#also if you combine these notes and round it out with the coconut water he’s drinking… that would make a bomb fragrance tbh

[foxilayde]

Well well well, what do we have here?

He’s an Aēsop girlie!?

The reverence hand balm. You bougie boy.

Notes: Bergamot, Vetiver, Petitgrain.

And oh what’s this?

Only a psychopath would know what this shadowed Half-turned tube is on first glance…

GOTCHA!

Virtue hair styling cream.

Notes: Sweet orange, cypress.

[snowflake-of-destruction]

A House Divided

A little, silly kidfic Sorikai for the soul, and for @shaky-mayhemm

Note: The more times I try to change colors of the first letters of the first words in each paragraph, the more formatting glitches and scrambled paragraphs I get, so see if you can get the “oh so secret message” without it being completely pointed to.

Selphie was at fault to start with, though, if she was going to be ascribed the blame for the hurt feelings, she would have to be given credit for starting some wheels in their lives turning, which Riku and Sora both agreed she did not deserve, even if Kairi was more magnanimous. Thus, it became a habit just to talk of conversations and promises made when they were too young to fully weigh choices. Still, the most accurate account begins with: one day when they were all young-- too young to even be allowed to swim in the water surrounding play island without an adult in the surf with them--if that gives perspective--Selphie, to everyone's surprise, scored the winning goal in the game of land-blitzball the group of them were playing in order to decide what game they would really spend the day playing, and chose, to absolutely nobody's surprise, house.

How it went down, everyone accepted their fate and divided into family units with minimal grumbling, phrasing which means that Wakka threw the blitzball into the sea and lost it forever when Jecht--the parent chaperone on play island that day who was five minutes away from falling asleep on the sand and typically didn't care what they did, unlike most parents who at least had restrictions about not hitting each other in the head with wooden swords or throwing sand--refused to go into the water after it. 

As it was, the game mistress, Selphie, who should have, by all rights, been content, found a problem with Sora, Riku, and Kairi's family. Specifically, she didn't like that the family was Riku, Kairi, and Sora all together parenting a yellow coconut Kairi was trying to rock to sleep while Riku built him a bed out of sand and palm fronds and Sora cooked dinner for the household--a savoury stew of sticks, sand, and mushroom. She stood with pursed lips and hands on hips, and declared that their proud coconut son, Rekka, couldn't have all three of them for parents because that wasn't how things worked.

Kool-aid stain lips pursed and Sora asked, with all the curiosity and innocence of a child, “Why can’t it work that way?”

Yearning to prove his maturity, Riku tried a more practical, solution based approach with, "Can we change the rules?"

Madly defending her rights as alpha-female of their friend group, Kairi was more direct and firm, her, "It does if I say so," leaving very little room to argue. 

Already invested, Selphie stuck firm in her first assessment, voice gaining volume and rising in pitch to an affronted shriek that doubled down on, "It's just not how it works!" that was rooted in fear that they were trying to sabotage her game on purpose and embarrassment at being left as a single mother since Tidus and Wakka had happily coupled up and were introducing a piece of driftwood they had named Chappu to the newly dubbed Grandpa Mark IV Jecht who "just wanted a damn nap."

Young Sora provided the counter argument of bursting into tears while Kairi used every bit of her clout as the girl who had fallen out of the sky last year to put power behind the statement that she was going to launch Selphie to the moon, which caused Riku to wrap his arms around her from behind in a combination restraint and hug as the glare that he leveled at Selphie over Kairi's shoulder as he repeated his request to change the rules said that, while he'd stop Kairi from launching Selphie to the moon, he was just as upset by Sora's crying and would bury her in the ground. 

Heroic duty calling him to intervene, Tidus left Chappu in Wakka's expert care, reminding him to support the baby's head, and padded over to see what was the matter. He proceed to have the situation explained to him by an increasingly agitated Selphie who refused to admit she was wrong when the other three were cheating and leaving her with no partner to raise her baby with after she'd won fair and square, and, in the end, took Kairi, Riku, and Sora's side. "I have two dads and a mom. It happens in real life. Isn't that right dad?" He yelled the last words and Jecht gave a thumbs up, undoubtedly having no idea what he was agreeing to and not caring.

Even presented with such evidence, Selphie stayed strong, however. "Your parents are dee-vorced and your dad second-married your Papa. You don't have two dads and one mom all in the same house together. That would be chaos!" She threw her arms out to demonstrate the extreme degree the universe would be thrown off by the anarchy of two dads and one mom all living together, "And a couple is a two. When you ask for a couple of cookies even if you want three cookies you only get two cookies."

“My grandmother always told me three cookies will make you sick!" Kairi argued, "So it’s because of stomach aches, not because a couple equals a two!"

“Mmm, no, she's right." Riku's arms slackened their grip on Kairi and defeat entered his voice. "A couple means two. Three is a few. Miss Rosa taught us that grammar rule." 

In wake of that knowledge drop, the argument ended there. Riku was one year older and had been taught a great many things in school the rest didn't know yet, which made him a Trusted Authority. If he knew the rules, those had to be the Enforceable Law. Riku would have liked to lie, especially when Selphie started dragging the still distraught Sora away by his arm to be her husband and pick out a baby with her, but he couldn't compromise his Trusted Authority status. He also ruled out revenge when Kairi suggested throwing Rekka at Selphie's head ("I'm allowed. We're both girls.") both because the plan could "trauma-ato-rize" baby Rekka and cause one billion years of therapy but also because Selphie was not being mean. She was right. The three of them would never raise a baby together, or be married, or be a couple. A couple was two.

Luck decreed Sora and Selphie would divorce after fifteen minutes when Tidus and Sora started using Chappu and Sora and Selphie's baby, Spaceship Train, as swords in a fight over a spot of beach where both wanted to build a vacation home to get away from the hustle and bustle of the beach ten feet away. After a brief huddle, Riku and Kairi divorced amicably so Kairi could marry Sora with the promise that they in turn would divorce soon so Riku and Sora could get married. This triggered a new round of accusations of cheating and renewed fighting until Jecht was forced to intervene and decree that they could either all find a way to get along or he'd row them straight back to the main island. The children meant to choose the former, but the latter came true sooner rather than later

On the way back home,  Sora, Riku, and Kairi were especially subdued, each lost in thought bigger than child brains usually were forced to hold in an afternoon of beach play. Sora was absorbed in planning how to train a pet dolphin, but Riku and Kairi were both still  consumed by melancholy at the revelation about their future, or the restrictions on it.

Very carefully, Kairi traded spots in the boat, going from sitting beside a sulky Selphie, to hanging on to Tidus, to slipping beside Riku. He smiled at her, obviously faking, so she wasted no time in giving him a reason to smile for real. “You and Sora have known each other longer. You two should get to be the ones who get married when we grow up.” She had decided it, and when she decided something, she made sure it happened.

“Even if you knew you would always-and-forever-pinky-promise mean that, it doesn’t mean Sora would agree.” Riku replied after a too long pause, his face shifting into a frown that added centuries not just years to his rounded baby face. “You’re pretty special, Kairi, and pretty pretty too. He might choose you.” He knew then that he’d choose Kairi for himself over just about anyone else, using forever stakes as puppy-love often did when forever to the young mind often only lasted as long as five minutes (or ten, if you counted five as merely an eternity, less than forever).

“You know I can hear you,” Sora grumbled. Everyone could. Sora was just the only one that still cared about deciding how the friends would avoid becoming an illegal trio. “I should get to decide for myself.” Sora sucked in air to puff out his chest. “And I choose that I won’t choose. We’re going to all stick together, and we’re going to be a family. You two have to promise. Nothing can take us apart, and, even if it’s wrong, then we all go to jail together.”

On the bench behind him, Riku and Kairi shared a look, searching for one another’s reactions before forming their own. Riku was the first to nod, and give his word, clenching and unclenching his hands. “I’d make sure only I went to jail to protect the two of you.” Kairi screwed up her face like she was going to argue, so Riku took her hand to hold and squeezed it. “But it should be the three of us together. If you marry your very best friend, I have two of them now.” He paused again and waited, not getting the chance to say more when Kairi and Sora expressed their agreement by jumping to their feet and setting the boat to rock and Mr. Jecht to yell.

Undeniably, it wasn’t the most thorough or well informed discussion, and there were times where the childlike resolve that it was always to be the three of them equally, inseparably, and united in commitment (may the first to change their mind be launched right to the moon) was replaced with doubt or temporary jealousy, but all three would pinpoint that day as an early memory of being faced with the heartbreak that came trying to imagine a life not lived as one--and, yes, grudgingly, they would consider thanking Selphie for making them play house.

[anubislover]

Welcome to the Heart Pirates, Nami-ya chapter 14: It’s All Fun and Games

The Polar Tang’s library was easily Nami’s favorite place on the submarine. For one, it was the coolest room on the whole ship as Law had put a considerable amount of resources into developing state-of-the-art climate control equipment to keep the books in good condition. Secondly, the walls were lined with shelves practically bursting with tomes on navigation, oceanography, geography, zoology, weather, history, and, of course, every type of medicine imaginable. Thirdly, it was comfortable; there were plush chairs and couches, a peaceful atmosphere, perfect lighting for reading, and a large table where she and Bepo could work on maps and other projects.

In fact, that’s exactly where the pair of navigators had been holed up over the past few days. Stacks of books on horticulture and gardening surrounded them as they furiously scribbled on sheets of graph paper, meticulously planning out the new greenhouse. With the money they’d accrued from the gala heist, Clione had managed to purchase the equipment needed for solar lights and the sprinkler system. Now it was up to Nami and Bepo to decide which plants should go where so the engineers could start the installation process. It was trickier than it sounded; due to the combination of medicinal herbs and produce, many with different watering and sunlight requirements, the room needed to be carefully mapped out for peak efficiency.

“What do you think of this layout, Nami?” Bepo asked, handing her a rough sketch. “Rough” being the key word—though there was a marked improvement over the past few months, even under Nami’s careful tutelage, his drawing skills still left much to be desired.

Despite the giant sweatdrop falling down the back of her head, Nami forced a happy grin. “It’s a good start! What corner are we putting the aloe plants in?”

“Well, they need a lot of sunlight, so I thought the west corner?”

She studied her notes carefully, a deep wrinkle forming across her brow. “Hmm, but that’s the area that also gets watered the most. According to the books, aloe needs to be watered deeply, but infrequently; otherwise it’ll rot.”

“I’m sorry,” he replied, round ears drooping as he hung his head, a gloomy cloud forming around him.

“It’s ok! We can make a dry corner—a section that has a lot of sunlight, but no sprinkler system. We’ll manually water those on a strict schedule.”

He perked up at the suggestion. “Maybe we can have a chart or something next to those with specific instructions to avoid confusion? And some plastic curtains to block out the spray from the sprinklers so it stays dry?”

“Great idea!” she replied, smile much more genuine this time. With how sensitive Bepo was, she’d forced herself to adopt a more calm, motherly demeanor when working with him. He was a lot like Chopper; sweet and a little naïve but extremely intelligent in his specialized field. She wondered if perhaps, like the blue-nosed reindeer, he’d been bullied when he was young. Had people thought he was a monster, too?

“Thanks, Nami,” Bepo said, bashfully rubbing the back of his neck. “Actually, the island we’re heading to has the aloe variety that Law uses—I know we’re not ready for a full greenhouse, but maybe we could pick up some fresh plants and set up one of the sunlamps in here as a tester since it’s the driest room.”

At the mention of the captain, Nami had to bite back a frustrated sigh. Law had been pretty much intolerable for the past week. She’d thought she’d seen the worst of his insomniac tendencies when he’d been working on the fertilizer, but this was so much worse. He stayed in his room practically all day, and on the rare occasion he emerged he’d been broody and snappish. Most of the crew had chalked it up to stress and lack of sleep again, but Nami could tell they were trying to hide their concern. This wasn’t a hyper fixation like the fertilizer had been—this was an obsession over something personal.

However, she dared not press the matter—Law wasn’t like Luffy or Zoro, whom she could knock over the head and nag into submission. And if his mood did have anything to do with the Amber Lead vase, she was even warier. She still distinctly remembered his rage after the gala—he’d implied that the World Government had covered up the truth that the infamous disease wasn’t contagious. Maybe he wanted the vase to prove it? To spit in the eye of those who had callously doomed an entire city?

Seeing the frown on her face, Bepo sulked. “I’m worried about him too.”

“I’m not worried about him,” she huffed, crossing her arms stubbornly.

The Mink ignored her denial. “I wish he’d get more sleep. I know he’s working on a plan, but he still needs his rest.”

“Why don’t you just drug him or something?” she asked a bit petulantly. Really, she was mostly upset that Law was needlessly troubling his crew. Didn’t he realize how much they cared about him? “There’s plenty of sedatives aboard the ship.”

“Oh no!” Bepo cried, black eyes widening in horror. “Law’d be furious if we did that! There’s too much risk involved. What if we were attacked? He’d be too out of it to fight or take care of the wounded.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” she acquiesced, slumping forward and resting her chin on her crossed forearms. Chopper would probably have the same objections. Except a sleep-deprived, angry doctor wasn’t much better than a doped-up one. “Still, he needs a nap or something. He’s been acting like a toddler.”

“Careful who you call a toddler, Nami-ya,” Law’s deep voice rasped in her ear, startling a shriek from her throat as she jerked upright, nearly smacking his chin with the back of her head. “And keep your voice down—you’re in a library.”

“Oh, go to hell, Law!” she snapped, twisting around in her chair to glare up at him. “What are you skulking around for, anyway?” Not that she should really complain—he was actually out of his room, after all.

Striding past her, he perused the history section before selecting a large, faded tome. “It’s my ship—I’ll go where I please.”

“Well, how about you please go to bed?” she argued. Screw not pressing the issue—maybe she couldn’t knock him over the head like her own crew, but she could sure as hell nag, and clearly someone had to. And he wouldn’t attack her with Bepo around, right? “You don’t want to screw up someone’s medication like you did last time you were overtired, right?”

The glare he threw over his shoulder was so full of malice Nami shrank down in her chair. Though a valid point, she knew her comment had hit below the belt.

“Watch your tongue, Nami-ya, or else I’ll remove it,” he sneered. Even with the shadow his hat cast over the top half of his face, Nami could clearly see his eyes were bloodshot and the bags underneath were even darker than usual. “Getting that vase is going to take even more planning than the gala, and I’ve got less information to go on and maybe a third of the time. Even if I could calm my mind enough to sleep, I simply don’t have the time to spare.”

“Look, I know you’re the devious schemer around here, but you’re also the doctor. You of all people should know the importance of getting proper rest. If you’re that worried about your plan, I can help you; burglary is literally the reason you brought me on,” she argued, arms spread wide.

A deep frown marred his face as he shook his head. “No. After what you went through on Grimm, I want you to take it easy until we get to Atifakuto—that’s when I’ll need your help. You’re lucky I’m even letting you work on the greenhouse plans.” He glanced down at the piles of papers strewn across the table. “By the way, I want to look those over later.”

She smacked her forehead in exasperation. “Seriously? Your own plans aren’t enough to keep you occupied? You have way too much on your plate as it is. For God’s sake, just take a break and get some fucking sleep!”

Long fingers gripped the book in his hands so tightly Nami could hear the leather binding groan. “Don’t you dare give me orders on my own fucking ship, Nami-ya.”

“Captain,” Bepo interrupted quietly, voice nearly a whimper, “do you promise to at least try to get some sleep when we get to the island tomorrow? Even just a short nap? It’ll be sunny and warm and safe—maybe your mind will settle down there.”

There was a moment of tense silence as a pair of round black eyes shimmered pleadingly, desperately hoping to put an end to the argument.

“Shit. Quit being so cute,” Law muttered under his breath. Narrow shoulders heaved in a sigh. Not even the Surgeon of Death could be mad at the sweet Mink when he sounded so genuinely concerned. “I promise to try. At the very least, I’ll spend some time outside; I’m sure all this time underwater hasn’t exactly helped my vitamin D deficiency. So long as no one gets any ideas about giving me another lovely sunburn,” he quipped, scowling at the mikan-hair woman meaningfully.

Nami held up her hands in surrender. Even though he totally deserved another prank due to his prickly behavior, it was way more important that he had enough peace of mind to get in even a small amount of sleep.

Damn, she thought to herself as Law stalked out of the library. Bepo’s right; I really am worried about that idiot.

XXX

Cousteau Island was small but beautiful. By Nami’s estimation, it had been an undersea volcano that had risen up less than a hundred years ago. Shaped like a fat crescent moon, the majority of the land was covered in lush jungle and lined with smooth, sandy beaches. The surrounding ocean was nearly teal, full of tropical fish and rainbow-colored coral. Fruits like bananas, coconuts, and pineapples grew in abundance, but there didn’t appear to be much wildlife—mostly birds and sea turtles who had decided the uninhabited island was the perfect spot to lay their eggs due to a lack of predators.

“How did you guys find this place?” Nami asked Bepo, not bothering to keep the awe from her voice as they surfaced in the cove. “I’ve never heard of Cousteau Island, and it wasn’t the atlas.”

More than happy to tell the tale of their lucky discovery, her fellow navigator explained, “It’s a summer island we found when a storm blew us off course. It’s so tiny its magnetic field is hidden by Grimm’s, so it doesn’t show up on a log pose—we had to make an eternal pose to get back. It’s also surrounded by a massive reef that’ll destroy most other ships if they get close, but we found the underwater tunnel to get through. It’s completely uninhabited, so we claimed it and use it as a hideout.”

Glancing around, Nami could see the skeletal remains of what looked like a pirate ship wedged onto the rocks, along with debris scattered along the beach. They appeared to be several months old, however, so she doubted they’d be running into any castaways. “How’d it get its name?”

“Cousteau found the safe path to the island, so we let him name it,” Law interjected bluntly, though not without a hint on begrudging affection for the diver/oceanographer. “Otherwise, it would have been ‘Trafalgar Cove’.”

Nami nodded in understanding, too pleased at the possibility of mapping out a brand-new island and taking a vacation to mock him for the blatant arrogance. It seemed Law hadn’t been making empty promises when he told her the island would be much more relaxing. Now all he had to do was keep his promise about getting some sleep.

Upon landing, the crew spent the better part of the morning setting up chairs, umbrellas, a volleyball net, blankets, tables, and everything else they could think of for a fantastic day on the beach. Surprisingly, getting the bonfire and grill started was the easiest part; debris from the shipwrecked pirate ship, which seemed to mostly consist of the shattered remains of wooden crates and barrels, littered the shore, so there was no need to cut down trees. By noon, the last of the preparations were finished, and after a quick lunch, the crew split off into their own groups.

Cousteau and Crozier led Clione, Darter, Sgt. Pepper, Ajisahi, Tsunomedori, and Shiroruka to explore the jungle, promising to be back by sunset with fresh fruit, water, and the aloe Law wanted. Skua and Malamute, two of Ikkaku’s fellow engineers, elected to stay on the ship to perform some maintenance. The rest, led by Penguin and Shachi, chose to change into bathing suits so they could all enjoy some much-needed relaxation on the beach.

“Incoming!” Nami shouted, spiking the blue and yellow beach ball hard over the net, scoring the winning point for her team.

“Nice shot!” Ikkaku cheered, high-fiving her partner.

“And that’s the match!” Ermine sniggered from their spot by the grill as they cleaned the assortment fish Jude, Uni, and Seiuchi had caught for dinner, careful to keep their long brown braids free of fish guts. The cook had been thoroughly amused throughout the game—they’d never pass up the chance to watch the first and second mate get trounced by a pair of pretty ladies in swimwear. “Did you guys even score a single point?”

“Ah, shuddup,” Shachi groused as he fell back onto a nearby towel, though his displeasure at losing didn’t stop him from ogling Nami and Ikkaku’s sun-kissed bodies. Nami had elected to don a cherry red, lace-up one-piece that tantalizingly showed off her legs and cleavage. Ikkaku’s was comparatively more modest, being a sporty, black, high-neck two-piece, though the mesh across her breasts didn’t hide much.

The swimwear had been a tactical choice—the moment Penguin and Shachi had proposed a game of volleyball, the girls knew there was no better way to distract them. And with such a devious plan, they of course added on a friendly wager—losers do the winners’ cleaning duties for the next month.

“Man, they destroyed you,” Jude mocked from his chair, black bowl cut shining in the late afternoon sun.

“Like you would have done any better,” Penguin argued as he took a swig from his water bottle.

“Doesn’t matter—I’m not the one with double cleaning duty.”

“You’re all getting extra chores if you don’t quit your damn whining and let me work in peace,” a dark, irritable voice called.

Law was seated a dozen feet away from the makeshift volleyball court on a wide beach blanket, Bepo snoozing softly behind him. As promised, he’d managed to doze for a short while in the sun, but it hadn’t done much for his mood. In fact, it seemed that with that small bit of rest, he’d become even more determined to work on his plan instead of relax like his body clearly needed. So, despite the protests of his crew, he’d attempted to return to his work inside the ship.

However, the maintenance had proven noisy enough to force him back outside, stacks of books and papers in hand, and he’d sullenly plopped onto the blanket beside his navigator, resolute to get some work done despite the universe’s clear attempts to stop him.

In Nami’s opinion, he looked absurd in his black and yellow swim trunks surrounded by notebooks full of messy scribblings and huge history books. He was like a nerdy brat who’d been forced on a family vacation but opted to petulantly do homework on the beach instead of have fun.

Sure, he was a hot nerdy brat, but she could also see the signs that his obsessive planning was taking its toll on his body. The definition of his muscles was starting to fade, and he looked thinner. Tan skin appeared dull even in the bright sun, and there wasn’t enough concealer in the world to cover up his eyebags now.

“Ok, this is ridiculous,” Nami grumbled with a scowl. She squeezed the volleyball between her hands, briefly imagining it was Law’s thick skull. “Even post-catnap he’s being a grumpy bastard.”

Ducking beneath the net to stand beside her, Penguin nodded in agreement. “Normally I’d say leave him alone and let him deal with it at his own pace, but this is different.”

“He told you what we’re going after?” she asked lowly, keeping her voice down to avoid disturbing the man in question or risk him eavesdropping.

“Yeah. That’s why I’m worried.” Penguin gave her a sidelong glance. “Amber Lead’s a touchy subject with him. Think this is bad? It was way worse when we sailed the North Blue.”

“What’s his deal with it?”

“It’s not my place to say. What’s important is that we get his mind off of it. All this brooding’s just going to make his insomnia worse, and it’s completely killing the party mood.”

“Any suggestions?”

“You could give him a lap dance.”

Before anyone could blink, Penguin was on the ground, a grapefruit-sized lump throbbing on his head. “Ow! I was kidding,” he moaned.

Nami cracked her knuckles. “Got any legit suggestions?” she growled, a murderous look in her eyes.

“Leave it to me,” Shachi chimed in, getting up from his towel. His gait was determined as he marched over to his captain. Standing directly in the man’s sunlight, he waited until Law glared up at him in annoyance.

“Move.”

“Nope.”

“That’s an order.”

“Nothin’ doin’.”

“If you don’t move in the next five seconds, they’ll be using your head as the volleyball.”

“Go ahead—the rest of me will still be right here, blocking your light.”

Rubbing a hand over his frustrated face, Law half-growled, half-sighed, “What the fuck do you want?”

Shachi crossed his arms over his chest. “This is supposed to be a vacation, but you’re bringing down the whole mood. So, unless you want a mutiny on your hands, you’re gonna play the King Game with us.”

Gold eyes narrowed ominously. “Are you fucking serious?”

“Law, you’ve been a brooding pain in the ass for eight days. I get you’re dealing with a lot of shit, but if you expect us to just sit by and let you kill yourself with planning and sulking, well, you’ve got another thing coming.”

“I refuse to leave things to chance,” Law snapped, gesturing towards the large pile of notes and books before him. “The plan hinges on me memorizing all of this. I don’t have time for stupid games.”

“Dude, too much stress from studying can cause brain inflammation and result in memory loss or depression. So unless you take a break, you’re more likely to forget this stuff and your plan will be ruined.”

“Please, Captain?” Bepo chimed in from behind him, black eyes once more shimmering with beseeching tears. He’d awoken at the mention of the King Game; it was one of his favorites, and there was no way he was going to let Law miss out.

Another sigh, this one more resigned as the stubborn captain massaged his temples. The combination of scientific facts and Bepo’s puppy-dog eyes was especially effective in his weakened state. “How long do I have to play?”

Shachi grinned triumphantly. “No less than thirty minutes. Come on; it’s a relaxing, easy game. Heck, you might not even end up having to do anything.”

“If that’s the case, it’ll be an even bigger waste of time.”

“Law, when have you ever considered watching us act like idiots a waste of time?”

He couldn’t argue with that. “Do you promise to leave me in peace afterward?”

“Aye-aye, Captain,” he said with a mock salute. “Now, is your grumpy ass going to join us, or are we coming to you?”

“Fine, fine,” he growled, carefully marking his place in his books and laying Kikoku across the papers so they wouldn’t blow away in the wind. Bepo hefted him to his feet despite his grumbled protests, ushering him towards the group that had formed. Jean Bart, Uni, Jude, Ermine, and Seiuchi had come to join them, plopping down onto the sandy beach in hopes of cheering up their moody captain.

“Ok,” Shachi began, clapping his hands together eagerly, “does everyone know how to play this?”

“We all draw popsicle sticks. Each stick has a number except for one that has a crown. Whoever draws the crown is the ‘King’ and can order one or two numbers to do anything they want,” Jean Bart answered bluntly.

“Within reason,” Ikkaku interjected, pointing her finger at Jude and Seiuchi. “Nothing R-rated.”

“Surprised you guys are so tame,” Nami giggled, glancing around the circle.

“Things got a little out of hand once,” Uni said vaguely while everyone else mumbled in uncomfortable agreement. “A lot of rum was involved.”

“Say no more.” Nami could easily imagine, with a crew of mostly men, just how insane the game could get under the influence of alcohol.

The warm dusting of pink that broke out across Penguin’s cheeks confirmed her suspicions. “Anything goes so long as it’s PG-13 and doesn’t cause grievous bodily harm.”

“Whatever,” Law grumbled from his spot beside Bepo, still determined to remain sour and unpleasant throughout his prescribed dose of forced fun.

Rolling his eyes at their captain’s less-than-enthused reaction, Shachi held out his fist clutching the popsicle sticks. “The sooner you start playing, the sooner we’ll let you get back to your brooding, Boss.”

The answering glare was ignored by the crew in favor of drawing a number, with Ikkaku cheering loudly, “Oh yeah! Guess who’s the King!”

“But girls can’t be kings!” Shachi teased, quickly ducking the fist he knew would be coming.

“Buddy, you’re lucky I’m not royalty—otherwise I’d have you drawn and quartered for that crap,” she snapped, but there was no real venom in her tone. If Nami had to guess, this was a joking argument they had every time. “But as your temporary ruler, I decree that numbers eight and five should do a handstand contest. First to fall loses.”

“I’m eight,” Uni stated, getting to his feet.

“And I’m five,” said Jean Bart.

“This’ll be over quick,” Ermine whispered to Nami. “If he hadn’t gone into piracy, Uni would have been a great circus acrobat. Or maybe a ninja.”

Nami stared at the mysterious Heart Pirate, impressed. Perhaps she could ask him for a few tips—balance was vital when you were a burglar.

To everyone’s surprise, though, despite Jean Bart’s massive size, he kept his balance remarkably well even on the soft sand, managing to stay up for nearly a full two minutes until finally yielding.

“Saint Charlos would regularly make me perform for him,” he explained, tone nonchalant but the tension in his shoulders betraying his discomfort. “I was basically his circus monkey.”

“Crap, I’m sorry, Jean,” Ikkaku replied, looking guilty. Even though it had been completely unintentional, bringing up the former slave’s past was generally regarded as an unspoken taboo.

He lifted his shoulder in a half-shrug, though he wouldn’t meet anyone’s eyes. “It’s fine. At least this time I could stop when I wanted and didn’t get beaten after.”

Everyone in the circle winced. The Celestial Dragons really were a piece of work.

“Alright, next round,” Shachi changed the topic as he collected and shuffled the sticks, trying to keep the party mood from turning sour and to give Jean Bart the opportunity to step back out of the spotlight.

This time, Bepo had the luck of being King. “Uh, I order number three to scratch behind the King’s ears for a full minute,” he said shyly, tapping his claws together bashfully. “I mean, only if they want to.”

“Do I?” Nami called cheerfully, climbing to her feet and scurrying over to the cute bear. Immediately she buried her fingers in his thick fur, manicured nails scraping across Bepo’s sensitive skin in quick little flicks. The Mink immediately leaned into her touch, growling happily, and she swore she saw his foot twitch like a dog’s.

So cuuuute! Nami thought, working her hands even deeper into the white coat. And so soft! Almost as soft as Chopper! She allowed herself a brief daydream of cuddling up by a fire on a cold winter’s night, using Bepo as a pillow while Chopper lay against her legs in his reindeer form.

“That’s enough you two.” Law’s voice broke her out of her fantasy, and instinctively Nami glared at him. However, she didn’t miss the brief hint of a grin that tugged at his lips at the sight of his navigator so happy. “Bepo looks like he’s about to pass out.”

She stuck her tongue out at him. “Jealous?”

His face settled back in a scowl. “If I’m stuck playing this game, I’d rather not waste time watching my navigators fondle each other.”

Annoyed, Nami gave Bepo one more pointed scratch before returning to her spot. Darn. For a second, she’d thought Law might have started to relax a bit. Instead, he was stubbornly staying too grumpy to even flirt with her, and she’d lobbed him a softball!

The lots were pulled again, with Uni earning the King spot. “Number ten must sit in number one’s lap for the next three rounds.”

Ermine was the unlucky one, as Bepo gingerly lowered himself onto the cook’s lap.

“I’m putting you on a diet!” they groaned, voice muffled by the Mink’s thick fur as their legs sank deep into the sand under the added weight of a fully-grown polar bear.

“I’m sorry,” Bepo replied miserably, hanging his head.

“You’re not putting him on a diet,” Law snapped, glaring at his crushed subordinate. “Bepo’s a healthy weight for his size and species.”

Ermine didn’t dare argue. Not just because trying to do so with the ship’s doctor would be suicide, but because they didn’t have enough air in their lungs.

“Since Ermine’s a bit…indisposed at the moment, I think they should sit this one out,” Penguin stated as he collected the sticks.

“Agreed,” they wheezed.

Discarding one of the numbered sticks for later, the first mate held out his fist, prompting everyone to draw.

Nami was the lucky lady, and she gave a catlike grin as she considered her potential victims. Should she demand their wallets? No, they were wearing swimsuits, so they probably wouldn’t have them on them. Have someone kiss her feet? Whatever it was, it needed to be devious and hilarious if she wanted any chance at getting Law to enjoy himself. The man took sadistic pleasure in other peoples’ discomfort, after all.

The perfect idea came to her like a vision from God. No matter who her command was inflicted on, it would be funny, but if luck was on her side…

“Numbers two and three have to kiss each other on the lips for three seconds.”

Inwardly she cheered as, across from her, the first and second mate gaped down at their numbers in abject horror.

“You know, I used to like you,” Shachi groused while Penguin glared at her.

“Ha!” Ermine laughed weakly from under Bepo’s furry mass. “Looks like I got off easy.”

“Watch it, asshole, or I’ll take my sweet time and let you suffer!”

“Nami, please reconsider!” Penguin begged, shuddering at the mere thought of kissing his best friend. “We agreed to keep it PG-13, remember?”

The Straw Hat shrugged nonchalantly, which was heavily at odds with the evil grin etched on her face. “It’s just a peck—hardly anything scandalous.”

“A three-second peck is still three seconds too long!”

“Aww, don’t tell me you’re afraid of cooties!” Ikkaku jeered, which made Penguin blush in embarrassment.

“I’m not afraid of anything! I just have standards!” Shachi defended himself.

“Hey!” Penguin snapped, looking wholly offended. “Fucking excuse me, but standards? I’ve seen some of the women you’ve slept with, and I’m sure as hell prettier than your last one-night stand!”

“The hell’s that supposed to mean, creampuff?”

“It means you can’t attract good-looking women to save your life, barnacle-face!”

Nami rolled her eyes at the childish fight and was about ready to knock them both over the heads to put an end to the argument when she noticed something out of the corner of her eye.

For a second, it looked like Law’s mouth had twitched upwards. It could have been a trick of the light, or he was actually amused by his friends’ obvious discomfort just as she’d planned. Not willing to let the chance to get Law back in good spirits slip away, Nami pointedly cleared her throat to catch the duo’s attention.

Clasping her hands together and batting her eyelashes, she gave her best pout. “Please, boys? For me?”

“And me?” Ikkaku joined in, mimicking Nami’s flirtatious pose.

Weak against the machinations of such beautiful women, their resolve wavered and Nami, locking eyes with Penguin, jerked her head towards his captain and gave a subtle thumbs up. Penguin seemed to catch on to her meaning, as he gave a small, resigned nod before sighing and grabbing Shachi’s head to slam their mouths together for a quick, awkward kiss.

The moment his grip loosened, Shachi jerked away, spitting and sputtering with disgust. “Oh gods! My mouth! You’ve poisoned me!”

“Believe me, I didn’t like it any more than you did, dickhead,” Penguin grumbled as he furiously wiped his lips. Taking pity on the poor man, Ikkaku passed him his water bottle, though she didn’t bother to repress her snigger when he swished a large gulp of water around his mouth before spitting it out.

Meanwhile, Nami peered at Law, hoping his sour shell had finally cracked. But while he wasn’t glaring at them all like he was plotting how to brutally murder them and hide the evidence, his expression was still far from his normal carefree smirk.

“Good to see you’re both so secure in your masculinity,” he sneered.

“Give me a break, Law,” Shachi coughed, though there was a slight hint of red in his cheeks at being called out. “She might as well have asked me to kiss my brother. My gross, ugly-ass brother.”

“Love you too, man,” Penguin replied sarcastically as he collected the lots, pointedly ignoring the rest of the crew’s sniggering.

The next two rounds, though amusing, were fairly uneventful; Jude got his feet kissed by Jean Bart, much to the larger man’s obvious disdain, and Nami, upon becoming King again, demanded a shoulder massage, which Ikkaku was all too happy to give. The rest of the men certainly had no complaints about getting to watch the two beautiful women in sexy bathing suits pamper each other, so the round lasted nearly a full five minutes without even Law interjecting to hurry them up.

In fact, Nami could feel Law’s hot gaze upon her as she arched into Ikkaku’s touch. The engineer was surprisingly good with her hands and her skilled fingers even managed to coax out a few pleased sighs from the thief’s lips as she worked at a knot of tension in her shoulders. Through hooded eyes, Nami noticed the tip of Law’s pink tongue peek out to moisten his lips as he leaned forward, resting his chin on steepled fingers as he observed the motions of Ikkaku’s fingers as they kneaded her skin.

Nami had the feeling that he was taking notes for his own fiendish use. Her suspicions were confirmed when Ikkaku managed to press down on the sensitive junction of her neck and shoulder; Law’s golden eyes practically lit up when she let out a faint, involuntary sound of delight.

The attention they were getting didn’t escape Ikkaku’s notice, either. “God, you’re all animals,” she groused, rolling her eyes as she pulled away from Nami. Patting her friend on the head, she said, “I’ll finish the job back our cabin, Nami. Away from prying eyes.”

“Sounds good to me,” she teased back despite her mild flush. She justified the sense of satisfaction she felt to the fact that, despite the show being over, some of the tension in Law’s shoulders has eased as if he’d been the one getting the massage. He hadn’t quite reached to point of relaxation, but it was clear the game was successfully beginning to distract him from his obsessive planning.

A few more rounds passed before Penguin had the good luck of becoming King. He rubbed his chin in thought as he considered his order. “Number eight has to do an impression of number one.”

“Ooo, I got eight!” Ikkaku shouted, grinning widely. A gleam of pure mischief twinkled in her brown eyes. Across from her, Law sighed, raising the stick to show he was number one.

“Remember who signs your paychecks,” he grumbled, scowl once more settling across his face.

“‘Remember who signs your paychecks’,” she repeated, voice dropping a few octaves as she smirked. Getting up, she struck a few poses, dramatically holding out her hands like Law did when he used his powers. “Room. Shambles.”

The group chuckled and sniggered around them while Law continued to glare up at the engineer as if he was trying to set her ablaze with his mind. None of them felt particularly bad about cheering Ikkaku on; considering what she’d gone through on Grimm, she was probably the only one besides Nami who could get away with a less-than-flattering impersonation of the captain. In fact, Jude and Seiuchi decided to aid her impression by getting up and switching places in the circle, gasping in mock surprise at their new positions.

Emboldened by her fellow Heart Pirates’ approval, Ikkaku melodramatically recoiled from some imaginary horror, face twisting in disgust. “Ugh, is that bread?! So help me, I’ll switch your brain and your bowels if I find so much as a crumb on my plate!”

Nami stifled a cackle behind her palm as she noticed Law’s cheeks heat up just the slightest bit. “I do not sound like that,” he scoffed, arms folded tightly across his tattooed chest.

Ikkaku donned a serious expression, mimicking his posture and frowning down at Law as if in the midst of a stern lecture. Their eyes locked, and an unspoken challenge was declared. “Ikkaku, you can’t install lasers onto the sides of the ship because they’re not yellow! I committed to this obnoxious color scheme, and damn it, you’re not going to ruin it with your cool ideas!”

“I never said that.”

“Ikkaku, you’re the most brilliant, valuable member of my crew and I couldn’t bear to lose you.”

“I definitely never said that.”

“Ikkaku, you’re fired.”

“Now that I have said. Multiple times.”

Plopping down onto the sand and reclining against Bepo, she cheekily flipped her captain off. However, it seemed the ridiculousness of the situation finally broke Law, as his scowl dissolved as he chuckled and returned the gesture, admitting defeat.

Whether he was overtired or he legitimately found it funny, it didn’t matter; at last, the brooding captain was having a bit of fun.

Determined to keep his spirits up, the crew eagerly drew numbers again, each planning their own silly command. Seuichi had the honor of becoming King that round and rubbed his hands together eagerly. “Number nine has to wrestle number six.”

“In the name of every god ever dreamed up throughout history, I will make you fucking pay for this,” Jude snarled at him as Jean Bart proved that he’d drawn number nine.

“Hey, Jude, don’t be afraid,” the gunner countered with a smirk, twirling his thin mustache deviously. “I’m sure Jean Bart will go easy on you. I mean, it’s not like you had him kiss your feet recently, right?”

“Yeah,” the helmsman said menacingly, cracking his knuckles. “You’ve never done that.”

Jude stared at Law beseechingly, but the captain merely smirked and ordered, “You reap what you sow. Maybe this'll teach you to be a bit nicer to your shipmates.”

“This is gonna suck,” he muttered as he squared off against the much larger man.

It did. Jude didn’t even last ten seconds before he was put in a headlock and forced to tap out.

Next, Law drew the King stick, and that oh-so-familiar smirk finally adorned his face. “I order ten and five to worship me and declare how great I am.”

Nami gave a quiet sigh of relief that she hadn’t drawn either number. She wanted Law in a good mood, but a girl had her limits. Game or not, her literally worshiping him on her knees was the exact kind of thing he’d hold over her head for the rest of the year.

After Uni and Penguin finished extolling their captain’s virtues for a good three minutes, it was time for the next round.

“Woo, I’m the King!” Shachi cheered as he held up the stick adorned with the little crown drawing. Behind his sunglasses, he peered at the circle mischievously. Reaching into a nearby beach bag, he pulled out a small box. “Your illustrious ruler demands that number seven and number four play three rounds of the Pocky Game.”

Glancing down at her popsicle stick, Nami silently cursed her luck; the number seven was written at the top in bold, black marker. Brown eyes darted about the group, wondering who she’d have to play with until they landed on Law’s wide smirk. Silently, he turned his stick for all to see, showcasing the number four neatly printed at the top.

“Holy crap,” Shachi sniggered. He didn’t even need to see Nami’s number—her mortified expression said it all. “Karma’s a bitch, ain’t it?”

Gleeful at the unexpected vengeance, Penguin eagerly leaned forward to hand her the box. “No need to be shy, number seven. It’s just the Pocky Game—hardly anything scandalous, right?”

The navigator glared at him before heaving out a sigh. “Right,” she grumbled, grabbing the strawberry pocky and shuffling over to sit across from Law. It was for the greater good, right? They were trying to keep the grumpy captain out of his sour bubble. It was no big deal; she could always break away before their mouths got anywhere near each other.

Smug grin widening, the captain leaned in as Nami slipped the creme-covered biscuit stick between her lips. “It’s ok if you chicken out after the first bite, Nami-ya,” he teased as he gently bit down on the other end, gold eyes bright with amusement.

Fire flashed in Nami’s eyes. She might not mind being a coward in most situations, but this time, her pride was on the line.

Her righteous courage abandoned her quickly, though. The moment she felt his hot breath tickle her nose she jerked away, blushing in embarrassment as she realized there was still a good two inches of pocky dangling from Law’s mouth.

“Ready for round two?” he asked, a wicked gleam in his eyes as he chewed on the crunchy treat.

“Only if you’re ready to eat what’s basically a breadstick,” she countered, hoping to gross him out so he’d back down.

Law didn’t fall for her ploy. “It’s closer to a cookie, really, and those I can stomach. Especially if the prize at the end is worth it,” he replied with a leer, deliberately running his tongue along his upper lip.

Why am I even freaking out about this? Nami wondered as she pulled out another stick of pocky. If we do end up kissing, who cares? It’s just a brush of lips. Completely innocent. No worse than Shachi and Penguin’s peck. More importantly, I can’t let him psyche me out—he wants that way more than a tiny, indirect kiss.

Determination returned, she carefully balanced the thin treat between her teeth, steeling herself as Law slowly leaned in to take the other end. This time, they managed to nearly bite their way to the middle. Unfortunately, a gentle breeze blew in, causing a loose strand of Nami’s sweetly scented hair to flutter against Law’s nose. His nostrils twitched at the delicate tickling, and this time he pulled away, turning his head in anticipation of a sneeze that never came.

“Shit,” he growled, annoyed at his ill luck.

A smug smirk curled Nami’s lips. “Now who’s the one chickening out?” she teased.

“I didn’t chicken out. Or would you rather I sneeze all over your pretty face?”

“Yeah, that was one hell of a sneeze,” she replied sarcastically. She didn’t know why she was provoking him—the man was far from shy about looking for an excuse to kiss her, and her cheek basically guaranteed that he wouldn’t let her off easy in the last round.

She refused to acknowledge the tiny voice in her ear whispering that she knew damn well why she was egging him on. That she got a primal thrill sassing such a dangerous man and coming out alive when so many others couldn’t. Taunting Law was like playing with a tiger; he could rip her to shreds if she grew too careless, but he’d wouldn’t sink his claws in so long as he enjoyed the chase.

Law stuck the final stick of pocky between his teeth, beckoning her forward with a “come hither” curl of his finger. In response, Nami rested her hands on his bare knees as she leaned in, bracing herself as she wrapped her lips around the other end. Their gazes locked, and in sync, they slowly started nibbling along the sweet, crunchy stick.

The seconds dragged by as, inch by inch, their faces drew closer. Nami tensed as she felt his exhalation warm her skin, while Law’s eyes suspiciously flicked towards her hair as if daring it to interfere again. However, neither pulled away, and he pounced on the opportunity presented to him; angling his head and closing the last centimeter between them to brush his lips across hers in a chaste but teasing fashion. When Nami didn’t immediately pull away, Law tested his luck further by lightly catching her plump bottom lip between his teeth before flicking the tip of his tongue to soothe it.

The action sent tingles down Nami’s spine and she finally broke away, cheeks red and breath quickening minutely. It had been barely more than a few seconds—the kiss she’d given him at the gala had been longer—but the tension between them had made it a tempting, sizzling experience.

“So,” Law drawled, watching the Cat Thief as she shuffled back to her spot like the hungry tiger he was, “who’s up for another round?”

The pair was so focused on each other they didn’t notice Shachi and Penguin subtly low-five while Bepo and Ikkaku shared a thumbs-up.

XXX

“Seriously? We leave you alone for a few minutes and you’re back at your plans?” Nami sighed as she plopped onto the towel next to Law, eyeing the messy papers in his hands disdainfully. The King Game had ended not long ago with everyone in good spirits. Even Nami, despite her lingering embarrassment from the kiss, had managed to enjoy the final round where Jude had to serenade the crew by singing “Dr. Heart Stealer.”

“The deal was that I would play for thirty minutes and then you all would leave me in peace,” he replied, not even looking up from his notes. He’d escaped back to his makeshift workstation the moment Bepo had inadvertently caused a commotion when, tempted by the smell of fresh fish, he’d absconded with the large sea bass Ermine was preparing to grill. The rest of the crew had chased after him; some in hopes of saving their dinner, others treating it as a new game.

That left no one but Nami to confront the workaholic captain, even though she would have been happier to keep her distance for a while longer. “That deal was solely between you and Shachi as you were non-specific regarding the plurality of ‘you’. You really must be tired if you missed an important detail like that.”

He scowled, realizing that she was right but refusing to admit it. Changing tactics, Law tilted his head slightly, smirking down at her with hooded eyes. “If you’re so concerned, I’ll take another break later if you make it worth my while. Perhaps with another round of the Pocky Game?” he purred.

She flushed slightly at his suggestion but refused to let him distract her, instead turning her attention to the books before them. “You have five seconds to finish whatever you’re doing before I toss those into the ocean.”

Annoyed, he glared at her defiance before reluctantly activating his Room, teleporting the books, papers, and Kikoku safely inside the submarine. There was too much of a risk that she’d make good on her threat and destroy his work, and he also wasn’t sure he’d be able to stop himself from cutting her to bits if she did. “That’s the last order you get to give me tonight, Nami-ya,” he grumbled. “I don’t take kindly to being bossed around.”

Rolling her eyes at his stubbornness, she leaned back on her hands, enjoying the sensation of the warm sun on her face. Honestly, he should be thanking her. Days like these were too perfect to waste studying, and the tide was coming in—his work would be ruined anyway if he didn’t get those books off the beach. “You really are such a control freak. Would it kill you to listen to the wisdom of those around you for once?”

“Are you saying you don’t get caught up in your cartography?” he challenged.

“Look, as someone who used to be forced to work nonstop without food or sleep for days on end, I fucking appreciate it when my nakama makes me take a break.”

Law grunted in reluctant acceptance, leaning his elbows on his knees as he stared out at the vibrant waves that slowly threatened to encroach his spot. “I do appreciate their concern, but they should also respect my authority as captain.”

“They do, Law,” Nami sighed, rubbing her temples, “but respect and blind obedience aren’t the same thing. You’re practically killing yourself working on those plans; are the guys supposed to just sit by and watch? And considering how…personal this all seems to be, they have even more right to be worried and tell you to take a step back.”

“Yes, it is personal—that’s why I can’t leave anything to chance. Atifakuto is known for its museums and art auctions. If I’m to blend in well enough to get my hands on that vase, I need to be well-versed on history and art throughout the four Blues.”

Ah. No wonder he’d been so intent on studying. “I get it; this is important to you, tons of preparation is needed, and a lot relies on you. But planning to the point of sleep deprivation is only going to increase your chances of messing up. You need to sleep, Law.”

“Contrary to what you might think, it’s not my work that’s been keeping me awake. I can’t sleep—insomnia’s a bitch like that. The body may crave it, but the mind has other ideas.”

“You managed to catch a nap earlier,” she argued weakly.

“Oh yes, because a brief doze in the sun makes up for nearly a week of nightmares.”

Brown eyes widened in surprise. Nightmares? Nami wondered. What kind of nightmares could the Surgeon of Death get?

Realizing he’d given her a nugget of personal information he hadn’t intended, Law’s entire expression closed off as he got to his feet. “I’m going for a walk.”

“Law—”

He turned towards the eastern side of the beach, the bold face of his back tattoo smiling mockingly at her as he activated his Room. “I’ll be back by sunset,” were the last words he said before he vanished, replaced by a broken, rusted metal bar.

XXX

Law wasn’t back by sunset, though the crew assured Nami that there was no reason to worry.

“Law loves to go on long, aimless walks,” Bepo said as he handed her some pineapple slices. He’d managed to eat the giant sea bass before the crew caught him, but they’d stumbled upon some ripe fruit in the process, along with a bed of oysters, so Ermine had reluctantly forgiven him. “They help clear his head when he’s got a lot on his mind or his insomnia gets bad. If we can’t get him to sleep, this is the next best thing. At least he’s not working.”

She hummed in reply, still mulling over what kind of nightmares a man like Law could be having. Were they related to Amber Lead, or was it something else? The man was a renowned sadist and didn’t seem to blink when it came to murder or torture, though admittedly the only people she’d seen him actually harm were utter scumbags.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Skua and Malamute, the engineers having at last come out of the ship. Their brows furrowed as they looked around at the small gathering, confused.

“Where is everyone?” Skua asked, taking a plate of steamed oysters.

“Probably still exploring the island,” Ermine said with a shrug.

“It’s not a big island; shouldn’t they be back by now?”

“You know Cousteau; maybe he found some pond full of weird fish or something and is making everyone document their behavior throughout the day.”

Malamute’s brow furrowed. “I’d believe that if it were just him in charge, but you’re forgetting Crozier’s with him. You know, the man who survived a forced march across an island literally made of ice and rocks? That guy doesn’t fuck around; if he says the crew will be back by sunset, they’ll be back by sunset.”

Penguin considered his words, rubbing his chin. “You’ve got a point. They might be in trouble.”

“Or they’re on their way back now,” Shachi said with a shrug, chowing down on some grilled fish Bepo hadn’t gotten to. “There aren’t even any predators on the island, and if anyone got injured, they would have called on Crozier’s mini Den Den Mushi.”

The bushes behind them rustled loudly, and Shachi jerked his head in their direction. “See? That’s probably them now. Or maybe it’s Law, and you can ask him to Scan the island for them.”

Before anyone could reply, a massive boar burst out of the jungle, squealing in fury as it barreled into the camp, knocking over tables, chairs, and umbrellas. Instinctively, Penguin grabbed a burning stick from the fire and waved the hot flame at the beast in hopes of scaring it away. However, its green eyes flashed in clear anger at the threat, and, sharp tusks gleaming in the red glow, it let out another loud squeal before charging at the first mate, showing none of the instinctive fear one would expect for the man’s primitive weapon.

Acting fast, Ikkaku tackled Penguin so the boar just missed them, the soft beach sand cushioning their impact. However, the beast didn’t stop, using its momentum to make a U-turn for another attempt on the group.

It didn’t get far, though, as Jean Bart managed to grab it mid-charge and pick it up as if it were no bigger than a corgi. As the boar squealed angrily, he chucked it up into the air, watching as it flew in a wide arch high above them before landing somewhere in the middle of the jungle.

“Where the fuck did that thing come from?” Ikkaku panted.

“The jungle, obviously,” Jude groused, helping her and Penguin to their feet.

“But boars aren’t native to the island,” Uni pointed out. “Last time we were here, only birds and turtles had managed to make this place their home. So either it washed up on shore in that shipwreck, or someone brought it here.”

Skua knelt down and studied one of the debris in the woodpile. “This looks like it could have been part of a crate. Or a cage.”

Nami remembered the metal bar Law had switched himself with. “My money’s on cages. Maybe that pirate ship was transporting animals.”

“Do you think there are more of them?” Shachi asked as he pulled a pistol out of his beach bag.

Uni peered into the shadowy trees. “Who knows? Maybe something even worse is lurking in the jungle, waiting to pick us off.”

“The last thing we need is you freaking everyone out with your ghost stories!” Ermine snapped, even as he grabbed a large carving knife to use as a machete.

Penguin frowned as the crew armed themselves with the knives and pistols they’d habitually brought along. “Ok, given the fact that we were literally just attacked by a wild animal, I say we should start looking for the others. If nothing else, if a boar was able to survive the shipwreck, then it’s possible something more dangerous did, too. There may even be human survivors.”

“Do we split up or stay together?” Jean Bart asked.

“Hmm, split up into smaller groups, but no one’s to wander the island alone. That way we all have someone watching our backs while still covering the optimal amount of ground. That work for everyone?”

“Aye-aye!” they shouted, pairing up as they headed into the dense foliage, lanterns and weapons in hand.

“I’ll catch up!” Nami called out to them, sprinting towards the small motorboats. There was no way she was going to go wandering around a jungle with so much skin exposed again; she learned her lesson after Little Garden. She also wanted to grab her Clima-Tact; Ikkaku had been modifying it that morning, so it was likely still in their quarters.

To her surprise, instead of following the others, Bepo stayed with her. “None of us should go wandering off alone, right?” he explained nervously. “And somebody should head back to the ship to call Crozier; at the very least, they need to know there’s potentially dangerous wildlife around.”

“Good thinking,” she said, climbing onto the boat and revving the engine. It only took them a few minutes to get to the submarine, but she could tell Bepo was fretting from the way he clicked his claws together. “They’ll be fine,” she assured as she scaled the side ladder onto the bottom deck.

“I hope so. Maybe they ran into Law?”

“If they did, we can kill two birds with one stone.”

Bepo sighed as they stepped into the comparatively cooler interior of the submarine. “I’ll go make the call; meet me on deck in a few minutes?”

“Sure; I shouldn’t take long.” True to her word, Nami dashed to her quarters and quickly pulled on a pair of jeans, boots, and a long-sleeved top. The fabric was stifling against her skin, but it was better than risking another Keschia bite. Her hand hesitated over her Clima-Tact and holster; Ikkaku had told her she’d managed to increase the power of a few things, but they hadn’t been properly tested yet. Should she risk it? Ikkaku was good with machines and gadgets, but she wasn’t Usopp.

Couldn’t turn out any worse than the first time, she decided, recalling her battle with Ms. Doublefinger. If she could secure a dark horse victory with a weapon she’d never even used before, she could certainly manage with a modified one.

Weapon securely strapped to her leg and delicate skin protected from any prehistoric bug bites, Nami determined she was ready. However, as she trotted down the hall, she hesitated in front of Law’s quarters.

Though her trust in Law had grown to the point where she didn’t think he’d be selling Vegapunk’s weapons research, she still wanted to take a look at Harpin’s ledgers. Wanted to finally unravel the mystery as to why Jinbei had set Arlong loose in the East Blue. She’d noticed some of the research had centered around cyborgs; Franky could use that. Then there was the stuff on Kuma and the Pacifistas—if they needed to fight him again, she’d much rather know what they were up against. There was intel on Blackbeard, too; considering how he was the reason Luffy’s brother was dead, she had no doubt her captain would end up fighting him. Any information she could give him could save his life!

She’d considered just asking Law if she could look at them. Surely he’d understand her reasons; be able to appreciate her desire to plan and be prepared. But the time was never right—he was either obsessively planning and thus rather ornery and volatile, or they were in the midst of some crisis and it would slip her mind. Besides that, she still wasn’t sure why he wanted them.

The information in those books is more valuable to me than everything in that mansion combined, he’d sneered during their fight. But what information was that? He’d burned the blackmail and Marine profiles. As far as she knew, he’d kept his word and not sold any of Vegapunk’s weapons research. Hell, he’d been more interested in his fertilizer formula, and that was as a favor to Nami.

If the research and blackmail weren’t what he wanted, why did he got to so much trouble to get those ledgers? What other information could possibly have been worth nearly getting himself and his crew killed?

By process of elimination, that left the book on the shichibukai, and with his control-freak tendencies and his violent reaction the last time they’d discussed it, she wasn’t sure he’d be willing to part with it.

She could borrow it, though. Grab it, hide it, make a copy, then find a way to return it without him noticing.

Unconsciously, her hand slowly raised to the cold steel door handle. This was the first time the ship had been completely empty. Everyone was preoccupied on the island. Surely she could take a few minutes to grab the ledger from Law’s room, right? Just a quick in-and-out. He didn’t need it at the moment—it had nothing to do with his plans. He wouldn’t even miss it.

Cautiously, she tried to open the door. Locked. She could easily pick it with her tools, though. She could pop back into her room, grab them, jimmy the lock, grab the ledger, pop back out…

She was wasting time. Bepo was waiting for her. What would she tell him if he saw her breaking into his captain’s room? Or worse, what if Law suddenly returned? He could teleport back to the ship without her even realizing, and she doubted he’d be happy to see her there, especially when his crew was in potential danger.

If Nami wanted to get that ledger, she’d need a much better plan than some spur-of-the-moment burglary attempt.

Making a mental note to start working on that once the current crisis was over, she sprinted back to the main deck to find a worried and dejected Bepo.

“They didn’t pick up.”

A thousand outlandish scenarios about what could have happened to them popped into Nami’s head, from cannibals to the island actually being a sentient being that had been slowly devouring the crew for sustenance.

God, she missed Usopp. At least when he was around, she had someone to blame when she got worked up like this.

“M-maybe we should stay on the ship. You know, in case they try to call us?” she said nervously, her old scaredy-cat tendencies bubbling to the surface.

“But what if no one finds Law? Even if the others return, we’ll all just have to head back out into the jungle to find him. It’s better to find him first, and you saw him last, right? You have the best idea where he might have gone.”

Slumping, she sighed. He was right, and unfortunately, Crozier and Cousteau’s team had gone West, so it was unlikely the search party had thought to go in Law’s direction. “I guess you’re right.”

By the time they arrived on the shore the rest of the crew was long gone, so Nami and Bepo headed East towards where she’d seen Law wander off.

“Even if there are wild beasts, they wouldn’t stand a chance against Law,” Bepo assured her confidently as they searched, keeping to the outskirts of the jungle. The tide had washed away Law’s footprints, but they were hoping to find some sort of clue or disturbance along to foliage to see if he’d ventured into the jungle. “I’m sure he’s already on his way back; we’ll find him in no time, and then he can use his powers to Scan the island and make sure there’s nothing else dangerous!”

Nami’s mouth twisted in disdain. She was beginning to understand why Law put so much pressure on himself; his powers, plans, and medical abilities were everyone’s go-to solution for any given problem. She wondered if Law’s control-freak tendencies were because of this, or if he’d always been that way and the Hearts had just learned to pick their battles.

Regardless, Bepo had a point this time—if Law used his powers, they’d know the situation with the island and where the crew was in one fell swoop.

Life was never that easy, though. Icy dread crawled down Nami’s back as she caught a flash of yellow near the edge of the jungle. Heart in her throat, she darted towards it, barely restraining a strangled sob when she realized it was the shredded remains of Law’s swim trunks.

Oh my God! Nami could feel sharp tears sting her eyes as she collapsed to her knees, cradling the tattered mesh in her hands. Up close, she could clearly see it had been torn apart by a razor-sharp blade or, more likely, claws and teeth. What could have done this? There’s no way it was a boar! Please don’t tell me he’s—

She jumped as a set of long, sharp claws filled her vision, only to realize it was Bepo reaching for the piece of cloth.

“There’s no blood,” he mumbled, studying it closely.

Hope filled her chest at those simple words. If there was no blood, there was a chance Law was perfectly fine! Probably buck-naked, but that was way better than dead!

Her happy bubble burst when a strange, husky sound reached her ears. Goosebumps rose up along her arms as she realized it was a growl of some kind.

She lifted her head slowly, only to find a pair of wild gold eyes peeking out from the darkness of the jungle. The beast moved closer, and Nami found herself mere feet away from a snarling snow leopard, its white fangs bared menacingly.

[sugarbombxv-blog]

Chocobros + Island Summers

Tags: @antiloquist @atarostarling @averyverymary @lazarustrashpit @stunninglyignis @tehrevving @xalmasyx @redmasquerade13 @sammy4417 @riding-prompto @miss-pixieice @drpepper280 @tales-of-a-fallen-star @jastiss @kerohime715 ; let me know if you want in (or out)! Notes: Part headcanon, part drabble, part playlist. SFW with a tiny hint of more. Just a bit of light writing whilst I work on my other WIPs. I know it’s winter in most places right now but I live in a country where it’s warm all year round so.. I hope the summery elements in this will help warm you up (even a little) from all that cold/frost/snow! Also, I think my muse just made me fall a little in love with Prompto. No, sunshine boy, I belong to Ignis! If you liked my work and would love to buy me a coffee, I’d be eternally grateful!  

Noctis | Island in the Sun - Weezer You feel the sun-warmed sand between your toes as you take a long, leisurely walk along the beach with Noctis beside you, the both of you talking and laughing as you scale the island, sharing stories and experiences. The sounds of the endless waves join in your conversations, and Noctis stops by a makeshift stall to order two coconut waters, served fresh in their actual husks. He passes one to you and you take a sip, commenting on how refreshing the beverage is in the balmy weather. The two of you continue to wander along the stretches of sand, letting the late afternoon sun warm your faces when you come across hammocks tied to a couple of palm trees by the beach. Noctis climbs into one, and lifts you up in his arms so you can climb into it with him. As you settle into the curve of the hammock with his body against yours, a song plays from the beachside cafe nearby. You lay back on Noctis’ chest and he strokes your hair, the both of you enjoying the last minutes of the late sunshine, listening to the waves lapping rhythmically against the shore. He says something and you laugh, turning to look up at him fondly. He then leans down to kiss you, and the two of you share a discreet and delicious moment of bliss, the ocean air caressing you as you caress each other, ensconced in the safe confines of the hammock, away from the public eye. Gladio | Smooth - Santana ft. Rob Thomas You breathe in deeply, inhaling the lush scent of foliage and life around you. Gladio has taken you on a hike in the early hours of the day, and the both of you spend the next few hours exploring the wonders of nature together, taking in the sights, smells, and sounds of the island. You return to civilisation by noon, both sweaty, satisfied, and starving. Sitting yourselves down at an al fresco cafe for lunch, Gladio gets the two of you ice-cold beers to cool down and you spend the rest of the afternoon kicking back with hearty food and drinks, teasing each other mercilessly over platters of grilled meat and fries. An outdoor band begins to play as the sun sets, the afterlight casting a honeyed glow on the shops and bars that line the street, and the both of you opt for slightly harder liquor, your suggestive sparring only intensifying with the boldness which comes with the alcohol. Not one to back down in the face of fierce competition, Gladio decides on another approach, standing up and playfully pulling you along with him, the strength of his hand warm around yours. The two of you half-walk, half-run across the promenade that faced the cobalt sea, slipping into a quiet side street where Gladio proceeds to push you against the wall in the coolness of the night air, wanting to get hot and heavy with you. Prompto | Sunny - Papa Ya The heavy bass of music pulses around you and you take a sip of your chilled cocktail, smiling at the camera - and the man behind it. Click! Grinning, Prompto bounds over to you, proudly showing you the picture he just took. You pretend to mull over the picture for a second, but before he could make a retort of any sort, you grin back at him, making his signature finger guns with your own hands and aiming them at him. He laughs with so much warmth you melt a little inside, and takes a seat by the bar next to you. The both of you are at the island’s newest beach club, a stylish, contemporary space overlooking the expanse of ocean and beyond. Prompto calls for the bartender to bring you some shots and the two of you down them in good-natured competition, trying to outdo each other. He continues to take photographs of you and with you throughout, complimenting you on your dress, your hair, your smile, everything. You spend the rest of the evening drinking and dancing, and as the night progresses, Prompto dances a little closer to you, yet still keeping to the rhythm of the music. He runs his hands down your waist and presses his forehead to yours, smiling at you in elation, his blond hair falling across his face. The both of you then run out of the club towards the beach hand in hand, laughing as a wave crashes into the shore, saltwater spray filling the air around you, coating your faces. Prompto continues to dance with you with sand and froth around your ankles, only stopping so he can start kissing you instead. Ignis | Music of the Sun - Rihanna The faint scent of frangipani, jasmine, and sea salt tickles your senses, and you close your eyes, savouring the fragrance of the fresh flowers combined with the smell of the ocean. You’re seated in a lovely cliffside restaurant nestled on a terraced plot of land on the island, overlooking the rest of the isle and the glistening turquoise waters in the distance. Ignis sits opposite you, a soft smile on his face as the both of you enjoy a delicious afternoon meal. You share insightful conversations over some of the most delectable food you have ever tasted, and Ignis chuckles at your enthusiasm, promising that he will attempt to recreate those very same dishes for you one day. Shortly after your last mouthful of dessert - a strawberry dipped in melted chocolate, a song comes on and Ignis rises from his chair, offering you his hand as he asks you for a dance. You accept it with a blush, and he leads you to a small open space on the floor by the bar. Pulling you close, he starts to move, and you fall in step with him. He is the epitome of grace and elegance as he dances with you, and he leans in to tell you how beautiful you look, his low, dulcet voice barely above a whisper. His seafoam green eyes sparkle with warmth, and he places a tender kiss on your temple, moving closer to your ear to huskily ask if he can share a different sort of dance with you in more private settings after this one.

[wineanddinosaur]

Could Coconut Water Be the Cocktail Ingredient You’re Sleeping On?

According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, spirit sales are continuing to increase. And with many bars and restaurants still facing Covid-19 restrictions, at-home cocktail making will continue to see a surge, but mixologists are going to be looking for a bit of a twist. By now, many home bartenders have conquered the classics and put spins on their favorite restaurant adult beverages. Cue the search by bartenders both novice and professional to elevate their cocktail game with new ingredients, such as seasonal herbs and spices, or liquor swaps for new flavor profiles. But there is an ingredient found in almost every grocery store across the U.S. that is overlooked many a time when it comes to standard cocktail making: coconut water.

“Coconut water is such an underrated ingredient in cocktails. Not many bartenders use it, and they should,” says Carolina Romeo, beverage director and mixologist at WOODWIND Chicago. “Coconut water elevates the cocktail into a much denser mouthfeel without having it be viscous. It gives a cocktail a well-rounded, nutty finish. Not to mention, coconut water gives bartenders a flavor profile without the added sugars that can cause an imbalance in cocktails.”

Cracking Open the Shell

When you think about coconut water, you may picture sun, sand, surf, and a tiki-style cocktail. But coconut water is a more complex additive, deserving of more than just tropical tipples, say bartenders and mixologists, and is a simple way to step up your cocktail game.

Coconut water adds a heavier texture to cocktails and, because of its salinity, it can help amplify other flavors in the drink more so than mineral water or tonic. “Coconut water is versatile enough to be used year-round and is a beautiful canvas to paint on with all sorts of flavors,” says Paul Taylor, beverage manager at the Columbia Room in Washington, D.C.

Romeo says that coconut water can be a bartender’s secret weapon, as it can help create a well-rounded cocktail that needs extra density and flavor without masking the nuances of a spirit. “Without compromising those unique characteristics and flavor profiles, I would use the coconut water’s mild saltiness to enhance and open up those flavors,” she says.

Sam Nelis, beverage director at Landcrafted in Montpelier, Vt., says that the light body of coconut water, combined with its sweet and nutty flavor, makes it one of the more interesting and versatile ingredients to work with. “One way to use it in cocktails is as a replacement for regular water, like using it instead of water to mix with sugar and make a syrup,” he says.

Nelis explains that using coconut water in a mocktail, like a lemonade, adds depth and a pleasant texture. But, he notes, using it in longer drinks is really where coconut water shines, as it allows for more robust flavor on the finish.

Infusing coconut water with spices and fruits bodes well for use as a ready-made ingredient in beverages like a Margarita, a light Mojito, punches, or vodka sodas with a twist, Romeo adds.

Put the Lime in the Coconut…

While rum and coconut water is a match made in cocktail heaven, there are so many more combinations to explore, both expected and not. “Gin and tequila would be two other spirits I would mix with coconut water,” says Andrew Holmes, Gosling’s Rum Bermuda brand director, adding that the mixer also lends itself to a perfect combination with fruits such as strawberry, guava, pineapple, passionfruit, and banana. Nelis, too, says gin is his go-to booze for coconut water cocktails. “They make a really refreshing cocktail together,” he says.

But Meaghan Dorman, co-owner and beverage director at Dear Irving on Hudson in New York, points out that the nutty flavor in coconut water tends to be overlooked, making it a perfect match for the toffee and vanilla flavor profile of bourbon. She explains that putting a touch of coconut water into an Old Fashioned is a great way to liven up the old favorite.

Wine cocktails, too, can benefit from a bit of coconut water. Playing it safe by adding some coconut water to a Sangria would be a good way to start, but Taylor says to reach for something a bit more out of the box for the best type of liquid pairing. “[Stay] with a lighter version of fortified wine for this, like fino sherry or blanc vermouth. Try adding coconut water to a chambéryzette (strawberries and blanc vermouth), and you will not be disappointed,” he says.

Going Nutty Year-Round

While sunshine on a beach is a pleasant image, coconut water also has a rightful place in images of dashing through the snow. Romeo explains that using coconut water year-round is not only easy, but should be a must. Make a Hot Toddy with coconut water, or a steep tea in coconut water before adding a splash of your favorite spirit.

According to Taylor, coconut water is an easy swap with amazing results, whether tiki or tundra. For the sunnier months, he recommends replacing the mineral water with coconut water in a still highball like the Tom Collins. Once you master that, it’s time to get creative. For a winter drink, he recommends batching a spiced Cosmopolitan. “Add some nutmeg and dilute the whole thing, at 25 percent of the volume, with coconut water. Place that sucker in the fridge, and pour on demand as your guests walk through the door. You will be a hero,” he says.

Holmes says a perfect use of coconut water would be to create a “skinny”-style summer favorite. “I recommended substituting coconut water for cream of coconut to make a Piña Colada with less calories,” he says.

But there are challenges to creating boozy beverages with coconut water, especially if you find yourself using one on the sweeter end of the spectrum. Holmes explains that coconut water already has a natural sweetness and some varieties do contain added sugars, which result in very sweet profiles that need to be balanced correctly, he says.

To cut the sweetness and provide balance, Holmes suggests using a bit of citrus to help brighten up the flavor. Taylor echoed this sentiment, noting that staying away from coconut water with extra ingredients as well as those that say “from concentrate” are key to creating a more balanced cocktail.

But if you’re not ready to go all in on coconut water, Nelis says that using coconut water ice cubes is a great way to bring more flavor to a cocktail, too. “I’ve also seen bartenders make ice cubes with it to serve cocktails over or even to shake their drinks with,” he says. “Shaking adds about 20 to 25 percent water to a cocktail, so why not have that water be coconutty?”

The article Could Coconut Water Be the Cocktail Ingredient You’re Sleeping On? appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/coconut-water-cocktails/

[clamjumper5-blog]

Thai Beef Basil with Coconut Rice

This Thai Beef Basil with Coconut Rice is an incredibly flavorful, easy-to-make dinner that can be customized for all types of spicy food level preferences. It’s on regular rotation in our weekly meal plans!

(This recipe for Thai Beef Basil was originally posted in Februrary 2011, but was updated with new photos and content in 2018).

One of my favorite things in life is going out for Thai or Indian food with Chris. It’s basically like free entertainment when I watch him order food to his ideal level of spiciness. BTW, his ideal level of spiciness is “AS HOT AS YOU CAN POSSIBLY MAKE IT.” He has all kinds of strategies to get the waiter or waitress to understand how spicy he wants his food including telling them, “make it Thai hot, please” and “I want 10 stars!” and “make it as spicy as you can; I promise I will eat it!” But my favorite is when he says, “make me cry!” For the record, in the almost ten years I’ve been with Chris, there have only been two occasions where he’s found the food he’s ordered ridiculously spicy… Almost to the point of tears. It’s generally not even close to being hot enough, no matter how he orders it.

I love spicy food, too, but definitely not to the level he does. Call me crazy, but I don’t quite see the joy in crying while I’m eating. I cook a lot of spicy food at home and love that it’s easy to vary spicy levels serving to serving, whether it’s by adding some additional peppers into one person’s serving, sprinkling on some crushed red pepper, or drizzling on lots of Sriracha (also of note, Chris recently tried to argue with me that Sriracha isn’t meant to be spicy. Hello??). I discovered a Thai beef and coconut rice recipe from Martha Stewart about 8 years ago and have slowly adapted it to our specific tastes over the years. It’s one of the meals we have in our regular rotation now and one we both get super excited about.

It’s delicious year-round, but especially during the summer considering many of us likely have absolutely out of control basil plants growing on our decks.

THAI BEEF BASIL WITH COCONUT RICE RECIPE

One awesome thing about this Thai beef basil recipe is that it’s so versatile and can cater to many different tastes for spice. It’s easy to get the flavor of peppers without too much heat by simply removing the seeds of the peppers. But you can leave them in if you love heat. You can also use fewer peppers for those who are spicy-averse and you can add additional peppers as garnish for anyone who loves it. And when push comes to shove, you can always add garnishes like lime wedges to cut the heat or crushed red pepper and Sriracha sauce to add more.

I should also mention that the coconut rice is an excellent complement to the Thai beef because it’s nice and mild and helps take away a little bit of the heat in each bite.

WHAT KIND OF PEPPERS SHOULD I USE?

The good news is that you can really use any type of spicy pepper for this dish. I love using Thai chili peppers, but they can sometimes be tough to find, so I often substitute with habanero peppers or long hot chili peppers. If you want a little less heat, but still lots of flavor, use jalapeño peppers. And like I mentioned above, keep in or remove the seeds depending on your preferences.

CAN I SUBSTITUTE QUINOA OR BROWN RICE?

Yes! I actually make this dish all the time with quinoa and occasionally use brown rice, too. But it’s definitely at it’s most indulgent and best with jasmine rice. The jasmine rice is so light and fluffy with an awesome touch of sweetness from the coconut milk. Quinoa and brown rice have more of a nutty flavor and the coconut milk isn’t quite as prevalent in it. But since I like to make a big batch of this and eat it for leftovers throughout the week, I often try to make it a bit healthier with quinoa. You can use whatever type of grain you prefer!

CAN I SUBSTITUTE GROUND CHICKEN, GROUND PORK, OR STEAK?

Yes to all! Obviously you may not be able to call this “beef basil” depending on what meat you use, but you can certainly use any type of ground beef or even steak in this dish. I told you it was versatile!

You’ll want to get your rice started first and then get going on the rest of the recipe. It’s a quick and easy one, which means you’ll have dinner on the table in no time. Though my husband doesn’t do too much to help out in the kitchen, he always offers to chop my chili peppers and garlic for this recipe, which is pretty much the toughest part. If you’re chopping the peppers, I recommend wearing gloves… Especially if you wear contacts. If you’ve never felt the pain of touching your eye after chopping a hot pepper, count yourself very lucky!

After sautéing half the hot peppers and all the garlic, you’ll add the beef, then mix in a soy sauce/fish sauce/sugar solution and then add in chopped tomatoes, basil, and remaining peppers and briefly cook.

Serve the fluffy coconut rice in a bowl with the beef basil served over the top. If you love the spice, sprinkle on additional chopped peppers, a little crushed pepper, and a Sriracha drizzle. And top off with lime wedges. Even if you’re not trying to cut the heat, there’s something so delicious about a little bit of fresh lime juice squeezed on the top of this dish.

Thai beef basil is actually the dish Chris most often orders when we’re at a Thai restaurant, so it makes me extra happy that he loves my version so much. I haven’t actually made him cry… But I’ve gotten his serving to the spicy level that he’s talking about when he says “make me cry.”

I know this isn’t really traditional Thai food and is definitely Americanized (especially if you’re using jalapeño peppers or quinoa!), but it’s an eclectic fusion dinner that is sure to satisfy most Thai food cravings… Which I get all the time!

Honestly, I think my favorite part of this dish is all that fresh basil. I want a piece of basil in every bite! It’s funny because Chris often leaves his basil behind and makes sure to eat every single pepper.

Believe it or not, it’s actually quite rare that I make recipes twice. I just love trying new things too much and unless a recipe is off-the-walls amazing, I probably won’t make it again for quite a while. This Thai beef basil qualifies as off-the-walls amazing. Plus, it’s so quick and simple, that it’s one of those meals I can add to my weekly meal plan and know that I won’t have to spend all night in the kitchen. It’s right up there with tacos as one of our “eat all the time” meals.

I should note that I actually have managed to make Chris cry with spicy food just once in our 10 years together. It was with a ridiculously spicy ghost chili pepper sauce that we used ONE drop of in mac and cheese. He claims his hearing was affected and refused to go near it again. I opted out of trying it. Do you blame me??

How spicy do you like your food?

If you’re looking for other recipes with a kick, check out my Spicy Clam Chowder with Corn or my Spicy Lime Linguine with Clams and Sausage.

5 from 3 votes

Print

Thai Beef Basil

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

35 mins

  This Thai Beef Basil with Coconut Rice is an incredibly flavorful, easy-to-make dinner that can be customized for all types of spicy food level preferences. 

Course: Entree

Cuisine: Eclectic, Fusion, Thai

Keyword: Beef, Rice, Spicy

Servings: 6 servings

Author: Sues

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups jasmine rice (can also use brown rice or quinoa)

1 can light coconut milk

1 1/4 cups water

1 tsp salt

1 Tbsp vegetable oil

2 Tbsp chopped Thai chili peppers (can also use habanero, long hot chili peppers, or jalapeño peppers), seeds removed to tone down heat if desired + additional peppers for topping if extra heat is desired

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 lb. lean ground sirloin

3 Tbsp fish sauce

3 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce

1 tsp granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups loosely packed fresh basil

2 small tomatoes, chopped

Lime wedges, for garnish

crushed red pepper, for topping

Sriracha, for serving

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, combine rice, coconut milk, water, and salt. Let mixture come to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and cover. Let simmer until all the water has been absorbed and the rice is nice and fluffy, about 20 minutes. 

While the rice is cooking, heat a cast-iron skillet or wok over high, add the oil, and toss in half the hot peppers and garlic. Cook for about 15 seconds. Turn the heat down to medium-high and add the beef and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, for about 5 minutes, until just cooked through.

In a small bowl, stir together fish sauce, soy sauce, and sugar. Stir this mixture into the beef and cook for another 30 seconds.

Add basil, tomatoes, and remaining peppers and stir to combine. When basil is starting to wilt, remove pan from heat, about 30 seconds.

Serve coconut rice in bowls and top with beef basil mixture. Garnish with lime wedges, crushed red pepper, and Sriracha sauce, if desired. For extra heat, add additional chopped peppers.

Recipe Notes

Adapted from Martha Stewart

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Source: https://wearenotmartha.com/thai-beef-basil-with-coconut-rice/

[chairfreon5-blog]

Healthy Harvest Cookies

Learn how to make healthy harvest cookies from scratch! So easy & no mixer required! They’re really soft & chewy, naturally sweetened & only 104 calories!

  A handful of times throughout the year, my family drives to our favorite brunch spot located about an hour away from our house. It’s a family-owned restaurant with a few locations sprinkled around Northern California, and it’s always worth the trek.

As soon as we walk through the door, we look around and try to find our favorite waiter. Even if we’re seated in another server’s section, he still stops by our table to say hi and give us hugs.  

  Although we usually arrive in the very late morning or right around lunchtime, we still order from the breakfast menu—and almost always the same things! Mom switches between the huevos rancheros and steamed veggies with scrambled eggs, my brother opts for a country-style hash brown skillet (he’s allergic to eggs, which eliminates 90% of the menu!), Dad picks an omelette from the specials, and I go with the steamed veggies with egg whites or chicken.

Yet the best parts of the meal are always the towering slices of warm, supremely tender blueberry coffee cake topped with sweet cinnamon streusel… Served with extra butter, if you’re like my parents!  

  On our last visit, the restaurant was much busier than usual, so we stood next to the hostess stand for a few minutes until a table cleared. As we waited, I glanced up at the chalkboard in the entryway, which listed their seasonal specials and a selection of baked items in their glass display case.

My eye immediately jumped to the latter (no surprises there!), and my eyes lit up at the description of their harvest cookies: oatmeal cookies made with whole wheat flour, raisins, dried cranberries, nuts, coconut, and honey. I even pulled out my phone to snap a quick picture so I could recreate them at home!  

  And that’s exactly what I did! These Healthy Harvest Cookies contain the same ingredients as the ones from our favorite restaurant. They’re extremely soft and chewy (just the way I love my cookies!), and I don’t have to drive an hour to get them anymore!

Even better? Theses healthy harvest cookies are really easy to make (no mixer required!) and have no refined flour or sugar. Plus they’re just 104 calories!  

  So let’s talk about how to make these healthy harvest cookies!

You’ll start with a combination of whole wheat flour (or gluten-free, if needed!), instant oats (this kind—or these for gluten-free!), and cinnamon. This is my favorite cinnamon because it tastes stronger and sweeter than the regular kind, and I use it in all of my baking!

Instant oats are also called “quick cooking” or “one minute” oats. They’re smaller and thinner than traditional old-fashioned rolled oats, which gives your healthy harvest cookies that irresistible soft and chewy texture. You can find them in canisters right next to the old-fashioned oats at the grocery store.  

  Remember, it’s extremely important that you measure the flour and oats correctly, using this method or a kitchen scale. (← That’s the one I own and love!) Too much of either ingredient will dry out your dough and make your cookies taste cakey or crumbly, rather than soft and chewy. This is especially true of the oats because they act like little sponges and soak up lots of moisture from your cookie dough!

Just like in the rest of my healthy oatmeal cookie recipes, you’ll skip the refined granulated sugar and add an unrefined sweetener to these healthy harvest cookies instead. This time, it’s honey! I love the way its flavor pairs with the mix-ins…  

  And those mix-ins are raisins, dried cranberries, pecans, and shredded unsweetened coconut (this kind!). Lots of yummy things! The originals used walnuts, but I opted for pecans in my healthy harvest cookies because of my family’s walnut allergies. I’m also not a fan of nuts or coconut in my cookies, so… I only added a little bit—just enough to taste! 😉

Then I have a special trick for the raisins and dried cranberries! Add them to a small microwave-safe bowl. Cover them with water, and place a lid or sheet of plastic wrap on top. Microwave that on high for 1 minute, and let the bowl sit while you mix together the rest of the ingredients. This special trick hydrates the raisins and dried cranberries, so they taste extra sweet and juicy in your healthy harvest cookies!

One last thing! These healthy harvest cookies don’t spread very much while baking, so I highly recommend flattening them with a spatula before baking. This way, you end up with regularly shaped cookies instead of spherical ones!  

  With how much as I love these harvest cookies, I don’t think I can limit them just to the fall… I definitely want to eat them all year round! 😉 And when you make your own, remember to snap a picture and share it on Instagram using #amyshealthybaking and tagging @amyshealthybaking IN the photo itself! (That guarantees I’ll see your picture! 😊) I’d love to see your healthy harvest cookies!

Healthy Harvest Cookies

Print

Yields: 15 cookies

These soft and chewy oatmeal cookies are perfect for fall—or eating all year round! (I won’t judge!) They’re full of sweet raisins and dried cranberries, with just a sprinkling of pecans and coconut, and have a cozy cinnamon background flavor. Such a delicious combination! These cookies will last for at least one week if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They freeze well, too!

In a medium bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, egg white, and vanilla. Stir in the honey. Add in the oat mixture, stirring just until incorporated. Fold in the raisins, dried cranberries, pecans, and coconut. Chill the cookie dough for 20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 325°F, and line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.

Using a spoon and spatula, drop the cookie dough into 15 rounded scoops onto the prepared sheet. Flatten to the desired thickness and width using a spatula. Bake at 325°F for 9-12 minutes. Cool on the pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack.

Notes: It’s extremely important to measure both the oats and flour correctly using this method or a kitchen scale. (← That’s the one I own and love!) Too much of either will dry out the cookies and leave them cakey instead of chewy.

For the gluten-free flour, I recommend the following: ½ cup (60g) millet flour, 2 tablespoons (15g) tapioca flour, 2 tablespoons (15g) brown rice flour, and ½ teaspoon xanthan gum. Most store-bought gluten-free flour blends (like this one!) will also work, if measured like this.

Instant oats are also known as quick-cooking or minute oats. They come in large canisters, just like old-fashioned oats. They are not the ones in the small flavored packets of oatmeal. To make your own, add the same amount of old-fashioned rolled oats to a food processor, and pulse 10-12 times or until the oats are about ¼ to ⅛ of their original size.

If your raisins and dried cranberries are older, drier, or not very plump or juicy… Add them to a microwave-safe bowl, and pour water on top until they’re completely covered. Seal plastic wrap over the top (or place a plate on top!), and microwave the bowl on high for 1 minute. If you let the raisins and dried cranberries sit while mixing together the cookie dough, this little trick hydrates them so they’re really soft and juicy!

For a shortcut, I used these pre-chopped pecans! They’re SO handy to have around! If you prefer, you can substitute walnuts instead.

This is the shredded unsweetened coconut that I used. Shredded sweetened coconut may be substituted.

I’m not a huge fan of nuts or coconut in my baked goods, which is why the amounts are fairly small. You’re welcome to increase either or both, if you prefer!

For answers to all other questions regarding substitutions and tips, see my Oatmeal Cookie FAQ page.

gluten-free, clean eating, low fat

3.2.2925

View Nutrition Information + Weight Watchers Points     You may also like Amy’s other recipes… ♡  The Ultimate Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies ♡  Healthy Flourless Chocolate Cowboy Cookies ♡  Healthy Banana Oatmeal Raisin Cookies ♡  Healthy Cranberry Banana Oatmeal Cookies ♡  Healthy Loaded Carrot Cake Oatmeal Cookies ♡  …and the rest of Amy’s healthy oatmeal cookie recipes!

Source: https://amyshealthybaking.com/blog/2018/09/11/harvest-cookies/

[soulexplorer21]

#Travel #ShortStory

WHERE WAS I?

"What screws up the most in life is the picture in our head of how it's supposed to be."

A young lady, who is in her mid-20s, is blankly stare to the unpainted white wall, hands carrying her heavy face and having a sigh when she repeatedly pronouced words in the sentence as if remembering it. As she about to complete reciting the whole sentence, an unintentional noise of the person's movement laying in bed made her back to her conscious self. She look at her and immediately go to where she is with tears in her eyes.

In a spacious room, unpainted walls and ceiling, white curtains parted into sides, clear windows widely welcome a sunray, the girl who was named Aeriel gently open her eyes after a week of sleep. The morning feels so good but definitely not to her. She got a tightly embrace from a teary-eyed Sunshine. No words leaves from their mouth. It looks like they missed each other so much.

"This isn't my room. . . I knew it! . . . Again?" A deep sigh came out from Aeriel and tears begin to fall. Her body doesn't coordinate on what her mind wants to do. She wants to be out in the bed but trying to make a single move, she can't.

As sunshine and the nurse enter the room, Aeriel immediately wipe her tears, and she asked them desperately: "Can I have a walk for awhile?"

Her nurse promised to grant her request after doing some examination to her condition.

Aeriel sitting on a wheelchair with Sunshine behind, roam around to a tiny peaceful hallway. She remembered the last person her eyes saw before a familiar incident happened again.

"Where is he?" her mind unconsciously speak it out loud.

"You mean, Light?" Sunshine asked her in return.

Aeriel got confused and embarrassed. She just nodded in response.

"Our mom forced him to take a rest. She forced him because he doesn't really want to be away by your side," Sunshine explained.

Filled with emotions inside, Aeriel remains silent.

Too many doors are close and occupied. Aeriel decided to move the wheels on her own when she saw Sunshine needs some rest, too.

Her sight was glued to a slightly open door; a familiar face caught her attention. The room looks the same with hers.

"Why he is here? . . . What he is thinking? . . . He seems at peace but I feel he isn't," she started questioning herself in silence; scared that he might hear her from a far.

Her heart pounded faster, and questioned herself:

"Is it just a dream? . . . Where am I?"

Two weeks ago, Aeriel San Buenaventura was invited by Vergara family in a short Christmas vacation to Ilocos Norte.

She was an introvert person who doesn't want to be in a crowd. Choosing between staying at home or hanging out with friends or family and relatives, she will definitely choose the first one. But, Vergara family is as special as her biological family. She can't resist to reject them. So, Aeriel having no plans in Christmas will be out on a vacation.

The famous Patapat Viaduct road in Ilocos Norte was the first one that carried them in owe because of its beauty. Vergara family used two vehicles for this vacation: one is the classy black car owned by the eldest daughter, Sunshine Vergara and the other one is a family car which is more capacious than Sunshine's. Light Vergara, who is the youngest in the family, and Aeriel are with Sunshine in her car.

The Vergara siblings, who are sitting in front, scream in excitement:

"This will be a fun ride!"

Aeriel on the backseat agreed on what she have heard.

Full of tourist people, riders and parked vehicles on the road, impressive gigantic mountain and falls, a clear blue water on the side are the mesmerizing view that anyone could enjoy while on the way to their destination. Aeriel and the whole family were jealous on what they are witnessing so they had a quick stay on the road.

Taking pictures are mostly what they did.

Sunshine being the photographer-slash-photo editor-slash-photo director of the family, took lots of photo of them, and she was absolutely joyous doing it.

Strictly following their family car, they had a stop-over to the historical church in Ilocos: The Paoay Church.

This is their first time in Ilocos yet this church isn't new to them, it was featured in some media platforms but when they stepped in in front of it:

"Wooh! . . . Amazing," Sunshine said.

"Marvelous!. . . No doubt, it carried a Philippine history," Light stated.

Aeriel giggled and said, "Agree. Plus its well known three-story bell tower!" she pointed out, "and it looks great in person."

Hours have passed, and the whole family decided to have another ride.

With Light's playful glance to her sister, he asked eagerly:

"Can I drive? Please. . ."

Although hesitant, Sunshine gave him the approval:

"Fine. But Light, . . . drive safely. I will seat here in the back. Ae, would you mind sitting beside Light for the meantime?" she asked Aeriel.

In an instant Ae replied: "Ohh. . . No problem sis."

Aeriel already hop in inside the car. A teasing glare on her side waited her round beautiful eyes to motion towards him.

"What?" she asked curiously.

His smile couldn't hide from forming a half round shape in his now rosy cheeks. As he started the engine, he whispered carefully: "I'll stay by your side even the ride wouldn't last long."

She was surprised by the sudden choice of words. She felt something serious yet disregarded it in her thought, and just give him a genuine smile.

The relaxing songs played inside the car are joining to the surrounding outside; they chose to just embrace the endless cold breeze of the season.

Light, being a curious adventurous young man, previously checked some places here in Ilocos.

"Hey. Hey! Where are we heading? I couldn't see our family car," Sunshine noticed.

Calmly Light explained: "Relax sis. "We will just try this food. I'm sure you guys will love it," he said confidently, "and don't worry I searched this place. I will contact Mom as we arrive there."

While a deep sigh was done at the back, on the opposite seat in front was a abruptly sound of the stomach.

Light glance at her then turned back his eyes on the road, he controlling his mischievous smile but Ae saw it and blurted out: "I am not hungry. My stomach is!"

This moment, Sunshine joins Light in laughter. Ae didn't argue anymore.

"We are here!" Light announced.

He brought the two into the place where the iconic delicious empanada is. Looking on his side by side, the girls are already ordering and finding vacant seats. He immediately run towards to their direction.

They ate the empanada in the way they're comfortable: putting only vinegar sauce, filling with ketchup sauce, and a combination of the two.

Vergara family discovered a newly open hotel that has a homey ambiance. It offered different accomodations. Sunshine and Aeriel will share to a room while Light will join the other boys in the family.

The next day the Christmas season vibes wakes up Aeriel from her dreamland, her eyes were landed on her plain journal that was mixed on her already ruined bag.

A note was written on it: "What screws up the most in life is the picture in our head of how it's supposed to be."

Unexpectedly, she felt eyes staring from behind. Sunshine already woke up, do a morning stretching, and inhale fresh air. "Good morning, Ae! What are you doing there?" she asked.

"Good morning, sis! I'm about to fix my things," she answered.

Aeriel didn't let the third knock in the door when she move the doorknob: "Hey!" she greeted.

Grinning he pushed the door slowly: "Ae, I want to come in," he stated. "Only if you don't mind," he added sarcastically.

She turned her back in an instant and chose to ignore him, she just said: "Whatever!"

While waiting for the girls to be prepared, Light made himself busy by eating snacks while watching in television. He was interrupted and surprised by the girl in front of the mirror.

He was caught staring to Aeriel so he got a playful smirk from his sister. "Enjoying the view, bro?" she asked mischievously.

"Yes. Happy?" he simply yet sarcastically stated.

Sunshine can't help but to smile endlessly.

"I'm done," Aeriel said.

The Vergara family decided to visit the Berglick Restaurant near in the hotel. It was known for its Filipino-German dishes. They occupied a long wooden table at the terrace. The dancing tall coconut trees joined the cooling freshness of the air that touches everyone's skin.

Mrs. Vergara informed Aeriel about her phone ringing repeatedly: "Ae, I think someone's calling you."

"Ohh. I didn't notice. Thank you, Tita!"

"It's Dad," she added.

"Go ahead! Answer it first."

Aeriel nodded in response.

"Aeriel!" A delightful voice was heard from the other line. "How are you, Ae?"

"So far, so good, Dad! Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. I'm with them.

"Okay, Ae. I'm at peace hearing your voice and knowing you're fine. Just take care of yourself."

Aeriel answered: "How about you, Dad? How's working there in Dubai? Rest if they'll give you time, okay? Don't be too workaholic."

"I'm having my free time today, Ae. I'll call you again."

Ae, Light and Sunshine were last to leave the restaurant. They went to Bangui Windmills Farm. A tall numerous Windmills are standing meters away from each other. Other tourists grab the chance to take pictures of them, so they also did.

Wandering on the seaside barefoot is what they did next. The tiny white sand on their foot felt as if massaging it. Having a thought that they might ruin this good moment of them enjoying the view and each other's company, no one talked for awhile.

After hours passed, one of Vergara siblings' cousins called Light because of an urgent phone call, Aeriel and Sunshine left on the other side of the beach.

Sunshine suddenly asked Ae: How are you, Ae? Are you having fun today?"

Ae smiles but didn't give a look at her. "I'm glad. . . knowing I have all of you in this vacation!" she sincerely let these words out.

"I'm glad to hear that, Ae." Sunshine holds her hand tightly.

Ae just give a glance to their hands yet satisfaction will witness in her eyes.

Aeriel didn't saw Light even until the night comes. When Sunshine finally went back to their room, Ae doesn't hesitate to asked her:

"Have you seen Light? Did he already went back after the phone call earlier?"

"I've been in their room, Ae. Everything's fine," she answered. "You take a rest, too," she suggested.

On the next day, Aeriel woke up late. She supposed to join on the family meal here in the hotel but unfortunately didn't happen. She was ready to go out of the bed when a sudden noise of the doorknob open that made her stop from moving, a dressed up young man entered the room.

Ae ran abruptly towards to Light and give him a hug; he jokingly act that he was choked. Ae blushed and playfully punch him instead.

"Where have you been?" she asked Light instantly.

"Do you missed me that much?" he asked her, too.

Ae nodded multiple times.

"Someone needs to talk to me yesterday. I didn't make to go here after because it was already late." Light explained.

"Will you join on a boat ride later?" he asked.

"Interesting! Where we will go?" Ae replied.

"It's a secret," he said.

Aeriel didn't know that they're just the two of them who will go to Makagutugut Rock.

"I'll tie your hair!" he doesn't asked, it just a plain statement. As Light finished making her hair looks nice, the old man was also done preparing the boat.

"Hop in," Light said.

While roaming around, an irresistibly attractive view on the sea made Light and Ae just appreciate it. A gigantic two formation of rocks are waiting for their boat to pass in between to go on the side of the place full of white small rocks instead of a sand.

The noise of the flashing small waves in the rocks made their inner spirit chill for awhile.

"Ae, I hope you're having fun," Light said it sincerely.

"I am!" she said assuring him through eye-contact.

"I am genuinely happy when you accept our invitation. How are you?"

"Before this vacation, we both knew what happened and might happen to me anytime. I thank you and the whole Vergara family for this getaway."

They talked while staring on the calm sea.

"Ae, I'm sorry for making you worry yesterday."

"Hmm, so this is your way of apologizing. Really?" she laughed.

He nodded. "How about your boutique, Ae?" he asked curiously.

"I don't have plans yet to open it," she simply said.

"What about Tito? Did he called you again?"

"Maybe tonight he will. . . I'm okay, Light." She glance at him and lean on his shoulder.

"Ae?. . . When was the last time you experience it?"

She's aware to the Vergara's reason why they invite her to this vacation; they understood and care for her.

She replied honestly: "The moment I closed my boutique. I was just tired back then. I am glad to have people supporting my business but when I have deadlines I couldn't meet. I doubt myself. I was suffocated."

"When things go wrong and you feel like giving up. Remember, you've got me." Light caress her hands and intertwined to his.

"Remember, you've got me, too!" said Ae in return. The atmosphere is not as heavy as their conversation is, the sailing was as smooth as the boat ride earlier.

Light prepared a picnic for them.

Minutes passed Light climb to the mountain of rocks and tries to do the cliff diving. Ae notice it late so that when Light is about to jump, she experienced that feeling again. She was scared, couldn't breathe properly, her chest was tight, her palms started sweating and her heart pounded faster. She found herself going to the water but ended up lying on the rocks because of the feeling of almost dying.

Light dive in into the water and immediately run towards her. Even he knows the things he must do, he can't control himself from worrying. He was composed when he gave air to Ae, he checked her pulse and doing the steps again. Light carried her and went back to the hotel.

A week after the incident happened, Aeriel found herself laying on the hospital bed waiting for Sunshine to return from calling her personal nurse.

After some examination to Aeriel's condition, her request to go out on her room was granted. Aeriel and Sunshine are silently roaming around on a tiny peaceful hallway. The last person she's with was her best friend, Light. Unfortunately, he wasn't there the moment Aeriel woke up from a week of sleep. Sunshine explained that Light was forced to take a rest, "But Ae, he really wants to be the first person you'll see after a week of sleep."

Ae was disappointed but chose to wait for his presence until he will visit her.

Aeriel had a me-time when she decided Sunshine to take some rest, too. "I will be okay," she said confidently.

She is recovering until she passed by a slightly open door. Aeriel saw that familiar face. A young man is looking outside, carrying his usual grin while humming endlessly, Light possesses a good aura as if there is nothing to be worried about.

She went back to her room crying.

Aeriel's dad visits her on the other day. They're having their brunch when Ae couldn't help but told him:

"Dad, I am sad. I don't know what is happening. I'm afraid of everything, to my anxiety that will be active anytime and to the fact that I saw Light here in the hospital," she bursts it all out to him. The vulnerability of Aeriel was shown to his father after a long time of not literally showing it.

Having her dad's presence and a tightly hug from him are all she needed right now.

She was suffering from anxiety in the form of Panic Attack. She has an agrophobia in which she was afraid that her feeling of almost dying might happen again, in her case, it will be inactive yet she felt it again in the season she just wanted o treasure every moment with the special people of her life.

She discovered that her long-time best friend, a genuine person, and a responsible son, lived his life possessing his name, be a light, to everyone that surrounds him and shared an everyday good vibes was diagnosed with brain tumor. Sadly, she never noticed any hint from him because of his bright personality whenever he's with her. She was devastated until Sunshine shared what Light wants her to do when she first woke up: it is to no longer dwell on sadness because of him or her anxiety.

She chose to be stronger and brave even in his last breath.

She questioned, "Where was I?"

[thehungrykat1]

Thrilla in Manila Bar Takeover Happens Today at Mistral Rooftop Bar

It’s a battle of epic proportions as master mixologist Kishan Rampersad from SO Sofitel Bangkok and Mistral Rooftop Bar Head Mixologist Auie Benisano go head to head today and tomorrow at the Thrilla in Manila Bar Takeover in Raffles Makati.

The two master artisans compete representing their countries in a fight to the finish on October 11 and 12, 2019 from 5:00pm to 10:00pm at the Mistral Rooftop Bar in Raffles and Fairmont Makati. This special two-night event is open to the public and allows guests to enjoy their individual lineup of bespoke handmade cocktails infused with the popular Iron Balls Gin from Thailand and our very own Sirena Gin.

Formerly called Mirèio Terrace, Mistral Rooftop Bar is a chic and stylish bar nestled on the 10th floor of Raffles Makati. To get here, guests have to go through the entrance of Mirèio, the hotel’s signature French restaurant on the 9th floor (Read: Mirèio Opens in Raffles Makati With Provençal-inspired Menu) and head up the stairs to reach this hidden oasis.

This breezy bar and lounge has space for around 70 guests and offers cool cocktails created by the hotel’s expert mixologists. Open daily from 5:00pm to 1:00am, Mistral Rooftop Bar is one of my favorite hangout spots in the city, especially with their bubbly happy hour promotions surrounded by Makati’s glittering skyline.

Aside from the al fresco roof deck, Mistral also has an indoor dining area when the weather is not cooperating or for those who prefer air-conditioning. This is where we were treated yesterday to a preview of the fight night between these two gladiators.

From the most stylish rooftop bar of Bangkok, Thailand, Kishan Rampersad brings his dynamic cocktails and signature drinks to Raffles Makati. Prior to his current post at SO Sofitel Bangkok, Kishan has traveled around the world including Abu Dhabi, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Maldives to conduct beverage trainings for various international luxury hotel chains.

Our very own Auei Benisano is definitely no pushover as he was hailed Champion in the recent Philippine finals of the Ophir Gin Global Cocktail Competition 2019 and in the Pisco Bauza Competition 2018. 

Both fighters have their specific weapon of choice for today’s battle. Kishan Rampersad will be bringing one of Thailand’s most popular craft gins called Iron Balls Gin. With its distinctly-shaped bottle, this gin is handmade from fermentation to distillation using freshly cracked coconuts and pineapples with hints of juniper, hillside ginger and lemongrass. Auie Benisano will be representing the Philippines’ most awarded craft gins, the Serena Dry Gin and the Serena Blue Pea Gin from Destileria Barako. The Serena Blue Pea Gin is distilled with 14 different Botanicals including sampaguita, pink pomelo, and blue pea flower.

Judging today’s competition will be the Philippines’ drinking and dining champion, The Hungry Kat! Guests will also have the chance to cast their votes for the winner during the Thrilla in Manila Bar Takeover. So who will win this colossal three-round match? Let’s get ready to rumble!!!

Kishan opens Round 1 smoking with his impressive Laab Moo, a "meaty” gin cocktail using Iron Balls Gin combined with laab spice syrup, lime juice, mint, egg white, and mint. Laab is a traditional meat salad from Laos and it gives this unique gin its savoury notes. The concoction is then smoked and topped with a slice of crispy bacon to complete its presentation.

The unusual combinations of flavors and spices make this cocktail quite confusing at first, but after a few sips, I got to appreciate its subtle hints of fruity notes together with the egg white and savoury components. I ended up liking it not just for its presentation but also for its exotic blends.

Auie fights back with his own creation called Purple Hoax. This cocktail is a colorful combination of Sirena Blue Pea Gin, lemon, grapefruit cucumber shrub, pomelo syrup, and ginger beer. 

Its changing and contrasting layers of colors make this a show in itself, but the best feature of this beverage is its sweet floral and fruity tastes. I give the first round to Auie.

Round 2 begins with Kishan’s G & Thai Tea which brings out the flavors of Thailand. Iron Balls Gin is mixed with black Thai tea, infused all-spice lime syrup, tonic water, and cointreau orange milk foam to make this a creamy and milky cocktail experience. You will never have milk tea this good!

Not to be outdone, Auie presents his similarly named G & Sea featuring the flavors of the sea and the Philippines. Using Sirena Blue Pea Gin as its base, he combines this with lime bitters, lemon grass, tonic water, ginger, nori, and dalandan. The ginger taste was prevalent with this cocktail, so I’ll give the second round to Kishan.

For the final round, So Kish saved his best for last. The Mango Sticky Rice Martini is a Thai dessert turned into a cocktail. Its Iron Balls Gin base is combined with mango sticky rice cordial, fresh lemon juice, mancino rosso, plus lemon and lime bitters. The sweet mango flavors go well with the gin base, making this a fruity favorite.

Auie then presents his final cocktail, the Aurum 53, it’s name a play on gold and iodine elements. This one comes with Sirena Dry Gin plus lemon, golden tepache, and salted kiat kiat tincture. The complementing notes go well together, but my vote for this final round still goes to Kishan.

Of course, I’m just one of the judges that afternoon and the grand championship trophy for Thrilla in Manila Bar Takeover eventually went to Auie Benisano on a very close fight. This was just a preview so imagine how epic the battle will be tonight and tomorrow at the Mistral Rooftop Bar. Their Sips & Sunsets Happy Hour is available daily from 5:00pm to 8:00pm for only P1,010+ per person featuring free-flowing cocktails and wines. You can also get 50% off on all beverages by the glass during happy hour. Specialty cocktails from the two expert mixologists will also be available during the event for P550 per drink until 10:00pm. So head over to Mistral Rooftop Bar in Raffles Makati and catch the fight of the century!

Mistral Rooftop Bar

10/F Raffles Makati, 1 Raffles Drive, Makati Avenue, Makati City

7795-0707

www.facebook.com/mistral.rooftopbar

mistral.makati@raffles.com

[waywardfiresweets-blog]

Starbucks Goes Coconuts In Latest Nondairy Milk Test

Mleko kokosowe jak zrobić

Unless you live under a rock, it's likely that you've heard some buzz about how using coconut oil in your cooking is a healthy alternative to other types of cooking oils, fats, and butters. A new batch of fresh milk is then poured into the goatskin bag for fermentation. There are many store brands as well as less popular brands of both the carton and canned varieties of mąka kokosowe przepis,, so use the following guidelines when choosing one of these brands. Break the coconut into pieces with a hammer and pry out the coconut meat from the shell. Almond milk contributes fewer calories to your diet than non-dairy alternatives, as well as whole and 2 percent milk. An effective and economical choice for baking, cooking, frying, Nuco Organic Expeller-Pressed Coconut Oil is also appropriate for the consumers' body and hair care needs. Fair warning: The coconut oil gives them extra energy, so if your dog loves to play ball or fetch, be prepared. This natural oil does not burn, it soaks in and penetrates the follicles, bringing your eyelashes back to a healthy condition. Perhaps you might have realized, one of the favored ingredients in the Paleo diet is mąka kokosowe przepis,. Besides providing nutrition for our body, a cup of milk also contains amino acid tryptophan which helps the body produce the vital hormones to soothe and relax the nerves. Instead, look for the mature coconut, called magulang in Tagalog, that looks like, well, a coconut: small, round, brown and hairy. Please buy the coconut milk/cream in tetra packs instead of cans as canned products run the risk of containing BPA (Bisphenol A). BPA is a chemical which has been used for years in clear plastic bottles and food-can liners. He said organic and natural beef sales make up less than 2 percent of the market.

Mleko domowe

The freshly grated coconuts can be easily added to your recipes or you can store it in refrigerator for few days. What a nice coincidence that you were looking for such a shampoo so hope you get to try it out. Alternatively, grated coconut is added to boiled sugar syrup, but this version is not as common anymore due to its short shelf life and the fact that it sometimes dries out. Coconut water contains a complex array of nutrients including trace minerals which come directly from the sea and which most other foods lack. Canned coconut milk is meant for cooking and baking, as it's thicker and less modified than the carton variety. Merrill declares that the words for coconut used in Madagascar also arise in the Far East and the Pacific. In response to a request from a reader to list sources for purchase of virgin coconut oil in India, this small note has become necessary. There are minimal benefits of coconut sugar that are making it a popular source within the health food world. Coconut ,inside white eatable part was processed and used and mixed in jet fuel and one of gas turbine was fired on this mixed fuel,courtesy-Sir Richard Bran son ,owner of Vergine Atlantic Airlines , tried on one of his flight. Also, consuming coconut oil regularly can help lower your cholesterol and balance your cholesterol levels. If not serving immediately, place the bowl of whipped coconut cream in the fridge and then beat it again right before serving it. mleko kokosowe przepis fit, Placing them in a padded cooler box whose strap he then slings over his shoulder, the courier rides 45 minutes to an hour on a motorbike through choked Jakarta streets to deliver the milk to Dewi's mother, who cares for the baby. So, as this is a milk soap you're going to be making, then I hope you have some experience making regular soaps behind you. Dr. Mary Newport discovered that coconut oil alone or a combination of MCT oil can stop the progression of Alzheimer's disease and improve the symptoms. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf since March has offered customers in all of its 179 U.S. company owned stores the option of choosing almond- mleko kokosowe domowe, . Compounding these challenges is the Philippines' vulnerability to natural disasters. However, to be able to avail all of the rewards associated with using coconut fruits it is vital to learn how to apply these correctly.

[dietsauthority]

17 Ways To Add Chia Seeds To Your Diet (+ Recipes)

Ch-ch-ch-chia! The same little seeds that climbed to stardom lots of years ago due to the prominent Chia Pet commercials are now the latest craze amongst health and wellness experts. Discover why you must include them to your diet plan and the numerous methods you could eat them.

While chia seeds are little, they are a dietary giant. They're abundant in fiber, Omega-3 fats, healthy protein, vitamins, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and magnesium. These nutrients make chia seeds exceptionally healthy. In fact, scientists state this nutrient-dense superfood could battle complimentary radicals, increase power, support heart wellness, assistance healthy and balanced digestion, assist build muscle mass, and help weight loss.

Now that you know the numerous health benefits related to consuming chia seeds, you most likely wish to know how you can include them to your diet regimen. Prior to we look at the several ways you could eat this superfood, it is very important to understand there is a wrong way to eat them.

What You Need To Know

According to an individual study from Carolinas Health care System, if you don't take in chia seeds the right method they could potentially obstruct your esophagus. This was provened by one 39-year-old man that ingested a tablespoon of dry chia seeds and after that chased it with water. He experienced extreme dysphagia (Also Known As difficulty ingesting). Physicians had to make use of a neonatal gastroscope to press the seeds right into the client's tummy up until his esophagus was cleared. The reason this patient had such concerns is since when chia seeds are moistened, they broaden to about 10 times their dimension. They also develop a gelatinlike finish, which in this instance created an obstruction in the male's throat.

The reason I share this study with you is not to terrify you concerning eating chia seeds. Instead, it's to alert future munchers of the potential threats and the value of eating chia seeds the right way. Keeping that stated, eating either moistened chia seeds or ground up chia seeds is taken into consideration very safe as well as healthy.

The advantage of eating wet chia seeds is that the superfood will have already developed its gelatinous layer, assisting them relocate conveniently through your digestion track. As the dimension of the seeds broadens in your stomach, you will start to feel full. This is the main factor chia seeds are promoted as a fat burning food (because they broaden in your belly, making you really feel full).

17 Ways To Add Chia Seeds To Your Diet

While chia seeds are flavorless, they could definitely change a dish in terms of texture and also nutritional value.

1) Chia Seed Pudding

Chia seed pudding is just chia seeds blended with coconut milk, a natural sugar (such as raw honey or maple syrup), and also a couple of various other flavorful ingredients/toppings. After you stir every one of the active ingredients with each other and also allow it embeded in the refrigerator for a few hrs, you are left with a creamy, scrumptious, healthy and balanced, as well as loading dish. Chia seed pudding is loaded with fiber, healthy fats, and also protein. It makes for a wonderful morning meal or snack. It additionally fits rather much every person's dietary needs considering that it's gluten-free, dairy-free, and also vegan.

Make your chia seed dessert at night as well as it will prepare to delight in the following early morning. It keeps in the fridge for a couple of days, so don't feel the should eat your whole set in one sitting. Although, some dishes are so addicting you could need to require on your own to place down the spoon! You can make chia seed dessert a few various ways, relying on your taste preferences. Below are some tasty dishes:

Classic Vanilla Chia Seed Dessert - This is a traditional chia seed dessert dish that makes use of coconut milk, vanilla essence, chia seeds, and also honey. There is nothing unhealthy in this recipe and it's wonderful split with fresh berries.

Coconut Banana Chia Seed Pudding - Bump up the coconut flavor a lot more with some toasted coconut flakes! Plus, make this dish much more nutritious by slicing up and adding a few bananas.

Peanut Butter Mug Chia Seed Pudding - This dish requires cocoa powder as well as peanut butter, so it truly resembles eating a healthified peanut butter mug.

Use these dishes as a springboard. When going through the dish cards, you will see they are all similar in terms of their base ingredients/measurements and after that the dish makers just play about with add-ins. If you enjoy the taste of oranges after that peel an orange and also include that. If you like the taste of apples with cinnamon then dice up a natural apple, mix it into the traditional chia seed pudding dish, and after that sprinkle a little cinnamon ahead. It's truly that simple.

* Please note: If you are mosting likely to create your own chia seed pudding flavor and wish to preserve a healthy recipe after that beware regarding what active ingredients you use. Prevent refined sugars, refined ingredients, and also dairy. Rather, stick to fresh fruits and also natural spices.

2) Chia Cereal

Move over oatmeal, there is a new breakfast cereal in town! Chia cereal is comparable to chia seed dessert. It involves mixing chia seeds with milk (ideally a dairy-free milk like almond milk) and a few other components. Let the mixture sit to thicken, add some toppings, as well as take pleasure in. This dish makes use of a mashed banana, vanilla remove, and some cinnamon to develop a charming morning flavor.

3) Add Chia Seeds To Oatmeal

Not ready to trade in your early morning oat meal for a big bowl of chia grain just? Then why not include a spoonful of chia seeds directly to your oatmeal? You can either stir the seeds right into your hot oat meal after that wait a few minutes for them to soak up as well as swell, or you could grind them up and use the seeds as a crunchy covering.

4) Chia Fresca

You could think about a Chia Fresca as a power beverage, except it does not have all the dangerous sugar as well as bad-for-you ingredients. Given that the seeds are packed with nutrients that have been proven to increase power, many individuals work up a container of Chia Fresca to take to their early morning exercise course. Together with improving power, downing Chia Fresca throughout a sweat session will certainly assist maintain you moisturized.

Chia Fresca is made by including chia seeds to either simple water or coconut water. After that, include either lemon or lime juice. Finally, include an all-natural sugar such as raw honey or syrup. Allow the drink rest for around 10 minutes prior to taking a sip. This will certainly permit the chia seeds to swell and end up being gelatinlike like we spoke about previously.

I have actually had a great deal of individuals ask me regarding the texture and also if Chia Fresca is difficult to ingest considering that there are a number of chia seeds floating around. Regarding texture, the ideal thing I could contrast it to is bubble tea. In regards to ease of alcohol consumption, it's actually really easy to ingest because the seeds become rather slimy and move down your throat.

Classic Chia Fresca Recipe:

2 cups water

1.5 tbsp chia seeds

1/ 2 tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice

2 tsp of sugar - syrup or honey

Watermelon Chia Fresca - If you like the suggestion of a Chia Fresca however are looking for even more taste, try including watermelon juice to the combination.

Blackberry and Lime Chia Fresca - If watermelon isn't really in period, or you just prefer the taste of blackberries, then offer this recipe a try!

5) Include Chia Seeds To Your Smoothie

Are you a person that enjoys drinking on a delicious and also rejuvenating fruit healthy smoothie? Next time you whip out your blender to produce one, toss some chia seeds into the mix. Adding chia seeds will merely bump up the dietary worth of your smoothie.

If you aren't going to grind your chia seeds in the blender and plan to stir them into the smoothie rather, saturate your chia seeds before hand.

6) Bake Chia Seeds Into Your Oatmeal Bars

While several people check out granola bars as a healthy and balanced grab-and-go snack, they actually made our checklist of 17 Foods You Think Are Healthy, But Typically aren't. The trouble with many healthy protein or granola bars is they're extremely refined, high-calorie, packed with sugar, as well as have high fructose corn syrup. The most effective point you could do is make homemade bars so you can control what active ingredients go into them. A side incentive - you'll reach add chia seeds!

Quinoa Chia Seed Healthy protein Bars - It doesn't get much healthier compared to this. These bars are loaded with protein thanks to the quinoa, chia seeds, oats, nuts, as well as almond butter. As an outcome of the high healthy protein quantity, these bars are incredibly filling up. So if you eat one for morning meal, your stomach ought to feel satisfied up until lunch time.

Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Granola Nights clubs - These bars are both tasty and healthy. They ask for oats, peanut butter, coconut oil, maple syrup, chocolate, and chia seeds. Thanks to those incredible components, these bars are filled with fiber, healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals. When picking which delicious chocolate to consist of in these bars, use a dark chocolate that's at least 70 percent cacao. The darker the chocolate, as well as the higher the cacao content, the healthier it is.

7) Include Chia Seeds To Energy Bites

As I pointed out previously, chia seeds assist provide the body a natural power increase. It makes sense to include chia seeds to power attacks! In instance you aren't aware of power attacks, they are tiny, highly-nutritional rounds that you can chomp on when you're hit with the afternoon downturn. You could additionally chew on energy bites prior to an exercise to give you a fast energy jolt. Here is a recipe for no-bake chocolate chia seed power balls. All you need to do is include the ingredients to a food processor, form them into rounds, as well as appreciate.

8) Chia Seed Crackers

Even the healthiest of eaters obtain hit with food desires periodically. What could I state, often we just should give in and satisfy our hormonal agents when they call. Feeding your cravings does not have to suggest dropping your healthy consuming practices. Next time you really feel a significant snack attack coming on, overlook the processed chips and also get to for some homemade chia seed crackers rather.

Chia seed crackers are straightforward making. You just have actually grind together a selection of healthy and balanced seeds (this is carried out in a mixer), blend them with water and flavors, lay the combination out level on a flat pan, and after that pop it in the oven. You are left with healthy and balanced biscuits that satisfy crunch food cravings and also please your waist at the very same time! Below are two dishes:

Ultimate Seed Biscuits - This recipe calls for four different types of seeds, a little salt, and also water. Dip these biscuits in hummus or an additional healthy dip for additional taste.

Endurance Biscuits - While this recipe is similar to the last one, it additionally requires garlic. Because garlic is among the healthiest foods in the world (as well as it's tasty), these crackers are absolutely a must-try!

9) Add Chia Seeds To Pancakes, Cakes, Muffins and also Other Baked Goods

While you shouldn't eat baked products daily, there is a location for them in a healthy and balanced diet. You just require to understand the best ways to healthify your recipes. Utilize gluten-free flours versus blonde all-purpose flour, opt for natural sweeteners over polished sugar, swap out veggie oil for healthy oils, and throw in a spoonful of chia seeds for added nutrients. Just add the chia seeds to your batter and cook as typical.

10) Chia Seed Jam

Jam is a staple in numerous households because it's delicious, functional, as well as seemingly healthy. The problem is, most jams are packed with sugar. In an initiative to reduce on polished sugar, try making homemade chia seed jam. Given that chia seeds could soak up concerning 10 times their own weight in water, they are claimed to be a fantastic replacement for pectin. By replacing the pectin in jam with chia seeds, your jam will not require a great deal of added sugar making it taste pleasant. Attempt these simple recipes:

Raspberry and also Vanilla Chia Seed Jam - This dish does require a little honey to add also a lot more sweetness.

Strawberry Chia Seed Jam - In addition to the chia seeds and also strawberries, this recipe requires raw syrup to add a touch of sweetness. You will certainly notice this ingredient is optional. I advise preference screening prior to you include the maple syrup. If you like it as is then leave it out! Even though syrup is a much better choice compared to refined sugar, bear in mind, it's still sugar.

11) Chia Seed Salad Dressing

As we find out more regarding the relevance of reviewing component tags, we are uncovering how unhealthy a great deal of our day-to-day food is ... like salad clothing. It's typical to watch salad as a healthier meal, once we pour our store-bought clothing in addition to it we have actually changed our dish of beneficial environment-friendlies into a recipe loaded with sugar and also harmful food additives.

Luckily, salad clothing is incredibly easy to make at residence. One method you can enhance the nutritional worth of your homemade clothing is to add ground up chia seeds to it. Here are some dishes you can attempt:

Lemon Chia Seed Salad Dressing - Possibilities are you currently have every one of the ingredients you require for this dish right in your kitchen area. A little olive oil, vinegar, a lemon, honey, chia seeds, salt, and also pepper. That's it! And also, you don't require any type of expensive cooking area devices to whip this dressing together. All you need is a bowl as well as an old-fashioned whisk!

Lemon Blueberry Chia Seed Vinaigrette - If you are into sweeter salad dressings then this recipe is ideal for you. It will please your pleasant tooth as well as your slim denims at the same time (given that it doesn't ask for any type of polished sugar).

12) Add Chia Seeds To Dips

At this factor, you could clearly see how flexible chia seeds are. You can also add them to your favorite homemade or store-bought dips to boost the nutritional worth. Just grind the chia seeds up in a food cpu before mixing them into your dip of option.

13) Add Chia Seeds To Soup

Often times, dishes require flour as a means to thicken soups and stews. As opposed to using gluten-laden flour, why not use some chia seeds? Simply pre-soak chia seeds until they create right into tiny gel-like rounds and after that include the seeds to your soup recipe. You will notice the appearance of your soup/stew will thicken immediately.

14) Usage Chia Seeds as An Egg Replacement

If you prevent eggs in your diet plan due to the fact that you dislike them or they do not match your nutritional requirements after that baking anything from pancakes to birthday cakes could be challenging. Most baked items call for eggs because they add moistness to a recipe, function as a binding representative, and aid with leavening. While eggs play an important function in baking, they can be alternatived to chia seeds. As a basic general rule, 1 egg amounts soaking 1 tbsp of chia seeds in 3 tablespoons of water.

15) Use Chia Seeds To Thicken Burgers and also Meatballs

Most burger and also meatball dishes call for either eggs or breadcrumbs in order to help thicken and also bind all the ingredients with each other. If you are utilizing chia seeds as an egg replacement, follow the proportions discussed in number 14. If you are replacing breadcrumbs, attempt using 2 tablespoons of ground chia seeds for each pound of meat you use. Remember - you could constantly include more seeds, once you mix them with the meat you can not take any kind of away. It's always much better to begin with less and also then include even more as needed.

16) Use Chia Seeds To Crust Fish and also Meat

Speaking of changing breadcrumbs, if you delight in a crispy finishing on the outside of your fish or meat meals after that experiment with ground up chia seeds. They create an excellent coating!

17) Usage Chia Seeds as a Topping

While you intend to stay clear of consuming doses of raw chia seeds (for the reason I stated at first of this write-up), you can utilize ground up chia seeds as a topping on numerous foods. Sprinkle them on top of shake bowls, Greek yogurt, dessert, or your morning bowl of oatmeal. You can additionally sprinkle them in addition to a salad to enhance the nutritional worth and supply a great problem.

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