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Knight in Dulled Armor: Ch. 16

Chapter 16: Acquiring Acquaintances 

Word Count: ~ 6,500 (~ 25 min read)

As I brush through my hair, there is a soft knock at the door. It didn’t match either of the boys’ typical knocks, though it could be a servant checking up on guests. “Come in,” I announce, pausing between brush strokes. The door opens to reveal the person I least expected: Marietta. My heart stops, and I can muster nothing.

“Before you say anything, I just…” Marietta stumbles.

“I want to say thank you for saying no to my family for my sake. It would have been easy for you to take advantage of my cowardice and return home,” Marietta tells me.  “Instead, you put yourself on the line and walked a thin tightrope to keep relationships intact and me at the tavern because you knew it’s what I wanted.”

“I discussed it with my mother already, and at least she respects my decision, but convincing my father isn’t as easy. The family would still like us to attend breakfast as a farewell.”

She breaks eye contact, looking to the ground and turning around. She tucks her arms together. “But that’s all I have to say to you for now,” she coldly tells me.

I wonder if she intends to leave for the dining hall before everyone else or if she’ll go with Hidorah. I’m not sure if Val would even be awake now, though it is a coin toss for my guess whether Marietta wants to see him or not. A few more moments are spent preening myself to ensure I don’t look awful despite just rolling out of bed.

Hidorah and I collide the moment I step out of my room. We each stutter out a few apologies as we catch our footing. “You seem to be in a bit of a hurry. Are we late for breakfast?” I ask.

“Oh, no. It isn’t for another half hour. I was just finishing up getting dressed as Marietta started heading down. I figured I’d meet her down there,” He shrugs. 

“I’ll be down shortly then.”

“What are you doing?” He raises a brow.

“I figured I’d check on Val. If he hasn’t woken up by now, he may be late,” I tell him.

Hidorah lingers, taking a spot leaning against the wall a few strides down the hall.

I take a breath, staring at the door. I don’t want to bother Val, though, or interrupt his sleep. I bite my lip and press my ear against the door. Nothing. A soft knock rasps against the wood, hoping to get his attention if he is awake. 

No voice is heard, but a few thuds across the carpet make their way behind the door.  It is swung open, and I find Val still in his nightwear. A loose, short-sleeved shirt hangs low over his torso, though only socks and underwear cover his legs. His hair is frizzy and tangled, hovering over half his face. 

“Good morning?” 

“Is it morning already? I didn’t sleep well.”

“Didn’t sleep well? You look like you haven’t slept at all,” Hidorah teases, stepping into Val’s view. 

He throws the hair out of his face, allowing the light to reveal the dark bags under his eyes from his restless night. 

“Anything in particular keep you up?” I ask, cocking my head.

“Stomach ache off and on. I think I ate too much last night,” Val admits.

“I wouldn’t doubt it; you did have three or four steaks and the other courses,” I point out.

“Not to mention all those pastries I saw you sneaking…” Hidorah mutters.

Val groans, turning away from him.

“Don’t get mad at me. I’m not the reason you’re bloated,” Hidorah snarkily adds.

“I- You can’t even tell with this shirt on!” Val scoffs. 

“Anywho, I’m sure you don’t wanna miss breakfast, big guy,” Hidorah smirks. “Better get dressed and wipe that junk off your face. Just looking out for you.” Hidorah pats him on the shoulder before setting off down the hallway again.

“Act your age, Hidorah! You’re supposed to be the older of the two of us,” Val shouts at him down the hall.

My eyes widened, shocked at this new information.

“You’ve always been better at being the bigger person, Val!” is faintly heard from around the corner.

Val puts a hand to his cheek, and I watch his eyes widen.

“I don’t have anything on my face, do I?” Val asks, turning back to me. His brows furrow, and he almost seems nervous.

“Something smudged on your cheek, actually yes,” I notice. I beckon him closer, having Val bow to bring him to eye level. I pull the edge of my long sleeve over my hand, licking the tip of it to wet it. Using my mesh sleeve, I manage to clean the dark smear from Val’s skin in a couple of swipes. 

“Looks like ink,” I note. Val’s brows lift for a second. My sleeve rolls back to its intended place, and I hold Val’s face in my hands for a moment longer. As I manage to pull my gaze from his eyes, I notice his lips pulled into a smile. I do the same, apparently lingering a second too long. Val pulls away, his face slightly flushed. 

“Um, I’ll get ready for breakfast. You don’t have to wait for me,” he awkwardly says. 

“It’s alright, we have a bit of time before we need to be there anyway,” I tell him through the door. 

“I’m just worried about what Marietta will think if we walk in together,” I admit after a moment of silence, leaning my back against the door. 

“Don’t be worried about what she’ll think. Or her family, for that matter,” he tells me. Instantly, the door swings open, and I stumble back. All my weight is headed for the floor. My body lands against Val’s as he just barely manages to throw his arms out.

“We’re going to make sure you get home, no matter what. So don’t stress yourself over this,” He assures me. Staring down directly at me, the soft waves of his hair darkened much of my view, other than his face. Not that I minded.  

I stumble back up on my feet and make a futile attempt to wipe the color from my cheeks. “Ready?” I ask. 

“I think so,” he runs a hand through his now-brushed hair, though still somewhat frizzy. He’s also changed into a long-sleeved tunic and dark pants. We walk the corridor, tracing our way to the dining hall where we spent our evening yesterday. We each take a seat, finding that only Marietta’s mother and cousin have been seated at the table.

“Casimir and Vicarus often wake up later in the mornings because of their sleep schedules, I hope you can forgive them. I’m sure they and Marianna will meet at the table shortly after we finish,” Aurora explains. 

With a smaller crowd and energy low, it is much more casual than last night. The table has already been set, and each of our glasses is filled with juice. Basket after basket of rolls, muffins, toasts, and pastries, as well as bowls of cut fruit, are placed down a line in the center of the table. A couple of hefty iron pots are placed down, each with plenty of smoked breakfast meats inside.

I do my best to turn a blind eye as Val packs his plate despite just complaining about his stomach. Hidorah, on the other hand, strives to make Val uncomfortable as he stares. 

“I suppose there are… obvious matters to address.” Aurora bluntly states from the head of the table. “I’m not necessarily good with things like this.” Her voice fades out, looking at Cassius. 

“Yes, please allow me to speak in place of Aurora. Unfortunately, Vicarus has decided against your request for a number of reasons,” He announces. I swallow, and my hearing fades out for a moment, unsure if there’s any reason to keep listening.

“While he points out your unfulfilled part of the bargain, Aurora and I understand that Marietta is free to go where she pleases and do what pleases her. But he also brought up the possibility of injury and risk during your transportation. Apparently, Asterian border security has increased significantly since your disappearance. There have been many cases of people being detained or worse, with even suspected connections to you. Even if we could get you back to Asteria, we wouldn’t make it past border patrol since it is Asterians only on business and marriage visas at the moment.”

“Do you have any evidence of your heritage, Elaine? Passport, documents, even jewelry with your family crest?” Aurora asks, grasping at any chance to further aid me.

“Unfortunately, no. When Val found me in the wastelands, everything on me was torn to shreds, and I can’t remember if I left with jewelry. Any identification was ripped to pieces.” 

“With Vicarus as head of the household and sole manager of our family’s funding, I’m afraid there is nothing we can do, Elaine. Even if we were to send a letter, there’s no telling if or when it will get to your family with the border as restricted as it is. As much as we’d love to help you, I’m afraid we don’t have any say in the matter,” Cassius grimly delivers. 

The table is silent. 

“We’ll just have to find another way then,” Val chimes in. He puts a hand on my shoulder, giving me a small smile. A small wave of relief runs through me. 

Breakfast is a much quicker meal than dinner, thankfully. For whatever reason, Cassius has decided to sit across from me once more, though I can’t be bothered to chit-chat with him after the bleak news. This of course doesn’t stop his attempts. 

“Elaine, your hand is to belong to a man in Aramoor, yes?” 

“Y-yes, that’s right. Solely for an alliance between powers.”

“Do you think your parents could be persuaded to exchange the offer? If you were to fall for another man in Aramoor that could line your parents' pockets and offer peak public image,” he chuckles as he looks into my eyes. 

His words fall, and his lips seal, curling into a smile. His steady gaze meets mine, and my blood runs cold. Must he insist on parading me off just as my parents intended while playing the empathic stranger? Does he not realize his obvious hypocrisy? 

I recall Val proposing a fake marriage to ensure severance from my family. He framed it as his orcish nature being inherently enough to cause a simple, quiet emancipation. At the time, that reasoning made perfect sense, but now I can’t imagine why him being an orc should have anything to do with it. 

Two men offering me their hand to aid my escape, with their status from birth being the determining factor. Why is it that one of these offers makes me sick to my stomach? And why is it the nobleman who can not only tie the bond between nations but who also seems to adore the ground I walk on?  

“Oh, so from one stranger's arms to another? Since I’m sure she’ll meet someone here in Aramoor days before the wedding,” Val flatly delivers. 

A couple of snickers from friends and strangers at the table alike put me at ease. 

“I’m sorry. Just trying to propose other- other-ideas,” Cassius tries to apologize. A hand pushes its way between us, scooping up our silverware and empty glasses. As plates are collected, side conversations are coming to a close. Just as it seems we are ready to say our goodbyes, Aurora clears her throat. I look to her, and my gaze follows hers to Cassius.  

“That reminds me, I’ve had the maids do some deep decluttering in the other suites after seeing the state of Marietta’s closet and drawers since she’s been home.”

“Well, I’ll be sure to tip Vio-” 

“Your quarters weren’t cleaned by Violetta.” Aurora simply states. 

“O-oh well,” he shrugs. 

Tension ramps up under this warm, vivacious woman’s cold gaze. What’s worse is that Cassius is writhing under her thumb from just that. So few words had struck fear into this man who was struggling to play it calm and collected. 

“I don’t think she’ll be cleaning the master suites anymore, you should have seen how much the other girls pulled out from behind your desk. Just years' worth of notepads, pencils, erasers… letters,” she guides her last sip of juice to her mouth before falling silent and passing her glass to a passerby.

Marietta looks to him, a slight smirk growing on her face. Hidorah looks at Marietta, sharing the expression. With the table cleared and the room silent, Mrs. Clerevine starts her farewells. We all exchange goodbyes as breakfast is finished, a plethora of the same “Nice meeting you” and “Hope to see you again” phrases thrown around. All the while, Cassius hasn’t been able to look at me since. “It was nice seeing you again, Elaine,” he says and clears his throat before we depart. 

I head back to the housing hall, finding Marietta had most likely branched off to her room. Packing, again. Back to the tavern to figure out another plan. At this rate, I could’ve covered my face and bought a horse back to Asteria by now without all the nerves I’ve had to face.

The doorknob jiggles a few times before Hidorah enters. “Marietta says we should-oh, you’re already on it,” he tells me, giving a thumbs up before shutting the door behind him. The next person at my door is Marietta. “I see you’re finished packing.”

“Is there any reason you want to leave so soon? I figure I might as well get ready, but I don’t want you to feel rushed to leave family,” I tell her. 

“Oh, I can’t bear to stay here any longer.” She flatly states, shaking her head. 

“Reuniting with mother and tying loose ends has been lovely, but our business here is concluded, and it's best I leave the rest of the family while they still let me.”

I nod, and she leaves without saying anything more. I assume she is going around and checking on Val and Hidorah’s progress, so we’ll be ready to leave momentarily. Another knock on my door. The elf has come and made himself comfortable on my bed once more, setting his baggage on the floor beside him. 

With my door open, a knock isn’t needed before Val settles in as well. “Why do we have to keep regrouping in my room?” I ask. The final person arrives, as well as another. A servant has come to escort us out, I see.

Our party emerges from the hall, finding that the gorgeous foyer is softly illuminated through the lofty windows. The dark double doors dwarf the woman I’d hardly noticed perched beside them. 

Aurora decides to give guests a final farewell at the door, per Clerevine tradition. I am first in line, and draw near as she clasps my hands together in hers. She is even taller than Marietta, but she is still sure to tilt her chin down when speaking to me. 

“It's been sensational meeting you; it’s about time I put a face to the name after so much family has spoken fondly! I’m dreadfully sorry about your situation. You and I both know that Touluda would never condone a forced marriage of convenience.”

I offer a small “mm”, unsure of how to respond, knowing some of her family hated me and I was growing to hate some of hers. 

“Oh, goodness. I apologize. Thaumas are raised without religious studies, aren’t they?” 

“Placing faith over anything impedes one’s best reasoning.” I shake my head as it rolls off my tongue. My neck flicks back up. “Is what my parents have always insisted. But there’s no harm in learning about such interesting customs!” I exclaim. 

“I’m glad you think so! And who better to learn from than one of her anointed families?” She gleams. She looks to me and Val, who was next in line and made himself comfortable between me and Hidorah. 

“Allow these beads with Touluda’s pendant to hang from your neck, giving you a reason to gaze to the heavens whenever you find yourself staring into the depths below.” She says, offering me a set of dark round beads. She reaches up to show Val a closer look, but he throws his hand up. 

“I’m alright, I have my own,” He says, once again reaching for his collar. A braided cord is pulled until the familiar symbol pendant is freed from his shirt. At least two necklaces and a whistle, without his usual tattered cloth around his neck.

“Really? That’s lovely! I would have expected the elf boy to have one since Touluda’s popularity in Braiewood, but an orc- Of course, you’re free to take one, perhaps to pass to another,” She insists.

Val does so, wrapping it around his wrist twice. 

“You’re free to come here and visit anytime; our home is yours. And when this issue is resolved, we’d love to provide a venue and bestow The Beloved’s blessing when you marry your chosen spouse.” 

I say nothing, my body already flashing a grin and nodding my head before stepping out into the garden as the others say their goodbyes. I wanted to roll my eyes and scoff or even laugh at their proposal now that I was out of earshot. I wouldn’t say I’m ready to jump into another marriage after running away from my last. But before I could decide on a response, Val had already taken his place beside me once more. 

He looks at me with big blue eyes and a cheeky grin and asks the same question I’d been thinking. “Can you believe that?” His voice held such an uplifted and sincere tone that I now wasn’t sure how to answer. 

“C-can you?” Rolls from my mouth along with a breathy laugh. I feel something in my chest swell, and my face gets hot despite the morning chill. 

Finally, Hidorah and Marietta make their way out, with her having one more piece of luggage, not that it was noticeable in her mound of bags and trunks. The doors shut behind us, and we are set to trace down the same path as yesterday morning, with much more daylight. 

Val makes quick work of scooping up the remaining luggage. “That reminds me,” he says, pulling at something from his collar after freeing a hand. As suspected, his whistle is retrieved, and a barely noticeable sound emerges from it. He follows it up with three quick notes of his own. 

In the distance, just from the gardens to the dirt path, we knew the whistles had done their work. With a rhythmic thumping and two dark smudges flicking over the horizon, the animals bound up the winding hills to meet us. 

“I should have had them brought up from the stables earlier,” Marietta says regretfully before furrowing her brows. “How did they get out of the stables?” 

Val starts securing our bags to our escapist steeds, and we form a line as we trail down the path to the city. Since yesterday evening, Hidorah and Marietta have looked like the most obscure set of conjoined twins ever seen. But more so, they’d made sure to stay a few feet back from Val and me at the head of the group despite their closeness. 

Val has donned his armor and helm for the trip, and it seems that things are shifting back to the status quo. I hadn’t thought to change out of my rather ostentatious dress, though it seemed to cause less of a stir in the crowd today. After several layers of lace and ribbon are snagged on everything from brick to brush, Val decides it’s best I not walk the trip. Without a further thought, he lifts me side saddle onto his steed. 

He holds the reins in his grip, and we are about eye level with me atop his horse now. 

“If you feel like you’re about to fall, I’ll be walking alongside you. So just try to lean my way,” He assures me. Val lingers for a moment, and cocks his head a small bit. He leans in, and I feel like he might be about to whisper something. 

“Let’s get moving. Help me up,” Marietta says, cutting through us, leading Kyzu behind her. Hidorah flattens his palms into a makeshift step, boosting her up. “And if you feel like you’re about to fall, just try to roll when you land,” He jokes as the hound’s reins are passed to him. Marietta rolls her eyes and scoffs, but I see a smirk crack through the corner of her mouth.  

It's apparent we appear as two noble women, accompanied by steeds and servants. Not a ragtag crew of waitresses and hired hands. Less disheveled and nervous, but the same people by all means. I wonder for a moment which I recognize myself as more. 

Tracing the main streets over alleys and footpaths, we find ourselves in a group of similar status to our own by their apparel. They were traveling on foot and as they rounded a corner so did we, apparently taking a similar route. The cobblestone clicks with the crowd’s steps but slows as the street tucked between two townhouses narrows. 

The light dims as we progress further into the aisle, with homes dawning awnings for shade on their porches. I am briefly reminded of Briaewood’s cluttered soot soot-covered alleys just out of the town square. Somehow, whether they slowed or we sped up, we formed two lines with part of each party traveling behind each other, rather than beside. Val keeps himself just ahead of his horse, tucked against the building beside us as Marietta and Hidorah follow just barely closer than before.

Despite trying not to eavesdrop, I can’t help but hear the couple beside us giggling amongst themselves. A man who I’d guess to be a chaperone a few paces back isn’t as impressed by the suitor’s humor. Still, the lady twirls an auburn lock and cups her cheek, now donning the same hue.

“All the talk of marriage today has me exhausted, though I quite like the concept of quarting,”

“What do you mean ‘the concept’? You’ve been courted before, haven’t you?” Hidorah asks.

“Not in the same way, we only have one suitor at a time for months and if it doesn’t work out, it's few and far between finding another that fits the criteria. My sister was too selective and got a lot of my privileges taken away when my turn came.”

“It was purely by choice in my household, but it still reads that there are some eventual obligations.” Marietta chimes in. 

“I wish I didn’t have to worry about this at all. Citizens are free to do as they please. There isn’t as much stress to seal a marriage when there are plenty of ways to provide for yourself. Not to mention marriage without transaction seems to be the growing trend.”

“You mean marrying for love,” Val chimes in.

“Eh? W-Well anyway,” I shake my head, caught off guard by his comparison of the term. 

“Noblemen have the power to use their name for good, bonding nations or distributing more necessities, or building infrastructure,” I reason. 

“Did your parents marry for the same reasons?”

“Of course. It’s only happenstance that they get along well enough, or maybe people simply learn to live with one another. They married from different provinces in Asteria to combine enterprises. New routes along the mountain range and vertical integration are what helped us outsell Briewood’s leading trading company.”

Just as a grin grows on my face, my jaw drops when something scrambles past us. For a moment, I’m convinced it disappeared, taking a strange jingling noise with it. The jingle is replaced by something higher pitched and louder that I only recognize as a scream by the time it’s over. The dark smudge settles and clears after colliding with Kyzu behind us. 

“Watch yourself!” A voice too brash for any of our group causes my eyes to wander. 

The unimpressed overseer of the other group towers over a small figure wedged between the two parties. 

“Where did you get this?” The voice snaps along with the man’s arm, tugging someone to the ground. They look tiny on their knees next to the figure towering over them, and it occurs to me that this is a child. 

My eyes are locked, and as much as I can’t tear my gaze away, I can’t move my body. 

“It’s mine!” a small voice stresses. The jingling returns as a necklace is slipped off their neck and dangles from a leathery, bony hand. 

“Check your purse,”

“Hold on, I might be able to provide some assistance,” Hidorah raises an arm, and cuts around the wolf beast. 

“May I?” He offers a palm, gesturing to the jewelry. The chaperone looks Hidorah up and down, reluctantly passing it over after seeing his servant attire. 

“Now, where did you say you got this, kiddo?” Hidorah asks, holding a much more gentle tone than I usually get to hear. 

“It’s mine. Well- my mom’s,” He sheepishly says, his eyes locked to the cobblestones beneath his bare feet. 

“You don’t say? Your mom wouldn’t happen to be from Braiewood, would she?” Hidorah asks rhetorically, seeing that the boy resembles a younger version of himself right down to the pointed ears. He holds the beads and stones up to the light to get a closer look. 

My brows raise as I try to piece together his plan. 

“My mom and I used to live in Mar-Mercester. But now we live in Aramoor.” 

Whether it be from his nerves or his age, he was slow to get a full sentence out. I see Hidorah’s brows furrow, obviously watching a hiccup in his plan occur. 

“But before both of those places, my mom got this from her mom. My grandma,”

“And where did your grandma give the necklace to your mom?”

“In Braiewood,”

“I knew it! You wanna know why?”

“Huh?” the child asks, becoming a bit more comfortable. 

“Do you see that right there?” He asks, pointing at a small circle on the back of the clasp. 

The boy nods, and Hidorah brings it to me next.

“As head of branding and trade information, could you verify this crest?” He gives a small, quick wink at me.

“Oh! I haven’t seen one of these in a few years. This is Kajopen, they’re the number one jeweler in elven country now, and they were third internationally just years ago.”

“And why do you think it is that you haven’t seen one in some time?”

“Oh, because they only have one location. Huge, but localized in Braiewood. Obviously not much international traffic since the trade restrictions.”

“I see,” The girl finally remarks. “Would you let that boy go? He hasn’t done anything yet.”

“We don’t know that it’s not yours,” her suitor argues.

“Yes, we do.”

“But h-”  “None of us have stepped foot in Braiewood.” She sighs, clearly used to conversations like this. “Besides, you know very well I wear gold, not silver.” She adds, rolling her eyes. 

“Very well,” he begrudgingly adds. The two continue on their way.

“You should still know well enough to move out of the way, boy.” The suitor scoffs at the child. By this point, they were just a few paces away, and I couldn’t tear my eyes off them, feeling something swell in my chest once more. The kid is shoved, stumbling a couple of steps before tipping back. Sitting side saddle, I slide off the steed and feel my feet collide with the ground just before my bottom. Luckily, I’d caught the boy in my lap just in time. I let out a breath, pushing him off of me and helping him to his feet. I look to the couple’s chaperone, finding he’d obviously been staring at me. I say nothing, unable to wear anything but a blank expression. I couldn’t bring myself to smile innocently, and I wouldn’t dare glare.

“Are you alright?” Val asks me, paying no attention to the others. Part of me was bothered that he hadn’t done anything. That Hidorah, of all of us, was the one to stand up for a child. 

I simply nod and return the same question to the boy, taking Val’s stance of ignoring the others. 

The child isn’t able to muster anything up until he’s seen the couple and their guide leave the alley. 

He silently nods, though a small smile appears on his face. His gaze shifts from me to Val, who had been frozen practically the entire time. The boy’s eyes widen, and I prepare to explain that he’s a harmless bodyguard, despite his intimidating stature. 

“Val?” he asks.

My knight clears his throat, only nodding.

“I knew it! You gotta come see my mom, she’s gonna be so excited!”  

I look to him, though he stays as quiet as ever.  

“Follow me! Are these your friends? They can come too!” He bounces down the alley with every step but lingers at the next turn.  

Marietta and I are taken aback, clearly unsure how to feel. 

“Come on, guys. Let’s go meet Val’s friend’s mom.” Hidorah grins, waving us over. “Lead the way, little man.”

 A few corners and a couple roads in silence later, the boy is knocking at the back door of a quaint cottage. The lock clicks and the door opens. A petite elf woman meets her child with a smile before her eyes trace up. 

“I am so sorry for whatever he-” she gasps as her eyes scan the group. “Val?”

“Morning, Tyga. I was in the neighborhood and uh, ran into Kubo. He insisted my friends and I pay you a visit,” he laughs. Even with his helm on, it sounds like he’s speaking through clenched teeth. Is he annoyed? Nervous?

“Feel free to come inside and take a seat, I was just making tea.” She gestures for us all to come in. 

One by one, we take off our shoes and pick a seat in the living room. Val and I get settled on a loveseat. He speaks in a low volume, “I’m sorry. All this got out of hand fast and I want you safe just as much as you do.” Val tells me. 

I can’t help but smile, it does help me feel a bit better. 

“I hate getting tied up in work. We could be much farther by now,” 

“Is that what you consider this?” I chuckle, but my smile fades. 

Our tea is served in no time, offering each of us a cup with a few sugar cubes on the side of the saucer. 

“It’s been a while since we’ve crossed paths, now I see why. I’m excited to see you’re in more refined company,” 

“It’s purely coincidental that I’m working with ladies of such nobility. I doubt I’ll get another chance like it,” he shrugs.

“Never say never,” I chime in. An icy steel grasp envelopes my hand. How could something so cold be so warming?

“So, how do you two know each other?” Hidorah asks for all of us. 

“Well, years ago we were heading out of Aramoor to visit family and needed some guidance along the way. Val’s name gets around here and I knew he’d be a great fit.”

“Any time there’s a long trip, I’m the first they look for. Few and far between, but I try to be there.”

A flood of  “Oh,”s and “huh”s fill the room. 

I ask where the restroom is, just needing a minute to wrap my head around this. She and Val seem to go back a while. The mother seems to be doing all she can, but Kubo barely seems old enough for school. I glance outside the restroom window to see a few large planter boxes with more than enough dense fresh produce to sustain such a small family,  the jars lining the kitchen shelves wall to wall prove that. Where is this boy’s father?

I take a breath and rummage through my satchel. They deserve it regardless, but especially if I do anything to leave a bad first impression. I fetch out a coin pouch, completely round and stuffed with weeks' worth of pay. I quietly inch open a bottom drawer, finding it empty. Perfect. I tuck the hefty bag into the middle of the drawer and leave it slightly cracked, ensuring she’ll find it soon, not immediately. 

I come out of the restroom, catching on that they’ve been catching up. 

“Oh! Remember when you needed your chest plate repaired and… Do you still have that scar?”

It’s healed well, but not perfectly. You have the matching one on your arm?”

I squeeze my eyes shut and make my way back to my seat. 

“Oh, it's tiny by now, but,” She says as she rolls up her sleeve.

I don’t know what comes over me. What can I possibly say? I’ve always been clumsy. 

Just as I come between her and Val, my feet fall out from under me. 

I must’ve fallen so many times that I’m used to catching myself. A sleeve in one hand and a shirt collar in the other.

So much force goes into me picking myself up, I feel my face get hot, and my palms start to sweat. 

“Are you alright?”

We all ask each other in unison. Nods and assurances are passed along, but they share more of a one-track mind than I anticipated. She rolls up her sleeve as Val hikes up his tunic. My head feels like it’s lifted off my shoulders, more dazed and lightheaded than I’d hoped. 

Her eyes lock on her forearm, finding nothing but a long, cool blue vein and even skin tone. Val seems equally confused, looking at a single large round patch of perfectly unscarred skin on the center of his chest. So many minute slashes fill the space around it, leaving it obvious where I’d left my mark. 

“Woah! That’s a big scar! Did you get hit by a cannonball?” the boy asks.

“I-I don’t think so!” Val says, flabbergasted. 

“What else could it be?” 

I say nothing, watching Val’s brows furrow as he wonders if he had been hit by a cannonball and somehow had a lapse in memory. 

“Val, put your shirt down,” Hidorah flatly says. “Now, I’m not sure how to go about this, but it seems like Kubo ran into a little trouble in town today.”

“Yes. Trouble.” Kubo reiterates, adding nothing but holding a firm gaze with his mother. 

“It’s safe to say your boy isn’t a thief, but if we weren’t there, he would’ve been labeled as such, maybe even had that necklace confiscated.”

“Necklace?”

Hidorah nudges the now straight-lipped Kubo, his weak knees causing him to stagger. 

“You’ve still got it right?” 

“Uhh,” he puts his hands over his back pockets. It’s obvious where he’s tried to hide it. 

His mother plucks it from his pocket, “Tsk, I put this up high enough, how did you reach it?” 

“Where did you have it?” Hidorah asks, following Tyga into her room. 

“Ah, see? He was able to climb up onto the nightstand and there’s no lock on this jewelry box latch. I happen to have a couple extra small ones, try this one on for size. Just don’t lose the key. Maybe move the box up on the wardrobe, just so there’s no chance of him reaching it.” 

I hear her thank him, and they settle back into the living room. Collecting the empty teacups, I’ve found a small reprieve from another social event. By the time I’ve finished rinsing them, it seems like people are exchanging goodbyes. I make my way outside first after a short and sweet debriefing. The steeds have been resting just outside. I would say that they both know not to stray, but I notice one of the steed’s hooves weighing down the end of Kyzu’s leash. 

“Can I pet that dog?” 

I whip my head around to find Kubo beside me. 

“She’s still got her muzzle on, so she can’t bite you. Not that she would, but just be gentle. She’s still able to feel pain, even if you think you’re too small to hurt her.”

“I know not to pull hair, I’ve rode on horses before.” He assures me. He gives the long tuft on Kyzu’s chest a gentle pet. As soon as Kyzu points her head to the ground, which alone looked to be almost as tall as him,  Kubo switches to head pats and praises. 

“Yeah? Like Val’s horse?”

“Yeah. Well, that’s the only horse I’ve ever rode on, but I’ve done it a few times.” 

“How long have you known him?”

“Uh,” “I’m this now,” he holds up just over a handful of fingers for a second, “But I knew him since I was this,” his fingers drop to just three.

“Val works for you, too?” 

“Mhm. Takes me all kinds of places, guards me wherever I go.” I start to pack the luggage back onto the animals’ harnesses as we speak, trying not to waste time for anyone else.

“Do you have kids? You look young, but I remember my mom looked young too, so.” He shrugs. 

“I don’t even have a husband,” I smile. 

“You don’t need a husband to have kids.”

“That’s true. But I don’t have either.” 

“What do you have? I don’t have any siblings. But I have a grandma.”

“I don’t have any grandparents, but I have a sister.”

“That’s neat. You should come here again soon.”

Finally, I’m joined by the rest of my crew with the animals already prepared for the journey. I can only assume that it’s Val being held up while Marietta refused to leave until he did. And where Marietta goes, Hidorah follows.

“I’ll try to, but it might be a while.” 

Kubo’s expression changed to one of strain and disappointment. “Now I know how grandma feels when we say we’ll visit her in a while.”

“I promise we’ll see each other again soon. You’re too close to so many places I go in Aramoor that it’s impossible not to,” I assure him. 

“Huh, already packed.” Val notices as he steps outside. 

I nod, “Just moments ago,”

“Nicely done. Thank you, Elaine.” He rubs a gentle hand across my back before using the other to scoop me up onto Kyzu. 

Before I know it, we’re back on the road. We wave goodbye to the two distant silhouettes in the doorway. Block after block, Aramoor is just as densely populated as cities in Asteria. Only time will tell how long it will be until we see desert sand again. The transition while walking seems so natural, from bustling deep cities to small rural villages and dirt roads until you're staring at nothing but sand and valleys for miles.

“How long again?” Hidorah asks, sadly sharing the same train of thought more than I’d like to admit. “There’s an amazing rest stop that’ll cure any whining you’ve got left just before the border. And that alone is… a while. But a task to focus on and look forward to.” Marietta offers.

If this rest stop on the edge of Aramoor serves as a halfway point back to the tavern, we’re still looking at two or three hours away, even after what we’ve traveled. 

[wonderland-productions-blog]

“I’m nothing like my father,”

And then one day you’re getting blasted rocking to nickel back just too late for it to be cool

[wonderland-productions-blog]

“That’s Karen Smith, she’s the dumbest person you’ll ever meet.”

“I once saw her put a D in the word orange.”

Okay. Maybe I’m the dumbest person you’ll ever meet but hear me out. Like the word Bridge. Orandge. You don’t pronounce it as much .

[wonderland-productions-blog]

Drinking Games: An Orc Erotica Pt. 4

NSFW Warning; Sexual Themes & Content

Word Count: ~ 3,000 (~5-10 min read)

Fem Human X Male Orc

Size Difference | Slight Praise Kink & Dom/Sub | Possessive

AO3 Link Here:

My fingers circle the rim of my glass, and I feel heat radiating from my cheeks. In fact, I can see how red they are at the bottom of my view, perky and puffy as I grin. 

It feels like it hasn’t been more than a half hour, though the empty glasses lined next to my elbow on the table say otherwise. I’d gotten caught up chatting with the group after they let me know Bur-uke would be staying a bit later on the worksite. 

I’d recognized a few of them, and made an effort not to speak to the drunken fool from last time. He wasn’t any better now, slumped over and barely enough energy to babble occasionally. His friends though, they got better at keeping after him.

“There’s nothin’ in thish!” He proclaims after a sip of his new drink. 

“Yes there is, you’ve got a whiskey right there. You’ve had so much you can’t taste anything,” he pays him on the back and slides the drink back his way.

I raise my brows to one of the more sober men beside me, but he shakes his head and inches closer. “It’s tea, he’ll be alright.” He whispers. He’s gotten a bit funnier a few drinks in, and I suppose his dirt and oil stained work clothes were more charming than rugged at this point. 

I let out a quiet chuckle, and he pats my thigh with a smile. He doesn’t move his hand though, even as he carries on conversation with the others. I shrug, raising my drink to my lips. 

Light floods the room, and my eyes wince from both this and the alcohol. I shake my head, opening my eyes after hearing what sounded like a symphony of creaking floorboards. 

Everything gets quiet, then silent in a matter of seconds. The large, tan, sun weathered hand removes itself. I feel a bit of relief, but as I trail up to see his face it’s clear the man feels the opposite. I look to where his are are locked to find Bur-uke. 

“Oh!” I exclaim. He cuts me off. 

“Now, I could explain everything. Or I could get upset with you. But what I usually finds makes a point best…” he utters in a low, gravelly voice. “Is making a scene,” He says louder with a chuckle. 

“Wh-what?” I barely manage to get out before he sweeps me up into his arms. I am flung over his shoulder and pinned in place with him only needing one arm. He heads toward the room, carrying me through the packed dining hall with me in tow. 

A couple huffs and grunts emerge as I struggle to break free to no avail. “You better put me down you… you brutish orc!” 

“Oh, you wanna see a brutish orc?” Bur-uke asks. The door is unlocked, opened, and shut before the crowd’s eyes are finally torn from me. 

“You had no right to embarrass me like that!” I huff as he sets me down.

“And you have no right to talk right now. Its my turn to speak.” He states.

“What do you think you were doing, behaving like that for everyone to see? Especially in that tiny outfit.” Bur-uke growls.

“I was just having a little fun. I got bored waiting for you in this heat, thus my ‘tiny’ outfit. I wanted to grab a quick drink and your friends recognized me is all.”

“Having a little fun by giggling and batting your lashes while you sip away at your third drink they’ve bought you? Just chatting it up as you rub your thighs together and bite your lip and… grab at your collar and,” he swallows, looking me up and down. I’d mirrored the latter actions as he mentioned them without realizing. 

Admittedly, I did feel a little tipsy, but he still had no business dragging me off like that. I smirk, deciding not to back down. As he pauses, I use the time to respond. “I’m sorry, were you under the impression we were exclusive?” I chuckle. “We didn’t exactly lay down any ground rules, so how was I to know any better?” I smile and feign ignorance. 

“Do you want rules?” He sternly asks.

Goosebumps. Still, I smile. 

“What was it that you said to me not long ago? ‘If you want me all to yourself that’s all you have to say,’” I remind him.

He scoffs. “You’re being ridiculous. You know what I mean. That outfit is barely made from anything.”

“The heat is unbearable! Its a summer dress.” I roll my eyes.

“I mean, are you even wearing underwear?” He asks. A hand grazes my thigh, lifting my dress up for a moment before I bat it away. 

“Down then?” He mumbles. 

“Wha-?” I question, now feeling his hands around my hips. In a swift motion, he gets my panties half down my thighs before I stop them. “Would you quit?” I scoff as I tug my underwear back up. 

He sighs and furrows his brows.

“I asked what kind you were wearing,” he utters, pinning my hands behind my back. My breath hitches. “If you were letting anyone else see I feel like I should too,” He pushes me against the bed, and I feel my dress fly up. 

“The only reason anyone saw is because you lifted me!” I argue. One hand locks around my wrists, his other pinning me by the neck to the sheets. 

“I knew it,” he scoffs. A swallow forces down my throat. Tension on my neck lifts and something runs between my thighs. I feel my panties pry away from my body. 

“Tiny. Barely any coverage.” He lets go, snapping them back. 

“Or easy access,” I mutter.

“Hm?” he questions as he takes a seat beside me. 

I cover my mouth, feeling my face get hotter. He lifts my legs and pulls me towards him. He keeps me snugly over his lap, with his hands still clasped around the back of my thighs. He runs his hands down and up again, and I can’t help but shiver. 

“What am I gonna do with you?” He asks, inching his way up my thighs. He’s gone from tossing over his shoulder like a sack to teasing me in minutes. 

One hand palms a cheek, spreading me as the other traces a finger down my damp panties. “Now, I can’t explain it,” he begins. A small circular motion picks up as he speaks, “but seeing you like that in front of those men…” My fingers hook into the sheets, feeling him massaging me with both his fingers and his deep, gravely voice. 

“It drove me crazy. I couldn’t help wanting to rip you away from them. To show you that you don’t need anyone else.” Bur-uke utters. 

“I never would have expected an orc to be the jealous type,” I roll my eyes and chuckle. He plants a firm smack across my ass after I speak. 

“I’m starting to think you want it rough,” his finger glides right past my underwear, sliding just barely inside me. 

I let out a breath.

“Nothing to say?” 

Buruke inches his way in further, teasing a finger in and out of me as my mouth hangs agape, yet silent. 

He works from the first joint of his finger and slowly pushes his way to the second.  He keeps this depth for a moment, in and out slightly deeper each time. His hand has become embarrassingly slick I realize as he pulls himself out. A finger circles my clit as he shoves another all the way in. I gasp, but can allow nothing more to fall from my mouth. He runs his finger up and down at that perfect depth, at that perfect pace.

A knock on the door pulls our attention away. In an instant I am sat on the bed with Buruke next to me. 

“Hey there, just checking in on you, Miss,” a nervous attendant explains, muffled behind the door.

“We’re alright,” Buruke tries to placate him, carrying on. 

Bur-uke braces a hand on my collar, pushing me down on the bed as he eases himself into me. My eyes go from wide and alert to hazy and glazed in an instant. Neither of us are able to pry ourselves from this moment, and the silence becomes deafening as we inch even closer together.

The orc pushes himself in and out, gaining speed with each stroke. A pillow is stuffed behind the headboard the first knock against the wall. His hands find their way to my hips, and my lower back is lifted off the bed. He pulls me onto him, and he secures one of my legs high behind his back. Pulling me back and fourth as well as rocking his own hips, I can feel him fully lose himself to the moment.

They knock once more, but I cant seem to pull my legs from his waist and he hasn’t bothered with any motions but thrusts.  Bur-uke’s eyes are squinted, and he lets out a rumbly sigh. 

“I’ll need to get a key if I can’t verify your safety, Ma’am,” they say a bit louder. 

A partial stress, partial pleasure, “Huh,” slips out from my lips. Bur-uke tips my chin up and my furrowed brows loosen in an instant. He cups my face gently, running down until his thumb brushes my bottom lip. 

“Now, you have a few options. He’s going to want to check in on you, and he’s only gonna take your word for it. Be a smart girl for me. You can either let him know you’re doing alright, but I’ll have to uncover your mouth and I’m not sure you really want that,” he offers, “or you let him get the room key because you’re too quiet and I can’t imagine the sight he’ll get…” Bur-uke teases. He slides out, taking a step back from the bed.

“Is he trying to embarrass me?” I ask myself, feeling my face get hotter than I thought possible. I swallow and try to let out a breath, though that isn’t what it comes out as. I bite my lip before speaking. 

“So it seems like you’ve only got a minute then, huh?” I say, turning and bending over the bed. I barely have time to think before I feel him spread me open. With little issue finding his way inside, he hammers himself in over and over. His hands are hooked around my hips, pulling me even closer. Even as my knees start to slide from the bed he isn’t phased, letting his hands catch my thighs instead of hips. 

The sheets have weaved their way though all my tight, curled fingers. I’m sure I’m going to slip soon, yet I still can’t pull any energy from my rapid breathing to get my elbows back straight under me. I bite my lip, trying to enjoy myself before the fall or another interruption. 

In a second I’m pulled up and bucked against Bur-uke’s hips, managing to catch my forearms below my chest. Before I know it I’ve fallen right back into the rhythm of his thrusts. He’s even deeper than before, and I can practically feel him throbbing in me with every stroke.

I could care less that my back is folded and sore, knowing my relief was about to be far greater. He somehow quickens, yanking me onto him with a pace so fast it matched his panting. My knees are tingling and I’m sure his fingertips are bound to leave bruises on my hips after this. I try to keep my legs from shaking for just a few more moments, letting him use me uninterrupted as we get close. 

He keeps me close, holding himself against me as his pace slows slightly. I hear a sigh fall from his mouth and a low, grumbling “mmm,”. My heart skips a beat, and I can’t name why for a moment. I feel his breath hit my neck, and feel him flick his hips fast and hard. He burrows his way into me until hitting an end, and even then I feel him contemplate pushing past that wall. His member prods and throbs against my cervix for an endless moment, finally pulling out and replacing himself on my lower back. 

In an instant the warmth removed from my body is returned in splatters down my back, almost making me wish it hadn’t left. I wait for him to retrieve a cleanup cloth, my back still folded and my heart still racing. My moment of clarity and relaxation doesn’t even last  as long as my shakey legs when I hear the door knob jingle. I’m up in a second, pulling my tunic over most of my body, eager to hide my lack of underwear. 

The second my hand is on the knob, it is obviously unlocked and turning. I keep the door only open to the width of my body, seeing the same attendant behind it. “He-hello, just checking in!” He musters, clearly hating this portion of his job.

“We’re perfectly fine! Just a friend trying to prove a point after getting carried away at the bar.” I chuckle. 

He reluctantly shrugs, heading back to return the keys.

I let out a shiver as the door shuts and I feel something run down my back.

Buruke’s hair falls over his face, though he made no effort to look at me as he stared down at his thighs. He pats the bed beside him, luring me over. 

“I didn’t expect to get so carried away,” He sighs, running a hand through his hair. 

“You just bring out something in me,” he mumbles. 

“I hope you’re not too mad at me,” I chuckle, sure I’ve eased tensions enough.

“Of course not. But…” He pauses, biting his lip.

“But?” I smile. I have no idea what he is about to say, whether he’s intending to set rules, or confront me, or worse; break this off. 

“But you’ve got me thinking and I want to be exclusive.” He firmly tells me. 

“Like… You want me not to do this with other people? Or you want me not to talk to other-” 

“I-I don’t know if I want anything serious but I can’t stand the thought of you beneath another man,” 

“What about on top of another?” I laugh, obviously joking.

He sighs, looking away. His brows furrow and for a moment he almost looks disappointed.  

“I don’t think I can handle any more than you,” I tell him with a shrug.

“I’m serious! Eh…” His eyes widen. “Who am I kidding? You haven’t even told me your name, theres no way you’re trying to get attached,” he lets out an empty, flat chuckle. 

“I’m saying I’m fine with it! As-as long as you’re willing to keep the same promise?” I try to be nonchalant, but for some reason I can’t bring myself to blink, despite my wide eyes. 

“I told you at the start of all this that I don’t do this often,”

“So what if I find a nice guy? I’m not saying I’ll do anything but,”

“So I’m not a nice guy?” He throws a hand to his chest, raising his voice slightly. 

“Well, I mean I definitely don’t have plans of stopping these arrangements anytime soon. So what if someone, say, catches my fancy in a while. I let you know with due time?”

“I hope you wouldn’t get close enough to another man for that to happen soon,”

“You act as if we’re rushing to get married,”

His cheeks brighten, though it’s hard to see him blush under his beard. “Not the first time I’ve been told that,”

“You said you don’t do this often!”

“And not in a long time but…”

“You pester me about my name but now that I think about it you haven’t even told me your age. How do I know you’re not some old pervert. Orcs don’t always show their age.”

“I’m fourt-”

“FOURTY?”

He opens his mouth.

“THERE’S MORE?”

“I’m fourty two. If thats a deal breaker then maybe you should have noticed the white in my beard.”

“Honesty I had another guess as to what it was from.” He stares at me. 

“Don’t worry about it,” I shrug it off. “I’m thirty six,” 

“You seem to be awfully terrified of fourty for you to only be a few years away.” 

“You don’t seem terrified enough of commitment for someone who’s been married before,” 

“I never said that,” he swallows. 

“You don’t need to. Give me your hand,” 

“What are you…?” He reluctantly agrees.

I take his left hand, and trace down his ring finger.

“You’ve literally got a pale stripe from where your silver band sat while you worked in the sun all day.” 

“How long have you noticed that?” He asks. 

I shrug and smile.

[wonderland-productions-blog]

Trippin over the microscopic dust that’s settled on an open drink and then remembering I swallowed more than a few pennies as a kid

[wonderland-productions-blog]

i thought my laptop was on its last leg because it was running at six billion degrees and using 100% disk space at all times and then i turned off shadows and some other windows effects and it was immediately cured. i just did the same to my roommate's computer and its performance issues were also immediately cured. okay. i guess.

so i guess if you have creaky freezy windows 10/11 try searching "advanced system settings", go to performance settings, and uncheck "show shadows under windows" and anything else you don't want. hope that helps someone else.

[wonderland-productions-blog]

So you've wrote a book, what's next?

So I recently started uni and naturally immediately joined my universities writing and book societies, last week I was sat editing my book when a couple of people approached me. Apparently through some light instagram stalking they had found out I published books and was wondering how on earth do you even do it.

Upon being on tumblr this week it turns out that this is a question that a lot of people are interested in, this being probably my most requested post ever?

ANYWAY. You've wrote a book, either you're two drafts in or fifty drafts in it doesn't entirely matter. I am going to give you the bad news that the work has only just begun.

The first choice you really need to make is whether or not you want to pursue traditional publishing or self/indie publishing. I believe the common misconception of the difference between the two is that one is 'Easier' than the other. Both are hard, just in different ways.

Traditional publishing is hard to break into, you need to convince enough of people that your book is worth selling which can be incredibly difficult and results in a lot of heartbreaking emails. However once you have that publishing deal you have those people in your corner to help with editing, cover design, and distribution among other things.

Self publishing, much like the name suggests, means that you have to do everything yourself, edit (or source an editor), design (or source a designer), marketing, the works. However the plus side of self publishing which I like is that you have a lot more creative control and freedom.

Now to be fully transparent, I am an indie author, naturally I am going to know a lot more about a process I have actually gone through rather than one I havent. However I do believe I can provide at least a rough guideline of the process so that people can get an idea of what going into it.

So starting with traditional publishing, assuming that you have a full draft that you've at least done some self editing on, your first step is finding an agent. You'll need a couple of things for this. First is make a document of the first 30 pages of your manuscript (a 'sample' if you will), and a query letter which is almost like a cover letter for your book, this is what potential agents will look at to judge whether they want to represent your manuscript.

I dont think I need to say it but your query letter is VITAL, please take time with it, some agents may not even look at your sample if your query letter is bad.

Now, searching for agents is relatively easy, there are a lot of databases online that will give you a list of agents and whether or not they are accepting submissions. Most agents will also have a kind of 'wishlist' of manuscripts they're looking to represent (e.g. sci-fi, philosophy, high fantasy), look for agents with a wishlist that includes your kind of book.

Once you have an agent they will be able to go to different publishing houses with your manuscript, hopefully leading to a book deal at some point. From there the publishers will help with editing, design, and distribution.

With self publishing the process is a bit more complicated. First is the editing process. Either you can edit your own manuscript if you feel up to it or you can source an editor. There are three different editors you can hire: Developmental editor, Line editor, and Proof reader. Almost every editor charges per word of your manuscript.

I would also recommend looking for Beta readers, these are readers who will read through an early copy of your manuscript for feedback (These are NOT editors, more reviewers). There are also ARC readers who you send an early copy to about 2-3 months before release to build interest in your book.

When it comes to the actual publishing itself, there are two main publishing platforms: kdp and ingram spark. Both of these are three besides the fact that you will need to buy an ISPN for your book to use ingram spark.

I think i'll leave it there because this is LONG, but i may turn this into a series, what do y'all want to know about?

[wonderland-productions-blog]

SYNONYMS FOR COLOURS

Red (and versions of it): cardinal, coral, crimson, flaming, glowing, maroon, rose, blooming, blush, brick, burgundy, carmine, cerise, cherry, ruby, salmon (requires more detail, ie. "salmon pink"), mahogany (reddish-brown), wine

Orange: tangerine, apricot, coral, amber, rust, salmon, peach, burnt sienna, sunset, blush, turmeric (orangey-yellow), marigold, carrot, marmalade, cantaloupe

Yellow: marigold, sunflower, amber, gold, lemon, canary, mustard, daffodil, saffron, blonde, butter, honey, maize, flaxen, topaz, cream, chartreuse, buttercup, primrose, corn

Green: emerald, olive, jade, lime, mint, forest, sage, moss, grass fern, dark, kelp, seafoam, shamrock, olive, evergreen, lettuce, cyan, turquoise, swamp, apple, honeydew, frog

Blue: aquamarine, aqua, ice, blueberry, Caribbean, teal, navy, azure, sky, cobalt, indigo, sapphire, royal, denim, periwinkle, lapis, electric (+blue), midnight, baby blue, bluebell

Purple: royal, violet, indigo, beet, lavender, hyacinth, plum, magenta, periwinkle, grape, lilac, iris, mauve, amethyst, orchid, fuchsia, heather

White: cotton, cream, almond, pearlish, bleached, ashen, ivory, snow, pearl, milk, chalk, silver, alabaster, marble, cotton, eggshell

Black: ebony, jet, coal, onyx, raven, charcoal, ink, sable, obsidian, midnight, caviar, soot, licorice

[wonderland-productions-blog]

Broke af?

But still interested in feeding yourself? What if I told you that there’s a woman with a blog who had to feed both herself and her young son…on 10 British pounds ($15/14 Euro) per week?

Let me tell you a thing.

This woman saved my life last year. Actually saved my life. I had a piggy bank full of change and that’s it. Many people in my fandom might remember that dark time as when I had to hock my writing skills in exchange for donations. I cried a lot then. 

This is real talk, people: I marked down exactly what I needed to buy, totaled it, counted out that exact change, and then went to three different stores to buy what I needed so I didn’t have to dump a load of change on just one person. I was already embarrassed, but to feel people staring? Utter shame suffused me. The reasons behind that are another post all together. 

AgirlcalledJack.com is run by a British woman who was on benefits for years. Things got desperate. She had to find a way to feed herself and her son using just the basics that could be found at the supermarket. But the recipes she came up with are amazing. 

You have to consider the differing costs of things between countries, but if you just have three ingredients in your cupboard, this woman will tell you what to do with it. Check what you already have. Chances are you have the basics of a filling meal already. 

Here’s her list of kitchen basics. 

Bake your own bread. It’s easier than you think. Here’s a list of many recipes, each using some variation of just plain flour, yeast, some oil, maybe water or lemon juice. And kneading bread is therapeutic. 

Make your own pasta–gluten free. 

She gets it. She really does. This is the article that started it all. It’s called “Hunger Hurts”.

She has vegan recipes.

A carrot, a can of kidney beans, and some cumin will get you a really filling soup…or throw in some flour for binding and you’ve got yourself a burger. 

Don’t have an oven or the stove isn’t available? She covers that in her Microwave Cooking section. 

She has a book, but many recipes can be found on her blog for free. She prices her recipes down to the cent, and every year she participates in a project called “Living Below the Line” where she has to live on 1 BP per day of food for five days. 

Things improved for me a little, but her website is my go to. I learned how to bake bread (using my crockpot, but that was my own twist), and I have a little cart full of things that saved me back then, just in case I need them again. She gives you the tools to feed yourself, for very little money, and that’s a fabulous feeling. 

Tip: Whenever you have a little extra money, buy a 10 dollar/pound/euro giftcard from your discount grocer. Stash it. That’s your super emergency money. Make sure they don’t charge by the month for lack of use, though.

I don’t care if it sounds like an advertisement–you won’t be buying anything from the site. What I DO care about is your mental, emotional, and physical health–and dammit, food’s right in the center of that. 

If you don’t need this now, pass it on to someone who does. Pass it on anyway, because do you REALLY know which of the people in your life is in need? Which follower might be staring at their own piggy bank? Trust me: someone out there needs to see this. 

[wonderland-productions-blog]

You shouldn’t have to make media more digestible on a direct level, and I do think it undercuts the authors intentions by summarizing or paraphrasing entire books. If you want to read above your media comprehension level or even own literacy, I implore you to use sparknotes, annotations and reviews to help understand the content. Not only will you have read the unfiltered classics like Great Gatsby in this example, but you come out a much stronger reader. I can’t imagine some the heart wrenching scenes in my favorite classics having the same effect if it is at a 4th grade reading level. Everyone should have accessibility to read, but they deserve the full experience too.

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Senpai says you’re welcome

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If anyone would like to reblog with shades of grey and or brown (bonus points if they’re not food based) that’d be awesome

COLOURS in DESCRIPTION

colour is the lifeblood of a scene. here are ways not to over-use it.

Red: cardinal, coral, crimson, flaming, maroon, rose, wine, brick red, burgundy, carmine, cerise, cherry, chestnut, claret, copper, dahlia, fuschia, garnet, geranium, infrared, magenta, puce, ruby, russet, rust, salmon, sanguine, scarlet, tition, vermilion, roseate, rubicund, ruddy, rubescent, florid

Orange: apricot, tangerine, merigold, cider, ginger, bronze, cantaloupe orange, clay, honey, marmalade orange, amber

Yellow: blond, chrome, cream, gold, ivory, lemon, saffron, tawny, xanthous, sandy

Green: grassy, leafy, verdant, emerald, aquamarine, chartreuse, fir, forest green, jade, lime, malachite, mossy, pea green, pine, sage, sea green, verdigris, willow, spinach green, viridian

Blue: azure, beryl, cerulean, cobalt, indigo, navy, royal blue, sapphire, teal, turquoise, ultramarine

Purple: violet, indigo, lavender, lilac, mauve, periwinkle, plum, violet, amethyst, heliotrope, mulberry, orchid, pomegranate purple, wine, amaranthine, perse, violaceous, reddish-blue

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Part of the problem was that a good portion of the clouds both of the circular winds was a stalled front that was already dropping rain

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Said it a year ago and I’ll say it again.

Pirate all your favorite shows, movies and games while you still have the chance.

Oh, and never stop supporting physical media.

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You're asexual? But...

“but sex is what makes us human!”

  in 1916 a French officer in his twenties writes his

doctoral dissertation under

heavy mortar fire.

he sends it by mail, a page

at a time, to his wife.

a week before he’s to step up to the podium and

defend his work rather than hiscountry

he is killed in action.

even as the bullets rip

through him he still wishes he could have become a professor

in French literature and

the university awards him a posthumous Ph.D.

sex is

  a woman breaks down in tears on the phone because

a week is not enough time to

get over a breakup.

her sister drives an hour across town,

comes up the front steps with

a gallon of ice cream and somebeer

and together they eat moose tracks and marathon

every

single

Godzilla movie

ever made.

  sex is

she’s late for work but her car isn’t

starting and even through her coat and hat she’s cold.

she knows she can’t be late again because she’s missed

one time too many already because her

father’s nurse was sick with the flu and someone

needed to help him bathe.

the clock ticks past fifteen after and she hits

the wheel like it’s a heavy bag as though that will help

steps on the gas like the car will go

and wonders how she will pay rent

and how she will feed her father.

sex is

  it takes three people to hold the predator down because

even with the cover over his head

a bleeding eye and shattered wing

he is trying to hurt them.

none of them have seen this bird before in their lives but

they bandage his wing and head and give him a painkiller and

put him in a warm place to sleep and heal because

it is right.

at first he is paralyzed and cannot

fly but soon he is taking steps

and then fluttering, and then soaring, and

six months later he is whole and healed and hunting.

once he is gone they never see him again

which means they’ve done their jobs right.

sex is

  in 1969 a girl watches grey-and-white footage on her parents’ tiny television and

can’t quite believe that what she is seeing is not a movie set but

another planet.

the men on the screen look a little like

aliens with bulbous heads and no faces and fat

marshmallow arms

but they are still men.

her mother puffs on a cigarette behind her and declares that

this is progress

even if it was just a small step.

the girl grows up to be not an astronaut but a secretary

and her boss calls her ‘sweetheart’.

but sex is

  a boy is taught that real men don’t cry so

he doesn’t.

when his best friend dies from a self-inflicted

gunshot wound, he locks himself

in the shower every day and sobs under scalding

water until it runs cold

so nobody will see him grieving

so nobody will see that tears are just love that

has no place left to go.

he learns to dull love rather than suppress its expression and

soon the owner of the liquor store knows him by name.

three DUIs, two evictions, and twelve steps later,

he is feeding people at a homeless shelter,

and telling them it’s all right to cry.

Sex is

  the broken man tells the comedian

that he didn’t mean to step in front of the car but the rain

made it hard to see.

he seems okay but his leg

does not.

the comedian clutches a grubby receipt with the driver’s

plate number scrawled on the back

in pink pen, stands out in the rain so the broken man

can have his umbrella,

and gives him the comedy routine that ruined his career

so the man doesn’t think about the pain in his leg.

once he’s out of the hospital, the fixed man sends him a thank-you card

with kittens on it.

what makes us human

  yawning is contagious,

and there is a species of bird whose young we call “pufflings”.

melodic collections of sound, spaced by silence,

can move us to tears.

the tallest building in the world is

two-thousand seven-hundred and seventeen feet tall.

in less than eighty years we went from our first powered flight

to touching the moon,

and in one-hundred from the first phone call

to instantaneous connection between thinking machines of our own creation.

we make pies out of tree organs

and let cow’s milk ferment until it hardens and then

we put them together, because apple pie with cheddar cheese is delicious.

what makes us human is

the earliest fossils of anatomically modern humans are

two-hundred thousand years old .

we have had pet dogs

for sixteen-thousand of those years, longer

than corn

or the wheel.

the steps we take are part of

one of the most energy-efficient gaits the

animal kingdom has ever seen.

we invented the concepts of love

and hate

and justice, and mercy

and we invented the language to convey them.

we sharpened rocks, then metal, to convince other people

who don’t hold the same idea of those things as we do

because we think

it’s right.

we are two hundred millennia of love and disappointment and

sorrow and innovation and

mercy and kindness and dreams

and failure

and recovery.

but sex is what makes us human.

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50 Worldbuilding Setting ideas for your fantasy book

Cities and Settlements

1. Capital City - The central hub of political power and culture in the realm.

2. Harbor Town - A bustling port city crucial for trade and naval activities.

3. Elf Village - A serene settlement hidden within a forest, home to elven inhabitants.

4. Dwarven Mines - An underground city where dwarves mine precious metals and gems.

5. Nomad Camp - A temporary settlement for wandering tribes and traders.

6. Market Square - The commercial heart of any major city, filled with vendors and artisans.

7. Sky City - A floating metropolis held aloft by magic or advanced technology.

Natural and Enchanted Locations

8. Mystic Forest - A dense, magical woodland filled with ancient trees and mythical creatures.

9. Enchanted Lake - A serene body of water with mystical properties.

10. Secret Cave - A hidden cavern that might contain treasure or danger.

11. Dark Swamp - A treacherous wetland often home to dark magic and creatures.

12. Forbidden Desert - A vast, arid expanse known for its harsh conditions and ancient secrets.

13. Floating Island - A landmass suspended in the sky, often home to unique flora and fauna.

14. Hidden Valley - A secluded, fertile valley protected from the outside world.

15. Charmed Meadows - Peaceful fields imbued with protective enchantments.

Magical and Supernatural Places

16. Wizard’s Tower - The abode of powerful sorcerers, filled with arcane knowledge.

17. Sacred Temple - A place of worship and spiritual significance, often protected by divine magic.

18. Haunted Castle - An ancient fortress inhabited by ghosts or malevolent spirits.

19. Necromancer’s Crypt - The lair of a dark sorcerer who practices necromancy.

20. Oracle’s Sanctuary - A holy site where oracles deliver prophecies and visions.

21. Magical Academy - An institution where young sorcerers learn the art of magic.

22. Alchemist’s Workshop - A place where alchemists experiment and create potions and elixirs.

23. Time Portal - A gateway to different eras, allowing travel through time.

Dangerous and Uncharted Areas

24. Ancient Ruins - The remnants of a once-great civilization, often hiding secrets or dangers.

25. Dragon’s Lair - The home of a fearsome dragon, filled with treasure and peril.

26. Cursed Forest - A dark, haunted woodland where malevolent forces dwell.

27. Battlefield - The site of a significant past conflict, often haunted by the spirits of the fallen.

28. Volcanic Wasteland - A desolate, fiery landscape wrought with volcanic activity.

29. Giant’s Keep - A massive fortress built and inhabited by giants.

30. Pirate Cove - A hidden inlet where pirates gather to plan their exploits.

31. Shadow Realm - A dark, parallel dimension filled with malevolent entities.

32. Frosty Tundra - A vast, icy wasteland where few dare to venture.

Cultural and Social Hubs

33. Royal Palace - The lavish residence of the ruling monarch and their court.

34. Thieves’ Guild - A secretive organization of thieves and rogues.

35. Warrior’s Training Grounds - A facility where soldiers and heroes train for battle.

36. Arena of Champions - A grand coliseum where warriors compete in combat.

37. Goblin Market - A chaotic and colorful marketplace run by goblins, offering exotic goods.

38. Hermit’s Hut - The secluded home of a wise hermit, often sought for advice.

39. Secret Hideout - A concealed refuge used by rebels or outlaws.

Mystical and Legendary Sites

40. Ethereal Gardens - Magical gardens with rare plants and enchanting beauty.

41. Celestial Observatory - A tower dedicated to studying the stars and celestial events.

42. Sanctuary of Lost Knowledge - A hidden library containing ancient and forbidden texts.

43. Sunken Ruins - The underwater remnants of a lost civilization.

44. Gryphon Nesting Grounds - A mountainous area where gryphons make their nests.

45. Spiral Staircase - An enigmatic, seemingly endless staircase leading to unknown depths.

46. Giant’s Keep - A colossal fortress built and inhabited by giants.

47. Protean Plains - A region where the landscape constantly changes, reshaped by powerful magic or ancient curses.

Adventurous and Explorative Spots

48. Treasure Hunter’s Camp - A gathering spot for explorers seeking lost relics.

49. Relic Seeker’s Cave - A cave rumored to contain powerful artifacts.

50. Explorer’s Outpost - A base for adventurers preparing for expeditions into unknown territories.

***

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