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ohkiyo · 5 years ago

Text

characters: msby black jackals, reader, and schweiden adlers.

warnings: lots of cursing.

word count: 9.8k

a/n: I wanted to upload this next week, but this one have been sitting in my drafts for almost a month. So hope you all enjoyed this piece!

(c/n)- country

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When everyone woke up that morning, you were all greeted by Coach Foster standing in the middle of the living room, hands on his hips with the team’s bus driver standing beside him. Wearing the standard black jackals' themed t-shirt and jacket.

“Today you’re going on a trip, go pack your bags” those were the only things Coach Foster said, straight to the point and no more opening speeches to begin it with.

Those words barely registered into everyone’s mind but the moment that their brain did manage to process it. They all dash back into their respective room, grab their suitcases, and stuff their essentials. Everyone was excited, a trip? Like just a normal getaway and not some sort of out of the city training? Hell yes!

They have been dying to have one, because of their new and improvised training regimens. It was rigorous, brutal, but overall worth it because results show it all.

Quickly, they ran downstairs, backpacks on their back, suitcases on their hand. Whilst they try to put on their shirt or shorts all the while sprinting towards the bus. Again, too excited about the trip.

“Where are we going?” Takato asks as you stood beside him, waiting for the driver to load the luggage into the bus’s compartment. Coach Foster remained silent and instead gave you both a smile in reply, patting both of your backs then pushing you towards the vehicle’s entrance.

Watching from the bus’s glass window as he waves you all goodbye, you and Takato shared a look. Not having any prior knowledge of your trip was a bit concerning on your parts as managers. However, Coach Foster would not arrange a trip that could potentially harm his players, so you hope that he will send a message when you arrive.

You hope.

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“Where are we?” they look from left to right, as they try to decipher which part of Japan they were dropped off to. Apparently, sleeping during the entire ride was a bad idea, because now, they were standing beside a dirt road.

In front of them were rows and rows of pine trees stretching as far as their eyes could see. Behind them, was a hill with a big wooden building seated on top and a footpath decorated with stone lamps on each side leading towards it.

“Please tell me that’s where we’re staying” all heads turn to Takato who also has no idea. It was clear to everyone that Coach Foster did not discuss this trip to any of the members, not to the managers nor to the captain himself. Because Shugo’s standing behind the group while scratching his head with an obvious question mark floating above it.

“Let’s go up there and find out” grabbing their bags, they walk up the stoned footpath, and towards the big wooden building. The hill thankfully was not very steep, they had packed quite a lot of clothing that carrying it uphill might become a problem.

“Wow”

The big wooden building turned out to be a guesthouse, a traditional guesthouse to be exact. It was big and very spacious; from the front porch, alone they could figure out that it was not just a house, but a mansion. From its lavish and intricate designs to the furniture and other decorations placed outside was an obvious sign.

“This is so cool!” Hinata exclaimed, taking a seat on a wooden swing bench, Bokuto joining him.

“There might be a caretaker we can talk to” Inunaki examined one of the potted plants displayed on the wooden deck. The leaves all green and healthy, its soil still wet, meaning someone was just here a while ago.

“Look at that beautiful home!” all heads turn to see the Adlers’ team reaching the peak of the hill, their bags in hand as they walk towards the open area in front of the house.

After noticing that they were not the only ones there, they pause in their tracks as they stared at each other. Their reactions a mix of surprise, confusion, and delight.

“Let me guess, Coach Suzaku surprise you when you woke up” Shugo watch as the rest of the Adlers members drops their bags on the wooden floor. Fukuro nodded his head, sitting down as he pulled his jacket closer to his body.

“Coach Foster too?”

“Yeah”

“I don’t get this” you look up at Takato as he stared at his phone, dialing Coach Foster’s number while his other hand scratch his head. “Are we supposed to share this trip with Schweiden?”

“I’m not sure” Takato answered, before he held up a finger, bringing his phone on his ear. Walking away from the group as he talks to the person on the other line.

You just stood there, wringing your fingers together as you watch them interact with each other. They may be rivals on the court, dead set on beating each other on volleyball, but once they are outside they actually get along quite well. Although, there is still an air of competitiveness floating around, what more could you expect from a bunch of pro athletes?

“Listen up everyone” Takato called out, pocketing his phone as he went back to gather with the group. “I just called Coach Foster and he said that this was prepared by both him and Coach Suzaku. He didn’t say anything else, other than we’ll be staying here for a week, to enjoy this trip, and to keep the damage to a minimum”

In the last part, the eyes of the older ones immediately turned to look at the troublesome younger players. If there was one thing they could all agree, it’s that their younger members were by far the most chaotic people they’ve met. After knowing each other since their high school years, they all have become so comfortable enough to show their true colors.

“Did he say who owns this mansion?” Tatsuto voiced out the question that was on everyone’s mind the moment they saw it. Surely, the house must have belonged to a close friend of their coach, or maybe another generous sponsor. It didn’t matter much, they just want to know the name of the owner.

Takato shook his head. “He didn’t say anything, but I’m assuming it’s a mutual friend of theirs”

They accepted that explanation and didn’t question any further, who were they to complain? Everything’s free, and their coach themselves said to enjoy, so they were going to enjoy their one-week break from their training.

They went inside the house, each one of them letting out a sound of amazement at the interior. The living room was the most spacious part of the house, in the middle was a sofa with two love seats of both sides and a coffee table in the middle.

In front of the sofa were a fireplace and a flat-screen TV installed on top of it. On both sides of the fireplace were two hallways leading to the deeper parts of the huge house, and on both sides of the living room were two sliding doors leading to the garden.

“There are nine bedrooms in total so we have to sleep by pair. (Y/n) gets to have a room of her own of course”

From behind Sakusa’s mask, Takato could see the way his lips just bend downward. Clearly not happy having to share a room with anyone, not totally convince that they are free of germs.

“There’s also a hot spring at the back area…” Takato trailed off as he stared at the text Coach Foster sent him.

“A hot spring?!” Bokuto and Hoshiumi jump from their seat in excitement, wide eyes staring expectantly at Takato for confirmation.

“Yes that’s what it says here”

“Whoever owns this place must be crazy rich” Inunaki mumbled as Adriah nodded beside him, agreeing to the libero’s words. Of course, they must be rich, only those with money can afford to build their own home a personal hot spring after all.

“Let’s just go to our own rooms and we’ll discuss the rest once we’ve settled”

They nodded their head, grabbing their bag and making their way towards the area where the bedrooms were located along with their preferred roommate. Each one choosing which room they like best, you walk past Hinata and Kageyama who were fighting with Atsumu and Hoshiumi for the bedroom with direct access to the gardens.

You just shook your head at their squabbling, adjusting your backpack on your shoulder. Finally choosing your room, you opened the door just a little bit to see if it’s occupied. It wasn’t, opening the door a little wider you gave a wave and a smile to Fukuro and Toshiro who walk past before you continue to drag your suitcase inside.

The room didn’t have much furniture in it aside from the wooden cabinet on the side, and a wooden table on the other. With another door for the bathroom. You pushed your suitcase towards the cabinet and opened it; the futon, blanket, and pillows you are going to use later were inside. Neatly arranged in a pile.

You quickly unpack your bag, placing your clothes inside the cabinet, and just as you’re stacking the last piece of shirt inside. You heard Bokuto’s laughter in the room beside yours, meaning he and Takato were in the room next door.

Once you were finished, you stood up and walk out of the room towards the kitchen to check if there were any groceries. Takato was already there going through the fridge, while Shugo and Fukuro were checking the cupboards.

“The good thing is we have groceries” Takato closed the fridge, looking over to Shugo and Fukuro who are still going through the rest of the cupboards. “They’ve just been brought in this morning by the caretaker, but I doubt it’ll last us a week”

“There are canned goods over here” Fukuro patted the four cupboards, he was just checking earlier.

“I saw like 3 packs of pasta here along with some spices” Shugo gestures to the remaining cabinets.

“We could buy some from the farmers here” you shrug your shoulders, leaning on the table.

Takato nodded his head. “We will look for anyone selling tomorrow, for now, let’s rest”

All three of you nodded your head at his words and left the kitchen. Walking back to your rooms to get that much-needed sleep, and shoo away the fatigue from that long travel.

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“Ah~ I could get used to this” Adriah closed his eyes in content, resting his arms on the edge of the pool. The warm water rippling around his body as it calms him and his tense muscles, the effects of the training from a few days ago still evident on his body.

“I could stay here all night” Toshiro rolled his shoulders, cracking his neck. Those familiar sounds of joints popping reaching his ears.

The hot springs were most definitely one of the best spots in the house, and everyone could agree to it. Just sitting on the pool’s rock floors, with warm water to soothe their bodies and the peacefulness of it all were just purely therapeutic.

“I might just build myself my own private hot spring if I get to feel this relax every day” Shugo states, as he runs a hand through his wet hair.

“Invite me sometimes when you do” Nicollas replied from beside him, eyes scanning the space they were currently in until they landed on Sakusa situated on the farthest side of the pool. With Ushijima accompanying him. “Kiyoomi, are you alright over there?”

Sakusa just nods his head in response before resuming his conversation with Ushijima, Nicollas was worried that he had made the Sakusa uncomfortable by persuading him to join everyone at the hot springs. When Takato had suggested that they would enjoy the hot spring together, Sakusa was the only one to deny and instead prefers he use their bedroom’s bath instead.

However, Nicollas wanted to spend time with all of them, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity after all. Their team may be rivals in sport but there’s nothing stopping him from making friends outside of it.

“Seeing you with your hair down is so weird, Kotaro” Tatsuto observes the multi-colored locks. “You look like a completely different person”

Bokuto laughs, his voice echoing throughout the huge bath. “I do?”

Takato chuckled, before adding. “The first time I saw you, I thought I was looking at a stranger”

“Gahahaha Kageyama you should’ve seen your face!” All three men hear Hinata’s loud laugh. Turning their heads, they saw him pointing at the setter after splashing his face with some water. His hair, sticking to his forehead. Kageyama glared at his former teammate, before placing his hand on top of Hinata’s head and pushing him down.

“Take that you idiot” Kageyama smirk watching as bubbles float around the area where Hinata was earlier. Removing his hand, Hinata shot up, splashing him again, pouting.

“Bakeyama! I could’ve died”

“Careful” Takato reminded as Hoshiumi push them both down into the water, cackling as he and Atsumu share a high five.

Takato let out a sigh before he remembers that their other manager was alone on the other side of the wooden divider. Moving a little closer to the wall, he gave it a few taps before he called out.

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“(Y/n)? are you okay over there?”

“I’m fine, Takato-san!” you replied before a shriek from the other side was heard, followed by Hinata and Hoshiumi’s laughter.

‘I wonder what they’re up to now?’

You thought as you try to listen to the commotion happening from the other side.

“Shoyo-kun, Korai-kun. Gimme back my towel!”

“Atsumu, you might wanna cover your junk”

A few rounds of laughter was heard, Atsumu screaming for Hinata and Hoshiumi to give back his towel before Takato spoke to you again. “You were so quiet; I thought something happened to you”

“I’m fine”

You rest your head on the edge of the pool, a warm towel over your eyes. Listening to the voices coming from the other side.

Flapping noises reach your ears, a hooting sound followed right after. You remove the towel, wanting to see what it is. There, at the top of the wooden wall was an owl, a barred owl to be exact. Looking down at you, its head cock sideward.

“Oh my” you slowly leaned forward, wanting to have a closer look at the creature. “Hello”

It let out another hoot as if responding to your greeting. You chuckled, this was the first time you have ever encounter an owl out in the wild, you have seen them in zoos or sanctuaries before, but in the wind? Today was a first.

“You look so beautiful” you continue to observe it a little more, it doesn’t seem to be bothered by your staring though. Whenever you would tilt your head to one side, it would mimic it. Whenever you spoke to it, it would give a hoot in response; you look like an idiot for talking to an animal.

You were thankful that it was just you over there. Although, you’re sure that the guys could hear you.

“Where are your friends?”

As if on cue, another one landed beside it, your eyes widened. Its familiar black and white feathers and the little horns at the top on its head reminding you of a certain someone.

“No way” you wanted to laugh aloud at the coincidence, a barred owl and a horned owl sitting side by side together. Watching you bathe, somehow this duo just reminds you of a certain duo as well, the ones you have spent your high school with.

“Why didn’t I bring my phone with me?” you muttered to yourself. You really wanted to take a picture of them and show it to Bokuto later, you were sure he was going to be ecstatic about it.

You watch as the horned owl moved closer, preening the barred owl’s feathers. You press your hands on your mouth to stop the loud squeal from leaving your lips. That was just so cute, are these two a couple? You were hoping they were.

“Best day ever” you sighed in content, watching as they jump around the wooden fence, flapping their wings occasionally. Not only did you wake to the news of going on a trip, but you also get to stay at a wonderful mansion as well, and you have two owls keep you company. If that’s not considered a great day, then I don’t know what is.

“Hm? Are you two leaving now?” their heads were turned towards the thick body of trees just outside of the wooden fence. Flapping their wings a few times, before they eventually flew away. Their bodies disappearing into the night.

“Bye, see you again” you wave, hearing one last hoot from them before it became quiet once again. Even the chatter from the other side had stopped.

Did they go back to their rooms already?

“(Y/n)? Have you gone loco?”

You giggled at Hinata’s question, his voice lace with genuine worry. You had not realized that they had stopped talking to one another and decided to listen to you instead.

“I’m alright Hinata”

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The next morning, you were awoken from your sleep by a series of knocks on your door. You turn around, pulling your blanket over your head, the knocking continued and it seemed like it would not stop.

You crawled over to the door and opened it. Atsumu’s grinning face greets you, you almost slammed it shut but a hand prevented you from doing that.

“Get up, we’re going on a run” Atsumu opened your door further, to reveal the rest of the monster generation waiting outside. You just stared at them, still half asleep, observing through sleepy eyes their attire. They are already changed into some track pants, shorts, shirts, jackets, and running shoes.

“Why?”

“For exercise (Y/n)!” Hoshiumi replied, a little too loud for your liking. You deadpan at them, a look on your face clearly saying. ‘Seriously?’

They seem to be determined though to get you to join them. Although it’s just Atsumu, Bokuto, Hinata, and Hoshiumi, the rest didn’t really care much. You let out a sigh.

“Alright, give me a few minutes”

“Great! See you out front!”

Then the door slammed shut, you rub your temples, staring at your futon longingly. You really wanted to get back to bed, but you were sure that if you do, they would probably come back and drag you out. You slip into a pair of track pants, sweater, and running shoes. Brushing your hair, you tied it into a ponytail, then spraying yourself some cologne before walking out into the front porch.

“I thought you went back to sleep” Takato laugh at the look on your face, waking up early was not exactly your forte. You would pretty much prefer to claim every second of sleep you could get. Now that the team was on break, he was sure you were hoping to sleep in. However, that does not seem to be the case today.

“Why am I doing this too?” you yawned, squinting your eyes a little. It was still a bit dark, the only source of light was from the lamps near the footpath and the light installed at the porch.

“Alright everyone stretches first!”

You copied their routine counting along with them. The warm-up exercises were slowly helping you dispel the sleepiness you were still feeling, your joints cracking with every bend of your limbs. When that was done, each one chose their jogging buddy before going down the footpath.

You joined along with Nicollas, Takato, and Oliver. Listening to them discuss family stuff.

“Is your wife going to be okay on her own, Takato?” Nicollas’ face twist in worry, having experienced the fear of having a pregnant wife alone at home. “She’s eight months along now, right?”

Takato nodded his head, as you fastened your pace a little. “She’s with her parents right now, so she’s fine. I also visit her during the weekends”

Nicollas hums before turning to Oliver. “You also visit your family as well right Oliver?”

“On the weekends I go home to them”

Nicollas let out a groan. “I envy you two; I haven’t seen my wife and son in six months. I miss them” he sniffled, as you stretch out your hand to pat his back in comfort. Going to another country for work has many cons, you get to leave your family behind, and not see or touch them for long periods of time.

You could imagine just how upset he must be, to not be able to see his family.

“How about you (Y/n)?” Oliver turns to you, as you look up at him. “I haven’t seen you visit your family before”

All three men turn to you as they waited for your reply, their pace steadily matching those who were in front. Just to make sure, the group stays together.

“My family migrated to (c/n) when I started college. So I can’t really visit them whenever”

“Oh (Y/n), you must really miss them huh?” Nicollas rest a hand on your head, sharing the same sentiment as you. Unable to be in close contact with their family.

“There are times where I just want my mom” you laugh, feeling embarrassed at the prospect of still relying on your mother even though you were already in your early twenties. “I just want to taste her cooking again”

All three men express their agreement at your words, also feeling the same. No matter how old they may be, there is still that longing of wanting to feel their mother’s love again.

“Now I’m also starting to miss my mom”

The four of you fell silent; now enjoying the scenery you are passing by, on your left and right were rows of rice field. The crops have grown quite well and ready for harvest, you may not have like it that you were woken up at 4 am but you were grateful in the least.

It was peaceful, the breath of fresh air, the spectacular view. You can’t experience something like this in the city.

“Hey look!” Bokuto held up his hand and pointed to the mountains, the sun slowly rising up from behind the two landmasses. Everyone stops in their tracks to admire the wonderful sight.

“Beautiful” Toshiro whispered, holding up his phone and snapping a few photos of the sun. Saving the picture for when he will upload it later on his socials.

The sun slowly moves out of its hiding spot, its rays gently covering the croplands with its warmth. Drying the morning dew that came from the previously cold night.

“I guess it’s time we go back” Shugo suggested and everyone started stretching their bodies once again. Preparing themselves for another long run.

“I’ll race you there Kageyama” Hinata jumps on his spot. The setter shot him a smirk, accepting his challenge as he cracks his neck.

“Woah, Woah. We’re jogging, not racing” Atsumu reminded them when he saw that they were serious. “No one’s racing anyone”

“Last one back to the house will have to eat a handful of jalapeños” Hoshiumi added, ignoring what Atsumu just said earlier.

“And where are you going to get these jalapeños?” Sakusa rolled his feet, both hands on his hips.

“I saw a bunch of them planted at the house’s backyard” Hoshiumi replied, preparing himself as he positioned his body.

“Alright, let’s do this!” They immediately dash away. Leaving Atsumu in the dust, coughing at the dirt that he accidentally inhaled.

“Tsum-Tsum! You better start running or else you’ll be eating those jalapeños later!” Atsumu curse under his breath before running after them, catching up in no time.

The rest of the members that were left behind just blink, watching as they quickly disappear from their line of sight. You let out a sigh, knowing well that you need to go after them to make sure those idiots don’t do anything stupid.

Even though Sakusa and Ushijima - the more responsible ones - are present. They also get swept away by challenges that they sometimes join in as well, and today was just an example.

“I’ll go after them” you run, mentally thanking your PE teacher for having you run laps around the track field almost every day. Because now, it had proven to be very useful.

“That girl’s a blessing, don’t you agree?” Tatsuto looks to them as they nodded their head. The black jackals’ members witnessing firsthand how (Y/n)’s inclusion in the team had helped them keep everyone under control.

They started making their way back home, going at their own pace. Passing by some of the residents who were now up and about their day. Some were on their way to check their crops, while others were on their way to go out into town.

Once they reach the house, they immediately went into the kitchen to see you already washing the rice. “Where are they?” Inunaki opens the fridge, taking a bottle of water and drinking it.

“Over there” you gestured to the open door leading towards the garden, they peek through the door just in time to see Hinata stuff his mouth with a handful of chili. The others watching him with interest as he chews the spicy plant.

“They were actually serious?” Adriah questioned in disbelief, watching as Kageyama did the same thing Hinata had done earlier. “I thought they were just joking”

“At this point, I’m not even surprised anymore”

They step aside as the two ran through the door and towards the fridge, frantically gulping down some cold water to help the pain from the spiciness.

“Sakusa, Ushijima. Why didn’t you two stop them?”

“We did try to stop them” Ushijima answered, watching as Hinata fans his mouth with his hand as he took in deep breaths. “But they refuse to listen”

“Something about their manly pride at risk if ever they don’t do it or whatever it was” Sakusa shrugs his shoulders before he and Ushijima went back to their shared room to change.

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“Is it this one?” Kageyama gestures to the river in front of him, looking over his shoulder as the rest slowly emerges from the canopy of trees.

“Yes, this is the one” Takato place the bucket on the stone covered ground, wiping the sweat running down his face. While they were eating breakfast earlier, Coach Foster sent another text saying that there was a river a few kilometers away from the mansion. With many fishes swimming by and that they can go there and catch some fresh fish if they want to.

Since half of them have never gone fishing before, mainly the younger ones. They collectively agreed that after breakfast they would go to the river, catch some fish, and maybe enjoy a little bit of nature.

“The water is so clear” you crouch down near the riverbank, running your hand through the cold water. The river’s current is not very fast so it was safe to go down there and cool down if ever the heat becomes too much.

“Alright, boys! Let’s catch some fish” Nicollas seems to be overly enthusiastic about this, the man looks so happy to be fishing.

There were not enough fishing rod for everyone, so some had decided to forego them and chose to catch the fish by hand instead. The group split into two, those with the fishing rods stayed in the same area while the rest moved a bit farther away.

“The mosquitos here are so unforgiving, sheesh” Inunaki hand landed on a particularly big mosquito on his arm. The insect squash in between his palm and wrist, with its blood, splattered on his skin.

“I have some insect repellent here in my bag” you sat down on one of the rocks, rummaging through your bag and pulling out two spray bottles of insect repellent. Giving one to Inunaki who started spraying the area around him, before giving it to Sakusa who quickly sprayed his body. Just the thought of insects and other disease-carrying pests landing on him or even just biting him makes his skin crawl.

“Ah Wakatoshi, you got something!” Ushijima grips the rod tighter as he pulled it back. The end bending down at the weight of a possible fish caught at the end of the line. With a flick of his arms, the fish finally jump out of the water, wiggling its tail as it grips the bait in its mouth.

“Oh~” it was a catfish, a big one about the size of one forearm. Ushijima drops the fish in the bucket you gave him as he took another bait from the can and swings the fishing rod back to the water.

The rest stared at their respective floaters, calmly floating above the water, still no signs of it attracting the fishes. They could see the silhouette from their spot, but somehow it seems like the fishes are not satisfied with a bait they offered.

“I think they don’t like it” Adriah muttered as he watches the fish swam past his rod and into the other end of the river. Towards the area when the rest were channeling their inner bear skills.

“Should we go join them? They seem to have caught a lot already” Toshiro pointed to where the rest were concentrating on catching some fishes. They watch as Hinata crouches down tongue struck out in concentration, hands ready, before it strikes fast into the water. Effectively catching a fish.

“Heiwajima-san, you got something” you tap on the libero’s shoulder as he immediately focuses his attention on his fishing rod. He stood up, grab the handle, and started pulling, excited for what it caught.

“The hell?” it was a clump of algae, with sticks sticking out on the sides. The fish that he hopes to be at the end of that line was nowhere to be found.

“The fish outsmarted you” Nicollas pats Toshiro’s back in consolation, as he too is yet to catch his own.

Meanwhile on the other end of the river, just like their other teammates. Some were blessed some were not.

“I mean, catching them wouldn’t be hard right?” Fukuro eyed the fish swimming around his feet. Slowly, he leaned down, before striking his hands into the water to catch the fish, unfortunately though, it swam away.

Shugo snorted, leaning on the rock to balance himself. “This isn’t some sort of survival show; catching one wouldn’t be that easy”

“Oh! Kotaro nice one!” they heard Tatsuto exclaimed, looking over to where they were. They saw Bokuto holding out a big fish with both hands, a wide grin on his face, proud of his catch.

“Good job! Korai, Shoyo!” Oliver’s voice followed, the two mentioned players holding their own fish, as they carefully wade through the water as you stood at the edge of the river. Holding out the bucket for them to drop the fish inside.

Fukuro shot Shugo a look. “You were saying?”

“Nevermind”

The two captains went back to whatever they were doing, determined to catch some fish.

“I think there’s a high chance we’ll catch some on the deeper parts Tobio-kun” Atsumu pointed to an area that was a bit darker than the rest of the river’s area. As he slowly walks over to it.

“Isn’t that a bit dangerous though Atsumu-san?” Kageyama followed behind the older man, as Atsumu waves his hand. Dismissing the younger player’s previous worry.

“Atsumu, Tobio be careful” Oliver called out from the side when he saw them going closer to the parts where there were a lot of rocks protruding.

“It’s fine, it’s fi- ack!” Atsumu stepped on a slippery rock, losing his footing as his body crash into the water. Disappearing into the dark pools.

“Atsumu-san?!” Kageyama stared wide-eyed to where Atsumu was just standing earlier. Atsumu had slipped on a much deeper area of the river, and he doesn’t really know what was down there.

Atsumu emerges, shaking his hair, running a hand on his face to wipe off the running water. “Great, now I’m wet”

He walks towards the shore, the water dripping off of his body and down on the ground.

“Told you to be careful” Inunaki handed him a towel, thankfully. You had prepared towels and extra clothes for everyone in case an accident like Atsumu’s would ever happen. Although the house isn’t too far away, it wouldn’t hurt to be prepared just in case.

“I feel like water went inside my ear” Atsumu mumbled, as you place the bag you brought with you in front of him. He crouches down, pulling out his spare shirt and shorts, before pulling his wet t-shirt over his head.

“Uh… Atsumu?” Toshiro stared at his back wide-eyed, waving your over then pointing at whatever he saw. A gasp leaving your lips.

“Yes? Heiwajima-san what is it?” Atsumu looks over his shoulder, by now Sakusa and Ushijima walk over. Staring at his back in a mix of disgust and fear.

“Miya, do you feel anything?” Atsumu’s eyebrows furrowed at Sakusa’s question.

“What?”

“Atsumu, touch your back” the setter followed Ushijima’s simple instruction; carefully he reaches behind his back, patting it before his hand landed over something slimy. His eyes widened, turning around and looking at them in shock.

“What the fuck was that?!”

His outburst caught the others' attention and went over to him.

“Atsumu-san, y-your back” Hinata stuttered in fear, watching as the animal clung on his teammates back. “There’s a leech on your back”

“Leeches actually” you corrected, shuddering.

“There’s more than one?!”

“Atsumu, hold still” Takato push him back down to sit on the ground, a Swiss knife on his hand.

“Get them off, get them off”

Nicollas and Toshiro went over to assist him. While those who were in the river earlier, immediately started checking their whole body in fear that they too had one.

“This might help” you pulled out a jar of salt from your bag and grab a handful of it before drizzling them on top of the leeches sucking on Atsumu’s back. Their screeches, reaching your ears as their hold on the skin loosened.

“Why do you have salt with you?” Toshiro asks, as you grab another handful and covered the one that Takato successfully removed, killing it.

“I actually don’t know” you laugh, covering the last one with salt, killing it. “I think I accidentally grabbed it earlier”

“Is it gone? Did you get them all?” Atsumu shakily lifts a hand, running it over his back. Letting out a sigh in relief.

“Anyone?” Takato looks to the others as they shook their head; thankfully, none of them was a victim.

“How did it feel Tsum-Tsum?” Bokuto crouches down beside him, as Atsumu shuddered, remembering how he could feel its tiny teeth sinking into his skin and sucking his blood.

“Horrible”

No one went back into the river after that and instead opted to switch using the fishing rod. They stayed there until the sun was high up, and the heat becomes too much for them, so they made their way back towards the house to prepare their food.

«──────────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ────────────»

“What are they doing?” Takato observes with curiosity the younger members of the team as they gather in the middle of the living room. With you standing in front and doing weird gestures.

“Charades, I think” from their spot on the deck, they watch with interest how you tried to act out the word you’ve gotten. They aren’t sure if this is a competition or not, the group wasn’t exactly split into teams.

You draw a ball on the air, and just as you were about to add another figure. They all collectively answered. “Volleyball!”

Shugo and Fukuro laugh at the exasperated look on your face.

“Do they have anything else on their head aside from volleyball?” Nicollas shook his head, chuckling. Taking a sip of his tea as he watches you act out the word again.

You draw another ball on the air, then drop it on the ground, and started doing a kicking motion with your foot.

“Soccer!” you shook your head. Bokuto crosses his arms, furrowing his eyebrows as he tries his hardest to guess what it is.

“It’s not soccer?” Ushijima asks as you shook your head at his question. Before doing the kicking motion with your feet again then gesturing to the whole living room area.

“What?”

You pointed to the view outside and made an x mark with your hands, then gestured to the whole living room and did an okay sign.

“So it’s soccer but indoors…?” Hinata trailed off, as you excitedly nodded your head and urge him to find the right word for it. “I don’t know”

“Futsal?” Sakusa added as you clap your hands at him, finally happy that you could move on to another word.

“What’s futsal?” both setters questioned as you took another piece of paper from the bowl you placed on the coffee table.

“It’s basically indoor soccer, but the rules are different. I’m not good with explanations but you can search it up once we go back” you pulled out the paper, and on it ‘little giant’ is written.

You stared at the paper for a few minutes. When you ask them earlier to write down random words on the pieces of paper you gave them, you didn’t expect their choices to be quite hard to act out.

You sighed then pointed at Hinata and Hoshiumi, and gestured to their whole body.

“Short?”

“Hey!” Hoshiumi kicks Atsumu on the leg as the setter glares at him in response.

You shook your head at the answer.

“Tiny?” you settled with that one then you pointed to Oliver. The tallest person within the group.

“Tall?”

“Big?”

“Bald?”

“Atsumu, I heard that!” Oliver’s voice boomed from the outer deck as Atsumu flinch. Not expecting him to hear it all.

“Giant?” you nodded your head at Hinata, before he immediately understood what the word was. “Tiny giant?... no little giant!”

“Yes”

You sat down on the floor, crossing your legs. “Let’s play another game, my hands and feet are tired”

“I think it’s best we all go to bed, that was enough brain exercise”

Everyone stood up, saying their good nights before going back to their own room.

«──────────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ────────────»

The next day you were once again woken up at an hour earlier than intended, not because someone was at your door. But because of that rooster crowing endlessly since 1 in the morning. You weren’t bothered by it a few hours ago, but now at this very moment, you want nothing more than wish for it to shut up. It’s so loud too, every time it crows a few more follows.

“These damn chickens” you sat upon your bed, grumbling. Your sleep ruined, listening to them flap their wings a few more times before letting out the signature cock-a-doodle-doo.

You got out of bed and went to the kitchen instead, a delicious cup of coffee now on your mind. You entered the said room and found Takato already sitting in the table reading a newspaper.

“Good morning” he greeted, that smile on his face had you wishing you were a morning person like him. You could do so much more when you’re up the moment the sun starts rising.

“Morning Takato-san” you took the kettle and filled it with water, before putting it on the stove and turning it on.

“Ah, Coach Foster sent me a text last night” he turned on his chair to look at you. “He said he had to cut our break short, the doctor wanted to do the medical check-up for this month a little early. So Coach we’ll be sending the bus to come get us tomorrow”

“Schweiden too?”

“Yes, Coach Suzaku doesn’t trust his team without anyone else to look after them”

You laugh, turning off the stove, and pouring hot water on the mug you prepared. “He doesn’t trust his players unsupervised?”

“No”

You started preparing your drink as Takato continues reading the newspaper, flipping through the pages every few minutes, whilst drinking his own cup of warm beverage. Sitting down, you stirred your coffee, your ears capturing the footsteps approaching the room you’re in.

“These mosquitos are killing me” Kageyama enters the kitchen, scratching his arm, his nails leaving traces of red marks as he rubs off the itch left by the insects. A thin layer of skin peeling off at how harsh he’s been rubbing, but he seemed unfazed by it though. All he wants was for the itch to disappear. “The rooster too, I can’t sleep with it so noisy”

“You too? I thought it was just me, the others don’t seem to mind though”

More bodies entered the kitchen. Yawning and rubbing the sleep from their eyes.

“I swear if I see that chicken I’m going to cook it” Hoshiumi grumbled, flopping down on the empty chair beside Takato. Resting his head on the table as he closes his eyes.

“Right? I can’t sleep with it cock-a-doodlin’ every few minutes”

Each one of them took an empty chair and sat down on it. Waiting for the water Kageyama was heating up so they could have their own cup of their preferred drink.

“I guess us leaving tomorrow is good news then”

Everyone perks up at that, now alert, properly awake, and their faces sporting questioning looks. “We are?”

Takato nods. “MSBY’s monthly check-up was rescheduled to an earlier date-“ he points to the Adler’s team members. “-and Coach Suzaku wants them home too. He said he doesn’t trust them alone”

As expected, the reactions were a mixture of disappointment and relief. Some still wanted to stay, while the others were already excited to go back home.

“Well, what are we going to do today?”

“Remember the old couple we met in one of our jogs?”

Everyone nods their head. “I saw them again yesterday, and they invited us to come to their farm to visit. It’s not too far from here”

“Sounds good”

With that, they prepared their breakfast settling on a light meal. Cleaned themselves up and walk to where the farm the located.

The farmland was wide, rows and rows of vegetables neatly planted side by side, fruit trees standing high and proud. Aside from that, they raise animals as well; pigs, chickens, fishes, and cows. All these crops and produce were either sold to whoever comes to visit their farm - or sent to the market.

“This is such a beautiful place Hisano-san, Jiro-san” Hisano –one of the owners- smiled, with her husband Jiro standing beside her.

“Thank you”

Everyone volunteered to help the couple around their farm, just so it would lessen the stress on their old body.

You stayed near the farmhouse, Hisano was about to collect the eggs from the chicken and she needed the extra hand. You, Bokuto, and Atsumu volunteered to go inside the coop to collect them all whilst Hisano stays outside to collect the baskets.

“Bokuto-san, careful. That hen doesn’t look too happy to see you” you warned, eyeing the hen that was already standing on her nest, feathers spread out in a threat, ready to defend her eggs if needed.

“It’ll be fine” Bokuto reassured you, slowly approaching the animal.

“(Y/n)’s right Bokkun, ya might wanna go to another one first” Atsumu moved to the deeper part of the coop. While you collect the eggs from the chicken that was just beside Bokuto’s.

Bokuto crouch down, the chicken following his movements. He stretches his hand to take the egg at the edge of the nest when the hen pecks his arm.

“Ow hey!”

“Told ya to go to another one” you heard Atsumu say from the back as you turn to Bokuto nursing the spot where the hen’s beak hit, the bruise glowing red.

You expected him to move to another one, but Bokuto being Bokuto, he can be very persistent at times. As expected, he stayed on his spot, having a staredown with the chicken.

“Okay here, listen” he started, eyes never leaving the animal. “I mean no harm I just want t- ow stop that!”

You sighed, shaking your head then standing up from your spot as you walk towards the door. Passing the basket towards Hisano, then grabbing another empty one. Bokuto still has not gathered at least one egg, and now he seems to be giving that chicken a lecture.

“Bokkun, you’ve gone nuts” Atsumu said as he walks past him, fortunately after 4 failed attempts. The chicken has had enough and just let him take the eggs. Bokuto happily collected them all, saying a little thank you, gave her a few pats on the head before giving the basket to Hisano waiting by the door.

You stood there dumbfounded, staring at the chicken that had a beef with Bokuto earlier. Now calm, and sleeping on her nests.

“What just happened?”

The three of you continued to collect the eggs, filling up basket after basket with the produce. Until only one hen was left, and she seems to be more aggressive than the one Bokuto dealt with earlier.

“Calm down I’m not gonna hurt ya”

You and Bokuto stood behind Atsumu, watching at the hen spread her feathers even wider. Angry eyes staring at his colored hair, Atsumu didn’t notice though, too focus on the eggs that were near his reach.

“What the �� ow!” the chicken seems to dislike Atsumu’s hair and it now pecking it endlessly, the blond Miya shooing her away, but failed.

“Gah! (Y/n) you deal with this one!” Atsumu pushed you towards the hen as you instinctively held up your hands in defense. Afraid that it might start attacking you as well. You kneeled down, carefully you took the eggs, all the while making sure she doesn’t peck your eyes out.

“Thank you for the help” Hisano says as she accepts the last batch of eggs, arranging them in the tray. Then moving the trays inside the farmhouse so it could be pick up later.

You walk over to where Adriah and Sakusa were washing up the vegetables, a crate on their respective side of the sink filled with the freshly washed vegetables.

“Those cherry tomatoes look so yummy”

“Right? They’re tasty too” Adriah gave you one as you took a bite of it, popping one into his mouth as he chews on the fruit. Ushijima and Kageyama arrive with another batch of eggplants and cabbages. Placing the crates near the sink.

“Ushijima-san, Kageyama. Have you tried these?” You pointed to the tomatoes, Adriah pouring the last batches of tomatoes was washing.

Kageyama took a smaller one, chewing on it as he hums at the flavor. “It actually tastes nice”

“They are” Ushijima added.

“Don’t eat too much of those yet, they need to be sorted first. Some might have worms in them” Sakusa reminded as you both nodded your head. He took a few pieces of eggplants them putting them under the running water.

“(Y/n)!” Bokuto calls you, as you turn to where he and Atsumu were standing. Carrying a hook and some crates. “Hinata and the others needed help with the mangoes, can you come with us?”

You jog over to them and walk towards the area where the mangoes were planted.

“Those mangoes look really delicious” you stood beside Nicollas, looking up the tree while holding a crate. The mango fruits dangling by the branches were big, the tip was starting to ripen up, the perfect time to harvest them.

“They are aren’t they?” Nicollas watches as Hinata and Hoshiumi started climbing the tree. “Shoyo, Korai, careful.”

“Why are they climbin’? they could just use this instead” Atsumu tap the hook with a net strap on it. He and Bokuto standing in front of another mango tree just beside the one Hinata and Hoshiumi were climbing.

“I dunno ‘bout you ‘Tsum-Tsum, it looks kinda fun” Bokuto grabs onto a nearby branch and uses it to hoist himself up. Atsumu facepalmed, letting go of the hook and grabbing the crate instead.

Mango after mango was thrown at you as you try to catch them all, running left and right to make sure they wouldn't hit the ground. From the other tree, you could hear Bokuto shouting. "Nice receive!" to Atsumu when the setter would run to catch the mangoes he would accidentally throw a bit farther than intended.

"This isn't volleyball practice boys" Nicollas laughs before easily catching a mango Hinata dropped.

"Nice receive" you clap as the Brazilian man lets out another hearty laugh.

You look up to Hinata and Hoshiumi again, the two climbing to another branch, to get the rest of the fruit that was at the top.

“(Y/n), do you hear that?” Nicollas taps you on the shoulder as you look at him.

“Hear what?” you look around for anything he could mean, there wasn't anything out of the ordinary. There wasn't anyone else there either, just the 6 of you. The others were back near the farmhouse.

“It’s some sort of buzzing” He explained as you furrowed your eyebrows in confusion. A buzzing? You look around the rows of mango trees, carefully observing each branch. Before you finally saw what he meant.

“Uh…” you tug on Nicollas’ shirt, he turned to you pointing at the big beehive at the end of the branch Hinata and Hoshiumi were standing at.

“Oh dear” his eyes widened, slowly the both of you started stepping backwards.

“Hinata get that one” Hoshiumi pointed to the mango just above Hinata, the orange-haired male stretch his arms. But because of his lack of height, it prevented him from reaching it.

“Oi don’t jump, you’ll fall” Hoshiumi warned when he saw Hinata crouch down.

“Don’t worry Hoshiumi-san. I’ll be fine” Hinata readied himself before he jumps up, wrapping his hand around the fruit, plucking it from the branch.

“Shoyo, don’t do that” Nicollas warned, pausing in his tracks. However, you were not staying there any longer, not when that beehive is so close to falling.

You saw Ushijima enters the opening to the mango plantation, about to assist in carrying the crates back to the farmhouse. “Is something wrong (Y/n)?”

You silently pointed to the beehive that was ready to fall, taking hold of his arm and pulling him away and back to the house.

“Should we tell them?” he asks you again, but you shook your head. Nicollas could deal with it.

“Where are the others?” Oliver notices that it was just you and Ushijima who came back.

“We’ll hear from them later” Oliver tilted his head at your answer before a scream from the distance reached his ears. He turns around to see Atsumu, Bokuto, Nicollas, Hoshiumi, and Hinata emerge from the trees, a swarm of bees chasing after them.

“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!”

“Korai-kun this is yer fault!” Atsumu screamed the white-haired male that was running beside him snaps his head to glare at the blond.

“Haaaah?! I wasn’t the only one up there you idiot!” Hoshiumi bites back. “Besides wasn’t it Hinata who thought that jumping on the branch was a bright idea?!”

“It was bright at first! I’m sorry!”

“Now, now. We must not point fingers” Nicollas tried to calm them down. “Although, this is Shoyo and Korai’s fault”

“Nicollas-san?!”

You all watch from the sideline as they round the pigpen. Hinata jumping over the fence, running across the inside of the pen before jumping out again.

“Should we help them?” Takato asks in worry, watching, as the bees were so close to reaching the five men.

“And risk getting stung? No way!” Inunaki vigorously shook his head and the others agreed with him.

“Miya-san jump in the fish pond!” you shouted, as they run towards the pond.

Atsumu’s head whips in your direction. “Are ya crazy?! There might be a leech in there!” he shouts, nearly tripping over a rock. “How come the bees aren’t chasing you?! Weren’t you with us earlier?!”

You shrug your shoulders in response. Not wanting to tell them how you know there was a beehive there in the first place.

“Jump in the fucking pond!” Tatsuto shouted.

“No!”

“Oi Miya, choose between the two, bees, or leeches?” Sakusa asks as he watches them run with mirth dancing in his eyes.

“Neither!”

“Just run, they’ll stop eventually!” Shugo offered, as they dash out of the farm and into the streets. Running away as far as they can.

«──────────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ────────────»

“Ah! Isso dói” Nicollas hissed as you apply a cold compress over the part where the bee had stung him. Offering him an Advil and a glass of water to help reduce the pain faster.

“Fucking bees” Hoshiumi grumbles as Hisano treats him, having the urge to scratch the itch it left. But restrains himself, or else it’ll become worse.

It took them at least 30 minutes before the bees finally stopped chasing after them, they did get stung and thankfully only once. It was like they had run a marathon, Atsumu’s legs were burning with how much he had to force himself to run faster. The heat wasn’t making it any easier for him either and the only thing he wants right now is to go home.

“When you get back home, go and visit a doctor just to make sure” Hisano gathers the materials used to treat them, and went back inside the house to put them away.

“Let’s go back” Atsumu says as he lays down on the wooden floor, brushing his hair away from his eyes.

“We will in a few minutes, I need to talk to Jiro-san and Hisano-san first” Takato stood up and went inside the house to talk to the couple, as they all waited outside enjoying the afternoon breeze.

They stayed there for a few minutes, feeling the cool air blowing past them as dark clouds start rolling in.

“Okay guys let’s go”

They stood up, dusting away the dirt that got into their pants. Waving goodbye to the couple, the group started their trek back to the guesthouse. So that they could finally get the rest, everyone had been wanting.

Just as they reach the foot of the hill where the house was situated, the rain unexpectedly dropped down. Drenching the dried out soil, and watering the wilting plants.

Later that evening as everyone was lounging around, having had finished packing their things. Fukuro approaches you, his hands behind his back.

“(Y/n)” he called out, you look up from the book you were reading to see him smiling at you. “I heard your birthday is in a month” he showed to you what he had been hiding behind his back. It was a white-colored gift bag with a little gold ribbon tied to the side. “Here you go, an advance gift from me”

He passed you the bag as you accepted the gift with gratitude, thanking the older man. The others now curious as to what it would be, placing it on your lap, you gently opened the bag. Hinata and Bokuto now glued to your side to see what is inside.

“No way” you gasp, as you pick up the signed album of your favorite band. The members’ signatures and their little messages catching your attention. “Hirugami-san thank you so much!”

He smiled at you ruffling your hair. “No problem kid” he went back to where he was seated moments ago. Leaving you to fangirl on your seat, Bokuto and Hinata joining you as they too were a fan of the band.

“I know what you’re planning” Shugo narrows his eyes at the Adlers captain, as Fukuto sat down on his spot among their little circle. “It’s not going to work”

Fukuro help up his hands in defense at Shugo’s accusations, feigning innocence. “Hey, I’m not planning anything”

“Just give it up; (Y/n) won’t leave us for Schweiden” Shugo shots Fukuro a smirk as the Adlers captain mirrored it with his own.

“We’ll see”

The rest could see the spark that flashed between their eyes, challenging each other to yet another unsolicited competition.

“Okay stop it you two, we have a game to play” Oliver calls them out as they snap out of it. Finally focusing back on the card game, they were playing a few minutes ago.

«──────────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ────────────»

The next morning, the bus of both teams had arrived early at around 8 am. They loaded their luggage into the vehicle, making sure nothing was left behind. All the bags and other souvenirs they had pick up from randomly walking around were stuffed inside and ready to be brought home.

“The next time we see each other again, it will be on court”

That was the last thing they said to one another before they piled into their respective bus. Situating in their chosen seat as the driver starts the engine, then driving back home.

"This was a fun trip" Shugo nestled himself in his chair, leaning on the window as he eyes the passing scenery. "Wouldn't mind going back here again"

"Yeah"

They stayed quiet after that, once again falling asleep through the whole ride.

"Wait guys, where's (Y/n)?" Inunaki's voice rang through the bus as their eyes snap open.

"What do you mean? She's over there" Bokuto pointed to where you were usually seated, but the spot was void of your presence. He stood up from his seat, looking around the empty seats but his eyes never found you.

"Was she still inside the house?" Hinata asks in worry. Takato's phone rings your name on the caller ID. He accepted the call and put you on speaker.

"(Y/n)!"

"I can't believe you guys left me behind!"

"We're sorry (Y/n), we thought you were inside the bus already. Where are you right now?" Takato says as Oliver tells the driver to turn around to get you.

"I'm in Schweiden's bus, I'm riding with them"

"Wait what?" Shugo stood up from his seat and motioned for Takato to give him the phone. "(Y/n), where are you?"

"I'm with Schweiden" Shugo heard shuffling from the other side as the phone was pass to another person.

"Shugo!" Fukuro's voice rang from the other side of the phone. "Thanks for the new manager!"

Shugo's eye twitches, as he listens to the man laugh. Cursing under his breath as the bus drives back. The driver going as fast as he can, all the while making sure to keep them from any accidents.

The next time you go on trips they really need to keep an eye on you, or else you will get snatched away.

«──────────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ────────────»

a/n: that charades part was so messed up, I haven’t played charades before guys. So I’m not exactly familiar with how it goes. hahaha

#haikyuu #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu scenarios #haikyuu imagines #haikyuu oneshot #atsumu x reader #sakusa x reader #ushijima x reader #hinata x reader #kageyama x reader #bokuto x reader #hoshiumi x reader

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tsarisfanfiction · 5 years ago

Text

Hollow I

Fandom: Thunderbirds Rating: Teen Genre: Hurt/Comfort/Angst Characters: John Tracy, Scott Tracy

We’re not quite done with @gumnut-logic‘s SensorySunday yet! For a bonus round, we’ve got the elusive Sixth Sense to round off the challenge.

Two teenagers and a night hike in the middle of nowhere is a recipe for disaster. When trouble strikes the clock starts ticking, but there’s no International Rescue around to pull off a miracle.

His hip hit something and he hissed, stumbling away from it. Who put a – a what, table? Probably a table. Who put a table right there?

“Shh!” his brother hissed quietly. He bit back a remark and instead gingerly picked his way around the obstacle. A light would be useful for avoiding errant furniture, but unfortunately a light would also ruin his night vision and therefore the entire reason for this little excursion.

Why hadn’t Scott talked him out of it? This whole thing screamed “irresponsible and dangerous”, two things Scott never let any of them do, but no, big brother had barged into his room after hearing him stub his toe on the edge of his bed, and instead of telling him it was a stupid idea – with a reminder that Dad had forbidden it, to boot – he’d decided that he’d go with him.

Dad was going to have an absolute fit if he found his two eldest sons sneaking around the villa at night. He’d go apoplectic if he realised they were planning on doing the very same night time excursion he’d vetoed scant hours earlier when John had approached him about it.

“No, John,” he’d said, quite firmly. “The island is dangerous. Any star gazing is to be done from the villa, and the villa only.”

But the villa was built into the volcanic peak of the mountain; just because the view ahead from the balcony was fantastic did not mean the rest of the night sky could be seen from it. John had already mapped everything he could see with both the naked eye and his portable telescope from the villa – he wanted the rest of the night sky.

Either Scott had gained a sudden appreciation for the stars, or he had some other reason for wanting to explore the island at night, but he’d taken one look at the backpack John failed to hide in time and declared that he was coming too.

The more John thought about it, the more it seemed like a bad idea. He considered telling Scott that he’d changed his mind, that he didn’t want to go stargazing the other side of the peaks, but every time he opened his mouth he remembered the allure of the as-yet-unseen stars.

Just a short trip, he promised himself, stumbling over something else – a box, maybe. They were still unpacking, after all. Scott’s strong hands caught him and his big brother guided him around the other obstacles lurking in the dark.

“Careful,” he warned under his breath, barely audible over the distant sound of the sea. It reminded John of the times he’d climbed onto the roof to find his brother already there, looking at him as if to say what took you so long?

Of course – Scott had no real appreciation for the stars, not like John and Alan and once upon a time Mom, preferring the reflected light of the full moon to the further celestial intrigues, but what he did have was the unending patience of an eldest brother, coupled with a vicious protective streak that had only increased after they’d lost Mom. He knew them better than Dad did, at times better than they knew themselves; all he needed to have done was overhear John’s rejected request to know that he was going to sneak out regardless of paternal permission.

Come of think of it, he’d already been wearing his outdoor shoes when he’d intruded on John’s bedroom.

The moon was new, making it an ideal night to gaze at the stars. Not a single cloud in the sky meant that there was a curtain of glittering diamonds above them, pure and untainted by light pollution. It was the clearest John had ever seen them from Earth, and his doubts disappeared. The conditions were too perfect to waste.

“Mind the pool,” Scott warned as they stepped out onto the patio area. John stayed well over to one side, having no interest in a late-night swim. Scott walked next to him, a physical barrier between them, until they found a narrow path leading away from the villa and into the darkness. Well, Scott found it; John hadn’t known it was there, and let his brother guide him along.

Below them, water lapped calmly at the island. It was a loud sound in the otherwise dead of night, not even a breeze to stir the leaves of the jungle Dad had firmly told them they were not to enter. One day it would be the sound of home, a background noise that no longer registered, but they hadn’t lived on the island – or near any stretch of water – long enough for that to happen, yet.

John wasn’t sure he ever would. The villa on the island – Tracy Island, Dad had named it, somewhat unimaginatively – was to be their forever home, but also a base of operations. He cast his gaze up above him, where the stars shone brightly. His home would be up there; Dad had promised that as soon as he finished his astronaut training the space station currently under construction would be his. There was no water in space, a fact that mystified and bewildered his squid of a younger brother.

Lost in his thoughts, head facing up at the stars, he didn’t notice the tree root creeping across the path until his foot caught it. He fell forward with a thud, a small cry of pain escaping him, and immediately Scott was there, checking him over thoroughly.

“I’m okay,” he assured him, rolling his ankle. A minor twinge but nothing to worry about; his boots were designed for the terrain.

“Are you sure?” Scott pressed. “Sit down and let me-”

“It’s fine, Scott,” he protested, pulling himself to his feet and sparing a moment to be thankful his bag hadn’t taken any of the impact; his portable telescope in its case would still be safe.

“If you’re sure,” Scott said dubiously, and John sighed, taking a cautious step forward. “We can do this another time.”

“That would mean sneaking back in without being caught tonight and then sneaking out again on another day,” John pointed out. “And the weather tonight is perfect.”

“That it is,” Scott agreed, slinging an arm around his shoulders. “Okay then, onwards it is. Watch your feet not the stars this time, okay? They can wait until we get there. Wherever ‘there’ is.”

John didn’t know where ‘there’ was, either. He’d never been outside of the villa’s immediate vicinity, on Dad’s orders. Technically, none of them should have been, but Scott was navigating the path with a little too much ease for it to be his first venture out.

Big brother hadn’t completely outgrown his own rebellious stage, huh? Still, it made John feel a little more secure in their adventure if the terrain was already known to Scott. Scott would never let him come out here if it was dangerous.

“Somewhere I can see the other stars,” he shrugged. “But not too far from the villa, or we won’t be back by dawn.”

“And then Dad will have both our hides,” Scott finished.

“Your hide, big brother,” John corrected. “You’re supposed to be looking after me.”

“And you’re supposed to be the sensible one,” Scott retorted. “He’ll know it was your idea.”

“And he’ll know that you didn’t stop me-eeeeeeeeee!” Something gave way under John’s foot and he lurched sideways, out of Scott’s light hold. “Scott!”

“John!” Scott snatched for him, catching his wrist at the same moment John realised there was no longer anything beneath his feet. “John!”

In the pitch dark, John couldn’t see anything. Scott had his right wrist clutched tightly, the only thing keeping him from dropping who knew how far. The roar of the ocean was loud in his ears – was he dangling off of a cliff directly above the suddenly unnerving ocean or was his mind playing tricks on him?

With his free hand he reached upwards, trying to find something else to hold onto so he could pull himself up. Something. Anything.

“John!”

Scott’s hand was sweaty. Too sweaty. John could feel himself slipping and lunged upwards, trying to grab Scott’s arm with his other hand.

“Scott!” he gasped as he missed, fingernails scrabbling at something soft and giving but failing to get a purchase.

They were heel to palm now, and the slide didn’t slow at all. Palm to palm, fingers to fingers. Fingers to-

“JOHN!”

-air.

Part II

#sensorysunday #sensorysunday2020 #thunderbirds are go #thunderbirds are go fanfiction #tsari writes fanfiction #john tracy #scott tracy #jeff tracy #hollow

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stopandimagineloveforever · 6 years ago

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It's rare for a television show to get its first Emmy nomination in its fifth season, but sometimes voters are late to catch on to a good thing. Building on its loyal fanbase, Schitt’s Creek has been on the receiving end of a Netflix bump after the streaming platform first debuted the series in 2017 (each season airs first on the CBC in Canada and the Pop network in the U.S.). It also helps that creatively, Schitt’s Creek continues to hit new peaks, injecting heart and humor into a simple fish-out-of-water premise. The Rose family lost all their money in the first episode, forcing them to move to a town that was purchased as a joke, but the emotional riches continue to pour in with each passing year.

Dan Levy co-created Schitt’s Creek with his comedy icon father Eugene, but the younger Levy has been showrunning in a solo capacity since the second season. As a triple-threat, Levy has three shots at an Emmy nomination in writing, directing, and acting. Competition in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy category is stiff: there's last year’s winner Henry Winkler for Barry, previous Veep victor Tony Hale, Tony Shalhoub (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), Andrew Scott (Fleabag), and Alan Arkin for The Kominsky Method. There is an argument to be made that David Rose is the lead character on his show, but as Schitt’s Creek is very much an ensemble comedy, so it makes sense from a name recognition point-of-view to submit his dad in that category.

As David, Levy wears his emotions on his black-and-white designer sleeve, and all over his expressive face. A ball of skittish anxiety with a dating history that is “one bungle after another” (as per his mother’s description and David’s many horror stories), his relationship with Patrick (Noah Reid) has evolved into one of the best love stories on TV. Queer romances on sitcoms are typically chaste, with fleeting moments of intimacy and non-existent PDA. However, this is not the case in Schitt’s Creek, a town that Levy purposefully wrote as homophobia-free. They are able to serenade and smooch in public, with Levy explaining to Esquire, “To be able to present a love story that's without fear of consequence was something that I wanted from the very beginning.” As a result of this union, David has let his guard down after realizing he is someone who deserves to be loved, which builds to a beautiful moment in this season’s penultimate episode.

“The Hike” is Levy’s submission for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series, an episode in which Patrick’s planned proposal hits many snags along the way before leading to a swoon-worthy declaration of love. Initially, David isn’t particularly enamored with the great outdoors as he can’t track his eBay bid and his backpack is heavy. But when Patrick has a nerves-induced meltdown and injures himself, David swoops into caring mode. A few seasons ago, David would’ve turned around at the first opportunity, now he is piggybacking his boyfriend up a mountain. Other contenders in this category include last year’s winner Amy Sherman-Palladino for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Bill Hader for Barry, the Big Bang Theory finale, and the returning Veep (which is likely to reap quite a few Emmy nods for its final season).

While the four-ring proposal — to match the silver rings David has worn since the first episode — is the crowning moment of “The Hike,” the B and C plots are just as strong, mixing the signature heart and humor of Levy’s vision. A health scare for Johnny (Eugene Levy) and Alexis (Annie Murphy) prepping for her trip to the Galapagos Islands with Ted (Dustin Milligan) open up new avenues for Rose family drama and growth. This is a tear-inducing episode for the characters and audience, as Stevie (Emily Hampshire) has a very visceral response to Johnny’s trip to the hospital. This vulnerability from Stevie is a thread that runs into the season finale, “Life is a Cabaret.”

Taking on a stage and screen musical classic like Cabaret is no easy feat, but a move this bold is perfect for Moira Rose (Catherine O’Hara). This is only Dan Levy’s second time behind the camera, co-directing with Andrew Cividino — the Christmas special was their first joint Schitt’s venture — an audacious move that more than pays off. David’s perfectly planned engagement announcement goes off the rails when Stevie goes “missing” pre-show, but Dan is not David and he flawless executes the staging. Giving us front row seats to the revival of the year, the camera sweeps across the auditorium during “Wilkommen” making sure we get to enjoy this very different side to David’s butter-voiced beau. When it comes to Stevie’s big Sally Bowles number, aside from a few reaction shots, the focus is entirely on her as she belts out an emotional “Maybe This Time.” If only we could see the whole musical.

As with writing, returning winner Amy Sherman-Palladino and Veep are in the mix. But Dan Levy isn’t the only Emmy comedy triple-threat as Natasha Lyonne and Bill Hader could also get recognized in three different categories for Russian Doll and Barry, respectively.

Schitt’s Creek was nominated earlier this year for a Critics Choice Award, and more recently by the Television Critics Association. And just last week, Dan Levy won the MTV Movie/TV Award for Best Comedic Performance. So the show is certainly benefiting from a surge in viewers who've discovered the series on Netflix (I am one of those late adopters). In March, Levy announced that the show's next season will also be the last, choosing to go out on a high note. Emmy voters shouldn’t wait until then to nominate Dan Levy in at least one of these categories.

June 24, 2019

#Dan Levy #Schitts Creek #David X Patrick #LGBT #Emmy Awards #June 2019

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emjenenla · 8 years ago

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What You Don’t Know... [A White Cat Fanfiction]

Title: What You Don’t Know…

Author: Emjen Enla (Fanfiction)/emjen_enla (Wattpad)/emjenenla (Tumblr)

Teaser: …will probably come back and get you at some point. Or an AU where Philip and Barron are trying to protect Cassel not use him, because that’s all I wanted from this book. Written without reading Red Glove and Black Heart.

Rating: PG-13/T

Canon/Timeline: AU, probably set earlier than White Cat is in mainstream canon

Dominant Characters: Philip Sharpe, Barron Sharpe, Cassel Sharpe, Anton Zacharov, mentions of various other characters

Pairings: Philip/Maura, perhaps VERY subtle undertones of Cassel/Lila if you squint

Warnings: some violence; pretty much everyone is intentionally OOC because this AU wouldn’t work if they were all in character

Notes:

-Two questions: 1. Does anyone remember what the name of Philip and Maura’s son is? 2. What kind of worker is Anton?

Disclaimer: I don’t own White Cat by Holly Black or Advil.

“Excuse me,” the teenage boy said to the guard. “Is this the way to the bathroom?”

Philip Sharpe peaked around a corner to get a better look. His younger brother, Cassel, stood before the guard, his posture rumpled and anxious, his gloved hands picking at his sleeves. He was almost unrecognizable, and Philip couldn’t help but be impressed. Since Cassel wasn’t a worker, it was too easy to write him off as useless, but Cassel was one of the best con-artists Philip had ever met. It was almost terrifying.

“How did you get back here, kid?” the guard asked. “This is a restricted area.”

“He’s going to blow it,” Anton Zacharov grumbled from behind Philip. “We should have had Barron do this part. He’s the luck worker.”

“Cassel can do it just fine,” Barron spoke up from the back of the group.

“I’m looking for the bathroom,” Cassel was saying to the guard. There was a touch of a childish whine in his voice that didn’t sound anything like Philip’s brother. The kid was an amazing actor. “My stomach doesn’t feel good. I must have eaten something bad.” He wrapped his arms around his middle and hunched over, looking decidedly pathetic.

“Oh,” the guard said eyes darting around nervously. He cared more about not having to clean up vomit than the rules, just as Cassel had said he would. There was a reason they’d picked this particular guard. “Well, there’s a men’s room this way. Come on.” His arms twitched like he was considering put a hand on Cassel’s back to guide him and then stopped for fear that Cassel had the stomach flu or something.

The guard lead Cassel down the hall. Philip watched as they stepped into one of the poorly designed hall’s many security camera blind spots. The instant they were out of sight of the cameras, Cassel straightened up and lunged at the guard, slamming him into the door of a janitor’s closet and holding him in place with a forearm across the throat.

Philip was moving instantly. He darted down the hall, sticking to the blind spots and reached Cassel and the guard. The guard’s eyes got big when he saw Philip’s fake guard uniform. Philip grinned at him in a very specific, creepy “worker-ish” way he’d learned from Mom and pressed an index finger against the guard’s cheek. He felt skin through the slit he’d cut in the fingertips of his gloves and sent a pulse through the man’s nervous system that overloaded it and dropped him into instant unconsciousness.

Cassel stepped back and let the guard drop to the floor. “How long will he be out?” he asked.

“Two hours, maybe three,” Philip knelt down next to the guard and began removing his security clearance card, ID and keys from the various loops and pockets of the uniform. “Depends on a number of factors: age, health, family history. Plus, some people are just more resilient than others.”

Cassel shook his head. “Just asked for a number, Philip; didn’t need the lesson.”

Philip couldn’t keep from smiling. “Whatever.”

He and Cassel quickly tied the man up and stuffed him into the janitor’s closet. They made their way back to Anton and Barron by way of the blind spots. Then Cassel stripped off the hoodie and sweatpants he’d been wearing to reveal the guard’s uniform underneath. They stuffed his old clothes into the small backpack Barron was carrying. Now all three Sharpe brothers were in guard uniforms. Anton was in a suit.

“You actually didn’t mess that up,” Anton said, condescending. “Amazing.”

Cassel’s face turned red and he opened his mouth to retort, but Barron broke in, “We should get moving. We are on a schedule here.”

“Yes,” Philip agreed. “We don’t have time for this squabbling.”

“You’re not in charge here, Sharpe,” Anton growled, and Philip was once again left wondering why he’d bothered putting up with Anton all these years. His life would have considerably less condescension if he’d simply found a way to separate himself from Anton when they’d been ten.

“We should get moving,” Anton went on like Philip and Barron hadn’t just suggested that. “Turner won’t be here all night.”

Abraham Turner was a physicality worker who had recently tried to get out of his contract with the Zacharovs by appealing to the government for a full pardon in return for all the information he had on the Zacharovs. Tonight, was the night that Turner was supposed to meet with several members of the Licensed Minority Division to hand over the information. Obviously, that meeting couldn’t be allowed to happen so Philip, Barron, Cassel and Anton had been sent to make sure Turner wouldn’t be talking to anyone.

Cassel normally wouldn’t be helping on a job like this. Because he wasn’t a worker he couldn’t be a part of Zacharov’s gang in all real capacity, but Philip and Barron sometimes let him help on smaller jobs. The trick had always been keeping Zacharov’s daughter, Lila, from finding out, especially as it became increasingly difficult to convince Cassel not to tell her about it.

Still, Cassel was here tonight with Zacharov’s blessing. Because Turner had been a longtime member of the gang, he knew the faces of just about any agent who could be sent after him. That was where Cassel came in handy. Since Cassel wasn’t a worker and not a member, no one besides Anton, Lila, Zacharov and a few others had ever seen him. Most people weren’t even aware that Mom had three sons. Cassel’s face was unknown to Turner, but he was still close enough to the Zacharov family that his loyalty was ensured. He was the perfect person to lead Turner into the trap Anton was setting for him.

They walked quickly but not too quickly through the halls of the convention center. The LMD had set Turner up with a ticket to the evening gala being held here tonight. The Sharpe brothers and Anton didn’t have tickets at all, but the guard’s ID and security cards quickly got them through locked doors and into the part of the building where the gala was being held. They marched through the halls until they reached a small conference room without any observation windows that they’d picked as the perfect place for the job.

“Get on your part of the mission,” Anton told Cassel. “And if you mess up; I’ll have your hide.”

Cassel rolled his eyes. “Don’t worry,” he said. “It’ll be fine.”

He walked away leaving Anton visibly fuming at the implication that he was worried. Barron snorted, and Anton whirled on him. “What are you laughing at?”

Barron held up his hands. “Nothing. Just clearing my throat.”

Anton looked like he wanted to strange Barron, but Philip stepped in. “Let’s get inside before someone starts wondering why we’re just standing out here,” he suggested.

Anton nodded sharply and pushed his way into the conference room. Philip and Barron followed. The room was had boring beige walls decorated with pristine whiteboards on three walls. A potted plant that came up to Philip’s shoulders stood next to the door and a modern table filled the room surrounded by chairs. Anton strode across the room and settled himself into the chair at the head of the table. He arranged himself in the chair in a way so much like a villain in a movie that it was somewhere between funny and pathetic. “Barron, stand in that corner,” he motioned to his left. “Philip, over there,” another gesture to the right corner.

It was infuriating to be bossed around by Anton like Philip and Barron were just hired muscle with no brains of their own, but there wasn’t a whole lot that could be done about it. Philip took his place in the corner and glanced across the room at Barron who rolled his eyes with a small smile on his face, all in all looking considerably more good-natured about the whole situation.

They waited for almost ten minutes for Cassel to return with Turner. Anton drummed his fingers on the tabletop, Philip fought to keep his foot from tapping. “That kid’s going to blow it,” Anton announced.

“He’ll be fine,” Barron soothed. “Just give him a few more minutes before you start panicking.”

Before Anton could get angry the doorknob rattled and they had half a second to pull themselves together before the door opened and Cassel ushered Turner inside.

Turner took two steps into the room before he caught sight of Anton. He jumped and turned towards the door to escape, but Cassel had already entered the room and closed the door. He stood against it with his hand on the handle, staring impassively at Turner.

“You-” Turner spat. “You-You-” he didn’t have time to come up with something to something to say because Anton cleared his throat.

“Well, Turner, it appears this is the end of the line,” Anton said. “You really should have realized the LMD couldn’t protect you from us.”

“I’m-” Turner stammered, Philip could see him struggling to find an out. “This is all for a job. I’m going to infiltrate the LMD and-”

Anton held up a hand. “Please,” he said. “Save your breath. No one’s going to believe that.”

Turner began to say something, but Anton spoke over him, “I really don’t feel like drawing this out. Abraham Turner, you’re found guilty of treason to the Zacharov family, your execution will happen immediately. Philip.”

Philip took a quiet breath and stepped forward. Turner’s eyes went wide. He tried to back away, but almost instantly Barron and Cassel where on either side of him holding his arms, careful not to touch any skin. Turner writhed trying to escape, but they held his fast as Philip crossed the room. He moved slowly; part of the punishment was in the waiting.

“Please…” Turner begged, a quiet, pathetic whimper from a man who had once been a worker for Zacharov.

Philip didn’t even bother responding. He wrapped his fingers around Turner’s neck, pressing down until their skin came into contact through the slits of his gloves. He didn’t wait to act; Turner could work Philip right now too, skin on skin contact didn’t only run one way. Philip reached out with his power; it only took a second to overload and burn out Turner’s nervous system until it couldn’t possibly recover. Turner slumped in Barron and Cassel’s arms. Dead.

Philip took a step backward, and Barron and Cassel let Turner’s body collapse to the floor. Anton rose to his feet and crossed the room. The four of them stood over Turner’s body looking down. “Are you sure he’s dead?” Anton asked.

“No one can survive their entire nervous system getting burnt out,” Philip said.

“Then we should get out of here,” Anton said heading towards the door. “We’ll leave the body here to send a message to the-” He trailed off because he’d opened the door and an unfamiliar man in a suit was standing outside.

Anton’s mouth dropped open. He started to step back and began raising his hands, but the newcomer produced a nightstick and swung before Anton had a chance to defend himself. He dropped like a stone, either unconscious or close enough.

The suited man nudged Anton’s body with his foot and looked up. “Well, I assume this is Anton Zacharov,” he said. “And you two are Philip and Barron Sharpe,” he eyes focused on Cassel. “But who are you?”

Cassel didn’t respond, he just lunged at the man fists clenched. His attack got nowhere, because the suited man was much bigger than he was. Within seconds the man had Cassel in a headlock.

“Alright, enough of that,” the man said. “This will go so much more smoothly if you all just hand yourselves in.”

“You’re the LMD agent Turner was supposed to meet,” Philip said.

“Correct,” the agent said. “I’ve been keeping an eye on him since he arrived, and I couldn’t just let someone walk off with him without following.”

“Sorry,” Cassel croaked. The bare skin of the agent’s wrist was digging into Cassel’s bare throat and cutting off his air supply.

“It’s a pity you already managed to finish him off,” the agent continued, ignoring Cassel. “He had information that would be valuable to the LMD.”

“People don’t betray the Zacharov family and get away with it,” Philip replied. His eyes kept darting to the doorway behind the agent. That was the only way out of the conference room. They had to get past him.

The agent must have noticed his frantic planning because he smiled. “There’s no way out. The four of you will pay for your c-” his voice broke out into a panicked shriek.

Philip followed the man’s gaze and gasped. Where the agent’s bare skin had been touching Cassel, his wrist had turned into melted wax. Cassel pulled away and darted towards Philip and Barron. The agent dropped to the ground screaming and cradling the melty stump of his left arm.

There was only one type of worker who could what had just happened, but transformation workers were so rare they practically didn’t exist. Besides, Cassel wasn’t a worker at all, how had he…

Cassel looked up at Philip, a look a petrified shock on his face. He looked almost as scared as the agent did. Philip and Cassel stared at each other for one moment that lasted an eternity then Cassel’s face contorted and he dropped to the ground with a shriek, fingers digging to his scalp.

“Cassel?” Philip dropped down next to him. “Cassel, what’s wrong?”

Barron knelt as well, “Must be the blowback.”

“Are you sure?” Philip looked at him.

“Do I look like an expert on transformation workers to you?” Barron snapped.

They both looked back to the writhing form of their baby brother on the ground. A transformation worker. Philip tried to wrap his mind around the knowledge. Cassel couldn’t be a transformation worker. He was too old to develop powers. They would have known. Philip felt a little like he was going to pass out.

Cassel twisted on the ground and let out a horrible, animal-sounding moan. Barron jabbed Philip with his elbow. “Philip, do something.”

Philip shook himself and touched Cassel’s neck, feeling his brother’s skin through the slits in his gloves. He pulsed Cassel’s nervous system the same way he had to the guard he’d taken down in the hall and his little brother went still.

Philip sat back on his heels, ignoring the needle-like pains that were starting to the shoot through his bones—the beginning of his own blowback. It wasn’t bad now—sort of like growing pains, maybe—but he knew it would get worse, especially if he had to do more working today. “We need to get out of here,” he said.

“My thoughts exactly,” Barron said. “I’ll carry Cassel, you take this.” He took off the backpack and handed it over. “We might need you to have your hands free to work someone else.”

Philip pulled the backpack on and stood up. Barron maneuvered Cassel over his shoulders and stood as well. “Let’s move,” he said.

They stepped of the agent’s moaning body and out into the hallway. There were footsteps coming towards them. Philip turned his head to see a squad of security guards heading towards them. “What happened?” the lead guard asked. “We heard screaming.”

Philip took a steadying breath and sized the men up. There were a lot of them, but they didn’t appear armed with anything but nightsticks and tasers. No lethal weapons, which put them at a distinct disadvantage to Philip who had carried a lethal weapon inside of himself since the day he was born.

“A couple meetings didn’t go as planned,” he said in a careful voice. He probably didn’t sound as calm as Cassel could have in this situation, but it would have to be enough. As he spoke, he slowly, carefully peeled off his gloves; he’d need more than a couple slits of bare skin for this. “I think it’s mostly taken care of now.”

“We heard screaming,” the lead guard said. “Is someone hurt?”

“Nothing life threatening,” Philip finished pulling off the gloves and moved to put them in his pants pocket. “You don’t need to worry.”

The sudden bending of Philip’s arm caught the guard’s attention. He looked down to see Philip’s bare hands and his eyes widened. He looked back up. “Please put the gloves back on, sir,” he said shakily. “There’s other ways to solve this.” The rest of the guards began drawing their tasers and nightsticks.

Philip glanced at Barron who was standing just off his right shoulder. “Stay right behind me,” he ordered in an undertone. “Don’t fall behind.”

Barron nodded.

“Put the gloves back on and get on your knees!” the lead guard ordered leveling his taser at them.

Philip gave his best “I’m an evil worker” grin and charged across the space between him and the guards. He brushed his fingers along the lead guard’s neck and dropped him with a surge of bone melting pain. Two more guards were behind, and Philip took them down as well. He plowed through their midst, hands outstretched, fingers reaching for skin. He didn’t try to kill; that would take too much focus. He just needed to slow them down.

He burst through the guards with Barron hot on his heels. They pounded down the hall and skidded around a corner. They retraced their steps to the quieter parts of the building with the poorly placed security cameras. Once there they tried to stay to the blind spots as much as possible. Philip wasn’t sure how long they had before even more security was sent after them. They needed to vanish before that could happen.

They skidded around a corner into a long hallway. Philip clung to the wall under the security cameras until they were halfway down the hall. Then he slid to a stop and bent down next to a specific floor tile. The tiles were a little wider than Philip’s shoulders and this one had a little ridge in it to make it easier to lift. It still took Philip several precious seconds to pry it up because his hands were shaking with a mixture of fear and adrenalin. He finally got it up to reveal and access hatch underneath. This hatch swung downwards to reveal a dimly lit passage; one of the building’s many maintenance hallways.

“You first,” he told Barron.

Barron nodded and set Cassel on the floor. He climbed partway down the ladder attached to the hatch, then grabbed Cassel again and dragged him down as well.

Philip looked back. He could hear sounds of pursuit now. They only had seconds to finish vanishing. He scrambled partway down the ladder and dragged the tile back over the hole, blocking out the light from above and leaving only the dull orange light of the maintenance hallway. He closed the hatch and dropped down the rest of the way to the floor.

The maintenance hallway stretched on in either direction. This was the way they’d gotten into the building. “Let’s move,” Philip panted to Barron.

Barron nodded and took off down the hall. Philip moved to follow, but he only got two steps before the blowback that had been threatening since he’d knocked out Cassel hit with full force. Philip’s bones turned to fire, his muscled went limp. He sagged against the wall gasping in airless breaths through clenched teeth. You don’t have time for this! Get up!

“Philip?” he heard Barron’s voice as if from very far away. “Philip, we need to go.”

“Go ahead without me,” Philip said around a thick tongue and numb lips. “I’ll catch up.”

“No way,” a hand grabbed his elbow and dragged him upright. “Come on, Phil. You can do it. Let’s go.”

Philip didn’t remember much of the rest of the escape, only that Barron’s white-knuckle grip on his arm was the only thing keeping him upright and moving. He didn’t remember transferring from the maintained hallways to the sewer system. He didn’t remember trekking through the sewer for blocks and then climbing out into the parking garage where the car they’d driven here was parked. He didn’t come back to himself until Barron practically poured him into the passenger seat of the car.

Philip leaned against the seat painting from pain and the nausea that came with it. He heard other doors opening and closing as Barron dumped Cassel’s limp body onto the back seat and got behind the wheel.

“Pull your feet in and close your door,” Barron ordered as the car hummed to life. “We need to get out of here.”

Philip hadn’t even realized that his legs were still hanging out of the car. He pulled them in and managed to close the door even though his arms felt like overheated lead. Something was digging into his back and he realized that it was the backpack. He worked the straps off and let it fall to the floor by his feet. He squinted blurrily up at his brother as Barron leaned over and began undoing the buttons on Philip’s guard uniform shirt. “Don’t want to draw attention to us,” Philip muttered. “We don’t want them to make the connection between this car and us.”

“I know,” Barron said. He worked Philip’s arms out of the shirt and tossed it onto the floor in the back. Philip was wearing a normal tee-shirt under it for precisely this eventuality. He realized that Barron had already removed his shirt and a quick glance back confirmed that he’d done the same for Cassel.

Barron buckled Philip in and patted his shoulder. “We’ll be fine, Phil.”

Philip didn’t quite believe him. After all, they had just attacked a member of the LMD and a bunch of security guards. Plus, Anton…

Philip’s aching, struggling heart nearly stopped when he realized what they’d overlooked. The mistake they’d made that would make any trouble they’d have from the police look like a picnic. A mistake that might spell their bloody, painful deaths.

“Barron,” he breathed. “We left Anton.”

~~~~

The highway stretched on before them. Barron tried to keep his hands steady on the wheel and his mind focused. There were not words to describe how badly this job had gone, and that was even without thinking about Cassel…

Philip shifted in the passenger seat. “Barron,” he grunted. “Pull over. I’m going to be sick.”

Barron glanced over. Philip had the back of one hand pressed to his mouth. He’d actually managed to turn green, which Barron hadn’t known was possible. “One second,” Barron pulled over on the side of the highway probably a bit more dangerously than he should have and slammed on the brakes.

Philip swung the passenger door open and leaned out, puking into the gravel. Barron winced and looked away trying to give his brother some privacy. Philip’s blowbacks normally made him nauseous, so it wasn’t like Barron wasn’t used to waiting for his older brother to get ahold of the contents of his stomach, but it was still awkward.

Philip continued emptying his stomach for what seemed like forever. Finally, he wiped his mouth on the back of a hand and leaned back into his seat with an audible moan. His face was completely bloodless and soaked with sweat that plastered his hair to his forehead. The hand that he brought up to pinch the bridge of his nose was shaking, his other arm was wrapped tightly around his stomach.

“Phil?” Barron ventured.

“I feel horrible,” Philip said, his voice rough and acidy from vomiting. “This might be the worst blowback I’ve ever had.”

Barron’s stomach sank. Philip’s blowbacks gave him the symptoms of a bad flu mixed with chronic pain and could last anywhere from a couple hours to days. While Barron knew he shouldn’t exactly be surprised that this blowback was bad—he had never seen a physicality worker work their way through as many people at once as Philip had with those guards—they were going to have to deal with the fallout of all this, and it was looking like Barron would be the only one capable of doing so.

Barron dug around on the floor of the backseat and found a half empty water bottle. “Here,” he said offering it to Philip. “Rinse out your mouth.”

He waited while Philip swished the water around in his mouth and spat it onto the gravel outside. When he pulled back into the car and closed the door, Barron asked, “Are you okay to keep going?”

Philip sunk lower in his seat and his eyes closed. “Yeah,” he said hoarsely.

“Okay,” Barron turned off the hazards and put the car back into drive. “If you need to throw up again let me know.”

He drove for twenty or thirty minutes before he saw signs for a rest stop. He turned onto the ramp and slowed down. Philip—who Barron had hoped had dozed off—shifted and opened his eyes, squinting at the gas pumps and convenience store. “Why are we stopping?” he asked.

“We need some supplies,” Barron said. “We’ll get some Z-Up for your stomach and some Advil.”

Philip smiled vaguely. “Yeah,” he mumbled. “That sounds good.”

Barron pulled up into a parking spot a little way from everyone else and turned off the car. “I’ll go in,” he said. “You can wait here.”

“No, I’ll come in,” Philip said swallowing heavily. “I need to use the bathroom. Besides we need to decide what to do about-” he jerked his head at Cassel’s still, unconscious form in the backseat.

Barron looked back at his little brother. “How long is he going to be out?” he asked.

“Maybe another hour or so,” Philip said. “We’ll need to have a plan of action when he wakes up.”

Barron nodded. “I suppose you’re right.”

Before they left the car, they had to change pants and shoes because they couldn’t just walk into a convenience store in the pants and shoes of a security guard when their descriptions were probably going to be all over the news in the next couple hours. After changing into jeans and tennis shoes they got out of the car and headed into the convenience store. Barron gathered up Z-Up, Gatorade, granola bars, sandwiches, water and Advil while Philip used the bathroom. Barron had just finished paying (in cash, obviously) when Philip staggered back paler and shakier than before.

“You okay, bro?” Barron asked, and Philip gave him a look that told him to drop it.

They stepped outside and commandeered a picnic table within sight of the car. Barron sat on the tabletop facing the car with his boots on the table’s bench seat. Philip also faced the car, only he sat on the seat and draped his upper body across the tabletop.

They sat in silence for several minutes then Philip spoke, his voice muffled by the cocoon of his arms, “So, Cassel’s a transformation worker.”

“Yeah,” Barron said tightly.

“I didn’t know that,” Philip said. “He must have used his powers before now; why don’t I remember it?” He lifted his head and gave Barron a look that didn’t make sense for a couple seconds before he made the connection.

“Oh,” he said. “I didn’t work you.”

Officially, Barron was a luck worker; only Philip, Grandad and Mom knew that he was actually a memory worker. If Barron had told the Zacharovs he could have gotten more work than just being the insurance to Philip’s jobs, but the blowback made that a bad idea. Every time Barron used his powers he was trading away some of his own memories. If he wasn’t careful, he would work himself into premature Alzheimer’s.

“Are you sure you didn’t and then forgot?” Philip asked.

“Yes,” Barron said. “That’s something I would have written down in my journals.”

Philip accepted that with a nod. “Still,” he said. “He’s seventeen. This can’t be the first time he’s displayed powers. It would have started when he was younger, which means…”

“Someone did work us to make us forgot,” Barron finished. “All three of us.”

“You’re sure he didn’t know?” Philip asked.

“You saw his face,” Barron replied. “He didn’t have a clue.”

There was a long pause. “Do you think the Zacharovs knew?” Barron asked, cursing the unsteadiness in his tone.

“No,” Philip said. “If they knew Cassel’s a worker this powerful, we’d never have had to work so hard to convince Anton he wasn’t a deadweight. Mom and Grandad on the other hand…”

Barron’s stomach clenched. “They can’t know. They would have told us.”

“They must know,” Philip used his elbows to lever his body into a mostly upright position. “Someone decided we’d be best off not knowing and had us worked; probably multiple times. They’re the only options; they’re the only ones close enough to us.”

“But why?” Barron asked.

“I don’t know,” Philip said, then looked up at Barron, face serious. “But until we understand it, we can’t trust them.”

“We can’t go home either,” Barron said. “Even if we could trust Mom and Grandad either the LMD or the Zacharovs are going to be after us. We’re going to need to go under the radar. Especially if we’re going to protect Cassel,” he paused and realized the assumption he’d made. “We are going to protect Cassel, right?”

“Of course, we are,” Philip said in a tone of voice that suggested that he couldn’t believe Barron had asked. “He’s our baby brother, just because he’s suddenly one of the rarest workers in the world doesn’t change anything.”

“Good,” Barron heaved a sigh of relief. “Then we probably should get moving. We need to put as much distance between us and that conference center as possible before the police have time to really mobilize against us. Even more once Anton inevitably gets bailed out of prison.”

“Yeah,” Philip agreed and began to try to heave himself to his feet. “Might be a good idea to make sure Cassel doesn’t have the option to run before hearing us out when he wakes up too.”

Barron ended up needing to help Philip to the car, but they were still back on the highway within minutes. Philip shifted in the seat then leaned forward to rummage through the pockets of the backpack. “What are you looking for?” Barron asked.

“We have a burner phone in here, don’t we?”

“Yes,” Barron said. “Why do you need it?”

“I’m going to call Maura and tell her to get out,” he said. “The house is under her name, so someone’s bound to show up there eventually.”

“Should we call Grandad?” Barron asked.

“You can if you want,” Philip said. “I’m not.”

Barron knew he wouldn’t either. If they involved Grandad in this, it would be too difficult to keep their new knowledge about Cassel secret. “I’m not calling him either,” Barron said.

Philip straightened up and nodded in something that was either approval or simple acknowledgment. He was holding one of the cheap, prepaid burner flip phones they’d bought for the job. Barron watched out of the corner of his eye as Philip dialed Maura’s number from memory and raised the phone to his ear.

“Maura?” he asked after a minute. “Are you alone?”

There was a pause as Maura answered, then Philip went on, “The job went bad. Catastrophically bad. You need to leave. Chances are either the police or the Zacharovs will be showing up at the house in the next couple hours and I don’t think it’s a good idea if you’re there when that happens.”

Another pause. “I’m fine, just a bad blowback. Barron and Cassel are fine too, but we let Anton get arrested which is why the Zacharovs might be after us soon.”

Pause. “I don’t think Zacharov will have much trouble there,” Philip answered. “Regardless of what the politicians say about cracking down on the crime families, there isn’t a prison in the country that will hold Anton Zacharov for more than a couple days. So, it’s not like this is much of a setback for Zacharov; it’s more that we left Anton to get arrested in favor of saving our nonworker little brother.”

Maura responded, then Philip said, “That’s why you need to get all the essentials into the car and get out of the state. Remember to change the plates before you leave and whatever you do don’t tell Grandad or Mom that you’re leaving.”

Philip listened to Maura’s question, then said, “I can’t explain over the phone. I’ll tell you when we meet in person. Speaking of which, there’s a burner phone in my sock drawer; take it with you, and I’ll call you on it in a couple days so we can find a place to meet.”

Maura spoke some more. “We’re all fine,” Philip said. “No sign of pursuit thus far, but we aren’t going to take any chances. I’ll talk to you in a couple days?” A pause. “I love you too. Stay safe. Goodbye.”

Philip hung up and leaned back in the seat. Barron looked over at his brother’s pale, sweaty face, lax mouth and drooping eyes. “There’s Z-Up and Advil,” he said. “Then you should try to sleep.”

“Yeah,” Philip agreed tiredly. “That’s probably a good idea.”

~~~~

They drove and drove and drove. Barron kept his hands clenched tightly on the steering wheel, his eyes glued on the road, ears tuned to the radio which was playing news, listening for every mention of the incident. So far, their names and descriptions had not been released, but it was only a matter of time. Barron considered where they could go that would be safe and what they would need to do to foil the police descriptions of them. They couldn’t go anywhere Mom and Grandad knew about or anywhere Zacharov, Anton or even Lila knew about. It had to be somewhere entirely knew, and Barron was grasping at straws.

In the passenger seat, Philip slipped in and out of fitful sleep. He shifted restlessly and grunted whenever he was jarred by a bump in the road. Barron wanted desperately to get them a hotel room so Philip could rest in an actual bed, but doing that would be like asking to be found and arrested. Since they’d abandoned Anton, Zacharov wouldn’t bail them out and the Sharpe family didn’t have the money or connections. They needed to stay free or everything was over.

The sun was beginning to rise when Cassel finally stirred in the backseat. Barron’s stomach twisted into knots as he listened to his little brother work his way back to consciousness.

“Wha’ happen’?” Cassel muttered thickly. “Wh’ ‘re we…” Barron gritted his teeth and waited for the explosion.

He didn’t have to wait long. Cassel jerked upright in the backseat. “Wait! I-I-” He sat up straight and Barron saw his angry glare in the rearview mirror. “You lied to me!”

“Cassel?” Philip shifted awake and turned to look at their little brother. “Good, you’re awake.”

“You’re a liar!” Cassel snarled. “You’re both liars! You told me I didn’t have any powers, but I do! What happened to that agent; I did that!”

“We didn’t lie to you,” Philip said, his voice steady but with an undercurrent of strain, either from stress or from the blowback. “We didn’t know. We thought you weren’t a worker too. We would never keep something like that from you.”

“I don’t believe you,” Cassel snapped.

“I’m not lying,” Philip said. “I didn’t know you were a worker. I swear it on my life.”

“I swear it too,” Barron said. “We’re on your side, Cassel.”

“If you two didn’t know anything,” Cassel said. “Why is this the first time it’s ever happened? That’s not how working works.”

“We might have all been worked by a memory worker,” Barron said. A quick glance at Philip confirmed that they were going to keep Barron’s true identity as a memory worker quiet for the time being. “Someone must have decided that we were better off not knowing you were a worker.”

There was a pause while Cassel thought that over. “Mom and Grandad,” he said.

The kid was even quicker to that assumption than they had been, Barron wasn’t sure whether to be impressed or worried. “We’re not sure,” he said. “But it’s a definite possibility.”

He watched in the rearview mirror as Cassel thought it all over. “I’ll trust you two for now,” Cassel finally said, “but if I discover even one little thing that could imply you’re lying to me, well…” he lifted a hand and his eyes narrowed. “I’m know that I’m not defenseless now.”

“A logical strategy,” Philip agreed.

They lapsed back into silence, the radio droning commercials in the background, until Cassel spoke again, “Where are we?”

“On the fast track to the middle of nowhere,” Barron said. “Things only went farther south after Philip knocked you out. We ended up attacking a number of security guards and then running to evade arrest. We’re kind of hot news right now, and we’ll need to go underground until this all blows over.”

“Okay…” Cassel said slowly, thinking it over. “Where’s Anton?”

“Arrested,” Philip said. “We…may have panicked and forgotten about him.”

Cassel snorted. “Bet he’s happy about that.”

“It’s going to be a real problem,” Philip said. “He won’t be happy when he gets out, and the whole Zacharov family will be after us.” He finished by shifting in his seat and moaning out loud.

Barron freed one hand from the steering wheel and patted Philip’s shoulder. “You’ve got about forty-five minutes before you can take more Advil,” he said. “Just hang in there.”

“What’s wrong with him?” Cassel asked, sounding just a little scared.

“Blowback,” Philip grunted. “I’ll be fine.”

Cassel frowned, deep in thought. “We’re in deep trouble,” he said, then his voice became quiet and a little scared. “What happens if the Zacharovs figure out I’m a worker? What happens if the people who worked our memories figure out we know?”

Barron and Philip looked at each other, each trying to come up with something soothing and reassuring to say. In truth, neither of them knew what would happen in either of those situations. “Nothing bad will happen to you,” Philip finally promised, perhaps a bit rashly.

“We’re your brothers,” Barron agreed anyway. “It’s our job to keep you safe.”

That’s probably not the best ending in the world, but I’m running on four hours of sleep, so you’ll have to forgive my lack of creative brain cells. I suppose this could be the start of a bigger story, but I’m nearly 100% positive I’m not going to continue, so I suggest you don’t hold your breath.

I’m almost done with part three of the Angsty Kaz FanfictionTM, so hopefully you’ll get that soon. I have a couple other ideas too, so we’ll see what happens. The one thing I will say is that I’m sort of in the process of shifting fandoms, so expect a lot of variety, but probably not a lot of Star Wars.

Anyway, if you’ve read this, thank you! I’m honestly not sure if anyone will see this.

Please favorite, follow and review!

Emjen

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missbrightsky · 5 years ago

Text

Velaris National Park

Fics Masterlist

Previous Chapter

Chapter 3

Rhys left to check on the other campers in the park to make sure everyone was okay and there was no damage. The downpour continued but if he was right, it shouldn’t last too long.

I watched him ride off into the park and simply enjoyed the sounds of the rain for a few minutes.

I turned and pushed my way into the office, the small bell letting off a ring, announcing my entrance. It seemed like other people had the idea of seeking shelter with Mor. The was a handful of others milling around, chatting with each other in quiet tones or looking at the gift shop. Ray was there, deep in conversation with a short woman that had her straight, black hair cut in a severe bob, probably discussing new ways to improve the park. Mor was behind the counter in conversation with what looked to be the mom of a family.

I wandered over and gave her a smile in hello, not wanting to interrupt them, in which Mor returned.

I pulled out my sketchpad to check if there really was no damage. The water that had splattered on the pack hadn’t seeped through and my book and pencil case were completely dry. A small smile crossed my face, my mind mulling over the events of the last half hour.

Flipping to the drawing of Rhys on top of Mona, I deepened the color of his eyes and added more shadows to the background, sharply contrasting the images. I absently continued working on the sketch, thinking back on how close we were.

Even though it was a warm day, I could feel the heat radiating off of him when he joined me on the rocks. He was so easy to be around, I felt no pressure to hide my work like I did when I was dating Tamlin when I was an undergrad. He would get so possessive and jealous if I did a character study of someone other than him. My work (and my mental health) suffered from it and eventually, it became too much to bear. Breaking it off with him was the most gratifying experience.

But with Rhys…. He had nothing to offer but praise, even if he had seen only a small sample of what I can do. His praise felt genuine, like there were no strings attached. As if he would have said the same thing if it was hanging in a gallery.

And then there was the ride to the office. The surge of adrenaline wasn’t just from racing through the forest at breakneck speeds. There was no inch of space between our bodies. Even with the wind whipping around us, I could still smell him, like citrus and jasmine and something wilder. Like his time outdoors had become a part of him.

He was so solid. Yes, because I was holding onto him, I could feel the steel bands of muscles shifting in time with the beat of the horse, but his presence was steady, secure. The world could have faded away around us and I wouldn’t have noticed.

“That looks like my cousin.”

The words broke my internal monologue, causing me to jump slightly and ears to redden with the embarrassment of being caught.

I looked up to see Mor had finished her conversation with the mom and decided to see what I was so enraptured with.

“I… uh..,” I cursed myself inwardly for not being able to respond, my head still too wrapped up with thoughts of him instead.

Mor had a dangerous glint in her eyes, like she knew exactly what I had been thinking about. She started with a feline grin at my flustered state which soon morphed into full-blown laughter that caught the attention of everyone in the room.

My ear burned even more with everyone’s attention on us. “Mor,” I hissed through my teeth.

She clamped her lips closed, her chest still shaking with contained giggles. Thankfully, the attention melted away as everyone went back to talking or browsing.

Even though I had only one conversation with her, I shot her a glare that I couldn’t hold before a small smile played on my lips and I looked back down to my drawing.

I let out a sigh, “Yes, that’s your cousin. I saw him after we left the office yesterday.”

“So you saw him only yesterday?” she smirked with a raised eyebrow.

“And last night and just now,” I muttered, defeated.

“Mhm,” she hummed with a nod, triumphant at my admittance. “Every girl that has come to this park has noticed my cousin.”

“Great, add me onto the adoring fans.”

“Honestly, I don’t know what they see in him, he’s a giant dork.”

I laughed at that, the color starting to fade from my ears and cheeks, it was nice to know that I wasn’t the first, and probably not the last, to gawk at him.

“Yeah, well he’s a dork who saved me from the rain. My backpack isn’t waterproof, and I was worried that I wouldn’t make it back in time to save my sketchbook.”

“Oh really. Well, that sounds like my stupidly, chivalrous cousin,” she confirmed.

“Fucking phenomenal,” my embarrassment morphing to anger. Mor saw my change in emotion and knit her eyebrows together in question. I glanced at her and then away to bore my eyes into my sketch. Of course it was too good to be true, his quiet and helpful attitude was just a front to get me alone and probably try to get into my pants. Stupid, stupid, stupid agreeing to go somewhere in a big park with a guy I barely know at night.

“Your ‘stupidly, chivalrous cousin’ said that I could say ‘thank you’” putting air quotes around the words, “by going stargazing with him tonight, which was probably just codeword for blowjob,” I finished, gritting my teeth to stop myself from yelling the words.

He probably does this with any girl that comes into the park, performs a good deed for her and then tries to get payment in kind.

“What? Feyre, no, no, no,” Mor hastily said, trying to calm me down from my inner and outer rant. “He is stupidly chivalrous, but he has literally never asked any girl to go stargazing with him, or anywhere else.” She blew out a breath and muttered a prayer to the Caldron under her breath.

“Ok, I’m only going to tell you this because I think you’re a good person who would be good for Rhys and my cousin is a little dumb sometimes so here it goes.

“In college, Rhys was this sweet, kind, naïve boy who thought the best in everyone. A TA in one of his classes saw that and took advantage of it. She knew our family had money and influence and thought she could use it to further her academic career. A lot of ugly shit went down but he was forced to mature too fast and he hasn’t dated anyone since. It’s a little hard since he’s out here a lot but if someone had come along, he would have figured out a way to date her. But he hasn’t. With anyone,” she emphasized that last word, willing me to understand.

I released a slow breath, cooling down from my jump to conclusions. I met Mor’s golden brown gaze and almost flinched with the raw honesty I saw there. She was telling the truth. This wasn’t some dumb, masculine play to get some action. This was a risk he was taking with me.

“Ok,” I said with a nod, “I shouldn’t have assumed so fast.”

“It’s ok, you didn’t know. Hell, if a guy had done that to me, I would’ve kicked him in the balls right on the spot. I’m glad you didn’t though,” she finished with a laugh. It was so infectious I couldn’t help but join in.

I turned my eyes back to the drawing, I had been so angry I was ready to rip it out of the book and tear it to pieces but that would have been a big fucking mistake.

At that moment, the rain started to slow and then die off. Just as quickly as it had come, it was over and the sun was starting to peak out again.

Other campers saw the change and began to file out, back to their tents or to resume the hike they were on. I hope Elain and Kevin were ok and didn’t get too wet.

“Thank you, Mor,” I turned back to her, “I’m going to go make sure we didn’t lose anything at the campsite.”

“Of course, Feyre. Have fun tonight,” she said with a devilish wink and smile. I shook my head at her and exited the building.

By the time I was back at the campsite, the sun was out in full force, scaring away the offending clouds. Rhys was right, it was looking to be a clear night.

Our tent had survived the downpour, just covered with a few scattered leaves from the wind, all of our stuff was still dry inside.

It was getting to be late afternoon at this point, the others should be returning soon. I had forgotten all about my sandwich and chips I had packed for lunch and it was too close to dinner time to eat them.

I ducked into the tent and sorted through the clothes I had packed for the trip. It was just shorts and t-shirts, not much of a choice and definitely no makeup. Rhys had already seen me sweaty and still thought I was attractive so confidence would be my best outfit. I changed into a fresh shirt with fewer paint stains and tied my hoodie around my waist. Hopefully, it won’t be too cool tonight.

From the car, I grabbed tonight’s dinner of ground beef stew with prechopped veggies, fresh fruit salad and French bread that could be wrapped in foil and left to heat on the stove. Ray had appeared when I was in the tent and already started up his grill.

I dumped my stuff on our slowly drying table and turned to start up my grill.

“Hey Ray, hell of a thunderstorm, huh?”

“Yup, just glad I was in the office already when it came through. I got to talk to Mor and Amren about that swimming hole. They weren’t too excited at first, but I assured them that I know some good people who would be willing to invest, and I would love to design it pro bono. Amren is scary so I didn’t dare lie to her about anything, she could sniff out blood a mile away if she wanted to,” he chuckled.

“Oh, was that the short woman with the black hair you were talking to?”

“Yep, she and Rhys are the main people who keep the park running. Even though it’s national land, they mostly take care of it. Rhys keeps all the campers, hikers and environment safe while Amren handles the logistics of it all.” I nodded along, listening to his plans and what he wants to put whereas I got the stew mixed and warming in the pot and wrapped up the bread. It would be at least an hour until everything was ready, so I got to draw more while Ray went on.

“And how was your day?” he asked.

“Good! Really good, Elain and Kevin led the way to the Starfalls, they were truly beautiful. I stayed behind to draw the valley while they went on. I hope they’ll be back soon, I feel bad leaving them behind when the storm came through,” I flipped to the page to show Ray the rendering of the valley I had yet to finish. He murmured his appreciation and studied it.

“Truly amazing, Feyre. I hope you get a gallery all to yourself someday.”

I blushed at his praise, I hoped so too.

“And what do you mean left them behind?”

“Oh, umm,” I had made a mistake. “Rhys was with me when the storm had come up. He may have given me a ride back to the office.”

“Uh-huh,” Ray hummed with a humorous glint.

“And he may have asked me to go stargazing with him tonight.”

“UH HUH,” he said, his lips bursting into a full-blown smile. “I thought I saw something between the two of you last night. So tell me more…” his grill now forgotten about.

“Nope, nope, no, I don’t need this from you right now, I’m already nervous enough,” I backpedaled, there was no way I was going to pick over every detail with Ray.

“Awww come on, I never get any good gossip around my coworkers, they’re all a bunch of nerds with no life!” Ray pleaded, giving me big, brown, puppy dog eyes.

I almost gave in, there was no way I was going to spill every detail with my sisters, they would just tease me too much or tell me not to go with a guy I just met.

“No, I can’t,” he looked so disappointed I nearly gave in again, “Maybe tomorrow morning at breakfast, how about that? I want it to go well first.”

“Ok, fine, I’ll have to accept that,” he pouted, sulking surprisingly well for a full-grown man.

I laughed at his disappointment, some of the nerves disappearing at his display.

We chatted more about our days until Nesta, Elain and Kevin finally showed up.

Azriel had checked on Elain and Kevin, they were fine, just a bit wet but thankfully the trees and a well-placed awning on the trail kept them dry. Nesta was a bit luckier and an outcropping of rocks kept her out of the rainstorm.

More conversation flowed as the night set in and dinner was eaten. I kept shooting glances at the entrance of our campsite and listening to the familiar pounding of hooves. Thankfully, only Ray noticed my distraction and gave me conspirator winks.

Too soon or maybe not soon enough gravel crunched, indicating the arrival of Rhys and Mona. He appeared into our circle of light. Rhys had changed out of his ranger uniform to dark pants and boots, with a navy three-quarter sleeve shirt that was cut to show off the underlying muscles that I had felt earlier. His hair was casually mussed up, making him look younger than when he is in his uniform. Mona had a pack strapped to her saddle.

Rhys grinned when he saw me, I returned the smile, ignoring the questioning looks from my sisters and Kevin. Ray looked like he was just about ready to burst out of his skin with giddiness.

“Ready?” he asked me.

“Yep. Can y’all handle clean up tonight?” I asked my sisters. The mutely nodded yes, still unable to find words to respond to Rhys’s sudden appearance.

I turned back to him and took his offered hand. It felt so natural to slip mine into his, like it was an everyday occurrence. He led the way back down the path and to the trailhead. The very last of the light was fading fast and more and more stars broke through. I thought that the sky at the end of the day looked just like his eyes, endless blue and perfect.

The moon was full and provided light to show the ghostly path, but I could see a massive flashlight strapped to the front of the saddle in easy reach.

“I’ll hop up first and then pull you up, similar to what we did earlier today.”

“Sounds good.”

He swung up into the saddle, the motion easy and fluid. Mona stood still at perfect attention. I firmly gripped his hand and put my foot into the open stirrup. A good hop off the ground and his arm had me situated behind him in no time, the strapped-on pack acting as an extra seat. I hooked my legs around his like I did earlier, and we set off down the path.

The night was a bit cooler than I expected from the rain, but he and Mona radiated heat. I told him about the others and how they avoided the rain today, and he told me how flustered Az was when he was asked to check on Elain. We laughed at the two’s painful shyness and secretly plotted in own our heads on how to get the two to talk more. He told me of how Cas was actually the one to point Nesta to the rocks that kept her dry and I made a mental note to question her about it on the way home tomorrow.

The trail sloped gently upwards, smooth and well-kept; no doubt part of what Rhys did to keep the park beautiful. I caught glimpses of the stars between the trees and soon we climbed high enough to where we broke out of the tree.

I gasped as the whole valley laid out in front of my, framed by the wide, night sky sparkling with millions of stars. We were so far from any light pollution that I could even see the faintest beginnings of galaxy dust weaving through the stars.

“You like it?” he asked, his voice husky and barely above a whisper.

“I can’t even begin to look at it all. I could spend years just taking in every constellation,” I whispered back.

He gave a low chuckle at my amazement. “Trust me, I’ve tried and I’m still finding new shapes up there.”

We continued to climb, the moon even brighter up here that Mona had no trouble sticking to the path. I thought that I would be more scared to trust my life to an animal, but she was steady and sure in every step.

Rhys stopped her at the top of the hill, “Here we are.”

He slipped down first and turned to help me. I balanced on the pack and swung my leg forward, careful not to hit Mona on the head. Before I was ready to dismount, I started to lean too much to my left.

Rhys saw that I was about to eat shit off his horse and reached to catch me. His right arm ended up around my shoulders and his left supported my knees.

To my eternal gratefulness and embarrassment, he only let out a small “oof” and barely even stumbled, like he caught girls falling off his horse every other day.

“Well, well, well, falling for me already, darling?” his voice brushed across my ear. I couldn’t suppress the small shiver that ran down my spine.

“Maybe,” I shot back, doing nothing to squirm out of his embrace.

He hummed his amusement and gently lowered my legs to the ground, making sure I was steady. His arm around my shoulders was slow to leave and I missed his warmth as soon as he removed it.

He moved to undo the pack from the saddle while I took in our surroundings. We were on top of one of the highest points in the park, the mountains flowing away into the distance to our right. The river and meadow from earlier were laid out in the distance, the Starfall flowers glowing white in the dim light.

There were so many of them, it looked like the whole meadow was made of moon rock, perfectly white and smooth with shadows acting as the craters. I couldn’t bring myself to look away, even when Rhys’s heat appeared at my back.

His head hooked over my shoulder, his temple resting against mine. “The Starfalls are gorgeous in the daytime, but they’re really meant to be seen at night. Not a lot of people know that.”

I had no answer for him, the beauty of the night had taken away any speech.

Then, a bit quietly, “This is my favorite spot in the park, I like to come up here alone when it’s been a long day or a particularly frustrating one. The stars always seem to know how to relax me.”

I leaned back into his frame, simply enjoying him and his warmth and the world around us. We stayed like that for a few minutes, breathing in the night air.

“This way,” he entwined our hands again, taking me to the far edge of the hill. Mona gave us the side-eye and decided to continue grazing where she was.

There was a flat expanse of rock that dropped maybe 20 feet below to where the hill flowed down into the valley. It was still warm with the days’ heat, even the rain wasn’t able to wash it away.

Rhys unfurled the pack and laid out a thick blanket, a camping pillow expanding back into its normal size.

“There’s no alcohol allowed in the park, but I did bring M&Ms and water,” he said a bit sheepishly.

I joined him on the blanket and popped some of the chocolate into my mouth, “I love M&Ms,” crunching down on them.

I could see his smile glow in the dark, almost tempting me forward. He followed suit and started to munch on the sweets with me. We sat crisscross, his shoulder pressed into mine, already becoming familiar and easy.

It was just so easy to sit there in the quiet and listen to the sounds of animals settling in for the night and the nocturnals come out.

“So, what’s your favorite constellation?” I asked him.

“Oh man, I’m going to sound really basic but it’s Orion.”

I hummed to encourage him to continue.

“When I lived in the city, you can’t really see any stars there,” a glance at me, “you know, of course.” I nodded.

“I was really obsessed with space when I was little but unable to see many constellations but Orion’s belt is super bright, so yeah, I was always able to look up and pick it out of the sky and then find Betelgeuse…” he trailed off, lost in the memories of old.

“It’s one of my favorites too,” I said softly, leaning into him more.

“What’s your absolute favorite then?”

“The swan, Cygnus. As a child, I was absolutely obsessed with Barbie Swan Lake. When I got older and listened to more classical music when I studied, Tchaikovsky was my go-to. All of his works are beautiful, but Swan Lake broke my heart every time.”

“If not for the Barbie part, you would have beat me with deepness,” he teased.

“Shut up!” I shoved his shoulder away with mine.

His laughter rang out across the valley, filling every crevasse with light and happiness even in the dark. I laughed right along with him, our shoulders shaking with renewed fits.

Eventually, we died down, occasional giggles escaping our chests. His eyes glinted in the moonlight, the silver flecks shining, making it seem like the universe was trapped in his irises. He captured my gaze, they dipped down to my lips that were still wrapped around a chuckle. I noticed his attention and the giddiness died down.

We were so close now, our warm breath tinged with chocolate mingling in the cool night air. I shivered, goosebumps raising on my exposed legs.

His violet eyes took in my every move, flitting around my face like he was trying to memorize every detail. As he watched me, I watched him. Taking in the exact shape of his slightly parted mouth and how the moonlight played along the edge of his high cheekbones.

I angled my head towards his, my eyelids dropping in a silent request. A small puff of a laugh greeted my lips before he closed the last amount of space between us.

Electricity shot down my body, urging me to bury my hands into his soft hair, the air suddenly trapped in my chest. To return the favor, he encircled one arm around my waist, his other hand grasping the back of my neck.

He swallowed my gasp, his lips bruising into mine. Not to be outdone, I leaned back and pulled him onto me. He followed me down, pressing me into the blanket and rock below, trying to close every single gap between us. His lips moved to my neck, nipping a trail up and down.

I groaned, arching into him, begging him to not stop. I could feel his grin against my neck, enjoying my request.

He found his way back to my mouth, taking in every sound I emitted. If I was cold before, there was no way I am now with him covering my body. His heat unraveled every thought in my head, his lips banished any rational thinking.

All sensation pinpointed to him and him only. The stars were forgotten as we forged a new universe between us. I nipped at his lip, my tongue traced the sweetened edge of his mouth until he yielded permission.

Deeper, harder, I asked for more and he gave all he could. The sky could have crashed down and we wouldn’t have noticed.

I came up for air, out of breath. I had messed up his hair fair beyond repair, his lips were swollen from my attentions. I’m sure I looked the same, mirror images of each other.

He brushed his mouth against my cheek, tender, sweet, after the wild nature of our kiss.

I released a small laugh, gazing up at him.

He smiled in response, “What?”

“Nothing,” I replied breathlessly, “I’m just happy that it rained today.”

His smile widened.

“Me too.”

#acotar #acomaf #acowar #acofas #sjm #sjmaas #sjm books #sjmaas books #feyre #feyre x rhysand #rhysand

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arplis · 6 years ago

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Arplis - News: Four leaf clovers, leprechauns, travellers, beer… just some of the many things that come to mind when you think of Ireland

However, the real Ireland is even more enchanting. Its landscapes are breath-taking, ranging from wild and rugged mountains to green hills and valleys. It has beautiful, historic cities, a great musical culture, fantastic pubs and most importantly, a warm, welcoming hospitable people. And yes, lots of beer. All this, and more, is what makes backpacking Ireland so amazing. Lough Tay, Dublin : gregda Jump straight to: The best time to visit Ireland Best places to visit in Ireland Travelling around Ireland Accommodation in Ireland Ireland backpacking itinerary Cost of backpacking Ireland What to eat and drink in Ireland Irish culture and people Travel advice for Ireland Best time to visit Ireland Ireland is known for its emerald green landscape, but there’s a reason for this: the weather. Ireland tends to be quite rainy all year round, however, it’s no worse than parts of England. The climate is best summed up with one word: changeable. You can really see all four seasons in one day here. The wettest months tend to be in Autumn and Winter, and the driest in the spring, but this changes year by year. So remember, there’s no such thing as bad weather – just bad preparation! Remember to bring your waterproof jacket and a jumper whenever you go, and don’t let the weather dictate your plans! There’s not that much seasonal variation in temperature either, with the summer months averaging highs of around 13-18 degrees. On the flip side, winters don’t get too cold. One thing that does vary widely, however, is the length of the days. In winter, the sun goes down around 4 pm, but in the middle of summer, it doesn’t get dark until after 10 pm, allowing you to sit out long into the evening. Ireland is pretty small, so the differences between places aren’t too drastic. It’s generally a bit rainier on the west coast, with clouds coming in from the Atlantic, as well as getting a little cooler the further north you go. Best time to visit Northern Ireland The best time to visit Northern Ireland for a backpacking trip is in late spring and early summer, when you’re likely to get the most sunshine. However, if you’re doing a short city break, you can go at any time of year, as you’re unlikely to get extreme weather. The coldest months are between late February and early March, with very little chance of snow. The driest areas are around Belfast and the eastern coast, which get significantly less rainfall than Galway, Cork and the rest of the south/west. Best time to visit Dublin Dublin’s where you’ll find the driest climate relative to the rest of Ireland. It’s also pretty mild, with winter temperatures similar to those in Southeast England. The driest months in Dublin are between February and April, but the best time to visit Dublin is in late spring, when the temperatures are a little warmer. Given that the city has plenty to see – the weather usually isn’t too much trouble anyway, as there are plenty of pubs and free museums to duck into. Best time to visit Galway The west coast, around Galway, is the wettest part of Ireland. However, it’s slightly warmer than Dublin. So, if you’re lucky, you might get some hot, sunny weather – with the isolated white-sand beaches making it worth the risk! The best time to visit Galway is probably when it’s driest, in the late spring and early summer. Best places to visit in Ireland :@iaraanddavid_travel Ireland’s landscapes are beautiful, ranging from the dramatic to the gentle. Each of its national parks have their own unique character and can be just as breath-taking as more well-known destinations (if a bit rainier!) Apart from Dublin, its cities are relatively small, but are full of life, easily walkable, and have a rich history. To help you choose where to spend your time we’ve listed some of the best places to visit in Ireland including the most scenic places the country has to offer, as well as the best cities in Ireland to visit: Scenic spots: Mount Errigal and Dunlewy Lough, County Donegal As you approach the Derryveagh mountains, all you see are dark shadows on the horizon. Before you know it, you are amongst them, with the long, unfenced road winding through the valleys. Drive far enough and you’ll come to Dunlewy Lough, which sits down in a quiet valley, cut off from the outside world. Rising above its shores is Errigal, the highest mountain in Donegal, and one of the best hikes in Ireland. However, the steep, rocky slopes means the route can be challenging. If you’d prefer something a little more gentle, you can also take a walk down around the lake. This will take you a forest in which you’ll find a hidden world covered bright purple flowers and almost luminous green mosses. You’ll also pass an abandoned church, where you can sit and look out over the water! Find hostels in Donegal Glencolumbkille and Malin Beg, County Donegal Glencolumbkille sits on a stretch of coast Donegal’s southwestern corner. As you travel round the cliffs, you’ll be greeted with the spectacular sight of grey, stony headlands and jagged rocks being pounded by the mighty waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Eventually, you’ll reach the beautiful white sand beach of Silver Strand: a serene, isolated cove, hidden beneath the steep cliffs. Just behind Glencolumbkille are the Slieve League (Sliabh Liag) cliffs, some of the highest sea cliffs in Ireland. Here, a jagged mountainside plunges straight down into the ocean. The colossal scale of this is difficult to capture in any photograph: really huge waves end up looking like tiny ripples. If you want to explore, there are great hikes in the area, including the so-called “One Man’s Path” a narrow, rocky trail with sheer drops on either side. Just be careful, this should not be attempted if you’re not an experienced hiker – even if it is a great place for getting that perfect Instagram shot! Find hostels in Donegal Wicklow Mountains, County Wicklow The northern edge of this national park can be reached by taking a €3.30 local bus service from Dublin to Enniskerry, meaning it’s ideal if you want to escape the city for a while. If you’re really keen, you can hike along the so-called “Wicklow Way,” a 130 km interlinked network of roads and paths stretching all the way down through the county. If you don’t feel up to that, you can simply wander along the trail for as long as you like, through fields and glades filled with ferns, wildflowers and shamrocks. One great walk, which takes about an hour each way, is from Knockree hostel to Powerscourt Waterfall, the highest in Ireland. Seeing it this way also allows you to avoid paying the entry fee! Find hostels in Wicklow Copper Coast, County Waterford If you want a day by the sea, some ice cream or fish and chips, head on down to the scenic little harbour town of Dunmore East. It’s an hour away from Waterford city by bike, or 20 or so minutes by car or bus. The little sheltered cove is gorgeous, with golden sand and deep blue water, overlooked by cliffs on both sides. If you don’t feel like getting your feet wet, sit outside at the Strand Inn, which overlooks the beach, looking out towards Hook Head and its famous lighthouse. From Dunmore, you can head around the coastline along the so-called “Copper Coast”, which has been designated an UNESCO Geopark. Even if you’re not a geologist, it’s easy to appreciate the beautiful cliffs and seaside villages, such as Stradbally and Tramore, which literally means “big strand”. Here you’ll find a 5 km stretch of golden sand where you can hire surfboards, fish, or go sea kayaking. Find hostels in Waterford Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry With sea on three sides and towering green mountains behind, the Dingle peninsula is a spectacular setting for a drive by the sea. We’d recommend you stop off at Inch Beach, a spit of sand that juts out into the bay for miles, with towering dunes full of wildflowers. On the right side, you can see the Dingle Peninsula, to the left the golden shores of the Iveragh Peninsula. From Inch Beach, you can head along the coastal roads to the colourful little harbour town of Dingle. But, if you’ve got a little time, it’s worth taking a minor detour down to Minard Castle. The roads are a bit narrow and windy, but it’s definitely worth it. You’ll not only be rewarded with the sight of a medieval stone tower, but also a quiet little beach with a clear mountain stream flowing into the bay. From the colourful town of Dingle, you can head up towards Conor Pass along Spa Road, which snakes away out of sight, tightly hugging the undulating landscape. If you look hard on a clear day, you can even see the rocky pyramid-shaped Skellig Islands jutting out of the sea. If they look familiar, perhaps that’s because they were used as a location in the new Star Wars films! Find hostels in Dingle Killarney National Park, County Kerry Killarney National Park :@cochou33 Killarney, is home to one of Ireland’s most beautiful national parks, and its tallest peak, Carrauntoohil. It’s hardly surprising then, that you’ll find some of the best hikes in Ireland here. In fact, the “Kerry Way” signposted route runs through the county, for over 200 km, taking experienced hikers eight days or more to conquer. However, you don’t have to be a seasoned hiker to enjoy the trail – you can always walk along one of its 20 sections. There’s a walking loop starting in Killarney, which takes in the Victorian stately home, a ruined monastery and old traditional farms. Nearby you’ll find Torc waterfall, which crashes down into a little pool, creating a surrounding mist. If you continue up the steps past the waterfall, you’ll be rewarded with amazing views of Killarney’s three lakes. For a break while you’re driving or hiking round the national park, there’s no better place than The Strawberry Field Pancake Cottage. Renowned for its delicious pancakes, the café rests within Killarney’s isolated countryside. Afterwards, you can head on up to the Gap of Dunloe, a narrow valley, with steep, high sides. It feels incredibly isolated and cut-off, almost like going through a tunnel. Look one way and you’ll see the valley and lakes of Killarney open up in front of you, look back and you see the mountains closing in on each other. Find hostels in Killarney Strawberry Field Pancake Cottage :@iaraanddavid_travel Aran Islands, County Galway The Aran Islands are three, isolated rocky pieces of land lying between the edge of Galway Bay and the North Atlantic. They’re pretty inhospitable and rugged, battered by the waves and winds, making the place feel like it’s at the edge of the world. The historic isolation of the islanders means that many of them speak Irish as a native language. In fact, we heard it being spoken on the Ferry, and by locals in the local pub. To get there, you can book a ferry and bus transfer from Galway, or from Doolin, in County Clare. The two smaller islands, Inisheer (Inis Oír), and Inishmaan (Inis Meáin), are a little less touristed and easier to get around. However, if you’re visiting Inishmore (Inis Mór), the largest island, it’s a good idea to go for a whole day, as there’s a lot to see. It’s still only 14 km (8.7 miles) long: meaning that the best way to get around is renting a bike. Head around the coast and there’s a spot where, if you look hard enough, you can spot the silvery heads of seals bobbing up and down on the water. Continue a little further around the coast and you’ll stumble upon Kilmurvey beach, where the sands are a pristine, dazzling shade of white. The island is also home to a handful of prehistoric stone forts, with the most well-known being Dún Aonghasa. However, if you don’t want to pay, it’s perhaps better to head to Dún Eochla, which perhaps even more impressive in scale. These historical sights blend in with its natural wonders, such as Poll na Bpeist or “the wormhole”. This natural, perfectly rectangular pool sits atop a bare, rocky clifftop. As calm as it seems, diving into the pool is strongly advised against. Sometimes, the drop down to the water can be about 15 metres, with waves crashing over the clifftops and draining down into the pool. Find hostels in Aran Islands Connemara, County Galway Connemara is another national park, in the west of the country, but it differs a lot to the others. The Wicklow mountains are characterised by rolling valleys and forests, whereas Killarney has huge lakes and dramatic rocky mountains. Connemara national park, on the other hand, feature huge, rounded hills that are curved like a camel’s hump. The roads wind through the misty valleys as you approach the park’s visitor centre, about an hour and a half away from Galway. From here, there are several well-marked walking and hiking routes, each for different abilities. The toughest one leads to the summit of Diamond Hill, going over boardwalk, and rocky slopes, with views of the sea on three sides and golden beaches in the distance. When you reach the summit, you can see all the way down to the Victorian grandeur of Kylemore Abbey. Kylemore Abbey is a huge 19th century “castle” – but it’s the setting that really sets it apart. Unlike other, similar places, it is set against the backdrop of a steep mountain slope, with a serene lake stretching out in front. However, the main highlight is provided by the gardens. The manicured flowerbeds contrast beautifully with the surrounding wilderness and the kitchen gardens are full of juicy redcurrants, blackcurrants and raspberries. Find hostels in Connemara North coast of Northern Ireland, County Antrim and County Derry/Londonderry The north coast is probably the one of the most well-known and best places to visit in Northern Ireland. It’s known for its white sandy beaches, green fields and of course, the Giant’s Causeway. More recently, it’s gained fame as one of the locations for the acclaimed fantasy series, Game of Thrones. These Game of Thrones locations are worth seeing for the sake of their wild beauty, even if you’re not a fantasy fan. One such place is Ballintoy harbour, a tiny cove at the bottom of a single-track winding road, full of little fishing boats. Another recommended stop is at the Dark Hedges, otherwise known as the “King’s Road”, where ancient trees curve and twist to form an eerie tunnel. If you want a little adventure, and are a fan of wildlife, catch the boat from Ballycastle to Rathlin Island. During the late spring and summer months, it’s home to a huge colony of birds who nest on its high cliffs, including cute little puffins! If you’re lucky, you’ll also get to see seals relaxing around the harbour. For something a little more daring, head to the notorious Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, where you can test your mettle by walking across a vertical drop above the rough, churning waves. If you’d rather just relax, there’s always the White Rocks beach, near Portrush, with its golden sands and dazzling white limestone cliffs. The most famous sight around here, the Giant’s Causeway, is also worth seeing. Layers upon layers of hexagonal columns rise up out of the ocean, looking as if they were fashioned by a giant’s hand. the best part is probably the walk, which takes you over the cliffs, giving you a spectacular bird’s eye view. And for those in need of a little refreshment after a tiring day outdoors, the Old Bushmills Distillery is just a few miles away. Founded in 1608, it’s also the oldest continually-operating distillery in the world. Find hostels in Derry Mourne Mountains, County Down This is where you’ll find Northern Ireland’s biggest mountain, Slieve Donard. You can reach it without a car, by taking a bus from Belfast to the seaside town of Newcastle. The route is quite easy to follow, but requires hiking shoes, as it can be a bit muddy in places. The views from the summit, however, are gorgeous, looking out for miles out over the coast. If you’d prefer to do something more gentle, you can also hike to a viewpoint part of the way up the mountain, or just walk along the beautiful seafront promenade with an ice cream. Those people renting a car should also consider visiting the Silent Valley Reservoir. This huge artificial lake supplies the entire population of Belfast and is hidden away in the narrow space between the mountain slopes. It’s a beautiful and secluded location to sit, relax, or take a walk around. Dublin Temple Bar, Dublin :@diogopalhais If you ask anyone who’s visited Ireland about the best places to see, the Republic of Ireland’s capital is always high on the list. There’s s a lot to see, a lot to do, as well as a lot of visitors! The historical centre is packed to the brim with beautiful buildings and parks, many of which are free. Free attractions in Dublin: Parks: Stephen’s Green: this 17th century square is filled with trees, ponds and sculptures, and was one of the spots held by the rebels during the 1916 Easter Rising. Merrion Square: another park in a city square, which is home to a famous statue of Oscar Wilde. Phoenix Park: this is the largest urban park in Europe, and home to a herd of deer! Áras an Uachtaráin, the official residence of the President of Ireland is located here, and on Saturdays, you can even book a free guided tour! Museums and Galleries: As Ireland’s capital, Dublin is home to many of Ireland’s best public museums and galleries, many of which are free to explore, so take advantage of this! Chester Beattie Library: housed in Dublin Castle, this museum displays beautiful and rare manuscripts from places such as East Asia, the Middle East and North America. Irish Museum of Modern Art: situated in a former hospital, this place has six multi-roomed exhibits, which are constantly changing. National Gallery of Ireland: this fascinating gallery includes medieval, renaissance and modern works, including those of renowned local artists. National Museum of Ireland: this is not really one museum, but four, with three of them located in Dublin – specialising in Archaeology, Natural History and Decorative Arts. Given its history full of literature, scholarship, conflict and revolution: Dublin is fascinating just to wander around. So, take advantage of a free walking tour, or explore these historical sites for yourself: Statues of O’Connell Street: this busy shopping street is full of statues of famous Irish revolutionaries, labour leaders, parliamentarians and reformers, including Daniel O’Connell, after whom it is named. GPO (General Post Office): this imposing stone building was the main headquarters of those taking part in the Easter rising, an armed insurrection that aimed to create an independent Irish Republic. There is a paid exhibition inside, but you can still visit the post office itself, which has beautiful floors and an ornate ceiling. Trinity College Grounds: you have to pay a steep charge to visit its historical library, which contains the precious medieval manuscript “the Book of Kells”. However, the grounds themselves are free to enter. Famine Memorial: this tribute to the millions of people who died and emigrated during the potato famine of 1845-1849, shows emaciated figures trekking along to the port of Dublin in search of a new life abroad (though many died during their journey). Glasnevin cemetery: this is the resting place for many famous Irish figures, including the musician Luke Kelly, of the Dubliners, and the writer Brendan Behan. One paid attraction that is worth seeing is Kilmainham Gaol. This cold, grey stone building, located in a quiet suburb, has witnessed many key events in Irish history, including five rebellions. It is where the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were held and then executed. It has held prisoners from the subsequent Irish War of Independence and Irish Civil War. Perhaps the most shocking fact, however, is how some victims of the famine committed crimes simply to be held here and have a roof over their heads. Going out in Dublin can feel overwhelming, with hordes of tourists flocking into the iconic pubs of the Temple Bar area, which gets extremely crowded and quite rowdy. In terms of iconic bars, O’Donoghue’s near Merrion Square is a good bet. This spot has live music every night and is where the trad band “The Dubliners” started out. Although it’s packed with tourists, the crowd is generally less rowdy. Also worth a visit is the Brazen Head, which claims to be Ireland’s oldest pub, dating back to 1198. For somewhere a bit more off the beaten track, head north of the river to the area of Stoneybatter, where you’ll find great pubs and cocktail bars, full of locals. We arrived in the middle of the “Stoneybatter Festival” which takes place in June each year. The events even included Wuffstock, a fancy-dress parade for dogs and their owners! Find out more about all the free things to do in Dublin in our guide. Find hostels in Dublin Kilkenny Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny :@kmitchhodge Kilkenny, although compact, is worth visiting. Hundreds of years of history is packed into two adjoining streets, known as the Medieval Mile, which stretches from the cathedral at one end and the castle at the other. The space in between is teeming with history: from the Tudor Roche House to the Black Abbey. It’s not all grey, medieval stone though, the town is like a picture postcard snapshot of Ireland – with colourful pubs, restaurants and cafes on cobbled streets. As well as being a medieval town, Kilkenny is known as being the birthplace of Smithwicks (pronounced Smith-icks), probably the second most well-known Irish beer (after Guinness). You can still visit the old brewery today, where you’ll get the chance taste the beer at different stages of the brewing process and smell the different types of hops used. This will give you all you need to bluff with even the most seasoned of craft beer snobs! Even if you’re not all that interested in this boozy barley beverage, the tour is fascinating simply from a historical point of view: it’s built on the ruins of an abbey that brewed beer until it was closed down by King Henry VIII. In the end, you’ll get the chance to sample a pint, with three different varieties on offer! In the same way as with its historical sights, Kilkenny’s nightlife packs a big punch for its size, with over 15 bars and pubs within 10-15 minutes’ walk of one-another. It’s a historic town, so there are tourists, but it’s nowhere near as crowded as central Dublin. Plus, if you’re more of a fan of tea and coffee than beer, don’t fret! Kilkenny has some cute little cafes, including Cakeface patisserie, which serves up delicious baked treats. Find hostels in Kilkenny Waterford Waterford :@yaboicarl Waterford is one of Ireland’s oldest cities, dating back to Viking times. The traces of this history are most evident in the old part of the city, the so-called “Viking Triangle”. In fact, there are six medieval towers scattered around. If it’s a rainy day, why not visit the “Museum of Treasures”? This is actually made up of three separate buildings, each within 3 minutes’ walk of each other: the Viking-built Reginald’s tower, the Medieval Museum and the Bishop’s Palace. The city itself is incredibly pretty, its main street extending along a stretch of river for about a kilometre and a half. This creates a dazzling effect as the lights from bars, restaurants, and shops are reflected in the water. Step back from here, and you’ll end up on bustling pedestrian streets full of little squares, coffee shops and boutiques. Given that it’s a relatively small city and not as much of a tourist hotspot as Dublin, it’s easy to wander from one place to the other without getting lost. We’d recommend a little bar called ‘An Uisce Beatha’, the Irish name for whisky literally translating as “water of life”. This pub hosts a lively, youthful crowd, with free music on most nights. Find hostels in Waterford Cork Cork :@yvesalarie Cork is the Republic of Ireland’s second city, but sees less travellers than Dublin and Galway. However, it really shouldn’t, as it’s absolutely full of life, music and history! Also just outside Cork is Blarney castle, one of the most famous attractions in all of Ireland. It’s a very touristy spot, and entrance costs between €14 and €18 (with online discounts available). Although this may seem like a lot, the castle’s gardens are huge and there’s a lot to see – in fact, you could spend the whole day exploring. The beautiful grounds contain a garden of poisonous plants, a glade filled with huge ferns and a waterfall, as well as a dungeon, where you can crawl through medieval stone passages on your hands and knees. In the high season, queues for the castle can be huge, but you can avoid this by going on a weekday. Once you get to the top, you can admire the views, and kiss the legendary Blarney stone, which is said to bless you with the gift of the gab. The whole thing might seem like a bit of a silly tourist ritual, but it’s impossible not to get caught up in the atmosphere of the whole thing! Cork itself is great for going out, with music around every corner and streets full of people. In the Victorian Quarter there’s Sin É, which serves a huge selection of whiskies, gins and beers, as well as having a traditional music session every night. If you want to listen to something a bit different, head down to the Crane Lane Theatre. This consists of three different bars, each with different things going on, as well as the theatre itself. There you can see free gigs (everything from jazz to reggae), DJ nights, and even take a dance lesson. Oh, and if you’re looking for a caffeine rather than alcohol-based pick-me-up, head to Three Fools’ Coffee or Cork Coffee Roasters. Budget travellers looking for something to do can take a wander around the Campus of University College Cork. Here, you can enjoy the parkland, visit the exhibitions at the Glucksman Institute, and admire the beautiful stained-glass windows of the Great Hall, all without spending a cent. The English Market is also free to enter, but you’ll probably end up spending something! It’s situated in a building that dates back to 1786 and is full of stalls selling fresh meat, fish, vegetables and fresh local baked goods, as well as arts and crafts. There’s even a brightly coloured fountain filled with models of birds! For something quirky to do, head to the Butter Museum: Cork used to be a centre of the huge Irish butter business, and even had its own Butter Exchange (like a Wall Street for butter). Just around the corner, you will see (or hear) Shandon Church. Here you can pay to climb the tower and have a go at ringing the bells yourself. A little less imposing is Shandon Sweets, a cute family run factory and shop, where you can enjoy some locally-made sugary goodness. Find hostels in Cork Galway Galway, Ireland :@mymytudoan Galway is smaller than Dublin, Belfast and Cork – but is very lively (perhaps, in part, due to its high student population). You can see this in the Latin Quarter – home to many medieval buildings and filled with narrow, cobbled streets onto which partygoers pour onto to at night to enjoy a drink in the open air. We went to the Quays bar, which blasted out cheesy indie and pop hits all night long. We also ended up in a great rock bar called Sally Long’s, after which we headed to the west end to hear some traditional music at the Crane Bar. There was a trad music session in the upstairs room, with everyone crowded around, sitting on stools, listening attentively to around 8 musicians on fiddle, tin whistle, flute and mandolin. The historic Latin Quarter is also great for exploring during the day, and as you head further down the river, you’ll find another historical landmark, the Spanish Arch. This stone gateway, built in 1584, is connected to the remains of the city walls, and used to house the soldiers who manned the battlements. On the other side of this is the Galway City Museum, which is free to enter, and will give you an insight into what Galway looked like in medieval times. It also houses a full-size “Galway Hooker”: a sailboat designed to withstand the harsh North Atlantic weather. Although Galway’s medieval buildings date back hundreds of years, the cathedral was only built in the 50s and 60s. It looks much older, but it’s actually the last great stone cathedral to be built in Europe. It’s worth visiting to admire the artwork underneath the dome, consisting of angels and stars set against an emerald green background. Another thing that’s great about Galway is that if it’s a sunny day, and you don’t feel tramping around the streets or standing indoors, you can easily just head out to the area of Salthill. This is just 20 minutes’ walk from Eyre Square, past the west end and has some beautiful beaches, as well as a diving platform where you take the plunge into the not-so-tropical water of Galway Bay. Find hostels in Galway Belfast Belfast :@kaelihearn The island’s other capital city, Belfast, is very different to Dublin. It’s a much younger city and is perhaps less “classically beautiful”. However, it’s emerged from its turbulent past to become a great destination and has somewhat of an alternative feel in places. It’s also cheaper for going out than in a lot of cities in the Republic, with a great bar and restaurant scene. In terms of sights, you’ll be spoilt for choice. A lot of hostels are located around the university, which is made up of beautiful redbrick buildings. Just around the corner, you’ll be able to see the Botanical Gardens, with its ornate Victorian greenhouse, as well as the Ulster Museum. Alternatively, you can visit the exhibitions at the City Hall, and take a tour of this spectacular building, which is full of marble floors and columns, stained glass windows and chandeliers. Best of all, every one of these attractions are completely free! One of Belfast’s biggest draws in recent years has been the Titanic Museum, a huge shining metal structure, as high as the ship itself, where you can find interactive exhibitions and even a ride guiding you through the history of the shipyards. It may seem quite pricey, but the ticket also includes entrance to the Nomadic, a boat that brought passengers to the Titanic at Cherbourg, France. If you want to go out somewhere that’s cheap and student friendly, the area around the University and the Dublin Road is a good bet. However, for something slightly more upmarket, the Cathedral Quarter is the place to go. Here you can find “the Harp Bar”, which is all red velvet seats and fancy decorations, or the Dirty Onion, which has an outdoor terrace in a ruined building. There are also cultural venues, such as the MAC and Black Box, which host art exhibitions, theatrical performances and films. Still, if you’d prefer something a little more alternative, it’s just a short walk to the Sunflower Bar, which hosts musical events ranging from ukulele sessions to bluegrass music, and attracts a young, progressive, activist crowd. Find hostels in Belfast Derry/Londonderry Londonderry : @kmitchhodge Northern Ireland’s second city is definitely worth a stop, not least because it’s the only fully-intact walled city in all of Ireland. You can still walk round the top of the walls, free of charge, look down over the rest of the city. Within the walls themselves, you’ll find the “Tower Museum”, which takes you through the city’s eventful history, from prehistoric times to the sectarian violence that plagued the city from the 1960s to the 1990s. It’s not all dark and depressing though: you’ll also hear about the city’s cultural heritage, including the band “The Undertones”, who penned the song “Teenage Kicks”. The history of the Derry/Londonderry, is very contested, all the way down to the city’s name. It should come as no surprise then, that it has witnessed key events for people on both sides of the Unionist/Nationalist divide. The city saw historic civil rights marches in the 1960s and early 1970s. The predominantly nationalist “Bogside” also witnessed clashes between police and the local residents, as well as the incident known as “Bloody Sunday”. It’s in the Bogside that you’ll find the Free Derry Museum (which shares its name with a famous mural), a place that recounts the story of this conflict. On the other side there is the Siege Museum, which focuses on 17th century siege during which the Protestants of Derry/Londonderry held out against an army led by the Catholic King James. However, there’s more to the city than the dark days of its past, with plenty of cheery, and good value bars and restaurants. One such place is Sandino’s, which is full of posters and memorabilia supporting various progressive causes, and often hosts great live music events. You can also pose with one of the city’s newest murals, a painting of the stars of Derry Girls, a hit comedy series set in the city! Find hostels in Derry/Londonderry Travelling around Ireland :@iaraanddavid_travel Unfortunately, in Ireland, the public transport network isn’t as extensive or developed as in other western European countries. However, both buses and trains are relatively affordable, making backpacking on a budget in Ireland easy. There are easy links between a lot of the major towns and cities. But when it comes to more rural spots, provision can be a bit lacking. Trains in Ireland are modern, comfortable and usually punctual, with good links on the east coast and to Galway. The prices here are reasonable too: an advance ticket between Dublin and Kilkenny can cost as little as €14, with extra discounts available for students. But there’s no direct line from Waterford to Cork, which makes a round trip by train difficult. Travelling by train also needs planning, as they often don’t run as regularly as buses or coaches. In the west of Ireland, train links are much less developed, and although it’s easy to reach Galway, heading north through the scenic counties of Sligo and Mayo requires a lot of changeovers. It’s even harder to navigate the scenic and isolated county of Donegal, where there are no train connections at all. Indeed, in the past, many rural train stations were shut down in favour of a (short-sighted) transport policy favouring cars. On the other hand, some of these former lines, such as the “Waterford Greenway”, have been repurposed as cycle and walking paths – allowing you to explore the countryside away from the roads. Trains in Northern Ireland are pretty lacking too, and many places in the southwest, such as the beautiful Lakeland county of Fermanagh, have no railway lines at all. Luckily for tourists, in addition to the line from Belfast to Dublin, there’s one that stretches north, linking Belfast to towns on the scenic Causeway coast, such as Portrush and Castlerock. This same line then heads west alongside the sea and finishes in the city of Derry/Londonderry, with the last stretch of the journey overlooking the sea. One of the easiest ways to get to places is travelling around Ireland by bus. A lot of the services, especially those between more major towns and cities, are comfortable and modern, and have lots of luggage space, as well as occasional internet access. These usually run more regularly than trains and are often just as quick. They also have routes between cities where trains do not, and if you’re travelling up the west coast without a car, buses are a lifesaver. They can reach beautiful rural areas and isolated counties such as Donegal where trains do not. In addition, local bus services will allow you travel to tourist attractions just outside cities. From Dublin, you can catch a bus to Enniskerry and explore the Wicklow Mountains, from Cork, you can head out to the colourful little fishing village of Kinsale. There are a lot of isolated sights in Ireland that can’t easily be reached by bus or train, and require you to take an organised tour. Some of these go directly from the hostels, and are pretty good value. Another alternative is travelling around Ireland by car for the ultimate Ireland road trip! This will allow you to see ruined churches, abbeys and abandoned stone cottages, as well as letting you stop to get out and appreciate the landscape: something you’ll want to do every five minutes or so! Just be aware that the roads in some rural areas are full of cracks, are narrow, and sometimes even have sheep wandering across them. Accommodation in Ireland Gardiner House Hostel, Dublin Ireland is a popular place for backpackers, meaning that there’s a wide range of hostels and budget accommodation. Hostels in cities such as Dublin and Galway tend to be bigger, with more going on, but can be quite busy. In the countryside, or smaller towns, such as Kilkenny, you can find cute little places with just a handful of rooms, where it’s easy to get to know other guests! Hostels in Dublin and Galway are significantly more expensive than other places, with prices soaring on the weekends. However, nightly rates in Dublin can more than double to over €50, the price of a weekend room in Galway is more reasonable at around €30. Strangely, the same is not true of Cork, where prices remain pretty steady. Where you stay in Dublin depends a lot on what you want to do. Gardiner House Hostel is about 20 minutes’ walk from the city centre, allowing you to avoid the noisiness of the city centre. Another great spot, Abigail’s Hostel, is right in the middle of Temple Bar, hosting nightly pub crawls and surrounded by lively pubs, bars and clubs. There are also a couple of places that are a little closer to the city, but in the quieter areas, such as the Four Courts Hostel. All these places have facilities including storage lockers and fully-equipped kitchens, as well as providing a free breakfast and wifi. There’s also plenty of choice when it comes to hostels in Galway, with almost all of them being rated above an 8 on the Hostelworld website. Sleepzone is good if you want somewhere central at a reasonable price: it’s five minutes from Kinlay Square Centre, most of the dorms are ensuites and there’s a fantastic kitchen, TV room and outdoor terrace. Kinlay Eyre Square Hostel, which is just around the corner, is another good choice. But if you want something a little quieter and still within walking distance of the city, you can stay at Nest Boutique Hostel, located right beside the beaches of Salthill. Hostels in Cork are pretty few and far between, with the choice essentially coming down to Kinlay House Cork and Bru Bar & Hostel. Both are located at the northern end of the city centre, close to sights such as the Shandon Bells and the Butter Museum. Both also offer free Wifi and free breakfast. Bru Bar & Hostel, as you might guess from the name, it has its own bar with discounts available for guests! But if you want to relax, go for Kinlay House, you can get access to the pool and gym next door (which includes a jacuzzi and steam room) for €5. Some of the best hostels we stayed in on our trip were in rural areas, where you can find small, cosy places that feel more like guesthouses. One of those places is Tom’s Cottage, an eco-friendly hostel that’s a 15-minute drive from Waterford. Apart from a couple of houses across the road, there’s nothing but green fields all around, making it the perfect place to relax and recharge. Tom, who runs the hostel, is an incredibly friendly guy, often even inviting guests to hear him play in an Irish trad music band at the local pub. Global Village, Belfast When it comes to city hostels, Belfast is really good value. Global Village, Vagabonds and Botanical Backpackers are all rated at 9 or above on Hostelworld. They’re also located in the youthful Queen’s Quarter, nearby Queen’s University Belfast. You can get a bed from about £14 and all of them offer free breakfast, WiFi and a common room to relax and hang out in. There are also plenty of hostels in the towns and villages in the north coast. Bushmills Youth Hostel is perfectly situated, just 5 minutes’ walk from the Old Bushmills Distillery and a short bus ride from the Giant’s Causeway. The village itself also has plenty of pubs, restaurants and cafés. If you don’t mind being a little more isolated, the Sheep Island View hostel in the village of Ballintoy is a good shout. Its picturesque location overlooks the sea and cliffs, and is only a short walk from a cute little harbour and beach. Outside Belfast and the north coast, there aren’t so many options when it comes to hostels in Northern Ireland. While there’s not many dorms in Derry/Londonderry, Hostel Connect is great value and fantastically located, with beds for as little as £17.30 (€19.26). Compare all hostels in Ireland Ireland Backpacking Itinerary Connemara National Park :@benorloff There are endless things to see and explore in Ireland, and you could spend years without having discovered all that it has to offer. However, this being the real world, most people don’t have that much time or money. So, to help you, we’ve put together a few rough travel itineraries. Given how different every backpacker is, we’ve tried to make this relatively flexible. Just bear in mind that it’s not exhaustive and you may want to skip certain places or choose to discover somewhere else entirely. We’ll start with a simple Ireland itinerary, for 7 days long, as many backpackers won’t have much more time than that. Lack of time shouldn’t put you off though, as there’s plenty you can see if you manage it right. Day 1: Dublin This is where you’ll most likely be arriving into, whether by boat or by plane. Depending on the amount of time you have, you can explore some of the free museums, or Phoenix Park (which doesn’t close, meaning you can go and visit later in the evening to save some time). Day 2: Kilkenny The journey here from Dublin is less than two hours by bus or train. This means you’ll have time to explore the medieval sights of the city, whether it’s the castle, cathedral or abbey! If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, you can always pop into the brewery. Day 3: Waterford Again, this Viking city is a short hop by bus or train from Kilkenny. You can either wander around and take in these sights for yourself, take a city tour, or visit one of the city’s museums. If you’re more of a sporty type, you can head out along the Waterford Greenway cycle route! Day 4: Cork The easiest way to get here from Waterford is by bus, as the train takes a long and complicated route. Once you’re here, you can head out on a local bus to Blarney to explore the castle and gardens. Or you can choose to stay in the city and ring the bells of Shandon at St. Anne’s Church, as well as visiting the Butter Museum, university campus and English Market. Day 5: Galway The bus journey from Cork to Galway takes a little longer, at around two and a half hours. But this will still allow you to explore some of the main sights, such as the Cathedral and Spanish Arch, as well as enjoying the local nightlife. Day 6: Galway day trip Galway is a good base for exploring some of the most scenic areas in Ireland. From here, you can take a day trip out to Connemara National Park, or to the Aran Islands. Those of you who have a car can always spend a night in Connemara if you want! Day 7: Dublin From Galway you can take a bus or train straight back to Dublin. Spend your afternoon exploring more of the free museums and galleries, wandering around the city centre parks, or heading out to Kilmainham Gaol. If you’ve got a car, and enjoy the outdoors, you can easily do a day trip out to the Wicklow Mountains instead of spending a second day in Dublin (or skip a destination and go to Killarney national park instead). If you’d rather explore the big city more, you can even catch the bus or train from Cork straight back to Dublin. It’s all up to you! Even though it’s a small island, for an Ireland itinerary, 14 days isn’t that long. Given that lack of public transport in some places makes things complicated, the guide below sets out separate routes for travelling with and without a car, giving you some alternatives if you want to alter your journey a bit. :@iaraanddavid_travel By public transport Day 1: Dublin (See section above) Day 2: Kilkenny (See section above) Day 3: Waterford (See section above) Day 4: Cork (See section above) Day 5: Killarney Take a day trip out through the National Park by bus, a boat trip around the lakes, or visit Ross Castle, which is just a short walk away! Day 6: Killarney Take a trip out to see the gorgeous Dingle peninsula, and maybe even go whale watching. Day 7: Cork Use your second day in Cork to explore some of the sights of the city, or head out to Blarney, whichever you missed the first-time round! Day 8: Galway (See section above) Day 9: Galway day trip (See section above) Day 10: Dublin (see section above) Days 11-14 Option 1: you can take the bus to Letterkenny, in County Donegal, basing yourself there for two or three nights. You can then take day trips out to places such as Errigal, Slieve League or the Inishowen Peninsula, before heading back to Dublin for another night before you get your flight. Option 2: you can get the train or bus up to Belfast, stay there a night or two, then head up to the north coast for a night. After this you can head back to Belfast and then to Dublin (if you’re flying home from there). Option 3: if you don’t want to go that far, you can simply go hiking in the Wicklow mountains, and take some extra time to explore Dublin’s many sights. By car Day 1: Kilkenny Head straight from the airport to this beautiful medieval town. Day 2: Waterford (See above) Day 3: Cork Use the drive from Cork to see some of the breathtaking Copper Coast, and maybe visit some scenic villages along the way. Day 4: Cork (See section above) Day 5: Killarney Check in and then head off to explore the beautiful Dingle peninsula, stopping off at the beach if it’s a sunny day. Day 6: Killarney Take a trip around the Ring of Kerry road to see some stunning landscapes, or park up somewhere in the national park to do a hike. It’s also worth making a slight diversion to see the Gap of Dunloe. Day 7: Galway Head to Galway, perhaps stopping off at the famous “Cliffs of Moher” along the way. Use the rest of the day to explore the town and its sights! Day 8: Galway You can use this day to see the Aran Islands, either driving or taking the bus to the ferry terminal. Day 9: Connemara Head out to Connemara and explore the unique mountains. You can take the Connemara Loop route (see below), go hiking, or even do some water sports on Killary Fjord. Days 10-12: Option 1: take the car up the West Coast, along the Wild Atlantic Way (see below) to Donegal. There you can visit the cliffs of Slieve League and nearby beaches, then head on up to the Derryveagh Mountains and Glenveagh National Park. You can spend the third day exploring more of Donegal or visit Derry/Londonderry, just over the border. Option 2: take the car up to Belfast and then spend a couple of days exploring the north coast or go to Derry/Londonderry. Option 3: head to the Wicklow mountains, and spend a couple of days hiking and exploring, before heading back to Dublin. You can even go back to the city a day earlier, if you want more of a chance to see all its sights properly. Once you get back to Dublin, you can return your rental car and spend the next couple of days exploring the city. Day 13: Dublin (See above) Day 14: Dublin (See above) Given its small size, it’s pretty easy to put together a Northern Ireland itinerary. However, if you’d like to visit the west of Northern Ireland as well, transport can be a bit of an issue. To help with this, I’ve put together one itinerary for those with a car, and one for those without a car. Without a car Day 1: Belfast Here you can spend the day exploring the free attractions around the University, including the museum and botanical gardens. Afterwards, why not go out to explore some of the pubs and coffee shops around the Cathedral Quarter? Here, you can find out what exhibitions and events are going on at the MAC or Black Box. Day 2: north coast In the morning, take the train to Coleraine. Then, take the train to Portrush, where you can go to the beach, go surfing, or just enjoy an ice cream by the sea. Alternatively, you can head to Bushmills, from where you can take the bus or walk to the Giant’s Causeway, and take a tour of the whiskey distillery. Day 3: north coast You can take the bus from either Portrush or Bushmills to Ballycastle, from where you can head off to see the wildlife of Rathlin Island. Another option is to go to Ballintoy harbour, which (as mentioned above) was a filming location for Game of Thrones. Day 4: Derry/Londonderry Take the bus from Bushmills or train from Portrush to Coleraine. From there, you can take the train to Derry/Londonderry. You can explore the city walls, cathedral, Guildhall and museums, and have a night out if you’re feeling like it. Day 5: Belfast On returning to Belfast you can visit the Titanic Experience museum, as well as taking a tour of the City Hall. Day 6: head home or take a day trip to the Mournes. From there, you can head home, or if you want to explore a bit more, take the bus down to Newcastle. You can even walk from the town to the peak of Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland’s highest mountain. With a car Day 1: north coast Drive from the airport in Belfast up to a hostel in Bushmills or Portrush. On the way you can visit various scenic spots, some of which have been in the TV series “Game of Thrones”, such as the Dark Hedges and Ballintoy harbour. Later on, you can visit the Giant’s Causeway, and then, if you’re staying in Bushmills, make a stop at the legendary distillery. You can also take the beautifully scenic Antrim coast road (see below) – a scenic, but indirect route. Day 2: north coast On your second day, you can visit the seaside town of Portrush, and go for a surfing lesson, or just enjoy a day by the sea. You can also get the ferry from Ballycastle to go and enjoy the wildlife there. Day 3: Derry/Londonderry (See above) Day 4: Option 1: head back to Belfast for a couple of days, and see some of the things you missed. Option 2: go and explore Donegal, just over the border before heading back. Option 3: continue your Northern Ireland journey, by going to see the beautiful Lakelands of County Fermanagh. From there, you can head back east to Newcastle and the Mournes (see section above), before returning to Belfast. When you take a car around Ireland, it’s not just a mode of transport. For many people, doing an Ireland road trip is a long-held dream. There are plenty of amazing roads through the breathtaking countryside, so we’ve included a short selection of some great routes that you can include in your itinerary: Causeway Coastal Route – County Antrim and Derry/Londonderry This route stretches all the way from Belfast, heading past castles, green forested valleys, little beaches and harbours, as well as Game of Thrones sights. The most scenic part of it is probably “the Antrim Coast Road” which was built in the 19th century. It runs along a small stretch of ground beneath the foot of the cliffs and the sea, making it a beautiful drive. Wild Atlantic Way This 2,500 km signposted route covers the entire length of Ireland’s west coast, from just outside Derry/Londonderry all the way to Kinsale, outside Cork. The website Wild Atlantic Way lets you customise your journey, so you don’t have to tackle the whole thing in one trip: Ring of Kerry This road takes you right around Killarney National Park, taking in some of its most remarkable and beautiful sights, such as Moll’s Gap and Torc waterfall. Conveniently, it starts and finishes in the town of Killarney, where there are plenty of hostels. Connemara Loop Like the Ring of Kerry, this signposted circuit takes you around the beautiful mountains, lakes and fjords of the Connemara National Park. (Bonus non-car route) Waterford Greenway You don’t need to have a car to explore the Irish countryside at your leisure, and the Waterford Greenway is a great example of this. Built along a disused railway line, it cuts through beautiful landscapes on its way from Waterford city to the harbour town of Dungarvan. Cost of backpacking Ireland :@iaraanddavid_travel When you’re backpacking around Ireland, you’ll notice that prices can vary widely from place to place. Restaurants, groceries and accommodation in bigger cities tend to cost a lot more than rural areas. Northern Ireland is also generally cheaper, especially when it comes to alcohol. So, if you’re going through Northern Ireland on your way to the Republic, and enjoy the occasional drink, it’s best to stock up on alcohol there and take it with you. One saving grace is that the costs of travel are quite cheap – both with intercity buses and trains. However, if you’re travelling long distances by rail, it’s worth booking in advance to get a good deal. Also, there are plenty of free attractions. The countryside is full of gorgeous hiking routes, abandoned buildings, and castles and monasteries that are free to explore. In the cities, you can find green parks full of flowers, as well as museums, botanical gardens and scenic university campuses, many of which charge no entrance fee. When it comes to food, it’s obviously best to stay out of the touristy areas. If you want something cheap, but don’t want to cook, there are supermarkets such as Dunnes and small shops such as Centra, where you can find salad bars full of rice, pasta and veggies, as well as fast food such as pizzas, cooked breakfasts and potato wedges! Remembering the currency Ireland uses is pretty simple if you remember one thing: the Republic of Ireland uses the Euro, and because Northern Ireland is part of the UK, it uses British Pounds. Even though Northern Irish notes look different, you will still be able to spend English or Scottish notes there without any problems. Budget for backpacking Ireland :@iaraanddavid_travel When you’re backpacking around Ireland, travel costs per day can be difficult to estimate, depending on where you’re going, what and where you’re eating and where you’re staying. So, I’ve set out a rough guide to potential prices for each activity, at the lower and higher price ends: Costs per day (Republic of Ireland) Average Price – (Lower end) Average Price (Upper end) Transport €5 (short intercity bus) €25 (small hire car) Breakfast €0 (free hostel breakfast) €8 (breakfast in a café) Lunch €5 (salad bar at a supermarket, deli or sandwich) €12 (lunch at a café) Snacks €2 (supermarket) €6 (artisan coffee shop coffee and baked treat) Dinner €6 (ingredients from supermarket to cook at home) €26 (nice restaurant in Dublin including drink) Drinks €8 (for a cheap bottle of wine, or four cans of beer) €5.50 x 3 = €16.50 (three pints in a Dublin pub) Hostels €15 (hostel in a rural area) €55 (hostel on a weekend in Dublin) Total price €41 €148.50 Costs per day (Northern Ireland) Average Price – (Lower end) Average Price (Upper end) Transport £10 (intercity bus) £20 (small hire car) Breakfast £0 (free hostel breakfast) £6 (breakfast in a cafe) Lunch £3 (supermarket “meal deal”) £10 (hot café lunch) Snacks £2 (supermarket) £4 (coffee shop coffee and cake) Dinner £4 (ingredients from supermarket to cook at home) £10 (hot café lunch) Drinks £2 (supermarket) £4 (coffee shop coffee and cake) Hostels £12 (for a dorm in Belfast) £24 (for a shared private room) Total price £33 £78 Dublin has a reputation for being expensive, and once you get there, you’ll realise it’s not entirely undeserved. However, since it’s the capital, there are plenty of free attractions, which I’ve listed in the section “where to go in Ireland”, above. To help you out some more, I’ve set out some other tips for visiting Dublin on a budget below: Taxis in Dublin are extortionate – and can be about €18 for a 10-15 minute journey. It’s better to either walk or take advantage of the city’s many buses and trams. Another big cost is accommodation. Obviously, hostels are a great place to stay and meet other like-minded people, as well as for saving money, but prices skyrocket on Fridays and Saturdays, so it’s best to go during the week. Food and drink are obviously expensive in Dublin, especially in areas such as Temple Bar- meaning it’s often better to cook in or grab something ready-made from a supermarket. If you want to eat out, remember, the further you go out from the city centre, the less likely you’re going to get stung with high prices. If money’s a little tight, it’s perhaps best to enjoy one nice meal out, rather than going to a string of mediocre places and spending more money overall. What to eat and drink in Ireland Duke of York Pub, Belfast :@kmitchhodge Traditional Irish food is rich and hearty, perfect for a grey, rainy day. One great thing about food in Ireland is the quality produce: fish from the nearby sea, fresh local fruit and vegetables, cheese from local creameries and freshly baked sweet treats. The best places to look out for fresh local produce are at the markets. Both Belfast (St. George’s Market) and Cork (the English Market) have centuries-old marketplaces serving up fresh fish, fruit and veg and cooked food, alongside arts and crafts. One of the great delights of Irish cuisine is the bread, specifically soda bread and wheaten (or brown soda, depending on where you’re from). White soda is soft, fluffy and dense, and in the North is often served fried as part of a cooked breakfast. This makes it beautifully crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside: an unhealthy, but vegetarian-friendly treat. There’s also brown soda, or wheaten, which is rich, crumbly and best served with a steaming hot bowl of vegetable soup. It may be a stereotype – but traditionally, the Irish do eat a lot of potatoes. Many people, especially the older generation, are connoisseurs, knowing all the different varieties. There’s no better way to enjoy these beautiful carbs than in champ: a dish consisting of crunchy spring onions mixed into potatoes with rich butter and milk to make smooth, creamy side. Alternatively, there’s Colcannon, in which flavoursome curly green cabbage is mixed in instead. When it comes to pub food, the Irish do it really well. Some meals are similar to what you can get in Britain, but with a bit of a twist. The classic example of this is the steak and Guinness pie, ideally with a crumbly buttery crust, the beer adding to the rich, meaty flavour. If this sounds appealing, head to The Pie Maker in Galway, where you can also find chicken and vegetarian pies baked with a delicious spelt-flour crust. If that’s not your thing, try a warming lamb stew, or the most simple Irish dish of all, bacon, potatoes and cabbage. For Irish snacks, the best place to go is the bakery. Here you’ll find beautiful, soft scones in a variety of flavours, as well as huge array of traybakes. One such delight is Fifteens, which you’ll only be able to find in Northern Ireland. These are delicious, squidgy treats made from 15 cherries, 15 marshmallows, 15 biscuits mixed up with sweetened condensed milk. Ireland also has soft drinks and crisps you won’t find anywhere else. People are fanatical about Tayto crisps, but there’s a big rivalry here, as the brands are different in the North and South. We’ll leave it up to you to decide which you prefer! On St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll probably find the usual treats, such as candy floss and chips, being sold around the streets. However, there are no real St. Patrick’s Day food traditions: green beer and milkshakes are both American inventions. If you really want to go traditional, it’s probably best to go with a hearty stew or lamb roast. Up North though, at traditional fairs, there are some odd food traditions. Go to the Auld Lammas Fair in Ballycastle and you’ll find people snacking on “dulse”, a type of edible seaweed, and “yellow man” – a type of honeycomb that’s liable to break your teeth if you’re not careful! Ireland is pretty renowned for its beer, and Guinness beer is one of its main exports. You can even do a tour of their brewery in Dublin! The pub culture is also very prominent particularly in cities like Dublin and Galway. Irish culture and people Until relatively recently, Ireland was a very rural country and one of the poorest in Europe. It has had a long and turbulent history, characterised by war, colonisation, famine, violent revolution and sectarian tension. However, it also has a long tradition of scholarship, poetry and music. Although it’s now a thoroughly modern country, Ireland’s culture has been shaped by its history. One thing that can’t be denied however, is the warmth and hospitality of its people, perhaps owing itself to the that fact that, in the past tight-knit communities had to rely on each other to get through hardship. Below, I’ll set out some Irish culture facts to help you get by, and hopefully give you a deeper appreciation for the things you’ll come across. There are some isolated parts of Ireland, particularly in the west, where you can still see traces of the old, slow rural way of life. Many parts of the County Donegal, for example, still feel very cut off from the rest of the world. Here you can find Doagh Famine Village and Glencolumbkille Folk Village: which both allow you to see the type of two-room white cottages where whole families used to live, scraping a meagre living off the barren land. You can also witness rural life first hand, by visiting the working farms at Muckross House in County Kerry, which still use age-old agricultural techniques. If you’re a dog lover, and want to get a taste of life in the Irish countryside, why not go to see some sheepdog demonstrations at “Away to Me”, which is part of a working farm in southern Donegal? It is also mostly in the western counties that you’ll find Gaeltachta, areas in which the Irish language is spoken in an everyday context. These include the Aran Islands and Connemara in Galway, as large areas of Donegal and Kerry. Irish shouldn’t be confused with the local dialect of English however, since it’s from a completely different language family. The first time you’ll encounter it will probably be on road signs, all of which are bilingual. In places like Dublin, you’re unlikely to hear it, but go into a pub in certain rural areas in the west, and you’ll hear locals switching seamlessly between English and Irish. But don’t worry, even in Gaeltacht areas, almost everyone speaks English at a native level too. Still, there are summer Irish language courses available in Gaeltacht areas if you’re interested in learning more. Traditional music is a big part of Irish culture, and typically involves instruments such as the fiddle (violin), tin whistle, flute, banjo, guitar and uillean pipes (a type of Irish bagpipes). The style includes songs that tell tales of lost loves, historical events, misfortune and celebration, coming from a time when stories were passed down through word of mouth. There’s also more instrumental music, which is often played at lively traditional dances called céilis. The music also can be performed in a more casual, informal environment. A group of musicians often gather round a pub table, sipping beer and playing songs together, something that’s known as a session (séisun). This creates a warm and friendly atmosphere, with people in the bar chatting to each other rather than sitting in silence. :@iaraanddavid_travel Northern Irish culture is similar to the rest of Ireland, and you’ll find traditional music, quaint rural villages and friendly, hospitable people there too. However, the tension surrounding historical events feels much closer. From the late 60s to mid-90s there was conflict arising from tensions between those who identified as Irish and support a united Ireland, and those who identified as British. Today, these tensions have greatly lessened, with both sides, especially young people, freely mixing with one another. In reality, they share most aspects of their culture, yet close links with southwest Scotland have left their mark here. You may hear this in the way people speak, and encounter Scots-language poetry, bagpipe performances and highland dancing. Another aspect of life in Ireland is Irish Gypsy culture. Known commonly as “gypsies” but more accurately referred to as travellers, these people are a recognised ethnic minority group, making up around 0.5% of the Irish population. They mainly speak English, but also use “Shelta” or “Cant”, a language formed using aspects of both English and Irish. They are a traditionally nomadic, setting up camp in traditional “stopping places”. Traditionally travellers played a key role in the Irish economy, providing seasonal labour in planting or harvesting crops, as well as trading in certain wares. However, the historical prejudice against these groups has put increasing pressure on them: many cannot camp in their traditional spaces without fear of eviction, and they are often discriminated against by society at large. Travel advice for Ireland Ireland visa Not only is the Republic of Ireland a member state of the EU, it’s also part of the so-called “common travel area”. This means that British citizens technically don’t need visas or passports to cross the border. However, airport officials will check the ID of visitors travelling by air from the UK. Travelling from the UK by sea doesn’t require any ID, but it’s still best to bring either your passport or driving licence in case you need to prove your nationality at some point. Northern Ireland is even easier to visit when travelling from the UK, as you won’t have to go through any sort of passport control, with most airlines accepting UK driving licences as a form of ID (to be safe, check your airline’s website before travelling). If you’re a non-UK citizen, it’s best to bring either your passport or national identity card. Crossing the border between Northern Ireland into the Republic of Ireland is even easier, as there are no controls or checkpoints, meaning you won’t need any documents to do so. Although both the UK (including Northern Ireland) and Republic of Ireland are currently Member States of the EU, they are not part of the “Schengen Zone”, which abolishes internal border controls. This means that you will be subject to passport control when travelling from another EU country. However, if you are an EU citizen, this will only consist of a quick glance at your ID, after which you’ll be waved through. You’ll then have the same rights to travel/stay as in any other Member State, allowing you stay for three months with no further conditions. If you want to stay for longer, you may need to get a job, apply to study, or prove you have sufficient means to support yourself, including health insurance. Please bear in mind however that the rights and visa requirements applicable to EU citizens travelling to Northern Ireland, as well as the requirements for crossing the Irish/UK border, may change after the Brexit deadline on 31 October 2019. Visitors to Ireland from outside the UK and EU may not need a visa either. For Australian, Canadian, US and New Zealand citizens, as well as nationals of the other countries listed here who are visiting Ireland, visa requirements are practically non-existent. Citizens of these countries are entitled to visa-free entry for up to 90 days in the Republic of Ireland. In general, the visa requirements in Northern Ireland are the same as the rest of the UK. Visitors from certain countries, including Australia, New Zealand, the USA or Canada who are flying to Northern Ireland (or elsewhere in the UK) can enter the country and stay for up to 6 months without a visa. However, they must bring the same documents as you would if applying for a visa. If you are travelling for tourism, this simply constitutes a travel document (i.e. a passport). If the travel document is not in English or Welsh, this must be translated into English. For any further document requirements that may need, please check this page. Also bear in mind however, that if you are already visiting the Republic of Ireland, you can visit Northern Ireland by crossing the border on land without having to go through any checks. If you want to stay in the Republic of Ireland for a little longer, but are not an EU or UK citizen, there’s a chance you could apply for a working holiday scheme. These schemes are based on two-way agreements between Ireland and other countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA. There are specific requirements for each, and you can find the details under the following links: Australia Canada New Zealand USA There are similar schemes in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK for citizens of Australia, Canada and New Zealand (see more details here), but there is no UK working holiday scheme for US citizens. So, to sum up, Ireland’s a great destination, with small, but lively cities, in addition to beautiful landscapes. There are plenty of places to go hiking, cycling, and when the weather’s nice, there aren’t many places with nicer beaches. It’s somewhere you can find complete isolation and serenity, or enjoy the atmosphere of a busy pub. It may not the warmest place in the world, but with all this to offer, don’t miss out on what is surely one of Europe’s most scenic, interesting and friendly destinations. About the Author: I’m David Irvine, and I’m originally from Northern Ireland. I’ve got a passion for languages, other cultures, and learning about local history. I’m currently based in Glasgow, Scotland, have previously lived and worked in Germany and in Portugal, and love nothing more than showing people around my favourite places, wherever I am. I’m a translator (of German, French and Portuguese), and love adapting travel writing for speakers of different languages. I’m also an occasional scribbler, passionate (geeky) fan of jazz music and amateur dramatics enthusiast. You can follow my travels (along with my partner, Iara) at @iaraanddavid_travel and find out more about my translating/blogging work on my LinkedIn profile. Special thanks goes out to my girlfriend, Iara Calton, for helping me research my trip, taking beautiful pictures and putting up with my scatter-brained nature. Thanks too to Allie Mairs and Philip Tallon for their company on the second leg of the journey, especially to Phil, for driving us around for miles! Keep Reading 15 best places to visit in Ireland The 15 best hostels in Ireland The best hostels in Galway The post The ultimate guide to backpacking Ireland appeared first on Hostelworld Blog. #NorthernIreland #Ireland #TravelTips

Arplis - News source https://arplis.com/blogs/news/four-leaf-clovers-leprechauns-travellers-beer-just-some-of-the-many-things-that-come-to-mind-when-you-think-of-ireland

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anachef · 6 years ago

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What’s New in Hollywood Studios: New Menus, New Merchandise and MORE Construction Updates

It’s been a busy week over in Hollywood Studios! We’ve rounded up all the updates for you — new eats, new merchandise and LOTS of construction.

Hello from Hollywood Studios!

We don’t expect to see these Christmas decorations up much longer! They have been busy in the last few days in the park with lots of new updates, starting with the Skyliner station!

Skyliner Construction Updates

Disney’s Skyliner Gondola System is really making progress and we can’t wait to see this new mode of transportation open in the fall of this year. Noticeable updates this week include some more red elements along the top of the station.

Skyliner Construction

What’s New on Hollywood Studios Sunset Boulevard

Sunshine Day Bar, the seasonal counter service location that replaced Toluca Turkey Legs, Co. and subsequently Sunshine Day Cafe, re-opened this Holiday season with a new name and a festive menu.

Sunshine Day Bar

With the holidays now over, we went to check out the menu updates.

Sunshine Day Bar Menu

Christmas drinks have been swapped out in favor of lighter, fruitier beverages like the Cherry Blossom, with Bacardi Superior Rum and Luxardo Cherry Liqueur with pineapple juice and grenadine.

Cherry Blossom Cocktail

The Southside Fizz is made with Hendrick’s Gin and pure cane sugar.

Southside Fizz Cocktails

The Blackberry Moonshine Lemonade features Old Smoky Blackberry Moonshine.

Blackberry Moonshine Lemonade

Verrines, light parfait style desserts, are officially taking over! Over at Catalina Eddie’s, the Seasonal Eggnog Panna Cotta and Chocolate Mousse have been removed and you’ll now find a new Lemon Cheesecake Verrine.

Catalina Eddie’s Menu

Since Santa’s Meet and Greet is now over, Once Upon a Time has reverted back to a merchandise shop featuring mostly kids’ items with a small emphasis on Beauty and the Beast items.

Once Upon a Time

Once Upon a Time Merchandise

What’s New in Hollywood Studios Echo Lake

Minnie’s Silver Screen Dine is back again at Hollywood and Vine! We first told you about this dinner party when it debuted back in 2016.At this movie-themed character buffet you can meet Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy wearing their award season best.

Minnie’s Silver Screen Dine at Hollywood and Vine

Star Wars themed eats are gone from Backlot Express!

Backlot Express Restaurant

We LOVED this fun Star Wars themed menu before. Luckily, the new menu is just as good — and you can still grab a few of your old favorites, just with new names.

Backlot Express Menu

Debuting on the menu is the Chicken and Biscuits — biscuits and chicken tenders topped with country gravy, a spicy strawberry glaze, and bacon crumbles. Read our review to see what we thought of this!

Chicken and Biscuits

The Cuban Sandwich features roasted pulled pork, sliced ham, Swiss cheese, and pickles and mustard. Read our review to see what we thought of this addition!

Cuban Sandwich

The HUGE Peanut Butter Brownie is pretty much everything we would want in a brownie — chocolate, peanut butter, frosting, peanut butter candy — Read our review to see if it lived up to our expectations!

Peanut Butter Brownie

The Key Lime Verrine is made up of layers of light and airy key lime custard and graham crumbs topped off with a dollop of whipped cream and a white chocolate ring — Read our review to see if we’ll add this Verrine to our must-try list!

Key Lime Verrine

One thing to note, kiddos can still have that BB-8 Souvenir Sipper with their soda!

Backlot Express Menu

While we’ll miss the Star Wars theme, we are looking forward to drinking Blue Milk soon once Star Wars – Galaxy’s Edge opens this fall!

What’s New on Hollywood Studios Hollywood Boulevard

Cupcakes are noticeably missing over at the Trolley Car Cafe.

Trolley Car Cafe Bakery Case

Currently the only cupcake available is the Peanut Butter Crunch Cupcake — but, hey, we’re not complaining; there’s a reason we’ve loved this one for years and featured it in last year’s cupcake challenge!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Cupcake

What’s New in Hollywood Studios Toy Story Land

Last week, we noticed the Buzz Meet and Greet had changed locations. His Meet and Greet was moved closer to the entrance into Toy Story Land, but this was to avoid the Slinky Dog Dash line during peak crowd days in the parks. Buzz has moved back to his original spot past the entrance sign.

Toy Story Land Buzz Meet and Greet

We also took a peek over the fence in Toy Story Land to see how Star Wars – Galaxy’s Edge is coming along. There’s still plenty of scaffolding up, but things are really starting to come together over there on Batuu.

Galaxy’s Edge Construction

What’s New on Hollywood Studios Grand Avenue

We also got a much better view of this building that’s being constructed adjacent to Tatooine Traders.

Grand Avenue Structure

We had scoped this spot out just last week, but it seems progress steady progress has been made the scrims are down, revealing a green tile roof and a rather simple design.

Grand Avenue Structure

We’re still not sure what this building will be, but we’ll be sure to keep you updated on it’s progress!

What’s New in Hollywood Studios Shops and Stores — New Merchandise

We found the CUTEST new bags in Hollywood Studios this week!

Loungefly Disney Snacks Backpack

The new Loungefly bags and wallets are covered with all of our favorite Disney snacks, including Mickey Pretzels, Mickey Shaped Cookies, the Mickey Ice Cream Bar (coming soon to grocery stores!), and more!

Loungefly Disney Snacks Wallet/Clutch

We’ve also spotted Buzz Lightyear Ears at several merchandise locations around Hollywood Studios. This tribute to everyone’s favorite space ranger features his famous catch phrase emblazoned on the headband — “To Infinity and beyond!”

Buzz Lightyear Ears

Polka dot prints are in with the new merchandise line — Rock the Dots — celebrating Minnie’s classic dots!

Rock the Dots Merchandise

We spotted ears, spirit jerseys, new loungefly bags and even sparkly sneakers with a big poof on them in this adorable merchandise line.

Rock the Dots Minnie Mouse Ears

Rock the Dots Spirit Jersey

Check these out!!! We need somewhere awesome to wear these!

Rock the Dots Shoes

We found some more Mickey Through the Years items on Sunset Boulevard.

Mickey Through the Years Shirt

We’re loving the items in this line — perfectly retro and vintage-y!

Mickey Through the Years Merch

This bag matches the mug we found last week!

Mickey Through the Years Tote

Speaking of mugs, how about this tumbler? Its got the same collage art on it as some of the clothes introduced in this line last week.

Mickey Through the Years Tumbler

This t-shirt is really adorable with all of the different Mickeys on it, take a look and see how many you can find!

Mickey Through the Years Shirt

And a few more Celebrate Mickey items as well — all to celebrate Mickey’s 90th Birthday!!

Celebrate Mickey Hat

We also spotted a cool new Edna Mode Mug, featuring all of our favorite “Edna-isms“.

Edna Mode Mug

NO CAPES! Which is your favorite Edna quote?

Edna Mode Mug

Check out these awesome Chewbacca Ears that we can’t wait to wear!

Chewbacca Ears

And be sure to use the Play Disney Park app so you can grab this limited edition Midway Mania Pin after you complete the “Midway Maniac” Challenge in the app.

Limited Edition Midway Maniac Pin

We also took a peek at Disney’s new Valentine’s Day Merchandise!

Mickey and Minnie Valentine’s Plush

This line includes adorable Mickey and Minnie plushes and a limited edition Magic Band featuring characters and artwork from the Pixar Short, Lava.

I Lava You MagicBand

That’s it for our Hollywood Studios news and updates this week! Be sure to follow us so you stay up-to-date on the changes and additions to the parks every week!

What Hollywood Studios news do you find most exciting? Let us know with a comment!

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

Are you still planning your 2019 trip to WDW? Check out our latest video Best Times to Visit WDW in 2019. When you’re done – check out all of our Videos on You Tube!

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What’s New in Hollywood Studios: Star Wars Construction, a New Party, and New Market!!

What’s New in Hollywood Studios this Week: Eats, Decor, Merchandise, New Entrance, Skyliner Update, and MORE!

What’s New in Disney World’s Hollywood Studios: 11-4-18

from the disney food blog http://bit.ly/2Fj4BdL via http://bit.ly/LNvO3e

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teachingoutsidethebinary · 8 years ago

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Let’s Get Out of Here Part 3: Check In

Summary: Bucky and Y/N finally make it to their destination, but when they get to the fireworks show, things don't quite go as planned.

Characters: Bucky Barnes, reader

Warnings: mentions of panic attacks, slight angst

Word count: 1695

Read previous parts here

Bucky navigated the car past the various resorts and hotels. He couldn’t get over the whimsical and colorful designs of some hotels, and the sleek, modern look of others. He kept expecting you to tell him to stop the car and park at a resort, but you didn’t. The sun was starting to get lower and lower in the sky, giving everything a magical purple glow. He loved looking at the shadows cast by the palm trees on the road.

Finally, you directed him to a parking garage. He was so focused on getting in the garage without hitting anything, that he barely paid attention to the outside of the hotel. But once you had gotten your bags and walked in the lobby, he had a chance to fully appreciate his surroundings.

Marble flooring covered the lobby and Bucky could almost see his reflection staring back at him. He looked at the ceiling and noticed the whole building got narrower as it went up. Each floor seemed to hang over the edge and Bucky could see people walking down the halls. All of a sudden he could hear a hissing metallic noise approaching the building. He did a 180 and stared in awe as a large train-like structure rolled in the middle of the building. Y/N noticed him staring.

“That’s a monorail,” Y/N said. “It’s kind of like a train, but in the air. The Contemporary is the only hotel that has a monorail running through it.” She led Bucky to the check-in counter. As she talked with the employee, Bucky stared at an opening in the wall next to them. A neon sign labeled The Wave buzzed and the delicious scents of steak, pepper, and fish filled his nostrils. He assumed it must be a restaurant. He barely noticed Y/N leading him over to the elevators. Bucky was completely overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, and smells surrounding him. You smiled at his wonderment and hugged his arm. He gave you a childlike grin in return and rushed you both into the elevator.

If Bucky was impressed with the lobby, he was floored by your room. Two queen-sized beds barely took up a portion of the space. Bucky walked over to the edge of the bed where a Mickey head-shaped towel sat. He gently felt the fabric between his fingers and marveled over how soft they were. This was definitely an upgrade from the motels he normally stayed at during missions.

You walked over to the windows and pulled back the shades. “Bucky!” you squealed with delight. “Check out this view!” Bucky walked over and stepped onto the balcony with you. He gasped at the sight. A lake took over the left half of his view and he could see a castle jutting out of the ground on his right. The sunset displayed brilliant rays of golden light over the lake. The view was perfect. This was perfect.

“See that castle?” you asked, pointing in the distance. “That’s Cinderella’s castle. We’re going there tonight for the fireworks.” Bucky gulped at the mention of fireworks. He still got a bit nervous around loud noises like that. But your eyes were sparkling, and he decided he would be able to handle it.

You grabbed his hand. “Come on! We have to get to the park before dark!” You pulled him inside and grabbed some toiletries from your suitcase. “I’m going to take a quick shower, then you can, okay? We don’t want to go to the park with sixteen hours of car smell on us, right?” You smiled and shut the bathroom door.

Thirty minutes later you were both showered and ready to go. You grabbed a small backpack and stuck a few snacks that were leftover from the cooler. Bucky made sure he had his wallet. The least he could do was treat you to some meals while you were here. He had no idea how much the room and park tickets had cost, but based on what he had seen so far, it wasn’t cheap.

Instead of going all the way back down to the lobby, you and Bucky went to the monorail platform. Thankfully, it came right as you did, so you got on quickly. Since you had both been sitting for the entire day, you opted to stand. Bucky watched the scenery whiz by as the monorail traveled smoothly to its destination. You hummed along with the music playing from the speakers and smiled.

“Next stop, Magic Kingdom,” a voice announced. You could barely contain your excitement and hopped off the monorail as soon as the doors opened. Bucky followed closely behind so he wouldn’t get lost because god knows he probably wouldn’t be able to find his way back.

Magic Kingdom was bustling with activity. Bucky saw food carts, stores, and more dotting the main street. Large Disney characters wandered around taking pictures with families. The colors and noise of the bustling traffic was almost enough to be overwhelming, but Bucky was to entranced by it all to feel anything but excitement. A Mickey and Minnie walked by and waved. Bucky waved back, and then stopped. He smelled something sweet, something savory. He smelled…

“Funnel cake,” he said aloud. You stopped to look at him. “I want funnel cake,” he repeated, determination lacing his voice. You raised your fist in triumph. “Then funnel cake you shall get!” you announced. You searched until you found a food vendor that sold funnel cakes. “I’m going to grab something with some more nutritional value,” you replied. Bucky refused to let you leave until you took his money for the food. “Y/N, let me do this. I want to,” Bucky insisted, and you finally relented. While Bucky stood in line for his food, you went to another cart to get a hot dog.

Food in hand, you led the way to Cinderella’s castle. Even though the fireworks weren’t starting yet, a crowd had already begun to form. With Bucky’s tall frame, he managed to push through the crowd to find a decent area to sit. You both stared up at the castle as the night got darker and the lights began to glow around it.

Dramatic music swelled around the crowd of people and Bucky felt a tugging on his arm. “Stand up! It’s starting!” you exclaimed. He stood up next to you and followed your gaze to the castle. The lights began glowing and blinking with more fervor and the music reached a crescendo. A cricket and woman dressed in blue appeared and began speaking to the audience. The kids and adults around Bucky cheered and moved in to get a closer look. He took a deep breath and tried to focus on anything but the suffocating feeling rising up in his throat.

The castle went dark for a moment then exploded again with light. Another woman in a short green dress and wings began flying around the castle. “Tinkerbell!” you squealed. Bucky smiled thinly, becoming quickly overwhelmed. The sounds, sights and senses that seemed so enchanting before became almost menacing. His ears began to ring and his focus became fuzzy, and when the first firework went off, he lost it. Instead of being awed by the glistening lights and sizzling fireworks, he felt panicked.

He turned around and pushed his way through the crowd trying to escape. You quickly followed him trying to catch up. “Bucky?” you called, carefully moving past the families surrounding you. He made it to the edge of the crowd and took big gulps of fresh air. He sat down on the ledge of a garden and put his head between his legs. With each crack from a firework, Bucky flinched and shuddered.

You kneeled next to him. “Bucky?” you said softly. “Can I put my hand on your arm?” Bucky nodded and felt your hand rubbing up and down arm. "It's okay, you're safe. Nothing can hurt you." You kept repeating those phrases over and over until he was finally able to lift his head and meet your eyes. “Come on, let’s go back to the monorail,” you said, soothingly. Bucky numbly followed you back to the front of the park up the ramp leading to the monorail. Since the fireworks were still going on, the track was empty. He could hear the fireworks in the distance and the walls glowed softly with the different colors. Now that he was farther away from the crowds and the noise, he could feel his body returning to normal. His vision cleared and he immediately felt a huge sense of guilt for what happened.

“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice echoing around you. “I didn’t mean to ruin everything.” You walked in front of Bucky and looked him in the eye.

“Bucky, you didn’t ruin anything, you hear me?” He shook his head. “I don’t know what happened. Everything just felt like it as closing in,” Bucky replied. He took a deep breath and shut his eyes.

“Buck, we pretty much drove straight here with minimal breaks. We barely had time to adjust before I brought us here. The last proper meal you ate was this morning, and funnel cake hardly qualifies as a filling dinner. You’re probably overtired, overstimulated, and a bit hungry. And even if you’re not, and the fireworks really freak you out, I don’t care. I wouldn’t have asked you to come if I wasn’t okay with all of you.” You put his hands on his shoulders. “ You. Are. Fine. Do you hear me?” He nodded. “Good.”

“I’m feeling a bit better,” he said, honestly. “Good,” you repeated. You smiled and he couldn’t help but smile back.

By the time you made it back to the hotel room, exhaustion took over for both of you. Bucky flopped face first on the bed, sleep slowly taking over his senses. Tonight hadn’t gone exactly as planned, but you had seemed sincere when you talked to him at the monorail. As he slowly started drifting off, he decided tomorrow was going to be better.

“Hey Bucky?” you mumbled from under your covers. “Hmmm?” he groaned. “I’m really glad you came with me,” you replied, peaking your head out. Bucky dragged himself up onto his pillows and burrowed under the blanket.

“I’m glad I came too, Y/N. I think this is going to be a great trip.”

“Me too, Buck. Me too.”

#bucky x reader #Bucky Barnes is a cinnamon roll #panic attack #fireworks #disney world #cinderella's castle #road trip #fluff #slight angst #let's get out of here

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bujoloveme · 6 years ago

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101 hobbies for the start in 2019 – Listed by hobby types

via WordPress bit.ly/2Rj4DrD

When I was in high school and college, I remember feeling bored. The world was wide open and the possibilities to create and reshape me were endless, but the best in life seemed to be ahead of me. I have always been waiting for this good part.

Now I'm not preparing for the future anymore. Maybe I arrived already.

This post contains affiliate links where we receive a small commission to sell products that are linked to you at no extra cost. All opinions are always our own. Read our full disclosure for more information. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Local Adventurer possible.

Published: December 26, 2018

101 hobbies for the start in 2019 – listed by hobby

As much as we love our work, our work has become a problem lately. Travel blogging is not a big gap between work and life, and we admit that we are both workaholics.

We were swept away by the hustle and bustle of NYC and it was only recently that we realized how much we had begun to value work more than anything else. One day, we set ourselves the goal of releasing the evening, and when we realized that we did not know how to fill our time, we immediately went back to work.

That may sound easy, but it was not so easy for us. We also need something we like to do for ourselves, not so we can post something that, strangely, is a predominant part of the present human experience.

The benefits of hobbies

A few reasons why I want to find some new hobbies next year:

To play and relax – We have to find hobbies that bring us zero money and that may bore everyone. Haha

To sharpen my mind – I have such a terrible memory now and may be on the way to Alzheimer's early on duty (it's in the family and it's killing me).

For personal growth, enrichment and emotional health – something I have to work on all the time.

For better physical health – we are already climbing, but I think we need some cardiovascular activity.

Further advantages are:

Learn a useful skill

Make contacts and make new friends

Make extra money

Title of the subsection

With our blog, you may already know that we are all exploring our homes and backyards. We firmly believe that the adventure begins in you by cultivating an adventure spirit. Many of them can be done at home. How many more locals can you get?

"Find three hobbies that you love: one to earn money, one to stay in shape, and one to be creative with." And if there was a fourth, we would add one to the world to make a better place. Which one do you want to do next year?

contents menu

Outdoor Hobbies

Sports hobbies

Hobbies travel

Art & Creative Hobbies

Crafting hobbies

Food & Cooking hobbies

games

Collect hobbies

Enrichment & Others

Outdoor Hobbies

hike

Some of our friends are top collectors. This is a form of gathering where you will compile a list of peaks of your choice (for example, the 14's in Colorado). Take a look at our 25 best hikes in the world.

rock climbing

It's a great way to work out without feeling like you're training. The frequent use of the local climbing gym was also one of the best ways to make friends as we move from city to city. Here are a few tips for beginners.

canyoneering

Start with a guided canyoning tour. This is also a good guide to getting started.

slacklining

Many climbers also slackline to work on their balance, but there are also people who only have slackline. We want to set up this kit at home when we leave our little NYC apartment.

Rockclimbing

Mountaineering takes hiking to the next level by adding more technical aspects. They can pick up equipment at REI and they can always show you the best equipment. You also have the best return policy.

Mountain biking

Explore nature on two wheels. Here you will find mountain bike fans.

camping

Camping can be as relaxing or extreme as you like. As an example, we have this cheaper tent for camping and this for long backpacking.

Glamping

If you want to experience nature but still need comfort, glamping is the way to go. This is one of our most popular glamping trips.

Kayaking, canoeing or SUP

Kayaking, canoeing and / or SUP are great on the go as it allows you to explore areas most people are not capable of. This was one of our first kayaking trips.

rafting

Try this out by going on rafting tours with guides. You can then take some gear with you when you are ready to take it seriously.

Skiing or snowboarding

We met some people who are moving out of pure ski or snowboard love to a new city. If you're worried about the cold, make sure you have solid winter clothes, and you're done.

Scuba diving

We have always been interested in diving and eventually took classes in San Diego and admitted. We are now whiskey divers.

Fishing, crabs or lobsters

Here's a great beginner fishing set to get your feet wet. We also wrote this guide on how to get crabs on the Oregon coast.

More: 25 best walks in the world you can put on your list

Sports hobbies

archery

A good start is teaching at a local archery club.

bowling

Regardless of how serious bowling you are, if you go more than a few times a year you should take your own shoes to save money (for men and women).

To go biking

Cycling is available in many different forms and is a great way to explore and challenge yourself. Here's your cycling gear.

golfing

Golfing is a great hobby and something you can do while traveling around the world. Read this book about what all golfers should know.

Ride horses

Whether you want to become a full rider or just ride when you're on the go, there are many different ways to do it.

Ice skating

Lutz Jump, Twizzle and Salchow jump around the ice. Or if you're like us, just try skating backwards. If you are in NYC, here are the best skating rinks to visit.

Martial arts or kickboxing

I switched kickboxing on and off with my friend for a few years. I would borrow gloves, but I always had my own hand wraps.

Parkour / ninja warrior

Ever since Ninja Warrior became popular, gyms are appearing everywhere to run free and train NW. You can even start building a home-made course.

Paintball

Some of our friends were semi-professional paintballers. There are arenas around the world, and you can even pick up your own paintball gun to practice at home.

To run

Jacob ran 10 km each year with his father and completed a half marathon. None of us really like it anymore, but we have many friends who do that. We love these shoes (men + women) because they are great for traveling and running.

Go skateboarding

We bought one of these penny boards to learn something this year, but were intimidated by car and pedestrian traffic in NYC.

surfing

We surfed a few times and even took surf lessons while living in San Diego. We would like to come back when we are closer to the sea.

swim

Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise as you get older as you do not use your joints so much.

Join a sports league

Join the local league, whether it's basketball, tennis, the ultimate Frisbee or Jacob's latest obsession – Pickleball.

yoga

We have never started yoga, but our Yogi friends swear by these yoga mats.

More: 9 wonderful ice skating venues in NYC

Hobbies travel

cruise

Cruises are a great way to get an impression of many different countries and cities. Best part? You do not have to worry about the transport. Take a look at our ultimate cruise calendar.

Learn to fly an airplane

Check out the local airport for lessons.

travel

Street trips are a great way to explore the surroundings of your city and appreciate your larger garden. To help you get started, read our day and weekend tour guides.

RVing

We loved our 3 months in an Airstream and recommend it for a season or even a week. Even if you're not a full-time employee, traveling 3-4 months a year is great.

sailing

We never had the idea of sailing full time since getting seasick, but we hope to visit some of our sailing friends. We will see if they change our mind.

More: The ultimate motorhome checklist – Everything you need for your first motorhome

Arts and creative hobbies

beatboxing

This is a great hobby that you can practice anywhere without additional equipment. Watch a few videos to get started with beatboxing.

to blog

We started our blog as a hobby before becoming our full time gig. If you want to create a blog, you can create a blog in five easy steps. If you want to take it to the next level, read our branding course.

calligraphy

You can attend courses online or in person, or pick up tour guides to help you get started.

coloring

Dyeing can be fun and therapeutic. We made it for a date and looked through some nice travel books.

Dance

We started attending hip-hop classes last year, but after a few hours our teacher had to leave the city. Now we need a new teacher! Maybe next we will try salsa, ballroom, belly dance or even pole dance.

drawing

Whether you're just drawing doodles, drawing anime characters or drawing comics, you can learn how to draw. This book is so good for people who do not believe that they can draw.

engraving

There are many different media for engraving, and it can be very advanced, but it is easy to buy a kit for beginners.

Graffiti Art

It's amazing to see how popular graffiti is and there are beautiful pieces all over the world. With its growing popularity, you can also sign up for the start.

graphic design

GIMP and Inkscape are free and ideal for beginners. If you're serious, you want the Adobe Creative Cloud to step up your game.

impersonation

I always wish I could make some basic imitations. Look at our friend, who is great at identity changes!

Improv class

Whether you want to perform or not, it's a great way to overcome the fear of what people think about you.

Juggle

Our neighbor has a set of juggling balls on his coffee table so everyone can pick them up to pick them up. With a little practice, you can do some impressive things.

Latte Art

Release your inner barista by picking on Latte-Art. Even if you do not succeed, you can enjoy your messy creation. Here is a great book for inspiration.

Magic

Lately, we've been looking at Magic for Humans, which has sparked our interest in magic. Start with a nice card game to practice your handgrip.

musical instrument

We both grew up playing the piano, but lost much of what we learned. We still bring our books with the intention of practicing again.

painting

I always wanted to learn how to paint. When I was younger, I attended art class and Jacob bought an easel a few years ago so I can start again.

photography

No matter which camera you have, you can always learn to take better photos. If you are looking for a DSLR camera for beginners, have a look at them.

Podcasting

We met a lot of different people who have their own podcast. Some make it a hobby and others make it a living. This set is everything you need to get started.

ceramics

This toolset has the highest ratings.

puppet show

Did you know that Jacob and his brother created a puppet show for children? The original plan was to learn puppetry as well, but they quickly learned how complex the puppetry is. If you want to participate in puppetry and practice, buy some dolls or make your own if you feel smart.

Videography / Filmmaking

Learn how to capture and edit videos to create beautiful memories of your own travels. You can even take pictures with just your phone by photographing with a gimbal.

singing lessons

If you want to take your singing to the next level, you should take language lessons to improve yourself. The exercises help so much.

Write

Writing can come in many different forms. Join a writing group or attend NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in November, where you write a novel in a month to motivate you.

to compose music

Try to write your own music. If you feel comfortable, you can even do it with local microphones.

More: How to start a blog in 5 easy steps

Crafting hobbies

Twist balloon

I did not know that this was one thing until one of our friends got down to business before his kid's birthday party. All it took was a basic kit and a few YouTube videos.

candle Making

Learn how to make candles with a DIY kit, enjoy your creations at home, or give them away as a gift.

Cross-stitch / embroidery

This is another great hobby that has a lot of resources and kits so you can do it alone.

Flower arrangement

Have you ever tried to arrange your own flowers? It's a lot harder than it looks. If you like fresh flowers at home, this is a great hobby. You can start with this book.

jewelery

I have some basic tools and learned from friends who make and sell jewelry.

Knitting / crocheting

I did some basic knitting that can be relaxing. You can also make beautiful handmade gifts for your friends.

Leathercraft

This is a great starter kit for the leather industry.

origami

Start your love of origami with a basic kit or make a joker with Jacob by making these crazy Star Wars models.

Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking is a great way to work on something you always value. With so many ready-made accessories, you can easily make it your own.

sew

This is a great practical skill that can save you money. Since I'm small, I always have to hem my pants, which can add up. To get started, just take a basic sewing machine.

soap making

I always think of the Fight Club when someone does soap making, but you can always do some crafting.

woodwork

Would you like to make friends with Nick Offerman? Familiarize yourself with woodworking so you can talk about one of your favorite hobbies. Here is a book for getting started.

Food & Cooking hobbies

to bake

Bread, brownies, biscuits, scones … oh man, my mouth only water from the thought of it. Start with the backbible.

Brew your own beer

If you love artisan beers, try it for yourself. Here's a starter kit.

Preserve / pickle / Jam make

Learn to cucumber and jam some of your favorite foods. This has over 350 recipes.

Coffee roasting

This is another big hobby to turn one love into another. If you already like coffee, try to roast your own beans.

Cook

We simply learn simple recipes, because none of us likes to cook (see here). We will probably try some InstaPot recipes next year.

Food styling

I always wanted to learn the food styling, especially since we take so many food photos. Get a book or participate in local courses.

gardening

I tried Urban Gardening, but I have a black thumb. I'm always jealous of people who let anything grow. Having plants in your house can reduce stress and improve productivity.

mixology

If you like partying, this is a great hobby. At the moment we can only do old fashion. However, if you want to get started, read more than 1000 cocktails in this guide.

wine tasting

If you have always wanted to know wine, take a wine tasting course. You can also get this book to learn more about wines.

games

board Games

There are endless board games out there. Our last favorites are Guesstures and Pit.

chess

If I played, I would get this chessboard.

cosplaying

If you like dressing, try the cosplay.

Gaming

Lately, we love to overcooked with friends.

poker

Do a weekly poker night or play other card games. If you are serious, you can even take part in tournaments.

mystery

Riddles can be so therapeutic. Find some puzzles of your favorite places.

Trivia night

If only I had a team of professors … I loved going to Trivia Night. Even if you do not win, you'll learn at least some random and useless facts.

Collect hobbies

astronomy

Find the next dark sky for amazing stargazing or join a star party. We will post a review of the upcoming upcoming events, which we will be attending shortly.

bird watching

On our travels we have met so many birdwatchers. Even if you are interested in wildlife photography, these flashcards can help you with birds.

forage

Foraging is a great hobby, even if you like to cook. This book helps you identify, harvest and prepare edible plants.

Get a new pet

I would not say that we collect them, but we love our cats and really like spending time with them. We also met a lot of people who love fish farming recently.

More: 15 incredible weekend getaways from Las Vegas

Enrichment & Others

Book a club

This is a great way to do something social and help you reach your reading goals.

Genologie

Start with a DNA test and see how much of your genealogy you can track.

Home improvement

If you spend a lot of time at home, this is a great hobby to make your own space better.

Keep a Bullet Journal

Bullet journaling is a great way to record your everyday life without typing. The Field Notes Expedition is ideal for those who travel a lot.

Learning a new language

Learn a new language with Rosetta Stone. I have tried Italian and would now like to learn Spanish. What about you?

Learn how to write code

Learn how to create code or web design so you can create your own web sites or help others.

Learn sign language

If you know someone who uses sign language, also try to learn the sign language. These youtube videos will help you get started.

Learn to write with a non-dominant hand

I always wanted to be ambidextrous. Practice writing or any other daily work with your non-dominant hand.

meditation

I started using a meditation app to help me sleep. It has become a habit that I will continue next year.

Minimalism / Declutter

After we moved each year, we started dismantling regularly. It was incredibly liberating. This is a great documentary to find out if you are interested in minimalism.

Public speaking

We have spoken about joining Toastmasters to overcome my fear of public speaking.

voluntary work

Choose something that is important to you and find a way to get involved in a local organization.

Favorite quotes on hobbies

If you need a few words of motivation next year to join a hobby, here are some more quotes I like.

"I can never read all the books I want. I can never be all the people I want and live all my life. I can never train in all the skills I want. And why do I want? I want to live and feel all the nuances, sounds and variations of the mental and physical experience that are possible in my life. And I'm terribly limited "(Sylvia Plath)

"Legendary innovators like Franklin, Snow and Darwin all have some common intellectual traits – a certain speed, unlimited curiosity – but they also share another defining trait. They have many hobbies. "- Steven Johnson

Always find time for things that make you happy to be alive. – unknown

Do you have any hobbies? What hobbies have you had in the past?

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Esther + Jacob

Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that the adventure can be found both near and far, and hope that others will be encouraged to explore it locally. They explore a new city every year and are currently in NYC.

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