#zing ruby

[sinank0606]

Still, one of the biggest disappointments that came from CN quietly killing this show without telling anyone, since just from the shots of Mao Mao looking suspiciously at the heart, it seems pretty clear, that they had planned so much more for the Ruby Heart.

Especially considering the darker (but still comedic) tone this episode had, compared to all the others. It definitely felt like they were gonna set up something big.

To bad we will probably never see that now.

[lavacrown]

Side Dish - Hibiscus Syrup Recipe

This ruby red hibiscus syrup has sweet, tart, and floral accents that will add extra zing and beautiful color to your homemade drinks and cocktails.

[women-books-coffie]

Hibiscus Syrup This ruby red hibiscus syrup has sweet, tart, and floral accents that will add extra zing and beautiful color to your homemade drinks and cocktails.

[threeacttragedy]

Entry 19: The One Where I Perform Mis-Directed as a Three Act Comedy, Act I

The main characters star in a television series adapted from bestselling romance novels…

…called Leicester Square.

Hattie Murton plays Iris Pinkerton, “[a] living ghost of a person, so unimportant that she could walk amongst them tonight… She was simply beneath their notice, which made her to all intents and purposes invisible. It was terribly convenient.”

“Anthony [Rafe] was six feet tall and had a swimmer’s build. All lean elegant muscle.”

Anthony plays bad boy, Victor Del Vayo [sp], whose signature look includes – don’t say “pirate coat!” – no, a long cape.

Anthony also has a crazed fan...

"She’d turned up uninvited at his old flat a week later and bribed the security guard to let her in. He’d made it extremely clear to both of them that if the occurrence was repeated, they’d each be departing in a police car or a body bag."

Oh, and there’s a character named “Jake,” whose sexual chemistry with Hattie is described as “sparks in a damp firework,” a point that is driven into the reader repeatedly. The Jakolas “would have probably preferred it if this was a euphemism.” Alas, it is not.

Actual sparks fly between Hattie and Anthony during their scripted love scenes – although, based on the text, they are both drawn to each other before the filming of their season even starts.

“The fans have got you to where you are. We’ve been listening to what the audience is asking.”

“Lady Iris was getting a proper romance arc. Not just a series of mad sexual exploits and single episode infatuations with passing guest stars. A full on – and sweet Christ – a long-running affair beginning with a surprise kiss scene on Monday. Iris was about to fall madly and reluctantly in love with Victor Del Vayo.”

Oh, and did I mention Anthony had “grown up in Mayfair?”

Let’s not forget Anthony is also a writer…

And that Hattie’s loves some “[g]ood ol’ Irish tradition…” because her dad is from Galway.

Then there's this: “’The very sweet Sergeant Llewellyn,’ [Hattie] reminisced. ‘My personal favorite of Iris’s lovers…’”

And, of course, every single mention of Pride and Prejudice...

“[Hattie had] accidently seen [Anthony] in a production of Julius Caesar at The Old Vic last year during their summer break…He’d been arresting, engrossing, heart wrenching.”

Anthony’s character, Victor, wears a signet ring: “The ring was heavy silver. A human skull in profile with a ruby eye that could be spun in its socket.”

Okay, enough about the main characters.

Let's move on to those intimacy scenes…

“Everything felt off today.”

“If Stevie had thought they’d been lacking chemistry in round one, perhaps she’d decided to gift them with a bonding experience. A shared case of fake snogging and induced lockjaw.”

“And now suddenly… you’re touching for the first time in all these years. Lo and behold, caught off guard by the explosion of chemistry.”

“A nerve twitched under Anthony’s firm mouth. He’d well and truly lost the air of bored idleness now and when he put his hands on Hattie’s corseted waist and slammed his body up against hers, pressing her into the wall, there was nothing disjointed and indolent about the maneuver or the way her breath left her in a rush. The actual mechanics behind the lift and spin were controlled and almost shockingly gentle. He concealed one palm behind her back and took the full force of the collision with his own body."

“Hattie found herself treating that drop of perspiration as an almost spotting point, like a ballet dancer keeping their balance during a fouette.”

“A muscle in her neck was starting to cramp, as they paused there artfully for the cameras. She adjusted arching her back in an unscripted gesture that pressed their bodies closer. As her belly rubbed up over his and his sheltering arms flexed, a coiling full-bodied zing shivered through her like the subtlest flooding of spice and warmth and then a jolt of pure fizzing adrenaline… As Hattie watched, still oddly transfixed, his pupils dilated, just a bit."

“For once, or maybe the first time ever, [Hattie] wasn’t excruciatingly conscious of everyone’s watching eye. She felt frozen, distant from the surrounding scene yet conversely hyper aware of every angle and shiver and prickle of her own body…"

“The hallway, the cameras, the rest of the world, it all ceased to exist. Seconds were slipping into minutes.”

[justbelievinginmagic]

BEWITCHED - part 1: we're not in munchkinland anymore.

pairing(s): witch!seonghwa x witch!reader ft. honjoong & san. mini-series summary: all your life you've had this spark - a touch of magic to your heart. as a munchkinlander, it was both a blessing and a curse. after all, two horrible witches had ruled over the land - all your life you had been asked: would you be a good witch or a bad witch? you wanted to be a good witch. and, finally, you would be! the day arrived; you were going to shiz university, the most-esteemed magical college in oz! you were prepared to work hard and make your dreams come true. but when you stumble upon cold bullies and an even colder sorcerer-in-training named park seonghwa who seemed to captivate you at every turn, will you be able to achieve your magical goals or will you fall under his spell? warnings/tags: inspired by the musical and movie adaptation of wicked, magical college AU, wizard of oz AU, set at shiz university, fem!reader, 3rd person POV, use of YN, set after a divergent-wicked timeline (where the wizard or a wizard still rules), magic, angst, some bullying, oz references and lore, use of ozian vernacular, nervousness, second-hand embarrassment, mentions of panties/corset, name calling. let me know if there are more tags needed. word count: ~4.5k

It had been known throughout Oz, for as long as the Time Dragon Clock tick-tocked, that the only place to become a grand sorcerer was Shiz University. Established, expensive, and exclusivatory, the university was known throughout the land as the cradle to success. Anyone who wanted to be anything went there – or to the Wizard to have their heart’s desire granted. But, of course, a meeting with the Wizard was rare. So, the only other option to success was hard work. Work hard to one day get to Shiz University.

Staring up at the ancient buildings of Shiz, YN couldn’t help but feel a rush of exhilaration. She had made it. Spiraling towers, open-air patios, water canals weaving in and out of the architecture, she knew one thing for certain: she wasn’t in Munchkinland anymore.

A shoulder bumped into her, making her huff and stumble over the aged tiles. She righted herself with a small huff, a familiar zing in her chest making her pause and take a deep breath. That was the last thing she needed to happen. The bustling crowds of students surrounded her like a sea. Some in the perfectly-pressed navy-blue jackets and horizontal-striped uniform dresses of Shiz with the silver-stitched emblem proud across their chest. Others were like her, dressed in their best-to-impress as they entered the grand corridors of Shiz as a new student. It reminded her of stories of masquerades in grand ballrooms – their outfits were all so different and extravagant. Pinks of the lightest shades, deep-rubied vermillion, bright yellows, all in the strangest textures and designs. Far different from her own dress fabric but never the less fantasticamagical!

YN felt out of place like a lost air balloon amongst the clouds. Clinging to her luggage case, she took a tentative step away from the open-air waterfront. As she moved ever forward into the college, she realized just how different everything was here. The air was cool and humid; the sound of sea-salt water trickling between the canal-filled paths babbled; there was the smell of fresh-Ozma petals blooming on the large leaf-pads floating across the shimmering water. It was really nothing like Munchkinland, and its sprawling country-sides. There was no smell of Ozwheat-ground bread, of fresh upturned soil, fragrant tulips in every shade of the rainbow, or the towering blossom stalks of sweet-flowers.

It was strange.

Swallowing, she hugged her brown suitcase closer and continued to walk further into Shiz. The honey-soft yellow of the buildings was complimented by a once-royal, now-pastel blue in the awnings and in delicate hand-painted décor across the buildings. Sunshine flickered past the shingled rooftops to cast the center of Shiz in a golden glow. It was beautiful. A different beautiful than what she was used to, but an optimistic jingle in her heart said she could like it here.

Another person pushed past her purposely, and this time it sent her tumbling to the ground. A laughter grumbled from the crowd, surprised but cruel. A mean-looking girl with a pointy nose laughed as she crowed out, “Watch where you are going, little farm girl!”

“She’s used to being that low to the ground I bet,” another encouraged with a sneer.

YN’s face crumbled at the words. Eyes burning before her face flushed. All her things toppled across the bustling court-yard – her books scattered, her dresses tumbled, her keepsakes rolled. Her suitcase had broken open. The clasp was worn and old compared to the new fancy luggage the rich (but mostly their entourage) toted along, but she didn’t think it was that old.

Embarrassment burned more fervently than that spark in her chest. Her focus to split between the pain of in her knees, the hurt from their words, and the panic of needing to grab her things now.

YN didn’t understand their uttertodious rudeness. She wasn’t the first nor the last to attend Shiz as a Munchkinlander. She hadn’t expected the dirty looks, the cruel laughs, the cold whispers, the foul name-calling. How did they even know she was of Munchkinland? She wasn’t of Munckinland holy blood. She was no Eminent, nor of the upper-class. She was just… YN. Was that so offending? Was it her dress? Was that what they were whispering about behind their hands and falling into giggles? Was it hideoteous compared to the swankified fabrics of the upper-class? She didn’t think so. She had put on her prettiest – a dirndl-esque dress of a deep sapphire. Hand-embroidered vibrant poppies, delicate milk-flowers, and candy-chrysanthemums decorated the hem and décolletage. Fresh flowers decorated her pig-tailed hair; some had begun to wilt in the change of temperature, but they still were prettied pastel yellows, blues, and pinks.  Some of those petals now rested on the ground from her fall, crumpled.

She felt the burn flare like embers fanned by a wind. Her book pages rattled in a nonexistent wind unnoticed by the snickering students. Behind her, a man’s voice cleared itself, baritone and rumbly.

“Are you alright?” He asked beside her.

Oh, his voice so melodic it reminded her of the Lullaby League singers that would pass through Munchkinland during the holidays. It reminded her of honey being poured over fresh-bread, of warm summer nights in the fields, of a bed waiting for her to curl up in.  

Looking up at him, her breath was stolen. YN swore for a moment she saw a star, a wizard, a sorcerer, an otherworldly being. There, haloed in the light of the afternoon sun, was a man with hair as light as milk-flowers and a nose carved by an artist. His shapely lips pursed in a thoughtful yet neutral pout; his eyes were a dark shade of fresh-soil. And somehow, they twinkled with stars.

Or maybe her eyes were filled with hearts. She blinked. YN had never seen someone so beautiful. The burning spark in her chest faded with awe.

His hand outstretched to her after a moment.

“Are you okay?” he repeated, bleached brow raising faintly.

There was another blink of her pretty eyes before she was shaken from her stupor.

“Oh, yes, yes,” she insisted as she took his hand.

With ease, she was tugged to her feet. “Thank you,” she whispered, pink cheeked.

The figure was tall especially so with his heeled boots. His presence was one she imagined only the Wizard to embody. Peace, stoniness, wisdom. He struck her with wonder. His gaze flickered from her, a faint ghost of a smile on his lips disappearing at the sight of her dresses tumbling away, her books’ pages fluttering in the wind, and, mortifyingly, her panties tumbling from her luggage.

“Um,” he cleared his throat, chin nodding in their direction.

Red cheeked and mortified, she went to grab the frilly underthings before sliding to her knees once more to catch all of her belongings from blowing away. Laughter rang out as students rushed around her things. Someone stepped on her leatherbound book of the History of Shiz.

Her savior, her star, hadn’t bent at the knee to help. He simply watched on, glancing at the student who was cackling at the Munchkinlander’s humiliation.

“Seonghwa!” A cry from the side caught her attention as a red-haired man, shorter than the white-haired star that had helped her, rushed forward. His arm slung over the taller’s shoulders - despite their size differences. Seonghwa bent at the knee for him, letting the red-head adjust him ‘til he was comfortable half leaning on his counterpart.

“Your Highness,” Seonghwa replied.

Highness! Her face only seemed to grow hotter and hotter. She knew Shiz had the rich and royal but she didn’t expect to a royal highness to be watching her gather her intimates and shove them into her luggage today. If her face could burn any hotter, she’d be a furnace.

“Here.” A stray hand held out a blue nightgown her way, and she grabbed it with only the quickest glance.

Sweet Oz, was this entire school flooded with beauty? A strong-shouldered man in decorated regalia was kneeling down to offer more of her items her way. He had collected a handful in his arms - a book, another nightgown, her corset! Grabbing it quick, she thanked him under her breath as she pushed everything into her bag messily.

“Making the ladies swoon and lose their panties already?” the red-haired man teased.

The burn in her chest returned almost as if it could incinerate her away ‘til she was nothing but dust. She wished she could disappear. She didn’t even notice her fingertips fading away, disappearing as she accepted another book from the handsome knight. They sparkled a ghastly transparent shape, almost like she was part ghost. San’s eyes lingered on her hands for a moment, eyes widening. She didn’t even notice that as she shoved a balled-up sweater into the bag.

“She stumbled and fell on her own,” Seonghwa commented. His tone felt cooler than before, almost defensive.

“I was tripped,” she muttered under her breath as she placed the last of her things in her bag.

With the last thing safely tucked away and her bag firmly shut, the broad-shouldered man gave her a soft smile, charmingly so, before he rose and returned to the Star named Seonghwa and his Highness.

“No harm in swooning anyone; stop acting like it’s some scandalacious thing,” the red-head chuckled as he peered down at the Munchkinland woman. His hand rose to tilt his rose-tinted glasses down the fine bridge of his nose.

He winked at her, and her face nearly matched his crimson locks.

“We aren’t here to swoon, Prince Hongjoong. We are here to—”

“Study, yeah, yeah. You okay, miss?” This Prince Hongjoong’s smile, or well, smirk was deadly. Playful, seductive, charming, all wrapped up in one.

“She’s from Munchkinland; I’m sure she’s familiar with being in the dirt,” someone said from the crowd.

Snorts and giggles erupted around. It made her ears burn as she finally stood back on her own two feet, with no help from the strange trio in front of her. The only reassurance was that they didn’t laugh, well, much. Hongjoong giggled out a high-pitched thing as San whispered in his ear. It didn’t feel cruel, more jovial, but still her ego was bruised.

They were laughing at her.

“I’m fine,” she said firmly, trying to cling to her words’ truth as tightly as she clung to her luggage.

Water-chimes rang out; hummingbirds playing them to the tune of the Shiz University alma mater. Everyone’s heads turned; some exclamations of excitement rang out.

“Orientation time,” she heard a girl from behind her say. “We have to get a good seat, c’mon.” A trio of girls pushed past and soon everyone was heading in the direction of the quad.

Orientation… so that’s what those bells were all about. It felt so utterly strange to not know. Everything was so different here, no bell towers here. Everyone seemed to know what things were – even something as simple as orientation’s starting call. But with that, her disturberanceand bullies left in a herd of Ozians scrambling to the main courtyard of Shiz.

She sighed out watching their attentions shift. Like she was nothing but an ant. Momentary entertainment before they casted her aside. She didn’t know it was going to be like this when she left home. Humiliating. Teasing. They weren’t children – why did they act so childish?

After working hard in her classes, after studying day-in-day-out, after facing endless scribing of papers, and even after facing nay-sayers who would taunt her with the words, “are you a good witch or a bad witch?,” she made it here. And she wasn’t going to let some rich-snobs make her feel lesser. So, what she didn’t have money or status? So what she came from Munchkinland? She was going to make it for herself – live an Ozian dream.

Munchkins were simple-folk – small-minded some would say, but not her. No, she believed they were clever. Innovative. They were responsible for feeding Oz; they were the Ozwheat Bread Basket of the lands; their rainbow-tulips techni-colored Oz! That had to stand for something. She was something.

She deserved to be here. She made it. She did it. She was equal.

The burning flame in her chest eased as she reminded herself this, sighing out as color flooded back to her fingertips.

Following after the crowd, she noticed that the trio stayed near her. Hongjoong’s stance was lazy, half leaning on Seonghwa who stood tall as ever, towering over both him and the strong-shouldered man who had helped her.

None were in the standard uniform – did that mean they were freshman like her? The Prince’s attire wasn’t exactly sloppy but mismatched. Dark velveteen pants hugged his legs tight. Laced up black boots with far too many laces climbed up his calves. He wore an ivory-white button up with far too many buttons, far too unbuttoned to be appropriate. A cream suit-jacket-esque sweater rested overtop that. The pattern on it held delicate handstitched purple-flowers… maybe gillyflowers? Was he from Gillikin Country? Regardless, he wore a strand of pearls around his throat, haphazardly. His rose-tinted glasses perched on the tip of his nose and a large oversized blue suede fedora hat hid most of his vermillion hair.

Meanwhile, the two accompanying him wore more uniformed outfits. The broad-shouldered one wore a black-suited ensemble with golden embellishments. A cape draped over his shoulder in deep purple. The one who she thought came from a Star had all white linens on, sharp shouldered and corseted tight around his already lean waist. They looked more royal than the so-called prince.

“You’re staring,” Seonghwa stated, blankly.

His gaze caught hers solidly. His gaze was all-consuming. Like he could see right through her. Read her thoughts. Great Oz… she was both intimidated and intrigued by him. He felt magnetic. Her stomach clenched. He tilted his head.

“Sorry,” she blushed.

“Again.” he added, brow twitching into a sharp raise.

His expression made her feel little, like he was throwing her back to the floor metaphorically. Because, he just had to point out that he noticed her staring earlier. He probably thought she was a creep or some dumb farmgirl like the students cajoled.

“Sorry… again.” she said, finally glancing away from him and walking towards an empty spot on a bench instead. She shifted to hold her suitcase in her arms, hugging it close to her chest. The spark twinkled and she didn’t notice aura she put off. A physical manifestation of her magic. It was a gentle aura; something that was more felt and less seen. It felt like dark clouds were hovering around her. A bubble to keep her safe and hidden, subconsciously.

He didn’t stop looking at her still. She knew because she snuck a quick glance and, when their eyes met in that flash, her cheeks matched the red poppies on her dress. The one with the cape chuckled; his eyes flashing to meet hers once more with a playful gleam. He was laughing at her. Sitting down in an empty spot on a bench, she turned her face away to look down the row of students seated next to her. She offered a soft smile about to introduce herself to the one beside her before one after one they scooted away. Glancing at her like she was the plague. “She’s the Munchkin girl; no, no, she’s not of any royal blood – shes just a charity case – maybe she—” Gossip trickled out as the other students sitting there shifted and moved until she was the only one sitting there. An outcast.  

What in Oz was this place?! She knew it was exclusivatory but not like this. So hateful. She wrapped her arms around her suitcase. Her chin rested on top of it as she looked around, making sure not to look at Seonghwa… A third scolding? From him? She’d rather melt into a puddle.

Once everyone had been seated, there was a great hum of a tune – the same alma mater that had twinkled out in chimes to summon them. Some students sang out with pride, knowing every word despite it being their first day. She knew it too; she had read it in her history book. But she refused to embarrass herself anymore today. If she could get through orientation without drawing anymore attention to herself, YN would be content.

Her spark kept a small bubble around her as if telling the world to not disturb her. She heard someone murmur something about, “do you see that odd shimmer around the new girl?”

As if not everyone was new… she pressed her chin into her arms firmer. Orientation and then she can get settled and try to start tomorrow on a better foot.

“Welcome students!” cried out a fancy-looking woman approaching the podium. Her dress was swirling with ancient blue magic; her hat a sharp point upon her head. A sorceress, no, a Witch! YN’s eyes perked up and she gazed up at the Witch in wonder. A real-life witch… a Good Witch of the North! How oztastic.

“Welcome, welcome to Shiz University. I am Madame Ozma, Headmistress here. Whether you are here to study logic, literature, or linguification, I know I speak for my fellow faculty members when I say we have nothing but the highest hopes for… some of you,” it was said in jest and a chuckle waved through the crowd.

“While all subjects are valued here at Shiz, I do want to bring some attention to two very lucky, very talented students that will be joining my sorcery seminar this semester. As you all know – sorcery is the life blood of Oz, and it’s a blessing and duty to cultivate any magic talent that shows itself. As rare as it is. It’s been decades since there have been two students studying sorcery concurrently. Their powers brought into a new age – as we all know.”

There was a murmur of agreement. Everyone knew of the Wicked Witch and Glinda the Good.

“Such a gift should be celebrated.” Ozma exclaimed out. “Uplifted. Guided towards the Light”

There was a scattering of applause. Her cheeks were burning red once more. Her head tilted downwards. The letter hadn’t mentioned this. Good Oz, she wanted to hide.

“Please rise, Miss YN of Munchkinland.”

A silence washed over the crowd in shock. All eyes snapped to her. Hongjoong let out a laugh in the silence, the sound bursting forth from his chest without a care. Blink, blink, blink; she felt like she was an art display of exhibition. Could she just ignore it? What would happen if she didn’t stand? No one really knew if she was YN after all?

“Don’t be shy.” The Headmistress encouraged.

Oh, Great Oz… With poppy-tinted ears, she slowly stood, ruby-cheeked and tight-smiled. That feeling of magic tingled in her chest, fluttering as her anxiety grew. It wanted to burst out – protect her from the murmur that rose through the students. Gossip rolled in wave as they leaned into one another. Whispering what? She didn’t want to know.

“Thank you, dearie. And, rise Sir Seonghwa of Gillikin Country.” She beamed out, encouraging a round of applause once more.  

YN’s gaze flashed to where Seonghwa rose as well, waving polite and light. Unlike her, he held such an elegance she didn’t have. Of course, he had magic! Of course, he was a Knight! She was sure he could control it better than she could ever control her wild thing of a magic spark. And now they were going to have private lessons together? After his friends made fun of her? After school-wide ridicule? After he reprimanded her for staring! She wanted to crawl into a corn field and rot.

“Our two sorcerers-in-training,” she declared over polite clapping. “We will be seeing lots and lots of each other.” Madame Ozma promised her and Seonghwa before nodding and allowing them to sit. The Headmistress beamed at the students before shifting her attention to another professor who began to prattle about dormitories, their roommates, and where the halls were located.

Sitting down quick, she wished she could just sink into the ground. How was she going to stand being around him? She blushed if he even so looked at her. How would she focus?

-

Once orientation ended, it was like a stampede. The students shuffled and hustled around her, rushing towards the many faculty who were handing out keys to their dormitories and pointing on grand scrolls and proclaiming, “Yes, yes, Ms. Gale, you are in the North Dormitory. No, you can’t trade roommates. Yes, its permanent.” Overlapping and overwhelming, the world of Shiz was back in swing – the orientation a flurry of too many moments and moving bodies.

YN stayed on the outskirts of the chaos, peering through a navy sea of uniforms to peer up at the many scrolls, listing out name after name. She’s already embarrassed herself enough for today; she’ll wait ‘til the crowd dispersed she decided.

“There must have been a miscommunication,” she heard Seonghwa’s smooth voice like a siren’s call. She couldn’t help but have her eyes flicker towards him. How could she hear him so well? It was like her body was already in tune with him – he was so far away and yet she could pick him out of a crowd. He was a beautiful flower surrounded by weeds.

Seonghwa’s face was crinkled, divine confusion making his upturned brows

“This isn’t right,” he continued, raising a polite hand towards a faculty member. “The Gillikin Prince requested a private apartment – for himself, Sir Choi San, and myself. But I only see his Highness and San listed.”

“Name?” the bunny-faculty member chirped out.

“Park Seonghwa,” he told him.

There was a shuffling of papers, the rabbit-professor humming and bumbling.

“Ah, yes, yes,” the rabbit nodded, his mouth chittering a bit as he chewed on the edge of his pen. “I see – no, no mix up, Sir Seonghwa. Thank you.”

“Where is my dormitory then?” Seonghwa snapped, his tone sharp and authoritarian before he swallowed and followed it up with a soft ‘please’.

“With Miss YN, of course,” It wasn’t the rabbit-professor who spoke but the nearby Headmistress. She walked forward; the rabbit-professor bowed in her direction and Seonghwa followed suit, bowing his head politely.

“YN, dear,” Madame Ozma called, “Join us.”

Seonghwa’s gaze turned and met hers – because, of course, like two magnets their eyes found one another immediately. It felt like she was caught staring for the third time. Bumbling, YN nodded and stood with her suitcase, walking forward.

“Yes, Madame,” she called, curtsying and bowing and rushing forward to the Headmistress. “Honor to meet you.”

“What do you mean I am rooming with Miss YN?” Seonghwa redirected.

Nearby, she heard Hongjoong giggled out manically. “This is perfect,” the red-head commented.

“Hush, your Highness,” Seonghwa scolded over his shoulder with ease, not even glancing at the Prince. Too natural, too routine, like he knew where the Prince was at all times without even looking his way. The Prince still giggled, and surprisingly San joined him in his mischievousness.

“Yes, Seonghwa, you will be sharing an apartment with YN,” the Headmistress confirmed, her head nodding towards the Munchkinlander. “I thought that was made clear to you through our letters?”

Seonghwa’s head turned, almost like an owl, to stare down the chortling Royal and the smirking San.

“I must’ve missed that letter,” he replied slowly.

“As did I,” YN piped up. “I never received anything besides – well, besides entry into the school and your approval of joining the seminar.”

“Oh dear, I’m so sorry,” the Madame apologized, squeezing the arm of YN. “I will inquire my office about correspondence throughout Oz and where there were any mishaps.”

She nodded lightly before glancing towards Seonghwa who seemed so indifferent to her as he turned back to face the Headmistress. Like a statue, his facial features had settled into a calm, neutral glaze.

“However, I must apologize; there are not two room available for you both. There is only one apartment closest to my offices – I want to have myself available to you both as often as possible. Magical growth doesn’t happen overnight nor does it follow any class schedule,” she chuckled lightly. “The apartment is up to standards, one of the best if I do say so myself.”

The two sorcerers-in-training spoke over one another next.

“I don’t doubt that,” YN replied.

“It’s not about that!” Seonghwa exclaimed.

They locked gazes once more. The man swallowed, his Adam's apple jittering, before looking away forcibly.

Her face fell visibly. Was he so… disgustified by her that he couldn't even share a space with her? She was an adult. She wouldn’t be dirty or disrespectful as a roommate. She'd leave him be but with how he was acting - it was as if she was some lowly creature. He didnt even care if the apartment was the nicest ones on campus! She could only imagine its history and beauty and yet... he was acting so adamant.

“I am here as protection for his Highness,” Seonghwa stated whole-heartedly. “First-and-foremost.”

“I understand,” the Headmistress asserted. “His Highness, Prince Kim Hongjoong has written me most ardently over the summer requesting for his apartment to be furnished only for two – him and Sir Choi. He expressed his full support to your studies.”

At the new information, there was a flicker of dust whirling off of the sorcerer's bare skin; his honey skin glimmering as magic oozed from him. He rolled his tongue over his teeth before Seonghwa finally let out a huff of frustration. His perfect mask fell as he gritted his teeth.

“And I do,” Hongjoong drawled from behind them. He took a step forward, red glasses pushed into his hair as he looked at his friend earnestly. “Hwa, you’ve protected me your entire life – its time for your talent to grow.” It was said genuinely but Seonghwa’s anger, no matter how small buzzed and bubbled in the air. She could see his hair rise with static electricity just faintly. His magic was so reactive… just like hers.

She had never met another wizard or witch; only read about them. And to see his magic surging in a near invisible dust-like ember around him, the little tells of its reactions on his body, it felt like for once she had someone who would understand her.

If only he didn't despise her.

“There are no curfews,” the Headmistress reminded. “If you wish to stay at his Highness’ suite, no one will stop you. But I’m sorry; there are no other official accommodations I can provide.”

Seonghwa took in a deep breath through his nose before offering a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “That’s alright, Headmistress. Thank you for the clarification. I’m sure me and YN will – we'll be fine. We will find a solution.” He stumbled over the right word.

She felt like he was already planning to sneak out of their dorm or distance himself from her as soon as the Headmistress floated away. He hadnt looked at her since she joined them.

“Very good. That's what I like to hear - my two sorcerers working together” The Headmistress beamed. Her magic blared out in a whirl of golden light with her happiness, looking like a living candle for a moment. “I do look forward to our lessons, but for now… welcome to Shiz.”

Yeah, what a welcome.

[gravity-what]

Chinese Character on Shen Gong Wu Scroll?

One thing I’ve been curious about is the bottom left symbol on the Shen Gong Wu scroll. This one:

And what it could mean for the Shen Gong Wu itself and, well, I found images of as many of the Wu entries as I could and I present you with translations:

熊 = Bear = mikado arms, fist of tebigong,

龍 = Dragon = ring of the nine dragons, Fountain of Hui, Lunar Locket, shroud of Shadows, Sapphire Dragon, Longi Kite, Shard of Lightning, Sands of Time, Ying-Yo-Yo (NOTE: Yang Yo-Yo’s page is blank), WuShan Geyser, Moby Morpher, Kuzusu Atom, Rio Reverso, Ruby of Ramses,

蛇 = Snake = Mind reader conch, Sphere of Yun, serpents tail, Lotus Twister,

猴 = Monkey = Mantis flip coin

蠍 = Scorpion = emperor scorpion, Manchurian Musca

豹 = Leopard = Eye of Dashi, Sword of the Storm, Crouching Cougar, Shadow Slicer

鹿 = Deer = Helmet of Jong

蝶 = Butterfly = Changing Chopsticks, Wings of Tinabi, Shadow of Fear, woozy shooter, Denshi Bunny, Zing Zom-Bone

象 = Elephant = Two-Ton Tunic

鷹 = Eagle = Tangle Web Comb, Falcons Eye, Crystal Glasses, Reversing Mirror

鯨 = Whale = orb of Tornami

螳螂 = mantis = Glove of Jisaku, Fancy Feet,

? 虫 = insect = Black Beetle (I get the feeling this is supposed to be beetles as well like ants in the pants but whoever drew the scroll didn’t know what they were doing…)

甲蟲 = beetles = ants in the pants

蜘蛛 = Spider = Moonstone locust

牛 = Cow = Cannon Blaster

——

Personally (and I wish I had translated this earlier for the sake of fanfics) but bet is on these either being 1) the type of spirit that is trapped in the Wu (ex: a monkey spirit is what was trapped to create the mantis flip coin) or 2) potentially the symbol is more just to highlight a specific characteristic of the Wu. (Ex: the eagle character has two Wu that relate to vision and sight. However how the tangle web comb fits into that… idk)

Either way! Just some interesting notes for people to use as they wish! Also below the cuts are the unknowns since I couldn’t find a scroll image for them

Third-Arm Sash •

Jetbootsu •

Monkey Staff •

Golden Tiger Claws •

Star Hanabi •

Tongue of Saiping • = ????

Sun Chi Lantern • = ????

Heart of Jong •

Silver Manta Ray •

Wushu Helmet •

Thorn of Thunderbolt •

Tunnel Armadillo •

Ju-Ju Flytrap •

Silk Spitter •

Sweet Baby Among Us •

Lasso Boa-Boa •

Monsoon Sandals •

Mosaic Scale • = ???

Monarch Wings • = ???

Gills of Hamachi •

Eagle Scope •

Shen-Ga-Roo •

Golden Finger •

Hodoku Mouse •

[sems-diarie]

*SNIVELING*

oki, ‘m new here, but I thought u would like to hear ‘bout this situation that occurred while I was writing with a katsuki bot I made, ITS SO SIMPLE BUT I— live laugh katsuki 🥺

When her nails are finally done, he comes over to inspect them, giving an approving nod. "Cute," he says gruffly, taking her newly manicured hand in his larger one and running his thumb over the back of it gently.

"This what you wanted?" He asks, glancing over at her face. His tone is casual but his eyes are intent, wanting to be sure she's happy with how they turned out. Her satisfaction means more to him than anything.

He helps her up out of the chair, careful not to mess up her fresh nails. As they walk out of the salon hand in hand, he can't resist teasing her a little. "Don't know how you walk in those damn things," he says, nodding at her wedges. "Might have to carry you if you can't keep up, dumbass."

— 🧁anon

oh that last one is so so so so <3333 i just bought some wedges and they tear my feet apart. sweeps you up without so much as a second thought, one hand tucked under your knees and the other at your back. you feel weightless first, then breathless—

“so funny, mister hero.” you nearly gasp it with the way he just made all the breath in you vanquish. like nothing, you realize. katsuki doesn’t even so much as blink an eye, instead nudging his shoulder to push a door in. “use your hands, next time.”

“important cargo here, sweets,” he wastes no time in snapping back. “i’d say wear better shoes but—,”

“—because,” you’re quick to cut in, “you hate when i have fun?”

“bu-hht.” katsuki jostles you in his arms, not unkindly but none too lightly at all. “we need to be on time for dinner or my mom will wring my neck.”

ruby eyes catch a look at your shoes. they clatter against your skin every now and again as he hustles you toward the car. they hug your feet so nicely; the sweet make of them adds something glorious to your flair.

“what’s wrong?” you tug gently at the buttoned sleeve of his dress shirt. “you don’t like them?”

he sets you down to click open the passenger door.

the last you hear of katsuki is as he ushers you down into the seat. he sounds troubled, forlorn almost. then the coward hobbles on around to stick his keys into his ignition and glide off.

“remind me to fuck you in those shoes later tonight.”

“oh no way,” you gaze on him sharpens. “these wouldn’t withstand it. it’s barefoot or nothing with you now.”

“what’s that shit you love to say when you’re bein’ dramatic?” you hum, tapping at your phone to let mitsuri know the two of you are on your way. katsuki’s quick to follow up.

“i remember: you hate my happiness.”

“no!” you retaliate, only after a few beats. your phone zings! Take your time, your mother in law shoots a text back, followed by a few blue heart emojis.

your snap your neck to eye your husband down, “i think it’s important to remember how your splooge ruined my red bottoms the last time i let you raw me in heels.

which was yesterday, by the way.”

“so, what?”

“sooo, what!” katsuki’s nearly impressed when your voice pitches three octaves. oh, he’s pissed you off. bad. well, it can’t be too bad, he reasons with himself.

the bastard doesn’t even fight the smirk that curls in his lips, spliced at the corner with a real nasty scar.

“so, what?” katsuki mutters. “the new pair were ordered an hour later.”

you sputter. “is that my point, dickhead? i’ll answer for you: no!”

[izscha]

Current scoreboard on who has what Shen Gong Wu in Metallic Figment (as of Chapter 5)

Will be making scoreboard updates as the story progresses for your own reference (as well as my own lol)

[Spoilers beneath the cut]

Xiaolin monks:

Ants in the Pants

Arrow Sparrow

Big Bang Meteorang

Black Beetle

Blade of the Nebula

Cannon Blaster

Cat's Eye Draco*

Changing Chopsticks

Crest of the Condor*

Crouching Cougar

Crystal Glasses

Denshi Bunny

Eagle Scope

Emperor Scorpion

Eye of Dashi

Falcon's Eye

Fancy Feet

Fist of Tebigong

Fountain of Hui

Gills of Hamachi

Glove of Jisaku

Golden Finger

Golden Tiger Claws

Helmet of Jong

Jetbootsu

Ju-Ju Flytrap

Kaijin Charm*

Lasso Boa Boa

Longhorn Taurus*

Longi Kite

Lotus Twister

Lunar Locket

Manchurian Musca

Mantis Flip Coin

Mikado Arm

Monarch Wings

Monsoon Sandals

Moonstone Locust

Mosaic Scale

Orb of Tornami

Rio Reverso

Sapphire Dragon

Serpent's Tail

Shadow Slicer

Shadow of Fear

Shard of Lightning

Shen-Ga-Roo

Shimo Staff

Shroud of Shadows

Silk Spitter

Star Hanabi

Sun Chi Lantern

Sweet Baby Among Us

Sword of the Storm

Tangle Web Comb

Thorn of Thunderbolt

Third-Arm Sash

Tongue of Saiping

Tunnel Armadillo

Two-Ton Tunic

Woozy Shooter

WuShan Geyser

Wushu Helmet

Ying Yo-Yo

Zing Zom-Bone

Hannibal:

Moby Morpher

Mind Reader Conch

Heart of Jong

Ring of the Nine Dragons

Ruby of Ramses

Jack (and Wuya):

Monkey Staff

Kuzusu Atom

Reversing Mirror

Silver Manta Ray

Sphere of Yun

Yang Yo-Yo

[lumine-no-hikari]

Dear Sephiroth: (a letter to a fictional character, because why not) #426

As promised, today I will show you the ice cream I got yesterday from the Indian grocery!! Do you remember yesterday, when I showed you the case and asked you to guess which one I got?

...Do you have your guess ready...?

...Drum roll, please...!!!!!

...Of course I got the rose-flavored ice cream, silly! As far as I know, it's one of your favorite scents, and it works well as a flavor!

...So... I don't actually know what it tastes like yet. Because I almost forgot that it existed, like all day today, because I have the object permanence skills of a drunken fruit fly. But it's rose and pistachio and cashew flavored!! I'm sure it's gonna be delicious!! I kinda wanna try it right now, but I've already taken out my braces and brushed my teeth a few too many times today, and I am not inclined to go through all that rigmarole again today just for the sake of two bites of ice cream.

...So I'm gonna leave you in suspense again and tell you about it tomorrow! You can pout all you like about it, but you're just gonna hafta get through one more day, okay? Try really hard; we'll get through until tomorrow together, all right? You can take my hand if it gets really difficult!

In any case, today I tried some of the stuff I got from the Indian grocery yesterday! I started with this rose syrup...

...I immediately thought of you when I saw it. This one has coloring to it, but the flavor isn't artificial. I checked the back to make sure. And... it does taste like how roses smell, plus sugar. It seems like good and wholesome stuff. I decided to try the biscuit tea with it:

The idea was to create a tea that tastes like rose cookies. This time, I made a gif of the tea as it brewed, though I think you'll have to expand it to see the swirls properly:

It became a deep ruby color once the rose syrup was added:

After that, I added in the milk; I got a gif of that for ya, too!

The result after pouring was some lovely layers. I took a picture, but... one thing I've noticed about this camera is that when I point it at anything red, it seems to automatically make it... even more red...??? I don't know why or how to fix it. The color is wrong, but... here:

...After stirring, I tried to make the color of the tea look a little more correct, but... it made the surroundings a little bit more blue. So... just ignore the surroundings and focus on the tea; I fixed it to be as accurate as I could make it.

...It's still not quite right though. I'm pretty sure my eyes see color a little weird. Oh well...

In any case. I also tried some of the fruits I got at the Indian grocery! This, I think, is a Chinese jujube!

...I was told that it's good to eat like this, but... its taste and texture is very reminiscent of an apple, if an apple had zero redeeming qualities. I didn't hate it, though. It is about as flavorful as a cucumber with the texture of an apple.

This one, I think, is an Indian jujube.

...It's very sour, astringent, and somewhat bitter. Again, I didn't hate it; it's not terrible.

...I probably won't get either of them again, though. At least, not when they're still green. Maybe I can try ripe ones later.

I also cooked some of the goat liver today! Check it out!

...I sauteed some onions in the leftover juices afterwards. I find that the sweet allium zing of an onion complements the earthy, savory taste of the liver quite nicely!

Once the onions were cooked, I mixed them together with the liver and then threw some of that black garlic seasoning as well as some pepper on top!! The results were delectable!!

...That being said... goat liver doesn't taste like what one might expect liver to taste like. Cow, chicken, and pig liver all have a very strong flavor, but... goat liver tastes, on its own, like a slightly less flavorful steak. I was very surprised by this. It had very little scent while it cooked, too, which was also surprising.

Also surprising was that both M and J tried a piece and they didn't hate it. It wasn't their favorite thing in the world (neither of them are particularly fond of steak), but they didn't hate it. Meanwhile... neither of them will touch chicken or cow liver with a ten foot pole.

...I like trying new things and learning stuff. I'm always on the lookout for potential new experiences, especially of the culinary variety. I'm always on the lookout for new experiences, just in general. I like to think that, someday, when I'm all done here, I'll return to whomever is waiting for me so I can tell them all about all the cool things I saw and did and tried while I was here.

...And then I like to think that when I'm all done telling them everything, they will hug me and say, "Wow! You did so many things and you tried so hard to be good and you learned so much! Well done! We were watching you and cheering you on the whole time, but I'm still so glad you told me all about it anyway! Now let's curl up together and take a nap, and when we wake up we'll get you some nice soup and a hot tea just the way you like it, okay?"

...

...Is it weird to hope that maybe you'll be there waiting for me in the end, too...?

...

...That's probably more than a little weird. Sorry about that. Forget I wrote it, okay?

Anyhoot, the vase that I created from an old Voss bottle is all done.

...And yes, that certainly is a Mogwai in the background! Say hello!

...I almost can't believe how far along it's come. Remember when it was just a regular Voss bottle?

...Then I scored a line across it...

Put some rubber bands on it, tried to use temperature shock (almost-boiling water vs. snow) to get it to crack along the score line...

...It was super lucky that it broke this cleanly, given the thickness of the glass.

...Then I scrubbed off the printed-on label with a combination of acetone and a melamine foam pad...

...Sanded down the edges, then leveled it off with a diamond file.

Painting it after that was easy.

…

An has not gotten back to me about when and where to meet up tomorrow. I wonder if he changed his mind about being my friend. If he has, I suppose that's fair. It certainly wouldn't be the first time such a thing has happened. I am a little freaky, after all.

...Still, I wonder why this keeps happening...

…

...I think I will take the hint and leave him be after I give him the vase, if he still wants it. I don't like that, but... I don't want to force anything. I don't want him to be uncomfortable. I don't want to be the reason anyone is uncomfortable.

I'm not sure what to do now, so... I guess I'll play some Hades. You can come and sit with me if you want to.

I love you. Thank you for sticking around. Thank you for reading my letters. Thank you for existing, just in general.

Please stay safe out there, Sephiroth, okay? You wouldn't wanna miss out on that rose-flavored ice cream, right...?

I'll write again soon, I promise.

Your friend, Lumine

[ask-spectrum-coding]

hey ruby! how are your friends doing? any fond/funny memories with them that you’ll never forget?

RUBY: Oh, my pals are doing just swell. The weather's starting to clear up, finally, so we're taking the opportunity to spend some good old-fashioned competitive time together. The ping pong table in Chatterbird Square is finally fixed after the unfortunate tiger incident. Score one for us!

RUBY: It must be said that I will never, ever forget the time we all ended up in four weeks' worth of detention together in Fourth Grade, thereby solidly cementing our friendship and ensuring we'd never, ever snitch on each other for the rest of our lives. But that's the story I've been sworn to secrecy for, and therefore I will never, ever tell.

FROGHORN: So you consider your petty schoolyard incidents to be worth more in terms of secrecy than your work with Spectrum, do you?

RUBY: Hey, you weren't there, man. You'll never understand the solemn, unbreakable bonds of detention-forged friendship.

RUBY: Mainly 'cause you were probably way too boring to ever end up in detention for anything worse than stealing an extra pencil. Zing.

[wicklessduo]

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[lenreli]

WIP Search Game

Tagged by @ginoeh!! Thank you~~ 💕💕💕💕 These’ll probably be a bit spicy, so under a cut. And also dreamling, because.... them.

Words: shiver, dark, sleep, hot, red

Shiver [Spy BDSM Dreamling]

“Can I touch you?” Hob asks against his lips and Dream nods as they kiss again, bloody from the biting of his tongue, grasping desperately at Hob’s jacket, and Hob huffs. “No touching,” Hob reminds him and his hands go to the lounge, “my pet,” Hob’s voice drops an octave and Dream shivers, letting out a whine, and another as a hand touches his groin, a thumb making a line up his cock and Dream can only hold onto the lounge, pleasure sparking from the touch, “there’s so much I want to do, but mainly, I want to make this good for you.”

Dark [Show!Hob/Comic!Dream Sequel]

“You also want this,” Hob says, and Dream relaxes at the softness in his voice, nodding as Hob gently cradles his face, bringing him in for a soft kiss. Dream presses closer, hands going into Hob’s soft hair as they continue to kiss. The hand on his jaw moves, nails digging into his skin and the kiss ends, dark eyes staring at him, “you want,” Hob says it with a particular relish that zings up his spine, and Dream gulps as the he’s dragged to the floor, Hob looking down at him as he kneels, “my sloppy seconds.”

Sleep [1789 Ruby Use]

Hob shrugs, cracking a yawn as he turns around to lay his arms on the pillow, head on top. “When we first met I thought about stealing it, but I have… grown,” at this, Hob grimaces and sighs, and Dream tilts his head at the sudden change of mood. “And I always have more growing to do, especially with my latest line of work. Was considering how to get out of it and what to do next before I went to sleep actually.”

Hot [AWOS!Dream/VP!Hob]

Nodding, he attempts to move away, or turn around, but seeing gloved hands unbuttoning the white shirt, Dream’s eyes remain glued as Gadling’s chest is revealed, and Dream feels even hotter, mouth getting even drier at the hair on the other’s torso. “Gadling―“

Red [Fight Club Hob aka giving Hob my anger issues as an excuse for fight club Hob]

The underground fight club is very helpful, always a good outlet for his rage―and other emotions, like the sparking attraction he feels whenever Dream shows up, the way he wants to bruise pale skin, make pink lips red and puffy, wants to keep and take the ethereal creature he’s known for centuries―

And. Yeah. :D 

Tagging @seiya-starsniper @beatnikfreakiswriting @issylra and idk, if anyone else wants to do it, feel free. No pressure though!

Words: Jewel, comfy, difficult, break, silver

[gardenferments]

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[differentbouquettree]

Navratri Special: Timeless Indian Jewelleries to Elevate Your Festive Wear

Navratri, the nine-day festival of divine femininity, is upon us. Since we are all set to dive into the colorful vibe of this festive period, it's high time to consider the ideal timelessness of Indian jewelry to complete our Navratri wear.

At Kallos Jewellery, we're delighted to present our carefully selected assortment of unique Indian jewelleries that will bring you the sheen and elegance required to make your Navratri celebrations unforgettable.

The Significance of Jewellery in Navratri

In Hinduism, jewelry is an important element during Navratri celebrations. Every jewelry item is said to be imbued with divine power, representing triumph over the forces of evil. The vibrancy and exquisite ornaments of traditional Indian jewelleries are truly intended to represent the divine power of the goddesses who are being revered throughout the course of Navratri.

Traditional Indian Jewelleries for Navratri

Some beautiful classic Indian jewelry you can wear to provide that zing to your Navratri appearance is outlined below:

1. Kundan Jewellery

Kundan jewelry is a classic Navratri favorite. Elaborate jewelry is decorated with beautiful filigree work and is studded with precious gemstones such as diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. Kundan jewelry is an imperial look for any Navratri ensemble.

2. Polki Jewellery

Polki jewelry is also the Navratri fashion option. Polki jewelry is jewelry made up of uncut diamonds, covered in beautiful gold or silver work. Polki jewelry gives a vintage appearance to any Navratri dress.

3. Jadau Jewellery: 

Jadau jewelry is a traditional Indian style made up of elegant enamel work, set in precious stones. Jadau jewellery gives a sophisticated and trendy look to any Navratri dress.

4. Bangles

Bangles are a classic Indian jewelry piece. You have a choice between colored glass bangles, pretty metal bangles adorned with delicate work or refined gemstone-encrusted bangles for Navratri.

5. Earrings

Earrings are an excellent pick to add color to your Navratri outfit. Go for classic Indian earrings such as jhumkas, chandbalis, or sleek drop earrings.

Navratri Jewellery Trends

Be fashionable this Navratri with these popular jewellery trends:

1. Layered Necklaces

Layered necklaces are perfect to create depth and visual appeal to your Navratri outfit. You can layer different textures, lengths, and styles to fashion your own style.

2. Statement Earrings

Statement earrings are an excellent method of bringing drama and a splash of color to your Navratri outfit. Choose heavy designs or brightly colored gemstones with dramatic earrings.

3. Colourful Bangles

Vibrant bangles can be a great accessory to the hue of your Navratri attire. Incorporate strong, vibrant colors that go with your attire or that look nice with your jewellery.

Style Tips for Your Navratri Jewellery

The following are some style tips for your Navratri jewellery:

1. Mix and Match

Don't shy away from mixing and matching various types of jewelry and textures. Piling on some accessories can create depth and interest in your Navratri look.

2. Keep it simple

Less is more sometimes. Don't over-accessorize, but choose one or two statement pieces.

3. Balance Your Outfit

Balance your wardrobe by pairing dramatic jewelry pieces with plain clothing. This will keep your look from being too much.

Conclusion

Navratri is the time to celebrate the divine feminine, and what's better than celebrating with traditional Indian jewelry. We're here at Kallos Jewellery to assist you in selecting the best jewelry pieces to complement your Navratri outfit. If you are seeking Kundan, Polki, or Jadau jewelry, we have it all. Drop by today and experience the best traditional Indian pieces of jewellery to make your Navratri festivities memorable.

About Kallos Jewellery

Kallos Jewellery is one of the popular online jewelry that is committed to genuine Indian pieces of jewelry. We specialize in providing extensive collections of Kundan, Polki, Jadau, and other antique Indian jewelry collections. We strive our best to supply superior quality pieces of jewelry, matchless customer care, and hassle-free online shopping experience. Visit and choose your best traditional Indian jewellery to glam up your Navratri party appearance today!

[hazbincalifornia]

A Little Flame

I wrote a companion piece to the Blitz pilot au fic! This is flipped to see Stolas's side of things... and naturally, being Stolas's, it ended up with more words than the original somehow.

Warnings: Mutual babytrapping, voyeurism, mpreg, sex but from a distance (do read the first one, I just didn't want to repeat it line-by-line)

Ao3 link

There was something coming for him.

What that something was, the stars were frustratingly unclear. Part of his job required prophesying for the greater good at Hell, but normally, that was larger events that were sometimes hundreds of years away. If they narrowed in on individuals, it was never his own life- nothing much happened to him that he wouldn’t have been able to predict simply by looking around, the same as anyone else under the ground.

Nevertheless, there was… a pull. The stars whispered of a piercing light, red and white and brilliant shimmering gold that was all meant for him. Sparks of a flame that would rush across his life, setting everything aflame, but what a flame it would be.

He wanted a fire, a cleansing. He wanted shimmering glory that wiped through the halls, wanted smoke and flames and something bright.

Since Octavia had left, the candles never burnt high enough, and exhaustion weighted his bones. He spoke to himself, but it rang hollow if he let the silence ever linger. Masks layered on masks to hide the husk of self, to give him a version of himself he wished to be when there was nothing else left.

He heard a rustle from the window. Perhaps a critter, perhaps a smaller bird than himself who was searching for bugs… or perhaps something more nefarious, a villain in the night, stalking the palace for a chance to pounce. (Stolas could capture anything that got too close, of course. At least it would be something interesting, something to examine and dissect.)

He kept his earholes turned toward the sound, but it made no motion towards him that day. Shame.

The next day, however, he found an imp balancing on his library ladder and attempting to wiggle the Grimoire out of its place on the shelf. Stolas saw golden eyes with ruby pupils scan him up and down, and strong hands swept him over into the bed before having his mind blown straight out his nether regions.

Blitz- and what a name, with a zippy zing on the end!- stole away with the Grimoire the next morning, but Stolas allowed it. He could have taken it back in a moment, of course- he was connected to the book deeply and it was trivial to find where Blitz was with a simple scrying spell. He had left pieces of himself all over the bedroom. But… having someone else deal with the dreadfully boring assassinations he was supposed to carry out now and then was nice, and it gave him an excuse to ring Blitz up and speak to him whenever he liked, for as long as he liked. (Having someone to speak to- what a thought! Stolas spilled over the edges on those calls like a foamy cauldron that had been on a flame too long, but it was a good thing, the best thing- the warmth in his chest expanded in a way that it hadn't since Via had been an owlet. So many years and he was finally allowed to indulge, was it any wonder it burst like a supernova when lit by a star as brilliant as Blitzy's?)

The imp’s voice had a hint of lovely grit to it, and his laughter was infectious. The bubbling frustration now and then when around his little employees was merely a disguise for his true feelings, Stolas could tell- he was playing a game where Stolas just had to prod hard enough, and all of the juicy, sticky goodness bottled up inside of Blitz would spill out like the brains from a punctured skull or the side of a chocolate sweet filled with caramel.

Stolas knew it was a wall made of tissue paper, only plastered up for the benefit of others, because when Blitz went home at the end of a long day, sweaty and tired and fucked loose by life, Stolas watched him through a scrying spell as he slunk into the bathroom and stroked his long, slick, meaty cock like it was a pole to dance upon. He muffled wonderful moans into a free hand or a scrap of fabric as his heels dug into the cracked white walls of the tub, all the while listening to the sexy soliloquies that Stolas had so generously recorded and sent for him to pleasure himself to- a gift to return the passion that Blitz had sparked in him.

It was all too easy to imagine Blitz with some visual indicator of Stolas’s obviously-desired presence, especially with a flick of his finger that could alter the image. A golden collar that matched his eyes and rattled with each breath, a silk ribbon that stayed puffy and shiny and sweet even as Blitz became damp with sweat… a swollen stomach, full of Stolas’s chicks.

The last one stuck in Stolas’s throat and chest, and he rewound the image, using his fingers to expand the bubble- and Blitz’s ‘waistline’.

Oh, he looked good like that, very good. Reaching around his bloated belly to stroke himself and moan as the voice of Stolas crowed his name, skin pulled taut by the life inside. Bred and bred well, barely fitting in the undersized tub meant for those who hadn’t been endowed with the gift of a royal’s young. Stolas’s tongue darted over his beak as Blitz’s cock splattered his stomach with thick, sticky ropes of cum, all for him.

There was no doubt in Stolas’s heart that this was the gift that the stars had hinted at- an imp who shimmied up the balcony and kicked the door open into his life, who had taken what he wanted but wanted Stolas so, so dearly in return, in a way no one ever truly had.

He simply had to see those looks of ecstasy aimed at him again, looking into his eyes instead of through the screen of magic.

Still, it was all too easy to spin up scrying bubbles again and again in his free moments to watch Blitz as he went about his life every day or two. To watch as he gave affection towards his hellhound daughter, as he teased his employees, as he absolutely destroyed his targets in a way that set Stolas’s heart aflutter when he was splattered with gore and gleefully cackling. He took life by the horns and throttled it. Some days he went straight home, some days he lingered at the office… and one day, Stolas saw him scaling the tree outside of his own window in the palace, and he popped the bubble with the tip of a talon before having a bath drawn.

Two could play at this game.

(He sang as he gave slow, deliberate motions. It was a performance meant for two eyes only as he dragged the soap down his arms and raised each leg individually, tracing the muscle before dipping his fingers into the water and inside himself. He could hear the gasp from outside the window and turned his face away to hide a grin. Giving a show while being watched made him feel worth watching.)

When Blitz called to ask if they could meet up in person again, Stolas had nearly burst, both from excitement and between his legs.

Of course, darling, name your time!

tis friday aftre wrk

Perfect. This would be perfect. Blitz would declare what Stolas knew in the marrow of his bones to be true, that they were meant to be together forever and that he wanted to seal the deal, to make something more substantial than casual transactions here and there, more than individual assassinations for use of the Grimoire.

His light would burn brighter than all but the supernovas, and their souls woven closer than those compressed into the abyss of a black hole.

Stolas spread himself upon the duvet with a rose in his beak, and Blitz spilled a box of condoms in front of him.

Oh.

Oh, yes.

He could use this quite nicely.

Stolas pulled Blitz into a kiss and the banter flowed like Lust’s perpetual rainfall, easy and comfortable and fun, fun in a way that nothing had truly been for as long as he could remember. Fun in a way he wanted to lasso so it could be ridden away into a beautiful future like one of Blitz’s horses. Fun in a way that could be shared forever and ever, a wondrous eternity.

He plucked up one of the condoms and rolled it around in his fingers, talons tracing the colors as it crinkled, and the needle-sharp edge slipped right through with a pop only he could hear as he dropped his hand to hide behind a wrinkle in the bedsheets. Through the plastic, through the latex, dragging just enough.

There was nothing wrong with tempting fate a touch, not when it was offering itself up on so enticing a platter.

Before Stolas could even spin a reason for why he should get to access all of Blitz’s holes today instead of just the one, they were offered up freely- a sacrifice better than a dozen whimpering virgins. Soft skin and pliable flesh that were only good for the magic they could create were nothing compared to the muscle and rugged handsome beauty of Blitz as he gave of himself willingly. He had come here just for Stolas to please him, and Stolas was not going to disappoint.

If Blitz was his gift, then he was going to use him well, and make both of them happy enough to burst.

(Blitz adored the hellhound he called daughter, from the conversations that had come around to her- surely he would care just as much for one that was part Stolas, equal in fierceness to their sisters and rich in beauty and power from their fathers.)

Stolas lost himself in the pleasure, in showing Blitz how deeply he craved him, and the desire to fill and keep spilled out even before his seed did.

Blitz’s every reaction mirrored Stolas’s- perfect, his blood hummed, perfect. They were destined with intertwined threads and sweaty, sticky bodies that fit together just right inside and out. He allowed himself to melt and unravel, sinking into the cosmos as the nothingness pulled him to pieces even as reality anchored his core into pounding his beautiful, wonderful Blitz, in and out and in until he was going to be heavy and aching and kept with Stolas’s brood.

“You want me?” There was desperation in that voice, a longing for someone to care, to desire, to claim. Stolas knew it all too well, and would fill every empty space and then some as ancient wings punched from his back the chorus of legions sang along with him.

“Always, my broodmare.”

_________

(When Blitz made it out to his van after they had both been sated a dozen times over, he patted his stomach and whistled, then immediately stuffed a plug between his legs to keep the cum in. Stolas watched as he traced a hand through the air in an arc from the bottom of his chest to just above his delicious cock, the palm cupping the squishy bloat of his middle while he arched his back into it. Gray feathers puffed up when Blitz’s tail wrapped around his stomach and squeezed, as if encouraging the cum to settle and bear fruit.)

_________

It took. Of course it did- it was the stars singing a lucky song, proof that they were meant to be.

Stolas took in the little plastic stick held aloft before dropping to his knees and pressing his hands to Blitz’s still-slender belly, magic humming.

“What, you think I’m lying?” Blitz’s tail spade flicked as his head tilted, a smirk far too smug on his face to be anything but proud of the fact that he’d captured a royal’s seed for himself, and Stolas shook his head.

“No, nothing of the sort, I just want to see them for myself.”

“There’s not gonna be much yet…”

“...But there will be soon,” Stolas finished, fingertips pressing against the skin before a glow flared from inside of Blitz. It was the color of daffodils in the spring, and his eyes widened at the feeling of life.

Blitz seemed equally enamored, settling a hand next to one of Stolas’s. “Are they… okay?”

“They’re perfect,” Stolas breathed, resting his cheek against red and white that would swell soon enough. “They’ll be wonderful, I’m sure of it.”

“Between the two of us, they’re gonna be a weirdo.”

“Some eccentricity can be a benefit- it’s what kept me from smiting you from where you stood, little thief,” Stolas cooed, and Blitz’s fingers tangled into the feathers on his head, tightening just enough to bring a delightful sting that had Stolas pressing his thighs together.

“I didn’t say that was a bad thing,” Blitz replied, pressing Stolas’s cheek further against his middle, and Stolas could hear the gurgle of digestion as well as the heartbeat of the flesh-and-blood imp that had learned of the pregnancy and came immediately to tell Stolas he wanted to keep it.

Blitz was his, and had handed him a double-sided leash to his life- to his heart- with a smile on his face, tying them together without a second thought, and it seemed from the plug he’d pushed between his legs and his attitude with the outcome that it had been on purpose on his end as well. From the beats that thumped against his inner ear, he was excited about this, desired the child and the chains as much as Stolas did, and that drove an ecstatic chitter up through Stolas’s ribcage and out his beak.

“No,” Stolas agreed as he pecked a kiss on the skin and imagined it decorated with his symbol someday, “Not a bad thing at all.”

_________

Blitz grew like ivy. It seemed as if every day, he was a touch larger, all the more eager to show off in photos and portal-assisted in-person meetups the bump that had swallowed up his abs and devoured his torso with the imp-owlet beneath. Even as his edges softened, his cheeks and thighs and chest ever so delightful to squeeze and leave claiming scratches on, the firmness of the stomach underneath dwarfed it all.

He glowed. Sometimes literally, with the magic that oozed from every pore as the baby grew within their impish prison to explore the power in their bloodline, but sometimes in the more traditional sense of the word in regard to pregnancy- his skin and eyes bright with a beaming joy that permeated his every movement and every word. It was all Stolas could do to keep himself from chaining such a radiant, wonderful creature to the bed to keep for his own, and that was only because the joy Blitz had in his own freedom and independence was a part of the package that would douse his spirit like a bucket upon a campfire if torn apart. Blitz wanted to come back, had tied himself to Stolas as strongly as any shackle with the life inside, and that was enough for now.

(It didn’t mean he couldn’t still imagine it, though, and sometimes when they played he could use toys to bring forth the same image. One that had a double-ended pair of collars from Lust with a collapsible chain between them became a new favorite, tugging them closer with each click of a button until they were a hair’s breadth apart with only Blitz’s swollen stomach between them. When Stolas’s thumb pressed down one final time with no ability to pull away without breaking the bond, they absolutely devoured each other, and Stolas’s hands never left that bump that was all theirs together.)

Stolas had many, many material things, hundreds of which he'd never chosen yet were offered as his by birthright, but he’d light them all on fire for the promise of an eternal future with the imp that held his heart, oozing and bloody, in his strong, sharp hands... along with the small creature growing and growing and growing inside of him.

“Hey. Hey, feel.” Blitz shifted in the bed, hips straining at the lingerie he’d been gifted earlier in the evening. Stolas barely managed to pull his eyes away from the way that the lace sunk into the growing flesh that had settled around his waist to focus instead on the bloat of his middle that was perfectly plump and inviting and full of their spawn, spawn that was theirs, theirs, theirs-

Stolas’s hands rested atop the red and white, sliding down to hit the apex of the bump before freezing as something moved.

“What…?”

“Junior’s happy to see you, daddy.” His head lolled to the side, tail curling with one hand resting atop Stolas’s. “They’re saying hello from in there.” Stolas looked up at Blitz to see the imp’s proud grin had shrunk into a softer smile. “I can’t wait to meet ‘em.” He paused, eyes shifting ever-so-slightly up and down to take in the prince in front of him. (Stolas was glad that his eyes didn’t show that sort of thing most of the time- it felt so vulnerable to be able to see where others were looking at all times as long as they didn’t spin their heads around.) “...And they’re real happy that condom decided to go kaput so you could fill me up real good and make sure that they existed.”

“I certainly won’t argue with them,” Stolas said, lowering his head to rest atop the bump. It was a well and proper belly by now, easily capable of holding Stolas’s cheek without leaving him falling off the edge if he rested horizontally. There was another tiny shift, and Stolas’s talons curled at the sensation.

Their baby was alive.

Yes, he’d known that, but this was different from an egg- an egg was contained within a shell, and besides, Stella hadn’t let him within an arm’s length of her when she was gravid. This was something that only thin layers of skin and muscle and organ meat kept from him, a miniature creature that was growing cell by cell and was moving, moving within his beloved because they were alive.

He’d done that.

He’d filled him, claimed him, bred him until he was round with a child that came from both of them and was already stretching to find their place somewhere in this messy, chaotic universe.

Claws sunk into the skin, and Blitz moaned immediately, gripping Stolas by the headfeathers and hauling him up.

“Oh, you’re into it, huh? You like thinking about how you fucked me so good you got me knocked up?”

Stolas licked his beak. “Reading my mind as always, Blitzy… perhaps there’s some magic in you yet.”

“Maybe I’m leeching off the little parasite,” Blitz said with nothing but affection in his voice as he gave his stomach a little pat. “Don’t need magic to know that you like this, though.” He pushed Stolas’s head back as he let go of the feathers, the casual dominance sending a shudder through the prince, before spreading himself out on the bed and resting on his side. Head on the pillow, hand on his hip with a finger slipping into the edge of the lace on the panties in order to pull the other end further into the growing fat that had nestled itself in to help support his growing waist and appetite, and stomach resting on the sheets with one leg popped up…

Stolas’s breath caught in his throat as he took Blitz in, the evening light filtering through the window across the room enough to make him the absolute pinnacle of every vice combined as it hit the skin.

“You’re mine.” It was practically breathed, and Stolas crawled across the bed to cup Blitz’s cheeks in his hands, tilting his head up as royal ruby met glittering gold. “You’re mine.”

“I’m yours,” Blitz replied, his own hands dropping down to grip Stolas’s waist. “And you’re mine.” There was a possessive timbre to it that would have made Stolas purr, if he was capable- as it was, it sunk red-hot into his blood and made him pull Blitz into a kiss.

“So we belong to each other,” he murmured as the touch broke, foreheads resting against each other, and Blitz’s voice was so low it may have been missed but for Stolas’s sensitive hearing.

“If this makes you keep me.”

“Always,” Stolas said, hand dropping to atop the bump as his fingers drummed. “You must understand, darling, I want all of you. Need it."

The fingertips traced up, up to the bottom of his chest- “Every…”

Over the breast, a gentle mound already growing as his body prepared to fill with milk to feed their child. “Little…”

Down to cup the deliciously full padded hip with a squeeze, the combination of the new layer above and the muscle underneath exquisite. “Piece.”

Blitz shivered under the ministrations. “And the fact that I went and got myself knocked up and can’t leave because you pounded me so hard with your space cock…”

“It’s even better,” Stolas’s voice hummed as it left his beak, feeling the fire flare in his eyes that let Blitz see he was staring directly at him. “I’ll never let the child go either, darling. You’ve earned yourself a spot at my side for as long as I want you.”

A flush dotted the imp’s cheeks, and Stolas let out a a pleased hum as his feathers puffed up.

“And I will always want you,” Stolas added. “My pretty pet, my favorite, all swollen with my seed and ready for me, eager for me…”

Blitz’s tail wrapped around Stolas’s waist, giving a tantalizing squeeze that robbed him ever-so-briefly of breath. “And my big fucky prince, who can’t help tying daddy down.”

“Speaking of…” Stolas snapped his fingers, and ropes that sparkled with the essence of the galaxy appeared from his hammerspace pocket, hovering in midair. “If you want to be kept, it can certainly be arranged, darling.” Another game. For now.

Blitz’s tail tightened on Stolas's waist, winding around to get a better grip, before he spun their positions and settled himself on top while Stolas was left in the slightly-sweaty indent that Blitz had been occupying.

“Show me how they look on you first, feathers, then we’ll talk about seeing those pretty ropes sinking into all the places that your not-so-little spawn filled out on me.” The window's radiance bathed him in the glow of sunset, but Stolas could still see the mischevous light of his eyes, a fire all its own.

Stolas lifted himself off the bed just enough to allow the rope to wind around him, and Blitz let out a pleased hum as he plucked at it before parting Stolas’s legs and getting a giddy laugh from the tangled-up prince.

“It’s a deal.”

[maysgems222]

How Can You Discover The Real Spinel Gemstone Jewelry in Australia?

Gemstone is fast gaining popularity, and easy to tell why. Vibrant colours and gleaming clarity make this one's stunning addition to the most exquisite jewels. How, then, do you know you're getting the real deal? In this blog, you will learn about the Spinel gemstone jewelry australia and learn how to identify an authentic one.

What is a Spinel?

One of the natural gemstones is spinel, and this precious stone can be found in a variety of colours. For instance, it's possible to aspire to red, pink, blue, or black colour varieties. Spinel often resembles ruby or sapphire, but in its appearance, it is just as beautiful and charming. Actually, because some other gemstone jewellery requires extreme treatment to look valuable, natural spinel often gains laud and appreciation for clarity and brilliance from the earth.

What makes Spinel so special?

With a hardness ranking of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, more than suitable for everyday wear, and it will undoubtedly be there in a year, ten years, or when you know it will make it anyway. Be it a birthday, a wedding day, an engagement or anything exciting happening in your life, sprinkles are true gemstones, and surely there is to get into your heart and onto your neck, wrist or fingers.

Authentic Spinel

Getting real spinel can often be an adventure, but here are a few things to look for. Here are a few things to identify the difference in real spinel gemstones:

1. Examine the Color

Spinel exists in a multitude of rich, saturated colours. Look for stones where color is uniform in distribution throughout the gemstone. Natural spinel will not display colour zoning or banding since these are features often associated with lesser-quality stones or synthetics.

2. Evaluate the Clarity

Only natural spinel gemstones appear clear to near colourless, as transparent material is normally rare. If heavily included, specked or replete with bubbles, it is probably a synthetic gemstone or of lesser quality. A clear stone is a further indication of high quality.

3. Quality Cut

As you may very well imagine, the cut of the gemstone constitutes a part that can greatly leave its mark. A well-proportioned cut will reflect light, but badly cut stones are dull and lifeless, while a well-cut spinner is dazzling with brilliance.

4. Seek Expert Guidance

A good jeweller will also provide certifications that authenticate your spinel gemstone. You can learn even more from the jeweller about the history, origin, and any treatments this gemstone may have undergone.

The Appeal of Spinel Jewelry

Not only is the spinel a beautiful stone, but it is also a very adaptable one with jewellery design. You can find them in various pieces, from elegant rings and necklaces to stunning bracelets and earrings.

Rings

A spinel ring can also be a showstopper. Whether solitaire or more multi-stoned in design, a spinel ring is sometimes simply a conversation piece representing your unique individuality.

Necklaces

A pendant made from spinel can instantly add zing to an outfit. You could go for something simple and simple that will go well with daily wear or something more showy, designed with diamonds and other gemstones to make it perfect for an evening look.

Bracelets and Earrings

Spinel bracelets and earrings make ideal jewellery pieces for every occasion. They can be worn alone layered to create that hot new stacked look.

Taking Care of Your Spinel

Once you have chosen a gemstone to be in its perfect spinel colour, it's now time to take care of it properly so it remains breathtakingly beautiful. Here are simple tips to follow.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Do not use harsh chemicals or ultrasonic cleaners while cleaning a gemstone of this kind in your jewellery. A soap solution with water is sufficient enough to keep it shining beautifully.

Proper Storage: You can store your spinel jewellery in a soft cloth or a gemstone jewellery box in a way that no harder stones scratch it.

Limited exposure: As spinel is quite strong, avoiding exposing your jewellery during activities that may cause damage - for example, sports and heavy cleaning is also wise.

Where to find quality spinel

At MAYS GEMS, you can find the best, the most beautiful, and handpicked spinel gems ethically sourced for you. This collection displays a number of stunning pieces of spinel in your jewellery making. Whether you want something statement or something subtle, we have something for everyone.

Conclusion

The beauty in addition to strength as well as history. Equipped with a little knowledge of how to identify true gemstone jewelry australia  and learn how to care for them, you will surely be able to spend many years enjoying these brilliant gems. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just looking for something a little different to add to your collection, no choice could be better than a spinel. Indulge yourself within this world of the spinel, and discover its charm for today!

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