#SUNRISE AFRICA GROUP

[astoldbyaja]

Unbowed - 4 (Sinners 2025)

Natives were hindered of owning land in the south much like us colored, but nonetheless I gave my husband’s deed to the house to Chayton and spoke with him and the elders of his tribe to ensure my home would be protected from anyone who would dare try and run me from my home.

It felt somewhat wrong having another man in this house so quickly after burying my husband, but what choice did I have? When the old men left, I followed Chayton from the house, and he led me over to a small group of men.

“Nysa let me introduce you to some good friends of mine. This is Isaac Nashoba, Thomas Running Horse, you know my cousin Kene already, Billy Homma, and James Impson.” he said. The men had fierce serious eyes, their bodies firm like walls as they nodded and said hello to me. The clothes they wore, I always thought was beautiful. They knew where they came from, where their history was and they wore it with pride. I could never begin to figure out where my family came from back in Africa… what tribe I was from.

“Hello sirs.” I said with a nod. They nodded and began to get back on their horses or their trucks as they traveled with the elders. Chayton looked at me.

“These men like many of the warriors of our tribe, work together to protect our land and people. You will now be a part of that Nysa.” he said. I looked up at Chayton with a light eye. I still felt dread and sadness in my heart.

“Thank you Chayton… I’d feel a lot safer with you around.” I replied. He nodded looking down some as if in thought for a moment before looking back up with a more softened stare.

“Even though I’m now the man of the house, if you have needs, I’ll see to ‘em. You need any clothes or special things; I’ll take care of them for you.” he said. His tone seemed to be hiding something else, but I didn’t care too much to figure it out. As long as he had no bad intent toward me. I just hoped he kept true to his words of seeing my needs met. I nodded.

“Thank you… do you have any things you wish to bring from your home to here?” I asked. He nodded.

“A few, but I’ll bring them over when I finish working. I do keep a few weapons for protection of course.” he said. I nodded.

“I understand… and… I’ll tend to your needs as well.” I said. His body stiffens some and I looked toward the house. “With cooking and cleaning.”

He gives a mild flushed look and nodded.

“I appreciate it.” he said.

Chayton was very busy through the day fishing with some of his men and taking their game to the market to sell. I did my best to keep myself busy through the house. But it was hard, my chest tightens, and tears flow down my face as I can smell my husband’s smell all around the house, in our blankets, in his clothes I hadn’t the strength to get rid of. I stood in the doorway of our bedroom looking around. This house is small, not truly big enough to fit a family, but it could be done if needed, but our bed… our bed holds memories of love and lust and talking until the sunrise. Miles listened to me. I wasn’t just his wife, I was a “vibrant beautiful creature he couldn’t believe said yes to marry him”.

There is no other furniture in this house to sleep in, Chayton would have to sleep in this bed. I couldn’t make him sleep on the floor. Could I? No, he’s the man of the house now! What will people say when they see us together? Does he want to be seen with me? They’ll think I moved on from Miles so quickly! They’ll think I’m a harlot! A whore!

I broke down and cried again overwhelmed with too many thoughts and emotions about everything. I slid down the wall and just cried my feelings out again. When the crying eventually faded and I was sniffling, I just remained on the floor staring out the window for a moment, the sun shining through our thin curtains and touching my face. I closed my eyes for a moment and sighed gently looking down for a moment.

“I hope I did the right thing.” I said to myself. Slowly I got up and began to move things around in the bedroom, mostly removing Miles clothes from the dressers he made and folded them up. I would put them away for now and figure out what to do with them later. Maybe I’ll sell them? No, I couldn’t do that! They were his.

I heard a familiar shouting coming from the porch and I turned and moved from the bedroom making my way to the front door. I opened it to see Chayton getting out of his truck. He was shirtless, his hair pulled back into a bun.

“I caught us dinner!” he said with a brief smirk before moving around to the bed fo the truck. I was confused for a moment as I stepped off the porch and approached.

“Caught- ah!” I yelped as he pulled a deer carcass from the truck and over his shoulder. He smirked.

“Never had deer before?” he asked. I stuttered in shock as I looked at the animal then at him, his body glistening with a thin layer of sweat.

“No, I have not! We could have gone to the market, and I could have made us something.” I said. He gave almost an amused smile before shaking his head.

“You’re mourning your husband; I can see it in your eyes. Let me make you something tonight I promise you’ll love it.” he said as he began to walk around me. I stuttered once again in shock watching before having no choice but to follow him behind the house where he had a small set up for handling the animals he brought home.

I don’t know how he did it, but tonight we had deer meat with beans and squash. We sat at the table, and I ate the meat surprised at how good it was.

“Good?” he asked. I looked up at him and nodded.

“Yes… I never thought I’d like deer before.” I said as if stunned and impressed. He gave a nod.

“I can make many different things.” he said. I ate my food and looked at him curiously.

“How come you ain’t married?” I asked. A man his age should definitely have a wife and kids and not living with a widow. He didn’t seem offended by my question.

“My job as chief has come with many responsibilities some dangerous… It can take up my time so much that I cannot be available to a woman.” he said. I was now even more curious of his explanation. Women couldn’t be single into their adult years for too long, but I guess for men it’s not that uncommon. Chayton then gives a small grin. “It’s not like I have not had elders try and convince me to marry their daughters.”

I ate some of my squash and nodded.

“I’m sure any young Choctaw woman would love to be your wife.” I said with a soft smile. He was bringing his fork to his mouth when he glanced up at me for a split second before nodding and giving a small smile.

“Thank you.” he said and placed his fork in his mouth.

When the moon was finally up high and we were both cleaned from the earlier day, we both stood before the open door of my bedroom staring at the bed. I was in a white night dress and Chayton was in night pants which was a thinly layered.

“Nysa- I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.” he said, and I shook my head gently looking up at him.

“No, this… is your home now Chayton. I think… we can share a bed without any worries.” I said. His eyes softened on my face, and he nodded.

“Okay.” he said gently before holding his arm out for me to enter first. I moved inside first, and he followed, closing the door behind us. I moved over to the side of the bed closest to the wall and got beneath the blankets. My hearts pounding heavy beneath my chest and I feel so nervous. I’ve only ever had Miles in my bed just with me in general.

The bed dipped low, and Chayton got in beside me placing his head into my husband’s pillow and pulling the blankets over himself. I hear him make a low hum noise. I look at his face in the dark.

“What is it?” I asked softly.

“These blankets are very comfortable.” he compliments. His words settle my fast-beating heart, and I nodded gently.

“Yes, they are.” I said as we lied like this shoulder to shoulder on our backs. I hated being so stiff, no matter how hard I tried to relax, I couldn’t. I was used to holding something, leaning on something- someone. I closed my eyes and sat up placing my hand over my forehead already feeling stressed and emotional. Chayton leaned up immediately.

“What is it Nysa?” he asks voice dripping in concern and I looked at him with watery eyes.

“I don’t sleep anymore… my body is used to the body heat of my husband’s and not being able to relax or feel safe to lean on him keeps me up at night.” I explained. I see the moon’s rays hitting his body some, his dark eyes watching me with sincerity.

“So, lean on me.” he said. I looked at him stunned.

“What?” I asked. He looked down at the blankets.

“I said I would tend to your needs, and I meant it. If you need to lean on me for comfort, I will gladly do it.” he said. Gladly? Why, why was he so willing to do all of this for me? At the moment I didn’t care to voice my question as all I really wanted to do was sleep and actually stay asleep. So, I nodded slowly hoping this worked. He leaned back into the bed, his smoldering eyes watching me the entire time. I leaned back and turned toward his shoulder. Slowly, I nudged close to him and immediately I notice the thick foresty scent of his skin. It’s different unlike anything I had ever smelled before. It’s an earthy undertone of river clay and sage.

But also, his skin was warm and soothing, although calloused, it still seeped into my cheek and felt comforting to my senses. I always liked the body scents of humans, I could never explain it, but it made me take note of them. My eyes fluttered closed as I let out a soft sigh nuzzling my nose into his shoulder. He’s not tensed, he’s not worried or nervous. Chayton never seemed like the kind of man to be nervous about anything anyway. I steady my breathing after a few silent moments.

“Is this, okay?” I asked softly into his skin, inhaling his smell.

“It’s okay.” he said lowly.  A single tear rolls down my eyes as I focus on falling asleep.

[rippersz]

𝐄𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬

‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹

‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹

Zombie Apocalypse AU w/ Gwendoline Christie characters; (~9.2K words)

(Featuring: Larissa Weems, Brienne of Tarth, Jane Murdstone, Anna from WTM, Lucifer Morningstar, Miranda Hilmarson, Captain Phasma, and Jan Stevens) x Reader

‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹

It started about two months ago. Russia went down first, then Mongolia. China. India. And in the midst, Finland, Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom, down to the very southern tip of Africa. The Ocean is no killer of disease, frozen or not, and encouraged it to ravage South and North America, then Canada and Greenland. Until every place was overrun by dead freaks. Stinking corpses and moving gore. 

They traveled in herds, packs, whatever it was that people wanted to call them—murders, perhaps—and shuffled aimlessly across any land they could find. Eager for food, for sustenance, to fill the empty bellies that would never be full. Gorging themselves on creatures like you. 

Officially ‘the other’. Officially ‘the enemy’. The sole survivor of a good group that was attacked some days ago because an idiot forgot to shoot one of the creatures in the head. And by sunrise, it was over. Screams echoed into the silence and you soon found yourself alone… running for your life with a duffle bag over your shoulder (slowing you down) and a gun in your hand (low on ammo). Trekking through thick woods in a heavily-infested Vermont town was not a good idea, but you had no choice. The house you were camping in was left behind, ravaged by bullets that you put into your friend’s heads, and every other spot nearby had been looted. You couldn’t move all of those bodies yourself. You couldn’t do much yourself. There was no army background attached to your name, no conspiracy theorist survival-obsessed gene in your body, and not much training in fighting either. All you could do was run. Run and run and run until you were miles away and your lungs started to burn. Not the most useful skill considering most people could run, but if you were quick enough to speed past the shuffling bastards, you were quick enough to make it to safety. 

—

Safety…what a joke. A shit joke. A joke that was, quite honestly, the worst joke to ever exist. There was no safety. No place, nowhere. You’d been walking for a few hours, hearing nothing but the forest’s silence, and stumbling over leaves and branches. They ravaged the animals, took them into their mouths like they were people, and ate until there was nothing left. Not even a squirrel, or a fox, and the birds had grown weary of the vast number of hunters (both dead and undead) that found themselves in the woods looking for food. So no birds either. And no houses. And you were pretty sure, as you paused to catch your breath, that you were doomed. 

Only a few bullets left and your aim was never perfect. One knife tucked into your waistband but it was getting uncomfortable, digging into your skin, and caked in blood. Creature blood. Everything smelled horrible. Like burning flesh or dirty meat, raw and soiled. You probably didn’t smell too good either. It wasn’t like the world still worked without the people; only a few places had running water and you couldn’t trust the creeks and rivers. The undead enjoyed walking through shallow water, knowing somehow that there’d probably be prey nearby. 

But you hadn’t seen anything in a while. A long while. A suspiciously long while... 

Everything was green and brown around you, whisked by wind and soil, and you stood out like blood against snow. The last thing you saw was yesterday. Ever since? Not a single flash of undead flesh. 

You swallowed, throat embarrassingly dry, and tapped your fingers against your thigh. 

It wasn’t good when everything was still. You were vulnerable, out in the open, and without a good few rounds of bullets to spare. Every muscle and organ in your body screamed for mercy, crying with the effort it took to keep surviving even when you didn’t want to. 

You thought about it a few times; gave the gun in your hand a long look on several occasions, but ultimately decided that ‘opting out’ was only a last resort. Somehow, even amidst the chaos and hatred and swill of humanity’s nature, you managed to hold hope. And often wondered where it would get you. How it would get you. While you were sleeping? While you were already wounded? Fighting off the hands of a loved one? The twist of hope’s rope… would you feel it closing in around your neck? A literal metaphor for the eventual death you’d experience? 

Thinking about it gave you a headache. 

For where was the point in wondering? 

You had no one else. Whatever form of death awaited, it would end up being your fault. Probably because you couldn’t run fast enough. Probably because- 

Because-

Wait. 

Somewhere behind you, on the right, was a low sound. A hum. The smooth whoosh of something quick. The parting of wind… the low growl of… 

“Fuck.” 

You shot off in that direction, bag smacking against your shoulder blades, and instantly felt the exhaustion pull at your body again. It lingered like a plague, like the undead disease, and you yearned to fall to your knees - to give in - but it wasn’t the time for that. You had to at least try. You had to at least make it over the hill. Right over the hill. So close but so far. You leaned forward, threw yourself at the ground, and grasped onto gnarled tree roots. The Earth smelled wet with decay, sweet with promise - you huffed against dry leaves. They crunched and scratched at your fingers, eventually crinkling into nothing when your arms worked to drag you up. You probably looked a little mad, scrambling up a steep hill to reach something that probably won’t save you, but there was no other option. The hum grew louder, the quiet was broken, and you only had a few moments to get this right. 

“Help!” Your lungs caved around your scream, but the forest swallowed it instantly. Greedy trees with their greedy barks, wanting to keep you hidden from salvation. The hum grew louder. Your fingers grew clammy, sweating and slipping against rough wood. 

You’d be bruised to high heaven later, and probably exhausted, but the hum and the growl of an engine meant a road and a road meant civilization and goddammit you just needed to get over the stupid fucking hill. 

There was a loud ringing in your ears, nearly deafening, and making your voice sound fuzzy. 

“Help! Help!”

Was that you? Were you the one screaming like that? Why couldn’t you be quiet? Those things could have been lurking… wandering nearby… coming up behind you, eager to grasp at your ankles and drag you back down to Hell. 

A glance back over your shoulder, aching from the duffle bag, found nothing but blurred terrain and darkened leaves–a symptom of the setting sun. Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck. If the light went out, you’d be screwed. You couldn’t use the last of your matches and the world went black when evening struck. So there really was no choice. As the growl turned into a roar… there was no choice. Just a little higher- a little more. Your arms pushed, biceps straining against the cotton of your shirt, and your pants threatened to get caught on wayward sticks and tear into rags. The boots on your feet pressed hard against loose rocks, kicking them out of place, and gained just enough ground to push you up - over the ridge. The final stretch. Your chest pushed to the hard dirt and forced a grunt of effort from your tired body; the sound echoed through the woods, through the ground, and through the air that sat above the concrete road in front of you. Hard and vast, grey and long… you looked at it as though it were the holiest of grails, lying just beside it with your arms outstretched, your fingers still pulling at dirtied grass. Soil covered your skin, masked your features, caked beneath your fingernails, and when the roar of the speeding vehicle grew so close you had to close your eyes and wince, you knew raising a hand for help would not be enough. In the shade of the forest’s edge, half draped over the peak of the hill, you were inhuman to other survivors. Your dry mouth opened, your throat croaked, and your legs moved to push you up–closer–just short of the wind that caressed your hair when the car, the truck, ran past you with no second glance. You looked after it, watched it pass, and felt the burn in your heart grow into its own inferno. It licked at your insides, at your desperation, and had you hauling the duffle bag off of your shoulder and out onto the road. It rolled, a shuffling sound, and you followed after it with deep growls of effort and dwindling strength. 

“Please,” you wheezed, panting for breath as soon as you staggered up to your feet. 

In the distance, the car turned into a disappearing black spec. It drove and drove, out of sight, and you stood there, putting your arms in the air to wave it down and bring it back. To beckon it back. To beg and plead.

“Please please no-,” your voice was soft, weakened by days of rugged survival, “no…” rough and lost to the wind, it dissipated into nothing and you were forced to swallow again.  

The thick smell of car exhaust settled against the steaming road. You watched the horizon, tracking the space in the atmosphere where the gold traced into a deep blue, and felt your bones quake beneath your skin. Their final cry. The last hurrah as you watched your future, the tatters of it, drive away from you. 

Too late. 

You were too late. 

And you’d die there, on that road, and they may never come back and find you again in the morning. And your corpse would be chewed upon by undead bastards who would never give you a proper burial. And you’d be just another stupid human that found themselves trampled beneath the stinking feet of the walking dead. 

Tears teased your eyes, burning the dry lands of your irises, and you felt the heart in your chest lurch against its cage. 

 Too late. 

You were too late. 

You had a duffle bag, a handgun somewhere off to the side, and the clothing on your back. One lasting water bottle, the knife you felt poking your side, and small bags of food that wouldn’t last you long at all. The tent, too, was destroyed by animals the night before. The most you could go was perhaps one more day, but your feet were aching so terribly that each step was a journey within itself. And you couldn’t push yourself to go further. There was no further. There was nothing in the woods and there was nothing beyond the road and you were running on fumes that no longer existed. 

But you couldn’t just lie there and take it. You were about to reach over, bending at the waist, to grab your bag. To pull it up over your shoulder and trek on, even though it was pointless. But something stopped you. 

Something–a sound–made you freeze. 

It was faint. It didn’t sound like the undead, with their discordant groans and disgusting squelches, no… it was far. Getting closer. Closer. The hum and the growl. The purr of a motor. The hiss of pavement. 

Your head snapped up, eyes bulging wide as you looked over the horizon to see…. Yes. Yes! Yes, it’s them! The car! A grin pulled at your lips. Halle-fucking-lujah! You felt the anxiety ebb, slowly falling away from your body, as they got closer. The black spec turned into a black blob, then a figure that took shape, and finally you could make out a Vermont license plate and the dirt that stuck to big wheels. Up close, it was a sleek thing, tall and well-built. Midnight black and aside from the splatter on the rubbered wheels, it was polished and clean. The dark paint reflected the bright world around you, turning it into weird warped versions of a faux-paradise. You swallowed at the feel of warmth against your legs, the exhaust from the truck flooding over the smallest sliver of skin around your ankles. Suddenly fearing a changed mind and bad intentions, you stumbled back until your heels pushed against your bag. 

Tinted windows stared down at you, menacing and opaque. Not a thing to see behind them, even if you squinted. Nothing moved, nothing jumped, and you watched with bated breath for a window to roll down - until finally, it did. 

The driver’s side. It went whirr-ing down, sliding for the shortest period of time in the world until only a shadow met you - and then a flicker of movement. And then- 

“Oh my god! Jesus! Okay okay!” You flinched, not even hesitating to raise your hands above your head. You spread your fingers out, desperate to prove your innocence to the stranger in the car. And the gun they were holding, pointing at you, through the gap. 

“Were you bit?” A rough voice, muted and deep, broke the atmosphere. 

You shook your head.

“Words. Use them.” 

“No,” you licked your lips, instantly deciding to turn around in a slow circle. “Not bitten. Not scratched.” You tried to ignore the way your hands shook, even as you shifted all the way back to face the gun’s muzzle. 

“Ask where…” a voice, soft and feminine, came from somewhere beyond the driver’s seat. It was saying something, telling something, but faded into a whisper so quiet you couldn’t hear a thing. Your eyes shifted to the dark backseat windows, trying to see something- anything- and found no surprise in the lack of life. 

“Any weapons?” The driver seemed to ignore the other person, and instead held the gun steady. You watched it with weary eyes.

“Yes.” And before they could ask, you tugged the knife out of your belt and the gun out of your pants pocket. They were held up in the air, another white flag, and you twitched the hand that held the firearm. “At least three bullets left, but that’s it.” 

“And the others?” 

You blinked. “Others? What oth-”

“Where is the rest of your ammunition? In the skull of a human or scum?” The stranger spat, and you detected the hints of an accent. 

Scum… you’d never heard them referred to as that before. Your last group called them walkers, and some others claimed flesh-eaters. You were tempted to use ‘zombies’, but it felt rather silly. The world took that term too lightly, and the undead were nothing if not a very serious problem. But scum? Like they were beneath humanity and not its current destroyer? You’d ask about it later, you decided, if they deemed you well enough to take in. 

“Both,” you breathed honestly, dropping your weapons to your sides with a heavy sigh. “They um- weren’t quite there yet. Got ambushed overnight.” 

The gun still didn’t move. 

“They don’t ambush. What really happened?” 

Hm. They weren’t wrong. Animated corpses didn’t ‘ambush’, but when a herd of them went lurking about, it certainly felt that way. You didn’t think logistics were entirely necessary, but you understood the need for specifics. Trust among men was eviscerated in the face of danger, especially against those once living. You’d seen paranoia before, in others. Humans simply didn’t take each other in anymore… not without some level of severe mistrust. The second thought after seeing the truck drive off was that you probably wouldn’t be accepted anyway - you’d killed without technical reason. Could have just left. Run away. 

But you didn’t. 

You didn’t want to see them turn into those… creatures. 

So what else was there to say? You stared at the gun, willing a click and the shot of a bullet, as you opened your mouth. 

“A herd. A lot of them. Just… descended upon the place. Someone might’ve been walking around in the woods or something, and there was just not enough protection,” you paused, licking your lips, “...I was the last one alive. Had to shoot them and go.” 

“How long since?” 

“Few days, give or take,” you shrugged. The exhaustion only built as you stood there, trying not to sway and collapse in your spot. The truck was still running, hissing hot exhaust; it was the first genuinely warm thing you’d felt in so many days that you wanted to crawl underneath and take a nap. The world, turning to autumn, was growing chilly. There was no chance you could survive winter on your own. 

“...Give or take,” you heard the driver scoff and laugh, bitter and mean. You frowned. 

Then the window started going up, and you couldn’t help yourself. With a hard thunk, you pushed your shoulder hard against the car, and knocked on the thick glass with the butt of the knife. A look of utter desperation crossed your features, heavy and thick. Urgency, anxiety, fear forced any sense from your mind. There was no chance. There was no survival at all.

“No please- please I can’t be out here alone please- I’m smart and- and I can run fast and be an asset. Please,” you shook your head, searching with worried eyes, “please, please you can’t do this to me-” 

Something dark spliced through the corner of your vision, dragging a shadow with it, and you just barely dodged the sudden swing of the truck’s backseat door. It bounced with force and you glanced back at the driver’s window once before stepping back and hastily swinging your bag over your shoulder. The knife and gun were slipped back into your clothing, concealed, and you held yourself strong as the black leathered interior bore itself to the world. 

“-we can’t just leave them-” 

“-on’t be stupid. They could be a liability-”

“-not stupid. We need more people-” 

Voices, at least two, were rushed and tangled in an argument. You didn’t pay much attention to what you could hear, though the growing irritation was hard to ignore. It would be a hassle to be accepted, you knew, but you’d deal. There was no choice. The backseat door was open and there was a figure hustled back against the other window. 

“The offer won’t last,” the stranger murmured, somehow louder than the two people in the front seats, and you decided not to take any chances in the world alone. 

With a grunt, a push, and a final slam of the door, you found yourself in the truck. Your bag was pushed down by your feet, you tugged your knife out to rest it on your thigh, and you turned to say thank you- but was cut off by a cold blade at your throat. It grazed the soft dirty skin, less than a centimeter away from pushing, and you felt saliva pool in the back of your throat. Swallowing would have pressed you closer, so you fought the urge and only stared.

“Woah-” 

“Try anything and you die. I don’t want a peep, not a shuffle. Do I make myself clear?” 

The driver’s voice, clearer in such close quarters, was deep and mean. Accent, as you had clocked, from somewhere in the United Kingdom. It held a natural growl, a gruffness from years of smoking, perhaps, and you couldn’t help but sense the intimidation. It wasn’t fake confidence, you noticed, as you looked up and met the cool sharp grey gaze of a woman. Her hair, a deep blonde, was slicked back and short, ruffled slightly by the nape of her neck. A long neck… that led to strong looking shoulders. They were half covered by a jacket, but you could see the strength in the chords of her muscle. A force to be reckoned with. A leader, perhaps. She was pale, with a defined nose and lips twisted into a permanent sneer, and you probably would have thought she had some potential for post-apocalyptic modeling, if it weren’t for the scar that covered one half of her face. Slashed across the left eye, the wound was jagged and rough - it dragged from a point close to the exact middle of her forehead, right to the corner of her jaw. Thicker at parts and thinner at others, it split through a pale eyebrow and seemed to have permanently rendered her blind. The lid didn’t even move when one stormy eye shifted, and you suddenly felt extremely creeped out. Something about her was undeniably cold. Almost reckless, but her hand was so steady with control you knew not to make a move. She’d probably kill without hesitation, dump you back into the road, and drive off with the duffel. There was no choice but to answer, answer quickly, and do as told. 

“Yes, clear.” Your head shifted half an inch up and half an inch down, still cautious of the blade. 

But she didn’t move. 

It was a battle of wills for just a moment, with your hands in your lap, empty and docile. You weren’t looking for a fight, or a staring contest, but the stranger didn’t let up until the figure to your right decided to sit up and speak. 

“Ah they do not seem so bad. Look at them. Tired and scared, like sad city mouse,” another woman, one with a Russian accent and a voice a hint too loud, cooed. 

Silence followed, persisted, for only a minute- and then the blade was tugged back so quickly you swear it nearly cut the air in two. The driver tsked as she twisted herself around, murmuring as she went. 

“More like a rat.” 

And then you were thrown to the side with a heavy wheeze as the truck lurched and began moving, working into a turn so you could go back the way they’d come.

You glared at the back of the headrest, not feeling above a little bit of irritation for some poor handling, but eventually grew bored. With some apprehension, your eyes flicked over to the person in the passenger seat. Their profile was strong, feminine, and you noted the unbelievably well-kept head of snowy hair. She looked clean, just like the driver, and a spark of hope welled up in your tired heart. Running water and food existed where they came from, wherever they were camped out, and if you played your cards right, you could finally indulge in some good hygiene. Unless the woman in the passenger seat was stingy with her water… god her skin was so clear, and she seemed to be wearing makeup. No one wore makeup anymore. Not the people in your old group and not the few stragglers you’d stumbled across. It simply wasn’t a necessary luxury anymore, but the woman sitting across from you, back straight and hands in her lap, seemed to think it was of the utmost importance. You wanted to speak, wanted to ask her name, but found yourself turning to your right - and catching the gaze of the person that opened the door for you. 

“Anna,” your savior spoke, tilting her head to the left and regarding you with curious eyes. A pale hand, big and long-fingered, shot out and hovered above your lap. You glanced down at it, at the clean skin and the perfect fingernails, and knew that you hit the survivalist jackpot. 

With a nod and a quick clasp of her hand, you whispered your name in reply. She nodded before leaning back against the door and crossing her arms; she seemed quite comfortable there, with a rather large gun resting across her lap. Her hair, blonde as well, fell in gentle waves to her shoulders. She saw with deep blue eyes - a contrast to the cold steel of the driver - and didn’t hesitate to flick them over your body in some sort of analytical search. Weapons, you figured, is what she was looking for. And the knife in your lap, which she eyed with some interest. 

You wanted to say something, wanted to thank them, but it didn’t feel like enough. Nothing felt like enough those days. Asking something of someone was a risk every single time. And you’d asked—begged—them to take you in. You needed to pull your weight, no questions asked. 

“Um- thank you for-”

“Shoot them.” 

“What?!” You straightened up, eyes going wide as, in your peripherals, you saw Anna’s hand inch toward her gun. Through the rear-view mirror, you caught the way the driver’s brow twitched. 

“You heard me. Shoot them.” 

“Pha-”

“I said no talking,” the stranger growled, not even bothering to address the woman in the passenger seat. The white-haired woman looked frustrated, her red lips tugging into a frown, as she watched the driver double down on her focus. “Didn’t I say that?” 

“But I-,” you wanted to plead your case, wanted to defend yourself, but were cut off. 

“I am not going to shoot,” Anna said before you could speak. “Why do you expect her to be quiet hah, Phasma? We just saved her жопa. No need for fighting.”

You glanced at her, picking up on the Native tongue. Fresh off the boat, or perhaps visiting, with the way she said it so easily. Zhopa? Given the context, it wasn’t hard to tell what she meant. Yes, they had just saved your ass. And yes, you wanted to say thank you. Even if that Phasma person wasn’t too keen on a bit of gratitude. 

“I hardly think thanking us for a kind deed is worthy of execution, no matter how much silence you require,” the fair-haired woman across from you said smoothly, throwing a slight glare to the woman on her right. And finally, she took that moment to turn around in the seat and make eye contact. 

Something that proved to be far more difficult than you thought it would. Good lord, she was gorgeous. Pale skin, deep admiral blue eyes, and lips redder than blood. Not even a scratch on her face, not even a single spec of dirt - as if the apocalypse never happened and there weren’t dead people roaming every street in the world. In fact, she didn’t seem incredibly worried about the predicament the human species found itself in, and was looking at you with kind eyes, a furrowed brow, and a smile that she hoped was welcoming. 

“My name is Larissa,” her hand, gloved in white fabric as soft as silk, reached out as an olive branch. You wanted to take it, wanted to feel something so lovely for the first time in a long time and create some sort of bond, but your hands were very dirty. A part of you guessed that Larissa hadn’t put them on earlier that day with the hope to return to camp holding soft fabric smudged with dirt and dried blood, so you only looked down at your palm and then back at hers. 

“Oh uh- I don’t wanna get your gloves dirty-” 

“Oh,” she glanced down, realizing that she was, in fact, wearing hand-coverings. “Later, then,” a warm smile shone back at you - and you were helpless, instantly offering her a nod in return. 

“Finished?” The driver piped up, eyes cold as she stared at you in the rear-view. 

As if on cue, Larissa turned back around in her seat, rolling her eyes as she went, and you could only fall quiet. Introductions were over, you were warming up to the easy heat in the car, and Phasma–if you dared address her by name in your head–had a good handle of the wheel. You were safe. For now. And with one last suspended look at the gun on Anna’s lap, you reached over for the seatbelt, tucked yourself in with a click, and leaned back in the seat. It was so suddenly comfortable, such a huge contrast to the shit you’d dealt with recently, that you couldn’t help but close your eyes and revel. Even for a moment. Even for a second.

—

“Get up,” a mean grunt, paired with a quick rush of piercingly cold air, tugged you from the depths of sleep. 

Before you could even open your eyes properly, a shiver set itself into your bones. Eager to escape it, and the confines of the car, you jolted and scrambled for your seatbelt. Leaning against the open door, watching you grab your things, was the driver. Phasma? Weird name, but there was no time to dwell - especially not when she was looking at you like that. Eyes sharper than the knife on your lap, holding a polished chrome pistol in one hand, and waiting with some tension for you to hurry up. The duffel was pulled up onto your shoulder, the knife was tucked into your belt, and your hands scratched at the leather as you looked around wildly for your gun. 

“We took it. You’ll get it back when you prove you’re not a complete imbecile,” she spat, peering down her nose at you. Disgust danced in her expression, sparking flames of unwanted insecurity, and you felt compelled to look away. Her nostrils were flared, her pink lips curled into something disdainful and mean, and you couldn’t help but watch the way her jaw shifted as she tensed, watching you watch her. The hatred seemed a bit out of place, too strong for normal trust issues, and you briefly wondered if perhaps she’d always been that way - even before the end of civilization. She was clearly a bitch, and not interested in showing you kindness any time soon, so you decided to forgo a response, ignored her glaring, and slipped out of the car without a word. 

Before your feet were completely on the ground, and your bag was out of the way, the door slammed closed behind you, quick and sharp. The speed of it nearly clipped your shirt, and you whirled around to face the stranger’s irritation. She seemed to have lost interest in you and side-stepped your figure without another glance. One finger on the trigger, a shit-ton of audacity-filled swagger in her walk, and a back broad and strong. She looked like an outlaw, tall, mean, wearing grey with a belt around her strong hips and a leather jacket over her shoulders. You wanted to throw your gun at her and watch it hit the back of her head, but there was no way in Hell you’d be able to run away faster than she could catch you. 

“Come,” you heard Anna speak, interrupting your train of thought as she trudged up to your left. You turned, seeing the way she cocked her head. “I’ll introduce you.” The gun swayed in her grasp as she turned, making little shuffling sounds in the grass. 

The grass. 

You went to go forward, but stopped. The grass. It was… terribly neat. Very well maintained. Not like apocalypse grass, which was flat and bloodied and mudded and dusted, but like rich person grass. Striking green grass, healthy, it bounced back behind you when you stepped on it. And the air… you took a deep breath and closed your eyes. It was fresh. Pure. Free of the smell of death and free of gunpowder and spraying blood. Just where on Earth were y-

oh.

Oh. 

You looked up, finally, and found yourself in a courtyard. On all sides was a wall, sections of it made of brick, others of stone, and the rest of wrought iron fence, bolted hard into the ground; and across the way, piercing the sky, was a manor. Or what looked like a manor. No - what was definitely a manor. Dark, illuminated slightly by the deep blue of the atmosphere and the torches that littered the ground in neat paths, splitting off into cobblestone sections. You swallowed. It was gorgeous. Untouched. A world that seemed to run on and on while the rest of the globe went to shit. 

How fucking lucky were you? 

“Come! I must say twice?!” Anna called, giving you an exasperated beckon as she started disappearing behind the dark stone brick of the main entrance. 

Sparing a quick glance behind you, you found a fortified gate and short stone walls - reinforced and built upon with barbed wire, wood, and sheets of metal. It must have opened up for the truck when you were still asleep, but was very much firmly shut and impenetrable once closed. You wanted to explore it more, wanted to study the mechanism and the layout and come to understand just how they managed to get the place so protected, but you didn’t want to leave Anna waiting. And a low rumble of thunder, far but rolling quick, told you that rain was eager to make her appearance - and you did not want to get caught in that. 

After adjusting your bag and patting the knife in your belt for reassurance, you set off after the Russian stranger. 

—

“So I am Anna, this you know already,” she pointed to herself, tapped her chest twice, then rolled her hand over to gesture to the clearing ahead. 

It was beautiful, outlined against a dark wood. Rocky paths led to a big circle in the middle, and the ruins of stone benches and statues littered the camp. You could definitely see what it used to be - a beautiful place for the elite to sit, to bask, to enjoy the nice air and the wind. But the end of the world had gotten to it, not with the bearings of total destruction, but with the promise of change. A big spruce shelter had been built to the far left, reinforced with four beams and no walls - clearly just meant to keep the rain at bay while they worked outside. Beneath it, there were wooden benches and designated spots for farming equipment, guns, and even a water purifying system from the looks of it. If you assumed that sleeping quarters and showers existed in the castle, then they seemed to be in the best shape anyone could be in.

Even the people, who were busy going about their evening and tending to their duties, while you watched by Anna’s side and felt your excitement grow.

“Phasma was woman driving. Not so kind,” she tsked, giving you a knowing look, and you found yourself unable to ask about the strange name. You figured she wouldn’t have known the answer anyway. Then her hand moved, stealing your attention. “That is Jane,” she pointed to a pale woman sitting on one of the large stone benches. 

Her back was turned, but you could see the severity of her expression in the reflection of a hand mirror. She was handsome, free of makeup, with jet-black hair. The strands fell from between her fingertips, spilling like water, as she threaded them into a braid around her head. Her movements were slow, methodic, and you watched, sort of hypnotized, as the long sleeves of her hooded dress stretched across her slim back. Tight along her arms and resting over the black pants covering her thighs, leading down to knee-high leather boots. Fit for an apocalypse, but somehow still chic. You watched her hands for a moment more, and turned slightly to her right when Anna gestured to the woman beside her. 

“Miranda. Good girl, but way too skinskie,” she nodded to herself while crossing her arms. 

The stranger in question–Miranda–was holding up an antique hand mirror for Jane to look into while doing her hair. They seemed to be the same height, though Miranda’s build was lankier and toned. The sleeves of her white top had to have been torn off, leaving freckled shoulders free to the air, and around one wrist was a black watch. It nearly matched the same leather as her belt, which held an attached holster and a sleeve for a walkie-talkie. Its antenna stood out against the baby blue of her uniform pants; tight by the hips but baggier toward the ankles, tucked into dark laced boots. Her hair was styled into a fair blonde bob, probably recently cut by the sight of such clean edges. It looked unbearably soft kissing the back of her neck.

“She was policewoman. Strong.” Anna commented, gazing at her from your spot by the castle wall. 

You nodded absentmindedly, looking over the two strangers and the chess board that sat between them on the bench. Jane had black and Miranda white. The latter seemed to be focusing quite hard on the game, holding a pawn loosely in one hand, as the dark-haired beauty tsked and adjusted the hand mirror that slowly slipped to the side. You watched Miranda jump and offer what you assumed was a sheepish apology, as she tried to multitask. Her small smile was pink and soft, warm and welcoming. A friend, perhaps. 

“Very…domestic,” came your soft murmur, sparked by the surprise of such a peaceful camp. In the past group, everyone was too busy trying to sleep, find food, or talk themselves through panic attacks. Maintaining sanity with comfort was not a priority. 

“Da. Comfortable,” your companion nodded. “Jan is there, washing.” And you turned, yet again, to find a figure standing in front of a clothesline. 

The combat boots made her seem tall, though they were a bit out of place—not really matching the long white sleeved shirt and full red skirt combo. Immaculate and clean, you noticed, though that was to be expected from a woman trying her hardest to get blood out of a white blouse. Her hands were covered by blue rubber gloves, with one clutched around a sponge and the other around the neck of a bottle of white wine vinegar. On the ground by her feet was a large pale jug of hydrogen peroxide and a bucket of what you assumed was water. And the blouse in front of her, held up by wooden clothespins, rippled from the breeze. It seemed to get colder and windier the longer the night went on, probably bringing the rain with it at some point. With any luck, it would clear up the light splotches of pink that covered most of the shirt’s chest up to the collar, but ‘Jan’ didn’t seem too patient and satisfied with that. She got back to her scrubbing a moment later, the strict waves of her blonde hair bumping gently against her neck. 

“Jan is very chic. You go to her for fashion advice, no?” Anna tilted her head at you, dragging dark blue eyes over your face. The lawn lamps stabbed into the grass lit everything up with a sweet warm glow, bringing out the flames in her expression as she peered at you curiously. Very handsome, in her own sharp-featured sort of way. You couldn’t help the snort that bubbled up. 

“Respectfully, I think fashion is the least of my concerns right now, Anna.” 

“Hm. Maybe,” she hummed, shrugged, and gave you a once-over that set your heart racing before turning her attention back to the group. 

“Brienne!” You jumped, flinching away as Anna’s loud voice carried into your ear. In the distance, a hulking figure shifted and unfolded, moving to look up at the call. They were sitting on a big pile of cut logs, holding a stone cylindrical sharpener in one hand and a… sword… in the other. Anna waved, talking to you gently as you both watched the figure’s expression change into one of suspicion. She was handsome. Pale, with the lightest blonde lashes and brows, and eyes that sparkled even from that distance. They squinted, drawing frown lines across her face, as she straightened up in her spot. You tried desperately not to stare at her figure, but it was impossible. The deep blue ribbed shirt clung to her torso like a second skin, wrapping tightly around strong biceps and broad shoulders. It was tucked into muddy green cargo pants, offsetting the brightness of the steel that covered the toes of her dark boots. You tilted your head and watched as she glanced between you and Anna before she finally decided to shoot the woman a firm nod. Anna’s lips quirked up into a smile. “She was once soldier. Good woman - she will protect you if you’re in trouble. Saved me many many times.” Her blonde curls swished as she nodded to herself. 

That was good to know, you reasoned. Everyone seemed quite strong. Tall, too. And pale. The camp was gorgeous, the people seemed mundane enough, and the company was… well. Your eyes drifted over to Anna’s side profile, a silhouette of soft dips and curves, and you couldn’t hide the attraction you felt even if you tried.

“Larissa, you know too. She is leader, xорошо?” You didn’t really know what ‘harasho’ meant, but the light intonation of her voice had you saying ‘Yeah’ anyway. 

Then an arm was winding itself around yours, jostling the bag on your shoulder and the gun slung around Anna’s body. It rested against her back, hitting her thighs, and you were suddenly powerless to the way she steered you further down the gravel path. Toward the right, there was a makeshift driveway; a patch of land ripped up from the grass and replaced with gravel, soil, and rocks. The black truck made an appearance again, probably having been driven up from around the back, and you watched with curious eyes as Phasma busied herself with a few bags and boxes from the trunk. Jesus, she was fit… tall and lethal. A small grunt left her lips when she hauled two boxes up into her arms, never faltering or pausing. Damn. You found yourself getting lost in the sight of her legs in those cargo pants, filling them out, until Anna clicked her tongue. 

“Lucifer is strange, but ultimately harmless. Do not worry, they are not naked under the robe.” 

Lucifer? Naked under the what? 

You were going to take a quick glance around, to find whatever the hell Anna was talking about, but there was no need. Some feet in front of you, lounging on a red and gold velvet chase, was a lithe figure. They were almost glowing in the reflection of the walkway lamps, with the deep crimson of a flowing silk robe offsetting the smooth pale planes of soft skin. One elbow was propped up on the arm of the chair, and you traced the folds of flowing sleeves up to a slim forearm, wrist, and a delicate hand. Slender fingers were curled under the curve of a pale cheek, and you felt your heartbeat speed up at the sight of soft features and  crystal eyes. And their hair, curled so perfectly into handsome shining ringlets of spun golden-web… goodness, they were… 

“Luxurious,” you murmured, tilting your head as you watched the stranger chat with Larissa. She was standing over them, in front of the chase, and even at that height, you had a feeling that the one laying down was somehow a little bit taller. “Is Lucifer their real name?” 

“Da,” Anna nodded, “little strange, no?” 

“Yeah,” you gave her an odd look. “Strange as fuck.” 

“Don’t get comfortable,” a voice growled from behind you, making you slip away from Anna’s hold and turn around. Phasma was walking past, holding a big bag under each arm. Her muscle was impressive, but dear god she was an asshole. You had to sort out that situation as quick as possible.

“Hey what’s your problem, man?” You spread your hands out at your sides before letting them slap against your thighs. “You picked me up, and while I’m grateful for that, I am, you didn’t have to-”

“Exactly,” she bit out as she whirled around and marched right back to you. Her breath was cool, washing lightly over your face, and she stood so close that your foreheads nearly touched. From that angle, looking up, you could reach out and trace the jagged line of her scar. It was quite attractive actually, even if her eyes narrowed as she watched you look at her. They were cold. Not an ounce of care.

“Don’t. Get. Comfortable.” Her lips twitched, carrying a silent threat.

“Okay,” Larissa’s voice, sing-songy and weary, cut into the conversation. “Why don’t we all take a moment to calm down, hm?” Her smile was blinding as she turned to you. One gloved hand hovered above Phasma’s right shoulder, but was instantly shrugged off the second it made contact. Her sneer didn’t fade even when she stepped back, eyes still flaming with anger. Larissa cleared her throat. “Y/n, you’re new here. Why don’t you and I have a little chat?” 

Her expression, although kind, hid a sharpness that you didn’t think was wise to fuck around with. If Larissa was the leader, according to Anna, then it was her you had to charm. You didn’t really know why she was the top dog, especially because some of the other group members seemed more… abrasive… but clearly something about her was good enough to be the one in charge. And pissing her off, messing around with her people, was a one-way ticket to possibly turning into those fuckers lurking in the woods. So you didn’t really have a choice - and you didn’t really want one. No matter what, you’d stay. You’d be of some help. You’d stay on the soft grass, smelling the clean air. You’d become best friends with Larissa, the group would learn to like you, and you’d try not to combust when any of them looked your way.

Easier said than done though, of course. Especially when Larissa’s smile knocked down all of your reservations at once, in one big swing, and coaxed an obedient nod from your body. 

“Okay. Yes. Sure.” 

“Perfect,” Larissa’s grin, somehow, grew even wider. 

“It’s getting late,” were Phasma’s parting words before she turned away and headed off toward two big wooden double doors. 

You watched her strut without much thought, and found yourself on the other end of a staring Larissa. Her eyes were utterly striking in the evening light, and the outline of her face… a sight to be seen for a person as weary as you. 

“So… is your group considered women only?” You murmured, peering up at her through your eyelashes. 

Red lips twitched. 

“Not intentionally. Though we have had the discussion before,” she contemplated her next words carefully, looking all over your face before resuming, “and we think it’s best if it’s just women. And Lucifer.” 

“And Lucifer?” You still can’t get over that being their real name. Probably just picked out in a moment of edginess when they were a teen. Lucifer did sound cool, sort of bully-worthy. Like they were emo kid once upon a time.

“Lucifer is what many would refer to as non-binary. Not a man and not a woman. I hope that won’t be a problem?” Something flashed behind her eyes. Not a threat, but a warning. You couldn’t help but smile.

“Not at all. They and I are… one and the same,” you shrugged and adjusted the bag on your shoulder. 

“How lucky I must be…,” someone purred from over your shoulder.

You tensed up, surprised by the closeness, and felt yourself grow a little weak at the tone. Like spiced honey, their voice was intense and smooth. You wanted to lap it up. 

“Ah right on time for a proper introduction,” Larissa, ever the most efficient woman from what you could tell so far, found herself a golden opportunity. One hand shot out and gestured over to you, then to the person slinking around to your right. “Y/n this is Lucifer, one of the strongest members of our group. Lucifer and I make most of the big decisions, with the necessary input from everyone else. And Lucifer,” Larissa’s grin relaxed into a smile, “this is Y/n. Depending on our discussion of the rules, they may become a familiar face, so I suggest you play nice.” 

You found that you couldn’t look to the side without short-circuiting. There was something.. something… about their aura that had you wanting to shy away and cower. It wasn’t the explosive intensity of Phasma or the consuming strangeness of Anna, or even the gentle but strong hand of Larissa… but instead a subtle sort of consumption. Utterly intriguing and fascinating - like they were put on the Earth to confuse humans. You didn’t even look at them and you could feel that. Didn’t even know them and you could feel that. Standing so close. So much body heat. 

“It’s a pleasure,” they murmured, turning to you fully. 

You swallowed, braced yourself, and looked up to your right. 

Sweet holy Jesus. They were even more handsome up close. Just absolutely soft and glorious. And carrying the faint scent of… firewood? You cleared your throat. 

“Um yeah- likewise. Hi.” 

A flash of black, followed by measured footsteps in the grass, had all three of you shifting to see Jane walking past. Miranda was not too far behind, taking her time to cross the yard. 

“Dinner is being prepared. Show face in the next 20 minutes or go to bed hungry.” Jane didn’t even spare you a glance before she disappeared behind the same doors Phasma had gone through. 

“Thank you, Jane,” Larissa managed to call just before they closed behind her with a dull bang. 

“Three moves…,” Miranda was muttering, holding the box for the chess set in one hand. “She beat me in three moves.” 

“Oh it’s not hard. I would’ve beaten you in two,” another voice entered the fray, polite but amused. Jan, you recognized, as she sidled up between you and Larissa with a small smile on her deep red lips. 

Miranda scoffed and turned to look at Anna, only to find that she was gone. One glance behind you revealed that she’d wandered over to Brienne, probably prompting her to go inside for dinner. You hummed, hiding the amusement of friendly banter. It had been so long since you felt even the smallest sense of normalcy. If they were so comfortable with each other, then it must have been a bit since they were all alone out in the world. You’d probably ask Larissa about that later - once everything was said and done. 

“I would’ve beaten you in one,” Lucifer smirked as they pulled away and went walking inside. Had they been barefoot the entire time? 

“That’s not even possible!” Miranda yelled, but the door was already shut. “...Is it?” She turned to Larissa, then to you, then back to Larissa. 

“I don’t think so, Miranda,” Larissa smiled before looking at you. “Any chance you’re good at chess?” 

Dear lord, having two sets of beautiful blue eyes on you was nerve-wracking, but you ignored the flush building up on your cheeks and nodded. 

“Um yeah- it’s possible to beat someone in two moves. But it’s only black, I think.” You gave Miranda an apologetic smile and a shrug as she pouted. 

“You will beat her next time Miranda,” Anna returned with Brienne in her wake. The sword she was sharpening earlier was still in her hands. “She cannot win forever.” 

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Brienne cut in, her voice strong and deep. Her mouth was pulled into a light frown, and you noticed the scar that cut through the upper lip on the right. From the time before, you suspected. Otherwise she’d be turned. “She beat me and Phasma one after the other.” 

Miranda sighed, tsking beneath her breath. 

“Then there’s no hope…” Goodness, she looked like a sad puppy.

“Why not?” It slipped out of your mouth before you could grab it. 

And of course, all of the attention then dragged itself over to you. Five sets of sea-blue eyes, all gorgeous in the glow of the evening lamps, traced lines over your tired body. In comparison to them, you looked a sight. Obviously having been picked up from the side of the road, unclean and awkward, somewhat detached from society. In your bag? Not enough clothing and not enough supplies. In your belt, peeking out from beneath your shirt? A knife, dirty and growing dull. And in your eyes? Lurking sadness and horror - the same which probably lived in the women that were observing you. 

Larissa, thank goodness, finally broke the lull of silence. 

“Brienne and Phasma were in the military,” she said gently.

“Oh. That makes sense.” And it did - Jane must have been an intellectual force if she beat people that used to be in the military before the world ended. Though that made you wonder… “What branch?” You turned to Brienne, not really surprised that you had to look up to meet her eyes. It seemed you’d been adopted into a camp of skyscrapers. Though the sharpness of her eyes had you swallowing. “I mean- if you don’t mind me asking.” 

She seemed to consider it, sizing you up, before saying, rather shortly, “SAS. Then Delta Force.” 

You couldn’t hide the way your eyes widened. 

“Oh.” 

“Oh, indeed,” Larissa hummed. “But I think now would be a good time to head in, wouldn’t you say?” She spared her smile for everyone, meeting the gaze of each woman, before finally looking at you and raising her eyebrow. 

It wasn’t really up to you, so you just shrugged and waited for Anna to say ‘Da, da, xорошо’ before heading in. Brienne followed after her, then Miranda, who was studying the back of the chess box, and Larissa, who started taking off her gloves. Jan, meanwhile, stayed where she was and kept her eyes on you. They were curious and deep, never-ending, and lined with mascara and eyeliner. Mascara and eyeliner that… well it suited her, but goodness it was certainly intense. Dark and shadowed, but beautiful nevertheless. You couldn’t look away. 

“Jan Stevens,” she breathed and gave you her hand, elegant and admittedly quite charming. Her nails were painted a deep cherry red. Utterly flawless.

At the sight of it, you weren’t entirely sure what to do. Your palms were still dirty, and sort of calloused, and you didn’t want to… ruin her. So you hesitated, stared at it, looked back up at her, and found her kind smile to be unwavering. 

“Go on,” Jan finally whispered, giving her hand a pointed look, and you fell prey in an instant. 

Quickly, you shot out to gently cup her hand into your own, and gave it a gentle shake. You felt strangely compelled to bring it up to your lips, but you weren’t sure that meeting a stranger in an apocalypse really called for such formalities. Even though you yearned to feel her skin beneath your mouth. It wasn’t proper; though you did think that Jan’s expression fell just a little bit. Like she was excited. Like she wanted you to kiss her hand. 

“Y/n. It’s nice to meet you.” 

“Likewise,” she purred, looking you up and down, before turning toward the door. “Come quickly now. If we’re late, Jane will send us off to bed without dinner. And we wouldn’t want that.” 

It probably would have been wise to consider and contemplate the fact that you were in a stranger’s camp, with a stranger’s group… but the saucy little wink that Jan threw over her shoulder sent a deep blush crawling up your cheeks. And just like that, without fail, you were one of the flesh-eaters… caught in the pretty paws of eight different beasts. 

‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹

Please let me know if my characterization is okay and if you'd like to see more. Be safe, darlings. - Rip x

‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹

Far too many names to tag. Find it as you come.

‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹

[of-stars-and-dust]

Astronomy Picture of the Day

2005 July 11

Sunrise Over Kilimanjaro

Credit & Copyright: Clayton Hogen-Chin (U. Minnesota)

Explanation: Is the Roof of Africa on fire? A group hiking at 6 am near the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro watched the rising sun peak above the clouds and the horizon light up red. Don't worry -- in this case the highest volcano in Africa is not even erupting. The spectacular sunrise colors are caused by light scattering off the atmosphere and small cloud particles. If all of the scattered light that makes the sky blue were added back into the scene, the sunrise would appear Sun-colored and not so red. A similar light scattering effect involving small airborne dust particles causes sunsets on Mars to be red and has been used to determine the sizes of particles in the rings of Saturn. During this trek in 2000 November, a group of about 30 reached the Kilomanjaro summit after a six-day climb.

Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (USRA)

NASA Official: Jay Norris.

A service of: EUD at NASA / GSFC

& Michigan Tech. U.

[uzumaki-rebellion]

"King Killmonger: The Golden Jaguar Chapter 8"

Masterlist in case you need to catch up HERE!

"Weeping willow tree Tell me what you know River were you cryin' Many rains ago? ((Koleba je wo)

Sacred baobab tree Lost your children to the sea Taken from the land Many rains ago

Koleba je wo (goodbye Motherland) Koleba je wo Wo, wo, wo

Sing me that old song From many rains ago…"

Letta Mbulu – "Many Rains Ago (Oluwa)"

Warmth spread across Yani's closed eyelids first before it spread like warm honey across her throat and uncovered arm. The weight of N'Jadaka's body clutching onto hers pressed down more heat into her, and his soft snoring creased a smile on her lips.

Their lovemaking wore them both out before dawn unfurled light and color back into the morning sky. Her body ached and still tingled. The king's touches from the night before were ghostly echoes on her skin.

Yani steeped herself in their perfect love.

How long had it been since they were allowed to sleep in together without their kimoyos lighting up and automatically dispatching their hectic work schedules for the day as their children bounded about their home ready to start their busy day too?

Birds chirped in the branches above the open skylight. She watched a fiery orange pair with natural feathers boas fluffed out under their chubby necks peer down at her with curiosity. The air smelled like the forest had been dusted with perfume. It was the wet season in Wakanda and all of East Africa. The seasons were different from what she was accustomed to in her old island life. Back home it would be the dry season with less rain. The odor of heavy moisture saturated the air, and she hoped another periodic rainfall didn't occur on their planned hike and picnic above the waterfall.

She shifted a little and N'Jadaka groaned in his sleep. A deep slumber didn't prevent his body from reacting negatively to her trying to move away from him so soon.

Slipping away quietly, she scurried to the restroom pod and relieved herself on a specially made trapdoor toilet that collected the human waste and converted it into fertilizer for the tree it was attached to. She washed herself up with the large bowl of scented water on the sink and pondered the modern upgrade touches that didn't take away from the original fixtures that the first inhabitants used. Another bottle of her special lubricant sat waiting for her use on the intricately carved shelf on the wall. Her face heated up a little knowing that the caretakers were well aware of what would go down while they were there. She brushed her teeth and smoothed her hair as best she could. Walking on tiptoes back to the bedroom she lifted her robe from the hook and put it on.

Singing voices drifted up to her ears and Yani sought out the source from the circular wall window in the livingroom. Down below F'Neka and Yiswa were joined by two other older women who stood on royal purple and aquamarine-colored blankets. Their layered harmonies were in the accent of the River Tribe people and the words were not Wakandan, but rather a part of the language of the different ethnic groups among the water people. Soon a group of men, younger and older, joned them wearing the same royal purple and brilliant greenish-neon blue robes as the women. Four young women carrying baskets of yellow and magenta flowers rounded out the choir of singing to the queen and king.

Yani wished she had grabbed her language translator earbuds from the boat. The warm hues in their tones enabled her to make the meaning without understanding anything. They were welcoming the sunrise in her honor. Their dainty hands lifted toward the golden orb and then gracefully swung up toward Yani. She blew them a kiss and they continued the singing and rocking motion that heralded the light for her. Their bodies twisted toward the river tributary and their arms swung down to the water as if beckoning the placid liquid to join their beautiful voices.

N'Jadaka's juicy lips kissed the back of her neck and she closed her eyes savoring the tenderness. He stood next to her and whispered to his gold claw necklace "Translate," and the river people's message was not what Yani thought at all. Her mouth dropped open in true understanding and even the king's eyes joined hers in welling up. F'Neka and Yisma led the heart-stirring melody of a song for the lost tribe…the stolen children of Africa. It was a lamentation and a welcoming home.

F'Neka's strong alto voice made Yani's heart soar. Their eyes locked together and the elder caretaker beseeched the trees and the river where Mama Wati rested if they remembered what happened to Yani and N'Jadaka's ancestors. Yisma added her stirring voice "Sacred baobab tree, lost your children to the sea, taken from the land, Many rains ago…"

Chills ran up Yani's arm and N'Jadaka hugged her body close to his trembling one as other hidden voices joined the group from within the forest, acoss the tributary, and far away from Ugogo Udaku's ancestral home. To Yani, it sounded like the entire River Tribe in Wakanda sang to them, carrying the burden of ancestral trauma and giving them sanctuary as the children who returned to the motherland.

N'Jadaka lowered his head and wiped away tears and Yani wept while he held her in his arms. These people were not just the River Tribe, but the protectors of the ancestral waters that Mama Wati held dominion over.

A hushed silence blanketed the forest when the singers finished their last verse.

The women carrying the flower baskets decorated the low table and meal attendants brought forth another floating cart with their breakfast meal. Once the preparations were complete, the people humbly left the vicinity.

The power of the song lingered for Yani and she held N'Jadaka's hand. Letting out a breath, she looked up to her husband's face. N'Jadaka kept his eyes on the river.

"How could they remember us?" he said.

He rested his hands on the windowsill.

"Maybe they were singing about you coming back home to them," Yani said, touching his hand.

"No. They were singing for you too, for all of us out there. Why would they have a song like that about losing children to the sea? They've never lost anyone. My uncle threw me and his own brother away without a care…why do they care? Why would they?"

"They know our story now."

"Their language is different from Wakandan, but I recognized a few words that were from the Panther Tribe's lexicon…from way back. Words only people in Queen Shuriya's time used…when she ventured out into the world."

His brows furrowed and his expression sought answers within his mind as Yani watched his face. He had another riddle to solve and she knew he would pick at it like an impatient tongue on a loose tooth.

"Let's eat, love," Yani said.

He followed her down the treehouse stairs and they noticed their personal black panthers frolicking among lush fronds. Yani sat down and N'Jadaka served her a large bowl of intasa uthando—morning love—a River Tribe specialty of a layered breakfast meal. At the bottom of the bowl was seasoned pink rice that was grown throughout the river wetlands. On top of the rice was roasted and diced purple yams with caramelized onions sprinkled with ground chicken sausage and topped with a fried egg. N'Jadaka made himself another bowl filled with savory porridge and they shared a glorious morning eating and chatting about the books they wanted to read back on the boat and how much they looked forward to their hike.

They left their empty bowls and drinking glasses to use the outdoor shower again. The water was cold and invigorating on their bodies. Dressing quickly indoors with clothing N'Jadaka had pre-selected for their trip, they left messages for their children and caretakers watching over them.

"Should I wear a heavier jacket? I think it might rain on our way up," Yani said.

N'Jadaka checked the weather advisory on his beads.

"I'll pack light coverings in my pack," he said.

Yani slipped on comfortable hiking shoes that were a wedding gift and personally designed by Shuri. The purple and pink shoes were low like trainers, but could easily transform into protective rain boots if needed. Their hiking outfits matched in all their red and gold finery: light pocketed trousers and breathable long-sleeve athletic tops with the royal insignia on the shoulders. Yani slipped a floppy sun hat on her head and N'Jadaka tucked his locs under a red hair covering.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Yep."

A young woman attendant met them at the trail head carrying two hydro-packs with their lunch inside it. Yani twined the plastic sipping tube along her shoulder clasps for easy mouth access.

"My name is Vusumuzi, I will be your hiking guide," she said.

Vusumuzi wore form-fitting brown trousers and a matching jacket. Her hair was covered in a green wide-brimmed straw hat. She handed Yani and N'Jadaka yellow sunglasses to protect their eyes. The large lenses made everything even more crystal clear and were perfect for wet weather with the anti-condensation feature. Their guide slung her own pack over her shoulders.

"We'll travel through the low fronds and traverse a scenic path so you may see the best of the forest before we ascend the falls. This way please," Vusumuzi said.

For the first thirty minutes they spoke to Vusumuzi about the plants and trees. Vusumuzi had a charming personality and a love for the forest. She reminded Yani of herself giving Eco Tours in St. Thomas. Her kind spirit made the excursion pleasant and relaxing. The moisture in the air thickened and Yani zipped her tunic's collar higher on her throat. She sipped water and held N'Jadaka's hand on some of the trickier parts of the forest floor that was littered with logs from fallen snag trees. Although their brisk walking warmed up her limbs, the temperature dropped a little. N'Jadaka pulled out her jacket from his pack and helped her put it on.

The air felt thicker in her nose and Yani kept her mouth parted to gulp more air into her body. Without even asking, Vusumuzi slowed the pace. Their hiking path widened and there were less giant downed trees to walk around or climb over with N'Jadaka's assistance. A sense of heightened calm descended over Yani and she stopped talking to Vusumuzi just to luxuriate in the stillness of peace surrounding her. The trees were so tall and old it felt like walking among quiet elders who watched them pass through.

"We'll have to walk single file once we start up the main trail," Vusumuzi said, glancing back at them. "Queen Yani? Is everything okay?'

Yani stopped hiking and stood next to a wide-belly tree. Its circumference could hold one hundred grown men in the center. Emerald green fronds fanned out around it and so did the broken limb from a nearby tree that had fallen near it covered in green moss and traces of fungus.

"Look," Yani said pointing.

Three black panther cubs rested their small paws on the broken tree limb. N'Jadaka and Vusumuzi looked in the direction she pointed.

"I don't see anything," N'Jadaka said.

"Right there," Yani said wagging her finger to guide their gaze.

"I'm sorry my queen. I don't see anything and our panthers are past their mating season. There are no cubs that I know of that our panthers in this vicinity would have birthed," Vusumuzi said.

Yani gaped at Vusumuzi before glancing back at the spot on the fallen branch.

No cubs.

"Wait…"

Yani trudged forward and Vusumuzi tapped her kimoyos. An orange rectangular surveillance screen floated above her wrist.

"Queen Yani, there are no panthers around us. I have no heat signatures and our usual big guys are back at your housing."

N'Jadaka settled next to Yani. He studied her face then looked around the area she was positive three cuddly black cubs had peered at her with big yellow eyes.

"A trick of the light maybe?" N'Jadaka said. He tapped his hiking boot on a few big stones covered in velvety dark moss.

"I thought I saw them. Right there…"

A light drizzle of rain dropped through the canopy and they moved on. Yani kept snatching peeks behind her. The soft rain wet her open mouth and she could see her breath in front of her face as they hiked further. Reaching the hardest part of their ascending trail, Yani followed behind Vusumuzi with trepid steps and N'Jadaka brought up the rear. She went over and over in her mind about the cubs she knew she spotted watching her from the tree. Something about the stillness and her hiking companions not witnessing what she saw unnerved her senses. The forest had eyes. She was being watched. It didn't feel threatening or predatory. More like a beckoning in the way that fairy tales seduced or lured their protagonists in some grand adventure. Whatever wanted her attention had it, and she became all too aware of everything around her trek.

The slow-winding path upward added pressure to Yani's chest. The altitude made her fingers swell too. She hunkered down and pushed her thighs and legs to work harder. The view on their left side made the hard physical labor worth it. Vusumuzi paused their hike so they could take holo-pics and vids to share with the children. She gulped down more water and slipped a bite of an energy bar from her lunch pack.

"There are several waterfalls along the valley beyond this mountain. They lead to Warrior Falls and beyond that is the Merchant Tribe territory. The River Tribe is the second largest tribe in the nation and we have seven ethnic groups within our numbers that speak three languages besides Wakandan which is our designated national language," Vusumuzi shared.

They hiked further and the trail grew steeper. The back of Yani's thighs burned. She began to feel the sharper effects of the higher altitude. Vusumuzi slowed down the pace even more to accommodate her.

"Here Queen Yani, take some oxygen to help you," Vusumuzi said.

She pulled out a small oxygen feeder no bigger than a water bottle and handed it off. Placing it against her chin, Yani allowed a small breathing mask to materialize over her mouth and nose. She breathed deeply and N'Jadaka watched her with concern.

"Maybe we should wait another day to let you get more acclimated Yani. I didn't mean to rush you on a hike," he said with concern.

Still breathing deeply, Yani shook her head.

"Better?" Vusumuzi asked.

"Yes…thank you."

"You are doing well for your first time here. Would you like to rest? Eat some more of your snack?" Vusumuzi said.

They rested for fifteen minutes and Yani finished the rest of energy bar. N'Jadaka ate one too even though it was obvious the hike didn't bother him at all. She patted his hand silently thanking him for trying to make her feel comfortable pretending he needed the nutrients to help him reach the top.

"This view is so pretty. Like a painting," Yani said.

Their eye line was high above the greenery of the canopy below and in the distance, the forest extended further south along the path of the shimmering emerald-green river feeding into the smaller tributaries that shaped the land of the River people. She was able to spot their houseboat with the help of the binocular lenses embedded in her sunglasses. They sat for another five minutes admiring the panoramic setting until Yani stood up and folded the wrapper of her snack into her pack. It took another hour to crest the top of the waterfall their houseboat pushed through. The loud sound of water filled her ears. Standing a safe distance from the edge, she admired the wonder before her and how high up they were. A small rainbow arched across the spray that sunlight brought them. The rain had stopped and Yani felt like the queen of the world standing there.

N'Jadaka set up a picnic area with a small folded scarf and he helped Yani and Vusumuzi take off their packs. Chunky sandwiches on spiced bread filled with fresh veggies and tender roasted beef stuffed their bellies. The king grinned when he found generous slices of yam cornbread waiting among the sandwiches.

"Umama made sure you had plenty of it," Yani teased.

N'Jadaka tore into his piece, licking up any falling crumbs, even tearing pieces from Yani's share.

"Greedy," she said slapping his fingers away. She let him finish the rest of hers. There would be plenty waiting for them later. She was sure of that.

One by one, they took turns to slip away and relieve themselves before the return trip. They surveyed another section of the waterfall before Yani became faint.

"Baby, hey, you alright?"

N'Jadaka rushed to her side and held her up, preventing her from toppling over the ledge.

"I'm okay…just winded I think. The altitude is hitting a little too hard right now," she said.

Yani touched her forehead as a pounding headache disturbed her peace. It took over two hours to hike to the crest. The rubbery feeling in her legs brought on the dread of slogging back down. N'jadaka tapped his beads.

"Okoye, bring the Royal Talon Fighter to my location. Queen Yani has altitude sickness. She won't be able to walk back down."

"I will be there shortly kumkani," Okoye's voice replied.

A minute later, the Talon Fighter's luminous neon blue glow materialized from out of thin air above them. A tracking beam lifted the three of them up into the air. Looking down toward the place they once stood, Yani was sure she saw the three panther cubs again. She didn't mention it to the others and tried to convince herself that the altitude sickness was messing with her mind.

N'Jadaka fretted over Yani inside the Royal talon Fighter.

Okoye prepared a half dosage of replenishing fluids that N'Jadaka used as the Black Panther whenever he had to don his suit and recuperate after a strenuous mission overseas. Yani sipped it from a straw and he held her close to him on the back seating in the rear of the aircraft.

Vusumuzi sat quietly in one of the console seats in front of a viewscreen mesmerized at the chance to ride inside the king's transport, a privilege few would have.

"I'm better now," Yani insisted, but he wouldn't stop fussing over her, checking her temperature and heart rate too.

"I can have the royal doctor here within the hour kumkani," Okoye said while holding another small plastic bag filled with more vitamin fluids.

"Please don't bother Dr. Chidubem. I'm fine now. I'll rest and feel even better in a few hours," Yani said waving the bag of fluid away.

"Drop us down at the homestead Okoye. We'll stay here tonight and leave the day after tomorrow bright and early. We want to see the river market before we sail into Warrior Falls."

"Yes, kumkani."

Okoye headed to the front of the aircraft and N'Jadaka beckoned for Vusumuzi to join them standing on the circular transport on the floor.

"Despite the circumstances kumkani, this has been quite a thrill to see the inside of the Royal Talon Fighter," Vusumuzi said.

He smiled at her and kept an arm around Yani's waist. They were gently lowered by the gravitational force back in front of the giant tree that held their treehouse residence. He quickly removed Yani's backpack and his own, then handed them back to Vusumuzi.

"Thank you for your guidance on our hike," Yani said.

She patted their guide's wrist and the woman beamed at being touched by a royal so openly in that way.

"I hope you feel much better and get plenty of rest. Will you need me tomorrow?" Vusumuzi asked.

N'Jadaka shook his head.

"I think we'll play it by ear and stay here for the day. If she's fully recuperated we'll explore close to the river around here," he said.

Vusumuzi gave a quick lowering of her head and left them alone.

The Royal Talon Fighter cloaked itself above them. Okoye would fly the aircraft to a designated spot to give them privacy, but she was in constant contact with five other Dora Milaje assigned to protect them that were stationed on the ground. N'Jadaka wanted his honeymoon to feel like he was a regular citizen out and about with his wife. Okoye pushed back on not having his security team present in their current location. He reminded his general that he was more deadly when it came to safeguarding his own wife. Yani was the air he breathed. No harm would come to her as long as he was around.

He walked behind Yani as they climbed the stairs of the tree house. She sniffed the air in the front room.

"Something smells delicious," she said, heading toward the kitchen.

A pot of coconut fish stew bubbled on a small cook stove. Fresh yam cornbread and broiled shrimp skewers glazed with ground spices cooked in honey lent their delicious odors of local seafood and wild rice dishes.

Yani was well enough to bathe in the restroom, and soon after they tucked into their supper together inside the living room listening to the sound of a heavier rain fall outside. He made a fire in the front room brass pit and they snuggled together watching the flames dance under a blanket. He insisted that she turn in early and read a book to her inside the cozy bedroom. She slept easily and he watched over her late into the night.

Yani seemed different.

Their return from the hike had him on alert to meet her needs. The last thing he wanted was for their honeymoon to be marred from illness. Yani had a tendency to push herself around him, as if she still needed to prove that she was capable of matching his energy. There was nothing she needed to do to show him that she was capable of anything. She was perfect the way she was.

The thing with the panther cubs he didn't see loomed over her behavior on the hike up the waterfall crest. He saw nothing but rocks and forest fronds…however…he sensed an aura of energy that was unfamiliar and yet belonged to him. Whatever Yani saw was real to her. It didn't matter that he, nor their patient guide, saw it. To keep her from freaking out, N'Jadaka played it off as a trick of the eye. The truth was, he too felt something was around them in his ancestral home. Bast and Ogum didn't stir him up with an alertness he always carried. This was family territory and a safe space for him and Yani. Wakanada was full of enchanted wonders. Why wouldn't the birthplace of Bashenga not hold sway over his wife?

Yani slept soundly and he spooned around her. The warmth from her body seeped into him and he was gently aroused. His erection rested against her backside, snug in the crease of her ass cheeks. His arousal bathed him in love from her.

After an hour he notified the attendants to bring their dinner later in case Yani became hungry. He left her to sleep longer and took a walk through the trees vine-cut paths that looped around the tree house. The evening transformed the forest into an enchanted hideaway. Fireflies lit his way and he noticed butterflies hunkering down for the night to bask in their own slumber as the night woke up nocturnal life. N'Jadaka sniffed the pollen-laden air and admired flowers that sprang open only at night.

Peace.

It flowed over him as the forest became a sanctuary for himself and his wife. Water trickled across smaller waterfalls and through the stream he followed that led him to a garden of passion flowers and night orchids that bloomed fully with the earlier rainfall. Cacao trees loomed over him with long, ripe yellow nuts dangling from the branches.

A cloying sent tickled his nose and he searched for the source.

"N'Jadaka…where are you?"

Yani's faint lilting voice drew him away from venturing further.

"I'm out here! Behind the tree house"

His booming voice echoed and traveled far. Yani's floating image popped up above his wrist.

"I'm coming to where you are," she said.

"Are you good?"

"I'm fine. Headache is gone and that long nap helped. Why didn't you wake me to go with you?"

"I wanted you to rest longer. We go canoeing in the morning and no sense over exerting you after that altitude sickness."

He spoke to her until she was a hundred feet away from him. She waved and he watched her come to him with a swing in her hips. The light from her kimoyo beads gave her enough glow to traverse the vines and plants on the forest floor. She was dressed in loose flared pants and a light jacket.

He took her hand in his and gave her a hug.

"Glad you're better."

"Me too. Oh look how pretty everything is," Yani said while walking ahead of him.

The small waterfall in the distance glowed from an unknown source that hinted at traces of vibranium and the reflection of the fireflies darting about. Frogs croaked and monkeys chattered above them in the branches. Yani inhaled deeply and her face looked relaxed and tranquil. She clasped his hand and the wandered together delighting in the scenery. Some of the plant life glowed with bioluminescence and they didn't need to use their kimoyos as lamp light.

"Take a holo-pic of me in front of this giant plant," Yani said.

She posed for him and he held up his wrist tapping a bead.

The hairs on the back of his neck raised. He sensed someone looking at him from behind. Yani's eyes grew wide and she looked past him. She wasn't scared, just hesitant to say anything to him. He turned his head to fix his gaze on whatever she spotted.

Nothing.

Lush flowers and tall plants were the only thing present near the stream of water gurgling through their surroundings.

But he still sensed a presence. Something low to the ground. Non-threatening.

Glancing at Yani he noticed her feigning that nothing was amiss.

"Take a few more," she said with rushed breath.

"What do you see?" he asked.

Her eyelashes fluttered quickly and she smiled. He read a tenseness in her body.

"It doesn't scare you, so whatever it is, it has no evil intent. Tell me what you see, Yani."

Her lips quirked and she let out long breath.

"I see three Black panther cubs. They are lying down on the pile of vines near that purple night orchid."

N'Jadaka went to where she said the invisible entities revealed themselves to her.

"Stop…you're right in front of them," she said.

He looked down at his feet. Just vines and damp soil.

"Take my hand," he said.

He reached back for her and she quietly padded to him and threaded her fingers with his. Bending down, he used his free hand to wave around the area she saw the cubs. Nothing tangible stopped his waving but his skin tingled and the hairs on his arm lifted. Something was there. Only he couldn't see it. Just Yani.

"Can you touch them?" he asked.

She lowered her free hand.

"No," she said.

N'Jadaka tapped his kimoyo and scanned the area.

"Holy shit," he gasped.

There were heat signatures. In the shape of cubs. He recorded the evidence and made Yani stand next to them so he could document her with the phenomena.

"Look," he said holding out his wrist so she could see his small orange screen.

They both blinked at the screen and the cubs' yellowish-orange heat signatures vanished next to Yani's very clear image. She glanced down at their feet.

"They're gone," Yani said.

She looked around their area and came back to him to stare at the recorded evidence that disappeared.

"That's what you saw when we went hiking…right?" he said.

"Yes. I saw them again when the tracking beam pulled us into the Talon Fighter. I didn't want to say anything because I thought I might be hallucinating from altitude sickness. I didn't want one of our citizens to think her new queen was unstable. Why didn't she see their heat signatures with her kimoyos?"

"Maybe she wasn't meant to see them. Maybe they're for your eyes only."

"But you sense them…and you saw their shapes."

He shrugged.

"They're connected to you some kinda way. You saw them three times. Maybe they're trying to convey a message to you. Give you a sign of something."

"Why me? I'm not even from this land originally."

He held her hand again and they walked back toward their tree house.

"Wakanda has fundamentally changed you and me. You gave birth to a child connected to here through me. Now that you're my wife and officially an Udaku, this land could be giving you a sign that it accepts you as one of their own."

Yani smiled and swung their hands gently.

"I'd like to believe that. I wish you could see them, they are so adorable and look so soft and cuddly."

"Don't be afraid to tell me if you see anything else while we're here."

"Okay."

"Want to soak in the hot spring?"

"Let's go in the larger one Vusumuzi showed us," Yani suggested.

They donned swimsuits and Yani tied her hair up in a peach headwrap before journeying to the west side of the Udaku homestead where a large pool of water nestled against a stone wall. He liked that pool better because it didn't smell at all and the water was at the perfect temperature. There were lamps secured in the trees and he lit them up making it look like daytime from the glare on the stone wall. Yani tied his locs up and they swam together sloshing the warm liquid over their skin and splashing each other like they were back at their cove in St. Thomas.

Yani was healthy and happy and her encounter with the three black panther cubs seemed forgotten. In fact, she appeared more at ease knowing that he was aware that her experience was based in reality. One that he could sense even if he couldn't see it like her.

He floated next to her.

"We're like two vegetables floating in a warm bowl of soup," Yani said.

"We need vacations like this throughout the year."

"You haven't even visited all the properties your family owns."

"Our family," he said.

"Yes…our family."

He stood in the pool, the water right above his chest. Yani stopped floating on her back and he lifted her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist and he moved around carrying her in the pleasant water. He brushed his lips against hers and she accepted the kiss, prying his lips wider with her tongue. They moved their necks with a patient rhythm every few seconds for deeper tongue kissing. She leaned back and flattened her palms on his lumpy chest, feeling the slick texture of his scars.

"My scars never scared you," he said.

"I was intrigued with them. I knew they meant something horrible, but I didn't question you about it."

"How do you feel about them now?'

She glanced at his chest and slid her hands across his pecs.

"They tell your story. It is a record of your journey carved into your flesh. I accept them because they brought you to me. I love you and I love your skin for what it has done for me."

He kissed her forehead.

"We should head back and eat a little something before turning in. The market opens at nine. We should row our canoe there no later than 8:30 or else it'll get too crowded," he said.

"I haven't been rowing in so long! I miss it…I miss all the physical activity outdoors."

"You're the queen now, put it in your schedule."

"I will!"

He dropped her from around his waist and followed her toward the ledge of the natural pool. His eyes stayed on her ass as she moved into the more shallow part. It jiggled as she walked and her one piece bathing suit revealed plenty of her ass cheeks. Watching her walk and shake was a turn on. His dick plumped up. Before she could climb out he stopped her.

"Wayment…lemme do something right quick," he said.

She turned her head back and stared at his full lips. He rubbed on her booty and smacked it a few times. The bulge in his trunks jutted out more.

"Damn this ass is so fat, baby. I know it sounds redundant to you when I say it all the time, but shit…baby…if you could see what I see. Look at my dick."

Yani slid her fingers under the bottom of her swimsuit and pulled them toward the crack of her ass so he could enjoy more bounty. He slid his trunks low and gripped his thick dick, smacking its weight against her ass. Stroking and poking the wide head against her ass, he hissed a curse word just as a thick leaking of pre-cum glistened across her right ass cheek. N'Jadak tugged down her bathing suit top and freed a breast to hold. He squeezed her tit and squeezed the head of his dick and more pre-cum spilled onto her wet skin.

"So soft…yeah, jiggle like that some more baby…"

He grunted as Yani leaned forward and tooted her rump out. Fondling her breast he continued jerking off against her backside, lusting after her the way so many men did when she was in their presence. He'd caught plenty of foreign men catching erections watching her walk into social events jiggling every which way no matter what she wore. A fat ass was hard to ignore and Yani had a world class posterior that rivaled even some of the Wakandan women that were blessed too.

N'Jadaka wondered if he was a secret cuck because knowing other men wanted her aroused him even further. He would kill a man on the spot if he caught Yani with anyone else, however, to his own weakness that he shared with other males, his wife was a force of beauty and body. He saw what they all saw when she walked past. She had all the goods. Big breasts, thick thighs and ass, a come hither voice that melted men down to the bone.

"Oh…oh damn…" he groaned, stroking himself faster.

He gasped twice when Yani assisted his visual enjoyment by lifting her ass cheeks up and down with her hands. He stepped back and she jumped up and down letting her ass clap for him. She wasn't playing fair as usual.

"Yani…baby…this fat ass…"

Words became gibberish on his tongue and he gave up trying to convey how she made him feel in that moment. Smacking his dick against her ass a final time, he fondled her nipple and feverishly stroked his dick while staring at the good fortune glistening with his pre-cum.

"When we get back, we're going straight to bed," he said.

"What about dinner?"

"Later…fuck that food."

Yani laughed and he grunted at the friction of his tip hot on her skin.

"I want you to ride this dick all night."

"I will. You want me to smack this big ass on your balls?"

"Yes…bounce all on this dick."

"What if I want to sit on your face and cum on your beard?"

He moaned and closed his eyes imagining her vulva all slick and covering his mouth. She had the best pussy. He should know. He'd been balls deep everywhere on the planet and he'd tasted enough snatch to be a connoisseur handing out Michelin Five Star reviews. Yani's pussy tasted like ambrosia from the Gods and was deep enough to handle him like no other.

He opened his eyes and stared at her round backside before gifting it with hot cum he spurted with a grateful shout of her name. Before he could even ask, she was on her knees licking up the rest that dripped out of his slit. He rocked on his heels and cried out again when she sucked another nut out of him with her tongue pulsing the underside of his length. She used those big eyes of hers to play innocent and that sent him into a feral lusting.

She was too good to be true. And she was his wife.

Pulling up his trunks, N'Jadaka lifted Yani up and threw her over his shoulder. She shrieked in surprise and he spanked her ass while walking her back to the tree house.

Yani kept her promise and sat that good juicy pussy on his mouth and soaked his beard with the orgasms he gave her. Then she fucked him as if it was their first time into oblivion, and he was a very happy husband.

Chapter 9 HERE.

Tag List:

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[lboogie1906]

Ambassador Sharon P. Wilkinson (1947) is a diplomat. She served as Ambassador to Burkina Faso and Ambassador to Mozambique.

Born in Buffalo, New York to Frederick and Jeane Ann Wilkinson. She received her BS in International Relations from Brown University in Providence, she earned a double MA in Social Science and in Education from the University of Chicago. She speaks Portuguese, Spanish, and French.

Her career began in the Foreign Service in 1971 when she was appointed Vice Consul in the US Consulate in Sao Paulo. She held the post of Consul in Accra and a Desk Officer in the US Embassy in Lisbon. She served as Program Officer for Africa in the Bureau of Cultural Affairs in the State Department. She was Staff Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Inter-American Affairs, and Management Analyst for the Office of Management Operations. She spent a year as Director of the Face-to-Face Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

She served as Deputy Principal Officer in the US Consulate in Tijuana, she became Director of the Office of Diplomatic and Public Liaison in the Bureau of Consular Affairs. She served as Consul General in the Dutch colony. She worked in Lisbon where she was charge d’affaires at the Embassy and Deputy Chief of Mission.

President Bill Clinton nominated her as the Ambassador to Burkina Faso. She was the Ambassador to Mozambique. She served as Assistant Dean for Global Engagement at Arizona State University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She became the first Diplomat in residence at the University. She served as a Diplomatic Advisor at Meridian International Center.

She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, The American Black Ambassadors Association, the Thursday Luncheon Group, and the American Foreign Service Association. She is a Board Member of EarthEcho International, the Arizona Council for International Visitors, Sudan Sunrise, the Mozambique Health Consortium, and the Senior Living Foundation. She serves as Meridian International Center’s Senior Vice President. She is a co-author of Empowering the Soul: Creating Harmony in a Troubled World (2009). #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[eyeopeningarchivist]

Statement of Aldo Carnaigie

Concerning: His trip to the American northeast.

Statement taken: 18th May, 2022

Transcription by: Jonathan Sims, Head Archivist, Magnus Inst. London (1818)

Statement begins....

America is big. Really properly big. There’s a lot of just empty forest land that nobody’s even been through. Well, not anyone who made it out again. I didn’t even think about it until I agreed to be part of a group trip and had already booked my flight and everything. The night we got to Montpelier, our rooms weren’t ready so we went and sat in the drinks area of the hotel. They were playing a film on Netflix called The Ritual. I looked it up. Turns out it’s a book by Adam Nevill about a group of hikers who get lost in the woods in Sweden and they start getting picked off by a... demon or monster or something... Not exactly what I’d like to watch when I’m about to do something very similar.

I didn’t sleep much that night, kept thinking of the “what if’s,” y’know? What if there’s something out there that starts attacking us? Supernatural or not, I’d hate to get snatched up by something without a trace. It was never really a fear of mine until I was laying there. I guess the overthinking can really get to you. The next morning I got up and apparently I looked okay because our trip went ahead as planned. We packed up what we would need, got directed to the trailhead, checked in with our GPS systems, and off we went. I knew as soon as we started off that we were being followed by something but everyone else just told me I’d been affected too much by the film and that I was being stupid. I tried to brush it off as paranoia but I was so uncomfortable that I felt sick.

About six miles in, Freddie took a bad step and twisted his ankle, making him slightly more useless than he usually was. Andy wrapped it as well as he could but the light was fading and we had to set up camp soon or we’d be screwed. We went off trail a little ways and set up our tents and things, Freddie getting tasked with starting a small fire which he completely failed to make. That night was worse than the previous one, most of us getting pretty much no sleep even though we were already shagged out. We sat there and waited until sunrise, then we packed everything up again and started back out. Andy took up the task of trying to get Freddie back to the trailhead since he was the one with the most experience in helping other hikers who were injured (Africa trip, long story) so we went on without them.

We were a couple more miles in before the trail just kinda disappeared into trees. We wanted to go back but, when we tried to turn around and go back the way we’d come, the trail wasn’t there either. It was nowhere. Great. We decided to just pick a direction that was opposite of where we thought we’d been facing and went with it. I kept looking around for signs of life but there wasn’t even so much as a scratch in the dirt. It started getting dark again as we could see a campfire up ahead so we pushed onward until we got to it. Tents circled it and the fire burned strong but there was absolutely no one there. No boot prints in the fairly soft dirt, not food tins, just tents and a fire. We took turns keeping watch that night. I don’t know when I fell asleep but Rani was sitting by the fire when I did. When I woke up he was gone. He’d left all of his things and bailed. We tried to find him but we knew we shouldn’t split up just in case he was taken by an animal.

We finally gave up and started walking again, hoping he’d be waiting for us back with Andy and Freddie. By this time we were starting to run low on supplies and were already coming up with a ration plan for the rest. We lost two more before night fell again, Max and Barry. No idea when they broke away but at one point they were just... gone... The last three of us were myself, Cameron, and Toby. Cameron ran off into the woods, saying he could hear what sounded like Andy yelling from the trees. Toby and I tried to tell him there was nothing but he was gone. We watched him go. He just sort of melted into the trees. Toby and I kept going until we thought night should be falling but it seemed to be getting brighter instead of darker.

Toby stopped and grabbed my arm, pointing off to the right. I looked and thought for sure I was going to throw up. There was a staircase sitting in the middle of the woods. The carpet was white with a sort of floral pattern woven into it. The wood around it was painted a cool gray and it even had a bannister along one side. We looked at each other, then Toby went over to the stairs, looking back at me with an exhausted sort of smile before he started to climb the stairs, getting to the very top and then vanishing. He didn’t fall, he didn’t jump. There was no sound or anything. He was just suddenly not there anymore. I was alone in this fucked up forest. I turned away from the stairs and saw a clear, sandy path through the trees. I followed it and found myself out of the woods and back at the trailhead. No Freddie, no Andy, no anyone. The rangers asked how my hike had been and I just stared at them.

“What you mean ‘how was it?’” I’d said. “I went in with seven other blokes and you askin’ how it was?” They just looked at me with these fake pleasant looks on their faces. I called the police as soon as I got back to the lodge, giving them as much information as I could including the GPS codes since we’d all made sure they were on everyone’s person as well as back at the room. They never found the others. Not even a trace. I talked to one of the search-and-rescue guys a little while after they’d quit looking and, as soon as I’d mentioned the stairs, he’d gone real quiet. He looked around before he kinda whispered to me.

“We don’t talk about the stairs. It’s better that way.” I said the hell it was and he shook his head quickly. “No really, we’re not supposed to even acknowledge them. They’re the creepiest thing, man. People go missing and we run into them and we know it’s gonna be a shit show. We’ve lost more trails because some newbie decided to mess with the stairs than I care to think about. It can get you fired so fast...” He didn’t say anything for the rest of the night. I’ve never gone on another trip like that and I never will. Not in America or anywhere else.

Statement Ends...

Notes:

Search and rescue horror stories have been a staple of American camping trips for decades. It’s entirely possible that this individual, Mr. Carneigie, had read or listened to some of those before his trip and it added to his hysteria. This statement also bears a striking resemblance to the book “The Ritual” by Adam Neville, though without the worship of goat-headed nordic gods and, well, not in Sweden. After attempting to contact Mr. Carnaigie for a followup interview but it seems he disappeared a few weeks after he came to see us. He has no family to contact, his lease lapsed, and his job hasn’t heard from him since before the trip. It’s unfortunate but it’s not the first time something like this has happened. There’s not even a record of him at interpol, he simply vanished.

The most I can say is this: Wherever Aldo Carnaigie has found himself, I hope he’s doing alright... I seriously doubt it, but I hope he is. As for what happened to his friends, people go missing in the American northeast all the time. The woods are vast and full of predators and there is every possibility that they will truly never be found. Supernatural or not, it is most unfortunate and it is one of the many reasons I despise camping holidays...

End recording.

[beni75]

Texts and 📸 @ladzinski

1.- Sunset at the slangkop lighthouse

2-. The giant Groundsels is a magnificent towering plant native to the higher altitude zones of the ten mountain groups in equatorial East Africa. Near Brannco Camp whhile hiking Kilimanjaro

3-. Twilight at thge Slangkop Lighthouse in kommetjie, South Africa

4-. Vervet monkeys scouting for an easy opportunity here in the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

5-. @lukasirmler highlining in heaven

6-. Matterhorn

7-. On approach to Zeus Tower under dark skies

8-. One of those mornings that you just want to go on forever. Dancing light beam in the Grindelwald Valley, Switzerland

9-. Rainy commute here in Grindelwald, Switzerland

10-. This stunning mountain valley is like no other. Chamonix, France

11-. Urraca

12-. Stellers Jay blues

13-. Shafts of lading sunlight raining down on a sea of karst formation and the Getu River at sunset

14-. Sleepy trail and a colorful ending in beautiful Montana

15-. Sunrise illuminating the Incense Tower in Enshi Grand Canyon in China

16-. Sunset over the Atlantic Ocean, Kommetjie, South Africa

17-. The Garden of The Gods, in Colorado Springs is without a doubt one of my favorite places in the world

18-. The mountains of Chamonix, France, are famous for skiing, alpine climbing, base-jumping, paragliding, raw adventure and home of the first Winter Olympics

19-. The remains of an old boat slowly being overtaken by vegetation near Stokksness beach in South East Iceland

[aviaposter]

Boeing 737-800 TUI fly Belgium

Registration: OO-JEF Named: Affection Type: 737-8K5 Engines: 2 × CFMI CFM56-7B27E Serial Number: 44271 First flight: Feb 16, 2014

TUI fly Belgium, legally incorporated as TUI Airlines Belgium NV, is a Belgian scheduled and charter airline with its registered office at Brussels Airport. The airline is a subsidiary of the TUI Group and part of the TUI Airlines. The airline was established as Sunrise in 2002 as a home carrier for tour operator Jetair, part of the tourism group TUI AG and re-established as TUI Airlines Belgium on November 2003. In 2016, the airline received the its current brand name TUI fly Belgium with the legal name still being TUI Airlines Belgium NV. TUI fly Belgium has a network of 180 routes to more than 100 airports in the Mediterranean, Red Sea, Caribbean, Canary Islands, Cape Verde Islands, Africa and the United States. The airline's home base is Brussels Airport.

Poster for Aviators. aviaposter.com

[deluxe-cruises]

Discover Africa with DeluxeCruises.com: Your #1 Travel Expert for the Best Tauck Tours & Safari Adventures

Welcome to DeluxeCruises.com, the ultimate destination for luxury travel and world-class service. If you're dreaming of a life-changing journey through Africa, let us guide you to the perfect safari experience with Tauck's Kenya & Tanzania: A Classic Safari. With unbeatable pricing, expert service, and fast response via email or WhatsApp, we’re the trusted travel agency for travelers seeking more than just a trip.

✨ Why Book Your Tauck Safari with DeluxeCruises.com?

✅ Best Prices Guaranteed in Any Currency

✅ Access to Secret Discounts & Group Offers

✅ Fast, Personalized Service – Email: info@deluxecruises.com | WhatsApp: +1-702-900-9975

✅ 30+ Years of Expertise in Luxury & Expedition Travel

✅ 100% Tauck-Authorized Specialist Agency

🌿 Tauck’s "Kenya & Tanzania: A Classic Safari" Overview

Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of East Africa on this 13-day journey through Kenya and Tanzania, offered from January to February, May to October, and December. Since its debut in 2001, this tour has remained a guest favorite for its perfect blend of wildlife, culture, and comfort.

What Makes This Safari Exceptional:

🛬 Stays at premier safari lodges in the Serengeti, Masai Mara, and Amboseli National Park

🌌 A breathtaking sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara

🏣 Immersive visits to Maasai villages and conservation centers like Ol Pejeta Conservancy

💼 All-inclusive pricing – including meals, gratuities, on-tour flights, and game drives

🙏 Tauck Impact: Traveling with Purpose

When you book with DeluxeCruises.com, you're not just booking a luxury tour; you're supporting a company that makes a difference. Through Tauck’s Save the Rain initiative in Tanzania, Tauck has helped provide over 1,000 people with access to clean water by installing 40+ rainwater harvesting systems in rural communities.

✨ Exclusive Bonus for Returning Tauck Guests

The Gift of Time – Book any 2026 Tauck tour by July 31, 2025, and receive a free hotel night before or after your journey. Space is limited, so book now!

🌟 How to Book Your Tauck Safari with Us

Booking with us is fast and easy. Here’s how:

Email us at info@deluxecruises.com with your preferred dates.

Send a message via WhatsApp at +1-702-900-9975

We’ll reply quickly with the best available offers, tailored to your travel dates and preferences.

📅 Featured 2026 Departures:

April 18, 2026 | Philipsburg to Malaga | SEADREAM I | 14 Days

April 19, 2026 | Palm Beach to Lisbon | SEADREAM II | 14 Days

November 1, 2026 | Malaga to Philipsburg | SEADREAM I | 13 Days

🛎️ Connect with Us Today

Don’t wait—group pricing and early booking specials are limited. Whether you're booking for yourself or arranging travel for a group, DeluxeCruises.com offers unbeatable service and insider access to the best Tauck tours worldwide.

✉️ Email: info@deluxecruises.com 📞 WhatsApp: +1-702-900-9975 🔗 Visit: www.DeluxeCruises.com

Don’t Just Travel. Travel in Deluxe Style.

DeluxeCruises.com – The Best Site for Tauck Sales, Exclusive Deals, and Unmatched Safari Experiences.

[atamelatour]

From Johannesburg to Kruger: The Perfect Safari Gateway

Escape the city and dive into the wild with Atamela Tour’s unforgettable Kruger National Park Tours from Johannesburg. This 7-day safari blends the pulse of Johannesburg with the untamed beauty of South Africa’s most iconic wildlife reserve. From urban landmarks to Big Five sightings, your journey is crafted for excitement, comfort, and connection to nature.

From City Streets to Safari Tracks

Starting your Kruger National Park Tours from Johannesburg means you get the best of both worlds. Begin in South Africa’s cultural capital—exploring historical landmarks and vibrant neighborhoods—before heading east toward the vast wilderness of Kruger National Park.

With Atamela Tour, every step is seamless. You’ll travel in comfort, stay in handpicked lodges, and be guided by professionals who know the land, the wildlife, and the stories that make this safari experience special.

What Makes Atamela Tour Different?

🦁 Small Groups, Big Experiences – Enjoy personalized service and front-row access to nature.

🚐 All-Inclusive Itinerary – Transfers, meals, park fees, and game drives are included.

🏞 Panorama Route Magic – See Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window, and other scenic gems en route to Kruger.

🛌 Relaxing Lodges – Unwind in comfort after each day’s adventure, just minutes from the park.

🌅 Custom Moments – Add sunrise drives, cultural stops, or extra game viewing options to your tour.

Let us show you why our Kruger National Park Tours from Johannesburg are a favorite for local and international travelers alike.

Choosing the Right Gate Into Kruger

We plan every route carefully—starting with your entry gate:

Malelane Gate: Fastest route (4–5 hours from Johannesburg), ideal for early wildlife encounters.

Phabeni Gate: Slightly longer via the Panorama Route, but packed with stunning scenery and photo ops.

Both gates give you access to southern Kruger, the region with the highest density of animals, perfect for spotting the Big Five during your Kruger National Park Tours from Johannesburg.

Travel Smart with Budget-Friendly Safari Options

Safari dreams don’t have to come with a luxury price tag. Atamela Tour offers affordable options without compromising the experience:

✅ Join group tours to share costs

✅ Travel overland instead of flying

✅ Choose clean, comfortable budget lodges

✅ Book early to save on packages

✅ Opt for 3- or 4-day versions of our signature Kruger experience

Whether you're a solo traveler or a family on a budget, our Kruger National Park Tours from Johannesburg deliver unmatched value.

Where Should You Safari in Kruger?

Each region offers something special:

Southern Kruger: Famous for lions, rhinos, and elephants—ideal for first-time visitors

Sabi Sands: Private and luxurious, known for close-up leopard sightings

Central Kruger: Great for large prides and wide savannah views

Balule Reserve: A quieter, off-the-beaten-path area with rich biodiversity

Atamela Tour focuses on southern Kruger and surrounding reserves to maximize your wildlife viewing during your Kruger National Park Tours from Johannesburg.

Your 7-Day Itinerary Snapshot

Days 1–2: Dive into Johannesburg’s culture—visit the Apartheid Museum, Soweto, and more

Day 3: Road trip through the Panorama Route with stops at Blyde River Canyon and God’s Window

Days 4–6: Game drives in Kruger—sunrise and sunset safaris led by local experts

Day 7: Return to Johannesburg with unforgettable memories

Every day of your Kruger National Park Tours from Johannesburg is planned for immersion, discovery, and comfort.

Book Your Safari with Atamela Tour

With local roots and global hospitality, Atamela Tour offers you more than a vacation—we give you an experience that connects you to the land, the animals, and the heart of Africa.

Contact Us

📧 Email: thuli@atamelatour.com 📞 Phone: +27 (0) 81 267 3337

Stay connected with Atamela Tour across all platforms:

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Pinterest

LinkedIn

Google Maps

Start your journey with Atamela Tour—where every Kruger National Park Tours from Johannesburg begins with passion and ends with lifelong memories.

[javivaadventures]

Why Seasoned Travelers Prefer Private Safaris in Kenya

Why Kenya Remains an Iconic Safari Destination

Kenya is a dream destination for anyone seeking to witness spectacular wildlife in its natural habitat. From the majestic savannahs to the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya, this East African gem has captured the hearts of travelers across the globe. With its raw, untouched landscapes, rich cultural heritage, warm hospitality, and abundance of big game, Kenya safari tours continue to top the bucket lists of nature lovers, adventurers, and photography enthusiasts.

Whether you envision watching the Great Migration thunder across the plains or relaxing by the Indian Ocean after an exhilarating game drive, Kenya offers a wide variety of unforgettable experiences.

The Power of Going Private: Travel Your Way

Choosing private Kenya safari tours means freedom and exclusivity. Unlike group tours, private safaris allow you to travel on your schedule and tailor your itinerary based on your unique interests. This flexibility makes a significant difference, especially if you're traveling with family, a partner, or close friends.

You don’t have to align your plans with strangers or adhere to rigid timetables. Instead, your personal safari guide will adjust each day to suit your mood and preferences. Whether you want to wake up early for a sunrise game drive or enjoy a leisurely breakfast before heading out, it’s entirely up to you.

Private Kenya safari tours are also ideal for couples who want romantic getaways, including private bush dinners, scenic sunset views, and cozy lodges tucked away in the wild.

Perfect for Families, Couples, and Special Interest Travelers

If you’re traveling with children, private Kenya safari tours offer a relaxed and flexible environment that group tours can’t match. You can adjust your activities around your kids’ energy levels and interests without worrying about other guests. Expert guides can cater to your family’s needs and create fun, educational experiences to keep young explorers engaged.

Are you a photography enthusiast, birder, or someone with niche wildlife interests? A private tour allows you to spend extra time tracking specific animals or visiting off-the-beaten-path locations—something group tours may not offer.

Added Value for Couples and Honeymooners

Many private Kenya safari tours are specially designed for couples and honeymooners, offering more privacy and intimate experiences. Picture a candle-lit dinner under the stars, a surprise couples’ spa session, or a private tented camp overlooking a waterhole—these are just a few magical moments you can expect.

For newlyweds or couples celebrating a milestone, private safaris provide an unmatched romantic escape in the heart of Africa.

Personalized, Hassle-Free Safari Planning with Javiva Adventures

Want to explore Kenya without the stress of planning every detail? Let Javiva Adventures craft the perfect experience with expertly curated Kenya safari tours. Our private packages are designed to maximize comfort, safety, and immersion into the natural world.

We help travelers avoid common mistakes, choose the best regions to explore, and get insider access to Kenya’s hidden gems. From family adventures to couple retreats and solo wildlife journeys, we offer private Kenya safari tours tailored just for you.

Learn more and let us help you create the ultimate safari experience.

Experience Kenya Differently

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to exploring this breathtaking country. That’s why private Kenya safari tours are growing in popularity—they let you see Kenya your way. Whether you're drawn by its dramatic landscapes, rich tribal cultures, or its incredible animals, Kenya offers something magical for everyone.

Stay connected with Javiva Adventures and never miss an update on our latest travel experiences, destination highlights, and exclusive offers! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), Pinterest, LinkedIn, and YouTube. You can also find us on Google Maps. Join our growing community and explore the world with us, one unforgettable journey at a time!

Plan your adventure with Javiva Adventures and experience the true spirit of East Africa—on your terms.

[naturenestsafaris]

Birding Safari: What to Know Before You Go

A guided bird watching safari is a truly immersive way to connect with the wild beauty of East Africa. Whether you're an experienced birder or a curious beginner, a well-organized safari offers extraordinary chances to encounter rare and beautiful bird species across some of the continent’s most stunning landscapes—spanning lush forests, serene wetlands, and vast savannahs.

Expert Guidance Across Rich Habitats One of the biggest perks of a guided birding safari is tapping into the deep local expertise of seasoned ornithologists and passionate guides. These experts know the calls, behaviors, and migration habits of countless species—making it easier for you to spot even the most elusive birds, such as the Shoebill in Uganda’s Mabamba Swamp or the dazzling Golden-breasted Starling in Tanzania’s Usambara Mountains.

You’ll traverse a variety of ecosystems—tropical forests, wetlands, woodlands, and highlands. In Uganda’s Kibale National Park, for instance, you might glimpse greenbuls, hornbills, or the striking African grey parrot, while the open grasslands of Tanzania offer a different birding experience altogether.

A Typical Day on Safari Birds are most active in the early morning, so your day usually begins at sunrise. With binoculars in hand, you’ll set out alongside your guide to observe and identify birds by song, silhouette, and feather pattern. In the afternoon, the focus often shifts to marshes or forest edges—prime spots for photography and for catching sight of waterbirds and migratory species.

Most birding safaris are designed for small groups or private travelers, allowing a more personalized experience. You'll have plenty of time to pause, observe, take notes, and engage in insightful discussions about bird behavior, habitats, and conservation efforts.

More Than Just Birds One of the joys of birding in East Africa is the possibility of unexpected wildlife encounters. While quietly scanning the canopy or shoreline, you may stumble upon giraffes, elephants, or even chimpanzees. In places like Kibale National Park, sightings of red colobus monkeys are not uncommon while tracking birds through the treetops.

If you're starting or ending your trip in Kenya, you might also consider adding a Nairobi City Tour to your itinerary. Explore the Nairobi National Museum, visit the Giraffe Centre, or wander through vibrant local markets for a cultural complement to your wildlife experience.

What to Pack for Your Safari

Smart packing makes for a smooth trip. Essentials include:

• Lightweight, neutral-colored clothing

• High-quality binoculars

• A camera with a good zoom lens

• A waterproof notebook and field guide

• Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)

• Insect repellent

Being well-prepared allows you to fully enjoy every moment in the field.

Discover with Nature Nest Safaris Nature Nest Safaris offers thoughtfully curated bird watching experiences across Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. With expert guides, conservation-focused itineraries, and in-depth local knowledge, they create safaris that are both thrilling and educational—perfect for anyone passionate about nature.

[annakagenya]

Celebrating Kenya’s Conservation Heroes

By Anna Kagenya, Two Star Safaris Ltd, Kenya

When we speak about safaris, the conversation often starts with wildlife. The big cats, the elephants, the drama of the hunt, the poetry of the sunrise. And yes, the animals are incredible—no doubt about it. But behind every photo you see of a lion resting under an acacia tree… there’s a story. A quiet, often unseen story. One about the people who make it possible for that lion to still be there at all.

I’ve come to believe that if we truly want to celebrate Kenya’s wilderness, we must first celebrate the people working to protect it. The conservation heroes. The rangers, scientists, community elders, youth leaders, trackers, anti-poaching teams, and even the schoolteachers weaving wildlife education into classrooms in rural Kenya.

These are the ones who walk miles before sunrise. Who risk their lives. Who make impossible choices between feeding their families and protecting the forests, and somehow still choose to do the right thing.

So today, I want to tell you a little about them. Not all of them—there are too many to name—but a few glimpses that I hope stay with you.

The Ranger Who Stays

There's a man I once met at a conservancy near Laikipia. I’ll leave his name out—not for drama, but out of respect. He had been a ranger for 18 years. Said he could read footprints like most of us read text. Could tell how recently a lion passed by from the shape of the sand. Could tell if a poacher had entered just by the quietness in the air.

He hadn’t taken a real holiday in over six years. His salary? Modest. His reason? Simple.

"If I go, who protects them?"

It was as if it hadn’t even occurred to him that the responsibility wasn’t entirely his. That kind of dedication—unpaid overtime, unnoticed bravery—it’s easy to forget in the age of social media and glossy brochures.

But he’s one of many.

The Women Leading Change

Conservation in Kenya isn’t just about men in uniforms with binoculars anymore. And thank goodness for that.

Women—many from marginalized or pastoralist communities—are stepping into leadership roles in conservancies and advocacy groups across the country. I’ve met Samburu women running eco-lodges, Masai mothers organizing reforestation efforts, and young female scientists tracking elephants via GPS collars.

Their stories rarely make international headlines, but they’re revolutionizing the future of conservation here.

One example: a group of women in Taita Taveta formed a wildlife watch team after elephants repeatedly destroyed their farms. Instead of calling for the animals to be removed, they began working with rangers to create natural barriers, raise awareness, and even offer guided village visits to tourists. Now, they earn income because of the elephants—not in spite of them.

It’s hard not to be moved by that kind of resilience.

The Youth Planting Seeds

Sometimes, the heroes are just kids with a seedling.

There’s a program we support through Two Star Safaris Ltd where students in Narok County plant indigenous trees as part of their curriculum. It’s simple. One child, one tree. But the sense of ownership it creates? You can feel it.

They name their trees. Visit them on weekends. Water them even during school holidays. They talk about climate change like it’s personal—because for them, it is.

And maybe they won’t all grow up to be conservationists. But maybe they’ll all grow up knowing that their land matters. And that’s something.

Of course, these individual efforts exist within a larger movement. Kenya has long been recognized for its conservation leadership in Africa. Our community conservancy model is studied internationally. Our protected lands are vast, varied, and constantly evolving. But it’s not perfect. Challenges remain. Land pressure, political interests, climate shocks—it’s a lot to navigate.

And yet, every time I see someone lace up their boots at 4 a.m. or spend another night tracking rhino movements under a moonlit sky… I’m reminded: progress doesn’t always come in grand gestures. Sometimes it’s just the decision to keep showing up.

At Two Star Safaris Ltd, based here in Kenya, we try—quietly but consistently—to support those who show up. Whether it’s hiring guides from local communities, funding ranger equipment, or simply sharing their stories with our guests. It's never enough. But it's something.

Which brings me to one more thing we’re proud of. This year, we’ve been nominated for the 2025 Go Global Awards, hosted by the International Trade Council, to be held in London on November 18–19. It’s not just an awards ceremony. It’s a meeting of innovators, leaders, and thinkers from all corners of the world—people reshaping how businesses connect, grow, and give back.

Being part of that dialogue as a safari company from Kenya feels meaningful. Because tourism, when done right, is not just about showing people animals. It’s about giving something back—to the land, to the people, to the future.

And conservation heroes, in all their quiet courage, deserve every bit of that future.

[africaexoticholidays]

What you can Expect on a Safari Tour in Tanzania?

A Safari Tour in Tanzania goes beyond the classic scenes of giraffes, lions, and sweeping plains. It’s a raw, real adventure into the wild. But before stepping into this living documentary, many wonder — What should you really expect on a Safari Tour in Tanzania?

Let us go over in detail what your days might be like, the animals you might see, the places you might visit, the places you might sleep, and the ways you might get around this vast and interesting land.

Sunrise to Sunset: Life on Safari in Tanzania

While on a Tanzania Safari, time flows with the rhythm of the wild. There are no alarms—just the golden sunrise, birdsong, and distant lion roars to signal the start of a new day. The Daily Safari schedule naturally follows the movements of the animals.

The Early Rise

Early morning, before it gets too hot, you’ll be up and ready to start your trip. When you’re on safari holiday, coffee or tea is often brought to your tent or lodge veranda between 5:30 and 6:00 AM.

Game Drive in The Morning

As the sky changes from deep purple to gold, you set off for the wild. Morning game drives are the Best Time to See the Wildlife on Safaris in Tanzania.

Lions, leopards, and hyenas often come out to play after a night of hunting.

Elephants wander towards watering holes.

Herds of zebras and wildebeest graze on the open fields.

Birds sing and colour the air with their songs.

Meet the Majestic Wildlife of Tanzania

When you go on a Safari Tour in Tanzania, you can be sure of one thing: seeing more wildlife than you thought was possible. Tanzania has some of the most diverse and heavily populated animal reserves in Africa.

The Big Five

Everyone who goes on safari always wants to see the famous “Big Five”:

Lions always like to relax under trees or sneak up on their target.

Leopards are great at hiding, and they like to rest on tree branches.

Elephants are graceful and social giants that are often seen in big groups.

Buffaloes are big, strong animals that usually move in groups.

Rhinos are very rare and are strongly protected, but you can still find them in certain places.

Craft Your Unique Safari Adventure with Us!

The greatest charm of a Tanzania Safari Vacation lies in its unpredictability—no matter how meticulously you plan, the wild always holds unexpected surprises.

Every morning feels like the start of a new journey. And every night under the stars makes you feel even more amazed by how beautiful nature is.

When you’re ready to see this world for yourself, Africa Exotic Holidays will make sure your trip is one you’ll never forget. We’re here to guide you into the bush with our hand-crafted Tanzania Safari Packages, professional guides, and years of expertise living in the area. Every moment in Tanzania becomes a narrative you’ll remember forever.

For More Details Visit @ https://www.africaexoticholidays.com/blog/what-to-expect-on-a-safari-tour-in-tanzania/

[simbaadventures]

Safari Tours in Tanzania to Enjoy Your Holidays

Tanzania is one of Africa’s top safari destinations, offering a thrilling mix of wildlife, landscapes, and local culture. From the endless plains of the Serengeti to the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania delivers unforgettable safari experiences perfect for your next holiday. The Serengeti National Park is a must-visit for witnessing the Great Migration—a dramatic movement of millions of wildebeest and zebras across the savannah. Equally stunning is Ngorongoro Crater, home to the Big Five and known for its high animal density in a compact area. Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks also offer unique scenery and abundant wildlife.

Cultural Encounters

In addition to wildlife, Safari tours in Tanzania often include visits to Maasai villages or local markets. These experiences give you a deeper understanding of the region’s people and traditions, adding cultural richness to your trip.

Best Time to Enjoy Safari Tours in Tanzania – the Year-Round Adventure

Tanzania’s safari season is flexible. Dry season (June to October) offers the best wildlife viewing, while the green season (November to May) is less crowded and ideal for birding and photography. Whether you want luxury lodges or rustic campsites, options suit all budgets.

Safari Tours in Tanzania – Book Now with Simba Adventures

For a personalized and expertly guided safari, Simba Adventures offers tailored tours across Tanzania’s most iconic parks. With a focus on small-group experiences and knowledgeable local guides, they ensure every detail is taken care of—leaving you free to enjoy the wildlife, scenery, and culture. Whether it’s your first safari or a return trip, the leading tour planner helps create memories that last a lifetime. From custom itineraries to comfortable 4x4 vehicles, their goal is to give you an authentic, safe, and unforgettable adventure in Tanzania.

If you're dreaming of lions at sunrise or elephants by the river, Tanzania is calling. Book your safari and make your next holiday extraordinary.

[rutukadam]

Future of the Plant Based Milk Market Worldwide

Meticulous Research®—a leading global market research company, published a research report titled ‘Plant-based Milk Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Type (Almond Milk, Soy Milk, Coconut Milk, Oat Milk, Rice Milk), Formulation (Flavored), Distribution Channel (B2B, B2C [Modern Groceries, Convenience Store]) - Global Forecast to 2031’.

According to this latest publication from Meticulous Research®, the plant-based milk market is projected to reach $52.54 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 11.4% from 2024 to 2031. The growth of the plant-based milk market is driven by the high prevalence of lactose intolerance & allergies to cow milk, the growing focus on health & well-being, changing eating habits & consumers’ drive toward sustainability, and increasing investments & government support for plant-based industries. However, the high preference for animal-based milk products and the growing consumption of soy-free & gluten-free products restrain the growth of this market.

Emerging economies in Asia-Pacific and Latin America are expected to generate market growth opportunities. However, the fluctuating raw material prices are a major challenge for market stakeholders.

Key Players

The plant-based milk market is characterized by a moderately competitive scenario due to the presence of many large- and small-sized global, regional, and local players. The key players operating in the plant-based milk market are Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (U.S.), SunOpta Inc. (Canada), Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing Company (Australia), Axiom Foods, Inc. (U.S.), Earth's Own Food Company, Inc. (Canada), Sunrise Soya Foods (Canada), Campbell Soup Company (U.S.), Danone S.A. (France), Plamil Foods Ltd. (U.K.), Sahmyook Foods (South Korea), Nestlé S.A. (Switzerland), Natura Foods (Canada), Blue Diamond Growers (U.S.), and Oatly Group AB (Sweden).

The plant-based milk market is segmented by type (almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, oat milk, rice milk, and other plant-based milk), formulation (unflavored and flavored), distribution channel (business-to-business and business-to-consumer {modern groceries, convenience stores, specialty stores, online retail stores, and other b2c distribution channels), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa). The study also evaluates industry competitors and analyzes the regional and country-level markets.

Based on type, the plant-based milk market is mainly segmented into almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, oat milk, rice milk, and other plant-based milk. In 2024, the almond milk segment is expected to account for the largest share of 59.9% of the global plant-based milk market. The large market share of this segment is mainly attributed to factors such as the increasing number of consumers switching to nut-based lactose-free milk, changing taste preferences, and growing health & environmental concerns. Almond milk is entirely plant-based, making it a suitable choice for individuals following vegan or vegetarian diets. The production of almond milk generally has a lower environmental impact compared to dairy milk, as it requires less water and produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

Based on formulation, the plant-based milk market is segmented into unflavored and flavored plant-based milk. In 2024, the unflavored segment is expected to account for the larger share of 64.4% of the global plant-based milk market. The large market share of this segment is mainly attributed to factors such as the increased consumer demand for naturally dairy-free & sugar-free products and the clean taste and smooth texture of unflavored dairy-free products, which allow for their seamless incorporation into various food and beverage recipes.

Based on the distribution channel, the plant-based milk market is mainly segmented into business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C). In 2024, the business-to-consumer (B2C) segment is expected to account for the larger share of 67.4% of the global plant-based milk market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the increased retail sales of plant-based milk in supermarkets & hypermarkets, increased shelf space for plant-based products in modern groceries, rising preference for shopping from brick-and-mortar grocers due to easy access & availability and growing consumer acceptance for vegan & vegetarian dairy alternatives, especially plant-based milk.

Geographic Review

This research report analyzes major geographies and provides a comprehensive analysis of North America (the U.S. and Canada), Europe (Germany, U.K., Spain, Italy, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Poland, Portugal, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, Australia, Thailand, South Korea and Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Rest of Latin America), and the Middle East & Africa.

In 2024, Asia-Pacific is expected to account for the largest share of 49.7% of the global plant-based milk market, followed by Europe and North America. Asia-Pacific plant-based milk market is estimated to be worth USD 28.07 billion in 2024. The large share of this market is mainly attributed to consumers’ increasing awareness about the benefits of protein-rich foods, growing health consciousness, the rising adoption of advanced technologies in the F&B industry, and the region’s large vegan & vegetarian population base.

Download Sample Report Here @ https://www.meticulousresearch.com/download-sample-report/cp_id=5304

Key Questions Answered in the Report:

What is the value of revenue generated by the plant-based milk market?

At what rate is the global demand for plant-based milk projected to grow for the next 5-7 years?

What is the historical market size and growth rate for the plant-based milk market?

What are the major factors impacting the growth of this market at global and regional levels?

What are the major opportunities for existing players and new entrants in the market?

Which type, formulation, and distribution channel segments create major traction for the manufacturers in this market?

What are the key geographical trends in this market? Which regions/countries are expected to offer significant growth opportunities for the manufacturers operating in the plant-based milk market?

Who are the major players in the plant-based milk market? What are their specific product offerings in this market?

What recent developments have taken place in the plant-based milk market? What impact have these strategic developments created on the market?

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