#Flora Mill Street

[creativesplat]

some modern au designs for Byleth's outfits!

[doodlesandbooks]

My modern AU design of Alear!

part 2, part 3

Design explanations under the cut:

I am keeping the ludicrous hair colours and eye colours of all the characters, but I think Alear dyes her red hair half blue, I have a reason for this in the story.

She likes slouchy clothes for around the house I think (outfit 1), and the Pepsi logo is obviously a reference to her nickname Pepsi chan.

I went for the second one a sort of decora kai inspired outfit, since the bright colours and too-muchness of the style seemed reminiscent of the engage designs.

The last one is a bit more similar to her normal outfit but with a modern spin.

[luveline]

maybe for zombie Steve au, there’s some sort of emergency at the college so there’s like a lockdown ish but Steve & reader get split up & then have an emotional reunion? 🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍

thank you so much for your request! I took a smide of inspo from scenes of twd (specifically when the prison fence gets it shit rocked) steve zombie!au ♥︎ fem!reader 5k words

"And you…" You pause, tongue sticking out as you struggle to tuck your shirt into your jeans. "You smoked?" 

Steve laughs where he's shrugging into his own jeans. You're both very late. 

"Everyone smoked junior year." 

"I didn't." 

"No, of course you didn't," he says, laughing more. It's a nice sound to hear so early in the morning. You can almost pretend you're well-rested. 

"I didn't," you say emphatically, leaning against the wall by the door to slip on your sneakers. 

It doesn't matter if you're telling the truth, Steve clearly doesn't believe you. He mirrors your actions and puts on his own pair of sneakers. They were white, once upon a time, but now they're a gritty grey. You stand tall in unison and pull open the door.

"Wait," Steve says. 

He brushes your hair out of your face, looking over each of your features casually before his fingers dip down to your belt. You startle on instinct, though he's only fixing the mess you'd made of your tucked shirt. His fingers push under your belt methodically, efficiently. In less than a minute he's done. 

Neither of you bother with a jacket. Steve pockets the keys and the door locks behind you, the two of you half jogging out of Little Hawkins to the front of the building. 

"I'll be at the north fence all day, okay, so if you need me, come and find me. You're–" 

"In the pantry where I always am," you say, "and I'll be fine, so you don't let anything bite you and I'll see you at dinner." 

"Wait, wait, wait," Steve says, catching your wrist before you can part ways. 

He pulls you in by the arm until he can grab your shoulders. He does altogether too much looking, eyes raking over your face, your neck. He meets your eyes, cups your cheek in both hands. 

"I love you," he says quickly, "I love you," —he kisses you wonky, lips way too close to your nose, "I love you. See you at dinner." 

He's sick in the head. He doesn't give you any time to answer or bestow the heaping of affection he deserves, simply splits and power walks away from you.

You sigh, wringing your hands together. "Steve! I– I love you too!" 

He turns around, his smile ridiculously big, and waves at you. You wave back. 

He races out of view. You try not to make eye contact with the people milling around outside of the dorm building and pick up the pace, running down the street to the cafeteria building. 

The town hall is alive in the mornings, and class is in session, more kids than you'd ever expected to see again in your lifetime all bundled up in one room. You think it's nice, the way they teach them here. They don't bother with algebra or arithmetic, though Sammy the 'teacher' offers tutoring to anybody who wants it, they just draw and play and talk about emotional wellbeing. Sometimes there are survival classes, but they don't really talk about geeks. They show the kids what wild flora is edible, or how to wrap a cut. You think it's probably more for routine than actual teaching. 

"Hi, Sammy," you say. 

She smiles, and you're horrified as she says, "Hi, baby. Class, say good morning." 

All the kids say good morning to you. You flush with heat from top to bottom. Their cute little faces beaming up at you is an instant disarming. 

"Hi, kids," you say, waving. 

Hands holding crayons and pencils wave back at you. 

You make your way into the kitchen, which is a huge industrial affair connected to an otherwise small cafeteria. Maybelle and Pauline are already inside cleaning up the leftover breakfast and preparing for community dinner. 

Breakfast is specifically for the people inside the community who can't manage to make it themselves, the disabled, the injured, the elderly, but dinner is for everybody. 

"Sorry I'm late," you say. 

"Hun, we don't care," Maybelle says. 

"Did you want breakfast?" Pauline asks. "I'm gonna wrap this up otherwise. Somebody's gonna eat it."  

It sounds like a threat. You take some of the breakfast they've set aside, which isn't a breakfast food at all, just boxed mac and cheese that tastes slightly stale. You barely notice it anymore, though the texture gives you the heebies. 

You move into the pantry and check everything still there, the easiest and most useless part of your job. Then, Maybelle and Pauline try to put together a meal that's both cost effective (the cost being the energy expended to retrieve the food, and the likelihood that this food will be seen again) and not disgusting. Oftentimes they have to make a bunch of different stuff that doesn't go together, but it's better than nothing. You like this a whole lot more than if they just gave everybody a can a day and said there's your lot. 

You mark down the things they've taken. You mark down things you might need in Hopper's next supply rub. It's a super cushy job, the kind that isn't strictly necessary, but there are a lot of people in the community and the majority are willing to do what needs to be done. They ran out of jobs quickly, and you're sure Hopper had felt a little sorry for you, so here you are. You're not like Steve. You're not a survivor. You're lucky. 

You sit down after a while, no use pretending you have anything left to do, left side pressed to the side of the industrial oven. 

"You know, we used to live in Mississippi?" Pauline asks you. 

"What?" you ask. 

"Mm-hm, we were only in Michigan for vacation, if you can believe it. We had a good time." 

"Before, the uh, the apocalypse," Maybelle says with a tittering laugh. "We were hiking in the Porcupine Mountains when some dude tried to bite me. We thought he had rabies." 

The room smells like jarred pasta bake, a rich, garlic-thick smell that threatens to make your eyes droop. In the cafeteria, through the open shutters, you can hear the kids singing. Sammy hates nursery rhymes, so they learn the words of old songs by Louis Armstrong. Today, they're a discordant, too fast chorus of What a Wonderful World. It's a racket.  

But no matter how loud the kids sings, they can't cover the reverberations of a gunshot. 

A hush falls in the kitchen.

You stand up. You aren't panicked, exactly. More like you've stepped into a heavy overcoat, trepidation a weight that settles like a second skin. You move to stand by the sink with Maybelle. She pushes it open, and the three of you stare outside. 

Trees rustle in the wind. The kids descend into giggles as Matthew, one of the rare teenagers who deigns to join in, busts out a Louis Armstrong impression, his voice deep and bending. The oven hums. 

The second gunshot sounds. After that, you can't count them. 

Maybelle slams the window closed and twists the handle down to lock it. 

Your heart beats. None of you know what to say. Your pulse bumps, and bumps, and bumps. 

"Lock the doors," Maybelle says. "Lock the windows. Just in case." 

Gunfire comes fast and ferocious as a sudden downpour, popping in the near distance. Your footsteps clip over the linoleum floor, firm rubber soles like an elastic band as you bound into the cafeteria and meet Sammy's eyes. 

The kids are perturbingly quiet. 

"I'm gonna lock the doors," you say tentatively. 

Dread fills her face. "Okay. Alright." 

You fizz around the room, locking the front and side entrances one after another. You're thinking so many things at once that you can't seem to focus on any, and instead your attention is drawn to the inconsequential. How cold the metal on the door's emergency push bars are. The colouring books on the floor. 

You're standing in front of the last door with shaking hands as it gets thrown open. You gasp and scrabble backwards, hands in front of your chest to protect yourself. 

It's Joyce. Breathless, red in the face Joyce. 

"Lock the kids in the kitchen," she says. "The north fence has a leak. They're getting in." 

—

Steve is not having the good day he thought he'd be getting. 

You'd been exceptionally pretty this morning, tired eyed and disorientated but adorable through and through. You and Steve have fallen into a routine, and you talk so much it's a surprise your throats aren't sore. There's so much to say and never enough time to say it; you've taken to trading stories in the morning while you get dressed. Today was Steve's turn. He'd told you all about his birthday party during junior year, how his dad had almost killed him because somebody left a hole in the wall, and how he still can't eat Dunkin' Donuts without feeling queasy. You'd asked him when the last time he actually got to eat a donut was, and it hadn't been sad, like you might expect. 

He'd said, "I don't need any extra sweetness, are you kidding? Got all my sugar right here." 

You'd laughed at him (not with him) and nearly choked on toothpaste. 

That's a perfect morning for Steve. That's as good as they get. It might be silly, but he'd felt damn good, and foolishly tricked himself into thinking the rest of the day might be similarly great. 

"You're a fool, Harrington," he mutters to himself. 

"What was that?" 

Steve looks up. Jonathan and Christopher are staring at him. 

"He's going crazy," Christopher says. "Best take him out to the back shed." 

"Funny." Steve kicks the dirt in front of him. "So bored I'm talking to myself," he admits. 

"It could be worse," Jonathan says. "We could be on latrine duty." 

Steve would rather not think about latrine duty. God bless the communal bathroom in Little Hawkins. 

The day is breezy but surprisingly warm, not a cloud in the sky. The sun bears down and heats Steve's skin in waves. He likely should've stopped for his jacket this morning, but he'd been super late. He doesn't want a citation. Another citation. 

This is the slowest day they've ever seen on fence duty. Usually the general hubbub of the community catches the attention of a handful of geeks, and fence duty stabs them through the brain with lethally modified crowbars. It's gross, but it's necessary. It keeps you safe. Yet today they haven't seen a single undead. 

"Maybe they're dying," Christopher says. 

"They're already dead," Jonathan says. 

"How do you know? You felt for a pulse?" 

"They decompose," Jonathan says, laughing softly. "They're corpses." 

"I'm just saying." Christopher shrugs. 

Steve ignores them both without malice, staring through the section of chain link fence he's standing in front of and out into the streets. The north side of The College faces the surrounding town. From here, he can see a pharmacist's building, a sandwich shop, and a small veterinary clinic. Shells of cars long dismantled line the road. Natural works to reclaim them slowly, tires threaded with long grass. A few days ago, a deer ran straight up to the fence and stared at him. He promised you he'd come and find you next time, even though you hadn't really minded. He wants you to see it. There's more out there than just geeks and bad people. 

He shivers and fiddles with the holster on his hip, checking for the tenth time in as many minutes that the gun held within has the safety mechanism on. He really doesn't wanna shoot himself in the foot. That would majorly suck, though, he thinks, you'd look after him. That might make it worth it. 

Not that he'd shoot himself in the foot for your attention, that would be totally backwards. But he thinks you'd look cute as a nurse, with the little hat— 

"Do you hear that?" Jonathan asks. 

Steve pulls away from his questionable thoughts and turns to see his kind of friend. Jonathan stands with his nose to the fence, straight brown hair curling at the bottom of his neck. He needs a trim, but who is Steve to judge? 

"Hear what?" Steve asks. 

Though you can see the town through the gaps, the fences are blanketed by trees. Old trees with thick trunks, the kind that protesters would chain themselves to if the government ever suggested cutting them down. The ground around them is more dirt than grass, like the packed earth under the fence and Steve's shoes.

He assumes Jonathan's talking about the creaking of a thousand branches in the wind. Brown and orange leaves fall in droves, crinkly and scratchy as they litter the floor. 

"I can't hear anything," Steve says. 

"It sounds like a car engine," Jonathan says. 

Steve cannot agree. Now that the world is silent, car engines sound like jet planes. They shake the ground. There are no vibrations to be felt, but… there is something. 

"I'm gonna walk the perimeter," Steve says. A creeping unease takes shape over his shoulders like the winding suffocation of a python. He can feel the pressure of it against his throat. 

It's nothing, he thinks to himself. 

Sections of street flash between the trees. Tree, empty street. Tree, empty street. Each tree blocks the sun, and goosebumps erupt over his skin, the hairs on his arms standing up with each footstep into the dimness. Steve pulls his crowbar close to his chest. 

I'm paranoid, he promises himself, even as the strange sound Jonathan had heard begins to rise. He knows what it is, he knows, but he doesn't want to know. The wet suck of meat being pulled off the bone, and the dry rattle of lungs that won't fill. He lets the sun kiss his cold face for a moment, and then he stops behind the cover of a huge sycamore tree and leans, carefully, slowly, to the left. 

The sun hasn't warmed the sparse grass. Each blade is frosted into spikes. The leaf litter has turned to mulch, disturbed and churned by the body splayed open atop it. Blood emulsifies the dirt, a black mud that covers the hands, arms, knees, and mouths of a sizable herd. 

Steve flinches backward, covers his nose to shield himself from the stink, and swiftly presses stiff fingers over his mouth to stop himself chucking up. 

There must be fifty or more geeks huddled there, fighting for scraps of ligament, falling over chunks of inedible veel.

Steve wants to retreat quietly. His hands have other ideas. 

He drops the crowbar, fumbling for it with every centimetre it falls, and ends up knocking it a couple feet away with a horrified gasp. 

The fences are hammered into the ground so they can't be moved, but there aren't many fence posts between sections. Flimsy chain link is all that separates Steve and the herd. 

They look up. They start to move. 

Hands reach for him, hands force themselves through the holes of the fence, skin peeling back over muscle like the delicate rind of a pear. He watches in horror as the herd congregates, as the herd leans its collective weight against what's basically chicken wire, as dessicated flesh shaves off of their dead bodies, as the fence begins to bend. 

The geeks use each other like ladder, pulling and climbing, heaped like jenga tiles until a gnarled hand closes over the top of the fence. 

He wants to run. He needs to stay. He needs to separate them, he needs to thin the weight. He scrambles to take up his crowbar again, taking a step forward, but the tattle tale sound of metal scratching against metal squeals in his ear, and he leaps backward as the fence tips forward.

He should scream. 

He trips as he grabs the crowbar, palm aching as it smashes into the ground. He barely touches the floor, pushing himself back up and using his momentum to sprint toward the rendezvous point. 

"Jonathan!" he shouts, his voice strained. "They're over the fence. Section twenty one is coming down!" The fence has already come down, but Steve isn't thinking straight. 

Jonathan barely looks at Steve. He only needs one glance before he's looking past him. Steve looks back, too, and then he keeps on sprinting.

Jonathan unholsters his gun. Christopher does the same. 

Behind Steve, across the stretch of the college campus, a wave of geeks snap their gored maws. Steve runs harder than he's ever ran before, faster than he's ever moved, even faster than that night in the woods with you, scroungers on your tail, laughing and cussing, their flashlights shining at your heels like the beam of a prison guardhouse. 

Steve vaults himself over an overgrown hedge and right into the centre of the campus. There aren't many people out, but any at all is too many. 

"Get inside!" he shouts without explanation, shoes sliding over stone as he leaps for the civil defence siren nestled against the gym building. "Get inside! There are geeks inside the fence!" 

Jeremy and Dustin had jerry-rigged the broken siren months ago for situations like this to only play for two seconds. Not long enough to attract anything that isn't already here. Steve slams his hand into the button and stares up at it in a petrified awe as the siren begins to cry, one long and wailing wave of sound that careers over the community. 

It might be his imagination, but he thinks that the silence after it stops is imbued with impending doom. One empty, fragile moment, before the shouting begins, and the following pop of gunfire is impossible to ignore. 

He thinks of you in the kitchen across the quad. He thinks of running to you, of hiding you somewhere nobody will ever get to you. 

He runs back the way he came. 

—

All these little faces in disarray. You huddle amongst the youngest ones and try your best to keep them quiet, whispering a story as the sound of gunshots cracking over asphalt rivets the quiet. 

"Me and Steve, we saw all kinds of fish. We saw carp, and salmon, and koi fish in the lake. They looked like huge, gorgeous goldfish, they had–" everyone jumps as something close by takes a hit, a fence perhaps, split apart— "these huge black eyes and these popping mouths. You know how fish pop their lips together?" 

You look around the circle and beg one of them to answer. If Sammy weren't such a wicked shot she would've stayed and handled this a hell of a lot better than you are.

"I know," says one of the youngest girls. She can't be six years olds. 

"Yeah? How do they do it?" 

She starts to pop her lips. You grin despite your welling panic and nod encouragingly. You'd clap if your hands weren't full of smaller hands. 

"Yeah, like that! They were swimming so close to us, I could see their gills." 

Your story isn't true, but it is distracting. You hold their attention for as long as you can. Pauline stands in the doorway, eyes flitting between the three entrances to the cafeteria, and Maybelle haunts the sink, hiding just behind the other overhead spray to try and find out what's going on. The storm siren hasn't sounded again, and Hopper hasn't come around to tell you it's safe. 

It might never be safe again.

You swallow down the urge to scream and squeeze the tiny fingers curled over your palm. They belong to a little boy, white and brown-haired with pretty hooded eyes. He looks like Steve. 

You could've sworn, just before the siren, that you'd heard him yelling, but you'd raced to the sink and looked out and hadn't seen him. 

You can't help thinking about it. About everything — he could die. He could already be dead. Joyce swore she hadn't seen him, and had only managed to speak to Christopher, who'd split off to alert the older group. She said Jonthan was holding off a group of geeks. She couldn't stay, determined to go help him. 

So if Christopher was looking for Hopper, and Jonathan was by himself at the north fence, where was Steve? Where exactly was the leak? 

You lean forward toward the kids and whisper, "Does anyone else have a story? From a vacation?" 

"We went to Niagara Falls, once," Becky says. 

"You did? What was it like, huh? Was the waterfall really loud?" 

Becky starts to tell her story. You try to listen. You can't think of anything at all besides Steve, though your priority is keeping everybody here safe, your brain won't stop. You can't shake the feeling that you'll lose him, and it's a bright red branding behind your eyes. You're gonna lose him.

This can't be happening. 

It's been a month since Connor, an ex-member of The College with delusions of grandeur, dragged you underdressed and freezing through miles of forest with your wrists bound, wondering if you'd ever see Steve again. A month of nightmares and hot flashes and reaching out for Steve in the dark. 

You'd thought, if you died, if Connor killed you, that it would ruin Steve's life. He'd waste it looking for you. You'd thought that was the worst feeling in the world, knowing you'd leave him behind.

You hadn't understood what this part felt like. How Steve must've felt, wondering if you were dead. How he must've argued with himself as you do now. 

Steve hadn't hesitated. Robin mentioned it once, casual but earnest. Steve tore the place apart looking for you. He assembled a search party and went looking for you on a hunch. Steve says he's lucky they chose the right direction. You know it's more than that. You know you're the lucky one. 

He knew you were in danger, and he came to get you. 

"Maybelle," you say, standing up. "I'm gonna need a knife." 

— 

Steve isn't sure what the fuck they're doing. Hopper shouts instructions but they're confusing and nobody knows what's happening. Geek gore drips down his arm and he prays he doesn't have any broken skin as he ploughs the sharp of the crowbar deep into a grey mottled eye socket. 

It shucks out, the geek's body collapsing in a heap at his feet. Tens more stagger forward.

"Everyone should be inside, but that doesn't mean everyone is inside!" Hopper shouts, his booming voice echoing over the din of shots and slick stabbing. "We need to contain them. Joyce, Jonathan, I need you back here. Bernier, Taylor, McCoy, push for the fence! We need to get it back up and standing before this gets worse. Harrington!" 

Steve pierces the skull of an approaching geek like an eggshell, springing back before a second can tear a chunk out of him. "What?" he yells. 

"You should circle back to the quad, make sure there aren't any stragglers."

"Joyce already secured–" 

"It's up to you, kid." 

Steve appreciates what Hopper's doing. Everyone knows you and Steve are unhealthily dependent on one another right now considering the circumstances, and he'll admit that his heart wants literally nothing more than to be where you are. He thinks of you locked up in the kitchen with all this happening outside and hates it, but as long as you stay where you are, that's as safe as you can be. 

He doesn't bother saying yes or no, throwing himself back into the throng. 

It's the ultimate workout. Sweat stings his eyes, his brain pounds behind them. He has to stay vigilant and he has to be fast. He cuts down geeks with a practised agility, Bernier on one side, Taylor the other. They force their way to the fence, and soon there's a small army of survivors behind them, bullets burning his eardrum to the right. 

When the fence is finally in view again, they buckle down. 

It's a huge struggle. Hopper and Livingstone front a team of five of the older guys with a replacement fence on their literal shoulders. The woods are teaming with geeks who must have heard the gunfire and the siren. They cut down the old fence behind Steve and the youngers. The new one gets thrown up just as Steve spears a geek through the ear, hammers whacking into frozen earth with a sound like a car crash.

"Harrington, inside the perimeter!" 

Steve eyes an imminent geek but does as Hopper commands, weaselling through the single gap they've left behind. They finish the inner hammering and Hopper and Livingstone set about chaining the sections back together. 

Steve backs away from the fence and tries to catch his breath. He leans back and brushes the hair out of his eyes, chest heaving, eyes shuttering closed in relied. They survived it. They did exactly what they were supposed to do in this situation and the plan worked. 

Somebody takes the crowbar from his hand and he lets them, scrubbing both hands through his hair, scalp cool with sweat as a gale of wind blows. He looks up, and the sky has darkened, that rare morning sunshine nowhere to be seen. 

He opens his eyes. Christopher is sitting a ways away looking queasy. Joyce is hugging the life out of Jonathan, kissing his cheek, hand in his hair. Bernier and Taylor are stabbing the new wave of geeks. Steve isn't worried, there aren't a quarter as many as there had been. 

The smell is barbaric. 

"Don't relax too quickly, kid," Hopper says, "we still gotta round up the bodies." 

Steve laughs morosely, secretly pleased when Hopper pats him on the shoulder. His back fucking hurts and he stinks of gore and zombie gunk. Dead material somehow slimy and dry as bark at once, Steve wants a shower, and a hug from you, in that specific order. 

"You okay?" Jonathan asks him, squinting. There's blood splattered against his forehead. 

"They had to do this today?" Steve asks. "This is my favourite shirt. I'm never gonna get the guts out–" 

A scream splits the air. 

"The quad," Hopper announces. "Taylor, Bernier, keep going. Everyone else, with me." 

His blood ice in his veins, Steve runs with the rest of the group. He realises he's left his crowbar with Taylor and grimaces, pulling the gun from his holster and knocking off the safety mechanism. Steve isn't good with a gun. He only ever used one right at the start, when he hadn't known that sound to a geek is like a porch light to moths. That, and he'd run out of ammo. 

"Oh, goddammit." 

There's a crowd of geeks they must've missed around the side of the town hall. Hopper immediately starts yelling at a young teenager screaming in front of the gym to get back inside. 

Steve's okay, his heart's fine, and then he sees you. You're wrist deep in brains, surrounded by bodies and coated in a black spray of blood. It's in your hair, your eyebrows, all over your cheek and your shoulder. 

He nearly wrenches Livingstone off of his feet as he bursts forward to help you, gun raised and poised. He shoots and drives forward. One geek, two. Three, five, he loses count. He gets so close he can hear your panting breath, not panicked but struggling to keep going. 

"Fucker," he says, one geek left between you and safety. 

You scramble to the side. Steve shoots it point black in the back of the head. It falls down slow, and then it thunks against your shoes. 

You reach for him on automatic as you pull your feet from under him, treading over the soft of the geeks shoulders and into Steve's waiting arms. He holds the gun away from you to click on the safety, shoving it back into his borrowed holster. 

"You're okay?" you ask loudly. 

"I'm fine, what are you doing out here? You should've stayed inside the pantry." 

"Says who?" you ask, squeezing him so tightly he feels his skin bruising in the shapes of your arms. 

"Says everyone!" he shouts, squeezing you back just as hard. 

You catch your breath together. His hands rove over your back, checking and rechecking that you're real and you're not hurt. He pushes you away from him to check your front properly, hand on your face, your arms. 

"I'm fine," you say, "I'm perfect." 

"You have more blood on you than the rest of us put together." 

You hum unhappily. "I think I got a fresh one in the artery. It sprayed like a fountain, it was–" You sigh, stroking a loose curl of dirtied hair from his eyes. "It was disgusting." 

He wants to kiss you, but he's normal, and you're both plastered in blood. He's less normal as he wraps his forearm behind your head and forces your face into his neck, groaning in an exhaustive relief. Your warm breath against his skin is everything he could ever ask for. 

"Stay inside, next time," he murmurs. 

"Not a chance." 

"Think I can give him a citation?" Steve hears Hopper ask. 

Joyce gasps through a laugh. "They're cute!" 

"This is a public space." 

Steve huffs a laugh against your ear. "Holy shit, you scared the fuck out of me." 

"I had to know you were okay." 

His hand slides down your shoulders, searching for something he can't explain. "I'm okay. We're okay, honey. You can relax."

The last of your resistance ebbs away. You melt into his arms, and Steve pretends for your sake that he can't feel you shaking like a leaf. You just tore your way through a herd to make sure he was okay: you're the bravest girl he's ever met.

[rist-ix]

at this point I’m not above begging the old gods for a tbhtbh update and I’m sure as hell not above begging you so please please-

(At least a snippet???)

okay so there’s a whole bunch of asks in my inbox asking for a snippet and I keep putting it off to answer them, because surely I should answer them when I actually have written on? And surely that’s gonna be soon, right?? Right????? But now it’s been months and I’m haunted by all the nice words and funny jokes and cool asks that I never answered because UGH my brain hAS NOT DELIVERED and I didn’t want to show up empty handed, u know? my anxiety is building and my time to write is shrinking and I am A Mess, BUT!!! I’ve also decided to say fuck it and just throw out the stuff I’ve ignored for a good few weeks. So at everyone whose asks I’ve ignored, please know that I am tormented by shame and adhd in equal measures, a never-ending cycle of horror and procrastination.

Anyway. Magix City my beloved!!!

His roar of fury follows her into the hallway, but she doesn’t slow down. Her one chance, her final chance, is now. She knows from Darcy herself that the witch isn’t scrying for her when she’s with Valtor, and she knows from Stormy that the handcuffs’ lifetime is dependent on how strong the captive is. Right now, Valtor is much, much more powerful than her.

She’s paced these corridors for days, weeks. She has gotten lost, confused, and distracted in these hallways, but she has also grown familiar. And now, tonight, it all pays off.

She finds the way. Finds the portal. Far behind her she can hear Valtor call her name, can feel the bond surging with regained magic as he gives chase, and she knows that her window is closing.

Those last few meters feel like eternity. Any moment his hand will close around her shirt, her arm, her neck; any moment she will be torn back and everything will be over. She thinks of Stella, of Flora, of all her friends and how they’d laughed at Alfea, strolled through the city. I’m coming, she thinks. I promise.

She can feel the building heat of a spell behind her.

But it’s too late.

She sets foot into the thin, glowing circle of the portal, and then there’s the blinding light of teleportation.

Just like that, she’s through. She’s out.

The brilliant magic of the portal plucks her from the cold, pale sphere that is Domino, catapults her through thousands of lightyears of space, and spits her out on black asphalt.

She fails to catch her fall, her momentum causing her to roll over her shoulder and bruise her knees on the rough ground. When she comes to a stop, her palms are scratched open and there’s a little bit of blood running down her shins. She hisses in pain and tears her hair back, looking around, preparing to fight off whoever comes through after her.

But he doesn’t appear.

There’s only the dark, rain-wet street before her. Reflecting the colourful lights of the skyscrapers lining it, the streetlamps, the tail-lights of hovering cars zooming by. A rainbow of vibrant blues and purples and yellows, of red and pink and so, so many others. Neon signs and brightened windows cutting through the cloudy night sky, still roiling with the promise of rain.

Magix City. She’s in Magix City.

She’s home.

A wave of sound crashes down on her and she falls right back onto her scraped knees, too stunned to cover her ears. After the long, unnatural silence of Domino, everything is so loud. Angry, beeping horns of cars in the distance, engines whining and roaring, the pitter-patter of a million steps as people mill about on the sidewalks, heeled shoes against wet stone. A prism full of colors in just their clothes, their hair, their faces as they stream by.

Even at night Magix is a bustling metropolis, full of life and noise and light.

She’s assaulted by so many impressions all at once she feels like she might go blind and deaf from it, and still she can’t look away. Three years she hasn’t been here. Almost four, now.

It’s so, so beautiful. In that shrill, dazzling, vibrant way only Magix can be. She feels just like she did then, when she’d first set foot into its labyrinthine, multilayered streets. Like she is on the cusp of something new, something chaotic and magical. Limitless and never-ending, never-resting.

Freedom. She’s free.

A blaring horn snaps her back to the present, and she whirls around only to shield her eyes from the blinding headlights of a car. Someone’s yelling for her to get up, get off the street, are you insane? She jumps to her feet and realizes that she’s in the middle of the road, in her pajamas, and cars have had to hit the brakes or they would have run her over.

Adrenaline hot in her veins, she stumbles back towards the sidewalk, looking around. People have stopped walking and are pointing at her, some talking to each other behind raised hands. Some look worried, some are snickering, and some look alarmed. Shocked.

She remembers that her picture had been plastered across screens and billboards for years, combined with a shady excuse and a bounty that no sane person could have spent in their entire lifetime.

And that Magix is crawling with Valtor’s marks.

No sooner had she finished the thought than she feels the gaze of dozens of eyes snap to her, all at once. Faces in the crowd turning towards her as if magnetized, their eerie synchrony sending goosebumps down her spine.

There’s no life in their stare. Because they’re not the ones looking.

She doesn’t wait for them to come any closer. She ducks her head and starts sprinting, slipping through the gaps in the crowd like a fish against the current. From the corners of her eyes she can see them start to move, to follow her, and her thundering heartbeat seems to choke her in her throat. She hasn’t thought this through at all, there’s a reason she never returned here with Stella. But the only thing on her mind when she’d stepped through that portal had been her friends, how happy they’d been, and the magical gateway had dropped her at the closest match to that nebulous feeling it could find. In the middle of a street, at the heart of this city they had loved.

And now Valtor knows she’s here.

A hand snatches her wrist, and another grabs her hair, marks swarming towards her from all corners of the city. She cries out in pain and hears people start to shout in confusion, but even if they wanted to risk helping her, they wouldn’t have the power to get through the mind-controlled puppets.

But she does, she remembers as the marks try to pull her back, push her down.

A blaze of light and she is bursting free, fluttering wings carrying her up above them and the crowd. Glittering cyan settling on her skin, golden tiara flashing in her hair, and if there had been any doubts in anyone as to who she is, they are now shown irrefutable proof.

[leomlarson]

closed @paxton-brady

Leo was milling around downtown, taking his time as he ambled through the streets and stopping into all of the shops that caught his eye. It was like something out of a Hallmark movie, the way that everyone had come together to decorate for Valentine's Day. It was endearing, and Leo was eating it all up.

He was halfway down the street, a bouquet from Flora and Fauna tucked under one arm, a couple of blind date books under the other, when he came across the Comic Emporium and a little smile took over as he peeked inside and saw Paxton. He checked his phone quickly — perfect, it was close to closing time. Without hesitating, he headed in and plucked an azalea out of the bouquet. Leo came up behind Paxton, flower in hand, and cleared his throat. He waited until the other man turned to grin and say, "For you. Happy Valentine's Day. I'm also here to steal you away for a walk after you close up, if you're free."

[the-omnipotent-phlowr]

Younger Child

Summary: you’ve been searching for years, twenty fingers and a person powerful enough to host the curse they unlock. a curse so horrible that even the jujutsu society would much rather destroy it’s cursed objects than attempt to find a person to host them all to eliminate it permanently. but that isn’t what you want, is it? well, let’s see what you do instead.

before you read this,, all inspiration goes to @XxIllusionGhostxX on wattpad, for their story Cursed Objects – thank you so much for the permission to tell this story in my own way, paradox!

Chapter One | Chapter Two | Chapter Three

“Please come in, Mx (L/N).”

Stepping into class 1-3, I surveyed the new group of people I needed to tolerate, scanning over the students and looking for any familiar faces. I locked eyes with a black-haired girl sitting next to the window. Her hair fell past her shoulders, with uneven strands straying from the rest of her hair. The student seemed to shrink in my gaze, quickly making herself busy with the sketchbook in front of her. 

“You can introduce yourself to the class, Mx (L/N),” the teacher brought my attention back to the rest of the class. I smiled at no one in particular, straightening my posture slightly and edging closer to the middle of the classroom. 

“My name is (L/N) (Y/N), but I also go by Kuma; to clear up future confusion.”

A brown-haired boy in the back row interrupted me. “Kuma, as in bear?” 

I studied him for a second, his chipper appearance intriguing me. “No,” I chuckled, “As in Akuma.”

The silence in the class was louder than it was before.

“Oh.”

He didn’t say anything else, so I continued.

“I’m originally from Sapporo, but I moved here due to family reasons,” I explained, “I hope we can all have a great school life together!”

The class teacher, Miss Hoshino, directed me to sit in the spare seat behind Kanno, a boy with bright red glasses. I slipped my school bag off my shoulder and shifted to the desk. Looking at the classmates surrounding me, I noticed the girl I had stared at earlier. I offered her a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes, then unpacked my stationery.

-

The thick stack of papers, stuffed into my hands as I left the classroom, looked no less daunting no matter how I stared at it. I sat on a lonely bench at the back of the school building, staring at the class materials in one pile and the club forms in another. 

The school was quiet back here, it was the end of the day, but most students were still at school, all participating in some after-school activity. The grass was less cared for than it was in the front of the building, but I just blamed that on its close range to the forest.

The forest was thick, wild even. Even though so many humans passed by it with their oppressive modern auras, it still stood strong; flora keeping the fauna safe. Looking around at the rest of this hidden area, I noticed an instrument shed, surprising for a rural high school such as this one. Though, something felt wrong with the shed. The air around it seemed to ripple, and its lock looked as if it were trying to unclasp itself. 

The instrument shed radiated cursed energy; not enough to interest any run-of-the-mill curse or regular sorcerer, but still enough that I could notice it, which wasn’t necessarily a great feat. 

My sensitivity to cursed energy traced back to my earliest memories: I could always notice the slightest anomaly in the atmosphere. As a toddler, I’d shiver at the feeling of a curse several blocks away from me, and as I grew older, I was used to sniff out curses like a police dog for cocaine. Now, seeing a curse was as regular as seeing a bird flying about or a dog roaming the streets. 

I stood up, put aside my problems, and approached the shed. I reached for the lock and studied the keyhole: I needed to break it somehow. I looked around and snagged the first sizeable rock I found. Grasping the rock in my right hand and raising my left, I cracked the lock right open.

“Whatcha doin’?”

I dropped the stone and shifted in front of the lock, turning to face whoever was behind me.

I faced the brunette from earlier. 

“Nothing that interests you,” I chided. The boy seemed to physically retort at my words. It was annoying. “Sorry. That was rude.”

“N-No worries!” he assured, “But anyway, I wanted to ask you if you’d like to join my club. We’re kinda low on members, and I’d hoped you’d  like to check us out!”

I considered him for a moment. If I joined his club, I would have one problem off my back already, but at the same time, I’d have less time to search for the cursed object.

“It’s the Occult Club, by the way.” 

Or not. 

“Let’s go, then.” I walked to the bench and gathered my things. The brunette stood stunned for a moment but quickly followed after me when I started for the door. 

He caught up to me and offered a warm grin, “The name’s Itadori Yuji, by the way.”

“It’s a pleasure, Itadori,” I started, “Oh– and one other thing. I have no idea where your club room is.”

“Follow me this way.”

-

Walking into the club room, I was greeted by two new faces. A short-haired girl sat on a folding chair, her back to a cabinet; she peered up at Itadori and me through her thin glasses. There was another student seated on the opposing side of his counterpart. I surveyed the room. The table the pair were sitting at was actually two school desks jammed against each other, and there was an empty chair pulled up to it, probably meant for my escort. 

“Sasaki, Iguchi!” Itadori shut the door behind us, starting towards the desk. “I brought a new member!”

The girl, Sasaki, gaped at me as if she didn’t believe I was there; then she stood and bowed lower than I’d seen someone go since I was a toddler. Iguchi was quick to follow.

“Thank you for joining our club! We haven’t had a new member since Yuji’s first day in the school.”

“It’s fine, really. I needed to join a club, and I’m pretty into the occult myself. None of the other clubs interested me, really,” I lied. I didn’t even browse the stack of club forms I was given; I thought it a waste of time. I smiled, anyway, as Iguchi found me another folding chair, and Itadori found his seat. I had my back to the window and a perfect view of the door; I’d preferred to face the outside, but I held my tongue. 

“Well, since we’re all here. Let’s begin,” Sasaki started, ���I found an old Kokkuri-san board in an antique store when I went to Sendai yesterday.”

“You went to Sendai yesterday?” Iguchi half-asked half-stated. 

“We’ll talk later,” 

-

“Kokkuri-san, Kokkuri-san. Please tell us the animal that the Student Council President can’t beat in a fight.”

The coin was dragged from one hiragana to another, finally spelling out ‘neolic’. 

The group burst out laughing, giving me a bit of a headache in the process. I could see the curse hovering over us, dragging the chip from letter to letter, but its cursed energy was that of a happy dog: not much. All the activities we participated in so far were juvenile; if this was all the club was, I might’ve made a mistake.

“Hey, Sasaki–”

“OCCULT CLUB!”

The door crashed open, and a male student stood in the doorway. I noticed the red band on his arm and deduced him to be the Student Council President. My peers’ attention was pulled to him. 

He started talking about an athletics club storage room, and the two other boys gathered around Sasaki’s chair, refuting with a story about a spirit on the rugby field. I saw the rugby field’s curse earlier today, but I didn’t pay much attention to it. I tuned in again when the president mentioned the club’s lack of members. Everyone’s gaze fell on me. 

“I didn’t get the opportunity to turn in a club form yet, sorry,” I spoke.

“AND I SIGNED ITADORI UP FOR THE MALE ATHLETICS CLUB!”

I sighed; my headache was getting worse.

- 

After the club-member ordeal, Iguchi and I re-entered the club room, gathering our belongings. I picked up my school bag and stuffed the other club papers into the bin; I wouldn’t be needing those anymore. 

“Um, (L/N).” Iguchi lugged a heavy box off the ground of the club room.

“Yes?”

“Sasaki, Yuji and I are gonna stay back today for a club activity,” he said, “I wanted to know if you’d like to come, we’re supposed to be unwrapping some sort of ancient relic that Yuji found yesterday.”

Relic?

“Oh, sure!” 

Whatever this ‘“relic” is, being at school tonight will give me the chance to finally get another finger. 

I slipped my satchel bag off my shoulder and pulled out my phone, opening the memo app. I spoke again, “What time do we meet for?”

“Six forty-five.” 

Tapping it in, I re-zip my bag and hold it once more. Iguchi starts for the door and I follow him close behind, glancing once more at the club room’s window. 

Then I sensed a conduit of cursed energy. 

A black-haired boy walked under the window.

The sorcerers were here.

[lifewithaview]

Ripper Street (2012–2017) The King Came Calling

S1E3

People are dying in the streets of Whitechapel and it seems that cholera has returned caused by a contaminated water pump. Jackson,however,examining the first victim,a man who has come from the city of London,detects the cause of death as ergotism,which sends its victims mad before they perish,and which has been deliberately added to the flour at Flora Gable's mill by a self-imposed judge of morals,who is also seeking notoriety in excess of the Ripper. With Reid's wife among the stricken the Whitechapel force must combine with Inspector Ressler from the city to catch the killer.

[flcralist]

ooc. casually posts part of my possible novel for polly below :0

Not far into the woods, an old homestead lay forgotten. Once, many years ago, a miller and his family settled in the meadow outside Chicory, happily grinding the wheat that grew for miles on the south side of town. Not fifty years ago, however, something happened. No-one quite agrees on what, as is the way withhold wives' tales based off memory and gossip, but all agree that the miller offended a fairy. Flora took over the mill -- wild roses and ivy exploded from the ground, choking the windows and strangling the hearth. Though the miller's children had since grown old and happy well within the confines of Chicory's cobbled streets and spice gardens, the old mill remained, as much a part of the forest now as [something].

It was here Jack made his home. Fairies were unwelcome in human towns. They were capricious, powerful, often dangerous things. Even young ones, with skill only in small magics and mischief, would be chased out with cold iron and wards until he disappeared into the woods, never to be seen again. He was barely twenty himself, a few months younger than Polly, but while her mind floated on dreams of poetry and adventure, he dreamed only of making her happy.

They'd been young when they first met. Jack had just turned ten, while Polly was proudly eleven, and finally allowed to use the large baking sheets in the kitchen. He'd been a desperately thin, wide-eyed urchin, newly banished from the Realm of Daylight -- the good fairy kingdom. He'd never told her why. Too painful a memory, but Polly had never pressed. Her heart had always been soft, from the very first moment she caught him in the dead of night, trying to steal a few unripe squash from their yard.

"You there!" she hissed, dressed in her coat and nightdress. "What are you doing?"

Jack flinched, and froze. He said nothing, and hoped she'd go away. Tiny as she was, Jack had a healthier fear of humans then than he did now.

"Well? Aren't you going to answer me?" She frowned, and pulled her coat tighter around herself before stepping down into the garden. "Hello? Boy?"

Still, Jack said nothing, but squeezed his eyes shut. He didn't so much as move his hand from the gourds.

"What are you doing?"

He swallowed. "Can you really see me?"

"Of course I can. What...?" She frowned, and closed the distance between them. "What do you mean, can I see you?"

"I'm..." He gave up, and stepped back, hangdog and frightened. "I'm supposed to be invisible right now. I should be able to turn invisible."

"I don't understand."

"I'm a fairy. I have magic. Or..." He sighed, looking at his hands. "Or I used to."

"What do you mean?"

"I was banished....They took my wings and threw me out. And I guess they took my magic, too."

Polly's heart broke instantly. She reached out, placing a hand on Jack's shoulder. He was a small man even now, but Polly had always been smaller. "It's...it's all right. Are you hungry?"

"Desperately."

"All right. Wait here."

"Wait --" Jack tried, but Polly had disappeared back into the bakery without so much as a second thought. She made her way back up to the small living space above the bakery itself to confirm her mother was still asleep. Thus satisfied, she snuck all the day-old bread she could out the back door, as well as a healthy serving of cheese.

"Why are you giving me this?" he'd asked, eyes glinting strangely in the moonlight. "You should be calling the village watch, or chasing me out of town."

"Because you're hungry," she'd said, so resolutely that he didn't know how to argue.

Their friendship had been sealed ever since. Jack showed her what little magic he could still do, and guided her through the wonders of the forest most humans didn't know how to see. Polly mended his shirts and snuck him sweets when she could, and, as time passed, she'd fallen in love. Once he'd filled out and gotten his energy back, he proved to be an endlessly clever, tirelessly jovial boy. He cared for nothing more than foraging and laughing and making Polly happy. Needless to say, he loved her too. And though Jack risked himself all too often to visit her at home, and spirit her away into the trees, Polly wouldn't have it any other way.

[dansnaturepictures]

1/12/22-Winchester and home part 2 of 2: Flora and fauna-Peregrines, Mute Swans and more

Key species seen today:

Cleavers-A plant I’ve seen well so often this week it was good to see some again in Winchester.

Grey Squirrels-In a period of time I’m seeing them so often in Abbey Gardens I saw them well here today and also saw two running up and down a tree in the grounds of Winchester Cathedral quite closely and they kept going up to each other as though play fighting which was fascinating. It was great to see them make contact an interesting bit of behaviour. I took the third and fourth pictures in this photoset of the ones at Winchester Cathedral. 

Blackbird and Wren-I got a great view of one in particular and saw a few more by the River Itchen for the former taking the seventh picture in this photoset of it and saw Wren extremely well at Abbey Gardens getting fantastic views of it not for the first time here.

Mute Swan-As I ate eating lunch at the river it was lovely to see two waddling Mute Swans on the blue and golden in the sun water, this is the closest I’ve ever seen them to where I eat lunch near Winchester City Mill I think. An outstanding wild moment of my day, I took the eighth picture in this photoset of one.

Peregrine Falcon-In the busy month December is I knew I had to try early to take a photo of a Winchester Peregrine in a twelfth and final month this year. Just like in October it wasn’t looking hopeful on the lunch break but as if by magic right at the end of lunch I noticed the majestic Winnie the female Peregrine on top of St. Thomas Church, her figure looming large like a grand statue. I was overjoyed to watch her again and take some photos two weeks on from getting some November shots of her here. The final two pictures in this photoset two of the ones I got today. To say for the first time that I photographed a Peregrine in Winchester in every month of the year is phenomenal. As I mentioned in the first of my wildlife and photography highlights posts of the year that posted earlier I have had an incredible year for these marvelous birds and I have loved seeing them so much in 2022. The photographing them in every month of a year was a goal pre-pandemic, it’s a nice challenge as you’re not always gonna see them in central Winchester outside the constant days of them being around in breeding season and I was on track for three months of 2020 until the pandemic rightly meant working from home. I have documented multiple times how much working from home home and my lunch time and evening Lakeside walks and what it has done for my hobby means to me, but I’m so thrilled to do to the Peregrine photo in every month thing in the hybrid working system in 2022. I have such a unique relationship with the Peregrine and get a lot of passion out of seeing and trying for photos of them. I also saw; Black-headed Gulls on the green out the front nicely, Dunnock I believe possibly the one that comes into the garden going into the forsythia hedge a bit further along this morning, Pied Wagtail well near the cathedral at lunch time, possible Fieldfare by the river too, Robin, Woodpigeon, Feral Pigeon, thistle with its flower about to emerge, purple deadnettle, more lovely groundsel, yarrow, garlic or common penny cress, bramble, periwinkle, stinking iris with the red fruit which is shown in the sixth picture in this photoset with some I saw at Abbey Gardens alongside further along the street, possible crane’s-bill in the second picture in this photoset, other flowers, beautiful rose hips looking moody in the misty morning light, mallow and winter heliotrope leaves and others including some shown in the first picture in this photoset. I also heard Herring Gull at home and in Winchester, and singing and calling birds I couldn’t quite tell what by Lakeside and at the station this morning respectively. I took the fifth picture in this photoset of a pretty bush at Abbey Gardens a possible goldenrain tree. 

Part 1 of today’s posts about the landscape is here: https://dansnaturepictures.tumblr.com/post/702469855752929280/11222-winchester-and-home-part-1-of-2

[golden-----hour]

141

7/24/24

It feels dishonest to paste possible poetry from the Notes App, but alas:

Night Book

The deers skinny legs standing in the yard facing me like fence posts. It read me up and down and could not tell I was good. The deer is the whole wide world.

How it trotted the road twice. It ambled adagio.

Katydids, cicadas, humming nights music. Night. The hum of that. Whole shrubs jittered and crept. Street light ebbed and dripped and waxed. The suburban road jut far into the distance: single house upon single house upon single house. Am I ready for fiction? I might have to write my whole story first to get to the rest. And who cares for tankas about the summer? People crave novelty, confession, catharsis, and connection. I might make connection a big umbrella and put everything else under it.

The fog light bleeds into , or out, or with, or through. The fog is speaking by light. The Tappan Zee bridge, beacons mounting its rising pillars, bleeding light into light. It wanders indigo crested firmament, flits into the hollow. Night is contact with void: behold the fracture; horizons hug is broken, behold. Good fog confuses boundary between thing and un-thing. We call clouds that forget how to float, fog, to extinguish their sanctity. They walk among us: not special.

Fog puddles my windshield as I make huge turns on New York roads snaking through deep green foliage and low shacks shadow laden. I am driving my 2004 Honda Civic to get fucked by a stupid man named Victor.

Highway names: Saw Mill, Taconic, the Sprain. They zig zag each other, patchwork through the darkness. Growing up, my family took such highways on our passage to Fairfield: Henry Hudson, Saw Mill, Cross County, the Hutch, then the Merritt. The Hutch and the Merritt are the same highway in different states. The latter is much nicer curving through Connecticut, intoned with flush flora, peppered occasionally with elaborate bridges, low and flourished.

Which is to say a thing changes or doesn't change with its name: but the same road becomes new, an invisible border severing it. Imagine yourself somewhere.

I go to the house. Two coyotes, three deer. He's already there. He leads me to a filthy basement. It reeks of mildew, a proper subterranean space. I do like it. Things are strewn about. I am getting too tired to write this

Binder, ice cream, gaming set up.

Why would I clean? Having lived there is whole life.

You're hot. you said that last time. While putting it inside of me, he said, the gum you swallowed will live in your stomach forever. Ananya said the difference between ass and pussy is that ass keeps going and pussy stops. Who should be jealous of whom?

His house light coming on , looking for the cat, the door already wide open when I arrived.

I can't bear the insides of a story. I rather a poem. I am too impatient for fiction. I rather a poem. Get me to the bones, or whatever I am needing to climb, and have the reader connect dots. And make the story in their connecting or their failure to connect.

I understand I am tired tomorrow. I made the choice. So what?

[creativesplat]

@alflearweek Day 1: Memories

Alfred and Alear took a lovely photo in the park with Sommie - Alear's chubby Japanese Spitz!

[doodlesandbooks]

So I drew an Alear going shopping

[battytaft0033]

Port Orange, Florida United States

A Guide to an Unforgettable Weekend in Port Orange, Florida Nestled along the eastern coast of Florida, Port Orange offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, outdoor adventures, and cultural experiences for a memorable weekend getaway. From exploring pristine beaches to indulging in delicious seafood, here's how to make the most of your weekend in this charming coastal town.

**Day 1: Coastal Delights**Start your morning with a leisurely stroll along the Port Orange Causeway Park, where you can soak in panoramic views of the Halifax River and the Atlantic Ocean. Pack a picnic breakfast and enjoy it at one of the waterfront pavilions while watching boats sail by.After breakfast, head to the nearby Smyrna Dunes Park, located just a short drive away. This scenic park offers miles of boardwalks and trails through pristine dunes, mangroves, and salt marshes. Keep an eye out for native wildlife such as shorebirds, dolphins, and even sea turtles if you're lucky.For lunch, satisfy your seafood cravings at one of Port Orange's local eateries. Whether you prefer fresh-off-the-boat catches or classic seafood dishes with a modern twist, you'll find plenty of options to tantalize your taste buds.In the afternoon, spend some time exploring the historic district of Port Orange, FL. Stroll along Canal Street, lined with quaint shops, art galleries, and charming cafes.

Don't miss the chance to visit the Museum of Arts & Sciences, where you can delve into the region's rich history and culture through exhibits on art, science, and local heritage.As the day winds down, head to one of Port Orange's picturesque beaches to catch a breathtaking sunset over the ocean. Whether you choose to relax on the sandy shores or take a dip in the refreshing waters, the stunning views are sure to leave you feeling rejuvenated.

**Day 2: Outdoor Adventures**Kick off your second day in Port Orange with an adrenaline-fueled adventure at the Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens. Explore the remnants of an old sugar mill dating back to the 19th century, wander through lush botanical gardens, and marvel at the majestic sculptures scattered throughout the park.For lunch, venture to one of the nearby state parks, such as Tomoka State Park or Spruce Creek Preserve, where you can enjoy a picnic amidst scenic landscapes teeming with native flora and fauna.In the afternoon, satisfy your adventurous spirit with a kayaking or paddleboarding excursion along the serene waters of Spruce Creek.

Paddle through mangrove tunnels, spot wildlife along the shores, and immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of Florida's natural landscapes.As evening approaches, treat yourself to a delicious dinner at one of Port Orange's waterfront restaurants. Indulge in fresh seafood dishes while savoring stunning views of the sunset reflecting off the water.Before you bid farewell to Port Orange, take one last stroll along the waterfront and soak in the peaceful ambiance of this charming coastal town. Whether you're seeking outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxation by the sea, Port Orange offers the perfect ingredients for an unforgettable weekend getaway.

[yesgermany-manish]

10 Must-Visit German Cities during Your Study Abroad Journey

Studying abroad is a transformative experience, and Germany offers a plethora of captivating cities that go beyond the conventional tourist destinations. Our guide unveils the top 10 German cities you must consider exploring during your study abroad journey. From historical landmarks to vibrant cultural scenes, Germany has something for every student seeking a blend of education and adventure.

Also Read: overseas education consultants in chennai

Berlin: Where History Meets Modernity

Berlin, the capital city, is a captivating blend of historical significance and contemporary vibrancy. Visit the iconic Brandenburg Gate and immerse yourself in the rich history of the city. Explore the vibrant neighborhoods like Kreuzberg for its artistic flair and the East Side Gallery for remnants of the Berlin Wall's artistic expressions.

Also Read: abroad studies consultancy in coimbatore

Munich: Bavarian Elegance and Cultural Richness

In the heart of Bavaria lies Munich, a city renowned for its cultural heritage and picturesque landscapes. Don't miss the grandeur of the Nymphenburg Palace and the lively atmosphere of the Viktualienmarkt. Munich effortlessly marries tradition and modernity, providing an enriching experience for any student.

Also Read: study abroad consultants in trichy

Heidelberg: A Romantic Haven for Scholars

Heidelberg is a picturesque city nestled along the Neckar River, known for its historic university and stunning castle. The Heidelberg Castle offers breathtaking views of the city, while the charming Old Town invites you to stroll through cobblestone streets filled with quaint cafes and bookshops.

Also Read: germany study abroad consultants

Hamburg: Maritime Charm and Cutting-Edge Culture

As Germany's major port city, Hamburg boasts a unique maritime charm. Explore the iconic Speicherstadt, the largest warehouse district in the world, and experience the vibrant nightlife at the Reeperbahn. Hamburg seamlessly combines its maritime history with a modern and artistic ambiance.

Also Read: Online German Language courses

Cologne: Architectural Marvels and Gothic Splendor

Cologne, situated on the banks of the Rhine River, captivates with its stunning Gothic architecture. The Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a testament to medieval craftsmanship. The city's lively atmosphere extends to the charming Old Town, offering a perfect blend of history and modernity.

Also Read: Study Abroad Consultant

Dresden: Baroque Beauty along the Elbe

Dresden, often referred to as the "Florence on the Elbe," is a city that showcases Baroque splendor. Marvel at the grandeur of the Dresden Zwinger and the historic Frauenkirche. Stroll along the Brühlsche Terrasse, known as the "Balcony of Europe," for panoramic views of the Elbe River.

Also Read: germany education consultants in kerala

Frankfurt: Financial Hub with a Cultural Heart

Frankfurt, a global financial hub, surprises with its diverse cultural offerings. Explore the Städel Museum, housing a vast collection of European art, and take a stroll through the Palmengarten, a botanical garden showcasing flora from around the world. Frankfurt seamlessly balances its financial prowess with cultural richness.

Also Read: german language course in kochi

Leipzig: Musical Heritage and Artistic Spirit

Leipzig, a city steeped in musical history, is renowned for its association with great composers like Bach and Wagner. Visit the Gewandhaus, one of the world's leading concert halls, and explore the vibrant Spinnerei, a former cotton mill transformed into an artistic hub.

Also Read: Higher Education Consultant

Nuremberg: Medieval Charm and Historical Significance

Nuremberg invites you to step back in time with its well-preserved medieval architecture. The Nuremberg Castle offers panoramic views of the city, while the Nuremberg Trials Memorial provides insight into the city's historical significance. Immerse yourself in the medieval charm of the Old Town.

Stuttgart: Automotive Innovation and Green Spaces

Stuttgart, the birthplace of the automobile, combines cutting-edge technology with serene green spaces. Explore the Mercedes-Benz Museum for a journey through automotive history and relax in the expansive Killesberg Park, offering a retreat from the urban bustle.

In conclusion, Germany's diverse cities cater to every taste, providing a perfect backdrop for an enriching study abroad experience. Each city has its unique charm, seamlessly blending history with modernity, ensuring that your time abroad is not only academically rewarding but also culturally fulfilling.

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Cheshire’s Winter Guide: Best Things To Do and Days Out In Wilmslow

As winter blankets the charming town of Wilmslow in a serene white layer, the spirit of the season comes alive with a myriad of activities and experiences for families, solo travelers, explorers, and leisure seekers alike. Nestled in the heart of Cheshire, Wilmslow offers a picturesque backdrop for a winter wonderland adventure. Here is your comprehensive guide to days out and the best things to do in Wilmslow during the winter season, catering to all types of travellers.

For Solo Travellers: Cultural and Culinary Delights

Solo travellers seeking a mix of culture and cuisine will find Wilmslow to be a delightful destination. Start your day with a visit to Quarry Bank, a historic cotton mill and estate. Explore the mill’s machinery, gardens, and apprentice house, gaining insight into the industrial revolution’s impact on the region. For a dose of artistic inspiration, visit the Wilmslow Art Trail, where local artists showcase their talents in various venues across the town. The winter season often brings out unique and thought-provoking exhibits that captivate the solo traveler’s imagination.

As the day winds down, explore Wilmslow’s diverse culinary scene. From traditional British fare in cosy pubs to international cuisine in chic bistros, the town offers a range of dining options to suit every palate. Consider a visit to a local gastropub for a hearty winter meal by the fireplace.

For Explorers: Nature and Adventure

Wilmslow is surrounded by natural beauty, providing ample opportunities for explorers to immerse themselves in outdoor adventures. Kick off your exploration at Alderley Edge, a dramatic sandstone escarpment offering stunning views of the Cheshire Plain. The trails around the Edge provide an invigorating winter hike with the promise of captivating landscapes. Delve into the region’s rich history by visiting the Hare Hill Gardens, a National Trust property featuring stunning gardens and woodland. The winter season lends a unique charm to the landscape, with frost-kissed flora adding to the visual allure.

For those seeking a bit more adrenaline, consider a visit to the Cheshire Falconry, where you can experience the thrill of falconry and interact with majestic birds of prey. It’s an unforgettable adventure that adds a touch of excitement to your winter explorations.

For Leisure Travelers: Spa Retreats and Boutique Shopping

For those looking to unwind and indulge in leisurely pursuits, Wilmslow has plenty to offer. Begin your day with a visit to the Stanneylands Spa, where you can relax and rejuvenate with a range of luxurious treatments. The spa’s serene ambiance provides the perfect escape from the winter chill. Wilmslow’s boutique shopping scene is a haven for leisure travelers seeking unique finds. Explore the independent shops along Grove Street and Water Lane, where you’ll discover a curated selection of fashion, home decor, and gifts. The personalised service and one-of-a-kind offerings make for a delightful shopping experience.

As the day draws to a close, treat yourself to a sumptuous meal at one of Wilmslow’s upscale restaurants. Head out to Restaurant & Bar 180 and enjoy delicious food and drinks in a relaxed atmosphere. The town’s culinary scene caters to discerning tastes, ensuring a memorable dining experience for leisure travelers looking to savor the finer things in life.

For Families: Winter Wonderland Extravaganza

Wilmslow transforms into a family-friendly winter wonderland during the festive season, providing an array of activities for kids and parents alike. Start your day with a visit to Styal Country Park, where the kids can build snowmen and engage in friendly snowball fights. The park’s scenic trails are perfect for a family winter walk, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle. For a touch of Christmas magic, explore the artisanal markets that pop up in the town center during December. From handmade crafts to delectable seasonal treats, these markets are a treasure trove for families seeking unique gifts and festive delights.

Cap off the day with a visit to the Edge, an enchanting landscape offering panoramic views of the Cheshire Plain. The sunsets during winter are nothing short of breathtaking, creating a magical experience for the entire family.

Pinewood Hotel: A Cosy Haven for Winter Retreats

Following a day filled with exploration and leisurely strolls, indulge in the warmth and comfort of Pinewood Hotel, nestled on Wilmslow Road in Handforth. Our 4-star hotel invites weary travelers to unwind and recharge in style. Step into the renowned One Eighty restaurant, bar, and lounge for an extraordinary culinary journey. Whether you’re a fan of hearty comfort food or sophisticated delicacies, One Eighty promises a dining experience that satisfies all tastes.

For those planning a visit in January and February, Pinewood Hotel extends a special invitation with its Winter Warmer Offer. Embrace the season with a cozy getaway, complete with all the amenities and comforts the hotel has to offer. Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with the family, this exclusive package ensures a memorable stay at a special rate.

In conclusion, Wilmslow emerges as a versatile and enchanting destination for winter enthusiasts of all kinds. Whether you are a family seeking festive fun, a solo traveller in search of cultural delights, an explorer craving outdoor adventures, or a leisure traveller yearning for relaxation, Wilmslow has something special to offer. Embrace the winter magic and create lasting memories in this idyllic Cheshire town.

Love to travel? Discover and book your perfect trip with local insights, travel guides and destination inspiration from AG Hotels Group. Sign up for our newsletters, here.

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Things to Do in Letterkenny Ireland 2023: A Comprehensive Guide

Letterkenny, a vibrant town nestled in County Donegal, Ireland, is a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be discovered. With its rich history, stunning landscapes, and lively culture, Letterkenny offers a plethora of activities for every kind of traveler. From the towering spire of the Gothic-style St. Eunan’s Cathedral to the bustling Main Street, touted as the longest in Ireland, there’s no shortage of things to do in Letterkenny, Ireland.

Popular Tourist Attractions in Letterkenny

Tropical World

Tropical World is a must-visit for nature enthusiasts. This zoo offers an immersive experience into the world of exotic flora and fauna. With over 1,000 species of butterflies, birds, reptiles, and more, it’s a vibrant splash of color and life that’s sure to captivate visitors of all ages.

St. Eunan’s Cathedral

St. Eunan’s Cathedral, a stunning example of Gothic architecture, is a testament to Letterkenny’s rich religious history. The towering spire and intricate stained glass windows are a sight to behold. The cathedral’s serene ambiance offers a peaceful retreat from the bustling town.

An Grianan Theatre

For the culture vultures, An Grianan Theatre is a must-visit. This performing arts theater hosts a variety of shows, from local productions to touring performances. The theater’s intimate setting ensures every seat is the best in the house.

Glenveagh Castle

Nestled amidst the rugged beauty of Glenveagh National Park, Glenveagh Castle is a majestic sight. The castle and its surrounding gardens offer a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the past. The castle’s history and the breathtaking views of the park make it a must-visit.

Top Things to Do in Letterkenny

Visit the Donegal County Museum

The Donegal County Museum, housed in a 19th-century workhouse building, offers a deep dive into the local history of Letterkenny and Donegal County. The museum’s exhibits offer a fascinating insight into the area’s past, making it a must-visit for history buffs.

Explore Main Street Letterkenny

Main Street Letterkenny, said to be the longest in Ireland, is a bustling hub of activity. With a variety of shops, cafes, and pubs, it’s the perfect place to soak in the local culture. Don’t forget to check out the local boutiques for unique souvenirs.

Discover Glenveagh National Park

Glenveagh National Park, home to the stunning Glenveagh Castle, is a nature lover’s paradise. The park’s rugged landscapes, pristine lakes, and diverse wildlife offer endless opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and photography.

Visit Newmills Corn and Flax Mills

The Newmills Corn and Flax Mills offer a unique glimpse into Ireland’s industrial heritage. The mills, powered by the River Swilly, are still operational and offer a fascinating insight into traditional milling techniques.

Must-See Places in Letterkenny

Lough Swilly

Lough Swilly, a glacial fjord or sea inlet, is a natural wonder that’s a must-visit. The lough’s serene waters and surrounding landscapes offer stunning views, making it a perfect spot for a leisurely picnic or a boat ride.

Letterkenny Town Park

Letterkenny Town Park, with its well-maintained gardens and walking paths, is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll or a family picnic. The park also hosts various events throughout the year, adding to its charm.

Fanad Peninsula

The Fanad Peninsula, with its rugged cliffs and stunningbeaches, offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic. The peninsula is also home to the iconic Fanad Head Lighthouse, a must-visit for its panoramic views.

Oakfield Park

Oakfield Park is a beautifully restored 18th Century Georgian Deanery, boasting 100 acres of lush landscapes, sparkling lakes, and themed gardens. The park also features a narrow gauge railway, making it a hit with both kids and adults.

Best Places to Visit in Letterkenny for First-Time Visitors

Arena 7 Entertainment Complex

For those looking for a fun-filled day, the Arena 7 Entertainment Complex is the place to be. With a variety of activities like bowling, laser quest, and pool, it’s a hit with both kids and adults.

Glebe House and Gallery

Art enthusiasts should not miss the Glebe House and Gallery. Once the home of renowned artist Derek Hill, the house now displays a collection of his works along with other contemporary Irish art.

Grianan Aileach Ring Fort

The Grianan Aileach Ring Fort, perched atop Greenan Mountain, offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. The fort’s ancient stone structure and its rich history make it a must-visit.

Letterkenny Golf Club

For golf enthusiasts, the Letterkenny Golf Club offers a challenging course with stunning views. The club’s welcoming atmosphere makes it a great place for both seasoned golfers and beginners.

Best Places to Visit in Letterkenny for Families

Lurgybrack Open Farm

Lurgybrack Open Farm is a fantastic family-friendly destination. With a variety of animals to see and feed, and a playground for the little ones, it’s a day of fun guaranteed for the whole family.

Creggan Country Park

Creggan Country Park offers a variety of outdoor activities for the whole family. From canoeing and fishing to nature walks, it’s a great place to enjoy the outdoors and have some fun.

City Sightseeing Derry Londonderry Hop on Hop off Tour

The City Sightseeing Derry Londonderry Hop on Hop off Tour is a great way for families to explore the area. The tour covers various attractions, and you can hop on and off at your leisure, making it a convenient and fun way to see the sights.

Locknload Adventure Park

For families seeking some adrenaline-pumping fun, Locknload Adventure Park is a must-visit. With activities like paintball and airsoft, it’s a day of thrilling fun guaranteed.

Best Places to Visit in Letterkenny for Couples

Letterkenny Town Park

Letterkenny Town Park, with its tranquil setting and beautiful landscapes, is a perfect spot for a romantic stroll. The park’s serene ambiance makes it a great place to unwind and enjoy each other’s company.

Glenveagh Castle

A visit to Glenveagh Castle is a must for couples. The castle’s romantic setting, surrounded by lush gardens and overlooking a serene lake, makes it a perfect spot for a romantic outing.

Fanad Peninsula

A drive along the ruggedly beautiful Fanad Peninsula is a must for couples. The breathtaking views of the Atlantic and the iconic Fanad Head Lighthouse make for a romantic and memorable experience.

An Grianan Theatre

For a cultured evening out, couples can head to An Grianan Theatre. The theatre’s diverse lineup of shows ensures there’s something for every taste.

Best Places to Visit in Letterkenny on a Budget

Donegal County Museum

The Donegal County Museum, with its fascinating exhibits on local history, is a budget-friendly attraction. The museum’s free entry ensures you can delve into Letterkenny’s past without breaking the bank.

Glenveagh National ParkGlenveagh National Park, with its stunning landscapes and rich wildlife, is a budget-friendly destination. The park’s free entry allows you to explore its beauty without worrying about the cost.

Letterkenny Town Park

Letterkenny Town Park, with its well-maintained gardens and walking paths, is a perfect spot for a leisurely stroll or a picnic. The park’s free entry makes it a budget-friendly option.

Main Street Letterkenny

Main Street Letterkenny, with its variety of shops and cafes, is a great place to soak in the local culture without spending a fortune. Window shopping and people watching are free!

Best Day Trips from Letterkenny

Glenveagh National Park

A day trip to Glenveagh National Park is a must when in Letterkenny. The park’s stunning landscapes and the majestic Glenveagh Castle make it a perfect day trip destination.

Fanad Peninsula

The Fanad Peninsula, with its rugged cliffs and stunning beaches, is a great day trip destination. The iconic Fanad Head Lighthouse and the breathtaking views of the Atlantic make it worth the trip.

Derry

A short drive from Letterkenny, Derry is a city rich in history and culture. From the historic city walls to the Peace Bridge, there’s plenty to explore in this vibrant city.

Malin Head

Malin Head, Ireland’s most northerly point, is a great day trip destination. The stunning coastal landscapes and the rich birdlife make it a must-visit.

Hidden Gems in Letterkenny

Newmills Corn and Flax Mills

The Newmills Corn and Flax Mills, with their operational waterwheel powered by the River Swilly, offer a unique glimpse into Ireland’s industrial heritage. This hidden gem is a must-visit for history enthusiasts.

Oakfield Park

Oakfield Park, with its beautifully restored Georgian Deanery and themed gardens, is a hidden gem. The park’s narrow gauge railway adds to its charm.

Lough Swilly

Lough Swilly, a glacial fjord or sea inlet, is a hidden gem. The lough’s serene waters and surrounding landscapes offer stunning views, making it a perfect spot for a leisurely picnic or a boat ride.

Grianan Aileach Ring Fort

The Grianan Aileach Ring Fort, perched atop Greenan Mountain, offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. This hidden gem’s ancient stone structure and rich history make it a must-visit.

Off-the-Beaten-Path Places in Letterkenny

Letterkenny Golf Club

For those looking for a less touristy experience, the Letterkenny Golf Club offers a challenging course with stunning views. The club’s welcoming atmosphere makes it a great place for both seasoned golfers and beginners.

Lurgybrack Open Farm

Lurgybrack Open Farm is a fantastic off-the-beaten-path destination. With a variety of animals to see and feed, and a playground for the little ones, it’s a day of fun guaranteed for the whole family.

Creggan Country Park

Creggan Country Park offers a variety of outdoor activities for the whole family. From canoeing and fishing to nature walks, it’s a great place to enjoy the outdoors and have some fun.

Locknload Adventure Park

For those seeking some adrenaline-pumping fun, Locknload Adventure Park is a must-visit. With activities like paintball and airsoft, it’s a day of thrilling fun guaranteed.

Best Places to Eat in Letterkenny

Letterkenny’s culinary scene is as vibrant as its culture. From traditional Irish pubs to modern cafes, there’s something for every palate. Don’t miss thelocal seafood, and be sure to try some of the region’s craft beers.

Must-See Sporting Teams in Letterkenny

For sports enthusiasts, a visit to a local Gaelic football or hurling match is a must. The Letterkenny Gaels and St Eunan’s are the town’s local Gaelic Athletic Association clubs, offering a chance to experience these uniquely Irish sports.

Night-Life in Letterkenny

As the sun sets, Letterkenny comes alive with a vibrant nightlife. From traditional Irish pubs with live music to modern nightclubs, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy a pint of Guinness while listening to some live traditional Irish music.

In conclusion, Letterkenny, with its rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture, offers a plethora of experiences for every kind of traveler. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, a foodie, or just looking for a fun-filled vacation, Letterkenny has something for you. So pack your bags and get ready to explore all the things to do in Letterkenny, Ireland.

So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip to Letterkenny today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top attractions in Letterkenny?

There are numerous attractions in Letterkenny that cater to a variety of interests. Some of the top attractions include:

Tropical World

This is a must-visit for nature enthusiasts, offering an immersive experience into the world of exotic flora and fauna.

St. Eunan’s Cathedral

A stunning example of Gothic architecture, it’s a testament to Letterkenny’s rich religious history.

An Grianan Theatre

A must-visit for culture enthusiasts, this performing arts theater hosts a variety of shows.

Glenveagh Castle

Nestled amidst the rugged beauty of Glenveagh National Park, the castle and its surrounding gardens offer a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the past.

What are some family-friendly activities in Letterkenny?

Letterkenny offers a range of family-friendly activities. Some of the top picks include:

Lurgybrack Open Farm

A fantastic family-friendly destination with a variety of animals to see and feed, and a playground for the little ones.

Creggan Country Park

Offers a variety of outdoor activities for the whole family, from canoeing and fishing to nature walks.

City Sightseeing Derry Londonderry Hop on Hop off Tour

A great way for families to explore the area, covering various attractions.

Locknload Adventure Park

For families seeking some adrenaline-pumping fun, with activities like paintball and airsoft.

What are some romantic activities for couples in Letterkenny?

Letterkenny offers a range of activities perfect for a romantic outing. Some of the top picks include:

Letterkenny Town Park

With its tranquil setting and beautiful landscapes, it’s a perfect spot for a romantic stroll.

Glenveagh Castle

The castle’s romantic setting, surrounded by lush gardens and overlooking a serene lake, makes it a perfect spot for a romantic outing.

Fanad Peninsula

A drive along the ruggedly beautiful Fanad Peninsula is a must for couples. The breathtaking views of the Atlantic and the iconic Fanad Head Lighthouse make for a romantic and memorable experience.

An Grianan Theatre

For a cultured evening out, couples can head to An Grianan Theatre. The theatre’s diverse lineup of shows ensures there’s something for every taste.

What are some budget-friendly activities in Letterkenny?

Letterkenny offers a range of budget-friendly activities. Some of the top picks include:

Donegal County Museum

With its fascinating exhibits on local history, it’s a budget-friendly attraction. The museum’s free entry ensures you can delve into Letterkenny’s past without breaking the bank.

Glenveagh National Park

With its stunning landscapes and rich wildlife, it’s a budget-friendly destination. The park’s free entry allows you to explore its beauty without worrying about the cost.

Letterkenny Town Park

With its well-maintained gardens and walking paths, it’s a perfect spot for a leisurely stroll or a picnic. The park’s free entry makes it a budget-friendly option.

Main Street Letterkenny

With its variety of shops and cafes, it’s a great place to soak in the local culture without spending a fortune. Window shopping and people watching are free!

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