when they arrived in Newark. Yennefer was teasing Jaskier for managing to pass out despite the massive cup of caffeine and sugar he'd consumed, Jaskier was trying his best to put together a groggy retort, and Geralt decidedly just wanted them to shut up. At least they were all about to part ways, and he could enjoy his next flight in – shit.

"Flights to Vermont are cancelled," Jaskier's words, urgent and harried, snapped him out of his thoughts. 

"Fuck," he growled under his breath, eyeing the departure board. Sure enough, in bright red letters, his flight was delayed until further notice, with a little asterisk telling him to download the app to keep up-to-date with any developments. 

"I'd offer to let you join me," Yennefer began with a deep sigh. "But you know how my parents feel about you." Geralt ran a hand down his face. Just his luck, wasn't it. So much for cigars with his old man.

"You can come with me." Jaskier's voice was so uncertain, so small, he almost didn't hear it. "My parents haven't had a chance to hate you yet." Geralt groaned.

"Sure. Why not?" He forced a smile across his gruff features, and Jaskier met him with a toothy grin in return.

"Beats this shithole." He glanced around, trying to find his bearings in the busy airport. "Let's grab some lunch before we head out, yeah?" Geralt nodded before turning to Yennefer.

"Joining us?" She shrugged.

"As a wise man once said, 'sure. Why not?'" The wait at McDonald's wasn't terrible, so they shifted eagerly into line, and all but devoured their food the moment it was in their hands. 

"Right, so," Jaskier began between mouthfuls of Big Mac. "Northeastern Corridor down to Trenton, and my parents will pick us up there." He peered over his burger at Yennefer.

"Northeastern Corridor to NY Penn," she replied flatly, the straw of her drink stained with deep burgundy lipstick. They tossed their trash and headed off towards the train terminal, and, at the very least, Geralt would only now have to deal with one of them at a time. Except god, it seemed, was laughing at him that Christmas Eve. 

"Are you kidding me!" He'd never seen Jaskier so worked up - though, granted, he'd only known him for a month. "NJ Transit's down!?" He flung his arms about dramatically before squatting right in the middle of the station, head in his hands. Yennefer quirked an eyebrow at him.

"Is he… Okay?" Geralt shrugged, fitted a palm on Jaskier's shoulder. He gazed up at him, wide-eyed and pink-cheeked. 

"Fine, fine." He pressed his hands against his knees and shifted to his feet. "Now what?"

"We're stuck here," Geralt groaned and heaved a breathy chuckle. "Merry Christmas, huh?"

"Wait…" Yennefer held a finger up, face drawn in thought. "Won't they put you up in a hotel?" Geralt hummed, and ran a finger along the massive, glowing map kiosk, searching for the nearest Delta help center.

They did, in fact, put him up in a hotel, and he did, in fact, agree to let Yennefer and Jaskier tag along. Not before stopping at one of the duty-free shops and snagging as much overpriced liquor as his wallet would allow, of course. Jaskier cast an appraising eye at his haul, shook his head, and wordlessly extracted his trombone from its case. Thank god for all those solos he'd memorized in college.

"What the hell are you–" Yennefer began, but cut herself off when the first dollar bills landed at his feet. "Oh." A few more followed, and then some more, and within a few minutes a crowd had gathered, phones out and pointed at him. He ate up the attention, playing to the crowd for another twenty or so minutes before excusing himself and collecting the cash that had collected at his feet. He bought yet more alcohol, and they departed for the hotel.

It was small and held only the bare essentials - queen bed, TV, bathroom, and the world's smallest fridge. He popped open a bottle of whiskey before he even bothered to kick his shoes off, tilting his head back and taking a deep swig before grabbing the bottle of wine still in the bag and holding it at arm's length for whoever wanted it next. 

"Thank god," Yennefer sighed, yanking it from his hand. It was a deep red that matched her lips. Jaskier dumped his bags in the corner and fished out one of his bottles of vodka. 

"Cheers," he called, raising the bottle to the air, and Geralt and Yennefer held theirs up as well, clinking the three together. "To Christmas!" They dissolved into laughter, shoes discarded randomly across the floor, limbs splayed across the bed, and alcohol sploshing precariously. 

When Geralt cracked his eyes open the next morning, early light was slipping through the blinds, a series of texts from Delta informed him his new flight was set to leave in four hours, and, well. Yennefer was naked in his arms, which he supposed wasn't entirely surprising. He shifted up against the headboard, rubbing sleep from his eyes and gently extricating himself from her unconscious grasp, jarred by the rattling of liquor bottles. His feet were about to finally hit the floor when his heart nearly stopped, and he paused urgently. Yennefer wasn't the only one he'd shared the room with…

"G'morning?" Came a breathy yawn, and soft brown hair poked up from the blankets. Fuck. He planted his feet firmly below him and scanned the room for his scattered clothing. "G'ralt?" Brown hair was followed by scrunched eyes, a half-ajar mouth, and a splotch of pink on his cheek where his hand has been pressed against it in his sleep. Geralt cursed under his breath and plucked up his underwear.

"Did we…?" He half-asked, not daring to finish the question. Jaskier - naked, for the love of god, stalked around the bed to Geralt's side and pressed a kiss on his cheek.

"Yes," he said warmly.

"All of us?" Jaskier nodded and hummed, following suit in tracking the remains of the previous day's outfit. "And… did we… did we like it?" Jaskier laughed, soft and breathy.

"We had a great time, Geralt. Relax." He slid his sweater over his head.

"Right." Finally he spotted his pants, and stepped into them unsteadily. "Suppose we should wake her?" Jaskier shrugged.

"Probably." They roused Yennefer, who also seemed to have a better recollection of the night before than Geralt, and was none too surprised. Breakfast was a brief affair in the hotel lobby, all of them downing cup after cup of shitty black coffee and basking in afterglow. Finally, at long last, they bid their goodbyes and parted ways. Geralt could finally get some peace, quiet, and alone time. On the flight to Vermont, he found himself missing the two anyway.

#the witcher #the witcher netflix #the witcher modern au #holiday fic #christmas fic #fluff #geralt #geralt of rivia #jaskier #dandelion #julian alfred pankratz #yennefer #yennefer of vengerberg #henry cavill #joey batey #anya chalotra #the witcher fanfic #the witcher fanfiction #ao3 #fanfic #fanfiction #geraskefer

[arrabaldo]

Lynette Roberts: Diaries, Letters and Recollections

1939

November 3rd

The Cottage, Llanstephan

My sister’s birthday, and I have celebrated it by scrubbing the floor, cleaning the grate. Keidrych says I have some funny ideas about poets. I have. I think good real living is more importanta than spreading yourself on paper. If only the gutless poets that abound today (and there are too many of them) lived admirably rather than preach the exact opposite to what they sing, then I am with them. But when they distort poetry and merely use it as an outlet for their worst grievances and sidewalk niggles, then please God I am not a poet. Not to be classed with these nit-wits, these perambulator bards, but to be just a normal person who can take my full share of responsibility. I have met them, many of them, and they have tried to drag-weigh-me-under with their twisted ways. But I will have none of it. If it were not for the fact that literature would suffer (so little is thought of it already) I would expose these poets; but I feel there is, unfortunately already too little interest from the public; and for me to write it to the strain-eyed-world could only lessen the little faith that the people have in dedicated writers.

Keydrich enjoyed his lunch; he looks very unpleasant today. Debauched, with his four-day beard, he is busy scratching behind me writing to Kilham Roberts asking if the Library Society will grant us some money to live on. There can be no dole for us. The M[inistry] of L[abour] said we had no stamps. Even though we have both worked previously for two or three years. Neither can he give us a job. Then what are we to live on, Government, I ask you? There are always fallen apples, and the onion soup, but how long will that last! Today Keidrych frequently found cinders or grit in his stewed appls. I told him poets must always expect pieces of chimney in their dishes, that is their fate. He laughed and said what he usually does, ‘You ought to be filmed’. His ears are scarlet and I hate him, he is always chewing humbugs.

#lynetteroberts #diaries #sundayliterature

[due4amiracle]

Day 54

1 chapter Raeliana - AHHHHHHHHHHH give me the next chapterrrrrr *weep*

2 chapter Beware of the Villainess! - AHHHH wtf? Y'all. Wtaf. For fucks sake lmfao. Good gods y'all are cray. Can't wait for the next! This whole thing absolutely blesses my soul, Melissa is THE queen everyone deserves in their life.

1 chapter Solo Leveling - OH. SHIT. Oh shit it's finally happening. The guild. The requirement. Everything. Hot damn i love this one SO much it's my hands down favorite. Hnnnnnnnnggggggggggg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Haven't restarted reading Survive as the Hero's Wife, yet, because Genshin Impact oops. Oh well. Maybe tomorrow.

Started a little VampRP and then...ghosted. Ugh. Just really not feeling well, got distracted and...suddenly it was like 4 hours later? Oops. Oh well. Tomorrow or sommat. idk. Feel kinda bad but at the same time...? Bah humbug. #JustMSThings i guess.

Genshin Impact is my drug of choice lately, can't get enough. i'm not even rolling for anything anymore, i'm just powering though things, collecting rolls and shit and...waiting for the next round of cuties i guess? Lmfao. i love my current set, i've got some of each flavor, i mean i'd love a long range air and ice, but w/e it's fine. Love my cuties.

Managed to get the link for Monday Neuro appt, so that's nice. Phew. Still don't understand why Husband deleted that email in the first place but it is what it is, Shrug. Mon - Neruo, Weds - Dr, Fri? - Sir Neuro. x_x And His is a HAS to go in. Phew. Not...not that we're positive we can do it. i mean, that one's way more important than laundry (which sucks, since it's been...2 months? since my last shower and hair cut...i mean i've washed my hair and used my body wet wipes, but it doesn't...scrub off all the layers of skin, ya know....:( Regardless. Fingers crossed we can do both, provided Sir can go get Electricity help, but otherwise it's just His appt.

Tomorrow is going to be a detach from everything and play Ooblets day. We'll see how that works, i do want to get this scene in VampRP done. Bleh. But Ooblets? Fuck yea i wanna get some Ooblets in.

That was about it for the day. Water was decentish, headache was headache - can't quite get rid of this damn thing for love nor money - and other pain was pretty low.

#Multiple Sclerosis #Spoonie #Daily #Idle Big Devil #The Reason Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion #Beware of the Villainess! #Solo Leveling #Survive as the Hero's Wife #VampRP #RP #VtM RP #JustMSThings #appointments #Ooblets #headache

[dewitty1]

Chapters: 25/25 Fandom: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter Characters: Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley Additional Tags: Original Character(s) Summary:

What’s big and purple and smells like tea? Harry is about to find out.

Advent fic 2016.

Excerpt: With as much subtlety as he can muster, Harry leans back and scans the table. No one, least of all Draco, is looking his way, and it’s just possible that he’ll get away with it. He has always wanted a go at driving a bus, ever since he was a small child, and the Knight Bus is a very special bus indeed.

 Granted, he’s only going to pretend to drive it, but that knowledge doesn’t dampen his excitement one bit as he slides into the chair and rests his hands on the wheel. Juno leans over his shoulder, long whiskers brushing his face, as though waiting to see what he’s planning to do.

“Look at all these levers, Juno,” he whispers, tracing his fingers over rows and rows of mysterious brass knobs. “Here’s the one to open the doors, and here’s the one to squash the bus thin…” Juno lets out a soft chirrup and rests her paws on his shoulder, settling her weight until he feels as though he is providing a perch for a very large and very furry parrot. “More pedals than I was expecting,” he continues, frowning. Very gently, he presses his foot against seven pedals in turn, and then lets his feet rest on the floor, all at once finding a new admiration for what Draco does, and the way he appears to expend no effort at all when doing it. “Look, Juno, we’re being hailed,” he whispers, smiling when the cat presses her cold nose against his earlobe. “We have to get to… erm, Birmingham, and we have to get there fast!” Harry pretends to pull several levers in turn, swinging the wheel around and throwing himself with it as though the whole bus is pelting around corners at top speed, stamping his feet into the floor in front of the pedals and reaching out for the handbrake. He makes a soft screeching sound under his breath, and Juno digs her claws into his shoulder, apparently as caught up in his game as he is. “Oh, no, this alleyway is too narrow! Breathe in, everyone!” he whispers, hand coming up to grasp the imaginary handle and not realising his mistake until Juno lets out a surprised little sound and there’s the scrape of wood on wood, and someone is coming towards them, backwards and stretched thin in the rearview mirror. The feeling of compression forces his breath out of him, and in the confusion, he hangs onto the very real handle for dear life.

“Let go of that,” Draco says, and of course it’s Draco, but he doesn’t sound right and he doesn’t look right and it takes Harry a moment too long to release the handle, and there are cool fingers wrapping around his and tugging them away.

The bus pings back to its normal shape in an instant, but Harry’s ears are ringing and he can’t decide if Draco looks cross and amused or just cross.

“What are you doing in my seat?” he demands, hands on hips.

Harry blinks repeatedly, waiting for the world to come back into focus.

“I was just… playing,” he admits finally, face heating. “I didn’t actually mean to pull that.”

Draco’s eyebrow flickers. He looks at Juno and shakes his head.

“You were encouraging him, weren’t you?”

Juno peers at him for a moment and then abandons Harry’s shoulder, dashing across the floor, up the stairs and out of sight.

“Did you touch anything else?”

“No,” Harry says hotly. “I just wanted to see what it was like. It was an accident.”

“Don’t interfere with my bus, Harry,” Draco says, and though his voice is stern, there is a flicker of humour in his eyes that both confuses and intrigues Harry.

“I’m sorry,” he says, and it’s almost a whisper.

Draco holds out a hand to pull him up and Harry takes it, leaving the worn softness of the chair behind and standing slowly. He doesn’t let go of Draco’s hand, and Draco doesn’t pull it away. Instead, they stare at each other in silence, Harry’s heart beating so loud in his chest that he thinks the biddies must be able to hear it over the sound of their card game. Draco’s eyes burn him. He wants to look away but he seems to have lost control over his muscles to the point that he has no idea how he is continuing to stand. “Why do you really come here?” Draco asks quietly.

“I like you… I mean… I like it,” Harry mumbles, and just when he thinks he’s going to burst into flames, Draco whips the curtain shut with a slash of his wand and steps close, threading his fingers into Harry’s hair and kissing him hard.

Flooded with sensation, Harry kisses back, heat rushing to every part of him as he pushes Draco back against the dashboard. Pulled tight together, mouths slipping in a desperate rush, Harry is dizzy and breathless, wanting more but feeling his knees turning to water beneath him. 

Everything inside him hammering and sparking, he presses close, tasting tea and humbugs on Draco’s tongue and wondering how any of this makes sense, or if he even wants it to.

Draco lets out a small, uncontrolled sound that rips down Harry’s spine, dropping his mouth to Harry’s neck and then turning stiff, still, unresponsive. With aching gentleness he holds Harry at arm’s length and just stares at him, breathing hard.

“I’m sorry. We shouldn’t have done that,” he says at last. “What?” Harry frowns, wanting to reach for him again already. “Why not?” “It just wasn’t a good idea,” Draco says, and the ragged kindness in his voice makes Harry’s heart sore. “I don’t think you mean that,” Harry says, confused and careless. “My life is very complicated,” Draco says, releasing him and taking a step back. “I think we… maybe we could start again?” Harry scrubs at his hair. “Again again, you mean?” “Yes.”

Harry stares at him. Draco’s eyes are bright and his skin is flushed, and static seems to leap between them in strands, harsh enough to hurt, but he doesn’t really understand any of it. 

Draco’s expression dares him to try, and suddenly all he wants to do is go home, sit in front of the fire and sulk. Fortunately, the bus is still parked outside his house and no one is making him stay here.

“I’d better go,” he says, stuffing his hands into his pockets and heading for the door.

“Harry,” Draco says suddenly, and he turns. “Please don’t stay away. We all liked having you here. I shouldn’t have ruined it.”

#Headlights in the Snow #Author: Sara's_Girl #Drarry #Drarry Squad #Drarry Fanfiction #Draco Malfoy #Harry Potter #Knight Bus Driver!Draco #Drarry Fic Rec #fic rec #Ao3 bookmark fic rec no 161 #Carey's Bookmark fic recs #Carey's Personal Bookmarks #My recs #Favorite! #Love this one so much

[jeanhm]

#humbug scrub animal sanctuary

[vickypoochoices]

Christmas Countdown.

Note: I know in reality everyone would be home for Christmas and spending time with their families instead of still being at school, but it's what I had to do to make this all work, so let's just pretend that's normal. Please let me know if you love this, you'll make me happy. And if you want to be tagged in the next chapter just let me know :) I never want to assume people want to be tagged unless they say, I don't want to be annoying!

[MASTERLIST.]

Day 1.

"MERRYYYY CHRISTMAASSS!" She blearily stumbled into the living room to be met by a high pitched squealing, which only seemed to be getting louder and faster.

Zack excitedly ran circles around her, before leading her into a little dance, twirling her round and round like a ballerina.

Once he eventually ceased with the spinning, she shakily wandered over to the kitchen counter, taking the opportunity to steady herself properly.

"ZACK! It's only the first of December!"

"You know I didn't have you pegged as one of those people but I guess you never can tell. Well bah humbug to you, you rotten old Scrooge. What if this secret admirer of your's is really big on Christmas? Will you destroy all their hopes and dreams too?"

She narrowed her eyes at him, confusion written all over her face.

"Have you been drinking already? Zack, I know your excited that it's finally December, but it's 7am. You can't be drinki..."

She ducked suddenly as she caught Zack flinging a huge box in her direction.

"What the hell?"

He shrugged innocently, turning his back to her and leaving her to stare at what had narrowly missed her head. Bending down, she scooped up a huge box of chocolates, frowning at a single post it note stuck on the front, simply labelled 'Day One x.'

Day 2.

"I'm just saying, how much bad karma do you think will come my way if I give in and eat those chocolates? They are seriously calling out my name, but I know there must have been some kind of mistake." The next morning, she recalled the strange events to Kaitlyn as they stood in line at the coffee shop.

"What makes you say that?"

"Well Zack swears he knows nothing, just that he answered the door to a courier saying he had a delivery for me. It's not like I've been on a hot date recently or anything so I'm struggling to see who else this could be from, unless it's you guys pranking me. Does this mean I can eat the chocolates now with a clear conscience?"

Kaitlyn raised her hands in the air, making a show of backing away.

"Woah, easy tiger! Sorry to be the one to tell you that I for one am not part of any prank, and you know as well as I do that none of the others can keep a secret. Sounds to me like you should just bite the bullet and eat those chocolates though, if you don't I will! They must have cost a pretty penny."

Edging forward, she smiled as they reached the front of the queue, spotting Zig behind the counter.

"Morning Zig."

"Hey you two. What can I get you?"

"Two lattes please."

"Coming right up. Is there anything else you wanted? I know I'd go all out if someone else was paying."

She turned to Kaitlyn, both of them sharing confused glances.

"Okay back up a sec. You going to explain that?" Kaitlyn asked.

"Damn, I should have given you the note first I guess." Zig searched in his apron pocket, before retrieving a folded up post it note.

"Ooo what does it say? Tell me, tell me!" Kaitlyn bounced up and down on the spot.

She took her time unfolding the note, much to the annoyance of Kaitlyn, before skimming over it.

Day number two is a treat of your choice. It's on me! Enjoy x.

Flinging the note in Zig's direction, she resisted the urge to reach out and shake him for answers.

"Who gave you this?"

Zig shrugged, finishing off the lattes.

"Some courier handed it to me, he said you'd be expecting it, I didn't think to question him. Anyway, what are you having?"

"Let me pick! I'm sad and lonely over here with no secret admirer, and you already have a mountain of chocolates."

She shook her head, a coy grin on her face. "No way, I'm taking full of advantage of this! There's clearly been a mix up with this courier, I'm taking all I can get right now."

Day 3.

She sat in class, desperately trying to keep up, but no matter how much she tried to concentrate, her mind was somewhere else entirely. This was her last class of the day and she realised she was kind of sad. Not about classes, she was sad that the majority of the day had slipped by with no mysterious post it note in sight. Shaking her head, frustrated with herself, she started packing her things away as the bell rang out.

She busied herself with dressing appropriately for the winter, fishing out a scarf from her bag and wrapping her coat around her. Placing one foot out ready to make a move, she halted suddenly, noticing a large bouquet of flowers placed in the middle of her desk. Spinning around in a bid to catch whoever had left them there, she sighed as she realised she was now alone in an empty classroom.

Taking a moment to admire the beautiful flowers, she breathed in the scent, eyes closing tightly as she felt a wave of calm wash over her. When she pulled herself away from the bouquet she spotted a post it note tucked behind a large bloom.

Day Three - Absence diminishes little passion x.

She blinked rapidly, unsure what to think. What did that even mean? And seriously, what was going on here? She was more confused than ever now.

Day 4.

A furious knock on her bedroom door woke her with a jolt the next morning. Eyes still firmly shut, her hand clumsily searched out for her phone, knocking over a pile of books in the process.

"Damn." She huffed, finally locating her phone, slowly peeling open her eyes to check the time. 8am. Eurgh, fine! The knocking was growing more impatient with every passing second, and she barked out a groggy command to 'Just come in already.'

Zack barged into the room, looking her over expectantly.

"I don't know what that look is supposed to mean, but I feel like I should tell you I'm not that keen on loud noises before my morning coffee."

"Have you had a package yet?" Chosing to ignore her, he jumped straight to the point.

"Does it look like it?" She retorted, scrubbing at her face roughly with her hands.

"Perfect!"

"What?"

"We need time to crack this code, get our heads together and figure this shit out. We don't need any more delicious distractions or beautiful blooms."

She raised an eyebrow.

"I thought I hid those chocolates, you better not have helped yourself!"

Zack looked at her like she had two heads.

"Oh please, if you really think placing a huge box of chocolates on the top shelf is a good hiding spot then you deserve to find half the box empty."

"Half the box, WHAT?! I've barely even sniffed them. I can't believe you Zack!"

"You really think I ate them all myself? Then you need to reassess who you can really trust. Luxurious chocolates bring out the worst in people, didn't you know? Anyway, we have more important things to be getting on with. Soo, we've moved on from yummy treats to pretty buds. After all this is over, if you decide he's not for you, can I keep him for myself?"

She threw a pillow roughly in his direction, smacking him square in the jaw.

"Okay, okay. Just promise me you'll think about it? Now, what did the note say this time?"

"Absence diminishes little passion."

Making a show of fanning himself with his hands, Zack threw himself backwards on to her bed.

"They say the perfect guy doesn't exist, but I'm pretty sure we've found him. This guy is deep. So basically he's pining for you, and he's hot for you."

"I mean, I guess."

"Or maybe he means so much more than that."

"Now who's the one going all deep on me?"

Raising his hand in the air, Zack smiled brightly.

"Yep, that would be me!"

Just then a sharp buzzing sound escaped from under Zack's head.

"That was weird. Remind me to check for phone's when I throw myself on your bed next time. Here."

Handing the phone over, her face scrunched together as she looked at the screen.

"Do we think this guy has ever seen your confused face? Because it's adorable I've got to tell you! Hey, wait! Where are you going?"

"To ask Kaitlyn for help, I don't feel the need to throttle her half as much as I do with you Zack!"

Pursing his lips together, he mimed zipping them shut with a hand, encouraging her to continue.

"Okay so it seems our guy doesn't just have a lifetime supply of post it notes. He's got with the times and somehow got my number from somewhere."

"I know I'm meant to be quiet but, seriously, don't leave me hanging!"

She passed the phone to Zack, cringing at the idea of reading it out herself.

Day Four - All that you are is all that I'll ever need x.

"Well that's adorable. If nothing else at least we know it's not some grandpa with a thing for you, he knows who Ed Sheeran is after all."

"Come on Zack, I think everyone on this planet knows who Ed Sheeran is!"

"Heh, true. Alright, well his music taste is top notch. But you, my friend, are screwed. Because this gives us nothing to go off. So I suggest you start getting used to all this cloak and dagger funny business, because I don't think he'll be stopping anytime soon."

Day 5.

Together with all her roommates she'd spent the day transforming their place into a winter wonderland, under the strict instructions and watchful eye of Zack. They'd finally put the finishing touches to the tree, which eventually met up with Zack's high standards, the room glowing in pretty lights. After flinging herself backwards on the couch, exhausted, she sighed at the sound of a timid knock at the door.

Looking around at her friends, she realised they were all pretending they hadn't heard it.

"Fine I'll go. But that's my pass to get out of doing the dishes this week."

A collective grumble followed, all too tired to properly respond.

"Oh, hey Zig. Hey James. You've kind of missed out on all the fun, we're finished now."

They turned to each other grinning.

"Told you!" Zig smirked.

"Excellent timing!" James chuckled.

"Right, well for that you've both earned floor seats, and I won't even feel guilty about being a terrible host now." She pulled the door wide, allowing them to step inside.

"Oh by the way, we found this on your doorstep. I don't know why it's there, but I wouldn't say no to a good Christmas film tonight." James smiled, holding something out to her.

She beamed as she stared down at a copy of Love Actually in her hands.

"This is my favourite Christmas film. It's sooo cute!"

"We all know you only really like it because you have a thing for Mr Darcy." Chris mumbled.

"Oh quiet you."

"Oh I see that she hasn't denied it." Zig flashed her a grin.

"That's enough from you Ortega. Why don't you get comfy on that cold hard floor and have a think about why you've been put there."

Turning the box over in her hands, her breath caught at the sight of a red post it note. Her pulse quickened as she read over the words; Day Five - I know this is your favourite! 'If you look for it I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that Love Actually is all around' x.

Days 6-10.

#choices #play choices #fanfic #christmas fanfiction #the freshman

[aro-disaster]

A very aro Christmas

Mo blinked and stopped dead in the kitchen doorway. The hot, fruity smell wafting from the oven was familiar. 'Aren't you pagan?'

'Yeah, and?' Their housemate responded with an insouciant shrug. The one that so often made Mo roll their eyes.

'Christmas is a Christian religious festival. For crying out loud, it's got the word "Christ" in!'

Kay blinked at her mate's surprisingly passionate outburst. 'Yeah, but I was raised in a technically Christian household and it's kinda drifted out to become a more amorphous cultural festival of eating, drinking and shiny shit in this part of the world.'

She paused, frowning. 'Does this mean you don't want a pressie?'

Mo snorted. 'If people want to get me gifts I don't care if they're celebrating the return of the Great bloody Pumpkin from Snoopy.'

'I think that's probably rude, but who doesn't love free stuff? Besides,' she turned a little shy, 'I'm actually excited about Christmas for... well, I guess it's the first time in more than ten years I'm feeling good about the festive season.'

Oh. Mo came into the kitchen and sat at the counter. Their silence was neutral, inviting Kay to fill it. She pulled the last tray of mince pies out of the oven and switched the kettle on, glancing over to them nervously.

The mug thumped softly down onto the worksurface in front of Mo. 'Thanks.'

'Your family's religious, right?' Kay started as she delved into the cupboards, rattling spice jars and fussing with ingredients.

'Yeah.' Kay knew that already. 'Bangladeshi Muslim, pretty conservative.' This wasn't about them and they kept their answer short, not extending the conversation.

'My folks are Nigerian Christians.' Her accent slipped to a broad West African timbre for the last words. There were things unsaid there that someone from that community could probably intuit. From the look in her eyes Mo knew it wasn't all good, even if they didn't know enough about the Nigerian diaspora to guess the details.

'As you can imagine, Christmas and Easter were a big deal, growing up. Then when they caught me snogging Clarice, well.... Christmas wasn't much of a priority any more.'

Mo wanted and yet didn't want to ask for more details, they decided to leave it. Kay was actually opening up to them and they decided to accept it as an honour. Instead of digging into the past, they came back to the present.

'So what changed? You're listening to Slade and baking mince pies; last year you were full-on "bah humbug" about the whole festive period!'

'Huh, I was a bit of a Scrooge last year. You guys have been good for me. I can be me here without being on the defensive. No lectures about damnation or slut shaming. I was so ignorant when I started living here.' She laughed, 'I didn't even know sex and romance were different! All I knew was that even as a dyke I was doing something wrong. No wonder they all hated me.'

That wouldn't stand! Kay might be a flippant, insensitive idiot, but she was just as worthy of affection as any person! Mo moved fast, bowling into the stocky woman. They took advantage of her surprise to put her in a headlock and scrubbed their knuckles gently into her scalp.

'So much for an all-loving God, then?' They asked, leaning into Kay as if to subdue her. Kay's arm snaked around their waist and Kay laughingly lifted Mo into a bridal carry. She grinned at the wide-eyed look she fielded.

'Indeed.' She gave them a gentle squeeze before carefully lowering Mo to the ground. 'But with housemates like you lot, who needs the Almighty?'

#aro #aromantic #lesbian aro character #enby character #immigrant experience #family of choice #Christmas #disillusionment with organised religion

[allen-tiller]

Amazon.com.au is now printing books in Australia! This means cheaper prices and postage for you! Right now, there is a special on The Haunts of Adelaide: Revised Edition, you can pick up a copy here:

#Allen Tiller #South Australia #History #Paranormal #Ghosts #Books #Author #Real Ghosts #True Ghost Stories #Adelaide #Haunting Australia #Haunted #haunting #crime #Squatters Arms #Adelaide Arcade #Humbug Scrub #Arthur Conan Doyle

[teapartyforthewitches]

LUSH Magick - Part 1/? (Lips)

So, I work at LUSH and I’m trying to work my way around the shop and figure out some easy magic for y’all (and myself!). Please keep in mind that I work in an Australian LUSH store, so I am referencing the products available in the Australian stores. If you want information from another store or a specific product that I haven’t included, please just ask! Find all my other LUSH Magick Masterposts here!

The first step to having beautiful, glamour-ready lips is scrubs! Lip scrubs are an amazing way to get rid of dead skin on your lips, keep them moisturised and smooth, and the best part is that with LUSH’s lip scrubs, you can lick them right off your lips! Here are some of the lip scrubs and their properties (sources linked when needed):

Sugar Scrub Basics: Most of LUSH’s lip scrubs have a base of, you guessed it, sugar! Sugar is an incredibly magical ingredient! It is the best for attraction, attraction, attraction! Also used to sweeten people up/sweetening yourself up!

Sugar Plum Fairy (Christmas Exclusive) (Image from here) 💎 Profile: “Buff away the grinchiest of lips with this smoothing castor sugar, juicy blackcurrant and sweet wild orange oil scrub. Sweet wild orange oil helps lift the mood and make you feel prima. Get licking and the sweet, fruity flavour will tantalise your tasebuds and you'll be ready for your spotlight appearence. ” (x x) 💎 Sweet Wild Orange Oil Properties (Magical): Lightheartedness, creativity, happiness, harmony, peace, emotional openness, love, positivity, divination, luck, money . Attracts prosperity and stability. (x, x, x) 💎 Sweet Wild Orange Oil Properties (Practical):  Immunity enhancer, natural antibacterial, circulation booster, anti-inflammatory, mood booster, high in Vitamin C and antioxidants to help heal skin (x) 💎 Purple Colour Association: Royalty, good judgement, mystery, light purple awakens romantic and nostalgic feelings, raises and stimulates the mood, calms the mind and nerves, provides a sense of spirituality, encourages creativity and imagination (x)  💎 Use it for: Attracting positivity, emotional openness, and creativity!

Santa Baby (Christmas Exclusive) (Image from here) 💎 Profile: “Santa baby, slip a lip scrub under the tree, for me, Give the cola a whirl, Santa baby, Kiss me by the chimney tonight. Make your lips kissably soft again with scrubby caster sugar and jojoba oil. Extra virgin coconut oil continues your sleigh ride to smoochable lips while lime oil lifts your spirits. A spicy drop of black pepper oil encourage a little warmth and tingle.” (x x) 💎 Lime Oil Properties (Magical): Abundance, confidence, healing, banishing negativity, energy, protection, purification, success, vitality (x) 💎 Lime Oil Properties (Practical): Cures infections, prevents viral infections, disinfectant, reduces fever, restores health, prevents the appearance of ageing (x) 💎 Aniseed Oil Properties (Magical): Protection, purification, encouragement, stimulant (x) 💎 Aniseed Oil Properties (Practical): Antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, decongestant, aids digestion, insecticide, sedative, stimulant (x) 💎 Black Pepper Oil Properties (Magical): Comfort, endurance, flexibility, stamina, fearlessness, motivation, strength (x) 💎 Black Pepper Oil Properties (Practical): anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, aids digestion, has antiviral properties, promotes healthy circulation, eases feelings of anxiety and cigarette cravings, detoxifying (x) 💎 Red Colour Association: Passion, vitality, strength, survival, fertility, courage, sexual potency, mercy, action, danger, war, fire element, conflict, sports, independence, assertiveness, competition (x) 💎 Use it for: A little extra encouragement for yourself or others, when you need a little extra strength or confidence!

Black Rose (Halloween Exclusive): (Image from here) 💎 Profile: “Prep your pout for lippy with illipe butter and extra virgin coconut oil. Caster sugar gently keeps your lips soft and smooth and organic jojoba oil marvelously moisturises, making your lips kissably soft. Swipe across the lips to buff and smooth. Your rebellion will have a cause with mood lifting ylang ylang and Sicilan mandarin oils.” (x) 💎 Sicilian Mandarin Oil Properties (Magical): Awakening, inspiration, calming, soothing, uplifting (x) 💎 Sicilian Mandarin Oil Properties (Practical): Prevents infections, improves circulation, relieves stress and anxiety, aids digestion, promotes the growth of new cells and tissues, tones up overall health, boosts the function of the immune system (x) 💎 Spearmint Oil Properties (Magical): Psychic protection, physical protection, repels negativity, strengthens mental speed and clarity, protection during sleep (x x) 💎 Spearmint Oil Properties (Practical): Speeds wound healing, disinfectant, relieves stress, regulates menstruation, insecticide (x) 💎 Ylang Ylang Oil Properties (Magical): Clearing negativity, protection, calming, enthusiasm, joy, upliftment (x)   💎 Ylang Ylang Oil Properties (Practical): Antidepressant, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, lowers blood pressure (x) 💎 Black Colour Association: Grounding, wisdom, learning, protection, safety, reversing, uncrossing, unhexing, repelling black magick, banishing negativity, releasing, shapeshifting, defense, scrying, pride (x) 💎 Use it for: Protection and banishing negativity!

Popcorn (Image from here) 💎 Profile: “Popcorn makes sure your lips are the main feature thanks to the special effects of coconut oil, sugar and sea salt. You’ll be ready for your close-up once Popcorn’s sugar, sea salt and polenta combine with coconut and jojoba oils to buff and prime your lips – without leaving a film. Just gently rub the popping candy-sweet scrub onto your lips with a clean finger, and your Hollywood smile is all set.” (x) 💎 Sea Salt Properties (Magical): Protection, purification, healing (x) 💎 Sea Salt Properties (Practical): Exfoliation, treats psoriasis, reduces osteoarthritis risk, treats rhinosinusitis, treats acne (x) 💎 Polenta Properties (Magical): Protection, divination, good luck, fertility, abundance, stability (x) 💎 Polenta Properties (Practical): Packed with good amounts of iron, thiamine, zinc, phosphorus and magnesium. It's also a good source of fibre. Contains B vitamins, vitamin A and vitamin E (x x) 💎 Yellow Colour Association: Pleasure, success, happiness, learning, memory, concentration, persuasion, inspiration, imagination, solar magick, charm, confidence, air element, travel, flexibility (x) 💎 Use it for: Success and happiness!

Mint Julips (Image from here) 💎 Profile: “A gentle lip scrub with more than a hint of mint humbug about it. Turn chapped lips into mint-choc chip lips: warming peppermint and sweet vanilla combine with real sugar crystals give your lips (and tastebuds) a service, leaving them primed for smooth lipstick application. As soon as you gently rub Mint Julips on your lips, you’ll feel its invigorating peppermint oil tingling away while the sugar crystals buff away any flaky skin.” (x) 💎 Vanilla Extract Properties (Magical): Calming, Consoling, soothing, vitalizes energy, promotes a happy and healthy environment, attracts good fortune, enhances mental stimulation (x) 💎 Vanilla Extract Properties (Practical): Powerful antioxidant, antibacterial, reduces inflammation, improves mental health (x) 💎 Tagetes (Marigold) Oil Properties (Magical): Death and rebirth, happiness, heart healing, protection, success, vitality (x) 💎 Tagetes (Marigold) Oil Properties (Practical): Heals cuts and wounds, provides respiratory relief, anti-inflammatory (x) 💎 Peppermint Oil Properties (Magical): Cleansing, consecration, dreams, happiness, healing, love, money, passion, prosperity, protection, psychic development, purification, release, renewal, rest, sleep (x) 💎 Peppermint Oil Properties (Practical): Reduces stomach aches, soothe digestive issues, freshens bad breath, relieves headaches, antimicrobial properties, improves mental focus, clears respiratory tract, boosts energy, releases tight muscles (x) 💎 Yellow Colour Association: Pleasure, success, happiness, learning, memory, concentration, persuasion, inspiration, imagination, solar magick, charm, confidence, air element, travel, flexibility (x) 💎 Use it for: Encouraging money to come into your life, new beginnings and healing!

Honey (Image from here) 💎 Profile: “Stay honey-mouthed and sweet-lipped wherever you go. Rub this sugary scrub over your lips and let spoonfuls of honey smooth your smackers. The menthol of peppermint oil cools and freshens, while sweet wild orange oil gives you a buzz. Get your honey for nothing, get your lips for free.” (x) 💎 Sweet Wild Orange Oil Properties (Magical): Lightheartedness, creativity, happiness, harmony, peace, emotional openness, love, positivity, divination, luck, money . Attracts prosperity and stability. (x, x, x) 💎 Sweet Wild Orange Oil Properties (Practical):  Immunity enhancer, natural antibacterial, circulation booster, anti-inflammatory, mood booster, high in Vitamin C and antioxidants to help heal skin (x) 💎 Peppermint Oil Properties (Magical): Cleansing, consecration, dreams, happiness, healing, love, money, passion, prosperity, protection, psychic development, purification, release, renewal, rest, sleep (x) 💎 Peppermint Oil Properties (Practical): Reduces stomach aches, soothe digestive issues, freshens bad breath, relieves headaches, antimicrobial properties, improves mental focus, clears respiratory tract, boosts energy, releases tight muscles (x) 💎 Vanilla Absolute Properties (Magical): Calming, Consoling, soothing, vitalizes energy, promotes a happy and healthy environment, attracts good fortune, enhances mental stimulation (x) 💎 Vanilla Absolute Properties (Practical): Powerful antioxidant, antibacterial, reduces inflammation, improves mental health (x) 💎 Honey Properties (Magical): Attraction, love, lust, sweeten a person or situation, binding, stability (x) 💎 Honey Properties (Practical): Antibacterial, high in antioxidants, can be used in an ointment for treating wounds, burns and cold sores (x) 💎 Yellow Colour Association: Pleasure, success, happiness, learning, memory, concentration, persuasion, inspiration, imagination, solar magick, charm, confidence, air element, travel, flexibility (x) 💎 Use it for: Sweetening yourself up!

Bubblegum (Image from here) 💎 Profile: “ Prep your lips with a buff and polish at the start of your make-up routine to ensure your lipstick glides on and stays put. Just apply with a clean finger, and let the exfoliating caster sugar and softening jojoba oil scrub away dead skin and infuse moisture to rejuvenate your smile. Bubblegum lip scrub won’t leave any greasy residue; just a sweet candy taste that you’ll enjoy licking off. Lip-smackingly good.” (x) 💎 Bubblegum Properties (Magical): Binding, sticking, strengthening, letting go (own correspondences) 💎 Bubblegum Properties (Practical): improvement of cognitive domains, cures halitosis (x) 💎 Pink Colour Association: Love, compassion, nurturing, femininity, friendship, romance, partnership, spiritual & emotional healing, protection of children, domestic harmony, self-improvement, maturity (x) 💎 Use it for: Strengthening friendships and mutual love!

Chocolate (Image from here) 💎 Profile: “Chocolate orange lingers on lips with this deliciously sugary scrub. Satisfy chocoholic cravings with dark chocolate, cocoa absolute and cocoa powder, just don't feel obliged to share. Tangerine and sweet orange oils mingle to give a juicy kick and leave your lips refreshed. Send a sugar rush to your smackers and scrub all over for a perfectly polished pout.” (x) 💎 Sweet Wild Orange Oil Properties (Magical): Lightheartedness, creativity, happiness, harmony, peace, emotional openness, love, positivity, divination, luck, money. Attracts prosperity and stability. (x, x, x) 💎 Sweet Wild Orange Oil Properties (Practical):  Immunity enhancer, natural antibacterial, circulation booster, anti-inflammatory, mood booster, high in Vitamin C and antioxidants to help heal skin (x) 💎 Tangerine Oil Properties (Magical): 💎 Tangerine Oil Properties (Practical): 💎 Dark Chocolate Properties (Magical): Love, romance, grounding, prosperity (x) 💎 Dark Chocolate Properties (Practical): Antioxidant, normonal + neurological, happiness, increases memory, longevity, lowers cholesterol levels, reduces risk of stroke, strengthens immune system (x) 💎 Brown Colour Association: House blessing, animal/pet magick, earth magick, concentration, material goods, stability, locating lost objects, earth element, real estate, construction, food, financial crisis (x) 💎 Use it for: Increasing love and boosting your mood!

I hope you all enjoyed this (it took so long to write up oh my goodness)!! I’m gonna start working on the next one, but if you wanna see anything specific please let me know!

#danaspeaks #danas witch tips #danaswitchtips #witch tips #Masterpost #magical properties #magical correspondences #bath magic #shower magic #glamour #glamours #makeup magic #lush magic #lush #lush magick #long post

[typingtess]

Tiptoeing through the “Reentry” guest cast

Jeff Kober as Harris Keane Last seen on the helicopter home in "Goodbye Vietnam".

Michael McMillian as Donald Jenkins Was Henry Gibson in What I Like About You, Harper Sims in Saved, Steve Newlin in True Blood, Owen in Hot in Cleveland and Tim in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.

Guest roles include Firefly, 8 Simple Rules, Miracles, Veronica Mars, Without a Trace, Big Love, Scrubs, The Mentalist, The Whole Truth, CSI: NY, Love Bites, House of Lies, Emily Owens MD, Major Crimes, Hawaii Five-0, Silicon Valley and appeared in the season 14 "Love Boat" episode of NCIS as David Kemmons.

Ramon Fernandez as Franco Martinez Appeared in episodes of The Sopranos, All My Children, Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Rescue Me, Lie to Me, Cold Case, CSI: Miami. Terriers, Southland, Sons of Anarchy, Revolution, Castle, Madam Secretary, Elementary, The Blacklist, Falling Water, Marvel's Iron Fist and Lethal Weapon.

Josh Coxx as NRO Mission Director USAF Colonel Lawrence Lawson Coxx is a longtime working actor, appearing in series in the 1980's – Freddy's Nightmares 21 Jump Street – 1990's – Quantum Leap, Sliders, Players  - 2000's – Providence, Friends, NYPD Blue, Without a Trace, CSI – and this decade – CSI: Miami, Perception, Criminal Minds, Revolution Nashville and Code Black.  Guest starred as Capt. Paul Smith in the season 14 "Keep Going" episode of NCIS (Jimmy on the ledge).  

He played Lt. David Corwin in Babylon 5 and Midwife Peter Riggs R.N. in Strong Medicine.

Mary Hollis Inboden as NRO Chief of Staff Melissa Gates Played Mary in The Chicago Code, Jackie Shope in Boss (a really underrated series) and Jodi in The Real O'Neals.  Guest starred in episodes of Speechless, Superstore and Here and Now.

June Schreiner as Vanessa Podrasky Guest starred in episodes of Bosch Pure Genius, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders and was Amy Barrett in the season 14 "Pay to Play" NCIS episode.

Travis Caldwell as Dave Co-starred in The Gates as Charlie Monohan and was in episodes of Zoey 101, Women's Murder Club, Miss Guided, Without A Trace, Parenthood, Gigantic, CIS: Miami, The Neighbors and Criminal Minds.

KJ Smith as Chelsea Parker Played Lena in Queen Sugar, Melinda in Family Time and Kori Rucks on Dynasty.

Worked as a sketch player for Comedy Bang! Bang!, Conan on TBS and ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live!.  Guest starred in episodes of All My Children, The Therapist, Jacked Up, Survivor's Remorse, Almost 30, Whitney, Black Boots, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Being Mary Jane, Saints and Sinners, Ozarks, Blackish, Giants, The Inspectors and The Fosters.

John Churchill as Strike Team Leader Recurred as Shibley on CSI in season one.   Appeared in episodes of Family Law, Carnivale, Girlfriends, Clubhouse. American Dreams, Scare Tactics, Cold Case, Law & Order: LA, Criminal Minds, Supergirl, Marvel's Agents of SHIELD, Grey's Anatomy, DC's Legends of Tomorrow, Rebel, The Last Ship and Shameless.

Alain Washnevsky as Bodyguard #1 Guest starred in episodes of Black Jacks, Scandal, Aquarius, Homeland, SEAL Team, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Counterpart, Here and Now and the April 17th episode of Roseanne.

Written by:  Lee A. Carlisle and Andrew Bartles Carlisle co-wrote "Golden Days" with Joe Wilson.  Andrew Bartels wrote or co-wrote "Allegiance”, “Zero Days”, “The Grey Man”, “Humbug”, “Fighting Shadows”, “Driving Miss Diaz”, “Angels & Daemons”, "Where There’s Smoke…", "Glasnost", "Old Tricks" "Battle Scars", "Fool Me Twice" and "Warrior of Peace".

Directed by:  Eric Pot directed “Resurrection”, “Windfall”, “Traitor”, “Internal Affairs”, "Home is Where the Heart Is" and "Forasteira".  Pot is a First Assistant Director for the program.