#black marble candle holder

[marieburgoscollection]

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[naquey]

--

contains: aged up characters, sex ritual, witchcraft, oral (m receiving), protected sex

Dipper shifted his weight from one leg to the other.

He felt oddly out of place standing in Luna's bedroom. Her decoration was very gothic, and very witchy. She had statues, and animal skulls, shelves lined with herbs, moon imagery in posters and books lining her bookcase. He felt like he didn't quite match the aesthetic.

"Are you still sure you want to do this?" Luna asked.

She came out of the bathroom, learning against the doorway. Wearing what he could only assume was nothing but a black and purple silk robe covered in moon and star patterns. Dipper flushed and sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Is it too late to tell you I'm a virgin?"

"Woah! Even better!" She laughed and sat next to him on the bed.

"Wait, really?"

"No, not at all. All that stuff about virgins is just bullshit, it doesn't really matter."

"Huh, the more you know."

"We can take this slow, if you'd like. Yeah? You don't have to rush into anything."

"I know how this works, it's not like I've been sex-avoidant all my life." Dipper chuckled.

"I'm not saying you don't know how sex works, I just don't want your first time to be... Well, to be horrible..."

"Was yours horrible?"

She opened her mouth to say something, trying to choose her next words carefully. Closing her mouth and chewing the inside of her cheek she played with the hem of her robe.

"I- Well, I've had quite a few horrible experiences... but, that hasn't deterred me from..."

"Let me make it a worthwhile experience."

"That's what I'm supposed to say to you." Luna chuckled.

"I guess I beat you to it."

"Oh, I forgot about the candles."

"Candles?"

"Yeah, you know. Set the mood, add a little atmosphere. Maybe some incense."

"You told me this was going to be a ritual, what exactly would this do?" Dipper tilted his head to the side.

"Oh, you know, getting in tune with our mind and body, some manifesting. Small stuff." She shrugged, going over to one of her dressers and pulling open a drawer.

"I'm already in tune with my mind and body." Dipper laughed awkwardly.

"That tells me you're not."

For some reason Dipper felt like someone was watching him. Looking over at the dresser with a mirror attached to it he noticed a decent sized marble statue sitting on a silver table cloth. A bowl with roses sitting in front of it. It was as if the statue was watching him although it had no eyes. Squinting and peering at it from where the bed was he watched carefully as if he were going to unearth a secret.

"Oh, that's my Aphrodite statue."

"Isn't Aphrodite like the Greek Goddess of sexuality, fertility, and lust?" Dipper rose a brow, giving her a weary look.

"Well yeah, but she had a part in other things." Luna grabbed the light that was sitting on the dresser with the statue.

"Do you like... Pray to her?"

"Not everyday, but often enough."

There were five candles set up around the room, each a different color with different symbols written on their glass holders. The atmosphere of the room felt like it had shifted. Floral incense was lit and placed in a holder on the same dresser she got the lighter from. Then she paused and looked at the light pink colored candle. Her eyes fixated on it in concentration. Then she lit it as well, the flame stood taller and brighter than the other candles.

"Dipper, you're going to have to relax. You're awfully tense."

His face flushed once again and his hands balled up the blanket beneath him at his sides. He was a novice, and he was honest about having zero experience because he's a virgin. Sure, he'd watched enough porn when he was a horny teenager but he never really expected for something like this to happen. He wasn't complaining.

She crouched on the balls of her feet in front of him, smiling up at him sweetly. Hands gently resting on his knees. His body got very warm, very quickly and suddenly he was silently hoping he didn't start sweating any time soon.

"You look like you're going to have an aneurysm, are you- "

"I am completely sure." Dipper's voice cracked.

"The room isn't too warm, is it?" She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a sultry tone. Kneeling in front of him, situated between his legs like a puzzle piece.

"No, no, the temperature is perfect." His voice cracked again and his face tinted red.

He watched with unwavering focus as she rubbed her hands up and down his legs. Her hands gentle enough felt like electricity sending shockwaves through his body. Dipper knew how this worked, knew what was going to happen. Gosh, was he completely unprepared.

Her tongue piercing just barely grazed the undersized of his dick, he could feel the back of her throat. Unable to keep himself propped up by his elbows he was laying back on the bed fisting the sheets as this feeling in him built up like a wild fire.

"You- You... I forgot you have a-" He cut himself off with this guttural groan, pushing his head as far back into the mattress as he could, his back arching.

It didn't take him long to cum down her throat. Putting a hand over his mouth to keep back whatever noise was going to come out of his throat. Albeit a bit of a surprise, Luna could only swallow a bit of it before having to pull back because of her gag reflex activating. It took it's sweet time.

Dipper propped himself up on his elbows, blinking a couple of times when he saw her face. Quite flushed, glossy eyes, glossy lips, only a little cum dribbled onto her chin. She chuckled at his expression.

"You, you have a lot of stamina, don't you?"

"Well, I mean. I keep myself pretty pent up." Dipper scratched at his chin. His stupid little goatee was growing in nicely.

This wasn't an uncommon sight for him, but it was a strange feeling. For so long, he had cooped himself up in his dorm at college, researching anomalies, turning down invitations to parties, and opting for his studies instead. He was book smart more than street savvy. Being quiet and reserved in nature just made it all the more erotic having her pinned against the mattress.

He was like a dog in heat. Whimpering and groaning, holding her tight enough to leave bruises. She swore she heard him growl in her ear. The bed was creaking and shaking, but that didn't matter. The sheets were balled into her fists as Dipper rocked his hips in an almost erratic rhythm.

"I've been waiting so long." His face was buried in the crook of her neck. "I couldn't help but imagine us in every... single... position."

She sucked him in deeper. Wetness coated the inside of her thighs, already staining the mattress. Her walls clenched around him, causing a jolt to jump up his spine like electricity.

"Then we can go for every position until you're tired."

"Wh- What?" His heart skipped a beat. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

It was like the nerd finally got the girl and could prove that all this time he had been practicing so he could get it right.

The good thing was it was summer.

[redactedgoose]

Here's my piece for the first day of Phantasy Phest- Fantasy Eldritch AU @phantasycentral

Danny stares up at the building. It's nondescript, just some random office building in Chicago.

Or, so one would think.

He takes the last few steps to the door, raises his hand, and knocks.

Truth be told, some random, nondescript office building in uptown Chicago wasn't exactly what he was imagining when he agreed to go to the Conclave.

He sticks his hands in his pockets and stares up at the door, waiting to be let in.

Becoming the King of Ghosts wasn't something that he had planned on. Finish middle school, go to high school, go to college for something STEM related and get his master's degree or go to one of the NASA pilot schools, and be an astronaut. That had been the plan.

And then... zap, and ghosts were real and also his problem.

Danny sighs and knocks again.

"You know, if you don't let me in I'll just phase through the door," he calls.

He's in his human form right now, which is probably why they're ignoring him. Though, it is his first time at the Conclave, and the first time a ghost has been to one in a very long time.

The door opens soundlessly; no one stands there. Alright, he can appreciate the creepy aesthetic.

He strides in through the door, head held high. As he crosses the boundary, he lets his transformation wash over him. His steps lighten as his hair does, gravity and color both bleeding from him. The faint chill and weight of his crown settles over his head and his shoulders become just a tad bit heavier as his cloak manifests out of the aether, the fabric-but-not flaring out behind him as he walks.

The inside of the building is nothing like the outside. The plain, ordinary facade outside is carried over for about seven or eight steps before he comes upon a shimmering barrier. Stepping through it feels like walking through a cool mist, faint popping spreading over his skin from the magic in it.

Past that point, the interior design matches up better to his imagination of the locale of the Conclave. It looks like the inside of an old castle, the dingy grey linoleum switching to a warm, wooden floor covered in a blood red carpet. The walls are stone instead of the off-white painted drywall, stretching high up to thick, wooden beams that bracket the tall, arched ceiling. Torches are positioned at regular intervals on the walls, burning with a pale purple flame; heavy and dark metal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, that same pale purple flame burning there instead of any candles.

He continues to walk down the red carpet—ha—to the massive, sweeping staircase at the end of the hall. The thing is made out of what looks like the same stone as the walls and the carpet continues up the stairs to the large, arched double doors.

Honestly, if it wasn't for his innate sense of space, he'd think that the magic barrier was a teleportation spell. As it was, it was only thanks to just that that he knew this was a sort of pocket dimension. He was in the same general area relative to where the building was, but slightly... to the left? Tilted. A little liminal, which he liked. He wasn't too familiar with the living's magic, but even he could tell that this was an impressive feat.

Danny finishes his ascent, finally standing in front of the double doors. They're similar to the chandeliers in that they're made out of that same dark metal. It couldn't be iron, though.

He opens the doors with a push of his telekinesis and strides through. A massive, circular table seating eleven greets him, the marble covered by a black runner and topped with more of those silver light candles in an intricate candle holder.

"Hello," he greets the assorted eleven mildly. "You have me at a disadvantage. My name is Danny Phantom. You all are...?"

Oh, some of them bristle at that. He can taste their irritation and incredulity. If he came back to another Conclave, they'd get to know very fast that he wasn't one to be respectful unless it was earned. Yes, these people were the rulers of their respective species. No, Danny didn't give a shit.

Surprisingly, one's threshold for respect and the like tended to shift after getting into fistfights with gods at the tender age of fourteen.

The woman at the head of the table speaks up first, raising her chin. "I am Queen Adelaide of the Witches. We tend to the this hall that hosts the Conclave, and bid you welcome to our table."

Her purple eyes flick over to look to the man next to her. He's thin-boned and almost waifish, reminding Danny of a hummingbird. His ears are also long and come to a point, but the feathers that sprout from his brows and wrap around his temples to mix into his hair strike out elf.

"I am King Ashok of the Avians."

Danny inclines his head to him. Just as before, though, the next person starts to talk almost immediately afterwards. He's tall, even sitting, with broad shoulders. His face is long, and his thick, bushy sideburns stretch down to his chin.

"King Bedwyr of the Werecreatures. I represent all the Were tribes."

It makes sense, since his eyes are also an inhuman amber gold. A werewolf, perhaps? Or a werebear? Danny dips his head once more. He's not too well-versed in were politics, since the Dead tribes are fiercely independent and territorial. Wulf was a bit of an outlier in that regard.

"Welcome, Phantom," the next woman says with a smile. It's sharp, though, and the lack of a title before his name is quite telling. "I am Myrto, Queen of the Sirens."

Ahh, alright.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," he returns, just as mildly as his greeting. "I've always enjoyed talking with Queen Peisinoe when visiting her domain in the Realms. She's told me many stories about her time amongst the living. She and Lady Pandora are some of my dearest friends."

It becomes a little difficult to hold onto his mild smile as her eyes widen slightly and her face twists like she's bitten into a lemon, though.

He might be young, but he's been dealing with ghost politics for a while now. He can recognize the snub and return fire just as well as any of these people.

Peisinoe had told him how bratty the current Siren Queen was, though, so he's not too surprised.

"'ello!" The next woman, a chubby and red-cheeked lady with long, brown hair and a fur coat smiles at him. "I'm the Queen of the Selkies. Just call me Boann, though, King Phantom."

"Call me Danny, then," he returns, smile growing and morphing into something a little more genuine.

"I am King Celal of the mer. I represent all from under the water. It is a pleasure to meet the keeper of the Below Deeps."

Right. In the mers' religion, that's their afterlife. It's a pretty cool area, even if Danny doesn't often go. He makes the water too cold for some of the people living there.

"Well met, King Phantom." The next man looks similar to King [Avian], but without the feathers and with longer ears. His hair's long and thin and his skin is almost unhealthily pale. "I am the Erlkönig, the Elf King. You may call me Eadric."

"Well met."

"I'm Enitan, King Under the Mountains. Nice to meet ya!" The dwarf king is taller than Danny would've imagined, but the impressive, braided strawberry blond beard he's sporting fits right in.

The next person starts to talk even as Danny's still nodding at the Dwarf King.

"I am Verner, King of the Dragons." The man's eyes are like liquid gold and slitted like a cat's. Faint golden scales trail across his pronounced cheekbones up to and across his forehead, though it's harder to see them there thanks to the King's blond bangs.

"I am Doroteia, Queen of the Nymphs," the final woman says. She wouldn't look out of place in the Realms with her green skin and plant matter hair, vines and leaves cascading down her back.

"And finally, I am Ciprian, King of the Vampires." The last man says. He sits next to the Witch Queen, on the side opposite to the Avian King. They almost look like siblings, with the same pale skin—though Adelaide's was paler—and long dark hair. The only other distinguishing mark between them was the Vampire King's blood red eyes and more angular features.

"Thank you all for the welcome," Danny says, nodding to everyone in general.

He floats forward from the doors to the table, not putting on the pretense of walking. There's one open space there, but no chair.

Danny stops a short distance from the table. The others' chairs look standard and not like they'd brought or made them, so it wasn't a test of any kind.

Hm. Well...

"Queen Adelaide, you bid me welcome to your table. Was that merely a platitude?" He asks, perfectly and unnaturally still.

Tsk, tsk. Offering hospitality and then not being hospitable was quite the dangerous business—she of all people would know, keeping an elf in her council.

"Phantom," Adelaide starts, a pretty smile gracing her face despite the snub she just dealt, "You are the first of your kind in centuries to grace our halls. Please forgive us, of course, for being..." she trails off slightly, a tilting head cascading dark hair off her shoulder. "Hesitant."

"Oh?" Danny fishes.

"You wear an oversized crown, child," Verner butts in, chin high and draconic pride very clearly showing through. "More to that, you look human. What proof is there that you are whom you say you are?"

Ah. Ah.

Danny takes a breath. Then, he... relaxes. The boundaries between living and dead, thin that they already are in him, dissolve down to the merest atom, a whisper of a breath on knife's edge. Power whips about him with enough force to tousle his hair and toss the ends of his cloak about even as it shifts, lengthens, the night sky growing from his shoulders. His form unspools from his remnants of mortality, growing and bathing the space in him. Nebulae dance around the edges of the room, a starlight glow emanating from his form. The chill of deep space is contained easily enough, massing with the inexorable pull of gravity that makes up the dark of his chest and limbs. His crown floats over his head, burning the cold blue of ice planets, spikes of the stuff climbing in delicate spires. Small satellites orbit his crown—four of them, all different colors.

For all that Danny was starstuff, his eyes always were of the Realms. Green, green like the air and the earth and the everything that made up the Realms. Pure ectoplasmic green burns in his eyes, bright enough to be supernovae in their own right.

"Is this what you imagined? Am I properly monstrous now?" Danny asks, voice echoing throughout the room. He watches the Were King's fur raise, the Avian King's feathers ruffle. "I maintain a visage of humanity by my own liking, but I am so much more than just that."

He lets his form drift just a little more, his chest and arms whisping out like his legs until he's more or less a star-studded amorphous mass with a head on top. Even that, though, is... Other. His mouth is too large, he knows, and his eyes too deep and too many, all contained within his sockets, irises many and varied as stars in the sky.

His crown burns cold over his head, hanging in the air.

"I am the Shield of the After, Protector of the Beyond. I am the One Between, the Balance, the Shepard, and the Guiding Star. The Tyrant-Killer. Deathless and Lifeless. I am the High King of the Infinite Realms."

As much as he had raged against taking the crown—all he was trying to do was protect his town, after all—he couldn't help but admit to himself that he... kinda liked it. Not the power, of course. That he could do without. All that paperwork? The bowing and scraping? Nah.

But the fact that he was able to do these things, to be these things... to help the dead as much as the living... it soothed something in him, fulfilled him in a way that being the protector of Amity did.

"I accepted the invitation to this Conclave with the hope of improving relations between the Living and the Dead. I did not come to be ridiculed and doubted, especially by mere mortals such as yourselves."

He can see the various Rulers' breaths misting in the air, the temperature dropping father by the second. Space was cold, after all. Danny very graciously doesn't allow the oxygen and atmosphere to vacate as it would in actual space.

Mostly.

He doesn't want to kill them, after all, just... give them a little scare.

The edges of the room waver, the witches' spellwork trembling under his presence. He extends what may have once been a hand but now resembled more of a tendril, or perhaps a bit of a galactic swirl, towards the nearest surface.

It happens to be the table.

It takes laughably little energy to shore up the witches' spellwork, the space growing more defined in an instant.

Pettily, he also adds a chair to the weave. It's just barely bigger than the others' chairs, made from ice and upholstered in neon green fabric.

He positions his form above the chair and beings the annoying process of reeling himself back into something manageable and humanoid, gravity increasing and compounding until the black of his body folds onto itself, defined edges forming once more. He reels the stars back into himself, tucking plenty inside his cloak. The chill, however, doesn't completely disappear.

Danny's head is the last thing to come back to normal, growing smaller and less mindbendingly awful and settling in its proper position on his neck. His eyes don't quite go back to normal either, though. He keeps the depth and the multiplicity, since he's been complimented on their fear-inducing properties many a time.

"Now, may we begin?" Danny asks politely, voice merely ethereal instead of booming and all-encompassing.

Pale, the Witch Queen just nods.

---

"So, how was it?" Sam asks him later, fastballing a chocolate chip muffin directly at his forehead as he walks in through the door.

"Did the vampires sparkle?" Tucker yells his question from further into their shared home.

Danny snorts, snatching the muffin from where he'd instinctively made it bob in the air, held inches away from his skin. "The vampire didn't sparkle, Tuck. And it was pretty fun! I got to go full abomination!"

"Hell yeah." Sam holds her hand up and he returns the high five. "Whatever they did, they deserved it."

Danny laughs as he drops onto their couch. "Yeah, they're not going to make that mistake again any time soon."

[hareofhrair]

Beauty and the Beast story preview

I'm working on this beauty and the beast inspired monster romance short story and I thought I'd share the first scene to maybe get folks interested! When it's done it'll be posted on my patreon.

This is going to be a somewhat dark take, focused on a predator/prey dynamic, very much leaning into the monstrousness of the beast and the necessity of approaching romance with a nonhuman in a very nonstandard way.

In terms of content, everything that happens will still of course be explicitly consensual. I may do dubcon in a different story in the future, but it'll be the exception and very clearly marked. Most of what I write will always be clearly consensual. The beast is very non-human- primarily quadrupedal and so far he either doesn't speak at all or only very rarely. He's fully intelligent and capable of communicating, but also very much not a human. Not sure about other content tags or warnings to include yet since it isn't finished, but I'll update as I figure it out! Now on to the story!

---

Beauty had been living in the Beast’s castle for about a month when she began to realize she was enjoying it.

Her heart thundering in her ears she sprinted down the hall, bare feet slapping against the cracked and tarnished marble, the gallery illuminated in stark squares of black and white by the pale moonlight slanting in through the tall, dusty windows that lined one side. Behind her she heard nothing but his breathing, his paws silent as a ghost. If she could hear his breath he was close, too close. She needed to buy herself some space if she was going to make it up the stairs. But she was learning the layout of the castle well by now.

She swerved abruptly, diving through a shadowed door into a sitting room. She slammed the door behind her, knowing it wouldn’t slow him long, but maybe long enough. She leapt over a collapsed and moldering settee and rushed to the far wall beside the cold and cobwebbed fireplace, feeling along the aged wooden paneling with shaking hands.

“Where is it,” she hissed through her teeth, panic beginning to rise the longer she could not hear the Beast on the other side of the door. If he was not breaking it down, or simply opening it, she didn’t know what he was doing, and that was dangerous.

Suddenly, a candle flame jumped to life beside her and she flinched, already braced to throw herself out the window, the closest avenue of escape. But it was not the Beast. It was a plain white candle in a simple golden candle holder, hanging in the air as though being held. If she caught them at the right angle, Beauty could sometimes almost see the faint image of a pair of white gloved hands holding it, the most she’d ever seen of the ghostly servants that tended this place.

The candle moved closer to the wall, illuminating the faded scroll work along the chair rail. A spectral hand faintly gestured to a hidden switch among the carved roses. Beauty nodded in terse gratitude as she pressed the button and slipped silently into the narrow servant’s passage behind it. Even if the Beast knew of this passage (which he almost certainly did) he would not be able to fit in it to follow her, and it had several different exits, so he could not simply circle around to wait for her at the other end. Not unless he already knew her so well he could guess which exit she’d choose.

The foyer exit was the obvious choice, being the closest to the grand staircase. She obviously could not use that one. The exit to the kitchen was unexpected, but so far from where she was trying to go that it’s advantages were more or less nil. He would likely assume she’d head for the great room, which was reasonably close to the staircase but still less obvious than the other choices. That is, if he didn’t know that she knew that if she followed the passage to the west gallery it was only a quick sprint across the hall to the drawing room with the attached butler’s pantry, where behind the moldering linens the back of the cupboard swung open to reveal a small staircase which led to the second floor hallway with the guest bedrooms.

She climbed the narrow stair as quickly and quietly as possible, pulling up her dress to cover her mouth and nose to protect them from the thick dust and cobwebs that filled the dark, cramped space. At one point a rotted wooden step gave way under her foot, but she caught herself in time.

She emerged slowly through the hidden door at the top of the stair, scanning the dark hall for signs of the Beast. The moonlight through the windows pooled silver on the moth eaten rug that ran down the center of the hall, but did not illuminate the dark doorways of the bedrooms. But Beauty could only go forward, slipping silently out into the hallway.

Her room, the room the invisible servants had shown her to the day she first came here, was at the end of the hall. The hall was too dark, but if it had been daylight she would have been close enough to see her door. She felt, to her surprise, a strange kind of disappointment.

Then she felt the hair on the back of her neck lift-- There was no sound, there never was, he was always perfectly silent, but she felt his presence suddenly behind her regardless. She lunged forward without a moment’s hesitation, flying into a sprint like a race horse leaping off the starting line. She heard the thudding impact of his body landing on the floor where she’d just been, the weight of the body that would have driven her to the ground and trapped her there as his teeth closed around her neck.

But the miss didn’t slow him down. He was an inch behind her, close enough for her to not just hear but feel the heat of his breath. Her door could not have been more than nine yards away, but it felt like it stretched on forever, time slowing as fear pulsed through her like electricity, lightning running down her veins. She’d been running since sun down, and her muscles were screaming, air burning in her lungs. Panic gripped her heart, certain this time was going to be it, he had her, she’d been too slow, too predictable. In a moment his teeth would be in her and she was going to die.

There was her door, looming out of the shadows, just a foot away, then an inch. She slammed into it with her shoulder and closed her eyes, certain it was too late. She felt a rush of air, claws a centimeter from her face, a brief flare of pain in her back--

And then she was tumbling, rolling to a sprawling stop on the floor of her room.

For a long second she just lay there, face against the aged wood floor, still expecting death to catch up with her. She was shivering with exhaustion and soaked in fear sweat and she could feel stinging, shallow lines of pain on her back in the shape of the Beast’s claws, but she was alive. Slowly, she raised her head to look at the door, which stood open not a foot away from where she lay.

The Beast stood just outside it, huge leonine head lowered, golden eyes watching her with a predator’s intensity. He was the size of a draft horse, body somewhere between the ursine and the feline. She’d seen him walk upright when it suited him, but he clearly didn’t prefer it. Long, wickedly sharp horns curled from his brow. It was easy to see why they called him a Beast. Though, at the same time, the flat, nearly human shape of his face, the way his elongated forepaws were almost hands, made it impossible to dismiss him as entirely animal. The effect was unsettling, to say the least.

He watched her, but made no move to cross the threshold into her room. He never did. She always braced herself, expecting each time to be the time he broke this rule, but he still hadn’t done it yet. He simply stood there and watched her.

Finally, relief flooded through her and she fell limp onto the floor again, laughing wildly. She was going to live. For one more night at least, she was going to live.

“Not tonight, Beast,” she said to him with a sharp, vicious smile. “You’ll just have to try again tomorrow.”

He didn’t respond, he never did, just stared a moment longer, then slowly turned and padded away down the hall, vanishing into the shadows. Beauty just lay back on the floor and laughed, the ecstasy of victory, the thrill of escape, rushing through her in waves. Her skin tingled, hyper sensitive under the sheen of cooling sweat, her senses still on high alert, feeling more alive and awake than she had in all the years before she’d come here. A shaking hand slid down her thigh, pulling up her rumpled skirts to slide beneath them, and her ragged breath hitched in her throat. She considered, for a moment, closing the door, and then decided against it. Let him watch, if he wanted.

[stardust-swan]

My Dream Home

aka where I'd live if I was rich and had time to maintain all of this

Outside

Powder blue, with murals painted on the side

There will be roses, violets, lavender, petunias, marigolds, peonies, mayflowers, and a cherry blossom tree in the front garden

And tomatoes, potatoes, strawberries, blueberries, onions, mint, courgettes, garlic, sage, thyme, basil, lettuce, peas, carrots, and cucumber in the back

Pretty birdbath

A wrought iron bench

Lanterns and string lights to light up the garden at night

A marble or bronze statue of Aphrodite

A calm fountain

Bonsai trees

Bedroom

Satin and silk bedsheets in ballet pink, lavender, baby blue, and duck egg green, and floral quilts and duvet covers

Beaded clothes hangers on the clothes rack

Fluffy fur rugs on the floor

An illuminated vanity with my favourite makeup, perfume, and Pandora charm bracelet on display

A nook for a shrine to Aphrodite

A clothesline of theatre programmes I've gone to on the wall

A large shelf for my collector barbies

A light up shoe rack big enough for my (vast) collection of shoes

Plushies on the bed

My closet and drawers will have sachets of potpourri and scented soaps in them so that my clothes will smell beautiful

A velvet headboard

Heavy drapes on the bed

Kitchen

Delicate floral ceramics in the kitchen

There will always be fresh-baked cookies and pastries for when guests drop in

A cupboard stocked full of herbal teas

Will always have a soup cooking on the stove and a pie cooling on the windowsill

The fridge will be stocked with vegetables and berries from my garden, fresh eggs, whole milk and good butter and cheese, cured meats, smoked salmon, macarons, homemade limoncello and cider, jam made from my own berries, and jugs of water with cucumber, lemon slices, and springs of homemade mint

Other foods will include: an array of spices and herbs, fresh bread, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, green and black olives, brown rice, veg that I canned and pickled myself, kimchi, almond milk, rice milk, mochi, marzipan, white chocolate with raspberries, dried fruits and nuts, honey, and fresh pastries

A six burner stove

Marble countertops

Elegant silverware

Living Room

Homemade throws on the chairs

A large bookshelf and more books on the windowsill

Will always smell delicious because of the candles I burn every evening

Will always be filled with the sound of classical music or jazz

Lots of cushions on the sofas

Sconces with frilled shades on the walls

A dining table with a beautiful centrepiece and elegant table settings

A comfy armchair for me to sit on while reading and crocheting

Bathroom

Jurlique rose handcream and fancy rose-pink soaps by the sink

Fluffy, thick, soft towels in white, pale pink, baby blue, lavender, and mint green

A vanity which has a mirror with soft pink lights, and enough storage space for my creams, body butter, exfoliater, face masks, toner, body mist, etc

Patterned toilet paper

Shower curtains made of silk or satin

Sea salt scented diffusers and a potted plant to make it feel fresh, and aromatherapy candles to make it feel calm

A bidet!

Mosaic tile walls and marble flooring and countertops

A clawfoot bathtub with elegant curves and gold accents

Plush rug next to the bath and a pretty toilet seat cover

Antique bathroom accessories, like a silver soap dish and crystal toothbrush holder

Maritime and botanical themed artwork on the walls

A built in sound system to play relaxing music while I bathe, like classical music, Native American flute music, or my Aphrodite playlist (on days where I'm having a long pampering session).

A large mirror with an ornate frame

A stained glass mirror so nobody can look in

Multiple Rooms/Other

Gilded framed pictures of my loved ones throughout the house

A potted houseplant on the side of each step of the staircase

Wide windows with velvet or satin curtains that let in lots of natural light

Prints by local artists on the walls

Vases of flowers taken from my garden in each room, even on the bathroom counter

Deep, plush carpets on the floor

Soft lighting from salt lamps and fairy lights

South-facing windows, so that the house will be full of light

The walls will be painted in pastel colours or will have a delicate wallpaper

Lots of pretty trinkets on the surfaces

Sapphic artworks that portrays lovers or the female form

Crystal handles on the cabinets and cupboards in the house

Lavender incense

Lace doilies on the side tables

Ribbons and bows everywhere

[alyslaskeywriter]

A Little Faith

This story was originally published under my fanfiction account as a Christmas gift for my dear friend @kaze-writes, who Reva belongs to.

The cool morning light broke through a small opening in the curtains and illuminated the green leaves of the plants dotted around the bedroom. But it was not the light that woke Reva from her slumber, but the sound of someone walking around.

"What time is it?" she asked, rubbing her eyes and yawning widely, once she realised that the intruder was only Dante.

As she asked the question, Dante stopped buttoning his shirt and turned to look at her, his eyes widened slightly.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," he whispered, though Reva was already awake. "Go back to sleep. I'll leave, I was only getting ready."

"Why? Where are you going?"

"Out."

"But it's a Sunday morning."

"Exactly, I'm going to church," Dante told her, returning to his buttons. He paused and looked back at her. "You can come with me if you like."

Reva frowned. "Me, come to church?"

"Don't worry if you'd rather not, I don't mind."

"It's not that, it's just... Well, would I be allowed to come to church?"

"Anyone can go to church, Reva, that's the point of a church," Dante chuckled. "Besides, it's a christingle service. There will be lots of people there who don't usually go, so you won't be the only infidel there this morning." He paused before adding, "As long as you don't burst into flames the moment you cross the threshold, of course."

"You're hilarious," said Reva. "That doesn't actually happen, does it?"

Dante winked at her. "Only one way to find out."

It was almost a dare, so now Reva had to go along with it. After managing to make herself look halfway-appropriate and quickly drinking a well-sugared mug of Dante's favourite Colombian blend, she accompanied him down the cobbled high street of the village towards the church.

"Do you really believe in it all?" she asked him as they walked. Dante fixed her with a peculiar look.

"Yes, I do. I wouldn't be going if I didn't," he replied. "Why do you look so surprised? Don't you believe in anything?"

"No, not really. And I guess I'm surprised that you do, too, because of all the drinking and the sex outside of marriage, and the fact that you're a bit fruity."

Dante laughed out loud.

"Okay, so I'm the first to admit that I'm not the most devout Christian, but it's how I was brought up, so it's a part of me, whether I like it or not. And I do like it, actually. I like the idea that there's something more to life than what we can just see and touch, and having faith in that, and in the world, it's... I don't know. Grounding, I suppose."

"It's balancing."

"In a way, yes."

Reva nodded slowly. She had not been brought up with any specific faith, but she understood the concept of seeing the world for more than its face value, even if she didn't personally subscribe to that school of thought.

Thankfully, she did not burst into flames as she crossed the threshold of the church, a grey stone building roughly shaped like a cross. The floor had marble tiles of alternating black and white, there were large stained glass windows high in the walls, and several haphazardly decorated Christmas trees lining the outsides of the aisles. At the front, candles in round orange holders decked a tiered display, and several children and their parents had gathered around a large table nearby. Dante led her straight to the table, and placed a coin into a collection pot in the middle.

"What are you paying for?" Reva whispered.

"The christingle you'll be making," replied Dante. He picked up a thin white candle and placed it in her hands, along with one of the orange holders, which Reva could now see was, in fact, an actual orange. "You need to stand the candle in the orange."

"Why?"

"Because the orange represents the world."

"And the candle?"

"That's Jesus, Reva."

"Of course it is. It looks just like him."

"It's symbolic. Come on. You need a ribbon next."

Reva raised her eyebrows, but she selected a piece of red ribbon as suggested. The children were tying their ribbons around their oranges, so she did the same.

"What does the ribbon represent?" she asked, tying it in a messy bow.

"Love," whispered Dante. Reva felt her cheeks flush slightly, and Dante cleared his throat before continuing, "God's love. All around the world."

"Okay. What's next?"

"We need four cocktail sticks to represent the four seasons, and some sweets. Not to eat."

"I guessed as much."

"The sweets symbolise the fruits of each season. It's to give thanks for the blessings we've enjoyed this year, and a good wish for things to come in the year ahead."

Reva smiled at Dante. She did have good things to be thankful for this year, after all. So, she picked up four cocktail sticks, handed two to Dante, and together the two of them selected which tiny sweets they would put on them. They stuck the sweet sticks into the orange at right angles to one another, and then Dante handed Reva a packet of matches.

"Be careful," he said, in a voice that was low and faux-serious. "I hear that non-believers are extremely flammable."

Reva pulled a face as she used the matches to light the candle.

"So, Jesus is on fire. Now what?"

"Now that the candle has been lit to signify that Jesus is the light of the world," said Dante, "we pray." Reva raised an eyebrow. "Well, I will pray. You will just have to sit here quietly and contemplate your life of sin, you utter heathen."

He gestured towards the display of candles, and Reva placed theirs on it with the others. She followed suit as Dante knelt on a low padded bench in front of the display, but while he lowered his head and closed his eyes, she kept hers open, looking around the church, at the stained glass windows, the candles, the children putting tiny sweets on cocktail sticks. In spite of the noise they made, it was peaceful, and everything was bathed in a warm glow. Her eyes lingered on the exposed baby hairs on the back of Dante's neck as he bowed his head in prayer, and she smiled. She would never believe in all this as he did, but she had to admit that he was right about something.

It really was nice to have just a little faith.

[the-al-chemist]

A Little Faith

Merry Christmas, @lifeofkaze. There’s so much I could say, but I’ll keep it short. Thank you so much for your friendship and everything it entails. I love you.

Summary: Dante introduces Reva to one of his Christmas traditions. Warnings: mild blasphemy.

The cool morning light broke through a small opening in the curtains and illuminated the green leaves of the plants dotted around the bedroom. But it was not the light that woke Reva from her slumber, but the sound of someone walking around.

“What time is it?” she asked, rubbing her eyes and yawning widely, once she realised that the intruder was only Dante.

As she asked the question, Dante stopped buttoning his shirt and turned to look at her, his eyes widened slightly.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you,” he whispered, though Reva was already awake. “Go back to sleep. I’ll leave, I was only getting ready.”

“Why? Where are you going?”

“Out.”

“But it’s a Sunday morning.”

“Exactly, I’m going to church,” Dante told her, returning to his buttons. He paused and looked back at her. “You can come with me if you like.”

Reva frowned. “Me, come to church?”

“Don’t worry if you’d rather not, I don’t mind.”

“It’s not that, it’s just… Well, would I be allowed to come to church?”

“Anyone can go to church, Reva, that’s the point of a church,” Dante chuckled. “Besides, it’s a christingle service. There will be lots of people there who don’t usually go, so you won’t be the only infidel there this morning.” He paused before adding, “As long as you don’t burst into flames the moment you cross the threshold, of course.”

“You’re hilarious,” said Reva. “That doesn’t actually happen, does it?”

Dante winked at her. “Only one way to find out.”

It was almost a dare, so now Reva had to go along with it. After managing to make herself look halfway-appropriate and quickly drinking a well-sugared mug of Dante’s favourite Colombian blend, she accompanied him down the cobbled high street of the village towards the church.

“Do you really believe in it all?” she asked him as they walked. Dante fixed her with a peculiar look.

“Yes, I do. I wouldn’t be going if I didn’t,” he replied. “Why do you look so surprised? Don’t you believe in anything?”

“No, not really. And I guess I’m surprised that you do, too, because of all the drinking and the sex outside of marriage, and the fact that you’re a bit fruity.”

Dante laughed out loud.

“Okay, so I’m the first to admit that I’m not the most devout Christian, but it’s how I was brought up, so it’s a part of me, whether I like it or not. And I do like it, actually. I like the idea that there’s something more to life than what we can just see and touch, and having faith in that, and in the world, it’s… I don’t know. Grounding, I suppose.”

“It’s balancing.”

“In a way, yes.”

Reva nodded slowly. She had not been brought up with any specific faith, but she understood the concept of seeing the world for more than its face value, even if she didn’t personally subscribe to that school of thought.

Thankfully, she did not burst into flames as she crossed the threshold of the church, a grey stone building roughly shaped like a cross. The floor had marble tiles of alternating black and white, there were large stained glass windows high in the walls, and several haphazardly decorated Christmas trees lining the outsides of the aisles. At the front, candles in round orange holders decked a tiered display, and several children and their parents had gathered around a large table nearby. Dante led her straight to the table, and placed a coin into a collection pot in the middle.

“What are you paying for?” Reva whispered.

“The christingle you’ll be making,” replied Dante. He picked up a thin white candle and placed it in her hands, along with one of the orange holders, which Reva could now see was, in fact, an actual orange. “You need to stand the candle in the orange.”

“Why?”

“Because the orange represents the world.”

“And the candle?”

“That’s Jesus, Reva.”

“Of course it is. It looks just like him.”

“It’s symbolic. Come on. You need a ribbon next.”

Reva raised her eyebrows, but she selected a piece of red ribbon as suggested. The children were tying their ribbons around their oranges, so she did the same.

“What does the ribbon represent?” she asked, tying it in a messy bow.

“Love,” whispered Dante. Reva felt her cheeks flush slightly, and Dante cleared his throat before continuing, “God’s love. All around the world.”

“Okay. What’s next?”

“We need four cocktail sticks to represent the four seasons, and some sweets. Not to eat.”

“I guessed as much.”

“The sweets symbolise the fruits of each season. It’s to give thanks for the blessings we’ve enjoyed this year, and a good wish for things to come in the year ahead.”

Reva smiled at Dante. She did have good things to be thankful for this year, after all. So, she picked up four cocktail sticks, handed two to Dante, and together the two of them selected which tiny sweets they would put on them. They stuck the sweet sticks into the orange at right angles to one another, and then Dante handed Reva a packet of matches.

“Be careful,” he said, in a voice that was low and faux-serious. “I hear that non-believers are extremely flammable.”

Reva pulled a face as she used the matches to light the candle.

“So, Jesus is on fire. Now what?”

“Now that the candle has been lit to signify that Jesus is the light of the world,” said Dante, “we pray.” Reva raised an eyebrow. “Well, I will pray. You will just have to sit here quietly and contemplate your life of sin, you utter heathen.”

He gestured towards the display of candles, and Reva placed theirs on it with the others. She followed suit as Dante knelt on a low padded bench in front of the display, but while he lowered his head and closed his eyes, she kept hers open, looking around the church, at the stained glass windows, the candles, the children putting tiny sweets on cocktail sticks. In spite of the noise they made, it was peaceful, and everything was bathed in a warm glow. Her eyes lingered on the exposed baby hairs on the back of Dante’s neck as he bowed his head in prayer, and she smiled. She would never believe in all this as he did, but she had to admit that he was right about something.

It really was nice to have just a little faith.

[mystiiknight3]

The Pirate and The Geisha Part Two

Misa was amazed at the size of the large ship, she stopped to stare at the large cake elaborate ship.  “Have you never seen a pirate ship before?” he asked her. “I have but never this big, but I understand why it has to be big Katakuri-sama, with your large height and all.” she smiled at him. He took  her hand and led her upon the ship, she stared at the tiny little chess piece soldiers she had never seen such wonders. He led her to a large room to the back of the ship, it was massive in comparison to her shack of a room. The large bed sat in the middle with deep burgundy sheets, they looked  like silk. Misa could almost imagine herself and Katakuri enthralled by them.  The rest of the room was dark and the curtains were closed with a slim frame of light. “I figured you wouldn't mind sleeping here, if you would like your own private quarters I can arrange that as well.” Katakuri stated. “no this is perfect, anything is better than a bed full of hay.” Misa laughed. Katakuri swooned to her laugh. It was beautiful and sweet, “shall i give you a tour of the ship?” he asked, opening the door to the rest of the ship. Misa smiled up at him. Katakuri took her on a tour of his ship, she marveled at the many rooms and different pieces of cakes, candies and sugary treats on the boat. They ended up back at the front of the ship, “would you like to take a bath before dinner?” he asked her, Misa almost jumped at the offer. It had been a while since she had a bath by herself in an actual tub that fit. “Yes I would love to Katakuri-kun if its not too much to ask.” she smiled.

Katakuri grabbed the bath towels and a robe for her, then led her to his bathroom, the room was large black and gold tile, the tub was large and was covered in gold marble, he strolled over to the tub and turned the nozzle to warm the water. Misa couldn’t help but watch as Katakuri bent over his leather pants fitting him perfectly. She waited by the sink as he poured the liquids into the pool of warm water, the aroma of lavender and cherry blossom filled the room. “Ah that should do it, it's ready I will leave you to get all cleaned up Misa,” he said, “did you want to join me Katakuri-Sama.” she spoke seductively, Katawkuri couldn't help but smile under his scarf at her flirtatious invitation. “there isn't enough room for both of us in that tub misa, besides there will be enough time for that later.” he winked at her, “oh please don't tease me Katakuri-sama.” she whispered, taking off her kimono, and stepping in the water. She let the soaks soothe her skin while she sat in the tub. She was happy most of her bruises healed; she didn't know why but she didn't want Katakuri to see. When Misa finished her bath, Katakuri had left some fresh clothes for her to wear, a blue long skirt with a slit on the side, and a white blouse. A knock loomed at the door, “pardon me madame, but Katakuri-sama has prepared a meal for you on the deck.” the little chess piece spoke from outside the door. She followed him to the deck, the sun had begun to set on the horizon, there was a blanket and pillow setup along with tall candle holders placed all around the deck, Katakuri stood off to the side holding a glass of wine. “i figured it would be nice to eat on the deck.” his deep voice sent shivers down her spine, he walked over to her with the glass of wine.  “its beautiful out here. I never get to see the sunset anymore.” Misa sighed. She moved to walk over to where he stood, he was happy that the clothes he bought her fit, he especially enjoyed the way the slit in the skirt exposed her long curvaceous legs. “Thank you for the clothes, also Katakuri-sama, they fit perfectly.''she smiled at him, taking a seat on one of the pillows. “I am happy you like them, I could see that you were not comfortable with the clothes you had on.” he said, sitting down next to her stretching his long legs. 

They sat together in silence for a moment before Katakuri broke it and asked a question. “Tell me Miss Misa how did such a beautiful refined woman such as yourself get stuck here. '' he pointed to the town area. Misa twitched at the question, she knew better than to speak about that. “Katakuri-sama, I would much prefer to not speak of my past.” Misa sadly replied. she shifted uncomfortably on her pillow, “Misa i am sorry you do not have to tell me anything that you don't want to. '' he responded hoping that calmed her, she relaxed a little knowing that she could trust that he wouldn't pressure her.

For the first time since he was a child Katakuri was happy he enjoyed laughing with Misa, and talking to her he told her stories of his childhood from fighting with his brothers, to keeping his younger sisters out of trouble. By the time they realized how late it was the sun had set and the moon was high in the night sky. Misa was laying on her side facing him as he rested on his elbow. he stared into her blue eyes, he watched her lean in closer, he could sense she wanted him to kiss her, he wanted that as well, but knew if she saw what he looked she would scream call him a monster and he would have to kill her. ‘The last thing I want to do is hurt her.’ he pandered to himself. “ we should head inside, it's getting cold out. ''he stood up and stretched out his hand to help her up. Misa followed him, still holding his large hand, it was warm and calloused, but also felt gentle. When they finally reached his room, a dim candle light lit the room, “make yourself comfortable. '' he started letting her hand go. she felt cold and a little sad, ‘oh calm down Misako you didn't expect him to hold your hand all night.’ she shouted to herself. She went to the left side of the large bed. She laid down on the soft mattress. It felt like she was floating on air. The sheets felt like pure silk soft on her skin.

Katakuri laid next to her on his side, he rested his hand on her exposed thigh, caressing her skin softly, Misa began to blush from his touch. She had never felt like this the urge to be with a man of her own free will, she felt a burning inside her, Misa let these feelings guide her, she rubbed her hands across his chest along his tattoo. Katakuri pulled her closer to him so her legs were intertwined with his, she ran her hands through his soft hair, Katakuri hummed at the feeling of her soft fingers running through his hair. He barely had noticed with her hand she had pushed off his vest his bare chest was out and she was rubbing his muscles and tracing a line down his abs to the top of his waistline. Misa wanted to have him in a way she didn't understand, he made her heart race, and she wanted to explore every inch of him, he was a man of mystery that she felt like she needed to solve.  “Tell me Kata did you mean everything you said to me?” Misa whispered seductively to him. Katakuri blushed from the nickname she gave him, he felt a fire start in him and delft himself swell to her words, she had been rubbing her warm thighs against his groin. He moved his hands up her thighs gently, moving his hands between the slit to her core, he noticed she had no underwear on. “Miss Misa, where have your panties gone?” he asked jokingly , “I figured I would save you the trouble.” she laughed. He slipped a long finger inside her wet folds , surprised by how soaked she already was; Misa let out a soft moan enjoying the way he moved his finger inside her. “That's Misa, let me hear you, my flower. '' he whispered in the crook of her neck, he continued to move his finger in and out of her, even adding another causing Misa’s moans to grow louder as she rode his fingers. She moved her hands down pulling on the leather of his pants.

Misa finally got her hands down his pants, she was shocked he was commando, “Kata where have your undergarments gone?” she moaned out. He paused from what he was doing to look her in the eyes, “Miss I don't ever wear underwear, to constrict for me. '' he smirked. she would soon realize what he meant when she slid her hands down the soft leather, his girth was large and full, he groaned at the touch of her hands on him, Misa stroked him softly gripping, squeezing him some. She continued to pump his shaft, causing small groans from him as she moaned with his fingers continuing their dance inside her. Katakuri wanted to feel her, go deep inside her and give her a pleasure she never experienced. “Misa, can I have you right now?” he moaned softly, almost pleading to her. Misa pulled her hands from him, she pushed the pants down, katakuri pulled his fingers free from her and removed the skirt that was stained from her juices, he got to look at her pale legs and body he removed her blouse tossing it to the other side of the room he could get her new clothes tomorrow, he stared at her breast the mounds were full and perky both nipples erect. She opened her legs exposing her wet flower; she grabbed him again lining up to her entrance, she pulled him inside herself. they both moaned in unicent,Misa eye’s widen from his size alone he filled her already, and there was still more of him, Katakuri got lost in the feeling of her, how wet she was, he paused from pushing in deeper, he looked down at her face, it looked like she was in pain. “Am i hurting you Misa i can stop” he worriedly spoke. Misa batted her blue eyes, “No Kata you're not hurting me.” she whispered wrapping her legs around his waist and pulled him all the way inside her, she arched her back giving him full access to her womb. Katakuri almost came from the sensation of being that deep inside her. It had been so long since he had been with a woman, but Misa wasn't just any woman he wanted to give her more than just one time pleasure, she deserved so much more.

He began to quicken his pace, Misa’s moans were loud, her nails into his back, he growled from the sensation, “kata” she whimpered under him. He loved the sound of his name coming from her mouth. Misa felt something build up inside her like she was ready to burst, it was a strange pleasure she never felt before, Katakuri could feel her tightening around him, “thats it Misa come for me,” he growled in her ear. His pace quicken becoming wild and erratic, Misa felt her body shake as she came experiencing her first orgasm ever, her body shivered, katakuri followed soon after he came with force driving himself deep inside her releasing his seed. Katakuri tried to catch his breath, he moved over to lay beside her, Misa still shook from her release, “are you alright Misako?” he asked, touching her shoulder.  “I have never experienced something like that before, it felt amazing. It felt like a rush that scared me but also felt amazing. You were amazing.” She could hardly breathe as she spoke. “You have never orgasmed before, how is that possible?” He was puzzled; he didn't understand how a woman in her line of work could not have experienced one. Misa sat up pulling the covers to her chest, “just because I am forced to sleep with men for a living, Katakuri-sama, doesn't mean I enjoy it.” she bitterly responded. how dare he assume because she was a whore that she enjoyed sex with those animals. “Is the offer for me to stay in another room still available?” Misa questioned. He looked appalled that she didn't want to sleep in the same bed with him. “Didn't mean to assume anything Miss Misa but if you wish to stay in another room i will obliged. '' he moved off the bed to grab his pants. Misa sat back and thought he didn't mean to offend her. His violet eyes  looked down as he handed her a large tee shirt to cover her body. 

Misa reached for the shirt, grazing her hand against him, taking the shirt and covering her body. “Katakuri-sama, Have you ever been with a woman like me?” she asked him. He looked at her curiously, “no i have not been with a geisha before.” he responded, Misa almost broke out in laughter. “a whore Katakuri, that's what we are paid to do, is groped by men, nor do we want to sleep with them. It's not pleasurable and most of the time it's forced on us.” she sighed, he now knew the mistake of his words this was the first time she wasn't forced to be with someone she had her own choice. “Misa i am sorry i should not have said that , without thinking.” he took her hand in his. “You're fine Katakuri, I shouldn't have gotten so upset. I know you didn't mean any harm” she smiled, squeezing his hand. “So you are going to stay here?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. Misa pulled him back to the bed, laying down on her back, Katakuri laid beside her, watching her, “I can feel you staring at me.” she giggled. “I can't help it.”he replied, stroking her hair. It felt like silk on his fingers. before they both knew it they were falling asleep together. For the first time in her life Misa felt safe with Katakuri, she finally could relax. She was wishing that the night would never end, hoping that she would never have to go back to that hell hole. She turned to look over one more time at Katakuri. He was fast asleep, she was still curious as to why he wore the scarf around his face, or how he could breathe with it on. She wanted to take a peak, but instead she chose instead to rest her head on his warm chest listening to him breathe. 

[athulyaaindia]

Unique Return Gifts in Hyderabad: Adding a Special Touch to Your Celebrations

Returning from a celebration with a thoughtful gift in hand is a tradition cherished by many. If you're in Hyderabad and looking for memorable return gifts to express gratitude to your guests, you're in the right place. Hyderabad, known for its rich culture and heritage, offers a plethora of options for unique and meaningful return gifts. Let's explore some delightful gift ideas that will leave a lasting impression on your guests and make your celebration even more memorable.

Traditional Handicrafts

Bidriware Artifacts

return gifts hyderabad, a unique form of metalwork from Bidar, Karnataka, is a popular choice for return gifts. These exquisite artifacts are known for their intricate designs and silver inlay work on black metal. From keychains to decorative items, Bidriware makes for a sophisticated and elegant gift.

Kondapalli Toys

Hailing from the village of Kondapalli in Andhra Pradesh, Kondapalli toys are colorful and vibrant wooden figurines. These handcrafted toys depict various characters, animals, and mythological figures. They are perfect as decorative pieces and cherished collectibles.

Hyderabadi Handloom and Textiles

Pochampally Ikat Stoles

Pochampally, located near Hyderabad, is famous for its Ikat weaving technique. Gift your guests beautifully woven Pochampally Ikat stoles or scarves, known for their vibrant colors and intricate patterns. They are versatile accessories that add a touch of elegance to any outfit.

Kalamkari Potli Bags

Kalamkari, an ancient art form of hand-painting or block-printing on fabric, produces stunning designs. Consider gifting Kalamkari potli bags, which are small drawstring bags made with Kalamkari fabric. They are perfect for storing small items and make charming gifts.

Traditional Sweets and Delicacies

Hyderabad's Famous Sweets

No celebration in Hyderabad is complete without the city's iconic sweets. Treat your guests to delectable delights such as Kaju Katli, Mysore Pak, or Hyderabad's famous Irani biscuits. Packaged beautifully, these sweets make for delightful and traditional return gifts.

Nuts and Dry Fruits

Another popular choice is to gift assorted nuts and dry fruits, known for their health benefits and rich flavors. Create custom gift boxes with a mix of almonds, cashews, pistachios, and dried fruits like apricots and figs. Your guests will appreciate this thoughtful and nutritious gift.

Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Gifts

Terracotta Planters

For guests with a green thumb, terracotta planters are an excellent choice. These eco-friendly planters come in various shapes and sizes, perfect for small indoor plants or succulents. Include a packet of seeds for an added touch.

Handcrafted Paper Products

Support local artisans and promote sustainability with handcrafted paper products. Consider gifting handmade paper journals, notepads, or bookmarks. These eco-conscious gifts are both practical and unique.

Artisanal Home Decor

Marble Inlay Coasters

Marble inlay work is a traditional art form seen in the architecture of Hyderabad's iconic monuments. Gift your guests exquisite marble inlay coasters, featuring intricate floral or geometric designs. These elegant coasters add a touch of luxury to any home.

Dhokra Art Decoratives

Dhokra, an ancient form of metal casting, creates charming and rustic decor pieces. Gift your guests Dhokra art figurines, candle holders, or wall hangings. Each piece tells a story and adds a rustic charm to home decor.

Customized and Personalized Gifts

Customized Pottery

Consider organizing a pottery-making session for your guests, where they can create their own clay pots or miniatures. Once fired and glazed, these personalized pottery items serve as unique and memorable return gifts.

Personalized Photo Frames

Capture precious moments from the celebration and gift your guests personalized photo frames. Engrave the event date or a special message to make it a cherished keepsake.

Where to Find These Gifts in Hyderabad

Laad Bazaar (Chudi Bazaar)

Located near Charminar, Laad Bazaar is a treasure trove of traditional jewelry, bangles, and gift items. Explore the narrow lanes filled with shops offering a variety of Hyderabad's cultural treasures.

Shilparamam Crafts Village

Visit Shilparamam, an arts and crafts village in Hyderabad, for a wide range of handcrafted items. Here, you'll find artisans showcasing their talent and offering unique handicrafts, textiles, and souvenirs.

Local Boutiques and Stores

Explore local boutiques and stores in areas like Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills, and Begumpet for curated collections of traditional and contemporary gifts. These stores often feature a mix of handcrafted items, textiles, and decor pieces.

Conclusion

Hyderabad's rich cultural heritage offers a diverse range of options for unique and thoughtful return gifts. Whether it's traditional handicrafts, delicious sweets, eco-friendly options, or personalized keepsakes, there's something for every occasion and preference.

For more info. visit us:

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[joshuamyra]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Bathroom Trays, Countertop Organizer

[somediyprojects]

DIY Black Marbled Candleholders

Project by Francesca Stone:

When used in more traditional furniture, marble can sometimes seem dated, but the trick to DIYing it successfully is keeping the shape contemporary and minimal, and to remember to use sparingly. An accent detail is all that’s needed. These candleholders are an easy way to add an accent of marble to a dining centerpiece, a bit of luxury to a chilly evening soak in the bath or maybe, like mine, just a beautiful feature for a room that needs some marble. –Fran

Materials:

-Polymer clay: black and white -Taper candles -Ramekins -Retractable blade knife -Clear enamel varnish

Steps:

1. Break off enough black polymer clay to fill ¾ of you ramekin (or until the inner edge recedes) and warm by kneading gently with your hands. Work this into one large ball.

2. Working on a hard, nonstick surface pull off small flecks of the white polymer clay with your fingers and spread over the working area.

3. Roll the black ball around the surface to create an uneven distribution of white flecks over the surface. Squash the ball flat as you’re doing this to give a sparser effect.

4. To make the marble effect, roll and pull the clay out into a long tube shape, twist and then roll back into a ball. You may need to do this two or three times to get the random veins typical of marble, but be careful not to overwork and mix the two colors together.

5. When you’re happy with the patterning fill the ramekin with the clay. Work in from one side of the ramekin, pushing the clay into all the corners at the bottom to avoid getting air trapped under the clay.

6. Push flat using your fingers, then gently push the end of a candle into the middle of the clay. Make sure the hole is deep enough to support the candle and move it around just a little for a good fit.

7. Remove the candle and heat the clay in the oven on a low setting for about 20 minutes. Remove the clay from the oven. Allow it about 10 minutes to cool and then tap the upturned ramekin until the clay falls out.

8. The clay should be slightly soft still so it’s easier to cut into now. Take the knife and carefully cut a small slice from the top of the holder to create a smooth, clean edge.

9. Put the candleholder back into the ramekin and heat for another 10 minutes. After 10 minutes remove from the oven, leave to cool and tap out of the ramekin once more.

10. Spray several light coats of enamel varnish over the surface of the candleholder to give the finished piece a glossy shine.

[votivecandleholder]

Creating a Tranquil Atmosphere with Marble Candle Holders

New Post has been published on https://votivecandleholder.com/candle-decoration/creating-a-tranquil-atmosphere-with-marble-candle-holders

Creating a Tranquil Atmosphere with Marble Candle Holders

Ah, the allure of marble candle holders! These exquisite accessories blend elegance and tranquility, setting the stage for a serene environment. With their graceful presence and timeless appeal, marble candle holders have become a coveted addition to any space seeking a touch of stillness. Picture the delicate twinkling glow of candlelight dancing on the excellent, polished surface of these holders, instantly transforming the ambiance into a haven of relaxation and serenity. Let’s take a closer look at the definition, description, and remarkable skill for cultivating a balmy aura – a harmony of luxury and peace that marble candle holders bring to any room.

Table of Contents

1 Understanding the Importance of a Tranquil Atmosphere

2 The Serenity of Marble

3 Utilizing Marble Candle Holders for a Tranquil Atmosphere

3.1 Large marble candle holders

4 Enhancing Different Spaces with Marble Candle Holders

4.1 Vintage marble candle holders

5 Harmonizing with Other Elements

5.1 Black marble candle holders

5.2 White marble candle holders

6 Safety Considerations and Maintenance

7 Marble candle holder decor

Understanding the Importance of a Tranquil Atmosphere

In today’s hectic world, finding moments of repose is invaluable, and understanding the importance of a tranquil atmosphere is essential for our well-being. Imagine a sanctuary where marble candle holders take center stage, promoting relief and helping restore balance in peaceful surroundings.

The gentle flicker of candlelight, embraced by the beauty of marble holders, adds an enchanting effect, dissolving stress and reducing anxiety. A calm home nurtures physical health, providing a hideaway to release tension and from daily demands. With their refinement and placidity, marble candle holders elevate this experience, creating a safe domain where stress retreats and peace thrives.

The Serenity of Marble

Marble exudes composure in interior design with its calming properties, superb texture, and captivating appeal. Its natural composition invites a Zen-like ambiance, emanating a soothing air. The touch of marble enhances equanimity, evoking comfort and ease. The eye-catching quality of elegant veining patterns and shiny exterior evokes harmony.

When paired with candlelight in marble candle holders, it reaches new heights. The interplay between flickering flames and mesmerizing designs creates a reassuring vibe. Marble candleholders embody this combination, suffusing spaces with serenity, and establishing a refuge of peacefulness.

Utilizing Marble Candle Holders for a Tranquil Atmosphere

Developing a temperate sensation is an art, and marble candle holders are perfect accomplices. These stylish holders add sophistication and play a pivotal role in setting the desired mood. By selecting the right marble candle holders, you maximize the alleviating effect. Let the splendor of marble candle holders harmonize with your home’s aesthetic. Go for fragrances like lavender or chamomile to enrich relaxation. Boost the sensory experience and immerse yourself in a haven of quietude with carefully chosen candles.

Large marble candle holders

Deliberately place marble candle holders in areas of repose, like reading nooks or meditation altars. Infuse each area with tranquility, allowing yourself to bask in the comforting illumination.

Enhancing Different Spaces with Marble Candle Holders

Marble candleholders heighten various spaces, infusing them with a serene aura. In the bedroom, they establish a restful surrounding with a pleasant glow that promotes a pacifying night’s sleep. The bathroom transforms into a spa-like retreat as the mild incandescence generates a sense of luxury and quietude. The dancing flames and graceful veining produces a mesmerizing feeling while therapeutic fragrances transport you to a realm of rejuvenation.

Vintage marble candle holders

In the living room or study, marble candle holders add a mollifying vibe, ideal for reading or unwinding. Their existence instills spaces with calmness and the radiance of the candlelight wraps you as you cherish solace and rejuvenation. Welcome the magnificence of marble candle holders, indulging in the harmony they bring to different settings, rejuvenating both body and soul.

Harmonizing with Other Elements

To augment peace, harmonize marble candleholders with natural elements like plants or water features. The combination of marble’s grace with the stillness of nature develops a classic beauty, permeating the area with a breath of life and a soothing oasis. Incorporate soft, placid colors in the decor to complement the elegance of marble holders and craft a visual harmony that intensifies the balmy feeling, inviting you to unwind and find comfort in the surroundings.

Black marble candle holders

Balance lighting for a harmonious ambiance by combining natural and artificial sources. Accentuate marble candle holders’ radiance with sunlight, then let candles and carefully placed artificial lights build a magical interplay of light and shadow. Enfold the power of these harmonious elements and indulge in a realm of calmness for holistic rejuvenation.

White marble candle holders

Safety Considerations and Maintenance

Ensure a peace-filled environment with marble candleholders by following safety guidelines. Keep candles attended, place them on stable surfaces, away from flammable items, and in well-ventilated areas. Consider holders with protective inserts to catch dripping wax.

Preserve the splendor of marble candle holders by regularly dusting them with a soft cloth. For deeper cleaning, use a mild soap or marble-specific cleaner and dry thoroughly. Avoid abrasive cleaners that can damage the outer layer. By practicing proper safety and maintenance, you nurture a serene setting where tranquility thrives.

Marble candle holder decor

Finally

In conclusion, marble candle holders possess a remarkable ability to create a stable vibe that soothes the mind and nourishes the soul. Their presence, combined with the luminosity of candlelight, invites us to unwind and find solace in our domain. The enduring pull and mellow beauty of marble candle holders offer an everlasting charm that resonates with peace. So, let the sophistication of marble candle holders guide you to a retreat of tranquility, where you can immerse yourself in the tender embrace of serenity and find respite from the chaos of the world.

[tipsycad147]

Witchcraft DIY- Bleeding Halloween Candle with Spell-work

I was decorating this week and got hit with a crafting bug. So I thought I would share with you what I did and how to make your own. Have you seen the Bleeding Candles on Pinterest? I made my own complete with runes, sigils and spell work to make a blessing candle for Samhain and the coming year. Candle Magic is normally pretty easy to do and customize as ornate or secretive as you like.

Why Make This ?

It’s up to you how you want to make your own candle. You can do it just as the bleeding candle or you can do just the sigils and anointing with oil. Or do like I did and do both. I plan to burn mine for the week leading up to Samhain/Halloween, like a 7 day candle. I like the idea of combining my magic with my decorations and crafting skills so this is what works best for me.

The one you’ll see pictured is one I made for my mom which is why there are touches of purple and specific runes and words carved onto the candles surface.

What You’ll Need

You can make this with recycled materials, any color candle you wish and more. I used an old wine bottle for mine and an oil bottle for my mom’s. Or you can skip the bottle and put your candle into a candle holder instead! If you don’t like sparkle you can skip the ribbon and use rope or leave it plain. Use buttons, sequins, real leaves or branches or whatever your witchy heart desires.

Bleeding Candle Supplies:

Taper Candle-I used White/Cream

Empty Bottle/Candleholder

Ribbon-Plain and Decorated

Stones or weights

A Red Candle- Mine are small Apple Cinnamon Votives

Hot Glue

Hot Glue Gun or Lighter

Bottle Decorations-I used Yarn and Fake leaves but you can use whatever.

Small Knife or Straight pin for carving

Scissors

What To Do

If you are charging your candle with good intentions, goals, runes and sigils, you’ll need to research them first.

If you want to draw money, you can carve a $ sign. For love, draw a heart. If you want to send good fortune and energy to a friend, carve their name in the candle. Like I said you can customize it in infinite ways.

Check out Pinterest for other Symbols, Rune and Sigils you can use.

The Tutorial

Since we are working with hot items like flame and hot glue, make sure you are in a flame safe area and are using items that won’t melt or shatter. I worked in my kitchen so I could stay by the sink.

The Magic Bit

Anoint with Oil and Intentions–( I used a Happiness blend Essential oil. To anoint a candle, dip 1-2 fingers into your oil and rub from the top of the candle to the center all the way around. Then repeat from the bottom to the center all the way around. While you are applying oil, focus on the outcome you intend for this candle and its recipient. If you are banishing something, ie bad habits, negativity, curses, etc, rub from the center of the candle to the end instead. You can also roll your candle in herbs if you wish.)

Bringing it all together

Weight your bottle–(If you want to add some more magic, decorate some small rocks or flat marbles with more runes and symbols before adding them to the bottle.)

Stick the Candle into the Bottle–( You may have to shove/wiggle it around to fit well. I also typically run a lighter or another candle around the base to melt extra wax to give a good hold.)

Let Cool and Use as You Wish– I keep mine in the Living room with my Altar and my Decorations. I plan to burn mine every day for the week leading up to Halloween.

Other ways to mix it up with your candle

You can use this for more than just the bleeding candle design. This is an easy way to make magic candles for multiple uses.

Also feel free to try out different designs, colors and containers.A white candle with black symbols would look cool. You can also use paint or glitter glue for sigils if you aren’t confident in your carving skills.( I totally understand that it’s hard to carve a curved surface.)

You could also make one for your patron deity as well. I think a green glass bottle with green and gold decorations and a picture of Gaia, Demeter or your Favorite Earth Goddess would be beautiful.

Keep Calm and Craft On.

I know this was short and sweet today but I’m hoping you enjoyed this tutorial. Will you try it out this year? Do you have other ideas of ways to decorate it?

[arvindhandicrafts]

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Marble Azal Tealight Holder Set of 7 with tray

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4 must-own decor items for your house

Introduction

Your home reflects your personality and style, and how you decorate it has a huge impact on your emotions and well-being. Home decor items are crucial aspects that bring charm and character to every living area. There are many ways to beautify your home, from paintings and wall art to showpieces and beautiful cushions. The appropriate home decor products can help you achieve your chosen style, whether you want to create a pleasant and inviting atmosphere or a modern and sophisticated design. Recently handmade home decor items have gained a lot of popularity both for modern and traditional home settings. In this post, we'll look at many forms of home decor that can improve the aesthetics of your home.

Paintings:

Paintings are a crucial component of every well-designed home. They can bring charm, beauty, and refinement to a space while also expressing the homeowner's choices and hobbies.

Paintings are significant in a home for several reasons, one of which is that they can serve as a focal point for a room. A large, eye-catching painting may capture the eye and provide drama and excitement to an otherwise mundane environment. On the other hand, a collection of smaller paintings or prints can add visual interest to a wall and make a room feel more complete.

For example, a large painting like Murlidhar painting from Satguru’s in your living room is enough to catch all the guests’ eye, or a collection of a few small paintings can add a nice aesthetic feel to your room. 

Art statues:

Art statues, whether god idols or exhibition pieces, can add an element of elegance to a decor. The main reason why art statues are significant in a house is that they can provide depth and richness to a place. Statues, as opposed to two-dimensional art, cast shadows and dance with light in different patterns. They can also add a tactile element to a space, enticing visitors to touch and interact with them. For example, a "Small Appu Ganesha on a Plate" from Satguru's can be a good addition to your prayer house. Art statues like "Meditating Astronaut" in gold or "Abstract Bird on Marble Base" are good items to add to your wall shelf.  They also have other decorative items for home that you can choose from, like candle holders.

Wall Hangings:

Wall hangings like wall clocks, mirrors, or wooden frames are excellent choices if you want to eliminate dullness from your walls. Like a painting, wall hangings form an attractive focal point in the room. Before choosing the product, make sure it suits that particular room. For example, "Plant Hanging Blue Brown" and old school design wall clocks like "Black Dial Metal Clock" by Satguru’s can be an ideal choice for a 90’s themed room or a typical Indian living room with loads of furniture. On the other hand, for a more modern space, you can choose wall hanging options like "Pot Wall Hanging" or a "Deer Motif Clock" from Satguru’s. Along of wooden frames you also get a variety of wooden home decor on their online store

Vases and planters

Vases and planters may be small compared to the other items mentioned above, but they shouldn't be taken lightly. They can have an immediate effect on the beauty of the room. Vases come in different shapes and sizes and are made of different materials, meaning you have a plethora of options to choose from. Vases can be a great option if you have flowering plants in your house garden. You can keep your house fragrant all day by placing those flowers in a beautiful vase. It can be extremely handy when guests visit your place. Handpainted Earthen Vases with Madhubani Art or a Carved Vase from Satguru’s can be great options for first-time vase buyers.

Conclusion

Home decor is an important element that every house should have, but remember that the purpose of home decor items is not only to add aesthetic appeal but also to blend well with the room they are placed in. Selecting the best looking and most expensive decor item is pointless if it does not suit your room's style. Make sure the decor you buy reflects your personality and values.

If you are looking to buy beautiful home decor items, you can check out Satguru’s. They are a home decor shop based in Mumbai and also have an online store. Visit their website today to learn more about their products.