#I think I still love the kelp plate best | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

unkemptgardens · 4 years

Text

CHAPTER FOUR

The following morning Tesla was awoken by the timer kicking the lights on in her face. She squinted against the purple. The plants all had fully-formed buds on them. She shot out of bed to investigate.

Completely frosted. A mix of white and amber trichomes, fully covered, like a cupcake. The buds were then layered with a thick coat of orange hairs. The buds themselves were dense and gigantic, taking up the majority of each stalk's length. Tesla rushed to find Daisy.

A few hours later the bud was harvested and spread out in a mesh hanger to cure. Harvesting had been promising. They had went through a few pairs of scissors because the trichomes kept gumming up the blades. Each plant was different. Daisy had loved picking out the different terpenes with her nose. She inhaled the bud she was holding. “Beta-caryophyllene, limonene...a little humulene?”

“I think that's the Girl Scout Cookies. It smells like my last bag. Only a million times better.” Tesla had never seen weed like this in her life. She couldn't believe it. Daisy was the real deal. She even did magic to speed up the curing process – they were hoping the faint grass smell would be gone by tomorrow.

It was Sunday so the shop was closed. Daisy didn't feel like working on the website on her day off so they hung out and relaxed instead. Daisy did another tarot reading for Tesla which turned out to be hopeful and encouraging. Tesla then tried her hand at doing one for Daisy, but the messages were conflicting. Tesla helped Daisy repot some of her plants and even ate some of her peanut-butter tofu stir-fry (worth eating). They checked on the weed.

Tesla smelled a perfect nugget. “It smells ready. Shall we try it out?”

“Me?”

“We'll compare notes.”

Daisy didn't say no and didn't kick Tesla out when she started breaking a bud up. She sat down at the table where Tesla finished loading a bowl into a rainbow pipe that had a large chip on the side.

“Okay, I'm gonna need you to corner this. You don't want to get too high. Just burn a small bit and then stop. Don't get brave,” instructed Tesla.

Daisy took the pipe. She did as she was told, nailed it, and then handed the pipe back. She waited. “I don't think I feel anything.”

“Nothing?”

“Wait, no.”

“........”

“Wait, no,” Daisy repeated and then she burst out laughing.

Tesla eagerly took a puff. Her body instantly melted and suddenly she had a big, goofy grin.

“How do you feel now?” she asked Daisy.

“Like I wanna go on a walk.”

“Where?”

“The backyard?”

“You don't have a backyard.”

“Damn.”

They settled on the park. Daisy was having the time of her life looking at all the different trees and was completely incapable of playing it cool in public. Tesla had little success hushing her.

“LOOK AT THE WEEPING WILLOW, TESLA!” She did this with each new tree. It was a park full of trees.

Somewhere between an oak and an elm Tesla was hit with a full-blown munchies attack. She needed food, and she needed it now. “Daisy. Daisy we have to leave.”

“Is that person over there with the binoculars sketching you out too?”

“They're bird watching.”

“Oh.”

“No, I've got the munchies. Let's go get food.”

They couldn't find Tesla's jeep. It took them a quarter hour to realize they were on the wrong side of the park. Then they got lost on the drive back to the shop. Finally they made it back. Tesla realized that she had completely forgotten to stop and get munchies and had to settle for Daisy's weird pantry. They gorged themselves on spicy dried fruit, granola yogurt bites, dark chocolate, baby carrots and humus, and kelp chips.

“This might be the weed talking, but these kelp chips are really hitting the spot,” said Tesla, slouched on the couch, covered in crumbs.

Daisy looked out the window. “It's already dark! How long has it been?”

Tesla checked her phone and sat up. “Wow. Hours. Usually you don't feel it for this long unless you, like, eat edibles or something.”

“Well I think I'm getting sleepy. I'm going to go to bed.”

“Me too.”

The next morning they were both still high. “Okay, this is weird,” said Tesla, accidentally buttering her phone instead of her toast. “We shouldn't still be high.”

“....was it all of the magic?”

“Probably, Daisy. I have a confession to make. I was doing magic every night too! You kept going on and on about intention magic, I figured it wouldn't hurt to talk to some plants. They're honestly a good audience.”

“Tesla! So we're too high?”

“I mean, I am, and I can only imagine how you feel, never having smoked before.”

“I just thought this was what it was like!” All of Daisy's clothes were on inside-out.

“Just give it a little bit.”

It did eventually wear off, much to Daisy's relief. She kept losing things. On one occasion, after a half-hour of searching for her keys, Witchcat brought them to her, rabbit's foot in mouth, and released them at her feet with an exasperated sigh. On another occasion, while cooking, she had looked all over the kitchen for her spoon only to realize she had been holding it the entire time.

“A day and a half!” said Tesla excitedly. “This weed is magic.”

“I don't know, you don't think it's too strong? I forgot the word 'door.'”

Tesla waved it off. “It's fine. I'll start selling tomorrow.”

And away she went! The next morning Tesla's very first stop was the library. She marched right up to the librarian's desk. “Meet me in the occult section.” Five minutes later they were face to face with Tesla's backpack between them. “It's magic.”

Charles looked up from where he was inspecting a fat purple nugget. “Yes, but what do you mean?”

“We grew it with magic! Daisy did her green witch thing and I talked to them a lot!”

“Magnificent. I'll take a quarter.”

Then Tesla went to the local college campus where she had pretty good luck. Finally, she found herself inside of The Third Eye. She did feel a little guilty, but then Jack spotted her and came over with a wave.

“Tesla! Right?”

“Haha. Yeah. Haha.”

“You didn't bring your friend, did you?”

“Don't worry, I think she hates you just as much as you hate her.”

“I see.”

“Yeah, hey, I actually came in today because I just grew some just absolute dank. I'll smoke a bowl with you and you can decide if you want some.”

They went to a back room, where there was already a bong out on the coffee table. It was surrounded by loveseats in a circular fashion. She picked the one in the middle, small and cushioney.

Tesla's backpack reeked. She pulled out the bags. “Look at this madness.”

Jack was thoroughly impressed. “Okay, I want some.”

“Just wait! Bong?”

“You bet.”

Tesla loaded her up and offered him the green hit, which he took in a practiced manner. The effect was immediate. It was an indica, and he grew very still and soft, eyes unfocused. “That tasted exactly like berries,” he said finally.

Tesla threw her arms up in a touchdown. “It’s the best!” She took the bong for herself. She hesitated a moment, remembering how completely baked she was last time. Had she been too high? Impossible. She took a big rip. The lights got brighter, the colors more vivid. Suddenly she heard every single lyric coming from the small laptop in the corner, which she hadn’t noticed before. Then she forgot where she was.

“I think this is the highest I’ve ever been,” she heard. She looked over at Jack staring at his outstretched hands and remembered. Then she felt ridiculous and giggled at herself for a bit. “Do you want some?” she asked. She sold him an eighth. It was hard for him to count out the money but they managed. They both sunk further and further into the couch, letting the music play. It was wonderful.

“What is this?”

“I don’t remember.”

They talked a little. “What’s the deal with your friend?”

“Daisy. Get this: she owns an occult shop. On the other side of town. Can you believe it?”

“Yeah I think I’ve heard of it. Six Roads?”

“Five Roads.”

“How’d she get that name?”

“Said it came to her in a dream.”

“No shit.”

“Yeah, she’s just as weird as you, don’t hate her. I know she was a lot when she was in here, but she really isn’t that bad. She just kind of lost it when she found out about your shop.”

“She didn’t know about it?”

“I don’t think she gets out much.”

They stared dreamily off into space for a bit. “You think I’m weird?” asked Jack after a minute.

“A little.”

“Why?”

Tesla laughed. “I’m not into all this.” She gestured around her at the room in general, hung with tapestries and filled with candles and incense smoke. “I think it’s cute though.”

“You bought enchanted lube!”

“I mean, I couldn’t not buy the enchanted lube.”

“Do you like it? I enchanted it myself.”

“How do you enchant lube?”

Jack grinned. “Trade secret. Now that I know you’re friends with the competition.”

“It better not be weird.”

“It’s not. It’s very normal.”

“Enchanting lube?”

“Yes.”

Tesla’s phone vibrated. It was Daisy, wondering if she wanted dinner. Tesla smiled at the thoughtfulness. “Well, I better go. It was nice talking to you again.” They said goodbye and Tesla left in a blissful haze. She couldn’t get her jeep open. It took awhile for her to realize she was pressing the lock button. But the ride home was fairly uneventful and soon she was in Daisy’s tiny, delicious-smelling kitchen, dumping her cash from that day onto the table.

“Are you kidding me?” squealed Daisy. “This is enough for rent!”

Tesla rolled up her sleeves and started flexing and kissing her muscles.

Daisy squinted. “You’re super-stoned again!” she accused.

Tesla laughed. “No I’m not!”

Daisy crossed her arms. “If I have twelve apples and I take away five and add seventeen apples, how many apples do I have?”

“What, are you dealing apples? Another day at the ol’ apple factory?”

“See! You couldn’t figure it out if you tried!”

“Daisy, sometimes the answer comes from within.” Daisy rolled her eyes and set a plate of steaming vegetables down in front of Tesla, who glady dug in. She had eaten more green stuff since living with Daisy than she had in the past six months.

“Well I’m not smoking the stuff anytime soon again. It was fun and everything, but that is just too much for me,” said Daisy.

They discussed what they still had left to do for the website, and how the new source of income could benefit the shop. Tesla was too super-stoned to be helpful. “Let’s get one of those crazy, inflated floppy men out front!”

They talked about their day.

“Don’t be mad, but I sold weed to the guy at The Third Eye.”

“Tesla! He’s the competition! Don’t associate with him!”

“I said don’t be mad. His money’s just as good as anyone else’s.” Tesla didn’t mention his soulful eyes or pretty smile. Or that he only bought an eighth. “Well, how was the shop today? Any new customers?”

Daisy sighed. “Not yet.”

The next few days flew by. The shop, as always, was slow, but gave Daisy plenty of time to work on the website, which they got up and running. Daisy reorganized and looked at adding new inventory. She also started considering taking ads out in the local newspaper or perhaps having a commercial run on the radio. She had the funds now. Tesla, who had taken to wearing sunglasses inside and smoking cigars, brought in a steady stream of cash everyday from selling. Tesla noticed her repeat customers were all still super-stoned, but that they just wanted different strains of her “magic weed.” Each time, they went on and on about how good it was. She could recognize her customers, many of them college students, throughout town from a mile away. Many of them were conspicuous in some manner. For example, one girl looked like she had accidentally slathered toothpaste all over her face instead of moisturizer. Tesla didn’t have the heart to tell her. She had come down from her own magic high and had opted to take a break from the World’s Best Bud. She didn’t see it as a problem, however, until things started hitting close to home.

Tesla recognized that some of her campus customers worked at Arby’s, which, naturally, she frequented. It started out small. No Arby’s sauce in the bag. Barely noticeable, normal even. Then, no curly fries. No curly fries! How could they? Soon, the entire order was missing. It was just a paper bag with one measly napkin in it.

Tesla went inside. “Who’s in charge here?” she asked at the counter. The three employees, all super-stoned, all looked at each other blankly, as though they had forgotten.

Tesla held up the paper bag. “You forgot my entire order!” The employee at the register, Kyle, who had bought an eighth, looked into the bag and broke into a lopsided grin.

“Whoa,” he said.

Tesla waited. “Well?”

“What did you order again?”

Ten minutes later, Tesla left with extra fries, dessert, and two extra sandwiches. She was a little worried though. Would things be like this forever? She noticed things amiss on the way home too. Everyone was driving with a blinker light on. At a four-way, no one knew who was supposed to go and then everyone tried to go all at once. It might’ve caused an accident but everyone was driving too slowly. “Does this whole town smoke weed?” cried Tesla in frustration.

Shortly at Daisy’s, Tesla brought it up. “We have to do something!”

“Just stop selling it! It’ll wear off eventually.”

“Will it? Samantha only bought a gram and today I saw her give her entire order at Arby’s to the sign without the speaker in it.”

Daisy’s expression brightened and she snapped her fingers. “I know! We can go visit Charles and see how he feels!”

#the fools #writeblr #witchcraft #weed #chapter fourrrrr i did it

36 notes · View notes

thatfairyfangirl · 5 years

Text

Part Of That World Chapter 2

“Hey (y/n)!” Tony called out chasing you down the hall. “Didn’t I see you breaking walls to get at some water for your…” he waved his hand mimicking the way you manipulated the water “thing?”

You laughed and nodded. “Yes...I can’t make water, just control it.”

“Hmm that’s what I thought. I’ve had a couple of ideas on that. Would you mind if I borrowed your harpoon? See if there’s something I can do about fixing that?”

“Umm sure. I’ll bring it by your shop after dinner.” As you spoke Tony tilted his head quizzically, trying to find the slits of where your gills were, until finally giving the side of your neck a little poke.

“So where are they? How does that work?” He asked, dying to know.

You laughed again, finding the curiosity delightfully refreshing. “I can only breathe through one or the other. When they get too dry to breath through they develop this seal.” You explained stepping away. “Now if you don’t mind I smell grilled salmon...it’s my favorite and I’m starving.” You said before rushing off to the kitchen. Your steps slowed, untrusting, as you saw Bucky, his hair pulled up into a messy bun and an apron wrapped around his waist.

He turned from the stove to see the girl that reminded him so much of his former love, your eyes looking past him. “Oh hey. I wasn’t sure if you actually eat fish or not since you kind of are one but while I was out I found some kelp noodles I figured you would like...I hope.” He watched as your eyes widened and your lips pursed in anger. You are a person, not a fish! But even worse that meant there was no salmon for you! As he spoke the light of the setting sun caught the metal of a dulled fish hook hanging from a cord around your neck. He couldn’t help chuckling at the thought. “Is that meant to be ironic?”

“I am the daughter of a fisherman. And I live in the water. What the hell did you think I ate?” Your words burst from you as your fists clenched. “And I’m not a goddamn fish!” You added, storming off.

“Hey what’s wrong?” Clint asked with a folded brow as he watched you huff past the training room.

“Metal armed mouth breather in there is what’s wrong!” You answered with a grumble.

“Oh geez, what happened?” Steve asked folding his arms over his broad chest.

“It seems I’m not good enough to eat the same dinner as the rest of you.” You turned to face the direction of the kitchen to scream “Stereotyping asshat” directed at Bucky, not caring if he could hear you or not.

“Oh, is this the 'does she eat fish' thing?” Clint asked as he wiped the sweat off his face with a towel. “I’m sorry none of us were really sure what an Atlantean’s diet consists of.”

“Gives him no right to call me a fish.” Steve’s head hung low as you let out an exasperated sigh. “You know what...no...I’m over it...Clint, would you be so kind as to show me where I can get some decent sushi?”

“Sure, I’ll go get Nat, she would know better than me. Raw fish isn’t really my deal.” Clint agreed with a friendly smile.

~ ~ ~ ~

Your aqua blue sundress danced in the spring breeze as Nat drove you to her favorite sushi place in the city, blond and blue hair tied into a bun hiding the blue as best as possible. “By the way, have I thanked you for saving me yet? Hell you probably saved all of our asses by just acting as a translator.” Clint said with a friendly smile as he opened the door for the ladies.

“Yeah well I am kind of awesome.” You joked as you sat down at a table. “No but really you don’t have to thank me. Last thing my people need is a war with ignorant inconsiderate mouth breathing one armed man bun wearing idiots.” Your brow scrunched and your arms folded over your chest as you spoke.

Nat burst into laughter. “Why do I get the feeling you’re talking about one specific mouth breather and not all of us as a whole?”

“Stupid man bun and metal arm….Who does he think he is anyway! Ugrr! I can understand people making slip ups. It’s not like anyone really knows anything about us or our culture ...But he could at least have the decency to apologize!” You responded with a huff.

“Yeah he can be pretty taxing to deal with sometimes. But cut the guy some slack. Up until recently he was just a brainwashed assassin for….” He trailed off realizing telling you Bucky was former Hydra probably wouldn’t make things any better.

“You know...she reminds me of Laura when you two first met.” Nat joked as Clint let out an embarrassed grown, burying his face in his hands. “He used to piss her off so much.”

“Used to? I still do!” Clint laughed. “I remember the first day I met Laura she slapped me so hard I thought she rattled some teeth loose.” He paused to take a drink. “And right then and there I knew one day I was going to marry that woman.”

Meanwhile back at the tower

“Hey Buck what’s this I hear about you insulting the new recruit?” Steve asked as he stepped into the kitchen.

Bucky was still standing at the stove, hand in his hair as he scratched his head trying to figure out exactly what happened. “I…” He looked up to Steve. “What the hell kind of crazy woman is she?! She just went from ignoring me to verbally ripping my face off in about 2 seconds!”

“Give her a break pal! She's been living with mer people for God knows how long.” Steve said as he took a seat. “And heaven forbid a girl doesn't fall head over heels for you the second she lays eyes on you. I mean, Hydra did kill her dad...she could just be afraid of you.” He added with a chuckle. “Are you sure this doesn't have to do with Pearl?”

“No...it wasn't just lack of interest. And it wasn't fear. Fear...fear I can take, I can understand. But she just looked right through me… like I was like I was nothing.” He let out a groan of frustration. “How was I supposed to know what fish people eat? She could have just said something.”

“Yeah we probably should have asked." Steve said with a nod. "Give her time, she'll come around...everyone else did.”

“Snotty better than everyone else? I doubt it. And what the hell is with that necklace? She trying to be funny?” Bucky added as he tossed the spatula he had been holding into the sink.

“Hey, Mother Russia, would you mind not breaking the kitchen?” Tony joked as he came in for dinner. “You talking about the little mermaid?”

“Oh don’t call her that. The high-hat sure doesn’t like that one.” Bucky vented as he moved back to the stove to plate the food.

“Really? Because her room looks like Ariel’s castle.” He peered over Bucky’s shoulder, counting out the salmon. “Oh god Bucky did you really just assume she would be thrilled for those kelp noodles? I thought we agreed we needed to ask her!”

“She’s a fish!” Bucky protested stubbornly.

“Person.” Tony and Steve corrected in unison. “And grilled salmon is apparently her favorite.” Tony added pointing to the lack of enough portions.

“Ok, I get it.” Bucky put the plates down. “I’ll go apologize and tell her she can have my piece. I’ll go out.”

“Nah don’t bother. She went out with Clint and Nat.” Steve said with a wave of his hand. “I’m sure she was just cranky because she was hungry or something.”

~ ~ ~ ~

Later that night

You let a deep yawn slip from you as you changed into a pair of sweats for bed. With a sigh you let your hair down out of the bun for the night before venturing out to the bathroom to brush your teeth and ready yourself for bed. You moved softly and silently down the hall well aware you stayed up later than you probably should have. As the foam of the toothpaste grew in your mouth you watched the door open, surprised to find a shirtless Bucky with a towel draped over his left shoulder, as if to shield anyone who might see him from the scar of the metal meeting flesh. “Oh hey, just brushing my teeth, you mind,” he made a gesture signalling he wanted you to make room for him at the sink, but your eyes didn’t linger on him long enough for you to see. He hurt your pride today, deeply. In your culture he would be ignored until he had the guts to say he was sorry...and that was a custom you always liked to keep. Instead your eyes were focused solely on your reflection in the mirror, most specifically the fish hook that hung around your neck. “So what? You’re too good to acknowledge me now?” He asked, slightly offended by being ignored. But you did nothing, which only made his blood boil all the more. Satisfied with your dental hygiene you rinsed out and squeezed by him, doing everything in your power to avoid so much as touching him as you moved past. “Guess we’ll see how much better than us you are out of the water at training tomorrow.” He called out as he watched you walk down the hall. You knew you shouldn’t but you just couldn’t help sticking you middle finger in the air as a response. Sure the Atlantean way was better in your opinion but you still had human instincts too.

#bucky #Bucky Barnes #bucky x reader #Winter Soldier #winter soldier x reader #Avengers #avengers x reader #marvel #marvel x reader

19 notes · View notes

40sandfabulousaf · 4 years

Text

It's the weekend, guys, hope you're having a relaxing and enjoyable time! I caught up with B over beers, crispy prawn paste chicken wings, luncheon meat omelette, garlic kailan stirfry and freshly made salted egg yolk fried fish skin, served with rice.

Salted egg yolk sauce/gravy first became popular here a few years ago and good grief, they're SO delicious and addictive whether cooked with crab, chicken, pork ribs or jumbo prawns 🤤 Nowadays, one can buy packs of salted egg yolk fish skin or potato chips from the supermart; having them freshly made is best though!

Also had a tasty meal with the family. We checked out Hakkon, a healthy food restaurant located at Kinex. I had the salmon mentaiki bowl - salmon sashimi, mentaiki, cherry tomatoes, mashed avocado, cucumbers, seaweed, sea kelp, lettuce and an onsen egg served over rice. It was so yummy!!! 😍

In case you're interested, here's the link to the health benefits of sea kelp, including blood clot reduction, so if you want to try reducing the risk of stroke the natural way, check it out 🙂

Besides eating a variety of nutrient-dense foods (including sea kelp), regular exercise also helps to thin the blood. Whilst they're not surefire ways to prevent chronic illness, it's still helpful to do what we can to take care of ourselves. The same goes for the coronavirus - nothing is 100% guaranteed, but we can still try to keep our resistance levels up by eating well, being active, having adequate rest, as well as getting some sun and fresh air.

Over our bowl meals, I encouraged my parents, as well as Little Bro and his wifey to take a stroll in the garden at the family home or at nearby parks. Just as we sun our bedding to clear out germs and bacteria, getting a dose of Vitamin D whenever we can is good for us. Plus, it's relaxing to unplug and get away from the hustle and bustle that is daily life. With the current situation, we need this more than ever.

Going strong into February and showing that exercise isn't just about the tired old New Year New You cliché for them are curvy babes such as..........

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by DAY/WON Activewear (@yourdaywon) on Feb 27, 2020 at 3:45pm PST

instagram

Anna like I've never seen her! It's lovely sharing what she's been doing again after so long, especially when I hope to include more visibly plus women leading the active life. With that same determined gleam in her eye, this fiery glamazon completed a gruelling circuit. As always, I'm rooting for her as she inspires more curvy women to get strong and even stronger 👊

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Whitney Way Thore⚡️ (@whitneywaythore) on Feb 27, 2020 at 4:20pm PST

instagram

Also visibly plus and equally impressive is reality star Whitney, going down the traditional heavy lifting and squating route. The good news? Her trainers are inclusive and, in her words, 'ALL bodies are welcome.' So if you're looking for a safe space to workout without the risk of ridicule or humiliation - and everyone deserves this - go take a peek at her post!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jolene Eder, JD | AZ Blogger (@boardroomblonde) on Feb 27, 2020 at 12:06pm PST

instagram

Next we have Jolene, using some equipment that I know absolutely nothing about. Told you I don't gym! 😅 She, Anna, Whitney and several other curvy babes know their way around fitness centres and equipment far better than me. You know what? Good for them! If it's an activity which they enjoy, why not?

Finally, me likey likey a good dance so.......

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chloe (@chloeincurve_) on Jan 28, 2020 at 11:10am PST

instagram

Starting with Chloe's gentle ballet moves. Here, she improvises so that anyone who wishes to practise at home can do so rather than specially set aside precious time to head to the studio for classes - very helpful for everyday women like me who have our plates full.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by JW Murray (@clique_entertainment) on Feb 22, 2020 at 2:34pm PST

instagram

Think this is just another boring old group full of straight size peeps? Look closer and you'll spot the curvy girl executing those moves with the same fluidity and expertise as the rest. Mixed weight dancing is especially enjoyable to watch because of the message of unity behind each performance.

Now speaking of mixed weight dancing... I can't leave out the epitome of finesse now, can I?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kaycee Rice And Sean Lew (@lewserrice) on Feb 23, 2020 at 7:03am PST

instagram

I spy the amazing Amanda LaCount of @amandalacount, upping the flirt-o-meter by another 1,000 volts! ⚡⚡⚡ Smooth as ever, this babe is dancing in Lady Gaga's new Stupid Love video! I just watched that splendid MV on Youtube and wow, the energy is 💥💥💥

This ol' bird doesn't know what is the current trend that defines 'wellness'. All I know is that it has existed way before social media entered our lives.

During my early formative years, heavy lifting was done by Olympians. Everyday folks took their kids to the park or playground and played games like police-and-thief, hide-and-seek, hopscotch, tiao pi jin (jump rope using a long rope made from rubber bands), got on the swings, slides and seesaws, as well as played sports like badminton, table tennis, cycling, roller skating, canoeing and basketball.

Food-wise, each culture did their own thing. We Chinese had our stirfries, seafood or meat congee with eggs, specialty herbal tonic soups and stews, as well as steamed dishes. We had a slice of cheese or a glass of milk in the morning and before bed. Dessert was fruit served after dinner.

Parents made sure kids did their homework, got adequate play time, some TV or music time, then it was early to bed if we had school the next day.

And that was it. Wellness. None of the fancy shmancy stuff that's so popular on social media, guys. So there's no need for anyone to feel left out; we can all practise varying degrees of it at home without the pressure of following what influencers espouse. It isn't meant to be stressful; otherwise, that defeats the purpose of wellness, doesn't it? 🙂

Till the next post, stay sweet!

#goldenconfidence #itsmyconfidence #positivity #positivethoughts #positivemind #positivelife #positiveliving #bepositive #positivevibes #positivelifestyle #visiblyplus #visiblyplussize

1 note · View note

clownsgobeepbeep · 5 years

Text

Snake Eyes

@post-itpenny As you requested, some Aunt Velvet.

@grotesquegabby Because some of yours along with Mags’ are here as well ^^

Also, I know that Velvet hasn’t been mentioned much by me but I imagine that by this time mostly everybody has met her already

It was no doubt that the news of a new baby was exciting to everybody.

But it was also obvious that there was an even greater sense of excitement at the news of not one baby, but three.

These news had gone reached Carol who was more than delighted that there would be three new members to the family, or perhaps more! Oh, she really hoped it was more... Either way, her excitement prompted to host a party to honor the three women who were with child, everybody in the family being invited.

“How are the cakes Belinda?”

“Mmm?” said ballerina asked, turning around to show that on the corner of her lips were tiny cake crumbs as she held onto yet another plate of cake. She set her fork down on the table beside her to grab a napkin, then wiping her face before smiling at the woman before her.

“Very delicious! Me and the baby are really enjoying them!” Belinda exclaimed with a giggle. “Give the chef my compliments.”

“Will do.” Carol grinned before she made her way through the crowd of relatives and friends, finding her husband who was leaned against a wall.

“You seem to be very pleased with yourself.”

“Why would I not be?” Carol replied before standing next to her husband, both watching everybody interact with another.

“A good point that is my love.”

“I know.” Carol beamed at Stripes who smiled down at her, then leaning down to place a kiss onto her lips. “Can you believe that we are great grandparents?”

“Hm, not really.”

“And we’re going to have even more great grandchildren!” Carol grabbed Stripes’ hand before leaning er body into his, Stripes wrapping his long arms around her thin figure as he smiled down at her. “I can hardly wait for when we have great- great grandchildren..”

“Far too soon for that, do you not think?” Stripes tucked a strand of Carol’s hair behind her ear as she gave a shrug, still smiling.

“Perhaps, but I am already excited for when that day comes. I can just imagine it…one of Pepper’s twins, or Ula...any of them having children of their own.”

“How about we focus on the children that are already born and those who are to be born some time soon?” Stripes chuckled before Carol gave him a pout, making him poke her nose despite his long sleeves. “Unless you wish to make more children of our own.~”

“Stripes! You stop that.” Carol slapped his chest before she turned to look back at the others. “Of course we are both still young, but no more for us.”

“Hm, of course.” Stripes nodded as he looked into the crowd as well. “Look at Jelly, she looks the same.”

“That is the only disappointing thing about Coralina. That her belly doesn’t grow when she’s pregnant.”

“Relax my love, it grows a bit.”

“Hm.”

“Hmm...oh no.”

“Oh no? Oh no what?” Carol turned back to Stripes who look even more exhausted than usual, so she turned back to look at what his eyes were on. “How is this an oh no?”

“I’m, here!~” a voice sang out, somehow grabbing everybody’s attention and making them all turn to the entrance of the ballroom they were all in.

“Auntie Velvet!” came another voice, this one being a child’s. Stripes and Carol watched as from the crowd appeared Ula, running before jumping into the air to land into the new guest’s arms.

“Hello there Ula! How is the tiny one doing?”

“Seriously, how is this an oh no, Stripes?” Carol turned to her husband with a bit of a frown before he shrugged with a soft chuckle.

“I love my sister, but she is a tad bit too much to handle at times.” he looked at his sister who waltzed into the ballroom with Ula and now the twins in her arms. “I can already imagine the-”

“Gifts!” Jeff and Bubbles loudly gasped before men and women followed behind Velvet, all holding onto boxes or bags which were clearly meant for all the guests.

“That is one of the best traits about her.” Carol commented before Stripes gave her a look, making her laugh before hugging him. “You know I’m just kidding.”

“Hm.”

“Hmm.”

_____________

“What did you bring us today!?” Bubbles exclaimed before Velvet snapped her fingers, a pair of women coming by and presenting some boxes.

“This one is for you.~” Velvet handed one to Bubbles, and then another to Jeff before they both shook with exhilaration.

“Thank you!” they thanked her in sync, then allowing themselves to be put down on the ground by Velvet before they both ran towards their parents. Meanwhile, Ula was still in her arms.

“I hope you didn’t bring anything for me, because you don’t have to bring me anything for any reason at all.” Ula stated before Velvet tapped her own chin.

“Oh no...oh dear.” Velvet pouted before Ula tilted her head in confusion. “That is so very unfortunate Ulla.”

“Why?”

“Because, now I don’t know who to give this ukulele to.” Velvet spoke in a sad tone as she presented the item before feeling as Ula started to bounce in her arms.

“U-Ukulele!?”

“Yes.”

“I, I want it!”

“Oh good!” Velvet grinned before handing Ula the instrument, then presenting another item. “And these axolotl headphones as well?”

“Yes!” Ula happily took the items as she squealed to herself, then being placed on the ground before she ran over to her parents as well.

“Let’s see, who’s next…?” Velvet thought to herself as she scanned the room, then spotting a head of red which made her grin. “Of course!”

She made her way through the crowd before tapping somebody’s shoulder, then moving to the opposite side as they turned to where she had tapped them. However, the person was then startled once noticing Velvet on the other side, making her chuckle.

“Hello there Maggie!”

“Hi, Velvet.” Maggie greeted her with a bit of blush coating her cheeks, however, this short exchange was interrupted by the sound of an unexpected growl which made the women turn to see eyes glare at Velvet. However, these soon relaxed at the realization of who this was.

“Maggie, are you alright?”

“Billy, I’ve told you that I’m fine. I’m just saying hi to Jelly’s great aunt.” Maggie felt as Billy embraced her.

“My apologies for...growling. I just am on the edge when it comes to Maggie, considering-”

“Oooh, don’t apologize!” Velvet gave a hearty laugh. “It’s completely normal and expected for you to be acting in such a way. I should be the one apologizing for giving Maggie a bit of a spook.”

“Oh, it’s alright.” Maggie reassured Velvet before she and Billy’s eyes widened at the sight of bags right in front of them.

“Good thing I bought gifts for your entire family, not just the incoming baby.~” Velvet grinned before swiping the bags away, instead handing them back to the people who had trailed behind her. “But! I wouldn’t you any of you to carry such things, so keep enjoying this little party and these people are to give you your gifts.”

Velvet then turned to her workers before her eyes flashed gold and became slits, a forked tongue appearing for a moment.

“Won’t you?”

“Yes Miss Velvet.” they all gave shaky nods, Velvet then turning back to the coupe with her original, sweet demeanor.

“Well then! I’ll be on my way now and hope to have a chat once I’m done greeting everybody!” Velvet gave Maggie’s stomach a gentle pat. “Now Mr. Billy, where might your brother be?”

“Right over there, with the woman dressed in orange. Jelly is there too as well as our father.”

“Father? Now that’s a mighty surprise.” Velvet then gave a curtsy before she waved to the pair and approached said persons, Jelly being the one to notice her.

“Aunt Velvet, it’s so great seeing you again.” Jelly smiled before feeling as Velvet and she hugged.

“And I’m so glad to be seeing you all as well as meeting others.” Velvet then turned to Lennie who stood beside Jelly, and besides them was the woman Billy mentioned as well as a man with an interesting hairstyle that made Velvet give a small laugh.

“So you’re the great aunt of this family?” the other woman asked before Velvet nodded. “Well howdy there! I’m Tilde, Lennie and Billy’s aunt.”

“Nice to meet you, Tilde. What a lovely name. My name is Velvet.” they shook hands before Velvet’s eyes darted towards the man who had already been eyeing her. “Though, who might this be?~”

“The name’s Cecilio.It’s very nice to meet another family member!” the man replied with a grin, then grabbing her hand to place a gentle kiss onto it. “ Especially such a beautiful one.~”

“Oh, you’re one to talk.You seem to be quite the charmer, Ceci.” Velvet fluttered her eyelashes with a chuckle. “And I really adore your hair.”

“Is that so?”

“Oh yes. It almost reminds me of horns.” Velvet brought hand up to stroke Cecilio’s hair with a hiss. “I like them, horny.”

“Oookay. I just want to remind you both that we’re all still here.” Jelly’s voice interrupted Velvet and Cecilio before they both turned to look at Jelly and the others. “Auntie, how about you and I go with the children, yeah? I don’t think you’ve seen them all yet.”

“Oh! Well of course.~” Velvet grinned before she walked away with Jelly, but not before turning her head to give a wink at Cecilio, as well as a wave to Lennie and Tilde. “Jelly, Kelp-Cake, how have you been doing with the pregnancy?”

“Absolutely fine. No cravings or anything bad so far. It’s almost as if I’m not even pregnant at all.”Jelly chuckled before she and her aunt reached the area designated for the children. “I also wanted to thank you for the gifts you gave Ula.”

“I also have a few for Davey! And the baby on their way.~” Velvet then presented a bag to Jelly who was taken back at the new sight in front of her. “This is just one of them, but I know you’ll adore this one! Look at it right now!”

“Okay.” Jelly stopped walking before she reached into the bag, pulling out what was a tutu that made her her fawn over it. “Oh my stars.”

“I just know it’ll come in handy in the future!” Velvet beamed before prancing away towards the children’s area, hearing a series of laughter before she leaned down. “What are all you darlings laughing about?”

“Mana!” Ula pointed to the ground where the axolotl rolled around in what appeared to be a now squished slice of cake. He only got dirtier the more he rolled in it, a big smile on his face the entire time.

“Oh dear, your Mama Carol won’t be too happy with this.” Velvet chuckled to herself before spotting yet another axolotl. “Well that’s new. Who is this?”

“That’s Ka-la.” Bubbles answered in an irritated tone. “Ula’s other axolotl.”

“But we have a bunny which is even cooler!” Jeff grinned as his sister pouted.

“Kala?” Velvet approached the purple axolotl who stared up at her with a serious expression. The axolotl then raised a paw that Velvet took, shaking it as she could tell that was what the axolotl wanted to do. “My, my. What a beautiful, little lady you are Kala. It is also wonderful to make your acquaintance.~”

Kala gave a nod before taking her paw back, then walking away as she sniffed the air to find either Lennie or Jelly. Meanwhile, Velvet now looked at the other children who were at the table, spotting two babies and two older kids who she recognized as Ula’s best friends. Speaking of Ula, the girl had now walked away from the table, having taken the hand of a boy that lead her to the dance floor.

“Why didn’t you ask her first?”

“What?”

Velvet now sat on one of the small chairs surrounding the table that was covered with all sorts of foods, and she looked directly at the boy she remembered was Atlas.

“Why didn’t you ask Ula to dance?” Velvet repeated as she motioned to said girl who was now dancing with the boy who Atlas had quickly come to dislike. “I think she would have said yes.”

“Because that’s too romantic and romance is yucky.” Atlas scrunched up his nose which made Velvet give a chuckle. “Besides, Ula’s my best friend and that’s weird.”

“But you don’t look happy that she’s dancing with that boy.”

“Basil’s...weird...he creeps me out.”

“I’m sure he’s not bad and has good intentions.”

“I don’t think so.”

“I think somebody has a case of the jellyfish.” Velvet giggled before Atlas turned to her in confusion. “Rather than having butterflies in your stomach, you have the jellies.”

“What does that mean?”

“Oh, nothing.” Velvet gave Atlas’ head a gentle pat. “But heed this warning dear, don’t let the jellies stay in you for too long nor try to hide it. Jellies sting and those stings immediately hurt whoever their tendrils manage to reach no matter their size. Rubbing to supposedly soothe the sting is not going to help anybody but instead make things worse.”

“Um...okay…”Atlas scratched the back of his head, right before feeling as Velvet grabbed his other hand.

“How about I let you borrow my friend for a while?” Velvet and Atlas looked down at their hands, the child’s eyes widening at the sight of something white slither out of Velvet’s sleeve. It looked right up at him with ruby eyes, a little tongue popping out as he blinked in surprise.

“Medusa, you make sure to take care of Atlas, okay?” Velvet pet the snake’s head, right before it slithered and wrapped around Atlas’ arm whilst making sure not to hurt him. “Are you alright with that Atlas?”

“Uh huh.” Atlas examined the snake who let its tongue pop out again, making him give a little laugh, then turning to look back at Velvet who had now disappeared. His eyes caught sight of something, however, peering down at the table where there was a gift box with a red velvet bow.

_____________

“I wonder what gift she brought me today.~”

“My love please, I don’t think-”

Back to where Stripes and Carol stood, the pair continued discussing in between themselves. That was until Stripes was interrupted by the sound of a loud gasp.

He and Carol turned to look up before spotting the very woman they spoke of, eyes widening as her tall figure approached them. And this was no normal approach

“My baby brother!” Velvet exclaimed as she rushed towards them, Carol instantly moving out of the way as Stripes shook his head.

“Velvet, Velvet, don’t-!” he spoke before dropping the wine glass and pasrty he had been holding, right before his sister jumped into his arms.

“It’s so nice to see you my baby brother!~”

“Velvet, I’m literally a great grandfather.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that you’re the youngest between us!” Velvet exclaimed before turning to Carol who smiled up at them. “See Caroline, I told you he’d drop everything just to catch me.”

“I can see that.”Carol chuckled as she watched Velvet give her brother a big kiss on the cheek, making him shake his head, surprisingly in embarrassment.

“I also brought you both gifts!~”

“Don’t think that’ll make up for the other night.”

“Don’t worry, I still have another-”

“Stripes, what other night?”

“Merda.”

4 notes · View notes

friendshipcampaign · 5 years

Text

Session Recap 5/18/19: Stilled Waters

Ditto hung out with Erwyn and the twins for a little while, but eventually took her leave to give them some time to talk amongst themselves, parking herself under the large tree in the courtyard. A bit into their conversation, Bramble jolted upright and ran into the kitchen to ask Amaranth if she’d really wrestled Kriv (Erwyn having told her about it in a Sending), and if she had any tips. The tiefling bragged she had, and told Bramble she could give her a demonstration later. Bramble and Erwyn also discussed some of the struggles of wild magic, and she gave him a little advice on reigning in his surges as best he could, and he spoke with the girls about several other topics related to the party’s adventuring.

Coila emerged after a bit, looking far less stressed than the last time the party had seen her, and spoke with Ditto a little about the party’s travels -- though the gnome was reserved in saying all that much. After a bit she wandered over to Erwyn, who was glad to see her but similarly restrained in talking too much about some of the things they’d dealt with.

Undwyn was very surprised to see Kriv when he arrived at the blacksmith’s shop. He asked them how things were going in town and they said things were still settling down, but that Bramble and Rose seemed happy and Coila seemed nicer than her husband. They offered him some tea, as well as some hay for Volfred, and he picked up the greatsword he’d commissioned before. When he arrived back at the castle, he left his old stolen sword in a corner.

Those visiting Soreth had a lovely dinner at the castle -- meaning that Erwyn finally got to try one of Stelly’s famous pies, as he’d been been a deceased soul trapped in a ring when most of the group for their chance. Amaranth set a pie aside to bring back for Voski. As the sun drew low in the sky, they headed back to the stone circle. After a series of goodbyes, they were whisked back to Elessea’s throne room.

The Lady was waiting on her throne, lounging once more. As the group filed out of the room, Erwyn turned and thanked her for letting them make the trip before skittering off to his room. Amaranth barged into Voski’s room with the pie and filled her in on the trip, and Voski told her how she hadn’t seen much while the rest of the group was gone -- though she had heard some sort of faint humming from the other side of one of the courtyard walls near the sea.

Ditto and Kriv spent the evening messing around more with the Rhymer’s Ring in one of the castle courtyards. Ditto went first this time, testing what would happen if she intentionally messed up a spell by using the non-rhyme “Tenser’s Floating Dish” -- and immediately took psychic damage, as tons of small plates started throwing themselves at her. One cracked itself on her head, and Kriv doubled over laughing before using Lay on Hands on her. Kriv took the ring next and tried casting the rhyme “Divine Sight,” which caused him to see a tiny illusory image of Bahamut floating over his pendant, as well as the figure of a tiny defiant isopod above the symbol of Tsova on his shield.

The next morning, Ditto tracked down Russet and Gusset and asked them for some materials she needed for something she wanted to try, as well as where the best places to pick plants were. She gathered a few before heading towards the others’ rooms. She visited Amaranth first and asked if she wanted to play a game. The tiefling agreed. Next she went to fetch Kriv, who was more hesitant. He wanted to make sure that, since it was a gnome game, there were no explosions involved before he agreed. When they went to get Erwyn they learned it was one of the days where he was very exhausted. He also had to ask what “tag” was when Ditto described the game as being like it, but agreed to at least come along -- though he did bring a book.

When Ditto approached Voski’s room, her wind chimes made the sound of a slide whistle. The dragonborn asked Ditto some questions about the location she had scouted out for this event, but surprised everyone by agreeing to come along. She asked if Ditto was planning on inviting Astoria, which Ditto thought was a great idea -- though Astoria was somewhat confused when she was invited along.

Ditto lead them to a cove Russet and Gusset had told her about just outside the castle, where there a covered basket and materials to make garlands were waiting. She explained that each player would have five garlands to put on themselves, which the other players would try to steal. Each player would also have an egg filled with confetti that they could throw at others, allowing them to “steal” a garland from a distance, or to use as a distraction if someone went for theirs. Volfred agreed to referee for them. The party set to making their garlands -- though Kriv needed Ditto to show him how to make one, Voski took her time choosing auspicious color combinations, and Erwyn slowed after starting and looked a bit sad about it. Erwyn also ate some of the materials as he worked.

To start the game, Ditto tossed a garland in the air and everyone ran. Amaranth dashed to some rocks by the water, Voski towards the shore, Kriv towards the woods and Astoria after him (though she seemed confused), and Ditto to a different set of rocks than Amaranth. Erwyn was too tired to move far from the center, but dropped to the ground near a rock all the same.

Amaranth tried to get a better vantage point on the others, but was unable to spot anyone. Voski dropped one of her garlands on the beach, popped one of Auntie Eyren’s water-breathing lozenges in her mouth, and walked into the sea, completely submerging herself. Kriv was able to sneak up on Astoria and grabbed a garland off her waist. She went to grab one of Kriv’s garlands back and he threw his egg at her, but missed. Ditto ran towards Erwyn, but as she reached for him he snatched a garland off her wrist and kicked some sand in her direction to try to get her to go away.

“Oh, fighting dirty, are we?” Ditto asked, and snatched one of Erwyn’s garlands off him before running towards the shore.

Voski continued to hang out underwater.

Erwyn tried tossing his egg at Astoria but missed, prompting him to try crawling after it to retrieve it for future use. Amaranth ran into the trees after Kriv and grabbed a garland as she dashed past him, sticking her tongue out as she did. Ditto ran past Erwyn towards the group in the forest as Astoria tried and failed to grab a garland off of Kriv. The latter two stuck their tongues out at each other, taking a cue from Amaranth.

Reaching his egg, Erwyn grabbed it and lobbed it at Amaranth, hitting her successfully. She tossed one of her garlands at him, grinning, before trying to take one off Astoria herself and missing. Running towards Erwyn, Amaranth looked back at Astoria, shouting, “We still gotta sing later!”

Voski, who had been admiring some of the kelp just off the shore in the ocean, braided some strands together experimentally.

Ditto ran towards the group in the forest and threw her egg at Kriv, hitting him successfully. He tossed her one of his garlands. Astoria tried taking a garland from Amaranth and nabbed the one around her waist, excited about her first success.

“I do agree we should sing again later,” she said.

“We’ll see who survives this first!” Amaranth replied.

Erwyn, who was still low to the ground, launched himself upwards and managed to snatch the garland off Astoria’s wrist while she was still distracted by her success with Amaranth. He clipped Amaranth slightly on the way and knocked her over, before announcing, sounding surprised, that he’d gotten three of them.

With Erwyn the official victor, Amaranth started to go into the sea after Voski as Erwyn Messaged her, seeing if she was alright. She said she’d be right out and cast Freedom of Movement on herself to make an unencumbered entrance out of the water, her armor changed to reflect the inspiration she’d gathered from the kelp. She looked at the garland she’d left on the beach.

“Did you need gift wrap?” she asked.

“I sort of assumed it was a trap,” Erwyn said.

Ditto commented that Erwyn’s strategy of staying in one spot had been clever, and he replied that he’d been keeping in mind his hunting experience. She presented him with his prize -- a cool rock she’d found wrapped up in bit of wire and string to make a “medal” of sorts. Volfred walked up to Erwyn and gently set his head atop of the elf’s. Erwyn looked genuinely touched.

The party set up a fire to gather around on the beach. Amaranth was still in the water and was soon joined by Astoria, though she only remained near the shore and didn’t hop in herself, and the two of them started singing some shanties. As they tired, Voski played some of her own music. Eventually, she asked Astoria a little more about the sound like a breaking string she’d heard in the castle, asking if it sounded like a particular note. Astoria said it had, but she wasn’t sure which one.

Voski asked the group if they’d met any other bards before. They all said they hadn’t, really. She tried to explain a bit about arcane musical theory, and how bards like the Fossegrim at the market, who’d simply disguised a charm spell in a song, were a poor example of the craft. (“Any wizard with a pair of finger cymbals could pull that off,” she said dismissively.) A more bardic approach, according to some theories, involved choosing or writing songs to be “in tune” with the people around the player and drawing on the ambient magic in those reactions -- meaning it was less about control, and more about connections. She suggested it was possible that the sound of the string breaking could be indicative of some magic effect powered through song suddenly ending, and that it might have been load-bearing, given how empty the castle was as of late. As Voski talked, Amaranth fiddled with something in her pocket.

Erwyn mentioned that he kept thinking back to what Eddystone had said about anchors when the party was sailing to the Faewilds, and the fact that the word had also been mentioned in the Sylvan document he and Kriv had translated back in Soreth, which also mentioned some of the Ladies. Voski said that in her attempts to try to research the fae anchors, she hadn’t unearthed much of substance.

Erwyn expressed an interest in trying to find the Celestial counterpart Kevin had mentioned and suggested he try to use his portal sense to find them. The others were up for the idea. Astoria asked if there was anything they wanted her to watch out for the next time they were gone, and they told her they’d be interested in knowing about planar comings-and-goings, like the devil that had showed up. Voski asked if she’d heard anything from Lady Starling recently, and she said that she hadn’t.

As the conversation wrapped up, Voski heard a distant, low barking, along with some small high-pitched voices. She hushed the others, got up, and gestured for them to follow. She asked if Astoria had a call for Max and the drow whistled. The barking increased in volume, and she charged into the woods.

The party found the dog in a clearing, surrounded by some tiny sprites who were trying and failing to keep him from bounding towards Astoria and bowling her over. In Sylvan, they muttered about the dog being their “war beast.”

“I don’t think you’ll find that’s true,” Erwyn said to them in Sylvan, as Voski cast Comprehend Languages.

The sprites complained to Erwyn that everything had been so awful lately that they deserved to have this one nice thing. They went on to explain that the tide hadn’t been coming back, and he asked if they knew why. The sprites told him it was the fault of some monsters in a cave below the castle.

Voski turned to the others and wearily explained they were about to also solve the sprites’ problems.

“I was just going to say--” Erwyn said.

“What were you going to tell them, Erwyn?” she said.

Erwyn sheepishly admitted he did feel at least a little personally responsible for Max being lost. He asked the sprites to describe the monsters. The sprites said some of them were so deep they couldn’t go down there, but that the one nearest the surface was long and covered in armor made of shells, that would snatch you in its teeth and tie you up with reeds.

Voski continued to translated, annoyed.

The party discussed it amongst themselves and decided that they couldn’t know if the creatures were in the employ of the lady or not, which complicated things. Erwyn suggested they needed to ask for payment up front, and Voski pointed out he was the only one who could negotiate -- a concept which intimidated him. He tried to talk to the sprites, but wasn’t very successful in getting them to listen, though Voski tried to assist how she could. The party eventually agreed they would try to talk to Elm or Lichen and ask if the creature was there intentionally -- though Astoria stayed behind with her dog.

The party successfully found one of the two castle guards they were looking for, though as usual they could never be sure which because of their glamours. Voski handed them some braided kelp, which they solemnly tied to their belt. When the party asked what was under the castle, they were told to stay away from the creatures, and that the Lady had appointed them. They were told they shouldn’t ask about them, and that the Lady maintained they did not need the tide. The guard told the party they should have faith in her decisions, that it had been a long time since the tides came to the isle of Elessea, and that the sprites were fickle and would likely abandon about the issue in time.

On the way back to the sprites, the party discussed their options. Giving the sprites a replacement warbeast was proposed, though Voski pointed out that would probably endanger the sprites if it encouraged them to go after the creature. The conclusion they kept coming back to was that they might just have to take the dog, even if it angered the sprites.

“Remember those little gnomes that almost killed us?” Voski said.

“They weren’t gnomes,” Ditto interjected, insulted.

Back in the clearing, Erwyn tried explaining to the sprites what they’d learned. They weren’t having any of it, saying they didn’t want to do all the work required of them without the tides. Erwyn asked them how long it had been and they told him it was generations of sprites, starting around the time that the newest lady took her seat. When he explained that if they went up against the monster they would probably be defeated, the sprites said the waves would just roll up and restore them. He commented that if the party were to be killed, they would be gone forever, trying to explain why they were hesitant, but actually just ended up overwhelming the sprites with the concept of mortality, which was completely new to them.

Now fairly distraught and crying for the party, the sprites told the party to just take Max, so they could at least have him while they were still alive. Voski, however, who was the only other person able to translate their Sylvan due to her spells, told it to the rest of the party a little differently.

“So what’s happened here is he’s threatened to destroy them, and they’re all begging for forgiveness,” she said.

“It’s… it’s probably best if we get going back,” Erwyn said.

#session recap

3 notes · View notes

dancingkirby · 5 years

Text

In which Bolin plays with toys and Eska fails at flirting

I’m going to have to think up a title for this story soon. I was thinking maybe “Into Open Waters.”

“How dare she? How dare she?”

Eska paced around the room, trying her hardest to keep her voice low so as not to disturb Kinalik. The stress of the previous sleepless night, their escape in the wee hours, the sheer physical effort required to waterbend all the way to Republic City with a toddler and luggage in tow, the energy required to interact with people in a strange place…all of it was consuming her.

She collapsed in a chair, her body shaking and angry tears streaming down her face, which made her feel all the worse; like she was no more mature than her daughter.

Did their courtiers think that the twins did not hear the snickers and whispers of “half breed?” And yesterday…they had all looked at Kinalik like she was a monster. They felt that their only option was to get her out of there.

“I was trying to explain, but she wouldn’t listen!” she moaned to her brother.

“Perhaps she felt the same about you,” Desna offered cautiously.

“Perhaps,” Eska muttered, making an enormous effort to control her crying. “I have no harsh feelings towards our cousin’s significant other; she is not nearly as uncouth as the others. I was just…trying so hard not to cry in front of them that I forgot to thank her. People only seem to care about what I do incorrectly; not what I do the appropriate way. Yes, I know you are an exception, brother,” she hastily added to ward off his protests. She furiously scrubbed the tears away.

“I recommend that we go to sleep right now and ponder the matter further in the morning,” Desna said.

“Yes…that would probably be wise.”

Eska was worried that she’d have problems falling asleep like she often did in locations that weren’t home. However, the rhythm of Kinalik’s breathing soothed her, and the trio was soon huddled together in a deep slumber.

When Eska woke up who-knows-how-late in the morning, her back was throbbing in pain. She supposed it was to be expected with all the exercise and lifting that she did yesterday. Even attempting to roll over caused her to moan. Thankfully, Desna had already awoken, and was ready with the bowl of water. He and Eska silently healed each other, then Eska also healed Kinalik, who was uninjured but wanted to do what the grownups were doing. It didn’t get rid of all the pain, but reduced it enough to allow her to perform the usual morning functions and help Kinalik with hers.

When they got downstairs to the breakfast room, Korra was sitting there alone. She had finished her own meal, but there was still a pot of tea and a plate of steamed buns filled with bean paste on the table. Eska was impressed to see that they’d remembered about Kinalik’s noodles, and that the child’s chair had a pile of cushions on it in lieu of a booster seat.

“Asami’s in the shower,” Korra said in response to their unspoken query. “She likes to fiddle around in her workshop first thing in the morning when she’s feeling upset.”

Even Eska could tell that the last few words were pointed. “Hm,” was all she could trust herself to say in response as she grabbed a bun.

“Does she eat anything else?” Korra asked, referring to Kinalik. That was a somewhat safer topic, at least.

“Rice. Eggs. Apples peeled and cut to slices exactly ¼ inch thick. Arctic hen. Some types of fish; she seems to change her mind about exactly which types by the day,” Eska answered. She stopped to think. What else was there?

“We have been having modest success in getting her to eat kelp,” Desna reminded.

“Oh yes. The first time she ate that was a triumphant occasion indeed. And before you ask, cousin, we do give her a daily multivitamin.”

“I wasn’t going to ask,” Korra said quickly. She took a sip of her tea and said, “I wonder if she’d like Narook’s? They have a kid’s menu.”

“Is it noisy?”

“Dinner can be…lunch is usually quieter.”

“We will consider it.”

They were spared from doing further chatting for the moment by Asami entering the room, fully dressed but with a towel wrapped around her head. Korra looked at Eska expectantly.

Eska supposed that this was her cue to apologize. Damn it. She’d never cared about the feelings of anyone outside of her family before.

“I’msorry,” she mumbled while looking down at her hands. This seemed to satisfy the requirements for now.

“It’s okay,” Asami said. “I know you must have been under a lot of stress. Now, is this enough food for you? We could have the cook make something hot…”

“This is sufficient,” Desna assured her.

Asami sat down as well and got her own breakfast, and apparently decided that it would be best to get right to the point.

“So…Korra said that you were concerned about Kinalik’s safety…”

“That is one way to phrase it.”

“So exactly how deep into hiding did you want to go?”

Good question.

“We hadn’t thought things through that far yet,” Desna admitted. “All we were hoping for was to buy a few days of time to strategize. That was why we chose not to stay at a hotel.”

“Simply arriving at this destination was the main objective. They will discover our location sooner or later, but I doubt that they would take our lives here. Nevertheless, we should take precautions,” Eska added.

Korra and Asami stopped to think, and then Korra said, “Well, you do have one thing going for you. You’re fairly obscure. Probably all that most people in Republic City know about you is that you’re those creepy twins.”

Eska clenched her jaw, and willed the angry words ready to spring from her back down her throat. She didn’t want another argument to start so quickly. Desna appeared to be having a similar struggle, but was able to state in an even tone, “We do like our privacy.”

While they had been talking, Kinalik had finished her noodles and was getting bored.

“Down!” she commanded. Eska rose to help her off the cushions, and sat back down with her daughter in her lap.

“And that’s another thing,” Asami said. “I didn’t even know of Kinalik’s existence until yesterday, and I don’t think Korra did either.”

“They may have mailed something,” Korra said. “But I was kind of distracted at the time.”

“We did air a birth announcement on the radio,” Eska remarked. Granted, it had run only once. At 6 AM. Neither the twins nor their advisors had wanted to call much attention to it.

“Well, anyway, if all that the general public knows about you is that you’re twins, we’d want to make you look as unalike as possible. Plus, the weather’s much too warm right now for your regular wardrobes. We’ll need to shop for new clothes, and one of you might have to cut your hair.”

Asami looked over at Desna, but Eska quickly said, “I’ll do it.” Desna had done so much for her; it was only fair that she should be the one to make this sacrifice.

“I have to go get the rest of my stuff this morning, but…hold on, let me write this down,” Korra said.” She retrieved a notebook and pencil from a side table.

“Asami, could you take them downtown this afternoon? I’ll probably want to rest, and you’re the one with the style sense. And um…I still can’t drive that well.”

“Sure, but maybe one at a time? Whoever is after them would be looking for twins.”

“No prob. Desna, you okay with waiting until tomorrow?”

“Whatever you think is best,” Desna answered, albeit apparently with some unease about them being separated. The twins squeezed hands under the table.

“Bolin might want to join us,” Asami remarked. “You know how he is about makeovers.”

“Oh, yeah, whoops, I forgot about Bolin. And we were going to do a proper introduction today.”

“I wonder…” Asami trailed off as Korra scribbled away.

“Hm?”

“I was just thinking about how to make all this more pleasant for Kinalik. I think I have an idea. You go over to Air Temple Island. I can take care of arranging things.”

“’Kay, love you.”

They kissed. Eska was relieved. All of the talking had been making her dizzy.

After Korra had finally departed, Asami got Eska, Desna, and Kinalik situated in the living room. Unlike the more formal parlor they’d seen on the tour yesterday, this room was stocked with comfortable furniture, which was a blessing for Eska’s back. It was decorated with plush carpeting, wooden paneling, several paintings, and a tall bookcase in the corner. Eska made a beeline for the latter and thumbed through the selection.

While Eska was busy with her browsing, Asami used one of the mansion’s many phones to call Bolin.

“So what do you think about coming over here shortly? Makeovers may be involved.”

Eska could hear Bolin’s shriek of joy from clear across the room. Asami had to hold the receiver at arm’s length until he calmed down.

“I take it that’s a yes? Okay, what time? Yeah, I think we can do that. So see you…oh? What is it?”

She listened for a few seconds, then said, “Well, I’ll ask them,” and covered the receiver with her hand.

“Eska, Desna, Bolin says that Opal wants to come meet you. Is that okay?”

Eska was intrigued in spite of herself. She wanted to see just what sort of powerful woman had managed to ensnare her ex’s heart.

“It is all right with me. Desna?”

“Me as well.”

“Great!” exclaimed Asami. She turned back to the receiver and said, “That’s a yes from both of them. See you in a few, then? All right. No, Pabu had better stay at your apartment this time. Bye.”

She hung up the phone, then left the room, saying vaguely that she had to “get things ready.”

Eska, in the meantime, had found several recent issues of Republic City Style. She had first encountered this publication in the storage room of the library back home, and knew that it was trash, but had been unable to stop reading these chronicles of uncivilized famous people and their clothing. And it definitely wasn’t because she was jealous of them and their hedonistic lives! No, if ever asked, she would claim that it was simply anthropological studies.

“All right, let’s see who Ginger is dating now,” she murmured as she sat down to look at the pictures with Kinalik.

“May I have one?” Desna asked.

“You may.”

They were deeply engrossed in their reading material, with occasional snorts of incredulity from the twins and squeals of “Pretty!” from Kinalik, when they heard something being hauled down the stairs and dragged into the living room.

“I found that box of t-o-y-s that I was telling you about yesterday!” Asami said as she beamed. She had removed her towel, and looked no worse for wear from the exertion. Eska wished that she could look that put-together.

“So I was thinking that Bolin could help Kinalik look through these, and that maybe she would warm up to him more if she associated him with a positive thing like that.”

Kinalik perked up at the mention of her name. Eska thought that this was actually a clever idea, and wished that she could have thought of that herself.

“Shall we see what is contained in here?” Eska asked Kinalik. Her daughter didn’t answer verbally, but appeared happy for the first time since they’d left the palace.

As Asami left to get some scissors with which to open the box, the doorbell rang. The door was opened shortly thereafter, presumably by the butler…what was his name again?

“We have arrived!” Bolin announced as he bounded into the living room, followed closely behind by Opal. “And…hey neat, what’s that?” He gestured at the box.

Asami explained her idea to him as Kinalik removed the first item from the box: a stuffed animal in the form of a cat-owl.

“Great, sounds great!” Bolin enthused as made to sit down right next to Kinalik, then caught himself in time and picked a spot a respectful couple of feet away.

Asami had certainly never been lacking in any amusement as a child; Eska felt a twinge when she remembered how her own toys had been taken away when she wasn’t too much older than Kinalik. There were stuffed animals of all sorts (yes, including a turtleduck and a koala otter), dolls, and Satomobile models. Thankfully, nothing was in that box that would pose a choking hazard; Eska presumed that Kinalik was smart enough not to put toys in her mouth, but one never knew for sure.

Kinalik was insistent on doing the unpacking herself, and kept most of the toys to herself, but every so often she would shyly offer one to Bolin.

“Thank you!” he exclaimed at her latest offering of a stuffed animal that was so worn that Eska couldn’t even tell what it was supposed to be. “Do you wanna know something, Kinalik? I don’t remember what toys I had when I was your age. I wish I did. So this is really as exciting for me as it is for you!”

Kinalik scrunched her nose, and either because she didn’t know how to respond or didn’t have the words, settled for “Okay.” But she did hand over a toy truck to him.

“Oh, she’s just adorable!” said Opal, which slightly startled Eska because she’d been so focused on the scene across the room. She was seated at the opposite end of the couch from the twins.

“Yes,” Eska answered. She and Desna switched places so that there would be no one between Eska and Opal. Then she remembered.

“I have on my possession a copy of Kinalik’s birth certificate,” Eska stated as she took the piece of paper out of her pocket. “It contains proof that Bolin was not being unfaithful to you. Not with me, at least.”

Opal didn’t move to take it.

“It’s okay, I believe you. Really,” she said.

It was just that easy? Eska had been anticipating a more frosty reception.

“So what do you think? Can we be friends?” Opal asked as she smiled gently. She extended her hand, and Eska forced herself to make eye contact while tentatively reaching her arm out as well. But she only had the nerve to brush Opal’s fingers with her own.

Just then, there was much excitement from the duo on the floor. Having removed all of the toys from the box, they had reached the best part…the packing paper. Kinalik reached for a particularly large piece and gleefully ripped it in half.

“That makes a cool sound, doesn’t it?” Bolin observed.

Kinalik studied the two halves in her hand, and then crumpled one up, walked over, and reached up to place it on Bolin’s head.

“Oh wow! A hat! Just what I always wanted!” Bolin said with all evidence of sincerity. He tossed his head ever so slightly, and the paper fell to the floor.

“OOPS! It fell off! How clumsy of me!”

Kinalik looked at him, then at the paper, then back at him. And she laughed.

This was something that even Eska herself rarely elicited from her daughter. She wished that she could telepathically transmit to Bolin the significance of this event. But as he glanced over it her, it seemed that he already knew to some extent.

Shortly thereafter, Korra returned, and while the servants transferred her things, Asami herded them all into the main dining room for lunch. Evidently, Korra had informed her partner of Kinalik’s preferences, because the meal was omelets…plain for Kinalik and with vegetables for everyone else. Kinalik actually ate most of hers, and even sampled a piece of mushroom from Eska’s plate without spitting it back out.

When that was concluded, Desna put Kinalik down for a nap while Eska ventured out into the great unknown.

For what felt like the millionth time, Eska felt the ends of her now shoulder-length hair. It felt exceedingly strange to not have it hanging halfway down her back.

Also, the hairdresser had insisted on using hair clips to pin her bangs back.

“You have such a perfectly-proportioned forehead!” the older woman had gushed. “And such delicate eyebrows. Why would you ever want to cover that up?”

At least it might work as a disguise. And Asami and Opal had wholeheartedly agreed with the stylist. They had tried to get Bolin’s opinion as well, but he held up his pointer finger for silence.

“Please don’t disturb me. I have attained manicure Nirvana,” he stated in an exaggerated whisper.

When Bolin had finally descended back down to Earth, they went clothes-shopping. First they got some everyday items. Eska was rather embarrassed that she had to wear clothing from the Juniors section due to her petite frame, but she managed to tolerate the shopping long enough to attain several new outfits. The store had a changing room in case one wanted to wear an outfit out of the store, so Eska had changed her regular tunic and leggings for a sky-blue shirt with cap sleeves, white pants that fell just below the knee, and white sandals. It was odd to have so much of her skin exposed in public, but it was amusing to imagine how the dreaded councilors back home would react.

She was taken aback when she realized that she would have to help carry her own belongings for the first time in her life, but decided not to argue.

Then Asami had remembered about Korra’s party, to which Eska hadn’t realized that she was invited, so they went to a more upscale boutique that specialized in Water Tribe inspired designs to find a dress. Of course, the one that caught Eska’s eye was too large for her, so she would have to come back later for fitting.

By the time that was over, all of them were loaded with shopping bags and getting tired, and Eska’s back was acting up again. She still didn’t understand why some girls and women did this for fun.

“There’s a bubble tea shop just down the street. Let’s stop there,” Asami suggested.

Eska was about to inquire what bubble tea was, but her thoughts slammed on the brakes as a horrific sound rose from the corner next to the tea shop.

“What. Is. That?” she demanded as she jammed her fingers inside her ears.

“That’s a trombone,” Opal answered. She and Asami rolled their eyes at Bolin, who was edging nervously closer toward the tea shop door.

Even leading such a sheltered life, Eska had heard of street musicians. But she had been under the impression that most did it for money. There was no tip box beside this man’s feet, so either he was just doing it for fun or wanted to cause all pedestrians an agonizing death. Probably the latter, she thought.

“I am going to ambulate over there right now and inform that man that he must cease and desist immediately,” she declared.

“Maybe…just going inside would be a better idea?” Bolin offered. “Come on quick, before he sees us!”

Bolin dashed inside, and the three women had no choice but to follow, Opal and Asami both making noises of disapproval.

They got their orders and sat down. Eska had assumed that the bubbles would be some form of carbonation, but they were actually solid spheres. She guessed that it was not called “sphere tea” because it didn’t roll off the tongue as easily. In any case, the spheres had a pleasantly chewy texture.

Meanwhile, Asami was still scolding Bolin.

“He’s a much better person now and you know it!” she said.

“He still scares me!”

“Well, I invited him to the party, so get used to him.”

“You what? Oh frick…here he comes.”

The door abruptly swung open as if accompanied by a musical cue, and Trombone Man walked in like he owned the place. To Eska’s relief, he had put away that torture device for the present. Wait…why was he making a beeline to their table?

“Hi, Tahno!” Asami said cheerfully as Opal waved. The latter elbowed Bolin, who squeaked out a “Hi!”

The name rang a bell. Eska tried to recall where she’d encountered it.

“Now who is this lady here?” Tahno the Trombone Man asked. “I don’t believe that I’ve seen you here with the Uh-vatar’s crowd before.”

Eska assumed that he was referring to Opal. But after several seconds, she realized that he was looking at her. Just in time, she remembered how she knew of him.

“I saw you in the magazines,” she said. “Except then you weren’t there anymore. And then you were, but not quite as often.”

“Guilty as charged.”

Was he flirting, or just making fun of her?

Eska rose from her seat and affixed her best glare.

“Your subpar pronounciation irritates my auditory receptacles. As does your so-called musical talent.”

The look she was giving him would have sent a whole room full of courtiers fleeing. But Trombone Man just laughed.

“Oh, did I offend you, Ice Queen?”

Did he know? At any rate, Eska realized that he towered over her by at least a foot, despite her drawing herself up to as full a height as her back would allow. This would not do.

“If I am the Ice Queen, then you are my subject. I demand that you swear fealty to me by kneeling.”

She heard three sharp intakes of breath. But kneel Tahno did, after only a brief pause. He kept his eyes and his smirk on Eska. Eska remained outwardly composed (at least she hoped so), but her heart was starting to pound…from anxiety or from something else?

“Of course…you do know what this means, Ice Queen? Now I must kiss your hand.”

Eska barely had time to process the words before Bolin leapt in between them.

“O-kaaaayyy!” he exclaimed louder than he had to. “I know we’re all having a wonderful time here, and it was great seeing you again, but look at the clock! We really have to be going now, so bye and see you at the party, I guess!”

He herded the trio of women out the door, drinks, bags, and all. Eska didn’t know whether she wanted to thank him or throttle him.

“That was interesting,” Eska mused as they walked back to the Satomobile. “However, I doubt he would show the submission required to be my husband.”

Bolin choked on his last sip of tea.

“Mental images, Eska! Mental! Images!” he gasped out.

At least he was starting to show his true self around her.

#legend of korra #fanfic #eska #boleska #now you know why I was looking up tahno a few days ago

2 notes · View notes

imeightout · 6 years

Text

PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS | PARK JINYOUNG

“Mr. Grumpy is sad to be leaving, isn’t he?”

summary: it’ll always be him

song of the chapter: hero by family of the year

disclaimer: this story is loosely based off of the drama descendants of the sun, I have no knowledge on the military in any country so if something is wrong let’s just pretend that for the sake of this story it makes sense ok

There was chaos as everyone filed into the cafeteria. The sea of green looking like a kelp forest.

Jinyoung’s stoic figure was standing among those he had became family with, standing in a small group. His eyes fell on the stacks of trays and in silence his plate slowly filled up with a variety of foods to fill up the stomachs of those who had worked hard.

His eyes glanced at a table in the back that was empty and he made his way over with an excited Jackson and Sehun in tow.

“First thing we should do is go to the bar, I’m sure Namjoon misses us.” Jackson assured the other two boys. Sehun nodded in agreement with his mouth full of rice.

“I can’t believe we’ll be out of here by tonight.” Jackson said.

Jinyoung glanced at his two friends with a roll of his eyes. “Can we talk about anything else?” He asked.

“Mr. Grumpy is sad to be leaving isn’t he?” Sehun mocked. The boys laughed while Jinyoung looked at them with a glare.

It was meant as a joke but Jinyoung took it to heart. He hated being on break, there was nothing he could do other than get bothered by Jackson and Sehun.

The boys changed out of their uniforms after lunch and by the time they had arrived at Namjoon’s it was way past dinner time.

The bar had looked the exact same as how they left it a year ago. Jinyoung followed Sehun and Jackson as the three walked inside, instantly being greeted by Namjoon.

“Hey guys! I didn’t know you were back in town.” He motioned for them to sit at some open seats by the bar, going behind it and already filling their glasses.

“He even remembers our favorite drinks, someone is getting a tip tonight.” Sehun teased as he grabbed the glass with the copper liquid. Jinyoung stayed silent as he looked down at this glass, he tuned out his surroundings and tried to keep himself busy with his thoughts.

As soon as he had begun to think about what time he should go see his mom the next morning, there was a commotion coming from the other end of the bar.

Jinyoung looked up at Namjoon and caught his gaze, looking over at the end of the bar to see a drunken you, babbling on about the asshole who broke your heart.

“Y/n, come on! I’ll take you home, you need to sleep.” The other girl said, grabbing onto your hand but you pushed her away.

“No! I’m not going. He said he’d meet me!” You shouted at her, grabbing the glass and downing the rest of the drink. Jackson rolled his eyes and scoffed.

“Can you believe that?” He asked and Jinyoung frowned.

“She must be upset.” He mumbled to his friends.

Jackson glanced at Jinyoung before standing up, walking over to you and your friend and clearing his throat. “Is there anything I could help with?” He asked with a polite smile.

You looked at him and stood up from your chair, beginning to laugh. “Get lost.” You said to him before sitting back down.

Jackson stood there for a moment before Jinyoung walked over. “I’m Jinyoung, this is Jackson. Do you guys need a ride? We can take you home. I promise we’re not creeps.” He said with a straight face.

He knew your friend was hesitant but eventually she came through and nodded. “I’m Jennie. I’m sorry about how she’s acting. Her boyfriend just broke up with her.” She whispered to the two men.

Jinyoung nodded, understanding how hard break ups could be.

He’d never experienced it but no one had to know that.

Jackson glanced at Jinyoung and stuffed a hand in his pocket. “We could try to get her to leave by bribing her.” Jackson said confidently but Jinyoung just sighed.

“That’s not going to work.” Jinyoung stated.

Soon you were being thrown over Jinyoung’s shoulder, yelling and hitting his back as hard as your drunken self could. He ignored your cries and nodded to Sehun and Namjoon who just watched in amazement.

He reached his vehicle and threw you in the back seat, letting Jennie sit beside you before shutting the door.

“You could’ve been a little more nicer about it.” Jackson said to him before getting in the car.

The car ride was silent other than the sounds of you crying.

Jennie was trying her absolute best to comfort you but you were heartbroken, obviously.

You and Jin had been together for almost three years and just when you were willing to give up everything for him, he comes to you and says he found someone else.

You were a bit delusional at first, thinking he’d come back to you but after a week of begging, Jin just grew more irritated. You had been hurt about it since then, it was still fresh in your mind after two weeks of being broken up.

Earlier that night you two had made plans to meet up to discuss what you two would be returning to each other, however he never showed up.

Something about his girlfriend’s mom inviting him for dinner.

That’s when you knew you had actually lost and so you started to drink.

A lot.

You sat in the backseat with Jennie beside you, tears streaming down your face as you quieted down.

“Why doesn’t he love me anymore?” You asked to no one in particular.

Jinyoung looked in the rear view mirror to see you staring out the window with sadness.

He pulled over in front of a small apartment building. Jinyoung got out of the car and walked to your side, opening the door and bending down to look at you.

“You’ll move on.” He whispered, making you look at him in confusion.

He helped you out of the car where Jennie grabbed onto your arm. “Thanks for the drive. I owe you two.” She said before dragging you away.

Jackson turned to Jinyoung and sighed.

“We didn’t even get their numbers.” Jackson whined. Jinyoung pushed Jackson aside before getting into the car and driving off.

“How am I supposed to get home?!” Jackson screamed after Jinyoung.

♥　♡　♥　♡　♥　♡　♥　♡　♥　♡　♥　♡　♥

The hospital smell made Jinyoung want to vomit. He was already choking back tears as he approached his mother’s room. It had been awhile since he was able to pay her a visit and he felt guilty for not being by her side.

He stopped in front of her room number before knocking on the door and heading inside.

It was bright with the curtains opened, Jinyoung smiled the moment his eyes laid on his mom. She opened her arms wide for him and embraced him in a tight hug.

“I’ve missed you. How have you been?” She asked with a smile.

“Things have been okay, I’ve been really busy.” Jinyoung said to her casually. “How have you been, mom?” He held onto her hand tightly as if she might slip away from his grasp.

“I’ve been okay, the doctor says treatment is going well. How are the boys?” His mom’s eyes brightened and Jinyoung rolled his own.

“Annoying as ever.” He breathed out.

“Oh I doubt that, you guys have been friends since middle school. You don’t annoy each other anymore.” She joked before looking at the table. “Is that for me?” She asked.

Jinyoung smiled and nodded his head, grabbing the bag and handing it to her.

Her shaky hands reached into the bag and pulled out a velvet box with a silver bracelet on the inside. “It’s beautiful.” She said with tears in her eyes. “You didn’t have to get anything for me.” She said to him with a grin.

“I know, but you deserve it.” He praised her.

♥　♡　♥　♡　♥　♡　♥　♡　♥　♡　♥　♡　♥

Even the sounds of the air conditioning humming was making your ears bleed. You had never gotten so drunk before to the point of a massive hangover like this.

You sat up straight in bed as you glanced around your room, looking down at yourself to see that you were still in last night’s clothes. You didn’t remember much except for yelling a lot.

After your quick shower you headed out of your room to see Jennie sitting at the kitchen table with a coffee mug in her hand and a plate of fruit in front of her. “Good morning sunshine.” She said brightly.

You responded with a grunt before grabbing a water bottle from the fridge.

“How are you feeling?” She asked without taking her eyes off her phone.

You responded with yet another grunt while you sat across from her.

“How’d you get me home last night?” You asked in barely a whisper.

Jennie set her phone down and took a sip of her coffee, thinking of whether or not to tell you the truth. “These two guys at the bar took us home.” She said casually.

You stared at her bright eyed but because you could barely talked, what you wanted to yell at her about didn’t sound right.

“You got two random guys to drive us home last night? Are you crazy?” You asked her as she sat looking at you dumbfounded.

“Okay in hindsight it sounds really bad but it was taking forever to just get you out of there. And they didn’t seem creepy.” She said matter of factly.

“Let me guess, they told you they weren’t creepy and you believed them.” You said with a glare.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She responded with a smirk.

#got7 #got7 reactions #got7 scenarios #got7 fanfic #got7 jinyoung #park jinyoung #park jinyoung fanfic #the pursuit of happiness

56 notes · View notes

prsfood · 6 years

Text

PARIS HABITS

carry around bottled of diluted juice, choose a strongly flavored one OR water with 0% syrup off brand U (about 6 for a lot of syrup).

unsuspicious:

Broth-based soups (chicken/veggie/beef broth, not cream) and plain popcorn come to mind...shrimp is also very low cal and high protein.

What really confuses my family is when i take out my ice cream sandwich. Little do they know, its a klondike 100 calorie light bar, but it looks like a regular ice cream bar so it doesn't raise suspicion.

cooked veggies with shrimp

Thing I always do is an eggwhite omelette with celery and tuna. My fam says its gross cuz of the two mixed but you only need like 3 eggwhites, maybe a half can of tuna and a bit of chopped up celery. Makes a lot for low cal!

I always go for like 5 saltine crackers and a laughing cow cheese wedge

I got kelp noodles recently - the entire bag is 18 calories. They're clear and can be served cold or hot. Mostly good for Asian foods and salads.

I make egg and cheese wraps for dinner..the whole thing comes to around 200 cals as a meal...1 tortilla, 1 small egg and like, a slice of low fat cheese...it also makes me feel full which is good, esp. when paired with coffee

shrimp. Went out to all you can eat crabs with my friends tonight (ugh, shoot me). While they were pigging out on 5000+ cals of crabs, I was just peelin' my shrimp super slow and eating about 100 cals of shrimp, which took forever and made me look sups normal. Even the cocktail sauce doesn't have that many cals and it is delish

at school for lunch I have a half of a pb sandwich. it's 40 cal bread with pb2 (around 30 cal because I don't use the whole 2 tbsp) so that equals 70 cal. I have it with some fruit (50 cal) and cucumber or celery (0 cal)

My caramel frozen yogurt bars are only 100 calories and are a great dessert, especially around people.

My suggestions are:

Try having silken tofu instead of hard tofu because people don't tend to differentiate between different varieties of the same foods even though they can have substantially different caloires. I don't know where you live but here in Australia the Macro silken tofu is only 50 calories for 100g while hard tofu is over 100 calories or more for the same amount.

Home made ice blocks/popsicles with diet drinks and fruit (I mentioned this recently on a different forum, I'm not steal, promise!!!)

Instead of steaming veggies roast them - ie 'carrot fries', because they have that association with fries even though they are low cal

It's already been said by rice cakes (You can find 10cm diameter ones for 23 calories) and you can top them up with salads and hummus etc.

Low calorie smoothies ie. Made with just frozen fruit, ice and water

1 cup silk unsweetened almond milk with sweetener and fiber one 80 cal cereal. 110 cal.

two slices 45 or 40 cal bread with Turkey breast, tomato, kraft fat free mayo. 150-160 cal.

two slices 45 or 40 cal bread with two tbsp pb2 & 1 tbsp smuckers sugar free jelly. 135-145 cal.

Pickles are a great go-to zero calorie food when I crave something salty. That or 100 calorie microwave popcorn. If you make it in an air popper, though, and only spray a little I Can't Believe It's Not Butter on it then its even less (depending on serving size of course). You can add a little salt too, or No-Salt (Potassium Chloride) if you're watching sodium its a great alternative.

Also love the zero sugar/zero calorie energy drinks from Monster or Rockstar. Gets me through the day if my energy wanes. The V8 flavored green tea energy drinks are good too and 50 calories if you only need a little boost.

Jennie-O makes a ground turkey that is like 97% fat free. Less calories and fat than ground beef but still high in protein.

Turkey bacon is like 25 calories per slice that you can pair with egg whites (also about 25 calories per serving).

Hebrew National makes a hot dog that is like 98% fat free and only 45 calories each (versus like 200 for regular hot dogs dripping in saturated fat.. blegh).

And finally, one of my favorite desserts when I need something sweet is fresh strawberries sprinkled with Truvia (zero calorie sweetener) and it is delish!

i go to subway and get a 6 inch veggie delight with all veggies, no cheese and yellow mustard

it's 230 calories but it's really filling and normal looking lol

Bare naked noodles? 16 cals a pack but I can get 2/3 sevings from it with raw shaved courgettes <3 and a stock cube about 30 cals altogether!

shredded crab sticks kani kama like pasta its like: 40 cals crab+20cals lettuce= 60 cals of a full plate

I love low cal bread (35 cal per slice!) with apple butter on top. (30 cal for 2 TBSP). I usually like to eat all of my food in one meal so I like to side it with either no fat plain Greek yogurt (tastes like heaven if you add sweetener and cinnamon) or plain oatmeal with, again, sweetener and cinnamon.

salads, for obvious reasons! lots of veggies

wraps. get a good brand of low cal tortillas, and maybe a spread you like (salsa has always been my favorite)

rice (mix it with lots of veggies for a stir fry)

Salad wraps. What's great about tortillas and pitas, is no one can really see what you've stuffed in there. So use it like a hidey-hole and just fill with vegetables.

I do meat and veggie dishes that are mostly veggies. Like string bean chicken and beef with broccoli. It sounds like a "real" meal but I mostly only serve myself the vegetable part!

Make a huge Asian like bean sprout "stir fry" (I just cook it with water) and season it up as you want, you can add a few shrimp and they're only 7 cals each

Sauerkraut! You can eat a ton and it's super low cal

A big salad with a fewwww grilled chicken strips

If you don't fear carbs, there's a few breads that are 45 cals a slice, you could make a veggie sandwich with a couple of slices and it'd only be a lil over 100 cals

Tuna salad. More veggies than tuna, skip the mayo. Even saltines are not terribly high cal.

Believe it or not, a baked potato. This is one of my fav dinners: a large baked potato with salsa and guacamole and a big salad. Most people (no doubt your mum as well) know to look past salad because it has next to no calories, even by the bucketful.

But potatoes are considered indulgent foods. Turns out tho, it is all the crap people put on them (sour cream, bacon bits, CHILI for gods sake!) or cook them in (think french fries or crisps) that is bad. You can top a potato with salsa (lots) and guac (a little but positioned to look as big as possible) and, when paired with a salad, looks like a giant plate of food. If you start to feel like you are over-ful (a real possibility with this meal) you can skip eating the potato skin, which most people leave off anyways so it won't look suspicious.

Aubergine or courgette boats! Stuff with mushrooms/spinach/chickpeas/Quorn mince or whatever, top with some bread crumbs and/or cheese.

This is the best thing for anyone!

400g cauliflower with some water in a blender - blend till Mashed potato consistency, it makes soooo much! About half a large plate piled! And only 100 calories, then you can add whatever you like since you have so many cals left over. And simply adding rosemary and pepper is delicious!

If you want it to look more like a dinner meal add something like

Chicken thigh - 200

Salmon - 255

Hoki Fish - 175

Stuffed mushrooms

4 medium size or 2 HUGE portobello mushrooms (would be in the 250-300g region, so 30-40 cals)

Bake in the oven for 15 mins.

Top with 1/2 can of lentils (113) mixed with 3 laughing cow triangles (105 or 75 if using the light version) (you could also use another soft cheese). Add in herbs and spices (garlic is great with this) and bake for another 10-15 mins. You could even add a bit of proper grated cheddar or mozzarella as well to make it seem even more high calorie. Wouldn't be more than 300 even with the addition of full-fat cheese.

Grated cauliflower looks like rice with a lot less cals.

Soups with a ton of broth.

12 notes · View notes

cutiecrates · 3 years

Text

Cutie Reviews: Sakuraco July 21

It’s so hard to focus on work in Summer, between the heat and wanting to get out to enjoy myself (and focus on getting things back in shape around here, and appointments) I haven’t felt much motivation lately. I had planned on working on this during the weekend, but for some reason things were acting weird and I couldn’t.

After this review, I’ll be posting my GachaGacha July box, and the August Sakuraco. As long as things keep working right, it’ll hopefully be within the next few days.

“Naturally the cool climate of Japan’s most northern island, Hokkaido, makes it perfect for a summer getaway. Famed for its beautiful lavender fields and unforgettable cuisine - it’s a wonderland for summer discovery.“

For this month the booklet talks about Hokkaido and one of its food makers, Hokushin. Along with Kibi Dango, Yubari Melon, and Hokkaido’s beautiful lavender.

Peach Matcha Tea

Sorry, no pic for this one, but there are more below!

This tea is the perfect way to shoo out the summer fatigue, with a mix between the acidic and fruity peach and the smooth bitterness of matcha. It can be served hot or cold, and because I was feeling adventurous and usually don’t make iced tea (unless its lemon that is) I decided to try that. I’m very glad I did because it tasted wonderful :3 you get the exact lightness of peach with a hint of matcha in the background, and it was such a pretty light green color~

Rum Raisin & Melon Soft Sand

(Our kitchen accessory for this month is the plate you see the sweets on.)

The sable cookie beloved by sweets lovers who like raisins (like me, but not my mom :P), it’s very soft and chewy, with two types of raisins dipped in rum and then baked to a light gold.

You know, I’ve never tried anything rum raisin before, so this was a bit exciting. It’s very yummy and I liked it since it wasn’t overly filled with them. i like raisins but I’m not in love with them, and as a house with cats, we pretty much forbid raisins here. I tend to worry anytime we get some, or when the neighbor bakes raisin cookies.

- - - -

Our next item is the first example of the melon-themed goods in the box, composed of two thin monaka wafers with a fun, leafy design and text, and filled with a layer of melon cream. Since you can’t see it in the picture, the cream was light green colored, like a honeydew. It’s the only melon thing in the box this color, everything else was orange, so it was a little bit disorienting to see.

Soft sand it isn’t, it’s very crispy-crunchy, but the cream inside is soft and sweet. It tasted a lot like honeydew.

Grilled Corn Senbei & Butter Mochi Senbei

Senbei are crispy, light, airy rice snacks that come in a wide variety of flavors. If you’ve been on this blog before then you’ll recognize them right away. The smaller, yellower senbei is made from sweetcorn grown in Hokkaido and roasted with soy sauce x3 I love Japanese corn snacks, and their soy sauce, so this was the best of both worlds!

Both were produced by the same company, Iwatsuka Confectionary located in Niigata.

- - - - -

Our other senbei, the bigger, milky-looking one was made from powdered buttermilk, honey, regular milk, and kinako (a sweet roasted soybean powder) to create a sweet partner for the other one.

Okina Dorayaki & Hearty Age Mochi

We’ve all seen Dorayaki on this blog before, I honestly have nothing new or interesting to say about it. Our other snack is a bit more exciting though, fried little pieces of rice made from three types of natural salt and kelp. Their savory flavor will stand out against all the sweetness in the box.

I enjoyed the snack, but it has a sort-of grease flavor that I didn’t find as pleasant as eating it. It left a residue/texture in my mouth that I didn’t like.

Kibi Dango & Milk Mochi

Oh boy, here we go again with two matching snacks :D also produced by the same company, Tengudo takarabune in Hokkaido. Not only that, but now that I know the clear wrapping is an edible product known as oblaat, it’s a bit embarrassing not to have known that sooner. . .

Anyway, dango and mochi are a lot a like, if you didn’t know that already. Especially these types, which share about the same color, texture, etc. You can eat it whole or cut it into squares, both are guaranteed to a chewy delight~

The smaller of the two, the kibi dango was a bit on the generic sweet side, but I really like it. The larger, milk mochi on the other hand tastes very delicious, like a sweetened, creamy milk. It reminded me a lot of a cow tail, a chewy caramel candy with milk cream inside.

Yubari Melon Cream Sandwich Cookies & Milk Cheesecake

And we’re back to melon, this time it’s the delicious Yubari Melon. Which was born in Yubari, Hokkaido in 1957, when farmers cross-bred them trying to preserve their way of life. At their highest quality they are considered to be a very precious, luxurious gift representing a new start, such as marriage or moving into a new home. Some come out so well that they can even be auctioned and can be sold for a really high price!

This sandwich consists of two butter-scented galette cookies with a thick layer of melon cream on the inside, with a speckling of small melon pieces. The cookie was a bit on the harder side, but the cream was lightly sweet and very fluffy~

- - - - -

I was very excited about this next one for 2 reasons: cheesecake is my most favorite food, and because look at it, it’s a bready-cake with actual cheese looking pieces in it! I love cheese, and cake, so I figured either way it’d be a win-win!

A soft, spongy milk cake with little hunks of cheese mixed into the dough to create a balance of sweet richness. The cheese bits confused me a little initially, because they taste like actual cheese pieces, rather then a sweet creamy cheese like one might expect. It was very good though, I’d highly recommend it if you ever see it. I’d love for the box to include more bready/cake items like this x3

Yubari Melon Jelly & Melon Mochi

We’re down to our last 2 items of the box. First up is this fun-looking jelly made from Yubari Melon... which as sad as it makes me to say, I actually really didn’t like it. I love melon and all, but for some strange, bizarre reason it tasted like tomato. I have no idea why, but that’s immediately what my mind kept coming up with, and if you’re new to this blog, I don’t like tomatoes. Ketchup is fine, tomato-flavored vegetable chips are fine, but don’t ask me to eat an actual tomato (which is funny because my dad loves them). The texture reminded me so much of an actual tomato that I couldn’t even finish it.

- - - -

This particular mochi is made from a melon puree, with white chocolate cream inside.

Thankfully, this item fared much better. It was probably in my top 3 for favorites of the box for its amazing cantaloupe flavor that I look forward to eating every summer~

Opinions

Content - 5 out of 5. The only item I didn’t like was the jelly, but I feel like other people probably liked it, and it was still really fun to try. I even liked the tea, which is rare, and the little plate serving piece we got was cute too.

Theme: 5 out of 5. I’m not really sure how Hokkaido is in the summer, but this box definitely felt summery to me. It was very refreshing, the flavors really did a good job of picking me up whenever I was trying/finishing them.

Total Rank: 10 out of 10 Cuties. I liked this box a lot more then the previous box, I’m very excited for the August box, which oddly enough I got very early (about a week ago now I think). I looked through it but I’ve patiently been waiting to really explore it.

#cutie reviews #sakuraco

1 note · View note

nightfoliage · 6 years

Text

Fic - The More Things Change (Superbat)

Prompt: Bruce and Clark have loved one another for years. They’re both aware of these feelings, though it’s never discussed between them and they refuse to act on them – Bruce because there are a thousand reasons it’s a bad idea, and Clark because he knows it’s not something Bruce would ever allow himself. Everyone from the Justice League to the batfam tries to intervene.

Additional Summary: A Holiday Exchange in the Watchtower.

For: @timmyjdrake

Pairing: Bruce Wayne_Batman/Clark Kent_Superman

Tags and Warning: 2017 Superbat Secret Santa @superbatsecretsanta, General Rating, mostly pre52 universe, holiday exchange, batfam, Ma Kent, other heroes, some pining, denial of feelings, and fluff.

Author’s Note: It’s a bit rough, so I might go over this later, but it’s done! I think I filled the prompt, but mixed in how I feel like things could end with these two.

Word Count: ~7400

Date Published: 12/25/2017 (Edited 1/4/2018)

Read below or on ao3:

-000-

He stays silent even as Diana shakes the hat in front of him.

“Don’t be a party pooper Bats, just take one,” Hal teases. He’s grinning at him along with a few other Leaguers.

Batman does not curl up on himself, nor does he slap the hat out of Diana’s hands. He doesn't go and punch the smug grin off of Jordan’s face and he certainly does not run towards the teleporters.

Instead, he grabs a piece of paper out of the hat. He resists the urge to look at the name and instead folds his arms, tucking the piece of paper into his cape. Some of the other leaguers look at the him, but Batman stays absolutely still. Diana gives him a smile, and moves on to the next person. The others move their attention elsewhere.

Batman silently observes the next people take a name. Some people reveal who’ve they've gotten from their reactions, but none of them get his name.

The papers are dwindling when a voice fills the room.

“Sorry, guys, I had to take care of something first,” Superman says, walking briskly towards the group. His eyes are bright and he looks a bit winded. However, his curl isn’t out of place, so it must not have been anything too important. He joins the circle.

“Don’t worry, Superman,” Wonder Woman says. “You didn’t miss the Holiday Exchange. And there’s a name for you inside the hat.”

Flash speeds over and leans against the hero. “What kept you?”

“Cat stuck in a tree?” Lantern asks with a snigger.

“Actually, it was a ball python.” Superman says, dryly. “I think the fire department was happy to let me handle that one.”

Some of the other heroes chuckle, while some shudder.

Batman does neither. He tracks Wonder Woman with his eyes and watches as she brings the hat over to Superman.

“No peeking.”

Superman rolls his eyes and looks away with his eyes closed and picks a name out of the hat.

After he’s picked his name, Wonder Woman finishes distributing the other names. Batman watches as Superman reads his paper, and discreetly puts it away. He does not give away who he has gotten.

Interesting.

He goes back to looking at Wonder Woman when she begins to address everybody. “This is our holiday exchange (not Secret Santa). Normally, there’s a twenty dollar limit, but we’ve scrapped that rule in case people have sentimental priceless gifts. Try to make the gift yourself if you can. Feel free to exchange them at any time, or during the winter party we’re throwing. If you’re unable to do the holiday exchange, then please tell me.”

Everybody quickly agrees and splits off into groups, while Batman slips into a corner unnoticed.

Someone joins him.

“Forgive me, Bruce.” Diana says softly, with a smile. She’s not sorry at all.

He narrows his eyes but no one's listening. At least, no one who doesn’t already know who he is.

“This is not an emergency meeting, Princess,” he murmurs back. “I’m not even a part of the Justice League.”

“Would you have come otherwise?”

He doesn’t answer.

“So can I count on you for the other gifts in case someone isn’t able to get one?”

He nods and her face turns softer, warmer. “Do you need me to help pick things out?”

Batman shakes his head. “I’ll be able to figure it out.”

She laughs, and for a brief moment everybody glances at her. One person’s gaze lingers for a little longer than usual. He hopes they find a proper gift for Wonder Woman. It would be unfortunate if she as the organizer didn’t receive something special.

“Thank you, Batman.” And with that she makes her way to the others. She draws their gaze away from him and he creeps closer to the zeta tubes. When he’s sure he doesn't have the attention of anyone else and his back is turned towards the rest of the group, he unfolds his piece of paper and reads it.

A moment later he’s teleporting back to earth. If he stayed, he would have stared at Superman the whole night, wondering what to get him.

-000-

“I don’t know what to get him, Ma,” Clark stabs into his pie a little bit harder than usual and winces. Luckily there’s no damage to the plate, or the fork, or the pie.

Blueberry pie.

“You’ve been friends for quite a while, Clark. Surely there’s something you can get him,” his Ma says, puttering around the kitchen. Clark has already been scolded for trying to help. Instead he’s been set to work trying some new pie flavors. There’s a slice of lemon and a slice of rhubarb-strawberry waiting for him.

Clark takes a bite of pie to delay his answer.

How could he explain how important this was to him. That Batman was one of his oldest friends and confidants, someone he trusted with his life. That he needed the perfect gift to show how much the man meant to him.

Thankfully, his mother seems to know anyway and takes pity on him.

“How is the pie, dear?” Martha asks.

Clark gives her a grateful smile. “It’s really good, Ma. A new recipe right? I’m sure the book club will enjoy it.”

But instead of taking the compliment and pinching his cheek like she normally does, Martha sneaks a bite for herself. She frowns and looks at the pie like it’s a puzzle. Clark shovels another bite in his mouth.

She sighs, “Yes. I suppose it’s good enough for book club. Now try the other ones.”

Clark polishes off the first slice and drinks a glass of milk. Then he starts on the next flavor.

“Why don’t you ask all those kids of his what to get him?” Martha suggests.

Clark protests, “Ma, I can’t do that.” But only because he’s considered it already. Maybe he could ask Dick, and maybe Cass in a pinch, but he knows that telling any of the kids is a sure fire way to get Alfred involved. And he’s not sure if he wants Bruce’s father-figure to find out that he’s trying to find the perfect gift for Bruce.

He’s not ready for that.

If he’s really in a pickle, maybe he’ll ask Alfred.

Martha lets her son stew for a bit, before tutting at him.

“Just make sure to get him something nice and make sure to come back during the holidays so I can give you the pies you wanted.”

Clark nods, grateful. “I’ll make sure to give his family one and the League loves your pies.”

Martha glances at the pies. “Well, I hope they like flavors other than apple.”

Clark wonders what his mom has against apple pie all of a sudden (his favorite), but knows he has other things to worry about.

-000-

It’s only a few days since the exchange and it’s a complete coincidence when Bruce needs to head to Metropolis for business. Bruce makes sure to pack for business of both varieties, and does not allow himself to smirk when he surprises Clark (and the rest of the Daily Planet) with his presence.

He makes sure to flirt with Cat and Lois gratuitously, makes sure to slap Jimmy on the back, and skillfully negotiates Perry into making Clark get an impromptu quote about anything new at Wayne Enterprises.

Clark still looks a bit gobsmacked when Bruce Wayne mentions that they can talk over lunch.

Clark stutters out, “Uh, well, Mr.Wayne, I don’t know anything good that’s open at 3pm, but-”

Bruce Wayne cuts the reporter off. “How many times do I have to tell you, it’s Brucie! And sure people are always offering things to me like lobster thermidor with kelp foam, but I’m feeling like something I can really bite into. Know any good places like that, Kent?”

For the first time since he’s stepped into the room, Clark smiles. “I know a good place, er, Bruce.”

-000-

“Finest pizza in Metropolis,” Clark says.

Bruce grunts in response and begins to scarf down his pizza. Clark glances back at the owners, but they’re purposely not paying attention to them and there’s no one else around (luckily).

Then he turns back to Bruce. Clark’s glad that he’s ordered extra because it looks like Bruce hasn’t had a hot meal in a few days. He knows that there’s a particularly troubling case in Gotham involving children so he’s not surprised. He’s just glad he can get him something to eat.

Instead of saying any of that aloud, Clark says: “You could have warned me that you were coming.”

Bruce is in the middle of decimating a bite. He wipes his mouth delicately with a handkerchief (the faker), before saying, “You’re reactions are always best when they’re honest.”

Clark snorts. “You just like getting the drop on people even when you’re not dressed up like a bat.”

Bruce smirks and takes another bite of pizza.

He takes a little bit of pride in making Bruce drop his Brucie Wayne mask, even if it’s at his expense. Once the glow stops he asks, “So why are you here?”

Bruce pauses. Clark can practically see Bruce sorting through all the information in his brain, deciding what not to tell him. It’s okay. He’s a reporter, he’ll figure it out eventually.

“Toyman,” Bruce finally admits.

“Really.” Because Clark hasn’t heard of anything that could hint at Toyman.

“Toy-person. Uses toys to,” and Bruce lips curl enough that it prevents him from eating and Clark’s stomach drops because there aren’t many things that will make Bruce this emotive, “uses toys to make children do their bidding.”

He’s almost afraid to ask, but he has to: “What does he have them do?”

“Anything. Everything. Sometimes it doesn’t even seem like the child is brainwashed, they just do things out of the ordinary. One of them learned how to play a piano concerto overnight, another could suddenly do backflips, and there was a one who scored a perfect SAT.”

“That doesn’t sound too bad,” Clark says, though he’s sure it’s only going to get worse.

“We were sorting through which ones were abnormalities as opposed to those who were naturally talented, when we caught a group that had successfully burgled a bank. Clark, they were all below the age of ten and had skills they had no business of having.”

“Bruce, your kids-”

“My kids grew up that way,” Bruce snaps. “They had been trained from birth to be the way they are. These kids are outliers. Either from families who can’t afford it or the rich and pampered.”

Despite the graveness of the situation, or maybe because of it, Clark lets out a wry chuckle. “Jealous that the young ones don’t have to work to become like Batman, Bruce?”

Bruce stares at him and Clark just manages not to laugh, though he know he’s grinning like the dim hayseed he’s often accused of.

“Maybe, a little,” Bruce says with an eye roll. Then starts to eat his pizza again.

“So, about the kids, are the connections toys?”

Bruce nods.

“I’ll see what I can do.”

Surprisingly, or maybe because Bruce is that tired, Bruce doesn’t growl at him to stay out of the case. Instead, he continues to eat his pizza and doesn't answer. That’s as good as a blessing as he’s going to get out of Bruce.

-000-

They're walking back to the Daily Planet, when Clark sees something that catches his eye. They’re passing an antique shop and Bruce immediately memorizes the storefront and the angle Clark glanced at the window.

A day later he drops the Brucie Wayne persona to go back to the shop.

Disappointingly, there’s nothing of note inside. There are a few baseball card he thinks Clark might have been looking at, but no perfect Christmas gift.

There are a few antique puzzle boxes he picks up and the owner looks considerably more welcoming after he flashes the cash. He’s even brought to a private room (he almost chuckles at how shrewd and secretive the owner was, he would have been a great Gothamite) where some of the more expensive prizes are.

He doesn’t spot anything of interest. Mostly it’s old artifacts he might buy later to donate to a museum and a lot of gilded oddities.

Nothing catches his eyes until he spots a golden elephant. Bruce lets himself get drawn into it’s figure. It’s a circus elephant, rearing back on its hind legs.

“Ah! You have a good eye,” the owner says. “It’s also a music box.”

And he turns a hidden piece of the contraption (cleverly placed, he’ll have to keep that in mind), and the whole thing starts to move. The delicate elephant rears back, it’s tusk moves, and it spins on the base. The music tinkles cheerfully, a generic rendition of circus music.

But Bruce is suddenly taken back to an unforgettable night. He remembers Dick, sobbing while holding onto an elephant. Around them the is circus wishing him goodbye and a goodlife as the two of them have solved the murder of the Flying Graysons.

He remembers how happy that elephant made him.

-000-

The case with the toys still hasn’t produced any leads. Following up with Schott and Okamura hasn’t gotten anything and Batman wonders if there is a new player in town. Maybe Mad Hatter? It’s not his MO, but giving children skills is such an usual thing…

He takes apart some of the toys and finds, something. They’re certainly not normal manufactured toys. They’ve been crafted with care and made to look like the other toy.

He’s taking some time to mull over the new information when he thinks about the golden elephant.

With some of the tools he already has out, he starts to take the music box apart.

-000-

He catches Dick after the boy has had a long patrol and a midnight snack. Dick is aware of him before he makes his presence known and Bruce presents him with the gift.

“Hey Bruce! What’s that in your hand…” Dick immediately reaches out and cradles the music box. He instinctive pets the elephant on your head.

Bruce stays silent.

Not a moment later, Dick finds the key to start the music. It’s the beginning of how Haley’s Circus used to open.

Dick can barely take his eyes off the dancing elephant. “Bruce…?”

Bruce doesn’t have an answer for him.

“We should go to the circus,” Bruce says instead.

“Uh, of course.”

Bruce nods and starts to walk away.

A moment later Dick calls after him, “Thank you, Bruce, I love it!”

-000-

Although Clark said he would help, the case comes to an end when the toy person tries to work their abilities on one, Damian Wayne.

Clark finds out via the Gotham Gazette, but doesn't blame Bruce when he sees the article must have been written hours before release.

He stares at the picture on the front cover. Damian Wayne looks triumphant with the criminal in police custody. Bruce Wayne is on one knee, facing away from the camera, a hand on his son's shoulders.

The criminal doesn’t look too out of sorts, so it looks like they’ve resolved the issue quietly.

Even so, Clark decides that Superman could make a quick stop in Gotham tonight.

He’s just crossed over the border when the familiar sound of a grappling hook catches his attention. Only because of his vision, and the fact that he’s been friends with Batman for years, can he spot the familiar silhouette in the shadows.

He lands silently and steps into the shadow so a random passerby won’t spot him. Batman doesn’t acknowledge him.

“How is he?” Superman asks.

For a moment, Batman doesn’t answer. Then he does something Super doesn’t expect, he sighs.

“Tired. It’s covered up by the adrenaline and the fact that he solved the case, but whatever happened made him tired.”

Clark would normally say, ‘at least he’s doing well,’ but he’s not Clark right now. Instead, he doesn’t say anything. Batman broods, but better he brood in company than alone right now.

They stand together in silence. Clark would have been content to stay by Bruce’s side, but Superman has to continue to watch the world around him. He takes a quick scan of the neighborhood, his vision failing miserably to look through Gotham’s walls. Darn lead is everywhere in this city. He extends his hearing, but he mostly gets the sound of the wind howling through the night and the creaking of old metal.

Sometimes, Superman thinks that the city is out to get him. However, it makes him more comfortable knowing he’s doing something.

Then there is a ‘thwip’ and Superman finds that his companion is leaving him behind. He follows slowly and as discreetly as possible, watching Batman move smoothly through Gotham. He’s admiring the sight of him when a sound catches his ear.

Someone’s crying.

Thankfully, Batman’s presence alone is enough to scare the group away, but whoever is crying continues to sob. Batman is silent and stays still, a protector for however long they want to cry.

Superman hesitates, but starts to fly away.

Bruce will feel better protecting someone than having someone try to comfort him.

-000-

Batman does not watch as Superman flies back into the sky. Instead his attention is focused on the young woman in front of him. She continues to cry and so he looks out in case anyone decides to take advantage of her emotional state.

He glances back at her. She’s dressed for a Gotham winter, but her clothes are new, bright, and eye catching. Her purse is name-brand and she has on jewelry. A tourist.

He almost sighs aloud when he spots the Wonder Woman jewelry and Superman patch on her jacket. He’s almost afraid to see if she has a Batman logo or any other hero symbols on her person.

After a moment, her sobs start to peter off into soft sniffling.

“I got lost,” she says, her voice still thick from tears.

Batman does not sigh even though he wants to.

Thankfully she doesn’t try to explain any further. She wipes her tears away and stands up shakily.

He doesn’t reply, instead moving forward through the alleys. The woman doesn’t need any prompting. She follows him silently and keeps pace. He leads her back onto the bigger streets. Batman molds himself into the shadows and calls a reputable taxi service to come in this direction.

It doesn’t take long before one starts coming down the street. Batman recognizes the license plate and the driver. He’s about to go away, when the woman calls back to. “Thanks for saving me.”

He doesn’t reply.

“Maybe I’ll get a Batman patch to match my other heroes,” she says, finally smiling for the first time he’s been with her.

He simply shoots his grapple gun and watches as the woman gets into the taxi.

-000-

The next evening he finds Wonder Woman waiting with a mug of coffee at the watchtower.

“That was a nice thing for you to do, Bruce.”

Batman does not look around this time, because he knows that no one is in the room with them.

“I don't know what you’re talking about,” he says. Then sits in the chair for monitoring duty. Wonder Woman places the mug in front of his hand and he grunts a thanks before taking a sip. She made it exactly how he likes it.

“Of course you don’t know anything about the Wayne Foundation making a sizable donation to my favorite women's charity” she says.

He takes another sip of coffee and switches through the channels, making sure to do his job instead of gossiping.

“And of course, you have nothing to do with the good media that comes with it. Of course that has nothing to do with Bruce Wayne making an announcement about backing the charity and wanting to open a branch in Gotham,” she says. Her voice is warm and she’s probably smiling and her eyes are most likely sparkling like their prone to do when she’s laughing on the inside, but Batman doesn’t turn to look at her to confirm this.

When Batman doesn’t reply, she places a soft kiss on the exposed skin of his cheek. However, after the kiss she doesn’t pull away. Instead she wraps her arms around him and presses her cheek against his and starts to laugh at him.

Batman does not grumble, nor does he pout. Instead he continues to do his job.

She laughs and laughs, but eventually does stop laughing to say: “Thank you for the wonderful present, Bruce.”

When she pulls away, he replies. “You’re welcome, Diana.”

-000-

There’s only a few days left until the Holiday Party at the Watchtower and Bruce does not have a gift for Clark yet. He's trawled over dozens of stores in dozens of cities, gone through hundreds of websites, and even looked through Clark’s apartment to look for a clue of what might be a good gift for him.

He’s thinking that he should just give him cash, but he hasn’t used up all his resources yet. He didn’t want to use this one, but he’s running out of options.

“Is there a reason that you’re ruining some of my dishes, Master Bruce?” Alfred asks.

Bruce does not roll his eyes, but that’s only because he’s staring intently at the water on the stove top. He’s waiting for the water to become a certain temperature, but he can’t let the water boil.

“Actually, I was waiting for you, Alfred,” he says.

Alfred, who was about to start tidying up the mess Bruce had made, stops.

“Why don’t you take a seat,” Bruce suggests.

He can feel Alfred’s gaze on him, but thankfully Alfred goes along with it. He’s probably curious enough to not let his instincts get the best of him. Just like Bruce planned, Alfred picks a stool at the island with the least amount of clutter in front of him.

Thankfully the water is done and Bruce turns the stove off. He takes the kettle off, pours the suggested amount of water into the teapot, then adds the tea leaves.

Bruce can tell that Alfred is itching to do it himself, so he finally tells him his problem:

“I don’t know what to get Clark for the Holiday Exchange.”

That gets Alfred’s attention. He’s finally staring at him and not paying attention to what’s in Bruce’s hands. Once he’s prepared the teapot, he marks the time.

“I’m assuming you’re trying to get a gift that will, ahem, show the extent of your friendship?”

“Yes,” Bruce says. He gets two sets of tea cups, with their saucers and spoons.

Alfred doesn’t answer, but Bruce can see the considering look he’s giving him. He makes sure that he has everything else prepared, the strainer, the sugarcubes, and the lemon slices.

“Why don’t you invite him over for Christmas?” Alfred says.

It’s not what he would have expected Alfred to suggest. Perhaps a physical object, or maybe even dinner, but inviting him over, that’s not something he would of have thought of.

“Alfred, all we do is sit in front of the television and take turns going on patrol. I don’t think that’s how Clark wants to enjoy his holiday. I know for a fact that’s he’s going back to Kansas to visit his mother,” Bruce replies.

“I know you and the kids sit in front of the telly for days. But perhaps that’s something Mister Kent could enjoy. He doesn’t have to worry about his secret identity, but he has plenty of people to keep him company, and if he leaves he doesn’t need to make any excuses to us,” Alfred explains patiently.

Bruce thinks it over and tries to find a way to refute the suggestion. There isn’t any exceptional reason not to invite Clark, especially if it’s after Christmas. And he agrees with all of Alfred’s points and the kids (as well as himself) would enjoy his company.

But is it an appropriate gift for the Holiday Exchange?

He mulls over this question as he pours the tea through the strainer into the tea cups.

“Sugar?” He asks Alfred.

“Ah, perhaps one.”

Bruce places one cube into the teacup, then stirs without allowing the spoon to hit the sides of the cup. Then he places the lemon slice on top. He puts the spoon back on the saucer in the position that he’s seen Alfred place it before. He places the tea in front of Alfred, then starts putting everything else away. He pours then drains his own cup quickly and excuses himself from the kitchen.

“Thanks, Alfred,” he says, but he’s already miles away, trying to think of how to invite Clark over and if the invitation is good enough as a gift.

-000-

Bruce doesn’t even notice the gaggle of people that are in his living room when he stalks past. He’s too deep in thought.

They stare as he goes away, presumably to the cave in order to stew in his thoughts.

As soon as he’s out of earshot, Damian hisses, “What’s wrong with him?”

Cassandra shakes her head while Dick sighs.

“He has been giving out a lot of gifts and none of them have been for Superman,” Tim adds.

“We know for sure that he got Superman in the Holiday Exchange, right?” Stephanie looks at everyone.

Dick steps up with an answer. “Yeah, I had both Diana and Zatanna on it to make sure they got each other’s names.”

“And they’ve received presents! From Bruce! Really spectacular presents that they both love!”

“It’s a coincidence,” Jason says.

“It’s a coincidence that he’s sending wonderful presents to all of his exes?” Damian hisses.

Stephanie is about to say something, but Cassandra stops her with a hand on her shoulder. Instead, she mumbles, “Geez, he’s been with those beauties.”

“Puh-lease, they deserve to get stuff for dealing with Bruce,” Jason says. Most of them agree, while Dick tries to elbow him. “The biggest problem is he’s giving gifts to the other capes, in full view of Supes.”

Dick sighs again, “Yeah, I heard from Diana that Clark’s getting a bit nervous because Bruce is giving people the ‘perfect gift.’”

“Has he found anything for Clark, yet?”

The kids share a glance, and in one look they know that he hasn’t.

“He’s been going to every store in Gotham,” Dick says.

“Not to mention, he looks online for hours for the perfect gift,” Tim adds.

“Which means what?” Damian looks around. “That while he’s looking for the perfect gift for Superman, he finds the perfect gift for everyone else?”

Everyone nods.

“I mean, even I got a gift,” Steph says, surprise coloring her voice. “He left it where I usually sneak into the manor.”

Damian snorts, “It’s not like it was a secret where you were sneaking in.”

They tussle briefly, but thankfully there's no blood.

Dick turns to Jason, “Did you get anything?”

Jason makes a face, “Yeah, he left it at one of my regular safehouses.”

“Everyone got something, even Titus and Ace!” Damian points to the dogs and their new beds. Somehow, Bruce had figured out two beds in which the dogs would not fight over.

“Not everyone has gotten a gift,” Tim says tentatively.

“Everyone’s gotten a gift, Hal, Barry, Vince, Billy, Kendra, Roy, hell, even Guy got a gift. So yeah, everyone’s gotten a gift.”

“Well-”

But before that sentence can be finished, Alfred walks into the living room. He has the most perplexed expression. He’s carry a tea cup on a saucer. The kids hold their breath, waiting for him to speak.

“Master Bruce, just made me the perfect cup of tea,” he says in way of explanation.

All the kids groan.

“Everybody’s gotten a gift,” Cassandra says solemnly, and everyone agrees.

“Everyone, but Clark.”

“I believe that Master Bruce will be inviting Mister Kent over for the holidays,” Alfred offers.

“Really?” Tim says skeptically. “All we do is eat food and watch reruns of Christmas movies so we don’t miss anything when we have to go on patrol or have to save Gotham.”

“Wait. That’s actually a good idea,” Dick says. “Clark is a hero like us and Alfred makes the best snacks.”

“And he’d probably like Bruce’s old fashioned choice in movies,” Jason adds.

“But that’s still not a gift,” Stephanie points out.

And it’s true, while Clark will appreciate the offer, it’s not exactly the romantic declaration they had hoped for.

“Maybe we’re going around this the wrong way. Maybe, instead of Bruce giving the perfect gift, we should have Clark get him the perfect gift,” Dick says.

“That could work. A good gift from Clark and forcing them in the same room with each other might be the key,” Jason agrees. Dick tries to ruffle his hair, happy that he agreed, and Jason fends it off.

“What’s a good gift for Bruce, that’s not something we’ve already got for him?”

“Wait, let’s go the other way around. What’s the one thing we all do for Bruce?”

They look at each other and say at the same time: “The Mark of Zorro.”

“It’s perfect. We have Clark buy tickets to that stupid movie we always watch with him.”

“Okay, then how do we go about this without arousing suspicion?” Damian asks.

Everyone slowly looks towards him.

-000-

Superman flies through the skies of Metropolis. He’s found that his presence can be a deterrent especially during the holidays when people may consider turning to crime. Then the hair behind his neck starts to rise. He’s being watched.

He looks down and sees some familiar figures waving at him. It’s Nightwing and Robin.

He flies to their roof. “Hey guys.”

“Hey, Big Blue,” Nightwing says. Robin nods his head at him.

Superman smiles. “Not that I’m not glad to see you, but what’s up?”

“Tch,” Robin pouts and crosses his hands, but doesn’t add anything else.

“Robin here has been getting a little too much attention from Batman,” Nightwing explains. Robin goes over to the ledge and does a very good impression of Batman looking over the city.

“Ah,” Superman says, totally understanding. “So you’re patrolling Metropolis?”

Nightwing nods. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“Of course not,” he says. Robin seems to hunker down, completing his Batman impression. It doesn’t look like he’s going to move from that spot anytime soon.

“Don’t worry, we’ll go back soon. We have to fulfill the annual Christmas tradition with B,” Nightwing mentions.

“Christmas tradition?” Superman asks, trying not to let the interest bleed through. He still hasn’t picked up anything for Bruce. Maybe his kids will be the key to getting him a present.

Nightwing shrugs, “Yeeeah. Every year we get together and go watch a movie at the small theater that he likes. Gets real grumpy when we don’t go. I asked a few of the Titans and some of the Teen Titans are going to help patrol Gotham while we all go. We’re thinking since it’s not Christmas, a baddie won’t interrupt us.”

Superman laughs, know how that goes. “Well, I hope it goes well.”

“Thanks,” Nightwing says with a grin.

Superman hears a scuff of a boot and sees Robin stalking back to them.

“There’s a robbery in process over there,” he points and it looks like he’s about to take a running start before Nightwing snags him.

“And that’s our cue to leave. We’ll leave this one to Superman,” Nightwing says as he pulls Robin into a headlock.

Superman smiles fondly and takes off to go stop the robbery.

Afterwards he can go buy the tickets.

-000-

Tickets bought, he feels infinitely better when he goes to visit Ma to get the pies for the party at the Watchtower.

When he gets inside he breathes in the scent of sugar and fruit.

He tries not to frown when he sees the flavors. Key lime, blueberry, strawberry rhubarb, but still no apple. Weird.

“Hi, sweetie,” Martha says. He bends down so she can give him a kiss. “Did you want a slice before you go?”

“Sure, Ma,” and goes to grab the utensils and glasses for the both of them.

Martha sets out two slices of- boston cream pie?

She catches him staring at the pie like it’s from Mxyzptlk.

“Oh, Clark. I’m just trying out some new recipes, you know that,” she says, before taking a bite.

Clark slowly takes his own bite. It’s not a bad pie, but it’s not a flavor that he’s known his mother to bake. Same with the lemon and the lime and the banana. She’s always been a fan of pies that have local ingredients.

“So, did you find a gift to give to your friend?” She asks.

“Yeah, I did actually. I got us tickets to a movie theater he likes to go to,” he replies, happy to finally be able to tell her.

“You’re finally asking him on a date? Oh Clark, I’m so happy for you.”

Clark startles.

“Ma! It’s not- it’s not a date. I just wanted to get him a good gift, that’s all.”

She wrinkles her nose at him. “Seems like an awful lot of trouble, for just a friend.”

His heart sinks and he sets his fork down. “It’s complicated. I can’t even remember when we decided it, but it’s not something that can happen.”

It’s a familiar conversation and he’s glad when she doesn’t continue it. However, he has to look away when she gives him a look of sympathy. “Oh, Clark.” She pats his hand before putting the pie away. “You can finish this tomorrow. Just have fun at your superhero party.”

“I will, Ma.”

-000-

Batman is digging into a slice of blueberry pie and trying to decide how to talk to Superman. He’s avoiding the rest of the League, no matter how many of them want to wish him a happy holiday, when he takes his first bite.

He takes a second bite.

He’s scowling at the pie when Superman approaches him.

“Hey, Batman, what did that pie ever do to you?” He asks, jokingly.

“This is your mother’s blueberry pie,” Batman states.

Superman is thrown for a moment. “Yes, it is. The other flavors are new ones, but this is one of her classics.”

“This is the same blueberry pie that you had bought last year,” Batman says.

“Oh, yeah. I did bring a blueberry pie last year, didn’t I?” Superman agrees.

But this year, Martha Kent didn’t pack any apple pie, her son’s favorite.

Interesting.

Batman takes out a evidence bag, bags the pie, and tosses his plate and fork out. Superman watches, bewildered.

“Happy Holidays, Superman,” Batman says. Then he stalks over to the zeta tubes and leaves.

-000-

On Christmas day, there are quite a few villains out and about. While Superman’s not happy to be working on a holiday, he’s glad to have something to distract him after yesterday’s party.

Clark ponders on Bruce’s behavior, but tries not to let it get him down. He didn’t even get the chance to give him the tickets, let alone talk to him. And what was wrong with his mom’s pie? Sure, it’s not apple, but her blueberry pies are just as delicious.

He’s looking forward to having Christmas dinner with his Ma, if only to be able to sort out his thoughts and plan out his next actions.

When he gets a break from crime, he flies to Kansas. He goes into the house and changes quickly into a Christmas sweater and some comfortable pants.

The smell of dinner is wafting through the house. Then he spots the spread. He’s glad that he’s brought a wine that Lois recommended, but he should been here to help. He places the wine down and goes over and kisses his mom on the cheek.

“Sorry I couldn’t help you cook, Ma.” His mother hands him the masher and goes about mashing the potatoes, the very last of the dishes.

“Oh, it was alright, Clark. I saw the news and today I had help. I’ll go change while you finish those potatoes and then we can start.”

Clark continues to mash the potatoes, almost forgetting to add the milk since he’s looking at his mom. Then he finishes them and places them in on of their nice serving dishes.

He stares at the spread again. Now that he’s taking another look there are differences that are standing out to him: the dishes are plated more neatly, the scalloped potatoes are exceptionally fine, and all the extra supplies and dishes have been put away. Even the kitchen looks cleaner than before. Now who would have been here to help?

His mother doesn’t mention it and he doesn’t ask. Instead Clark eats as much as he wants and makes sure to serve his mother. They chat about his job and about her book club. Clark makes sure to share the gossip and good deeds of his friends, both caped and not, and Martha makes sure that Clark is up to date on the farm and their neighbors.

Hours later, Clark is putting aside the dishes so that they can make way for desert. He'll put away and do the dishes later. When the table is clear, his mother pulls out a pie from the oven. Clark smiles. He’ll never get tired of his Ma’s pie.

Then Martha cuts into it and places a perfect slice in front of him.

It’s apple.

“Ma…” And he trails off, because she hasn’t been making apple pie for weeks.

“Ta-da!” She says with a bright smile on her face, and goes to serve herself a piece. Clark gets out the forks and the glasses of milk as is normal.

When his mom is seated and is digging into the pie in front of her, he finally takes a bite. It’s a perfect apple pie and he grins and slowly chews to savor the taste.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen that face,” she says. “I should have asked for your help before, but well, it’s fixed now.”

“Was something broken, Ma?” Clark asks.

“A while back I couldn’t figure out why my pies weren’t coming out right. They were a little different. I tried to fix the ingredients, the oven, but I couldn’t figure it out. I just didn’t know what to do. I knew some people wouldn’t be able to tell, but I could. I didn’t want anyone to notice ‘till I fixed it.”

“So, you made different flavored pies,” Clark fills in.

“That’s right. But this afternoon? A bus broke down near the house and suddenly there were a handful of kids and a handsome man with a wonderful accent come to my door to help with dinner. And when they all left? I found a note saying that the KitchenAid was fixed and that I could finally make apple pies,” Martha finishes, her eyes sparkling.

Then she stands up. “But I’m sure this note is for you, Clark.”

Clark takes the paper. It’s unremarkable and small and has his name written on it. He flips it to the other side.

Happy Holiday Exchange

Is all that’s written, but Clark can recognize that handwriting anywhere. He didn’t even try to disguise his handwriting. Hell, the ink is smudged and there’s part of a fingerprint on the note. He brushes his fingers against that print.

His mother huffs and he looks up at her. “Just a friend,” she says, shaking her head.

Clark can feel his cheeks getting warm.

“Ma? Do you mind if I-”

“Go to him, Clark. And bring the rest of this pie over, will you?” She pushes the boxed pie for him to carry. She must have wrapped it when he was looking over the note.

“Thanks, Ma,” and he leaves in a gust of wind, but not before cleaning everything and giving his mother another kiss.

-000-

He makes it to Gotham in record time and starts to listen for Bruce. Not surprisingly, he’s brooding. His whole body is still and his breast silent, but Clark can still hear the sound of his heartbeat. Luckily it’s coming from the manor.

A moment later he spots Bruce on the balcony, staring out into the forest behind Wayne Manor. He’s in a short sleeved shirt which shows off his scars, but the cold doesn’t seem to bother him, even though he must be cold when it’s snowing.

Not a second later, Bruce looks up and sees him.

“Clark,” Bruce whispers, but Clark can hear him loud and clear.

Clark lands gently next to him. Bruce watches him curiously, but still silent, even as Clark places the pie on the handrail.

“I got your gift,” Clark says with a grin.

Bruce looks at the pie. “Apple, your favorite.”

“My favorite,” Clark nods. “How did you figure it out?”

“The blueberry pie from the party. I had a slice last year, but the two were different even though you said the recipe hadn’t changed.”

“And the kids? And the- handsome man with the accent?” Clark says with a face, finally registering his mom’s words.

Bruce smirks. “The kids found out and wanted in on the plan. They called some others to help patrol Gotham while we were away. Then Alfred took them in to distract your mother while I fixed what was wrong with the Kitchenaid.”

Clark shakes his head. “You’ve certainly earned the title of World’s Greatest Detective.”

“Maybe,” Bruce agrees. Then he falls silent and looks away.

Clark stares at him, unabashed. He gently brushes the snow away that’s accumulated in his hair and on his shoulders and takes a step closer.

Bruce turns back to look at him. “Clark?”

It’s not like him to take such liberties.

Clark takes a shaky breath before speaking. “I had bought us tickets to go see The Mark of Zorro. I was expecting us to go as friends, like always, but now I’m wondering why I can’t ask you on a date.”

Bruce's eyes widen, before narrowing. “There are thousands of reasons why we shouldn’t go out,” he says, gruffly.

“Tell me them,” Clark says in reply.

“What about Lois?”

“What about Diana? We never know until we try, Bruce.”

“We’ll have to keep it a secret.”

“All secrets get out eventually; among the League, among our friends and family. Tell me this is something you think you can hide from Alfred.”

“You don’t want to attach yourself to the members of this family, Clark. I don’t even know how many kids live in this house anymore.”

“This isn’t a house, it’s a mansion, Bruce. And it fits however many kids that you want. And you know I love some of those kids and I would love to get to know all of them. Try again, Bruce.”

Bruce closes his eyes. “I’ll be your weakness, Clark. I’ll be Superman’s weakness.”

Ah. Finally, a reason for why Bruce has been distant all of these years.

“You've always been my weakness, Bruce.” Clark admits. Bruce’s eyes fly open. “For as long as I've loved you, you’ve been my weakness, my strength, my heart, my everything.”

Bruce snorts. “You sap. Just because it’s Christmas doesn’t mean you get to say something like that.”

“Maybe I said it so you’d laugh,” Clark says with a smile.

He takes another step closer.

“Tell me another reason why we shouldn’t be together, Bruce,” Clark whispers.

There are more. Hundreds of reasons why they shouldn’t be together, but most of them are too personal to admit.

But before Bruce is forced to either lie or choke out another reason, Clark grabs his hand.

“It’s okay. We have time.”

He hesitates. Bruce doesn’t know what to do now that he finally has something he wants, literally in his grasp. He nods.

Clark smiles again and Bruce almost looks away.

Clark laces their fingers together and picks up the pie with his other hand.

“Now come on, I want to enjoy this pie with everyone.”

They’re about to leave the balcony, when Bruce says, “Tomorrow.”

Clark pauses.

“Tomorrow, let’s fly your mother here,” Bruce decides.

“That’s a great idea, Bruce,” Clark agrees.

Tomorrow can be a new start for everyone.

#superbatsecretsanta2017 #timmyjdrake #nightfoliage #superbat #nightfoliagefic #edited #now with ao3 link

79 notes · View notes

shalegas34 · 6 years

Text

Pokemon of the Month - Frynai

Written for PU Creators Collective

-------------------------------------------

My name is blades, and I am a level 45 Daikatuna. Why no capital letter on ‘blades’? My teammate Shalegas would say it’s because Ari is a fucking degenerate, but I like to think their finger just slipped.

Despite the sword which protrudes from my forehead, I think of myself as a pokemon of peace. I battle only to help Ari win money and overcome deeply entrenched security issues from a childhood of abandonment (that’s the gist I get from their chronic drinking and a few pieces of gossip from kitty). Despite an obvious natural flair for it, I find little enjoyment in slicing other pokemon into pieces.

I turn in my pokeball and listen to the voices assaulting my ears from elsewhere in the bag.

“The fuck is going on out there,” Shalegas snaps.

“The fuck should I know,” kitty drawls in reply.

I lower my sword in concentration. Now that I think about it, the bag is bouncing around more vigorously than usual. I consider the possibilities. Either Ari’s friend Theo is carrying both bags, or Ari is running… I admonish myself for letting such a absurd thought enter my head. Theo is definitely carrying both bags.

“Guys, back to our discussion about the physics of relativity and time dilation,” a voice whines from behind me. That’s Tracton. Half the words Tracton says don’t make sense to me, or anyone else for that matter.

“Dilation,” Shalegas snickers, like Tracton just said ‘69’.

I jump in to save everyone. “Tracton, let’s talk about that later,” I say, propping my sword back up. “Shalegas, tell us the story of your capture.”

I can feel Tracton rolling its eyes, but I know it loves this story, just like the rest of us. Shalegas in particular enjoys a retelling.

“So I’m just chillin in my field, doing my thing…” Despite myself, I zone out. I start thinking about my own capture. As fake as it sounds, I relate most to Shalegas out of all my teammates, even though it’s a total nutcase. You see, the other two were bred in captivity. I, like Shalegas, was once a pokemon of the wild.

I grew up in the shallow waters east of Rochfale Town with my numerous brothers and sisters. We don’t have parents (that’s a fish thing; they don’t hang around after dropping their spawn. Kind of like Ari’s parents, come to think of it…). My siblings were normal for Frynai – they partook in the yearly Magikarp hunting championships, always fought with each other to sharpen their fins, and ate like incinerators to fuel their growing muscles. This gluttony led to many being hooked by members of the Rochfale Fisherman’s Club.

“You are a loser, 413,” a gang of my brothers said to me one day. I was tending my patch of kelp in the shelter of the cliff, trying to attract Shrimputy so I could steal a gun to woo a partner. Seeing as all Frynai had this obsession with violence, but I couldn’t demonstrate any myself, I felt like I had no choice but to obtain a weapon by other means.

“Yeah, 413, why do you never fight like the rest of us?” One of my brothers shoved me and I crashed into the rock fragment I was using as a shovel.

“Go away,” I said. “I’m not bothering you, so don’t bother me.”

“You do bother us.” My sisters had flocked over to lap up the drama. “Everyone knows you’re related to us, and it’s embarrassing.”

They closed in as they talked. Soon, I was completely encircled by my bloodthirsty siblings, with no way out. I gulped. Surely they wouldn’t really attack me, one of their own…

“Get her!” 1 shouted, the first hatched and biggest of the lot.

The swarm descended on me in an explosion of air bubbles, and I swung out my fins to defend myself. I felt them make contact with flesh, a repulsive feeling. Suddenly, the unbearable crush lifted, and I opened my eyes to see what had happened. Four or five of my siblings lay dead on the sea floor around me, and the rest were backing away, terrified.

“Fuck me,” one of my brothers whispered. At that, they all turned around and fled.

That was the day I discovered my adamant nature. Just like that, I became even more of an outcast in the community. I had the most desirable nature for a Frynai, and yet I refused to use it for competitive means. Everyone resented me for it. 1 started a rumour that I was a witch, and younger fish were scared to venture near the cliffs as a result.

A huge jolt snaps me out of the reminiscing. Shalegas lets out a string of curses. I try to make out the words being shouted outside the bag.

“…Keys!” is all I can decipher. I sigh. All I want is to live in peace. I lie back in my ball and try to relax.

BOOM! The floor drops away beneath me and light assaults my eyes. Oh no. Ari has released me from my ball. I land in some shallow water with an almighty splash, my back fins crunching into the sea bed in a hard landing. A split second later, Ari has leapt onto my shoulder, gasping for breath. Have they actually been running?!

Three boys are standing on a nearby jetty, one taking a puff from an inhaler. “We just want the boat keys back,” the asthmatic one says.

Nothing Ari does fazes me anymore. As the boys climb onto my back and I start swimming where Ari directs me, I let my mind lapse back to our first meeting.

As a rumoured witch, I spent the next few months living in isolation. Nobody talked to me, nobody served me at the market, and I certainly had no hope of attracting a partner now. I grew increasingly depressed. All I wanted was a friend. I had a pleasant temperament, but only anger and violence were valued in my community.

Eventually I realised I needed a change of scenery. I bid a sad farewell to my kelp farm under the cliffs, and prepared for the long journey towards shore. There was nothing left for me here.

As I swam, crowds parted for me, but out of fear, not reverence. The further I swam, the sparser the Frynai became. I passed the odd adventurer, but mostly I was surrounded by Brailip and Folerog. This was a bad sign; the fattened fauna meant I was coming up on the Rochfale jetty, just outside the Fisherman’s Club. I made a sharp corrective turn to the south, and at that exact moment a gargantuan splash tore up the water above me. I sucked in a mouthful of water in shock, and with it came a piece of bait and a hook. I was caught.

A few months earlier, I might have struggled. But I simply didn’t care anymore by that point. Looking back, I miss the freedom of roaming the seas, but at that moment I was too lonely to appreciate it.

I was dragged up and out of the water, and landed on the wooden jetty. I looked around in bemusement. Was this what all my captured brothers and sisters had seen in their final moments? A large creature covered in green grass and steel plates was lying on the jetty, sunbaking. Another large creature covered in golden alloy was standing with its backside facing me. Finally, what looked from my angle like a plate (don’t tell Shalegas I said that) hovered overhead, smacking the hand of a human. I closed my eyes and waited for death, but all that came was the sensation of being sucked up by a strong vacuum.

“Hello?!” I called out. All I could see was a sort of blue murk, which looked somewhat like the deep sea.

“Don’t panic,” a whiny voice came back. “You’re inside a pokeball. It’s where humans keep us when they’re carrying us around.”

“515?” I said, confused. One of my sisters had a whiny voice like that.

“What the fuck?” a new voice piped up, and something smacked into the side of my ball, making the deep sea scenery shake a little. “What the fuck is 515?”

“My sister,” I replied.

“Uhh… You’re weird,” the voice replied. “The name’s Shalegas. Ari – that’s our human – will give you a name too, probably. Don’t complain, you can’t change it.” I heard a slight bitterness in Shalegas’s voice.

“My name’s Tracton,” the whiny voice from earlier said. “We’re all steel types. What about you?”

“I think I am,” I replied, trying to remember what I knew about type classification. “I’m a Frynai.”

“Oh sick!” Shalegas yelled. “You gotta show us some sword moves next time they let us out.”

“I don’t like fighting,” I said sadly.

“I didn’t say you had to beat anyone up,” Shalegas said pompously. “That’s my job, and kitty’s.” I heard Tracton sniff. “You can swing your sword around though, right? Like a sword dance? I’ve always wanted to see that shit.”

And, just like that, my life changed again. Five minutes earlier, I hadn’t cared if I lived or died. Now I had a family.

I liked Shalegas best from the start (again, don’t tell it I said that). Kitty was a good laugh to have inside the bag, although that didn’t happen very often. Tracton explained that kitty was Ari’s starter, and therefore their favourite. Kitty got to walk around outside the most. Pyrite was quiet but nice, and I learned everything I could ever want to know from Tracton (apart from Ari’s personal issues, which are still kitty’s area of expertise).

I came to realise that my strength could be used for good and glory, not just bloodthirsty hunting and murder. I felt a weird sense of pride that time I helped protect Ari and Solana from the ninja in Maskara Channel. I’ve finally found friends, and a place where I belong.

I crash into the side of a boat. Being the Daikatuna I am now, it’s the boat that gets a dent, not me. A weight lifts off my shoulders as Ari and the three boys climb off. I gaze around at Venesi City before Ari sucks me back into my ball.

Onwards to the next adventure.

#pokemon uranium #blades is probably the least developed character from steel type playthrough (apart from pyrite) so here you go :p

3 notes · View notes

yummynutrition · 4 years

Text

Plant Based versus Animal Based Diets

Today, I will be talking more about eating vegetables. Frankly speaking, I am not a big fan of vegetables but I don’t hate them either. I could say…I am trying to have a balanced diet although it does not always work out. But we all know that vegetables are good for you so let’s talk about this plant based diet, shall we?

[ Photo by Christine Sponchia, www.pixabay.com ]

▣ What is the definition of a plant-based diet?

Kathy McManus, Director of the Department of Nutrition and Director of the Dietetic Internship at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital wrote in Harvard Health Publishing that plant-based diet is not something you must have vegetables only for the rest of your life(Katherine, Harvard Health Blog). Plant-based diet would be eating patterns focus on foods primarily from plants, not all of them. This will include not only fruits and vegetables, but also nuts, seeds, oils, whole grains, legumes, and beans. Rather, you could say you are proportionately choosing more of your foods from plant sources and that is exactly what I always think about although somehow it feels like I am into meat-based diet adding vegetables on it, instead. But, now I am interested in this plant-based diet.

[ Photo by FotoshopTofs, www.pixabay.com ]

▣ 3 health benefits of following a plant-based diet versus the currently high animal based diet that is generally followed.

1. Reduce the risk of cancer(Publishing, Harvard)

The researchers from World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research(WCRF/AICR) compared the records with several established nutrition plans and found that the people who most closely followed the WCRF/AICR diet* had 12% lower risk of cancer over all. The diet appeared to be especially protective against certain cancers, such as prostate and colon cancer

* WCRF/AICR) emphasizes a plant-based diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes like beans and lentils, with limited amounts of red or processed meat (no more than 18 ounces per week) and a strong emphasis on eliminating all processed foods, sugar-sweetened drinks, and alcohol

2. Lower risk of developing coronary heart disease(Nutrition 2018)

Nutrition 2018-the flagship meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, held in Boston in 2018, the researchers shared some of study results found in plant-based diet. In Netherlands, they researched almost 6,000 people; and the team found that those who ate a high ratio of plant-derived protein to animal-derived protein were at lower risk of developing coronary heart disease later in life.

3. Prevent premature death(Heidi Godman, Harvard)

In the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers looked at the dietary habits of more than 10,000 women in their 50s and 60s and compared them to how the women fared health-wise 15 years later. Women who followed a healthy diet during middle age were about 40% more likely to live past the age of 70 without chronic illness and without physical or mental problems than those with less-healthy diets. The healthiest women were those who ate more plant foods, whole grains, and fish; ate less red and processed meats; and had limited alcohol intake. That’s typical of a Mediterranean-type diet, which is also rich in olive oil and nuts.

▣ In my future culinary profession, can I see myself incorporating plant-based foods in my menus? Why or Why not?

I always thought plan-based diet would be something truly vegan, and frankly speaking I am not a big fan of vegan menus. I would love to put a lot of vegetables on any main course but thinking of vegetables being the main course, it just did not come to my heart directly. I just love the sound of steak crackling and the taste of those fats and meats.

However, after seeing one of my best friend getting a heart attack last week(he survived thanks to an unknown passer-by), I am thinking that maybe I should start to add more veggies on the plate. And the fact that plant-based foods does not have to be all veggies, it really relieved me in a way. I am thinking of creating a menu using a good meat as garnish rather than a main meal.

Not all are crystal clear yet, but I may start to create something I never had a thought about. Still, having my kids eat all those vegetables on plate would be my major problem to be solved at home.

▣ Share a vegan recipe, in a standard recipe format

I thought about what I should prepare for this mission for a quite long time and I decided to make up a new one based on popular Korean soup. It is called “된장찌개(doen-jang-jji-gae) and it would be “soybean paste soup” in English.

Base stock of this soup would be usually made from beef or kelp and dried anchovies. However, since I was going to make a vegan menu, I decided to use vegetable stock!! I’ve never done this before but really hoped it would work out well.

So I started off with veggies stock.

- 1kg Onions - 500g Carrots - 500g Celery - 2 Bay Leaves, 20 Black Peppercorn, Thyme, 15g Garlic) - 4L of Water

I added garlic in the stock because I thought if I used the original vegetable stock, it would be too much different from original menu. I wanted to add something that has a lot in common with Korean recipes. I simmered it for 45 minutes and now the stock is ready.

“Doen-Jang-Jji-Gae” Recipe

Ingredients(2 Servings)

- 110g (White) Zuchinni, small dice - 120g (White) Potato, small dice - 60g Button Mushroom, small dice - 100g Onion, small dice - 15g Garlic, minced - 20g Go-Choo-Jang(Korean Red Chili Pepper Paste) - 80g Doen-Jang(Korean Soybean Paste) - 1.5~2.0 T Perilla Oil(or Sesame Oil) - 500ml Vegetable Stock - 3g Red Chili Pepper - Enoki Mushroom(preferred) - Tofu(preferred)

Equipment

- French Knife - Cutting Board - Scale - Measuring Cup - Ttukbaegi (Earthen Pot) : keeps soup hot(or Regular Pot)

Preparation

1. On a medium high heat, place the pot until it gets hot. 2. Put oil in the pot and put minced garlic in. 3. After 1~2 minutes, when garlic aroma comes out fully, add onions and stir. 4. When onions get translucent, put potatoes in and stir. 5. After 3 min, add zucchini and stir.(Vegetables do not need to be fully cooked) 6. Add pepper and soybean paste and stir well. 7. Add stock and bring up to boil. 8. Lower the heat to medium and skim the bubbles from time to time. 9. Add button mushroom in and bring the heat up once again to boil. (You can add diced tofu with button mushroom if you have it ready) 10. Add enoki mushroom and slice pepper as garnish just before turning down the heat. 11. Serve whole pot.

Step by Step

[Oil in the hot pot. Olive oil would not be preferred.]

[Garlic in. Stir well until garlic aroma comes out fully.]

[Add onions and stir well until onion gets translucent]

[Add potatoes in and stir well. If it gets too dry, you can add more oil in.]

[Add zucchini as well. cut off the seeds if possible]

[Add both of the pastes and stir well]

[Add the stock and bring up to boil]

[Skim the bubbles and put button mushroom in]

[Add enoki and sliced pepper. It’s good time to add tofu]

[With tofu in, a nice bowl of soup with steamed rice]

▣ Reflect on my experience. How easy was it to find ingredients? Did I learn a new culinary skill while making the dish? What were some of my challenges? Would I make this recipe again?

Since this is a bowl of vegetable soup, it was not difficult to buy all the needed ingredients from local market. However, the taste of vegetables are not the same from the ones I had back in Korea. Of course, it would be awkward to expect something exactly the same with the ones grown in Ontario and the other ones grown outside of this country.

I did not learn any new skills, but I did find out how different the food would taste when other types of stocks are used. The first impression from my family was that it tastes like western menus and not Korean. My wife also mentioned that this menu reminds her of goulash with just a little bit meats although she knew that this was a vegan. Even to myself, it tasted quite different from the original soup and it even felt like a loaf of bread would be matched better than rice.

I prefer this soup with beef stock in it. Korean version of beef stock for this menu would be using marinated beef instead of using bones and meats from the oven. That said, this new menu did not make it to the top of my favourite menus but it surely gave me some insights.

I would make this menu once again for friends who has never had any chance to taste traditional Korean menus. I am thinking of making this one and original one separate and have them taste both at the same time. I think it would be a good opportunity for them to taste and evaluate. Or...I would make this vegan version when I get sick. They were so easy to digest on the night I had them for dinner that I had to eat something before I went to bed. Either way, I think it was a wonderful experience!!

Works Cited

Katherine D. McManus, LDN. "What Is A Plant-Based Diet And Why Should You Try It? - Harvard Health Blog". Harvard Health Blog, 2019, https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-a-plant-based-diet-and-why-should-you-try-it-2018092614760

Publishing, Harvard. "Specialized Diet Gets High Marks For Preventing Cancer - Harvard Health". Harvard Health, 2019, https://www.health.harvard.edu/cancer/specialized-diet-gets-high-marks-for-preventing-cancer

"Nutrition 2018: New Data Confirm Health Benefits Of Plant-Based Diet". Medical News Today, 2019, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322072.php#2

Godman, Heidi. "Adopt A Mediterranean Diet Now For Better Health Later - Harvard Health Blog". Harvard Health Blog, 2019, https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/adopt-a-mediterranean-diet-now-for-better-health-later-201311066846

0 notes

grassshrimp56-blog · 5 years

Text

Culinary adventure around Iceland

There are many reasons to explain Iceland’s popularity today. The Blue Lagoon, the Fjords, the waterfalls, the glaciers, the horses, the puffins, and the whales come to mind. Then there is Thor and the food. Oh, the food. What is produced in Iceland is some of the purest and most full of flavor and respect. There is a love for tradition in Iceland and what the land has given the people. The traditions that came during the time of the Vikings have remained over time.

On this magical island, in the middle of the Atlantic far up north, there is truly something special that happens to the food. To truly comprehend the role food plays in Iceland, you must understand how the land, sea, people, and traditions come together to influence the culture around food. The residents of Iceland have a deep respect for all of these influences and the abundance of resources it has been bestowed with.

The Land

Iceland is a country made up of rich volcanic soil. Trees do not grow high. In fact the joke is, “If you get lost in a forest in Iceland, stand up”. There are multiple reasons to explain this fact. The growing seasons are short, yet fruitful. There are very rocky cliffs and mountains that are not useable for growing, but provide other resources like rich mosses and greens. They provide sustenance for the Icelandic free-range lamb to feed on once they are set out in spring.

The land is also affected by the light and often, harsh weather. There are 24 hours of light during the growing season, causing many plants to become confused if not native to the land. And while produce is not abundant, root vegetable, berries and nutrient-rich greens are. Animals, plants and people have had to adapt to respect the growing conditions they are provided. Finally, the land is alive with geothermal hot spots, providing for both green house growing and hot pots to cook in. Today, people are still cooking meals and breads in the earth.

The Sea

The sea around Iceland is key to both the sustenance of the people and its commerce. The purity of the sea provides a fertile growing ground for fish, sea kelps, and aquaculture in the form of muscles, and more recently oysters. Farmers are now also using the sea to farm fish on the land, using seawater as well as the nearby geothermal heating.

Iceland has some of the best regulations on fishing and you will not find the greed present in other countries. There is a kindness and respect for what the sea provides. Fishermen understand that without carefully monitoring and regulating fishing, they could destroy both their diets and livelihoods.

The People

The culinary wonders of Iceland would be nothing if not for the people. First, you need to understand their kind nature. The people are welcoming, inclusive and have a true respect for both their history and the land. This translates to a profound respect and proudness of their food. When an Icelandic speaks of a red currant or an arctic char their face lights up. Many farmers and fishermen today still live on the farms and fish with two and three generations of their families.

When people speak of the food of Iceland, it is in terms of what they have, not of what they do not have. They speak about the success of others with pride and have the same reverence for the home chefs as the chefs at leading restaurants. The people are not just kind to others, but to the land and the many benefits and nutrition it provides them.

The Traditions

Over generations in most countries, traditions are pushed aside for what is easier and what is in style. This does not hold true in Iceland. Here, tradition is deeply rooted in everything that encompasses food. The reason is simple; the land, sea and weather drive the way in which food is both produced and consumed. Although maybe there is something to the tradition of the elves… It is no gimmick that today bread is still baked in the land; it is both delicious and possible. Why heat an oven when you can use the land? Electricity is very expensive and solar is tough during the winter months, so using the earth is just smart.

Sheep with their newborns are not set out to the mountains to feed for the summer because it is convenient. It is because this is where the animals can find the food that best suits them. Then, the farmers all gather at the end of the season and work together to bring the animals home. Tradition drives the way food is raised, farmer, caught, prepared and served.

The Innovation

Iceland is not just driven by tradition. In order to both meet the needs of the residents and demands of the exports, there have been some wonderful innovations over the last few years. The two main innovations have been greenhouse farming and aquaculture.

Greenhouses have been around for a while, but are not seeded in deep traditions. Over the years, Icelandic farmers have been determined to provide for themselves and others as best they could. They knew that with the natural geothermal resources, they could grow produce in greenhouses. Today greens, strawberries, vegetables, herbs and more are grown for year-round use.

The second way in which the land, the water, and the geothermal resources are being used is with growing fish. Muscles and oysters are being farmed. In fact, oysters were one of the original farmed products in the world. The fish farms are producing some of the most delicious fish being shipped all over the world. Not only are they using the geothermal resources and the ocean waters, but also gravity in building the farms, so that very little non-natural resources are needed.

The Food

If we look back at traditions and natural resources, it is evident that there are key foods that drive the culinary pedestal for Iceland; cod, char, salmon, lamb, berries and rye. Other foods of import to the diet include birch, seaweed, salt, and herbs. No matter what meal you sit for, you can be assured that bread, butter, skyr, lamb and fish will play a role. Also influenced by the Nordic countries, you will find open-faced sandwiches and flat breads.

Restaurants to Experience

Iceland is full of restaurants that specialize in the native food. In fact, trying to find a restaurant that does not serve local food can be a challenge. It is hard to go wrong when picking a restaurant and equally hard trying to make a decision about which cafe to stop in for a quick bite. They are all so wonderful.

Here are a few restaurants that should be on your where to eat list!

The Fish Company - Located in the old part of downtown Reykjavik, the Fish Company is the local favorite. The menu is covered with local seafood, meat, produce, and more. Start with the Reindeer Carpaccio and then enjoy the “Around Iceland” tasting menu for dinner. The meal features the local cod, gravlax, lamb, honey, and so much more. The meal is also perfect for a Einstok beer pairing. While the food is the highlight at he Fish Company, the restaurant is beautiful. The cozy setting is filled with intriguing artwork, candles, and soft cozy nooks. Grounded in being both “exciting and homey”, this is the perfect Nordic infusion cuisine from the true heart of Iceland.

OX - Inside the hip and busy Sumac Grill and Bar behind a hidden door in the back, is a restaurant that has been years in the making; OX. OX is a kitchen transformed from Chef Thráinn Freyr Vigfússon’s grandfather’s home with the cabinets hanging on the wall and the true spirit of Iceland in the room. At OX, you will sit with 10 other people and enjoy true magic happen in front of you.

The ingredients are fresh from the land and sea and even from deep in the earth. The bread course is Hverabraud, which is a geothermal rye bread, baked in the earth. Course after course, the creations that chef put in front of us had textures and flavors that not just pleased the palate, but also made you think. Through the twelve courses we had reindeer, langoustine, scallop, cod, lamb, skyr ,and so much more. OX is a must each time you visit Iceland!

Lava - When you think the Blue Lagoon, you think tourist destination with a restaurant. You do not think an amazing dining experience. But that is just what you get. The Lava Restaurant is built right into an 800 year old lava cliff overlooking the Blue Lagoon, one of the Wonders of the World. The Lava Restaurant is gourmet, serving only the finest ingredients and dishes of Iceland.

I enjoyed the beer-cooked blue mussels from Reykjanes, and I drank the broth when I was finished. For the second course, I enjoyed the fish of the day, right off the boat from the neighboring town on Grindavík. And dessert, well I had to enjoy the local greenhouse grown strawberries with mint, coconut and almonds. What a perfect meal before spending an afternoon in the Blue Lagoon!

Mimir - A brand new restaurant in the Raddison Blu Saga in Reykjavik, Mimir is centered around one idea and that is preparing the best local ingredients to please their guests. The menu changes with the seasons to keep everything with local producers. The plates are meant to share and can be ordered small or large. I suggest getting small plates and getting a lot of them. Some of the dishes you should not miss include the white cabbage, the langoustine with beetroot apple and speck, and the arctic char. But do not leave without having dessert. You have to order your own order of the waffle with ice cream, salty caramel & bilberry.

Two other restaurants not to miss

Hja holla - You have two options to enjoy Hja holla and I ate at both. The original is in the town of Grindavík, very close to the Blue Lagoon. The other is in the airport when you are leaving Iceland. The food features local, delicious, healthy Icelandic dishes and some great sweets and cakes, too. We suggest doing take-out to have on your plane ride home.

Krauma – Located in a natural geothermal bath and spa, Krauma just happens to be a fabulous restaurant. And Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring, is a stunning setting. At Krauma, there are many options, but the fish plate and the goat plate should not be missed.

Top Tips When Visiting

Whether you are experiencing Iceland on a stop over, have a few days, or touring the entire country over a week or more, the best tip is that you need to eat local. Here are the top tips on getting there, where to stay, and what not to miss.

Getting there

Getting to Iceland is pretty easy from most major cities and both WOW and Iceland Air are expanding their service. From most east coast cities, Iceland is a quick 5-6 hour flight with ticket prices not to be missed. If you are using Wow or Iceland Air to continue on, you should plan at least one night for your stop over.

Where to stay

If you are only staying for a stop over or for a few nights, staying in Reykjavik is the best choice. You then have the ability to fly to other parts of Iceland easily and also use the many tours that depart from Reykjavik. Staying in Reykjavik also provides you easy access to many local delicious restaurants right downtown.

The Raddison Blu Saga, located a short walk to downtown, is a great option both for price and the culinary choices right in the hotel. There’s the award-winning Grill and the newly opened Mimir listed above. Breakfast is included and you can taste many of Iceland’s finest and most popular dishes.

Do not miss

Any three of these “not to miss” spots are perfect for a stop over, but if you have time, be sure to visit all of them.

Blue Lagoon - One of Iceland’s best mistakes is one of Iceland’s best spots. The Blue Lagoon is literally a byproduct of the geothermal water plant being built. The rich nutrients and minerals in the water provide your body with both a real treat and many say healing properties.

Golden Circle - If you want to see it all in one day, take the Golden Circle and Frioheimar tour. This will allow you to see so many sites, including the spot where the American and Eurasian tectonic plates pull Iceland apart, the Geysir that shoots every 4-8 minutes, the powerful Gullfoss waterfall, and the Frioheimar greenhouse.

Reykjavik - What some consider the heart of Iceland, this major city is where you can find all of what you need to explore. The international airport is also located in Reykjavik, making it a perfect starting point for your culinary adventure.

There is no better word than respect to describe the food of Iceland. There is the utmost respect for all aspects of food and food production in this country, which explains why the culinary experience of Iceland is truly wonderful. Just be sure to buy some ingredients to take home and know you can always find some Icelandic Provisions Skyr at your local market.

Source: https://www.thedailymeal.com/travel/culinary-adventure-around-iceland

0 notes