#Grand island ice caves | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

that-foul-legacy-lover · 1 year

Text

Purpose of Destiny

Synopsis: As the next Hero of Watatsumi, you live only for your mission to descend to Enkanomiya and save the island. While in the sunken city, you encounter someone who perhaps isn’t so different than you.

Foul Legacy Childe x Reader Pronouns: Gender Neutral (no pronouns mentioned) Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Fluff Warnings: Injuries, getting attacked, crying, death (of Ruin Machine), loneliness, self-doubt

~ * ~ Some heroes are chosen, some heroes are raised. For all your life you’ve resided on Watatsumi, the island of crystal and pearl, where the jellyfish drift and the sun sets over the sea. Out of every location in Inazuma, the people all agree that Watatsumi is the most peaceful, with its simple fishing trade and way of life. Fronds and reeds sway in the wind, shimmering waterfalls dotting the landscape as children laugh and play, hiding behind the iridescent shells that hold the Sangonomiya Shrine, the pride and joy of the island, as shrine maidens look on with pride. You used to wish you could join those children, in their endless games of Hide and Seek and Catch the Seelie, only able to longingly watch until it became too dark to see and you retreated back indoors. It was training and a precaution, the shrine maidens told you- as the next Hero of Watatusmi, your heart must be “pure as water”, and as such your connection to the outside world was sparse and limited. Instead of playing games, you were given books, about everything from the Holy Soil to your ancestral home of Enkanomiya, and were taught to fight in the hours you were awake. You didn’t know who your parents were- the Head Priestess said it would distract from your duties- and so your little room became your home and prison, extending to the rest of the Shrine but no farther as the spirit of Enkanomiya drained the life from your home, bit by bit. But you didn’t mind- studying, learning, preparing- it all gave your life meaning, your need to protect Watatsumi pushing away loneliness and sorrow and even fear, everything but determination to restore balance to the island. To help and heal was your purpose, you were raised for nothing else, only to be set free when your sealed fate had been carried out. Yet now, as you stand before the Head Priestess and watch her crumble bleached white soil in her palm, unease begins to trickle in. The people stare at you, some hopeful, some uncertain, others entirely expressionless, and you swallow thickly, shoulders tense. The Head Priestess turns and presents the Key of the Moon-Bathed Deep, and as she places it in your hands you simply look up, into the eyes the shrine maidens insist resemble like the famed Sanganomiya Kokomi’s, except with less warmth. She draws away from you, the populace watching the entrance to the depths swirl and open as you walk to the edge on shaky legs. Fulfill your destiny and be released. You look back, once, and jump. Water hits you, cold as ice but warming as your body quickly acclimates to the temperature, and you squint in the gloom. Flecks of bioluminescence illuminate a small grotto dotted with pearls, water trickling out a small pathway that expands into a massive cavern. You follow the trail and heave yourself onto shore, attempting to shake water from your shoes and clothes with a grimace. The Key gleams safely in your hand as you rise and begin to slowly traverse the surprisingly lush cave, dew dripping from the stony ceiling. Even in darkness you can see the Bathysmal Vishaps, marching to and fro on land and in small ponds gathered on the damp soil, and with fear seeping into your veins you cautiously avoid them, paying no mind to the blade strapped to your back, shining and sharpened to a near-invisible point. The first Key Sigil alights with your briefest touch and you jump, startled, your heart pounding wildly. The other four respond much the same, and in a blur you’re placing the Key of the Moon-Bathed Deep before the grand, empty doors; with a flash they begin to glow, stone grinding as a crack appears, then widens, and widens some more, bright light flooding the cavern and dancing across false raindrops. A blinding star hangs in the air, and you step into Enkanomiya. The way ahead is broken and rocky, monsters littering the paths and hills and crumbling monuments, your sacred duties held close to your heart. Curiously, your chest feels almost light, like it’s full of air, and you tilt your head in confusion. Hilichurls and Ruin Machines greet you at every turn, making you scramble back to hide behind some stone or bush more times you can count. Yes, perhaps you were taught to fight, and perhaps the blade you have gleams invitingly, but the thought of spilling blood or even circuits makes you wince and frown. Live battle had been your least favorite part of training, the pained cries of any monsters the shrine maidens brought for you to practice on causing you to weep, partially for their pain and partially for your own pain of not being able to live up to the destiny you were gifted Your destiny- your purpose. That’s what makes life worth living, yes? The path of the first island leads to a building less broken than the rest, almost warm-looking from the candle-like lights scattered around the floor, and as you enter you gasp, eyes widening in amazement for the walls are lined with shelves upon shelves of scrolls and books, waiting and just itching to be opened and read. With a smile on your face you reach for one, fingertips brushing over the thick parchment inked with secrets untold. Only to snatch your hand back when an arrow lodges itself mere centimeters away, very nearly piercing your skin. You whirl around and hear the telltale whistle of another seconds before it buries itself into your shoulder with a stinging snap, and you let out a yelp of pain. There’s nowhere to go in the library, arrows following your every step as you sprint to the upper level in some desperate hope of finding an escape, but there’s nothing but more shelves and in terror you drop and curl yourself into a ball in a corner, hands held over your hands. There are no footsteps, but a harrowing growl echoes as the attacking creature approaches, growing closer and closer until you can hear it breathing and oh Archons it’s right there and dangerous and you’re going to die, you’re going to die you’re going to die- You feel your chin being tilted up, ever-so-slightly, something pricking the skin, before the thing’s breath hitches and it stumbles down to its feet, something clattering onto the floor as it backs away, as far away from you as possible. Tentatively you crack open your eyes, meeting a horrified gaze of ocean blue, and your jaw drops in shock because the creature is incredible. With crimson horns and violet-and-black armor, it’s hauntingly beautiful, even when sitting on the floor, and the wing-like cape glitters softly, pinpricks of light in the darkness, and you’re suddenly grasped by the urge to run your fingers over it. Its sharp fangs and talons do make your blood run cold, the spear thrown to the ground even more, but the monster looks at you with such alarm and sorrow and regret that you want nothing more than to reach out and console the poor beast, tell it that everything will be alright. To your surprise, it approaches first, keeping low to the ground so as to not startle you further. Slowly, slowly- inching forward step by step- it draws itself up before you, gazing drifting from your eyes to the arrow buried in your shoulder. The creature lets out a low whine when you flinch, pain sparking in your arm as claws graze over the wound and the arrow instantly dissolves into mist. It turns hastily, pulling its sparkling cape forward with a flick of the wrist and before you can blink there’s a tearing sound, a strip of the delicate, drifting fabric now laying in the monster’s palms. Pinching the cloth between two talons, your injury is carefully wrapped and secured, the creature concentrating over the task so much that the tip of a tongue sticks out in between its knife-like fangs. You have to resist the urge to poke it, reluctantly settling for staring at the makeshift bandage, the fabric resembling the starry sky you’ve seen but a handful of times, until the final knot is tied and the beast leans back to examine its work. It nods, satisfied, and rises to its full height, a staggering 14 feet, but the illusion of intimidation is immediately broken when it timidly offers a hand to you, curling its claws slightly inward. A happy trill slips from its maw when you take the hand, and when you’re standing and stable it takes a step back and bows to you, murmuring apologetically. You quickly bow back, just as you were taught to at Watatsumi, the monster chirping in delight at your hurried movements. “Childe.” Your head snaps upwards, blinking in disbelief as the horned beast gestures to itself. “Childe.” Its voice is low and growling, hoarse from who knows how many years of silence, and it- Childe- lowers himself to your height, gently pressing a hand against your chest. “You?” Stumbling over words and letters you somehow say your name, and Childe rumbles as he repeats it, glancing upwards like he’s tasting it on his tongue, a smile spreading across his mask-like face. With careful touches he smoothes out your clothes, letting out a curious chirp when the crumpled sketch of the Bloodbranch Coral you always carry flutters from your pocket, slightly smudged from the water, and your shoulders stiffen. Your duties. Your destiny. Briskly you tuck the drawing into your sleeve, thanking Childe before maneuvering around him to reach the library entrance. A distressed cry sounds behind you as he hurries to catch up, clasping his claws around your wrist with a worried chitter, rushed growls and whimpers trying to convey the danger on the road ahead. But your shoulders are set, a steely glint in your eye as you explain the task, your task, the mission only you can complete to save your home, words only faltering when you chance a look at the other islands suspended against the bright false sun in the center. Childe watches you silently, all too knowing at the way fear continues to latch and seep into your thoughts despite your best efforts, and with a quiet huff he holds his spear at his side and gently takes your hand in his, your smaller fingers completely encapsulated by his larger talons. When you glance up in confusion, he merely tilts his head and chirps curiously, following whenever you take a step forward. As Childe allows you to lead him to the main path, you feel a grin creeping its way onto your face, nervous heart calmed by your new friend’s presence. He tells you stories as you travel through Enkanomiya, the words quiet and rough as speaking is difficult for someone with his mouth structure, yet still he speaks for you, filling you with warmth and delight. He’s been here for so long- an eternal protector of Enkanomiya, originally defending the ancestors of Watatsumi from anything lurking in the dark until they vanished and left him alone. Now Childe chases away Abyssal Heralds and Lectors, trusted by the Vishaps to keep their reclaimed home safe. It’s his duty, his purpose in life- but still, it’s lonely in the dark, the only difference from the past being the level of erosion taking hold of the ruins of the city. Until you appeared, just today. Childe apologizes countless times, voice becoming scratchy and choked as he seeks your already-earned forgiveness, for mistaking you for an Abyssal messenger, and you simply shush and ruffle his soft ginger hair, relishing the happy purrs he makes. Every creature in Enkanomiya trusts him, as thanks for protecting them from the Abyss- every creature but the Ruin Machines, hardwired programming obeying no one but themselves. Childe flings you behind him whenever one comes near, piercing it with his spear only to click and coo in confusion when you cry over the mechanical corpse and cling desperately to your monstrous protector. The death terrifies you even more than before, because what if Childe becomes the one torn to pieces on the ground? When your legs grow tired, hills and uneven stones taking their toll despite your training, claws curl around your waist and lift you into Childe’s arms, your companion happily bumping his forehead against yours and continuing along the path. Sights you’ve only seen in the books given to you by shrine maidens pass by, and occasionally you make Childe stop to identify a symbol or landmark and ramble about the paragraphs written in history. You never notice the way he watches you, expression softening at how your eyes sparkle when reciting facts or information. Soon the false sun, the Dainichi Mikoshi, looms before you, Childe gently setting you down and urging you forward into the center with a hand on your back. Your feet merely need to brush the triangular stone to send it descending, opening into a large cavern with a platform in the center, and you grasp Childe’s hand with shaky fingers, trying to swallow your fear. Then two enormous Vishaps leap from the water and you let out a shriek and jump behind Childe. He coos reassuringly, stroking your hair and grounding you to reality as he turns to face the Dragonheirs of the Depths, greeting them with a low bow that you quickly mimic. They regard you, not him, with suspicion, but Childe raises a hand and speaks in a language you don’t understand, keeping you firmly behind him. The Vishaps roar back, bristling and rattling their scales, and reluctantly Childe steps back and tilts his head to you, gently nodding when you look back in fear. The two Dragonheirs surround you quicker than blinking, sniffing the air and circling, communicating to each other through movements and hisses before jumping away just as suddenly and bobbing their heads. With a splash they’re gone, hiding beneath the waves once more, something heavy settling into your hands- a vibrantly colored chunk of coral, shining with unseen facets and light. Childe chirps, overjoyed, and scoops you into his arms, spinning you around as you simply stare at the Bloodbranch Coral in awe. “Pure. Pure as water.” Childe purrs and you hug him, squeezing him tight and holding the evidence of your fate in a vice grip as emotions flicker and flash through your head, blocking out everything but Childe’s happy clicks and the light of the Dainichi Mikoshi approaching once more. Childe delivers you to the edge of the city, allowing you to climb down and onto the ground, the dark tunnel stretching before you. The Bloodbranch Coral rests in your hands, the only hope of Watatsumi, of your home, and the last obstacle is the quiet journey back. Yet for some reason you hesitate, brow furrowing and pulling your lips into a frown. Why do you feel so… empty? This moment, the branch in your arms- this is what your entire life has culminated to, the very reason you live and keep on living- so why does your chest feel so hollow? What will happen when you return, once the Holy Soil is cleansed and plants can grow again? What will you do now that you don’t have to prepare, day after day, for a great adventure? What will happen to you, now that a hero is no longer needed? You don’t even notice that you’re trembling until Childe whines and nudges your uninjured shoulder, tilting your chin to look at him, and you see the concern flooding his gaze and the way he treats you so gently and so closely, like you’re worth something beyond your duties to Watatsumi. And suddenly, you break. Clinging to Childe, you sob in his arms, winding your fingers in his soft fluff like you’ll never let go, and he holds you, moving his claws up and down your spine and whimpering alongside you. “Don’t go.” He hiccups through his cries. “Please don’t go.” Who was he without you now- merely a beast with a lost purpose, running only on the instinct to protect until he saw you, collapsed in the library. Desperately he holds you, if only to stave off the tendrils of loneliness already beginning to wrap around him again, and you hold him back, his sturdiness contrasting the uncertainty and vagueness of your future. For what is the purpose of saviors when there’s nothing left to save? “Come with me.” Childe stares, tears still shimmering in his eye, and you cup his cheek with a hand. “Come with me.” You say again, and Childe whines as his tears overflow again and he holds your hand, snuggling into your touch, treasuring your presence and your being. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to- '' You're abruptly cut off when Childe pushes his head against your chest, arms wrapping around your back to lift you onto his shoulder. To anyone else it’d be an unusual sight, a horned monster with a spear cradling a mortal holding a gleaming branch of coral, but a watery smile makes its way onto your face and you bury your nose into the fluffy mass that is Childe’s hair, humming as he croons to you. With one last glance Childe surveys the broken, silent city he used to protect, steeping his heart in loneliness and fake sunlight. Then he turns with you, and ascends to the surface.

145 notes · View notes

crusherthedoctor · 7 months

Note

💫 favorite Sonic game(s) in terms of aesthetic <3

I guess The Aesthetic Guy has become one of my calling cards next to The Green Horsie Guy and The Eggman Guy That Hates Eggdad, huh? Well, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Unfortunately and/or fortunately, there's a lot of Sonic games with top tier aesthetics, which makes it very hard for me to narrow them down. Most games in the series have at least a winner or two: SA2 has the pyramid and A.R.K. levels. Unleashed has Eggmanland and Jungle Joyride. '06 has Kingdom Valley. Black Knight has Misty Lake. Secret Rings has Sand Oasis and Night Palace. Rush has Water Palace and Mirage Road. Rush Adventure has Coral Cave, Sky Babylon, and Pirates' Island. 3D Blast has Rusty Ruin and Volcano Valley. ShtH has more than you'd expect for a game like it, such as Digital Circuit and Circus Park. Even the Rivals duology has a couple of good ones. But if I must decide on a personal top ten for which games I consider to have the most consistently strong aesthetics, then in chronological order...

The Genesis games. They started things off, so they had to establish Sonic's world as a fascinating one. Well it worked for me when I played them on Mega Collection back in '03. Despite playing Advance 2 first, I never thought these ones were uncool by comparison. I loved Marble Zone's juxtaposition of the grassy outdoors with the lava temple. I loved how opulent Casino Night's lights were to offset the night. I loved how funky and quasi-Arabic in architecture Launch Base was. I loved how the already ominous background in Death Egg Act 1 doesn't even move, subtly emphasizing just how massive the spaceship truly is. Even when they had to reuse assets to cobble together a zone, it still looked great!

Sonic CD. I already love the visual storytelling in the game as is, and its aesthetics make me love it even more. My favourites tend to be the Pasts for how they get away with being no less pleasing in spite of their intentionally murkier palettes (I too adore the sunset canyon of Wacky Workbench), and the Good Futures for how unashamedly loud and proud they are, including the way they show nature and technology working together. They're all so good. (Also, shout out to Chaotix for having a similar vibe, even if it can sometimes be hard to tell what you're looking at cause of how trippy it is lol. It's like the physical manifestation of the 90's.)

Sonic R. The neanderthal "I wish Sonic R had more than five courses so the game was longer" VS the intellectual "I wish Sonic R had more than five courses so there were more for me to stop and gawk at".

SA1. Lost World is so pretty. Twinkle Park is so pretty. The At Dawn section of Speed Highway is so pretty. The cave in Ice Cap is so pretty. Beta Windy Valley is so pretty. Red Mountain is pretty from a certain point of view. SA1 may have started the focus on "realism", but it never felt anywhere near as in-your-face as some of the later games that indulged in it. Not just because there were plenty of more whimsical environments to balance it out, but also because even the grounded ones still had an equal amount of colours and fancy Dreamcast lighting trickery. Hell, Final Egg is meant to be a gritty, grungy kind of Eggman base, and it is, yet it still manages to be as visually interesting to look at as the other stages. I can't really say that about Crisis City, or the islands in Frontiers.

The Advance trilogy. C'mon, you know I love me some good pixel art, so I'm never going to stop gushing over how gorgeous Ice Mountain and Twinkle Snow are, or how cool Techno Base is, or how upbeat Music Plant is, or how striking Chaos Angel is, or how-

Heroes. People always say this game had some of the most Genesis-style environments in a 3D installment, and I definitely don't disagree with that. Because of this, it has a very similar appeal to SA1, with levels like Grand Metropolis, Frog Forest, and Hang Castle most likely managing to fit in with the SA1 group without sticking out like a sore thumb. And it's a small detail, but I love how in Egg Fleet, the upper part of the skybox is completely clear. All the clouds are down below. It's a subtle thing, but it really goes a long way to emphasizing just how high up in the atmosphere you really are.

The Riders trilogy. Metal City has one of my favourite city aesthetics in the series. Gigan Rocks is like a more vibrant Dragon Road, and Gigan Device has a beautiful nighttime palette. Dark Desert's eclipse-induced darkness contrasts with the colorful circuitry during the indoor sections. Aquatic Capital is like a high-tech water park, with Tempest Waterway being the sort-of-Bad-Future equivalent that's still pretty in its own way. Digital Dimension is Digital Dimension. Even Crimson Crater, despite mostly consisting of greys and silvers, remains compelling due to how alien the landscape is. There were even some visual highlights in Free Riders despite being Free Riders, like the very first course, Dolphin Resort.

Colours. After Heroes, this game's environments are among the most Genesis, which you know at this point is always a plus in my book. Each of them have their own thing to say about Eggman's theme park and the man himself by extension, with the public announcements giving them even more personality. Aquarium Park is undisputedly my favourite of the lot, doubled by the catching red and blue contrast (and also because underwater tubes is one of those video game tropes that always captivates me; thank Roo's Tubes from CTR for starting that fascination).

Generations. This one's sort of cheating since it's just Old Levels DX: Director's Cut, but it deserves to be mentioned for its version of Sky Sanctuary alone. I really like Generations Sky Sanctuary...

Mania. The older levels have been remixed so heavily that they feel new regardless, and the twists it spins on the actual environment side of things is no exception, like the cavern in Green Hill, or the machinery in Lava Reef. But of course, the new levels are S-tier eye candy as well. I particularly love how Titanic Monarch manages to be dark and spooky while also having every colour under the rainbow at the same time, and the snowy forest backdrop of Press Garden is just... wonderful. <3

And although the game isn't out yet, Superstars looks like it'll be another consistent winner for me. While another Mania-esque pixel art game would have been really nice, I can accept the Sonic 4 But Better approach if it's like what we've seen so far.

You'll notice some running themes with my favourites. The obvious one is a generous amount of vibrancy and character, because no matter how bright or dark, good or evil, hopeful or hopeless the environment is meant to convey, it should never be boring. I also apparently get excited by technicolor stuff, because I never stopped being six years old. And if realism is a thing, I prefer it to be something that compliments an otherwise whimsical land, rather than be at the forefront and eclipsing all other attributes.

But I also like it when they get a bit ethereal, especially if it can provide a contrast with Eggman's handiwork. That's why I marvel at levels like Radiant Emerald, Night Palace, and basically everything in CD. As such, when writing for Stellar, I wanted to emphasize this aspect as a way to help Viridonia stand out as a setting compared to the likes of Station Square. (This was true for the original Beyond the Stars as well, but naturally I wanted to go even further with it after the transition.)

#Crusher's Asks #Opinion #Sonic the Hedgehog

8 notes · View notes

charkyzombicorn · 8 months

Note

Hi hello there. I got personally mental ill over Ocean God Jinbe and his war against drugs/ devil fruits. I was just barely holding myself back by the skin of my teeth due the sheer plethora of ask you already have. But I can do it no longer. My apologies . I've been living alone in my musings for too long.

Okay to start! This question has been rattling in my head!

When a devil fruit lands in the sea, what happens? (In one piece the ocean treats it like a regular old fruit but Jinbei is an active Force with thoughts) Does he Yeet that out of the water like "yo get that shit out of my turf" or they sink like rocks ( Guess what land fuckers you don't get to eat them. I took them out of circulation) . He hates these fruits so much. I can't see him being normal about them in their raw un eaten form.

(I know the second one probably won't happen canonically but him just having several grand devil fruit cave that he just Chucks them into. caves that have little pockets of air so he doesn't have to touch them ever again- is really funny and far too proactive .) ( It could be both. it'd be real funny if it was both. If he gets too sick and tired of yeeting/ floating a damn fruit around he will take them and put them on a Shelf still far too close to him but at least it's not running around.)

( It's probably the smartest thing he could do and to prevent it from happening to all the fruit maybe he'll just get yelled by brook???? or betrayers - fish mens that want profit and/or power - keep raiding the fruit cave - sells the fruits - putting them back into circulation.)

It could be a known element where there's Fishman guards AND )

Like I said. I'm getting far too into it. And there's more thate. Gods aren't supposed to be this involved. I know. It is probably going against something that you've already written down. I know. but I needed to get this out of my head.

Hello! I've been procrastinating on answering more asks but I love this I'm so sorry I can't answer things quickly typically

It depends on the fruit! Paramecia and Logia he stashes where he hopes they will never be found, but never close together because if a wandering D manages to find where he hid one they won't find multiple (D's are good at doing exactly what Jimbe doesn't want them to do, or most or all of the gods, it takes a while for Jimbe to understand why Luffy made this will to oppose the gods but he gets it eventually). The closest devilfruits to eachother Jimbe will risk are the 3-4 stuck in glaciers on an island made of ice, and those are the ones like the pet fruit that he's especially morally disgusted by, because he can sort of half-guard them in ice (ice is a mix between water and rock in this au so Brook also knows they're there). Zoans, however, have souls. Jimbe is deeply invested in souls having freedom, even ones made to live as objects or parasites, even ones he hates so distinctly. He takes Zoans to Chopper, since he is god of creatures, and trusts Chopper to care for the souls (even if that means giving the fruits to those Chopper deems worthy).

Also, every god makes up their own rules for interacting with the world, but the general consensus is not to rule over any part of it. None of the gods really Want to rule the world or any other world (except Maybe Teach but Teach wants to rule his void and clean it of anything and everything to exist so idk if that counts). The gods are guides and observers mostly, now that the world is made and it's cycles are mostly self-sufficient. If the gods really disagree they either avoid eachother or fight and fighting just hurts the world they love so most arent fans and will join in until the fight is all against one.

#one piece #myths & Gods AU #jimbrook

13 notes · View notes

icemde · 2 months

Text

@aisumeiku asked : 👫

1 ) LYON & GRAY SWAPPED HOUSE KEYS FOLLOWING THE GMG. their entire relationship really shifted a lot following the grand magic games, with gray having just returned from being 'dead' for seven years only to die in front of lyon and be brought back to life in the span of a few months, its understandable that the two kinda needed an extra layer of reassurance that nothing was going to happen to the other, so they decided that trading house keys was probably going to be the best bet. it was also a silent invitation for the other to reach out when things got to be too much or they just needed an escape.

2 ) THEY ACTIVELY REFER TO EACH OTHER AS THEIR BROTHER WITHOUT REALIZING IT. neither of them know when it started to happen, but boy did it confuse a lot of people when it started. be it someone who only knows the one of them or knows vaguely about both of them, when they refer to the other as their brother it results in a lot of 'i didn't realize you guys were related' followed by an equally confused ' we're not?'. their friends find it hilarious but honestly neither of them are making an active effort to stop the habit.

3 ) THE TWO TRY TO TAKE A TRIP TO GALUNA AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR. despite how messy their reunion on galuna was, it was also the starting point of them reconnecting and fixing their relationship following ur's death. the two try to make the trip to the island, namely the cave where deliora melted being it was the last place where ur was 'alive'. what they actually do when they are on the island really varies but it is something they try to keep up with if either of their lives allow as such.

4 ) GRAY WILL NEVER ADMIT IT BUT HE DOES LOOK UP TO LYON. it's a closely guarded secret, but gray has a lot of respect for lyon and his magic. while it has never been a style he pursued himself, lyon's mastery of dynamic ice make is something gray can't help but be wowed by. on top of how well lyon is able to command a room with his presence, he can't help but admire the other, but you will never hear those words leave his mouth in a million years.

#❄*:·. « headcanon. »#❄*:·. « asks. »#tag pending.#i am very normal about gray and lyon's dynamic

2 notes · View notes

apocalypticavolition · 11 months

Text

Tears of the Kingdom Thoughts

Well I've spent the last couple weeks playing this game non-stop so I might as well share my thoughts about it with internet strangers to justify my ignoring my Hobbit Reread (sorry Tolkien!). I just beat the game, so this post will have SPOILERS, so please run away if that's not what you're into.

My feelings on every Legend of Zelda game that comes out are pretty much the same: I don't understand how something this perfect can be this flawed. Tears of the Kingdom manages to be no different. In so many ways, it completely eclipses its predecessor. In others, it happily repeats the same mistakes - or introduces new ones.

Consider Great Sky Island. On the one hand, it's much more successful as a tutorial - where Great Plateau does stuff like teaching you to use trees as bridges (a skill you will never need again), Great Sky Island's tips are all directly relevant to the game you'll be playing in the future. However, where the Plateau is a wide open sandbox (which matches the game you'll be playing), the Sky Island is a linear path, with each shrine completed in a set order. Now, that's not too bad in the grand scheme of things. The game does open up completely after you leave the tutorial - to the point where a shocking number of people missed out on getting the Paraglider entirely, as it's no longer given to you on your way out the door. Whoops!

That said, the new powers are way better. Ultrahand is a shorter range Magnesis but for everything and it's got rotation (I recently started replaying BotW and have nearly hurt Link several times trying to rotate things). Fusion addresses the weapon durability system to a degree, but only a degree. I never minded durability so I'm super happy but I suspect that those of you who hated it will stay unhappy. Ascend is a totally new concept that provides way more travel options (though frankly the game has too many of those anyway). Recall is way more broken than Stasis, but I gotta say... I miss being able to fuck up my enemies. Bombs and ice platforms being consumables is way more balanced but man do I miss them being free. Well, bombs anyway. Cryonis was a total joke of a rune and I don't miss it.

After doing the obligatory starting shrines and Goddess Statue visit, the game begins in earnest. Both games expect you to make a lonely walk to a semi-close community, though TotK's is a much shorter journey, and both towns involve a Sheikah lady giving you further instructions while a bunch of hapless villagers make requests like "Cook for me, chosen hero of the goddesses". TotK though really ups the weird horniness; my selling items rhythm had the shopkeeper in Lookout Landing groaning like I was pounding her into next week. The Great Fairies were bad enough, guys! Oh, and they're back too and just like BotW, the only way to have armor worth a damn is for Link to be sexually assaulted repeatedly.

But anyway, just like last game it soon becomes clear that you have the following overall quests: gather a ragtag team of losers from the furthest corners of Hyrule and collect a bunch of memories. At least this time there's no amnesia involved, and it turns out there's one more loser than last time around. A new set of exciting natural disasters are provided too: Hebra is now under even stronger blizzard conditions than before, Gerudo Desert has an unending sandstorm that's brought insect zombies with it, the Lanayru Reservoir has become covered in pollution, and crack cocaine has been introduced to the Goron community. Oh and there's an unending thunderstorm in Faron but we've already had that in the desert so *shrug*.

Sadly, Hyrule itself isn't too much different otherwise. Hyrule Field's army of demonic spiders has been replaced with pleasant lakes and ten thousand rocks have crashed to the surface of the earth. Caves have opened up everywhere and wells have reopened. Floating islands dot the sky and abyssal maws leading to the depths of the underworld dot everything else. The noonday sun sits in the southern sky instead of the northern one, causing all the shadows to be backward from what you're used to so that your unfamiliarity with everything is increased.

Caves? Caves are great, and wells are basically caves. But the Depths are... well they're there. A complete mirroring of Hyrule's surface sounds fun but it's just a place to cram extra bosses, amiibo armor, and ten thousand generic Yiga forts. Once you've done the two side quest chains that involve the place, the only reason to go back is to grind out more battery power.

Yep, battery power. An entirely new feature here are the Zonai devices you can assemble into functioning vehicles, war machines, or crude simulacra of naked men with fire-jizzing dicks. Exploration has never been so easy, and my god that's genuinely impressive when you think about how easy it already was in BotW. The concept is great, but honestly I never felt obligated to use it beyond the basics or what was provided for free on the scene, and there's a few devices that feel extraneous. The system would be relatively successful despite this in my opinion, except for one fatal flaw: the wing device has the longevity of a mayfly and about the same range. Dreams of flying from island to island, exploring the heavens, dashed with the realization that I couldn't even get from Death Mountain's peak to the closest archipelago. When attaching a steering stick to two fans is a better flight solution, something's gone horribly wrong.

But lemme circle back to the regional phenomenon. At first, things are much improved: sure, you have the same, "find a loser outside the dungeon to help you get into the dungeon, then interact with a bunch of crap until the local boss shows up for the slaughter and the local ghost gives you its seal of approval", but all the details are so much better. Getting to each dungeon is an impressive gauntlet. Your buddy sticks around to help you (except I wish Yunobo had stayed behind because that asswipe kept knocking me out of minecarts). The bosses have variety instead of being variations on a theme and they're kinda tricky to boot! The dungeons themselves have theming and aesthetics and if it weren't for the Water Temple they'd be competently executed to boot. But sadly, the Water Temple is basically an easy shrine.

And then things go downhill because the little idiots you've recruited don't go away. Sure you can banish them, but they're effective crowd control so it's a little depressing to just cut them entirely. Some of them have utility; Tulin is basically a "Press X to be wherever you want to be" button and he headshots everything sooner or later. Riju lights up the darkness. Mineru is your own personal mecha. Sidon... tries really hard. Yunobo is present, especially when you're trying to pick up a Bomb Flower or two, but not when you might want to use him in combat. All of them are exactly this way: constantly activating as I try to collect my spoils and constantly being on the other side of the fight whenever they'd actually be useful. The controls here are atrocious.

The controls for this game are painful. The sages all activate from the same button that already has uses. Throwing things or fusing them to arrows involves using a shitty menu that you have to scroll through one by one or hope the stuff you have is close to the top (and usually it is, but sometimes it's not and you scroll through 50 things before you get what you want). In theory you need to hold the L button to change powers and tap it to use them, but in practice it's a tangled morass wherein if you had the camera as your power you'll end up taking a picture no matter what and if you try to use Ultrahand you'll end up somehow choosing to open the map. Why is the map on the power wheel? It's a complete waste of an option! Who tested this? What video games have they played before, and were any of them not on a cell phone????

Oh, and as awesome a huge game as this is, it's too fucking huge. The sky islands are copy-pasted. There's too many mini-bosses for the little variety that there is. There's twenty trillion caves to find and fifty-six quadrillion Koroks and thirty googol things to take photos of. All the cool armor is easy to find and six of the most practical pieces of it are completely unhinted at, locked away somewhere. You need to spend like 25,000 rupees to get all the upgrades! It's a completionist's nightmare and I'm a completionist.

And yet. The shrines that aren't automatic blessings for finding them (and there's way too many of these) are all wonderful, especially the Proving Grounds. The side adventures are 59 hits and 1 Hestu-sized miss. The new enemies are all perfect additions to the series. The labyrinths have been expanded and are glorious places to explore. There's more coliseums, there's pirate ships, you can infiltrate the Yiga Clan to learn their secret technique, you can crucify Koroks!

Once again we have a game that I really, really liked and couldn't put down, and once again all I can think is that it's crazy Nintendo couldn't fix the little things that seem to grow into such huge issues.

#legend of zelda #tears of the kingdom #totk spoilers

10 notes · View notes

juliasnrubs · 2 years

Text

Fantasy/sci-fi world building inspiration (part 1)

aka. travel bucket list ideas, aka. places they should film the next Star Wars

Sea of Stars, Vaadhoo Island (bioluminescent tide)

Lake Baykal, Russia (deepest lake in the world)

Shibazakura flowers, Takinoue park (neon flower festival)

Five-Flower Lake, Jiuzhaigou national park (clearest water in the world)

Lake Kaindy, Kazakhstan (sunken forest)

Abraham lake, Alberta (frozen ice bubbles)

Antelope canyon, Arizona (wind-sculpted tunnels ranging from red to orange to purple)

Fingal’s cave, Scotland (real-life Minecraft)

Kelimutu crater, Indonesia (neon volcanic crater lakes)

Tunnel of Love, Ukraine (ivy-covered abandoned railway)

Marble caves, Argentina/Chile (Elsa meets the Phantom of the Opera)

Whitehaven beach, Australia (pure white sand beach)

Zhangeye Danxia, China (rainbow mountains)

Chinoike Jigoku, Japan (blood pond hot spring. Or tomato soup lake)

Stone Forest, China (Minecraft extreme biomes meets Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Rio Tinto, Spain (looks like a lava river)

Kliluk Spotted Lake, Canada (a watercolor artist’s palette)

Vale da Lua, Brazil (if the moon landing was faked, they probably filmed it here)

Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming (rainbow lake)

Giant’s Causeway, Ireland (chunky stepping stones. They filmed Star Wars nearby)

Joshua Tree National Park, California (real-life Dr Seuss trees. Where the streets have no name)

#writing #worldbuilding #fantasy #scifi #inspiration #writing inspiration #scififantasy #scifi inspiration #travel #bucket list #star wars #joshua tree #placesyouveneverheardof

30 notes · View notes

seabreeze2022 · 1 year

Text

2023 Bahama Cruise, Part 26, May 11 Rock Sound, Eleuthera.

Nancy is trimming sails on our way up the west side of Eleuthera. The Puritans named the island Eleuthera in the 1700’s. Which is a derivative of the Greek word, “Eleutheros”, meaning Free or Freedom.

Saturday, filet mignon night. Thanks Dush and Kelly!

To bring you you up to date. We had arrived outside the Rock Sound Harbor, Eleuthera on Saturday and decided to anchor off of a long beach. Instead of going the last couple of miles to Rock Sound Harbor. Because there was a huge rain storm over the harbor. We had to anchor a ways off shore to find good sand to anchor in. We had good protection from the waves and a cool night with the winds.

Anchoring further away from land usually assures mosquito free nights. Rigged the boat for quick closing with multiple rain showers expected. Since the threat was rain and not mosquitoes, we remove the screens and added a draw string to the hatch handle. No need to go on deck half asleep, to lower the open hatches. Just pull down on the draw string hanging down into the cabin to close the hatch.

But the first day it was too windy for Nancy to paddleboard. I spent 3 hours making water, reading etc.

Sunday Nancy paddled to shore and I met her using the dinghy. We both walked the beach looking for shells. We found several Murex shells. Then snorkeled back to the boat. Very few corals of fans. So we made the decision to go anchor off of the settlement.

As we started walking up Fish Road, we came across some cute art work. There are so many abandoned houses in the Bahamas. Some over a hundred years old. Some only a couple years old, just never finished. This art work really brightened up the city. Using the abandoned house elevated it from being a blight to a beautiful object.

Just up the block, we ran into Warren who is the artist. He is recently retired from being a nurse in Nassau for 42 years. He has a passion for cleaning up his hometown. “Grand Ma’s” was his grandmothers ice cream store, but she has passed on. Now it is his art store. Warren dropped the wet paint brush he was painting with, to talk to us. Giving us a tour of his works. Super nice guy full of energy.

The dark round hole at the bottom of the photo is “Ocean Hole”. Number one tourist destination at Rock Sound. It is confirmed to be over 110 ft. deep. But rumored to be around 700 feet. Warren told us to take bread for the Snapper.

Apparently the Mangrove Snapper and Grouper were stocked in there by local fishermen as well as Parrotfish. The parrot fish died when the trees around the hole were cut down and fell in the water.

Dye was put in the hole at some point and it showed up in the ocean nearby. Proving that it is connected underground to the ocean and a new source of water. We walked around town for an hour and saw most of it, so back to the boat for dinner.

The next morning we walked to “The Boiling Hole” and “Cathedral Cave”. Passing by the beautiful St Luke’s Anglican Church built 1863. For most of the settlements we have seen on Eleuthera the old churches are built at the waters edge and not on top of the hills overlooking the town. Usually they are very prominent and the first thing you see approaching from the sea.

The next biggest tourist attraction is a ten minute walk out of town to the cave and Boiling hole (photo above). The caves are not the ones on the far shore. They are another 5 minute walk through the bush.

Luckily the old wooden ladder was not too rotten. Only a couple of steps had broken. Interestingly many mosquitoes hang just outside the cave. I was thinking the bats were not doing their job. But several species here are actually fruit bats that migrate, and have not acquired a taste for mosquitoes.

We were lucky the bats had apparently migrated back and were flying around in the cave. This cave has many large openings in the ceiling, so plenty of light. Actually no need for carrying flashlights.

On the way back we realized that there was an old cemetery that was completely abandoned and overgrown next to the road and beach. Such a shame. Again the graves are pointed east. Above is the only one with a head stone. Most were just mounds of rock. This one was 1905?

From the caves we walked 30 minutes across the island to the supposedly “pink beach”. Pretty, but no sea shells. Nancy took a quick dip.

Half way back, we stop and talk with Rose. She is feeding stay dogs called “Pot lickers”. She shared some hog plums with us. Nancy had already gone out into the bush and picked half a dozen mangoes.

The fisherman had come in with their gill net full of grunts. Each settlement has a dock with a covered stand for the fisherman to use while cleaning fish. We made multiple trips to the gas station filling jerry jugs with either diesel or gas. Our tanks are full and are carrying 12 gallons of diesel and 12 gallons of gasoline on deck. This may be our last place to fuel up before we make it home.

Cruisers rate the settlements by there grocery stores. Rock Sound has the cheapest grocery store that is fairly large. This was much more industrious then the settlements on Cat Island. Again most of the younger folks have moved away for jobs. When they retire they move back. This leaves a void of workers. That is where we see the Haitians getting a foot hold.

Honestly I must say, if you have never been to Rock Sound you need to go. If you have ever been to Rock Sound, you don’t need to go again.

Now that procuring fuel is going to be tough we are making a point of sailing more and motoring less. So we sail ten miles to the next settlement of Tarpum Bay.

S/V Sea Breeze.

#seabreeze2022 #seabreeze2023

3 notes · View notes

cityofdreamsrp · 2 years

Text

Things to do: a guide to vacationing in Capri!

Capri has been enchanting people since ancient times, its glittering blue seas and pine tree strewn lands casting a spell over all who visit. These days, the island of Capri still has a hold on the rich and famous. Whether you’re looking for stunning natural beauty, ancient ruins, or just some fantastic shopping... you’ll find it all here. (x, x, x, x, x, x)

Naples to Capri - The Naples to Capri ferry leaves from the Port of Naples at Molo Beverello and takes 50 minutes on the high-speed or 80 minutes on the ‘slow’ ferry.

Positano to Capri - The ferry from Positano and the Amalfi Coast to Capri (or vice versa) takes 50 minutes and is a perfect way to combine the two destinations.

Sorrento to Capri - a Sorrento to Capri day trip is a 20 minute ride on the high speed ferry.

VISIT THE BLUE GROTTO:

Capri’s most famous site and the inspiration behind postcards in the area. The blue grotto is world famous for its crystal clear aquamarine waters and blue color. The cave gets its distinctive bright blue color thanks to a large hole in the rock beneath the water surface. It’s been loved and shunned in equal measure throughout history: the emperor Tiberius used it as his private swimming pool, and after that, it was avoided by the locals due to stories of the cave being haunted. Board a tour boat at Marina Grande in order to be taken to the Blue Grotto! You can even opt for a private boat tour around the island with a visit to the Blue Grotto. You’ll be taken around the coast, then transferred to a rowboat in order to enter the tiny entrance of the Grotto.

VISIT GIARDINI DI AUGUSTO (THE GARDENS OF AUGUSTUS):

Enjoy a peaceful walk through the small garden solo or with someone special, just a short walk from the center of Capri Town. Once you walk up a small flight of steps, you discover the most beautiful views. The gardens are extremely well cared for and have a vast variety of Mediterranean flora. The best time to visit is in the spring and summer when blossoms are at their best. You can also enjoy some rather lovely statues, which look perfectly suited to their surroundings. At the back of the gardens are two terraces that offer breathtaking views of the sea, the surrounding lush greenery, and the famous Faraglioni rocks.

MONTE SOLARO, THE ISLAND’S HIGHEST POINT:

You’ll see Monte Solaro as soon as you arrive on Capri, it’s the mountain which towers over Marina Grande, and it’s rather easy to get to the summit. A hiking path starts in Anacapri (you’ll need to take a bus to Capri’s second town), and it’s an easy hike for anyone in good condition. You can enjoy the local flora on the way up: Monte Solaro is known for its proliferation of plant life! If hiking isn’t for you, you can catch a chairlift to the summit - the chairlift is an experience in itself and the ascent to the top is quite gentle with no large drops beneath you at any point. Once you’ve made it to the top, you can enjoy the region’s best views. The vistas stretch all over the Bay of Naples.

SHOP AROUND AT VIA CAMERELLE:

Designer shopping starts here. The serene street in Capri Town has one of the highest concentrations of luxury fashion shops found anywhere in Italy! Name a fashion brand, particularly the Italian ones, and you’ll probably find it here. Shoppers can choose between Louis Vuitton, Bulgari, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Valentino, Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, Chanel, Prada, Dior, Gucci, and more.

BUY HANDMADE CAPRI SANDALS:

Get yourself some handmade sandals, custom made to fit your feet, making them both unique and a perfect fit. Capri has several legendary sandal shops. Every piece is made of soft, supple leather, and decorated with jewelry chosen by its prospective owner.

GRAB TREATS AT BUONOCORE GELATERIA & DINE AT RISTORANTE DA GAMMA:

Every town in Italy has its own legendary gelateria, serving the finest ice cream to be found. In Capri, it’s Buonocore Gelateria right on the main shopping street. In addition to its famous ice cream, Buonocore Gelateria has a fantastic range of savories and cakes, all made the day itself with local ingredients. And like anywhere else in the Campagna region of Italy, you’ll find plenty of restaurants and hole-in-the-wall joints offering pizza, but why not go for the finest? Ristorante De Gemma and its tables on the outdoor terrance dine close to the sea. Whatever item you choose, you won’t be dissapointed; the restaurant dazzles with its pasta and seafood. But it’s the pizza that steals the show, cooked perfectly in the Naples style.

VISIT THE PHILOSOPHICAL PARK:

One of the newer things to do in Anacapri is walk the peaceful paths in the Capri Philosophical Park near the end of the Migliera walking trail. Each of the three paths up the hillside is dedicated to a different philosophical theme – Idealism, Realism and Wisdom – and lined with ceramic plaques quoting philosophers and writers from the 7th to the 20th centuries.

A DAY AT PUNTA CARENA:

The Lido del Faro beach next to the Punta Carena Lighthouse is an idyllic spot for sun-seekers to pull up a towel, as this local favorite hasn’t yet caught on among travelers. After spending a lazy afternoon swimming and soaking up those glorious Mediterranean rays, make your way to the nearby Punta Carena Lighthouse to watch the sunset over the sea.

SUN & SWIMMING AT MARINA PICCOLA:

Marina Piccola lies at the bottom of the windy Via Krupp path and serves as the smaller of Capri’s 2 harbors. Though the port only houses a smattering of boats, sun-seekers come in droves to tan themselves on the best sandy beach in Capri. And it’s not hard to see why because the scenery is stunning, not least for the uninterrupted views of the arched Faraglioni rock just offshore.

TOUR THE ISLAND’S MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAS & MAGNIFICENT HOMES:

Few Italian streets are as opulent as the jasmine-scented Via Tragara, even though the country has its fair share of lavish private residences. Starting just past the glitzy designer boutiques of Via Camerelle, this meandering pedestrian path showcases the island’s most elegant abodes. Beautifully tendered gardens and stately historic villas line the route, while bougainvillaea-clad brick walls encircle grand 5-star hotels. On the other side are uninterrupted views of the glistening Tyrrhenian Sea, whose crystal clear waters add immeasurable value to the ritzy real estate. Among the villas include famous Villa San Michele, prior home of Swedish doctor Axel Munthe: the house and gardens surrounding it are filled with his personal collections, ranging from priceless archaeological artifacts - Roman, Egyptian, and Etruscan antiquities - to 20th-century art. The views from its gardens, framed by vine-draped pergolas and marble statues, are breathtaking.

SPEND THE NIGHT AT LA PIAZZETTA:

Where people come to see and be seen. La Piazzetta is the place to be for people-watching in Capri, so come for a morning espresso or a stiff late-night cocktail to watch the action unfold. Rows of fancy Italian restaurants and cafés line the bustling plaza, where guests and locals mingle under an iconic old clocktower. If the crowds start to feel a little overwhelming, stroll over to the adjacent clifftop viewpoints for spectacular vistas of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

EXPLORE MOUNT VESUVIUS & THE RUINS OF POMPEII:

Mount Vesuvius dominates the skyline and landscape surrounding Naples and is a legendary volcano that famously erupted in 79 AD and caused the destruction and burial of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Vesuvius stands as the only volcano in mainland Europe that has erupted in the last 100 years – It is considered extremely dangerous due to the amount of human settlements that are situated in its danger zone. Today you can take a bus tour from Naples to visit this magnificent natural phenomenon and climb up its slopes to peer into the crater.

Pompeii was an ancient city that sat in the shadow of the iconic Mount Vesuvius. This settlement was highly advanced and extensive and was destroyed at its peak during the devastating eruption of the volcano in 79 AD. Despite the devastation cause and the amount of lava that poured over the city, Pompeii stands today in a fantastic condition – This is due to the huge layer of ash that was deposited over the partial ruins and thus acted as a preserver. Today you can visit Pompeii and walk through the extensive ruins – Particularly interesting sights include the Amphitheatre, the case del Fauno, the Temple of Apollo and the Temple of Jupiter. Furthermore you can find plaster casts of many of the unfortunate victims who were buried under the ash and remain locked in their death pose for an eternity.

FARM & FOOD EXPERIENCE IN SORRENTO:

You can’t go to Italy without loading up on delicious treats and drinks. And in Sorrento, you especially can’t miss out on the limoncello. This tasty liqueur – made from lemon peels, alcohol, and sugar – is an iconic regional beverage, and you’ll find plenty of opportunities to sample it while in town. At Limoncello Limonoro Di Sorrento production facility run by the Nino & Friends company, you can sample spirits made with lemons picked that same morning. And to see where it all starts, take a tour through the Sorrento Lemon Farm. Walk through the beautiful groves and learn how the fruits are turned into the beloved beverage, as well as desserts, marmalade, and more. You’ll also be able to glimpse the olive trees that help produce the famous cooking oils.

TRY OUT A DIFFERENT SWIMMING EXPERIENCE:

For some truly incredible views while you take a dip, venture out to Bagni Regina Giovanna. The area has a wonderful Roman villa from the 1st century B.C., whose ruins can be easily explored by travelers. But its greatest attraction is certainly the nearby swimming hole. With stunning turquoise-green waters and a sheltered rocky outcropping, this free, natural pool is easily accessible on foot or by bus.

HIKE THE PATH OF THE GODS:

Escape the crowds and make the best of the marvelous views along the coast and out to the island of Capri, on this famous hike (known as Il Sentiero degli Dei, or “path of the gods”) from Bomerano to Nocelle. Originally an ancient mule route, the pathway conjures mythical images of gods and sirens along its 6.5km (4mi) stretch. The landscape is diverse, from tiered agricultural hills to curious caves and precipitous clifftops, plunging down to the beach far below and lapped by a shimmering sea.

GO CLUBBING AT MUSIC ON THE ROCKS:

This dramatic beach-front nightclub could more accurately be called Music in the Rocks, due to being carved out of the rocks that fringe the eastern point of the Spiaggia Grande. Join the dolled-up crowd who flock here for the region’s top DJs, which have been banging out party tunes here since 1972. Considered one of the best clubs on the coast, you can expect high prices, but for the view across the sea and a unique “party in a cave” experience, it’s worth a visit.

#cityofdreamsevent #codgoestoitaly

7 notes · View notes

loyalluxury · 1 month

Text

"8 Enchanting Winter Destinations to Discover: From Northern Lights to Snowy Retreats"

youtube

As the chilly air envelops us and the days grow shorter, the allure of a winter escape becomes irresistible. For those dreaming of a snowy adventure or a cozy retreat amidst the cold, we've curated a list of the top destinations that promise an unforgettable winter experience. From the powdery slopes of Aspen to the geothermal baths of Iceland, these places offer a unique blend of adventure, relaxation, and cultural richness.

1. Aspen, Colorado, USA: A Dreamy Winter Getaway

Aspen is synonymous with winter luxury. The Rocky Mountains provide a stunning backdrop for a range of activities. Ski enthusiasts can explore the four world-class ski resorts, while those looking for relaxation can enjoy après-ski fun in cozy mountain lodges. Beyond skiing, Aspen invites visitors to try snowshoeing, ice skating, and even dog sledding. Culturally, the town is a hub with its Aspen Art Museum, Wheeler Opera House, and historical society.

2. Quebec City, Canada: A Winter Wonderland Dream

Quebec City transforms into a magical winter wonderland, with its Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, resembling a holiday postcard come to life. The cold season here is about embracing the frosty weather with activities like ice skating and ice canoeing. The Quebec Winter Carnival is a highlight, offering a unique way to experience the joy of the season. Cozy cafes and delicious food round out the Quebec City winter experience.

3. Reykjavik, Iceland: Northern Lights and Geothermal Baths

Reykjavik presents a winter of wonder, famed for its view of the Northern Lights and its geothermal baths. The Blue Lagoon is a must-visit, but local hot springs offer more secluded retreats. Adventure seekers can go glacier hiking or explore ice caves, ensuring a memorable winter experience amidst Iceland's stark beauty.

4. Zurich, Switzerland: Postcard-Perfect Winter Charm

Zurich’s Old Town offers a quintessentially Swiss winter experience, with its historic architecture and festive atmosphere. The city is a gateway to winter sports, with several ski resorts a short drive away. Zurich’s Christmas markets and the opportunity to ice skate on the lake provide a picturesque setting for holiday cheer.

5. Hokkaido, Japan: A Serene Snowy Paradise

Hokkaido is Japan's winter jewel, offering pristine ski conditions, serene hot springs, and unique wildlife viewing opportunities, such as the majestic red-crowned cranes. The island's cities, like Sapporo, shine in winter, with lights and decorations that celebrate the season's beauty.

6. Stockholm, Sweden: A Fairy Tale Winter

Stockholm's Gamla Stan (Old Town) turns into a snowy fairy tale landscape in winter. Ice skating in this historic setting is magical, and the Christmas markets add to the festive spirit. Dress warmly to explore the Swedish capital's islands and enjoy serene, snow-covered walks.

7. Vienna, Austria: Elegance Amidst the Snow

Vienna's grand boulevards and historic architecture are even more striking under a blanket of snow. The city’s Christmas markets, traditional Austrian cuisine, and the unique ice skating opportunities make Vienna a top winter destination. Venture outside the city to the Vienna Woods for serene hikes in a snowy forest.

8. Yellowstone National Park, USA: A Winter’s Natural Wonder

Winter in Yellowstone National Park offers a serene beauty with snow-covered landscapes and frozen waterfalls. The park’s geothermal features, like Old Faithful, are starkly beautiful against the snow. Guided tours and snow coach tours provide insights into the park's unique winter ecosystem.

These destinations offer a glimpse into the magical experiences that await in the winter months. Whether seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural enrichment, there's a winter wonderland waiting to be explored.

Get More taste of opulent luxury at

#WinterWonderland #Aspen #QuebecCity #Reykjavik #Zurich #Hokkaido #Stockholm #Vienna #Yellowstone #WinterTravel #SnowyEscapes #NorthernLights #SkiResorts #ChristmasMarkets #HotSprings #CulturalHeritage

youtube

1 note · View note

doc-equation25 · 6 months

Text

Survey Part 2

eaten puffer fish? No got acupuncture? No had a cake made for you? Yes eaten caviar? No eaten foie gras? No eaten oysters? Yes seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa? No seen the Sagrada Familia? No know how to do a cartwheel? I used to. smoked shisha/hookah? No been to a nude beach? No babysat? I think so. donated clothing? Yes been ice skating? Yes played golf? Mini, yes. Regular, no. played tennis? Yes played netball? No played hockey? Maybe field hockey, I think. played basketball? Yes played cricket? No taken a self-defense class? No made a snow angel? Yes been out in the pouring rain? Yes ridden an electric scooter? Maybe. ridden a rickshaw? No been on a roller coaster? Yes stayed in a hostel? No stayed in a resort? Yes taken a train/subway from grand central station? I don't think so. been to a German Christmas market? No walked across abbey road? No been to a Greek island? No been inside a cave? I think so. eaten pizza in Italy? No eaten sushi in Japan? No been to Monte Carlo? No been on a plane ride over 10 hours long? Yes been to Croatia? No shot an arrow? Yes rolled down a really big hill? I think so. picked berries? Yes placed an item in a random person’s shopping cart? No had someone play with your hair? Yes been so drunk you almost threw up? No played ding dong ditch? No had a foam fight? No but it looks fun. gotten detention? No been in a newspaper? Yes (again, for something small). worn pajamas in public? Yes drunk alcohol in the middle of the day? No been stung by a jellyfish? Yes been in a haunted house/scary maze? Yes been served alcohol underage? No ran away from police? No climbed into a park in the middle of the night? No painted a room? Yes played beer pong? Without alcohol, but yes. played the lottery? Yes had a job? Yes run through sprinklers? Yes cried in the cinema? Yes made tie dye t shirts? Yes laid on a trampoline and looked at the stars? I think so. sat on a roof? Maybe. I'm not sure. cooked a meal? Yes slept in a hammock? Yes washed a car? Yes gone bowling? Yes been on a ferry? I don't think so. been to the natural history museum in London? No had a class reunion? No been to a water park? Yes been to a Michelin star restaurant? No been Christmas caroling? Yes held a hedgehog? No fed a penguin? I think when I was really young.

#survey #questions #you can also bold the ones you've done #bold survey

1 note · View note

alsjeblieft-zeg · 1 year

Text

077 of 2023

Have you ever?

been abroad? been to 4 continents? been to 5 countries or more in 1 year? been to a concert? gotten high? gotten drunk? made out with someone? (didn’t like it, though) thrown up in public? done charity work? stolen something small from a shop? got a trophy? ridden a horse? walked a dog? slept under the stars? slept in a bed with a guy you weren’t dating? went swimming with dolphins? went paragliding? went zip lining? went to a music festival? went to disneyland? had a massage on a beach? (what) went snorkelling? went white water rafting? jumped off a bridge into a river? swum in the river nile? held a snake? had a fish pedicure? seen the eiffel tower at night? been to times square at night? been to a tropical island? skipped class? smoked a cigarette? gone in the sea in your underwear? gone river kayaking? gone sea kayaking? walked the brooklyn bridge? been to buckingham palace? toasted marshmallows on a campfire? slept in someone’s garden? climbed a water tower? skied? hiked a mountain? went sledding? done a colour run? been in a mosh pit? fell asleep on the beach? been to japan? had a surprise party thrown for you? learned a foreign language? (yeah English lol) learned how to play an instrument? ridden an elephant? see big ben? abseiled off a cliff? rock climbed? had a pet? been surfing? been on tv? learned how to skateboard? made a snowman? seen a shooting star? jumped in a pool fully clothed? been in the sea while drunk? been to a hot spring? been to a dress up party? hugged strangers? meet someone famous? sung karaoke? sung in front of an audience? seen a musical at the west end? seen a ballet? been to a fun fair? seen the mona lisa in real life? been to top of the rock? wore a sumo wrestling suit? eaten puffer fish? got acupuncture? had a cake made for you? eaten caviar? eaten fois gras? (foie gras, check your spelling lol) eaten oysters? seen the leaning tower of pisa? seen the sagrada familia? know how to do a cartwheel? (yea but I can’t anymore) smoked shisha/hookah? been to a nude beach? babysat? donated clothing? been ice skating? played golf? played tennis? played netball? played hockey? played basketball? played cricket? taken a self defense class? made a snow angel? been out in the pouring rain? ridden an electric scooter? ridden a rickshaw? been on a roller coaster? stayed in a hostel? stayed in a resort? taken a train/subway from grand central station? been to a german christmas market? walked across abbey road? been to a greek island? been inside a cave? eaten pizza in italy? eaten sushi in japan? been to monte carlo? been on a plane ride over 10 hours long? been to croatia? shot an arrow? rolled down a really big hill? picked berries? placed an item in a random person’s shopping cart? had a guy play with your hair? been so drunk you almost threw up? played ding dong ditch? had a foam fight? gotten detention? been in a newspaper? worn pyjamas in public? drunk alcohol in the middle of the day? been stung by a jellyfish? been in a haunted house/scary maze? been served alcohol underage? ran away from police? climbed into a park in the middle of the night? painted a room? played beer pong? played the lottery? had a job? run through sprinklers? cried in the cinema? made tie dye t shirts? laid on a trampoline and looked at the stars? sat on a roof? cooked a meal? slept in a hammock? washed a car? gone bowling? been on a ferry? been to the natural history museum in london? had a class reunion? been to a water park? been to a michelin star restaurant? been christmas carolling? held a hedgehog? fed a penguin?

#survey #bolding survey #themed survey

0 notes

soulshardarchive · 23 years

Text

𝕬𝖗𝖈𝖍𝖎𝖛𝖊

24:03:6 - well ...

24:01:05 - gr8, have you ever wondered how it all ends?

24:00:00 - The Apocalypse of the Soul ⭐

23:12:27 - I died, and spoke with living

23:12:24 - The Yule Tree

23:12:23 - well, itsjustkindofastoryaboutagirl, whose nose was stolen

23:12:21 - bye!

23:12:08 - and just falling stars..

23:12:05 - and just empty mattresses and falling stars

23:12:01 - bro... ure dead, with minus seven hundred

23:11:25 - you guys

23:11:24 - im not waiting to be adopted, ive adopted myself

23:11:02 - #?/*Đ% "+ $&@# */&&#

23:10:29 - Samhain is Coming, i feel in my bones

23:10:21 - Friends here

23:10:20 - The city of cold

23:10:02 - Krwlng, Lets begin

23:09:30 - Im lost in my words

23:09:23 - Idwannatalkabout, but its ... its cold, and its me

23:09:19 - The Anger

23:09:13 - I dont give a shit...I know how down I come from

23:09:08 - Im arrived at the sacred center ⭐

23:09:05 - I felt the hate rise up in meh

23:09:02 - You Know...

23:09:01 - Everything is happenig

23:08:28 - Drink Wine in the Cinema Before Drive, Thankyu

23:08:26 - Okay, Little Horcrux is walking around the city

23:08:24 - The Witch with that Fckin Cards

23:08:21 - Valleys of Casa Grande and Dining Pasta Hill ⭐

23:08:15 - Choking on the Bed

23:08:12 - City of Firefly Lanterns sayin Wellcome Back Again

23:08:07 - I'm curious why you're leaving me, guys...

23:07:29 - Wellcoming

23:07:15 - Oldschool Lake Flow

23:07:04 - The Place...Called Home ⭐

23:06:27 - Hey Wuk, Re U Seein Meh? Im the 17!

23:06:24 - Explodig Night of Fireflies and Arabic Coffe ⭐

23:06:01 - What is known ⭐

23:05:26 - Seagulls and The Camper Van Tales

23:05:25 - The Ultimate Wonder-Deco Shinobi Team ⭐

23:05:17 - Holden Caulfield said correctly

23:05:16 - No one, but at least the dead people talk with me

23:05:09 - Ya, it is a Brand New Day

23:04:28 - Taste the Suffering boi

23:04:08 - I remember you Ice Stack and Magic Buttons ⭐

23:03:23 - Super Team

23:03:16 - The Gods Smile ⭐

23:03:10 - And the Singing Moon, started a Quiet Song 🔒

23:03:04 - Oh Fuck, I have to go to jump out of a plane

23:03:03 - She tried to save meh from that necklace

23:03:01 - Old roads

23:02:22 - A little piece from the Goddess

23:02:11 - I'd love to die today

23:02:01 - Enter

23:01:10 - Tom the Adventurer

23:01:01 - Sky Cloud Meads ⭐

22:12:23 - The Day of Spirit

22:12:12 - Christmas Chaos

22:11:13 - Everything happened for me to be here now

22:11:01 - Celebration in Monster City Center Basement

22:10:20 - The Trick

22:10:15 - Nion

22:09:23 - Burnout

22:09:17 - The Inner Cave Dream

22:09:10 - Past, Present, Be strong for Future

22:08:30 - Lessons

22:08:19 - Atum Seshat ⭐

22:08:13 - Exist

22:08:10 - How you get here

22:08:01 - Gates of the Paradise ⭐

22:07:09 - Across the half World

22:07:05 - Teo Checked Me

22:07:03 - Seth

22:06:30 - Reb’s Gift 🔒 ⭐

22:06:03 - Black Reeds

22:06:17 - The Present

22:06:10 - These are Different Lessons

22:06:08 - Just one word remained: Reb

22:06:04 - Nice Prayers in the Oaks of the Temple

22:05:29 - Between

22:05:20 - You are my Friends!

22:05:16 - Mugwort tastes like the Moon

22:05:12 - The Job

22:05:01 - The First Summer Fires in the Woods

22:04:29 - Poets from shadows

22:04:28 - Ravens

22:04:25 - Almost Done, or not?

22:04:14 - Du you want a puff?

22:04:11 - Funny Ghosts

22:03:26 - Wuk, Mira, Everybody, What happened?

22:03:22 - Underworld Tales

22:03:22 - Annwn ⭐

22:03:16 - I’m a forgotten, empty place, from a previous world

22:02:22 - Cold Empty Matrasess and Falling Stars

22:02:17 - No-No! Students do not open random portals!

22:02:13 - Immrama Islands

22:02:12 - Egypt’s Ancient Dreams

22:01:28 - The Druids Egg

22:01:17 - The Gate to the Triple Goddess ⭐

22:01:08 - Journey in Past 🔒

21:12:16 - One Tribe

21:12:15 - The Dream of Alchemy ⭐

21:12:04 - Headphones and Black Pants

21:11:27 - The Sacred Center

21:11:11 - Land, Sea, Sky

21:10:03 - These are Cold Dawns

21:09:19 - Nightmares and Cardboard Boxes

21:09:13 - Little Ghost Girl of Amsterdam

21:09:04 - At The End Of History II. ⭐

21:08:31 - Kukulkan’s Bloody Pyramids

21:08:29 - The Emerald tables of Thoth

21:08:28 - Base Of Ancestors III.

21:08:24 - IX.

21:08:23 - You Known, Too High Level Wand…

21:08:13 - Druids From Magh Mor 🔒 ⭐

21:08:08 - Wellcome to Paradise

21:08:05 - 12 Towers of Babylon

21:07:28 - The Oak Tree

21:07:24 - Valley of Wonders ⭐

21:07:20 - The Cherry Tree Elemental and the Gnomes

21:07:10 - We Are, Together

21:07:05 - All or Nothing

21:07:01 - The Hanged Man

21:06:22 - Fuck You! 🔒

21:06:13 - The Higher Law ⭐

21:06:10 - Third

21:06:06 - Ivy on Empty houses

21:06:05 - I wouldn't kill you, Friend

21:06:04 - Never look back

21:06:02 - See You Mira

21:05:22 - The last day in This Circle

21:04:27 - Snow Mountains

21:04:11 - The Witch and The Strawberry Tree

21:04:09 - Waking up in the previous dream

21:03:15 - The Ghost of Great-Grand Mother 🔒 ⭐

21:03:09 - A Little Deer Spirit Saved Me

21:03:03 - Get Backpack, but nobody knows

21:02:21 - The Three Glyphs of the Elf Woman

21:01:16 - Underworld of Earth II .

21:01:01 - Fall down, into the Black Hole

20:12:28 - The Sad And Angry Bride Ghost

20:12:12 - Underworld of Earth?

20:12:04 - Base Of Ancestors II. ⭐

20:10:26 - The Joy of The Fireplace With Them 🔒 ⭐

20:10:19 - A Prophecy from the World’s End by a Forest Girl Spirit ⭐

20:10:13 - Again

20:09:23 - Tiramisu Mira ⭐

20:09:01 - The Song of Shepherds

20:08:22 - Shadow Hand

20:08:16 - Lost Magic

20:08:15 - Small Grey Hermit Smell

20:08:07 - The Great-GrandMother's Underworld

20:08:04 - Dancing feet on Summer Rainy Meads ⭐

20:08:03 - The World of Dreamers ⭐

20:08:01 - Ister-Gam ⭐

20:07:21 - The Magic Shop

20:07:10 - Legend of Roe Deer Creek

20:07:04 - Roe Deer’s Clan ⭐

20:07:01 - Just 7 hours Remained

20:06:28 - Star Systems

20:06:23 - We Have One Earth

20:06:10 - Reverse

20:05:27 - Jakks’s Mail

20:04:19 - Another Living Line

20:04:07 - We Are One

20:04:05 - Survive Until Dawn

20:04:03 - Spirit of the Forest

20:04:01 - VLM

20:03:15 - Where always 03:03 AM ⭐

20:03:06 - Trust in Life

20:02:24 - At The End Of History

20:01:01 - We From Earth

19:12:12 - Princess of Frozen Moon 🔒

19:12:08 - Kicked the Moon, Across the Sky 🔒

19:12:06 - Place Called Home

19:12:02 - The Biggest Smoke Clouds

19:10:15 - First in the Depth of The Underworld ⭐

19:10:13 - Zeta Reticuli 🔒

19:09:13 - The Clamp Knockdown

19:08:13 - Sunken Worlds Song ⭐

19:08:06 - Dancing Deer Spirit of the Drum

19:07:31 - Rising Sun, Setting Sun 🔒

19:06:10 - What About Forest? ⭐

19:05:22 - R. From Earth

19:04:25 - Soulshards ⭐

19:04:18 - I don’t want to hear it

19:03:10 - Icaros

19:03:08 - Sweet Bhajanas alone in Temple

19:01:27 - Ben

19:01:03 - Travel, Faith, Love, Lust

18:12:19 - The Glass Table

19:12:06 - Ann’s Magic Buttons ⭐

18:11:22 - Message From the Earth

18:11:08 - The Bird Question

18:10:13 - I want to see with my own eyes ⭐

18:10:13 - Only those who can die, Can Live

18:09:12 - Death Mirror

18:07:07 - Maha Prasadam

18:05:13 - Black & White

18:05:10 - With Me

18:04:16 - Garden of Eden

18:04:01 - Fixed Gear

18:02:23 - Cold Bus Stations

18:01:01 - Without You

17:12:07 - Home like a Temple

17:11:22 - Come Back

17:10:10 - Friends

17:09:08 - The Temple ⭐

17:08:01 - Don’t Leave Me

17:07:07 - Litte Town

17:06:24 - Raspberries Everywhere

17:05:09 - Separating in Process

17:04:18 - Hippies

17:03:11 - Lost in Travels

17:02:21 - Sex, Drugs and You

17:01:01 - Her Name is Ket 🔒

16:12:24 - Who Are You? ⭐

16:11:16 - Hearth Breakers

16:10:27 - Leave The Big Cities

16:09:06 - Forest in the Center of Concrete Jungle

16:08:05 - Keep the Flow

16:07:07 - Thanks Yall

16:06:13 - The Mead Again

16:05:19 - I lose Ang’s Hearth

16:04:04 - Punks Are Dead

16:03:27 - Trainstaions End

16:02:01 - Learn to be Free

16:01:01 - Whistle Back

15:12:16 - Cutted Rowel

15:11:20 - Red Flag

15:10:19 - Travel, Travel, and Travel

15:09:01 - Recreations

15:08:22 - Bye Ang! I’m Travel Again

15:07:23 - Back to the Home

15:06:16 - Long Ways to PK

15:06:22 - Everybody has a Brick

15:05:03 - 2 Times Homeless

15:04:23 - He is

15:04:18 - Ren

15:03:28 - The Start

14:06:02 - The Mead

14:05:22 - Pistols and Ropes🔒

14:05:01 - Child what? I’m getaway 🔒

14:04:21 - Hang-Air

14:04:18 - She has two parents and a little dog

14:02:04 - Cold Streets, Cod Hearts

13:05:11 - Dom

13:01:01 - Connectors

12:12:21 - Waiting for what?

11:05:07 - The Blue Pocket

10:04:12 - Cigarettes at the back of the Church

09:01:01 - Anyone?

08:07:07 - Visions, Lucid Dreams, Others ⭐

08:06:04 - Sky World

07:07:07 - Self Awareness

06:03:12 - Square World

05:07:07 - Just me, My Dog, and Our Meads ⭐

04:04:21 - Base Of Ancestors

04:??:?? - Bye Mom 🔒

04:??:?? - He said my lovely legs, the other broke them 🔒

03:??:?? - Something In Shadows

01:01:?? - Bye Dad 🔒

00:00:00 - XXI. Century

98:07:07 - Waking up in a Next Dream

#soulshardarchive

0 notes