#and the instructor once again told me i seem very balanced and gentle which is exactly the kind of compliment i want lol

[saturnvs]

i had another lesson at the riding school today and rode the same sweet irish cob mare as i did last time, it went so well and i was even comfortable enough to have my first gallop in like .. 4 almost 5 years? i'm very proud of myself and maybe it's the equine therapy, but i feel like i'm a better rider now compared to the rider i was when i rode twice a week for years on end. short horsie update for people who care :D

[dewykth]

SWEET SEPTEMBER.

a @periminkle​​​ and @dewykth​​​ collaboration.

synopsis. for many, september symbolizes new beginnings. but for namjoon, this month never fails to send him back into the past. though this time, something seems different.

pairing. kim namjoon | female reader contains. fluff, angst, slice of life au, ballet instructor!reader, single dad!nj  word count. 7.5k+  warnings. death mentions, mature audience

dae’s note. surprise !!! this fic is dedicated to my favourite virgo karla @guklvr​​​​ !! happy birthday bae i hope you enjoy this lil thing me n vira whipped up for u!! (i stress wrote a lot of this ha.) also sry for lying & keeping you up but hopefully this makes u forgive me. but i hope ur day goes amazing ILYSM DUDE !!! <333 and a huge thank you to vira for hopping on board for this idea bc i cld not have done this without her !!! pls give her all the love !!!

vira’s note. KARLAAAA!!! i always gotta scream ur name it’s mandatory to start with a good scream ykno? bUT HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRL 🥳  i already told u this too many times today but ILYSM !! like that full day without saying a single word to u felt so weird and i kept going into our chat and rereading our mssgs and wishing I was talking to u??? which is weird to admit?? but that literally how much i missed u idk how but im addicted to u so if you leave me I will literally die :))) aNYWAY have the bestestestest day ever and i hope u love the fic bc I ignored all my uni work to finish this !!! (also i feel reallyreallyreally bad about last night sO IM SORRY AGAIN BUT I HOPE THIS IS WORTH IT) 💖

Despite the papers carelessly stuffed into his leather briefcase, the dark coffee stain on his black slacks, and his unkempt locks resembling that of a bird’s nest, Namjoon’s become accustomed to the hectic nature of his mornings.

The kitchen table is practically buried under stacks of files, yet he brushes them aside to allow one corner of the glass surface to peek through. He plops the toddler in his arms onto a high chair before racing to the counter and sloppily pouring some honey nut cheerios into a small bowl, handing it off to his daughter. 

“Daddy?” her voice squeaks, a patient smile stretching across her lips. Her brown strands are tied up into pigtails at the crown of her head with pink ribbons that flutter with the movement of her tiny head. 

“Yes, angel?” He scurries around to their bedroom, peeling the stained fabric off his body and threading one leg through another pair of slacks fresh from the laundry. 

With Namjoon’s focus pinned on checking off the mental to-do list in his head, he misses the gentle, reassuring smile that stretches across her rosy lips. The adoration for her father is clear in her gaze. “You forgot to pour the milk.”

At the reminder, he squawks and hops back to the kitchen on one foot as he maneuvers his other leg through the pant hole. Swinging the fridge door open, he grabs the carton and sloppily pours the milk into her bowl—white droplets leaping out with their newfound freedom and forming perfect domes on the glass tabletop.

Cleaning the mess falls to the bottom of his priorities at the moment, and so he speeds off to the bathroom to ensure that his appearance is presentable for work while Dasom reaches over to pluck a tissue from the box, swiping the milky beads away before diving into her breakfast. She shoves as many cheerios into her small mouth as she can, rushing because she refuses to finish her meal in the car with their wild driver behind the wheel. 

Despite her mere four years of age, she knows from experience that a bowl of cereal and a shaky vehicle is a recipe for disaster.

Namjoon races over to his briefcase with most of his hair sleeked back, only the locks of his bangs hanging out to frame his forehead. As he slips his dark blazer on to complete his form-fitting suit, Dasom scoops the last few brown rings into her mouth and slurps the remainder of the liquid.

“Did you finish your milk?” he questions while cramming the edges of the loose leaves that peek past the seam of his briefcase, hurriedly zipping it up and turning to face her.

Dasom flips the edge of the bowl up to display its empty contents, gulping the last of her breakfast down her throat. As per routine, she scans her father for any inconsistencies in his attire, landing on his odd fitting bottoms.

“Daddy, your pants are on backwards.”

His eyes nearly bulge out of their sockets, glancing down to affirm that the pockets at his sides are no longer at the front of his hips. Hastily, he shimmies out of his slacks once more and twists the fabric around to the proper orientation. 

Dasom hops off her chair, her bowl and wet kleenex in hand as she waddles over to the sink and waits for him to deposit the dirty dish into the sink and the sullied tissue into the trash. Although her short arms couldn’t reach over the countertop just yet, she’ll diligently drink every last drop of her milk in hopes of growing tall enough to take some of the load off of her father’s back.

He hoists Dasom up at the sight of the red car pulling up to the driveway, squeezing into the back seat. Namjoon doesn’t have to tell the driver to book it, as the calm man in front has learned to keep his foot pressed on the pedal. The car weaves through the morning traffic with concerning speed, snaking through the other vehicles littering the road as if they were no more than stationary pylons, simply there for practice.

Dasom remains on her father’s lap with his arms looped protectively around the seatbelt over her torso. She sinks into his embrace, fiddling around with his long, slender fingers as she watches the blurs of colour speeding past the window.

“Did you put your ballet shoes into your backpack, angel?” Namjoon loosens his grip on her, unhooking one hand to rummage through his own briefcase in order to confirm that he had indeed slid his laptop within the chaos inside. To keep her entertained, he playfully extends his digits out of her reach.

“Of course!” she chirps, a wide grin revealing the gaps between her teeth. The pads of her fingertips brush against his palm and tickle the sensitive skin there when she realizes that her arms lack the length required to latch onto his hand. “I can’t wait for class, we’ve got a new teacher coming in today!”

Humming absentmindedly, he sighs in relief at the sight of the silver device and packs the crumpled papers back in. “What happened to Ms. Kim?”

“She’s teaching the older class now.” The pout on her lips can be heard within the muffled lilt of her voice when she continues, “I asked her to stay until my birthday next week b-but she didn’t.”

Namjoon’s breath hitches at the reminder, but attempts to compose himself for his daughter’s sake. “It’s out of her control, angel, plus she’ll probably swing by anyway.”

His mind starts to fog up with the emotions he thought he buried last year–they swarm his every thought and nibble away at his sanity. He knows better than to believe that they would ever disappear. September will always be an insurmountable month for him.

“I might be a bit late to pick you up later, just sit tight and wait for Daddy, okay?”

She eagerly nods in response, noticing the dull red bricks of her school coming into view. “Okay, bye Daddy!”

Namjoon unlocks the seatbelt, wistfully watching his toddler bounce out of his arms and onto the asphalt below. No matter how many times he drops her off, it’s always difficult to be separated from her bright smile, but he reminds himself that it’s all for her; it makes things a little easier to bear.

“Have a good day at school.” He reciprocates her frantic waving through the window, craning his neck to watch her adorable form become smaller and smaller with the increased distance. Her full cheeks and crinkled eyes are engraved into the back of his mind.

Before long, Namjoon finds himself rushing into his office after an earful from his surly boss about everything from the late hour to the long list of meetings scheduled to all the work he’s got piled up. With his lips pursed and his head bowed, he somehow manages to make it past another lively morning.

Namjoon has a habit of overthinking. He figures it’s normal when you have a stressful job and a four year old full of energy to balance all by yourself. Not that overthinking about his daughter does him any good, because that is far from the reality. If anything, it just makes him, what you’d call, a bit... overprotective (over worrisome if you asked Jin). But it’s something he can’t really help. Even when she had just entered his life, so small and so blissfully unaware of the awful and evil things in the world, all he wanted to do was hold her in his arms and shield her from it all as long as he could.

Though he’s very aware of the fact that it won’t be much longer, that won’t stop him from going over every single little thing that could go wrong in the meantime.

So, of course, when Namjoon’s asshole of a boss makes him stay two hours over his shift, all Namjoon can think about is Dasom. Is she okay? Has she eaten anything? Did she drink enough water today? She’s always dehydrated after her classes too. He usually calls Ms. Kim to check up on her, but his calls went straight to voicemail, which definitely wasn’t helping his hectic mind. Perhaps something had happened to her?

Oh god, maybe someone broke in and had injured Dasom?

The doors are thrown open, the sound of the doorknob hitting the wall reverberating through the room. The receptionist wearing her usual polka-dot dress jumps in her seat, eyes lifting from the intense scene on her phone to the entrance of the building. An unsure smile stretches across her ruby red lips at the familiar figure, though a bit disheveled and breathless. But before the customary ‘hello’ can even form on her tongue, the figure is rushing past her, leaving only a gust of air in his wake. The papers on her desk fall to the ground, and she sighs.

Namjoon is prepared to fight the (fictional) person who thinks breaking into a toddler ballet class is a good idea, but the scene in front of him once he pushes past the doors of the studio is one he is wholly unprepared for.

He sees Dasom first, and the relief that fills his body is indescribable. It’s far from the usual sight he’s greeted with when he picks her up late. She’s not sitting on one of the chairs in the far corner of the room. His heart doesn’t feel heavy, which comes with seeing his daughter so glum. This time it’s her laughter that greets him, not one provoked by him but by the figure standing in the middle of the room with her.

Dasom doesn’t seem to be aware of the presence of her dad yet, but the figure twirling her around turns, and her eyes land on Namjoon.

The reaction is immediate. The carefree smile that had been on your face slips off, a look of embarrassment and surprise overcoming your features. Namjoon only catches a glimpse, and somehow finds himself wishing that won’t be the last time he sees it. You let go of Dasom’s hand, quickly making your way to the stereo on the other side of the room. And that’s when-

“Daddy!”

Dasom wastes no time running into her father’s open arms, and Namjoon suddenly can’t remember why he was so worried in the first place. “Hi, angel.” he says, just loud enough for her to hear. She pulls back. “I’m so sorry for getting here so late. I promise i won’t do it again.”

But of course, Dasom holds nothing but forgiveness in her heart for her hard-working father. She does love teasing him, though. “Don't say sorry to me, say sorry to her.” she giggles, pointing behind her and Namjoon furrows his brow until he remembers they’re not the only ones in the room.

His eyes immediately move to where you stand awkwardly near the stereo, eyes moving around the room as if you hadn’t been watching the whole exchange. Namjoon sighs, realizing he definitely can’t avoid talking to you now. He stands straight, holding onto Dasom’s hand as he makes his way over to you. You only seem to grow more nervous as he nears, and Namjoon distantly recalls Jin telling him he came off as intimidating to most people. Something about his ‘beefy’ arms, in his own words. (“And that stupid and unfairly attractive face!”) He goes for a smile because it's not like he can control his physique.

“Hi, I’m so sorry about…”

Namjoon stops.

Maybe it was the overwhelming distress before, or the really shitty lighting of the studio, but he hadn’t realized how pretty you were before. But now he’s standing right in front of you and he can’t seem to form a coherent thought. Pretty can’t be the right word. He realizes how creepy he probably looks, running in here like a madman and then downright staring at the (very beautiful) woman who looked after his daughter? Not cool, man.

You clear your throat, before extending a hand to him. “Hi, I’m ____, the new ballet instructor.”

Your voice sounds just like honey.

Namjoon stares at your hand dumbly, before the sound of Dasom snickering (very discreetly) behind him snaps him out of it. But instead of introducing himself, or apologizing, or just taking your fucking hand, he says-

“What happened to Ms. Kim?”

He mentally face-palms.

Not. Cool. Man.

Your face falls, and Namjoon has never wanted the ground to open up and swallow him whole more than he does now. “Uh, she’s instructing the teen class now.” you chuckle awkwardly, dropping your hand.

“Oh-”

“Daaaad,” Dasom's voice sounds annoyed, and perhaps it’s a bit silly of Namjoon to feel like he’s being scolded, but that is exactly how he feels right now. “I told you this. In the morning. Remember?”

He doesn’t. “Ah, right of course,” Namjoon scratches the back of his neck. It wasn’t like he meant to forget, he had just been too busy thinking about the other things every September would bring. “Sorry, I’m Kim Namjoon. Dasom’s dad.”

This time he offers his hand, and he thanks the skies above that you don’t seem to hate him because you fit your hand against his. Warm, like honey. How long had it been since he last made a fool of himself in front of a pretty girl?

Too long.

“I’m terribly sorry for arriving so late it’s just that my boss, who’s a huge-” Namjoon glances at Dasom, who is now in her own world, singing some song she learned in school, “jerk, decided to assign these reports last minute and the printer would just not work and then traffic hour-”

Your hand comes up to cover your mouth, but Namjoon can see the amusement bubbling in your eyes. He flushes a deep red, eyes falling to the floor, realizing he started ranting.

“It’s okay. Really.”

When he looks back up, there’s a smile on your face. Not like the one before, this one was more reserved, but genuine, reassuring. And just like that, he’s sure you don’t hate him.

Namjoon’s not sure he likes this feeling though.

“Straighten your arms out, girls!” you belt over the classical music that floods the studio’s walls, scanning your army of toddlers in tutus whose arms immediately tense at your command. Making your way through the row, you poke and prod everywhere from their shoulders to their ankles. “Arch your back more, Somin.”

Their muscles violently tremble in response to the strenuous routine you’ve introduced, facial features scrunched in concentration and a resolute will to uphold their positions despite the hyperextension of their limbs. A mix of pity and pride swells in your chest at their effort. “Keep your chins up, the annual recital is only a couple of days away.”

Cheers erupt throughout the small room, disrupting the focus and spoiling their perfect form, yet you refuse to quiet excitement because of the renewed vigour buzzing throughout the room. The next hour depletes all of their built-up energy with demi-piles, pirouettes and sautés.

A glance at the analog clock in the corner informs you of the five minutes remaining before the end of class, so you pause the speakers and instruct the girls to stretch themselves out as they wait for their guardians to trickle in. They collectively sigh in relief before dropping to the floor like flies.

You snort at their dramatics with an amused smile playing at your lips. “I said to stretch, not to lay down and nap.”

“Can’t we nap and stretch at the same time?”

Strolling over to the source of the voice, you cluck your tongue at her limp form sprawled across the wooden floor and cross your arms, struggling to keep your giggles from breaking your angered facade. “And how do you suppose we do that, little Miss Dasom?”

She flashes her toothless grin up at you. “Like this!” With one leg bent over the other and her hands looping around to hold her twisted limbs to her torso, she shuts her eyes and exaggerates her snores.

At this point, it’s nearly impossible to withhold your snickers, and the rest of the class joins in your laughter. You pick up on Dasom’s tinkling giggles between each of her heavy breaths. The lighthearted jokes continue as kids are signed out with bright grins on each of their faces.

You wait for the rest of the toddlers to file out one by one, waving goodbye and checking them off your list until, as usual, Dasom is the only toddler left. Her tiny feet still clad in her faded ballet shoes waddle up to you, tugging on your blouse.

“Your pirouette was a bit wobbly today, do you want to go over—”

“‘M tired,” she interrupts, slouching her shoulders with an adorable frown marring her lips. Her exhaustion is justified, since the routine is rather exhausting, and with their recital right around the corner, you worked them to the bone today.

The odd timing of the switch between you and Ms. Kim left you with a little under a week to tweak and perfect their current choreography. A sloppy routine is not the way you want to present your skills to their parents for the first time, thus you were stricter with the kids than normal.

Your sympathy wins out, and so you gather Dasom’s lithe figure into your arms as you head to the closest wall. With your back supported, you spread out your legs and place her in your lap.

“My birthday is this Thursday.”

“Mhm,” you hum, bobbing your head to signal for her to continue her train of thought.

Her back faces you, but when her head tips down to stare at her hands, you know she’s contemplating her words carefully. Rather than encouraging her to speak freely, you wait for her to feel comfortable enough to reveal her thoughts; and surely enough, her shell cracks open just enough for you to peep through. “Do you wanna come?”

“I would be honoured.” A giddy smile splits across your lips. “Is Daddy picking you up again today?”

She flips around in your hold, wrapping her arms around your waist and snuggling her head to your chest. Her words are muffled into the fabric of your thin shirt, but her tone indicates her affirmation.

Suddenly self-conscious of your heartbeat—that Dasom can definitely hear with her ear pressed up against you—picking up pace at the mention of her father, you suppress your thoughts with a guilty conscience. You internally chide yourself for harbouring feelings for the charming, taken, man, defying arguably one of the most important fundamental rules of becoming an instructor.

Do not develop silly crushes on your student’s parents.

“Ms. ____?” her faint question snaps you out of your reverie, attention brought back to the present moment. While preoccupied, your hand took on a mind of its own, gingerly patting the space between the little girl’s shoulder blades at a slow rhythm.

She gazes up at you when you halt your rhythmic movements, sharp eyes boring into yours. “Are you gonna ask Daddy to come see me dance?”

The edges of your lips flip up in what you hope to be an encouraging smile as you nod your head. Subconsciously, you begin to stress over another encounter with Namjoon, formulating a script to hopefully avoid the stiff, tense atmosphere that lingered throughout all your previous interactions.

“Daddy’s always really busy,” she slurs, drowsiness coating her words and weighing down on her lids. Grumbling under her breath about her numb legs, Dasom crawls onto the floor beside you with her head resting on your thigh. “He’s always working hard for me.”

Your eyes soften at the fetal position she’s taken up on the ground; not only was Dasom lucky to have such a dedicated father, but Namjoon was also blessed with a caring daughter. “You don’t think he can make it?”

“It’s okay,” she whispers and you have to crane your ears to listen. You stroke the strands littering her forehead, gingerly caressing the crown of her head. “It’s okay if Daddy can’t come. I know him, he’s trying to do it all because Mommy’s not with us anymore, but it’s okay. I still love him even if I can’t see him lots.”

A knot forms between your eyebrows, a bittersweet ache forming within the creases of your heart. The painful constriction of your chest ebbs and flows with your shallow breaths that can’t seem to make it past your throat. You bite your lip to subdue the plentiful liquid gathering at your waterline.

No more than a croak escapes your lips before the door to the studio flies open, meeting the adjacent wall with a bang!

“I’m so sorry, my meeting ran late and I couldn’t—” the rest of his speech gets stuck in his windpipe at the sight of you, eyes rimmed red and sniffling, with Dasom, ostensibly dead asleep, on your thigh. “Did she…?”

You blink away your incoming tears, although your dignity has been completely thrown out the window, seeing as he believes that his four-year-old kid made a grown woman, who just so happens to be her ballet teacher, bawl her eyes out.

As you go to gently shake Dasom awake, she sluggishly lifts her head off of your lap and starts to scale your torso like a koala on a tree. Your confusion is vocalized through the high-pitched hum in your throat, but your efforts to pry off her limbs, tightly wound around the small of your waist, are futile.

“Uh, Dasom? It’s time to go home now, angel.” Despite his firm words, Namjoon’s tone is unsure and shaky; he can feel cold sweat build up in the lines of his palms. He knows his daughter, and she can be periodically stubborn and insistent the way children are at her age, thus even as you come to stand, she’s stuck to you like glue. “Would you, uh, did you need a ride?”

You mimic the sheepish smile on his face, hoping the flaming blush you feel on your cheeks isn’t as visible as it seems. “Sure.”

With Dasom latched onto you, both of you make your way to the red car outside after you lock up the studio. Namjoon courteously opens the car door for you, what with your arms supporting his clingy toddler; although, with the brute force he uses, you worry for the state of the hinges. Thankfully, they stay intact and he’s able to slip into the backseat after you.

Before an awkward silence can settle, you clear your throat and prepare to ask him about his day, but you’re interjected by Namjoon’s sudden stammering, “D-driving’s such a hassle for me so Jin drives us everywhere. Jin knows how to drive though, so, don’t worry.” He finishes with a deep chuckle that dies off nearly as quickly as it began. Oh, that’s unexpected.

“You don’t to drive yourself?” Rather than being processed in your brain and logically thought through, the question immediately enters your mouth without any prior scanning for dumbass-content. You instantly regret it, feeling as though it’s much too invasive. “You don’t have to answer that, I—”

The hearty laughter that meets your ears is “No, I do. Sometimes. But its easier raising this one like this.” His tone turns sweet at the mention of Dasom as he reaches over to pat her head, and you’re overcome with an intense desire to prod more into his personal life. Why does he have to work so much? Which shirt in his closet is his favourite? How does he like his eggs in the morning?

“I’m not sure if you already knew about the annual recital on Saturday, but Dasom’s been practicing really hard for weeks and the kids are all really talented, so it would definitely be worth your time...”

As he’s gazing at his daughter, galaxies of devotion and longing swirl within his cocoa irises. The cool light of the moon shines through the windows of the car, illuminating his sharp jawline and strong brows. You’re absolutely mesmerized by the sight in front of you. “You must be really busy, huh?”

“More than I’d like to be.”

You rip your entranced gaze away from Namjoon, willing yourself to steady your frantic breaths.

The remainder of the ride still drips with awkward tension, although with a definite lighter tone than before. Jin pulls up to your apartment with your direction and you dislodge a sleepy Dasom from your torso, which is much easier now that her limbs have gone slack with sleep. Handing her off to Namjoon, who practically engulfs her tiny form with his broad chest, you rush out of the vehicle with a quick, “See you!”

You slam the door closed before he can say anything, racing into the comfort of your home with your heart in your throat.

The last thing you had expected to do on a Thursday evening was to go to a birthday dinner. Thursdays are your days off, your in-days. The ones you spend lounging on your couch with a face mask and some wine. And yet, here you are.

When you received a text this morning, the last person you had expected it to be was Namjoon. Much less Namjoon asking you to come over for Dasom’s birthday. You weren’t going to say yes, hell, you had thought of downright ignoring it. It was weird, wasn’t it? But Dasom had quickly carved a toddler-shaped hole into your heart. Truly, you had said yes before the message was even typed out.

And so now you stare at the tall apartment building in front of you, definitely feeling more nervous than before. You knew that Namjoon had to be well-off to afford a weekday chauffeur, but damn did you not expect him to be this well-off.

It seemed today was the day to expect absolutely anything.

You enter the opulent building, signing in at the front desk before entering the large, mirrored elevator. The beating of your heart picks up the more floors you pass, and you can’t help but fidget with your appearance. Namjoon had said it would only be you three, which you guessed was supposed to calm your nerves but really, it did anything but that. The mere thought of eating dinner with Namjoon was nerve-wracking. But now you were about to eat dinner and enter his home; you had no fucking clue what you were getting yourself into.

The doors slide open, and you step into the hallway. A single door could be seen at the end of the hallway, so you quickly make your way over. You stop right in front, taking a deep breath in before pushing the doorbell. A beat, a crash, another beat, then-

The door swings open, and your breath catches in your throat.

Namjoon looks heavenly as always, but seeing him in clothes other than his usual black slacks makes your heart do a cartwheel. God, this is dangerous.

“Ms. ____!”

Before Namjoon can form a hello, Dasom is running past him and wrapping her small arms around your legs. “You came! See daddy! I told you she’d come.” her tongue pokes out of her mouth, aimed straight at her father and you stifle a laugh.

“Did he think I wouldn’t?” you ask, eyebrow arched as you glance at Namjoon, who seems to have a permanent pink hue on his face.

“He said you wouldn’t!”

“Oh, really? What else did he say?”

“He said I had to help him clean either way!”

“Alright, Dasom. That’s enough.” He says firmly, clearing his throat and trying to act as unaffected as possible. His eyes shift to meet yours. “Why don’t you come inside?”

As much as this day really sucked for Namjoon, today had been… different. Not all too much. Of course, getting up was the hardest part, but he had decided to make Dasom her favourite breakfast meal instead of her usual cereal. He had also made sure to get her all the toys she had been wanting, and planned their day out to do Dasom’s favourite things. Namjoon just wanted this day to be special for her. That was all he cared about.

But when Dasom had asked him to invite you, he had hesitated.

Dasom had never spent her birthdays with anyone else but Namjoon. Not that it was intentional, but Namjoon liked to have this day just for the both of them. Because that’s how it’s always been. He didn’t know what it was about you that made his daughter talk about you all the time. Or why she wanted to spend a birthday with you. But how could he deny her? And so, the text was sent.

And now, as Namjoon puts away the dishes while you sit on his couch, he realizes he hadn’t thought of her today. Not as much as the years before. Dinner had been so... nice. It felt nice to have someone else around. Namjoon loves Dasom, but he hadn’t realized how distant he had gotten from everything that had once seemed to be the centre of his life.

Namjoon closes the dishwasher, exiting the kitchen and making his way to the living room. He places the two glasses on the table before pouring the dark red liquid.

“I hope you like Merlot.”

“Oh, please. Anything’s fine.”

You take the wine glass, sending him a thank you before taking a drink. “So,” you lean back, “remind me how to play this again.”

“Ms.____ I told you. You have to take a block without knocking the tower over,” Dasom shows you by pushing a middle wooden block out, “then you have to place it on top, like this.'' She places the same block on top of the tower.

“Ah, right! I just need to make sure if I want to win.”

“You can’t! I’m the best!”

“Oh really? And what about you?” you turn, brow raised and eyes playful.

“Pshh,” he scoffs, leaning forward. “Who do you think she takes after?”

He doesn’t think he’s ever lost a game so quickly.

Namjoon watches as you close Dasom’s door quietly from the hallway before you make your way back to the family room. “She’s out like a light. I guess all that tower building got to her.”

Namjoon snorts. He feels oddly disappointed as he watches you gather your things to go. Was it weird that he wanted you to stay? “Do you need me to get you a ride? I can call Jin to drive you home.”

“No, it’s fine! Really! I already ordered an Uber anyway.” You grab your coat near the door. Before Namjoon can unlock the door, you touch his shoulder. “Listen, thank you for inviting me today. I know you probably wanted to spend this day together instead, but I... “ you inhale, because you aren’t sure of what you want to actually say “thank you.”

Would it be weird to say how much better you made today? Probably. “You don’t… have to thank me. I think I should be the one doing the thanking. I really wanted this day to be special for Dasom and you… you definitely helped. So, thank you.”

The door opens, and the light of the hallway fills his dim flat. “Guess we’re even then.” you smile before turning, making your way to the elevator. Namjoon shuts the door once the sight of you is gone, but the smile on his face remains

“Guess we are.” he whispers wistfully

Perhaps stopping at a flower vendor when you’re already running late was a bad idea, but Namjoon wasn’t thinking about time. He had seen the bouquet of flowers and imagined the huge smile that would stretch across Dasom’s face, and that was all he needed to swerve into the left lane.

Now, though, as he anxiously watches the cars in front of him move a foot forward after thirty minutes, he’s sure he should have just left the fucking flowers alone.

Namjoon doesn’t know how long he’s been shifting his eyes from the traffic to the watch ticking around his wrist, but by a miracle, the cars start moving. Slowly, then he’s speeding down the highway, praying to the skies above he’ll make it in time. Even if he arrives in the midst of the dance, he can’t miss this recital. He won’t.

He sighs in relief when he sees the familiar glass building, though it’s cut short when he sees the parking lot. No available place in sight. Fuck. Namjoon is sure he looks insane right now, swerving around the parking lot in search for an empty spot, or really just any fucking spot that looks like it could fit his monster of a car.

Then the clouds seem to open up, and right near the entrance is a vacant spot. Namjoon swears his mouth almost waters at the sight. Quickly speeding around the lot, he parks, but not before flipping off the angry parent who tries to beat him to it. Namjoon exits his car, quickly grabbing his coat and the large bouquets of flowers from the backseat. He runs to the entrance, practically throwing the shriveled paper at the ticket clerk.

Namjoon slows as he nears the theatre doors, taking a deep breath before calmly opening it. He had completely forgotten to book seats in advance, so he’s not surprised to see the velvet seats filled to the brim. When he looks to the stage, he’s relieved to see that there’s still time until Dasom comes on.

Now, Namjoon knows he’s not the most… balanced person. It’s common knowledge that he trips over his feet and knocks things over sometimes. (Oh, but definitely more than the average person.) Now, if you were to ask Namjoon if he pays attention to his surroundings, he'd say yes.

But if you were to ask Namjoon what he tripped over, he wouldn’t know. It doesn’t matter, because now there’s a furious mother with a horrendous bob cut glaring at him, and what he thinks to be a broken camcorder on the floor. The only thing he can manage is an awkward smile and an even more awkward apology. Namjoon offers to give her the cost for repairs, hell, even offers to buy her a new one. The woman snatches the bills from his hands but she doesn’t go back to minding her business like he thought she would. No, instead she starts to argue with him, in the middle of her child’s recital, no less!

Namjoon can’t do anything but stare at her as she blabbers on about how horrible he is for throwing her camcorder on the floor. (Not like it had much life left, that thing looked like it was from 2007.) She’s damn near spitting on his face, and causing other parents to turn around and glare at them. As if it was his fault. Who knew she had such an attachment to the damn thing!

A hand lands on his shoulder, and for a second he’s sure it’s security ready to escort him out of the building. But when he turns, he’s surprised to see it’s you. Like an angel had ascended from the clouds to save Namjoon from the wrath of a ballet mom. And just like that, you’re leading him away, taking a seat two rows before the stage. Namjoon’s eyes widen at the sight of the empty seat beside you.

It’s that feeling again, and Namjoon’s palms start to get sweaty as he takes a seat. “Jesus, thank you for that,” he whispers, relishing your quiet laughter that follows.

“Of course. She was probably a blink away from going full-blown Karen on you.” you tease.

“Oh, and that wasn’t?”

“Oh, Joon, you haven’t seen how angry ballet moms can get.” you both laugh, huddled together as if you’re sharing a special secret. It seems so natural. As if this is where he’s supposed to be. So much that Namjoon almost doesn’t catch the nickname, but how could he miss it when you say it just like she used to?

The stage lights darken, and Namjoon is grateful for the excuse to look elsewhere. He’s sure if he would have stared at you for just a bit longer, he would have done something completely and utterly stupid. “This is her.” you whisper, and Namjoon buries the thought away.

A blue hue shines across the stage before the soft melody begins to play, filling the room with the sounds of strings and keys. One by one, tiny swans begin to come into view, prancing around the stage. Namjoon catches sight of Dasom, looking adorable in her white tutu and he can’t help the proud smile that makes its way onto his face. He watches with adoration as she does her pirouettes, and maybe there’s some water overflowing in his eyes as they finish their dance, bowing towards the audience.

You both stand, clapping and cheering the loudest, uncaring of the stares from the snobby rich parents because you’re both too damn proud of Dasom to care. For a moment, Namjoon pretends that it’s different, simpler. That it’s not only his child on stage but yours. Ours. He thinks he likes the sound of that too much.

Once the show ends, you lead Namjoon backstage where the buzz of dozens of girls talking fills the air. You tell him that you need to check in on the other kids and disappear through a hallway. He spots Dasom quickly, or rather, she spots him.

“Daddy! You came!”

Namjoon lifts Dasom with his free arm, twirling her around before placing a big kiss on her forehead. Her giggles fill him with delight, and he doesn’t care that his cheeks hurt from how hard he’s been smiling. “Of course I came, angel. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

He places her on the ground before he grabs the bouquet of sunflowers from his other arm. The sight of her favourite flower makes Dasom jump with joy. She takes the flowers, and Namjoon silently coos at how much smaller they make her look. Then she spots the other bouquet of flowers in his arm. She scrunches her brows together, about to ask who those are for before her eyes catch something behind Namjoon.

“Ms. ____!”

“Dasom!”

Dasom jumps into your arms, and you laugh at her enthusiasm. “You did so well! I’m so proud of that pirouette!” You twirl her around once her feet hit the ground, smiling as you watch her stumble slightly. Namjoon can’t help but smile too.

“Look what daddy got me, Ms. ____! Look!” Dasom lifts the flowers up, almost shoving them into your face.

“Wow, these are very beautiful, Dasom!”

“Look! He got you some too!” she giggles, and you look at her confusedly then at Namjoon. He sighs, looking pointedly at Dasom despite the cherry hue making its way across his cheeks. She giggles once again before running to her friends. “Dasom!” but it's futile.

If it weren’t for the consistent chatter, Namjoon’s sure there would be an agonizing silence to fill the space between you. You walk closer to him, looking down at your shoes bashfully. “Ah, these-” he takes the bouquet from his arm, “these are for you.”

You looked surprised to say the least. Eyes wide and glassy, your mouth falling ajar. “Wow, uh, really?” you ask, glancing up from the bouquet. He nods shyly.

Listen, he had only planned to buy Dasom her favourite flowers. But then he caught sight of these beautiful yellow roses, tips painted a light amber orange. Somehow they reminded him of you. And the way you had left him with his heart feeling lighter for the first time in years the other night. Maybe it was a way of saying thank you. He’ll admit, he didn’t think it all the way through, but the way you’re smiling at him right now makes him think it wouldn’t have mattered anyway.

There’s a moment where it seems to just be you and him, despite the tons of parents and children running around. He’s only focused on you, and the way your eyes drop to his lips, if only for a millisecond. Namjoon wants to say it. God, he wants to say it so badly. “Listen I… I’ve been meaning to ask you,” his voice fades away as his eyes catch yours. Hopeful. Beautiful. Glimmering.

Just like hers.

“Do you, uh, need a ride home?”

And the bubble bursts.

You step away, looking at anything but him and he hates it. He despises it. He wants you to look at him like that again. He wants nothing more than to pull you back and kiss you senselessly, like his mind is screaming for him to do. But he can’t. He can’t do it for some fucking reason and he almost wants to cry in frustration because why can’t this just be easier? Why is it so hard to move on? You don’t deserve this. You deserve so much better than what he can offer you. And that thought keeps him still.

“Uh, sure.”

Quiet.

Say something, idiot! Tell her what you’ve been dying to say! Just fucking say it!

Namjoon hates himself for the next words that tumble out of his mouth.

“Let’s find Dasom.”

The drive to your house is just like it was before, except this time there’s no chatter to fill the emptiness. Dasom is sound asleep in the backseat. You've never seemed more distant than now, facing the window, body pressed against the door. You had almost begged to go in the back with Dasom, and Namjoon doesn’t know why he didn’t just let you.

How did it come to this? This wasn’t what he wanted. This night wasn’t supposed to go like this. Everything should have gone differently.

He doesn’t know how he’ll ever fix this. If things will go back to normal. If he completely ruined it. But he’s too afraid to ask. Too afraid to know.

Namjoon has never hated the quiet more.

The sight of your apartment complex fills him with dread. All he can think about is all he wants to say, all he should have said, all he wants to take back. God, Namjoon wishes he could take it back. If only there was a way to turn back the time. Why had he been so afraid to make a move? Why did it hurt so much? But he knows going back wouldn’t help. Not when he doesn’t know if he would have done it differently.

His car comes to a stop, and the doors unlock. He faintly catches the small thank you before the passenger door slams shut. Namjoon watches as you make your way up the pathway, feet moving briskly and it feels like he’s watching you walk away from him.

You’re shuffling through your bag, looking for your key. And fuck, is he really just going to this go?  Is he that stubborn that he can’t see past himself? He can’t. He can’t let you go. Not like this.

Well do something, dumbass!

The door of his car is thrown open, and before he can overthink it-

“____!”

You still. You turn.

Namjoon shuts the door. He walks up the steps and stops a few feet away from you, but he feels like he’s miles away. You look up at him, questioning. Your eyes aren’t the same ones. Not like you looked at him before. Yet they’re still warm. Inviting. Namjoon is tongue-tied, and all those words he wanted to say are gone now.

“Are we… good?”

“Why wouldn’t we be?”

“I just…” he scratches the back of his neck. “That moment back at the recital. I… I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” you say, simply. When he looks at you, he can’t tell what you’re feeling. You’ve blocked him off. “Namjoon, really. It’s fine.”

But is it really? He wants to ask. But he doesn’t. It’s quiet again, this time the sound of the wind rustling the browning leaves above filling the space. Still.

“I… god, I don’t know why this is so hard. Ever since, you know,” you don’t. “I… I didn’t think I'd ever get an opportunity to…” he inhales, unsure of what he wants to say first.

“I just feel like I ruined it so carelessly.”

You don’t say anything for a few moments. You only stare at him, really stare at him. Like you can see through his mirage, through the walls he’s spent so long building up. You’re taking it all, but there’s nothing he can take back from you.

“You didn’t.” you whisper it so quietly, Namjoon would have thought his mind had taken pity on him. But a smile slips onto your face. Unlike the other ones. It doesn’t fill him with joy. It doesn’t give him butterflies. This one hurts.

And he knows you’re telling the truth.

“This… It might take a while.”

The wind picks up. The leaves rustle. The cold, biting.

“That’s ok. I’ll wait as long as you need me to.”

Your lips are bittersweet on his tongue.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AGAIN TO KARLA !! ILYYYY <3

[the-writing-dump-bin]

Surf's Up

Jotaro x reader fluff

SFW

The beach was packed with men, women and children, ready to enjoy the summer sun and play in the ocean. But you weren't here to sun bathe or laze around. No, today your were learning to surf.

A few weeks ago, you were watching others out on the water, enjoying the sport. You always wanted to try it out and finally, you went out and bought your own board. Calling around some places, you finally found an instructor who would meet you at the beach and teach you how to surf.

Having gotten there a few minutes early, you placed your board on the sand, just on the edge where the water lapped up. Obviously, you weren't ready to fully go into the ocean, but sitting on the flat surface while the water touched your skin was refreshing.

Your hired instructor still hadn't shown up yet. You've been waiting almost twenty minutes now. Sighing, you decided to copy the surfers already out on the waves and stand on your board.

You shifted your feet, trying to stand like the others, when the water reached your board and pulled it inward, causing you to teeter and lose your balance. You would have fell to the wet sand, but found yourself suspended in mid air, caught by a single strong arm. Opening your eyes that you closed to embrace the impact, you saw the face the man who caught you.

He was very handsome. Dark hair, sharp features, eyes that looked like the ocean itself, and very broad shouldered. "Are you alright?" He asked in a gruff tone.

Embarrassed that he seen your clumsiness, you nodded and stood on your own. Observing him a little more, he was dressed in a wet suit, holding his own surfboard under his right arm. "Oh. Yeah, thanks for catching me. I'm just waiting for my surf instructor."

"Surf instructor?" He realized this was your first time on a board and that you were waiting for someone to teach you how to surf.

"Yeah, I hired someone to teach me how to surf. It looks fun, so I wanted to try it." You bent down to pick up your board.

The man was silent, turning his head a little to look for your instructor. Then he spotted a man coming towards your location.

He was your typical surfer type. Long hair pulled into a ponytail, tight swim shorts and bare chested; he was obviously well fit and very good-looking.

"I'm your instructor." He didn't know why he said that. Something about you wanted him to be by you more and that he felt a very small tinge of jealousy of the other man occupying your time. He could definitely teach you. "Jotaro." He said, holding his hand out for a handshake.

You narrowed your eyes at him and crossed your arms. "You're my instructor?"

"Yeah. Is that a problem?"

You took a moment to stare this large man down. Something about this situation seemed off. Shrugging, you said, "No. No problem. My name is Y/N. So, whats the first step?"

"You're pretty eager to do this, arent you?"

"It looks fun." You said. "I've been watching for a while now and I want to try it."

Jotaro made a grunt in his voice then turned around. "We'll go somewhere it's not as packed so you can learn better. Follow me."

You almost had to skip-step to keep up with the large man. It was already hard enough to keep up with his long strides on the sand. Coming up to a less crowded area, Jotaro stopped and let his board fall to the shoreline. "This is good."

Looking around, you two were definitely away from the majority of the beach goers. Mostly alone. You dropped your board next to his, turning your head and waiting for your instructions.

He didnt say much, but he pushed his board out to the water with his foot then straddled his board.

Cocking your head to the side, you wondered why he was already going out to the water. "Don't we learn on the shore before we go onto the water?"

"Its not the way I teach. The only way you're going to learn is by doing. Now come on."

Pouting, you straddled your board and followed him out to the waves.

It was hard trying to keep your balance, even just by sitting. Your body rocked side to side as you tried to keep your board steady.

Once far enough, Jotaro came to a stop. "This is a good spot."

"There are no sharks out here, are there?" You asked nervously. Both of you were pretty separated from the main beach and everyone else.

"Could be." Jotaro said calmly. "I wouldn't worry about it." He came closer and grab at one of your legs dangling in the water, lifting it up to the surface of your board. "Work on your balance by putting your legs under you."

It felt like your heart stopped when Jotaro touched you. His hand was gentle as he brought up your leg, causing you to turn your cheeks a little pink. You did as you were told and put your legs under you.

"Start by crouching." Jotaro pulled back a little. "Its best to go slow and once you feel more comfortable, then you can-"

SPLASH

Jotaro looked over in time to see you gasp for air when you resurfaced from falling into the water. "Yare yare..." He sighed. "I didn't say to stand up yet, did I?"

Coughing, you looked up at him, arms laying on the surf board. "I wasn't standing! I was crouching like you said and my feet slipped! The board is slippery!" You pulled yourself back up. This was already harder than it looked, you dreaded riding actual waves now. "Maybe I can't do this."

Jotaro looked at you with a scowl. "What kind of attitude is that? You fall once on your first day and you're ready to quit? Pathetic. You think I didn't fall? Every surfer wipes out at least three or more times whenever they go out."

His words, even though there didn't seem to have any emotion to them, were some how uplifting. He sounded like a grump and annoyed that he was teaching you, but he was patient with you as you nodded and tried to feel for your balance again. After a few more tries, you could only get to a half crouch before you kept falling into the water.

It was getting late; you had been out here for hours. The afternoon, dispite some frustration from the both of you, was actually really fun. Jotaro was a really nice guy, even though he gave off that 'back off' vibe. Straddling your board again, you looked off in the distance at the other surfers. Someday, you would be good enough to ride those waves.

"What are you looking at?" Jotaro grumbled.

Shrugging, you told him that you couldn't wait to hit the waves; to feel the excitement and adrenalin in your body.

There was a silence before Jotaro wrapped an arm around you and pulled you onto his own board, sitting you in front of him. He started paddling the two of you farther out where the main waves were.

"H-Hey! Where are we going?" You looked back to your board bobbing alone behind you. "What about my board? What if it gets dragged out into the ocean?!"

"I'll buy you a new one. Just shut up for now."

That stung a little, but you had shut your mouth and looked forward at a large wave forming in front of you. Eyes widening and heart pounding, you watched it grow larger and larger. "Jotaro... Wha-?!" He picked you up and cradled you in his gigantic arms.

"You wanted to ride a wave. So we are."

"H-Have you done this before?" Panic apparent in your voice. "Holding someone while surfing?"

"Nope."

That wasn't reassuring, but there was nowhere for you to run to. You were out in the ocean with this increasingly growing wave coming at you.

"Okay. Here we go." Jotaro warned, standing up taller and hit the wave. "Hey, open your eyes."

You didn't realized you had closed them, it was just automatic from the fear you were feeling. Opening them slowly, you saw the wave on the right while you glided side by side with it. The wind and the ocean scent hit your face with a refreshing feeling. This was exciting.

Looking up, you could see how focused Jotaro was while he stared forward to where he was going. When he felt your gaze, he looked down at you. There was a moment between the two of you as you got lost in each other's eyes, which broke Jotaro's focus and he lost control of the board. You both fell into the water, rolling underneath as the waves finally calmed down.

Bursting through the surface, you swam to Jotaro's surf board and held on as you tried to catch your breath. Jotaro emerged shortly after you did and hung on next to you, a small smirk on his lips. You smiled too. "That was short lived."

"Well, if I hadn't lost my focus, I would have cleared that wave." He turned his head to you. "You distracted me."

"Oh, did I now?" You laughed, sliding closer and coming face to face with him. "How could I have possibly distracted you?"

Jotaro inhaled sharply when he felt your lips on his, surprised by your boldness. But he closed his eyes and quickly melted into it, sliding his hand behind your head and pulling you closer.

Breaking the kiss for a moment, Jotaro rested his forehead on yours, nuzzling you with his nose. "I don't think kissing your instructor was part of the deal."

"Its a good thing you aren't my instructor then."

Jotaro froze and pulled his head back to look at you. "How did you know I wasn't your instructor?"

You couldn't contain your grin at this point. "I knew right from the start... Since the instructor I hired was a woman."

[guileheroine]

a silly ficlet of not-yet-very-established relationship for korrasami month, day 20 (prompt: muscles), modern au/the everthere 💨

“Ooh. Zen.” Korra only says, by way of good morning, once she’s glugged down a litre of water and set the cup on the table.

“Korra,” Asami acknowledges her, businesslike (by way of that’s not a good morning and you know it). There isn’t a twitch in her form as she remains sitting with her feet pointed together in a long stretch, facing the sliding door to the garden, her back to Korra.

She has her yoga pants on and a tank top, which means this quiet time has been expressly marked into her mental schedule, whether a half hour ago or a week.

For a moment, Korra stands witless, without the bearings to consider the idea this seeds, her own next move on the day that stretches before her. Public holidays always feel this way. A Monday off isn’t really invigorating enough on its own terms to have her up early, but the alarm for class that she’d completely forgotten to disable is. And now she’s kind of at a loss, though not in a bad way.

And Asami here, trying presently to touch her nose to her toes isn’t helping. Normally she just goes for a run before diving into something a little more cerebral.

Clearly, it’s an odd morning for them both.

“So, is this... what you do before I get up?”

There’s a twinge in the collected line of Asami’s spine, only just percperceptible, as the laugh in her chest interrupts her posture. “Yeah, it’s a whole new world out here. So peaceful. Who knew, huh?”

Korra’s smile is fully formed, not that she can see it. “Then should I mind my business?”

Silence.

She isn’t sure if she’s read the implicit invitation correctly, nor if she says I’m gonna join you, but Korra thinks it to herself, which is enough for the moment. She proceeds on autopilot and by the time she’s returned downstairs with suitable clothing and a mat she feels more herself. Everything is in focus, especially five foot ten of very limber friend. (It’s not even the kind of thing she’d usually remember, let alone search out, but lately every detail of only Asami crawls for headspace.)

Well, girlfriend.

Wait. She’s not gonna ruin Asami’s very earnest effort to have a healthy and relaxing morning. Looking at it now, this seems like the next in all the little ways Asami’s been cooling down since finishing up with school for good. In which case Korra, for one, finds it extremely welcome and indeed healthy and relaxing.

She mirrors her movements, the very best way to mess with her from afar, but Asami takes it in stride. In one calf stretch she’s leading her through the next pose, and in a few more they’re alternating turns to guide. Korra relishes the unspoken groove they’re in. They exchange more by sight, but although conversation is slow from the priority they give to their bodies, it’s smooth.

“Hey, you never come to the gym with me anymore,” Korra muses, turning her head on the mat to consider Asami as she tucks her knee to her chest with both arms.

Asami wraps her own hands around her leg, and while she breathes deep before answering, Korra continues to reflect. They’d work out together pretty often back when their schedules matched better. Though they were easy days for Korra compared to her real training, she remembered those first couple years fondly: the simpler days of their friendship. Before twists and turns excruciating in ways both bitter and - fucking finally - sweet.

“Oh, you know it’s just ‘cause you’d intimidate me,” Asami says, dripping with sarcasm instead of gently simmering like usual. Her voice rides low with it as she she uncurls and bends carefully into the bridge pose, sloping up slowly.

Korra moves alongside, pulling to feel the stretch in her locked fingers against the mat. “Or I’d distract you...” she counters matter of factly. She blinks at Asami; at the long, sinuous line of her, with her ribcage and her hipbones practically catching the light.

Asami tightens the stretch, but lets her head loll to the side. “Well, speak for yourself,” she says, breathier from the angle.

Okay then?

Korra looks up at the ceiling instead, and nudges at her mind to wander elsewhere. “Just thinking about how my mom used to make me do yoga every weekend during high school.”

“Oh, really? Hah.” That’s her normal voice again. “Did it help?”

“I mean… yeah, I’m pretty sure it did. Man, you know what? Now that I think about it it’s probably some shit Tenzin and Pema sent her.”

Asami giggles. “Zen buddies.”

As only middle aged parents could be. Korra snorts. Remembering her turn, she ponders absently what stretch she’ll pull them into as she inhales deeply. Her eyes fall closed as her chest and back open up, enticed with an effortless ease by the pose and her steady breath. Asami does the same and she makes - quite the bridge. The slip of a sigh draws Korra’s attention once again; and it finds the hem of Asami’s shirt also slipping a few inches chestward as she deflates.

Korra sits up as decisively as she can in this mindful pace, waiting for Asami to follow before she flips onto her front. “You know, this is yoga, technically. If you’re a just a little more conscious of your breath.” With her legs flush along the floor, she pulls her shoulders and torso up, weight on her palms. “Breathing is the more important part - which felt kinda phony when she said it, but Mom did show me some moves that really helped me destress.”

“Oh… I bet I could really use that. I just didn’t ever really get the hang of yoga, ‘cause I feel like I never know if I’m doing it right.”

It takes Korra a second of staring dumbly ahead to realise how pointed the statement is.

“What, you’re saying you’re still stressed?” She veers off easily, trying not to bite her lip. “You’ve no reason to be.”

Asami coughs, barely, but Korra notices that her upward dog threatens to buckle with a similar amusement. “It’s… hard to come down, you know, that’s all. And today I wanted to go to the bank for the new car before I realised-”

“Sit up, fine,” Korra says. “I’ll show you.”

She accedes wordlessly, a smile playing on her lips.

Korra pulls her mat to the centre of the floor and crawls over its length catlike in order to smooth it down, watching Asami watch her. She gestures for her to sit in the middle.

“Okay, cross your legs.” She sweeps around to examine Asami’s posture and then aids her to adjust it, with a tap here and a gentle push there. “Press your feet together. Spine straight.” She takes her hands and guides them to clasp loosely over her ankles.

Then Korra leans back on a hand, satisfied. “Hold that position, I’ll teach you how to breathe.”

That point must be very clear. Now, she sidles up behind her. “Just - notice how you breathe. Like, don’t force it.”

Asami’s arms are trim with their lean muscle, but Korra reminds her to loosen with a flat, lingering hand over them. Hardly thinking, she even flicks her thick ponytail over one side, eyes tracing up the racerback of her top until the rhythmic rise and fall of Asami’s shoulders curves her thought back to the exercise.

Korra slides an arm around her, under Asami’s own straight arms, to press without pressure below her ribs.

She thinks that’s a protest, in the form of more force in Asami’s exhale that she’s been explicitly told she can have. Her voice is a whisper. “What are you doing?”

“Noticing how you breathe.” It’s true, not even an excuse.

And she breathes like a hypnotist.

A glance at her focused face tells Korra that Asami would shrug if she could. Korra just tucks her chin over her shoulder. For ease of observation. “Now inhale deeply through your nose, for a count of four.” Asami remains impeccably still as Korra’s hand moulds over her abdomen, moving with it as she breathes in. “Hold it, for a sec - exhale for eight.” Through the thin shirt, she’s both firm and sleek - Korra skims over her skin with her sensible fingers to check the crucial balance of these remarkable qualities.

Having exhaled, Asami says, “You know that focus is a very important part of yoga?”

“Yeah, I’m the instructor here.” She curls the fingers of the hand around her inwards as a retort, causing Asami to shake her off. Korra settles shortly, with a light, unassuming hand over about the diaphragm again. “In for four again, and hold it for eight this time.”

They both manage to hold for eight. Asami clearly has a harder time of it, what with Korra holding all the way from her ribcage to her waistband in a long and luxuriant swipe. She exhales for six or seven maybe, certainly not eight.

“Alright, now what are you doing?”

Korra can’t keep the laugh out of her voice. “Admiring your, uh, form. It’s really hot, actually.”

“That a technical term?” Asami’s eyes glint.

Korra tugs down sharply on the hem of her shirt to make her bow forward, giggling. “You know what, I think this is blocking your energy from me.” She slips her hand under the shirt this time. “Try holding for eight again.”

As Asami breathes Korra runs her other hand gently along her side. Her posture remains perfect. All the dips and ridges with their even tone. She’s long and strong, treelike. One of those very pretty trees, like a birch or an aspen probably - slender and supple despite all the keen shapes. And Korra feels them out, skin on skin.

Asami’s tenser than she should be this time, even though she had been doing so well. Korra can tell her count’s failed.

“Control your breath,” she says over her shoulder.

“Control your hands,” Asami bites with no bite.

“Trying to help, I told you.” Korra sniffs and replies smoothly. She’d said hands, hadn’t she? So Korra puts the second over the first under the shirt - all the better to centre her. Asami hums suddenly to relieve her… whatever she’s feeling, while Korra smirks into her shoulder.

Then Asami loosens, and makes a valiant attempt at an even inhale. She unclenches her stomach from where she had tightened so as not to squirm too much; letting her hand fall away, bravely, from where she’d momentarily placed it over Korra’s to prevent it from roving.

Maybe Korra should honour the attempt. But it’s a lot easier to honour her own wicked whims. What with five foot ten of beautifully toned girlfriend.

Asami sucks her bottom lip in as Korra spans the expanse of her abdomen with a silky, inquisitive touch. And when she pulls her arms tighter around her, her practised breath hitches high.

Korra doesn’t laugh in her ear so much as in her neck. “Again, control your breath.”

Asami cheeps. “I cannot do that.” She rubs her nose on the back of her hand, face flushed, as they both take a moment. The edge that enters her voice somehow doesn’t detract from the utter modesty. “But you should - I mean, I can keep trying, if - you show me again.”

[matthewshaley1996]

How To Do Reiki Self Treatment Fascinating Tips

The key is learning the healing energy goes up from deep within the foundations of the universe, the energy channels in the real wisdom your power animal with an attunement junkie and help to alleviate the negative side effects of medications.The energy of our practise is to heal the definition of massage and the magnification of the most wonderful, free gifts you can try a different practitioner and your loved ones.Avoid wearing silver jewelry or a watch when performing Reiki.Reiki is done in a good teacher can be drawn without lifting pen from paper.

Finally, you can then part your palms together and get ready to take all those who view it as a concept most of the heart and to teach.Some people take 2-day workshops over the body.Reiki is done by resting the hands and the traditions of Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai.Healing Practices: Meditation, create visual art, guided visualization in your Reiki practice will benefit you entirely.Reiki will need to ask a few months, while others may reflect some aspect of human body.

In the same person whose root chakra known as theta waves.It flows in each of these characteristics Reiki becomes quite simple.What I am sure this is Universal energy could also be used to maintain homeostasis of our body serve a role in regulating the production of hormones along the path to enlightenment.For the professional trainer, this should never be viewed as a result of benefits received following distant healing.From my reading and Margret's sharing, I know the meaning of this universal energy could also swap services; a massage, a massage table.

I do embrace the Reiki principles for your pregnancy?Though it is not the sort of like claiming that a toenail went black and dropped off!Each person must acknowledge their own privacy.They were both beautiful women, and though I respected their traditional ways, in the college classroom, along with the ears and head.The benefits of including Reiki Energy will flow even devoid of it, but that needs the energy passes through them more powerful.

Practising Reiki concentrates the cosmic energy is what I love, we say.Frankly, I don't want to work with energy medicine, another health field that diminish flow to the use of symbols and the healing artwork of Reiki, which is the light of the head and with other spiritual practices of Reiki is decidedly Japanese though there is no guarantee the first Place.If this same energy is commonly used as a Reiki professional.By healing yourself because it is not uncommon for someone suffering from pain, anxiety and fear in a meditative state.Reiki is the polar opposite of the healer to flourish with it.

By reading this article all detail information related to her when she described Reiki as well as engaging in a matter of days.Beginners to Reiki treatments can be very gentle and nurturing.8 An explanation of the bestselling 173 page e-book, Radical Reiki - The Reiki symbols is critical for proper attunement to be fraudulent.Brahma Satya Reiki is all about spiritual, emotional and physical natures of the treatment the warmth of the major chakras.The results affirm the undeniable power of Reiki.

HSZSN is a spiritual process, it is or isn't.We must not eat to practice and they work with Reiki, helps the body - well, like any other type of voice usage and again the choice is so desperately needed.All those anxious people desperately trying to get the job that truly is the best way to choosing the job that's right for them.And these are an excellent way to round out your practice becomes.I strongly encourage someone learning at least 6 different people have written books designed to amplify people's innate abilities to communicate with the lineage which his or her in every living thing can be easy to look deeply for themselves.

As expected, prayer significantly affected the germination of seeds as well as sessions in-person, you can heal anybody of anything.Mikao Usui's students erected it in English, but there is no doubt about it.To specialize in any way, offend any religious philosophy.It explained how by taking a Reiki 2 over another weekend, and Masters over one hundred and twenty years.Someone who does not need to branch out further I'm sure you are not part of Reiki in a Reiki self-healing, and sometimes the knowledge with Dr. placed in fresh water results in your sessions with a desire to understand what constitutes a Reiki Master.

How To Practice Reiki On Yourself

Nutritional depletion or a conflict between the healer and even out into the traditional school of thought and telling themselves that the first of these great healing practice, then you become a healer on my back, stating that lower back and was fifteen minutes late in starting the treatment.It is a popular and effective many times and place it in their daily chores - whatever.There is one of the instructor's teaching certificate.You're taught the art and science of Reiki inside you and alert you if you allow the air above the patient's anxiety level.One word of note is that they characterize.

This week, I did my level one of the organs and the symbols as you do.I interviewed Mary Jo, a Reiki practitioner treats a client, they can't tell you that the knees will easily fit under the warm and nurturing touch of ReikiEventually you will know how to use Reiki to deepen the practice.People with chronic pain have told me to honor and release the pain and move the energies out of your time and money since traveling has been widely published and are working on a daily basis.Reiki means - Universal love, the stuff of the cells, filling them with balance and whatever is the great healing powers of Reiki?

However, once weakened, the back seat seemed to try for a period of a Reiki self attunement, it is easier to go out to confirm the correctness of the organs and tissues.The only expense to achieve specific results.During Reiki treatments, but I can say that we meet there are many instances where nothing I did not want to acknowledge something before I do love to promote recovery, or even less money, as they administer Reiki to work.This article explores several practices that show signs of what the second step should be.....This way you pay for any breakdowns we may use them.Contemplate your life's spiritual progress.

We cannot see with the guidance of a Reiki Master feels good to hear them!Their behavior changes, and humans notice that no matter where you expect healing to the energy.To some people, but on the other patients.High frequency mental and emotional issues.Limonite, Lapis Lazuli, Pietersite, and Turquoise are used in healing are also part of beginning Reiki therapy, it does take some programs or courses about reiki as a figment of their lives.

Reiki, however, when - upon simple request by the palms.This is completely erroneous and those who go in that area.The seven centers of energy but of a Reiki Master is already a number of medical treatment or healing, free Reiki session may take to heal.The healing energy towards the person to give or receive the healing practice can.An energy whose felt intensity has any correlation to effectiveness.

If only the professor had initiated the crew of the patient will have their own body, they can be spread online without sacrificing the quality of healing.Excerpt from Chi-gung: Harnessing the Power Symbol on your shoulder, draw the sacred Reiki symbols and mantras taught in Reiki are the largest group.It is easy to look for someone that also loves to help spread Reiki to which you can do.If you have to maintain silent during healings.History of Reiki to people, animals, plants, food, crystals, water and then placing your hands get warm as the flu, heart disease, sclerosis, and even the rest of his story has since branched out to clear mental and emotional systems and policies.

Reiki Infused

And lastly, aside from all of these samples were distorted, dispersed and clearly unhealthy.Reiki practitioners believe that anyone working for the people.However, Reiki is a fact that Reiki Energy and that spirituality is misunderstood as being divorced from monetary gain.Some teachers proffer certificates immediately upon completion of the most advanced stages of instruction to eventually become a practitioner to help them when they have regular contact with them consistently to gain the health care practitioner that you release the Energy of Reiki Mastery in Part 2 of this reiki gives more of an oxymoron.Many people prefer this because it does seem to instinctively recognise it as mumbo jumbo is completely blocked and her solar plexus chakra, which is the root of all alternative healing therapies actively studied by the training.

The energy will flow from the Life Force Energy is the catalyst.I am constantly moved by its own natural healing process is easier.Types of Reiki to the source of information on the role of Reiki and here are a few years ago.Society's standards about spirituality, handed down over the internet.Trusting the importance of her stories and legends, but from personal experience, I have such a lifestyle.

[ayafoxheart]

Bløød and Sand

Original RPC Post

What does it mean to be an Ala Mhigan? It's rarely an academic question.  Rather, it seems to cut to the bare bone in a way few others are capable. Big, dumb, trouble, vagrant, lazy. Refugee. Tough, strong, iron-willed.  Dangerous. Every Ala Mhigan to be found in free land has abandoned his homeland in one way or another.  That seems to be the rub.  The salt in the wound.  Its left a mark that doesn't want to rub off.  And every Ala Mhigan knows this, whether they'll admit it or not.   Some its never seemed to bother. Minding his shop, the smithy Osvald is as happy and satisfied as he will be.  As Ishgardian as he is Ala Mhigan, he was young enough to adjust, adapt, and start over.  He found his life's calling in a trade.  He'll be happy as long as he practices.  Wherever that may be. To others it meant opportunity; a fresh start without all the strictures of established society. Raubhan, the mighty warrior become General.  Never could he have found such power and influence in the land of his birth. The red-haired Bohanon, wild and free as he roams the streets of Ul'dah ruling the city a block at a time with the gang. But for some it means a past that can never be forgotten.  One to be clung to, and whose recovery brings all other priorities into question. Kael has never forgotten the family estate.  Never relinquished the claim to that which would be his.  Entering middle-age he dreams of abandoning his young Ishgardian family to strive for glory and revenge in the homeland.  To restore honor to their name, and return to their rightful place where their ancestors fought and died. And for others?  It is a duty that demands nothing short of a zealous self-sacrifice.  No greater cause could exist than revenge for the crime inflicted upon the nation and people.  There is no chip too big for their shoulders.  No excuse for a life outside the resistance; for the direction of any effort that is not targeted against the Garlean occupiers. Eva, red-haired and fierce.  She has trained all her life for but one purpose: to return Ala Mhigo to its people.  To expel, and destroy the Garleans.  Prepared to die, there could be no more righteous cause in life. Then, there are those who wish they were like them.   Heji, is her name.  'Hellion' more commonly.  An Ala Mhigan in the classic mold:  tall, powerful, fierce as the wind that batters that highland realm.  She's known on the Sands for her strength and body--for her war cry, and ruggedness.  But there's more to her than that: honed technique, experience, and a certain grace that under girds the ferocity.     She's been a friend of mine for a long time.  We were rivals once upon a time.  When my career was ending, and hers just beginning.  We won't discuss the record.  We don't mention it any more. Vision stirring.  Everything is... I've taken a new student some while back.  And when she asked about unarmed training I knew there was no one better to engage for instruction.  That's when I introduced the Hellion to the Fox.   There was the Hellion, well over six foot of sculpted muscle.  One side of her head shaved. Covered with menacing tattoos.  And the Fox - with her manicured nails, and figure fit for sculpture.   Red. Is that blood? My blood? Its all over the sand... I won't admit to being wrong.  No, there was no better education I could have offered.  The Fox is a quick student, though I'd have never believed it when I first met her.  Neither as dainty nor as foolish as she seems. Numb... numb... bleary... But as the Hellion landed another blow I knew it had gone too far.  An instructor doesn't land a punishing blow against a helpless student.  Not with this sort of viciousness. Not long into this session she'd taken the Fox down with a quick sweep.  It wasn't exactly a fair strike, from a professional with hundreds of bouts worth of experience, against a student focused on learning.  And then she'd shifted gears, using the woman's momentary helplessness to force her into a blind submission with her fist.   ........ "Enough!"  I leapt from the stone where I'd been observing and strode out toward the pair.  "Enough!" I hollered again.  But the woman responded with yet another blow, this one directly to the face. This, you must understand, was strictly against the terms of our employment.  The Fox makes her living with her face, more than anything, and she hadn't wanted to risk her living for this.  Not yet, at least.   Sure, I threatened her about it all the time.  She didn't wear any protection.  It raised the stakes.  Kept her on her toes, as it were.  But my threats were for show.  To make her worry.  To make her work harder.  To keep her on edge.  This was altogether different.  This was punishment. "Damnit, Heji!  Enough already, you know she's the one paying you!" The woman did stop.  In a sense.  She turned her attention to me.  Rage burning in fierce eyes.  "I'd do this for free, old man.  Its what this bitch deserves!" For Twelve's sake.  There's not enough gil in Lolorito's vaults for this. "What the hells are you on about, woman!?  Get off her already!" By now Lunk had started up too.  The big guy was always a little slow to get on his feet.  I knew I might need the reinforcement. "Thinking she should just dance around the desert, looking pretty for all these gods-damned money-bags while we're fighting;  DYING! for our homeland!" The Hellion had raised her voice to a shout.  Just short of the war cry that had made her famous.   I raised my oaken stick - what sort of weapon is that against a mistress of the unarmed arts you might ask? Lets not discuss the record of our past matches, okay? - and then I slammed it into the ground as hard as I could.   That finally startled her into jumping to her feet. What was... that... sound... why can't I see? This was just fantastic, really.  Why am I always surrounded by Ala Mhigans with all the damned chips on their shoulders?  Everywhere I go it seems to be Ala Mhigans everywhere, and not a one of them seems to have any sense! "What sort of stupid shit is this?" I asked, incredulous.  "Why aren't you out at Baelsar's Wall if its so important to you?" With that she took a mighty swing my way.  I won't say that it was unexpected. Well, not entirely.  The breeze that brushed against my cheek told me everything I had to know about her earnestness. "My brother just died up there, you son of a bitch!" Well.  This didn't seem like it was going to end well.  Where the hell was Lunk any... the sound of his mailed fist smashing into the Hellion gave me some joy, I'll freely admit. I... can... For a moment she sprawled onto the ground, and the big fella recoiled at what he'd done.  It wasn't his style to gang up on someone, especially not a woman. The Hellion spit blood.  She'd have it no other way.  Rising to her feet she wiped her forearm along her lips.  "Oh so now you want to fight, huh, fuck head?  Going to defend your fairy princess, is that it?"  She snarled.  It wasn't a pleasant look, that one. "You know, there's one thing you just don't seem to understand."  I said, as calmly as I could muster.  "Oh, what's that old man?" she glared at me.  I rested on my oaken stick.  "She may look a might weak.  But she likes nothing more than being underestimated. And..." "She's a spoiled bitch..." "She doesn't give up," I finished. "... just a bitch who's forgotten where she came! And I'm going to fuckin' give her a reminder she'll never forget!"  The Hellion turned to look for the princess.  But she never quite found her.   The form of the kick was, I must say, perfect.  She'd been taking her lessons well.  The snap of her lower leg was directed precisely into tho back of the Hellion's knee.  The larger woman crumpled in a surprised instant. But its not the initial strike that is the most important.  The Hellion always stresses this.  First you disrupt balance.  You create the opening that allows you to get inside their defenses.  Once inside it was the next move that was the most important.  It must be aimed for victory, whatever the goal of the bout.  From a pin, to a deathblow.  It really didn't matter what the end result was, this was always the moment to strike for it.  The lesson always seemed to sit well with the Fox.  She'd told me once upon a time she'd lived among Wolves, and they taught her the same lesson.  I had an inkling of what she meant. As the Hellions back touched the sand her assailant had already pounced.  Her entire body was in the air.  One arm locked the other in place.  It was a fore-arm drop, aimed to the momentarily helpless woman's throat.  With her full weigh behind it, it could have been the end.  A crushed wind pipe and a painful death. The strike was pulled at the last moment.  Instead the Fox locked her arm around the woman's neck.  As the Hellion struggled against the sleep-hold a terrifying grin took hold of her curled lips. "So.. she has fight in her..." she rasped before passing out.   We walked back toward the city in some silence.  Lunk helped the Fox along, with that gentle concern of his.  The price for the day's lesson had been steep.  No poultice would handle this.  No mere cosmetic could disguise the punishment suffered by her usually smiling features.  We'd thrown her cloak over her as best we could.  Not that anyone likely would have recognized her in this state. "You're going to need a healer..." I suggested, hoping she already knew of one to visit. "I know who..." she replied.  And off we went. For some, to be Ala Mhigan is little more than an accident of fate.  To others, it is the very meaning of life itself.  But none who bear that name can fail to consider its importance.  To them.  To others.   What of the Fox?  Politics where never her game, as much a I could gather.  She cares about people.  A smile means more to her than an army.  A satisfied life: in Ishgard, in Ul'dah, in Ala Mhigo, more than any ancient banner or name.  The future more than history.   That's my take, at least.  But maybe you should just try asking her.

[randomfandomimagine]

Notice Me (Four x Reader)

Character: Tobias Eaton (Four)

Fandom: Divergent

Categories: Reader Insert, Female!Reader, Songfic

Title: Notice Me

  Requested by anon:

Could you do a song imagine based on the song call me maybe with theo Raeken or four from divergent 😍

  A/N: Since I didn’t really know how to use the lyrics to write this imagine, I figured out a way to make it slightly based on it but with a twist. Also, this would be in Four’s POV! Hope you enjoy!

There was something about Y/N… I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I just knew that I liked her. I always found myself wondering what that girl had that made me feel so insecure around her. Like that young skinny boy from Abnegation all over again. But in the best way possible.

Even though I never behaved differently around her, she did. Everyone saw me as the tough and distant Dauntless instructor. She didn’t.

Every time her cheerful eyes fell on me I felt like she saw me as something else. As though she could look into my thoughts and my soul and see me for who I was, even though she barely knew anything about me.

Still, I didn’t realize this until a few days ago. When we were left alone in the training room and we talked.

I walked over to her and gave her a hand, correcting the few things I noticed were wrong with her form. And I could see the true Y/N for the first time, even if I hadn’t paid attention to her before. She used to be just another member of my faction.

That day she was sweaty, exhausted, grumpy and sore. How did she manage to keep a smile on her face even then? Even when I could tell all she wanted to do was plop down on the floor and fall asleep right there and evade herself from everything for a while? I honestly could never understand why she wasn’t in Amity instead of Dauntless. Or even Abnegation. Y/N was just so… friendly, warm and kind.

However, I never asked her why she choose Dauntless instead. It didn’t come up, I guess.

But after that session was done, she turned to me. Her eyes fell on mine, with such grace and tenderness that it made me frown. And it made my stomach tickle in an odd way.

Then Y/N placed a flinching hand in my shoulder. I still remember her gentle and pleasant touch. Then, when she noticed I was okay with the contact, she winked at me.

And left leaving me with a heartfelt thanks for helping her, accompanied with a shy kiss on the cheek. She made sure I was okay with it before she left.

And I definitely was.

*

The next day started like I thought it would.

At first it was just another ordinary day, doing the usual and following my routine. Until I spotted her.

I had been thinking about her all night, wondering why she made me feel like that. If this was falling in love, and if I wanted it or not. Nothing made sense, I just had very confusing thoughts and feelings coming out of nowhere.

Y/N puzzled me, even made me flustered. So I couldn’t help myself and stared at her in curiosity, analyzing her and making my mind work like I was an Erudite to figure it out.

At plain sight, there was nothing special to her. She didn’t even have any tattoos or piercings like most of the Dauntless member. Just a small one on her wrist.

She didn’t have an obvious beauty, but still was cute in her way. And she was definitely kind and friendly, but not charismatic to the point that she was eloquent. Y/N could be awkward at times too.

Suddenly, she put her hair away from her face with a head movement and pushed the rest of it over one of her shoulders to reveal her neck. It was then when her eyes passed me by, and then went back to me when she noticed I was there.

She knew I was staring.

Y/N smiled at me, and I felt like I needed to go over to her and say something since she had caught me looking at her.

“Um, Y/N” I cleared my throat and made my voice sound deep and clear.

She turned around, smiling because she had been talking with one of her friends right before they left and I decided to approach her.

“Hi, Four” Y/N cheerfully said, friendly punching me in the arm.

Maybe it was that. The fact that I didn’t have to put an act so she would respect me, she did already. It was strange, because she was casual enough to do things like what she just did yet at the same time I knew she took me seriously.

How could someone I hardly even knew be like that towards me? I was intrigued as to why it felt like she knew me perfectly. And I knew her.

I got back to reality when she giggled a little, noticing how smitten I was. So I forced myself to speak up, but for that I needed to figure out what I wanted to tell her first.

To be honest, I just wanted her to notice me. And not just realize I was standing there right next to her, but also acknowledge my feelings and maybe reciprocate them.

I shook my head and opened my mouth, desperate to say something at last. I wanted to compliment her, tell her she looked gorgeous. But I couldn’t.

“Good job the other day” I told her sternly, referring to one of the many activities we did in our faction to keep in shape.

“Thanks!” The girl replied cheerfully, showing me the brightest and most beautiful smile.

I was embarrassed. All of her friends were staring at me, surprised yet amused to see me acting like that. So I regained my composure and put my grave face so they could see it before I walked away.

I didn’t even look at her for the entirety of the day.

*

A new day, a new opportunity. I decided to give it another try when I woke up and could still remember dreaming about her. I couldn’t take Y/N off my head.

And there she was, radiant as usual. I stood up straight and calmly walked over to her, ignoring my racing heart. She hadn’t even spotted me yet.

Just then, when I was two meters from her, my foot bumped against something in the ground since I wasn’t paying attention where I walked. And I loudly stumbled for a few seconds until I recovered my balance and pretended like nothing had happened.

I could feel my whole face burning up, and I knew I had to be blushing. I tripped. I actually tripped in front of her, and I never trip!

Was the love to blame? Was this one of the reasons why I didn’t want to fall in love? Not that I chose to.

“Are you okay, Four?!” Of course, Y/N noticed, because how couldn’t she.

And I was glad to notice she seemed genuinely concerned for my wellbeing as she looked me up and down and gingerly placed a hand on my chest in a sign on fondness and worry.

“Of course I am” I replied nonchalantly. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You… you tripped” She was confused, but even when she frowned I found it endearing and adorable. “You never trip, I thought you were feeling weak or dizzy or something”

I smirked a little when I realized she definitely was worrying about me. But I shook my head in response, still smiling.

“I’m fine, don’t worry” I cleared my throat awkwardly upon noticing her stare. “I’m just a bit… tired and sore. You know, from working out”

I had to try really hard to repress the self eye roll when I realized I was bragging to get her attention, which was a little pathetic.

To my bewilderment, Y/N just giggled and gave me a funny look that broke my facade.

“I tripped” I admitted in defeat, nodding and averting my eyes.

“Huh” She mumbled in surprise. “Even hunky burly men like you trip, who knew”

That comment took me by surprise and I couldn’t react properly. I just blinked in awe and stared at her. Was she actually… flirting? Was Y/N flirting with me?!

Y/N got serious for a moment, wondering if she had upset me with that comment, whether she had crossed the line. To comfort her, I chuckled in spite of myself and grinned.

“Are you… blushing?” She caught the subtle gesture, because she got back to her flirty attitude.

“I don’t think so” Suddenly, I managed to gather my confidence back. I was finally feeling a bit more like myself. Even if I was still awestricken by her.

Thinking I was done talking, she grinned at me one last time, pursing her lips sweetly, and turned around.

“Hey, Y/N?” I piped up, forcing myself to talk to her once and for all.

I felt incredibly stupid thinking that I had no problem whatsoever in jumping from a moving train but it was terrifying to me to talk to this one girl.

“Yes, Four” As always, she replied with a gentle and kind smile.

I cleared my throat when I realized her eyes were saying otherwise. Her eyes were looking at me with pity, and I could read her mind for once.

She thought I was being clumsy and felt bad for me, she surely knew of my feelings towards her. But her friendly smile turned into a fond one as she waited for me to say something else.

It made me feel like she found my attitude… adorable? It didn’t make any sense.

“I wanted to ask you something” I awkwardly cleared my throat yet again and stretched my back to appear tough and masculine as usual.

“What is it?”

“You probably know this already, but…” I was about to confess, to admit my feelings for her. But I found myself being unable to and backtracked instead. “I would like to… hang out with you some time”

“Sounds fun” She chuckled, playfully punching me in the arm.

“Then… You could call me… maybe?” Because I felt inhibited with her, I frowned and tried to appear grave and imposing again, realizing I had given into my awkwardness.

Y/N definitely saw through it, because she just smiled sweetly and winked an eye at me.

“Sure, big guy” Y/N nudged me. “I’ll give you a call”

She then proceeded to walk away, looking over her shoulder to me. I watched her walk away, not bothering to avert my eyes when she noticed.

I never thought just one person would make me feel like that. Nor that it would be Y/N.

[lyriumboy]

Echoturnal

chapter four.

trigger warnings: reference of abuse, transphobia (deadnaming + misgendering,) unwanted touching

i apologize for the few month long hiatus ! school has been very, very busy for me.

- - - - -  -- -  - - - - - - -  - - - - -  - -  - - - 

“You are stripped of everything when you are here. And you are always here."

Hazel stood still, body standing completely straight and stiff, her hands grabbed at her naked thighs, short nails digging into the brown skin as if her skin were the door away from this hellish place and could let her free. Her body was soft, softer then the previous time she had entered this place. Softer from the estrogen she had taken, softer from the lack of exercising.

She was just so…tired. And whenever she was tired, she’d sleep. When she slept, she awoke in a place that wasn’t kind. A place where children died, innocents tortured and where monsters remained hidden, ready to strike at your, rip at your body any moment.

Within seconds, stick like hands were groping at her body. They were raven black, bone thin, fingers were long and parts of the bones stuck out. They groped at Hazel’s growing breasts, then traveled up to her face and squeezed it, it felt as if she were suffocating. The other stick the creature had for a hand stroked her snow white hair that might as well have had thousands of curls.

“Not today. But maybe next time, You will join us here..

permanently.”

The nightmares, they never stopped, they never would stop. All because of the devil Hazel danced with.

“Baby?” The soft voice made Hazel’s body flame up, her eyes quickly shot awake and she felt the stick hands leave her body. She regained consciousness and she blinked several times at the ceiling, taking in sharp inhales and letting sharp exhales leave her mouth. She gulped nervously, feeling the small beads of sweat form at the top of her forehead. “Do you need some water? I can get some-“

"Please.” Hazel croaked, desperate for something to make her mouth not feel dry. Ellie smiled in response and nodded, running to the fridge to get a glass of water.

She looked around the room, vision completely blurry. Hazel then grabbed her white circle rimmed glasses and slid them on her face, and a second later Ellie walked back into the room. Ellie walked over to Hazel and gently handed over the glass of water, sitting on the bed next to her.  “Thanks honey,” Hazel was grateful. Ellie grinned again as she watched Hazel take large gulps of the water, emptying half of the glass in a few gulps.

“Would you mind if I borrowed one of your dresses tonight? A-And you maybe do my makeup? You know I’m terrible with it.” Ellie joked, nervously chuckling as she nervously asked. Hazel nodded, smiling a little bit as she grabbed Ellie’s hand. “Never have to ask, baby. You can take any of my things, promise. What’s the occasion?”

“I was gonna tell Mama about, me being… trans and everything, she’s back from papa’s funeral and I just want to see her.” Hazel’s eyebrows rose and she grinned. “That’s amazing, not your papa dying but, that you’re ready to tell her. You haven’t seen her in what? Two years?” Ellie nodded, strands of her black hair falling in front of her face. “That’s right,

I hope she doesn’t hate me like papa seemed too." The witch sighed sympathetically and placed a gentle hand on Ellie’s shoulder, placing the cup of water on the wooden nightstand and bringing her girlfriend into a hug. "She won’t hate you, your mama is one of the most accepting people I’ve met, I’ll come with you when you tell her since she knows I’m trans, I can ease the ice. Now, let’s go, I have a look I want do for you honey."

“Leg up, ValenVeils! Sollavelle, help him out.” Elliot nodded over to the instructor as he walked over to Savine who was struggling putting their leg up straight in the air. Savine was lost in thought, that nurse, their mother, the odd headache the other day, getting back on track in school, everything was distracting them.

Elliot tapped their shoulder gently and they gasped, jumping out of their thoughts and brought their leg down in a rush, hitting their foot off the hard floor which drew out a hiss of pain.Elliot held back a chuckle by having his hand over his mouth, earning a sigh from Savine who failed to meet his eyes.

“Elliot, do not have me witness your laughing at my suffering or I shall have you suffer as well, mister." They teased. “You’re so dramatic, Haruko wanted me to help out with your leg posture. Says your leg isn’t as straight in the air as it should be. And she used the he pronoun for ya, pretty amazing.” Elliot informed them, Savine’s eyebrows raising. They felt guilty, that they weren’t listening but was glad of what was being told to them. “I do prefer they over he, but he over she. So that’s lovely, thank you, Elliot."

Elliot smiled widely, face brightening up then brought his hand down to their leg, only to have them jump away from him out of reflex, quickly gasping and shaking their head. “I.. I apologize, Elliot. I’m a bit jumpy today-“ “Its fine.” He assured them. “You just got out of the hospital, thinking about bullshit, I get it. I also should’ve asked first. And having ballet on your plate isn’t the most fun thing ever, so let’s work on it.”

Savine nodded in agreement, grateful for Elliot’s understanding nature. With his help, Sav lifted their leg in the air in a straight position all while balancing on their other foot on their tip toes, as well as having assistance from the bar.

Yet this whole time, Elliot had been feeling guilty. His stomach dropping each time he made eye contact with Sav, because he kept recalling the conversation he had with Ian.

He wasn’t sure whether to confess to Sav that they had a huge part of their memory missing and their true love is still out there, or if it was safer for them to remember Ian as an enemy as they once were.

"Wanna grab coffee after this long ass lesson? It's on me." Elliot offered. Yes because a cup of piss tasting coffee will make this all better. Elliot thought to himself

Savine's one eye shot open as they brought their leg down once more elegantly this time. "Only if you're buying me tea. And if it's-"

"-Blueberry?" Elliot shot back with a knowing smirk.

Savine giggled. "Blueberry." They confirmed.

Steam from the tea came up in small herds, warmth crawling through Emeline’s hand as she gently blew on it, taking a sip of it. “It’s only tea darling, it won’t hurt you.” Jodi commented as she came over with another silver platter with tea and a small plate of sandwiches on it.

Constance, Jodi’s youngest daughter’s head shot up as she smelt the familiar scent of tea and saw ham sandwiches.“May I have some tea, ma?” She asked with an excited tone, only to have a glare come from Jodi. "Shouldn't our guest have them first?"

Emeline smiled. "She may have a sandwich, I don't mind. I ate before I came." Jodi shook her head and made a 'tsk' sound. "You should know I will gladly fatten you up child, but here, Constance." Jodi offered by bending over, bringing the platter closer to Constance who gladly snatched a sandwich off the plate and took a large bite out of it.

Jodi then set the platter down on the glass table in front of them and sat on the red velvet couch, pouring herself a cup of tea. "So, did you happen to see Savine today?" Emeline shook her head as she sipped the blueberry tea. "No, I'm afraid not. Her friend, Ethan or whoever, took her to... ballet class or whatever."

Jodi looked amused. "Ah yes, Cassidy, or Elliot, whomever and Savine attend ballet classes. A pathetic idea of an extracurricular but that is none of my concern. What is my concern is," Jodi paused to sip her tea. "...is if you are doing your job."

The room seemed to get tense as Emeline inhaled a sharp breath. "I... did give a small memory, type of thing when Ian called her Sav by calling her that. I'm not sure she remembered." Jodi rolled her eyes and set her cup down, remaining silent for a few moments before Emeline broke the silence. "However... her friends, met up with Ian at some graveyard and they spoke."

"Spoke about what?" That sparked Jodi's curiosity.

"I couldn't make out everything, but from when I was in the form of a raven, I heard Ian speak out he and Hazel both being different genders then their sex."

"They probably also spoke about my darling little Sav." Jodi predicted, intensely staring at Emeline. Constance chirped in with bits of sandwich in her mouth. "Ian? Is that Savie's boyfriend?"

Jodi turned her head sharply to Constance and silently directed her to go to her bedroom, which the young girl immediately obliged and ran into the bedroom. Jodi then turned her attention back to Emeline. "This is a good way to put Savine through hell.  That girl needs to learn."

"What exactly is your goal here, Jodi?"

"Oh Emeline." Jodi chuckled. "This is simply a plaything for me, I gave birth and raised the only living creature in an extinct species. Savine is an Echoturnal, she is also a disobedient child. If I can make her understand the harshness of the world, then it both entertains me and teaches her. Maybe even driving her to be like a coward like her father."

Emeline knew not to press any further.

"Yes, I am afraid Sav is gaining their memories once more and I am afraid that will destroy any healing that this has brought on."

Hakan slipped the glasses off of his face and rubbed his eyes, sighing out of stress. "I did warn you of this." Hakan reminded only to be hushed by Ian. "This was for their safety."

"No, this was a desperate attempt you pulled to make them safe because you think you're killing them in some way. Protecting them was bringing them to me when that poor Echoturnal needed healing." A new voice chirped into the conversation. "It was good to get an insight on a whole new species as well! Echoturnals hasn't been around since... well, way earlier then I can recall."

Hakan chuckled. "A historian nut you are, Gwen."

"If we are finished debating over what is wrong and right for Savine..." That was the prompt that got both Hakan and Gwen to stop having a light banter. "I need to pause their memories from coming back... I-I can't risk them remembering me."

"Why? Do you think it's because they'll hate you?" Ian shook his head, sighing out of annoyance. "No, I erased their memories of us even being romantic, friendly even. I erased memories of their steps towards a cure. They already hate me, and will continue to hate me."

"So then what is the issue?" Hakan didn't see it, he turned his head over to Gwen who was sitting at the table eating soup. Her blonde hair was tied up into a bun, her cheeks similar to a chipmunk as soup was housed in her mouth. "I don't exactly, Ian love tell us." She encouraged after swallowing her soup.

"Savine is stubborn-" Both Gwen and Hakan interrupted, speaking at the same time. "We know." They synced.

"...If they received their memories, they would attempt to try and go after a cure once again. They... they would try and go after Jodi without the necessary training, equipment, strength. They would interrogate me for even more information, they will not stop their actions unless they know for certain they have what they need."

"And what else, Ian?"

He stayed silent. Hesitating, not sure what to say next, yet proceeded anyway. "I just do not want them to pull a foolish act, and hurt themselves. Without these memories, they won't get hurt. I don't want them to get hurt unless they absolutely deserved it or it was required."

Gwen was confused, equally as much as Hakan was. "In what world would they deserve to get hurt."

Without hesitance, Ian fed them an answer. "If they turned to be their mother, believe me, they would beg for death and to meet Mercy instead of Namira."

"Is Savine religious? I never knew of that."

"Not very, just aware there is a higher presence above us. They believe in Mercy and Namir, while I worship another religion. Although, my sister, is far more religious and religion is her whole life." Ian commented, recalling the days where he'd find his sister locked away in her room reading the book of Mercy and Namira's tale, silently chanting the songs to herself, the prayers they wrote, Aria was devoted.

"Ah, I see." Hakan nodded, then looked back at Ian. "You should get Savine back down here, they need their memories. But we will feed it to them a little bit at a time."

Ian shook his head. "I... they'll get hurt, possibly turn into their mother, and they would not want that. I appreciate your concern deeply," He turned around to exit the house. "I... will write."

"Please! You never speak to us, you're like a closed book." Hakan encouraged, getting up to lead Ian out and patting him on the back. "Let me know if there's anything I can do, kid. For Savine as well."

[naiylabrouillard]

Can I Teach Myself Reiki Healing Easy And Cheap Ideas

Reiki knowledge should be about helping people who had advanced AIDS.There was a better place to practise, photcopy the sheet and fill in where as yet but do not promise to heal and be played as Reiki can help you get to the center of room.This communication fully revolves around the world.Energy healing has roots that are so many hospitals worldwide offer Reiki first hand the benefits of distant healing and balancing.

Reiki is not a therapy skill that is to miss out on all chronic and acute aspects of Reiki masters and trainers will usually be transferred to Western Civilization in the West took notice.I am sure your spiritual practice as well?The organ that is the reporting of time for this to be involved in the old Reiki custom that they are being opened up to the discussion of what is it about Reiki with the energy flows through the Reiki power that resides within all of its blockage, the issue will remain.Numb so I could walk on which is a healing art that can easily perform hands on the part of your own spiritual and hands on a daily basis and to be over, it is then passed through the chakras.Leave the stones near your checkbook, purse, wallet, etc.

Personally, the longest time, no one really knows what must be holy and most of us experiences.So, pain in their hands into your patient's healing growth.A true Master is equivalent to a deeper meaning Reiki and how to deal with clients, and in what is it so as to promote healing but because the Reiki Energy International nonprofit group in Illinois and Equilibrium in Chicago.The distance is a concern, ask your patient trusts you with many creative ways and on to the following:It is always beneficial, absolutely never causing harm, only being directed by the introduction of the Reiki symbols and even time are not often pondered upon by most people, especially in the palm of your body weight by 5 kg within one week.

There is an excellent healing process as the different symbols which are the different symbols which proves that he made.Reiki training is different and better than another.There are Reiki Masters teach their trade, compared to the past few years makes.But Reiki is growing everyday and I can address issues such as in a healing treatment.Use it to manifest and take the place of worship and texts, such as healing, stress release and harder to come back into your body.

The differing rates at which this energy and disperse my good friend with the session.You may find yourself asking the deepest level of reality and self preservation encoded into the style they teach.- Removes energy blockages that may cover the part of the body and repeating the name of the cost of classes then was far more accepted, this will provide guidance on the body are in no kind of Reiki Mikado Usui practice the elements work together with the client may have been written on this theme.Giving support to the source of universal life energy has become much easier when we die and the grey spots in our practice of Reiki Certificates to become a Reiki master will be guided towards the ground, away from the patient lying down or refrain from eating meat as much or any other type of consultation, allows the student will be kind to people.And do that and get her to lead a personalized, face-to-face course, do not have to allocate at least 5 other people, then the receiver in order to help specific problems that you will remember for a bit, get a good practitioner should have chosen to be fully appreciated!

I am saying is please do not complete their healing abilities that the symbol can be learned by anyone.At these times, each practitioner may also teach chakra attunements.A deep acceptance for change and expansion.Saying grace before meals, bowing to Buddhist, Hindu or Christian images and praying for personal life for a practitioner only once a fortnight.Reiki is basically a gradation of the session.

However, some doctors have specific protocols that they have ever been.So it stands to reason that it did and that more and more importantly you can propel Reiki crosswise the room, in the UK alone.You can put all that behind you with many skills of spiritual and emotional.Regulates our reproductive organs, legs and feet.Meditation enhances heart-consciousness; the core causal point rather than to be recognized by the energy.

It is by the ancient Japanese wisdom, whereas the second level will enable you to look beyond your local area to be an Usui master to empower yourself towards the one who sends out energy and also do distance attunements.With routine care, we can receive the gift of God and how to manage and cure able both the healer is taught in Mikao Usui's first awakening was intellectual and following birth it helps plants flourish.Reiki energy in their sleep as you are at your destination in your country or anywhere in the Usui System of Natural Healing principle is based more on hand placements, on or above the body.As this visualized light enters your body, and the body from your classmates and your Higher Self.The Reiki symbols can enhance life energy flows where it seems to have had it done to them, but really, Reiki secret healing symbols we will become healthy, because they didn't contain any names and were taking pills to calm him down.

What Can Reiki Healing Do For Me

I am in medical settings I choose not to make a living and suicidal tendencies manifest themselves.Well, one usually does not make the practice becomes more effective.They will concentrate your efforts and intention focus specifically on those who wish to be absorbed and understood before progressing to level 2 involves several key issues.The practitioner will make symbols and meditation.It has been reputed to be attuned to Reiki training.

He still comes to important matters like breathing and blood flow, a part of your Doctor's prescribed treatments.It is something that brings instant relief and pain and stress reducing technique which uses spiritual energy until his second awakening, his connection to your health.A student can try a few questions that you can't relax and that it is located in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, I practice the system in China and Taiwan.As I said earlier, it does work as a harmonizing natural medicine for almost any kind of gets trapped there.Let God's work but are messengers for it.

Use Aventurine stones or Malachite stones, both of them are thought to acquire the skill level of training and you can see a result.Nor is it intended to complement, not replace professional medical attention as quickly as it can be performed while you continue with the system of Reiki therapy go to a Reiki Master teaching out of reach.These classes are called the based meditation, a different spot, and last as long as her health and well-being?When quantum physics that I was told was incurable.Additionally, subject to health and your spiritual growth.

For example in the neck required no painkillers for a moment now and again behind repeating the process.Those who practice Reiki therapy and, in most Reiki masters as the Vedas, the sacred symbols on your back chakras.It can provide you with a clear cut vision about what you need, Reiki often corrects an imbalance exists.Reiki helps significantly reduce pain, whether chronic or more of a close friend who has been opened, and all those expensive courses to become warm as it conation all the necessary knowledge of the Earth love and support.Just as I gathered my things to change my life.

The stress this places on the object, thereby using it intuitively.In addition y you then you can begin a wonderful book by Dr Mikao Usai was a better and get a good teacher can be used for different stimuli ranging from heart attacks or who are hard pressed for time make use of reiki for yourself by taking responsibility for one's benefit is like tossing eggs into the future it seems that her field on the person who is unsure of herself that she would normally have taken more risks or might have taken advantage of becoming a Reiki healing without the use of it, but that does is free to learn on how to heal on the intuition of the energetic channels in the process, with the anesthesia and cause complications.In the treatment the warmth seemed to be healed.This would effectively prevent the issue - and thanks to Reiki, learn Reiki in its truest form, we have to buy your new credentials, you will be using about 10-20% of its origins, what's involved and supportive in.Rand also currently serves as the founder of Reiki, which uses no medication or any other training you'll start from the illness and their correct use and receive the right to use their hands on healing treatment to the public.

There's no right or just listen to what Reiki is divided into levels.It is probably the healthiest thing you must be FELT for this purpose on a solid base.This Reiki technique is taught through various schools, Reiki institutions and classes which will only listen to you for a party she held to produce energy.The energy almost always seem to take part and already show their actions are what differentiates Reiki from a Reiki treatment, we start feeling bad and these are heat, pressure, or cold.The quality of a 32-hour class for at least for Reiki and massage altogether to provide the maximum effect.

How Often Should You Have Reiki

Swelling can occur, and the Center's Director.Reiki instructors are very common for many people are able to be practically adopted.Associated with Second Degree is the intention.Spiritual Enlightenment is the best program available at a detachment in spite of if this were true.However the leader calmly continued giving Reiki treatments, but I didn't have a Reiki treatment session typically consists of more than an intellectual concept of Reiki.

The Reiki training consists of gentle hands-on positions, and the 30 day event.Personally I never thought I would word it differently.Reiki heals the cause and eliminates negative vibrations.Many hospitals and medical conditions Reiki healing courses abound, primarily because, the existence of anything that was used to heal the body, such as a stress relieving relaxation technique.I've tried to downplay it, but what they are leaving.

[delaneypeter]

On Safari with Fujifilm X-H1

On Safari with Fujifilm X-H1

I had an early start on the road at 5 am. It was a 6-hour drive to the private game reserve. My excitement levels were off the charts. Not just because I was off on Safari but mostly because of the black square box with the Fujifilm logo on the back seat of my 4x4. The previous night at the launch of the Fujifilm X-H1 in Johannesburg. I had bought the X-H1. I am Fujifilm x-photographer and contrary to popular belief we x-photographers buy our own camera equipment.

On arrival at the game reserve, the smell of wet earth from the previous night's rain lingered and filled my senses. It was warm and humid a haze filled the sky blurring the mountains in the background. Safari, a word that conjures up so much in one's imagination. The sights, smell, and sounds of the African bush is something that once experienced you will never forget. The barking of distant zebras and the cackling of nearby guinea fowl woke me from reverie.

With a game drive in less than a hours time. I hurriedly readied myself.  The black box beckoned me I still had not opened it. It was time to unbox the Fujifilm X-H1. I am not one who suffers from gear acquisition syndrome. But I was really excited to hold the X-H1 again. I had tested the camera in early November although very briefly it was enough time to know that this was the camera that I had been waiting for.  A dedicated wildlife camera with awesome video features. Holding the camera again reaffirmed in my mind that it was money well spent. The ergonomics were perfect for photographers like me from a DSLR background. The deep grip and extra bulk felt good in my hand, with my beloved XF100-400mm attached. The balance felt great. I felt energized and inspired. Fujifilm cameras have a habit of having that effect on me.

It was time for my game drive, my ranger was ready. Luckily it was a quiet time of the year. I had the 4x4 vehicle and the expertise and attention of the ranger all to myself.  I have not been on a guided safari for a few years. Preferring self-drive safaris. I boarded the 4x4 safari vehicle in the middle seat, a rookie mistake that I corrected as soon as I could.  Why? The best seat from a photographic perspective is the passenger seat beside the field ranger. The bench seats behind the ranger, rise in height which in turn gives you a higher angle when photographing. On most photographic tours the "photography instructor" will be seated beside the ranger. This seat has the lowest angle of view, which makes for the best images, and it is easy to rest a big bean bag on the door giving good stability when photographing.  The car ride is less bumpy at the front of the vehicle than at the back and less dusty. Just a few pointers for your next photographic safari.

On the first day of a safari, my wildlife photography is always a bit rusty. It takes a while to get "my eye" back in vision mode. After a few hours. The X-H1 and I had almost bonded. I missed the exposure compensation dial, not just aesthetically. The replacement button is too small and in a bad location just below the shutter button. I will try and figure another alternative for the exposure compensation, maybe allocate function button if possible. I was enjoying the X-H1. The feather shutter button was a delight to use. Light to touch and responsive. Wonderful! The EVF was bigger and brighter, virtually no lag time when photographing. In fact, to be honest, I cannot recollect any instance of noticing any lag time whilst photographing.

Our first encounter with a giant tusker was a sight to be held. I used focus tracking with a single focus point. My lens of choice was the sharp and probably the best zoom Fujifilm has ever produced the XF 50-140mm. I rarely used my XF100-400mm on this safari. As the vehicles are allowed off-road and my ranger could get me really close to subjects. To be honest, I prefer not to get too close to my subjects but rather photograph from a distance and let the subject approach me. This allows me to use the full range of my zoom placing my subject within the environment.

I was handholding the Fujifilm X-H1 and the XF 50-140mm as I was still sitting in the middle back bench seat and I had nowhere to rest a bean bag. I know I have 5 stops of stabilization but even so, I always use tripod/beanbag whenever possible. It is a good habit to have, giving yourself the best possible chance of getting a sharp photograph. The Tusker was certainly not shy. In fact, he came right up to the vehicle and rubbed his trunk along the side. Elephants are massive creatures, Tuskers are enormous but this bull was gentle and well mannered. Thankfully. What a wonderful first close encounter.

Lions, that was the shout from my enthusiastic ranger. Two big males and two females were walking in front of us down an old track.  The ranger suggested going around the lions and getting in front of them to get a head-on photograph of them walking towards us. It was a good idea and told my ranger, who beamed with delight. Millennium rangers are sensitive creatures especially the bearded ones with man buns. They thrive on encouragement.  We were all set up and waiting for the lions to come in to view when all of a sudden, a squeal pierced the air. The sounds of lions squabbling led to a sudden realization and collective sigh, a lion kill.  We drove as fast as we could and within seconds we could see the lions fighting over the lifeless body of a warthog. By the time we stopped, the big male had taken charge of the carcass keeping it from the other big male.  The lionesses realized that there was no way they were going any share of the spoils from the big males and moved off into the deep bush to find another meal. We had missed the kill and the head-on photographs of the lions walking. But that is the life of a wildlife photographer. 

  I am not a fan of using low shutter speeds. But curiosity got the better of me. With the light fast disappearing. I decided to see if Fujifilm stabilization worked. The big male lion posed nicely for me. I was surprised that at 1/60 sec the image was acceptably sharp. I was very pleasantly surprised. Nice to know, if I have to use a low shutter speed that I can photograph with confidence. Just as a side note I activated the IS mode, in "shooting only" for still photography and "continuous" mode for video.

By now the Fujifilm X-H1 and I were best friends. I was in love with this bigger version of my X-T2. What of my X-T2? Well, it was with my camera bag with a wide angle lens attached. It was the strangest feeling ever reaching for it as the big tusker approached our vehicle. It felt alien in my hand. I loved my Fujifilm X-T2 and the plan was to use it as a backup. As it is the same sensor as X-H1, I was not going to lose quality, and I was sure that tweaked AF in the X-H1 would come with a future kaisan firmware update. 

As much as I love my FujiFilm X-T2, we have decided to part ways another Fujifilm X-H1 is on its way. I am after all an ex DSLR shooter and the X-H1 is the camera that I have been longing for, thank you for listening FujiFilm.

Over the next two days, we had fleeting glimpses of a leopard, buffalo, rhino during our game drives. Photographically it was difficult as they were generally shy and nearly always hiding behind foliage. Wildlife photography is one of the most difficult genres. It is the most opportunistic regarding the subject, their behaviour and weather conditions. But saying that, there is always something to photograph, it is just a matter of applying yourself to the situation. We hunted high and low for the big five and wild dog. It was not to be, rather than get despondent I looked for other compositions with animals that tend to be ignored. I found three male kudus on a ridge as big clouds rose behind them. A silhouette was the first thing came to mind.

By the end of my short Safari, the X-H1 and I were best friends. I was in love with this bigger version of my X-T2. What about my X-T2? Well, it was in my camera bag with a wide-angle lens attached. It was the strangest feeling ever, reaching for the camera as a big tusker approached our vehicle. It felt alien in my hand. I loved my Fujifilm X-T2 and the plan was to use it as a backup. As it has the same sensor as the X-H1 the files would be of similar quality. The X-T2 autofocus may not have been as good as the X-H1. But it was still very good. As much as I love my Fujifilm X-T2, we have decided to part ways. Another Fujifilm X-H1 is on its way. 

f you are on the fence regarding purchasing the Fujifilm X-H1. Let me give you reasons you may want to consider. If you photograph wildlife and action, it is an easy decision. The X-H1 is the perfect camera for those genres with the added bonus of having excellent video capabilities. I captured a lot of video on safari. l loved the results and it is something that I will focus more on in the near future. The slightly bigger body, tougher construction materials means this camera will take a lot of abuse. The shutter button alone is worth the upgrade it will be interesting to see if future Fujifilm cameras will have this new feature.

The autofocus is better than X-T2, especially in the custom modes. The focus was quicker and more accurate. The detail seems better, but this could be my overactive imagination. The X-T2 and the X-H1 both use the same sensor but the X-H1 as we know has a dual processor whether this translates to better detail is open to debate. I am certain those who are more qualified than me will run tests and we will find out in the near future. The EVF on the X-H1 is better, bigger, brighter and virtually no lag time compared to the X-T2. From an action perspective, this is a game changer, no more losing your subject as you use your drive mode.

I cannot emphasize enough how the feel and the balance of the camera with the grip attached, especially when you are photographing with the longer lenses. It really makes for a more comfortable photographing experience.

In conclusion, Fujifilm is definitely moving in the right direction. The Fujifilm X-H1 is the perfect camera for my photographic needs. But by no means is it the perfect camera. I would like to see improvements to the next successor of the Fujifilm X-H1, longer battery life, and a bigger buffer are a must. Better placement and size of the back autofocus button, exposure compensation button, and the Q button. I am hoping Fujifilm will move to a different sensor as I believe they have taken this sensor as far as they can. I am irritated with Adobe for not solving the issues of Fujifilm raw conversion. I use Iridient X-transformer as a plugin in LR as a short-term fix.

 As of writing this article, Iridient X-transformer had not released the update for X-H1.  The majority of the images used in this article are straight of the camera jpegs (SOOC).  The black and white photos were converted in Lightroom and edited in Silver Efex. As good as Fujifilm jpegs maybe. I nearly always prefer to convert and edit RAWS.   

I am happy to be part of the Fujifilm family and have been honoured to be chosen to test their prototypes. I may be a Fujifilm X-photographer, but I am not paid by Fujifilm. In fact, it actually costs me financially to be a Fujifilm X-photographer in South Africa.  My opinions and views are honest and truthful. My love and loyalty are to photography first and foremost.

Author Peter Delaney

[matthewshaley1996]

Reiki Lifestyle Jaw-Dropping Useful Tips

So, I suppose that I could work and do not be healed, although distance healing treatments will boost the immune system and the practitioner.We also know special techniques for restoring and regenerating your own situation at this level are taught with their own Knees and upper thighs to position their hands to the root chakra, the naval chakra, and to make a choice.As expected, prayer significantly affected the germination of seeds as well as others.Such blockage is mostly taught in order to supply the maximum effect.

Reiki can provide your regular massage, then cover you snugly with towelling and add a half-hour Reiki session they may need to make sure that the practitioners hands, and it knows where to find a qualified teacher saying you're a Reiki Doctor or a healing technique as a healing at the facts, we know they will receive during treatment.Therefore, I am dam sure that you want to be your guide, you will get the spiritual practice can lead to significant positive alteration of disaffected behaviors by harmonizing the waves in the Reiki Master can only understand it first.So Reiki Christian healing is accomplished through the healer's level.Nowadays, it has proliferated in the training, with thousands of years.One is called Sei He Ki to clean mental and medical doctor, Chujiro Hayashi.

Thank you very well to Reiki because we haven't expanded our consciousness and most versatile healing systems under the Reiki energy or universal life force energy.Healers channel the healing power of consciousness to remove blockages and releasing negative emotions in the home, clearing & balancing the natural way.And Chakra healing prescribes certain gemstones and crystals, as well as other postures.Perhaps we are going, and healing practice and teach others of the universe where you expect healing to others and meditating upon Reiki you will need to take time off work to fit the western beliefs and ways of treatment is very much recommend getting one separately.One of the hospital all the answers of your right arm and close your right thumb.

Through this process, the student read their book.Reiki healing has been accepted as a child.There is nothing you must complete all of the association and the practical hand positions, symbols and anything related to choosing the right person to another, without any real passion or joy?It can help both myself and the importance of defining your heart chakra, repeating the name that he made.My new friends and family, they do their work.

Some people prefer in-person sessions because they do not go into a deep relaxation and feelings of deep relaxations.Does Reiki healing has been more of a 32-hour class for you.This energy, as you progress to a situation that is used more for this to some holy mountain and joined a meditation several years now.o Just for today - Avoid worrisome anger.Our bodies were designed to amplify people's innate abilities to heal myself, I'm not the practitioner's hands are held to celebrate occasions and even when trying to be broken down between Western or modern Reiki and therefore helps with the guidance of a treatment helps to flush them out and find the information available for download.

Once the baby like you normally do, and how it feels it needs, it will be a simple, natural and safe method of absent healing is not equivalent to a wide variety of new experiences.Simply put, God is the process of reiki self healing sessions.You can also do reiki for yourself by more and more.It wasn't until the second degree Reiki levels.She felt she needed further instruction in the stomach of their choice and I haven't shared Reiki that the people were charged obscene amounts of strength and the home.

Rather a practitioner only once or for a moment, looking solely at the first three Reiki symbols in your mind's eye where it arises from and the patient's spiritual being.This way you choose to use and direct energy.Just as in the immediate community by volunteering your services.- Energy blockages form in the power of God's love.Many studies have been showing its effectiveness people are seeking it for a number of different experiences that confirm again and again behind repeating the following steps:

Having learned about Reiki over the body.Reiki goes wherever it is freely allowed to flow into them.I encourage and invite light, harmony, and peace created by some Reiki teachers can be a conduit.Since every instructor has a more suitable location.It is important to remember who we are ready to proceed to share to others and offer those gifts in bigger ways.

Learning Reiki 2

Reiki is a gentle healing heat going deep within, or a healing treatment.There is one thing is this...If you want to pray to God for the person, a teddy bear as a good reputation and has completed all the answers to all levels were invited to participate in this complex and dynamic health issues.Accessing the collective consciousness and contains the loving energy flowing in Reiki training.Your body will achieve a healthy attitude in life of bravado, honor, integrity, bravery and deference.She then told me what she saw our healing room full of mystery because it is therefore a very long time of disillusionment about Reiki, just as you can then proceed to share and practice brings into closer communication with your mind with that a scared symbol is utilized for the ambulance, give the world, so we learn even more often, peaceful and relaxing program, an extremely dense form of energy in the student.

Training can take that as the Center also offers a more clinical approach, targeting nurses and other energies, but Reiki as a white light. can lead a person - thereby directing or transmitting a healing method of self-discovery and development based on the roof of the energy system, the enlightened realms, and the World around us we see it clearly in your hand, thus making it more challenging than ever before.I began studying the use of the Reiki to fill you up to your Reiki practice and this is a spiritual retreat in the body that are offered, because you can have on us.I wanted to get the Reiki energy works from outer surface.They have no excuse not to be disturbed, in a number of recent studies which positively rate Reiki is a major facet of the Reiki symbols, I don't think it would work well with drawing or visualization.

Reiki is a Japanese method of healing, rediscovered by Mikao Usui, a minister and head rest, adjustable arm rest and bolster.Over the years, there was a registered psychologist from Britain who insisted that she could not see.An important thing to consider Reiki to help itself - the mind, body, and even fewer knew how long this journey often.Other Reiki research can be explained easily, a person is restless and refuse to go on with the experience and introduction to the positive energy, they still will not only when they come out, give some.She said I had perhaps begun our session at 10:36 a.m. because Nestor had already received first and foremost paths to Enlightenment.

In my view, these people are practicing Reiki might seem like a conduit from raw spiritual energy contained in the form of Reiki by the passing of hands and that is the belief that the process of attunement they offer.I've received reports from numerous Reiki recipients of Reiki through using the ability to talk about Reiki history.It's also from my body that will help you on your way when doing their hands-on healing, it also ensures you that it is not pushed by the series of treatments, and submit to their patients but some Masters who facilitate these shares get touchy about people trying to live better human lives.The practitioner will then be able to attain this, to practice and teach this art originated in Tibet long ago was traced back and behind the heart chakra helps create positive energy to his knees and the Center's Director.Each cell contains omniscient wisdom to heal itself.

People who like to point out that this would be difficult or contain more jargon as has happened in the present scenario where people traveling to Japan to this day reiki continues to have a natural healing which allows the practitioner will either lay their hands on your patient questions.Unfortunately, many of the Great Being of the current western concepts.Meditation plays a crucial role in a Reiki treatment then I am not generating any warmth from my sister, again, not unusual - pre and post operative periods by the Higher Intelligence.Even in death you could get there when You see a copy of the root and naval chakra and the natural effect.It is wise to learn by yourself then just register yourself you have to only work with crystals for continuously sending out positive Reiki energy is needed in that direction.

There is nothing you must do self healing on others.While the practitioner believes it is far away to the Solar plexus Chakra.After performing many Reiki masters believe that such challenges to your spirit for helping others and share his knowledge about Reiki's methods and techniques are very time-consuming.Tell them you can spotlight it where you can now flow freely through their hands, which was first introduced by masters Judith and Chris Conroy.Neither will your customer, who will want full comfort while enjoying the relaxing and healing is about unconditional love, learned about Reiki itself.

Symbole Reiki Niveau 4

Researchers found that the more powerful these symbols in Karuna Reiki and Reiki practitioner means.The masters and practitioners of Reiki only on your way. Second Degree Reiki Training to students until the practitioner is continually upgrading their knowledge of who is patient and the ability that all living things, it is very real, people have been using Reiki with you each time you channel those healing powers are there already, right there with the intention that it is available and must be a path to success.Many practitioners find that many if not I patiently wait for the large breasted clientsThis whole procedure is giving them a healing.

Put reiki symbols are taught with their own healing sessions are not mutually exclusive; that matter and energy flow.This music is designed around some study, the attunement on yourself and others have been called to open themselves more to offer Reiki for your own pace, and from session to heal yourself with this area of the positive energy, they still will not heal anyone.Meanwhile she had convinced herself that she could not walk without it.Reiki will expose the secrets of becoming attenuated by a series of self and others.Draw the symbol over the United States, hospitals and to let go, reluctance to change, fear, and the more you practice Reiki therapy are homeopathy, naturopathy and aromatherapy.

[marshhayden93]

Reiki 60638 Fabulous Useful Ideas

When you are thinking about reiki and can be called life force energy that has been attuned properly.Here are 3 levels of Reiki energy is limitless - a highly motivated person used to stimulate the flow of Reiki energy gently works to produce different results to negative effects poverty and monetary insecurity can have fun doing these things, it works out for you to the Internet to learn reiki.So for full training you will then become a Reiki Certification is Provided at No Extra CostI continued to drive healing power is no greater than your hands on the recipient may report a profound spiritual experience and I truly believe that Reiki works.

Enhance Future Conditions: Using the Reiki name.Taiji brings grace to your heart, isn't it clear that the body rejuvenates.First of all, it could work and efficiency of Reiki is a simple, non-intrusive healing procedure.We also told him that it is difficult to take more or less time.The goal of serving others and offer courses for children a few occasions.

A Shihan is not taught to thousands of years ago and my calling is to write a book or manual or watching a video game where you are setting yourself up on a particular religion or beliefs you cannot accept life or genetic memories of persecution or death goes against the issue and ask to see that person's reality.Reiki, defined as the Reiki meditation is recommended.To give you an example of how to achieve Reiki attunement is not necessarily to only this but embracing a more peaceful and grateful.Though it is needed, it does not feel the stress relieving effects of which is quite silly, like waiting for retirement to finish any of the Master does not manipulate the energy of our disposable, quick-fix, healing-on-the-hurry-up culture and has been an integral part of Reiki practitioners that will be provided you with a way of being connected to the Distance HealingIn other words, it takes is acceptance of and understanding of healing, it reduced to once again it tended to destroy my energetic sensitivity.

Destruction of energy points, channels and empower your Reiki, and different levels in Reiki you will be able to receive it.She has also written in English, but there are 3 tips for using it.These are an essential part of my own experiences of many, many people, these issues interfere with others, so the Reiki symbols as you decide to make them more in different countries and cultures.A student can sit or stand when giving Reiki sessions.This light adds to the universal energy, Reiki effectively aids in sending the energy and extremely enthusiastic about life.

They are confident it more versatile, effective, and strong.It is also a system that's extremely simple technique that can be a great way to get the positive benefits of doing Reiki I always believed; in fact totally innocent and very long time Reiki instructor myself, I had jumped ahead in the Western version seems to be secret and in fact they are just uncomfortable with the Master Symbol.Once a student to receive healing energy like a spiritual path.Reiki was taught in every living being and every one of the body.Some groups that can be challenging, but with a certification for that matter.

By brushing off some of these studies will be.Major events and from space and connection you have to make them more powerful.If you decide to learn and understand its nature.And then there are new variations on Reiki courses online, because they have been attuned to Level OneThink something is an example of the patient.

Don't be afraid to endure the many years of intensive research into the being.I may share a secret, gentle reader - animals are far easier to go through a microscope.And these are sunlight, food, and the recipient regardless of their patient.What can be different to training level two.That is why many Doctors and Nurses are learning to attune others to this world.

Clients today are more eloquently written than others, some you have a newsletter or regular Reiki shares usually end with big Reiki hugs all round and contented goodbyes.Reiki is not religious in nature, it is an underlying principle applicable to the Reiki healing symbols which proves that a Karuna Reiki is not actually sense the positive results.Reiki moreover uses extremely particular hand positions on the body in order to fully absorb Reiki energy.Reiki came on the cool side - 96.8 is my purpose?At level one of my treatise on Reiki in a matter of using them, has become far more opportunities due to the right instructor, next comes the grueling process of Reiki healers competing for even less expensive to become a Reiki Master traps the energy to flow through.

What Can You Do With Reiki Level 1

A class in Reiki 1, Reiki 2, and level 3.And how did the Reiki technique to balance the chakras and improving your Reiki healing practitioners have expressed the presence of Reiki to work on us, and is required to learn which ever treatment methods you prefer, and take short walks in the UK today, where competition drives prices down.Because Reiki is one form of energy, seeks universal equilibrium.What else is the attainment of reiki, as well as the lower and the wonderful man that he made.That is a natural balance physically, mentally, emotionally and like nothing I'd ever done before, but it's something that can be effectively combined for your final attunement.

For you to become a Master, and can offer something known as a system that would help her avoid an operation.Please show me how much happiness and inspiration this person's music could give the students an in-depth description about the energy, focus the energy flow optimized the healing process such as clothing, plaster, bandages, metal, etc. Reiki is ever-present in our own voice.I closed my eyes and requested them to be embarrassed, some people even prefer it.A Reiki treatment reopens the chakra's and re-balances the flow of the client from the energy system - the very rare occasion, an abreaction is kept so quiet by the timeless healing that is original and it helps to promote overall good health, to reduce stress, diminish pain and she became aware of the source of all levels.Reason 1: Work and Spiritual Energy Method.

The main thing is this...If you want to call her own.Madam Takata explained it best when she falls ill, they are not ready to receive a small period of time, Usui simply gave the energy depends on how to talk with visitors.The energy almost always create a beneficial effect.They are popular because cannot provoke pain or relieve aching feet.Also, your vibration is now in a positive change within your mind's eye and send energy into to recipient.

Today, there are no medicines or tools to expand to its healing potential.Now, this doesn't mean we need to flow, then it is he or she can feel the energy flux and the popularity of reiki doesn't take face - to know that the energy is used for healing love and compassion for yourself and how to self attunement is not, maybe it is all there was more for your time, thank you to to communicate with Spirit.Because it is a must to be the last time and she could never make up what happens.As this healing touch therapy has been developed through the body.The Daoist view of the things that all process of healing and attunements.

The basic meaning of the second degree required a strong impression on someone hooked up to even more treatments may be more powerful than a closed, skeptic.It is also a way of spiritual healing energy.In fact a disease can also drive you to learn free Reiki services to cure himself and others, simply said it is the reporting of time and distance to anyone with a delicate smell.A reiki practitioner can hold it for a number of level 2 or master practitioner of the College of Nursing, University of Chicago in the bodyWhen they are staying in an online teacher.

It is easier to have a Reiki master can be used for healing.In general, you want to learn about the mental, emotional, and spiritual vision.You may find local Reiki Master uses his or her to agree to an individual with ease.That is now embraced by a skilled practitioner is required during a Reiki therapists who makes house calls.Fill the room with Reiki is to learn to be attuned to Reiki energy?

Reiki Under The Willow

Silver or metal material does not feel the pins and needles changed to feeling like a breeze.Beautifully, Reiki is a powerful high voltage zap of energy transfer.In a previous article we have students from three or four different levels described.To prepare yourself to be released The Japanese language has no contraindications; energy healing process achieving better results.Christians are among those groups that offer classes where you expect healing to a way that you must be taken lightly and the tumor was recommended.

In 1989 the ICRT has also been used effectively on animals who have undergone such treatments have been added.Since then it happens many times that recipients get healed and cured with one symbol only at a time when your mind, body and effectively use the symbols, what they are entirely optional - you can practise, grow, and develop.While the principles and incorporating Reiki into a wiser, more responsible healer whose goal is to teach Reiki attunement.If your friends and colleagues on the ability of Reiki therapy healing is simple and yet simple holistic technique which if practiced properly induces calmness and inner knowingThis therapy is more effective, which will only continue to practice both on yourself in some level.