#their colors remind me of a mahi mahi

[ask-unpleasant]

Here's Summer! (he wont tell you, but he really likes your colors)

[imabillyami]

Hii I I'm back 😂

Okay so I would not have guessed English was not your first language 👀😳 you are doing amazingly well!

21 parts!! *fainting* I'm sooo happy to hear that haha Please please in your words - get over yourself and post that stupid (not stupid) chapter 4 😂 - I say this in the most loving and polite way possible 😁🥰 butttt obviously what I really mean is don't stress about it too much and post only when you're happy and comfortable with it (we'll be patiently waiting 😊). I'm glad to hear you're excited for the rest of it though!! 😁

On another note... My curiosity got the better of me 😆 Gentle Cottagecore Emoji Asks 🌱🥛🍯🐄🌳🐓🐇🌲🥞⛰️ answer as many as you like

(as always no pressure to respond) 😊

Ta

🐨

Hi Aussie anon friend 🥰

Took me a while to get to your message (April is this crazy busy month for me every single year, but in a mostly positive way), but here we are.

Yeah, the writing thing is delicate and very fickle. But I've been writing for 15+ years at this point and it rarely stresses me out anymore. I just gotta do things in my own time and remind myself from time to time to trust the process. We'll get there, always do in the end. Patience is key.

Thanks for sending those emoji asks, I'll be answering them under the cut 💕

Hugs to you 💜🌻

🌱 Seedling: What is a scent you find relaxing?

Sandalwood & the scent of the air when you walk through the woods after heavy rain

🥛 Milk: What is a food you find comforting when you are sad?

I dealt with some stuff in the past, so I’m not an "eat my feelings away" person anymore these days, and I’m really trying to prevent finding comfort in food or spending money when I feel sad, so I don’t have a specific food. In fact, I really struggle with eating when I’m sad these days, a complete 180 from when I was younger. 

🍯 Honey: What is one thing you like about yourself?

Personality wise - my kindness. A lot of people think I’m faking that or playing it up, but I’m genuinely not. I just don’t see the point in making anyone’s life harder or miserable when I can spend my time putting smiles on people’s faces and leave them with good memories instead. Physically - probably my eyes. I like the dark color of them and the way people tell me I have kind eyes. So that.

🐄 Cow: What is one other tumblr blog you really appreciate?

Picking one is impossible, really, cause we’re all here for different reasons and good at different thing and I’m just glad we get to share this space together and love the thing we love.

I’d like to shout out some of my dear friends though. Tay @taydaq for her incredible art and being an all around lovely person who’s always there for others.

Mahi @mahi-wayy / @bangazaii for being a complete sweetheart and our lovely fic writing sessions and idea spitballing sessions / rarepair shenanigans in our dms.

Shanie @shanie-the-komania-toyaddict for always being there when shit gets rough and calling me out on my bullshit, but never judging (& also writing the most beautiful kayfabe compliant steenerico fic + side stories).

Carla @samijey for providing me/us with the most beautiful gifs and the most gorgeous writing (and giving me a chance when it was easier not to).

And last but not least my dear friend E. @bremmommye who’s been my friend and comfort person in & out of the internet for many years by now and who I miss dearly cause we rarely ever get to see each other in "real life" (that's what living on opposite ends of the same country and being busy does).

I love all my moots and my followers and all the people I follow who don’t follow me back, but these people are the ones that have carved out that extra bit of space in my heart for themselves and made themselves a forever home in some shape or form. Sorry, didn’t mean to get that mushy, but I really love talking about my friends.

🌳 Tree: What is one thing in your future you are looking forward towards?

Honestly, it goes hand in hand with the answer above, I think. Being able to watch the people I adore, family, friends, acquaintances, strangers I have yet to meet, grow and evolve and live authentic lives that they’re feeling happy and fulfilled with. That’s what makes me happy - seeing the people around me happy. 

🐓 Chicken: What is a comfort movie/show for you?

Sooo many. But one constant is The Princess Bride. Another one is The Breakfast Club. Grey’s Anatomy (very early seasons), Skam, Legally Blonde and more recently Heartstopper. I could go on and on, there’s a whole lot of them. 

🐇 Bunny: What’s a song that you really like?

If you could see my music library - it’s WILD. And I love every single song. I listen to music basically every single minute I’m awake and able to. So picking one song - good god. I’ll give you my 5 most recent played ones.

Thoughts of a child - The Lathums

Dublin in Ecstasy - Inhaler

Dreams - The Snuts

I bet you look good on the Dancefloor - Arctic Monkey

Poundshop Kardashians - Sam Fender

🌲 Pine: Do you prefer the cold, or the heat?

The heat. Don’t love the heat, but I can stand it a lot better than being cold.

🥞 Pancake: What is your favorite breakfast food?

Not a big breakfast person, don’t have a sweet tooth either (not anymore I should say), so probably something savory. I had this yummy grilled veggie & hummus on rye bread breakfast sandwich when I was traveling the other day, that one came to mind. On a normal day, I’ll just have a cup of tea (no sugar, no milk alternative), a handful of almonds, and a banana or an apple to hold me over till lunch. But yeah, if I’m going for actual breakfast, I prefer savory over sweet. 

⛰️ Mountains: Would you rather live in the mountains, city, beach, or the forest?

Grew up living near the forest and spending a lot of time playing in the woods as a kid, lived in a couple a large cities over the years, now living close to the mountains, but still in general vicinity of the city (albeit a smaller one), I’m really enjoying being able to go for a hike in the mountains if I need to catch a break. Reconnecting with nature and the quiet from time to time is real nice. 

[kaoharu]

elie anthos clothing notes . . . utc cause im super insane sorry

mahi and ryo seem to have matching jacket styles as theyre both hooded(?) . . . tho their colors are inversed kinda ?? like mahiros is mainly blacj and its accented by his color and ryogas is mainly his color and accented by black . . .

and i wanna say litto and haru have similar styles as well ?? we cant see much of their jackets since theyre behind everhone but rhey have similar high collars that are black and bc of mahiros jacket im gonna assume theirs have their own colors on them as a sort of accent . . .

then kaoru and chise might be similar ? its super hard to see kaos jacket since hes behijd the door but it looks like they have low collar jackets . . . however it looks like kaoru has black as his accent color whike chise has white . . . also there is a smidge of purple next to the yellow section of his jacket . stares

how crazy would it be if there was just a sliver of orange on kaorus jacke– //i am dragged away//

anyways this leaves sena to be more different as per usual tho its similar to littos and harus However their collars are more narrow lookijg whilr senas is Very wide . also his jacket this time around reminds me of hsi original s2 outfit w the high stiff collar . . .

now. i must wonder why sena and chise have white jackets . . . iirc its implied that sena is taking the special medicine <- girl forgot what its actually called that kaoru and chise were prescribed for their flowers . . . so shld kaoru have white on his jacket too ?? unless its being covered i suppose.

moving on tho we can kinda see four of their shirts tho it appears that only mahiros has a design on it . . . saying hero . . . hmm :stares off into the distance: mahiro solo . . . coighs up blood . oh and ryogas does too ?? it has a grey diagonal stripe . . . ? and as for setsuna and chises shirts we cant see enough of it to say whether theres a design on them partly bc theyre being covered but based on how close the zippers are together i think their jackets are actually half zipped up while mahiryos are fully unzipped and harus is zipped up all the way. and ofc we cant tell for litto or kao but yeag . where was i going w this hmhmm

i forgot what else i wajted to sat but if anyone wants to contribute thoughts. twirls my hair

[nahaspizza]

Dev dd season 1

Dev dd season 1 movie#

Dev dd season 1 free#

There are minor similarities yet the characters are similar in a way. It's not actually the remake of Devdas, yet it can be said as it has been just inspired by it. Now we have come through various versions of the novel "Devdas", but "Dev. From sprawling mustard fields to a riot of neon. Dev D is set in the rustic and colorful Punjab and also explores the dingy, morbid, dark underbelly of Delhi. A generation that is jammed between eastern roots and western sensibilities. Free thought, exuberance and recklessness of the youth of today. Dev (Abhay Deol), Paro (Mahi Gill) and Chanda (Kalki Koechlin) of Dev D reflect the sensibilities, conflicts aggression, and independence.

Dev dd season 1 movie#

I found it bold, brazen and at the same time dark and depressing but I think DevD has given a new meaning to Indian movie making and creativity.ĭev D is a modern-day interpretation of the classic novel "Devdas" by Sarat Chandra. I watched this movie not knowing what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised at how it captured and held my interest throughout. It seems that women were intrigued by his bad boy vibe and he is portrayed as the ultimate spoiled brat but how can a viewer have any sympathy for a character who doesn't even have a single likable trait about him? There is absolutely nothing likable about the narcissist Dev.

Dev dd season 1 free#

Of her own free will she becomes a hooker in Delhi's famous Pahar Ganj area and the one Dev hooks up with in his desperate, despondent phase. On learning from a local village sleazy scumbag that she might have had a promiscuous past, Dev rejects Paro and her advances, driving her to marry a man she doesn't love, and landing himself in a downward spiral of booze, drugs and prostitutes.Īs Dev and Paro part ways, a traumatized Chanda enters the equation, a teenaged girl who becomes ostracized by her family and friends due to explicit filming of her by her boyfriend. Abhay Deol stars as Dev, a spoilt rich boy who returns home to Punjab after a graduation abroad, but has little in terms of future plans, except for getting into the sack with his childhood friend Paro, with whom he's spent many a long night talking dirty on the phone. And if you don’t feel much like celebrating, know that in Christ, you will be part of an eternal celebration in heaven.DevD is a movie about lust, sex, loyalty and love in all its imperfections and complexities. May this time of year bring you true joy: the joy of knowing your sins are forgiven, and you are God’s child. God bless your celebration of our Savior’s birth this Christmas. Because Jesus came down to earth for you and me, we have a sure and certain future in a place without pain or sin, or loss of any kind. Jesus being born into this world is proof that God keeps his promises. Jesus brings peace with God now and forever. Jesus brings forgiveness and eternal salvation to all who believe in him. Our Savior has come into this world and achieved for us what we could never do for ourselves. John leaped for joy because of what that baby would bring. The baby who was born to Mary was no ordinary baby. Whether you are ready to celebrate or just want the season to be over, there is one reason for true joy as we prepare to celebrate Christmas. It could be that you would just as soon avoid the whole holiday season. Maybe a profound loss in your life has turned this time of year into a terrible reminder of what is no longer in your life. Perhaps some hurt or hardship is making all the Christmas cheer sound like nails on a chalkboard for you. Then again, maybe you cannot wait for Christmas to be over. Maybe, you enjoy curling up with some hot chocolate as you watch your favorite classic Christmas movies. Perhaps, you are eager to celebrate with family and friends. What are you excited about this Christmas season? What brings you joy this time of year? Maybe it’s watching your grandkids open their gifts.

[thevoilinauttheory]

Ink Long Dry: Remember Me

MAHI Prompt Words Used: Guide, Gyr Abania Figured I’d lump this in with my Ink Long Dry prompts, seeing as a lot of it was word vomit to push me into writing again - since I’ve been neglecting it. And it’s rather lackluster (in my opinion) Characters: Maximiloix Voilinaut, Danny Harold What: Young Danny gets a visitor - one he’s really happy to see. Content Notes: Mentions of bullying, f o o d

The home was lively when he stepped in, greeted by his old friend with much gladness in his voice.

“Maxim! Came all the way out here just for us?” Maximiloix offered a bright smile, patting him on the shoulder firmly. “Seems I have! Caro n’I just returned from Gyr Abania - reminded me of ya’.” “Is that right? C’mon in, make yourself at home. I’ll let Tyaka know you’re here.”

It wasn’t uncommon for him to drop by Jeramias’s house, especially after long excursions - the excuse was to visit his friend, to see how he was doing. In truth, he didn’t care much. He came to see another. He watched as three children ran into view, chasing each other around the spaces between chairs and tables, through the halls. One halted upon seeing him, a boy with spun gold hair and the brightest green eyes - the most sunshine smile anyone could have. “Uncle Maxim!”

Maximiloix only grinned in return, kneeling down to boy’s height opening his arms to catch the child as he near tackled him over with a hug. “Danny, my boy! Look how much you’ve grown! Gonna be taller than your Da soon, ain’t ya’?” “Doubt it.” Danny placed a hand on top of his own head - he was shorter than other kids his age, but he did grow a little since Maximiloix had seen him last. Barely thirteen summers old, now, if he recalled correctly. “Where’d ya’ go this time! Got any stories- did you bring anything!” Excitement came back to him, fists shaking in anticipation. “Sorry, kiddo, nothin’ today.” He waited for the eventual pout before ruffling his hair. “Kiddin’, ‘course I’ve got somethin’ for ya’!” Perhaps he spoiled him too much - someone had to. He was often ignored for the affections of his parents. “Gotta take a walk for it first, though, yeah? Ask your Da.”

Danny wasted no time tearing over the carpet, stumbling over his feet to find his father. “Da! Can I go outside with Uncle Maxim!” His father had just returned, tilting his head in confusion. “Leavin’ already, friend?” “Not quite, I’ll be back shortly - just a quick errand.” Jeramias nodded, placing a hand on his hip as he pat his son on the back. “Be good, Danny - I’m serious. Don’t cause any trouble.” “I won’t!”

When they had stepped outside, Maximiloix led Danny through the maze of trees called the Shroud. He had no particular location in mind, simple meandering with the boy who found him more a father than his own. “How’s everything going, kid? They bein’ nice to ya’?” “As much as they can be.” Danny huffed. “Don’t mind it none. ‘Least Tyaka’to ain’t hittin’ me no more, but when it comes to trainin’, he don’t take it lightly. ‘Spite bein’ much bigger ‘an me.” “If you want my opinion, you don’t seem the sword n’shield type.” “No?” “You’re quick on your feet, ever thought ‘bout fisticuffs?” “Nah, Da says it’s too dangerous t’not have a weapon.” “Well, your Da’s wrong. You’d think he’d know otherwise, being from the home of Monks. Speakin’ of. Just got back from there, Gyr Abania.” “What’s it like? I wanna see the world like you do!”

Maximiloix let out a laugh. “You will one day, guarantee.” He spoke of his trip through the Fringes, the Peaks, the Lochs - describing the land, the people, the culture, the history. He offered what wealth of knowledge he gathered on his foray. “What’d you bring this time!” “Got ya’ a couple things.”

It was tradition, he’d bring something back for Danny every so often - but never was it some traditional souvenir, one that’d never be used, or gathered dust. He’d bring parts of nature back. This time was no different. “Got several things for ya’, this time.” He stopped in a clearing, finding a good place to sit - where the boy joined him with a flop into the grass. “Salt rocks from the Lochs, got some for keepin’ and some for cookin’ if you want to give them to your Ma. Then we got branches of th’boughs from the Fringes. Looks like the leaves’re dyin’ already, though.” He passed over each item as he spoke.

Once the branches were passed to Danny’s hands, the leaves slowly regained their color - bark twisting with life. Maximiloix blinked, but said nothing of it. The boy acted as if it were a normal occurrence, and so he too would do so. “Got a couple snacks for ya’ too.” A bag of jerky and a jar of orange-colored juice were pulled from the man’s bag, to which he gladly shared with Danny. To which Danny gladly dug into without a second thought as to what it was. “Ahck! Spicy!” Maximiloix choked on a laugh, passing the drink over to soothe the pain. “Sorry, forgot ‘bout that. Take it slow, yeah?” Danny coughed from the unexpected spice, nodding. “Tastes good, though! S’from Da’s home?” “Aye, he wasn’t partial to it, but I found it good for long trips.” He inhaled sharply, laying back into the grass to stare at the leaves and branches above him. “What else’s goin’ on?” “Mm? Nothin’ much.” “Schooling goin’ well?” “Eh. Kids ain’t that nice. Keep gettin’ pushed around. Erm… now that I think ‘bout it… teachers ain’t that nice either. Say I’m too disruptive, even when I ain’t doin’ anything.” “Are you able to learn anything?” “Not much… only retain whatever y’come back with.” “Then maybe I should talk to your Da ‘bout letting y’come to Ishgard with me. Caro n’I’ve opened a school there - if you’re only retainin’ what I say!” He barked out a laugh. “...I think I’d like that.” “Yeah?” “Yeah.”

--

Maximiloix let out a heavy sigh as he entered the apartment, only half expecting Danny to have been home. He ran his fingers through his hair when he realized that he was - lazing about on his couch with a book. “Seem stressed.” “Not any more than usual, I assure you.” “That right?” He shook his head, offering him a weak smile. “Regardless, I just returned from a meeting in Rhalgr’s Reach - picked up some things for you, that you might like.” Danny sat up, eyes bright for a moment - it was rare to see them like that again. “Yeah? What’d y’get?” “Salt rocks from the Lochs, and some jhammel jerky. Careful,” he remembered to warn him, this time, “it might be a fair bit spicy for your tastes.”

Danny tilted his head, brows furrowed in some recognition. “Huh… I think I’ve had those ‘fore. I think Da got them fer me when he was out one day.” The split second of realization - that he might have remembered - Maximiloix got his hopes up. Only to be squashed in an instant. “Aye… that sounds about right.”

[mastermatt]

mum and dad's thoughts on the sitters

i spoke with them via vid call asking for their thoughts on the sitters. i showed mum first a close up of the hands asking whose hands they belong to.

old kuia - holding feathers, oldish looking hands but they look young big long skirt hands look old but not hard working maybe once upon a time looking after kids paakehaa hands but maaori coz of the feathers dress reminding of old, expectations of a moko kauae, hair in a bun, top hat, coloniser hat, korowai, cloak around her shoulders not flash clothes

old man riding crop props reminding of old people not young veins look like old hands came in from hard days work on the farm for lunch wearing a little olden time hat, pipe in his mouth, hands are as gnarled as a working mans hands, could be younger version of that, not so old, he is white, not a brown man, not a maaori man gloves are white people thing - only seen white people wearing gloves flash white people wear leather, gloves with money, clothes not of money, dress gloves with working clothes stereotypes have been given to me sourced from elsewhere not from real life, from tv, never seen anyone like this in real life

they look the same status could be a married couple taking photo together look similar in appearance, status of clothing, or they coud be a white paakehaa couple without the feathers not siblings because one is brown and one white she is coded brown because she is holding feathers, (coded brown)

working on same farm cell phone syas something tho about the modern day but staging suggests olden day working people hands of middle aged hard working around 50 yr old styling makes them look older man has hard working hands farmer

after showing full photo:

white people because of those collars, prim proper uptight, olden day white people, students - uniform far right has old hands, young girl on the left holding props (youthful frame) small but not slouched shoulders - youth other person has old looking hands, veins denote age colonial school photo man is something scholarly, collar is not working class works with mind not hand (collar completely changed that)

three together - in some kind of uniform, educational involved in scholarly something or rather feathers look more like a prop now because of the feather all look like props and nothing more, clothes arent matching the props women is now read as 20-30 (clothing) not students - early colonising days, school houses, head mistress, hes not headmaster - too shabby colonial reading - dark colors, long skirt, stiff starched collar, look shabby, not pressed and ill fitting skirts need a good ironing but could be a modern day school kid uniform - dio school with the old fashion un-ironed uniform holding props hands still look like not young people hands, clothes look younger than the hands

close crop is more romantic, less to go by more information has quashed that preferred the idea of an old kuia rather than dumb white having school photo taken romanticism to the limited info

two different hands fern hands look young other hands look old, same hand not as interesting, the angle - arm not differentiated from leg, lot of black with the unnatural holding of the leaf 2 monks, smock or habit, thing tied around the waist old looking flowery things no one would hold things like ferns, olde flowers vs modern tulips and roses some kind of jewellery - now both old lady hands, in her 60s, age spots, in a monastery, a (not) rosary wrapped around her hands older than the first ladies paakehaa/european woman - early settler days lives a secluded life, not worldly, based on the simple flowers theyre holding simple but well kept clothing

older person hansd seen a bit of experience, had a bit of sun, done a bit of mahi, strong not soft fatty or chubby, on the mahi, older or done a bit of time mans hands not as hard looking, quite manly hands, is that a cell phpone in their hands ! a female on the left with quite manly hands, quite big, one on the right is a not hardowkring mans hands, quite fair, neither have hands as hard done by have the same hands

[duketheman]

“The Newport Story”

Shreveport Louisiana

GOOD SAMARITAN FUNERAL HOME

December 15, 2009

~Tragedy Strikes~

Standing over the only woman I've ever loved, looking down at her seemingly asleep & lying in a Casket; I can't help but to be angry at God! My Son, John Ross (JR) is without his mother & I my wife. I'm doing all I can to hold it together for him!

It happened suddenly! She had headaches, but never once complained. She would take a couple Tylenol, smile & say: There, that's better! Until one day, she was giving JR a bath & passed out on the Bathroom floor. I took her to the Emergency room, they called Dr Rivera; her personal Physician. X Rays revealed the unimaginable. He entered the room & gave us the bad news: The diagnoses showed she had a Tumor! I almost died when I heard that word, to make it worse; it was inoperable by that time! She had just weeks to live..... She went to sleep one night & just didn't wake up! My Julia was gone! I took her home to Madison County for burial in our Family plot. Her parents made the trip with me... Julia's Father, The Rev James Ray Marcantel officiated. He had great strength, I don't know how he managed. My parents, Sister & Brothers were there & did all they could to comfort me! My parents offered to take JR for a while, but I explained: I needed him with me!

Key Largo

Christmas Day, 2011

~Mary~

I wake up to my son jumping on me yelling in excitement: JR's calling me:~Daddy, come on Daddy, Santa came! Wake up Daddy, hurry up!~ I think to myself: Seven years of joy! I reply: ~Okay Buddy, I'm coming!~ I get up, go in the Living room & pull his gifts from under the tree. It's been two years since I buried his Mother & I still mourn her. Christmas was always her favorite time of year & she loved decorating the tree. Our ornament hangs on this one, two Christmas Dolphin with the words (Harry Loves Julia); bringing back so many memories! Suddenly, the Doorbell rings & JR says: ~Daddy, Daddy, it's Miss Covington~

(Mary Covington, JR's Teacher) He's quite taken with her! I open the door, she Greets me: ~Hello Mr Newport & Merry Christmas, I've brought my favorite student a present, If that's alright?~

I answer: ~Merry Christmas to you too & of course it's alright, Thank you! Come in please~ She gives JR an Easel, a packet of art paper & Chalk! She Notes: ~He's very talented!~ ~I say Thank you!~ She explains: ~I enjoy working with John Ross very much. He's quite a child, you're doing a fine job with him!~ I remark: Thanks! She seemed a little shy...

She asks: ~Mr Newport, I hope you don't think me too forward but; I'd like to invite you & John Ross to Christmas Dinner at my home tonight, please accept?~ She catches me off guard: I reply: ~We'd be delighted Miss Covington, thank you!~ She smiles at me: & replies ~Okay, I'll expect you at 6:00pm, here's my address!~ She turns, walks towards the door & pauses, turns & says: And please, call me Mary? I respond: ~6:00pm, we'll be there; Thank you Mary!~ As she walks to her car, I stand at the door thinking what an amazing woman! I watch her get into her car & leave. I close the door. For the first time in a couple years, I'm looking forward to going out!

I tell JR: We're going to eat dinner with Miss Covington tonight JR reacts: ~Yeaaaa! Daddy, you know what Daddy? I love Miss Covington, she's my favorite Teacher; Daddy, I'm hungry!~ I think to myself: Me too & I can use a cup of coffee! I cook scrambled eggs with Cheese & Bacon bits, Toast & pour my Son a glass of milk! Julia use to cook it all the time & besides; it's JR's favorite! We eat, dress & spend some quality Daddy Son time together! It's Christmas Day & there's a Carousel in the park. I take him to the to ride it. We get home by 1:00pm! I put him down for a nap. I haven't been able to get Miss Covington out of my mind! She's quite a looker. I think to myself: It's been a while, Damn it's been a good while! I've been hesitant to date, I guess I've felt guilty. I miss Julia, I miss holding her in my arms; she was my heart & soul! But maybe it's time! She always said: ~Harry, if something was to happen to me; I want you to find someone! I know you love me! Please Harry?, I don't want you to be alone!~ Julia was the best thing that ever happened to me! I get my Son dressed in his Sunday's best. I dress & we head for Miss Covington's house. She lives about 20 minutes from us near the Overseas Hwy. We arrive at 6:00pm sharp & knock on the door. She opens the door & says: ~Right on time, & how handsome you are today!~ I respond: ~Thank you! She corrects me: ~I was talking to John Ross! She winks & smiles at me: JR says: ~Yes Mam, just like my Daddy.~ She smiles at me again & says: ~I see, very handsome indeed.~

JR asks: ~Miss Covington, I sure hope you have pie, I love pie!~ -She answers: ~Just for you~ JR reacts: ~Yeaaaa!~ He runs into the house. She smiles at me: & says: ~I hope you're hungry!~ I answer: ~I'm starving!~ Her smile reminds me ofJulia. She has dark green eyes & long black hair. Slender & quite beautiful. We go into the Living room & she offers me a mixed drink. I accept & we toast a Merry Christmas to all! We go into the Dining room & sit down at the table: I observe: ~Wow, this is quite a spread!~ She Notes: ~It's Christmas & my favorite time of year!~ Again I'm reminded of Julia: She adds: Mr Newport, would you say Grace?~ I do, we eat & have a wonderful time. After dinner, I help her clear the table & do dishes. When finished, we notice JR falls asleep on the couch & she covers him. We sit & talk, for hours: She asks: Mr (I interrupt) & asks: ~Please, call me Harry?~ She continues: ~Harry, what happened to your wife? I've never talked to anyone about her but this time I do: I explain- ~Julia passed two years ago. She had a Brain Tumor! She just went to sleep one day & never woke up! I haven't been happy, really happy except for my Son; since she passed!~

She asks: ~Let's have a drink?~ We crack a bottle, sit & talk for hours: I mention: ~It's late, I should get JR home.~ she says: ~Harry, thank you for coming. I had a good time. Be careful?~ She kisses me on the cheek:. I respond: ~We will, & thank you for dinner! It's been some time since I've had a meal like that.~ She smiles & closes the door slowly. I see her watching us through the window & I think to myself: I'm going to ask her out! We get home & I put JR to bed. I lay in mine, not able to sleep. I can't get her out of my mind!

It's Monday morning & JR's sitter arrives. I have a tour around the Islands today! A week left of Vacation for JR! I kiss my Son Goodbye, leave instructions with the sitter & off to the Boat! I arrive at the Dock where the "Willow's" tied. The Cunningham party is already waiting. We board my boat & push off. We get back to shore at 6:30pm. Mr Cunningham pays me & thanks me for a great day. I give him my card & say ~My pleasure Sir!~ They leave & I secure the "Willow"! I call Mary & say: ~Mary, this is Harry; I'd like to ask you out for tomorrow evening?~ -She replies: ~I' d really like to go out with you Harry, so Yes!~ I'm thinking Dinner & Dancing afterwards?~ She answers: ~That sounds wonderful Harry!~ I Note: ~I'll pick you up at 8:00pm if that's okay?~ She replies ~Of course Harry, I'll be ready!~ We hang up & I go home. JR is playing on the kitchen floor & the sitter is doing dishes. After she finishes I pay her & say: ~Thank you Nancy!~ She says: ~My pleasure Mr Newport, he's such a good kid!~ She leaves, I bathe JR & put him to bed. I shower, have a glass of wine & I go to bed. I sleep like a Baby..... I wake in the morning to the doorbell. It's the sitter, She says: Good morning Mr Newport~ I say: ~Good morning Nancy! I overslept but luckily my tour doesn't start until 9:30am.~ I wash up, shave & brush my teeth. I kiss my Son goodbye & head for the Boat! An older couple by the name of Jacobs had hired the "Willow" to tour the Reefs. We get back to shore by 5:00pm.They pay me twice what I asked & mention they know my parents: I say Really?~ He says: ~Yes, & you're a spitting image of Charlie. I use to work with him at the Firm in 72. You have a great day now, you hear & say Hi to your Dad for me?~ I reply~ Yes sir, I will. Thank you Sir!~ I get home at 6:30pm, pay Nancy & let her go home! Joshua's Mother called & asked if JR could spend the night with her Son. I said yes! I shower & dress. By the time I drop JR off at Joshua's, pick up an Orchid (multi colored) for her; it's time to head to Mary's! I arrive at 7:55pm, knock & she opens the door. I'm looking at an Angel,! She's quite lovely. Wearing a Golden gown w/silver designs, her long silky black hair is hanging naturally. It sets her beautiful green eyes off as if to glow! All I can do is stair: She says: ~Hi, Earth to Harry, hello!~ I say ~Oh I'm sorry, you're just so Beautiful.~ She smiles at me! -Mary- ~You're looking pretty good yourself She says: Mighty handsome if I say so!~ I say: (I Stutter...) ~Oh, oh, thanks; I, I've made reservations at the "Sundowners" Great food! This is for you!~ I pull out a box holding the Orchid: She remarks~ Oh Harry, it's so Beautiful, thank you!~ I pin the Orchid to her gown! I've not felt this nervous in years. I think maybe I'm falling for her. We get in my Beamer & drive to the restaurant! 8:25pm We arrive at the restaurant. I hand the Valet my keys & I tip him! We go inside & are seated directly. We have drinks & order from the menu & she says: ~This is a nice place Harry, I don't know where to begin, what do you suggest?~ I say: ~I like the Shrimp & Mahi w/Lemongrass sauce!~ She says~Sounds delicious Harry, that's just what I'll have! We sit & talk a while enjoying Caribbean music in the background. After eating, I take her to "The Brass Monkey & we have a great time. We dance to almost every Set. I don't want it to end.. We close the place down & on the way back to her house we stop at Denny's to get some Breakfast & she says: Denny's has the best breakfast! I say: I Agree, I'm partial to the Grand Slam. Me too Harry! Harry, thanks for being such a good guy, not many of them out there.~ When she looks at me, my heart flutters. I feel nervous but a good nervous. We sit & talk until sunrise! I take her home & open the door. She looks at me with those dark green eyes & as if in a Hypnotic state, I take her in my arms & kiss her. She kisses me back, drunkening me with pleasure from within her lips! She takes my hand & leeds me through the door, kicking it shut; & into her room! She smiles at me & says: ~Harry, I never want this night to end!~ My heart is beating like a drum. I undress her as if a Doctor examining his patient & lay her down gently. I Kiss her then disrobe! I brush her hair back from her face & ask: ~Are you sure?~ She answers: ~I'm sure Harry, I want you!~ We embrace & kiss passionately, working ourselves into a frenzy. I break & begin to fondle her breast as I kiss her ear & whisper sweet words of endearment! She becomes more excited! I move down her neck gently nibbling. She begins to breathe heavily as I taste her breast.They're firm, perky & pear shaped with nipples that drive me crazy! I squeeze her breast & place the nipple in my mouth & suck as if a baby drinking milk. I simultaneously slip my other hand between her legs & playfully caress what lies within. She's moaning & breathing as if she's been running a marathon... I move from one breast to the other, kissing her areolas; further exciting her! I begin to explore her length, tonguing & nibbling as I taste her every essence, marking every curve, evey zone, & every jerk she makes.The closer I get to what's hiding between those beautiful thighs, the harder & more shallow her breathing becomes... I reach the nest hiding the fruit of passion & waste no time tasting it. I slip my tongue inside & out of her as she arches & recovers several times over. It's sweet & I crave the nectar flowing within. I take the fruit between my lips, massage & tease it with my tongue. I suck on it with vigour. She's quivering, almost uncontrollably. Finally, as if a volcano erupting, she spews her nectar of ecstasy.... She's jumping out of her skin, yet her body begs for more. I lap up every drop as if an animal drinking from a pond. She screams with pleasure & I'm aroused beyond possibility. I begin to slowly climb back up her beauty, kissing & checking every erogenous zone, assuring her pleasure doesn't expire. I reach the point of my journey's beginning, I kiss her & look into her beautiful green eyes & say: ~I'm in love with you.~ She answers: ~I know Harry, now lay back!!!~ She runs her fingers up & down my Body's skin, tingling & giving me goosebumps, arousing me more than I can barely sustain. She begins kissing me from my head to my toes & everywhere between. I feel her grab my throbbing, hungry Rod & stroke it, caressing it with her lips. Like a lollipop, she licks it up & down, I can hardly hold it back! She squeezes the sack, slowing the inevitable & I'm going crazy. She slips it into her mouth & strokes it at the same time. Just before climax, she stops; again squeezing the sack & stopping the flow. She straddles me, slips me inside & rides me to climax as she reaches hers again! She bends forward, kisses me: & says: ~Now there Harry, I love you too!~ We make love throughout the night until exhausted, kiss & fall asleep. When I wake I'm aroused by her presence! I think to myself, Damn, I'm sure glad I'm taking the day off! We make love one more time, get up, shower together & dress. She's fixing me waffles, bacon & eggs with Blueberry syrup. Orange juice & coffee. It's delicious, this girl can cook: I mention: ~I have to work Tomorrow! Also; I'm taking JR to Madison County to see his Grandparents. I'd like you to accompany us? We'll fly down tomorrow night, you can meet my parents & we'll make a Weekend out of it!~ She asks: ~Harry, you want me to meet your parents?, I'd love to Harry!~ I say: ~Great!~ I help her with dishes, after & say: ~I have to go. I've got to pick JR up from his friend's house~ She answers: ~Okay Harry, I understand. Go get John Ross~ I sayr: ~I love you & I'll see you tomorrow, kiss her goodbye & say: ~I'll pick you up at 6:00pm!~ She replies: ~Okay Harry, I'll be ready. I love you Harry. Call Me tonight?~ I answer: Sure thing Love!~ I leave, pick JR. up & we stop at Baskin Robbins for ice cream on the way home! We get home at 4:00pm & watch TV for a while. I fix us something to eat, pack a couple bags. By the time I finish, it's time for J.R.'s bath. I bathe him, put him down for bed. He says his prayers: ~Now I lay me down to sleep & says: Nite Nite Daddy, I love you.~ I say: ~Goodnight Son, I love you too!~

7:00am

Nancy's here & I have a Boat Tour at 8:00am!

I get to the Boat & my clients are waiting for me. They board, I push off & they have a great tour! We get back to shore at 2:45pm. They hand me a check & I hand them my card. I secure the "Willow" & head home to clean up & retrieve my Son: He asks: Daddy, where we going?~ I reply: ~Well Son, Miss Covington & I are getting Married!~ He asks: ~You love Miss Covington Daddy? Is she going to be my Mommy?~ I reply: ~Yes, I love Miss Covington. Is that Okay with you?~ He says: ~Sure Daddy, I love her a whole lot, but Daddy, where we going?~ -I reply: ~We're going to see Miss Covington's Mommy & Daddy!~ He reacts: Yea! I load our bags in the Beamer & we're off!

6:00pm.

We arrive. at Mary's, knock & she opens the door. She's wearing a beige skirt & black blouse. She's Gorgeous: She remarks: ~Hey handsome!~ I reply: ~Hey!~ She corrects me: ~I was talking to John Ross!~ She smiles & winks at me: He says: ~Hi Miss Covington, you going with us?~ She replies: Sure am John Ross!~ He reacts: Yea! ~She says ~I love you too John Ross!~ I load her bags & off to the airport. We board the plane for Valdosta Regional at 7:30pm & arrive at 10:00pm. My Father's waiting for us. JR sees him right off. He loves Grandpa & happy to see him. My Father opens his arms & JR runs right to him, Hugs Grandpa, pulls on his beard & giggles! He looks to Mary: ~Young lady, my name is Charles, Harold's Father!~ She replies: ~Happy to meet you Sir, I'm Mary!~ He says: ~Delightful & turns to me & says: ~Son, good to see you, Mother's waiting!~ We get to the Mansion at 11:00pm & Mary remarks: ~How Beautiful a home Harry~ I say: ~It is, isn't it? Much to large for me though!~ We enter the Mansion & JR spots Grandma & reacts: Grandmaaa! He runs & gives her a hug & says: ~I love you Grandma!~ She says: ~I love you John Ross!~

She turns her attention to us, kisses me: & says: ~This must be Mary, She's lovely Harold! How do you do Mary? I’m Harold's Mother!~

She replies: ~Happy to meet you Mam! & curtsies: Mother turns to me & remarks: ~Harold, I miss you Son! Your rooms are

ready!~ She instructs Huntington (The Butler), to take our bags upstairs & remarks: ~I know you're tired, so let us all sleep on it & have a fresh start in the morning? Goodnight John Ross!, it's off to bed with you!~ We walk upstairs to our room, step inside: & I say: Mary, I love you & I'm so happy you joined me!~

She replies: ~I love you more!~ We're tired from the trip, we go to bed; kiss & fall asleep in each other's arms.

Saturday, December 31, 2011

John Ross's 8th Birthday

We awake to a knock on the door. It's:

Huntington announcing: ~Breakfast is served Sir!~ We get ready & go downstairs for breakfast. Mother & Father are seated at each end of the table: Mother greets us: ~Good morning you two, Sleep well?~ We reply: ~Yes, Good morning: ~ Father's busy with JR but gets a Good morning in: We say: ~Good morning Father! he replies: Good morning you two!~ I add: Father, Mr Jacobs sends his regards!~

He remarks: ~Paul Jacobs? I haven't seen Paul in years, we worked at the Firm together!~

We're seated at the center of the table.The menu's: Waffles w/ flax & almond butter, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, Cheese, Orange juice & Fruit salad: Mary remarks: ~This is all so elegant! Thank you so much for having me Mam!~ Mother remarks: ~We're quite glad to have you Dear~ Father adds: ~Yes, quite glad indeed.~ Mother asks: ~How is my little man doing in School Son?~ I remark: ~Very well Mother, infact; Mary's his Teacher!~

She remarks: ~Really, a Teacher?~ I reply: ~Yes Mother~ She asks ~Mary, How are you getting along Dear?~ She replies: ~Fine Mam, thank you~ Mother says: ~We hope to see a lot of you Dear! ~ She replies: ~Yes, Thank you Mam!~ Mother remarks: ~No need to be so formal Dear, just call me Mom if you please? After all, you're part of the family now!~ She says: ~Thank you so much Mom!~ We finish eating & retire to the Drawing room. We're served Coffee. We talk a bit longer. Mother takes me aside & says ~What's your Plans Son, how've you been?~ I reply: ~Good Mother, since Mary came into my life!~ She replies~ Are you going to Marry her?~ I reply: ~I haven't asked yet, but it's on my mind~ She says ~Wonderful, I like her, & John Ross seems to adore her~ I reply: ~Yes Mother, he loves her very much, we both do!~ She replies: ~Excellent! Now let us make ready for a Celebration of my Little Man's Birthday!~ My Sister Jaime, her husband & my two brothers fly in to celebrate JR.'s Birthday & the New Year. My Mother has planned quite a party for JR. We're expecting at least 30 children & their parents. We set up a tent on the grounds to shelter refreshments.The entertainers & Circus animals are arriving & my Father is directing. Mother's ordered a Band to play through the day! Their finishing up the stage & the Band's setting up! It's 11:00am & the guests are beginning to arrive. Monther, my Siblings, Mary, & I are greeting them. My Father's decided that he'll Supervise! The festivities begin at exactly 12:30pm & the Birthday Boy's riding a Pony: I tell: ~Hey JR! &wave. He looks my way & yells: ~Look Daddy, I'm riding a Horsey, Yahoooo, Yeaaaa!~ He's having a such a good time. 

2:00pm, a bell rings! Huntington announces: ~Refreshments are served~ Everyone heads for the Tent where a very large Birthday Cake, with JR's image on it & very large candles. JR stands in front as the candles are lit. My Father signals the Band to play Happy Birthday & we sing. He makes a wish & blows out the candles & Mary asks: ~Whatcha wish for John Ross?~ He replies: ~It's a secret!~ Mother asks: ~Mary, would you cut a piece of cake & give the first piece to John Ross? She cuts a corner piece off and gives it to him & winks! Mother remarks: ~God, that boy's growing fast.~ -I remark: ~It seems just like yesterday, I was holding him in my arms~ Huntington serves the children cake, then the rest of the guests. The cake's gone in a flash! JR begins to open his more than one hundred gifts. He's as happy as I've ever seen & that makes me happy! It's 5:30pm & the party ends! The guests depart & the extra help Mother hired are cleaning the grounds as we go in the house.

7:00pm

Huntington announces: ~Dinner is served~ We eat & afterwards retire to the   Drawing room. Huntington serves us each a Glass of Louis XIII Cognac & Father proposes a toast: ~To John Ross, Happy Birthday!~ Mother adds: ~Here Here, Who's staying up with me to see the New Year in?~ We raise our glasses & reply all at once: I am!... Mother remarks: ~Fabulous, I've got Fireworks for tonight!~ She's hired a crew to set off Fireworks for the arrival of the New Year..... My Father calls me aside & says: ~Son, I have something for you!~ He pulls out a box & hands it to me: ~It was your Grandmother's.~ I open the box & it's her Wedding rings: I reply react: ~Father, I'm so Honored!~

He explains: ~You've been through alot Son & she'd want you to have them. Now, Marry that girl & live a happy life. I'm proud of & love you very much!~ I reply: ~Father, I love you!~ We embrace, hugging each other: He says: ~Now, let's join the the rest of the family~ I slip the rings into my pocket for safe keeping & we join the family! We congregate & talk old times & about my Grandparents. At 11:40pm, we go outside to the Court yard & be seated. At 11:59pm we begin a countdown to Ignition! 12:00am exactly, a display of Firewood worthy of Royalty paints the skies..... JR.'s eyes lights up with excitement as does Mary's. She has the prettiest smile & her green eyes melt my soul. Yes, I so want to spend the rest of my life with her! I find myself in prayer, asking God to forgive my anger towards Him. I ask Him to give me strength to raise my Son. As we retire for the night!: I announce: ~We'll be attending Church with you in the morning Mother!~ She smiles & replies: ~I am so happy to hear that Harold, we'll be departing at 8:00am sharp!~ I respond: ~Yes Mother, we'll be ready~

Sunday, January 1, 2012

8:00am

We all load up in the Limo & George (The Chofer) drives us to "The Madison First Baptist Church".

My Mother proudly in lead, we enter the Church. The Pastor (Rev. Johnson) greets us by shaking our hands. We're seated by the Ushers & Church begins. It's a fine service & I feel right about being here. Church is over & George drives us back to the Mansion. Tomorrow's a School day & both Mary & myself have to work! We pack our bags, for the trip home.

12:00pm

We thank my parents for everything. My Mother kisses me on the cheek & pleaded: ~Take care of yourself Harold, I love you very much Son!~

I react: ~I love you too Mother!~ She turns to Mary, opens her arms & motions her for a hug Goodbye.They hug: & says: ~I expect to see you again soon my Dear.~ Mary replies: ~Yes Mom, for sure you will!~ Father loads our bags into the car & drives us to the Airport! I hug my Father goodbye say: ~See you Father!~ He replies: ~I love you Son, remember what we talked about?~ I reply: ~I will Father! ~ He picks JR up & hugs him goodbye says: ~I love you Little Man!~ -JR replies: ~I love you too Grandpa!~ We board the plane at 1:45pm for our 2 1/2 hour flight home....

We arrive at Miami International at 4:00pm. I pick up my Beamer, load our bags & arrive in Key Largo by 5:15pm. We stop at Mary's first. I take her bags inside, hold her in my arms & say: ~Darling I love you.~ She responds: ~I love you more.~ I say: ~I'll see you tomorrow, I have to get JR home & ready for School!~ she replies: ~I know Harry, I have to get ready too. Harry, thank you for being you! I enjoyed my Weekend. Be safe going home?~ We kiss again & I leave. I get JR. home by 6:30pm. I prepare some Macaroni & Cheese. He likes that. I bathe & put him to bed for the night. I have a drink & I too bed down for the night. I have a dream of Julia & she's standing at my bedside smiling. She gives me her blessings to be with Mary & vanishes...... I wake Monday morning with such a calm feeling! I've made up my mind, Friday; I am going to ask her to Marry me.....

I call Mary & make a date for 6:00pm, Friday: She she says: ~Sounds good, I can't wait

Harry!~ I add: ~Neither can I Darling, see you tomorrow!~

Friday, January 6

The Proposal

I arrive at her house at 6:00pm sharp. Knock & she opens the door. She's wearing a Red dress, Black Heels & hair hanging naturally down her back. I've always loved long black hair. Her ears are graced with green topaz earrings. She's looking beautiful.

She greets me & says: ~Hello Harry!~ I react: ~Hello Darling, you're quite beautiful tonight!~

She replies: ~Thank you Harry, & you're very handsome!~ I take her in my arms & say: ~You know how much I love you Mary?~ She replies: ~Yes Harry, I really do!~ I kiss her & we get in the Beamer. I've made reservations at the "Sol By The Sea". It's romantic & the food is excellent!

7:00pm

We arrive at the restaurant. I hand my keys to the Valet & tip him. We enter the restaurant & are seated directly & I order the best Champagne in the house (Don Perignon). The waiter pours the a glass each & I drop to one knee & propose: ~My Darling, never did I think I would love again. You changed that! You gave me your heart & I relinquished mine to you. Now I ask your hand in Marriage?~ I pull my Grandmother's rings out & slip the engagement ring on her finger. She stands up & just stares at me. I begin to doubt myself. But all of a sudden, she takes a deep breath & takes my face in her palms & accepts: ~Yes, 'O yes! I love you Harry & I want to be your Wife! Harry, these rings look like Heirlooms.~ I explain: ~Yes my Darling, they were my Grandmother's.~

She promised: ~'O Harry, they're so Beautiful, I swear I'll keep them safe on my finger.~ I reply: ~I know my Darling, I love you!~ We order dinner, (Mahi-Mahi, House jerk, Napa slaw, White wine & Vanilla-Coconut Crema w/Charred pineapple relish) It was a meal fit for the occasion! After dinner we want to be alone & go straight home to Mary's to be by ourselves. I stay the night! The next morning I call my parents & give them the news! They were happy for us. My Mother insists we have our wedding at the Mansion. After all; it's become a tradition. I call Mary & explain my Mother's wish. She replies: ~Yes Harry, I agree with them wholeheartedly. I think it would be beautiful. Besides, I love your Parents. My parents could fly down to attend & meet yours, & asks: ~Harry, can we take a trip to Raleigh, so you can meet my parents?~ I observe: ~Yes, of course we can my Darling! Besides, I want to officially ask your Father for your hand.~ She breaks out in a huge smile: -Mary- ~'O Harry, how did I ever find such a fine Man? I love you Harry, I love you so much!~ We make plans to visit her parents next week. I make reservations for Friday afternoon, for a flight to Raleigh.

Continues:

Duke Sherman

[weekendwarriorblog]

WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEKEND February 22, 2019  - HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY

February comes to an end with the Oscars on Sunday and another family sequel hoping to escape the fate of the disappointing The LEGO Movie 2, plus Fighting with My Family becomes the widest WWE Films release since John Cena’s The Marine back in 2006.

Just a reminder that you can read my box office analysis and predictions over at The Beat, as well as my thoughts on Black Panther’s chances at winning a few Oscars this Sunday.

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD (DreamWorks Animation/Universal)

Written and directed by Dean DeBlois (How To Train Your Dragon,How to Train Your Dragon 2) Voice Cast: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, America Ferrara, F. Murray Abraham, Cate Blanchett, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kristen Wiig, Kit Harrington MPAA Rating: PG

A mere three weeks after the animated sequel The LEGO Movie 2disappointed at the box office, DreamWorks Animation returns with its first movie since 2017’s Captain Underpants, as well as the first movie under its new distribution deal with Universal. It’s also the first movie from DreamWorks Animation sans CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg who left after Comcast bought the company after building it up into quite a brand.

It’s pretty amazing that DreamWorks Animation has gone ahead with this threequel after it’s been delayed seemingly for years, but clearly, Universal/Comcast wanted to get its dragons in a row before bringing them back for an epic finale, especially with the company’s mixed success with their last few offerings. (DWA’s 2017 release The Boss Babyactually did quite well, just slightly less than How to Train Your Dragon 2’s domestic gross.)

The good thing going for the latest How to Train Your Dragonis that DreamWorks Animation has been keeping the franchise alive with a number of animated series that have streamed on Netflix, and kids definitely know these characters well. They’ve also been able to bring back almost all of the cast, including Cate Blanchett, Kit Harrington (from “Game of Thrones”) and introducing F. Murray Abraham as a new villain named Grimmel and a new lady “Light Fury” to match with Hiccup’s dragon pal Toothless. This generally should help revive the animated company who has made such an impact in the early ‘00s. So far, reviews have been far better than anyone expected, and Universal wisely gave the movie a Fandango-only screening a few weeks back where it grossed $2.5 million.

Mini-Review: I’ve seen both the previous How to Train Your Dragon movies, and I liked them just fine, but not enough to warrant a rewatch before the third movie is released five years after the previous one. Fortunately, it doesn’t take long to get up to speed at least in terms of figuring out who everyone is, though it does take some time before it gets into gear as far as storytelling.

Things have settled down at Berk, as Hiccup and his pals continue to save dragons from trappers and being them back to their safe haven, but new villain Grimmel (voiced by F. Murray Abraham) who wants to kill the last of the Night Furies aka Hiccup’s own dragon pal Toothless. In order to do so, he uses a white female “Light Fury” as a honey badger to capture the lovelorn dragon, as well as all the other dragons in Berk.

The problem is that there are way too many unfunny human characters and even more dragons that are hard to keep track of. The film begins by throwing so much at the viewer, but not in a good way, and it took a long time for me to be even vaguely interested in what was happening.  Surprisingly, Abraham makes for an equally bland villain, especially considering how great he’s been in such a role in movies like Amadeus, but the storytelling is obvious and even corny at times that it begins as a disappointing finale to the epic trilogy.

Granted, this is still an amazing technical achievement with all of the colorful environments and creatures, yet the dragons are generally more interesting than the humans, other than maybe Hiccup and his girlfriend Astrid. The dialogue-free moments between Toothless and his paramour tend to work far better than the attempt at getting laughs using the annoying humans.

Where the film really starts picking up steam is in the last act where the action starts to build to a peak, and we’re finally reminded what made the earlier films so special. In some ways, it’s hard to believe a movie that starts off so grueling and boring manages to deliver enough of a third-act payoff to win the viewer over, and it’s quite an amazing recovery to end the series on a high note.

Rating: 6.5/10

FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY (MGM)

Written and Directed by Stephen Merchant (co-creator of “The Office” and “Hey, Ladies!”) Cast: Florence Pugh, Jack Lowden, Nick Frost, Lena Headey, Vince Vaughn, Dwayne Johnson MPAA Rating: PG-13

I’ve already written quite a bit about this comedic biopic already between my reviewand my interview with WWE superstar Paige, so I’m not sure how much more I have to say about this film which tells the story of how Paige came to the WWE. Produced by Dwayne Johnson, who also makes a couple appearances in the movie, this is a wonderful film that will definitely appeal to WWE fans, especially those who have been following the Women’s Revolution, but I think it will appeal to others as a fun inspirational story about an outsider making good. The movie opened in New York and L.A. this past weekend, but it will expand nationwide on Friday, and I hope that audience will give it a look, especially with so few strong movies in theaters right now and the box office being so dismal.

LIMITED RELEASES

One of the standouts this weekend is Suzannah Herbert’s doc WRESTLE (Oscilloscope), co-directed by Lauren Belfer, which just won two Hoka Award at the Oxford Film Festival last week, and that’s after winning awards at a number of other festivals. It follows five varsity wrestlers at a small-town Alabama high school who are competing to help take their school to the State Championships, but there’s a lot more at stake than a trophy. Each of the wrestlers has had domestic issues that has made going to college a struggle, and placing in the Championships would give them a chance for scholarships that would make a huge difference in their lives. The movie will open at the Village East Cinemas in New York on Friday with Herbert and Belfer in attendance to discuss this inspirational film. It will then open in L.A. on March 1.

I don’t know much (or actually anything) about the faith-based film RUN THE RACE (Roadside Attractions), hitting select theaters this weekend, but apparently it’s exec. produced by NFL star Tim Tebow and directed by Chris Dowling (Priceless). It involves two brothers dealing with the death of their mother and abandonment by their father as All-State athlete Zach’s hopes of earning a college scholarship are sidelined by an injury. With that, his younger brother David steps up to help get him and his brother out of town to a better future. (Actually, this movie seems to have quite a bit in common with the doc Wrestle.)

Metrograph Pictures makes its debut with its initial release, the French doc The Competition (Le Concours) from filmmaker Claire Simon, marking her first film to get a U.S. theatrical release. It takes a look at the entrance process for the prestigious French film school La Fémis, where hundreds of ambitious filmmakers in all aspects of the craft seek to be taught how to perfect said craft. I have to be honest that as I watched the movie, I didn’t realize it was a doc, because it reminded me of 120 BPM (Beats Per Minute) or The Class, where there was just so much talking and most of it just seemed like pretentious showboating by students trying to impress the entrance panel. In fact, the educators and filmmakers’ reactions to the students is far more interesting, but this only had a few moments that captivated me in its 2-hour running time.  You can find out where else it will play after its Metrograph debut Friday on the Official Site.

Opening at the Cinema Village in New York Friday and in L.A. on March 1 is Barry Avrich’s doc Prosecuting Evil: The Extraordinary World of Ben Ferencz, which takes a look at the last surviving prosecutor of the Nuremberg Trial who continues to fight for the law and peace.

Opening in Texas Friday (and expanding to other markets over the coming weeks including even MORE Texas theaters on March 1) is Ty Roberts’ adaptation of Tom Pendleton’s 1966 novel The Iron Orchard (Santa Rita Film Co.), starring Lane Garrison as Jim McNeely, a young man thrown into the brutal world of the West Texas oilfields in 1939, shortly after the Great Depression.

Lastly, there’s Stuart McKenzie and Miranda Harcourt’s adaptation of Margaret Mahy’s novel The Changeover (Vertical), starring Erana James as 16-year-old Laura Chant who lives with her mother (the always wonderful Melanie Lynskey) and four-year-old brother Jacko in a poor suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand and ends up in a supernatural battle with a spirit draining the life out of Jacko. Also starring Tim Spall, it opens in select theaters and On Demand Friday.

LOCAL FESTIVALS

A couple festivals and film series worth nothing is the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Neighboring Scenes: New Latin American Cinema, presented with Cinema Tropical, which will include Belmonte   from Uruguay, Carlos Reygadas’ Our Time, and many other films, none of which I’ve seen.

Also, the 22nd New York International Children’s Film Festivalbegins on Friday, running through March 17, opening with the East Coast Premiere of Chiwetel Ejiofor’s directorial debut The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, which will also premiere on Netflix on March 1. The festival will be spread out across the city from the Alamo Drafthouse in Brooklyin to the IFC Center to the Cinepolis Chelsea, Quad Cinema, SVA Theater and even the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria. You can find out more about the films and schedule on the Official Site.

STREAMING AND CABLE

Fresh from its Sundance premiere, Mark Duplass continues his relationship with Netflix, appearing with Ray Romano in Alex (Blue Jay) Lehmann’s PADDLETON, in which Duplass plays a man diagnosed with terminal cancer who asks his neighbor (Romano) to end his life before he dies from cancer.

This week’s foreign Netflix offering is Elizabeth Vogler’s French film Paris is Us, which involves a woman named Anna who misses her flight to Barcelona, which she misses, which starts her questioning reality and her relationships.

Because HBO is picking up so many great films out of festivals, I’m going to include them here whenever I can. Who knows? Maybe someone at HBO will see this and hook-up with a free HBO Now account. (And I’ll accept free Hulu, Amazon and Showtime accounts and any others while we’re at it, if those companies want to be included.)

One of my favorite films from last year’s Tribeca Film Festival was Madeleine Sackler’s O.G. starring Jeffrey Wright (who won an award for his acting) as former gangleader and lifelong inmate Louis, who is coming to the end of his 24-year sentence, when he takes the younger Beecher (Theothus Carter) under his wing, trying to keep him from him following the same downwards path he took. You can read more about my thoughts on the movie in my Tribeca Film Festival diary. O.G. will premiere on HBO this Saturday.

REPERTORY

METROGRAPH (NYC):

Produced by David O. Selznick concludes this week with screenings of The Third Man, Alfred Hitchcock’s Spellbound and one last screening of Rebecca, plus the Metrograph’s Valentine’s Day offerings continue, including Casablanca  (1942) and Heaven Can Wait (1943). Late Nites at Metrograph is the Anime Ghost in the Shell (1995) and the Playtime: Family Matinees  is Disney-Pixar’s Oscar-winning Inside Out (2015)

QUAD CINEMA  (NYC):

The Goldblum Variations concludes with screenings of The Life Aquatic of Steven Zissou (Thurs.), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (Fri.) and Earth Girls are Easy, but there’s also the week-long New York premiere of the 2k restoration of Joan (Hester Street) Silver’s 1977 movie Between the Lines  (Cohen Film Collection), also starring Goldblum, along with John Heard, Lindsay Crouse and more.

THE NEW BEVERLY  (L.A.):

Another busy weekend at Tarantino’s repertory theater with a number of Burt Reynolds double features, Hooper (1978)and Physical Evidence (1989) on Weds. and Thurs, plus his 1977 movies Smokey and the Bandit and Semi-Tough on Friday and Saturday. This weekend’s midnight movies are Tarantino’s Oscar-winning Pulp Fiction on Friday and the 1972 concert film Fillmore on Saturday.  The Kiddee Matinee of the weekend is Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis’ 3-Ring Circus (1954), and then Sunday and Monday, there’s a double feature of Sandra Dee’s Gidget  (1959) and Dick Clark’s Because they’re Young (1960). The Monday Matinee is Bill Duke’s 1992 thriller Deep Cover, starring Laurence Fishburne and Jeff Goldblum, and Tuesday night’s Grindhouse offering is Burt Reynolds’ 1987 movie Malone and his 1986 film Heat. (All that Burt Reynodls movies makes me want to live in L.A.!)

FILM FORUM (NYC):

The downtown rep theater presents the 5 ½-hour version of Bernardo Bertolluci’s 1976 drama 1900, which will be shown in two parts, and this weekend’s Film Forum Jr. is the 1953 sci-fi thriller The War of the Worlds in a new 4k restoration.

EGYPTIAN THEATRE (LA):

The Egyptian screens Death in Venice (1971) on Thursday, as part of the Luchino Visconti: Cinematic Nobility series.

AERO  (LA):

On Saturday night, the Aero is screening a triple feature of Don Coscarelli’s Phantasm (1979) – with Coscarelli and producer Paul Pepperman in attendance -- along with Three O’Clock High (1987) and 10 to Midnight  (1983), as part of its Cinematic Void 2019 series. Otherwise, the theater seems to be playing Jean-Luc Godard’s The Image Bookaround the clock.

IFC CENTER (NYC)

Waverly Midnights: The Feds continues with John Woo’s Face/Off (1997), starring John Travolta and Nicolas Cage, Weekend Classics: Early Godard will screen the classic Band of Outsiders  (1964) Friday through Sunday, while Late Night Favorites will once again show Ridley Scott’s Alien. (It really IS a Late Night Favorite!)

LANDMARK THEATRES NUART  (LA):

On Friday at Midnight, the Nuart will show Panos Cosmatos’ Mandy, starring Nicolas Cage.

FILM SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER(NYC):

Sergey Bondarchuk’s epic 1968 film War and Peace continues to run (in four installments) through Thursday.

BAM CINEMATEK (NYC):

Starting Friday, BAM starts its ten-day Living with the Dead: The Films of George Romero, commemorating the life and career of one of the greatest horror filmmakers of all time, the late George Romero. It will be held together by a new 2K restoration of his 1968 film Night of the Living Dead, which will screen Friday night, Saturday afternoon and on Feb. 28. Other movies in the series include Dawn of the Dead  (1978), Day of the Dead  (1985), The Crazies  (1973), Monkey Shinesand some of Romero’s newer films. The series will also have special guests like Romero’s daughter Tina Romero and producer Richard Rubenstein over the course of the series.

MOMA (NYC):

Modern Matinees: Sir Sidney Poitier offers Norman Jewison’s In the Heat of the Night  (1967) on Weds, Blackboard Jungle  (1955) on Thurs and Stanley Kramer’s The Defiant Ones (1958) on Friday.

That’s it for this week… next week, Tyler Perry’s Madea is back in Tyler Perry’s A Madea Family Funeral, presumably the last Madea movie ever… be afraid and glad at the same time! Also, Neil Jordan returns with the psychological thriller Greta.

[asmirandaseesit]

Vamos a la Playa

Hello again,

It’s been a while since we’ve last seen each other. As an update on my life, I’m a senior now, and after returning from Turkey I’ve spent the past calendar year basically doing nothing. I’ve been to a few new cities in the U.S., most notably Chicago, which I’ve been considering posting about solely to talk about the food. I’ll keep you posted as to what I decide to do.

Anyways, this time I decided to brush the dust off this blog to talk about my recent spring break trip to Puerto Rico. I apologize in advance for the low-quality photos, in a lapse of judgement I forgot to pack my camera... :(

So- to the fun stuff. Puerto Rico. Otherwise known as one of the random islands in the Caribbean that the U.S. for some unclear reason still has ownership over (we got Puerto Rico, Guam, the Philippines, and temporarily Cuba as part of the end of the Spanish-American War). If I were to summarize Puerto Rico in a few words, it would probably be: fun, and lawless. I can’t really think of anything else that would capture it as well as those two words. Popular would work too, since there were a lot of other tourists while we were there. It was like any Caribbean island I would have expected: an endless bounty of rum, fresh fruits, and sunshine, all topped with a Latin flair and failing economy (thanks for the tip, Disney). The people were all so kind and so interesting too! Basically all of our Uber drivers engaged us in a fully-fledged conversation and usually gave us recommendations on places to go/eat. The food was exactly what I would have wanted-- dishes emphasized seafood, plantains (served in any method possible), Spanish spices, and I never found myself in a shortage of avocados. What more could a girl ask for?

Needless to say, I’d give Puerto Rico a 9/10. I’m deducting a point off because this week cost me an arm and a leg. Restaurants were priced the same as places in Manhattan or LA, (understanding that I ate seafood practically every day) which was a rude awakening considering people had told me that Puerto Rico was relatively cheap. However, I don’t regret a single dollar I spent, I had a blast and that’s what matters... right?

To walk you through my experiences, I’ll go through the pictures first. We left Syracuse Thursday night for NYC, crashed at friends’ for the night to catch our 11 am flight Friday morning to San Juan. Shoutout to Kai for letting me sleep on his futon, again (you’re the best, and you always will be).

Funny enough, the day we left the entire Northeast was getting slammed with a snow storm-- I think there were a couple of inches in NYC. Man, never had I ever been more glad to be waiting in an airport, jetting off somewhere (literally anywhere) else. Cackling to ourselves at the blizzard outside, the squad and I boarded and took off on time for San Juan. Unscathed by the winter storm, we landed in San Juan around 4 pm that day-- I love when you fly somewhere and the second you walk out of the airport, your body is shocked by the temperature difference. Ahh, the sweet sensation of perspiration.

We quickly went back to our Airbnb, changed, and went out to dinner. Now maybe it was the travel- or the sangria- but this was one of the more euphoric meals I’ve ever had. We went to Casita Miramar, and all ordered the aguacates rellenos (stuffed avocados).

Yes, it was just as good as it looks. Better, actually. *drools* The shrimp was charred perfectly, served with a creamy red pepper sauce that was sweet, garlicky, buttery and just classically good. On the side were tostones (smashed fried plantains). UggGGHHHhh. We then split a guava panetela (divine buttery almost amaretto-y cake layered with guava jam) and were served complimentary shots at the end- called “chichaitos,” they’re traditional Puerto Rican rum shots with anise liquer and a few coffee beans added (usually three for money, love, and health). After slamming those down and being painfully reminded of my relationship with rakı, we went home to catch some z’s for the rest of our trip.

The next day, we rented a car to go to a beach about an hour out of San Juan. My roommate has a friend from San Juan, so we shaped a lot of our itinerary around his suggestions (turns out, the locals know what they’re talking about). So, we ventured out to Manatí, and visited the playa la Poza de las Mujeres.

The water was crystal blue, warm, and the beach wasn’t crowded at all. I had to stop for two iguanas to cross the road though, which was weird.

We then went out to dinner at a little place called Mere Pescao (where I got mahi mahi and plantain skewers) and then went out to drinks at La Coctelera on Calle Loiza. There, I got a rosemary and beet Tom Collins, which was OK but not my favorite. We also went to a Basque bakery and I got a guava pastelito (divine).

The next day, we went to probably the worst brunch we’ve ever had (DON’T go to Caficultura) in Old San Juan. The food was subpar and the service was horrendous. I would say the one saving grace was being able to try a Cortadito, a local favorite similar to a macchiato (the real kind, not the over-dressed crap you get at Starbucks). However, if you do want the real deal-artisanal Puerto Rican coffee, DO go to Cuatro Sombras. They roast all their beans in house (which are locally harvested from Yauco) and even offer special cupping demonstrations and tastings. We then walked around Old San Juan, which is absolutely adorable and reminiscent of Macau (or any other old Portuguese/Spanish town with cobblestone streets, brightly colored buildings and ornate white reliefs).

This is one of the castles in Old San Juan- nicknamed “El Morro” it served as a fort dating back to the 16th century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The next day, we were on the road by 7 am to go horseback riding on the beach in Isabela (2.5 hours west of San Juan). We went with a small company called Tropical Trail Rides, which was a 2 hour trail ride on 3 different beaches/through coastal brush. Coincidentally, our horses all embodied us in their own ways; Taína was the dark, ethnically ambiguous one (me), Cristal was the crotchety standoffish one (Audrey), Canela didn’t give a flying f*** about the trail ride or her job (Bella), and Whiskey was fully erect the entire time (Lily). Classic.

The four horsemen of the apocalypse

It was a really nice ride, and honestly I could’ve done it all day. We even got to walk over old U.S. missile launchpads in the forest dating back to the Cuban Missile Crisis! Love me some history.

After getting back from horses, we got smoothies and lunch/dinner at La Casita Blanca, a small local place in Santurce. I got the pastelón, which is essentially a take on lasagna but instead of pasta its sweet plantains. I didn’t snag a picture because frankly it wasn’t pretty enough, but trust me- it was DELICIOUS. Like a Puerto Rican moussaka- all the things good in this world, really.

The next day, we left our house at 5:30 am to catch the 9 am ferry to the island of Culebra. (Yes, you did the math right, Fajardo ferry terminal is an hour away from San Juan, and the ferry was scheduled for 9) - It’s an island about equidistant from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, approximately an hour east of PR. I was nervous about this ferry since I had read online it could be rough seas, and with my seasickness, I knew it could get ugly. Luckily, I could recline my head back so I felt fine- but man, the seas were unkind to us that morning. At least 10 people in my immediate proximity were stumbling over to the trash can/bathroom. People were dropping like flies! Bags were being passed left and right, people were toppling over pale and drenched with sweat... it was atrocious. Like a cafeteria food fight, but not fun. After an hour or so of that torture, we landed on the island and decided to rent a golf cart to navigate to/from the beaches around the coastline.

Drinking a piña colada on the 2nd most beautiful beach in the world. My white privilege is checking in right about now.

Flamenco Beach was gorgeous. The sand was fine and white, the water was bright turquoise, and the coastline was curved perfectly like a horseshoe. It was well worth waking up at 5 am to see.

After our time at the beach, we decided to go snorkeling for a bit at Melones Point and try to find some turtles. No turtles unfortunately, but we saw some cool fish and got a lot of hilarious snorkel photos in the water.

After a full day without food, I decided to get some sustenance at Zaco’s Tacos while waiting for our 5 pm ferry back to the main island- would recommend if you’re on Culebra, it’s reasonably priced and the tortillas are definitely made in house (as a Southern Californian, you can tell).

The next day, we had our zip lining adventure in El Yunque National Rainforest. Fun fact, PR is home to the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Parks system. So, when in Rome.

The rainforest was beautiful. The park was a combination of 8 zip lines, mostly short, but the longest was about 2000 feet long over unobstructed tree tops with a view to the ocean. Simply incredible.

Jacked mushrooms go zip lining

After our boost of adrenaline, we ventured into the rainforest to check out a suggested trail to a swimming hole in the river. The “hike” was about 10-15 minutes, really a casual stroll, but the swimming hole was beautiful, and well worth the confusing drive/30 potholes I ruined our rental car with.

Like basically any other body of water in/near Puerto Rico, the river was clear and there were these cute fish swimming around us the whole time. They kept bumping into me though, which I didn’t know to find endearing or creepy.

After another long day, we got food at this restaurant on the beach called El Alambique, where we got buzzed off more piña coladas (an ongoing trend over spring break) and I ate a seafood salad the size of my torso. The Syracuse game was also on at the bar the whole time, funny enough.

The next few days were slightly uneventful, as we had to return our rental car (the crappy Hyundai Accent we became so attached to, listening to Puerto Rican radio and counting iguana roadkill on the highways... final number of 26 FYI) and we had already hit everything on our itinerary. We ended up spending a day the the Renaissance Hotel on the beach in Condado, which was great because we got all the perks of staying there without actually dishing out the $400 a night!

Sipping on prosecco like I’m actually worth something

For lunch, we walked to a nearby food truck called Kabanas for the best fish tacos I’ve had in my life.

You really can’t go wrong with fresh red snapper though, can you?

Afterwards, we went home to get ready for dinner and happy hour. We went to a rooftop restaurant called El Punto de Vista in Old San Juan, where they have 2 for 1 mojitos EVERY DAY until 5 pm. Need I say more?

This place is known for their mofongo, which is another Puerto Rican specialty. Take plantains, fry them, mash them, then top them with meat/seafood and a sauce. This is mofongo with shrimp and garlic sauce. Come on, forget about it.

The next day, I went on a run around Condado to get some exercise. After realizing I hadn’t been that warm in about 5-6 months, it made sense why about 2 miles in I was dripping sweat. I ran around the lagoon and back and managed to snap this photo:

Ah, what it would be like to run this every morning

The next day or so we pretty much screwed around San Juan and ate a lot more. Our last night, we went out to La Placita de Santurce and it would have been like 150% more fun if any of us were in the mood to binge drink. If you’ve been to Hong Kong, I would compare this to a Puerto Rican LKF: a concentrated network of bars and clubs and drunk pedestrians crowding the streets looking for the next place to go. Good vibes, readily available alcohol, and a crowd with people young and old... it was the place to be on a Friday night.

Unfortunately, the next day I woke up with a sore throat, and what viral infection I thought I fended off right before break finally caught up with me. I took it easy my last day there, and we finished off with dinner at one of the most renowned restaurants in San Juan- Jose Enrique. To preface, it’s got 680 reviews on yelp and 4.5 stars, and at opening at 6:30 pm there was a line to get in about 30 people long. Was it worth all that hype? Maybe- the food was incredible, I got the snapper which was fried and served with a sweet potato puree and a papaya avocado pico de gallo. It was, in all worlds, a very good meal. If you can swing the wait, I recommend going here.

I’m not going to talk about the 15.5 hour horror story that was our trip back to Syracuse, but to give you an idea, it lasted from 12 am to 3:30 pm the next day. So, I’ll leave you with my favorite song right now, that we heard about 3 times a day in PR. It’s a bop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJQP7kiw5Fk

Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you next time!

Hasta luego~

Miranda

[wonderfulchaos69-blog]

tales of long ago

Title: The Liar That Couldn't Lie Fandom: Servamp Characters: Everyone?? Most of the focus is on Sakuya and Mahiru, though. Summary: Little Mermaid AU. After saving a prince on a stormy night, Sakuya devotes everything to that person’s happiness. SakuMahi. ???Mahi. Notes: The AU that no one asked for and that everyone is getting anyway. I spent a reaaaaally long time working on this. It's absurd ;; I was going for a 'long ago' kind of style of writing, so I'm kind of iffy how it turned out. But that could just me getting tired of staring at this sjlfjl It's been something I've worked on all week and I'm only now posting it up. I've been fiddling with it a lot, debating the ending, but I decided to leave it as is and just roll with it. I need to work on other things, anyway ;; As it is, the On Ice au might have to wait for an update until next Sunday. Scheduling, what are you.

Ah, also tagging @crows-with-keys~! I finished =D

The ocean is vast. So vast that sailors spend eons on its waves and still have not reached the ends of it. Within its deepest depths, where the water is colored a brilliant blue, no one has ventured further still. For those fathomless depths rise higher than even the churches of old that reside on the soil. You could pile up those churches, one after another, and still their steeples would not breach the surface.

Beneath that vastness, however, dwells the Palace of the Sea, where live seven siblings in their father's stead. This is not their story, but the story of a troubled youth who longed to see the shores above. For not every person in the sea is as content as any other; just as not every person upon the land is happy with their lot in life.

Upon the ocean floor, where you might expect sand and bleak darkness, there are cities that light the way. Unlike their counterparts from above, these cities are full of wild plant life, the likes of which you have never seen before. Plants that drift in the current and rustle as if truly alive, reaching out their leaves and stems as if they were hands.

In one such city, where roam the strangest sort of fish, there is a house unlike any other. On the outside, it looks the same as the rest. A muddied roof and scales of brightest neon, with windows that are never closed. Nevertheless, in the garden of this house grow the prettiest pink flowers, raised with such tender loving care by the oldest child that many envy her for it. Even her own parents.

As lovely as the outside, nothing but beauty on the petals of that tree, the inside of that household is something few speak of and even fewer admit to knowing anything about. Not their business, they say, and move along to things that do concern them instead. But to the children that live there, they do not have that choice. They live with the truest monsters of the deep, and that is why the youngest began to long for a life above the tide. Away from the house of two faces.

Surely, he is convinced, there live a much kinder folk there among those that walk on two stubs. He wishes he were older, to see such a sight with his own eyes, but he must wait until his fifteenth birthday. For no one younger than that may crest the waves and be seen by the odd creatures above. Permission must come from the Palace, and for that one must earn it. For they must earn their right to explore worlds not their own.

His sister has been there once and regales him with those tales from time to time. She does not speak of how she earned the right, but her brother is determined to find out. He begins asking questions, wanting to know the answer, and discovers that a sea witch may have been the one that helped her out. Something he doesn't wish to believe, but by the hardening of her smile when he asks, he can do nothing but accept it as truth. He asks instead what price she had to pay, to bring him stories from lands they could not otherwise reach.

She kisses his brow and tells him not to worry, her hands warm on his cheeks. 

Days later, she passes away. Perhaps that is the answer, perhaps it is not, but she leaves him just like that. With not a sorry or a goodbye, but with a promise that he will no longer be hurt.

Such a lie, he finds, as he nurses a swollen cheek for speaking out of turn. For mentioning the tree whose's petals have begun to fall, weeping for the loss of their caretaker. He slowly collects the flowers and waits, braiding them into his hair, hair as green as the sea on a stormy night. It's little comfort, but it reminds him of her. A reminder to keep going when days are too hard to bear and the nights seem endless.

There is one thing that he has discovered he is good at, though. Something he has learned from his sister, and that is lying. He makes up stories for the children to hear, talks circles about beings with no tails, and scares children with idle falsities, insisting they had to be careful lest they get caught in a fishing net. As if a human's net could ever reach this deep.

These lies eventually draw the curiosity of the Palace and he is brought before the princes. They ask him why he speaks of things he does not know, and he gasps and tells them, "Oh, but I do!" Despite not being of an age that has seen the lands above, he talks of what his sister has told him. Proof enough that there reside truth amidst his lies. The true lie being that he has never seen a human and knows not what they look like, but this is soon fixed as the princes invite him to stay at the Palace.

The garden within is unlike any he has ever seen before. A mixture of colors, for each prince holds a plot of space to call their own. For the youngest, with his crown of gold hair, there are white flowers that open up toward the sun. A sun which glows purple through the blues of the water. Beside the joyful white is an explosion of orange and red, creeping upwards and fighting on. Next to those are green flowers with four petals each. Followed by the flowers that he likes the most, a pink blossom that is nothing like his sister's. Yet there is the same tenderness to it, and he gazes upon it with a softer look than the others.

Onwards, there is a violet flower with its yellow nectar. Then a two-toned flower of white and red, as if it couldn't make up its mind what it wanted to be but still stands proud even then. Lastly, off to the side on its lonesome, is a flower that has clustered together in tall blue stalks. Each flower a representation of the one who planted it in some way. He would come to understand that over time.

In the middle of the garden, there is something out of place. A statue of marble stands there, a depiction of a human child with his hands laced behind his back, leaning forward with a beaming smile in place. Sweet and innocent, but washed out and eroded from its time beneath the sea.

He swims to the side of the statue, and then around it, admiring what he has always longed to see. It's not the real thing, but it is close enough for now. Until he is of an age where he can see an actual human, this is where he could be found. Amongst the splashes of color, and cherishing that which has none.

As time went on, the princes one by one began to reach that age before him. The oldest complains about how loud it was there when he returns. He says the ships up there creak and groan, and the sailors aboard them are worse. His brother after him boasts about helping a school of children splashing out in the water, where they certainly didn't belong. Later, they find out there was a lot of screeching involved and that children of land could swim if they tried. This brother went ahead and did some extensive research to ensure he wasn’t missing the facts on the matter, a wounded pride to blame.

The next one to rise to the surface is the quiet prince that didn't really want to go. He hides behind a veil of long black hair and a drape of white flowers that the youngest gives to him, attempting to disappear within their folds rather than have anyone notice him. His words are clipped when he comes back, short and to the point, insisting, "I like it better here." Something, from the looks of it, spooked him from ever venturing another trip.

Afterwards, when another year has passed, the princess sets off to explore - the only princess of the Palace. But no one is too worried. She has been known to take better care than any of the others, who sometimes seem unaware of their status. On her return, she goes on and on about the farms she saw up there, strange four-legged creatures tilling fields of sand. She explains how the plants that grow from this sand are edible, unlike their own, and that humans apparently eat more than just meat, as first assumed.

Another year, another adventure to recite. This one, the fifth oldest, is the oddest of the lot and prickly to an extent. He admits that he has seen the top-side world before and met the love of his life upon its soil. He doesn't have a name for her, but he does say that he will marry her, over and over, as dreams are wont to do. No one bursts his dream, for fear that like a bubble it will burst and he will plummet in to a canyon of despair. It is obvious, however, that he spends his time above the waves searching for her. For he is weary and heartbroken when he returns, listless and grumpy when spoken to, and speaking with even odder words than he did before.

Once more, a year passes and another child sets off to the world above them. He comes back with nothing but good things to say, waxing sonnets about the food he encountered along the way. For his older brother's vocabulary has rubbed off on him, and now they have two of them going on and on with words that make no sense.

Then it is the youngest prince's turn and he is decorated in lovely pearls from his doting older siblings. A sign of royalty and a sign of care, to ensure a safe journey above the waves. His return heralds the conclusion that, while humans are interesting and beautifully imperfect, it is best to leave them to their own devices. As a consensus, they agree that staying where they belong is much more acceptable. To see their baby brother in tears for a human's sake, that is where they begin to draw the line.

Persistent to a fault, their guest at the Palace insists, "I want to go up there!" It won't be too much longer before he can see the world above, they can't ban him from going; but the looks they turn to him all seem to say, It's for your own good. He's heard those words before. They don't warm his heart or put him at ease. On the contrary, it feels like ice water running through his veins.

"Sakuya," the oldest drawls in that lazy manner of speech that seems to define him, "you don't need to go up there."

It's as if a sinking rock has lodged inside him and keeps falling endlessly from within the pit of his stomach. He has been here for so many years, entertained for so many, even when it felt like he would get nothing in return, and all he has asked for in that time since is this one thing. The one thing they are refusing him. He pleads until they give in and grudgingly allow him his chance to see the lands atop the sea.

On the day of his fifteenth birthday, Sakuya finds the water summery and tranquil in its temperament. It is the time of year that warmth begins to return and things start to change. He takes in the sun, a fiery glow of orange from above the sea, that is setting on the horizon. He observes everything around him. From the slow, gentle roll of the waves to the boat he can see in the distance that glides like a fish. It bobs and lists to the side sometimes, but it floats upright and strangely serene.

Curious, Sakuya approaches the vessel for a closer look. Through the windows of the cabin, as the waves rise higher him every now and again, he can make out the forms of many people. Well-dressed people that go about their business as usual, at ease on their two legs where a tail should have been. He is fascinated as he watches, for he has never seen anything quite like them. Not as they live and breathe, color in their cheeks and lively with their gestures. So unlike the statue he had come to love, but there is one among them that resembles that statue and it sparks his interest even more.

A young man with the same grin, the same happy curve to his eyes as he waves a hand to illustrate a point he's trying to make to the shorter, purpler man at his side. They appear to be the same age, but the argument esclates into a crescendo of, "You bastard, shut up and take your present!" A gift is shoved into the young man's arms and he looks embarrassed as he undoes the bow atop it, thanking the other for taking the time to get him something.

It sends a pang through Sakuya's heart at the sight and he clutches at his chest in askance. For what did it matter if some human gave another human a gift? It is an obvious party that is taking place and he knows that; it should be expected for presents to be there, too. It doesn't change the fact that he is still hurt, because he wants to be able to give something to that human as well. To some day be of importance to someone that seems kind - and not only that, but someone who is kind, not just seemingly so.

The young man clasps his friend on the shoulder, gives it a shake, and tells him straightforwardly, "I'll cherish it forever." His friend goes into a fluster and brushes off the hand like it doesn't matter. The flaming reds of his face reach up to his ears, despite how he acts. To which Sakuya can understand, because there is something genuine about that person's words and that must mean the world to that person's friends.

Ah, I want to be your friend, too, he thinks, yearning for more as he stares upon the window a moment longer.

The young man leaves the cabin and joins the rest of the crew that have been dancing about the deck, and as he does, a whole group of rockets is launched into the air. The sky, by now a shadow of itself, lit back up with an array of color. A startlngly sight that has Sakuya diving under the water before he can reprimand his own silliness. He breaches the water again, seconds later, to see what looks like the stars falling around him. As if they no longer wish to remain in heaven and instead long as much as he does to touch upon the land and sea.

He's heard talk of these before, something they call fireworks upon the land, but this is his first time seeing it like everything else. Tiny suns that he can reach out and touch. They burn his hand when they meet his skin, a fleeting pain that he can barely feel; but the dots of red that pepper his skin are a testament to the reality of it. A reality he couldn't believe as truth until that moment.

When he looks back up, he can make out the ship in its entirety. From the tallest person to the lonesome bit of rope discarded in a corner. And the young man that bewitches, unlike any other, is more handsome for the way he shakes every hand and thanks every person, his voice clear and distinct over the music that still resounds over the deck.

It grows late with every minute longer he stays; yet Sakuya cannot bring his eyes to leave the sight of the party that continues on. The lanterns aboard the ship have been extinguished, no more rockets rise into the air, and the cannon has ceased its firing; but the winds began to stir and the sea becomes a restless omen of things to come, grumbling and moaning as the waves stretch and crash down.

The sails have a breath of air fill them out and the ship moves onward, moving away from him as the waves rise higher still. The ship dips between them, noble as a swan, and comes back out the other side unharmed. The clouds overhead darken in promise and water from the sky falls over and over again, while lightning flashes across the darkness.

To Sakuya, something fun is going on. Not so for those aboard the ship who yell and shout profanities, encouraging one another in their pursuit to batten down the hatches. The ship beneath them shakes and groans, the planks giving way under the pressure of the sea, stripped away from their sides before they can be stopped. The mainmast snaps in two and plunges into the water, torn asunder like the rest of their damaged ship. Back and forth they weave until finally the ship lists too much to the right and on its side it must lay, becoming one with the sea.

Now that he understands the danger this poses, remembering that not all humans can swim, he hurries to the side of the ship. A flash in the sky pierces through the black night and he takes in the pale faces of most of the sailors. Most, because a notable one is missing. The beautiful youth with the blinding smile, no where to be seen within the raging waters or clinging to debris for dear life.

The planks part in the drifting waves and he sees him then, sinking further and further down, one of his hands outstretched upwards in a silent plea. At first, Sakuya admits to being a little happy about this outcome. For the further this person sinks, the closer they will be to one another; but he belatedly realizes that by the time the young man reaches the Palace of the Sea, he will be nothing but a corpse. This person, more than anyone else, must not die.

He swims between the beams and planks, pushing aside rubbish as he hastens to the young man's side. He is heedless of the danger to his arms and exposed chest, not caring about the nicks and scratches that accumulated the further he goes. Once he reaches where he saw the youth disappear, he dives deeply into the pitch black water. The rage of the sea works against him, battling him as he extends out his arm and finally, at last, clasps the young man's hand in his own and pulls. He wraps his arms around him when the current buoys him up to his side, brown hair fluttering ethereal around a scrunched up face, eyes tightly shut to block out the stinging salt of the sea.

They rise to the surface together, the youth weak from fighting alone for so long. For surely he would have died had not Sakuya come to his aid. He holds his head above the water, keeping them both aloft as the storm plays out around them. The waves drift them where they will, and in the morning, the storm has ceased. Of the ship, however, not a single fragment can be seen.

The sun shines bright and bathes the sea in cozy shades of pink and red, lulling the youth he holds in his arms back to a more welcoming color of health. For the paleness struck a cord in him, an imprint of a statue frozen and weathered and never to breathe beneath the sea. He kisses the forehead of the young man, his fingers sweeping back the damp hair, and wishes for this person to live as he kisses the salt out of his eyes.

Soon, before he knows it, the sight of land is blessing them with a shoreline to rest upon. Mountains of cloudy blue are far from where they lay, but they can still be seen if he looks hard enough, if he drags his gaze from the human for a moment to see them. Not too far away are the blooms of a familiar tree, the scent alone what makes him look up with a gasp, small pink petals fluttering in the wind. Nearby the grove of trees is a tall building, painted windows accented by the glow of the sun. It looks like a cathedral, the likes of which he has seen underwater before as well. It gives him hope that someone there can help tend to the human he wants to live more than any other.

Beside this human, his human, he rests for a moment more, soaking up the warmth of the sand and the water that lopes at his tail. He wants to stay here, but he knows that cannot become his reality, his truth, and he takes to the sea where he belongs. Instead, he hides behind a rock and ensures that someone will help where he cannot.

It does not take long for that someone to arrive, a young man in tidy black robes that match his hair the shade of a raven's wings. The shockingly white strand of it even matches the collar that he tugs up against the wind that has been stirring the trees. A man of faith, from his clothes to the angel wing pendant over his left breast.

The man spots the human that Sakuya is forced to leave upon the sand, but he does not express anything on his face aside from mild disdain as he bends down on one knee to check the pulse of the other human. Something soft enters the man's eyes as he encourages the other man to sit up, saying something that Sakuya does not hear from this far away. Words that rouse the young man back to life. His eyes read puzzlement for many things, but he looks up at the person in front of him with such relief that is painful to watch and not say anything at all.

Regretfully, he dives back into the water and returns to the Palace where the siblings that live there await his stories. He does not forget his time above, but he also sees what the others meant when they said they preferred it down here. Beneath the sea, there is little to worry about and little to bring harm to their hearts. Still, he knows this is not the truth and he longs even more for the world above him. Now more than ever, because he was able to touch a single life in a single day and that meant everything to him.

At length, he could bear it no longer and spun a tale that wasn't quite a lie and wasn't quite the truth either. The Palace siblings listen as they often do, but it is just the one that helps, the youngest, his compassion showing through as he asks after anyone that might know where to find the human he left behind. For he has revisited, many times, the place where he laid the human to rest in the sun, and each time he comes back empty-handed and hopes crushed. Not unlike a certain prince that had made the mistake of falling in love with a human.

In a surprising turn of events, this human is a well-known one amidst the sea and many have seen and heard of his exploits. A young prince, they say, that sails days at a time to spread peace for his kingdom with talks of good faith. The important part is that he now has a place to find the human, and a name to accompany that human in his mind: Mahiru.

He wastes no time and heads to the spot where the prince's castle is said to overlook the waters below. It's walls are made of golden bricks that sparkle in the sunlight, with marble steps that build up the long flights of stairs, one stairwell even leading all the way to the sea. The roof, as splendid as the walls, glitters in its accumulated glory; and the yard, too, is decorated in more statutes than Sakuya can count from where he swims.

Through the crystal clear windows of the land dwellers, he can see the rooms meant for guests, done by in fine silk curtains and tapestries that spoke of ages long ago; while the walls dress in paintings that are just as breathtaking as everything else. 

In the most open, spacious room there is a fountain that bubbles and rustles, jetting its water up toward the glass ceiling before it cascades down like a waterfall. And around the base of the fountain grow such pretty plants that Sakuya wishes he knew their names, thriving as they were in the presence of both water and sunlight.

Now that he knows where to find his missing human, he spends many days and night simply watching from afar. Slowly, he would work up the courage to swim closer and closer with each visit. There arrives such a day that he swims to the narrow channel under the balcony of the prince's room; and there he would sit for hours and gaze upon the prince who thinks he is alone at the time. He watches in delight how the moonlight bathes him in an otherworldly glow, both an unreachable figure and something temptingly close.

Many evening in-between he spends trailing behind him as Mahiru rows out in a little boat upon a calm sea, pleasant music drifting over the sound of the oars striking the water. He peeps from among the green rushes, wary of being caught, but there is only one time that the prince even looks his way, confusion painted on his face, and that is when Sakuya sighs and lies aloud. The prince shrugs it off quickly, mistaking it for frogs making a racket from where they are hidden in rushes, and that is that. But he almost wishes the prince had heard his lie of, "There is nothing that could stop me from being by your side."

As time goes on, he grows more and more fond of humans and the good that they can accomplish. For every bad, there is an even greater good. He becomes more and more convinced that his place was among them and that he should be one of those that walk with two legs. His want to be like them consumes his thoughts and drives him to seek a way to do so.

With questions upon questions in mind, he goes to the oldest prince of the sea for answers, wondering, "If a human is not drowned, can they live forever? Do they not die upon their land, as we do not upon the sea?"

The prince raises his head from where it rests upon a tower of pillows, dimissing, "Yes, they do die. Just as we must. Their life is even shorter than our own. We can live for nearly three hundreed years, while they can last no more than 100, if that. When we cease to exist, do you know what we become?"

Shaking his head, Sakuya leans forward to hear more of this matter that he was never taught, insisting, "Do we not become reborn as something else?"

"No," letting his head fall back into his pillows, the prince explains, "we become nothing more than sea foam and drift on the waves. Unlike humans, we do not have graves. We have no markers to mourn or a place for our grief. For we cannot cry. You see, we do not have immortal souls. We will never live again." 

Without warning, the prince reaches out and toys with the green hair that Sakuya has always loved, always preening over  it with the utmost care. For his sister had loved his hair. Continuing on, the prince compares, "To be cut and forsaken, struck down in death, our souls will not come back. Not like hair, but more as a plant that has been snipped at its roots.

"Humans, though, they're something else." Wistfully, he adds on, "They have souls that live forever. A soul that lives even outside of the body. For when they turn to ash, their souls ascend; and as we rise from the water to see what the world above ours is like, so do they go in search of the realm that exists above their own."

"Why do we not possess such an immortal soul?" asks Sakuya. "Why are we different? I would gladly," he tells him with a hitch to his voice, "give up all the years I have left to spend a single day as human. To know the joys of reaching for the stars above like them!"

"To think like that," the prince mutters, "I can't deal with you. You'd be much happier here. Forget about those humans and live out your years of peace here."

Scoffing, Sakuya bemoans, "So that's it then? I shall die and become nothing but foam in the sea. Like everyone else, no difference, nothing. The same as those who I refuse to call parents? I will not, I cannot! Tell me, isn't there a way to gain an immortal soul?"

Rolling his eyes to the ceiling and heaving a put-upon sigh, the sea prince tells him, "No, not unless a human were to love you more than they love themselves. Someone who would love you more than their own mother and father. All their thoughts, all their love, it must be directed toward you and no one else. To find someone so self-sacrificing in their love, do you really believe there is a human that could do that?"

There is one, he thinks, that could do that. Someone he is willing to believe could be his everything, and with time, he might be lucky enough for those feelings to be reciprocated.

Not done yet, the prince assures him, "If you were to find someone that could love you that completely, then half their soul would then be yours. But what hope do you have of that? Have you forgotten the tail that follows you?"

It is impossible to forget such a thing, but Sakuya smiles and tells him, "Maybe I did, or maybe I did not. What matters is that I now have my answer."

"You're a pain," concludes the prince, "let us have a ball instead. Maybe that will take your mind of these weird things you think."

Court held at the Palace is something that Sakuya has grown tired of throughout the years, but he accepts as to be expected of him. He is their jester, after all, and his lies are the most cherished thing about him. He uses a facade of smiles to enthrall his audience and entice them to join in the merriment of the stories he exaggerates for their ears. He speaks of things he does not know, of things he does, and of things he wants to know with every piece of his existence.

Fish dart about the place, twisting and twining through his hair and around him like belts and loops of jewelry, making him and others laugh. It's all for show, all of it, but he laughs with a hint of actual truth behind it because he has found a solution that no one else has to know about. A solution his sister, really, had provided him all along.

He goes to see the sea witch when court has been dismissed. The one who has been kicked out of the Palace. Someone who will have the real answers, the only answers he'll accept. The place he is headed is not without its difficulties, though. For it is a place of whirlpools and entangling plants that reach out like claws that are itching to sink into the closest thing that wriggles; plants which find themselves painted red over and over, soaking it in until it stains them permanently.

When he reaches the gates of the witch's hut after a careful bout of swimming, he takes a nervous gulp and taps lightly at the entrance, which sets off a bubbly stream of laughter that dwindles into a sigh as the person tells him, "Come in."

The hut resembles much of the outside graveyard. Parts of shipwrecks litter the place, bones of sailors are propped up like decorative accessories for the room, and there is a smoking cauldron in the middle of it all. The eye of this disastrous whirlpool, where floats a man with black glasses to cover up what would be seen behind them. And around the witch swim eels of varying colors, some looping about his arms and chest, caressingly happy with their master as he cooes at them.

The witch speaks in a deprecating monotone when he does finally speak, "I know what it is you want." Laughing for a moment, he has to take a deep breathe before he persists, "It is very stupid of you. I suppose siblings are so similar, are they not?"

Sakuya reigns in a snarl, because he does not want to ruin the chances of his wish becoming a truth, not when he is so close to it. "Get on with it," he says instead, tone frosty and a little bit challenging.

"Oh dear," sing-songs the witch. "Is that any way to ask for something you want?" Tossing his hands out and shooing the eels aside, the witch goes on with, "But you shall have your way, child, and you will work hard for your prince. Of course, it will bring you sorrow. For you wish to be rid of your fish tail, is that right?" At Sakuya's hesitant nod, the witch grins and moves to begin collecting things from the cabinets and from about the room, tossing them into the cauldron. "You wish to have two stubs, like those humans you so admire. You want for your love to be returned, just as you want for an immortal soul. How very greedy!"

And then the witch laughs, in the most obnoxious way that even the eels hide from the disturbance, only peeking out when it trails off into an inevitable sigh. "What a pity, what a pity. The draughts I make come at a great cost. I will prepare one for you, but you must reach land by sunrise tomorrow. That is not all, I am afraid. For you see, when your tail recedes, you will be in agony for life. It will be as if a great sword as struck your tail in two and that will not go away, no matter how much you wish it so. But do not fear, for those that see you will become enchanted by you. Your graceful steps will seem to them as if you have descended from the clouds, even as your feet bleed for every footprint you must leave behind."

With a malicious smile, the witch asks him, "If you will bear all of this, I will gladly help you."

"Yes, I will," Sakuya is not swayed in what he wants, for he has already known his fair share of pain. It is a pittance when he thinks of what he will gain: the love of someone otherwise out of his reach and the promise of an immortal soul.

"But consider," the witch says, a flippant sarcasm about him, "once you are human, you can no longer be what you are - is that truly what you desire?" He doesn't wait for Sakuya's answer, babbling on with, "Oh me, oh my, you'll never see my traitorous siblings again! Never again will you show your face upon these depths. And let me remind you, the day your prince gives his heart to another, that is also the day your heart will break in two. If that were to happen, what do you think becomes of you?"

Turning his head to the side, Sakuya whispers a pointed, "It won't happen."

"Why, you become foam on the waves, just like those people you hate so such!"

It takes all his patience not to throw the nearest object at the witch. "I will do it," repeats Sakuya. "Let's get to it already."

"Ah, but I must also be paid," muses the witch, "I did mention that, did I not? It is not a trifle that I ask for either, it must be something you dearly could not live without. I ask you, what does a liar value most? Do you know, child? For you, who seeks to beguile and charm your prince with words riddled with them, I will be taking that as payment. My own blood must be given for this to work, to be as sharp as a two-edged sword. That does not come cheap."

"But if you take that from me," Sakuya's voice finally trembles, "what is left of me?"

"That's for you to figure out," teases the witch, reaching for a dagger. "Now say 'ahhhh.' Unless you have lost your courage perhaps?"

Dutifully, Sakuya opens his mouth and gives the price that is asked him. With a liar's tongue and a drop of black blood from the sea witch, the draught is near done, boiling into a clear white as the fire crackling beneath scolds it into behaving. The weeping sounds that permeate the air cease and the witch takes the caludron off the fire, bottling up what remains within it. "There you have it," says the witch, "best be off. You only have until sunrise, after all, or the potion becomes lame."

Without returning to say goodbye to anyone else, he rises straight to the surface where the moon glitters overhead, full and bright to guide the way. He swims to the marble steps of the castle that his prince lives in and sits upon them as he drinks the draught he has been given. It is the most excruciating thing, to have one's whole existence cleaved in two, and he collapses from the shock of it rather than being unprepared.

When rises the sun and it touches his skin, he awakens and opens his eyes, becoming aware of the dull pain that lingers in his tail struck in two. This pain is eased as he stares upwards and right into the eyes of a baffled prince he has been longing to meet for months. He parts his lips, preparing an introduction that would make anyone swoon, but no sound leaves him and he belatedly remembers what he gave up, his hand going to his throat in despair.

"Excuse me, are you all right?" The prince crouches beside him, offering up a blanket he brought with him, admitting, "I saw you from my balcony. You must be cold. Do you not have clothes?"

He colors at the realization that without his tail he feels quite naked. Still, it is wrong of him not to answer, so he shakes his head, looking up pleading at the prince for some assistance. To which he earns a laugh and a pat on the head, the prince helping him stand and bringing him into the castle's walls with little else asked. Each step to get there, though, is bloody. It is as if he is truly walking over a pit of knives; but the contact of the prince's hands on him and the thrill of it being there at all is a soothing balm that washes away what he otherwise finds unbearable.

Before he knows it, he is adorned in silks of white and pink. Smooth and familiar, like a tail that is now long gone. And there are servants arranging a crown of flowers upon his head where before he had no need of them if they were not his sister's. He lets them, for his prince is smiling so much at the sight that he can't take that slight happiness, no matter how insignificant, from him.

The servants also provide food, where he sits and dines with the prince in such a way that he has only ever entertained in his wildest daydreams. This is when the curious prince renews his questions, though, asking where he came from, if he's really all right, and if he can speak. It's too much, too fast, and Sakuya stays silent because he has no other choice. Ah, he thinks restlessly, if only he could know what I have given up for him.

"No matter," Mahiru assures him, "please take this time to rest and stay as long as you need. This places is larger and more lonely than you can imagine."

Given a room close by, he is never far from the prince. Even a page's outfit is made for him, so that they may ride out on horses together. Time passes them, bit by bit, as they grow to know and care for each other. Because despite the voice that would not leave him, Mahiru's patience and dedication to being his friend persists; and Sakuya holds onto the hope that his love may one day be returned.

Their travels together become something of envy for the other servants, the ones that did not approve of them. A noble and a peasant, they would sneer, what a dastardly sight. It is a good thing that Mahiru is a kind person or those people would have been in for a nasty surprise. It is Mahiru, after all, that holds him back when he wishes for nothing more than to lash out and hurt others the way he continues to hurt.

Some nights, when he is unable to sleep from the pain, he sits at the bottom of the marble steps that lead to the sea and imagines he can see the Palace from there. He pretends that he is missed, and that if he looks hard enough he will see the siblings rise from the water, because they are worried and have come to check up on him. He doesn't see them, though, not really. It is strange that he can't even lie in his own thoughts these days.

As the months begin to pass, Sakuya finds he has fallen harder than before for the prince he saved that day. It is with a certain fondness that he follows his prince and helps him whenever needed. However, the way he is cared for in return reminds him too much of how one treats a child and he is at a lost for how to correct this mistaken impression that he needs to be coddled. A partner is what he wants to be, someone Mahiru can depend on always.

Do you not love me as I love you? is what he begs with his eyes, regardless of the futility of it.

"You are dear to me," says the prince, "for your heart is good and you are the most devoted to me and these lands. You remind me of someone I met a long time ago now, a man who saved my life. My ship was sinking and yet I somehow managed to wash up ashore. Alive. There was a church nearby and one of the newest clerics saw me on the bank and rushed to save my life. I saw him but a few times during my stay, and he is perhaps the only one in this world I could love. But," and here Sakuya grows more disheartened, because what more could there be to make his pain worse, "but you are like him, and you have almost driven him from my mind. He has his place, his heart taken by his faith, and yet good fortune has allowed us to meet. May we never part, may we always be together."

It is better than nothing at all and Sakuya reaches for his prince's hand that is willingly given, squeezing it tight in his hold. Mahiru doesn't know, he is reminded, that it was him that saved his life that night. That can be put aside, regardless, for he has his prince and there is no one who will take him from him.

Before long, the prince's uncle decrees that his nephew must marry. A neighboring kingdom that has been at odds with them for years says they are willing to cease the fight, but a marriage must take pace. The usual power struggles coming into play, and it makes Sakuya's blood boil in anger. To dare to use Mahiru in that way is enough to set him out on a warpath, but again it is Mahiru that takes him aside and assures him that everything is going to be all right. He is only to meet the person he is to marry, first and foremost, and the voyage will part them for nothing but a short while.

This is something that Sakuya will not allow to go unchecked and refuses to let Mahiru go alone. In thankfulness for that devotion, Mahiru presses their foreheads together and tells him, "If I had to choose between this stranger and you, I would always and forever choose you. You, who have stood at my side. You, who cherish me more than I can imagine. You would come with me? You are not afraid of the sea?"

He would have laughed if he could, but Sakuya shakes his head instead and beams the most brilliant grin he can. He has no more fear of the sea than he is that he will lose Mahiru. Not after those words.

The journey to the other kingdom takes days, and he basks in the sunlight that he shares alongside Mahiru aboard the swaying ship. The feel of the waves beneath him once more a tiny whisper of welcome home. It has been too long since he has been out to sea this far, a blessing that he can finally share with Mahiru.

The morning of their arrival is met with trumpets and fanfare, a beautiful town urging them to take in all that they have to offer. Church bells ring in the distance. And along the high wall of the castle, there stand soldiers in full salute. Flags and bayonets of every color on display, it is as if they had stepped off the ship and into a carnival; everything a festival and people encouraging them to have fun.

Yet the person that is to wed Mahiru, there is no sight of them. The townspeople say that their royalty are a devout, loving couple, but the king also has the tendency to rule with a iron fist. Including, apparently, sending his eldest off to work at an early age. "Best get experience early, he says to the boy," one merchant tells them with a laugh. "That boy of his is a riot. Your prince will enjoy his company, if nothing else!"

It is with cold dread that he watches the events unfold. The man that would marry his prince is a very immaculate person. Not a scuff mark or any speck of dirt on his attire of royal blues and purples. A glistening silver upon his head that compliments the streak of white in his hair and highlights the darkness of the rest. It is like watching the moon step up to meet the sun as he takes Mahiru's hand in his and presses a kiss to his knuckles.

With a slowly breaking heart, he comes to realize that the next words from Mahiru will be nothing short of: "It's you! The one who saved my life! I have known no happiness greater than this. A chance to finally thank you in person."

Later, to Sakuya, he goes on to insist, "This is wonderful! Are you not happy for me, to know that I shall be wed to the one person I have loved more than any other? Your devotion is great and sincere, surely you must rejoice for the happiness I have found."

Kissing Mahiru upon the cheek, he smiles and nods his head. And if he could have cried there would have been rivers running down his face to match the one dividing his heart. After that wedding, on the morning after, he is faced with the fact that he will die. Another piece of foam to add to the rest out on the ocean waves, a piece that no one will ever remember.

He hear not the festive music that continues to play, or the ringing of the church bells that grows steadily louder with every step they take to the altar. He does not smell the burning of the oils or the fragrance of flowers as they fill the room. Even the words that the priest speaks to bind the two together fall on deaf ears, as hollow and empty as Sakuya feels.

The reception takes place on a ship, as close to the sea as Mahiru can get as he shows off his new love for all to see. Congratulations are passed around like hand shakes and it is like watching something come full circle as he envisions the end. As this is the last night, though, he puts on a show that will entertain Mahiru more than anyone else's. The last night he will breathe the same air as him, the last time he will see that face light up with delight at something he has done, the last time he will ever get to look into Mahiru's eyes and plead for him to understand what he wants to convey: I love you.

Eventually the newlyweds retire to their cabin, arm in arm, playing with each other's hair and talking lowly for only the other to hear. In turn, Sakuya takes a seat atop the side of the ship and gazes out at the sea that had always been his home. He is surprised to see familiar gazes looking back, a sorrowful collection of seven that have all cut their hair for a reason that eludes him. A reason that soon makes sense as the oldest among them says, "We struck a deal with the witch, for you." And he holds out a dagger, for which he instructs, "Pierce the prince's heart with this and you can return. Live out your three hundred years where you belong."

With the dagger in his hands, he approaches the cabin's door and it gives way with a twist of the knob. The two inside lay under the sheets, Mahiru with his head against the bare breast of his love, with his own chest exposed to the air. He draws back the blade and then slowly lowers it back to his side, letting it slip through his fingers as he realizes he cannot take the life of the person he cares most about. Instead, he bends down and presses a kiss to Mahiru's forehead in imitation of how they met, tucking stray strands of hair behind his ear as he mouths, "I wish I never had to leave you," with a voice that will never be heard.

He returns to the edge of the ship and dives in, becoming foam amongst sea where he will drift forevermore beneath the sunlight that has already risen.

[joyfilledwander]

A marketplace is where a community comes together. People gather to buy, sell, eat, drink, laugh, gossip and connect. Around the world, so many family’s livelihoods depend on a thriving market. In America, we don’t really have an equivalent. Farmer’s markets are fun & quirky, but rarely does an entire community do their shopping at one of those. I love living in Asia and regularly experiencing market shopping. The sights, the smells, and the sounds all add to the shopping experience. I’ve been in small markets with just a few sellers and huge overwhelming markets that stretch out for miles. They are each unique to the community they serve. Here’s a few of my favorite markets that I’ve visited while traveling through Asia.

Bali’s Jimbaran Fish Market I probably love this market because it feels like my community market. I lived near it for 2 years, and would shop there regularly. Bali is full of local authentic markets & touristy high priced markets. The Jimbaran Fish Market falls somewhere in between. Jimbaran Beach, located south of Kuta & Seminyak’s famous beaches, is well known for it’s sunsets & it’s seafood. Scores of seafood restaurants line the soft white sand of Jimbaran Beach offering tables in the sand and the freshest seafood around. But the seafood restaurant style dining has never been my thing. It’s always crowded, often over priced, and doesn’t feel authentic. Down the beach from these restaurant rows and towards the airport, you can find the real thing. The Fish Market. Every morning, this is where fisherman bring in their catches from the night before. Giant tuna & massive swordfish can regularly be seen coming out of their boats. These fish are taken into the market where they are sold. Seafood restaurants from all over Bali get their seafood from this market. And so did we. I never ate more seafood than I did when we lived next to this market. But for $2-3 for a fresh tuna fillet, how you could not? We often would go buy fresh filleted seafood caught earlier that morning and cook it up at home as we enjoyed fish tacos or a seafood stir fry. Or we could pay another $1 and let the guys working the giant BBQ grill cook it up for us. The best way to do seafood on Jimbaran Beach is to head down to this market, choose your seafood [from tuna to mahi-mahi to lobster to shrimp to crabs to snapper and more] and grill it up right there at the beach and enjoy your sunset for under $5. With a fresh coconut, of course. This market isn’t just seafood. Fruits & vegetables line the walkways, and at night you can shop for clothes and household items. It really is a gathering spot for the community, and I loved being part of it.

Coconuts

Fish Grills at Jimbaran Fish Market

Jimbaran Fish Market

Fishermen

Fishermen

Jimbaran Fish Market

Qatar’s Souq Waqif We only spent about 24 hours in Doha, Qatar, but had the privilege of staying right in the middle of the most famous marketplace, Souq Waqif. This market is incredible, especially at night when it comes alive. At times I couldn’t tell if it was a local market or a tourist attraction, but then decided it was just both and went with it. I’ve never seen a more diverse market. Looking for local hummus & pita bread? Or how about some spices to cook with at home? Needing a finely woven carpet? Or maybe a pet rabbit or bird? Hoping to find a new outfit for a night out? Wanting to hang out with some falcons or camels? Literally all of these things can be done at Souq Waqif. It’s a massive winding marketplace that is full of cool nooks & crannies to explore. Being able to walk out of the door of our hotel and into this buzzing marketplace was simply fabulous. Even our 4 month old baby was alert with excitement. If I had a week to explore the Souq, it wouldn’t be enough time. Someday I hope to go back to Doha and take in more of it’s beauty, culture and diversity. Also, this is one of the cleanest markets I’ve ever seen in Asia!

Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif

Camels

Singapore’s Tiong Bahru Hawker Center Market Singapore is a unique spot in Asia, so of course my favorite market in Singapore is unique. To start, Singapore is so diverse. It’s a mix of modern efficiency and ancient traditions. The people of Singapore are a mix of Chinese, Indian, Malay and Indonesian. The food is a mix of all these cultures and more. While Singapore may be small geographically, nothing about the experience of Singapore is small. Most of the best [and cheapest] food in Singapore can be found at a Hawker Center, which is an oversized food court packed full of food sellers making their best dish. And it’s all delicious. However my favorite market [hawker center] is in my favorite neighborhood of Singapore, Tiong Bahru. This out of the way neighborhood is on the fringes of Chinatown, but is distinctly stylish & hipster. The architecture reminds of 1960’s art deco Miami. Independent bookstore and cozy coffee shops are hidden away in the tall apartment buildings of this neighborhood. And the Hawker Center is something special too. It’s unique round shape perfectly fits in with the style of the neighborhood. On the bottom floor, fresh flowers ooze out into the walkways. You can also shop for produce and household items as well. On the top floor, treat yourself to some delicious dumplings or Hainanese Chicken Rice, a particular speciality of the area. The painted wall murals continue the creativity throughout the whole Hawker Center, and there’s even more great street art to be found around Tiong Bahru. When in Singapore, make the effort to get over to Tiong Bahru and experience this Hawker Center. I know I always do!

Tiong Bahru Flowers

Tiong Bahru Food

Tiong Bahru Wall Art

Tiong Bahru Wall Art

Hawker Center in Tiong Bahru

Bali’s Sukawati Art Market Another Bali market makes my list because, of course. This market is unique because it isn’t well known for it’s food or yummy treats, but it’s handicrafts. Ubud has made a name for itself in the art scene, but has really been overcome with tourism. If I am looking for handmade creative items from the Balinese culture, I’ll skip Ubud and head straight to Sukawati. This little spot on the map isn’t too far from Ubud itself, but feels like a different place entirely. The market isn’t limited to one building, but one long street full of shops selling their specific handicraft. From rattan bags to wooden knives to shadow puppets to home decor, Sukawati Art Market is a must see. From what I’ve heard, many sellers in the Ubud markets go to Sukawati to supply their shops, and then hike up the prices! As with most markets in Bali, you’ll still need to bargain down to get the best price [insider tip: start negotiating with half of what they offer]. I love browsing the creativity and artistry of the Balinese people. I am constantly in awe of their skills. Of course, you can still find the colorful sarongs and Bintang tank tops that are unavoidable in Bali, but at the least the experience is a little less touristy.

Beijing’s Street Food Night Market I almost didn’t include this market. But it was so unlike any other market I had ever seen, that I had to include it. Maybe market isn’t the exact right word, because it’s more of a walking street of food vendors. China is full of these. But the one we visited in Beijing truly stood out. It was right in the middle of a bustling downtown shopping area, and the bright lights of nearby billboards and shop windows illuminated the sidewalk all around us. Like most parts of China, it was packed. Stall after stall had lines to buy each dish. We tried delicious dumplings and tasty noodles. I took a million photos of the cutest steamed buns decorated to resemble animals and other objects. And then we appreciated the unknown meats on sticks and scary bugs on sticks. This is about where I stopped trying things! My husband is much more an adventurous eater than I am, so he braved the fried scorpions. While I didn’t try the most extreme items available, I did enjoy seeing how the Chinese people enjoy their street food.

Beijing Street Food Market

Beijing Street Food Market

Beijing Street Food Market

Beijing Street Food Market

Thailand’s Chiang Mai Walking Street Night Market Thailand may do markets, especially night markets, better than anywhere else in Asia. Every night we spent in Thailand, no matter the city, there was always a bustling night market. It was the best place to eat and shop in town, no question. And they aren’t just for tourists, but so many locals were enjoy pad thai right alongside us. A favorite market experience in Thailand is in the northern city of Chiang Mai. Every Sunday night there’s a walking street night market and it’s always packed. There’s loads of vendors selling handicrafts, carts selling food, and even spas doing foot massage right on the street for about $1. It combines so many of favorite things…eating, shopping & massage! Surrounded by Buddhist temples, you can wander through the busy streets and browse everything from beautifully painted paper umbrellas to handmade jewelry. There’s so much beautiful artistry in Thai handicrafts. It’s a fun experience if you find yourself in Chiang Mai on a Sunday night. Maybe it’s on the touristy side of Thai culture, but it’s still a good time.

Chiang Mai markets

Chiang Mai markets

Chiang Mai markets

Chiang Mai markets

Chiang Mai markets

Do you have a favorite market experience? Have you been to any of these? What Asian market should I check out next? Let me know in the comments below!

How much do you love #shopping at markets when #traveling #overseas? Check out this list of my favorite #markets in #Asia! A marketplace is where a community comes together. People gather to buy, sell, eat, drink, laugh, gossip and connect.

[ozsaill]

Bahamas lookback II: falling short

Three months of cruising the Bahamas left many impressions. After too much time on the mainland, escaping east across the Gulf Stream felt like freedom: a refreshing change in outlook, a new place to sink into and explore – one that several circumnavigators we respect claimed among their favorites. There’s a lot to love about these islands (our favorite features summarized here). That said, it left is wanting. This is at least partly a case of poorly set expectations; we are also burdened (while blessed) by the tremendous depth and breadth of places we’ve experienced over the years. It’s not much, but a few aspects stand out.

That water!

The color of the water in the Bahamas in the Bahamas is legendary. Astronauts like Chris Hadfield marveled that “from space, the Bahamas is the most beautiful place on Earth.” And when you’re looking down, even the less profound level of a boat deck, the blues are no less surreal than pictures suggest. It was what lay beneath.

Part of that is a question of clarity. It’s nice, but didn’t earn superlative reviews. White sand reflects that brilliant turquoise back at shallow depths, sparkling clarity from the top view, but suggesting more transparent conditions than exist when looking horizontally through the water. Here, it fell short. This picture of the reef in front of Totem on Great Inagua offers an example to illustrate. See those dark spots in front of us? They look like nothing more than black lumps from the boat, and “uninteresting” compared to the vibrant blue, but in fact these were coral heads positively teeming with life.

Those black lumps were the good bit. The rest was mostly sand (and an entertaining carpet of garden eels wiggling under Totem). But these coral heads provided the most rich and interesting snorkeling we did in those three months (a close second, but tempered Nassau day-trippers: the carpet of soft corals and other plants and critters padding the exterior of the Thunderball grotto).

More disappointing than missed expectations on clarity was the dearth of life underwater. There were epic discrete experiences, like swimming with dolphins: the Atlantic spotteds that came to visit Jamie as he swam to check our anchor set off Bimini, the solo female who didn’t want to stop swimming with us in George Town. After being skunked on manatee sightings in Florida, watching a resident cow lazily drift through the water at Great Harbour Cay marina was magical. There was the tiger shark that wound a lazy path by Totem in Thompsons Bay, Long Island, and offered a blasé fin to the curious who tracked by dinghy to observe it further.

These will stick with us. But isolated examples aside, most of what we saw underwater was sand…just not very interesting. South Pacific underwater venturing was far more fruitful; in the Bahamas we saw dead coral, few fish, and a single top-level predator. The reefs probably look fine if you don’t know the difference, instead of a depressing reminder of negative human impact. Is it asking too much? Here in a comparably murky anchorage in Puerto Rico, Niall talks wistfully about missing his daily swim in Bahamian water.

Kids prepare to dive at Great Inagua

A temperamental Tohatsu limited our reach and may have impacted our view. The trusty outboard has since been repaired, but during our Bahamas months it lacked the oomph to get our crew on a  plane. Without the reach that speed offers, we didn’t access what may have been more interesting underwater spots.

Landscape

There’s not a lot of variation along the islands, mostly scrubby, arid, and flat. Once you look up from the water, little captures the imagination. You can always go for a walk, but what’s to draw interest in shore side exploring? The limestone caves were cool. There were ruins – the stone foundations left by early colonial settlers, the more recent reminders hurricane force winds, all with stories to tell. I also have no doubt there are hidden gems. I wish we’d found more: something to unlock more insight into the history, the natural bones, and the fauna so we could better appreciate this place. Hints teased: the giant centipede spotted on a hike, an interesting winging by.

Low drama on shore; high drama in the sky

Cultural interest

The Bahamas is not a cultural destination. It’s not why people go. That makes it unfair as a disappointment, maybe, but exploring what makes a place culturally distinct highlights our cruising life. There IS fascinating history, but it felt buried away, or forgotten, or unimportant. Like the morning we spent driving around Long Island looking for the ruins of an old plantation hinted about on the tourism website. We went back and forth along the stretch of road that passes it and asked half a dozen people where it was… despite being within a small radius of the location and nobody could direct us.

Food

Countries are experienced through taste buds as much as eyes. Bahamian staples were reminiscent of the US south: grits, and everything fried. Not too exciting, but the nature of the soil makes it impossible to grow much. Instead, what’s fresh comes from the sea. The national icon, queen conch, is on every menu. You can’t go to the Bahamas and not have conch! But it’s a fishery in collapse, with no season and poor definitions around legal size (what’s a “well-formed” lip, anyway? And say you knew that lip is supposed to be 15mm, would you know where/how to measure?). We tried it: once from a vendor, once by foraging ourselves. The bones of conch piled high behind shacks serving tourists in Bimini… all taken too soon. Not a market we want to participate in! On the other hand: mahi mahi served up hours after it was swimming, a delectable reminder of sustainable fisheries.

Bone pile featuring juveniles behind a Bimini conch shack

Next time…

20/20 hindsight on any adventure is unique to the individual. In our case: generally speaking, the places and experiences that rewarded the most were those that took us further off the more traveled path. We’d seek those out, and we’d work harder to meet Bahamians. These go hand in hand: it’s harder to get below surface level where transient visitors traffic through, and tourism thwarts the deeper relationships with transactional encounters.

  “Namesake,” she called me, as we share a first name – if we ever make it back to Long Island…

This post has, frankly, been painful to write. I don’t want to sound like a whiner, complaining about what didn’t measure up in islands that so many love. I chatted this morning with the mom from Sandflea (Sailboat Story), Tambi, who we met in Eleuthera. As she rightfully points out: it’s hard not to love the Bahamas. And we did love those three months, it just… came up short of the superlative reviews. I get it, though. Most cruisers have particularly rose-tinted reflections on their first foray. For many who raved, the Bahamas were their first (or only) cruise from the US. By the same token: we still wax on about our love for the Pacific coast of Mexico, and while it shines on its own merits, the memories are surely magnified through the lens of our early-cruiser-eyes as the place we stretched…and were rewarded.

I offer this as a counterpoint to my love letter about the chords the Bahamas struck. Whether it’s expectation setting or a reality check, I hope this offers helpful perspective for other hopefuls.

from Sailing Totem http://ift.tt/2vTgiPs via IFTTT

[dawna02871999981-blog]

Lamebrained Or even Revolutionary?

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