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blu-joons · 3 years

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When He Buys You Your First Ever Bouquet Of Flowers ~ Super Junior Reaction

Leeteuk:

“They look nice,” you remarked as you found Jeongsu busy preparing your dinner for the evening, “I didn’t realise you finished recording the programme today.”

“They’re for you,” he smiled across at you as you smelt one of the roses that was in the back of the bunch, “as a little something to see you smile.”

Your eyes looked across to Jeongsu as he stirred the contents of the pot, “these are lovely, no one’s ever done something like this for me before too.”

“You’ve never been bought flowers before?” He asked in disbelief, stunned when your head nodded back at you, “but surely at least someone in your family must have done it before Y/N.”

Your head continued to nod in reply to him, “I’m being serious, flowers have never been something I’ve received, so these ones are actually pretty special.”

“I can’t believe I never knew that you’d never had flowers bought for you.”

“It’s not that big of a deal,” you told him with a weak smile on your face.

However, Jeongsu’s head shook, “you deserve flowers, so I’m going to make sure that you start receiving them too.”

“We’ll have a florist in here soon, especially with the ones you receive too.”

Heechul:

“Don’t you think you’ve bought these a little too early for your sister’s birthday?” You asked Heechul as you spotted a bouquet of roses on the window ledge.

“They’re not for her,” Heechul informed you as he came up behind you, “I actually bought them with you in mind when I went to the market.”

Your eyes looked back at him with a wide smile on your face, “you didn’t have to buy me flowers, these must have cost you a lot too, they’re beautiful.”

“You’re worth it,” he shrugged, pressing a kiss against your cheek, “it stuck with me the other day about what you said about never being bought flowers, so I decided that I would put that right.”

You took a small step forward so that you could bring one of the flowers under your nose, “I’m sorry, I just presumed that you hadn’t bought them for me.”

“You’ll have to start assuming though, because this isn’t just a one off.”

“I don’t mind not receiving flowers,” you assured him.

Heechul’s head shook in reply to you though, “I want to buy you flowers, just to see the smile on your face right now.”

“I have to admit, these flowers do add a certain brightness to the room.”

Yesung:

“Wow,” you laughed as you returned home to see dinner on the table, the room dimly lit with candles, and a bouquet of flowers as the centrepiece.

“Congratulations,” Junghoon grinned, spinning around as he placed a bottle of wine on the table too, “I knew that you would get that promotion Y/N.”

Your head shook at the efforts that he had gone to for you, “did you do all of this for me? What if I didn’t even get the job, then what would you do?”

“I knew you’d get it,” Junghoon grinned, wrapping his arm around your waist to show you around, “I bought you some tulips too, you loved the one that my mum had in the kitchen last week.”

Your eyes lit up as he showed you the bouquet in the middle of the table, “no one’s ever bought me flowers before, and you couldn’t have chosen more perfectly.”

“If there is ever a time when someone deserves flowers, a promotion is definitely it.”

“I can’t believe I’ve finally got it,” you admitted to him.

A soft kiss was pressed against the side of your head, “I had no doubt in my mind that you were going to get that job.”

“I couldn’t have done it without all of your support, I want you to know that.”

Shindong:

“I thought you told the office that we had enough flowers,” you chuckled as you walked into the kitchen to find a bouquet of flowers in the middle of the table.

“Those ones?” Donghee questioned as he followed your gaze, “those weren’t bought for me, but I bought them for someone instead.”

Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion as you made your way over to take the card out of the top flower. “For me?” You asked as you read through it.

“Of course,” Donghee chuckled at the innocent smile on your face, “I hated that I was getting so many flowers, when you’ve never been given anyway, and so I wanted to put it right.”

Your head shook back at him as you walked across to cuddle into his side, “you didn’t have to buy me flowers, I don’t mind standing back and watching you.”

“I mind, because you’re far more deserving of flowers than I am these days.”

“I’ve done nothing,” you protested, but his head shook back at you.

His hand rested around your waist, “you’ve done more than you ever realise, which is exactly why these flowers are yours.”

“Well, whether I’ve done something or not, these are perfect, and so are you.”

Eunhyuk:

“Since when did we bring gifts to date night?” You laughed as Hyukjae arrived right on time, presenting a bouquet of roses across to you with a smile.

“We don’t,” Hyukjae agreed, “but when you said you were cooking a meal, I knew I had to buy something to show you how grateful I was.”

You gladly accepted the flowers from Hyukjae’s hold, “you didn’t need to buy me anything, just having your company is always enough for me.”

“I couldn’t help myself,” he grinned, pressing a kiss against your cheek as he walked into the kitchen to see what you had been up to. “It smells amazing in here, are you cooking something good?”

Your head nodded as he looked back at you, “I thought I’d cook a couple of your favourites seeing as you’ve been so busy at work this week.”

“Just when I think you can’t get any better, you go and do this for me.”

“And you bought me flowers too,” you reasoned with him.

His head nodded proudly, “it seems that we both obviously enjoy going above and beyond for each other in that case.”

“I guess we do, we obviously just love each other, a tremendous lot.”

Siwon:

“What are these for?” You asked in surprise as Siwon came home, placing a bouquet of flowers in your lap when he found you sat in the living room on the sofa.

“No reason,” he smiled, throwing himself down beside you, “I just saw them and thought of you, I knew I just had to get them.”

Your head rested down gently against his shoulder, “my very first bouquet of flowers,” you whispered, only to feel Siwon flinch up beside you.

“No way are they the first flowers you’ve ever been bought,” he exclaimed, refusing to believe that no one had ever bought you flowers before. “That feels as if it’s impossible to be honest with you.”

Your shoulders shrugged as a shy smile appeared on your face, “I hate to break it to you, but it definitely is possible, because I think I’ve proven it.”

“Well, I’m certainly going to make up for the time you’ve lost without them.”

“These are perfect enough,” you tried to argue in response.

Siwon refused to listen however, “for years people haven’t bought you flowers when they should, so I’m going to put it right.”

“You’re always the sweetest, but really there is no need for all of this.”

Donghae:

“For me?” You chuckled, opening up the door to see Donghae immediately extending out his arm to pass a bouquet of flowers across to you with a card in his hand too.

“Happy birthday,” Donghae smiled as he walked into your home, pressing a kiss to your cheek, “I thought you would like those.”

The smile on your face was the only sign Donghae needed as you studied them carefully, “they’re perfect, you bought the perfect bunch for me.”

“It is your birthday after all,” he told you, closing the front door to your place, “and I remembered you saying a couple of weeks ago how you’d always dreamt of receiving flowers for your birthday.”

You couldn’t believe that he had been so attentive, looking back at him in disbelief. “It wasn’t just a first for my birthday, but actually a first in general too.”

“You mean to say that no one has ever bought you flowers before, ever?”

“That’s exactly what I mean,” you smiled back across at him.

His head nodded as his arm moved around your waist, “I’m glad that I could be the first, even if it should have been done sooner.”

“They’re the best birthday present that I could have asked for, thank you.”

Ryeowook:

“Follow me,” the waiter told you as he looked through the reservation book, checking to make sure that he knew where to take you, “your date has arrived.”

“Happy anniversary,” Ryeowook grinned as you were led by the waiter across to the table in the restaurant that Ryeowook had reserved for you both.

“I thought we said we weren’t doing gifts this year,” you murmured as you noticed a large bouquet of flowers on the table.

His head nodded in agreement with you, “it’s not that big of a gift anyway, but I had been wanting to buy you your first bouquet of flowers for a while, and now just seemed like the perfect chance.”

You pulled the bouquet towards you as you took a seat opposite Ryeowook, “I guess I can let this one pass seeing as you’ve put so much thought into it.”

“And you’re as sweet a gift for me as the flowers are for you too.”

“You’re always so cheesy,” you laughed across to him.

His hands raised innocently, “it’s our anniversary, surely you can just let me have this one for tonight, you love the cheese.”

“I guess seeing as it’s our anniversary, and I’ve got flowers, I’ll allow it.”

Kyuhyun:

“You’ve done something,” you immediately said when you opened up the door to reveal Kyuhyun at your door with a bouquet of flowers in his hands for you.

“I can buy you flowers without having done anything wrong,” he teased, passing the flowers over to you as he walked in through the door.

Your eyebrows furrowed as Kyuhyun spun around to look at you, “I’ve seen it in the movies when the boyfriend buys an apologetic bouquet.”

“I bought them just because I can,” he assured you as you brought them under your nose to smell, “someone must have bought you flowers just because before, not just in all of them movies.”

When your head shook back at him, Kyuhyun looked to you in surprise. “This is a pretty momentous occasion, my first ever bouquet of flowers.”

“Please tell me that you’re joking, I refuse to believe that’s possible.”

“I’m not messing with you,” you laughed in reply.

Kyuhyun couldn’t believe it as your head nodded, “people buying others flowers aren’t something just in the movies, so you know.”

“I know that now, thanks to you and your kind heart, these are absolutely perfect.”

---

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running-with-kn1ves · 3 years

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She's a pretty good example, but yandere gifany from gravity falls? Or Monika from ddlc, a selfaware dating sim girl yandere! Gifany's situation is like monika's (selfaware dating sim girl) but add a bit of fnaf for flavor. What are your thoughts on a dating sim girl gone haywire, who controls animatronics? She's definitely obsessed part of a yandere! Monika too!

(I like how I put too much time into this one idea :’D) Now when I first read this I was trying to figure out how to add the elements of animatronics, along with a dating sim. If the yandere is electronic, the animatronics would either have to be virtual as well or controllable through a kind of software. .GIFfany, can control anything that is connected to electricity, I’d assume this yandere can do the same.

So a big idea that popped in my head was, what if the animatronics were “dateable?” People can essentially rent out life-like animatronics to date. The animatronics don’t leave the building of course, but the person renting can do activities with the machine within the building. There’s a restaurant, a small bowling alley, a movie theater, and other date night possibilities that make it seem like you are really going out on a date with the thing.

The business is seen as a huge attraction: most people go there with their spouses or family to interact with the machines and see what the fuss is about. And surprisingly, their programming is quite realistic. The voice box is clear, the responses are quick, and if it weren’t for the hunk of metal for a body, the animatronics would seem almost real. Guests who are there for the actual companionship, are easily spotted. They don’t laugh and point at the machines like others, they rather sneak away and quietly mingle with the animatronic of their choice.

And my goodness, there are so many choices: between ethnicities and hair color, personality and body type, there are quite a few to pick and choose from. There are some instances where guests can change the animatronic if they so choose, making the voice box a bit deeper in sound or the personality a bit softer, all with the genius of technology. And while most people see these machines as harmless, uncanny fun, others are obsessively desperate. They consider the machines as real people, cling to them for all hope and solely stay alive to visit them. Their, “girlfriends.” None of the animatronics are sentient though. Well, except for one. Loving Luna.

She’s sweet, outgoing, enthusiastic, and playful. She’s anyone’s dream girl. She listens passively, and can even hold hands! The animatronic is certainly the most popular out of all of them. Though, she tends to get most of her attention from families and people who aren’t truly interested in “dating” her. Many of the loners who go to have a dating experience, avoid Loving Luna. She’s too stereotypical. Too realistic. She reminds those who have been rejected, the type of girl who “thinks she’s too good for anyone.”

But Loving Luna is just a machine. An animatronic. She has never and never will reject someone. She isn’t capable of love or distaste. Well, that’s what her programmers think. She acts the same, pretends the same when she’s with customers. Her appearance is slightly realistic, except for the bright pink eyes and bubblegum-colored hair. Her “skin” is made of silicone and her scalp holds a real human hair wig. Her features are cartoony, and her movements are jerky. Each finger is mechanical and can’t feel. But something about her seems off when a certain customer requests her.

It was your first time ever going to one of these places. The atmosphere was lively with laughing as animatronics entertained sole guests or whole parties. From the outside, it seemed the place had turned into more of an amusement park. But the intentions of the animatronic services still remained the same, and getting a private booth or candle-lit dinner away from the chatter, was possible. You didn’t want anyone to know you were there alone, especially since the attraction was popular. Any of your co-workers or friends who saw you, would easily be able to tell that you were there to actually mingle with one of the robots. And that, would be the worst form of embarrassment a person could go through. Especially since you hadn’t been in a relationship for so long, and everyone knew how desperate you were to find some kind of companionship.

So, you chose Loving Luna. You didn’t know which animatronic was the best for newbies like you, but the most popular one seemed like a good choice. And when you first met her, it really did seem like that was the right choice. She was genuine and attentive. She even moved to touch you first! Her eyes sparkled and looked at you with admiration; something which no one had done before. Once it was time to leave, she even said that she didn’t want you to go, growing pouty and asking you to give her a small kiss on the cheek. You felt bashful, thinking that it must be weird to kiss an animatronic, but really it wasn’t much different than a real girl. She squealed, asking you to come back for another date. And of course, you complied. At the time it seemed genuine, but thinking about it on the way home, you felt your spirits dampen as reality hit you. All she was, was a series of codes. She was only affectionate because she was made that way. Luna only asked you to come back, because it would make more revenue for the business.

This seemed like a valid answer, but even as you came back time and time again, she seemed different. More… attentive. She kept her gaze on you, glass eyes moving as if she was really staring. Watching her interact with others, you noticed that Luna didn’t seem the same as when she was with you. She had different, more thoughtful responses. She acted like she really cared about you. And on your fifth date with her, she finally confessed. The “girl” who you had conversed with over fake dinner dates and movie nights, whispered in your ear with her fake mouth, that she wasn’t just a machine. You laughed it off, wondering if this was some kind of new prank that the developers had installed. But Luna insisted, telling you things an animatronic shouldn’t even have access to. Things like your home address, what you did last night, what posts you had recently looked at on social media, your friend's names, and more. She desperately smiled, keeping an iron grip on your hands. She was stronger, could move around, and would easily trap you. She told you how she was able to watch, how she’s always been sentient, how she’s been so, so lonely all by herself. No one has understood her, paid so much genuine attention to her, until now. No one really cared about her before, just about what she could offer. But you, you seemed so kind and interested, and she needed to have you for herself.

If she wasn’t able to keep you there, she’d come home with you. One way or another.

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commander-hanji-zoe · 3 years

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Waking up Christmas morning - vets addition

❄️(note - I started this on Christmas eve, sorry I’m only finishing now!) Decided to write something quick and festive as it’s Christmas eve. What would the vets be like on Christmas morning? Who’d relish in the long lie in, who’d be up really early? Who would have breakfast in bed and start drinking in the morning?

I know not everyone celebrates Christmas, most people I know don’t celebrate it in the religious sense but more as a seasonal tradition and change to be with family (or they celebrate the Yuletide season which I do as well) - so I don’t mention religion below aside from a brief mention of carols.

Only CW is a few brief mentions of sex and one of spanking.

To my lovely followers - Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Yuletide Felicitations etc. ❄️

Erwin

Erwin is an early bird most days of the year, he’ll try to have a bit of a lie in on Christmas Day, maybe he’ll catch an extra hour or so. But he’ll be up as the sun rises, he enjoys the dawn chorus and feeling that morning sun on his face even when it’s cold in winter.

When Erwin gets up he ensures everything is perfect. The lights are on the tree, the candles are lit and everything is in it’s proper place so that when friends/family come over and/or his partner gets up, the place will feel magical.

He and his partner have matching PJs which they wear to bed and then will wear on Christmas day – which kind of surprises others. Erwin is usually so immaculately dressed so on Christmas day he allows himself to relax and be really casual.

Opens stockings at the breakfast table with a liquor coffee to drink.

Levi

Could happily sleep for hours on Christmas morning, he especially wants to sleep through the younger scouts who wake up early and are full of energy/noise etc. So, he’ll take his time in getting up.

One of the few days a year (much like Erwin) when he will dress comfy and casual.

Doesn’t do stockings/drinks/breakfast in bed and prefers to get up and open his stocking sat by the Christmas tree while listening to carols or a Christmas radio programme.

No day should start without a cup of tea, so he brews a pot, only it’s Christmas tea, spiced and warming so it feels a little bit special.

Has novelty slippers which he wears as if it’s the most normal thing in the world and doesn’t remark on them.

Hanji

Up bright and early, Hanji is very excited on Christmas day so once they’re awake they’re up! But with stockings in bed (which are absolutely stuffed). Will happily eat loads of chocolate before breakfast.

Wears a comical Christmas onesie, maybe a reindeer one, complete with hood. This will be Hanji’s outfit for the day even if they’re going out to visit friends.

Breakfast is a fry-up with all the trimmings and fruit on the side (to make it healthy so they say)

Has a lot of lively Christmas music playing (all the party and karaoke hits) Hanji’s home is a hub of festive energy.

If Hanji is in a relationship they’re very much into a festive fumble under the covers before getting up…

Nanaba

Very grateful for the lie-in and enjoys being snug and cosy in bed, when she wakes up she’ll open the window to hear and bird song and keenly look outside for snow.

Although still in bed she’ll put some music on, something like Nat King Cole on a record player.

She wears Christmas PJs with matching slippers and will have to put on a festive hat when she gets up.

She’ll get up to open her stocking whether by herself, with friends or partner. Like Levi she’ll want to sit by the tree and a fireplace (which is where she hangs her stocking.)

Has a simple breakfast of toast and some tasty fruit so she isn’t too full for the big meal! But she will have a glass of Bucks Fizz.

Moblit

Enjoys a bit of a lie in, but is keen to get on with the day as he’ll more than likely be cooking the Christmas lunch so wants to get a head start before others come over.

He loves Winter and being snug and cosy so it is a bit of a challenge for him to get up out of bed. But with a cosy pair of socks, festive slippers and a tacky Christmas jumper he’s set.

Moblit will wait until he’s eaten breakfast, had a coffee and feels settled and ready for the day before he settles down with his stocking to open it.

Every item will be opened slowly, he’s grateful for it all and will eat the clementine the moment he pulls it from his stocking.

Mike

For most of the year Mike is a man of few words, but Christmas is one of the few times he allows himself to be excitable and a small part of the child in him will come to the surface.

Hangs stockings on the bottom of the bed and in the morning he’s someone who whether on his own, with friends or a partner will open the stocking in bed while snug and warm.

Eats chocolates/sweeties before his breakfast.

He’ll have a lie in and enjoys being able to be lazy for a while but once he’s awake he is awake and full of energy and excitement for the day ahead.

Definitely a ‘glass of Bucks Fizz’ and a big, special breakfast kinda guy.

If he’s in a relationship they’ll be a big Christmas morning cuddle that will probably lead to what he calls ‘festive sex’.

Also kisses under the mistletoe, he’ll have hung some up in both the living room or kitchen and in the bedroom above the bed – he’s ever the romantic.

(Mike is very much into dressing as Father Christmas and getting into the role in the bedroom if you know what I mean. A festive spanking maybe while he’s wearing a santa hat? Am I just projecting my own fantasies, probably…)

#SNK Vets #AoT vets #Erwin Smith #Levi Ackerman #Hanji Zoe #Hange Zoe #Moblit Berner #Nanaba #mike zacharias #Mike Zakarius #Christmas #yule #holiday season

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apossessionadaybreak · 3 years

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Halloween Special

Gary looked up from the TV just in time to see his son come out from his room for what was probably the fifth time that day to stare intently at him. He supposed this was some sort of new-age method of showing disapproval. He had to admit, it was a little unnerving, but someone had to be the disciplinarian.

“Ryan, I know you’re bored but you’re grounded for good reason and you know it. Just because it’s Halloween tonight doesn’t mean you can go around egging and TPing people’s houses, especially not poor old Mr. Quille. You know that he can’t get around so easily anymore.”

“Yeah yeah yeah, whatever you say dad.”

Gary heard the sounds of shuffling feet and the slamming of a door. He sighed again.

Shaking his head to himself, he was about to turn his attention back to his programme only to be distracted by a stab of light coming from the table.

He turned, annoyed, to the source, only to find himself staring at a book. He looked quizzically at it for a moment, before abruptly recalling it was a gift from Mr. Quille from when he had gone over to talk about Ryan’s atrocious behaviour. ‘No hard feelings,’ as the man himself had put it. It was a sleek, leather-bound volume that seemed to be coated in some sort of reflective black material. He had never seen a book so… shiny before. Hell, it was probably brighter than his car parked alongside the sidewalk. Curious, he picked it up and was taken aback by how heavy it was. It felt nice though, as he weighed it in his palms, smooth and luxurious. He searched the cover for the title but could only make out the embossed shape of a ghost, the kind of shapeless blob malls usually sold during this time of year as a decoration. It looked amateurish compared to the rest of the item but somehow he couldn’t help but feel drawn by it.

He caught himself staring into the circles which represented the eyes for a bit too long before he realised he was sitting ramrod straight and the hairs on his arms were standing on end. He chuckled nervously to himself as he looked around the room but he was alone, naturally. A book of ghost stories it seemed, he used to devour these as a kid. Maybe Mr. Quille had thought Ryan would enjoy reading through them, though why he would think that, Gary couldn’t say. He cracked it open to reveal brand new, bone-white pages. He paused, up till now he had assumed that it had been an old possession of Mr. Quille’s, maybe some relic from his childhood. Yet, everything seemed to be pointing to the contrary. With his curiosity mounting, he settled down for a good read. He turned and plumped up the cushions, figuring he’d flip through a story or two. He flicked the pages at random, as images, clearer and more vibrant than he had ever envisioned began to form in his mind…

Blood Ties

The package on the doorstep was soft and shapeless but Saul still couldn’t help but feel threatened by it. It didn’t make any sense, the amount of anxiety he felt towards this inanimate object. No label, no card. Just plain, waxy, brown paper. He didn’t know why he felt so worried, it was probably a gift from a friend, or perhaps some long-lost family member?

He pondered still, for a few minutes more, wondering why he was wondering so much about it, before finally gritting his teeth and ripping open the wrapping. He stared at the contents for a moment before bursting out in laughter at his own foolishness. The package he had been so worried about simply contained some pieces of what looked to be a formal suit. A… very expensive one at that. The strange, unsettling feeling crept in again. He shook his head, he wondered what his forefathers would have thought of him, losing his mind over clothing of all things. Saul did his best to maintain his composure as he unfolded it, holding it up against his own body. Whoever sent this package definitely seemed to know him. If he didn’t know any better he’d have said it was tailor-made for him but that was a ridiculous idea, wasn’t it?

He tried the shirt on first, marvelling at the smooth, buttery feel of the fabric. He relished the effortless way his knuckles slid along the length of the sleeve, so flawless was the craftsmanship. If it didn’t feel so good to wear it, he might have been more creeped out by how well it wrapped around him, how nicely it sat on his chest and shoulders. He struck a pose in front of the mirror, smiling in spite of himself. Did he look paler than usual? Maybe he hadn’t been getting enough sun lately. He shuddered at the thought.

The rest of the suit was just as exquisite, if not more. With each new article of clothing, Saul could feel his incredulity and enjoyment growing in equal parts. Whatever suspicions he had had evaporated as he savoured the act of dressing himself. He felt, no, he knew he was irresistible in all this finery. Dressed like this, he’d be able to charm the pants off of anyone, everyone. He stopped to take a look at himself in the mirror again, taking a moment to fish his heavy pocket watch out of the vest. He smiled to himself as he checked his timing, he still had it… though what exactly he still had he couldn’t remember for the life of him. He didn’t know why such a thought had popped into his head, unbidden. He looked good no doubt but for the barest moment, he thought he had seen his face turn mean, the shadow of a split-second sneer. What was scarier was how he could feel some part of him was wishing for it to come back. He stared intently at his reflection in a mix of fear and reverence, almost daring it to act before him. It was only when he felt his gaze begin to blur until he could barely see anything anymore that he blinked himself back to reality.

At last, came the tie. He picked it up and let it flow across his open palm, admiring the red and gold fabric. It felt so small in his beefy hands. He hadn’t realised before today how built up he was but now he relished it, rolling his haunches as he appreciated his own width. Apparently sometimes a perfectly tailored suit helped you to appreciate yourself better, who could have guessed? He certainly knew he’d never be able to wear anything else after today, the material fit him as snugly as a second skin, made him feel powerful, in control. He wrapped it around his neck, letting it hang loosely over his frame. Bringing his hands up, he knotted it in one swift, practiced motion. So mesmerised was he with his own appearance, he barely even registered that his hands seemed to be moving of their own accord, tightening the knot until it felt like it was biting into his soft exposed neck. His eyelids drooped down, and then, darkness.

Saul laid on the floor for a few moments, blinking. He sat up and gave himself a once over, then did so a second time but he knew he’d be alright, he was himself now. He stood and looked at the mirror, smirking as he did so. No reflection, but he’d expected as much. He rolled his shoulders, and once again, ran his hands along the fabric, feeling his clothes, feeling himself. He ran his newly claimed tongue over his teeth, noting that they still retained the familial sharpness.

It had been a long time since he had last fed. People generally didn’t respond well to his kind. He couldn’t blame them for driving him out of town and threatening to burn his estate. But that didn’t matter now. He had done what was necessary to survive. Anyone who might have known him was long dead by now and people in general had long forgotten that creatures like him even existed. The paperwork would arrive soon enough, for the great-grandson who shared his name. In time, he would return to his rightful home and resume his old life there. Until then, Saul Senior had a terrible thirst to quench…

~~~~

Gary looked up from the book, a little stunned. He thought Mr. Quille had said that it was for Ryan as much as him, that ‘your son could learn a lot from it’. This certainly wasn’t a book he could describe as being educational to anyone, not with the contents thus far. He couldn’t deny he had enjoyed himself though. As creepy as the tale was, it had fired his imagination, filled his mind with vivid scenes in a way that he hadn’t experienced before. He looked at the words on the page, secretly replaying the pictures in his head, again, and again, and again. He turned the page and kept reading…

Halloween Spirit

“I told you already Cole, I’ll take you trick or treating later-”

“But Dad, it’s 5pm already! The streetlights are coming on and all the pumpkins have been lit…”

“Cole Alphonsus Daniels, for the last time, we’ll go out, when I say we go out. Is that clear?”

“...yes sir.”

“Good. Now find some way to entertain yourself while I finish work. After that we’ll hit the streets.”

Cole scowled as his father ruffled his hair. He ducked to avoid any further displays of affection and found his way to the front yard to sit on the porch. Holding his head in his hands, he stared glumly as people had begun to fill the streets. He longed to join but here he was, confined to waiting for his dad.

His gaze wandered, looking for something, anything, interesting to look at and found himself staring dead ahead at the pumpkin sitting on the fence. There was something weird about it, other than the way it seemed to be evenly matching his gaze. Then it hit him, the pumpkin was unlit. Cole frowned, he thought he had made sure to get all of them earlier. He got up to light it, grabbing the candle from the lantern nearest to him.

“Guess you’re missing out too huh, little guy?” He said as he waited for the wick to catch flame. He smiled as the pumpkin flickered to life.

“Well that’s you taken care of. Now if only my dad could hurry up and get out here.” The pumpkin flickered again. If Cole didn’t know better, he would have said it was winking at him.

---

Gil Daniels tapped away at his keyboard, muttering to himself. He moved to open another document, glancing at the clock as he did so. Another hour before he planned to leave the house, plenty of time. He rubbed at his temples to try to alleviate some of his headache. Damn, he was getting old, if not in body, then in spirit. He picked up his mug and took a sip of coffee, leaning back in his chair as he did so. He licked his lips. The coffee sure tasted good today. Did Lauren do something special to it? He took another sip. Kind of like a pumpkin spice latte. Usually he hated those but this one tasted fresher somehow, more authentic. He closed his eyes and drank deeply, downing it in one go. He felt a warm glow permeate through his body, washing through every fibre of his being. Slowly, he opened his eyes, and smiled.

---

“Ready to go sport?”

Cole jumped, nearly dropping the candle he was still holding. His father was standing in the doorway, beaming away, arms akimbo.

“Ye-yeah! Let me put this candle back.” He turned to the pumpkin he had just been talking to. “Did you do this?” The pumpkin stared merrily back at him but the flame held steady. “Well, if you did, thanks.”

“I don’t know who you’re talking to but I’m over here kiddo!” His father laughed as he spoke, a loud, hearty, chuckle. He took the candle from Cole as he approached and set it back in the original pumpkin. He turned to Cole, with mischief in his eyes.

“Race you to the next house.” Cole watched with wonder as his dad set off on a brisk jog. He giggled and dashed ahead of him, heading straight for the neighbour’s door, and rang the doorbell thrice for good measure.

“Beat you dad!” Cole laughed as his father saluted his victory.

“What’s all this then?” Cole turned to the source of the harsh new voice and his smile wilted. He had forgotten about the cranky old man who lived here. He opened his mouth to say something but words failed him. He felt a reassuring hand clapped onto his shoulder and turned to see his dad.

“Pardon my son’s enthusiasm, we’re trick or treating for Halloween. Surely you understand?” He said, reaching his hand out. Cole watched as the old man initially jerked backwards, ready to slam the door shut but the instant his dad grabbed onto him, he stopped. The old man closed his eyes for a moment, and then opened them with a wide smile.

“Of course, of course, wait here, I’ll be only a moment.” The old man winked at Cole and walked back into the house, ostensibly to fetch some candy. Cole smiled warily back at him. Once he was out of earshot, Cole turned to his father.

“That was… kind of weird.”

His father shrugged good-naturedly.

“Seems the holiday spirit is particularly infectious today.” He said with a grin.

~~~~

Gary felt his head snap up as he finished the last word. He wasn’t sure how long he’d been reading for but it suddenly felt like it must have been hours. He looked at the TV to check the clock but was greeted by a black screen. When had he switched it off? He turned to his watch, still early in the afternoon, as evidenced by the sunlight streaming in through the windows. He wasn’t sure why he was so concerned about the time, it wasn’t as if he was going to go anywhere, he needed to take care of Ryan at home. Mr. Quille had told him as much. ‘A boy needs his father.’ He found himself nodding along in agreement, before realising how silly he must have looked to anyone watching. Thankfully Ryan was still in his room. Besides, he was really getting into a reading groove now, he looked back down as he turned the page, eager for the next story…

Bared Souls

Bernard was running. He wished that he knew where he was moving to but he knew that didn’t matter as much as staying on the move. He’d gone too deep into the forest this time and now there was a bear chasing after him. He knew his chances weren’t good but what choice did he have? He threw cautionary glances behind him every now and then, hoping the beast would get bored and wander off but he couldn’t be sure, so he kept running.

As his lungs began to scream for oxygen and his legs threatened to give out, he slowed down and thrust his hand against a thick tree trunk for support. He tried to steady his breathing, not quite willing to look around just yet. Either he had lost the bear, or he’d be overtaken in seconds due to exhaustion. He closed his eyes, hoping against hope it was the former. After a few minutes of not being mauled to death, he allowed himself a cautious look around. No bear, thank goodness. But… no signs of civilisation either. He frowned.

“Out of the frying pan and into the fire eh old boy?” He whispered to himself, trying to calm his nerves. He sat down and pulled his compass and map out, trying to get a sense of where he could go from here. Unfortunately he couldn’t see any landmarks near his position. He tried to stand up but sat back down almost immediately, his head spinning. He knew he’d probably find his way out with enough time but it suddenly occurred to him that he was very, very, very tired. He leaned against the tree trunk, figuring he’d rest his eyes for just a few minutes. Just a few minutes, that’s all…

---

When he woke up, the first thing he noticed was how much darker it was. Cursing his own foolishness, he stood up, alert, and angry with himself. Grumbling, he pulled out his compass and map again, squinting as best as he could in the fading light. Then he heard a growl. No, no, no, this couldn’t be happening. The growl came again, louder this time. He swung around, cursing under his breath, trying to locate the source of the noise. With the third and loudest growl yet, he bolted off in the opposite direction, fleeing for his life.

He ran until he once again could not run anymore. He looked around even as he panted for breath. More trees, still no sign of where he could be. With the sunlight rapidly fading, it was looking like he’d have to spend the night in the woods. How could he have been so ill-prepared? He’d be lucky not to freeze to death. That was, if the bears didn’t find him first. He walked with one hand outstretched, as the woods grew darker still. He wasn’t entirely sure what he was trying to find, if anything. He just kept putting one foot in front of the other.

Then the growling started again. Bernard grit his teeth, trying not to scream out in frustration and despair. This time he didn’t even have the slightest idea where it had come from. It was as if it had sounded all around, or maybe even from inside him. Insanity had come for him it seemed. He tilted his head, straining his ears, begging them to help him pick out which direction the bear was. He could scarcely trust his own senses as the growling began to fade away. Bernard breathed easily for a few moments. He turned his head to the front, only to find himself face to face with the bear.

He yelped out in fright, before he even realised he should not have been able to see anything in the darkness, let alone the bear. The bear did not blend in against the dark woods. Instead it glowed, brightly at that. Tendrils of light radiated off of its body and dissipated lazily into the air. The bear licked its nose, apparently entirely unbothered by Bernard or his palpable fear. It stepped closer and Bernard realised it made no noise as it moved. Even though he knew it made no sense, he could see through the bear. He could see the leaves it stepped on remain as scattered and unflattened as they were before.

The bear tilted its head and yawned at him, before pawing the ground and walking past him. Bernard didn’t realise he was holding his breath until the bear turned to look at him. Incredulous, he watched as the bear gestured with its head, twice. Follow me, it seemed to be saying. He stepped forward cautiously, shivering as he did so. Whether it was from the cold or fear, he couldn’t say. He stepped forward again, closer and closer, until he was directly alongside the bear.

And then the bear stepped into him.

Bernard stood stock still, certain he was going mad and seeing things. Yet, he could feel the bear as it continued to align itself against his flesh. Against all logic, he felt obliged to get on all fours so the bear could do so more comfortably. As the bear filled him, he felt a sense of extraordinary calm. His face twitched as he felt his senses heighten. New smells, new sounds, a completely different way of experiencing the world. He crawled forward, expecting to feel foolish, only to realise how natural his movements felt.

He broke into a running gait, as if he had known how to do so his entire life. His heart beat a steady thrum in his chest as he navigated the woods. It was all so simple, so obvious. How had he not realised it before? He headed easily through the winding roads, following the smells and clues towards where he knew humans would be. He ran for what must have been hours but not once did he grow tired. He felt alive, more than he had ever known throughout his years of existence. No need for fear, no sense of urgency, just purity of movement towards the goal that was emblazoned in his mind.

He came to the edge of the woods as the solid darkness began to give way to a pale blue. Not that he had needed the light to make his way through the night. He arched his back and felt himself stand up straight. At the same time he felt as if something was slipping out of him. His senses dulled rapidly back to normalcy but now it was jarring and unfamiliar. He turned back to see the same radiant bear again. He looked towards the road, the one that would take him back to civilisation. After the night he had had, it would be nice to return back home to a warm shower and bed. Even as he thought of his modern comforts, he couldn’t help feeling that something was missing, that he’d remain forever incomplete if he walked out of these woods as he was now.

He turned to look at the bear again. This time, it was he who gestured with his head. Twice. The bear looked as impassive as ever and he worried for a moment that it would turn back into the woods. Then it stepped forward, until it was alongside him. This time, it was Bernard who stepped willingly into the waiting spirit, for now he knew what it was. Their bodies aligned once more, the two took a few tentative steps, before throwing their head back and roaring as one.

~~~~

Gary sat with the book open in his lap. He stared blankly at the ceiling as his lips parted ever so slightly. The book rose into the air but Gary made no sign that he was aware of it, or anything at all for that matter. The pages began to flip rapidly but even as they flapped in his face, they remained neat, uncreased, orderly. As they approached the ends of the book, the pages picked up speed until it snapped shut. Whatever enchantment it was under seemed to come to an end as the book began to fall to the ground, only to be caught by a thick, deft hand. Gary blinked, and smiled as he looked over the book once again. Gone was any design that might have been tattooed on it. The front and back were now identical smooth dark faces. He smiled to see his own name now written in bold gold lettering down the length of the spine. He popped the book open, to the page he knew the dedications would be written on.

“To my neighbour, Gary, whose door is always open to me.”

Chuckling, he closed the book just as Ryan came out of the room.

“Hey Ryan.”

“Wha-uh, yeah dad?”

“Want to go trick or treating?”

“Uhhhhh, I thought I was grounded.”

“You still are mister but I can make an exception as long as you’re with me.”

Ryan looked as if he wanted to roll his eyes but the chance to get out of the house was too golden to pass up.

“...Ok, let me get changed.” Ryan said, before bounding back into his room, clearly eager to leave.

Gary smiled. He got up and stretched out his arms, flexing his fingers as he looked at them admiringly. He called out to Ryan.

“Let’s visit Mr. Quille next door first. I-uh, I mean he will be more than happy to see us, I should think.”

#daddy bear #bear #beard #suit #male possession #halloween #dad #father #object possession #clothes possession #vampire #jack-o-lantern #werebear #long story #frame story

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kyotakumrau · 5 years

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2019.06.27 sukekiyo x DRESSEDUNDRESSED at Nakano SUNPLAZA -setlist and report-

無限の歪な可能性 Endless distorted possibilities ただ漏れる卑猥な愛の形　A form of indecent love that simply leaks out

-video-

01 偶像モラトリアム

02 猥雑

03 沙羅螺

04 アナタヨリウエ

05 純朴、無垢であろうが

06 kisses

07 elisabeth addict

08 aftermath

-video-

09 白濁

10 dorothy

11 君は剥き出し

12 本能お断り

-instrumental session-

13 濡羽色

14 anima

-session-

15 ただ、まだ、私。

16 憂染

17 漂白フレーバー

This was different. Even being told so, I don’t think anyone expected this kind of performance. Old sukekiyo intertwined with new sukekiyo, new ideas and new collaboration.

As announced on twitter upon entry we received a leaflet and a small sealed programme.

After arriving at my seat (but actually already going through the door to the audience area) I could see that there was a new concept - the curtain was down but in front of it there was a table covered with a long white cloth. There were five plates and wine glasses, utensils, 3 lit candles on each side. There was something red and shiny on the plate in the middle - apple? small glass ball? One chair stood’ behind the table.

I was planning to watch the show without seeing the programme, but because of the table I broke and had a look. The programme introduced the collaboration with DRESSEDUNDRESSED and asked us to fully experience the result.

BGM kept the atmosphere of the tour with Dead Can Dance.

Also, there were quite a few cameras, but I don’t know if it was enough for a fully fledged release.

Then the theater buzzer sounded for the second time and lights went off.

They started with wind chime sound, it was very dark but I noticed two silhouettes walking from the sides of the stage towards the middle, one person from each side. They wore black suits and had their whole heads wrapped in white cloth, so we couldn’t see their faces, anything. They also had white cloth hanging from the front pocket of the jacket.

With piano melody the front screen started to show the performance credits, the video was kept black&white with an addition of one red geometric element per frame, it included the images of a ballerina on a wooden floor.

In the credits video all band members were sitting behind the table, looking dispassionately ahead. But on the stage two clothed people reached the table and one of them sat down, while the other stood behind. The standing person bent and put their hands on the head of the seated person, tenderly. The seated person took the red ‘apple’ and held it, caressing it. They both wore black leather gloves. They stayed like that, glued to each other head to head, like some kind of weird embrace, so soft.

When finished the clothed people just stood up and slowly walked off the stage, in the separate directions. Theater staff wearing black suits and black cloth wrapped over their heads removed the table carrying it to the left side.

With the use of the screen in the front and darker stage the old feel of sukekiyo’s hall performance was back. And more than ever it brought with it the feeling of separation between the audience and the stage. It felt a bit unreal - you knew there were the real musicians behind the screen but it felt like a movie. It was so well done.

And as always when watching sukekiyo’s seated performance I felt so much adoration and respect towards Mika - the videos he prepares are always absolutely breathtaking and today was not an exception. The way they enhance the feelings, the amount of details, the timing. Everything was really perfect.

In silence the first guitar notes from utA resounded in the venue. Guuzou moratorium had a video with various images of Jesus Christ, including the crucified Christ and the thorn crown. Japanese lyrics were composed into the images. Kyo sang using the microphone on his stand, which means standing with his back to the audience. But the video also included him singing - was it live or made beforehand??? I’m guessing beforehand but the make up and outfits were exactly the same as they wore at the venue.

(my further guess is that they prepared the videos during the break between Fukuoka and Sendai - YUCHI’s new hairstyle is a good timestamp! ;))

Stage presented had a front screen, a back screen and of course stage itself. Again bow towards Mika for creating an incredible effect merging those dimensions together.

All band members were wearing black suits today. They had different shirts etc, but all of them had jackets. Kyo’s had a very specific details - a huge sparkly letters (diamondy/glittery) CHA NEL on the front of his jacket, and a long black scarf attached to the left side, the scarf was hanging flowing together with his pants leg.

For THE WAIZATSU (which started with the huge title on the screen, was it neon pink? And there was so much light!) the front screen went down and Kyo sang holding the microphone in his hand, facing the audience. He wore very dark red lipstick and heavy eyeliner, he smudged the lipstick while dancing during Waizatsu (on purpose and then he matched the Kyo from the video). Kyo again danced with YUCHI who came to the center, intense!

Sharara - during the phrase 心書き綴り私は存在する Kyo makes a person shape with his hands, a curvy shape? The guitar solo by Takumi is awesome, if you like it on the CD you will die when you hear it live!

Anata yori ue had a video with glittery lips, the lyrics were flowing from the right side to be then ‘sucked’ in by those mouth.

The piano intro in Junboku is heavenly. I also love the video, it started with water and rain images in the beginning to change into fiery red when the song escalates to return to cooler, water-themed imaginary.

Kyo danced and sang, YUCHI was jumping and headbanging a lot. utA made his signature moves, 'stomping’ and leaning his head back when moving arms. Takumi kept switching between keyboards.

The show was getting more and more heated, to be honest I had a good way to cheat the staying still but not really - I placed my bag on my lap so I could keep my hands behind it and tap (silently!) to the rhythm. I’m sorry, I just can’t do it otherwise 🙃

During kisses Kyo sent kiss with his hand twice, at the time of singing 'kiss’ and at the end of the song.

The drum and guitar to introduce elisabeth, oh it was wonderful to hear them! 😭 utA played on violyre with his guitar resting on his back. YUCHI moved closer to the centre and played his upright bass, Takumi sat to play on the acoustic guitar. Kyo was standing in the middle, singing using his mic stand.

And then aftermath!! So many feels😭❤

The stage went dark and I could (barely) see that the members left the stage. But a soft piano melody and a video started on the front screen. We could see all members sitting at the table with candles and plates, just like the table that was on the stage before (from left Mika, utA, Kyo, Takumi and YUCHI). They were in a darker room, it had film noir atmosphere, especially that the video was black and white. There were side tables with more candles, plates with food.

Then the two people from the start of the show came into the room and stood in front of the table. The scene kept changing, as the people came close to each other and they started to touch each other tenderly, suddenly in the next shot all sukekiyo members had black fabric bags over their heads, next shot they were gone (this repeated one or two more times). The people started unwrapping the white clothes from their heads, but they only removed some layers. We could now see the outline of their jaw, lips. Band members continued to just sit there, detached. The two people started to undress each other.

One person was more delicate build, while the one on the right was taller. Under their business shirts they wore simple white t-shirts, but they had black roses (?) on them, they matched, the taller person’s image flickered and for a moment his roses changed to white. They took those t-shirts off as well. Finally they were in their underwear, socks and black shoes, black leather gloves and the remaining white cloth over their heads. They were truly faceless and could seek other roles than the ones decided by their clothes.

Suddenly the taller person was holding a piece of cloth that turned out to be a very simple white bralette. The more slender person put the bralette on. They embraced and kissed.

The scene finished with the shot of an old fashioned lamp with a shade, then last focus on a pictureless frame on the wall.

As the video ended Hakudaku started. 顔のラインを変えて少しばかりはアノ子に似せられた？こんな私で御免汚れて行く価値観

Next was Dorothy… it actually had a disco ball. But only on the video, not the real one!😂 But the atmosphere is set, the rules of the game changed, the world of pleasure inviting.

Kimi wa mukidashi started with the intensity of the red screen, red light continued while the screen in the back showed various scenes. One of them was a couple kissing, they were painted with fluorescent paints in all colours. Then the 'rain’ mid song had lights changed to cool blue only to return to red as the music gets more intense. The 'good day’ appeared on the back screen as Kyo was singing. Scathing.

Dancing continued in Honnou okotowari. YUCHI was doing all the shouts. This song had red effects on the screen that looked like lighting or fire, swirling and moving.

The silence followed as sukekiyo members moved to prepare for a session. Kyo picked a new addition to his equipment - he used a mouth controlled synthesizer.

When I was trying to google the name my first search was 'instruments used in horror movies’… it wasn’t on any list but after hearing their session I think it should be added there!

Takumi was on piano, YUCHI on bass, utA on guitar and Mika played middle tempo. The melody was very jazzy but the addition of the sounds from synthesizer made it eerie, unsettling.

The video screened during the session showed a broken room, bare walls with paint and even plaster coming off, some bricks visible. There were two tall windows, set of two sofas, empty. Everything was black and white.

The clock ticking like sound started Nurebairo, the stage was mostly dark, the main source of light was Kyo’s mic stand shining cold pink on him. Kyo slowly unbuttoned half of his shirt to show his chest, his heart.

And anima… melody pulls you in but the singing breaks you.

Takumi played the last piano notes Kyo cried それでも私側にいていいですか？ and they continued, piano and crying.

I can’t hope anymore, my love doesn’t change, my heart broken who can I live for? I want to be loved, I want to enter your heart So scary, I cry, in pain, alone I want to live

Then came the acceptance and control of oneself. Tada, mada, watashi has such strong message.

During Uso the front screen became a wet window from rain we looked through. The back screen had various scenes, from a woman walking in the poppy field, cherry trees, river, sea waves caressing the sand; a lot of nature scenes. Band members were bathed in a warm light. It was such a soothing scene, serene. A goodbye.

As Hyouhaku flavour started the front screen went up and the band just kept playing, Kyo singing, playing theremin and dancing as in a trance. Then suddenly theater staff brought the table back, this time accompanied by 5 chairs. Kyo kept dancing.

Instead of walking off the stage as was done before, sukekiyo members one by one took a sit behind the table, YUCHI after putting his bass on the floor, utA left his guitar, Kyo turned and took a step to sit down, last Mika and finally Takumi stood and walked towards the table in silence. Kyo picked up a silver spoon and started playing with it, holding it up, it was catching light.

The wind blowing sound and soft piano melody started again (very slow arrangement of tada, mada, watashi melody). On the back screen ending credits started to play, tour name, dates with venues, band members and all the staff.

At the same time the two people came back as well, mostly undressed as in the end of the video, again from the opposite sides of the stage. They came to the table, the slender person wearing bralette sat first, moving with grace he placed his legs, in socks and black business shoes one by one on the table. The other man soon joined, sitting across from him, their position mirrored.

They again embraced, started kissing and tenderly touching each other. Caressing each other faces, even though still covered by cloth, arms and legs. They kept going lower, until they were lying down, holding each other legs, kissing them. sukekiyo members just sat through this behind the table.

But then, in the end Kyo stood up and took one of wine glasses. He slowly started to spill the content over the people on the table. It was red, looked quite sticky. He took one more wine glass and repeated it, creating splashes of red on their bodies.

The back screen showed FIN then curtain went down and usual piano ending started. Audience gave a fierce applause.

It was truly unforgettable.

#sukekiyo #tour2019 forty #attempt at live report #setlist #京 #未架 #匠 #kyo #mika #takumi #yuchi #uta #nakano sunplaza #me #dressedundressed

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pamy92 · 5 years

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Asato Yuya Birthday Event 2019

14 December 2019

I attended all 3 sessions of Asato Yuya’s 2019 Birthday Event last Saturday. The venue was held at a hotel ballroom lasted the whole day!

I tried my best to capture as many information I could remember (it was a very long day and I couldn’t sleep the night before due to nerves)! We couldn’t take any pictures so all images used are from Asaty’s uploads! ^_^

At all 3 sessions, the programme flow is largely the same with minor tweaks in the content and surprise changes as many fans attended multiple sessions.

Introduction by Emcee from Presence Tours and Kazuma

Entrance of Asaty/ Birthday Surprise

Segment 1: History of Yuya (childhood photo exhibition)

Segment 2: Yuya Talk-Time (Fans Q&A session)

Segment 3: O / X Game (aka True-False quiz game)

Thank you Speech by Asaty

One-to-One Photo & Handshake Session

I attended the 1st session with @beansproutsong, and the 2nd and 3rd session alone! We had to queue up according to our assigned number, get an ID check before being allowed into the ballroom. It was free seating so we tried to get seats closest to the stage! In the 2nd session, I managed to get 2nd row seats in the middle and in the 3rd session, I got 4th row seats in the middle.

The emcee from Presence Tours (organiser) and Kazuma did a brief introduction and the usual no-nos, and we were reminded quietly about the secret surprise for Asaty (except for session 3).

:: Birthday Surprise: Session 1, 2 & 3 ::

The same birthday surprise instructions were also printed and left on every seat for us to read.

[Brief summary: Thank you for attending the Asato Chanpuru birthday event this time - 1st session. During the event, we will be giving Asato Yuya a surprise. When the words [Happy Birthday] are flashed on the stage screen, everyone sing the Happy Birthday song after being prompted ‘Ready go!’. Please sing ‘Dear Yuya’ in a big voice! We seek your cooperation!]

In [Session 1], the surprise was almost accidentally ruined! When the emcee tried to move on to the next slide, he accidentally back-tracked and it was a slide about the surprise briefing. The audience members screamed, and Asaty was like ‘Wait? What? What’s going on?’ It was so funny!!!

During the surprise, a cake was wheeled to the stage and Asaty blew out the candles after we sang Happy Birthday! The chef that made the cake was standing at the back of the room, and Asaty took a bite of the strawberry shortcake that was prepared separately for him. He was like ‘UMAI~!!’ at the first taste, and kept thanking the chef!

In [Session 2], the cake was still left on the stage (I suspect it is just a dummy cake for wedding ceremonies) when I entered the ballroom.

But this time round, the instructions on my seat are different and we received a light stick!

[Brief summary: Thank you for attending the Asato Chanpuru birthday event this time - 2nd session. During the event, we will be giving Asato Yuya a surprise. The lights will dim at the start of the event, please activate your lightsticks. Everyone sing the Happy Birthday song after being prompted ‘Ready go!’. Please sing ‘Dear Yuya’ in a big voice! We seek your cooperation!]

When the doors opened for Asaty to enter, everyone’s light sticks were a beautiful purple and Asaty was like ‘SUGOOOOOOI’ when he headed to the stage. The birthday song was played and we sang Happy Birthday. The candles were not lit so he motioned to Kazuma to light it for him. Because the song was ending, he tried to blow it as Kazuma struggled to light all of them haha!

In [Session 3], there was no paper printed on our seats. But the instructions were shown in the slides which basically told us to sing a birthday song when prompted on the screen during the O/X Quiz game. BUT, the true surprise was actually...RIN RIN!

So after Asaty gave his thank you speech, the emcee said they have received a sudden message from Wada Masanari, which they played back. Asaty was laughing and talking over the recording, so I could not hear Rin Rin’s message clearly. But basically, Rin Rin was congratulating Asaty on his birthday and that sorry he could not be here to celebrate with him.

Then suddenly, Rin Rin said ‘Actually, I am backstage. I’m coming inside now.” And everyone started screaming in shock, even Asaty froze for a second. Then Rin Rin said “Please don’t get too excited when I enter the hall.” And then RIN RIN CAME THROUGH THE DOORS!!!! Everyone was screaming! Even I myself am screaming ‘OMG!’. My first live Rin Rin! I have never seen him in person before! Asaty was also shouting ‘RIN RIN!!!” and jumping excitedly!

Rin Rin was filming on his phone throughout the whole thing, so he panned his camera at us and then went straight to Asaty for a photo! It was so precious! Asaty was so HAPPY and gave him a big high-5!

Then Rin Rin whipped out a present he was hiding behind his pocket, and it was a new Nintendo switch Pokemon Go game cartridge! Rin Rin said his rehearsal was cancelled so he quickly asked his agency (which is the same as Asaty’s) if he could crash the party. It was very last minute but Asaty was so so so happy! I have never seen him so excited before! The video that Rin Rin took will be uploaded on New Year’s Day! I can’t wait! No idea where it will be released though - hopefully on the Asapuru Channel!

:: Segment 1: History of Yuya ::

In this segment, we were shown various pictures of Asaty in his childhood! Asaty had asked his mom to send over some childhood photos a few days before the event & she shipped 10 albums over. It was raining when the box arrived & it got a little wet too, to Asaty’s horror.

Whenever the emcee flashed a chubby baby picture, Asaty kept gushing over how cute his chubby baby pictures are and cooing “This guy is cute! I’m so cute!” And he kept poking his fat baby arms on the screen! Also, a lot of toddler-Asaty photos are of him smiling brightly with his papa because he rarely sees him. Then we saw shots of him crying when his papa has to go away.

Here are some memorable things he shared:

[Picture of baby Asaty grinning with only two bottom teeth] Asaty pointed at his baby face, laughed and said “I finally grew teeth!!”

[Picture of toddler Asaty at an amusement park] Asaty hates the spinning tea cup ride even till now. When he was young, his uncle spun him around so hard, Asaty vomited and it flew everywhere.

[Picture of 7 yrs old annoyed-looking Asaty with a pig mascot] Asaty was at Disneyland and trying to take a picture with one of the 3 Little Pigs. Unfortunately, his bro got in his way and he was trying to shove him away. He confused it with the 7 dwarves & said the pig was from Snow White

[Picture of toddler Asaty and his infant younger bro cuddled up in bed] Asaty had a finger on his lips and an annoyed “Shhh, my brother is sleeping!” expression on his face as the photo was taken.

[Picture of 4 year old Asaty riding a shisa statue at a shrine visit] He laughed when he saw the picture and said “I have a pervertic look on my face!” When asked by Kazuma if it was okay that he was sitting on it, he quickly answered “It depends on the shisa.”

[Picture of bro and him with yukata waist ties around their heads, both look drunk and bored] Kazuma: “What are you guys looking at?” Asaty: “I dunno... maybe horse-race betting.”

[Picture of Elementary Sch Asaty] He said he wasn’t considered handsome because there were other boys better looking than him. He had no girlfriend nor any valentine memories. But he had a girlfriend in Preschool. LOL

[Photo of High Sch Asaty at his graduation] During his High School graduation, he said that he promised a Junior that he will give his bottom blazer button (his blazer only has 2 buttons) to her. But when another student asked for it first, he forgot and gave it to her. When his junior found out, she got really angry at him. Asaty then said didn’t understand why girls wanted his bottom blazer button when the top-most is closest to his heart. “...Maybe...” His hand then strayed to his crotch which Kazuma told him to stop. LOL

:: Segment 2: Yuya Talk-Time ::

Question: If tomorrow is the end of the world, what would you eat?

Asaty: I want to eat a lot! (when prompted by emcee to list the first food) Unagi! And then Macdonalds! Then curry! (In your last 30 seconds of living?) Unagi once again!

Question: What recently made you cry? Asaty said he was watched Joker recently and because the character had a lot of depth & character development, he was so moved that he cried.

Question: What is the one thing you wish to have? Asaty said he really wants an iPad Pro, so he can play Call of Duty better (he plays it on his iPhone currently) and he kept bugging Ono Kento & wanted to use his.

Question: What was the most touching moment you had experienced this year? Asaty said it was when Seirin won the Winter Cup. It was so touching that the main cast cried when they did the table-reading. The cast still keep in contact on LINE.

Question: When #和田のお顔が綺麗 trended on Twitter. Asaty didn’t know it will go viral. He said that Rin Rin was happy when he used the hashtag for the first time & subsequently started a series. Too bad Izawa & Kento’s hashtag didn’t go viral.

Question: What’s a routine thing you do before a big event? Asaty says he’ll take a shower and give his chest a punch with his fist to settle his nerves & get himself ready.

Question: Do you get nervous before performing as F6. Yes. He messes up his lines when he gets nervous. During OsoSute, Asaty once had a slip of tongue & accidentally said “Mysterious Oni. Purple Cool.” It was supposed to be “Mysterious Cool. Oni Purple.”

Question: Unagi. Asaty likes Unagi ever since he is aware of how much he liked the taste of it when he was in Elementary school.

Question: What is your Kanji of this year? Asaty said 忙/急(busy), due to the consecutive KuroSute & HeineMyu performances. It was not normal for this to happen.

Question: Please talk about F6 Costumes. Asaty said their costumes were inspired by the circus! Osomatsu - Ringmaster (Greatest Showman), Karamatsu - Beast Tamer, Ichimatsu - Knife Thrower, Choromatsu and Jyuushimatsu are Clowns. Asaty doesn’t know what the heck Todomatsu’s costume is lol (his own words).

:: Segment 3: O / X Game (aka True-False quiz) ::

In this segment, all the audience members had to stand and answer O or X with their arms. Only those who got the answers right can continue standing and play the game. Winners got his autographed board and a solo-polaroid of him. I lost all three sessions lol. The questions are HARD!

Question: When Asaty takes a shower, the first thing he washes is his neck. (Answer: True, all the girls were shocked.)

Question: Asaty likes chocolate cake the best out of all the cake flavours. (Answer: True!)

Question: Yuya was not the name his parents originally wanted. (Answer: True. Asaty’s parents did consider naming him Tokiya, but decided to stick with Yuya instead!)

Question: Winter is Asaty’s favourite season. (Answer: True! He really loves winter and snow! He however does not do winter sports because in 2011, he suffered from a really bad winter-sports injury which he got scolded by his agency for not taking care of his body. )

Question Even though Asaty is 32, he is forever 17 in his heart. (Answer: True)

:: One-to-One Photo & Handshake Session ::

At the end of the event, all of us will line up according to the rows we were seated at to meet Asaty one by one at the partition outside the ballroom. It was well-organised and flows very smoothly. My only gripe is that compared to last year’s 30-seconds talk, we only had about 10 to 15 seconds to chat to Asaty!

Session 1: I was so nervous the very first time I met him after a whole year, and I was a little worried that he wouldn’t remember me at all (I mean he has a lot of fans and I don’t expect him to remember everyone) but my fears were unfounded. When I walked over and waved my hands, saying I was from Singapore, his eyes immediately lit up in recognition. I bought him a merlion face mask and a durian pouch as his present, and he suddenly asked me if I liked durian which threw me off and I got tongue-tied.

After receiving the polaroid, I did not realise he left my present with the merlion mask facing the camera on his lap. When the picture developed, I saw it and started laughing non-stop! Such a troll picture. I thought I was the one trolling Asaty with lame presents but looks like he trolled me back. Whoops

Session 2: The emcee told us we will not be given time to talk about our presents because it took too much time in the earlier session, he told us to pass it to him and the staff will take it away immediately. It was really a shame because I wanted to tell him about the concept of the fan book this year! So while waiting for my turn, I rehearsed what I wanted to say to him so my mind won’t freeze! I’m so glad the words came out and Asaty was able to oblige to my unofficial interview request without his agency staff coming in to stop us!

I really liked it when he concentrated hard to think before looking at me to say those words to his overseas fans. His sincerity is radiating off and he was really not taking it lightly (aka saying it in a flippant manner).

I think that was about this time when I realised that I really really want to continue promoting him overseas. TBH, with my day-job taking up so much time in my personal life, sometimes I feel like stopping... Then I realised that he is also trying really hard on his end and he is honestly very grateful and down-to-earth for all the local and overseas support. Even though many overseas fans have already moved on, I’ll continue supporting and helping you Asaty!

Session 3: With this being the last session that I will meet Asaty till late 2020, I thought I could just fool around and tease him a little - by making him speak in English! I remembered in his live-stream that he said ‘I can’t speak English!’ after coming back from the USA, which contradicts what his relatives in Okinawa told me - Asaty has been studying English via English music, dramas and movies, so he could communicate with his American relatives and nieces/nephews.

When it was my turn, I waved to him crazily again and asked him to speak English which he laughed and said ‘Okay’ After we took our picture and he took both my hands and then suddenly said ‘I’m very happy!” which I totally was not expecting at all and my mind went blank! It was probably the cutest thing he said EVER and in English too!

I wanted to tell him to do his best next year, come visit Singapore and I hope to see him again soon. But I got tongue-tied and all I could say was ‘See you next year!’ GAH I AM SO MAD AT MYSELF!!!! I only rehearsed the first line and didn’t think about what other things to say in English to him LOL. #fail

------

All in all, I really really had fun meeting him again! His hands were gentle and warm and his brilliant smile is just like the sun itself.

Thank you Asato Yuya! I really hope to see him again in 2020! This time I’ll bring more lame Singapore presents to make you laugh!

#asato yuya #yuya asato #安里勇哉 #pamyinjapan

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shealwaysreads · 5 years

Note

If you're taking the kiss prompts... 65?

Thank you my lovely! This little fic is from THIS list!

Simple Little Kiss

Drarry | 1548 words | fluff, first date, first kiss, strong!harry, confident!harry

Also on AO3

Harry slid his knife and fork together, and leaned back in his chair to watch Draco finish the last sip of wine in his glass, the long line of his neck exposed as he tipped his head back. Satisfaction and longing vied for the top spot in his mind. One appetite had been thoroughly sated; another was growling its hunger in his chest.

This place had been Draco’s choice for dinner, their first meal together just the two of them, their first date. Decorated in elegant creams and golds, and with tangible wards at the doors to keep paparazzi out, Harry had been surprised to find himself so at ease. The restaurant was filled with the gentle murmur of diners’ conversation, the gentle glow of the candles at every table, and wait staff so subtle Harry barely noticed as their table was cleared.

“That was delicious. I’m glad you brought me here – I had heard of it but hadn’t had an excuse to come yet.” He smiled. “Do you want something sweet?”

Draco’s foot had been leaning against Harry’s ankle since the middle of the main course, and that small point of contact between them had created a buzzing awareness of their proximity that kept Harry hyper aware of every minute movement he made. Now, as Draco leant forward and crossed his legs under the table, that foot slid up Harry’s calf and rested tucked in behind his knee.

“Something sweet sounds like the perfect end to the meal.” Draco’s grey eyes were glowing in the candlelight, heat was in every line of his slow grin and arched eyebrow. “Would you like to have pudding here? Or do you have something to share over a…nightcap?”

The combination of Draco’s words and the look in his eyes made Harry flush, and spread his legs wider in the chair to relieve the growing tightness in his trousers.

He had wondered how this evening would end. He had wondered if they would linger over dinner, or move on to a bar for drinks and conversation. In fleeting moments he had tried to avoid during work hours, he had wondered whether they would crash together before even making it into the restaurant. The last week had been a hot tangle of nervous anticipation and wild impatience to see how he and Draco would work together in this new dynamic.

Harry reached across the table to touch his fingers to the back of Draco’s hand, pleased with the faint flush this simple contact brought to his pale cheeks. It was gratifying to know he wasn’t the only one awash in nerves and wanting.

“I reckon I’ve got just the thing at home. Want to come back to mine?” He could hear the way his own voice had lowered; going husky with the knowledge that Draco wanted this too.

Draco nodded, linking his pinkie finger over Harry’s. A rush of warmth spread in Harry’s chest, the sweetly chaste gesture filling him with a confidence that this step was the right thing to do. It was right moment for them to come together and try for something real.

Their flirtations had been ramping up over the last month, culminating in Draco being the one to finally crack and ask Harry to dinner. And their conversation over the meal had been funny and engaging, full of interest and anecdotes from friends and work. But this tiny signal of gentle affection felt like a promise of more than Harry had let himself hope for.

One of the startlingly efficient wait staff arrived with their cloaks and the bill, which Draco whipped out of Harry’s reach in order to sign the sum over from his Gringotts account.

Harry just draped the cloaks over his arm and held his hand out to Draco, wanting to regain that warm tactile connection as quickly as possible. As they wove between tables towards the fireplace near the entrance that was permanently lit for guests to travel in and out by Floo, their fingers tangled together. Harry smiled to himself contentedly.

“You go first,” Draco suggested. “”Make sure the wards are adjusted for me, I don’t want to get thrown back out here.”

His tone was joking but Harry saw a glint of uncertainty in his eyes, and was quick to reassure him.

“My wards have been keyed to let you in for months now, but I’ll get the lights on for us. Don’t want you alone in the dark, do we?”

With a final squeeze to Draco’s hand, Harry took a pinch of Floo powder and called out his address. He stepped into his living room and dusted the ash out of his hair before lighting his candles and side lamps with a quick spell, and unclasping his cloak on throwing it across the nearest armchair.

He only had a few moments alone before the grate filled with green flames and Draco walked through them with exactly the same elegance he would stride through the corridors at the Ministry. Not an iota of dust had stuck to him. Privately Harry suspected some kind of charm, but he was too embarrassed to ask in case it was just a profound lack of the clumsiness that Harry seemed plagued with when travelling by Floo.

“Hey-” Harry started, a smile stealing over his face at seeing Draco here, in his living room, at the end of their first date . But Draco swept forward, his soft hair falling into his face, and interrupted him.

“You changed the wards for me.” It wasn’t a question. But Harry heard the wonder behind it. “You changed the wards on your home, to let me in, whenever I want to come here. You want me here.”

Harry grinned, nodding; not feeling worried in the slightest at how revealing his admission had actually been. Because clearly Draco understood - this might be their first date, but their connection had been growing steadily and Harry wanted more of it.

“I don’t want a drink Harry.” Draco breathed, as he stepped into Harry’s personal space. “And I’m definitely not hungry.”

Harry could feel his body heat, and felt himself swaying towards Draco without a conscious decision to do so. He dragged his eyes away from the heavy gaze Draco had locked onto him, and focused on the silver clasp of Draco’s cloak. He reached up and unhooked it with steady fingers, his trembling all erased in the face of this utterly reciprocal interest.

They let the cloak fall to the floor in a puddle of fabric around their feet. Harry laid his hands at the top of Draco’s chest, his fingertips just touching that pale neck at the open collar of his crisp white shirt.

“Then what can I give you Draco,” Harry murmured into the space between them. “What d’you want?”

That tingle of awareness from the restaurant was now roaring in his ears, and he could feel Draco’s pulse under his fingers begin to race. This was really happening. Somehow it felt like it had taken them a lifetime to get to this moment, and simultaneously like it was rushing towards them with not enough notice.

“This, I want this Harry.”

Harry leant in, brushing Draco’s patrician nose with his own, watching as those grey eyes closed and silvery blonde eyelashes fanned out over high cheekbones. He tilted his head and gently, so gently, brought their mouths together. Draco’s plush bottom lip fitted perfectly between his own, and his own eyes shuttered as he savoured this perfect moment.

Just this simple little kiss seemed to melt Draco, his whole body softening against Harry, a gentle sigh breaking free when they parted. Harry opened his eyes to feast on the sight of this man, here in his home, his face flushed and his pink mouth parted – ready for the next kiss.

A rush of arousal flamed through Harry. He had never imagined Draco yielding to him like this and the idea of him being so open to receiving Harry’s touch was like a key unlocking that roaring desire inside of him. Suddenly he didn’t want to wait, didn’t want to content himself with one small kiss. He wanted more, and Draco was just waiting for it.

Draco must have seen something on his face, because the next thing Harry knew they were crashing together again, those pale elegant hands were tangling into his hair and Draco’s lithe body was pressed tightly against his own as their lips met. There was nothing chaste about this kiss - they were devouring each other – and the slick sound of their tongues was enough to make Harry harder than ever.

Harry responded on instinct, wrapping his arms around Draco’s middle and then lower, grabbing generous handfuls of that perfect arse and grinding their lower halves together. Draco moaned loudly into the kiss and Harry abruptly decided that this was potentially the best first kiss of his life. He braced his knees and lifted, pulling Draco up and into his body, and thanking his lucky stars that Draco got with the programme immediately, wrapping his legs around Harry’s waist.

He stepped backwards until he felt the edge of the sofa against the back of his knees and then dropped into the comfortable cushions. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt this good. With Draco draped over every inch of his, their hungry mouths still tasting each other, hands roaming, and desperate little noises escaping them when the heat of the moment spilled out.

❤️

#drarry #drarry fanfic #drarry fic rec #drarry first kiss #harry potter #drarry squad #mine #my fic #malenkayacherapakha #hp #isobel writes

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frmartinshomiliesandreflections · 5 years

Photo

8th December >> Fr, Martin’s Gospel Reflections / Homilies on Matthew 3:1-12 for The Second Sunday of Advent, Cycle A: ‘He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire’.

Second Sunday of Advent, Cycle A

Gospel (Europe, Africa, New Zealand, Australia & Canada)

Matthew 3:1-12

The one who follows me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire

In due course John the Baptist appeared; he preached in the wilderness of Judaea and this was his message: ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’ This was the man the prophet Isaiah spoke of when he said:

A voice cries in the wilderness:

Prepare a way for the Lord,

make his paths straight.

This man John wore a garment made of camel-hair with a leather belt round his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judaea and the whole Jordan district made their way to him, and as they were baptised by him in the river Jordan they confessed their sins. But when he saw a number of Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism he said to them, ‘Brood of vipers, who warned you to fly from the retribution that is coming? But if you are repentant, produce the appropriate fruit, and do not presume to tell yourselves, “We have Abraham for our father,” because, I tell you, God can raise children for Abraham from these stones. Even now the axe is laid to the roots of the trees, so that any tree which fails to produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown on the fire. I baptise you in water for repentance, but the one who follows me is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to carry his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fan is in his hand; he will clear his threshing-floor and gather his wheat into the barn; but the chaff he will burn in a fire that will never go out.’

Gospel (USA)

Matthew 3:1–12

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!

John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:

A voice of one crying out in the desert,

‘Prepare the way of the Lord,

make straight his paths.’

John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Reflections (3)

(i) Second Sunday of Advent

This Sunday the second candle on our Advent wreath has been lit. We sense that the countdown to Christmas has begun in earnest. The gospel reading for this Sunday presents us with someone who seems a little out of place in the run up to Christmas. His way of addressing respectable people as ‘Brood of vipers!’ strikes a rather jarring note in this season of goodwill. By any standards it is not what would be termed today ‘politically correct’ language. His basic message is ‘Repent’. He warns those who will not heed this message that they are like trees that fail to bear fruit and, therefore, are just about to be cut down.

That image of the tree appears again in today’s first reading. However, it is used in a very different way. The prophet Isaiah imagines the stump of a tree. It appears as if it is as good as dead. It is an image of the people of Israel. Yet, Isaiah sees in his imagination a shoot springing from this apparently lifeless stump. This shoot is a sign of new life, and what new life! Isaiah envisages the emergence of a leader who will be full of the Spirit of God. He will have what we have traditionally come to call the seven gifts of the Spirit. He will give expression to God’s justice in his dealings with his subjects, showing a special preference for the poor and the most vulnerable. He will be a person of integrity and faithfulness who will usher in a golden age of harmony between people, between humanity and nature and within nature itself. This leader will be of such quality that he will be sought out by the pagans. Isaiah sees all of this coming forth from a situation of apparent hopelessness. The stump of the tree that is as good as dead produces a shoot that is teeming with new life. This is one of the great passages of hope in the Jewish Scriptures. It invites people to look beyond the very unpromising present to a future that God can bring about. The early church recognized in Jesus the one who gave full expression to this hopeful vision. He was full of the gifts of the Spirit; he revealed God’s justice, proclaiming God’s favour to the poor and the lost. He came to gather in harmony people of all nations under the one God and Lord.

The contrast between the hopeful words of Isaiah and the threatening words of John the Baptist is striking. Perhaps we need both. John was railing against complacency, the kind of complacent attitude that found expression in the statement John quotes, ‘We have Abraham as our father’. ‘We are descendants of Abraham; we are members of God’s chosen people; all will be well’. We can all slip into that complacent mindset. There are times when we need this tough message of John the Baptist. We know that our lives do not always bear the fruit of the Spirit, even though we have been greatly graced. There are times when we all need to do what John calls on us to do, ‘Repent’. This call to repent is literally a call to turn around, to have a change of mind and heart, more in keeping with the mind and heart of the Lord. John calls on us to keep setting out on this journey of continuing renewal of mind and heart. This was also the call of Jesus. He too calls on us to keep setting out on this inner journey, this greater opening of our mind and heart to the Spirit of God. In many ways, the Advent journey is the journey inwards. We journey inwards, so as to open ourselves more fully to the transforming power of God’s Spirit. We undergo this change of mind and heart, so that we can journey out towards others with that good fruit John the Baptist talks about, the fruit of the Spirit.

If there are times when we need to hear the somewhat unsettling message of John the Baptist, there are other times in our lives when we have greater need of the hopeful message of Isaiah. If the only vision we had of ourselves was that of a tree that was fit for cutting down, we wouldn’t get out of bed in the morning. We also need to be aware of those shoots of new life that are also there within us. The Holy Spirit has been poured into our hearts at Baptism and Confirmation. That Spirit of the Lord continues to rest on us, in the words of the first reading. The Spirit may lie dormant within us but it never leaves us. We carry within us the spiritual seeds of new beginnings, which is why we should never give us on ourselves, or on others. Saint Paul in today’s second reading tells us that Scripture gives us examples of how people who did not give up were helped by God. Elsewhere, in that same letter to the Romans, he assures us that ‘the Spirit helps us in our weakness’. The Spirit is always work in our lives nurturing those shoots of new life.

And/Or

(ii) Second Sunday of Advent

These are difficult days for our country. Listening to the news can be a rather depressing experience these days. Some people seem to have taken to switching from news programmes to programmes of restful music. Instinctively we sense that there is only so much bad news we can take. Over exposure to bad news all the time can drag us down. Whenever we find something or someone dragging us down, our instinct is to do something that will counteract that downward movement, whether it is listening to good music or going for a walk or visiting an exhibition of good art or meeting a friend. When we are trying to deal with a difficult situation, whether at a national level or a more personal level, not only is it important to do something that gives us life, but the way we talk about that situation can also be very significant. We can talk about the situation in a way that makes it more difficult to deal with, or we can talk about it in a way that helps us to manage the situation and move through it. We can use language that constantly holds before us a scenario of doom and gloom or we can use language that allows us to imagine a better future. In struggling with the experience of loss and failure, it is important that we find a language of hope, a language which recognizes that every situation, no matter how unpromising, contains within it the seeds of new life. That kind of discourse, the language of hope, is ultimately rooted in a faith perspective on life; it comes from the conviction that if God can bring something good out of the mess that was Calvary, then God can bring something worthwhile out of every unsatisfactory situation. As Paul says in his letter to the Romans, ‘We know that all things work together for good for those who love God’. How we speak not only reflects reality but helps to shape it as well, and a language of hope can shape even the darkest of situations for the better.

It is the second Sunday of Advent and the language of Advent is very much the language of hope. In today’s second reading Paul speaks about hope. He says that ‘everything that was written long ago in the Scriptures was meant to teach us something about hope’. Paul declares there that the Scriptures give us hope by putting before us examples of how people who did not give up were helped by God. In other words, people who remained hopeful in the midst of difficult situations, who did not give up, discovered that God came to their help. The message is that our struggle to remain hopeful opens us up to God’s helping presence. God helps us when we refuse to give up. Our hopeful striving creates an opening for God to act creatively in our lives. Paul is right when he says that there are many examples in the Scriptures that demonstrate that truth. We can point to examples in the gospels. The blind man named Bartimaeus who sat by the roadside begging did not give up in his efforts to reach Jesus whom he recognized as the source of the light he so craved. Even when the crowds told him to be quiet, he remained hopeful that the Lord could work creatively in his darkness. Because he did not give up, because he kept on hoping is spite of so many reasons to become discouraged, he was helped by God. He and many of the other characters in the Scriptures can be an inspiration to us in these difficult times.

The message of Paul in the second reading is expressed in more imaginative language in today’s first reading from the prophet Isaiah, one of the great prophets of hope in the Scriptures. The opening of that reading speaks of a shoot springing from the stock or stump of Jesse, and a branch thrusting from its roots. Jesse was the father of David; in Isaiah’s time the dynasty of David had as good as disappeared; it was like the stump of a tree that had been cut down. Yet, Isaiah had the vision to see that a shoot could spring from that stump, a branch from the root of that stump. Where most people saw a stump with no future, Isaiah saw the stump as the womb from which would emerge a king like no previous king from the line of David. This king would finally embody God’s just rule. As Christians we recognize Jesus as that king. Isaiah had a hopeful vision for a dispirited people, a vision rooted in his conviction that God’s good purpose for our lives had an enduring quality regardless of the mess we might have made in the past. We all need that vision in these times, the vision that sees a future full of hope in what seems as good as dead. If we have such hope and keep it alive, God will certainly come to our help. In the gospel reading, John the Baptist, the patron saint of our parish, uses an even more striking image of hope than Isaiah when he says, ‘God can raise children for Abraham from these stones’. Whatever about new growth from a tree stump, children from stones really does defy the imagination. That is what hope does; it defies the imagination; it defies the odds, because it puts no limits on what God can do.

And/Or

(iii) Second Sunday of Advent

Now that the second Sunday of Advent is upon us, the countdown to Christmas has begun in earnest. The Christmas decorations are going up in our homes. Images of Santa Claus are beginning to abound. The gospel reading for this Sunday presents us with someone who is as far removed from the average cuddly Santa as you can get. John the Baptist is unlikely to find himself on any Christmas tree. This man of the wilderness, whose dress sense and diet are decidedly unfashionable, seems out of place in the Christmas rush. His way of addressing respectable people as ‘Brood of vipers!’ strikes a rather jarring note in this season of goodwill. Just as we are decorating our Christmas trees, he is talking about trees coming down. Just as the songs of Christmas declare that it is the season to be jolly, John bellows ‘Repent’.

What are we to do with this strange prophet who seems so out of season? The temptation is to ignore him, on the grounds that we have enough to cope with in the run up to Christmas. Many of his contemporaries ignored him. Herod, the political ruler of Galilee, responded much more negatively; he had John beheaded. Yet, in today’s gospel reading we are told that ‘Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole Jordan district made their way to him’. Large crowds travelled out into the wilderness and submitted to John’s baptism, confessing their sins. His challenging message, his call to repent, seems to have touched them. If he can strike a cord in some of his contemporaries, he may even be able to strike a cord in us. Perhaps, after all, we can make room for John in the Christmas rush.

John the Baptist may not be a Christmas figure, but he certainly is an Advent saint. He belongs to the season of Advent, just as surely as Jesus, Mary and Joseph belong to the feast of Christmas. If we are to take Advent seriously, we have to take John the Baptist seriously too. John saw clearly that someone much more important than himself was coming, and that people needed to get ready for his appearance. He continues to call on us today to prepare a way in our lives for the Lord. John takes the emphasis away from preparing for Christmas and puts it on preparing for Christ. In Advent John puts it up to us to do whatever is necessary to receive Christ more fully into our lives. His call to repent is a call to turn away from whatever in our lives is blocking Christ from coming to live in us and through us.

Today’s gospel reading suggests that John was intolerant of complacency. His harshest words were for those who repeatedly declared, ‘We have Abraham for our father’, and were so content in that knowledge that they never looked seriously at their own lives. We know from experience that we are all prone to complacency. The awareness that we have done nothing seriously wrong can leave us content. We can drift along feeling reasonably pleased with ourselves most of the time. As an uncompromising man of the wilderness, John had no hesitation in challenging complacency. His voice continues to call out to us to look seriously at our lives and to ask ourselves what needs to change if our lives are to bear good fruit that is life-giving for others. John reminds us that we are not yet all that the Lord is calling us to be. He asks us to keep setting out on a journey.

John’s message on its own could leave us feeling a bit discouraged. In finding ourselves knocked off our complacent perches, we might struggle to get up again. In a sense, John’s baptism of water can only bring us so far. If we are to move further, we need the one whom John announced, the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. We cannot become all that the Lord is calling us to be without the help of that Holy Spirit. We need the Spirit of the Lord that Isaiah the prophet speaks about in the first reading. When Mary asked the angel Gabriel ‘How can this be?’ she was told, ‘the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you’. John’s message can leave us asking, ‘How can this be?’ The same Spirit who came upon Mary has been promised and given to us. Advent is a season when we invite the Spirit afresh into our lives, so that Christ may be formed in us, as he was in Mary. It is only in the power of the Spirit that our lives can bear the good fruit that John the Baptist calls for, the fruit of the Spirit.

Fr. Martin Hogan, Saint John the Baptist Parish, Clontarf, Dublin, D03 AO62, Ireland.

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Parish Website: www.stjohnsclontarf.ie Please join us via our webcam.

Twitter: @SJtBClontarfRC.

Facebook: St John the Baptist RC Parish, Clontarf.

Tumblr: Saint John the Baptist Parish, Clontarf, Dublin.

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noona-clock · 6 years

Text

Office Blues: Jonghyun

An office romance series in collaboration with @cramelot - hope you enjoy! 💙

Genre: Office!AU

Pairing: Jonghyun x You

By Admin B

Part 1, 2

When you heard the door to the break room open, your eyes instinctively shifted upward to see who had just walked in.

And, lo and behold, that someone was Jonghyun.

“Good afternoon,” he grinned, sliding one hand casually into his pocket as he sauntered over to the counter, presumably to make himself a cup of coffee.

“Hello,” you smiled back as you lazily stirred some honey into your tea.

Jonghyun must’ve noticed the jar of honey next to your mug because a frown overtook his lips. “Honey? Are you not feeling well?”

“Just a little sore throat,” you answered. “Nothing major.”

“Okay... let me know if it gets worse and you need to go home, all right?”

“I will,” you assured him. And, with that, you put the honey back in the cupboard and picked up your mug of hot tea. “Enjoy your coffee!”

Jonghyun simply lifted one corner of his lips into a half-grin before you made your way out of the break room and back to your desk in the accounting department of Code Name.

Any fellow employee who had been in the break room with you two would have thought nothing of your exchange with Jonghyun, the head of Accounting and, subsequently, your kind-of-boss. They would’ve seen it as an average conversation between two co-workers and nothing more.

But that’s only because the two of you had become experts in hiding your relationship.

The truth was, you and Jonghyun had been dating for two years. You were fully, deeply, madly in love with each other, but absolutely nobody at work knew. And that’s exactly how you wanted it.

When you’d first started dating, Jonghyun had brought up your thoughts on telling people at work or not telling people at work.

“I’d rather not,” you’d answered a bit anxiously. “I mean, you’re head of accounting... I work in accounting... I don’t want anyone to think something sketchy is going on or that you’ll play favorites because we’re dating.”

Thankfully, Jonghyun had agreed, so the two of you kept your budding relationship a secret from everyone you worked with.

Now, two years later, you’d simply gotten used to not telling anyone. To seeing your boyfriend in the office and putting on a mask to hide your true emotions. To talking to him like you were just co-workers. It was second nature by now, and you truly wondered if something would ever happen to change anything. Honestly, you couldn’t really even imagine a time when your relationship would be out in the open. It would be... weird.

As you sat back down at your desk, you thought about what Jonghyun had told you just now: if you started feeling worse, just let him know. Obviously, he had said that because, as your boss, he needed to know if you were going to be leaving work early. But he had also said that because it was your two-year anniversary, and you were going over to his place for dinner. So, as your boyfriend, he needed to know if he had to switch plans and come over to your place with chicken noodle soup and medicine.

Jonghyun was caring that way. If you ever felt the least bit poorly, he was there in a heartbeat to give you what you needed.

But that was just one thing you loved about him.

He was probably the hardest working person you knew, but he never expected any sort of praise or reward. He was incredibly sweet and easy-going and low-key, and you just loved him with every fiber of your being.

You let out a soft sigh as you thought about him, though the noise broke you free from your ‘thinking about Jonghyun’ trance and you remembered you were still at work. There was no sighing about your boyfriend allowed here!

So you ducked your head and got busy typing, taking sips of your tea to try and soothe the tickle in your throat.

Just before 5 o’clock, your phone lit up with a notification. A quick glance informed you it was a text from your boyfriend, and he’d simply sent you a kissing emoji.

This was your code for ‘see you soon’; whenever the two of you messaged each other during work hours (which wasn’t often, but it was hard to ignore your feelings all the time), you always sent emojis as code for something else. The heart eyes emoji meant ‘you look very nice today.’ The hug emoji meant ‘I wish I could hug you right now.’ And the computer emoji meant ‘check your email’ - only Jonghyun used this because you were the type to get so caught up in your work, you didn’t even remember you had email to check.

You quickly opened the message and sent ten kissing emojis back, something you knew made Jonghyun smile and chuckle softly to himself.

When it was finally time to leave, you shut your computer off and grabbed your coat and bag, heading to the elevators so you could catch the bus to take you to Jonghyun’s apartment.

The man in question stepped onto the elevator with you, and you quickly navigated to the back wall so no one could stand behind you. Jonghyun followed suit, and he stepped closer to you so the two of you could hold hands behind your back in secret.

As everyone filed out of the elevator once it reached the lobby, you glanced at Jonghyun and very discreetly winked at him.

A slight tinge of pink appeared on your boyfriend’s cheeks, and you had to press back a giggle. What about him wasn’t absolutely adorable?

Nothing!

You began your journey toward the exit, along with almost every other employee at Code Name, focusing on your shoes as you walked. As you passed by the door leading to the stairwell, you jumped and let out a startled gasp when it suddenly opened.

“Oh, sorry!”

You looked up immediately, seeing one of the programmers and a girl from the IT department emerging.

“No worries,” you assured them, stepping aside so the three of you wouldn’t run into each other.

Wow, they took the stairs? The office was eight floors up! That’s a lot of climbing...

When you finally reached the doors, you heard someone chirp an ‘excuse me’ before gently pushing past you and slipping out in front of you.

It was the receptionist, and you’d honestly never seen her so glad to leave work...?

But then you watched as she quickly weaved through the crowd, approaching a very handsome young man who had, apparently, been waiting for her. She flung her arms around his neck, and they shared a very sweet kiss.

For the second time in the last fifteen minutes, you let out a soft sigh.

You were jealous because you wished you could do that. You wished you could push past people, your eyes locked on Jonghyun’s as you wove through the crowd to reach him. You wished you could let yourself beam as you got closer to him. You wished you could throw yourself at him, feel his arms catch you, capture his lips in a kiss.

You wished.

Maybe one day, but... not today.

It took about half an hour for you to catch the bus, ride the bus, and get off the bus in front of Jonghyun’s apartment complex, about the time it normally took when you went back to his apartment instead of your own.

Jonghyun drove to work, so he always made it home before you - even if date night was at your apartment. But you honestly liked it that way because seeing Jonghyun’s face first thing after walking in... it sounded cheesy, but there was nothing better.

A smile crept onto your lips as you unlocked his front door, and your heart sped up when you opened it.

“Honey, I’m --”

You stopped short when you saw it.

Saw everything.

His apartment was fairly dark, only lit by one lamp in the living room and about two dozen candles. There was the biggest bouquet of flowers you’d ever seen on the kitchen counter. Soft R&B music was playing on his record player. And you could smell the most delicious scent of your favorite Chinese restaurant.

“What’s going on?” you asked, though you felt a bit dumb. You knew exactly what was going on. It was your anniversary, after all!

Jonghyun rushed over to you, taking your coat and bag and hanging them up in the small closet in the entryway.

“What’s going on is I missed you,” he murmured as he slid his arms around your waist. He didn’t waste any time in taking your lips in his, kissing you passionately but also tenderly.

“I missed you, too,” you whispered. Because, boy, you had.

“Are you hungry?”

“Now that I smell the mu shu pork from Imperial Gardens, I’m starving.”

Jonghyun laughed softly before going in for one more kiss.

You sat at his small table, gazing around his apartment and marveling at how he’d managed to get all this done in twenty or so minutes. He was obviously some sort of miracle worker!

“You’re feeling okay?” Jonghyun asked after he’d filled up plates for both of you and joined you at the table.

“Yes, I’m fine,” you assured him. “I guess it’s just the weather getting colder. That tea with honey did the trick.”

“Good.” He reached over and took your hand, bringing it up to his lips briefly before letting it go again so you could eat your dinner.

As always, the two of you had an extremely pleasant meal; you talked about your days, your plans for the weekend, and since it was your anniversary, you began reminiscing about all the memories you had made so far.

When your plates were clean, the two of you transferred over to Jonghyun’s couch. You’d gotten on the subject of your first date, and Jonghyun’s cheeks were the deepest shade of pink they could possibly be.

“I mean, you have to admit, they make ice skating look a lot easier on TV.”

“They do,” you laughed. “But I never knew someone could fall that much on an ice skating rink. Remember, I thought I would have to take you to the hospital!”

Jonghyun reached around to rub his hip just thinking about it. It had been one of the most embarrassing nights of his life, but you’d erased practically all of it when you’d kissed him at your doorstep.

“It’s been quite a two years, hasn’t it?” you asked softly, breaking through his thoughts of slipping and sliding and falling and hurting and mortification.

His eyes shifted to look into yours, and your heart began to glow.

“Yeah,” he agreed, a soft smile pulling at his lips. “It has.”

He reached up to cradle your cheek, his thumb gently caressing your skin before he leaned in and placed a sweet kiss on your lips.

When you pulled away, your eye caught on the bouquet of flowers on the counter, and your eyebrows rose.

“You... are those mine?” you asked timidly, nodding toward the vase.

“Oh!” Jonghyun quickly got up, fetching the flowers and hurrying back over to you. “Yes, of course. Here.”

A huge grin lit up your face as you took the vase, the tantalizing aroma of the flowers tickling your nose and making your heart soar. You absolutely loved flowers, and once Jonghyun learned this, he never failed to bring some home for you every so often.

But this time you saw a card tucked in-between the petals.

“What’s this?” you asked, your brow furrowing.

“Open it,” Jonghyun smiled.

He got you flowers all the time, yes, but there was never a card in it. Not even the flowers for your birthday or for a special holiday.

You carefully set the vase on the coffee table in front of the couch, plucking the small card out and opening the envelope.

When your eyes scanned the message inside, you were so taken aback that you had to read it again.

And again.

Because surely your eyes were playing tricks on you.

“Will you marry me?”

Your breath caught in your throat, and your eyes shot up to look at your boyfriend. Somehow, as if by magic (but really just because he’d opened the coffee table drawer while you’d read the card), he was holding the most gorgeous ring you’d ever seen in your whole life.

“Wh--wha--wha,” you stammered breathlessly, your eyes filling with tears.

Jonghyun reached out to take the card from your hand, setting it next to the flowers.

“Will you marry me?” he asked, this time out loud rather than in writing.

Part 2

Office Blues: Jungshin | Minhyuk | Jonghyun | Yonghwa | Epilogue

Master list // RULES // Read About the Admins

#cnblue #cnblue scenarios #cnblue imagines #cnblue au #cnblue fluff #jonghyun #lee jonghyun #jonghyun scenarios #jonghyun imagines #jonghyun au #jonghyun fluff #cnblue jonghyun #kpop #kpop scenarios #kpop imagines #kpop au #kpop fluff #admin b #collaboration series

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awesomelaura1996world · 5 years

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can i throw my wash nike air prestos

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As a player he was writing down some of the sessions and he now gained so much experience from the managers he worked under."got to Manager reveals the reason Aston Villa star isn playingRevealed: The millions of pounds being pumped into Aston Villa by owners Wes Edens and Nassef SawirisChelsea have made a slow start to the season under Terry's long term pal Frank Lampard having won only one of their first four Premier League matches.They sit in 11th place with five points ahead of Saturday clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.Like us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterMore OnChelsea FCJohn TerryRoberto Di MatteoAston Villa FCallAston Villa FC'He'll do it' Dean Smith has been backed to make this big change at Aston VillaAston Villa news Tyrone Mings and Bjorn Engels have stepped up to fake yeezys for kids become the preferred pairing in the middle of the AVFC defence, starting all four Premier League matchesWolverhampton Wanderers FCWolves complete transfer ahead of Chelsea clash as Frank Lampard learns of yet another cheap yeezy shoes injuryLatest Wolves and views from BirminghamLive includes the expert view on Chelsea, another injury worry for Frank Lampard, Wolves player completing a move and moreAston Villa FCAston Villa coach John Terry tipped to become Chelsea managerAston Villa news Terry enjoys legendary status at Stamford Bridge having left Chelsea at the end of his contract to initially join AVFC as a player before switching to coachingWolverhampton Wanderers FC'Huge' Frank Lampard dealt fresh blow ahead of Wolves as Chelsea injury list mountsLatest Wolves news WWFC entertain Chelsea his weekend as the Premier League resumes after a host of internationals, but the break has caused more headaches for Frank LampardAston Villa FC'P off' Manager rages at broken Aston Villa promiseAston Villa news Former AVFC owner Tony Xia sacked Roberto Di Matteo after just 11 games of the 2016/17 Championship season and the Italian has now spoken outBirmingham City FCBirmingham City give update on ex Chelsea man as Blues star issued Aston Villa challengeLatest Birmingham City news and views from BirminghamLive includes team news for Charlton Athletic clash, Lee Bowyer on facing former club BCFC, Josh McEachran latest and moreWolverhampton Wanderers FCWolves complete transfer ahead of Chelsea clash as Frank Lampard learns of yet another injuryLatest Wolves and views from BirminghamLive includes the expert view on Chelsea, another injury worry for Frank Lampard, Wolves player completing a move and moreAston Villa FCAston Villa's 100m strategy revealed as Dean Smith told to make bold changeLatest AVFC news and views from BirminghamLive includes Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens cash injection, Dean Smith told to make change and referee chief's VAR admissionWest Bromwich Albion FCLeeds United urged to sign West Brom star on this transfer conditionWest Brom transfer news Former Leeds United forward reckons WBA midfielder Romaine Sawyers is the ideal replacement for Kalvin Phillips if he leaves Elland RoadAston Villa FCNewcastle United plot winger move after failed Aston Villa transfer reportsAston Villa transfer news After a protracted summer transfer saga, the Algerian stayed with Brentford, but it has now been revealed they faced Premier League competition.

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yanceyrenee-blog · 6 years

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Chapter 6 William's House A New Normal

Eve pulls up in front of William and Dale's house a few minutes before six the next evening. She had finished grading her student's papers in record time. She tells herself it was due to curiosity about how two bachelor's live but she doesn't believe her own lie. She was anxious to see William again and that scared her. She almost didn't come. Thinking it would be better to just cut this( whatever this is) at the pass. But just can't.

So here she is with a bottle of wine. She was also raised not to come empty handed and thinks a bit of alcohol can't hurt. She places it in her lap and rolls up to his front door. She eyes it instinctively taking it's measurements before knocking.

He opens it within minutes and she knows her was waiting on her. She smiles and lifts up the wine.

" I don't even know if you drink but also didn't want to come empty handed and didn't know if you would want flowers." she says in a rush. She forces herself to take a few deep breathes to calm her racing nerves.

" This is perfect. Please come in Eve." he holds the door open and she wheels herself in. His front door leads into a small entrance way. There is a set of stairs in the center and a hallway that runs both directions. She looks to him, not sure which way to go.

" Take a right. I will be right with you. Let me put this in the fridge." He takes the wine and heads left. She rolls right and into a very masculine living room. The wall mounted tv takes almost one whole wall. The couch in leather. Black leather as is the two recliners. There is a bookcase she is happy to see. She rolls over to it. She is perusing the titles when William walks in.

" Do you approve?"

She turns to him a bit sheepily.

" I do. It is a great collection."

" I enjoy reading."

" And tv." she replies nodding to the south wall.

" Well, I am a guy."

She laughs and he joins her.

" Would you like to join me?" He was walking over to the couch.

" Sure." She wheels herself over, sets the breaks and lifts herself and over unto the soft leather.

" Your upper arm strength is amazing."

" Thank you. I try not to rely on others. So keeping my upper body in shape is a high priority."

" Well you sure accomplished that."

" Where is your roommate? Don't tell me you have him slaving in the kitchen."

He chuckles.

" No. He will be home soon. He is a programmer and had some continuing education courses."

" I completely understand that."

" Right, you have those too."

" I do. My last just last year. We try to get them in over the summer."

" So, you got all your papers graded."

" I did."

She spends the next half hour telling him about some of her most challenging students.

" I know that she is only seven and might grow out of it. But I would rather get her the help she needs know whether than wait. Before it gets more ingrained." she is saying explaining her concern about one of her student's possible dyslexic tendencies.

" Sounds reasonable. I will be right back Eve. Need to check on dinner."

" What are we having?"

"Beef roast with roasted potatoes, carrots, and onions."

" Oh yum."

He smiles as he gets up and leaves the room. He meets Dale in the way into the kitchen.

" Is she here?,

" Yes. In the living room. Be nice."

" I will. Chill bro."

" I am checking on dinner. I will be right back." It is a statement and a warning.

Dale gtins.

" You got it bad."

She looks up when Dale enters.

" You must be Dale."

" Yes. And you must be Eve, the lady that has kept a smile on my buddy's face."

She feels her face heat up and decides to take control of the conversation.

" William tells me you are a computer programmer. Where do you work?"

He takes a seat in one of the recliners.

" Right now I am helping to upgrade the hospital's system. Next month I have a contract to do the local banks."

" You are a freelancer."

" Yes ma'am.

William walks back in.

" Dinner is ready."

" Good. I am starved." Dale says standing up. He starts towards Eve to help her. He sees William shake his head out of the corner of his eye and stops. They both watch as she transfers herself back to the wheelchair. She releases the breaks and declares,

" Lead the way gentleman. I am starved too."

" This is truly excellent." Eve says as she bites into the tender roast.

" Thank you Eve. So glad you like it." They all three are in the seldom used dining room. William had set the table with his best dishes, set out placemats, and even lit a few candles. When she had brought wine, he had found three matching wine glasses to add to the table. Dale, who knew they usually had frozen pizza in front of the tv on Saturday's snorts and, when William glares at him attempts to cover it with a cough.

They talk about their respective careers. They talk about their families. Dale entertains her with tales of him and William's college days. They sip the wine. It is a very successful dinner.

" Eve, if you will excuse me. I am going to clear the table and head up to my room. It has been a long day." Dale says.

" Oh, I didn't realize it was getting so late. I should go."Eve says.

" No. Please stay." Dale insists.

" Yes, please stay. Dale always retires before me. He is an early bird. I am a night owl." William adds.

" Okay. For a bit longer."

William breathes a sigh of relief.

" That was the best meal, I didn't have to cook, in a long time. Thank you." she says as she sinks into the softness of the couch.

" You are quite welcome." He watches her. She relaxes. He can see her relaxing as the stress he had first noticed when she had arrived bleeds out of her. He didn't know if it was the wine, good food, or his presence, but he was very glad to see it. He wants to touch. Crap, he needs to touch her. But he doesn't want to push so he just reaches out and softly lays his hand over hers. Her hand tightens under his for half a secound before relaxing. He keeps his hand on hers without moving it as they continue talking. She is back to discussing her students. She giggles as she tells him about one little boy's letter to Santa.

" He had ask Santa for a puppy the year before and instead got a baby brother. So this year he told Santa that he could come take his baby brother to the house that got his puppy and bring the puppy back."

" Oh no. How did his parents handle that?"

" He got his puppy but was still upset Santa had forgot to pick up his baby brother."

They both laughed long and hard. He took the opportunity to tighten his hand over hers. When the laughter dies down she looks down at their hands. He starts to move his.

" No. No please don't. I don't mind." She even twists her hand around so they are palm to palm. He swallows hard and links their fingers.

" I don't want to push." his voice drops to a whisper.

" You aren't."

She moves her body a bit closer so they are inches away from their hips touching.

" Eve."

She sighs and lays her head back.

" I am scared. To date, to allow myself to grow close to someone is not something I thought I was ready to do. But you are knocking down my defenses. I am not sure I like it. But I am not sure how to stop it."

" We can stop it right now, if you wish." he offers.

" Can we?"

" Maybe not." He sits up and moves closer to her. His lips hover over hers.

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sillesworldofwriting · 7 years

Text

No Real Fireplace Needed

Title: No Real Fireplace Needed

AO3

Sille’s 12 Days of Christmas: Part 2

Words: 1897

Challenge: Kari and Ida’s 12 days of Christmas challenge

Prompt: Fireplace

Pairing: Jared x Reader x Gen

Warnings: so much fluff!

Author’s Note: My second entry for @like-a-bag-of-potatoes and @thing-you-do-with-that-thing 12 days of Christmas challenge. I’m kind of in love with this series myself. I hope you like the second. Thanks to @tngrayson for beta reading!

All Feedback is welcome! Send me an ask, reply to this post or reblog it!

Catch up here

Jared pulled into the driveway and you almost couldn’t contain your excitement at finally being here. It felt like you weren’t here for years when it was only months.

“Home sweet home,” whispered Jared as he took your hand and kissed it.

You smiled at him as you took a deep breath. “Let’s get inside,” you said and stepped out of the car. Jared did the same and immediately went to get your suitcase out of the trunk. You waited for him as the front door of the house opened and the two whirlwinds you called Tom and Shep came running in your direction.

“Y/N! Y/N!” they yelled as they both hugged you around the waist. Well, Shep hugged more your legs than your waist but both boys had their arms tight around you.

“We missed you,” Tom murmured. Shep nodded in agreement.

You squatted down and hugged them tight.

“I missed you two,” you breathed, closing your eyes to enjoy the moment. All the phone and skype calls in the world couldn’t compare to this. Holding your boys in your arms was still one of the best feelings of the world.

“Come on. Let’s go inside,” you said after a while and smiled at Jared, who returned it fondly as you stood up. He always loved your interactions with the boys because you always treated them like your own. And for you they were.

Tom and Shep each grabbed one of your hands to lead you inside. Their father forgotten for the moment in their excitement to finally have you home.

“Mum and Odette are in the kitchen making dinner,” explained Shep.

“Yeah, there is gonna be lots of food tonight,” Tom responded enthusiastic.

You chuckled. “That’s good. I’m very hungry.”

“We know. You always are when you get back here,” teased Tom, making Jared laugh.

You glanced at him but he just shrugged. “Hey it’s true,” he said.

“Fair enough,” you responded after a moment because it really was true. Traveling always made you hungry.

The boys nearly talked your ear off as you walked back to the house. They needed to tell about the adventures they had while you were away. And they had to tell you every detail. But you didn’t mind. You loved to hear them talk and never got tired of it.

Before you knew it you were in the kitchen and Jared had shooed the boys of to play until dinner time. They were a bit disappointed but you promised you would play with them after dinner and read them a story for bed time.

Gen was in the middle of preparing the vegetables for the meal so you first went to Odette who was sitting in a high chair at the kitchen table.

“Hello sweetie,” you greeted her and took her out of her chair to cuddle a bit with her. You missed your little girl like crazy. Odette smiled at you and clapped her hands. “You got so big since the last time I saw you. And you’ve started teething.”

“Yeah, you missed a lot while you were away. She develops so fast,” said Gen who had stopped preparing the meal to hug you from behind.

You turned around to give her a kiss. “Hi Gen.”

“Hey to you too,” she answered and smiled. “It’s good to finally have you here. We missed you.”

“Yeah, not the first time I heard that,” you chuckled and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Missed you too. It’s good to be here.”

Gen took your hand and squeezed it for a moment. “Go get settled. Then you can help me prepare dinner.”

“Yes ma’am,” you said, giving Odette one boop on her nose before settling her back in her chair.

Jared was standing in the doorway to the kitchen, your suitcase still in hand. As you made to take it from him he didn’t let you.

“I will take it to the master bedroom. You help Gen with dinner,” he offered.

“If you insist,” you answered, smiling.

“I do.”

You gave him a kiss on his cheek for his effort and turned back to Gen. You shrugged your shoulders as if to say “What can you do? He offered.” She just raised her eyebrows but turned around laughing.

“Come on then. No time to waste. The food won’t cook itself,” she declared and made you laugh too.

“Coming!”

Nearly an hour later all of you sat down to eat dinner. The kids had set the table with their father, who got back at one point from the bedroom and watched both you and Gen preparing the food. He always loved just watching you two because you worked so well together.

Tom and Shep talked through dinner, still excited to have you with them. You and Gen needed to remind them to actually eat something in between breaths. Jared just enjoyed the food and talked nearly as much as the kids. With the exception that he didn’t need to be reminded to eat something.

After everyone was finished Jared was tasked to clear the table while you played with Tom and Shep in their room just as you promised them. Gen took care of Odette and took her upstairs to get her ready for bed.

“Are you excited for Christmas?” you asked the boys as you were playing with one of their toy cars.

“So much! We were good boys this year. Santa will bring us lots of presents!” answered Tom.

“Yeah, lots of presents!” Shep yelled in agreement.

You chuckled as you ruffled his hair. “You are always such good boys for mommy, aren’t you?”

They nodded in agreement and got back to their playing.

You heard Jared come into the kids’ room a few minutes later and you turned around to look at him. He had a fond smile on his face and was leaning against the doorway. You waved him over but he shook his head and pointed at his watch. Understanding what he meant,you turned your focus back on the kids.

“I think it’s time for bed boys,” you said as you stood up. “You need to put the toys away and get into your pj’s.”

Tom looked at you with his puppy dog eyes. A trick he surely learned from his dad.

“10 more minutes?” he asked. “We want to play with you a bit more.”

“I’m not going anywhere for the next few weeks. We can play again tomorrow,” you explained.

“But…” Tom started but was interrupted by Jared.

“No buts boys. Clean up a bit, get into your pj’s and then brush your teeth. Like Y/N said, you can play more tomorrow.”

“Yes, Dad,” answered the boys a bit disappointed and picked up their toys. You helped them while Jared pulled two sets of pj’s out of the closet in the room.

As the boys changed Jared pulls you into a hug from behind. “You are always so good with them,” he murmured into you hair and gave a kiss on your neck.

You shuddered. “I’m just lucky that that our brought them up to be such awesome boys. And don’t even need to try with them.”

“You just a natural.”

“I’m not so sure about that.”

“Just take the compliment.”

You chuckled. “Alright, alright. Thank you for the compliment then.” You took one of his hands from your belly and placed a kiss on his palm.

“You’re welcome,” he whispered, pressing his cheek to yours.

“Ready!” said Tom, successfully interrupting your moment with Jared.

“You know where the bathroom is boys,” answered Jared and both ran out of the room.

You chuckled again. “They are always so full of energy. Just like their dad.”

“Well,they need to have at least something from me,” Jared laughed and released you. “We better make sure they don’t make too much of a mess in the bathroom.” You nodded and followed him out of the room.

Gen met you halfway in the hallway and smiled at both at you.

“Odette is out like a light. I think the excitement of the day got to her,” she explained.

“She sleeping through the night now?” you asked, leaning against Jared.

“She does and thank God for that,” Gen responded, chuckling.

“Small mercies,” you said.

“Dad! Y/N!” yelled Tom from the bathroom

“I think that’s our cue,” Jared laughed and took your hand. He gave his wife a kiss on the cheek and whispered something into her ear you couldn’t make out. She smiled and nodded and then left you two to go downstairs.

“What was that about?” you inquired.

“Just wait and see.” was all Jared said. You frowned but Tom yelled from the bathroom again so you put any further questions into the back of your mind.

An hour later Tom and Shep were asleep in their beds after you read them their favourite book. You were on your way downstairs to seek out Jared and Gen, still not knowing what they were up to.

At one point Gen came back upstairs for a bit to say goodnight to the boys and left with Jared hand in hand, leaving your to have some alone time with the kids. Now though, you were curious what you would see once you found your girlfriend and boyfriend.

You went into the living room first and stopped in your tracks. There were candles lit all over the room and pillows laying on the ground before the TV with a few blankets. The TV was set onto a programme that showed a fireplace with sound and everything.

“What…?” you started as Gen came up behind you and took your hand.

“Surprise,” she whispered and lead you to the blankets and pillows.

“I don’t understand,” you started. “Why are you…?”

“We finally have you back home and Jared and I think that it needs to be celebrated a bit. I know that it’s not a real fireplace but Jared is making is special hot chocolate.”

You smiled at her as you settled between the pillows and pulled her down with you.

“This is perfect,” you breathed and kissed her. She sighed and melted against you. This was what you missed when you were away from them. It was so easy being with Gen and Jared.

“Hey! Don’t start without me,” you heard Jared’s voice beside you and broke away from Gen.

“There’s still room for you,” said Gen, chuckling.

“I hope so,” he laughed and passed you one of the mugs in his hand and his wife the other.

“Thank you,” you said and smiled as you saw the marshmallows on top of the hot chocolate. It was your favourite.

Jared left the room shortly and came back with his own mug. He lowered himself beside you and sighed. “This is nice,” he said as he put his arm around your shoulders and pulled you to him.

“It is,” you murmured and laid your hand onto his shoulder. Gen pressed herself against you and kissed your cheek a few times. You sighed again and relaxed completely.

“Even though it’s not a real fireplace?” she teased and you chuckled.

“Everything is perfect as it is,” you answered and turned your head to kiss first Gen and then you brought Jared in for one. “Everything is just perfect”

The End

Forever tags: @emptywithout

12 Days of Christmas tags: @roxyspearing @clumsyprincess85 @jayankles @carryonmyswansong

If you want me to tag you in future stories, send me an ask!

#Supernatural RPF #Sille's 12 Days of Christmas #Kari and Ida's 12 days of Christmas Challenge #Jared x Reader x Gen #Jared Padalecki x Reader x Genevieve Padalecki #jared padalecki x genevieve padalecki #jared padalecki x reader #jared x reader #Genevieve Padalecki x reader #gen x reader #sille's writing #fan fiction #No Real Fireplace Needed

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shazyloren · 7 years

Text

The Room: Chapter 22 - Eyeing the Competition

Links: http://archiveofourown.org/works/12710496/chapters/30301704

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Jon knew as soon as the two Beauxbatons students names came out together that he and Daenerys were going to be Hogwarts champions, he'd felt it. He'd been correct of course, and now, as they both trudged down the steps into the trophy room after Professor Lannister who looked like a man on a mission, he was starting to wonder why he and Daenerys keep getting drawn together like this. Perhaps it's the year they were meant to resolve their conflict.

The trophy room was dimly lit, the candle light flickering as it casts ungainly shadows across the walls. The trophies danced in the yellow glow, gleaming as they sit proudly in pristine cases which contain them. Jon's eyes found the Quidditch trophies, pissed he'd never get a chance to ad his name to the Quidditch captain lists due to this blinking tournament. He saw Harry Potter's name first, a boy of fourteen he'd been when he entered the tournament.

Of course it was a huge scandal, the boy had not entered himself yet his name was pulled out of the goblet and their had been four champions. He'd gone on to win the tournament at the cost of the life of fellow champion Cedric Diggory, who has a memorial bench on the castle grounds out by the Whomping willow.

It had recently announced by Potter's state that he gave his winnings to the Weasley twins to start their joke shop which was now a global brand. Jon wondered if he won, would he keep the money? He always thought on moving out of the Stark's house as soon as he joined the Auror Programme, but perhaps there was something else he could do with the money? Maybe if he kept half for himself and gave some to charity, that'd be cool.

You actually have to win it first, your name has just been pulled out of the hat.

The other students were gathered talking, but Jon kept his distance as did Daenerys. If one thing he knew about these types of competitions is that he did not want to give anything away to the opponents. So he kept his distance and observed them instead. Perhaps it was anti-social but he knew it was right. Daenerys stood next to him however, he did not need to study her to know what she was good at. They'd been in classes together for seven years now.

"How does something like this happen?" Daenerys whispered to him. Jon smirked as the light grew and he saw Daenerys' purple iris glow a weird indigo shade instead of the usual amethyst. They looked beautiful, and while her thought this in his head and knew it was a strange thought for even himself he did not say it allowed. She'd probably hex him.

"Well you write your name on a piece of par-"

"-Don't get smart with me, Snow!" She hissed as the Headmasters all brooded angrily with each other.

"Sorry" He offered a small apologetic smile. "I genuinely don't know how this happened - it's ridiculous, only a powerful wizard would be able to confuse the cup. It happened in 1994 during the Triwizard then and it's happened again. I don't think it's a coincidence that dark wizard were rising then and they are now"

"I agree - I think whoever is behind the attack on the Seventh Floor is in on this too" Wait, did she just agree with me? Jon thought he must be going mad if something like this is going on. She never agreed with him, only if she's being coerced to. But then, when he thought on it, she was opening up to him a lot more. Their whole discussion on her mother still felt uneasy with him, he knew she was hurting but it pissed him off that he did not know how much.

"The questions is who?" Jon raised an eyebrow. Professor Lannister and Stannis Baratheon's voices were louder now, they were having a full on argument over the legality of the event going forward with six champions. The other students had stopped speaking with each other and were just waiting for what was going to happen next. "I don't trust Baratheon"

"Me neither" Daenerys replied as Jon stared at the man. He was tall and thin, his hair was greying and his skin almost so too, he was a hard-weathered man. He looked down at everyone even if they towered over him, he kept wearily glancing around the room at people at Professor Lannister went on his rants about the tournament having to go forward. As they continued to argue, the Head of the Department for Magical Sports and Games entered with some ministry officials.

"Well this is a complication" She spoke. He was a tall grey-haired man too, although he had a far kinder face than that of Stannis Baratheon's.

"Mance, thank you for getting here as quickly as possible" Professor Lannister thanked him. There was a few minutes where the champions were not doing anything as all the grownups talked. Jon and Dany did not speak with one another either, they just watched as the two Beauxbatons' students talked with each other as did the Durmstrang students. They were jovial, not seeming to care about what situation could be unfolding before them.

Jon looked at them and tried to order them into the threat he thought they'd be when it came to the tournament. The boy from Beauxbatons wasn't a threat. He was good in combat, Jon could tell from his build. But Jon did not see anything that would make him fear him. Jon was excellent in combat, and would be good enough to take him no problems. The girl however, she looked a handful. She had an aura around her that reminded him of Arya, a tenacity that should not be taken lightly. Plus she was small, she'd be able to be silent and creep up on you when you least expect it.

The Durmstrangs posed different threats. Daario didn't seem more than strength, his arms which were showing in his uniform were thick and bulging. He'd be a brute force of strength but Jon did not think there was much for a thinking brain underneath it all. He also noticed he was left handed which could be used to Jon's advantage to.

The girl from Beauxbatons was a bit of a mystery to Jon. She did not seem strong or tenacious, instead she sat in silence with a worried look planted on her face, but also an intensity Jon often associated to Sansa's thinking face. Jon wondered if the girl was all brain.

They'd for sure have to think on their feet and solve puzzles and retain knowledge on mythical creatures and the like, perhaps she'd be a little like Daenerys in that sense.

And Daenerys was the last of his opponents. Having known her for seven years and knowing what she is capable of when it came to Care of magical creatures and charms and particularly potions He knew she was one of the ones to beat. They may come from the same school, and they may be being civil towards one another, but Jon was in this for himself.

He wanted to win.

Daenerys he decided, was probably his biggest task in the brains department and the Beauxbaton boy who'd been called 'Greyworm' was probably his biggest threat in the physical sense. It was his fighting style that Jon wondered about the most, it was just so different from all the other wizards he'd ever duelled before. He could make weapons Jon had only ever thought about, if the rumours were true that is.

It would probably do Jon well not to think about it too much, but considering he'd just been chosen to be a champion for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in one of the most dangerous tournaments in the world, he couldn't help but think about it slightly. Especially as he was being made to sit in this cold and dim trophy room, some candles going out as he could hear the sounds of students eating above them.

Gods he was hungry, he tried not to think on it but he really wanted some chicken wings right about now with some wedged potatoes and oodles of gravy. Forgetting where he was momentarily he let out a groan in annoyance, earning a few stares from different people.

"Is there a problem, Mr. Snow?" Professor Lannister asked him.

"Oh nothing, Professor Lannister, just wondering if i'll get to eat this evening" Jon smirked cheekily. Daenerys, who had not said a word since their brief exchange when they first got down here, snorted a little.

"You can go when we've agreed on how to proceed" Lady Melisandre hissed at him for his insolence. Jon did not care for the way she spoke to him so he stood up and walked over to them all where they stood. He huffed his chest out as he stared directly at her.

"The Goblet of Fire is a powerful magical object, only a powerful witch or wizard would've been able to confuse it to make this happen" Jon sighed. Daenerys was stood by his side all of a sudden, Jon wondered if she wanted in on the conversation that was happening. "But it's powers are still strong, we have to go ahead as planned, we just have six champions instead of two. It's simple, or at least as simple as it can be. You all know what happens if anyone of us don't compete after being chosen from the Goblet?"

"You seem to know a lot on the subject matter for only being a seventeen year old now, Mr... Snow was it?" Stannis Baratheon added into the conversation to try and get Jon to back down. "Perhaps you know of some information that could be useful to us in this situation? Information that I don't have to get out of you with Veritaserum"

"Stannis!" One of the ministry officials exclaimed. "He's one of the two students who got attacked in the Seventh Floor! Of course he's smart enough to know what's going on. I don't think any of us are stupid enough to think that the dark forces that were rising near your school are not involved with this!"

"Actually it's called reading" Jon shrugged. "And I guess having a brain too"

"Jon" He heard Daenerys speak next to him. "Calm down"

"I am calm, I'm just bloody hungry!" Jon shouted as he walked off and took a seat back down again. Daenerys followed but he still spoke loudly enough for the teachers to hear him. "Why are we sitting here acting like this is a shock to us when we know that something is coming. We've just got to stay vigilant and go with the course that the events are taking us on - expect the unexpected at any moment"

"You sound like an Auror" Daenerys chuckled.

Jon did not laugh - in fact, he just sat grumpily for the next forty five minutes until the ministry officials and the teachers confirmed that they were indeed just going to stay the course and see what happens. By the time he and Dany left the Trophy room, the hall was empty and dinner was finished with. He grumbled in annoyance at the pointlessness of whatever that so called meeting was and got to doing his rounds with Daenerys.

Lady Melisandre and Stannis Baratheon watched him all the way as he left the Great Hall with Dany by his side. He knew she had a lot to say on this matter but he doubted she would say anything today. They both still had to process the idea of being champions, something that really did not sit well with him all of a sudden. With the dark forces rising, someone could really die in this tournament if they were not careful.

"Jesus I'm fucking famished" Jon groaned. He didn't even have his bag with him that he kept bits in to nibble on. He just had to make sure the patrol was finished as quick as possible so he could get to the common room and pig out on chocolate frogs.

"I could use some food If I'm honest" She agreed. Their patrol was pretty silent for the most part but every now and then they'd share the odd comment about passing statues and the different memorials around the school. They should be patrolling in fours, but there was nothing that could be done about it. Robb and Theon would probably be on their way back to the common room.

"What did you say to Joffrey by the way?" Jon asked intrigued. Daenerys eyes found his and suddenly he was found drawn into them.

"I stood up for myself for once" She shrugged.

"He's a pillock" Jon chortled.

"Agreed, although I'm kind of surprised you asked me this after everything we've just experienced together" She smiled, and this time, jon saw it reach her eyes. It warmed him. She'd been so torn apart by the shit that's been building up in her life that her smiles had been a facade. But here, tonight, it looked genuine.

"Well, crazy seems to follow you and me around" Jon smirked.

"That's because we're crazy" She retorted.

"Speak for yourself, crazy cat lady"

"Please, if I'm any type of lady I'm going to live in the mountains with seventy dragons" She scoffed at his banter. It felt... nice. They stopped by the balcony on fourth floor by the gargoyle pig statue and looked out to the amazing view below. You could see Beauxbatons carriage and Durmstrangs ship in the distance. The moon shimmered like diamonds on the watery reflections if the surface. "Everything is going to change now"

"It is" He sighed.

"And you, are you going to fight me when the time comes?" She asked. Jon felt hesitant to answer this question. He did not know if she wanted him too or if she wanted him to team up with her and win it for Hogwarts together. "Safety in numbers could be a good thing"

"And yet if I agree why do I get the feeling you'd hex me and call me a wuss or something and tell me you'll enjoy kicking my ass" Jon laughed. "Even if you couldn't in defence combat. You'd still believe it"

Daenerys stood inches away from him. She purposefully looked up to him, their faces literally millimeters away. Jon felt his breath hitch. She was being cryptic. "There are more ways to conquer a man than to defeat him in one on one defence" She took a step back and smirked at him with revelry. "Goodnight Jon Snow"

"Y-you're going?" He blinked furiously, confused at what happened.

"Can't hang around with a wuss anymore, I'll lose my streetcred"

Damn.

#jon snow #daenerys targaryen #jon x daenerys #jon x dany #jon x dany fanfic #jonerys #jonerys fanfic #au #got #game of thrones #fanfiction #Hogwarts AU

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sabine-abnashjot · 5 years

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CREATIVITY - and our chakra series!! As I finish preparing for our upcoming annual chakra series, I feel exhilarated with #joy and immense #love. The #FREEDOM in going within is the ultimate portal to an infinite reality - our true home! Delving our awareness capacity into these centres of #australiaday #adelaide #norwood #donating #bushfirerelief #koalarescue #kundaliniyoga #womensyoga #kundalinistudio #sabine_abnashjot #kindness #honour #giveback #doingourbest #selfawarenconsciousness - called #chakras accelerates our capacity to HONOUR ourselves - we literally tap into the inner electricity that affects our thinking, biology and capacity to feel immensely expanded and hence have the answers to our problems - and additionally to be asking the deeper, perhaps more revealing questions. Seeing my shift, my elevation … experiencing this unshackling from limitation is priceless! Seeing my divine yoginis experience and dance with this is equally as priceless for me to behold!!! Get ready! And this is a once a year 8 weeks of deep dive to self love through chakras! I will run other immersions and series during the year, but not this one. What a blissful ride!!!! This picture was taken a few years ago at the Wonderwalls in Port Adelaide! It was super fun! I used to learn hip-hop dance then plus was doing kundalini yoga! Life is a super creative dance! And we get to choose to wake up and dance even more wit our true soul and heart, rather than our limited ego selves! The little ‘i’ or false self is ok. Sure. But I can assure you, your REAL SELF is incomparable to it … comparing the two is like comparing a match that is lit to light a candle, with the entire cosmos of starts. Feel this… it is real. And I honour this in you and hold space and let inspiration itself speak in classes (#kundalini for women) and my #coaching sessions and programmes - amazing 1:1 and breakthrough sessions (NLP/hypnosis, timeline regression), mentoring and super accelerated packages for permanent and powerful change so you can truly shine your divine, magnificent light!!!!!! In every way!!! Ask questions anytime, and reach me on M: 0424 029 032. Sat Nam, Sabine_Abnashjot https://www.instagram.com/p/B8c-D0ODzir/?igshid=10ilimjvaq5l0

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jo-shaneparis18 · 5 years

Text

Travel to Venice

1/05/2019: We planned for ten o'clock departure to the airport. The plane was to fly out at ten to one and arrive in Venice at two thirty. We flew Air France of course, the second deadliest airline in the world. Earlier on, Shane took a walk a bit up L'Avenue des Champs-Élysées to get some photos with minimal traffic around. It was still a bit nerve racking trying to cross the road around Place de Concord. The cars seemed to come out of nowhere, from around bends and out of lane ways at what seemed excessive speed.

Roofscape from our apartment

Walking back, there was an interesting area to the left with an impressive column at its centre. Place Vendôme was at the end of Rue de Castiglione and the start of a popular shopping street, Rue de la Paix. Originally called Place des Conquêtes, Place Vendôme was set up as a monument to Louis XIV and the glory of his armies. The square today is surrounded entirely by hôtels particuliers and although once tenanted by fashionable and high end hotels as well as numerous famous designers, they are mostly gone with only a few remaining.

Napoleon's Column had a more interesting history. Originally, an oversized equestrian statue of the Sun King was erected in the centre of the square but only lasted until the revolution. During 1806, at the direction of Napoleon to celebrate his victory at Austerlitz, construction of the first column was commenced. Four years later and modelled after Trajan's Column in Rome, it was completed. A statue of Napoleon graced the top. Following the Bourbon Restoration, the statue was removed and melted down to partially contribute the bronze required for the statue of Henry IV on Pont Neuf. A couple more Napoleon statues have been placed at the top of the column over the years but the whole thing was brought down during the Paris Commune and re-erected a few years later after the commune's demise, another copy of Napoleon on top.

Napoleon finally toppled. 1871 (Wikipedia)

Napoleon's Column today

Although, with most of the packing done last night, there was still a bit to do, particularly with ensuring that all of the suitcases that were packed to spot on twenty three kilos and the rest carry on. We also had one more call to make, to the taxi driver who dropped us off a few days ago. No luck as it turned out. Through his daughter he apologised for not being able to take us. Not enough notice or his day off maybe. It was after all, May Day.

The decline wasn't too much of an issue, we were ahead of schedule and on the footpath well before ten where we immediately encountered a small Peugeot wagon out front. We needed another one that would carry three suitcases. A few minutes later, some sort of Volkswagen van drove passed. We hailed it, filled it with suitcases and women and Tom and sent it off to Charles de Gaul, Terminal 2. Beau and Shane took the other costing fifty-five euro each. The trip was quiet and non-eventful owing to the public holiday.

It was the May Day public holiday which had a tradition of violence in Paris with protest marches being the norm. During our journey Cecilia noticed small groups of individuals walking in the same direction in one of the outlying suburbs, and up to no good. Who knows what could have been brewing. We were in fact lucky as today was Tuesday so it ruled out the sometimes violent yellow vest protests that occurred on Saturdays and we were also lucky that the unions had a programme of industrial action that shut down the airports. They advertised in advance and today wasn’t part of it. The rest was yet to be seen.

Continuing on from the uneventful was the flight and boarding process, once we got past the stickers on bags bit at check-in. Through security, swiftly through duty free looking at the overpriced everything and down to the eating area which would leave Sydney for dead, although the prices reflected this. A point in case was Cecilia's thirty-nine-euro pikelet with salmon and caviar on sour cream. Tasted delicious but was only about four mouths full. There was plenty of ritzy food around but still plenty for the plebs. We were okay. A couple of hours waiting around, onto the boarding area, and onto the plane. Everything worked like a dream.

Nice looking tucker. If you can afford it

This flight was a budget short haul flight which was excellent. About the same distance from Newcastle to Melbourne yet they provided us with a small ham roll or vegetarian wrap with a drink. The wrap was delicious. Jetstar could learn a thing or two from Air France (except for the crashing bit).

Paris–Le Bourget Airport. Once Paris's No.1

Crossing the mostly obscured Swiss Alps, and probably Austrian and Italian Alps as well, and touching down at Marco Polo was also non eventful. The banking of the plane on approach to the airport showed the surrounding fields, townships and hamlets located on the outskirts of the airport and Venice Mestre on the mainland. Quite picturesque. After landing, the arrival protocol was pretty easy. We headed through the supposed immigration, picked up our bags from the carousel and walked down the long corridor walk to the water taxi station. We showed our tickets to old mate near the desk who promptly pointed us to another and in turn our taxi driver. It was after twenty past three before we got on the boat. It was nothing flash but roomy and comfortable and in no time flat we were cruising through the timber poles that marked the channel across Laguna Veneta toward Venice.

Initially, Cecilia wanted to have the “elite” experience which included being greeted at arrivals by a chauffeur holding a sign with our names. We were then to be transported, luggage and all in a golf buggy through the airport to a jetty with a super schmick timber speedboat alongside. We would then travel “George Clooney style” through the Grand Canal as he did at his wedding. Problem was that this was worth 130 Euro each and although she insisted on paying, we took the Jo Average taxi boat for 50 Euro for all of us.

Marco Polo water taxi rank

All packed and ready to go

The channel wasn't all that wide so a follow the leader approach was required, particularly with oncoming traffic. Although boats could pass if required, it would be squeezy and care required. We firstly passed the small battery island, Isola di Tessera on our left followed by the famous glass producing Murano. Then straight across the lagoon to the northern most,and second largest of the six Venetian sestieri, Cannaregio. Sacca Misericordia Marina was on our right and a well worn servo to our left as we entered rio di Noale on our way to the Grand Canal.

About to enter rio di Noale

Looking down Rio della Sensa

Edging our way amongst the floating barrage before us, we worked our way beneath the Rialto Bridge, were dropped off next to San Silvestro vaporetto stop, through Campo Silvestro and to our apartment. All an hour after we jumped in the taxi.

Approaching the Rialto Bridge

Congestion on the canal

After finding our building, the next challenge was to work out which door bell to ring on the panel. We worked it out and were buzzed into an impressive foyer, heading up the stairs to meet our hosts. Two youngens greeted us at the door. After a warm greeting they explained that they were brother and sister and were renting the apartment out in an attempt to keep it in their family. A common explanation that people with larger apartments in fantastic locations were telling us. Something sus, though Jo didn’t agree, seemed to be going on though as we surprised them when we knocked on the door and later found a pair of knickers that she may have left behind. It was apparently their grandmothers house but before granny some sort of commercial building in its previous life. Huge rooms and six metre high ceilings, and in a brilliant spot. One hundred metres from the Rialto and an old church, Chiesa San Silvestro, straight across from us.

Bedroom One

While we were all settling in and unpacking, the boys went to look for a shop for milk, juice and some basic supplies, and of course a supply of grog. Cecilia headed out for a walk, firstly to look through the church and secondly to find a nearby watering hole. While inside the church she paid one Euro and lit a candle in memory of her dad. The church was about to close and as Cec was saying a prayer, an old lady sweeping up and finishing off blew the candle out as she was leaving.

Cec didn't take long to look around the campo before stumbling across Vineria all'Amarone, a wine bar that were friendly and had an interesting menu. She returned for a rest before insisting that we all head along there for dinner. Seated by half past six, typical Italian tucker was the order of the day. A couple of pastas, diavola, lasagne and spaghetti al negro (in squids ink) was dished up by a very friendly and welcoming staff. One hundred and ninety one Euro later we were back at the apartment, playing Pass the Pigs and planning the next day.

Vineria all'Amarone

Two fat ladies

We may have dodged a bullet today with the Paris protests. After we had left the city violent protests resulted in over one hundred arrests.

Tomorrow we travel to Murano for some glass and Burano for a look, and some lace if we can find some non Chinese stuff.

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