#p.s. We will see Dante again in a different time and a very different place... | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

etlunainmorte · 4 years

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*Old - Fashioned Peanut - Butter Cookies*

*Ingredients

2 cups creamy peanut butter ( not the all - natural variety )

1½ cups granulated sugar

½ cup packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

½ teaspoon kosher salt

*How to Make It

Step 1

Heat oven to 350° F.

Step 2

Using an electric mixer, beat the peanut butter and sugars on medium - high speed until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low and beat in the eggs, baking soda, vanilla, and salt.

Step 3

Roll heaping tablespoonfuls of the dough into balls and place on parchment - lined baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. With a lightly floured fork, press the dough to a ⅜ - inch thickness, making a crisscross pattern on top of each cookie.

Step 4

Bake, rotating the baking sheets halfway through, until the edges are set, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool slightly on the baking sheets, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

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❄ Three Wishes ❄

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You were blissfully unaware of this but, V prepared for your very first date the entire night before the big day that he almost drove Griffon to sheer insanity.

Picking out clothes and accessories for him and teaching him stuff he, more or less, already knew regarding the opposite gender, the bird worked hard to the bone just to make his master look good in front of you. He wanted his master to give a nice first impression, after all.

But, then again, since V started living separately from Dante and Vergil for a month ( the younger brother always made him clean the eternally messy shop, while the older twin and him knew each other too well to the point of awkwardness and, sometimes, hostility ), he only managed to buy a few pieces of clothing with the money he has earned as an independent Devil Hunter. Meaning, there wasn't too much clothing to choose from in the first place. Well, at least right then. He could earn money faster than his two bickering brothers, anyway, and he has proven it more than a decent amount of times already.

So, he has no other choice but to go along with a decent and smart casual wear, which consisted of a simple white button down shirt, black pants, and a pair of black boots ( with the extremely cold weather going ballistic on his thin and bony frame, he has to set aside the sandals for a while ). Completing his look with a knitted pullover and a black parka, he made his way towards your house, which was not really that far, since he now practically lived next to you.

Approximately five minutes before eight in the morning, V was sitting there on the sofa, waiting for you to come down. And when you finally did, boy, was he really surprised. Clad in a light - colored coat worn over a gingham dress, black leggings, and a pair of boots, you looked truly lovely in V's eyes.

You smiled brightly as V greeted you, and after receiving something from your loving grandmother that she made, herself, you two finally took off.

The Red Grave shopping district, despite the cold weather, was packed with people of all ages. Children, teens, and adults, each and everyone of them walked about the place, going to different boutiques, eating at restaurants, or just simply looking around. And most of them were already buying Christmas presents.

V had different plans for you, however. He bought tickets to that latest installment of a long - running space opera saga, after all, which, he rightfully thought, was one of your favorite movie genres. Now, you found this completely normal, since movies like that were really in demand as of the moment. What really surprised you was the quality of tickets he bought for the two of you.

"Umm, V, Star Wars is that way." You gently reminded him after grabbing your popcorn, jelly beans, and (F/F) frappe from the snack bar.

V only smiled at you. "I know, dear." He told you as he guided you towards the opposite direction were lesser people were going: the Director's Club, of all places.

Director's Club?! You thought hysterically. But, tickets there are way too expensive!

And he was totally not kidding around! You were going to watch Star Wars there!

"This,... is unreal,..." You gasped in wonder as you finally entered the prestigious theatre house and took a seat in one of the lounge chairs that has the perfect distance from the huge screen. Since few people could afford tickets to the Director's Club, the place, itself, was refreshingly calm. And it was perfect.

"Hmm?" V hummed in question as he settled down next to you and wore his 3D glasses.

You shook your head and gave him a smile. "Nothing."

The movie, itself, was wonderful. You smiled at the little jokes, became emotional at the drama, and gasped at the wonderfully choreographed fight scenes between the heroine and the villain. It was,... very good,...

... however, for the third time since the movie started, you heard that weird noise coming from your left side as if something huge was just pumped out of a clogged drain. The noise was not that loud, actually, but the quietness around you made it seem like it was really loud in your ears. And so, you made the wrong decision to turn and,...

V's eyes widened as he felt something soft and warm cling to his left arm, and he was surprised to see you looking up at him with a worried look on your face.

"V," you whispered. " ... someone is,... s - someone,... they're,..."

The poet furrowed his eyebrows in confusion as he followed your line of sight, and when he finally saw what you were talking about, a soft curse escaped his lips.

For there, on your left, were two young lovers shamelessly kissing and totally ignoring the movie.

V clicked his tongue in annoyance. These young people,...

"Dear, can we switch places?" V asked, and a few moments later, as the teen lovers were still doing their thing, they were startled when something forcefully dropped right in front of them. "Apologies." The poet said with a sadistic smile, his left hand firmly holding the cane that startled them, his eyes still focused on the screen. "My hand,... slipped."

You were still laughing about it an hour later after the movie wrapped as you recalled how the teen couple reacted ( they scrambled away from V and out of the cinema in utter fear of the tattooed poet ). And V? He seriously breathed a sigh of relief. It was a good thing that your experience to your first movie with him was not entirely ruined because of them. For, if it did, only God or the Devil knows what he will do to them,...

After the cinema, he brought you to a restaurant to have lunch. Then, when you still have enough time, you asked V to accompany you to the Music Store to buy something.

And all throughout your quality time with him, you were not aware of the eyes that were observing you and V from afar,...

"Ah, I've been looking all over for this!" You happily exclaimed as you took out the piece of Mozart's Ah Vous Dirai - je, Maman from your shopping bag. "Thank you so much for going with me, V."

"No," the poet answered with a gentle smile as he twirled his metal cane. " ... thank you,... for indulging my,... little,... request."

Once again, you felt yourself blushing before the man and slightly turned away. Why does he always make you feel that way?!

Before you could embarrass yourself even further, you took out the thing that your grandmother gave you. It was a jar of peanut butter cookies that she baked, herself.

"This is for you." You told him with a shy smile as you handed him the jar of homemade cookies. "Gran told me to give it to you. I hope you like it."

"Why, thank you so much." V answered graciously. "And I'm sure I will! Would you mind if I take a bite now?"

"Oh, of course, not! Go ahead."

Feeling excited upon receiving something homemade for the first time ever, V eagerly opened the jar and took one cookie, its wonderful aroma filling his nostrils.

However, before he could even take a single bite, someone scoffed from behind him. You and V turned and saw, to your utter shock,...

"How awfully domestic is that?!"

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❄ @la-vita , @clevermentalitybeliever , and @birdgirl69 . ❄

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P.S. Let me know if you want to be tagged for the latest chapters.😁😁😁

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#devil may cry 5 #vitale sparda #three wishes #v x reader #v x you #chapter 2 #just the two of us ( ? )

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imagethat · 5 years

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A Day With V | V x Reader Fluff

After the events of DMC5, V survives through the magic that the reader had. V x Wiccan reader. Based on my previous post about the house I headcanon V living in. Fluff~ (P.S. I don't know how to do the 'under the cut' thing, I don't have a computer. Sorry for the long post/^\)

Today was going to be a good day. The forecast predicted mostly sunny with a slight overcast. Morning rays dripped into the living room and kitchen as you went about your morning routine. Setting a kettle on the stove, you measured a precise amount of tea leaves to put into each cup. You had grown the flowers yourself and dried them with meticulous attention to detail, wanting each cup to be perfect. While you waited for the water to boil you went over to the couch and sprawled out to enjoy this peaceful moment in private with a book. It was one your roommate had recommend to you. It was of course very descriptive but slightly ambiguous. It had some undertones of romance too, which you couldn't help but wonder if that was his weird way of flirting with you. V was an odd and mysterious person. You knew of his past, where he came from, and of how you had saved him. The bond you shared during the Quipoths reign of tyranny was stronger than even the trees roots. But even at that, V still had a lot to learn and experience in his newfound life. You eagerly helped him at every step, starting with allowing him to stay with you. Dante had agreed to it simply because Vergil needed time to adjust to his new life as well, and having both posted up at Devil May Cry would've been awkward to say the least. You didn't mind his company, even enjoyed it. He was becoming a soothing presence in your everyday life. As your thoughts drifted off, you didn't notice V come out of his room. He turned the stove off because the water was boiling, poured you two both a cup of tea, then took a seat beside you. "Today looks like it'll be lovely, how are you faring?" He questioned and you smiled gratefully while taking the tea. "I'm doing good, and you?" You asked in return. He simply closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. You had opened the windows earlier to let fresh air in and lit a nicely scented candle. You didn't need V to speak to know he was enjoying the moment. While the two of you enjoyed your cups of tea in silence, you pondered what you'd do today. Each day you tried to experience something new with V, to help familiarize him with the world. It's been two months since the Quipoth broke Red Grave but you wouldn't even be able to tell with how tranquil it seemed right now. You hadn't gotten V much clothes since then. Just a few spare outfits from Dante and Nero. Before you could ask if he'd like to go shopping though he spoke up. "This tea is quite good, I think your skills are improving. Though, I think it could benefit from something to balance its sweetness." He commented and you nodded. "Tomorrow we can bake something to go with our tea if you'd like." You offered and he nodded softly, his black hair flowing with the movement of his head. "That'd be wonderful, please do let me do the measuring though." He replied with a teasing little smirk which made you scrunch your nose at him while crossing your arms childishly. After a short while in silence once more you got up. "I'm going to go get ready, you should too." You said. "Where might you be taking me today?" He questioned, with slight excitement in his eyes. "We should probably get you some clothes that are suitable for someone of your caliber." You teased and pretended to bow. He chuckled which you internally blushed at. His voice was deep and could make you flush a deep red without warning. After taking a shower and dressing for the weather you were ready. V was already at the kitchen counter waiting for you by the time you were done. You gave one final check to make sure you had everything before departing. While getting ready you had put some thought into the stores you wanted to go to, trying your best to choose places you thought V would like. If you were honest, it was a bit hard to tell what his fashion sense was. You knew his choice of clothes previously was simply because they were all he could find after being split from Vergil and since then he'd never gotten the chance to choose his own clothes. Fall was starting to change the trees. Leaves made satisfying crunching noises beneath your feet as the two of you walked together. You were too distracted with your thoughts to notice V's eyes lingering on you. He enjoyed the way you seemed to put extra effort into stepping on the fallen leaves. You reached your first destination, which was a mall. Originally you thought he wouldn't enjoy the crowds, but the mall just had so many different types of clothes to offer. Plus you could stop by a bookstore there as well. V seemed to walk closer to you when inside, keeping his head down. He was uninterested in speaking to others, but it was hard not for people to look at him. He was tall and anyone would be lying if they said he wasn't gorgeous. Somewhat to your disappointment as well was the fact that he didn't seem interested in too many of the shops either. And you had to put in a little extra effort to get him to go into any of them. V isn't very frivolous per se, seeking out comfortable and functional clothes over the most fashionable types. When you passed by the bookstore though, he took your hand and practically dragged you in. A testament to how much enjoyed the comfort of a good book. You were okay with this and enjoyed seeing him so happy. The way he got completely lost in the pages or how he'd excitedly explain the synopsis of a book to you never failed to capture your heart. But after a few hours you felt it important to remind him of today's goal. "I think we've spent long enough here, we should go look somewhere else." You said softly, being respectful of the other customers, especially the ones reading. He gave you a sad look, pleading to you with his eyes. "Just a little longer, please?" He asked while placing a hand on top of yours. You couldn't help it, giving into staying for a little while longer. After another hour you brought up leaving once again. "I'll get you that book you're holding, but only if we can leave now." You offered and he seemed to contemplate the offer before agreeing. "We can go to the library tomorrow." You added to cheer him up a little. On the walk to your next destination he continued to read, and multiple times you had to make sure he didn't bump into anything. He could be a real dork sometimes honestly. You decided to go to a thrift store as your second destination, simply because the prices would be more reasonable and there would be a wide range of items. You hoped he could find some decorations for his room too, really wanting to make your apartment as home-y as possible. You left him to look at the clothes while you searched through the stores CD rack. Since the CD's were so cheap, you got into the habit of just buying whatever seemed interesting. Though, you left V a little to long as he found his way to the book section. Much to your suprise though, he had a few items of clothing picked out. "Do you ever think of anything besides reading?" You teased. "Well," he pondered before looking down at you, "I suppose you cross my mind every now and then." He mused and you just rolled your eyes before taking a look at the clothes he had chosen out. A few simple T-shirts, some pull over sweaters, and some jeans. Underneath the clothes though you found an interesting quill pen and inkwell. It looked old so he probably wouldn't be writing with it but it would look nice on his book shelf. You smiled softly before returning his items to the small carry around cart. "Well Mr. Poetry, are you ready to go?" You teased, using the name Dante usually called V. You sorta wanted to have V choose out a real name for himself, and you would have no problems if he preferred V, but you hadn't asked yet. "Hmmm. I suppose so." He responded, clearly half submerged mentally in the book he was holding. You stowed away your thoughts and nudged him slightly to remind him that you were leaving. After paying for everything you hummed softly. "Is there anything else you need? We still have time to go to another shop." You offered and V nodded no. "You've been kind enough already. I am very grateful." He replied. You two promptly started your journey back home after that. Once you got back you put the clothes V got from the thrift store into the washer and started preparing for dinner. When V returned from his room, he was wearing a T-shirt and a comfy pair of sweatpants. Looking grateful that he no longer had to wear the heavy leather jacket around the house as a top. You admittedly found it weird to see him in such normal clothes but cute at the same time. He cleared his throat, you didn't realize you were staring until he did. You muttered sorry and continued what you were doing. He let Griffon and Shadow free. Griffon found a comfy spot on the counter where he was perfectly set to pester you while Shadow curled up on the couch. "Jesus, you think of V all day but what about me? I'm gonna get stiff if I ever sit that long again." The bird hissed out and you rolled your eyes at how overly dramatic he was being. "Would you prefer I feed you to the demons?" You questioned. "Whatever, I'm sure V would appreciate that. Give you two some alone time if you know what I mean." He shot back. You glanced at the man on the couch who had a hand rested idly on Shadows head. He didn't seem to acknowledge the birds comment. "Oh curious are we?" Griffon asked and you gave him a soft tch. "Curious about the way our chicken should be served tonight." To which it was Griffons turn to reply with tch. The night went on without interruption after that, Shadow sitting at your feet trying to get a scrap of food when dinner was served even though she was well strong enough to just take your food. After dinner you cared for the plants and cleansed the space while V continued to read on the couch. His mind really didn't leave his books. You were fine staying friends with the dark gentleman who was always in your presence but you wouldn't deny you wanted more too. Maybe he just needed more time though. The world was so new to him. V called it a night early and left you in the company of Shadow. After you finished with your work you sat down on the couch and petted her head softly. You always loved when it was quiet like this. The moon would be full soon, so watching it rise above the skyline was a treat. It bathed the world in such an ethereal glow. You recalled your times as a kid when you'd sneak into the forest during the full moon. Your parents were heavily against your Wiccan identity and sought to derail it in any way possible. Even if that meant putting a lock on every window and door in the house. You had always felt more connected to the earth and moon than others growing up. Your dreams were mysterious, often speaking to you of the future. Later in life you learned they were not just dreams, but actual demons who you communed with nightly. At the age of 15 you ran away from your home. Something whispered to you in the night, telling you that you'd find yourself in Red Grave. That's how you met Dante, and your demon hunting slash Wiccan healing days began. It hurt to run away, you knew in your heart your parents just wanted the best for you but if you had never ran away you probably wouldn't have been as happy as you are now. You had found your own family, one that accepted you. Nero and Nico playing their music so loud, they had to yell when they bickered. Dante being a lovable train wreck. Shopping with Lady and Trish. Chatting with Vergil about music and nature. Most of all the company of your roommate V. "Are you alright?" His voice was soft but it startled you. So buried in your own thoughts for the second time today, you didn't hear V come out of his room. You didn't realize you were crying either. In a attempt to hide that fact, you quickly rubbed your cheeks. "O-oh yeah! I'm great!" You lied, but your voice betrayed you. V left you for a moment, only to return with a blanket from his room which he draped over your shoulders. He made his way into the kitchen and came back with a cup of hot cocoa. He sat down next to you and fidgeted with his fingers. Trying his best to think of something to say. You spoke up first though. "Thanks… I was just… Well, you know how I am. I sorta get lost in my own head sometimes." You muttered. "I'm fine though, I promise." You quickly added. The moonlight seeping in through the window made him more beautiful. You didn't know that was even possible. The white glow bounced off his pale skin, and his green eyes seemed even deeper before the moon. "If we are going to reminisce about the past, then… I'd like to thank you." He said, you tilted your head softly. "I didn't know it was possible to feel such comfort in the presence of another. Nor did I think I'd be lucky enough to experience life the way I have with you." He continued. "I'm eternally grateful for all that you've done. If you should ever need anything, please let me know." V glanced towards you, and even with the soft lighting that you two were in you could tell he was serious. If you weren't tired from the crying you wouldn't have done this, but the fog from your emotions blurred out your reasoning. You leaned over and rested your head on his shoulder muttering thanks softly before your eyes closed. V tensed for a second. He wasn't yet used to physical contact, but he always enjoyed your hugs. He wrapped an arm around you in return and rested his hand gently on your head. Softly he began humming a melody, which lulled you to sleep. V only stopped after he felt your breathing even out and he was assured you had fallen asleep. Griffon internally teased V about it mercilessly after that, but maybe… just maybe V was starting to feel something for you. Or maybe he always had. He wasn't sure, but nonetheless, he admitted he cared for you deeply on that night.

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kkintle · 6 years

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Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman ; Quotes

I liked how our minds seemed to travel in parallel, how we instantly inferred what words the other was toying with but at the last moment held back.

You could never stare long enough but needed to keep staring to find out why you couldn’t.

So this is who he also is, I said to myself after seeing how he’d flipped from ice to sunshine. I might as well have asked: Do I flip back and forth in just the same way? P.S. We are not written for one instrument alone; I am not, neither are you.

What I forgot to earmark in that promise was that ice and apathy have ways of instantly repealing all truces and resolutions signed in sunnier moments.

I stammered all manner of things so as to speak my mind. That was the extent of my code. So long as I had breath to put words in my mouth, I could more or less carry it off. Otherwise, the silence between us would probably give me away - which was why anything, even the most spluttered nonsense, was preferable to silence. Silence would expose me. But what was certain to expose me even more was my struggle to overcome it in front of others.

Perhaps the very least I wanted was for him to tell me that there was nothing wrong with me, that I was no less human than any other young man my age. I would have been satisfied and asked for nothing else than if he’d bent down and picked up the dignity I could so effortlessly have thrown at his feet.

No, she would say, this one is too young still, youth has no shame, shame comes with age.

What I didn’t realise was that wanting to test desire is nothing more than a ruse to get what we want, without admitting that we want it.

It never occurred to me that if one word from him could make me so happy, another could just as easily crush me, that if I didn’t want to be unhappy, I should learn to beware of such small joys as well.

“If not later, when?” It echoed Rabbi Hillel’s famous injunction, “If not now, when?”

Try again later meant, I haven't the courage now. Things weren’t ready just yet. Where I’d find the will and the courage to try again later I didn’t know. But resolving to do something rather than sit passively made me feel that I was already doing something, like reaping a profit on money I hadn’t invested, much less earned yet. But I also knew that I was circling wagons around my life with try again laters, and that months, seasons, entire years, a lifetime could go by with nothing but Saint Try-again-later stamped on every day. Try again later worked for people like Oliver. If not later, when? was my shibboleth.

Better break down now, I thought, than live another day juggling all of my implausible resolutions to try again later. No, better he should never know. I could live with that. I could always, always live with that. It didn’t even surprise me to see how easy it was to accept. And yet, out of the blue, a tender moment would erupt so suddenly between us that the words I longed to tell him would almost slip out of my mouth.

If youth must canter, then who’ll do the galloping?

Did I want to be like him? Did I want to be him? Or did I just want to have him? Or are “being” and “having” thoroughly inaccurate verbs in the twisted skein of desire, where having someone’s body to touch and being that someone we’re longing to touch are one and the same, just opposite banks on a river that passes from us to them, back to us and over to them again in this perpetual circuit where the chambers of the heart, like the trapdoors of desire, and the wormholes of time, and the false-bottomed drawer we call identity share a beguiling logic according to which the shortest distance between real life and the lift unloved, between who we are and what we want, is a twisted staircase designed with the impish cruelty of M.C. Escher.

Zwischen Immer und Nie. Zwischen Immer und Nie. Between always and never. Celan.

I was treading water, trying neither to drown nor to swim to safety, just staying in place, because here was the truth - even if I couldn’t speak the truth, or even hint at it, yet I could swear it lay around us, the way we say of a necklace we’ve just lost while swimming: I know it’s down there somewhere. If he knew, if he only knew that I was giving him every change to put two and two together and come up with a number bigger than infinity.

“Do you like being alone?” he asked. “No. No one likes being alone. But I’ve learned how to live with it.”

Usually, I’d cast a glance and then look away - look away because I didn’t want to swim in the lonely, clear pool of his eyes unless I’d been invited to - and I never waited long enough to know whether I was even wanted there; look away because I was too scared to stare anyone back; look away because I didn’t want to give anything away; look away because I couldn’t acknowledge how much he mattered.

I was not unhappy. I wanted to be with someone. But it didn’t trouble me that I was alone.

“(...) Everyone goes through a period of traviamento - when we take, say, a different turn in life, the other via. Dante himself did. Some recover, some pretend to recover, some never come back, some chicken out before even starting, and some, for fear of taking any turns, find themselves leading the wrong life all life long.”

It might have brought us closer, if only to remind us how far apart we need to be now. Perhaps in looking the other way, and knowing we had looked the other way to avoid “speeches”, we might have found a reason to smile at each other, for I’m sure he knew I knew he knew I was avoiding all mention of Monet’s berm, and that this avoidance, which gave every indication of drawing us apart, was instead, a perfectly synchronised moment of intimacy which neither of us wished to dispel.

If I could have him like this in my dreams every night of my life, I’d stake my entire life on dreams and be done with the rest.

But sitting here I knew I was experiencing the mitigated bliss of those who are too superstitious to claim they may get all they’ve ever dreamed of but are far too grateful not to know it could be easily be taken away.

Perhaps we were friends first and lovers second. But then perhaps this is what lovers are.

We had talked about meeting in the States, and we had talked of writing and speaking by phone - but the whole things has a mysteriously surreal quality kept intentionally opaque by both of us - not because we wanted to allow events to catch us unprepared so that we might blame circumstances and not ourselves, but because by not planning to keep things alive, we were avoiding the prospect that they might ever die.

You travel to a place because you have this picture of it and you want to would with the whole country.

From the mouth where flowers once blossomed only worms emerge. Farewell, window, for my Nenna can no longer look out again.

Be warned. I had rehearsed losing him not just to ward off suffering by taking it in small doses beforehand, but, as all superstitious people do, to see if my willingness to accept the very worse might not induce fate to soften its blow. Like soldiers trained to fight by night, I lived in the dark so as not to be blinded when darkness came. Rehearse the pain to dull the pain. Homoeopathically.

“(...) In your place, if there is pain, nurse it, and if there is a flame, don’t snuff it out, don’t be brutal with it. Withdrawal can be a terrible thing when it keeps us awake at night, and watching others forget us sooner than we’d want to be forgotten is no better. We rip out so much of ourselves to be cured of things faster than we should that we go bankrupt by the age of thirty and have less to offer each time we start with someone new. But to feel nothing so as not to feel anything - what a waste!”

“But remember, our hearts and our bodies are given to us only once. Most of us can’t help but live as though we’ve got two lives to live, one is the mockup, the other the finished version, and then there are all those versions in between. But there’s only one, and before you know it, your heart is won out, and as for your body, there comes a point when no one looks at it, much less wants to come near it. Right now there is sorrow. I don’t envy the pain. But I envy you the pain.”

Time makes us sentimental. Perhaps, in the end, it is because of time that we suffer.

“The truth is I’m not sure I can feel nothing. And if I am to meet your family, I would prefer not to feel anything.” Followed by a dramatic silence. “Perhaps it never went away.”

“What does it say about the life you’ve lived, then?” “Part of it - just part of it - was a coma, but I prefer to call it a parallel life. It sounds better. Problem is that most of us have - live, that is - more than two parallel lives.”

#quotes #fiction #lgbt #call me by your name #andre aciman #book

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beainitaly · 7 years

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Napoli and Goodbye

Well, here we are! It is my last day here in Cosenza, and the goal has been reached, this is the final post and the blog will be up to date. At the beginning of last week I was lucky enough to go visit the city of Naples, called Napoli in Italian. I travelled there by train on Monday morning, and met a good friend at the train station. She is also an Intercultura student, originally from Romania, and has been living in a neighborhood of Napoli this year. This is the view from next to her apartment building!

We did the exchange week in Veneto together and hung out at both of the Castellamare camps, so we knew each other pretty well. She was super welcoming and invited me to come stay at her house for a few days, offering to show me around the city! Napoli is rich in history, good food, and beautiful architecture.

I arrived in the early afternoon on Monday, and we decided to take the subway to get to her neighborhood to drop of my bag and eat some lunch. That subway car was PACKED though. Like almost unbearably. And the heat. I can’t even explain how hot it was all three days— everyone was sweat soaked, even with a breeze nothing cooled down. It was a humid heat as well, muggy and thick. Sleeping at night was nigh impossible! Anyways back to the real story here- it wasn’t the heat or the fullness of the subway that made it hard. They contributed, but the real kicker was old italian ladies. Yep. I swear, no matter where you stand or try to get out the way, an old lady is going to shove her way through you complaining “Devo Usciiiiiiireeeeee” with the strength of a small cow. I think I got a few bruises!

Anyhow, Monday afternoon we took a bus into the city. We got off at Piazza Dante (shown below) where there is a doorway to the historic part of the city in a section of the old walls.

We did a small tour of some churches in the historic center, first visiting the Basilica di Santa Chiara, which had these breathtaking super-tall stained glass windows.

Then we went on to Gesù Nuovo, which doesn’t even look like a church on the outside but is ridiculously, beautifully, and elaborately decorated on the inside. I loved the detail of the marble, covering every surface.

Last, we went to San Domenico Maggiore, which looks like fortress from the outside. Inside the ceiling is fantastic, and the stained glass windows caught the light in the perfect way to create colored patterns all over the inside of the church. I think we got lucky with timing in terms of the light, but it was magnificent.

From there we walked down to the waterfront, pausing in the Piazza del Plebiscito (the city’s main square) to see the replica of the pantheon San Francesco da Paola, built in the neoclassical style drawing pretty obviously from the Pantheon in Rome.

Here is the view from the waterfront, seen as we walked the Lungomare. That mountain is vesuvius and the city beside it is Pompeii.

Continuing along the lungomare, we went to the Castel dell’Ovo. This is the oldest fortification in Napoli, being built during the 12th century by Normans, and later used as a prison. We went inside and I got these cool views:

After seeing the castle, we returned to the city center and got the honest-to-god best gelato I’ve ever eaten. I’m so serious right now, if you go to Napoli and don’t eat this gelato it should be a crime. The place is called Il Gelato Menella, and they make their own cones on site and the gelato is at the perfect temperature (kinda drippy) and for an extra 50 euro cents you can get a great big dollop of whipped cream on top. The taste was decadent, I wanted to eat every single flavor there. Just wow. A+++

That night we returned back to my friend’s apartment for dinner and sleep, and seeing as it was truly to hot to sleep and I was at the time reading Harry Potter #3 in italian, I stayed up most of the night to finish the book (first and only book I’ve read front to back in italian!). Also as anyone who’s ready HP3 knows, once you get to the part where the golden trio visit Hagrid’s hut before the execution it’s literally inconceivable to put it down until you reach the end.

On Tuesday morning we went over to the Capodimonte palace (top of the hill), which is also known as the Bourbon Palace. Started in 1738 by Charles the II, King of the Two Sicilies, it was completed by his grandson Ferdinand II in 1840. It was the summer residence and home of the family’s art collection, in fact part of the palace was specifically constructed to house their works. It passed to the House of Savoy with the Italian unification, and later to the Dukes of Aosta. Each group that owned the building added to the collection and the complex history of the space. Today it is free for all people under 18 to visit, which was perfect because we were trying to do the budget tour of Napoli. They had some original Michelangelo drawings, Titians, Bruegels, lots of Flemish works, and many local Neapolitan painters. It was a joy to visit!

Outside there is a large public park filled with paths good for running, biking, walking, or even horseback riding I think. From there we got this lovely view down to Napoli Centrale with the sea and just the faintest outline of Capri on the horizon!

In the afternoon we went back to the city center to see the Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale di Napoli), which was another residence of the Bourbon kings of the Two Sicilies and later occupied by Murat. It was worked on pretty much sporadically throughout its whole history, starting at its construction during the 17th century.

They had a suite of rooms still decorated in the original style open to visit (again free for minors!!!) which was awesome. Everything was opulent, even the materials used were gorgeous, and every room had a custom wallpaper.

One room had this cool contraption, apparently contracted as a pre-web browser system of tabs. You could put a different book on every shelf, and leave them open to a particular spot, just spinning the wheel for fast referencing.

Once we left the palace we stopped at the Galleria Umberto I (kind like a mall but super beautiful with this glass ceiling) where we went to La Sfogliatella Mary. This bakery, which is more like a hole in the wall, is a very traditional place to get the typical Napoli sweet.

This is my sfogialtella, partially eaten, so good.

After that we went to Il Duomo di Napoli, which is quite impressive from the outside and painted extensively within.

Finally, we went to San Lorenzo Maggiore with these lovely windows in the back.

Back here in Cosenza, I’ve passed a busy week. It seems like every day I have planned a visit to say goodbye to a different friend! I also baked some ultimate browned butter chocolate chip cookies, using up some of the stranger ingredients I had brought to my host family’s house.

On Wednesday I FINALLY went to see the Cosenza castle, Castello Svevo-Normano. I went with my Intercultura friend from Paraguay, and we actually ended up walking all the way there which was quite an accomplishment because it is on the top of the biggest hill that Cosenza vecchia is built upon, creating a 40 minute uphill/stairs walk.

The castle was pretty cool, but perhaps even more delightful was the view from up there. You could see all of Cosenza, in a way I never had before. A fitting way to “salutare” the city.

Today I’ve been doing a lot of packing, getting preemptively sad about leaving Italy, and dreading the next two days of exhausting travel. However, I am super excited to see you all in the states again! It’s a strange mix of feelings, but I’m sure they will all work themselves out. It has been a lovely year, and I would like to thank all of you for reading this blog. I hope you’ve enjoyed at least some of it!

Love from Italy, Ci vediamo subito! -Bea

P.S. I’m just going to note here that, alas, despite my promise in the first post, I did not get better at limiting comma usage. :)

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