#tuscany style homes

[beellette]

Exterior - Stucco Idea for a medium-sized, two-story Mediterranean home with a tile roof.

#spanish tile #spanish colonial #spanish style in santa barbara #tuscany style homes #santa barbara landscape #santa barbara spanish style interiors #spanish style home decor

[rejectedshelf]

Santa Barbara Exterior Stucco Example of a mid-sized tuscan beige two-story stucco exterior home design with a tile roof

#tuscany style homes #tuscan style homes #tuscan pot with olive tree #santa barbara architecture #santa barbara landscape #tuscan doors

[livesunique]

Castello di Montegufoni, Montespertoli,Tuscany, FI, Italy

#art #design #architecture #castello #castle #chateau #castello di montegufoni #tuscany #italy #montespertoli #luxury house #history #luxury home #luxurylifestyle #style

[hometoursandotherstuff]

This Tuscany style mansion in Columbus, Ohio is totally outrageous. WTH do you do with 26 bathrooms? And, the decor is waaayyyy over-the-top. Check this out- on the market for $8M.

The Grand Entrance. Weird that they put in a platform with stairs. 

Do you think the wallpaper murals look tacky? Like phony marble and stone? 

Simulated castle look.

Gather everyone together below, then dramatically open the double doors to make your proclamations on the balcony. 

Somebody has to learn to play piano, b/c it’s on a stage. Although, these do come in player style- they’re really cool, playing themselves- I know someone who has one. I’d put a skeleton in a tux at the keyboard or something. 

Looking down at your Tuscany mansion.

Indoor garden.

The main kitchen has a nice sitting area.

Full kitchen in the family room. 

I would say that this is the main suite.

Maybe a home office? All the rooms with bookcases have ladders.

This is odd- a gigantic bathroom with a microwave. Maybe it’s so big, you get hungry walking around.

Must be a bedroom.

A library?

The halls are great for roller blading and skate boarding.

Have no idea what this is, but there are 12 bedrooms. 

Tuscany villa style.

Going down to the dock. 

Is that a boat slip?

The house is right on the water, so you can definitely have a boat or two.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4500-Dublin-Rd-Columbus-OH-43221/33978014_zpid/

#tuscany style mansion #mansions #architecture #extreme homes #long post

[shiroweenie]

Orlando Dining Room

#A sizable image of a great room with a travertine floor in Tuscany but beige walls and no fireplace spanish-mediterranean architecture #tuscan style #orlando custom home builder #jorge ulibarri custom homes #great room

[veronika-tserber]

Zodiac Signs, Cities & Curious Facts! 🌆

Each city was selected by me from "The Rulership Book" by Rex E. Bills, alongside one fact that matches that particular sign's energy! There are more cities and places that align with the vibration of each sign, but these are the ones I picked for this post. All pictures are from Google Images.

Enjoy this random and (hopefully) fun thread!😁

♈Aries: FLORENCE, Italy

Florence has a unique street festival: The "Calcio Storico" is a traditional street football game played annually there. The game involves four teams representing the four historic quarters of the city, and it's known for its rough and intense style of play!

♉Taurus: LEIPZIG, Germany

Leipzig is known as the "City of Music": Leipzig has a rich musical heritage and is considered one of the world's most important cities for classical music. Famous composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Richard Wagner, and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy have strong connections to Leipzig, and their music is celebrated in the city's numerous concert halls, museums, and festivals.

♊Gemini: LONDON, England

London has a "whispering gallery": The Whispering Gallery in St. Paul's Cathedral is a circular gallery that runs around the interior of the dome. Due to its unique acoustics, if you whisper against the wall on one side of the gallery, the sound can be heard on the other side, over 100 feet away.

♋Cancer: ISTANBUL, Turkey

Istanbul has a famous street for cats: The "Cat Street" or "Kedi Sokak" in Turkish is a narrow street in the historic district of Sultanahmet that is home to dozens of stray cats. The cats are well-fed and cared for by locals, and the street has become a popular tourist attraction.

♌Leo: BERLIN, Germany

Berlin is a graffiti artist's paradise: The city has a long history of street art and is home to some of the most famous graffiti murals in the world. The East Side Gallery, a section of the Berlin Wall that has been turned into an open-air gallery, features over 100 paintings by artists from around the world.

♍Virgo: MOSCOW, Russia

Moscow has a rich literary history: Many famous Russian writers, including Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Anton Chekhov, lived and worked in Moscow. It also has the largest number of public libraries in the world: "The Russian State Library" , which is the largest library in Europe and the second largest library in the world, after the Library of Congress in the United States.

♎Libra: VIENNA, Austria

Vienna has a rich musical history: Vienna has been a center of musical innovation and creativity for centuries and has been home to many famous composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. Today, the city is renowned for its classical music scene and is home to the world-famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

♏Scorpio: TOKYO, Japan

Tokyo has a unique fashion scene: Tokyo's fashion scene is known for its avant-garde and eclectic styles, with Harajuku being the center of youth fashion culture. "Gothic Lolita" is part of Harajuku, and it incorporates darker and more macabre elements into the Lolita fashion aesthetic.

♐Sagittarius: TUSCANY, Italy

Tuscany is home to the oldest university in Europe: The University of Bologna, which is located in Tuscany, is the oldest university in Europe, having been founded in 1088. It is still one of the most prestigious universities in Italy.

♑Capricorn: BRUSSELS, Belgium

Brussels is home to the "Atomium": The Atomium is a unique architectural structure in Brussels that was built for the 1958 World Exposition. It is designed to represent an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times, and it has become an iconic symbol of the city.

♒Aquarius: LOS ANGELES, California

LA is the birthplace of the Internet: The first successful transmission of a message over the Internet occurred on October 29, 1969, between two computers located at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the Stanford Research Institute. This event is considered the birth of the Internet.

♓Pisces: GALICIA, Spain

Galicia is home to an ancient spiritual destination: The Way of St. James, also known as the Camino de Santiago, is a famous pilgrimage route that leads to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. Every year, thousands of people from all over the world make the 780 km journey on foot, bicycle, or horseback. Many of them walk the route for spiritual reasons, while others enjoy the physical challenge and the opportunity to meet people from all over the world.

Now, that was a pleasure to put together! How do you feel about the fact/city for your sign? As a Virgo, I'd love to visit the Moscow library, but as a weird/edgy fashion sucker, Tokyo seems like a whole lot of fun! Also, the Aries one made me LOL! Y'all just can't stop fighting, can you? 😂

Which fact/city is your favorite one(s)? Let me know down below! 🖤

- Foxbörn

ᴍᴀꜱᴛᴇʀʟɪꜱᴛ 1

ᴄʜᴀʀᴛ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢꜱ

ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʙᴜʏ ᴍᴇ ᴀ ᴄᴏꜰꜰᴇᴇ?

#astro notes #astrology #astro observations #astrology notes #birth chart #zodiac #astro community #zodiac signs #horoscope #aries #taurus #gemini #cancer #leo #virgo #libra zodiac sign #scorpio #sagittarius #capricorn #aquarius #pisces #travel

[punchdrunkdoc]

Part 3, Chapter 2

Summary: After the events of S3, Matt Murdock is trying to once again balance life as a lawyer and a vigilante. But he’s been scarred by loss and betrayal - will a mysterious new neighbour help him heal? Or will her secrets drag him back into the darkness?

Notes: This is a slow burn romance with an original female character, told in 3 (maybe 4??) parts. There is mystery, intrigue, action/violence and angst - all the good stuff!

Also available on AO3 and Wattpad

Masterlist

Reference pics

————–

PART 3

Chapter 2

Catching Ranieri’s eye was easy. So easy that Calina's low opinion of him sank even further.

A flash of her back in her very low cut dress was all it took to hook him on the end of her line. She wound him in further with a sultry smile and a lick of her lips, and landed her catch by crossing one long leg over the other as she perched on a stool at the makeshift bar.

Mere seconds later, he was shoving his mostly-empty champagne glass on the table next to him and heading straight for her.

As he crossed the packed ballroom, Calina could see why the tabloids favoured him, with his chiseled jaw and his artfully dishevelled hair (that he probably spent an hour moulding into place).

He was objectively handsome...but to her, he resembled nothing more than a wet, flopping, floundering fish.

Easily baited and caught.

Pathetic.

God, men like him were such comically superficial creatures. It wouldn’t matter to him if she was a noble-prize winning genius, or a simpleton with barely two brain cells to rub together, he would have crossed that room regardless.

All because of the way she looked. 

No, not even that. He probably wouldn’t care much about the real Calina - the woman who barely wore make-up and did little more than pull a brush through her hair in the morning.

No, he wanted the living Barbie doll that she’d styled herself as tonight, with the extensions in her hair, and the fake eyelashes, and the contoured face. He wanted a trophy. A beautiful, sexy prize that he could parade around the room to prove he was the most virile alpha at this party.

“Buonasera bellissima,” he drawled, as he finally reached her. He rested one arm on the bar behind and crowded close, his powerful cologne saturating the air between them.

Calina's smile felt more like a grimace as she returned the greeting. But he didn’t seem to notice. His own smile just got wider when she answered him in Italian, and he launched off a series of questions about where she was from.

His smile dipped slightly as ‘Eliise’ revealed her Croatian heritage, but it wasn’t enough for him to lose interest completely - especially when Calina followed up her admission by running one manicured hand down his lapel.

The touch overrode his innate xenophobia, and Calina congratulated herself on her choice of cover-story. It was clear that Ranieri was interested in her tonight, but he wouldn’t be calling her tomorrow.

She was too beneath him - hot enough to want to fuck, but not the kind of girl he could bring home to his Grandfather. 

Calina’s disgust with him grew, and it took all her skills and training to hide her contempt, especially as the conversation droned on. Although calling it a conversation was overselling it. A conversation implied a back-and-forth exchange of information.

This was more like a TED Talk.

It turned out Ranieri’s enquiry about where she was from was the extent of his curiosity about her. He asked her nothing more about herself, and just launched into a spiel about himself - his background, his business ventures, his recent vacation to the Maldives, the case of wine he’d just bought from Tuscany.

It was all him, him, him.

The quintessential narcissist.

Calina played along, fluttering her fake eyelashes, laughing where expected and generally hanging on to every word as if it was the most interesting thing she’d ever heard.

All the while, internally, she was rolling her eyes with distain, and thanking the God she didn’t believe in that she’d found Matt.

Over the years, she’d encountered a lot of men like Ranieri. So many that she’d started to believe those men were typical of the male species.

But then she’d met Matt.

Matt who cared what she thought. Matt, who was genuinely interested in her life and her passions and her goals. Who asked her questions and sought her opinion and saw her as a person, and not just a beautiful face and a good figure.

She still didn’t know if there were more Matts than Ranieris in the world. It didn’t matter. She was just thankful that she’d found her Matt.

And the stark contrast with the man in front of her just made her miss him all the more. But she pushed those feelings - and all thoughts of Matt - aside to concentrate on the task at hand.

Although it didn’t really require much concentration. If catching Ranieri’s attention had been easy, keeping him engaged in ‘conversation’ was simple…and persuading him to give her a private tour of his home was child’s play.

After one drink at the bar and barely a half an hour of talking, Ranieri was leading her by the hand through the milling crowd of guests and up the stairs to the ‘off limits’ area of the party.

But that’s when the difficult part of the mission began: avoiding Ranieri’s touch.

As they crossed the threshold of his bedroom, Calina felt his hand trail down her bare back and over her ass. She forced herself not to shy away from him as he squeezed her flesh, the 'caress' bordering on painful. But nor did she lean into it.  She just deflected any further touches by crossing the room to admire the art work on the wall. “Is that a real Boticelli?” she asked in Italian.

“Of course its real,” he replied, sounding affronted by her question. “My family have been patrons to the arts for centuries.”

And now you’re a patron to a mind-controlling sociopath, Calina inwardly sneered.

Ranieri came up beside her as she studied the priceless painting. He ran a hand down her arm, his fingers grazing the outer slope of her breast as he did so. “You may not be built like a Boticelli woman, but you’re just as stunning.”

Calina couldn’t decide if that was a thinly-veiled complaint about her lack of curves, or just a terrible compliment. Either way, she pasted on a smile. “Thank you,” she simpered.

Ranieri’s hand continued its path back up her arm and over her shoulder. Then he stepped closer to whisper in her ear - spelling out in graphic detail all the ways he wanted to fuck her. Calina tuned him out, but was snapped back to the moment when he bent down to press his lips to the base of her neck. That kiss was a little too close to the spot behind her ear that Matt loved to lavish attention on. 

Calina flinched away on instinct.

“You want to play the shy virgin?” Ranieri murmured, holding her in place with an arm around her waist. “I can get on board with that.”

Calina turned in his arms and placed a hand on his abdomen. The touch was low, simulating a lover’s caress - but it was a precaution, in case she had to push him away suddenly.

‘Whatever it takes’ had been her constant mantra over the past month. But there was a big, fat caveat to that statement. ‘Whatever’ did not include having sex with this man. It didn’t even include kissing him. She could barely stand the touch of his hands on her skin.

Matt had kissed that skin. He had touched it and stroked it and claimed every inch of it for himself - whether he knew it or not.

She belonged to him.

And this man didn’t get to sully that.

She kept a smiled in place as she held him at arms length. “I’m not playing shy. I just thought we’d have time for another drink first. Why rush a night we’ll both never forget?”

There was a spark of irritation in his eyes, a fleeting glimpse of the real man - the one who wanted the world at his feet, and the women in it to know their place - before he pasted on his own smile. “Sure, bellissima. If you want a drink, I can get you a drink.”

He sauntered over to the tray of liquor bottles and glasses in the corner of the room and started pouring out two measures. Calina silently extracted the pre-filled syringe from her bag and approached him from behind.

“On the rocks, or-” Before he could finish his question, Calina popped the small needle into the vein in his neck and pressed down hard on the plunger.

“What the fuck!” he cried out.

Calina shoved her hand over his mouth and pushed him towards the bed in the centre of the room. The back of his knees connected with the mattress and he toppled onto the soft bedding…and was out like a light. 

Calina checked his pulse - which beat strong and steady - and exhaled sharply in relief. According to Melina there was a risk of arrhythmia in 1% of people injected with this drug. But otherwise it was a safe concoction, designed to incapacitate a victim for around six hours, but leave them with memories of the missing time. The latter element was the crucial factor to prevent any suspicions from arising.

With that in mind, Calina fished out the small ear piece from her purse and fitted it in Ranieri’s ear. Then she texted Anya who was waiting in a nearby van.

Ready for transmission.

Within moments, the faint, tinny sound of Anya’s voice emerged from the device. The other Widow would spend the next hour audibly filling in the gaps for Ranieri’s subconscious, like a hypnotist planting suggestions. He would awake in the morning feeling refreshed after a wild and steamy night with ‘Eliise’ - minus the very real memory of being injected in the neck and manhandled across his room.

To complete the illusion, Calina stripped the unconscious man naked and stepped out of her underwear, leaving the scrap of fabric dangling from the bedpost like a souvenir.

Then she got to work.

———

6 days later…

“We’ve been looking everywhere for you. What are you doing out here?”

Calina sighed at the sound of Anya’s voice behind her. She’d thought she’d have a bit more time up here alone.

It wasn’t easy finding somewhere quiet in a house full of women, especially since she was now sharing her bedroom with Katya. They’d freed another two Widows while they were in Europe, and bed space was becoming tight in the mansion. Every room was now doubled up, and Calina felt like she was constantly tripping over people in the common areas. The lack of privacy was starting to drive her crazy.

Adding that to her conflicted feelings about what happened in Italy, her insomnia, and the fact that she missed Matt with an intensity she didn’t think was possible...it all meant that she really wasn’t much fun to be around these days.

So she’d escaped to the roof. It wasn’t quite the same as her rooftop retreat in New York, but the night sky overhead was pretty spectacular. Without the light pollution of Hell’s Kitchen, the stars were so much clearer and brighter.

But she’d give it all up in a heartbeat to be back in that polluted, concrete jungle with Matt.

“Just taking in the scenery,” Calina lied, not in the mood to explain her current emotional state.

Anya took a seat next to her, and glanced around at the view, as if trying to see the appeal. The lights of the nearby harbour twinkled in the distance and the moonlight shone off the still water in front of the house. It was nature at its most tranquil and serene.

But Anya was never much of a nature lover. She shook her head and glanced down at her tablet. “I’ve got something for you.”

Calina sat up straight. “From Ranieri’s laptop?”

The rest of the mission in Italy had gone off without a hitch. She’d cloned Ranieri’s phone, copied the hard drive of his computer and planted a tracking virus that Anya created, then slipped out of the party unnoticed with the stolen data.

Data that she hoped would justify having Ranieri’s slimy hands on her. “Please tell me you found a lead on Volkov,” she asked.

“I’m close to something,” Anya said. “Just checking a few things first. But that wasn’t what I wanted to show you.”

“What is it?”

“Melina got in touch about that serum from Daredevil that you wanted analysed. She sent through the list of components.”

“Oh,” Calina replied, struggling to hide her disappointment.

Anya tapped the screen a few times then passed Calina the device. “Here you go,” she said, getting to her feet again.

“You don’t need this?” Calina asked, holding up the tablet.

“No, that’s yours. Happy Birthday.”

“It’s not my birthday.”

“You sure?”

Calina laughed at the familiar joke. As far as she knew ‘Calina Balashova’ was her real name, but she had no idea where in Russia - or the former Soviet Union - she’d been born, or even when exactly.

The other Widows like her - the ones who’s identities had been scrubbed by the Red Room when they were stolen as infants - had decided to make a joke of it, rather than dwell on the cruelty of their situation.

Which meant every day was a potential birthday.

Calina scrolled through the list of compounds on the screen. While it wasn’t the lead she was hoping for, she was still grateful for something to do to keep her mind distracted. And if she could help Matt with his fear pheromone mystery, maybe that would go some way towards alleviating her guilt.

She’d managed to avoid kissing Ranieri last week, but she’d still allowed him to touch her, and place his lips on her skin, and whisper in her ear all the lurid, obscene things he wanted to do to her body-

Ugh!

Calina shuddered at the memory and tried to concentrate on Melina’s email. And half way down the list, she saw a chemical that gave her pause: Arsonium bromide.

It sounded familiar.

Where had she come across that term before?

She typed the name into Google and did a quick search on its properties and applications. She soon found an article describing the process of using Arsonium bromide and potassium carbonate to synthesise Navenone A - which she knew from her previous research was a type of fear pheromone secreted by sea slugs.

Was that how she knew about Arsonium bromide?

It nagged at her the rest of the night. As she grabbed a late snack from the kitchen, as she cleaned her face and changed into her pyjamas, and as she lay awake listening to Katya’s deep, slow breaths from the other side of the bed, her brain grappled with the problem.

Then it came to her.

She bolted upright in shock.

Katya woke instantly, going from deep sleep to a heightened state of alertness like a flick had been switched. “What is it? Are we under attack?”

Calina ignored her. “Holy shit,” she muttered, working through the implications of what she’d just remembered.

“Are you okay?” Katya asked. “Did you have another nightmare?”

“What? No. I’m fine, I’m just…I can’t believe it.”

“Can’t believe what?”

Calina shook her head in disbelief. “It’s connected, Katya. It’s all connected.”

———

The tapping noise was getting louder.

Or, more accurately, he was getting closer to its source.

Matt had first noticed the sound while on the roof of the green and red-brick building on 10th avenue. It was a simple, 5-storey apartment complex above a laundromat…and it also happened to be the exact geographical centre of Hell’s Kitchen. For that reason, it had become a regular stopping point for him while he was out on patrol. It acted like a base, a place where he could centre himself after rushing all over the city. He could pause for a few moments, slow his racing heart and regroup, then listen to what the night was telling him.

Tonight, crouched on the parapet of that roof, he'd tuned out the white noise of the city - the roar of engines, and the buzz of electricity and the chattering hum of thousands of voices and television sets and radios - and he'd scanned the soundwave for people in need, and for criminals up to no good.

But what he'd found instead was a faint, rhythmic tapping sound coming from the riverside.

It wasn’t the frantic rattle of someone trapped and looking for help; and whilst the pattern sounded like possible morse code, it didn’t have the structure of an SOS call. But it piqued his interest anyway.

And given that the city was otherwise quiet, he'd indulged his curiosity and followed the sound. He'd traversed the concrete canopy of the city, leaping between buildings and racing across rooftops, as he'd chased down the mysterious beacon.

Until he found himself approaching the car lot on Pier 90.

As he did so, the tapping got clearer, more distinct. It was the unmistakeable hollow, ringing sound of a steel pipe being struck in sequence.

Taaaap…tap.tap. Taaaap…tap.tap.

Dash…dot.dot. Dash…dot.dot.

Definitely Morse code. He just had no idea what it meant…or who the message was intended for.

But he knew where it was coming from: high up overhead.

Matt glanced up as he honed in on the source of the sound - the large industrial crane floating just off the pier. Halfway along the jib, Matt could make out the shape of a person sitting between the steel railings, their legs dangling in the air 100 feet above the river.

Matt’s stomach lurched at the thought of them jumping into the icy cold, fast moving water below.

Dash…dot.dot. Dash…dot.dot.

Maybe the morse code was a cry for help, or a final message…either way, he needed to get up to them - fast. He started quickly scaling the steel structure, trying to keep noise to a minimum in case he spooked them.

Dash…dot.dot. Dash…dot.dot.

The sound was so loud to him now, it reverberated in his chest. He could feel the vibrations of the metal through his gloved hands, and it seemed to travel through his bones. He crept along the jib, on the opposite side from the seated morse coder. A third of the way along, he paused and took a deep breath of the air, trying to gauge more about them, but the wind was blowing the wrong way.

He inched closer, then froze as the mystery person called out to him, “Took you long enough.”

The voice was full of humour and affection - and so intimately familiar to him.

Calina.

Matt scrambled over and along the jib then squeezed into the metal cage beside her. He grasped the hand that was resting on the steel railing. After a brief moment of hesitation, she adjusted the grip and laced her fingers through his. He brought their clasped hands up to his mouth and pressed a kiss against the back of hers. “Wh-what are you doing here? What’s going on? And why are you here?”

He couldn’t hide the slight whine in his voice at the last question. But he wanted to know why was she was up in this crane, wedged into this small, uncomfortable space. Why couldn’t she be on the ground or an open rooftop, or the living room of his apartment, where he could crush her against him and hold her properly?

Where he could kiss her properly.

She laughed, the sound low and husky and tempting, and it just added to his frustration.

But at the same time…it made him happy.

The last time he’d heard from her - during that brief phone call over a week ago - she’d sounded so upset. He’d been tormented ever since, wondering what had happened to her and if she was still suffering.

It was such a relief to discover that she wasn’t.

“I’m waiting for my ride,” she answered cryptically.

Matt pretended to look around at the vast sky above and the churning water far below. “Who’s your ride? Iron Man?”

She laughed again, and he leaned into the sound. Part of him just wanted to sit here with her and bask in her presence. To hold her hand and listen to her breathe and swim in her scent. But he had far too many questions. He wanted to know everything - what she’d been up to, and where she’d been, and what had happened a week ago. 

And when this would all be over and she could come home.

But he started with the most pressing issue. “How long can you stay?”

She sighed. “Not long. I wasn’t kidding about waiting for a ride. They’ll be here soon - the Widows, not the Avengers.”

“Why didn’t you come find me?”

“There wasn’t time. I hitched a ride to New York with some of my sisters - they’re chasing a lead over in Jersey, and they’re picking me up when they’re done.” She bumped her shoulder against his. “But I knew you’d be out here somewhere. I just had to lead you to me.” She tapped her wrist against the metal beam in front of her in the now-familiar code.

Dash…dot.dot. Dash…dot.dot.

“D.D. For Daredevil,” she translated. “I would have gone for ‘M.M.’, but I didn’t want to blow your cover.”

He smiled. “I appreciate it.”

He moved his hand up to inspect her wrist, trying to figure out what she was banging against the metal frame. It felt like a bulky watch strap loaded with slim cartridges. “Your Widow’s bites?"

“Yeah.”

He ran his hand up her arm - as far as he could in the cramped space - and felt the thick neoprene of her suit. “So you’re a Widow tonight.”

“I’m a Widow every night, Matt. It’s who I am.”

The teasing tone in her voice disappeared, and was replaced with hints of bitterness and resignation. He rephrased his question. “I just meant, you’re out on mission tonight.”

She shrugged. “I’m backup, in case they run into trouble.”

“The lead they’re chasing - is it to do with Volkov?”

“Hopefully. We’re following up on some intel we got hold of last week.”

“Last week…when you called me?”

———

Matt’s voice was soft, gentle…and so full of concern that it made Calina’s heart ache. She bit her lip and nodded.

“I’ve been so worried about you. Are you okay? Can you tell me what happened?” he asked.

Her teeth pressed painfully into her lip as she warred with her conscience. She wanted to tell him about Italy, and the mission with Ranieri. She didn’t want to keep secrets from him…but she wasn’t sure how the truth would make him feel.

He already had to put up with so much by being with her. Not least this separation between them, and the uncertainty of never knowing how or when they could be together again. She didn’t want to add to it by admitting that she’d had another man’s hands on her.

And she didn’t want to keep reminding him of who she used to be. Who she still had to be, while she hunted for Volkov. She didn’t want that part of her life to infect what they had together.

She was so scared that he would wake up one day and decide she wasn’t worth it.

“Hey.” She felt his thumb brush her lip as he tried to free it from the vice of her teeth. “You don’t have to, if you don’t want to. Just tell me you’re okay now.”

She took the 'out' he offered, glad that she didn’t have to actively lie to him. Again. “I’m as good as can be,” she replied truthfully. “I just want this to be over. I- I miss you.” She stuttered over the words, still so new to this. Still so unsure of this wonderful, delicate thing between them. 

Matt showed no such hesitation. “I miss you too, sweetheart.”

Sweetheart.

God, she’d never get enough of hearing that - even as the affection in his voice tore at her.

She’d been spiralling with shame and guilt over the past week, and she thought seeing Matt in person would help alleviate some of those feelings. That a brief moment of being with him again would remind her of why she’d gone through with that mission in the first place - it was all so that she could find her way back to him.

But it wasn’t working.

Looking into his beautiful brown eyes, so open and full of love, the guilt just amplified within her.

She needed to get out of here. She couldn’t bear to be around him while feeling this way. She glanced at her phone. Luckily, there’d been another text from Katya in the few minutes since Matt had arrived:

On our way.

She suppressed her sigh of relief and updated Matt. “I have to go soon. But I have something for you.”

“Is it the co-ordinates to your new base with a key to the front door?”

She handed him the USB stick she’d stashed in her belt. “No, but it’s a pretty good consolation prize.”

He took the device. “What’s is it?”

“The component list of the fear pheromone. And a few other things related to the case.” She’d been so excited to share her breakthrough with him - it was the reason she’d begged to come along on this trip - but now she couldn’t seem to muster any enthusiasm to talk about chemicals and nefarious plots.

Matt didn’t seem to mind the lack of explanation. He just tightened his hold on her hand and leaned against her as much as the metal pole between them would allow while they waited for Katya and the other Widows.

Minutes later, the roar of an engine cut through the noise of the wind howling around them. Calina glanced down and spotted the speedboat racing in their direction.

“I take it that’s your ride,” Matt said.

She nodded, and let go of Matt’s hand. She used the beam above her head to pull herself to her feet and manoeuvre onto the outside of the jib. She clipped herself to the metal frame with the carabiner on her belt and checked the position of the boat below - it was now idling directly beneath her, just as planned.

The lights on the boat flashed as if to hurry her up, but Calina paused to look at Matt. He’d joined her on the outside of the railing, with nothing securing him in place but the grip of his gloved hand. He looked so strong and invincible up here, the lights of his beloved city framing him in silhouette as he balanced with ease on the swaying platform, 100 feet in the air.

A daredevil to the core.

God, she loved him so much.

“I guess this is it,” she said, her voice wavering. As much as she needed to get away from him, she hated the thought of yet another goodbye.

To make it as quick as possible, she leaned forward and kissed him on the chin, the highest point she could reach given the awkward angle. “See you soon,” she promised.

Then she jumped.

———

Matt watched Calina fall through the air, the cable connecting her to the crane whirring loudly as it unspooled from her belt. Seconds later she was barely more than a speck below him as she jerked to a stop. She disconnected from the lifeline and landed safely in the boat deck.

Matt exhaled sharply in relief. His friends had complained for years about having to watch him execute dangerous, gravity-defying stunts - and he finally knew what that felt like.

It was horrible.

But that new-found empathy didn’t stop him from following Calina down the 100-foot drop. Without a second thought, he grabbed hold of the cable still connecting to the crane, jumped off the metal ledge and started to slide down.

He used his boots and gloves to try to control his descent, but they only helped so much - the wind still whistled past him as he hurtled through the air at speed. Within moments he was on the deck, landing in a crouch on one knee to absorb some of the impact. He felt the jolt through his worn joints, and knew he would feel it tomorrow.

But it was a small price to pay. He stood up, spun a startled-looking Calina towards him and took her in his arms. “You call that a goodbye?”

Then he tipped her back and kissed her.

It was a deep kiss. A desperate kiss.

He’d felt a…distance…between them up on that crane and it had scared him. So he poured everything into the kiss. He fuelled it with weeks of loneliness and torment, and laced it with every drop of love and passion that he felt for her.

He held her firmly against him with one hand at the back of her head, and his other clamped her around the waist, as if to stop her from disappearing. But she didn’t seem to want to go anywhere. Relief flooded Matt’s system as Calina returned the embrace just as fiercely, her arms wrapping tightly around his neck and one leg coming up to hook around his thigh.

They kissed and kissed, oblivious to the icy wind on their cheeks and the rocking of the boat underfoot as it sped across the water...and the hooting and cheering from the other Widows onboard.

Although, eventually, that last noise seemed to penetrate Calina’s senses. She broke the kiss and ducked her head, and he could feel the heat radiate from her blushing cheeks. He stroked his hand over her braided hair and leaned down to press a kiss to the crown of her head.

She looked up at him and shook her head. “What were you thinking?” She didn’t sound angry at his reckless abseil through the air - just a bit exasperated.

He shrugged. “It was your fault for leaving me hanging like that. So to speak.”

She squeezed him around the waist. “You’re crazy.”

He shrugged again. “Must be.”

The lights of the city were a blur as the speedboat travelled further down the river. Whoever was captaining this little ship didn’t seem inclined to slow down and drop him off on the shore. And he couldn’t blame them - he’d gatecrashed their choreographed escape, after all.

So he reluctantly broke away from Calina and grabbed his billy club out of its holster. He stroked a finger down Calina’s cheek and with a final, “Bye, sweetheart,” he launched one end of the baton up into the air. It caught on the low bridge they were passing under and he swung up behind it, off the boat and onto the walkway above.

“Show off!” he heard Calina call, her teasing voice echoing off the underpass.

He laughed in response as he jogged to the other side of the bridge. He watched the boat travel further away from him, a sole figure on the deck waving as it disappeared into the night.

It reminded him of the beginning of all this. Of watching Calina from afar as she stood on their rooftop all those months ago.

Back then, she’d been an intriguing mystery. A beautiful distraction from the darkness in his life. And while part of him had known there was something life-altering about their connection, he could never have imagined how vital she’d become to him. How much he’d grow to love and need her. 

She was still intriguing. Even more beautiful and, in some ways, just as mysterious.

But now she was his.

And he was hers.

————–

What's all connected? What lead are the Widows following up in Jersey?

Find out in Chapter 3

Tag list: @hollandorks @stilldreaming666 @yanna-banana @chezagnes​ @tearoseart-blog @acharliecoxedfan​ @freckledbabyyy ​​

If you’d like to be added - let me know!

#daredevil #daredevil fic #tabula rasa #daredevil fanfic #daredevil fanfiction #matt murdock #daredevil x original female character #marvel's daredevil #matt murdock fanfic #matt murdock x oc

[louisupdates]

Lido di Camaiore (Lucca), August 18, 2023 - The growing anticipation for Louis Tomlinson's concert in Lido di Camaiore is evident from two facts: first, as soon as you arrive at Benelli Village, the area that contains the Bussoladomani Arena, you can hear the pervasive music of rehearsals in the air. Second, hundreds of fans, the vast majority of them girls, are gathered on a stretch of cycle path that runs along what was once a plot of the Benelli family farm. The family once owned much of the real estate and gave its name to the neighborhood.

The first fans arrived on August 7: four Spanish girls between the ages of 18 and 23 who had camped in front of the Bussoladomani gate to be the first to enter. For several days, one turned a blind eye since camping on the public street— complete with sleeping bags and Canadian tents— would not be regular, but after all, there were only four polite and civilized girls, who did not leave dirt on the ground or cause any chaos. Then, from four, they became ten, and now they are at least two hundred, despite the fact that the concert is not until Saturday night. These fans were waiting many days to attend the Away From Home Festival for just a few hours, which after the first two editions in London and Malaga, landed at the Lido. The star of the evening will be Tomlinson, who judging by the good “fanaticism” of his supporters seems to have won the derby with former benchmate Harry Styles, whose fans in July had camped at the Campovolo in Reggio Emilia for “only” a week prior. Jokes aside, if Styles is now a world celebrity on the front line, it must be said that all the former One Direction members have had a good path after the breakup of the band, and now Tomlinson is a very successful soloist.

Returning to the fans, even the Mayor Marcello Pierucci went to visit them, satisfied to see so much enthusiasm and movement in an area that has experienced decades of abandonment and degradation despite being one of the touristic pearls of Tuscany. Some of the residents and holidaymakers— here most of the houses are second homes of Florentines, Prato, Pistoia, Pitoiesi, Lombards and so on— seem all in all willing to accept the temporary discomfort, between noise, traffic, parking bans and a day— that of Saturday— that has led some to temporarily leave their holidays and return home until Sunday,

The fans have been moved from what will in fact be the red zone of the concert area, and brought a few tens of meters further east, towards Via Trieste, where they camped with tents, umbrellas and sleeping bags in an enclosure built on the cycle path, under the pine trees to have shade, with chemical baths available. A few more hours, and then they will finally be able to reach the concert pit: all this effort, in fact, is aimed at only one goal, to attend the concert from the front row. Have a good show.

#afhf 2023 #louis tomlinson #louis press #18.8.2023

[mybeingthere]

Tuscany villa of Camilla Guiness decorated by Arniano.

“Arniano is a romantic, elegant and secluded farmhouse villa thirty minutes from Siena. Situated in a rolling landscape of green-black cypresses and hilltop villages, Arniano commands a panoramic view across southern Tuscany at its rural best.

The house is a rare find and has been lovingly converted into an unusually light and airy property by acclaimed interior designer Camilla Guinness. It is exquisitely furnished with a mixture of grand bohemian chic and simple Italian style, creating a beautiful, comfortable and much-loved family home.”

[erinmartin35]

✍️ - Blog #4

Despite both Rome and Florence being in the same country, both areas have distinct differences. Rome, situated in the region of Lazio, and Florence, situated in the region of Tuscany, are both cities with rich history and cultural disparities. I noticed that while both cities have similarities, they also exhibit differences.

Rome, as the capital city of Italy, has a rich history dating back to ancient times, featuring iconic landmarks such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Pantheon. The city is also home to Vatican City, an independent city-state that serves as the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. Vatican City is home to iconic landmarks like St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.

In contrast, Florence has a strong history, particularly during the Renaissance. Often considered the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence has a more concentrated focus on art and culture compared to Rome's broader emphasis on history.

As for cuisine both cities emphasize Italian, given their location. However, Rome is known for its hearty and diverse Italian cuisine, including pasta dishes like carbonara and cacio e pepe. Florence, on the other hand, is renowned for its Tuscan wine and cuisine, featuring popular dishes such as ribollita and bistecca alla fiorentina.

Both Rome and Florence, despite being apart of the same country, offer different experiences that are shaped by their history, architectural styles, and culinary traditions.

#italy #architecture #europe #architect #culture #food

[siglafurnitures]

The Timeless Elegance of 17th Century Tuscan Armchairs: A Glimpse into Renaissance Opulence

The 17th century Tuscan armchair stands as a testament to the rich history of Italian furniture craftsmanship and design. Born in the heart of Tuscany during a period marked by cultural and artistic flourishing, these chairs embody the elegance and sophistication of the Renaissance era.

Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the Tuscan armchair of the 17th century reflects the prevailing artistic and architectural styles of the time. Influenced by the Renaissance, which had its origins in Italy during the 14th century, the 17th century saw a continuation and refinement of these artistic principles. Tuscan furniture makers drew inspiration from classical Roman and Greek designs, incorporating elements such as ornate carvings, graceful curves, and a harmonious balance of form and function.

One of the distinctive features of the 17th century Tuscan armchair is its solid and sturdy construction. Crafted from robust hardwoods such as oak or walnut, these chairs were built to endure the test of time. The frame often featured intricately carved details, showcasing the skill of the artisans who meticulously shaped the wood into elaborate patterns and motifs. The legs were typically thick and robust, providing stability and support.

The backrest of the Tuscan armchair was a canvas for artistic expression, adorned with intricate carvings that ranged from floral motifs to mythological scenes. These carvings not only added aesthetic appeal but also conveyed the cultural and intellectual currents of the time. The arms of the chair, as the name suggests, were designed to provide comfort and support, often featuring scrolls or gentle curves that added to the overall grace of the piece.

The upholstery of the 17th century Tuscan armchair was another element that showcased the luxurious tastes of the period. Rich fabrics such as velvet and damask were commonly used, and the upholstery was often embellished with elaborate embroidery or tufting. The choice of fabric and embellishments reflected the social status of the owner, with more opulent materials reserved for the nobility and aristocracy.

Functionality was not sacrificed for the sake of aesthetics in the design of the Tuscan armchair. While the chair exuded an air of grandeur and sophistication, it was also created with comfort in mind. The seat was often generously padded, providing a luxurious and inviting place to rest. The ergonomic design of the chair allowed for prolonged use without sacrificing comfort, making it a functional piece of furniture for both formal and informal settings.

The 17th century Tuscan armchair was not merely a piece of furniture; it was a symbol of status and cultural refinement. In a society where appearances and symbols of wealth held great significance, owning a well-crafted Tuscan armchair was a statement of one's taste and social standing. These chairs were often found in the homes of the elite, gracing the halls of palaces and the drawing rooms of the upper class.

Today, the legacy of the 17th century Tuscan armchair lives on in the world of interior design and antique collecting. While original pieces from this period are rare and highly sought after by collectors, modern reproductions pay homage to the timeless elegance and craftsmanship of the original design. The enduring appeal of the Tuscan armchair lies in its ability to seamlessly blend the opulence of the past with the demands of contemporary living spaces.

The 17th century Tuscan armchair stands as a masterpiece of Italian furniture design, capturing the essence of the Renaissance era. Its solid construction, intricate carvings, and luxurious upholstery reflect the craftsmanship and artistic sensibilities of the time. As a symbol of status and cultural refinement, the Tuscan armchair has left an indelible mark on the history of furniture design and continues to inspire and captivate admirers to this day.

#Tuscan Armchairs #Armchair #accent armchair #accent chairs

[famousblueraincoatmp3]

game recs:

pumpkin panic: a cute and different farming game where you play as a little pumpkin lad. beware of deer. solo dev i think so be respectful.

fallout: the first title in the iconic series. currently 75% off!

tormented souls: different indie puzzler inspired by classic survival titles like silent hill and resident evil. i think its moreso inspired by res, but there's some silent hill influences in there too.

cultist simulator: from the creator of fallen london, i think. it's a card game where you build your own cult. i was obsessed with this game in 2018.

darkwood: this is not going to be for everyone but it was for me. an indie title from eastern europe which really stuck with me after i finished it. i think the main thing for me is the forest being so encompassing. im from northern europe so it really did feel like just hitting up the gorcery store on the way home from work for a pack of cigs or whatever

sunless sea: idk if anybody has played this one but i love it. the dlc is so good too. if the story is confusing for anyone the summary is so basically a bunch of bats dragged london underground and now everything is kind of silly.

remothered: tormented fathers: an indie giallo-style title that is unlike anything else i've ever played. it's like if an italian played clocktower and was like. you know what. this needed to be even more yellow. which is probably exactly what happened. ps. the sequel is broken as hell but the first one is still good

martha is dead: another italian produced indie game from the devs of the town of light, set during world war 2 on the tuscany countryside. you know a horror game is going to go crazy when it has a laundry list of trigger warnings and "self harm" is like the least extreme of them.

maid of sker: welsh inspired lovecraftian horror game that is actually so good. warning this one has a dog in it so you spend like 90% of the game with an elevated heart rate just because of that. if i could ban any feature from horror games its including pets without knowing whether or not they're just going to die.

faith: the unholy trinity: i FINALLY. played this game. i know i know. she was a dust bunny for a while but i worked it off this weekend. i deserve an award. maybe laziest person of the year? person-most-likely-to-put-off-things-they'll like-because-for-no-reason award?

BONUS REC: sanitarium: a classic jacobs ladder-but-oh-its-lovecraft inspired story that is actually really interesting.

#notspons but i recommend the gog version of remothered because the steam one has weird issues with performance from the comments #i recommend gog in general cus its drm free and always has a bunch of fixes included and a staff that actually responds to emails #sam.txt

[ultimasrl]

Ingresso Ristrutturazione #Dentro_al_mio_lavoro #ultimasrl #interiordesign #fotografia #design #interior #architecture #home #decor #interiors #homedesign #art #interiordesigner #furniture #decoration #luxury #designer #inspiration #furnituredesign #style #kitchendesign #realestate #building #villa #tuscany #umbria #marche (presso Tuoro sul Trasimeno) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpesKr2o-Hy/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#dentro_al_mio_lavoro #ultimasrl #interiordesign #fotografia #design #interior #architecture #home #decor #interiors #homedesign #art #interiordesigner #furniture #decoration #luxury #designer #inspiration #furnituredesign #style #kitchendesign #realestate #building #villa #tuscany #umbria #marche

[scotianostra]

On January 4th 2011 Scotland lost one of it’s most talented singer songwriters Gerry Rafferty.

Rafferty was born in Paisley, Scotland in 1947, the son of a Scottish mother and an Irish father. His father was deaf but still enjoyed singing, mostly Irish rebel songs, and his early experience of music was a combination of Catholic hymns, traditional folk music, and 50’s pop music.

By 1968, at age 21, Rafferty was a singer-guitarist and had started trying to write songs professionally, and was looking for a gig of his own. Enter Billy Connolly, late of Scottish bands like the Skillet-Lickers and the Acme Brush Company. Connelly was a musician and comedian, Billy was already making a name for himself with Tam Harvey in the guise of the duo The Humblebums, after playing a show in Paisley, Rafferty approached Connelly about auditioning some of the songs he’d written. Billy Connolly was impressed not only with the songs but with their author, and suddenly the Humblebums were a trio.

The Humblebums were a success touring in Scotland and the University circuit down south but Rafferty began develop a distinctive style as a singer-guitarist and songwriter, and this eventually led to tension between him and Harvey-the latter exited in 1970, the group continued for another year before Rafferty noticed that Connelly’s jokes were taking up more time in their concerts than the music he was writing. They parted company in 1971.

Rafferty then joined forces with his old school pal Joe Egan forming Stealers Wheel, the band were beset with legal difficulties from day one and despite the success of the single Stuck In The Middle With You nothing after else clicked commercially, and by 1975 the group was history. Gerry’s legal wrangling continued for three years until in 78 he was able to release his solo music and the excellent City To City album. The album surprisingly only reached number six here but number one in the US Billboard Charts.

The song Baker Street reached three in the charts in the British charts and spent six weeks at number six in America. Barbara Dickson provided backing vocals on the album. Night Owl followed up City To City, I think it was a better album than his first but Rafferty hated touring and this affected sales, it only reached number nine here and 29 in the states.

He continued to record but the hits dried up perhaps due to his difficulties in battling alcohol abuse, after the death of his brother Joe in 1995 it worsened. Conflicting newspaper reports had him living everywhere from Tuscany in Italy to Southern England and Ireland, at one stage he was staying at a London Hotel but during one four day binge he was asked to leave, he then booked into St Thomas’ Hospital suffering from a chronic liver condition, brought on by his heavy drinking.

Two years later he was again admitted to hospital, this time the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, upon admission he was put on life support and treated for multiple organ failure.

He rallied for a short time and it seemed he might make it but died at his daughter Martha’s home in Stroud, Gloucestershire, on this day in 2011 of liver failure.

Rafferty never reached his true potential but left us with enough songs to show us a great talent, the song I have chosen is When I Rest which may not be as famous as some of his work, but I like, it was the B side of Sleepwalking.

When I rest When I lay down I got to call on you.

When I sleep When I don't wake up I got to call on you.

Don't let me hide, Don't take away me pride Remind me of everything that I don't wanna know Speak to my heart Help me make a start Don't leave me out here with nowhere to go.

When I'm lost When I'm blind I got to call on you.

When I cry When I break right down I got to call on you.

Don't leave me blind, don't leave me behind Don't leave me here to dream my life away I'm out in the rain And this world's insane Don't leave me here to waste another day.

#scotland #scottish #paisky #musician #singersongwriter #rip #Youtube

[hometoursandotherstuff]

If you are in need of a larger home, this villa, that from the 15th to the 19th century, was added onto by the Acciaioli family, has 58 bedrooms, and 87 baths! Now, that can accommodate the whole gang, and then some. It's in Cerbaia, Florence, Tuscany Italy. The price is available upon application to buy. And, it has some great murals.

You get gorgeous Baroque sculpture and a painting just like the Sistine Chapel.

What a lovely, sunny room that opens to a terrace.

Didn't I tell you that it had great murals? Look at the gaiety of this one with minstrels, clowns, etc.

Beautiful dining room. This place isn't creepy, it gets lots of natural light.

Every day dining room steps up to a nice family room.

It has 5 reception rooms. I like this casual one with the fireplace and loft.

This is a more formal one. It's big, light and bright with a beautifully painted ceiling.

Like how the rooms have different looks. This is a more rustic Tuscany style.

With 58 bedrooms it needs a dining space to accommodate a crowd. Wish they showed a photo of the fireplace- it looks fabulous.

Look at the mural in this bedroom, plus the ceiling over the bed. Gorgeous sitting area with a sleep alcove.

The bedrooms are very large. They do use a lot of beige in here, though.

Which to choose? Different styles of bedrooms.

Of course it has its own chapel.

Has some cool courtyards and balconies and things.

Got to have a tower, too.

I wonder if they have cell phone service b/c no one would ever find you in this home.

And, a beautiful pool.

Amazing grounds.

Anybody handy with a hedge trimmer?

No matter where you look, there's a beautiful view of Tuscany.

This is gorgeous.

View of some of the rooftops.

And, one of several terraces. There's 27.18 acres of property.

#tuscany villa #villa italy #mansions #houses #house tours #home tour

[guardieshow]

Exterior - Concrete An expansive one-story, concrete exterior home design in the style of Tuscany

#palm beach county #jonathan's landing #waterfront properties #luxury florida real estate #golf course homes for sale