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idesofrevolution · 1 year

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Party Animal

Danny smiled his signature perfect smile, posing stereotypically as the phone sat propped up on a sidewalk trashcan with a timed camera counting down. While it was his 21st birthday, and he'd invited nearly twenty people to come out clubbing with him in New York City, he wasn't entirely shocked when everyone had some lame excuse as to why they couldn't come. Victoria was in the middle of watching Yellowjackets and couldn't be bothered to get up off her couch. Taylor was stuck at the airport in Nashville, unable to board his connecting flight due to "inclement weather." Felicity couldn't find a dog sitter for the night (bullshit), and Kyle just didn't even respond to the text. This was relatively par for the course for poor Danny, who'd gotten all but used to the feeling of his "friends" ditching him when it was plans of his own.

There were absolutely reasons in their mind as to why going out with Danny was less than an ideal evening: he was a wallflower. Sure, like everyone else in his small town, he had a fake ID. So one would assume that his relative experience in bars would at least teach him something about how to have a good time in one. Unfortunately, this was certainly not the case. Danny was the friend who would get to the bar, order two Long Islands and drunkenly cry for the rest of the night. He couldn't hold his liquor, he couldn't hit a joint without having a fifteen minute coughing spell, his moves on the dancefloor were generously described as "cringe," he would leave early and complain about it the next day. Yet, without fail, the next weekend would roll about and he would be the first one in line at open. His messy party ways had completely eradicated any chance of an entourage going with him, even on his birthday. Thus, as he posed rather stereotypically on the side of West 17th Street, alone and underdressed for his first gay nightclub of legal age, there was a level of disappointment.

Chelsea was bustling that evening, with stunning people in outrageously skimpy outfits strutting from building to building. All were in their little cliques huddles together until they made it to the doorman, where they'd quickly disperse into the drunken crowd within. Guys like him were the ones standing in line, waiting for someone to leave so they could have a chance of getting in; wallflowers, all of them. Thus, as he finally arrived at the club he'd heard so much about on every gay travel blog imaginable, he wasn't shocked to receive a quick look up and down from the bouncer and a head shaking no. Dejected, alone, and not even buzzed, Danny pulled out his phone to call the Uber back to his hotel. That is, until he felt a subtle tap on his shoulder. He sighed and turned around, locking eyes with an unexpected but very welcome sight.

He was tall, maybe 6'4 in a cutoff white tank top, a golden chain hanging from just beneath his nipples. His abs sat like the cobblestones on the street against his chiseled torso, flanked on either side by two huge, vascular arms. His fly was undone, with his thumbs suggestively holding it open. He had a gentle, yet sultry face: perfectly manicured facial hair and sweaty, wavy curls atop his head. He smiled as he leaned against the wall, illuminated brightly by the streetlight above them both.

"Baby you're not gettin' in looking like that." He had a thick accent, perhaps Cuban or Dominican, but it rolled off his supple lips like the drool which had begun to slightly dribble down Danny's jaw. The man smiled and ruffled his hair, getting ready to walk back into the club.

"Hey! Uh... I really like your outfit. You wear it really... really well." The stud turned back, a small chuckle under his breath.

"Thank you baby! I wasn't sure about the chain, but it draws attention to all the right places, am I right?" He ran his large hands over his abs, winking at the salivating 21 year old. "I'm Mateo, by the way." The two shook hands, Danny barely able to contain himself.

"So, you come out to these clubs often? It's my first time in the city. My twenty first birthday, actually." Mateo's face lit up. Tossing his arm around Danny's shoulder, he leaned in close to hopefully be heard above the hustle and bustle of the chattering crowd outside. Danny blushed. He could feel the heat from Mateo's pit on the nape of his neck, the smell of wet armpit after a night of dancing tickling the hairs in his nostrils.

"Where's your party? You better not be out here alone on a Saturday night!" Danny looked down, trying to hide the thirst which had overtaken him.

"Ahh, they all cancelled. It's just me tonight." Danny felt an immediate yank, as Mateo squeezed him tightly against his pillowy pecs.

"Nahh. It's just you and ME tonight. C'mon." Mateo began guiding Danny down the street, chatting about the nightlife in New York City, how it's better than anywhere else, how it has the hottest guys and the best vibes. Mateo had been a staple of the ballroom scene for a couple years at that point, and was well acquainted with the bars and their owners. Any place of any note, he'd be able to waltz right in. Though in this instance, he decided to do something special for this little guy who he'd found meandering the streets. "It's definitely an in-the-know kinda place, if you know what I mean. And you're not getting in wearing that, so I guess we're just going to have to get you a birthday present." The two strolled up to a relatively inconspicuous apartment building, Mateo flashing his card to open the heavy metal door. Two flights up and ten doors down the hall, Mateo opened the door to his apartment. It was tidy for the most part. Plants sat on every imaginable surface, even hanging in macrame slings from the popcorn ceiling. Mateo flipped the lights on in his bedroom and opened his closet door.

"Uhhh, what are you looking for?" Danny nervously shuffled from side to side. This wasn't going to be one of those makeover scenes a la Clueless, was it? Mateo flashed several articles of clothing in front of his face, each vastly different from the one before: leather pants, a silk button up, a ripped up tank top, a latex polo... Under his breath, Danny could hear the quiet mutterings Mateo whispered after each one. Too young, too bulky, too preppy, too kinky.

"Hey. Like what's the vibe you're going for? If some hot guy walked up to you and was looking you up and down, what would you want him to see in a perfect world?" Danny sat there a moment, pondering. He wasn't entirely sure. He'd never thought about it. Closing his eyes, he tried to go back to his days of fantasizing about what a perfect Danny would look like. What he'd always wanted to look like. Though, for him, those days were far behind him. The years of being ditched and cast aside, while he understood why, had taken a toll on him. He'd only ever seen himself as that annoying friend who ruins the mood. Danny shuffled his feet beneath him, hanging his head.

"I don't know... just not... this." He motioned up and down, alluding to the rather sad appearance he'd taken on. Mateo stopped what he was doing, chucking a pair of sunglasses at the frowning young man, hitting him square on the nose.

"You stop that. This is not a pity party, it's a birthday party." Danny nodded, picking up the sunglasses from his feet: Balenciaga. "You know what you need? You need a confidence boost." Mateo pinched his chin, analyzing his closet. "And I have just the thing." It was like a frenzy. Within seconds, clothes were being tossed at him. Looking down at them, he anxiously investigated them. A long, almost see through tank top, a well worn sleeveless leather jacket, and a pair of wide, baggy pants- all of which about two sizes too big.

"Uh, hey, I really appreciate it but I don't think I'm gonna fi..." Mateo had plopped a heavy pair of beat up combat boots on top of the pile in his hands, nearly spilling the whole outfit out of Danny's arms.

"Shut up and go put this on, I promise you'll look great." Sighing, he started headed toward the bathroom, only for Mateo to stop him. "Here, just..." Mateo grabbed the wrists of Danny's shirt, pulling the gaudy top off his frail body. Snatching the tank top from the pile, he ripped it off the hanger and slipped it over his arms and head. The shit was undoubtedly massive on him. Danny was after all 5'4 and 100 lbs soaking wet, the tall hunk which stood before him would obviously be wearing way larger clothes than him. "Arms back!" Mateo slid the sleeveless leather jacket onto him. Danny could smell that this item was well loved, catching a subtle hint of weed, cigarettes, and sweat gently wafting from it. "Pants off!" He directed, Danny followed. Pulling his skinny black jeans down to his ankles, and taking off his brown loafers. He stood before Mateo in his whitey-tidies, and an unimpressive flat bulge. "Yeah, take 'em off and burn them. Besides, easier access for the lucky guy later tonight." He winked, causing Danny to blush. Any time his gal-pals had tried to do a makeover it always ended in a trip to Hollister or Abercrombie to look like every straight high schooler in 2013. He'd never had a guy, let alone a gay guy take the time to dress him. His guard finally down, he dropped them, quickly snatching the lightweight pants and pulling them up his legs, tightly pulling the drawstrings to keep them up.

Mateo looked him up and down, clearly thinking about what was missing as Danny slid his feet into the massive boots, feeling the squish of gogo boy sweat bubbling up onto his soles. Mateo snapped his fingers, grabbing the sunglasses and sliding them onto his face. Danny couldn't deny feeling cool in these ill-fitting clothes, whether or not he felt hot in them or not- if this sexy club kid thought he looked good he probably did.

"Awesome, here, take this bag. Happy Birthday, we gotta go!" Danny didn't even get a chance to peer into the mirror before a large leather bag was tossed at him and he was pushed out the door. He tripped over the baggy pants dragging on the ground, and the clunky boots which slid around on his now damp feet. "You look great," Mateo said as they hopped down the stairs. "I got just the place to take you."

The two walked for perhaps only a block or two before they turned into a dark alley, only a single red lamp far down the brick walled canyon illuminating the surroundings. They strutted up to the rusted metal door, Mateo knocking only three times before it swung open. The huge bouncer blocked the door with his arms crossed, though the moment he saw Mateo, he silently stepped aside. Thrust inside from behind, Danny entered the club.

From then on, the night was a blur. The few moments of clarity and recollection told quite the story. The club was packed, sexy guys dancing on eachother, gogo boys on the bar, discarded ecstasy pills littering the floor brightly glowing from the blacklights. A DJ played derivative beats as they approached the bar. The last clear decision that was made was to take a round of shots.

"Zayn! Could you get us two blowjobs?" Danny turned quickly, shocked at the prospect. He was slightly less anxious when the two cream topped shots were placed in front of them. After a quick birthday toast, the two downed their shots. Immediately, Danny felt an instant release. The nervousness had subsided, and he felt ready to enjoy the evening. He couldn't help but notice, before Mateo had ordered round two, that the sexy bartender seemed to smirk with every shot, heading to the back room for a moment only to come back with two perfect drinks. Round 2 felt just as good as the first, feeling himself smile and sway to the music. It was followed up by round 3, then round 4, then round 5... The shots just kept coming, and by round 7, the world was spinning.

From what little could be recalled, he hit the dance floor with Mateo, showing off the notorious dance moves which had caused him so much grief back home. Though, as the night progressed, he felt the music in a patently distinctive way. Every beat, every note hit differently. His body seemed to just move on its own, his hips swaying, his hands slowly wandering around Mateo's firm waist. The unfittedness of the clothes seemed to dissipate, and they began to feel... right. He liked the way that they showed off his broadening shoulders, his widening biceps... As he dropped, effortlessly pulling off spins and dips, his strong, muscular legs kept him firm in his stance, rooted in the perfectly fitted boots.

He could remember Mateo running his hands over the light tattoos sprawled on his pulsating forearms. He'd even done a few of them himself in his boredom during a relatively crazy shroom trip a few years back. In fact, as the two of them stood there in eachother's arms, looking eye to eye and towering over the dancefloor, he was so grateful that his bestie Mateo would give him such a night out on his birthday. Though, it seemed every year got more and more wild. The two didn't waste any more time. This was going to be a wild birthday, as Mateo planted a deep kiss onto his lips. Their sweaty, muscled arms wrapped around eachother, passionately making out on the dancefloor, before Danny reached into his bag, pulling out the magnum ribbed condom he'd gotten earlier that day, hoping the two would arrive at that point sometime during the night.

Mateo smiled and nodded, the two heading outside to wait for the Uber to take them back to the apartment. As Mateo eagerly tapped away on his phone, Danny leaned against the street pole, thrusting his sizeable package toward his boyfriend.

The next morning, Mateo woke up to an empty bed. Sweaty sheets tossed from one side of the room to the other, the stench of kinky sex still wafting in the air. He rolled out of the stained bed, walking past Danny's still warm, musky combat boots splayed on the hardwood floor. After a night of being railed with his face buried in it's ripe opening, he couldn't help but take a quick whiff down memory lane before going down to the front door. There, perched on the step, in all his blonde, shirtless glory sat Danny smoking his American Spirits.

"Good morning, sexy bitch." His velvety voice soared like the wind to Mateo's eager ear, something about that cocky, confident swagger behind his words always hit just right. He plopped down next to his boyfriend, sensually nibbling on his pierced ear. "Gonna get the neighbors all hot and bothered." Danny chided, Mateo knowing full well he loved being seen in even more compromising positions by anyone who stumbled across them.

"That's the idea." The two laughed and kissed, hoping old Mrs. Prallatt across the street was huffing and puffing in an indignant rage. "Hey the house is performing later tonight in the Bowery, I think you should show off the new number. Kick the LaBeija's ass off the floor." Smirking, Danny took a long drag and let out a large cloud of smoke before turning to Mateo.

"They don't stand a chance." Mateo stood up, kissing Danny's smooth hand before getting ready to head back up to get dressed for the day. "Hey, babe." Mateo turned and looked down at the beautiful creature which had been the wildest ride he'd ever taken. "How about you take those sweats off and I show you a couple more moves before we head out?" A strong grope of Mateo's growing bulge and a wink from behind his Balenciaga shades was all that his man needed to see.

#male transformation #body transformation #original #transformation #musk #gay transformation #clothing tf #male tf #ballroom #gay tf #confidence boost #boyfriend transformation #tattoos

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miyuhpapayuh · 10 months

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21. Silk.

"I'm so glad you're here. I haven't seen you, since... Gloria left us." The tears start to fall from both of their eyes.

"I... I'm sorry, I packed up and left. I just couldn't stay here." Moving their hands from her face, she lets them swing at their sides.

"I don't blame you, baby doll. We all needed our time— hell, we still need it. I'm just glad that you came to see us. To see me. I missed you terribly."

"I missed you, too. We've got lots to talk about."

"Yes, we do. Rina, dear, will you let us catch up, please?"

"Of course. I'll let you know when lunch is ready." She heads out and closes the door behind herself.

Stevie sits down in the red recliner that sits next to his, sliding her boots off and pulling out the footrest.

"How was your flight?"

"I hate planes and my nerves were shot, but I made it." She sighs. He nods, fiddling with his wedding band.

"Planes are a death machine, I believe. Every time Gloria and I would travel, she made sure to say that on every plane we'd ever gotten on."

"She loved to travel, man. I remember she took me to Puerto Rico with her, one summer. I ate the best food and got the best tan of my life!," she laughs.

"Yeah?, is that when you learned Spanish?" She nods, twiddling her thumbs.

"Mhm. She made sure to drill it in me. I couldn't go to the pool, until I could have a full conversation with her in Spanish."

"You wanna know something?"

"Always."

"I've sat in front of this window for the last three years and hadn't spoken a word to anyone, about anything. I just watched the wind rustle through those red leaves and cry. Gloria knows I hate crying and she left me, anyway." He looks away from her.

"What made you start talking, again?"

"You."

"Me?," her tone full of curiosity. "Why me?"

"I thought about you and how broken up you were. If that fiery old woman meant anything to anyone, it was you. Oh, she loved you with all her heart." He pats her leg. "I just kept seeing your face in my head and I wanted to see you. I don't even think, I realized that you had left. I was numb to everything. But, I'd gotten tired of feeling that way— it was hard, losing her. She'd been my sweetheart for fifty years and she left me."

"I never thought about how hard this was on you. I was being super selfish and I'm sorry."

It stung, watching him tear up over the only woman he'd ever loved.

"No, dear... it's okay,"

"It's not, grandpa. I should've checked on you. You've been without your heart for three years."

The look in her eyes is one he knows, all too well.

"You're in love, aren't you?" She wipes her tears away and pulls her knees up to her chest.

"How'd you know?"

"You've got that look. What's his name?"

"Roderick." He smiles.

"How long has it been?"

"It'll be a year in May."

"Oh, it's still fresh!"

"In the measure of time, yes. But, I feel like I've known him my whole life."

"She's the most amazing girl I've ever met." Aunt Rina, Jade and Stevie's mom, Victoria, who showed up an hour ago with her husband, Gene, swoon as Rod talks about Stevie.

"Where did she find you? Are there more where you came from?" Jade raises an eyebrow in question.

"Unfortunately, I'm one of a kind, and if anybody found anybody, it was me that found her."

"Hm. La perra afortunada." Jade says, gets swatted with the hand towel right after.

"Ouch, ma!"

"Watch your language, in this house. Lo juro, ustedes pierden la cabeza a veces. ¡Jesús!"

"I was just playing!"

"Well, knock it off! Act like the good Lord gave you some sense." Victoria cuts her eyes at her niece, before looking back to Rod. "You wanna tell them the story of how you two met?"

"I'm always up for that.," he chuckles. "Stevie would kill me, if she knew I was telling it, which makes it even funnier. Last year, I was coming from the cafe and I basically wiped her out—" Mateo cackles, loudly. "It's as funny as it sounds, for real. I got off a few jokes about her being as small as she is and she wasn't feelin' it— she laughed, but she wasn't feelin' it— but, I asked for her number and the rest is history, my friends."

"Wow, you got her mean ass to be nice to you? That's wild." Derrick shakes his head. "She used to beat us up."

"Oh, she definitely gave me a run for my money, in the beginning, but mama ain't raise no quitter. I'm built for it."

"Are you?" Gene asks, amusement laced in his tone.

Rod laughs, shaking his head. "I am!"

"You're not," Stevie says, as she steps into the living room with her grandpa. Rod scans her face, frowning at her puffy, red eyes.

"Hey ma, hey dad." She heads over to her parents, kissing their cheeks.

"Hey, honey. You look beautiful."

"That's your twin, I swear." Her grandpa adds.

"They're both gorgeous, so it works." Gene replies.

"Abuelo, I want you to meet my boyfriend, Roderick."

He stands up, standing almost eye-to-eye with the older man, extending his hand.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, sir."

"Likewise, son. I've heard a lot about you. You can call me Jorge." Giving his hand a firm shake, he gives him a warm smile.

"Good things, I hope."

"Very good things, son. You've got yourself a dime."

"I'm forever lucky to have found her," he glances at her, watching her blush, profusely.

༺═───────────────────────────────────────═༻

After lunch, the photo albums are spread out and everybody's currently ripping into Stevie about how chubby she was.

"Look at those cheeks!" Jade points to a picture of Stevie. She had to be around two or three years old, her curls were tossed all over her head and she was sitting on the lap of her favorite person, her grandma.

"Ugh, I was ugly." She laughs, leaning back into Rod.

"The lies. You were the cutest baby I've ever seen." He rubs her thigh and presses his face against her arm as she sits on his lap.

"Oh, you're a slick one." Aunt Rina points her finger at him, laughing to herself. Stevie playfully rolls her eyes.

"I'm innocent." He winks.

"Mhm. I'm keeping my eye on you." She playfully threatens.

"Ooh, look! I haven't seen these pictures in years!" Jade flips the page and points to the black and white pictures of her grandparents, looking like something straight out of a movie.

"Aw, y'all were sharp! When was this?" Stevie asks her abuelo.

"This was after church, one day. Gloria wanted ice cream really badly, I could never say no to her, so I drove fifteen miles to the nearest parlor and got her, her favorite ice cream. Anybody know what it is?”

"Pistachio!" They all say in unison, laughing.

"Fifteen miles?! That's some love." Derrick shakes his head. "We'd have to go in on gas money, together."

"Oh, brother." Jade says.

"That's a little triflin', don't you think?" Rod asks.

"How?"

"It's fifteen miles. That's not much."

"You'd drive that far for Stevie?" Derrick questions.

Rod laughs. "I'd drive around the world for her."

"You'd never ask for gas money?" Mateo asks.

"Nope. Men don't worry ‘bout things like that. If she offered, it'd be a different story, but I'd never ask and never stress over it."

"You've got you a good one." Uncle Don nods in Stevie's direction.

"I know, right." She cheeses.

The front door opens and closes. "Dad!," a female voice calls out.

"In the kitchen!," he yells back.

"I'm so sorry, I'm late. The traffic out there is terrible—" rounding the corner, Stevie's aunt Isabela and cousin Adrienne walk into the spacious kitchen.

"Stevie, hi!" Her aunt rounds the table and leans down for a hug. "Ugh!, you get prettier, every time I see you."

"Cut it out! How've you been?"

"I've been good— not as good as you, I see." She darts her eyes towards Rod, who's growing used to being the center of attention.

"This is my boyfriend, Rod. Rod, this is my aunt, Isabela." They shake each other's hand.

"It's nice to meet you, dear."

"Nice to meet you, too."

"Adrienne, are you gonna come and speak?"

"She doesn't have to." Stevie says, abruptly. "It's totally fine."

"Hey, everybody....Hey, Stevie." Adrienne replies, sarcastically, moving the phone away from her ear. "So nice of you to join your family, again."

Stevie blinks. Rod wraps an arm around her waist, sensing the hostility in the air. Gene takes a mental note, chuckling to himself.

"My boy," he mumbles to himself.

"Usually, I'd stoop to your pathetic level, but I'm not gonna do it."

"And, why is that?" Adrienne folds her arms across her busty chest.

"Because, you're simply not worth it. Go take your phone call and stop talking to me."

Adrienne stomps away into the living room, leaving Stevie to roll her eyes.

"You two have never gotten along," her grandpa points out. "Why is that?"

"She's rude. It could've been cool, had she not said what she said. That wasn't necessary."

"No, it wasn't. I'm sorry." Isabella apologizes.

"Aren't you tired of apologizing for her behavior? She's too old for that."

Sighing, Stevie excuses herself, heading down the hall to the bathroom.

"I'm gonna kill somebody, before I leave." Washing her hands, she opens the door and comes face to face with Adrienne.

"So... you finally get a man and decide to show your face, huh?" The malice in her voice is as thick as the blood pumping through Stevie's veins.

Blowing out a breath, Stevie walks past her, back down the hallway. Adrienne grabs her wrist and pulls her back. "I'm talking to you."

"Don't touch me." She grits, roughly smacking her hand away.

"What's your problem, bitch?" Stevie's eyes widen at the word that ever so, carelessly flies out of her mouth.

"Excuse me?," Rod comes around the corner and zeroes in on Stevie cracking her knuckles, quickly getting between the two.

"Move, Rod. She wanna call me out of my name! I swear, I'll beat your ass in this house. It's never an issue."

"You talk a lot for someone who hasn't swung yet."

Stevie pushes against her brick wall of a boyfriend, trying to get past him.

"Stevie, what's going on?" Her mom and aunt Isabela come into the hall and throw puzzled glances at each other.

"Adrienne's lost her mind. Calling me a bitch and making comments, like she knows me."

"I do know you! You're a flake! You show up, when it's convenient for you, like now. How long has it been since you've been down here?"

"Convenient for me?," taking all her strength, she moves Rod aside. "I'm not here for me, Adrienne. I'm not here for you. I'm here for my grandpa. I'm here to properly mourn my grandma. I'm here to see my family. I'm not here to get into these stupid ass arguments with you— got me showin' out in here. It's always some bullshit with you, why? Why do you always have to be up my ass? Weren't you the one that went ghost on everybody, after she died? That was you, right?" The hot tears that stream down her face catch her off guard.

"Stevie.," her mom touches her shoulder, making her flinch and rush back into the bathroom, closing and locking the door behind her.

Rod immediately heads towards the door, softly knocking on the old fashioned, wooden door. "Stevie.."

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Victoria asks Adrienne, whose smug grin hasn't faltered.

"Getting her to see that she's the issue. She dipped on us, right? This was hard on everybody and she left."

"Oh, please!," Jade comes in, "you don't remember how you showed your ass, after the funeral? How you left and nobody could find your stupid ass for a week?!"

"Who was talking to you?"

"Who cares? Why won't you take accountability for your own actions? You think abuelo wants to hear you in here bitching about shit that don't concern you? Get you some business and stop bothering Stevie."

Adrienne gets in her face.

"And, if I don't? What are you going to do?"

"Keep it up. You'll definitely find out." Aunt Rina pulls Jade back into the kitchen, while Adrienne is pushed out the front door by her mom.

"Stevie... Please open the door." Rod pleads for the third time, finally hearing the lock click and seeing the door crack open.

Sliding in, he closes the door behind himself and pulls her into a hug, sighing roughly as her raspy sobs break through.

"Shh.... I gotchu."

༺═───────────────────────────────────────═༻

After an hour or so, Stevie emerges from the bathroom and heads into the living room, not even caring about her overly puffy eyes.

"I think we should check into our hotel now. Sorry about all of that, earlier.”

"Hotel?," abuelo asks, "you didn't come all this way to stay in a hotel, doll."

"Well, it's not just me, here. I didn't know if it was okay with you, if the both of us stayed."

"You never asked, neither. Your boyfriend is family now. He's just as welcome as you've always been." Him and Rod bump fists, making her crack a smile.

"Really?"

"Do you know how big this house is? Your aunt Rina and her knuckle-headed kids, including Don, stay here from time to time and remember, this was your home, at a point. You stayed here many summers."

"I know, I know."

"I'd be quite offended if you didn't stay."

"Okay, fine! We'll stay, old man."

He laughs.

"Good. You need help getting your bags out of the car?"

"If y'all don't mind," she pokes her lip out, catching her older cousin’s eyes, who blows out a breath.

Rod smiles and kisses her forehead, before leading Derrick outside.

"Come sit, sweetheart."

Plopping down on the soft cushion, Stevie sighs. "Is she still here?"

"No, she left like, an hour ago. Nobody wants to be around that energy for too long." Don answers.

"I'm not apologizing for her, but I am sorry. You didn't deserve that." Jade adds.

"I've been through a lot of things that I haven't deserved. I'm starting to think, that's a part of life." She shrugs.

"Things like what?" Mateo asks.

"You don't wanna know. Trust me."

Stevie watches them come back in, hauling the suitcases inside, head upstairs and into the room. She stands and heads up, sliding away from the doorway as Derrick exits.

"Thanks, D."

"Of course." He pulls her into a side-hug, before walking away.

Stevie walks into the room and looks around, a faint smile gracing her lips.

"This was the room that I used to stay in, when I'd visit in the summer." She giggles at the red floor lamp.

"If there's one thing about my grandma, she never matched when it came to furniture." She walks over to the bed and unzips her suitcase, pulling her clothes out.

Sliding up behind her, Rod wraps her up in his arms. "Are you okay? Truthfully."

"Yeah, I'm okay. I'm still mad at her, but I'm fine." He presses kisses to her cheek.

"Thanks."

"For what?"

"Everything," she turns around in his hold, "I love you."

"I love you, too."

༺═───────────────────────────────────────═༻

"I could eat this for the rest of my life." Rod blurts, before eating another spoonful of cremita de maiz, a Puerto Rican version of cream of wheat.

"It's good, huh?" Gene chuckles, biting into his darkened toast. Stevie shakes her head, cutting into her pancakes.

"I don't like cream of wheat, but the sugar and cinnamon is enough for me to not mind it." Aunt Rina pats Rod's shoulders.

"I like him. Keep him."

"I plan on it." Stevie concurs.

"Mornin', mornin'.," Derrick enters the kitchen and grabs a green apple out of the fruit basket on the kitchen table.

"Good morning, man." Him and Rod slap hands.

"Morning.," Stevie scrunches up her face as Derrick kisses her forehead.

"My girlfriend's comin' through, later. I thought I'd be nice and take y'all out. There's this club out in West Hollywood, Silk, that's always jumpin'."

"It'd be fun to let my hair down. I'm up for it! Baby?" She turns to Rod to see how he feels.

"You know I'm with whatever you with, mama."

"It's settled," Derrick announces with a clap of his hands, "y'all better not punk out on me like a couple lames."

"Ain't nobody finna punk out, meathead," she flicks him in the temple.

"You lucky you my cousin, I'd put ya lil ass in a headlock."

"Cut it out, you two," Rina cuts into the pair's back and forth, "y'all are not twelve years old anymore."

"She started it," Derrick pouts.

"I didn't start it. You started it."

"¡Ya!," she nips the impending back and forth in the bud, "Do I have to ground your grown asses??"

"No, tía."

"No, mama." They respond simultaneously. Rod has to chuckle at how quickly she gets the two adults together.

After breakfast, Stevie and Jade are in the living room sprawled out on the sofa, with Rod kicking it on the floor right below Stevie's head.

She gasps seemingly randomly, making Jade look up.

"What's up?"

"I don't have anything to wear tonight! Nothing nice enough to step into a club named Silk at least."

"You know what that means right, cuz? Shopping trip!" She does a little shimmy at the idea of going to the mall. "I hope you grew out of that awkward phase from high school, because you will not be walking in the club with me dressed like Lisa Turtle."

"¡Chíngate!"

That sends Jade into a giggle fit. "I'm just kidding, Alaina." She pinches her cousin's reddened cheek.

"Who the hell is Lisa Turtle?", Rod speaks up, genuinely confused.

"You never watched Saved by the Bell??", Jade asks.

"Do I look like somebody that watched something called Saved by the Bell?", he retorts jokingly.

"Fair," she says with a laugh, "well, my girl just could not dress. Walked out the house looking like the 80's threw up on her every morning. I'm talking big shoulders, loud ass colors and patterns, them big ass bows in her head, mom jeans", she visibly shudders at the memory, "and kitten heels when she was feeling herself, but my boo got it together, though."

"Damn baby girl, you were out here on your Madonna shit?", he ends with a Windex laugh.

"Like a virgin!" Jade sings, falling into another laughing fit at her own antics.

"You can kiss the fattest part of my ass, Jade!" Stevie throws a pillow at her head making her laugh even harder.

"Ehhh, I'll let Rod handle that, babe."

"I need a new goddamn family," Stevie says under her breath, readjusting her position on the couch.

"Oh please, you love us."

"Debatable." Jade's jaw drops, and it's Stevie's turn to laugh. "I'm just kidding, Lorena." She mocks her earlier sentiment.

The rest of the morning is full of more laughter and embarrassing childhood stories.

Around 3pm, the girls decided to make their excursion to the nearby shopping mall, letting the boys play video games on Derrick's PlayStation.

They traversed almost the entire mall looking for the perfect dress for the evening, but nothing was tickling Stevie's fancy.

That was until they came to a boutique at the very end of the mall, Luxe.

The dresses in the window were stunning enough to have them both make their way inside.

They both skim through the racks, loving everything they saw, when Stevie shrieks.

"Girl, what?? You saw a rat?"

"No, fool! I found the perfect look for tonight."

"Let me see it!"

Stevie holds the pale blue 2-piece set against her body.

"Ooh, bitch! That's hella fly. Rod's gonna have a fit!"

"He'll have to deal because I'm getting this."

She finds coordinating platforms and gold jewelry to complete her look.

When they get back home, Rod tries to peek in her bag to see what she bought, but she swats his hand away.

"Move, nosy rosy."

He puts his hand over his heart in fake shock. "I can't see it?"

"You'll see it tonight," she says teasingly, popping up on her tiptoes to reach his lips, pecking them.

"Hey, hey. None of that nasty shit.", Jade pipes up.

"Don't be a hater all your life, boo. There's someone for you, too."

"Piss off!"

"Awww, is the widdle baby upset?", she pinches her cousin's cheek.

"Ay, be nice." Rod quickly swats her backside, making her jump.

"Well, looky looky. Somebody finally got Miss Smart Mouth in check, huh? I like you more and more everyday, Roderick."

"Don't you have anything else to do??", Stevie grumbles, annoyed and slightly embarrassed.

"Nope! I can get on your nerves all day, cuz," Jade says cheerily.

Stevie rolls her eyes, heading upstairs to put away her purchases.

༺═───────────────────────────────────────═༻

Later that evening...

Stevie's putting the final touches on her look for the night. Her usual ringlets are bone straight and pulled into a high pony that grazes the top of her behind.

The makeup she wears is subtle with nude, glossed lips, wispy lashes, and matte, bronzed skin. Her legs look a mile long in the gold platforms that complement the gold hardware in her outfit.

Feeling diva-ish from being in the City of Angels, she pops on a pair of slightly oversized, baby blue shades to complete the look.

She pokes her head in Jade's room to see if she's any closer to being ready.

"We have got to cut this out," Stevie remarks as she takes in Jade's outfit for the evening. Same fit in a dark green.

They've been inadvertently dressing similarly since they were young. They always joked they could read each other's minds.

"Ooh, girl, we look cute though! And I love that your extra ass is wearing shades at night. You've come a long way, Turtle."

"Whatever! The boys are waiting. Let's get downstairs."

Walking downstairs arm in arm, Rina spots them first.

"Well, if it isn't the Bobbsey twins! You two look gorgeous."

They graciously thank her in soft voices.

Derrick and Rod look up from their conversation, and Rod feels his throat tighten.

"Damn," he mumbles before thinking.

Derrick, on the other hand, looks like he wants to throw a sheet over them as if they'd just passed out in a Baptist church.

"Yeah, you girls look beautiful. Now go change," he says in all seriousness.

They immediately hit him with the same "you got me fucked up" face.

"You can go somewhere always tryna be somebody daddy. I already have one, and I barely listen to that fool." Stevie's the first one to speak up. Rina has to keep the water she's sipped from spewing all over the counter at her niece's bluntness.

"Mama, you see how short those skirts are!", he resorts to trying to get Rina on his side, "One wrong move, and now I'm fighting every guy in the club."

"Derrick, these girls are grown! Let them be."

"But, ma--"

"That's enough, Derrick. Quieres hijos, tienes que hacerlos."

Derrick mumbles something unintelligible under his breath.

"What was that??"

"Nothing." He can feel the heat from the sandal preparing to meet his face, so he tightens up quickly.

"That's what I thought. Now--" The sound of the doorbell cuts her sentence short, and Derrick pops out of his seat to answer, knowing it's his girl, Roxanne.

He opens the door, and a stunning young woman with a pixie cut, clad in a form fitting, bright red, three piece suit appears.

"Hi, baby." Her voice is soft, almost shy as she greets him, throwing her arms around his neck. The kiss they shared is chaste since his mom is present, but sweet all the same.

"Hey, Miss Rina."

"What's going on, Roxanne? You look beautiful."

The beauty thanks her and they fall into a short conversation.

"Alright, you babies go on and have fun. I know I will," she says slickly, winking at the group.

She gives them all kisses, Rod included, and sends them on their way.

Pulling up to the imposing, brick-faced building, they're faced with a throng of young men and women chomping at the bit to get behind the velvet rope that'll grant them entry to the hottest nightclub in the city where the DJ's selections can be heard down the block.

"I thought clubs back home were hard to get into, but this is something else!", Stevie remarks as she looks at the line of people wrapped around the corner.

"Don't even sweat it, girl. Let's go," Jade responds, and they follow her with confused, yet intrigued looks.

The solid, 6'0 bouncer looks up as he hears the click clack of the girls' heels approaching him.

"'Sup, Jade," the man with intricately braided hair greets her.

"Hey, boo. How you livin'?"

"I'm straight. You know Gin in there asking for you."

"Is he now?"

"Yup. His section's on the second floor. You and your people have a good time." He unclips the rope and allows them through.

"Thanks, babe." She lightly pats his chest as she walks through.

"Damn, cuz," Stevie pipes up as they walk into the building, "you might be too damn cool for me."

"Cut it out. I just know a few people."

"And who the hell is Gin??", Derrick asks after seeing her interaction with the club's bouncer.

"Do not start that shit with me, D. I didn't come here to argue with you. Now I know there's a Cosmo with my name on it. Y'all drinking?"

She receives scattered affirmations, and they head to the bar.

California Love starts playing as Jade leads them to the second level she was directed to earlier, and she, Derrick, and Roxanne immediately start rapping along flawlessly.

Stevie bops along to the infectious rhythm, while Rod looks like the out of place New Yorker he is.

"Bruh, tell me you know this song," Derrick says when he takes in Rod's stiffness.

"Can't say that I do, playa."

Derrick & his sister's jaws both drop at the revelation.

"How do you not know about the goat?! This song is everywhere!", Jade exclaims in disbelief.

"The who??"

"Please don't get him going on this east vs. west shit. We'll be here all night," Stevie intervenes.

"Babe, the goat, though??"

Stevie gives him a look that warns him to quit while he's ahead, which he does.

The music continues with the latest in hip-hop with the drinks that keep flowing.

The girls down shots while rapping to Whatta Man. The tequila runs through their veins and loosens them up.

"What's up, stranger?", a smooth voice sounds, directly behind Jade.

She turns face to face with the handsome gentleman, whose decked out in a lime green, silk Versace blouse with sparkling diamond adornments from his fingers to his ears.

"Hello, Elgin." She remains impassive while the flock of women present look like they want to yank out her hair.

"I've been tryna hit you up all week. When are you gonna stop playing with my heart, gorgeous?"

"When you stop wearing crop tops on the red carpet," her quick wit causes her to blurt out.

Stevie & Roxanne are watching the exchange with their jaws making friends with the floor, as Jade casually brushes off the man whose song is playing in the club as they speak.

He takes the playful dig in stride, and tries persuading her to come with him so they can "talk", which she politely declines.

"I don't think so, pretty boy. I'm here with my people."

"Do not sweat us! We good, boo."

Stevie nods along in agreement. "Yeah, girl. We got them two knuckleheads back there."

Jade shakes her head with a chuckle, turning back to her admirer, who has a smirk on his face.

"You have ten minutes to convince me why I should give you the time of day."

"I don't even need that long, ma." He extends his arm for her to take, and she does, following his lead.

"She something else, isn't she?"

"I need to take a page or two out of her book. Don't tell her I said that, though." The remaining girls share a laugh.

"Ay, why y'all let my sister run off with that negro and his S-Curl?"

"Derrick, relax! She's a smart girl. She's not going anywhere if she doesn't feel safe," Stevie speaks up in defense of her cousin.

"Well, she has 15 minutes to show her face again or I'm setting it off in here."

"Okay, dad, sheesh. We need to get some more liquor in you."

"Yes!" Roxanne agrees wholeheartedly, only her reasons are a bit more...selfish. She knows he'll put a dent in the headboard with the right amount of brown in him.

While her cousin canoodles with an R&B heartthrob, the truth serum running through Stevie's system has her feeling extra touchy with her own.

Nobody serves as the soundtrack while she winds her hips against his, her hands traveling across any part of him they could reach.

She spins herself around to face him, wrapping her arms around his waist.

"You know what I think?", she asks against his lips. Her words are slurred and heavy with lust.

"Hmm?" The Henny has hit him in the best way, and Stevie's hands are sending sparks through his whole being.

"I think," she pauses to kiss his slightly parted mouth, "we should get outta here."

"What about Derrick?", he asks, really only halfway concerned.

"He'll figure it out."

With that, she hooks her finger in the front of his belt buckle and leads him through the crowd of people, outside to the fresh, night air.

They hail the first cab that rolls up to the club, ambling into the backseat. Rod barely gets the address out before she's in his lap sucking and nibbling on the sweet spots of his neck. The poor cab driver simply shakes his head with a chuckle, minding his business.

He has to stop her when her hands get to trying to unbuckle his belt.

"I will fuck you up in the back of this cab, Vie," he warns closely in her ear.

She licks the shell of his ear. "I dare you," she whispers seductively.

"Alright now," the driver sounds from the front, "I don't want you youngins to mess around and catch a charge over some hanky panky. Trust me. Save all that for when you get home."

Listening to the older man, Stevie reluctantly moves herself off Rod's lap, opting to sit closer to her passenger side door. That doesn't stop the sensual, fleeting touches between the two of them.

They nearly run out of the taxi once they reach their destination. Stevie ducks down near several rocks where Rina keeps a spare key hidden underneath one.

It's quiet as a church mouse as they enter, so they try their best to creep to their room undetected.

They're almost successful until Stevie's platforms finally get the better of her, and she loses her balance reaching the top of the stairs.

She squeals in shock, but she's caught by Rod's strong arms before she can hit the ground.

Staring at each other in silence for a moment, Stevie bursts into a fit of giggles, and in his attempt to quiet her down, Rod finds himself laughing too.

"Babe, your aunt is gonna come out here and beat our asses. Shhh." He puts a finger to her lips for emphasis.

She nods as if she agrees, but a few giggles escape her still. So, he scoops her up, carrying her the rest of the way. He uses his foot to close the door as quietly as he can.

Setting her gently on the bed, he takes her ankle in his hand to remove the offending, yet sexy footwear. With her legs gapped, he notices her smooth, glistening womanhood. He shoots her a questioning glance which she responds to with a wink.

Yanking her down to the edge of the bed by her ankle, he pins her legs back into the mattress and latches his lips onto her clit.

Her breathy sighs and gasps have him straining through the thick fabric of his jeans.

She pops the buttons on her top and uses a free hand to roll her nipple between her fingers, increasing the euphoric feelings.

The fact that she's pinned down and essentially forced to take this tongue lashing intensifies the feeling tenfold. Her hands run over his waves. Her almond acrylics running along his scalp send tingles down his spine, and he groans against her.

The familiar coil in her lower stomach tightens, and her thighs begin to quiver signaling her impending release.

She has to throw her hands over her mouth to catch the long moan threatening to fly from her lips. Her nectar flows freely into his eager mouth, but that doesn't stop him from slurping her like she was a glass of ice water in the summer.

Her hands find the top of his head in an attempt to push him away, but he's relentless.

Finally, he pulls away from her over-sensitive bud with an obscene pop, and she closes her legs putting her hands between them.

"Shit," she breathes, trying to bring herself down.

"You tappin' out on me already?", he taunts her. "You was talkin' big shit earlier."

While he's talking he pulls his pants and boxers down to his ankles in one swift motion kicking them off. "Now, put that ass up," he commands, smacking her thigh.

She rolls over, putting a deep arch in her back just how he likes it. He bunches her skirt up around her waist and sinks his entire length into her heat, eliciting a drawn out curse from the both of them simultaneously.

His nails dig into the soft flesh of her hips as he grinds in and out, allowing her to become accustomed to his size.

Not pleased with the low groans that make it past the barrier of her lower lip that's been tucked between her teeth, he takes her ponytail and wraps it around his hand, pulling her flush against his chest.

"Let me hear that shit, princess." He licks the sweet spot near the base of her ear, mimicking her earlier teasing.

His strokes become merciless, filling her to the hilt.

"Oh, fffuck! Baby, you're so fucking deep! Shit!" Her eyes roll to the back of her head while he continues to bring her closer and closer to the edge, his heavy hand coming down on her ass at different intervals.

Her head swims as she teeters back and forth in the space between pleasure and pain.

His hand moves from her hair to her neck, pulling her back up when she slumps forward. He feels her walls pulsate around him, and he knows she's right there.

The combination of his thumb applying the perfect amount of pressure and his filthy words of encouragement in her ear send her gushing all over his length, with his own release following shortly thereafter.

Heavy breathing soon turns into soft snores, as they collapse into the covers.

༺═───────────────────────────────────────═༻

The throbbing pain in their heads wake them up, at the same time. By the sheer grace of God, their bodies are covered up with the thick blanket.

Stevie looks around the room, shaking her head at the way their clothes are thrown about.

"Jesus," Rod sits up, looking around as well, slightly laughing to himself.

She glances up at him, giggling as he bends down to smother her with kisses. She playfully pushes him away and jumps up from the bed, in search of his t-shirt.

"I gotta pee.," she grabs the shirt off the floor and yanks it over her head, rushing across the hall to empty her bladder.

After washing her hands, she opens the door and squeals at the sight of Derrick. Thanking God that her shirt comes below her knees, she pushes him out into the hallway.

"You scared me!," she whisper-yells.

"Oh yeah?, you two horny toads scared me, last night!," his volume a little louder than hers, "how am I supposed to keep an eye on you, if you're hailing cabs back here and not telling anybody?!"

"Derrick, you weren't in charge of 'keeping an eye on me'," she laughs. "I'm sorry that I left y'all, last night— wait."

"What?" His voice goes back to normal as her eyes zoom in on the trail of deep red hickeys on his neck.

"You had sex last night, didn't you?"

"Yeah, well, I'm grown." He blinks.

"So am I!," she thumps him in the temple, pushing him out of her way. "Got me feeling bad and shit."

"Well, you should feel bad. You still left me." He turns her back around.

"Mm, right. You were worried about wittle Ol Stevie, while Roxy was chewing on your neck like a piece of candy. Get out my face, boy."

"If you two don't get out this hallway and shut up.," aunt Rina emerges from her room, hair all over her head.

"Sorry.," the speak at once, not taking their eyes off her appearance.

"What?" She asks.

Stevie smirks, crossing her arms. "I guess we're not the only ones who had some fun, last night."

Derrick grimaces at the instant mental pictures, flooding his brain. "Gross. I'm going back to bed." He excuses himself, slamming his door shut.

"Go back to bed, Alaina.," Rina scolds with a laugh.

Stevie slides back into her room, crawling back into bed to cuddle with Rod, whose gaze is on the window, straight ahead.

"Hey," she kisses his shoulder blade.

"Hey.," he nuzzles his chin against her hair. "Thanks for bringing me out here. I enjoyed myself."

"You're officially part of family vacations, now." She laughs. "I told you, they were gonna love you. Hell, they might ship me back to New York and keep you hostage."

"You're corny, vie."

"And, you love me!"

@ghostfacekill-monger @sheabuttahwrites @blackerthings @thegifstories @nahimjustfeelingit-writes @harmshake @honestpreference @cecereads209 @abeautifulmindexposed @mauvecherie-writes

#soulff #miyuhpapayuh #poc writers #blackwriters #black romance #rod x stevie #rod and stevie #stevie x rod #black fiction #90s romance #black writers #black!reader #joey badass fic #joey bada$$

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docpiplup · 7 months

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Upcoming series: Ena

In September, the filming of Ena began, a biographical series that will focus on the life of Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, queen of Spain through her marriage to Alfonso XIII between May 31, 1906 and April 14, 1931, after being the monarchy deposed later by the proclamation of the Second Republic. Great-grandmother of the current king Philip VI of Spain, of whom she was godmother at his baptism. Throughout six chapters, the series will tell the life of Victoria Eugenie and at the same time offer a portrait of a time that changed the world, the first half of the 20th century, from 1905 to 1945. Born on October 24, 1887 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Ena was the daughter of Henry of Battenberg and Princess Beatrice, youngest daughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Her godmother was Eugenia de Montijo, empress consort of France as Napoleón III's wife. The name of the series comes from what her friends and family called her since she was little, Ena.

The fiction is based on the novel of the same name by Pilar Eyre. Javier Olivares, who was behind the acclaimed Isabel and El Ministerio del Tiempo, will be the showrunner and plot manager for Ena. In addition to Olivares, the script is written by Isa Sánchez, Daniel Corpas and Pablo Lara Toledo. The series will be directed entirely by women: Anaïs Pareto, director of the series as a whole, in addition to four episodes, and Estel Díaz, who will direct two episodes.

“Ena is the portrait of historical moments that seem distant but are not so far away, because without them we would not understand the times we live in now,” Olivares declares in the press release sent by TVE. The writer and screenwriter remembers that Victoria Eugenie “fought to be happy in a bitter time, in which she witnessed two world wars, a civil war and a great pandemic, the tortuously called Spanish flu.”

For Pilar Eyre, author of the novel, she was "an extraordinary woman: cultured, supportive, liberal-minded, modern and very loyal." And she is excited because "finally all Spaniards can know" the story of a "misunderstood" woman. in their time, which they will always consider foreign." It is a fiction co-produced by RTVE with Ena La Serie AIE, La Cometa TV and Zona App. José Pastor, director of Film and Fiction at RTVE, has pointed out that "it is a "RTVE is proud to be able to portray this interesting historical character, from the point of view of two women directors and with Javier Olivares as showrunner, in one of its best series."

The Spanish actress of Anglo-Danish descent Kimberly Tell will play Ena and Joan Amargós will play Alfonso XIII. For her part, Elvira Mínguez will play Maria Christina von Habsburg-Lothringen, mother of Alfonso XIII. The cast is completed by Lucía Guerrero (Beatrice of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha), Raúl Mérida (Alfonso of Orleans and Bourbon), Juan Gea (Álvaro Figueroa y Torres, Count of Romanones), María Morales (María del Carmen Angoloti y Mesa, Duchess of Victoria), Pedro Mari Sánchez (Rodrigo de Saavedra y Vinent, Marquis of Villalobar), Luisa Gavasa (Eugenia de Montijo) and Joaquín Notario (José de Saavedra y Salamanca, Marquis of Viana)

Mariano Peña will play Miguel Primo de Rivera; Jaume Madaula will play the anarchist Mateo Morral, author of the attack committed at the royal wedding; Tomás del Estal will be Emilio María de Torres y González-Arnáu, and Ángel Ruiz will once again give life to Federico García Lorca, a character he already played in El Ministerio del Tiempo, among others.

The series will be filmed entirely in natural exteriors and interiors, like the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso (Segovia), the Palace of Santoña (Madrid), the Palace of Fernán Núñez (Madrid), the Fort of San Francisco (Guadalajara) and the Magdalena Palace (Santander), built in 1911 by the City Council as a tribute to the monarchs and where Ena spent a good part of her summers in Spain, accompanied by the Royal Family. Filming for the series will continue until the end of December.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, the Magdalena Palace is going to be an important location during the series as a summer palace, the main filming location in Gran Hotel, and in that series Ena appeared in the episode 3×13, played by Aída Filx.

Apart from that, are we getting an Olivaresverse (XD)? Most likely not, and it's just references about his previous works as a showrunner, but there are connections between Isabel, Emdt and Ena: Michelle Jenner starring Isabel as Isabella I of Castile, then appearing in a couple of scenes in Emdt episode 1×04 and being an important figure in the lore as the foundress of the ministry (& Eusebio Poncela playing as Cisneros in both series, and also he played Cisneros in the film La Corona Partida and the Carlos Rey Emperador series); Alfonso XIII is a descendant of Isabella I of Castile; Ángel Ruiz appeard as Lorca in Emdt in 4 episodes and now he is on Ena playing as Lorca again, we don't know yet how much screentime he will get or which will his role be (secondary character most likely), but it's great to see more about him!

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regiondegosen · 2 months

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El proceso no ha sido fácil pero Dios me ha dado las fuerza para seguir adelante, hacia la meta que es parecerme más a Jesús.

Es sorprendente ver cómo Dios me ha transformado y la victoria que me ha dado cambiando mi manera de pensar y se que las demás cosas Dios me las dará porque son la añadidura.

»Lo más importante es que reconozcan a Dios como único rey, y que hagan lo que él les pide. Dios les dará a su tiempo todo lo que necesiten.

Mateo 6:32

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ministeriosapasionadosxcristo · 10 months

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#Presione_a_través

“Pedid y seguid pidiendo y se os dará; busca y sigue buscando y encontrarás; llama y sigue llamando y la puerta se te abrirá”. – Mateo 7:7.

En el capítulo cinco de Marcos, había una mujer que había estado enferma durante doce años. Los médicos no le dieron esperanza, pero escuchó que Jesús estaba de paso por el pueblo. Algo en el fondo de mi interior decía: “Esta es tu temporada. Este es tu momento de recuperarte”. En lo natural, cuando vio a todas las personas a su alrededor, pensó: “Nunca llegaré a Él. Está tan lleno de gente y yo soy débil”. Casi se pierde su temporada. Pero en lugar de insistir en esos pensamientos negativos, en lugar de mirar su situación, comenzó a recordarse a sí misma: “Si puedo llegar a Jesús, seré completa”. Tomó la decisión de dirigir sus pensamientos en la dirección correcta y se le permitió dar un salto de fe. Se abrió paso entre la multitud hasta que estuvo lo suficientemente cerca como para tocar el borde de la túnica de Jesús. Instantáneamente, ella fue sanada.

Jesús dijo en Marcos 5:34: “Hija, tu fe te ha sanado”. Note que es nuestra fe la que activa el poder de Dios. Tenemos que presionar a través de nuestros pensamientos, presionar a través de nuestras circunstancias, presionar a través de la multitud y los obstáculos hasta que lo toquemos.

Hoy, con cada paso que das, Dios se acerca más a ti. ¡Él se enfrentará a tu fe con Su poder milagroso para que puedas abrazar la victoria que te espera!

#dios #fe #amor #constancia #cuidado #conviccion #valentia #cristo #plan #promesa

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paulinawoodpecker · 4 months

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Tad and his friends voices and singing voices

@jakkiisthatboy2

Main Voices:

Tad: Trevor white

Sara: Alex Kelly

Mummy: Joseph Balderrama

Tiffany maze: Gemma whelan

Ramona: Pippa Bennett Warner

Victoria: Elena Sanz

Ramirez: Elena suarel

Reena Roberto Ramirez: Olivia Rodrigo

Flora peace: Ariana grande

Minnie wakanda: Kiki Layne

Snowy Moscow: Taylor swift

Jessie wakins: Tiffany haddish

Kelsey swells: Ariel winter

Chai Ming Kong: akwafina

Nagham hugh: beyonce

Lukas Williams: Patton oswalt

Indiana jones: Harrison ford

Princess kida: Jenny slate

Nathan drake: Louis C.K

Dora: keke Palmer

Tiffany mordon: Sheila Victor

Riña: Brittney spears

Blair: dove Cameron( also singing voice in the crystal’s odyssey)

Andrea: Christina Vee

Ying: Constance Wu

Max: Adam James

Jack: Ramon tikaram

Pickles: Gary Martin

Joya: Becky hill

Queen Rosalina: Christina apple white

Shanlina: Nicki Minaj

Sarafina: Catherine Keener

Amy Jefferson: Eden Riegel

Jasmine Jefferson: Ciara bravo

Singing:

Tad: ZAYN

Sara: Tori Kelly

Mummy: Joseph Balderrama

Tiffany maze: Taylor swift

Ramona: Bebe wood

Victoria: auli’i Cravalho

Ramírez: auli’i Cravalho

Reena: Olivia Rodrigo

Lukas: Justin Bieber

Tiffany mordon: Renee Rapp

Riña: Brittney spears

Max mordon: Adam James

Blair: dove Cameron

Ying: Constance wu

Andrea: Christina Vee

Joya: Becky hill

Queen Rosalina: Jennifer Lopez

Shanlina: phillpha soo

Sarafina: phillpha soo

Jasmine: Matilda(Ronald daul musical)

Amy: auli’i Cravalho

Other voices:

Elena: Aimee Carrero

Isabel: Jenna Ortega

Mateo: Joseph Haro

Gabe: Jorge Diaz

Naomi: Jillian rose reed

Felice: Elle fanning

Victor: Dane dehaan

Camille: Maddie Ziegler

Odette: Carly Rae jespen

Eep: Emma stone

Guy: Ryan Reynolds

Dawn: Kelly Marie Tran

Thunk: Clark duke

Tad’s army:

Asha: Ariana debose

Mavis: Selena Gomez

Claire: Lexi medrano

Tulip: Katie crown

Mario and Christopher: chris Pratt

Princess peach: Anna Taylor joy

Sonic: Ben Schwartz

Tails: Colleen o shaughnessy

Knuckles: idris Elba

Queen Amaya: Angelique carbal

Dahlia: Jennifer kumiyama

Simon: Evan Peters

Hal: Niko vargas

Gabo: Harvey Guillén

Safi: ramy youssef

Bazeema: Della saba

Dario: Jon rudnitsky

Kenny: Ken jeong

Kevin: Kevin hart

Ryan: Roger Craig smith

Anne: Philpha Alexander

Song list:

Runaway: one direction; (playing in the background when Tad’s late for work)

A different beat: little mix;(Rini’s cheerleading practice)

Do what you gotta do: dove Cameron: (pickles and Reena’s argument)

Meet the plastics: Renee Rapp (Tiffany mordons introduction)

Take look through my eye: Phil Collin( the mind of memories form first to third film)

Close your eyes: (mummy’s capture)

I’ll be there: ( Sara’s promise to get him back)

Born to be brave: Dane Rene, Olivia Rodrigo (Jessie wakins and Reena Roberto Ramirez helps tad convincing him that he was brave all along)

Welcome to this day: (the adventure begins)

World burn: Renee rapp (Tiffany Mordon’s villain song with dove Cameron; takes place to where she first meets Reena)

Shadows: (the ladies have a chance to cure him)

Granted: Olivia Rodrigo( rini realizes what she had done)

All of these things I’ve done: (the ladies realize what they’ve done to Rini)

Hearts of courage (Tad’s training)

This is really happening: (tad realizes for what Sara and Ramirez said)

Holding on for a hero (Tad’s training 2.0)

The final countdown( Tad’s final training)

Little Wonders (The Triple Team in new style)

Someday: (tad gets worried about mummy)

The rose song: Olivia Rodrigo and ZAYN (Reena cheers tad up)

Love always comes as a surprise; (Ramirez and Tad having fun together)

Go the distance: (rescue mummy time)

Can you feel the love tonight (Sara and tads romantic moment)

Mountain chase: (mountain discovery)

A whole new world: Olivia Rodrigo and Justin Bieber and ZAYN and Tori Kelly (the love between the two)

It takes two: (Elena, felice, eep, and their friends count on the team)

Rise to the heroes: Michael Rubino: (Tad’s upset stomach plan)

World burn reprise(1:44) Renee Rapp (Tiffany mordons villain song 2.0; she starts making everyone mean using her powers; her revenge on tad)

Love someone new (shanlina convinced tad to move on)

Wonder: Rachel platterns: (playing in the background during Tad’s transformation)

We’ll meet again: (mummy and Tad’s reunion)

The end of the world: (tad and Tiffany’s final battle)

Don’t go yet: (Mexican Independence Day, and the Chicago cats cheerleading squad)

A wish worth making: (end credits)

Empire: Ella Henderson ( playing in the background when end credits rolling)

#tad the lost explorer #tadeo jones #tad the lost explorer 4 #tadeo jones 4

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feelinghaunted · 2 years

Text

names masterlist.

here’s a masterlist of popular names from each state in the united states. names will be separated by state and by gender, and there will be 5 of the most popular names from each state. i put all of the names on one line to avoid having this end up being too long, and i also included district of columbia. thus, there’s a total of 510 names. if you found this at all helpful, please reblog / like.

ALABAMA.

male. / william. john. james. noah. elijah. female. / olivia. ava. amelia. charlotte. emma.

ALASKA.

male. / oliver. liam. wyatt. lucas. theodore. female. / hazel. aurora. eleanor. evelyn. isla.

ARIZONA.

male. / mateo. sebastian. benjamin. julian. santiago. female. / sophia. camila. isabella. mia. luna.

ARKANSAS.

male. / asher. hudson. grayson. luke. waylon. female. / paisley. harper. ella. elizabeth. willow.

CALIFORNIA.

male. / alexander. daniel. ethan. ezekiel. aiden. female. / gianna. emily. mila. aria. natalia.

COLORADO.

male. / henry. jack. owen. jackson. ezra. female. / avery. abigail. scarlett. nora. lily.

CONNECTICUT.

male. / joseph. luca. jacob. logan. mason. female. / madison. grace. penelope. riley. hailey.

DELAWARE.

male. / michael. levi. david. cameron. caleb. female. / layla. leilani. nova. hannah. kinsley.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

male. / charles. leo. samuel. dylan. miles. female. / maya. zoe. naomi. chloe. margaret.

FLORIDA.

male. / matthew. gabriel. jayden. anthony. josiah. female. / victoria. valentina. leah. ellie. gabriella.

GEORGIA.

male. / carter. christopher. thomas. legend. joshua.

female. / serenity. skylar. caroline. autumn. willow.

HAWAII.

male. / kai. isaac. maverick. isaiah. elias. female. / kaia. kiana. elena. ayla. leia.

IDAHO.

male. / lincoln. declan. everett. calvin. brooks. female. / violet. oakley. ruby. alice. claire.

ILLINOIS.

male. / nolan. leonardo. nathan. ryan. adam. female. / eliana. lilian. lucy. addison. delilah.

INDIANA.

male. / easton. cooper. colton. weston. emmett. female. / everleigh. ivy. josephine. lydia. stella.

IOWA.

male. / ryker. bennett. beau. beckett. harrison. female. / cora. quinn. clara. hadley. vivian.

KANSAS.

male. / silas. jameson. andrew. rhett. eli. female. / emery. kennedy. piper. eloise. sloane.

KENTUCKY.

male. / carson. sawyer. kingston. braxton. hunter. female. / raelynn. audrey. emersyn. sadie. josie.

LOUISIANA.

male. / christian. wesley. jace. amir. brennan. female. / aubree. demi. londyn. remi. mary.

MAINE.

male. / parker. bentley. river. connor. robert. female. / maeve. magnolia. freya. adeline. madelyn.

MARYLAND.

male. / axel. aaron. chase. kayden. austin. female. / genesis. bella. brielle. mackenzie. ariana.

MASSACHUSETTS.

male. / maxwell. landon. cole. rowan. george. female. / sophie. anna. julia. cecilia. eva.

MICHIGAN.

male. / roman. ali. blake. milo. august. female. / brooklyn. peyton. savannah. nevaeh. melody.

MINNESOTA.

male. / arlo. graham. louis. archer. otto. female. / amira. elsie. lennon. wren. june.

MISSISSIPPI.

male. / bryson. walker. kyrie. dawson. kash. female. / harmony. journee. summer. oaklynn. kylie.

MISSOURI.

male. / jeremiah. dean. tucker. jasper. xavier. female. / reagan. ember. brynlee. iris. amara.

MONTANA.

male. / bodhi. colt. stetson. knox. arthur. female. / finley. aspen. eliza. harlow. jane.

NEBRASKA.

male. / barrett. lane. ian. camden. hayes. female. / maria. eden. reese. sutton. jade.

NEVADA.

male. / gael. emiliano. ivan. lorenzo. ace. female. / athena. ximena. selena. alaia. allison.

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

male. / evan. finnegan. brayden. gavin. max. female. / fiona. rose. genevieve. vera. rosalie.

NEW JERSEY.

male. / nicholas. dominic. vincent. zachary. thiago. female. / esther. sara. miriam. rachel. rivka.

NEW MEXICO.

male. / jose. giovanni. damian. angel. diego. female. / ariella. xiomara. kaylani. catalina. andrea.

NEW YORK.

male. / moshe. abraham. jonathan. chaim. jordan. female. / chaya. alaia. chana. sienna. juliette.

NORTH CAROLINA.

male. / micah. brantley. tristan. tyler. nathaniel. female. / kaylee. alexa. taylor. katherine. bailey.

NORTH DAKOTA.

male. / bridger. daxton. briggs. cohen. paul. female. / sylvie. presley. alivia. brynlee. ada.

OHIO.

male. / kevin. timothy. brody. brandon. grant. female. / morgan. paige. jenna. annabelle. lyla.

OKLAHOMA.

male. / malachi. ryder. zayden. maddox. abel. female. / faith. samantha. jasmine. trinity. alexis.

OREGON.

male. / elliot. jude. leon. atlas. travis. female. / juniper. sydney. melanie. charlie. daisy.

PENNSYLVANIA.

male. / sean. brady. jason. colin. hayden. female. / callie. molly. teagan. brianna. lauren.

RHODE ISLAND.

male. / zion. nico. enzo. amari. theo. female. / vivienne. anastasia. melody. valerie. sage.

SOUTH CAROLINA.

male. / kyrie. king. ashton. jayceon. jaden. female. / kendall. paris. mariah. makayla. saylor.

SOUTH DAKOTA.

male. / beckham. finn. nash. holden. knox. female. / thea. hattie. octavia. haisley. mckenna.

TENNESSEE.

male. / justin. seth. steven. kenneth. mark. female. / arabella. alexandria. amber. laura. amanda.

TEXAS.

male. / andres. matias. adriel. victor. alan. female. / arabella. lucia. alina. kimberly. ariel.

UTAH.

male. / nixon. jett. peter. victor. jonah. female. / navy. adelaide. millie. olive. holland.

VERMONT.

male. / griffin. eric. felix. forrest. spencer. female. / aurelia. bristol. lila. phoebe. mae.

VIRGINIA.

male. / bryce. patrick. brian. richard. kyle. female. / katelyn. cheyenne. jessica. aniyah. michelle.

WASHINGTON.

male. / dakota. jeremy. derek. garrett. jeffrey. female. / georgia. stephanie. nicole. alyssa. jocelyn.

WEST VIRGINIA.

male. / trenton. chandler. drew. clayton. scott. female. / destiny. rebecca. angelina. caitlyn. chelsea.

WISCONSIN.

male. / jared. mitchell. alec. brett. douglas. female. / meghan. christina. marissa. danielle. cassandra.

WYOMING.

male. / odin. zane. agustus. talon. porter. female. / maggie. gracelynn. willa. adelina. tatum.

#name help #names masterlist #writing help #rph #rpr #supportcontentcreators #mine.txt #mine.lists

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crecimiento-espiritual · 1 month

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Antes de sumergirnos en este glorioso Domingo de Resurrección, recordemos juntos el camino que hemos recorrido esta semana. Hemos acompañado los pasos de Jesús hacia la cruz, reflexionando sobre su sacrificio y amor incondicional. Hoy, sin embargo, se nos presenta una nueva etapa: los pasos de Jesús más allá de la cruz.

Al reflexionar en lo que este día significa, imaginémonos ante la tumba vacía de Jesús, escuchando las palabras del ángel: "No está aquí, ¡ha resucitado, tal como dijo!". Permíteme repetir las palabras del ángel: "No está aquí, ¡ha resucitado, tal como dijo!", ¿no es impresionantemente maravillosa esta verdad?

¡Jesús vive! Permite que estas palabras resuenen en tu corazón y en tu vida hoy.

Reflexiona por un momento: ¿Qué significado tiene para ti la resurrección de Jesús?

La magnitud y profundidad de la victoria de Jesús sobre la muerte puede ser difícil de procesar o entender, ¡pero esta es una gran noticia!

Gracias a la resurrección de Jesús, hoy tú también puedes tener una vida nueva. Hemos sido redimidos, justificados, perdonados y liberados. A pesar de nuestros errores, tenemos una paz eterna e inquebrantable con Dios.

Por tanto, hoy es un día para celebrar, agradecer y adorar; así que, hagamos una pausa y en oración expresemos nuestra gratitud a nuestro Padre celestial.

Como dije al inicio, hoy se abre una nueva etapa: Los pasos de Jesús más allá de la cruz.

El evangelista Watchman Nee escribió lo siguiente: "Nuestra antigua historia culmina con la cruz; pero nuestra nueva historia comienza con la resurrección".

La buena noticia es que la resurrección de Jesús no marca el final de la historia de Dios, sino el inicio de un nuevo capítulo emocionante y extraordinario. Y este capítulo también es tuyo.

Pocos versículos después de Mateo anunciar la resurrección, vemos cómo Jesús establece la siguiente etapa de su plan. Permíteme leer de nuevo el pasaje:

Jesús se acercó entonces a ellos y les dijo: ―Se me ha dado toda autoridad en el cielo y en la tierra. Por tanto, vayan y hagan discípulos de todas las naciones, bautizándolos en el nombre del Padre y del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo, enseñándoles a obedecer todo lo que les he mandado a ustedes. Y les aseguro que estaré con ustedes siempre, hasta el fin del mundo.

Este pasaje, conocido como la “Gran Comisión", nos invita a reflexionar sobre la resurrección de Jesús no sólo como un hecho asombroso, sino como un evento que exige una respuesta activa y genuina. No podemos quedarnos pasivos ante esta noticia trascendental que transforma el mundo. Nos llama a tomar acción.

En este Domingo de Pascua, es importante tomarnos un momento para reflexionar: ¿Quién en tu círculo necesita escuchar hoy la buena noticia del evangelio?

También reflexionemos profundamente: ¿Qué implicaría para ti aceptar la “Gran Comisión" en tu vida? ¿Cómo podrías responder con fe y obediencia al llamado de Jesús?

Para terminar, contemplemos las palabras del apóstol Pedro cuando expresó con júbilo su revelación del evangelio:

¡Bendito sea Dios, Padre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo! Por su gran misericordia, nos ha hecho nacer de nuevo mediante la resurrección de Jesucristo de entre los muertos, para que tengamos una esperanza viva y recibamos una herencia que no se puede destruir, contaminar o marchitar.

Estas palabras nos inspiran y nos invitan a vivirlas hoy y siempre.

Gracias a la resurrección de Jesús, encontramos vida, paz y esperanza.

¡Alabado sea Dios, Cristo vive!

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tengomilpalabrasparati · 2 months

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El Domingo de Ramos es una celebración cristiana en la que se conmemora la entrada de Jesucristo a Jerusalén y su aclamación como hijo de Dios. Es el sexto domingo de la Cuaresma, que da inicio a la Semana Santa.

También este día es conocido como Domingo de Pasión, debido al relato de la Pasión de Cristo, recordando el hecho histórico de la crucifixión de Jesús.

¿Cómo se calcula el Domingo de Ramos cada año?

El Domingo de Ramos es una celebración variable, te explicamos cómo calcularla cada año. Busca el primer domingo después de la primera luna llena posterior al 21 de marzo (Solsticio de Primavera). Ese domingo será el Domingo de Resurrección. Pues, una semana antes será el Domingo de Ramos. En 2024, el Domingo de Ramos será el 24 de marzo de 2024.

¿Por qué se celebra el Domingo de Ramos?

De acuerdo al documento del Vaticano "Carta circular sobre la preparación y la celebración de las fiestas pascuales" publicado en el año 1988, el Domingo de Ramos "comprende a la vez el presagio del triunfo real de Cristo y el anuncio de la Pasión". Por otra parte este documento señala que "La relación entre los dos aspectos del misterio pascual se han de evidenciar en la celebración en la catequesis del día".

La eucaristía del Domingo de Ramos tiene dos momentos importantes: la procesión y la bendición de las palmas por el sacerdote. Asimismo, se destaca la lectura de la palabra que evoca la Pasión del Señor.

youtube

En las sagradas escrituras, los evangelios de Mateo (capítulo 21) y Marcos (capítulo 11) del Nuevo Testamento señalan que Jesús de Nazareth entró a Jerusalén montado en un asno. Fue aclamado como Rey y Mesías por parte de sus seguidores, extendiendo mantos, ramos de olivo y de palma a su paso y aclamando ¡Bendito el que viene en el nombre del Señor! ¡Hossana en las alturas!

Según la fe cristiana, los ramos de palma constituyen el símbolo de la renovación de la fe en Dios, así como de la vida y resurrección de Jesucristo. La bendición de las palmas se efectúa con anterioridad a la procesión. Es una costumbre por parte de los devotos de la tradición cristiana guardar ramos de palmas bendecidos en sus hogares, los cuales simbolizan la victoria pascual de Jesucristo.

Algunos datos interesantes sobre el Domingo de Ramos

La denominación de esta celebración religiosa obedece a que Jesús fue obsequiado con ramos de palma y olivo, a su llegada a Jerusalén.

El color litúrgico del Domingo de Ramos es el rojo, ya que representa la Pasión del Señor.

Se estima que existen aproximadamente 2.600 especies de palmas, siendo la palma de cera la más utilizada para la celebración del Domingo de Ramos. Esta especie solo puede sobrevivir en climas tropicales o subtropicales.

En aquellos lugares donde no se pueden ubicar palmas o si se encuentran en peligro de extinción se utiliza en su lugar ramas de olivo, saúco, abeto o de otros árboles.

La palma es considerada un símbolo de fecundidad y riqueza, en especial para el pueblo judío.

Las palmas bendecidas que no han sido utilizadas se queman y sus cenizas se utilizan en la celebración del Miércoles de Ceniza.

En algunos países como Estados Unidos y Canadá se cosechan las palmas de manera sostenible, a fin de reducir el impacto ecológico.

¿Cómo se celebra el Domingo de Ramos en diversas partes del mundo?

El Domingo de Ramos se caracteriza generalmente por la bendición de las palmas, la procesión de Jesús acompañada de los fieles y la celebración de la misa dominical.

Las personas tienen en sus casas ramos de palma bendecidos en la iglesia, las cuales se acostumbra hacer formas de cruces, colocándolas detrás de las puertas, en imágenes sagradas y cuadros religiosos.

Te mostramos como se celebra esta festividad religiosa en diversas partes del mundo:

España:

En San Cristóbal de La Laguna (Tenerife) se efectúa una procesión acompañada de la Cofradía de la Entrada de Jesús en Jerusalén.

Perú:

En la ciudad de Huacho se lleva a cabo la procesión del Señor del Triunfo montado en su burriquita, acompañado de San Juan Evangelista y Zaqueo.

Guatemala:

Además de la tradicional procesión de Jesús de la Borriquita por las calles, se elaboran ramos con hojas de palma de la temporada y de dos colores, incluyendo flores y adornos asociados a la pasión de Cristo.

Se colocan los ramos en los umbrales de las puertas de los hogares, como símbolo de buena suerte y de protección contra malas influencias.

Existe la creencia que cuando una persona sufre un susto por alguna circunstancia, debe tomar una infusión elaborada con hojas de palma y "le vuelve el resuello".

Bolivia:

Se realiza la "Aymara de animales" en la Feria de Ramos, en honor a la celebración católica del Domingo de Ramos. Es una feria callejera anual en donde los indígenas venden y compran animales, emulando a los tiempos bíblicos.

Siria:

Los devotos conmemoran el Domingo de Ramos con grandes palmas en forma de arco, simbolizando la llegada del Mesías a Jerusalén.

Rusia:

El clero de la iglesia rusa realiza una procesión junto a los fieles con sus ramos y posteriormente la celebración dominical e inicio de la Semana Santa.

Venezuela:

En Caracas es tradición la bajada de los Palmeros de Chacao, quienes traen las palmas desde el cerro El Ávila que serán bendecidas el Domingo de Ramos, simbolizando la entrada de Jesús a Jerusalén.

¿Cómo se llaman los días relacionados con la Semana Santa?

Te indicamos cómo se denominan los días relacionados con la Semana Santa, ya sean los de la propia semana santa, previos o posteriores:

Días propiamente de la semana santa:

Domingo de Ramos: Es el domingo anterior al Domingo de Resurrección, que marca el inicio de la Semana Santa.

Lunes Santo: Es el lunes previo al Domingo de Resurrección.

Martes Santo: Es el martes previo al Domingo de Resurrección.

Miércoles Santo: Es el miércoles previo al Domingo de Resurrección.

Jueves Santo: Es el jueves que sigue al Domingo de Ramos y conmemora la última cena de Jesús con sus discípulos.

Viernes Santo: Es el viernes que sigue al Jueves Santo y conmemora la crucifixión y muerte de Jesús.

Sábado de Gloria: Es el sábado previo al Domingo de Resurrección y se celebra la vigilia pascual.

Domingo de Resurrección: Es el domingo que sigue al Sábado de Gloria y celebra la resurrección de Jesús.

Otros días relacionados con la semana santa pero que se producen antes:

Jueves de Pasión: Es el jueves anterior al Domingo de Ramos y suele ser un día de oración y preparación para la Semana Santa.

Viernes de Dolores: Es el viernes anterior al Domingo de Ramos y conmemora el dolor de la Virgen María por la muerte de su hijo.

Sábado de Lázaro: Es el sábado anterior al Domingo de Ramos y se conmemora la resurrección de Lázaro por parte de Jesús.

Domingo de Pasión: Es el domingo anterior al Domingo de Ramos y es considerado como el inicio de la Cuaresma.

Otros días relacionados con la semana santa pero que se producen después:

Lunes de Pascua: Es el lunes siguiente al Domingo de Resurrección y se celebra la Pascua. Es un día de descanso en algunos países y en otros se realizan actividades festivas.

Martes de Pascua: Es el martes siguiente al Domingo de Resurrección y en algunos países se celebra con procesiones y otros eventos.

Octava de Pascua: Es un período de ocho días que comienza en el Domingo de Resurrección y termina en el siguiente Domingo de Resurrección.

Domingo de la Divina Misericordia: Es el domingo siguiente al Domingo de Resurrección y es una festividad importante en la Iglesia Católica.

Ascensión de Jesús: Es el día en que Jesús ascendió al cielo, que se celebra cuarenta días después del Domingo de Resurrección. Pentecostés: Es el día en que el Espíritu Santo descendió sobre los apóstoles y se celebra cincuenta días después del Domingo de Resurrección.

Si compartes en redes sociales usa los hashtags #SemanaSanta #Ramos #palms #palmas #DomingodeRamos.

#Es el sexto domingo de la Cuaresma #que da inicio a la Semana Santa.#Youtube

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littlelesbinonny · 10 months

Text

The Devil’s Den

Chapter 14: In Which A Plunge Takes Place

You can read this also on Ao3 at:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/46831621/chapters/117962293

"Alcina!"

A voice called after her.

"Alcina!!"

She was really in no mood to be bothered. She had just had a most rewarding night with you, and now bloody what.

Turning on her heels with a prominent eye-roll, there trotting after her on the cobblestone street was Angie.

Oh. Wonderful.

Her face was alight with glee, for what she didn't know, nor was she so sure she wanted to. Whenever something concerned Angie, it was likely mayhem or destruction. Or hurt feelings. Not hers, of course.

With a huff to ward off her annoyance, Alcina offered a small smile and considered the much shorter, raggedy blonde now in front of her.

"Yes, dear Angie?"

"It's Victoria's fledgling," she grinned wide, "he's done it again! That's what, the fifth, or sixth human kill offense?"

Fuck.

She blinked hard and sighed once more.

"Bring him and Victoria to the council chamber hall immediately," Alcina commanded with an authoritative voice that sent a thrilling shiver down Angie's spine, "alert the other council seats, they are to be present as well. I shall not be long."

With a sharp turn she was off.

Angie wiggled her eyebrows excitedly at Alcina's word, a knowing smile creeping up on her lips as the remaining scent of you was clinging to the Matriarch like a thunder cloud as she walked away. Still, that was something else. Tonight, er, this morning, blood would be shed!

Off like a dash she went to round everyone up.

The council chamber hall was large and very reminiscent to a gothic cathedral. The pillars were tall, built from the ground to the ceiling, filling the large domed area with an ominous presence. In the middle was a large rectangular sunken floor, surrounded by 3 wide steps to the higher level, which, to one side lead up to the highest platform; a large seat against the large stone wall for the reigning Monarch at the time to sit during meetings such as this, and standing room for the other 10 council members.

Along the long, large four walls were tapestries painted depicting scenes of the many wars, the only one without bloodshed was the one where the Monarch sat. It depicted the peace treaty and alliance that was settled under Alcina's reign. Many regarded it as the most important, as it should sit above any and all Monarchs henceforth.

The long chamber was now filled with the council members and any other lycan or vampire who wished to view the trial. Word didn't sit idle underground, so damn near the whole city was packed into the room.

Everyone was buzzing very quietly to themselves. The two on trial were in the middle of the sunken floor, accompanied by two lycan guards, Gerard and Mateo, appointed by Alcina.

Victoria and the offender stood side by side, the offender chained by his wrists.

The hushed whispers and commentary were interrupted by the sound of pronounced heels clicking on the stone floors, the impending arrival of the Matriarch silencing everyone as the hush echoed loudly.

Alcina stepped into the chamber through the large dark archway with her daughters in file behind her. She was wearing a black dress, very similar to the white one she wore for council meetings, and her large brimmed hat. The girls mirrored their mother's fashion by donning black flowing dresses with plunging necklines. Each of them silent, unlike their mother.

With shallow nods to the vampires and lycans who offered them as she passed, she glided up the steps like wind, nodded to the council members, Donna the most embellished, and took her seat. Her girls stood in the wings.

She was truly a terrifying sight. Her beauty unmatched, her grand stature, her height, and wicked look upon her face.

Yes. She was the epitome of a ruthless Matriarch.

Eying Victoria and her fledgling, Alcina lifted her head just slightly and basked in the utter silence.

"Victoria Braithwaite," she stated, her melodious voice ringing through the hall, "it has come to my attention that Matthew Torrence, your fledgling, continues to disobey our laws. How do you plead?"

She was a scrawny thing. Strawberry blonde hair, plain, yet striking blue eyes. She shifted on her feet and stepped forward.

"Lady Dimitrescu, please, consider leniency. He is my first fledgling."

Alcina raised her brow unamused.

"First or fiftieth, you know the laws," she said, tilting her head towards Donna, "how many offenses are we aware of?"

"Seven, my Lady Dimitrescu."

Donna's answer sent a rustling of whispers through the crowd and Alcina cleared her throat, silencing it immediately.

"That is four offenses over the limit, Victoria. I ask you again; how do you plead?"

The young vampire at Victoria's side looked to her as if hoping for a lie. He was also scrawny, but his face held trickery and something else Alcina didn't like.

"How do you plead?" Alcina's voice became louder and sharp.

Victoria startled and looked back at the Matriarch, "G-guilty, My Lady."

Silence settled in harder than before, all eyes now on Alcina awaiting her ruling.

She rose slowly and stepped forward to the steps, looking down on the two vampires with an unreadable expression.

"Then it is my duty to judge accordingly; death by sun for the fledgling. As it is apparent he cannot be controlled or taught. Mateo please escort - "

By some wild insanity and ignorance the young vampire snarled and lunged at Alcina.

No one could be sure what was heard first; the collective gasps, the yank of the chain around his wrists, Daniela, Cassandra and Bela shrieking as they fled forward to protect their mother, or Alcina meeting him head on in full blood-rage form.

Slashing, screeching, and gurgling rang out through the chamber. She sliced him to complete ribbons with her claws, eyes as black as her dress, that color the only thing from showing the splattering of blood all over her clothing. Her pale grey skin however displayed it proudly as she stood over his body, twitching, and eventually slumping still as blood gushed with one more surge from his mangled throat.

Those black eyes peered over to Victoria who was stumbling away from the towering Monarch, her own wide with fear.

Alcina didn't move, still slightly hunched from the kill, merely watching her as she tumbled her way to a cold stone step and stayed solid as a rock.

"I say this once, and only once to all in this room..." her tone was icy and gravely, "our laws are not to be trifled with. Follow them. Or meet the same fate as this pitiful excuse for a vampire."

Angie was chuckling as quietly as she could on the sidelines, Karl was repositioning his hat, Donna was standing unmoved and tall, and Salvatore was already slithering off through the side door.

"Mateo, Gerard, throw his body in the sun tower," she commanded flatly as she began to transform back to some normalcy.

They nodded in compliance. Alcina returned the nod, hiked up her dress gently, stepped over the blood pooling on the floor and took leave herself. Her daughters were right behind her.

"Is everyone just like, losing their collective minds down here, or what?" Angie asked nudging Mitch, "who the fuck thinks it's a good idea to challenge the Matriarch. I mean, that's two vamp deaths in like, two-ish months. Maybe Alcina is just on a roll, I love it when she's on a roll, she can kill anyone in front of me any day, she's such a boss ass bitch."

"Ang," Donna said gently walking towards the group, "please... these really are serious matters, could you try to at least pretend to be a quiet, somewhat reverent council member?"

"Look, we all know I am many things, many many things, all of which are not quiet or reverent. And that's why I'm so loved."

The only one not trying to hide their eyeroll was Karl.

"Listen pixie dust storm, we're all very aware."

Angie cackled again and took off on her own in a flash.

Donna, Mitch, and Karl stood at the back watching the guards dragging off the mess of what was a body. Victoria had dashed as soon as Alcina took her eyes off her, and everyone else was filing out, off to continue their gossip and lives as if nothing had happened.

The city was exceptionally silent as she walked her way back to the manor, even with her girls in tow. Alcina was trying to dab away the remaining blood on her exposed chest, face, and neck with a handkerchief Bela had offered her. It didn't seem to be doing much good.

The girls were nervously eying each other behind her.

Blood-rage usually took several hours to come down from, however their mother had seemed to put it to bed in a matter of minutes.

That wasn't normal.

Without a word they deduced this had to do with you. The changes taking place in their mother over the last generous two months was easily apparent to them. They hoped it wasn't so for too many others here in the underground.

Alcina had hardly touched any blood wine in weeks. She was mellow. Sedate, even. And yet she was softer and more prevalent in giving them all affection than she had been in many years. It was wonderful, but it was also concerning.

As they entered the large gates and wafted through the courtyard, Alcina opened the front door and allowed them in before her with a wave of her hand, accompanied by a pleasantly soft smile.

"Are you turning in for the day, girls?" she questioned taking off her hat.

They exchanged some glances and nodded.

"Yes, I think so mother," Cassandra answered.

Alcina mused on her reply with a hum.

"Well, sleep sound my darlings," that low timbre cooed, reaching out to kiss them all on their foreheads, admiring each beautiful face with a sweet grin, "I shall see you come evening."

"You too, mama," Daniela replied slipping her arms around her waist, holding her tightly.

The other two joined the embrace and Alcina hummed warmly, that smile growing wider.

"My sweet daughters... now, off to bed with you. Rest."

Karl was puffing on another cigar; this was easily his third in an hour.

He was tinkering with another contraption that had been shelved for a while. He couldn't really remember why, until the rogue wire he was trying to reconnect shocked the ever-loving shit out of him. The whole thing sparking and puffing out tiffs of smoke.

"Shit! Piss! Motherfucker!" he spat shaking his hand after jerking it away.

"Son of a bitch - now I remember, you piece of hunkin', fuckin', piss-ant, no good -"

Continuing to throw and grumble expletives while rubbing his hand, he kicked the thing off his bench, mumbling and murmuring, unaware of the presence now watching from the door of his shop.

Donna was smiling only gently leaning up against the door, one arm folded under her chest while the other tried to hide the grin.

"I see nothing has changed much in this shop of yours," she offered.

His head snapped up and a large puff of smoke left his lips, his good hand scratching the stubble on his cheek.

"Yeah well, some hunks of junk just can't be fixed either," he kicked it one more time for posterity.

She chuckled as then neatly folded her hands behind her back, "may I?"

"Of course."

Karl grabbed two chairs that were the least dirty and plopped them together in the cleanest area of his shop, taking a seat himself, legs splayed and slumping.

"Why are you still up this late?" Donna asked, resting a little uneasy on the chair.

He eyed her with another puff of his cigar. He knew where this was going.

"Why are you up this late."

Wasn't a question. He knew why she was here.

Donna sighed. Eyes trailing off to settle on an unknown object for rest, an anchor for the time being while her thoughts tried to dismantle the tangle.

"I'm worried about her."

Karl sat still.

"I don't know how to help her."

"I'm not really sure what you want me to say," he said quietly, "the door is shut tight?"

She peered back to him and nodded quickly.

At her affirmation he scooted closer and hunkered his forearms on his legs, "Spill, D."

"You saw what happened tonight. I don't know if anyone else noticed. But her control, her strength, it's double what it used to be. She killed that boy with a finesse I've never seen from her, and I've known her for long enough, I..." Donna's tone dropped off, her face growing slightly severe, "it's that human," her voice now a whisper, "there is something about that human. I don't know what she is, but she has changed Alcina. I don't know how. But I have never seen a vampire recover that quickly from blood-rage, Karl, never."

He had to chew on her words. Yes, he'd seen it.

"Well... I don't know what to tell ya, D."

"Tell me you're with us, with me, with her, if something happens," Donna shot off quickly, "tell me I can trust you, and your men, if something goes awry, no matter what it is."

Karl could feel the apprehension radiating off the slender woman, her fear and uncertainty closer to the surface than he can ever recall. He didn't understand the whole of vampires, wouldn't even pretend to, but he knew where his loyalties were. He and his men didn't swear allegiance to Alcina lightly. She had proven herself to him, to them, over and over and they would die by her side. They would protect her, whatever that entailed.

"Of course. We're with you."

It was 10 AM when you finally got out of bed. Alcina had drank a lot from you last night. You weren't complaining. But damn you were sore, and kind of tired.

You turned on the light as you entered the bathroom and eyed your naked body with a grin. The faint pricks in the shape of her teeth were scattered all over you. A hum of satisfaction rumbled in your throat and you started the shower.

The desire inside you to pay her back all the pleasure she had given you was growing insatiable. Sex was usually so cheap for you; never had a partner that connected deeply enough, never satisfying the need you had. But her? The two of you hadn't even had sex and you'd had more pleasure than you could possibly account for.

But this was so much more than the physical bliss.

She had invigorated and stimulated every sense within you. Made you think, made you dream, made you alive and eager for life.

That was a fucking miracle.

Who knew a vampire, a creature of the undead, could make you feel life.

All you wanted was make her feel the same way.

Your day was slow and so were you.

Perhaps you'd both been a little more vigorous than you should have been.

Oh well.

The contented state you found just watching the cloudy day go by was easy; the sun shifted here and there through the clouds until they all seemed to scatter and hide permanently behind the reaching brick buildings. The blue of the heavens was pale and soft and you felt the heaviness in your eyelids tip over slowly.

Your bean bag chair cuddled you up and the lights went out.

In the darkness there was a familiar glow of golden eyes, half lidded and glorious. Calm. Tender, for whom they belonged.

It was quiet.

It was peaceful.

You felt protected even when she wasn't around.

A cool caress pulled you oh so carefully from your slumber and soon you were looking back into those eyes you loved so much. But now they were grey; deep skies of thunder and rain. So beautiful.

"Alcina..." you whispered, a smile quickly appearing as your bearings came back into focus. The view outside your balcony door was much different. Black skies, orange light beaming up and out of the architecture. You sighed.

"Well shit, seems I slept the day away."

She was softer looking than usual; a light grey jacket tonight, long, not form fitting in the slightest. But the usual black pants, and shorter, ankle height black heeled boots.

What a fucking vision.

This woman could grace the cover of one fashion magazine and ruin it for every other model in living, breathing existence.

Alcina couldn't help the toothy grin as she peered down at you, your eyes alight despite your weary nature.

"Mmm, I am not surprised in the slightest. I may have been a little too greedy with you last night, draga mea," she smoothed the air with her voice, outstretching a slender hand, "come... I have just the thing."

Her body reacted tenderly to your grasp as she pulled you up and into her arms. You flooded her with a crawling sensation of withdrawal; every guard she had once possessed seemed to lay down arms and take a seat on lush grass, lose their sense of self and urgency and just be. Just be.

You little wonder.

Alcina clasped her hands about your face gently and kissed you just the same, enjoying the slowness for once, taking time to remember you were still human. Frail. Not unbreakable. And, easy to hurt.

That was the last thing she ever wanted.

There wasn't a bone in your body you weren't sure wasn't turning to rubber and bending to her unspoken will. Alcina was pure command, pure direction, and dictation. She was in control, plain and simple. And what-the-fuck-ever. Were you gunna say no?

"Mmmmm. And what is this 'thing'?" you inquired slumping into her grasp, the lazy smirk on your lips making her arch that perfect eyebrow.

"Oh, well, that... I have to show you."

She winked.

And then you were on the roof of the apartment complex.

You would never get used to how fast she moved.

Ever.

The blur of movement and scenery left the butterflies in the pit of your stomach confused, shrieking, and running into each other. You had to shake your head to recollect.

You'd never been on the roof before but you were positive there was never a lovely little love-seat, tiny end table, and candles up here.

Alcina had left you there as she drifted towards the table and pulled something from the inside of her coat, placing it on the table. Turning to you she offered her long arm once again to you, beckoning you to her as she pulled you in and held you close.

It was darker up here, the light from far below creating a most perfect ambience. On top of the roofs of all of New York was a favorite for Alcina. Alone. Secluded. No one to see or bother. And now she had you all alone in a world closer to her own.

You snuggled into her. Ready to surrender to sleep in an instant. This was a little too cute and perfect.

"Draga mea... you poor, poor thing, I can tell how absolutely exhausted you are," she cooed, stroking your back and kissing the shell of your ear, "come, I brought you an elixir to help with the drastic drain. I thought perhaps we could watch the stars tonight, enjoy each others company in a gentler light."

There wasn't much time for your reply. Alcina had taken you by the hand and sat you on the quaint couch, grabbed the small bottle from the table and sat beside you.

You couldn't be sure what color the liquid was, but it seemed to be a dark blue or green.

A slight chuckle escaped Alcina's crimson lips, she could hear your question before you could even formulate it.

"It is an old elixir from when humans were still kept as pets; when a vampire and their human would get carried away, much as we did last night, the human would drink this to help aid in their healing and recovery," Alcina caressed your cheek lovingly, "I promise draga, it is completely safe, I would never give you anything that would harm you."

That warmed you.

"I know, I trust you."

Somehow your admission stumbled and calmed both of you.

You knew she was a vicious, dangerous, deadly killer. But to you, she was just Alcina. Your vampire. Your unintended, unexpected, unyielding saving grace.

She knew, too.

Popping out the cork, not even bothering to smell it, you downed it in one gulp. The surprise of it not tasting like absolute shit was very welcomed. It was a bit of a floral flavor, maybe a bit earthy, but other than that it was smooth on the way down.

Sitting back into the couch you eyed her intently.

"How many pets have you had in your day?" you asked kindly, yet curiouser than you'd care to admit.

Alcina wasn't sure if she hid the sting on her face as that question pierced her through the chest.

But, she wasn't going to lie to you. She had decided a long while ago that no matter what you asked, she would answer. Secrets did no one a favor in a life like this. At least, not in this situation. Repeating what happened with Madeleine was something she never wanted to do again.

"One," she stated carefully, "and truly, calling her a pet is... crude, at best," she took a shallow breath and released it slowly, but Alcina kept her eyes hooked to yours, "I never liked the term. For many, or possibly all vampires, it fits. Perhaps too well. But for me... I never saw her as such. I didn't consider myself her owner, as if she was chained like an animal to me and my will, that she was property for me to command and do as I pleased. No. She was... a connection. A living, breathing, thinking, feeling, person all her own."

You watched as her eyes trailed away as her memories drug her down a jagged path.

You needed to get her back.

"What was her name?"

Oh, your question was so soft. Alcina smiled gently, the remains of a doleful wince lilting as the name sounded in her head.

"Madeleine."

"That's pretty," you smiled brighter, trying to keep this light, "tell me more about her? I mean, if you want."

Alcina leaned back into the arm of the couch and beckoned you into her, you complied and she settled there with you, her eyes drifting to the very pale pin-pricks of light in the black blanket above. Damn city light pollution.

"Well... what to tell..."

The two of you lay there, Alcina regaling you once again of stories from her past; this time about her love, her human, Madeleine. How she was a beautiful thing; a curly haired red-head barely into her 30's, tall, slender, cheek bones you could cut glass with, and a sad and broken heart of a child she lost far too young. The bonding they shared, the deep connection and learned and respected differences and similarities that complimented the two so perfectly. How hours between them seemed to slip by the same way it did for the two of you, and how she and Madeleine would steal away any moment they could until the sun was clawing it's way to the surface; a demon hell-bent to rip them apart. As always.

The story had fizzled out and you felt Alcina still.

You could sense the coolness of sadness and something else seep into her.

There was more.

"What happened to her?"

There it was.

The question Alcina dreaded you to ask but knew your intelligence, and curiosity, would never let lie.

"She died."

Her reply was quiet. In fact you weren't sure she had actually uttered it.

You carefully repositioned and looked at her, a steady hand on her chest, looking for the unspoken answer to the question you hadn't yet pressed.

"How?"

'Alcina, please.'

Madeleine's plea was shaky, trembling, just as the rest of her frail frame.

Her dress was torn and ragged. Tears had painted trails of smudged grey down her cheeks where her mascara once graced her beautiful long eyelashes. Her teeth were chattering; it was cold in the underground and she was barely clothed.

In the middle of the council hall stood Alcina, Madeleine, hundreds of other vampires, guards, and Mother Miranda; standing tall and ominous at the top step looking down to the two women in the judgement circle.

Alcina couldn't look up. Her eyes were sealed to the floor at her feet.

She too, was clad barely in any clothing. Her side was side was an ugly, open, bloodied mess. Her gown was plastered to her thigh and all down her leg with her blood. Her chest was hastily trying to intake air, half to ease the pain, half to steady her senses that were wild as an injured, cornered lion.

Her body ached.

Her heart was screaming.

Everything around her was spinning and all she could hear was Madeleine's quivering breath, and Mother Miranda.

'Quit being weak, Alcina!'

It rattled her core. All she could taste was copper, a toxic bitterness from whatever was on that dagger. How it coursed through the dead black veins in her body made her sick. Like slugs pulsing, slithering, moving within her with no way to expunge the putrid feeling.

She felt like she was dying all over again, but this time in a much more horrid way.

'ALCINA!'

Her eyes finally snapped up from the floor to find Madeleine now in the grasp of Mother Miranda's guard.

'I will do this if you make me, but if I do, know that it will be more horrific than the blight of your own hand. Her suffering will endure for as long as I see fit and I WILL make you endure every second along with her.'

Alcina quite literally could not move. She could feel the hot, sticky trails of tears cutting down her cheeks and the shattering of her chest.

It was only when Madeleine finally caught her eyes up in hers, that tender plea once more falling from her lips, the slightest nod from her head full of long red curls, could Alcina shakily grasp a semblance of strength.

'Please', she mouthed, 'please.'

Please.

Alcina owed it to Madeleine to do this by her hand, by a loving hand, not one of cruelty and malice. She owed it to her, her lover, her confidant, to end her life by way of love. Regardless of the sick and twisted bane it bore.

'Her blood is the only thing that will end this suffering, yours and hers, Alcina. Do it.'

If Alcina had had the strength she would have slit Mother Miranda's throat, tore her head from her pompous body and everyone else's in this room. But Mother Miranda knew her strength, knew her capabilities, of course she did. Hence the poison drenched on the dagger she so easily plunged into Alcina's side earlier.

Crippling her not only gave her sick pleasure, it was the only upper hand she had. The only leveling of the playing ground.

Stupid fucking bitch.

She hated her.

Hated her.

A last whimper of Madeleine sent Alcina over the edge.

She tore her lover from the arms of the guard and held her close.

Who was shaking and quivering more was as good as anyone's guess. Madeleine's heart beat was rapid and sounded so loudly in Alcina's ears, it hurt. It all hurt so much.

'I'm so sorry!'

Came the pained whisper of pure and utter regret.

'I'm not.'

Replied the gentle reassurance, filled with love and acceptance Alcina would never understand.

A clench of her eyelids, tears forced free, Alcina bit down on Madeleine's throat.

You didn't know what happened just then, but you felt a tidal wave from Alcina you hadn't before. It was cold just as much as it was scorching hot. Her eyes seemed to flash in those brief seconds upon you asking and feared perhaps you should have just left it alone. But the static began to evaporate and you felt Alcina's body release.

"I... killed her."

Oh.

The admission wasn't as candid as it seemed. There was so much more beneath this. You couldn't see it, but you could definitely feel it. And it felt like a thousand and one weights on top of your chest.

Something terrible had taken place. Alcina would not do this by mere chance, by accident, by choice. No, not the way she spoke of her.

"Wh-why?" you asked with a hush.

Please don't, draga mea.

Alcina swallowed.

"I... chose to spare her one death in exchange for another."

You opened your mouth to reply but you couldn't. Something held your words, pressed a hand to your pressing curiosity and settled the unease and need for more answers. Alcina was hurting. You sensed it, felt it. And you didn't need her to tell you everything, you didn't need to make her relive anymore pain just for your own sake. No. This was enough.

In a moments passing you simply gave a slight nod, and nestled back a little, letting her know silently you weren't going to pry any further.

Alcina was stunned when you didn't immediately pull away and run. You didn't push. You just accepted it? She narrowed her eyes at you but felt nothing awry, nothing to tell her you were puling away from her. You were so perplexing.

She placed a hand over yours, "It's a story I cannot bare to tell you all of now," her breath was sharp on the inhale, "please know it was a decision I never wanted to make, one I shouldn't have had to... and I..."

"It was Mother Miranda wasn't it."

Alcina's eyes about went black.

"How could you know that?"

You shook your head and sat up, looking at her with more love and acceptance than you were aware you had in your body, "I don't know, I don't know how or why I knew that I just... when you talk about her, it's like I can just... feel and know things without any real reason and it's actually kind of infuriating at this point. It's happening more and more."

Alcina continued to stare at you.

"I'm - I'm so sorry, I... is that why you tried to break things off with me a while ago?"

Good hell. Did your baffling, blunt, all-knowing questions ever cease?

She huffed.

"Yes. And since you seem to be so privy to things you shouldn't, I suppose I needn't explain any further."

You smirked, eliciting one in exchange.

Grasping her hand firmly you brought it to your lips, kissing her pale knuckles, "I really am sorry. I know it means very little, but, no one should have to make that choice."

It meant everything.

No one had ever apologized to Alcina for anything. Not for harm they caused, not for pain she endured, not for anything in the world. And now you. Apologizing for something you had no hand in.

The size of the enigma that was you was just getting bigger.

Alcina didn't know how to regard you, how to understand you, respond or speak. You had empathy beyond her comprehension.

How she wished to put you together like a puzzle, the big picture of you becoming clearer and clearer with each piece placed.

She was beginning to fall for you. Deeply.

The remainder of the night was spent oddly silent, yet without a scent of awkwardness. Another unspoken exchange of awareness, understanding, and acceptance had the two of you cuddling once again to watch the muted stars inch ever so slowly across the velvet heavens.

You had fallen asleep a few hours before dawn and Alcina was peacefully content to hold you. Admire you. Ponder your vast array of intrigue and weave a dream of what life could have been like with you if things were entirely different. She could and would be able to love you in any lifetime, that she was sure.

Alcina placed a groggy you back into your bed as the sun threatened its entrance. She kissed you with reverence and tucked you in soundly, left you to slumber on as a busy mind kept her company on the way back to the underground.

Still, she felt no indifference from you. Had no fear that you would shy from her even from what she'd told you. There was much clarification needed, she wanted to tell you, but Alcina wasn't sure she could revisit it as of yet.

Time heals all wounds.

Bullshit.

The manor was oddly lit up as she approached.

Upon entry she heard several voices from the living room, and jazz from the antique gramophone player buzzing it's way through the air.

She hung her coat as the bones in her spine became unnaturally stiff.

As Alcina rounded the corner, her heart, had it been alive, would have stopped. Died. Shriveled up and collected into dust in the pit of her stomach.

"Mother Miranda."

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