#Things to do in Jodhpur

[rajasthantaxis]

Things to Do in Jodhpur –The Blue City : Let's Do It

The Gateway to Thar, Jodhpur is a chronicle of lifestyle, records, and historical past. This sixteenth-century hamlet turned into as soon as the capital of the Marwar kingdom and nowadays, it's miles the second largest town in Rajasthan. Thanks to the blue-painted homes that dot the landscape, it's also known as the Blue City of India. Explore this Amazing Blue City with Cab in Jodhpur. Resplendent in Rajputana glory, the incredible town offers a extensive range of reports for vacationers, starting with the warm hospitality prolonged by the resorts in Jodhpur.

Things to Do in Jodhpur

1. Visit Mehrangarh Fort

Explore the enormous Mehrangarh Fort and the dazzling in-residence museum to revel in the grandeur of bygone eras. Plan your go to in the night hours to look at this Citadel of the Sun in all its resplendent glory. With the red sky bathing the entirety in golden hues and the blue homes lending the wasteland landscape a pop of lively shade, this hill-citadel standing four hundred toes above the ground offers one of the finest spectacles that you'll come across in Rajasthan.

2. Zip Lining with Jodhpur Flying Fox

Imagine gliding over the majestic Mehrangarh Fort or flying past  desert lakes to arrive at the Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park from where you could enjoy brilliant views of the fort in addition to the city. Sounds thrilling? Go for a consultation of zip lining with Jodhpur Flying Fox, which is one of the certainly fun activities in Jodhpur.

3. Enjoy Some Tranquil Moments at Jaswant Thada

 The extraordinary memorial functions a tiered garden and astounding gazebos. Spend some time at this serene location from wherein you could enjoy beautiful views of the Mehrangarh Fort and the metropolis.

4. Hike thru Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park

This little-regarded desert park is a 72-hectare rocky expanse with extra than eighty species of flora showcasing the herbal variety of the vicinity. The key attraction of the park, however, is its criss-go taking walks trails that allow you to hike and see various species of birds, reptiles, and butterflies even as you experience enforcing perspectives of the metropolis and the regal Mehrangarh Fort.

5. Take a Walking Tour of Ghantaghar

Take a walking excursion thru this vicinity to find out the lesser regarded aspects of the vintage metropolis, get a glimpse of the nearby lifestyles, or even flavor local cuisine like Lassi and Misri Mawa.

6. Rappel through the Tallest Rocks in Soorsagar

This adventurous hotspot is simply thirteen km away from Jodhpur and is dotted with several massive and small rocks, which offers the suitable putting for rappelling. With rocks as tall as one hundred ten ft, get equipped for a rush of adrenaline as you rappel down the rocky surfaces.

7. Visit Umaid Bhawan Palace

Did you already know that the Umaid Bhawan Palace is the ultimate royal palace built in India before the country won independence? Currently, the palace features as a royal house, a background luxury lodge, and a circle of relatives museum, that's the most effective part reachable to most people. 

How to Reach : Taxi Service Jodhpur is the best and cheap option to travel in Jodhpur and Rajasthan.

Places to Visit in Jodhpur : The Complete Guide

[tripaccomplice]

A Hyper-Inspirational Shade of the Color Blue

The Blue City, Jodhpur, India It’s not often that travel and sci-fi are mentioned in the same sentence. But if you bear with me, I have an unusual mash-up of one of my favorite sci-fi excerpts and my favorite city in India. It’s weird. I know. Just bear with me. In Douglas Adams’ classic novel The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, I’ve always felt that Adams’ comic genius was best encapsulated…

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Omg I don't know how I never noticed this but after seeing your diasomnia baton post I realised that I absolutely despise their dorm uniform pants

I used to think that they diasomnia students had drip but I take that back

It just feels wrong to have such baggy pants with the top of the uniform

Idk what do you think? Btw can we have a dorm uniform fit check

[Referencing this post!]

To be fair, we mainly see the upper half of every character so it’s easy to forget what the bottom half looks like. I’ve found that the characters’ shoes are often really wonky (like the weird elf shoes in Broomquet cards) 😭

As for Diasomnia’s pants… I actually don’t take an issue with them at all. Those pants make a lot of sense given the inspiration for the dorm (which Yana has stated in an 2020 interview to be “bodyguards and dragons”). Diasomnia is meant to look militant—and that style of pants, from what I understand, are popular in military uniforms of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

These flared breeches have roots in equestrian fashion, as polo and horse riding were activities favored among army officials, particularly the cavalry. (Note that half of the main cast in Diasomnia, Silver and Sebek, are in Equestrian Club.)

This style of pants is called jodhpurs. Diasomnia’s are more specifically an “old” design (shown above). They may look a little silly, but jodhpurs were considered quite fashionable back in the day. Additionally, the design was very functional for equestrians. Having a looser fit around the thighs allows for more freedom of movement—which is necessary for certain horseback maneuvers and helps with staying on and controlling the horse. The entire leg needs to be covered in fabric in order to protect from friction.

Prior to the development of riding breeches, equestrians would wear tall boots. The drawbacks to this were that 1) the boots were expensive as heck, and 2) the boots were complicated to put on and oftentimes required the help of a servant. When jodhpurs came onto the scene, these problems were resolved. Being entirely made of a non-stretchy fabric, they were much cheaper to produce than the riding boots. The lower part of the breeches is tight and form fitting, making it ideal to pair with short boots (which are easier to put on/take off by yourself).

Modern day or “new” jodhpurs look more like this (pictured above). As you can see, they’re much more slim and have transitioned into a stretchy fabric that still allows for movement. They basically do the same thing as the older iteration, they just look different and are made with a different material!

You’re probably thinking the “old” breeches look weird because you’re much more used to seeing the “new” style! Personally, I think the “old” style makes more sense for Diasomnia’s draconian aesthetic.

Aaand here’s my current personal ranking of the dorm uniforms. (I think I gave my thoughts on them a long time ago, but my opinions may have changed since then.) This is based solely on looks but does NOT account for dorm leader variants (just the standard dorm uniforms mobs wear)!

Heartslabyul — Whimsical, fun. Somehow both casual (sneakers, white T-shirt) yet also formal (vest). I’m a sucker for the Alice in Wonderland aesthetic and asymmetry in designs so this is really my bias speaking.

Pomefiore — So pretty!! Interestingly based on a kimono despite Pomefiore being based on a European tale. Very unique direction to take this uniform. The sleeves are the best part; they remind me of really fancy curtains and I bet they’re fun to watch swishing around.

Octavinelle — Can’t go wrong with a cool and simple suit! It’s elegant… a classic. No complaints other than maybe it’s too “traditional” looking compared to other designs.

Diasomnia — Cool at a glance, but also seems like a nightmare the longer I look at it because of all the straps. It looks like you would be standing very stiffly once it is on, so I get this sense of discomfort and feel bad for the students wearing it. There’s a weird… spiked strip running down the back, which makes it impractical to recline against a chair/couch or a wall. RIP Silver every time he naps 😭 Still giving this a pass because I think it fits the intimidating vibes of Diasomnia so well.

Ignihyde — Nothing to remark on other than it’s one of the least fussy of the designs (though it lacks the class of Octavinelle’s). That works against Ignihyde; the main thing that grabs my eye is the weirdly blocky jacket and that’s not enough to keep me interested when I find the blocky jacket really ugly. There is nothing else for me to look at.

Savanaclaw — Exposed arms… That’s a nope for me 💀 Biker cowboy aesthetic is also a big nope. Colors on this are so odd; the shirt and jewelry are so earthy and then BOOM you got this bright ass yellow sash at the waist.

Scarabia — Exposed arms (again). Also not a fan of the saggy hotpants or the shoes that expose the feet. Y’all are in the DESERT. Exposed skin = more sunscreen and bug spray application needed to protect yourselves. Sounds like a pain…

[breaniebree]

Hinny Scene

Random smut scene that came to me the other day -- no im not writing anything new (outside of this scene)

This would fit into the Kismet universe, somewhere before Ginny discovers she's pregnant with James (before summer of 2003)

Ginny met Theo for morning yoga as they began their stretches under the instructor. They had been doing this for almost a year now and Ginny loved it. She loved how it made her feel and she loved meeting Theo. They always went to breakfast after and chatted and it was one of Ginny’s favourite parts of her day. Hermione sometimes joined them, but she didn’t always have time for breakfast and she wasn’t as diligent about the yoga as Ginny and Theo were.

Today was even better because Luna had returned to England for a few weeks and had surprised them in class that morning.

“Two more days,” Theo said with a sigh as he added some honey to his tea. “I miss him so much.”

Ginny gave her friend a sympathetic look. She knew that Theo missed his boyfriend when he was travelling and she was so glad that she didn’t have to worry about that too much with Harry. 

“Any plans for when he’s home?”

Theo winked, a slow smile on his lips. “Just the usual. Suck him off until he’s a whimpering mess at my mercy.”

Ginny shook her head in amusement. “You’re incorrigible.”

“You asked and you know how much I love to suck my man off.”

“I know,” Ginny said, taking a sip of her orange juice.

“You know I was worried at first that Macmillan might have taken that from me but… it’s not the same,” Theo said quietly. “He… forced me and this is because I want to. I want to hold that control and bloody hell, chick, when I have him in my mouth, I hold all the cards. It’s so… powerful. I love it. Not the power itself, but everything. I love feeling the weight of him on my tongue. I love the feel of my mouth stretching around him. I love the taste of his skin. I love the little sounds he makes when he’s trying to keep himself under control. I love the sounds he makes when I do something he really likes. I love the look in his eyes when I look up at him with my mouth full of his cock and he knows I’m in control. I love it when I get the drops of precum that are a reward for my good work and then when he lets go… I mean, yes, I love to swallow, but it’s the idea, you know? The idea that he’s giving me this part of himself; that he’s trusting me with his loss of control. It’s the sexiest bloody thing in the whole world,” Theo said. “Don’t either of you ever feel like that?”

Ginny bit her bottom lip as she nodded. She did understand what Theo meant by the power of it. It was this moment of trust between them that she treasured. “Yes, I do.”

“Me too,” Luna replied. “It’s why I always feel so good when Rolf and I are together because we both give each other that power. Blowing him is fun and I enjoy it a lot, but a few weeks ago when we were in Jodhpur, I enjoyed watching him suck cock even more.”

“Um… I’m sorry, what?” Ginny demanded, shooting her gaze to her friend.

Luna blinked owlishly. “Oh, it was nothing. We just met this lovely couple there who invited us over for the afternoon. They had a large home and there was about a dozen people from all over the world having an orgy. It was fascinating.”

“You had an orgy?” Theo asked, his eyes widening.

“Well, that depends entirely on what you consider an orgy to be,” Luna said. “Rolf and I discussed it and thought it might be fun to participate in a few naughty activities and he really liked it when I ate out this pretty Japanese woman. She tasted lovely and she loved to pull on my hair. Rolf used his tongue on me while I licked her and then her boyfriend, this really big muscular man who played rugby fed her his huge cock. The two of us both came and then we sort of switched, you know? Rolf sucked off her boyfriend and I sat on the rugby player’s face while she sucked off Rolf. It was really sexy.”

Theo and Ginny exchanged looks of disbelief. “LUNA!”

Luna only lifted an eyebrow. “What? That doesn’t count as an orgy, does it? I only had intercourse with Rolf, but there was this other blond man who rimmed Rolf for like half an hour while I watched and touched myself. He really liked it. I think we’re going to add it to our bedroom activities. Oh and then Rolf and the rugby player both ate me out at the same time. I had so many tongues and fingers down there, it was like a party and I came like ten times.”

“Luna, I cannot believe you and Rolf just went to that kind of party!” Ginny exclaimed.

Luna shrugged. “It’s hardly something we do all of the time, but it doesn’t hurt to try new things sometimes. It was fun and exciting, but we both agreed that we’d rather just be with each other. In fact, just this morning he did me doggy style.”

Theo shook his head. “I have so many questions, I don’t even know where to begin.”

“Don’t,” Ginny suggested, making him grin.

“Anyway,” Theo continued. “I knew you’d both understand what I was saying. It’s not just the orgasms though we can all agree those are bloody brilliant, it’s the build up and the foreplay and the trust. I know that Bas will use my mouth if I ask him too and I know that he won’t hurt me; I know he’ll take care of me. I know that he loves me.”

“He loves you so much,” Ginny told him.

“He really does,” Luna said. “Well, I have to be off. I have a meeting at the Ministry to discuss my newest finds. I’ll meet you both again in the morning for yoga. Goodbye.”

Luna pecked Theo’s cheek and then Ginny’s before taking off and Ginny shook her head.

“I can’t believe she and Rolf had an orgy!”

“It wasn’t an orgy,” Theo said. “There was no shagging.”

Ginny rolled her eyes. “I think that hardly constitutes a rule.”

“It sounds like it was sexy,” Theo said. “But that’s not for me. No one else is allowed to touch my man.”

“On that we can both agree,” Ginny said.

Theo sighed and reached for his tea. “Is it bloody Friday yet?”

“No, still only Wednesday,” Ginny teased.

“Well hurry up Friday. I want my man in my mouth and then I want him to rim me until I come all over myself,” Theo said just as the waitress appeared at their table. 

Ginny blushed but the waitress didn’t comment and she was grateful. When she left, she kicked her friend under the table. 

“Ow!”

“You need to watch what you say!”

He grinned as he pulled out his wallet. “You love that about me. It’s my turn to buy breakfast so you head off. I think I need to use one of my toys before work this morning.”

“How do you still overshare this much?”

Theo winked. “It’s a big toy too. Not as big as Bas mind you, but it definitely has some girth to it.”

Ginny snorted. “Thanks for breakfast, Theo.”

“Bye, chick! See you tomorrow.”

Ginny hugged Theo goodbye, shaking her head at her breakfast conversation. Her friends were obsessed with sex, but as she headed home, she couldn’t get her thoughts to leave what Theo had said about the trust and the power. She found her husband in the kitchen in his Auror kit, filling a travel tumblr with coffee.

“Hey, Gin,” Harry said. “How was breakfast?”

“Enlightening,” Ginny said, dropping her bag by the doorway of the kitchen.

Harry lifted an eyebrow, his black hair as messy as usual and his green eyes giving her an amused look. “Isn’t that always the way with Theo?”

“Luna was there too,” Ginny told him. “She and Rolf are back in England for a few weeks.”

“Oh, we’ll have to have them over for dinner or something.”

“Yes,” Ginny said, stomping across the kitchen to take his tumblr from his hands. She put it in the counter with a rather loud bang before she grabbed him by his suspenders and stood on her toes to kiss him.

Not just any little kiss either, but a deep kiss that made his hands grip her arse tightly as he pulled her up against him. His tongue met hers eagerly and when she felt him harden against her stomach, she pulled back and licked her lips.

“Mm, bloody hell, Gin,” Harry grumbled. “You can’t snog me like that when I’m two seconds from leaving. I have to go to work.”

Ginny stood on her toes and stole another quick kiss. “Trust and power.”

“What?” Harry asked, giving her a bewildered look.

“Trust and power,” Ginny repeated. “It’s something Theo said.”

“Er, all right,” Harry said. “You can fill me in later. I really have to go. I have to report in to Robards in less than ten minutes.”

Ginny teased her fingers down the straps of his suspenders, unhooking them. “Ten minutes, eh?”

Before Harry could comment, she knelt before him and popped open the button on his black trousers. He made a strangled sound in the back of his throat.

“Gin…”

Ginny lowered the zipper and then slid them down his hips, her mouth kissing him through his boxer briefs.

“Bloody hell!”

Her tongue dragged over the cotton before those were pushed down to his knees too and then with her eyes locked on his, she dragged her tongue over his hardening length. Harry groaned, his hands reaching back to grip the counter behind him. Ginny’s tongue continued to tease his length, soft licks and kisses that made him tremble before she took him into her mouth. 

Her tongue twirled at the underside of his head in a way to designed to drive him mad while one hand fondled and stroked his balls and the other fisted around him, working him with firm, tight strokes. Then she slid her hands around him to cup his arse and took him down her throat.

Harry grunted as her nose touched his pelvis, eyes wide. It still amazed him that this wife had mastered this. She swallowed around him, making him nice and wet before she slowly pulled off and began to lick him like she was savouring him. When her hand fisted around him once more, her mouth moved to his balls and Harry moved one of his hands to grip her ponytail as he watched her suck them into his mouth, his cock moving in and out of her fist in a steady rhythm that made his breath hitch.

Then her mouth was back around him, sucking faster and Harry gripped her hair tighter, hips moving to meet her mouth. 

Ginny moaned around him. This right here was what Theo had been talking about. There was no one she trusted more than her husband right now. She had the power, the heart of him in her mouth and yet here he was, giving her more. His hips moved faster and she swallowed around him, tugging and rolling his balls in her hand as his taste told her he was close. She slid her finger behind his balls, teasing his rim and he made a strangled sound of warning before he finished with a loud groan. Ginny swallowed every drop before she took her time licking him clean.

Harry sagged back against the counter, his breath ragged. “Bloody fucking hell, Gin… what the hell was that?”

Ginny continued to lap at him before she stood up, tugging him down to meet her lips. She knew he could taste himself there. “I love you, Harry Potter. I trust you. I love the power you give me and I love how powerful you make me feel.” She patted his cheek with a wink. “Now pull up your trousers. You’re late for work.”

She turned to go and Harry grabbed her arm. “I don’t know what the hell Theo said to you at breakfast this morning, but feel free to make it a regular thing.”

She chuckled. “I’ll keep it in mind.”

Harry tugged up his boxer briefs and his trousers, hastily trying to fix his kit. “And Gin? When I get home tonight, you can trust that I‘m going to make you come so hard you’re going to scream.”

“Oh, you are, are you?”

Harry hooked his suspenders back into place and grabbed his tumblr. “I am,” he said, grabbing her hip and his lips brushing her ear. “Three times. Then I’m going to bend you over whatever the fuck is closest and shag you until you come again and then I’m going to start all over again. Clear?”

Ginny bit her bottom lip as a shiver of pleasure ran through her and then her breath hitched when his hand moved from her hip to slide into her knickers and his fingers pushed into her.

“Merlin, you’re bloody soaked,” he hissed.

He pumped his fingers a few times before he stroked her clit and yanked his hand out, sucking his fingers into his mouth. 

“Don’t you dare touch yourself until I get home.”

“And if I do?” she taunted.

Harry’s eyes darkened. “Don’t.”

Then he grabbed his red cloak and stormed out of the kitchen, leaving Ginny standing there with flushed cheeks.

“You’re thirty minutes late, Potter!” Robards barked when Harry walked into the bullpen five minutes later.

“Sorry, Sir,” Harry said. “Overslept.”

When Robards turned, Ron gave him a look. “Overslept my arse.”

Harry grinned. “What can I say? It’s a bloody fan-fucking-tastic morning.”

“Someone got laid,” Baxter teased.

Harry shot up two fingers in response, but he couldn’t keep the grin off of his face. 

He bloody loved being married.

[acaptainbyanyothername]

I have to credit @asamis-jodhpurs for this incredible meme they made about Spahr only discovering his feelings for Phineas when he thought Phineas was DEAD, because I think about that all the goddamn time. Like, the implications of him figuring out what Phineas meant to him and falling in love with a ghost is CRAZY.

It’s like… okay, you are Jonas Spahr. You had so many chances and you failed each one, but now you realize there were more chances you didn’t even realize you wanted until now, when it’s useless and too late. You think he’s met a horrifying end on an islet you abandoned him on. And the GUILT OF IT, to feel like you PERSONALLY FAILED this guy and all along he meant THIS MUCH to you. It was beyond mentor/mentee, beyond romance, this guy was literally your person and you just had your head too far up your own ass while he was fucking ALIVE to even realize it. You only realize how much he meant to you once he’s no longer there to know, and isn’t that so fucked up of you? One of the reasons he died was for your favor, something neither of you knew how much of it he had all along. And now he’s dead, no coming back from that, and it’s your fault, and you’re left with all this love and affection you can do jack shit with and probably wouldn’t have saved him anyways. You personally accelerated him to his death when you brought him into this society, and you had the audacity to believe you were saving him. You were the one who doomed him from the start, motherfucker, and your arrogance said that was doing him a favor. Everyone around you is telling you to get over him, when you just finally figured out what he meant to you.

But even with these intense feelings, even feeling the regret of opportunities missed, you know you couldn’t have done anything anyways. Even if you had been aware of these feelings when he was alive— you were Prime Consector, he was Adsecla. You were Valorous, he was Caenemous. While you did fail every chance you had, your failure was inevitable due to your respective places in society. It would never have worked, but regardless those problems seem so distant now that he’s dead and everything’s changed. It was doomed before it began, but the “what if” still haunts you— most of all, you just wish you could have saved him. You’re haunted by his ghost and on some level you want to be because the grief means you truly cared about this guy, and you’re no longer sure how many things you’ve actually truly cared about in your entire life.

And… maybe, just maybe, if somehow he’s actually alive, maybe you don’t actually want to be Consector or Valorous all that much anymore. Why choose to be torn from him a second time? Why not finally make the choice to do anything you can to save and protect him, in the way you failed to last time?

Well, sure is a shame he’s dead, and you’ll never get that second chance, oh wait who’s that in the Arca—

[vivwritesfics]

COMING AT YOU WITH A SOFT BOY RHETT!

He’s working on his ranch when a horse comes onto his land and it’s fully tacked but there is no signs of the rider. It’s spooked but he manages to calm it down and catch it. He’s tacks up his own horse and goes on the search for the missing rider! - nurse-sainz 🥰🥰🥰

I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THIS SOOOOOOOOOOOOO FUCKING MUCH

Rhett x english rider omg

Rhett Abbott sleeping in his truck was nothing new. He was usually sleeping off a hangover, and that morning was no different. He knew he had chores to do, which might have been why he slept in his truck. Waking up when the run rose (well, that was the goal, but it wasn't always the result).

Today, as with most days, Rhett didn't wake up because of the sun. You'd think he'd be used to the sound of horses, after living on a ranch for his entire life.

But this, this was different. The horses that his father had trained, they didn't stampede towards the house like that. They had been taught better than to come to the house.

Rhette sat up, grabbed the Stetson hat covering his face, and looked out of the truck windows. "Shit," he muttered as he pulled on his shirt, covering up his bull rider tattoo. He placed his Stetson on his head and climbed out of the truck.

There he was, a pretty white horse with a dappling of grey spots on his ass. He was fully tacked up, wearing a saddle, a bridle, and some fancy ass boots around his legs. The mane was plaited, along with the tail.

"Woah there," he said as he approached the horse. Since cantering towards the Abbott house he had stopped to much on the grass. He raised his head towards Rhett, who held his hands up as he approached.

His eye ears went back and he let out a snort. Rhett slowed his steps. He reached his large hand towards the reins. But he couldn't get close enough, not without the horse rearing up. "Little shit," Rhett found himself muttering.

As the horse cantered to the back of the house, Rhett moved his truck, blocking the horse in. He climbed out of his truck and made his way around to the horse that definitely didn't belong here.

As he walked around to the back of the house, the kitchen window opened. "Who's horse is that?" His mother asked.

Rhett shrugged his shoulders. He hadn't seen it before, didn't know there was anything other than cowboys riding around Wabang. He certainly hadn't seen this fancy looking thing in the show jumping saddle.

When Rhett asked his mother for a carrot, she happily handed his over. As soon as Rhett had the carrot, it was easy enough to grab the horse. He was far more interested in the carrot than running away from Rhett. "Who are you?" Rhett asked as he held the reins and stroked down his face.

For a total of five minutes he put the grey horse in the barn while he grabbed his own. As soon as he was mounted, he grabbed the grey ponies reins and rode off.

Rhett was a cowboy. Rhett liked going fast. Rhett's horse was used to galloping across the field until they were out onto the rode. The grey horse was making it near impossible. He stayed at a stubborn walk when Rhett trotted off, stretching his neck out until Rhett could get no further away.

So, Rhett was stuck at a slow walk as he made his way around, looking for anybody that was missing a horse. Most of the usual cowboys, most of the usual other ranch owners, laughed when they saw the fancy pony following him.

Rhett let out a sigh as he began riding along the road towards the Abbott Ranch.

"Sparrow!"

Suddenly, the grey horse was pulling against him. Rhett didn't let go, though. He turned himself around to see a girl. She had a black hat on her head, but not like his Stetson. That one was for safety. Long, shiny black boots were on her feet and she wore these tight, black Jodhpurs.

Definitely not a cowgirl.

She ran over and grabbed a hold of the reins. "Oh, you are in so much trouble," she said and kissed the horses face. "Sparrow, I swear. You gave me a heart attack!" She pulled the hat from her head and tucked it beneath her arm as she kissed the pony a couple more times.

And then she turned to Rhett. He didn't recognise her, not at all. But her face twisted in confusion. "Rhett?" She asked. "Rhett Abbott?"

"Uh, yeah," he said, adjusting his Stetson on his head. "And you are?"

She held out her hand towards him and gave her his name. Rhett shook it. "I've seen you at the rodeo a few times," she said. "I... thank you for finding Sparrow. I thought he was ready to go out alone, but I think somebody needs a little more training," she said and released his hand.

Rhett swallowed. "I think he found me," he answered.

Immediately, her face dropped. "He... he broke onto your ranch?" She asked and Rhett couldn't help but grin as he nodded. "Shit, I'm so sorry!" She cried. "Let me know how I can make it up to you."

Rhett couldn't deny that she was cute. Not his usual type, not the usual cowgirls he had wearing his Stetson and riding his cock. Well, Rhett wanted to know more. "You can let me take you out f' a drink," he said, leaning forward.

He watched as she placed her foot in the metal stirrup (incredibly different from the one his foot was placed into), and climbed up into the saddle. Immediately, Sparrow was moving. He walked in an agitated circle as she tried to stay looking at Rhett. "So, if I want to find you, Sparrow should know where to go?"

"An' you can give me your number. Y'know, in case he forgets."

[oliveroctavius]

I got this ask on main but thought I'd pick it up here, my comics history/fashion ramble blog. I'd been wondering this exact same thing recently, and Google initially wasn't much help—Rocketeer replica jackets describe themselves only as "Rocketeer jackets" and the one Lobster Johnson cosplay thread just suggested ordering one of those.

The most curious part is the double seam and horizonal row of buttons that mark out the entire front as possibly being an unbuttonable "bib", like a plastron front. (Please don't ask how late in the game I worked out that "plastron" is the right word for that.)

The closest genuine Golden Age example of a plastron jacket I found was the military tunic style uniform of Blackhawk, created in 1941.

(Pics from the '52 movie serial (right) really show how awkward it is to combine open lapels + plastron. On a double breasted coat, that chest panel IS the bottom lapel, folded shut.)

Here's the thing: This outfit mirrors that of the Nazi ace pilot he fights in the origin issue, von Tepp (middle). And compare further to the far right: real life WWI flying ace Manfred von Richthofen, AKA the Red Baron, in imperial German Uhlan (lance cavalry) uniform.

"The Germans had designed such great costumes, we decided to use them ourselves," co-creator Cuidera is quoted as saying in Steranko's History of Comics, which (more dubiously, in my opinion) compares the look to the Gestapo or SS. Breeches or jodhpurs weren't strictly a Nazi thing at the time, but they do add to the overall effect.

Compare two other military tunic themed costumes from 1940, on Captain Marvel and Bucky Barnes. These are asymmetrically buttoned, and switch to a more classic circus strongman look below the waist.

But somewhere around 1975, with the Invaders book, Bucky gets a buttoned bib! There's something infectious about it—the symmetry, maybe. (Even re: the characters we started with; Mignola didn't draw Lobster Johnson with buttons down the right side, but every artist after does. And Spider-Noir wore a sweater under his coat until Shattered Dimensions introduced the double-breasted vest.)

If it didn't reach his belt, Barnes' button-on front + shirt collar combo would resemble a bib-front western shirt, like the one that became the Rawhide Kid's signature look in '56. (Or Texas Twister's in '76.)

This shirt entered the old-West-obsessed public imagination in the 1940s/50s largely because John Wayne wore it in several cowboy movies. In reality it was rare among cowboys, more common with firefighters and civil war era militia.

Military tunics, Western shirts, alright, but does anything match the style and material and era, or are these jackets a total anachronism? I tried looking into 1930s leather flight jackets and was surprised when the closest-looking results were marked as Luftwaffe.

It took me a bit to work out why: USAF and RAF issued standard flight jackets with a center closure. The Luftwaffe instead let their pilots buy non-standardized ones. The 'weird' double-breasted black German flight jackets were in fact fairly normal (but repurposed) motorcycle racing jackets.

Far left is an English biker's jacket that dates back to the 1920s. Even without the bib, this may be as close as you'll get to an authentic Rocketeer. The jodhpurs were pretty common to complete the look. (What was an early motorcycle anyways, if not a weird metal horse?) The first biker jacket with the now iconic off-center diagonal zip was designed in America in 1928 and yet as far as I can tell, not a single actual pre-war pulp hero wore one.

The greatest weakness of this post is that I haven't been able to find any of these artists' notes on how, exactly, they arrived at similar versions of this iconic Pulp Front Panel Jacket. I'm sure I've missed some things. But as far as I can tell, this jacket is an odd bit of convergent stylistic evolution from the above influences that's picked up enough momentum to now be self-perpetuating.

The problem with pulp heroes is that for the most part, they just wore clothes. The appeal of this jacket is actually very similar to what the 1940s thought the appeal of the bib-front shirt in westerns was: It's alien enough to feel "old". It looks like something invented before zippers or synthetic fabrics. It looks formal and militant but also renegade, rebellious. It also looks a little mad-sciencey*. It's a costume, but you can nearly fool yourself into thinking the past was weird enough that you could find something this cool on the rack.

If I wanted to end on some grand point, I could try to argue that there's a thematic throughline between fascist fashion, John Wayne movies, and throwback pulp. A manufactured aesthetic valorizing the violence of a fictional golden age... but I think the noir stylings of the post-Rocketeer comics in this lineup mean that, at least on some level, they know the "good guys" didn't dress like this.

*If I had another couple weeks of time to burn, I'd try to trace the visual history of the Howie coat in popular culture and investigate its possible connections to this. Alas, I do actually have a life.

[ewanmitchellcrumbs]

I wish you would write a fic where Sharako Lohar sits on my face and smothers me to death

The ask game says maybe I will write a tidbit, so I will give you a little tidbit...

She lays on the rumpled silk sheets, the humid air and cloying scent of patchouli that lingers upon it doing little to relieve the sheen of perspiration that clings to her flesh, clammy and uncomfortable. She keeps her knees cradled to her chest, with no idea as to whether this position will help nature take its course or not. An old wives tale perhaps, but she will do whatever she can to help the seed take root. She wants to give Sharako a child, she lives to please her.

Through the thick curtains that separate her room from the next, she can hear faint giggles, the sounds of the Lannister lord she had just lain with now having his fun with one of her sisterwives. She would feel jealous, used even, were it not for the fact he was only doing this upon the command of her wife. She has spoken of wanting to have children for a long time, and the idea of being able to bear Sharako the one thing she knows will make her happy makes her chest swell with pride.

It had been a long time since she had allowed a man inside of her. The sensation had been strange, an act of rediscovery. Tywin...Tymond...what was his name? She cannot remember. For all of his Westerosi pomposity and mainland ideals of propriety, he had been a surprisingly adequate lover. His touch was more gentle, hesitant, compared to the rough voracity with which her wife took her. His hands were almost reverent against her body, and when she had peaked it had been a delicate whisper of a sensation that had made her sigh in pleasure. It was nothing like the way that Sharako made her tremble and cry out like a wild animal on an almost nightly basis.

Her thoughts are interrupted as Sharako steps through the curtain, regarding her with a lopsided smirk as she stands at the foot of the bed, her eyes roving lustily over the prone position she finds her wife in.

"It is done then?" She asked, inclining her head towards her.

"It is, he has moved onto the next."

"How was it?" She asks, rounding the bed slowly, like a lion stalking its prey.

"Different," comes her response, feeling her skin heat up with mild embarrassment.

"Did you enjoy his cock?"

She laughs out loud, the brashness of the question taking her by surprise to the point that the sound is forced from her. She is certain that for however long she is the wife of the admiral of the Triarchy she will never get used to her directness; it will forever catch her off guard, and she has grown to love it.

"He does not possess your skills, my love, but I am sated."

"And glad I am to hear of it, but I find myself left wanting."

She sucks in a breath, feeling her core throb with want, causing the Lannister lord's spend to trickle out of her. Instinctively, she lowers her legs, parting her thighs, before Sharako shakes her head.

"I will not lap up the leavings of a man who is beneath me. Tonight you will please me."

She swallows thickly, her heart racing as she considers her wife's words. It is not often that she is given leave to take charge, but if Sharako wishes to have her between her thighs, then she is eager to please.

Her fingers move to the lacings of her jodhpurs and she watches as her deft fingers untie them, shedding the material from her legs, leaving her bare from the waist down.

It is not until Sharako moves, climbing onto the bed and placing a knee either side of her head that she realises she has no means to relinquish control. And as she lowers herself, the taste of her essence tart upon her tongue, faintly like the sea upon which she so loves to sail, she knows she would not have it any other way.

[overseer-picard]

As a real life horse girl, I present:

Starfleet Captains as Different Kinds of Horse Girls

The actual canonical horse girls:

Kirk: The Show Off. Kirk is genuinely a great rider with soft hands and a good seat, but due to this high skill level and his natural disposition, he can be overconfident and do dumb things that result in injury and/or (according to McCoy) death. He loves a flashy horse with high chrome (white markings) to match his own dashing looks.

Picard: The Spiritual. Picard seeks connection with his horse, who he sees as an equal, and hones his skill-set as a rider to maximize this communication. Riding is a relaxing, emotionally cleansing activity for him that centers his mind. He has this quote stamped into his saddle: "When you first meet a horse, his instinct tells him you are a predator. Gain his trust, and you become his protector."

Pike: The Cowboy. Pike's horse is his companion and he rides to reconnect with the past when times were simpler. Not picky with breeds or looks, he’s content with his fuzzy Quarter Horse. He relishes the freedom of open skies and endless plains, the solid earth beneath him keeping him grounded.

NOT canonical horse girls (but could be if they just believed):

Janeway: The Competitor. Dressage, cross country, show jumping, she does them all. Hair slicked back, jodhpurs tight, boots polished, Janeway enters the ring to win. And she does. She chooses horses that have the same fire and intensity that she does and together they are an unbeatable team.

Sisko: The Polo Player. Ball is life, even on a horse. Sisko's team of competitive polo ponies are trained to a tee. He relishes the intensity of the game, the teamwork, and the difficulty of the hand-eye coordination. Winning isn't as important as the thrill of not dying.

Archer: The horseless. Archer is the kid you knew in middle school who was obsessed with horses and knew everything about them but never had one. Instead, he settled with pretending his dog was a horse. I cannot emphasize enough how much this man oozes naive horse girl energy.

Freeman: The Rehabilitator. Freeman rode competitively when she was younger but now has found a great sense of purpose in seeking out the broken and forgotten horses. She focuses on the "dangerous and un-fixable" off-the-track thoroughbreds and rehabilitates them to become their best selves.

*I do not know enough about the various Disco captains to have thoughts on them but Saru has actual horse energy.

[thatsmybook]

When Sara comes to Simon in need of his comfort and fully showing remorse in season three episode five, this is the first time we see Sara vulnerable and open and need her brother for anything in the entire show.

She has always put on a mask of competency and independence with him and pushed his sibling love away. Simon's love language is service, and though Sara has resented his need to take care of her, she has unwittingly been rejecting his love. Simon may have accepted this as just how siblings are with each other or an aspect of her neurodivergence, but it does hurt when she belittles their life and hurts their mom at the end of season one.

I remember his dejected face when she rejects the new jodhpurs present that he and his mum got for her on her 18th birthday in season two, and the offer of coming home for a family birthday dinner to instead have a sleepover party with her Hillis friends. He is understanding. He wants Sara to make friends after all, but you can tell that it hurts a little.

Simon goes to Sara for advice about Wille and Marcus. He leans on her and values her opinion and often acts on what she says (even when she is harsh and mid-argument. An aside: her assessment of Wille needing to be saved and using Simon is always special to me because, though a little too much, it is often accurate.) He is open and vulnerable with the people he loves and appreciates their love when they do the same towards him.

I think it was easier for Simon to forgive Sara when she came to him in tears about their dad. She is finally showing him love in a way that makes him feel useful, respected, and valued.

I also appreciate how being this vulnerable is difficult for Sara. Her growth in seeing strength in vulnerability (herself and Simon) and nuance in being fallible (her dad) has been beautiful to see unfold.

This, and their non-verbal and spoken conversation at the table in the final episode as they talk about where to go to school next, is a continuation of their beautifully reciprocal sibling dynamic. They have both grown so much over their year at Hillerska.

Conflict leading to growth is my favourite thing about Young Royals. I guess that's why they call them growing pains.

[twstunes]

okay this isn't a tierlist it's more of a groupings list

BORING DRESS SHOES CONTAINMENT ZONE

[ Trey, Deuce, Jack, Azul, Jade, Malleus, Silver, Sebek, Trein ]

There's not much to say about most of these except that I don't like them. Yes yes they're functional and fit the personalities of those wearing them. I'll still die on the hill that plain dress shoes are more boring than they are classy >:/

Trey, Deuce, Jack, and Silver all have on penny loafers, which are about as casual as you can get while still counting as formalwear-appropriate. Azul and Jade appear to both have on plain-toe oxfords, which I'm sure they coordinated on. Malleus and Trein also seem to have some variety of oxfords, though Trein might be wearing derbies?

Sebek's in here bc I'm not quite sure what's going on with his shoes. Considering that rectangular portion on the interior sides & the fact he's in Equestrian Club, I wouldn't be surprised if they were jodhpurs? They accomplish the same visual effect as basic dress shoes, though, so in the containment zone he stays.

ZESTY DRESS SHOES

[ Riddle, Floyd, Lilia, Crowley, Crewel, Sam ]

Floyd, Lilia, and Sam make up the milder end of the zest spectrum. Floyd made his own shoes and thus gets a cool-by-default technicality. Lilia's shoes are fairly basic loafers, but the bat engraving and large golden heels are enough to nudge them under the "interesting" umbrella. Sam's shoes aren't really visible under his spats, but he remembered the crucial aesthetic detail of matching his spats w/ his gloves, so he gets a pass.

Riddle's shoes have heart-shaped cap toes and heels so chunky they might as well be wedges; both of these details perfectly fit his heart-themed and undersized ass. Crowley appears to have on derbies w/ extensive lace-patterned embellishments, which feels in-line with his love of fancy little baubles. I'd assumed Crewel was wearing saddle shoes at first glance, but now that I'm looking at them…those are full brogues, I'm pretty sure? (Good walking shoes, thus a good pick for a dog owner.)

BOOT CORNER

[ Rook, Epel ]

Rook is a hunter, and hunters need sturdy shoes that can hold up to long treks through the wilderness (or across campus). These are literally boots you could pick up at any given Tractor Supply. I personally believe Vil hates these shoes but cannot do anything to stop Rook from wearing them. He balances them out with his fancy hat, though, so maybe that's enough to placate Vil?

Epel grew up in Harveston, where I don't think it's possible to wear anything less than boots without getting frostbite most months of the year. Epel's probably been stomping around in these bad boys for A While; the tartan pattern is just unique enough to make it feel more like a hand-me-down than something Vil would buy for him.

ACTUAL SENSIBLE SHOES

[ Cater, Ace, Ruggie, Jamil, Idia, Vargas ]

Cater goes with some stylish slip-ons. They're comfy, they're convenient, and they go with most outfits. This dude would definitely wear the checkered Vans if he could.

I fully believe Ace picked out his shoes based entirely on how they looked. It worked out well in the end tho, bc they're perfect for how active he is. He and Idia are the only ones who don't change into different shoes for PE.

Ruggie, Jamil, and Vargas all have on practical, comfy sneakers, which makes sense considering they're some of the most active people on campus—Ruggie and Jamil are constantly running errands, and Vargas teaches PE all day. I like that Jamil's actually seem a little faded from use, though chances are that's just how they're supposed to look.

Idia, despite being a shut-in, at least has the good sense to put on what appear to be velcro shoes when he goes out. (Choosing velcro over laces is also maybe a safety thing? Easy to get on and off, no laces to come undone and trip over. Very important in a dorm with a lot of expensive tech!)

OUTLIERS

[ Leona, Kalim, Vil, Ortho ]

Leona is well-aware of the standard level of chaos that happens every day at NRC, but that isn't going to stop him from wearing sandals instead of something more protective. Dude wants to be comfy above all else, and frankly, I respect it. Either Crewel hasn't noticed Leona's lack of lab-safe footwear or he's given up on getting the guy to wear closed-toe shoes.

Kalim has on juttis w/ the classic curled/pointed tips. Iirc, curled, pointed tips are startlingly good at reducing the amount of sand that gets into shoes! Seeing as both his home and dorm are in desert environments, these make perfect sense for Kalim's go-to footwear.

Someone at this school full of prettyboys had to put on the heels, and Vil is the only baddie committed to fashion enough to follow through. This pair is undoubtedly custom-made—not just because that's the kind of person Vil is, but because they specifically feature Pomefiore's dorm colors.

Ortho doesn't wear shoes. That's just his body. He also doesn't walk in these bc, according to Idia, "walking is for normies." This foot design is present in all of Ortho's bodies except for his athletic gear, seeing as his athletic gear is the only one meant for walking instead of floating. (Since they're shaped kinda like pincers, I wonder if he can use them for picking things up?)

[duhragonball]

Dragon Ball Super Manga ch.97-99

Cell Max is running wild, but don't worry, because Goten and Trunks are here to pad the story give Piccolo and Gohan a breather.

To be fair, the boys do a little better once they turn Super Saiyan, which kind of begs the question of why they didn't just turn Super Saiyan from the start. This page's sole purpose is to have the Gammas notice their "resemblance" to Saiyaman X-1 and X-2. This would be annoying enough even if they did look alike, but they don't. Look at them! Trunks and Goten have tights and some sort of Stormtrooper midriff thing going on. The Gammas are wearing jodhpurs and bellhop jackets. And Goten and Trunks' color schemes are clearly reversed from one to the other. The Gammas match perfectly except for their red and blue capes.

The only real similarities here are the numbers on their costumes, and the fact that there are two of them. Oh, and Gamma 1 has a red cape, and Goten has a red cape. Eerie! What are the odds of two superheroes having red capes? You almost never see that. I mean, there's Superman, Thor, Great Saiyaman, Dr. Strange, Spawn, Great Saiyaman 2, the Scarlet Witch, Supergirl, Great Saiyaman 3, Power Girl, Steel, but other than those characters, I can't think of anyone else!

Then they all pose together and attack Cell Max in concert. It looks impressive, but their quadruple-team fails to do any damage. The Gammas acknowledge that Cell Max is still getting used to moving around in his body, so he's not fighting as effectively as he will be later in the story. So that's why Goten and Trunks can do this well without actually hurting their opponent. And that's fair.

What doesn't make a lot of sense is the Gammas' role in this part of the battle. Of everyone involved in this battle, they alone understand the danger Cell Max poses to the world, because Dr. Hedo told them about Max's powers. That's why they went in first when Cell Max first emerged. They knew they had to shut him down as quickly as possible. And they're not rusty like Goten and Trunks, or unfamiliar with their bodies like Cell Max. If there's a window of opportunity here for Goten and Trunks to fight Cell Max without looking outclassed, then you'd think the Gammas would use this chance to target Max's head and finish him off.

Of course, they can't actually do that, since that's not what happened in the movie, but that's the problem I have with all of this. Toyotaro keeps shoehorning Goten and Trunks into this story, and their scenes tend to interfere with the plot instead of adding to it. The Gammas have a cool gimmick and aesthetic with the super hero thing. It works. They don't need two more characters aping that look right beside them. At best it's redundant, and at worst it just cramps their style. It'd be like if Frieza had a teen sidekick following him around repeating everything he says. It would kill his whole vibe.

Okay, so once Goten and Trunks fuse into Gotenks, the battle plays out mostly like it did in the movie, but there's one part that got changed up and it caused some controversy in the fandom. Remember how Pan almost got killed, and Krillin called out to her and told her to fly, and then she managed to fly for the first time?

So in the manga, Pan has the same moment, except she doesn't take flight. Instead...

In this version, Krillin just flies over and grabs her. And that makes sense. Why would he just assume she can fly on her own? Why not just zip over and get her? However, this kills the character arc Pan had in the movie. She started the film wishing she could do more advanced training, but Piccolo won't let her because she can't fly yet. Then in this scene, she does fly, and when the movie ends she shows Piccolo and he proudly agrees to start giving her the advanced lessons.

Fans didn't like this version, because Toyotaro appeared to be saying "no" to something the fans enjoyed in the movie. Krillin doesn't need a hero moment in this scene because he gets a couple of hero moments when he helps fight Cell Max. He saves 18 and distracts Cell Max with a solar flare. Krillin's fine. So it sure looks like Toyotaro just scrapped Pan's big moment for no discernible reason. This happened in Chapter 97.

Hey, check out this cool shot of Orange Piccolo fighting Cell Max.

Right, back to what I was saying.

So in Chapter 98, Toyotaro redeems himself by having Pan fly for the first time, just in a later part of the battle. When Big Orange Piccolo gives the last senzu bean to Gohan in the movie, Gohan just eats it and that's it. But in the manga, Cell Max attacks Piccolo and knocks it out of his hand. No one can catch it, until Pan goes after it and follows it over a ledge. Gohan's worried, but then it turns out she can fly now so she was never in danger, and she gets to help him this way.

Is it better than the movie? I can see a case for this version, but one thing that bugs me is that it seems a bit contrived for Pan to notice the senzu bean and be able to follow it through the air the way she did. I believe she could and would catch it for her dad. That's fine. But I'm not sure she would understand the need from where she was sitting in Bulma's aircraft.

For that matter, I don't know that it makes sense for Pan to understand what a senzu bean is, or why Gohan would need one so badly. Someone might have explained it to her at some point, but Pan's only three years old. I wouldn't expect her to know everything about everything.

Anyway, it goes to show how much can change from one chapter to another. People were mad about Chapter 97, but only because they didn't have 98 right there in front of them to show them it wasn't that big a deal. This is one major reason why I don't like to read the manga as it publishes.

From here, well, I think I'm just down to cool shots of the fight with Cell Max.

I don't think much is different here, but the art is cool, and this is one of my favorite parts of the movie.

I think this is a manga-only bit. Cell Max works over Piccolo with ki blasts, and it looks like Piccolo blows up, which triggers Gohan's Beast form, but then later it turns out Gamma 1 was protecting Piccolo with his force field, which allowed him to withstand the blast.

Also, when Cell Max tries to use his wings to escape the attack Gohan has planned, Toyotaro has Gamma 1, Krillin, and 18 cut off his wings. Not sure we needed this, but sure, it gives those characters one more chance to shine.

And then Piccolo holds Cell Max down and pleads with Gohan to take the shot, and that's the end of chapter 99.

And that gets me all caught up. Now I just have to wait for Chapter 100, which is supposed to drop on December 20. Hopefully, it'll wrap up the Super Hero adaptation, but I wouldn't put it past Toyotaro to drag this thing out another three chapters with some sort of press conference featuring Sergeant Nutz, Saiyaman X-1 and X-2, and Cleangod.

There's been talk of a big surprise twist or something in chapter 100, but I'm not holding my breath. Usually when this franchise has a big announcement, it's about the date for some actual announcement later, and that announcement usually turns out to be something the fans kind of already heard about anyway. "Yes, we will be releasing a Chapter 101" is the sort of thing I would expect them to "announce" in chapter 100.

It would be cool if Chapter 100 ended with Black Frieza showing up and killing Vegeta or something major like that. Or, I don't know, maybe Goten and Trunks turn evil. Those would be shocking developments, but I doubt this manga would go that far. We'll just have to see...

[sariastrategos]

"You'll never win, you know."

"I'm not trying to win anymore."

Another name I see in my notes! @jaynesilver hello, thanks for humouring me!

Kylo stared intently at the board thinking about his next move. Just like he’d stared and thought about all of his previous moves. And just like all his previous moves the moment he made it Hux countered it effortlessly and he lost yet another piece.

“I thought you’d played this before?” Hux drawled, taking a sip of his whisky.

“Shut up, I’m thinking.” Kylo growled.

Who’s idea was this anyway? Which one of them decided playing Sabacc was a good way to spend their down time? How was this supposed to improve their working relationship?

They’d been trying to get along better lately, to keep peace on the ship and stop their arguments from hindering their efficiency. So they’d made a deal that once a standard week they’d have a drink or two together.

Kylo didn’t drink but it was the principle of the matter. Hux would have a glass or two of whisky, Kylo tea and they’d attempt to get along with conversation and to get to know one another.

This had devolved into weekly encounters that often led to no talking at all and getting to know each carnally rather than in a simple, friendly manner. Kylo now knew all the little sounds Hux made when he was so close Kylo just a little more that’s it right there -AH! YES!

And Hux now knew what he looked like down on his knees for him at long last. And that Kylo could feel the thrill it gave him pulsing through the air around him.

And to be fair, they had been getting along better on shift. So really it wasn’t a bad thing, it just wasn’t the original goal.

And just like that, Kylo knew what he needed to do.

He was terrible at Sabacc but he knew something he was good at.

Abandoning all hope at strategy he kicked off his boots under the table.

“Oh stars Kylo tell me your feet aren’t going to choke me out?” Hux sneered.

Kylo smirked up at him “Not with my feet but I can do that for you if you’re interested.”

He was rewarded with rolled eyes and a huff when he blindly made a move. Hux countered it with barely a pause. “You’ll never win you know.” He commented, taking another sip.

Kylo trailed his foot up the inside of Hux’s ankle and snickered when he coughed up his drink. “I’m not trying to win anymore.” He replied, rubbing up and down his calf. “Not Sabacc at least.”

Hux glowered at him, setting his drink down. “Don’t think I can’t still beat you while you’re trying to distract me. I’m trained to make decisions under duress.”

“I know you’ll still beat me” he replied, nudging up his inner thigh “and I know what a phenomenal general you are.” The tips of his ear’s were going pink “I’ve seen you in battle, watched you direct the troops while under fire, unshakable in your confidence, flawless in your planning.” His foot finally found the outline of the general’s cock in his jodhpurs “I never stood a chance at beating you in a game of strategy”

He watched a myriad of emotions cross his face, pride, suspicion, lust and knew he had him when his cheeks started to go splotchy.

“You’re shameless.” He clambered out of his chair, already undoing his belt. “A cheap play.” The jacket was tossed carelessly on the floor “You should be ashamed of yourself.”

Kylo laughed as Hux climbed into his lap and buried his hands in his hair, dragging him into an angry kiss. “You just said I’m shameless!”

“Shut up and put your mouth to better use.”

Thanks again!!

[terrible-eel]

"Astarion and Gale finally have a chance to have some time alone together and figure out a few sexy work-arounds to Astarion's touch repulsion"

Because I've been completely obsessed with bloodweave recently I thought I might as well get some of their cursed romance out of my head. I think I might turn this into a longer thing eventually.

Astarion walked down a small trail behind the encampment. The moon pierced the forest canopy, cascading over the dewy grass. He smiled to himself, watching it move gently in the wind.

“It looks like puddles of moonlight,” he thought fondly, stepping through the pale blue ripples, feeling the icy dew soak into his clothes.

The air out in the wilderness made him feel light and peaceful again. There was a rightness in the underbrush and little rivers that he would scarcely allow himself to feel in the company of others, but on the way to Gale's tent he was content with a solitary embrace of what the night had to offer… Which made approaching the tent all the more solemn.

Astarion began to roll the sleeves of his tunic shirt absently as he thought, an age old tell of his nerves.

He and Gale had been exchanging glances and small flirtations where they could manage as their camp grew larger with refugees. Neither of them felt comfortable letting any of their companions know of their affairs, sexual or otherwise, and it had left them exchanging letters and subtle conversations during the rare moments when they could find each other.

Fortunately, forming a more permanent settlement while they waited out the conflicts had allowed them the opportunity to meet up again. Gale had taken his tent far into the woods, using some excuse or another. Nobody paid him any mind, just as they paid Astarion no mind as he made his way out into the forest "for a hunt."

"Gale? It's me!" Astarion called from a few paces away.

Gale threw open the flap of his tent quickly upon hearing Astarion's voice.

Astarion’s heart skipped a beat, shock clear on his face. He quickly forced his jaw to shut but still stared with brows raised at Gale.

Astarion felt so underdressed for the occasion in his jodhpurs and old tunic. He didn’t even consider fastening a belt this time, but Gale was carrying himself beautifully in a fitted top he had never seen before. It was a deep enchanting purple, almost black, and though it was a long sleeved garment, there were expertly tailored openings revealing his collarbones and shoulders. Gale’s olive skin in the firelight was almost more than Astarion could take, but he made himself absorb the rest. Around his neck hung a long silver chain and turquoise pendant, which allowed his eyes to trail down to his pants. Beautiful purple brocade ran up the sides of the black fabric. He also took note that he was barefoot.

“Well, the least I can do is take my boots off before entering,” Astarion thought in embarrassment.

“Come in, Astarion,” Gale said with a knowing smirk, inviting the vampire in.

“You look lovely,” said Astarion, glancing up as he pulled his boots off, hoping Gale didn’t notice his shame.

“I’m glad you think so, I’ve been meaning to show these garments to you, I figured you may be interested in their design.” Gale boasted, clearly proud of himself for drawing such a reaction from Astarion.

Astarion smirked. “Well I’m clearly interested in the form they’re designed for.” To that Gale turned quickly away, moving further into the tent.

It was a modest thing from the outside, but Astarion was just as taken aback as usual when he walked in. It was much bigger on the inside, giving the appearance of a private study. Bookshelves lined the walls between things in jars and bottles. Astarion barely understood most of it, but he was familiar with a few things here and there. Of course there was a desk and a million half written papers thrown about, but in the middle of the room was a comfortable sitting area with large ornate pillows and furs over beautifully woven woolen rugs to keep the cold out.

The bed lay unattended in the corner. Astarion half wondered when Gale ever actually slept before a bone chilling sensation encompassed his body. Gale had taken him in his arms. The scratching of his beard felt like spiders. The light touch on his back burned like ice water.

And then the kiss. At first it warmed him to the other feelings. Astarion allowed himself to settle into the entanglement, trying to ignore the shivers like nails scraping against iron. Gale's mouth was warm and welcoming. Astarion tried to remind himself of how much he wanted it. How many weeks he had spent crafting letters of what he hoped they would do together; about their plans after their return to Baldur's Gate. He had even been so bold as to suggest they stay together in Gale's home in Waterdeep.

Astarion was desperate for a life where an embrace from Gale meant something romantic. He wanted the sunlight to rouse both of them from their dreams and to be able to cuddle into his shoulder as dawn sang sweet birdsongs.

"Why can't it just be like that now?" Astarion lamented as something crept into his mind. Books. Shelves like Cazador's. His study. Cazador taking notes. Astarion lay bound and watching him from a table-

Astarion pulled away quickly. Gale didn't try to hold him as he left his embrace. Gale had watched Astarion lose himself before and responded immediately with a loud distraction, hoping to pull him back to the present.

"Astarion! Let's start over, alright? You step outside now." Gale ushered Astarion back out of the tent.

The sudden feeling of icy dew on his bare feet and the soft smell of pine trees began to bring Astarion back to his senses. Gale hurried away and returned with two cups of hot chocolate he seemed to have had sitting for a while.

“He must have prepared that for me,” Astarion thought with a flutter in his chest that he prayed would not turn to guilt.

Gale swung one flap of the tent up and stood at the threshold.

"Let's start over, " he said again brightly. "Hello Astarion! Welcome to my room. I've made a drink for you- oh hells how long has it been cold- '' A purple glow came from his hand and the drink began to steam. "No matter, there you are." He placed the cup in Astarion's hand. The warm ceramic had grooves pressed in by some potter’s hand. Astarion began to trace the marks, feeling a sense of calm at the gentleness of the handcrafted object.

Astarion loved to watch Gale be charming. Perhaps the wizard didn’t know it, but whenever he began to show even a hint of what was on his mind, Astarion was charmed.

"Now, my dear, would you like to come in? I've added a little space since it will be the two of us. I wasn't sure if you would want your drink sweet, but I took the liberty of guessing you would. You do seem to have a sweet tooth."

Astarion finally smiled. "You're not wrong in that," he said, tasting the drink. "Oh, this is quite good. You really shouldn't have, sweetheart. Too many nice things and I might think you're flirting with me."

Gale smiled back with all the warmth he could manage. "There he is. Gods, I really need to stop approaching him so aggressively," Gale silently berated himself before speaking out loud:

"Well we couldn't have that now, could we. I suppose these biscuits I picked up at the market will be much too sweet and suggestive then. I will have to have them for myself," Gale said, opening his palm and pulling a small ginger jar to himself with his magic. Astarion intercepted it and tucked the jar under his arm, forcing Gale to release his hold before the thing shot out of Astarion’s grasp.

"No way you're retracting your sweets from me," Astarion chided, flopping down on Gale's many pillows. "I'll be eating all of them myself now," he said, making a valiant effort to do so.

Gale took a seat next to him. "Fine, I surrender. It's more fun watching you eat them anyway... I do love to see you satisfied."

Astarion lounged on his side and propped himself up on an elbow enough to look up at Gale. "I'm sorry for my behavior. It's just one of those days, it seems."

Inwardly, Astarion lamented. "I don't deserve someone so gentle. Look at him. I need to get myself under control. This is what he's been waiting for. I can't go back on every promise I've made. I need to stop behaving like a ridiculous child.-"

Astarion was pulled from his thoughts by Gale's gentle fingers running through his hair. His big warm hand was such a surprising and wonderful sensation. He leaned into the touch as he drank his cocoa.

"I'm so thankful I can see him happy like this," Gale thought, watching the man's expression soften as he settled down. "This is how I always want to see him. Just content and smiling. Maybe I'm going insane, focusing so hard on another's happiness again, but it feels different this time, I think. Astarion has been thinking of me as well. His little handmade gifts. His tending to my affliction. Rage towards our enemies as he comes to my aid... No. I know he's different." Gale wondered at Astarion as he leaned down to place a kiss on his forehead.

To Astarion these things finally felt right, but he knew that they would only go on for so long before the expectations would arise. He leaned onto Gale's lap, hoping to savor the affection before everything went sour.

"How would you like to have me," Astarion blurted out before he could catch himself.

"I'm sorry?" Gale asked, pulling his hand away.

"We had talked about this, why did I have to say that-"

"Remember we had-" Gale began.

Astarion sat up to face Gale directly.

"Talked about that, yes, I recall. I'm sorry. Look, frankly this is a situation we have both been anticipating, and with that anticipation there must be some expectation, no?" Astarion’s voice broke. He sounded more meek than he liked.

Gale pondered for a moment before responding: "Hm. I suppose… perhaps there is a bit too much of that. I myself am finding it difficult to know whether I'm going to be satisfactory for you. I had offered you the option to fuck me again in that letter…" Gale hesitated, and Astarion reached out and placed a hand over his, maintaining a reassuring grip until the man was able to continue. "Truth be told, you're the only man I had ever allowed to bed me at all, let alone in that way. I have no real reference with which to compare my own performance, I fear I am likely inadequate."

"Oh love, no, there's nothing to compare. I'm here because what I feel for you makes everyone else irrelevant to me." Astarion placed his cup and jar of sweets down on the floor and began to stand, bringing Gale to his feet along with him. He guided Gale into his arms, holding his left hand in his right, and pressed his body to Gale’s, swaying a little as if dancing with the man.

Astarion continued, “Let's just be here together now, in each other's arms, free of expectations," he whispered, feeling Gale lean into his shoulder. "You're wonderful in bed, but more than that, you're my treasure. You're who I want to spend my days with, as well as my nights. That's by far more important. I want nothing more from you than your love."

Gale's shoulders tensed and his face began to feel very hot on Astarion's collarbone. It was rare for Gale to become shy about anything, but Astarion was managing to find more and more ways to elicit the response recently. Together they tiptoed around the concept of love as they danced in silence.

"Alright. No expectations." Said Gale as he wrapped his arm around Astarion. "You have such a small waist. It just fits so perfectly in my hand."

"Hmm, perhaps it was made for your hand then," Astarion purred into his ear. "To hold, to caress, to scratch as I am inside you..."

Astarion could feel Gale's hand curling around the fabric of his shirt as Gale hid his face again. This time Astarion peeked down to see Gale's olive skin turning a deep crimson.

Astarion carried on, "There's my blush. Does my mage wish to feel me again?"

Gale's breath hitched in his throat, a delicious sound to Astarion. He had to have a taste of those lips. This time Gale's mouth tasted like chocolate. Warm and soft, his tongue coaxing Astarion for his kiss to go deeper, Astarion gladly moved in, eliciting a moan from Gale that made Astarion's body tense with arousal.

Gale's hand traced up Astarion's back and he felt that cold shivering malice run through him again. Slime like a snail's trail. Icy, dripping liquid. It was beginning to feel awful again. Slowly, Astarion began to pull away once more, taking a few steps back.

"What is it? You can tell me. Is it something I did?" Gale's voice was purely concerned. Astarion could tell consciously that he didn't want to hurt him, but the feeling was impossible to explain.

"It's not you, it's just…" Astarion looked down at the ground, hating that he couldn't bear to look Gale in the eye. He knew how pathetic he must have looked, but the idea of facing Gale was an even worse prospect than whatever the man thought of him at that point.

"It's just that tonight isn't really working for me…" Darling was usually the rest of his sentence, when these kinds of things came up; some flirtation to ease the tension, something to mask his worries a little, but all of that was gone. All that remained was hesitation and too much fear.

Gale felt an ache in his heart as he watched Astarion pull away. He hated to see that enchanting confidence be swallowed up by an anguish someone else had put there. Gale approached Astarion, reaching out and quickly drawing away when he saw the elf curl into himself.

"That's absolutely fine, Astarion. Another time, perhaps?" Gale took a step to the side where Astarion was staring off to, trying to at least meet Astarion's eyes.

"If he can see my sincerity, perhaps he would at least take comfort in the fact that everything is alright at the moment." Gale thought hopefully.

Astarion flashed him a glance through his lashes. When he saw Gale's worried expression, he turned on his heels, running both hands through his own hair in exasperation.

"Agh it's nothing so serious, it's not that I'm truly uninterested! Gods, I'd happily be fucking you right now! It's just the idea of sensation; the pressure of bodies is repulsing me, and of course it's happening now of all times! Right when we finally have time alone together, after so long. And then there's the hunger, I haven't fed properly in two days! This unpleasant mess-" Gale cut him off before he could continue.

"Might I interject with a solution -what you're going through is a relatable experience, if I'm being completely honest. It's not something I am taking lightly, I assure you. I may know at least a little of what touch repulsion may mean to you, is what I mean to say-"

Gale's voice, the notes of confidence and comfort, filled Astarion's ears like the low hum of a song. He could feel his jaw relax and his shoulders drop. Gale continued.

"There were points where an overabundance of affection from my goddess would become too much. Whenever I had experienced these awful, skin-crawling sensations, nothing my lover could do was a comfort to me. Contact was simply unbearable. And I believed that was that. That I was this untouchable, unlovable mess. To think I would be useless to her as a lover filled me with dread- well it didn’t help that she berated me for my performance issues, but it wasn’t that I was uninterested. It was just too much and too often. And the expectations she had for my performance…well perhaps her expectations were uniquely high as well. The more time I spend with you the more I understand the amount she would take from me while giving nothing in return."

Gale's words struck Astarion.

"So he truly does understand. He has nothing to gain by telling me this point of weakness…then why? Is he simply attempting to comfort me?" Astarion turned away from Gale and smiled. "He's too soft. The fool. So much more tender than he should be."

But the thought of intimacy; the thought that someone would want to share so much vulnerability with him just so he felt less alone in his needs, soothed his anxieties almost instantly. A blush rose in Astarion’s cheeks. Meanwhile, Gale had continued.

"However, there are very simple ways around things so pedestrian as physical contact with a body- that is, if you're still interested in something sexual, we needn't-"

This time it was Astarion's turn to interrupt.

He turned back to face Gale, this time locking eyes with hungry intensity. He wanted to savor Gale's next words. "I'm all ears," Astarion said in a low voice.

The sultry tone caught Gale off guard.

"Fuck. Don't give me that look," Gale thought as he felt a wave of arousal run down his abdomen.

Astarion could see more color rush to Gale's cheeks, a blush deepening over the human's neck. His heartbeat quickened in Astarion's ears, his scent filled his nostrils.

Gale struggled to keep his composure as a predatory shift overtook Astarion. As attractive as the idea of being taken by Astarion's instincts was in theory, he knew that Astarion had no true desire for intimacy past his vampiric needs, so he continued.

"Just because I can't touch you, doesn't mean I can't give you pleasure," Gale said with an eyebrow raised. Astarion bowed his head, peeking up hungrily. The posture of a beast on the prowl… And Gale could sense he had just become the prey.

"Is that so…" Astarion asked, taking a step towards Gale, who swallowed hard, attempting to move past the erotic focus Astarion had on him. "Then show me what you have in mind."

Another step and they were only a foot apart. Gale wanted to reach out and kiss him, to comfort him with touch, but he only smiled and kept his hands at his sides.

"Are you sure you want this?" Gale asked, searching Astarion's face for an honest answer. A smile crept up the corner of the elf's mouth and he raised his brow as if to suggest he continue.

"Then get on your knees." Gale instructed with more authority than Astarion thought he had in him. Astarion obeyed, curious where this would go.

"My abilities are not to be overlooked. Behold-" Gale raised his right hand, bending it at the elbow, pointing two fingers up and twisting his wrist to the side. A glowing purple ribbon fluttered into existence. Astarion watched the thing wrap itself gently around his wrists.

"Why is everything he does so beautiful?" Astarion thought as he let the ribbons draw his arms gently behind his back until he was secured in comfort.

Before he could think further, a sensation of pure pleasure ran up his arms, tingling and exciting but not overwhelming. It was enough for a soft moan to escape his lips. Then another stroke of pleasure, this time stronger, pulsing down to his groin so fast he thrust his head back in a gasp, and there he saw that Gale was standing directly over him now.

"This is better than I expected." Gale thought, admiring Astarion's body, watching how his heavy breaths escaped moist lips. Astarion was his now, finally, after so many nights of laying awake knowing that he was off with someone else, knowing that he was feeding on someone else's blood... No. Not this time. Now it was he who would be available for Astarion.

"I'm the one who's going to provide for you. I'll be the one who sustains you and makes you feel like this, more than anyone else. I’ve waited my turn."

As he spoke, the waves of pleasure grew in intensity. It was better than the touch of light fingernails on Astarion's skin, it was as if he was made of nothing but liquid pleasure. Gale was inside of every nerve in his body. Gale was going to take him over completely.

Astarion couldn't help but let his back arch, couldn't stop himself from gasping, couldn't stop the tight confinement of his erection pressing hard against his pants. Gale's words felt like they were burrowing down inside of him, erotic for their content but also hypnotic, like a spell was being sung into his heart. But it wasn't mind control. This was something so much more gentle. It was as if Gale was somehow cradling his joints, caressing his lungs, nurturing this feeling of pleasure; enveloping him in something Astarion could only guess was love.

"I'll be the one coursing through your veins from now on." Gale said as that magnetic hypnotism only increased in Astarion. Gale reached for the knife at his side and sliced a deep cut down his palm, spilling his blood onto Astarion's face. It dripped down his cheek and pooled between his lips.

At first Astarion recoiled, expecting the burning acrid taste to make him retch, but somehow, past the initial sour taste, past the burning in his heart as he swallowed, there was something sweet. Something like a fresh plum, just picked from its tree. He had never been so aroused from blood. His eyes rolled back for a moment and then he shut them hard. The blood kept coming.

The drops were like rain falling down inside of him, coating his throat, suffocating him. His head rattled like thunder. Shadows and rainstorms and dark fields. He lapped at the dripping wound. His tongue thrusted out, seeking the cut. It felt like he was finally satiated after starving for years. He drank and moaned and allowed the blood to pool down his face. It was the dripping caress of a lost lover; the answer to some divine mystery he had contemplated for that year in the dark.

He licked at Gale's hand until the ache in his pants was too much.

Astarion finally opened his eyes to see Gale's expression. The man was looking down at him with brows knit, the soft sheen of sweat at his temples, his mouth ever so slightly open. Astarion had to give him a teasing smile.

"Will you be the one to provide me some more now? Will you satisfy me?" Astarion nipped gently at Gale's pinky. "Will you fill me up like this every night?"

"Fuck, Astarion," Gale said in a low voice, biting down on his lower lip.

With his free hand repeating the same waving gesture, Astarion could feel the strings of his pants be undone. His nakedness instantly met with an unexpected wave of pleasure like something was running from the tip down the entire shaft, drawing out thrusts from Astarion as invisible motions pumped him at a tantalizingly slow speed. Gale raised his bleeding hand and squeezed more onto Astarion's face as he arched into his thrusts.

"That's it. Let me take you completely," Gale breathed as he watched Astarion's eyes widen.

He looked like he was begging for more, and with each plea, Gale quickened the pace, feeling his magic inside Astarion, pressing hard into his prostate until his moans became gasps. The feeling was dizzying but Gale began to support Astarion, commanding his magic to hold the elf up as he played with his body.

Astarion could feel this invisible force pressing into him, wrapping tightly around his thighs and neck, gliding down his body lightly enough to make him squirm. He shivered in pleasure. Astarion could barely lick his lips as the blood spilled down his throat. His moans were almost inaudible whimpers.

Gale’s voice was breathy with desire as he spoke. "Gods, you are impossibly beautiful,” he said, savoring the way Astarion's whole body began shaking as the sensations became unbearably intense.

“Now, come for me.” Gale’s voice filled Astarion’s mind until he felt himself lose control. With a sharp breath hitched in his throat, Astarion began to come as commanded, and the force that held him pushed the orgasm further and further until Astarion finally let out a gasp and his body relaxed, spent and exhausted.

Gale lowered him down gently so he could sit on his knees, still shaking, breathing heavy. The ribbon that bound him still gave him light pulses of pleasure.

Astarion didn't want the ribbons off yet. To be held by something so pure was blissful. It was Gale's intent, wrapped in his hands. He gripped the ribbons hard and looked up at Gale again.

“Take off your clothes,” Astarion said hungerly.

“Are you sure? But you had said-” Gale was cut off by Astarion’s voice, dripping with lust. “I said take them off. I want to feel your cock down my throat.”

“Are you sure?” Gale repeated with some hesitation.

“Darling, I’ve never been more sure of anything.” Astarion waited on his knees, pants down at his ankles, Gale’s blood beginning to crust along his neck. He was exactly where he wanted to be. The warmth of Gale’s blood was bringing him clarity like he had never imagined. There was nothing in the world but this room and this man in front of him, who’s muscles moved under soft skin, who’s arms rose above his head as he removed his shirt, whose pants came down tantalizingly slowly as he undid small knots at his hips, revealing a full and beautiful erection.

“Now come here, my doll, you can touch me now. I want to feel your hands as I take you.”

Gale looked away in shame. His modesty only served to attract Astarion further to him. He could feel his own dick begin to harden as he watched the crimson blush rise in Gale’s exposed chest. Gale reached out a hand and brushed Astarion’s bloody, sweaty hair from his face. He took Astarion’s cheeks lightly in his hands.

The two men held each other’s gaze for a moment. Both could feel their stomachs flutter with anticipation.

“Oh gods he’s perfect. I can’t be without him. I need him,” Astarion thought in wonder.

“How can this be happening? I’ve never needed someone so badly in my life. I need to be with him,” Gale thought with adoration.

Astarion slowly opened his mouth and leaned forward. Gale gently moved Astarion’s head, guiding his dick straight into the elf’s mouth, and then pulling back a little again, slowly back and forth, coaxing a moan from deep in Astarion’s throat. The sensation made Gale shiver.

Astarion moved down the shaft, taking him even deeper until Gale could feel the back of his throat. Gale’s hands gripped hard in Astarion’s hair as Astarion began lightly sucking and licking. Gale began to lose more and more control, soft moans escaped his lips which he threw a hand up to silence, but the grip in Astarion’s hair only tightened as he felt Astarion begin to lick at the base and back up to the tip, lapping at the precum he couldn’t repress. And again Astarion took him in his mouth, this time almost completely.

“Wait, I don’t want to choke you-” Gale breathed. He could feel Astarion’s mouth curl into a smile around him.

Astarion pulled away for a moment to say “my love, I don’t need to breathe. I’m dead.”

“Ah-but-” Before Gale could protest, Astarion’s mouth slid quickly around him again, this time even further. Gale watched Astarions eyes begin to tear up as his throat was impossibly filled. He could hear Astarion’s moans, feel Astarion choking, yet he continued that sucking pressure, moving even deeper. Gale couldn’t help it, he took Astarion’s head in both hands and began to thrust into him. The deeper he went, the harder he thrusted, the harder the moans from Astarion.

“Ah! Fuck! The sounds you make!” Gale exclaimed over the choking sounds of Astarion around his cock.

Gale pressed even harder, until all Astarion could do was whimper. That was enough to send Gale over the edge. He shuddered, letting himself thrust deep into Astarion’s throat, filling the elf’s mouth with cum. Astarion continued to suck through his orgasm, finally opening his mouth to release him, gasping as he tried to breathe through the cum that had begun to leak from his nose and throat.

“Gods! I’m sorry!” Gale cried as he released the ribbon tying Astarion's wrists and summoned a handkerchief which Astarion gladly took. Gale leaned down, trying to hold Astarion’s shoulders, but Astarion waved him off as he cleared his airways.

“Are you alright? What have I -” A sharp laugh cut through Gale’s fretting.

“Hush, Gale! Hah, you’re ridiculous.” Astarion giggled between coughs.

“That was fun for me, see?” Astarion gestured casually to the cum running down his leg. “It only took having you in my mouth to make me finish again. You have no idea what that does to me.” The deep purr of his voice made another shiver run through Gale.

“Can I please hold you, Astarion?” Gale asked.

“Yes you may, my love.” Astarion replied with a chuckle.

Astarion found himself in Gales' embrace faster than he anticipated. It was a fierce hug that held more passion than he was expecting. "I'm sorry. I was afraid I went too far." Gale mumbled into his neck. Astarion softened at the kindness, slowly allowing himself to return the embrace.

Astarion wiggled loose to look at Gale, who wore an expression of uncertainty, so he offered a reassuring smile. "Gods," Astarion complained with mock drama. "I feel I must have woken the whole forest, let alone the camp." Gale smiled back at that. They both couldn't help but laugh.

"I think we're fine. I have enough paranoia to put a little soundproofing around us," Gale said as lightly as he could.

A blush was returning to Gale’s cheeks. His bashful demeanor made Astarion's chest ache with adoration.

Gale asked with some hesitation: "What did you think? Did you like it?"

Astarion blinked. Beyond the surprise, there was this tender bubbling in his chest which he didn’t anticipate. “He’s too soft,” Astarion thought. But his judgment was gone, replaced with a deep admiration for the man’s kindness.

Astarion let his expression soften. He let that feeling wash over him; let the affection show through his eyes. More than anything he wanted Gale to know what he meant to him.

“You’ve done something for me like no one else has, Gale. You’ve seen me. Of course it was uniquely amazing, but more than that, you knew just who I was going in, and you chose to do that. More than satisfied, I’d say I’m charmed. I’ve never known anyone like you.” Astarion placed a hand on Gale’s cheek as the man's eyes widened a little at his words. “I think this is the first time I’m actually in love.”

Gale wrapped Astarion in his arms and tightly squeezed until Astarion collapsed helplessly, unsure what exactly it meant, until into Astarion’s hair he heard Gale whisper: “I love you too.”

[clonedchaos]

I'm a Track Star, Not a Cowgirl!

Rating: G

Summary: Yasmina finds herself at her girlfriend's farm for the weekend to spend some quality time with her... She didn't know there would be horses involved. Fun fact about Yasmina? This stubborn fireball was an international track star! ...What she wasn't was a cowgirl.

Tumblr Version: ~Enjoy!~

Yasmina stretches and breathes in the morning air. The Texas a.m. was already hot and sticky with a promise of blazing heat later in the day. Definitely nothing like the frigid morning air she was used to in Montana.

She reaches down and touches her toes. It feels a bit surreal to have temporarily traded in her running shoes for black leather riding boots, and her track pants for black and gray streaked jodhpurs.

Sammy had enthusiastically woken her up this morning and rambled all throughout breakfast on her idea of taking Yasmina horseback riding out near the stables.

”We have just the best lot of horses! They’ve all been raised here since they were foals!” Sammy had excitedly divulged before she shoved a mouthful of pancakes and fruit into her mouth. The moment she has swallowed it, she continued in a rush of words. “You’re a top athlete! I’m sure you’d take to horseback riding like a fish to water! What do ya say, Yaz?? Wanna take the reins on learning a new skill??” She had leaned forward in rapt attention with a smile that made Yaz’s heart melt.

She didn’t know the first thing about farm life, much less horseback riding. These past few days she had spent with Sammy and her family had opened her eyes to a whole new way of life.

Something she was quick to find they had in common was that they were early risers. While Yaz woke early for her morning run, Sammy and her family would go out to tend to the cattle or the chickens. It was never a dull sunrise; something was always going on.

Which is why Yaz had confidently grinned and set her hand on Sammy’s. “Of course we can, Sammy. Who better to learn from than the cleverest cowgirl I know?” She had asked with a subtle teasing smirk.

Sammy had giggled, causing another mad flutter in Yaz’s chest.

Yasmina straightens up and works on loosening the muscles in her shoulders. Truthfully, she was excited to learn horseback riding with Sammy. It’s like track, right? It takes focus and determination. I can do this, Yaz tells herself.

The scuff of boots hitting the dirt causes Yasmina to turn around. She finds Sammy striding over to her, dressed in brown riding boots with flowery embroidery and a matching helmet, black jodhpurs with streaks of pink, and a nice flowery blouse.

A black and silver trimmed helmet rests against Sammy’s hip. She holds it out to Yasmina once she was close enough. “Alright, Track Star. Ready for your first lesson?” She chirps in excitement.

Yasmina places the helmet atop her head and clicks the buckle together, adjusting it so that it fit snuggly but wasn’t going to choke her.

”You know it, Cowgirl,” Yaz puts her hands on her hips and gives Sammy an assured wink.

”Great! I’m so excited to get to teach you!” Sammy leans forward, throws her arm around Yaz’s shoulders, and pulls her close. Yaz rests her head against Sammy’s as her girlfriend guides them off the porch and down towards the dirt road leading to the stables.

She’s really enthusiastic about this, isn’t she? Yaz thinks as she listens to her girlfriend ramble. Undoubtably, this was important to Sammy. She wouldn’t disappoint her.

”The last person I taught before Jurassic World was my littlest sister, Catalina,” Sammy explains with a wistful tone. “That little one could barely sit still in the saddle. She almost fell off five times.” Sammy then nuzzles Yaz’s cheeks with her own. “But, I’m certain a great athlete such as yourself can ace this!”

Yaz couldn’t help the laugh that escapes her. ”I do have a knack for sports, don’t I?”

She hopes the same skills she learned in track would extend towards horseback riding. Oh, how she hopes.

The two giggle all the way to the stables before pausing just outside of it. The structure was a large red barn with silver accents flowering across the white edges of the doors and windows. Off to the right was extensive brown fencing for the horses to roam free, with a small fencing arena that was void of any obstacles. Off to the front side of the fence was a pig sty and chicken coop.

As Sammy and Yaz got closer, one of the pigs roll out from the mud and sticks its nose through the fence. It lets out a squeak and an ooinnkk as Sammy jogs over. 

She kneels down in the grass, snickers, and sticks her fingers through the gap to scratch the pig on the nose. “Sorry, Petunia. Can’t talk right now. I have teachin’ to do.”

”You talk to her?” Yaz muses as Sammy got back to her feet. Given how she used to act around the dinosaurs on Nublar, it made this seem a bit more normal for her.

“I talk to all our critters ‘round here!” Sammy nods and heads inside the stables with Yaz by her side.

”I didn’t know my amazing girlfriend could speak to animals. Are you a Disney princess?” Yaz smirks in amusement.

”Ooo, that was always my childhood dream!” Sammy giggles, nudging Yaz with her shoulder. “How’d you know? Oh! Are you some sort of secret psychic like that country lady from that one Esther Stone episode in season three??”

Yaz quirks a smile and gently boops her on the nose. “It’s my little secret.”

Sammy gives her a soft smile before she gestures to the rows of stables on both sides of them. Small, decorated wooden signs hung down from the first floor ceiling. Each read out the name of the horse living inside along with intricate designs surrounding it.

“Since it’s your first time riding a horse, we’ll start you out with our gentlest mare,” Sammy smiles and makes her way over towards one of the stables.

Yaz follows and glances up at the sign. Written in vibrant yellow chalk was the name “Poppy”, surrounded by lovely drawings of flowers.

”Come here, girl,” Sammy coaxes gently. Yaz fondly remembers the times she had calmed frightened dinosaurs on Nublar. Or, more specifically, the Sinoceratops. 

Sammy really is something, isn’t she? Yaz thinks to herself as an elegant pinto horse trots forward and nudges Sammy’s cheek with her nose. Sammy giggles, causing an infectious smile to make its way onto Yaz’s lips.

”Yaz, Poppy. Poppy, Yaz,” Sammy grandly introduces them both as if she were an announcer at a fancy gala. She gestures for Yaz to come stand next to her. Yaz stands before the stable door and gazes at the beautiful mare before them.

Poppy’s glossy coat was a spotted white and chestnut brown color. Her blonde mane fell down the side of one shoulder and her tail flicked at the sight of the two teens. And she was big. Yaz had seen from pictures and movies the sheer scope of horses. But actually being here, right in front of one, helps her see the massive size of these animals. It was breathtaking.

Sammy heads towards a barrel and retrieves a scarlet red apple. She holds it out to Yaz, who takes it from her. Yaz wasn’t hungry, but she knew it wasn’t for her.

“Here, hold your hand out flat,” Sammy gently grabs Yaz’s wrist and holds her hand up to Poppy to demonstrate. Yaz obeys the order— notably trying to keep her blushing at bay— and Poppy leans down to sniff her palm and the apple placed atop it. She plucks it right out of Yaz’s hold and loudly chomps on the fruit, her eyes never quite leaving Yaz’s.

Yaz awkwardly diverts her gaze. Sammy had done wonders for pulling her out of her shell. But she was never quite keen on being stared at. Apparently the same could be said when it came to horses.

”Poppy is a delight. She’s a calm, gentle soul who wouldn’t harm a fly. She’s perfect for teaching you,” Sammy smiles, briefly resting her head on Yaz’s shoulder. “Though, she can be a bit skittish.”

”I’ve got enough bravery for the both of us,” Yaz replies confidently with a smile of her own. She leans forward and gently strokes Poppy’s mane, wrapping her other arm around Sammy’s shoulder.

After a few moments of the comfortable silence, Sammy goes next door to a dapple gray stallion. “This here is Rainstorm. He’ll help us with our lesson today. Won’t you, Stormy?” Sammy chirps in a baby voice, scratching the horse’s dark muzzle with her knuckles. The stallion whinnies in response.

“So, what’s our first lesson?” Yaz asks eagerly as Poppy sniffs her hand. Apparently the horse expected another apple to appear out of thin air. That, or she suspected Yaz was hiding another one from her.

Sammy gestures toward the back of the stable where several bridles, stirrups, and saddles were strung about across the wall. “First lesson: How to Tack Your Horse.”

~

“One of the most important aspects of horseback riding is forming a bond with your horse,” Sammy explains as they entered the small arena-like area. She gently guides Rainstorm by the reins, while Yaz was doing the same with Poppy.

The mare was thankfully placid and hardly ever tugged on the reins. Meanwhile, on the way, Rainstorm had tried to divert from Sammy’s path to grab a dandelion or two. Despite the stallion’s musculature and height, Sammy was able to sternly guide him where she wanted.

Sammy leads Rainstorm through the gate before she steps aside to allow Yaz to come through with Poppy. Once the gate closes, she turns to her.

”So, we’re going to start by walking around this arena with her,” Sammy announces. “Gently talk to her. Horses love to chat.”

Yaz glances over at Poppy. A gentle breeze ruffled the horse’s mane and she reached out to pat it. Right… Simple enough.

”Like so,” Sammy starts and begins to guide Rainstorm along the outskirts of the arena. “How’s your day, Stormy? Eat enough oats? Ooo, your mane is sooooo glossy today!” She compliments and pats the horse’s shoulder. She then turns to Yaz with a beaming grin. “See? Now you try!”

Yaz steps forward and gently tugs on the reins, indicating Poppy to follow. The mare obeys and slowly begins to walk by her side.

”Umm… So… How’s the weather?” Yaz asks awkwardly. Her cheeks flush pink. This is embarrassing… She thinks to herself.

Luckily, Sammy was too engaged in her one-sided conversation with Rainstorm to notice. Sometimes she would reach up and stroke the stallion behind the ears. The horse would respond by nuzzling her cheek or playfully gnawing on a strand of her hair.

Yaz smiles at the sight before she looks back at Poppy. She tries a few more questions; Poppy obviously not responding with anything more than a nicker or snort. The horse kept glancing at her every now and then. By their fourth lap around the arena, Yaz had lost any ideas for horse small talk. Sammy was still chattering a mile a minute.

It was all going a bit too slow for Yaz. 

She begins to jog. Poppy follows suit with a trot. Yaz comes up beside Rainstorm with a smile. “Hey, Sam. How about we start with riding?”

Sammy stands on her tiptoes to look over her horse’s back. “Already? Well, I suppose we can try. You are an athlete after all.” She stops Rainstorm and ties the reins to the fence post. She then turns back to Yaz. 

“Alright. We’re going to use the fence post as a boost for you. It’s how my little sister started out. Gettin’ in the saddle can be tricky,” Sammy begins, patting Poppy’s saddle.

Yaz frowns at that. How her little sister started out? But I’m not little.

Yaz releases the bridle reins and Sammy takes them for her as she moves Poppy closer towards the fence, leaving a gap in between for Yaz to squeeze through.

“Are you sure I need the fence? I’m sure I can get up on my own,” Yaz insists.

Sammy raises an eyebrow. “Well… You can try… But—“

”Great!” Yaz interrupts. She can show Sammy she was going to be a great rider. She can show herself.

Yaz jogs in place momentarily before she lunges upwards. Her chest hits the saddle, drawing the breath out of her. Her hands fly out as she struggles to find purchase. Poppy neighs and starts forward in surprise. 

“Woah, girl!” Sammy cries and grabs her reins, trying to steady the horse and calm her with a gentle touch.

Try as she might, Yaz feels her hands slipping. She hits the gravely sand with a thud and lies on her back with a grunt.

”Yaz? Are you okay?” Sammy inquires, her eyes round. She keeps one hand on the reins and leans down to offer her girlfriend a hand.

Yaz takes it, biting back embarrassment. “I’m okay.”

”Maybe you should try the fence this time,” Sammy advises. “There’s no shame in it.”

Yaz nods and forces a smile. She hoists herself up on one of the fence rails and turns her body around to face Poppy. At this height, she could reach out with a leg and slip it around the other side of the horse. She then pushes off, her hands digging into the horse's mane for balance as she slips her boots into the stirrups. Not the most graceful way, but at least she was up now.

She clutches the reins and looks down, immediately catching a subtle nauseating feeling. It's higher up than it looks... Yaz thinks and swallows down her nerves. She shuffles in her saddle to try and get comfortable. Saddles weren’t as simple as they looked either.

"We'll work on trying to get you to master a deep seat," Sammy says and pats Poppy on the shoulder. She then moves to untie Rainstorm's reins from the post.

"Deep seat?" Yaz asks as her body tilts sideways. She quickly adjusts herself, twitching in the saddle. It was impossible to get settled.

"It's how you sit in the saddle," Sammy explains as she guides Rainstorm away from the fence. With great expertise, Sammy climbs effortlessly into the saddle and looks over her shoulder at her girlfriend. "It means you can distribute your weight evenly so that you won't hinder yourself or your horse."

"Got any tips on how, cowgirl?" Yaz questions.

Sammy chuckles. "You'll figure it out, I'm sure. You're a track star, after all. This should be a piece of cake!"

Yaz laughs awkwardly. Totally... Peace of cake. Every time Poppy moves her head, Yaz accidentally pulls on the opposite side of the reins to try and maintain her own balance. "Right. Of course..."

"First thing's first. You're gonna want to lightly squeeze your legs together. That'll coax her to move forward," Sammy advises. "Like so."

With a click of her tongue and gentle squeeze of the legs, Sammy's order ushers Rainstorm to move ahead at a slow walk. Sammy looks back over her shoulder and gives Yaz an encouraging expression. "Why don't you try with Poppy? Her cue is a pat on the shoulder followed by a leg squeeze. Try it out! You’ll do wonderful!”

Yasmina awkwardly nods and clutches the reins. She hesitantly leans down with one hand and pats Poppy. She then gently squeezes her legs, and the mare starts forward. She could feel the horse's muscles moving beneath her as she fought to keep upright. Sammy gently tugs on the reins to persuade Rainstorm to slow down.

Yaz and Poppy caught up to them. Poppy moves to the left to get around Rainstorm and Yaz has to jerk her reins the other way, unprepared for the sudden change in direction. Soon, Poppy was beside Rainstorm.

"That was great! See! I told you that you'd be a natural!" Sammy commends and reaches over to playfully nudge her shoulder with her hand.

Yaz veers sideways as her weight shifts to one side of the saddle. Her fingers grip the reins tighter as she pulls herself back into a correct position. Poppy's ears twitch at such a sharp tug and she stumbles to the side, rearing her head back. Thankfully, Yaz manages to tilt her head to the side before the mare could bump her on the nose.

"Easy, girl," Sammy says softly, reaching out to pat the mare's muscular shoulder. Her eyes flick back to Yaz. "Heh... Sorry about that."

Yaz forces a confident smile and waves a dismissive hand as she fights for balance. "Are you kidding? That was nothing. I'm great."

"You sure? We can take it nice and slow if you prefer," Sammy frowns. “Can’t rush a horse—“

"Slow? Sammy, you know me," Yaz says as she pats Poppy and squeezes her legs together. She wouldn’t let Sammy see that she was struggling.

The horse moves forward at a walk and then eventually picks up speed to a trot.

”I just really think it would be best if you—“ Sammy broke off as Poppy picks up speed.

Yaz fights to remain in her saddle, the horse’s rhythmic hoofbeats throwing off her own balance. “Slow down! Not that fast!” Yaz shouts as Poppy thunders down the length of the arena. 

Yaz precariously leans sideways as Poppy takes a hard left at the edge of the fencing. It took all her leg muscles and upper body strength to keep from falling into the pig sty just beside the arena.

Yaz yanks herself forward, her hands wrapping around the horse’s muscular neck. “Okay, okay, you can stop now!” She howls, the wind carrying her words to unheard ears. 

Sammy had mounted Rainstorm and was rushing towards them to try and help. She had a panicked stricken look blazing across her features.

Right as Sammy drew nearer, Poppy suddenly stopped and reared up on her back legs. Yaz screamed at the sudden motion and fell backwards, roughly hitting the ground. The breath drew out of her lungs, leaving her gasping for air.

Poppy races away as Sammy hops off Rainstorm and shoots like a rocket to her girlfriend’s aid. “Yaz? Yaz! Are you okay?!” Her voice teems with concern as she sets a gentle hand behind Yaz’s back and helps her sit up. The other hand was cupping Yaz’s cheek.

Yaz caught her breath and leans into Sammy’s touch. “I’m alright, Sammy,” She reassures, setting both hands on Sammy’s shoulders.

”Are you sure?” Sammy frowns and fretfully checks her for any noticeable wounds.

Yaz chuckles and moves a hand to cup Sammy's cheek. She swiftly plants a swift peck to the other, hoping her face wasn't a blushing mess. Sometimes she hates how flustered Sammy made her. But Sammy had always claimed that it made her 'even more adorable'.

Sammy briefly glances over at Poppy, who had thankfully slowed to a halt a few feet away. She seemed to be side-eyeing the two older teens but didn't make any moves toward them.

The ruffled cowgirl sighs and rests her forehead against Yaz's. Her eyes didn't quite meet her girlfriend's and instead focused on the dirt between them. "Shoot, I'm so sorry Yaz... I was being a bit much, wasn't I?" She mumbles sheepishly.

Yaz lowers her head so that Sammy had no choice but to look at her. "Hey, don't say that. I was the one being stubborn..." She took a deep breath and slowly let it out as she sat back up. "I just... I'm a Track Star. You always think I can do extraordinary things, and I... I just didn't want to let you down... To let you see me struggling with something you care so much about..."

Sammy frowns and moves to sit next to Yaz. She wraps an arm around her shoulder and pulls her closer, the other hand slipping into Yaz's. Yaz breathes a small sigh of peace as she leans against her.

"You are amazing!" Sammy insists with the beginnings of a smile. "Whether you struggle with something or not, that'll always be true. I'm sorry if I felt like I was pressuring you in any way. I just wanted to inspire and motivate you. It's what you've always done for me."

Yaz lifts her head to stare at Sammy, blinking at the confession. Sure, she remembered all the times she had uplifted her campmates when they were stuck on Nublar. It was that tough, go-getter attitude that helped Sammy get back on her feet after being poisoned by the Scorpios Rex.

To be truthful, Sammy was the one who had always inspired her. Ever since they had met, Sammy had persisted on pulling her out of her shell. She wanted to see Yaz shine and fulfill all that she was meant to do; she couldn't do that if she was stuck all alone.

And, sure, maybe their relationship hadn't started out perfect. But what relationship was perfect?

Yaz smiles and rests her head on Sammy's shoulder. "And you're my biggest inspiration, Sammy. I love you."

"I love you too, Yaz," Sammy gently replies, resting her head atop hers.

After a few brief moments of comforting silence, they stood hand-in-hand.

"Well, I do say that your first horseback riding lesson went well." She then snickers and playfully nudges Yaz's shoulder. "I can't wait to tell everyone how you almost fell into the pig sty."

Yaz shakes her head with a mischievous smile of her own. "Ah, so that means I can tell them your secret of communicating with all of the animals?"

Sammy puts her hands on her hips before she walks over to gently bring Poppy back over to them. She tilts her head against the mare's and gives Yaz a mock pout. "No! Besides, that's unfair. You're the psychic! Our abilities are our little secret, okay?"

Yaz snickers at her girlfriend's fantasy and comes over to stand next to Poppy. The horse bends her head down to sniff her helmet with a snort.

"Poppy says she's very sorry for spooking you," Sammy translates, running a hand through the mare's soft mane.

Yaz cautiously pats Poppy on the shoulder. "I'm sorry too. She was only scared because I tried to do too much too fast. I shouldn't have rushed her."

Sammy nods at that with a sympathetic expression. "Horses don't like to be pushed. But, given a bit more time... I'm sure you'll get the hang of things. Because you're Yaz! Is there anything you can't do?"

Yasmina chuckles and gently pulls Sammy into an embrace. "I think I'll leave the horses to you, Cowgirl."

Sammy smiles and plants a kiss on Yaz's forehead. "Hmm... Think you can spare one more horseback ride? I have something in mind..."

And that's how Sammy and Yaz ended up on a pleasant hack through the nearby forest trail. It was a peaceful way to end the day, and it was nothing the two wouldn't have wanted more than to spend it together.

[beliscary]

talking with @asamis-jodhpurs about how what dion asked of terence in ran'dellah was just tailor-made, perfect fit, the worst possible thing he could have asked of terence. as his friend, his lover, and his knight!! it's the worst thing he could do to him!! "your orders are walk away and let me die."

and by referring to dion as his prince one last time, terence forgives him immediately and totally. like, 'even though you have asked me to betray myself completely, you're still My Prince (and everything that means between us)'. absolution without strings. for the guy who feels he needs to die for his atonement. i'm running screaming into the woods