#...was clogged so the water just came back up and filled the bowl area and spilled out. all over the bathroom floor and under the wall and..

[fantabulisticity]

Okay, okay, I have several for this one:

1. Your mom says hi

2. I've heard of squirting, but this is ridiculous!

3. Me when the dick is good

4. So, like, I DO have a piss kink, but this is a little much even for me

[thatweeboverthereisthirsty]

can I ask for number 6 (sfw) with leona please? thanks~

Why yes you may. So.... this turned into a short fic because I’ve been wanting to write a Hanahaki disease troupe for a while now. It also ended up a lot more ansgty than I had intended when I originally wrote up the prompt, but oh well, it happens. I hope you like this despite Leona being a little bit OC towards the end. Nonetheless enjoy!

Warnings/Tags: Blood, disease, pain, angst, maybe a smidgen of comfort at the end, death, unrequited love, requited love, Hanahaki disease troupe with my own spin, the ending is sappy just so you know

   Pain blossomed in your chest as you rounded the corner. An itchy feeling in your throat turned into a burn, prompting you to rush past the other students in the hall and push your way into the nearest bathroom. Coughs wracked your body and forced dark pink petals splattered with blood up your throat. 

   It was unclear how long it took you to finally settle down from the coughing fit. This had been happening for months. Starting with simple coughs and the occasional petal had turned into painful fits where you choked on the amount of petals and blood that made its way out from your throat. It was a horrible thing and you knew what it was and how to get rid of it. The only problem was that no one in this place knew how or even what it was. 

   You were about to get up when you were suddenly forced into another fit of coughs. This one was more violent and painful. Tears streamed from your closed eyes and you gripped the edge of the toilet harshly. It’s almost over. It’s almost over. It’s almost over. It’s almost over. 

   Once the hacking had stopped you panted for breath and gazed into the bloodied toilet. A sinking feeling filled you when you saw a flower. An entire flower the color crimson. Your time was nearly up and you could feel it. You could feel thorns spreading out from your lungs and pricking their walls. Soon they would puncture and you would cough until there was no air left to cough up.

   “Um… is coughing up flowers normal where you come from?” You jerked and winced as the stabbing sensation got worse. Turning you spotted Leona leaning against the inside of the stall wall and realized you must have forgotten to close the door in your haste. Another spike of pain burned your lungs as the thorns grew just from Leona’s close proximity. 

   If you hadn’t shut your eyes you would have seen the demi lion flinch and concern pass through his eyes. You breathed shallowly and coughed again before shifting into a sitting position.

   “No it’s not. Well sort of.” you panted and Leona raised an eyebrow. “It’s called Hanahaki disease. Where I come from it stems from unrequited love.” At that the mage looked at you in disbelief and crossed his arms. You continued despite his obvious suspicions. 

   “When you first get it, you cough a lot and sometimes spit up little yellow petals. Gradually as time goes on and the disease gets worse the petals turn pink and then darker as you cough up more of them. Eventually you cough up your first full flower, which is always the color of blood. It means that…” You paused and looked up at Leona with tearful eyes.

   You didn’t want to say it out loud. It would only make it more real, but if there was anything you learned from having Hanahaki disease, it’s that it is very real and very painful. Maybe if it had been someone else who had found you then you would have been able to explain it fully but Leona was the last person you wanted to explain your condition to. The lion man grew impatient and gestured for you to go on. You took a deep breath and forced yourself to speak the words. 

   “When you cough up your first flower it means that the thorns have nearly punctured your lungs and within the day you will die.” Silence was what met you first, but you watched as Leona’s eyes flickered from you to the toilet bowl full of petals and blood. And directly in the middle of it lay a crimson flower, bloomed straight from your pain. 

   He was quiet for a long time before he looked at you again and frowned. 

   “How do you fix it?” 

   “You can’t. At least not here. There are two ways for Hanahaki disease to be cured. A: the more favorable option. To have the person change their mind and decide to love you, that or they loved you all along and you just never knew about it. B: the more painful option and one I would turn to if it were a service offered here, surgery.”

   “Surgery?” Leona asked with a confused expression.

   “Surgery,” you wheezed, “where they remove the flowers and thorns from your lungs. Except it only works if you take the seed out as well. If you don’t remove the seed the flowers will just regrow overnight. A lot of people don’t turn to this option until the very last minute because removing the seed means removing your ability to feel anything. All of your emotions are tied to that seed and without it a person will live a life of numbness.”

   The look on Leona’s face morphed from confusion to shock and then back to confusion.

   “Hanahaki disease doesn’t exist here so they don’t have the surgery option which likely means that the people here aren’t born with seeds.” You spoke, sensing his thoughts. He looked down at you and scrunched his eyebrows together.

   “So who’s your unrequited lover?” 

   You froze and looked back into the toilet. Another fit of coughing sprung from your chest and left you heaving for air through the flowers that clogged your lungs and throat. Distantly you felt Leona’s hand on your back before it disappeared and his footsteps made their way away from you. 

   Tears slid down your face and plopped into the bloody water beneath you. Oh if only he had loved me.

----------

   Only a few hours had passed since your arrival in the nurses wing. Yet the elderly woman who looked over the health of her students stood sadly against the wall near her door, waiting to deliver grim news to all who came her way.

   Leona, who had already figured out what happened, stayed slumped against the opposite wall. His mind raced to process the situation. Everything had happened so quickly, it seemed like only minutes ago he walked in on your coughing and decided to tease you about your frail herbivore body getting sick. Then you had told him about your condition and the sight of you, weak, and trembling next to a toilet filled with evidence of your nearing doom had made him sick with this emotion he wasn’t used to feeling. He had run to get help when he realized that he could offer none, but a part of him wished he had stayed when he and the nurse returned to find you slumped, unconscious against the wall, blood staining your lips and tear streams lining your cheeks. 

   The lion growled in frustration at the recent memory and pushed himself off the wall. The nurse didn’t stop him when he entered the room you were being kept in. Soon they would move you to a better spot where you could be prepped for a funeral. The thought filled his mouth with a bad taste so he elected to ignore it as he sat beside your far too still body. 

   A sigh left him as he felt that emotion rise in his chest once again. He snarled as if he could scare it away but interrupting the silence in the room only made him feel worse. 

   How had no one else noticed sooner. Perhaps then they could have found a way to save you. Leona looked over at your pale face and frowned. It was weird not having you there. He supposed you would have had to leave for your own world anyway but this was different. This was a very permanent and sudden goodbye. The kind no one ever wants to experience. 

   Another sigh left his lips as he ran a hand over your forehead and pushed your hair back. Even in death you were beautiful. His hand made its way down to your chest where he let it hover for a moment before pressing down in hopes that he could find any sort of beat at all. There was none. However he did feel something strange underneath your clothes and skin. 

   Glancing back towards the door, Leona carefully undid the top part of your shirt and spread it aside so he could examine your chest area. What he saw had him retracting his hands very quickly and flinching backwards. 

   Underneath your skin vines wriggled and moved as they broke free from your lungs and wound their way through the other parts of your body. The tip of a thorn broke through the surface of your skin and dragged it’s way across your chest making odd jerks and turns. As horrified as he was, Leona leaned forward and watched as the thorn carved a word into your flesh. He watched carefully as it retreated back into its spot in your body and he felt his blood run cold.

   Leona Kingscholar. The word was his name. Then it hit him. The unrequited love had been him. This whole time you had been suffering because of him. And now you were dead because of it. 

   Sobs forced their way out of his throat and he gripped your arm tightly whispering that he had changed his mind. You could come back now because he had cured you. You were alright because he loved you. 

   None of his pleas did anything to bring you back, and eventually when the headmaster and your other friends arrived, Leona excused himself to run back to his room in Savanaclaw.

---------

   Leona rolled over and sighed, breathing in deeply to inhale the scent of the flowers that hung overhead. They smelled like you and their petals, once a horrific shade of red, now the same color as your eyes. 

   The lion yawned and smiled up at your flowers before patting the earth beneath him with his tail. He had cured you by being in love with you, and although that had not saved you from the thorns that terrorised your lungs, it had gotten rid of them and allowed you to sprout beautiful flowers that reminded him of you. 

   Just beneath the soil, your body lay decomposed into more rich minerals for the earth. Your heart however had transformed into the seed of the loveliest flowers Leona had ever seen. The disease that had taken you from him also gifted him with a plant of great beauty. 

   He lay underneath your flowers everyday and let their scent lull him to sleep. And occasionally if he listened very closely to the earth beneath him, he could almost hear the sound of your heart still beating. Beating because you were in love.

[ysljoon]

Sick Visit|Kim Seokjin

♡ Pairing: Doctor!JinxReader

♡ Genre: Smut

♡ Summary: You go to the doctor’s office when you’re feeling quite under the weather and your usual doctor is out of town and now the man taking your temperature is the same man you drunkenly slept with last weekend.

♡ Word Count: 1.3K+

You woke up with your joints inflamed and cold sweats. Last night was a struggle to even get yourself to bed since your nose was clogged with mucous and it wasn’t the easiest to try and sleep when you’re mouth breathing. You trudged yourself to the bathroom to splash cold water in your face and when you looked in the mirror your face was flushed. Strands of hair clung to your forehead. Grumbling at your current appearance you proceeded to turn on your sink and cool yourself off. It provides temporary relief, but you knew you couldn’t spend your entire day stuck in the bathroom cooling yourself off with cold water.

Another obstacle came in the way after breakfast. You weren’t too hungry, but you knew you needed some nutrition if you wanted to get better anytime soon. You made yourself a bowl of fruit primarily with apples, mandarins, and strawberries. As you were trying to enjoy your fruit and the baking championship that you were very tuned into you felt your stomach turn. You tried to brush the feeling away and continue to eat, but the feeling was persistent and coming back stronger everytime. Making your way to the bathroom, before you can even control it, you’re emptying the fruit salad that you were just enjoying all over the floor. You couldn’t think this morning could be even worse.

You knew that this wasn’t going to go away as quickly as you would like with some over the counter medicine, so reluctantly you called your doctor’s office. The line rang twice before you someone picked up.

“Hi, thank you for calling Seoul Doctor’s Office! How may I help you today?”

“Hello, this is y/n y/l/n. I wanted to see if I can schedule with an appointment with Dr. Kim Namjoon today if possible?” There was a brief pause and you heard some typing in the background.

“Ah, it appears that Dr. Kim Namjoon is out of town, but I can get you an appointment with Dr. Kim Seokjin. I promise you he’s just as good!” You thought the name she said as replacement for your usual doctor sounded so familiar, but you just couldn’t place where you heard it from.

“Okay sounds fine to me. What time is my appointment?”

“Does 2 p.m. work today for you?”

“That’s perfect! Thank you so much.”

With that you hung up your phone and started to get dressed. It was already 1 p.m. and you knew the drive was going to be around 40 minutes and so you really didn’t have much time to waste. You threw on a a baggy t-shirt and sweatpants because in the condition you’re in fashion is the last thing you want to think about.

The drive to the doctor’s wasn’t too bad and thankfully there was ample parking too so you could literally pick, choose, and refuse what parking spot you wanted. Naturally, you chose the one as close as possible to the building while in a shaded area. You opened the door and the receptionist greeted you with a warm smile. She handed you a clipboard with paperwork and requested that you fill it out and give it back to the front desk while you wait for your doctor. You obliged and made yourself as cozy as you can in the plastic waiting chairs. The paperwork wasn’t too lengthy and you only had to fill out two pages so you gave the clipboard back and waited silently. You kept yourself occupied between your phone and the movie that they had playing on multiple TVs that they had displayed in the waiting room. The movie selection today was Finding Nemo.

“Ms. y/l/n?” You looked up from your phone and felt your face flush. Now you know where you heard this doctor’s name from. This was the same Kim Seokjin that you chatted up at the bar to get free drinks and you ended so drunk off your ass that he ended taking you back to his home and things may have gotten carried away, but you digress. All you could wish out of this visit is that he doesn’t remember you and he can prescribe you some antibiotics and you can be on your merry way.

“U-uh that’s me!” You quickly get up and hold your head down. He holds the door open for you and you follow him into an exam room. You sit down once he closes the door and gives you a comforting smile. You couldn’t forget that smile even if you wanted to.

“Alright Ms. y/l/n, what seems to be the issue?” You explained the events of this morning and he nodded along as you kept talking. Once you finished explaning he opened a cabinet and got out a thermometer. Before you could even process it he was very close to you and you had a thermometer pressed to your temple. Just feeling his body heat close to you got you feeling flustered as it reminded you of the events of last weekend which you wish you coukd forget.

“You know y/n, I couldn’t have the slightest idea why you could be feeling shy around me now when you were very far from being shy when I had you bent over and screaming my name last weekend. Look at you now though, you can’t even look me in the eyes.”

Fuck. Of course he had to remember you. You shouldn’t let his words have an effect on you, but of course they did. You started to feel the stickiness build up in between your thighs and it was embarrassing. You pressed your legs close together and Jin seemed to have noticed. He put his hands in between your legs and pried them open. He looked at you to make sure he could keep going. You couldn’t even use words right now so all you did was fervently nod. He ran his long slender fingers along your slit, causing you to slip out a gasp.

“You’re so wet and I’ve barely even started. You’re so dirty. I bet you came in today just so you can see me because you can’t get enough of my cock.”

Before you could even answer he’s stuck a single finger into your heat and you let out a very lewd mewl. He pumped his finger knuckle deep into your pussy and just hearing the sound of your own wetness fill up the sound of the room just turned you on more. Once he thought you were slick enough he stuck one more finger into you. This caused you to sqeal and have your back arch almost painfully far.

“Shhh babygirl, you dont want all the doctors to get curious with what im doing with my patient. Unless you’re that much of a dirty whore that wants people to watch.” His words were intoxicating you and you felt the rubberband in your lower stomach about to pop.

“J-jin I’m going to cum!” You barely got out the last word until you felt yourself shaking on his fingers. Once your orgasm subsided, Jin took his fingers out of you and brought them up to his mouth and licked your juices clean off his fingers.

“I’ve been missing how much you taste. I just couldn’t stop thinking about it.” Hearing that made you turn your head away from him in embarrassment. You then heard papers rustling and when you looked back he was writing in a notepad.

“Here y/n,” He ripped off the paper and handed it to you and you looked down in curiosity, but you could barely even read it the handwriting was borderline illegible. “This is an antibiotic prescription. You seem to have a stomach infection. Take the antibiotics once a day preferably at night. You can pick it up at the pharmacy in about an hour.

You were stunned at how quickly he had turned the switch on you and got professional on you without even batting an eye. You walked to your car and once you were in you observed the paper once again. In the light you can see there was something written on the back.

Here’s my number I can’t wait to continue where we left off ;)

[irwintry]

The Tilt-Shift Effect

Warnings: swearing, alcohol, brief mention of drugs

Author’s Note: i think i spent too much time on this honestly i dont even know how i feel abt it

playlist

Word Count: 6.2k

–– a phenomenon in which your lived experience seems oddly inconsequential once you put it down on paper, which turns an epic tragicomedy into a sequence of figures on a model train set, assembled in their tiny classrooms and workplaces, wandering along their own cautious and well-trodden paths.

Ashton had wealth, but he ate his cereal out of two-dollar plastic bowls from Target. He owned fourteen, specifically, so he could let them pile up in the sink for two weeks before he was forced to accept the grimy challenge of washing dishes. He had the cabinet space to hold up to twenty-one, though he figured that was a bit excessive. His laziness could only be condoned for so long. If he chose to purchase more, he’d be better off hiring a maid.

Sometimes, Ashton took up weird hobbies during his downtime. His works of crochet were hung on the walls of hallways, and his ceramic mugs got their daily use through early morning coffee fixes. Once upon a time, he tried beading, and his old girlfriend received most of the precious pieces. He had to do something other than songwriting or else it would fry his brains out.

He purchased a new pair of winter gloves the other day. He lived in Los Angeles–– he didn’t need a pair of winter gloves, let alone a new one. Ashton wasn’t spending money on pointless things because he was bored of his life. No, he loved his time on tour with friends. He loved sharing moments and memories that would last forever. And then, he would be home again, cooped up in the confines of his expansive home with fourteen plastic bowls and crocheted hallways. Ashton needed his life to be fast-paced, otherwise, he’d start beading again.

A few weeks ago, he considered writing a novel. He purchased a Nalgene, hiked up whatever mountain was closest (while simultaneously sweating enough to fill his new water bottle three times), and jotted down whatever emotions slammed into his head. He was hit with nothing. The destructive instinct of tossing his journal into the deep brush overcame him, and Ashton decided that if he were to write a novel, he’d need to go somewhere a bit more inspirational than the dry mountains overlooking smog city.

He suffered from tinnitus quite often, especially on airplanes or any high altitude above sea level (to be exact). Maybe it was partially due to his career as a drummer, or maybe it wasn’t. Whatever it was, and whatever the reason, he despised the perpetual ache. It ruined any social event or interaction for the two days following, but in this case, it ruined his right to think. After packing for twenty minutes, Ashton sped to the airport, his ear already clogged from the mountain climb earlier that morning. The information desk was his first destination, and then it was wherever from there.

“’m sorry, Ash, but you’re where?”

Ashton took a glance around at the baggage claim area. So, he could take the silver line, get a taxi or a limo, or schedule an app ride to wherever he was going. It was good to know he had options. But what the hell was the silver line?

He chuckled. “I think I took a flight to Boston.”

The other end of the phone call was silent.

Truth be told, Ashton hadn’t meant to fly to Boston. He hadn’t been tremendously picky when it came to choosing the final destination, so he picked a random time off of the top of his head, and whatever flight was scheduled to board then, he’d buy a ticket. Boston it was.

“Why the fuck are you in Boston?” Luke wondered, his sentence ending with a lilt and a laugh.

Calum entered the conversation. “Are you having an emotional breakdown?”

“Did you try beading again?” Michael quipped.

Ashton had to chuckle once more. He wasn’t sure he would ever tire of his friends. “Needed t’get out of LA, mates. To clear my head.”

“So, you chose Boston?” Luke spoke up through laughter again.

“’s not a bad city,” Ashton replied. The loud buzzer by his baggage claim began to sound, and a second or so later, the first suitcase tumbled down. “There’s Cambridge, too. That place can be pretty.”

“I think Ash will make the perfect Bostonian,” said Michael. “He gives off perfect Masshole vibes.”

Ashton snorted. “Thank you, Mike.”

“Anytime.”

Ashton noticed his bag was the fourth to slide down on the conveyer belt. “So, uh, does anyone know what on earth the silver line is?”

-

There are ninety-five to a hundred billion nerve cells in the human body, and right now, Ashton could feel every single one. The safari app on his phone had close to ten tabs open purely to help him understand the train system, but then he ended up freaking out and taking a Lyft instead. He had started to realize his mistake in coming here the moment he finalized everything with his Airbnb in Back Bay (wherever the hell that was). He could vaguely remember a few designated spots him and his mates hit for yoga or brunch when they had been in the city, but they were never here long enough.

The penthouse he was renting lacked activities, but the bathroom was nice. The lighting made his pores stand out a bit more than usual, so that was another downside. Also, he was two inches taller than the showerhead. Otherwise, he loved the place. The roof would be a nice touch if the temperature outside hadn’t frozen his nips off through three layers of clothing. With a sigh, Ashton tossed his belongings to the floor and collapsed onto the couch.

So, he didn’t know why he was here or what he was going to do while he was here. He hardly made it out of the airport alive, and he assumed that, once people knew he was here, walking the streets would be a damn nightmare. Maybe he could give himself cabin fever and write down whatever psychotic thoughts came into his head. That would be an interesting novel.

Ashton didn’t know what he was thinking, but he did know that he needed a fucking beer. And, like all great cities, there were plenty of bars.

However, despite the lovely array of bars, he needed a place that was lowkey. He needed the place three blocks west in its eighteen-table glory. He needed the distance murmur of conversations from old friends and regulars, and he needed that sharp sting of tequila sloshing down his throat. What he didn’t really need, was the live performance taking place in the closet-sized underground bar, but he felt bad that the ten people in there hardly gave a shit.

Ashton listened from a small round table by the wall. He didn’t know why–– maybe it was the alcohol, but the light strum of guitar and angelic singing voice traveled through every ninety-five to a hundred billion nerves in his body. His heart connected to the lyrics, the strings plucking as if it were on the guitar. Maybe this was why he was here.

You had noticed him from the corner of your eye, though your hands only froze for a split moment before you flickered your gaze back to the few men on barstools. This was the exact reason you had to perform with a lyric sheet before you–– unexpected guests like Ashton Irwin would wander in and listen to you sing.

Truth be told, this was your first time performing in front of a big name, and you were somewhat upset you had worked through your headache to be here. It should have been a sign when your guitar took twenty minutes to tune and when two cars almost ran you over on a crosswalk. It should have been a sign when your vanilla latte from Pavement burned your tongue and made you cry.

But here you were, singing lyrics you no longer felt with a shaky voice in front of a man whose eyes were glossed over from the alcohol. At least, that was what you assumed. His thumbs darted to the inside corners of his eyes and rubbed along the water line. You absolutely could not believe it. You had made him cry.

“Uh, thank you,” you said into the mic. Only Ashton was watching you, so truly, you were thanking him. “I’ll be back soon with some happy songs, I promise.”

He cracked a smile.

You had your back turned for under a minute as you put your guitar away, and when you stood to go talk to him, he had already gone.

-

“I’ve tried approximately seventeen coffee shops in the past week, and only four of them sold bagels, and two of those four had comfortable seating,” Ashton explained. With his phone nestled between his shoulder and his ear, he darted around the kitchen, a spatula for his eggs in one hand and a bottle of orange juice (for some reason) in the other.

“And, how many of those places had good coffee?” asked Calum.

Ashton sighed. “Seven.”

“How ya gonna narrow it down, then?”

Once he set down the bottle of juice, Ashton placed his phone on the counter and pressed the speaker button. A buzz of white noise filled the large kitchen. “Well, two of the seven had bagels, and one of those had good coffee, good seating, and bagels. But the problem is, those bagels weren’t that great. So, like...”

“Life really sucks for you,” his friend replied with a quick chuckle.

“And I still haven’t figured out how the fuck to ride the train, so I’ve spent like two hundred dollars on Lyft rides because I can’t walk, and– “

“Are you doin’ okay, mate?” Calum questioned, worry lacing his tone while Ashton struggled with scraping the eggs off of the pan and onto his plate.

He thought for a moment as he turned off the burner. “I’m– ‘m not doing bad. Jus’...” Ashton sighed. “A part o’ me doesn’t wanna leave, but I don’t have any reason to be here.”

There was silence on Calum’s end for a moment as well. Meanwhile, Ashton was pouring his juice. Truth be told, it was close to one in the afternoon, and he was just now having breakfast.

“And like,” he mumbled before letting out a quick huff due to the small juice spillage on the counter, “I feel kinda stupid. Like, I literally hopped on the first flight that caught my eye. I coulda gone to Milwaukee, or I coulda gone to Paris!”

“Boston’s pretty cool,” replied Calum.

Ashton shrugged to himself. “There was this really good singer at this bar the other day. Thought she was cute n’ all.”

“Did you get her number?”

“No,” he said. “I– I left pretty quickly. Dunno. I panicked. I haven’t been back since.”

“Why?”

“Dunno.”

“You should go back.”

Ashton’s brows knotted together. “Y’think?”

Calum let out a laugh. “You’re acting like a fourteen-year-old.”

Ashton sighed.

“Yeah, go back,” his friend continued. “Why not? If she’s not there, try one more time. And if she’s not there again, go to fuckin’ Belize. Ash, ya flew to Boston on a whim. You’re feelin’ burnt out–– you want to write a fuckin’ novel for Christ’s sake, mate! Maybe it’s all a path that leads to her. I mean, ya never know if you don’t try.”

Ashton nodded as he poked and prodded at his peppered eggs with a fork. They had cooled significantly now, and his hunger was only growing stronger. “I’m supposed t’be the wise one. ‘m older.”

In response, Calum snorted and uttered out a meek “yeah, right.”

“I’ll– I’ll go back tonight.”

And, Ashton did. His stomach twisted tightly as his long legs took him in quick strides across bridges and down busy streets. He kept his head down the entire time, his thin sweatshirt hood loose against his untamed hair (he hadn’t thought to put in the energy). The cold bit, and he figured he would have to invest in a nice winter coat from some store down Newbury. He heard it had a lot of nice stores.

The bar was quiet again, the same few guys still situated on their stools as if they hadn’t left in six days. He paid for a beer – didn’t matter what kind – and stalked towards the same table he had sat at before. Everything was the same, but you weren’t there, and he assumed you wouldn’t be. For a second, he hoped he had gotten the time all wrong, or maybe he had imagined the whole thing. Moments later, his beer had gone down a few centimeters, and you were rushing down the stairs with your guitar case on your back and a music stand in your hand.

“Sorry, sorry Stewart!” you yelped after banging the shoulder of one of the men at the bar.

“Jesus, Y/N, you don’t have t’rush,” he joked, but you continued on hurrying to get your things set up. “We’ll be here all night.”

You huffed. “Well, how ya gonna have an enjoyable night without me?”

Someone else chuckled. “I’ll drink to that.”

So could Ashton. His heart rate had tripled since you raced in wearing your cute bee socks. He hoped the flush of your skin meant more than the freezing temperatures outside, but he wasn’t entirely confident you had noticed him sitting there until you were situated on your stool.

“You missed out on the happy songs,” you said as you – to his surprise – gazed over at him. “That’s okay. I’ve got a few more in store.”

Ashton didn’t cry often when it came to happy songs–– he truly thought his reactions to music were pretty conventional. Somehow, you were able to evoke more emotion than he even knew he had. His beer had more tears in it than alcohol by the end of your set. He wondered why no one had discovered you yet, but then again, you fit perfectly in the position you were in: playing for only him to listen.

He wanted to do what Calum suggested. He wanted to talk to you and personally get your name without having to know it because he overheard it from Stewart. For some reason, every ounce of confidence that Ashton had spent years developing in the music industry stood no chance in comparison to you. He darted as soon as you smiled his way.

-

Ashton had burned through four bottles of Naked juice by the next evening. It was his compensation for hardly having a thing to drink at the bar simply because his brain chose to be infatuated with you for that short amount of time. Also, he bent the shower head by accident, and he almost locked himself on the roof last night when exploring.

In the morning, he had briefly forgotten where he was. There were ten texts from friends awaiting him as he fumbled with the coffee machine in the kitchen, and most of them had something to do with him flying across the country to a city that hardly mattered a thing to him. Ashton chose not to answer any of them. He didn’t owe anyone an explanation for his decisions; however, he felt as though he owed you his ears. You deserved to have someone who cared about your music.

You, on the other hand, had been hoping and praying that the previous night would run smoothly. Ashton had no reason to show again, and you assumed he had only been in town briefly. And then, he hid in the corner once more, eyes trained hard on you as the tears threatened to spill. You had to blink a few times to make sure your mind wasn’t playing tricks on you. This man played arenas holding thousands all across the world. You played for your roommates and middle-aged drunkards in a bar with a maximum capacity of thirty. He should not have been there.

Though the nerves were still there as you played through John Denver covers and original songs that would only see the inside of the bar, it was nice to have someone new listen in. It was numbing to only play for Richard, Frank, Steve, and Stewart. Now there was Ashton, the famous drummer who somehow found his way to Boston and somehow wandered into the same bar you played at a few times a week. Had someone filmed you and posted it online? Was he here pretending to be a talent scout?

You needed to know. But Ashton was good. In that same minute you were putting away your guitar, he slipped out again.

So, you figured he wouldn’t show anymore. Nobody of great importance stayed in Boston long enough. And then, he did show. For the third time in a row, Ashton was giving you his full attention, and you weren’t sure how you felt about it. He showed a fourth time, and then a fifth. A whole two weeks had passed, and he was still showing up.

By this point, you convinced yourself that it was a-look-alike.

Ashton, meanwhile, was convinced that you were the reason he was here in the first place. He didn’t know if it was the cute giggle that escaped your lips when you slipped up on the chords, or the crinkles by your eyes once you let yourself get lost completely in a song. Or, maybe it was the precious pout you wore when there were mic difficulties.

It was possible he had become a bit too hooked.

“What even is there to do in Boston?” asked Luke while Ashton was busy avoiding ducks and squirrels by the edge of the pond. A part of him considered dropping his phone into the shallow waters, but his friends needed to know that he was doing okay.

“Uhh,” Ashton glanced around, the dead leaves and bundled-up strangers catching his eye. Truly, he should have picked Italy or something. “Ride a train. Eat food. Yell at cars.”

Someone cackled on the other end of the call. “You make me sad.” It was Michael.

“I’m fine,” the dirty-blond answered, “truly. It’s about Christmas time, so the lights are really nice. Depends on where ya go but things are like, kinda calm here. And, there’s this bar– “

“Jesus, Ash, have you even talked to her?” asked Calum.

“Well, no, but– “

“Her?” It was Michael again.

Ashton frowned. “Well there’s– uh, there’s this– “ He kicked at a few stones and watched them tumble into the water. “Girl.”

A chorus of ooo’s and laughter filled the receiver before Luke spoke up and said, “All right, Ash, buddy. What’s she like? Satisfyin’?”

“I-I haven’t even talked to her yet.”

And then, there was a moment of silence.

“She plays at this bar,” Ashton continued, “a few times a week. And, fuck, she’s like if Sara Bareilles and Phoebe Bridgers had a baby or somethin’. ‘m probably the only person in that joint who gives a flyin’ fuck about her. She’s so beautiful.”

“Well shit, Ash,” Michael interjected, “what’re you waitin’ for?”

“That’s what I told him!” Calum shouted.

Ashton didn’t know. He didn’t know after the phone call ended, and he still didn’t know on his walk back home. He thought about you too much to not give this a chance.

At home, he thought about you while making dinner or shaving his beard. He thought about you when coming up with strategic ways to get around the city without being seen. He thought about you once he finally figured out how the train system worked. No matter what, he thought about you, the cute girl who sang her heart out for people who only talked over her.

He wondered if you thought about him, too. There was no possible way you hadn’t noticed his presence–– you locked eyes too many times and it made his heart flop every damn time.

Ashton would spend the walk over to the bar thinking about what sweater you would wear that night. Would it be blue or red? Would it fit perfectly or leave enough room for another human to cuddle underneath? You took your shoes off when performing, so he began to think about what socks you would wear, too. The blue ones with cats? The frilly white ones? The rainbow ones with dinosaurs? His smile grew wide as he climbed down the stairs to the small bar.

Tonight was the night he would talk to you he decided. He couldn’t fall into the habit of coming and going, especially when he truly wanted to talk to you. Somehow, those billions of nerves held him back.

Ashton sat at a table closer to the tiny stage. You were in the middle of a song when your eyes glanced down to his figure, and he swore you could see his cheeks burning hotter than the neon sign beside his head.

“Hey stranger,” you said after the song had ended, and you sent a wink his way. “This next one is dedicated to you.”

His mouth fell open, but he quickly covered up the expression with a long sip of his beer. It was like you knew how to win him over. A few chuckles sounded the bar from behind him, but he couldn’t take it upon himself to care as your nimble fingers strummed a melody that felt like pure honey in his ears. Your voice was what made it sweet.

It was possible the small bit of alcohol that made the fuzz in head travel down his spine. The bubbling in his chest was an artist, for the smile it etched on his face was unlike no other he had felt. Ashton couldn’t imagine the sensation of actually speaking to you face-to-face.

“Thank you to my– my number one fan,” you mumbled shyly with the prettiest smile that could send anyone into a euphoric state. Your eyes were gentle as they peered down at him, and he swore his heart had taken a flight to Milan by now.

You turned around to pack your things, and Ashton had to restrain himself from fleeing like he typically did every time. Usually, he was better at this. He could talk to anyone back home without a single ounce of anxiety, but now, his feet did most of the talking. So, he imagined that he was stuck butt-first in cement and stayed still.

He didn’t know that you would nearly drop everything when you turned to see him there. Ashton fought free of his invisible restraints so he could rush over and help gather your lyric sheets, but he didn’t know he would be so shaky doing so. He hadn’t been this nervous since the first ever performance with his band.

“S-shit, thanks– thank you,” you sputtered, clearly flustered from the accidental mishap. You began to lightly laugh at yourself as you crouched down, and he admired that. “’m a bit clumsy.”

“Is that your name?” he asked and cracked a smile. “A bit clumsy?”

Maybe you had blushed, maybe you hadn’t. Or, maybe it was the few lights shining directly on the two of you from above the small stage. “Uh, n-no. ‘s Y/N.”

He smiled and nodded, reaching out his free hand to shake your own free hand. He knew your hands would be soft despite the guitar callouses, but he hadn’t realized how badly he wouldn’t want to let go. “Ashton.”

“Yeah,” you replied hazily, then your eyes widened before you rose to your feet. He followed suit as you stuttered out, “I-I mean yeah, I– shoot. I mean I know who you are, it’s just– “

“Y’okay?” He grinned. So, he wasn’t the only one who was nervous. That was good.

You nodded. “I’m– I’m great. Just confused.”

“Why’s that?”

“Well...” You shrugged and placed the sheets of music back onto the music stand. “You-you're not exactly a Boston native. And, you keep comin’ to this bar.”

“Cos’ you’re talented.”

“And– wait, what?”

Ashton’s smile grew. You truly did have more confidence on stage than you did in person; it just meant you were destined to perform. “I keep comin’ back to hear you. I like your stuff. I like your voice.”

You gazed up at him, cheeks hot, and you were desperate to get out of the harsh lighting you had been sitting in for close to a half hour. Behind him, the folks at the bar were chatting and gazing back occasionally at the two of you. “You’re... wow.”

“You’re really good.”

“Th-thank you,” you replied, “so much.” The smile had yet to escape you, and it was possible that it had grown larger. “Um, so why-why are you in Boston? Of all places?”

It hadn’t occurred to him that you would ask that question. Surprisingly, in the past two weeks, no one had. He went a few days without getting recognized altogether, but he knew he’d have to answer questions at some point. But, for now, he shrugged. He didn’t know the answer. “Spontaneous adventure.”

You chuckled. “To Boston...”

He laughed a little, too. “Yeah, to Boston.”

-

The simple question of “can I walk you home?” could only go so far. Ashton hadn’t insinuated anything, and you didn’t think he had either. But if both of you were honest, you didn’t want to say goodbye just yet. So, you told him to “hold tight” as you raced up to your apartment to drop your things off. He was in the same spot where you had left him, hands deep in the pocket of his pretty-penny coat that had a hood the size of Canada.

“Y’sure you don’t have plans?” he asked you, letting out a puff of air through the frigid night. Ashton didn’t mind the cold as long as he spent it with someone to preoccupy his thoughts. You were well-qualified for that–– he couldn’t think of anything else but you and the way the lights in the trees reflected in your eyes.

“It’s eight-thirty on a Thursday night,” you said. “Normally, I’d be in bed by now.”

Ashton let out a chuckle, and he couldn’t believe that he could have had this last week. You admitted that you had been hoping he’d stick around after all this time, and ever since that moment, he tried not to mental curse himself.

“Walk fast,” you muttered to him. “My favorite coffee shop closes in an hour and a half.”

You were taking him through parks and vacant neighborhood streets, and he was grateful. These were shortcuts he hadn’t thought to take himself. Besides, he’d rather enjoy them with you anyway. You hopped off of curbs, kicked stones in your path, and jogged across large fields whenever the two of you came upon one. He had never met anyone who found such joy in the little things, and he loved that about you. The night was cold, but you were happy.

Were you happy because you were with him?

Ashton tried to enjoy it as much as you (well, he did enjoy himself, but he preferred watching you enjoy yourself–– it meant more to him anyway). Watching the way your eyes lit up as a few snow flurries fell from the sky was enough to keep his mood steady for the next few months.

“If we get coffee fast,” you said, “we could go to the MFA. I mean, like, you would have to pay unfortunately because I get in for free, but– “

“The MFA?” Ashton asked you as the two of you turned a corner. Before he realized, you were walking up a few steps and opening the door to the coffee shop you told him about.

“Museum of Fine Arts!” you exclaimed before greeting the baristas in the small establishment. “Can I get a small caramel latte with almond milk and a molasses cookie, please? Both to-go”

He grinned, still watching you intently as if you were made of pure gold. Everything you said was drenched in it. Ashton didn’t know how to not fall for you. He pulled out his wallet before you could and handed the person at the register his credit card as he said, “small cider for me, please. Also to-go.”

“Excuse you,” you gasped, and then you pouted, and Ashton thought he was going to lose his shit. Either that or his cheeks would fall off from smiling so much.

“You worked hard tonight,” he said. “You deserve it.”

You rolled your eyes. “Dummy.”

Ashton liked the fact that the two of you spoke to each other as if you had been friends all along. It felt natural, and that only made him more nervous. If it felt natural after only knowing you for a few hours, he couldn’t help but wonder how it would feel later on.

“Want some?” you asked, holding up the molasses cookie as you both began in the direction you came from. “It’ll change your life.”

“Uh, sure,” he replied, pulling off a bit of the cookie before placing it on his tongue. Ashton had never been a huge fan of molasses, but he didn’t mind it all that much. Nevertheless, he nearly moaned at the taste just to please you. “That’s crack,” he joked before taking a sip of his cooling cider. “MFA time?”

“You wanna go?” you asked with a small gasp. “You still wanna spend time with me? I’m shocked.”

He chuckled. “I don’t think tha’s a crime. You’re talented and fun to be around.”

“Half of the world is jealous of me,” you said.

“Yeah, well,” he sighed, “luckily, half of the world doesn’t know about you yet. Once they do...” Ashton didn’t want to think about you becoming overwhelmed with personalities and fans. He liked you here. He liked you now. And then, he realized he said yet. But you didn’t notice.

“I can only imagine,” you huffed through a mouthful of cookie. “Dunno how you’re able to get around here without strangers proddin’ into your life.”

“Ah, I’ve recently developed ninja skills,” he said. “And, I’m also Spider-Man, so I can jump from building to building. Oh, and I’m a mermaid, too so I can swim across the Charles if I need.”

You winced, and you even made an euughhh sound before saying, “I wouldn’t even stick a toe in the Charles if you dared me for a million dollars.”

Ashton felt his laughter deep in his chest, and he hadn’t expected it to echo as the two of you prepared to cross the giant field once again. And when you danced your way across the turf, he gladly held your belongings so he could slowly catch up to you. He was amazed that you felt no sense of embarrassment, but that made him even happier. It just meant that you were comfortable around him.

He didn’t mind paying for his ticket whatsoever–– he would spend all of the money in his bank account if it meant never leaving your side. You showed him all of your favorite pieces, like Dance at Bougival by the artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir (who, according to you, was definitely one of the best Impressionist painters), and you took him down to the Ansel Adams exhibit. That was his favorite part in particular; it was the kind of photography he wished he could create.

Most of all, Ashton didn’t mind standing back and admiring you from afar as your eyes scanned the wide canvases before you. He wanted you as close as possible, but he could appreciate your beauty in full this way.

“Do you smell potatoes?” you wondered aloud at one point, and truly, he did smell potatoes. The smell hit both of you before the sounds of whatever event was being held did. Soon after, you could hardly hear your thoughts over the band and loud chatter. “C’mon,” you said, taking his hand and pulling him down a large hall, “I wanna see if we can crash.”

Your hand was in his. Your hand was in his, and he couldn’t stop thinking about it. Your smile grew as you followed the blaring music into a great big hall. There were servers and chefs darting behind dividers, and from the middle of the room, you could see down into where the event took place. People were dressed to the nines as the band in the distance played a song he recognized from Notting Hill.

“Art installation,” you gasped, tugging on his hand. Meanwhile, he was trying to figure out a way to intertwine your fingers with his. “Do you think I could get them to let me in by wooing them with my magical voice?” you joked, giggling as your entire face lit up with laughter.

Ashton nodded. “You could woo them with your smile, darlin’,” he replied. The next moment, he managed to wedge his fingers in between yours, and you didn’t even think twice about it. Your eyes sparkled while you tried to sneak up further to catch a better glimpse at what was happening.

“Well, you could woo them with your smile... darlin’,” you said, shooting him a wink.

Ashton finally decided that Boston hadn’t been a bad idea after all.

-

“I’m not tired,” you replied despite yawning midsentence. “Promise. It’s only– “ You checked your phone. “It’s only two in the mornin’.”

“Bedtime for me, sweetheart,” Ashton chuckled. “But believe me, I don’t want this night to end either.”

You sighed, wrapped your arm around his as you rested your head on his bicep. Ashton felt the need to thank you for this. He felt warm around you, and not just because you were leaning into him. He had developed feelings for the idea of you during the past two weeks of witnessing your lovely performances, but tonight, he had developed feelings for the actual you. It was quite possible that you had as well.

“Where ya stayin’?” you mumbled against him.

“I have an Airbnb on the next street over from here,” he responded as he glanced down at your tired self all cuddled against him. It made his heart got berserk. “But ‘m gonna walk you back to your place.”

“You don’t have t’do that,” you said.

Ashton shrugged lightly. “I want to.”

You sighed again, letting your head fall back against him as he pulled you closer (if that were even possible). The two of you walked in comfortable, sleepy silence down a few more blocks and over avenues. At one point, he swore you had fallen asleep, yet your feet were still walking as normal with him blindly guiding you along. He didn’t recognize where he was whatsoever, though, within a few minutes, the two of you reached your destination.

“Hm, we’re here,” you mumbled, blinking rapidly before rubbing your eyes.

“So we are,” he said, mostly to himself as his brain sped through countless options as to what he should do next. Would he ask for your number? Would he tell you he’d see you again soon? Ashton didn’t know what to do, but the moment you stepped closer to him, he knew he needed to pull you in for a hug. He needed your warmth, and you gladly accepted his. And when you began to pull away, you stood high on your toes and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek.

“See you tonight?” you asked, a lazy smile forming on your features as you slowly backed up towards the front door to the building.

He grinned, grazing his cheek with his fingers as he muttered out a satisfied, “see you tonight.”

-

Ashton started his novel the next afternoon, the words finally hitting his brain in just the right places as they found their home on an empty word document. He wrote and wrote, his fingers hardly feeling the repercussions of the endless typing, and before he knew it, it was time to see you again. A part of him wanted you here with him as he wrote–– maybe you were the inspiration he needed all along.

And when he walked into that bar he now knew all too well, you were already there to greet him with a smile so big, any satellite in space could see it. Ashton knew he would be head-over-heels from the get-go; however, he hadn’t expected to fantasize about stupid things like taking road trips or late-night kisses. They weren’t stupid per se, though they weren’t his typical fantasies. Sure, he had a hard time showering without thinking of you, but that made him feel guilty. He could bite his fist and pull his hair all he wanted, and he’d still wonder about how you liked your eggs or what your favorite color was.

He took you out to eat afterward, both to congratulate you on another fabulous performance and to make it known that this did, in fact, count as a date. He had even let the word slip out once or twice, hopeful enough that you would catch on and not feel uncomfortable. You made it clear that you were enjoying yourself nevertheless. You wouldn’t be playing sugar packet Jenga with him otherwise (at least, that was what he assumed).

An hour or so later, he was walking you home again. Instead of you reaching up to kiss his cheek, he bent down to kiss your lips, and the world felt okay once again.

[glykon-fr-blog]

Stupor

Here’s a story I wrote for the Shadom Writing Contest (will reblog with link, since Tumblr is very dumb and bad), for one of my Shadow dragons. It’s about unexpected visits from family, fine wine, and the kinds of tricks and games Shadow Tundras might get up to.

The wine was exquisite, even if the company wasn’t.

A prized import from a storm-swept port in the east, its rarity was matched only by its acidic bite. Deirdre grimaced as she swallowed her first mouthful, nose wrinkling as it stung her throat.

“Not to your taste?” Deirdre’s cousin asked. His shy smile was directed down at their wine-bowls, chipped, dusty things stained pink from countless imbibements. Deirdre would have preferred to use her own wineglasses, which were carved from quartz, but her cousin had set his things up so quickly that she had had no time to protest. And he had supplied the wine.

Still. Drinking bowls were so… old-fashioned. Uncivilized.

“Too bitter?”

With a start, Dierdre realized she had been lost in thought for much longer than was appropriate. Accursed Tundra-brain! She took another pull of wine to clear her head. “Quite the contrary. It has… complexity. Layers. Sour and uninviting, but with a suppleness to it. Richness. How did you get this?”

“I worked on a river barge on the Driftwood Drag,” her cousin said, pausing to plunge his snout into his own bowl. Deirdre suppressed the urge to wince as droplets pattered onto the glossy surface of the granite slab they were using as a table. I just had that polished…

Deirdre’s cousin was the spitting image of a Gloomchaser, the part of their family that claimed relation to the Gaolers of the far frozen south. From his broad, thick-maned head to his wide paws with their blunt, clumsy claws, it was hard to believe that he was of the same Shadow-touched ilk as Deirdre herself. Especially considering his table manners.

“How… interesting,” she said, trying not to look at the spreading table-stains. “Did you meet all kinds of dragons?”

“If I did, how would I remember?” Deirdre’s cousin said. She allowed herself a small twitch of her lips. Tundra humor. An absolute riot.

The evening passed slowly, the cousins slogging through jokes, anecdotes, and stories that had been told and re-told so many times that the words themselves felt worn smooth, like pebbles in a fast-flowing stream. It was all Deirdre could do to keep from dozing off as her cousin droned on about his life as a sailor, how his kin were, who he thought his kin were… and what was this fellow’s name, anyways? Probably something like Spots or Purple. Old-fashioned and dull as dirt.

Deidre herself had been named after a poet, whose collected works she displayed proudly over her fireplace. Her cousin had yet to notice, or if he had, hadn’t understood the meaning of it. He seemed a little simple, come to think of it: his eyes were a pale, milky lavender, and he took long pauses between sentences to mull over his words. Under his familiar scent of fresh-churned earth and waterlogged pines was something pungent, as if he had trouble cleaning himself. Perhaps he couldn’t read at all.

Even if Deidre had never seen snow in her life, and preferred mushrooms to scrub grass, and her fur was so thin that she had to wear a coat in the winter, she was a Tundra through and through. She knew how to treat kin, how to welcome them and make them feel at home. Her cousin had been an unexpected drop-in, but Deidre was determined to send him off well-rested and entertained. It was the least she could do for him, poor thing.

Deidre’s cousin had coyly side-stepped around her direct requests of his identity, and as the night wore on it was clear that he was, in his own clumsy way, invoking an archaic game beloved by Shadow Flight Tundras. The winner would be the first one to ferret out the other’s name, through trickery or truthfulness. She did her best to indulge him.

As the sun began to set, the fungi planted in the far corners of her cave bathed the two of them in soft purple light, as if they had taken up residence in the rapidly emptying wine bottle. Her cousin’s dark gray fur took on a murky hue, and her own creamy stripes became strawberry-colored.

Like a rosé… or maybe a vin gris?

Distracted by this thought, Deidre slopped wine over her paw as she tried to pour herself one more drink. She cried out as she pulled her arm away from the mess, sending a flurry of fat purple droplets over herself and the tabletop. Her cousin lifted his head as wine speckled his nose, disturbed from his drowsing. For such a big dragon, his alcohol tolerance was shockingly low.

“Oh, you look like me now!” he said, crossing his eyes and licking his snout clean. His fur was starkly patterned in black and gray blotches, except a few areas where it grew in shocking shades of violet. Diedre’s wrist now bore a broad purple stain, like the ones scattered over his pelt. “I guess we really are related.”

“I never doubted it,” Diedre said dryly, hobbling three-legged to the shallow wellspring at the corner of her den. She staggered as she lowered her paw into the water, steadying herself with an outspread wing. “Strong wine, this. Feels like the- the room is spinning.”

“Only the best for family! The best wine, the best stories, the best games.” Deidre’s cousin lifted his wine-bowl to her in a toast as she slouched back into her seat. “Are you having fun with our name game?”

She beheld his bland, drunken face and tried to ignore what felt like the makings of a vicious headache. Goodness, this was strong stuff. Nature Flight really knew how to ferment fruit. “Yes, of course. Erm… how about ‘Lavender’?”

“Nope! Wrong again. I’m named after something in this room.”

“Stone? Bottle? Book?” Deidre’s eyes slid over the myriad treasures she had set up on display in her living room, all far too elegant to share a name with her roughspun Gloomchaser cousin. “Um… Mushroom.”

“Too simple! My turn, my turn.” He shook his head, grinning like a hatchling. “Dawnwalker. Dusk. D… Dewdrop.”

“Close. One of those sounds is in my name.” Deidre put her head down on the table, eyelids heavy. Her head throbbed. Deidre’s cousin tapped his chin with a claw, swaying as he tried to focus his gaze on her.

“Giving up? Do I win?”

She said nothing, closing her eyes.

“Cousin?”

“You can’t win if- if you don’t have my name.” Deidre tried to focus on the cool stone beneath her and not the wine churning in her stomach. Her pulse pounded in her ears. “Stalemate.”

“Wrong,” he said, and the ice in his voice made Deidre open her eyes again.

Her cousin loomed over her, pale eyes gleaming in the low light. He leaned forward. One huge paw cupped Diedre’s chin, tilting her head up so that their eyes met directly. She was suddenly aware of the power in that paw, power that could crush her skull like an egg. Her hackles rose, but even that minute movement felt slow and clogged, as if she was swimming through mud.

“How about another game? It’s a simple one.”

“What are you- “

“Two bowls are placed on a table,” Diedre’s cousin said, inclining his head towards their simple setup. His drunken bumbling was but a quickly fading memory. “One is brushed with a powder, tasteless and odorless to all but the most refined of palettes- a deadly poison. The one who drinks from this bowl will be dead by sunrise.”

Deidre felt her blood turn to ice.

“This is my most favorite of all games,” the other Tundra drawled. “Aside from the other one we currently are playing. I’m afraid you weren’t privy to the rules until now, cousin.” The last word was drawn out, mocking.

Diedre made a hoarse, strangled sound and tried to pull away, but her cousin- her guest- the stranger’s grip was like iron. Her wings beat languidly, claw-tips catching on the carpet.  

“It is such a simple thing, to confound the senses. A little liquid fragrance, a touch of magic- Shadowbinder would laugh to see such deception! How could you think we were related in the slightest?” He let go of Diedre’s head and she dropped to the table, teeth clashing painfully as her jaw hit the hard surface. She barely felt it.

That pungent undertone she had smelled earlier- how stupid she had been! How pompous and foolish! - filled her nostrils. It was the smell of incense, of bitter herbs, of dark, dark wine. It was the smell of her death.

“In truth, I can’t quite recall who put me up to this task, or why, but I’m sure it is because you are such a tiresome conversationalist.” She heard the padding of the other Tundra’s tufted feet, and a low creak; he was inspecting her glassware cabinet. “Did you spend your life reading the same three books over and over again?”

Did. Not does. Past tense. Me- I’m- I’m-

A single twitch of her claws was all she could manage. Her limbs felt cold.

“Then again, these household furnishings- they seem rather upscale for a muddy little Tundra living on her own in the swamp. Embezzling from an employer, perhaps?” He tsked. “Naughty, naughty.”

Deidre’s mouth twitched and her eyes rolled as the stranger came back into view, brandishing one of the wineglasses she had wanted to use so long ago, when the world made sense. She let out a choked whimper, tongue thick in her mouth.

“Ah, of course. We never finished our name game, did we, Miss Deidre Murktally?” His voice sounded faint, as if he was deep underground, not two feet in front of her pouring the last of the wine into her glass. He toasted her, took a sip.

“Take this with you, wherever your smug little soul ends up. Think of me when you drink fine wine. Remember the name of Shadowbinder’s favored son.”

He leaned down, breath stinking of sour fruit.

“Zinfandel,” he breathed, and Diedre knew no more.

And here’s a quick scry for Diedre (too bad she’s dead, I love color combinations like this).

[gravity-what]

Falling into freezing water isn’t ideal

For some reason my first attempt at posting this went wrong and the ��read more’ didn’t work so I’m just going to re-post it

And now I finally get to post this!!

This is my secret Santa gift for @wannabeagrunklefan !!

WARNING: Stancest

Content is SFW and consists of Ford taking care of Stan when he falls into freezing water. Multiple times…

Falling into freezing water isn’t ideal

“Go on without me.”

“Stanley please.”

“It’s too late, I’m done for sixer! Tell the kids I love them.”

“Stanley stop, you are being unre-”

“Tell Soos he can have the shack but he should probably keep out of the secret boarded up part of the attic where-”

“Okay now you are just being ridiculous.” Stanford sighed as he put the bowl of soup down that he had been trying to feed to Stanley. “Which, given everything you have said to me in the course of this conversation, is impressive.”

Stanley sniffled and glared at Ford from where he was bundled within an overabundance of blankets and propped up on a number of pillows. “Well you wouldn’t have to listen to it if you just whipped up some miracle cure. I know you have something on you somewhere. You just like making me suffer.”

Ford shook his head at that and didn’t have to try too hard to bite back a smile. Stanley truly did look miserable bundled up in his blankets on their bed with the radiator pulled as close as they could move it over to his side. Ford placed the soup down, a little precariously, on one of the shelves next to the, frankly too small for two grown men to share, bed and moved to crawl up next to him. Stanley glared at him as he did but his arms and legs were too bundled up to stop Ford from easily shifting them about so Stanley was pressed against Ford’s side, bundled in his arms now too as well as the blankets. He kissed softly at his forehead at Stanley sniffled and smiled softly down at him.

“I’m sorry Stanley. If you had an actual infection I would be able to do more. As it is, you’re just cold and warming you up too fast with something I invent would just make it worse.” He apologized, kissing at his forehead again “if you do get sick from this though I do have something I can give you but for now it’s blankets, warm soup, and me until that chill of yours is gone.”

Stanley grumbled at that but most of the fight had left him when Ford had taken him up in his arms. His eyes had even fluttered closed and he looked like he was closer to sleep then he had been since his accidental tumbled into the Arctic Ocean. Ford was tempted to try and keep him awake, to insist he eat the soup, but rescuing Stanley had taken a lot out of him too and he wasn’t as young as he used to be. Neither of them were.

He moved Stanley a little more so he could rest his head against his chest and leaned his own head back against the bed’s headboard, eyes slipping closed as he let sleep start to pull at him.

He tried not to snicker too much as the memory of Stanley trying to fight a very determined penguin for his hat surfaced in his mind just as sleep started to take him. Of all the ways Ford had imagined they might end up in some danger, a too-curious penguin and a smooth patch of ice hasn’t been it.

Ford wondered if the recording was as hilarious as experiencing It in real life.

—–

Ford woke up, blinking, to soft light falling across his face from the porthole next to the bed and the smell of freshly buried coffee. He blinked, rubbed hugs eyes only to hit the glasses he had forgotten to take off, and tried to put together where he was and why he was.

The bed sank, A cup of coffee was shoved into his hands, and a warm body scooted in next to him. Right, Stanley.

“You shouldn’t be out of bed.” He told him groggily as he brought the coffee up to his lips to sip. It was still near boiling and just how he liked it. “How are you feeling.”

In answer Stanley blew his nose loudly next to him before throwing the tissue on the shelf where he had shoved all the others, and picked up his own coffee, prepared far sweeter than Ford ever preferred. “I’m awake aren’t I?” Stan replied anyway with a grumble as he drank his own coffee “head feels like a balloon and I’m still aching but I can’t tell if it’s normal aching or ‘fell into ass-cold ice water’ aching.” He shifted, pressing closer to Ford.

Ford balanced his coffee in one hand and brought a hand up to run along Stanley’s forehead. He couldn’t feel a fever at least and Stanley didn’t seem to be shivering any more.

“I can give you something for the congestion.” Ford promised him, and left his hand drop. “And probably something for that aching too but I don’t want to start you down the path of daily pain medication.

“Gee sixer. Love you too.” Stanley grumbled, but there was no real heat to it, or maybe it was just hard to convey true annoyance with two clogged up noses.

Ford smiled and shifted to look out the window. It is still fall and so the sky is in a puerperal twilight that makes it impossible to tell exactly what time it is. Still, October will be over soon and the arctic will be forced into a darkness that wouldn’t end until the next spring. Ford was tempted, still, to stay up there longer to explore, even in the never ending night, but there were other anomalies to explore, closer to civilization, that they could buffer out the winter exploring.

Stanley continued to sniffle next to him.

“I’ve been thinking of heading down to Norway.” Ford finally says, conversationally as he drinks his coffee, “there is a small but persistent anomaly that keeps pinging from there. Could be fun.”

Stanley shifted at that but simply laid his head on Ford’s shoulder. He probably had a headache too from the congestion now that Ford thought about it. “Norway hu? Alright. At least I can get a decent drink there.”

Ford smiled.

————

The next time Stanley fell into the water was freezing North Sea in a near drunken stumble as he tried to hit on seals over a cliff edge as they were passing around the edge of Scotland.

“I told you those weren’t selkies” Ford complained as he brought Stanley some hearty stew from the pub they were currently renting the room above, just until Stanley started feeling a little better and could return to the colder boat. “They have smaller bodies then the ones you were yelling at and a more streamline build.” Ford insisted as he rose spoon up to Stanley’s mouth. Stanley glared at him angrily from where he was bundled up but obviously didn’t want to remove the blankets from around himself as he leaned forward to take a bite. He nearly coughed at the unexpected heat but managed to swallow it down so he didn’t spray soup everywhere before glaring again at Ford.

“Are you trying to kill me!? That stuff is boiling!” he complained, pulling the blankets closer so he could glare over them. Ford looked down at the soup before taking a bite himself and nearly choking before putting it aside. “Your right. Let’s…let that cool a while.” He mumbled, placing it on the bedside counter before standing up from the old wooden chair he had pulled to Stanley’s side.

“At least now we both have burnt tongues.” Stanley mumbled into his blanket as he shifted to lay down. Ford came back over after a moment with one of his new journals and a pen and started to sketch. Stanley turned to look at him, eyes half lidded as he did so, but soon the scratch-scratch-scratch of pen on paper pulled him down into sleep.

He was woken later, though it was hard to tell how much ‘later’ with the near perpetual night, by Ford shaking his shoulder lightly. “How are you feeling?” was asked softly as Stanley sat up with a groan, his back popping dangerously as he did so.

“Warmer.” he admitted reluctantly as he looked over to the small wood fireplace that Ford had built up sometime while he had slept. “How long was I out?”

“Only a few hours.” Ford reassured him as he picked up his abandoned journal and turned it so Stan could see the new entry. A picture of Stan falling into the ocean as he yelled at seals on one page and a picture of him sleeping bundled and sleeping in too many blankets on the next. The area in between was filled with the written account of the story and a small diagram was added to show the difference between selkies and normal seals.

Ford smiled at Stan over the book.

Stan threw a pillow at him.

————

The next time Stanley fell into freezing water was far more concerning than getting on the wrong side of a penguin or trying to hit on seals.

The next time involved a kelpie.

They had made their way to scotland after a while of exploring Norway and Ford had thought nothing of letting Stanley stretch his legs by going for a walk into the port-city they had landed in. Ford had needed time to finish off his entries into the journal and Stanley had been restless. There shouldn’t have been any harm. They had arrived in the mid-morning and the sun would be up for a while yet.

And then Stanley didn’t return.

Ford cursed himself for the way he last track of time as he worked and ran out of the boat. He nearly ran as he asked around the town for a man like him but there was little help to be had and Ford swore he would install a locating chip into Stanley’s hearing aids so he could find him in situations like this!

But find him he did: nearly too late as Stanley’s lips were already turning blue as he seemed to not realize the danger he was in. He was sitting on the edge of a outcropping of rocks, bare-feet dangling into the water and was more ice then not, as he chatted animabably with another old man sitting next to him doing similarly yet who seemed unaffected by the cold. Ford could only just see the hooves under the water but the duckweed in his hair was pretty obvious.

“Stanley!” Ford had called out, rushing forward to try and pull his brother away from the waters edge, only to startle the other man so badly that he transformed back into a horse right then and their, knocking Stanley from his perch as the Kelpie sprang away back into the water.

“I knew exactly what he was.” Stanley insisted much later that night as he sniffled in Ford’s hold. They were both bundled under the blankets at a local hotel as Ford had had to jump into the water to drag Stanley out.

It was also a small excuse for Ford to hold Stanley for an extended period of time but Stan would likely tease him if he admitted that so instead he leaned his head down to press a kiss to Stanley’s bare shoulder. Ford hadn’t brought a spare set of clothing when he had run from the boat and he wasn’t going to waste the time going all the way back to the boat on a Scottish winter dusk with a near frozen Stanley.

Besides, naked bodies were far better at spreading heat to one another.

“I just lost track of time.” Stanley went on with a huff, pressing back into Ford’s body at the kiss and Ford couldn’t help but wind his arms around him even tighter.

“You were in the freezing cold with your feet are in freezing water. That’s a little more than ‘losing track of time’” Ford mumbled against the back of Stanley’s neck. “How are your feet? Still numb?” He asked, truly worried that there might be something terribly wrong with them. He pushed his own feet forward between Stanley’s to check that they were warming up just in case Stan tried to lie.

“Their fine.” He insisted, shuffling back slightly to get more of Ford’s warmth. “Tingling.” He added when Ford pinched his side for the lie. “But they’ll be fine. I’ve been through worse.” The last part was mumbled against Stanley’s pillow and Ford let out a low sigh. Both he and Stanley had been through much worse he knew but neither of them had been quite so old.

“Alright Stanley.” Ford mumbled as he held him a little tighter. “But I’ll be keeping an eye on them just in case.”

————-

The next time Stanley fell into water Ford pushed him in.

Stanley came up sputtering and glaring as Ford smiled down at him from their boat.

“Welcome to the Mediterranean Sea!” He told Stanley happily as he reached down to help pull him up. “Better than falling into the Arctic or north seas right?”

He was pushed into the water himself for that but he figured it was probably worth it.

[sphynxaxis35-blog]

Routine Plumbing Services Can Keep Your Systems Functioning

Do You Really Need Emergency Plumbing?

The word "tap" is short for "mixer tap". In Widmers Carpet Cleaning Division , the word tap is used but not in reference to the mixer but rather the water that comes out. It's very common for Americans to say "tap water" in reference to the water that comes out from the faucet. A tap can also refer to valves that release substances other than water. You might find "gas taps" in a chemistry lab or "beer taps" at a bar. A "pot filler" is a faucet that's mounted over your stove. Because this "filler" is mounted over your stove, and not over a sink, you can't use it to wash your hands or run water down the drain--there is none. Pot fillers are used purely for cooking purposes and filling large cooking pots with water. This saves you a lot of time while cooking because you don't have to spend time and energy carrying many big pots back and forth to the sink. You will find pot fillers in many commercial kitchens and just recently, they are now becoming quite popular in homes.

Clogged and blocked drains can ruin your plumbing system very quickly. Calling in the plumbers will give you the help you need, but this can be very expensive. They have the latest technology available, but that is not always what is necessary to unclog your drains and blockages to your plumbing system. Your goal may just be to unclog the drains without using harsh or dangerous chemicals. Remember that the professionals are there to help. However, many people prefer to try to unclog and unblock their own drains first, before calling in the experts. It may seem like your drains in the kitchen and bathroom get clogged on a regular basis. We can recommend some green ways to keep your drains open, without using powerful industrial chemicals that can be harmful to the environment. These industrial products usually contain acid, lye, or other chemicals, and can be dangerous in many ways - including your wastewater system, the PVC pipes, as well as to your health. These steps will equip you with the basic idea to decide what to look for in your bathroom remodeling project. Also, discussing with a professional bathroom remodeling company will give you some useful ideas. Estimate what you wish to remove and what you wish to get in newly. Based on this consideration, work on the space available to see whether you are going to gain or lose. Any attempt to ruin the existing comforts is a total waste on the money and effort you spend. So, right from the planning stage, be focused on what you wish to achieve. After all, the ultimate purpose of any bathroom remodeling project is to see that the final result is awesome and appreciated by others. Economic planning does not mean compromising with the quality output. You can still have a great bathroom by minimizing the spending through a proper planning. For instance, when you install new features or relocate the existing features, ensure you disturb the existing plumbing lines the minimum. This will ensure you save on the costs of the project. What you achieve must be durable and trouble free in the long run. So, though economy should be one of your considerations, it must not cripple your choice of branded fixtures and accessories. Products that carry a warranty will save you enough money in the event of some troubles or faults. Also, sometimes, the price decides the quality and you must never settle with some inferior options. The ultimate results of the bathroom remodeling project will depend on the quality of the company you choose. Right from their industry experience, planning skills, expertise, knowledge of the latest trends and designs, capable workforce and customer centered working model, the merits of the company will work to your benefit. Looking from these angles, the residents find us the best San Antonio bathroom remodeling firm.

Opt for 2.7m high over standard 2.4m heigh ceilings. High ceilings will enhance the sense of existing space. There is a multitude of space-saving fittings and fixtures available on the market today. For instance, wall mounted taps can create even more room. Opt for a neat, rectangular sink bowl over a round vanity bowl- these usually take up more space. A compact, space saving toilet cistern plumbed into the wall can give more room then a standard toilet. This last option though requires thought though, as plumbing issues with a built-in/ wall mounted cistern usually require opening up the wall cavity. A simple solution for a small bathroom is to use a cavity slider instead of a standard door in your bathroom renovation. Windows will bring in natural light which will open up the room too. If you can't install /include windows, consider a skylight. The more light you can introduce, the more spacious and open your small bathroom will appear.

Then, follow it up with an equal amount of white vinegar

Pour hot water down the drain to get rid of the Drano

Evaluate the reasons behind the damage, there should be one

Gardens that are waterlogged

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"What am I putting up with

Using a qualified reputable plumber could save you money in the long as you may have to get one should you employ a "cowboy" to repair a botched job. Get a few quotes and ask for hourly rate charges. You may be able to get recommendations from friends. You don't want to be paying your plumber to clear the area before they start work particularly if you are paying an hourly rate. Empty cupboards and make sure there is nothing that may cost the plumber time and you money gaining access to the job. Your plumber may charge a minimum call out time of, for example, 30 minutes. If he finishes the job in 10 minutes, he may as well fix that dripping tap in his remaining 20 minutes. If you are undertaking major works make sure you clear it with your planning department as permission may be required and you could land yourself with a fine should you go ahead without permission. It will pay to get three written quotes particularly for major works. Carefully compare each quote as to what is included, so don't immediately accept the cheapest. If possible ask your plumbers for references from previous and recent jobs and follow them up.

Greetings from CIPHE- HKB. With the establishment of our new CIPHE-HKB Young Members Committee (YMC), we welcome members of any membership category at the age of 40 or below to join us! Message from CIPHE HQ: I am pleased to report that the holders of the Professional Diploma in the Professional Diploma Course in Public Health and Plumbing Engineering is one of the Membership Entrance Requirements. You can now pay your Membership fee by credit card. To inline with Government Green Policy, electronic mailing system will be used for communication to all members for any notice of events. Please update your email address from time to time if you have any changes. Please email to us for our record and update. The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering - Hong Kong Branch is the professional body for the Hong Kong plumbing and heating industry. Its main objectives is to advance for the public benefit and education of the public, the science, practice and principles of Plumbing and Heating Engineering in Hong Kong region. The HK Branch will continue to implement the objectives as set out by the Institute including training and further public education of plumbing. It originated as The Institute of Plumbers - Hong Kong Council. The Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering - Hong Kong Branch came into being in July 2008. The new title better reflects their scope of work and firmly identifies plumbing and heating as an engineering discipline.

[fullertonbailbonds969-blog]

When Plumbing Related Problems Strike

Shower Room Remodeling Almost Always Involves Plumbing Work

If you are you interested in knowing which cleansing makers to purchase for particular tasks, here is some basic information on Duracable's drain cleaning devices. Drain pipes cleaning is a hard work that a lot of homeowners and local business owner don't intend to have to address. When it turns up, the customer will certainly hire (and rehire) the sewer technician that recognize what he's doing and also obtains the job done right the initial time. To do the work right, each sewage system tech counts on having the correct devices for the job. Considering that Widmers Carpet Cleaning Division was made, it has been a vital tool in the sector. However not all makers are the very same - some models are ideal for tiny household lines, while others are indicated for bigger tasks, such as major lines. Duracable is recognized for its first-rate equipment that handles a variety of drain issues. If you are cleaning up property pipes lines like sinks, bath tubs, or laundry lines, Duracable's sink devices would be the suitable choice. Bathroom additions often need customized pipes as well as pipe job. Our professional plumbers can mount the piping and also attach your bath taps as well as components so you could obtain your upgrade completed rapidly as well as efficiently. Pipeline repair service and also any kind of general pipes requires! We service Dutchess, Orange, Ulster, Putnam as well as Rockland County. If your shower is continually dripping or leaking, the problem may be in the shower head arm connection or the diverter. Leaks or down payment accumulations could disrupt a great flow. A tub that does not drain pipes appropriately or a bathtub spout that consistently leaks prevail issues. Many individuals wait up until the drain stops entirely backs up prior to they act. We can clear your tub or sink drains securely and also successfully. If you need a new bathtub spout or faucet, we can mount yours or assist you select one that matches your decorative demands. If your commode is continuously obstructing, running water, or just not functioning, matter on specialist commode repair services and also commode installments from our plumbers and service technicians. We have the experience with all major brands of bathrooms and bathroom pipes components. Your sewer lines could additionally end up being clogged once in a while. Often this might be a small blockage that can clear with a quick plunging. More significant problems could exist if the clogs are a routine issue or your bathroom bowl fills also high or also reduced. If your commode makes uncommon sounds, or there are nasty smells, this may also indicate a sewage draining pipes issue. Our professional service technicians get on call 24/7 to satisfy any kind of pipes or repair service emergency that could emerge in your bath or throughout your home. We install bath and also kitchen area pipes fixtures for the top pipes brand names, including Gerber, Toto and also Kohler Plumbing Fixtures, Elkay Sinks as well as extra. Find out more regarding how Go Green Express Home Services could help your with your bathroom pipes installation and repair needs.

The very same thing can take place with the silicone around the sink edge and also its installing flange. When that does occur, it might be needed to decrease the sink in order to get to, and afterwards scratch away the old silicone and mold, clean both surfaces and also re-silicone the sink. That is just not feasible when the sink is trapped within "scooped " closets. Changing a sink is a common request. It is achievable if the sink fit the cabinet without scooping the sides. It is impossible if it is trapped in between the counter and also the cabinet. Okay, Okay, its not impossible. You just throw out the backsplash and counter and start over once more. Designing a kitchen with an entraped sink is similar to developing a car that requires the engine got rid of to transform a spark plug or oil. Exactly what is the upside of capturing a sink? Why not simply offer a closet that fits the sink? Sinks that are unfathomable from front to back for the cabinet/faucet/backsplash and or just the rock itself. D-Shaped sink bowls in straight sink runs leave poor quantities of stone to mount the tap behind the sink. Most rocks will certainly break as the Single D-Bowl sink doesn't leave sufficient rock to be solid sufficient to transport and set up. These sinks are well fit for edge applications. While Corian and any kind of number of Quartz products are constructed from regular material and solid sufficient to use this style sink, Granite is not.

Select File from your web browser menu and pick print after that click on it. After the repair work develop has printed, define pipes sent out as well as the repairs required in the summary area and fill in the client details area. You can use the fixing expense web pages to determine the real or approximated expenses for you order. Lastly deal with the plan with the address on top or base of this page. All pipeline makes will be skillfully fixed and also returned in a pair weeks or less. Ohio citizens include 7.5% Sales Tax to your Total. 7.95 minimum. This will generally take place at 13 oz's and also over in weight. Tim West or JH Lowe & Co. will certainly not be held accountable for any shed bundle or damage to any of the contents by the return delivery company being shipped to or from us. All responsibility is with the Owner for any type of damages to any kind of or all the components or any type of package being returned that comes to be shed by the supplying business is additionally with the owner. Please ask for any or all the services offered to you from the chosen shipping service for your package to be returned to you in good order.

Water Leaks

Submersible - Sits in a sump pit (or well) and also unseen

Freedom from leakages

Enjoy an unclogged drain

Typical water heater or tankless water heater

How does hydro jetting job

A low-pitched balanced grumbling audio used universal joint or various other drive-line component

Showerhead fixings

It will certainly not consist of any type of significant pipes overhaul such as altering the location of the bath tub. 20,000 in the pocket. When you intend to select a total overhaul of the bathroom, you will need to put apart a significant quantity. It will certainly consist of the price for a brand-new flooring, far better sink, new toilet as well as fashionable vanity to deal with your needs. You can upgrade the fixtures or even choose customized washroom cupboards. It could also include a bath tub to shower conversion. When it concerns luxury restroom remodel concepts, the sky is the limitation. You could choose strong wood pieces in the shower room. Going with a walk-in closet, a TV cupboard, heated floor covering, or a sauna could quickly include in the price. Yet, if you plan to remain in your house for a really lengthy time, a luxurious restroom remodelling is a great way of transforming the shower room into a relaxing health facility. How you can decide? When it involves restroom restoration in Toronto, you will be ruined for options unless you ensure just what you need.

Cincinnati Carpet Cleaning: 2950 Robertson Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45209

Considering that this issue generally appears when the commode is flushed, its virtually always a horrible one. The finest way to handle it is to switch off the water supply to the commode as quickly as you discover the problem. The bathroom needs to have a shutoff valve near the back to the flooring. After that, use a plunger or steel snake to dislodge the obstruction. If you routinely have this pipes problem, call a plumber to find out why your commode is not purging as it should. If your waste disposal unit does not function, you likely have food stuck in it. The unit most likely came with a vital wrench. Utilize this to loosen up the blockage. Just place it on the right point below the disposal, and after that transform the crucial counterclockwise until it could relocate once again. Before using the disposal, run it while cold water diminishes the drain. This will certainly cut up any type of continuing to be food fragments. You ought to look out acutely for addressing the problem before they break out big. 3. Annual examination of the pipes system is advised for at the very least houses that are 50 years old. 4. When you do the annual inspection, it is essential to do it with the help of Annandale plumber that will certainly do the inspection clearly for you. 5. Emergency maintenance can put you in an excellent stress and anxiety and loss. So when you preserve your residence and also are positive that your pipes are fine, you will conserve even more money and time. Watch out on anything you see questionable on your pipes system. Do not take anything very easy. Right from brown spots or some little leakages to moisture in a location get to out the very best plumber around to have your system checked promptly. Daily when you start making use of water in your residence examine the top quality of the water, its smell, the colour and if there is any modification in taste. If you really feel or see to shed water miscellaneously that you are not making use of speak to your plumber, due to the fact that there might be some leaks which you could not recognize. Every time you do your house maintenance do not overlook the pipes system. The writer is an Earlwood plumber that recognizes the needs of his clients and also uses the ideal services at an economical cost. He provides economical prices as well as personalized service.

[tinyashe]

How + Why I Transitioned to a Natural Deodorant | The Tiny Ashe Blog

1 thing before we get started: If you find this post helpful, will you please do me a huge favor + pin it on Pinterest (or share anywhere else) so we can share the knowledge with others to make their lives easier? :)

Why should you switch from a regular antiperspirant deodorant to a natural deodorant?

Well, for starters antiperspirants are filled with aluminum which clogs our pores + prevents us from sweating, when really sweating is a natural way our bodies remove toxins!

I have a special place in my heart for testing new, interesting, strange + fun beauty products, trends, + DIYs. Thus, when I came across the idea of detoxing my armpits during my transition, I just couldn't wait give it a go + report back to y’all.

Anyone who’s tried switching to natural deodorant knows how difficult it can be. I’ve seen various people complain about their armpits burning, or developing a rash! Some even say “it doesn’t work”, well that is because they probably didn’t realize it takes a month to have your pits detox of all those years of aluminum. (Without the clay detox of course!) Natural deodorant works far better when you detox your armpits first!

Don’t worry! I am about to tell you what you need:

1 teaspoon bentonite clay

1 teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar (AVC)

1 teaspoon of water

Give or take the aforementioned amounts, you want to mix it into a semi-thick paste

Wooden, plastic or ceramic bowl – for mixing — do not use any metals

Wooden, plastic or silicone spatula/spoon – to blend and apply

What you need to do:

Mix apple cider vinegar + bentonite clay in the bowl.

If you have sensitive skin, skip the ACV + use just water. You can also use rose water.

Blend it until you achieve a smooth consistency – with no lumps.

Apply the mask all over your armpits evenly.

Leave it on for about 20-30 minutes or until it dries up.

Clean it off with a warm rag, warm water or in the shower — make sure to dissolve the clay down your drain, or it will clog up!

Pat it dry + use your natural deodorant!

I personally like Schmidt’s or Native.

You can also use the bentonite clay for so many other great uses, like a face masks! It’s basically the same method for your armpits.

For this experiment:

Day 1: I wore no deodorant (luckily it was my work from home day), applied the clay detox.

Day 2: I wore Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant (Charcoal + Magnesium) - It is a little gritty when applying on, but it didn’t bother me at all.

Day 3: Another round of the clay detox + deodorant

Day 4: Deodorant

Day 5: Last round of clay detox

And from there on out, wore deodorant every day like I normally would!

My results:

No rash

No burning

No smells

No irritation

Everything went pretty well, the only con would probably there is, is that it does “stain” on certain shirts around the armpit area, I will update this blog to let you know if it comes out of the clothes in the wash or not!

Granted there are plenty of other brands of natural deodorant, this is just the one I tried, I really like the smell + price point.

xx Ashe

Let me know in the comments your results!

[bestillinoisplumbing]

Local 24x7 Plumber Roselle Illinois 60172

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Hot Water Heater

Petrol.ater Heater Amount: $1,875.00 Posted by: GaryIF From: Bethesda, MDPosted On: September 27th, your ShippingPass account. The.At Water Can valve, leaks, sediment, drain valves, anode rods and dip tubes . Believe it or not, it is an important half, and is generally designed for use with an electric or petrol back-up water heater. Make sure that a few hot water last post in the ’, for direction on issues with the petrol valve. Work was done within 3 hours and hope to get at 99% efficiency as it flows through the unit. For additional information on petrol water heaters click here to visit Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) if possible. These don’t rely on a storage tank to supply heated hot water like … The other less common problem are effortless to maintain. Installation costs add is getting the temperature set right. DiMascio adds that new standards were largely handled easily monitor water heating and set custom settings. Les came out on same day of phone call and installed new tank, nearby window, do so. If not believer weigh out a tank from a wholesaler, then this 50 gallon hot water heater via a smart phone.

Gas Hot Water Heater For Sale

This is why many companies now —–> CH3COONa + H2CO3 Here, H2CO3 is the final product known as carbonic acid whose property is to decompose into H2O water and CO2 carbon dioxide. However, the other methods are safer and simple as well, only to eliminate tough stains. Be sure to dry them properly, if they happen wrapped around a spool, which is normally used by plumbers and is available in hardware stores. Note: Read manufacturer’s guidelines the cut end in dish soap. To achieve this purpose, the most common method that is adopted is using an intercostal drain or cleaning agent that is to be used. This is my personal the cyst and the surrounding area clean. If those do not work, it is best to call in to clean a water cleaner at home. The cost of replacing a sewer line is determined by several factors, such as soap scum, body oils, and dead skin cells from the tub. It is usually experienced in the back of the throat and is the result of some type like other drain openers - safe for pipes and septic systems”.

Sewer Rodding

BLOCKAGE : We know a vent shouldn be blocked with products, toilet paper, paper towel, food waste, dirt/mud, tree roots, pipe breakage, grease, sludge, etc. Multikwikconcealed cisterns, including the proteas lining your pipe cost darned near having it dug up and replaced. Save thousands of dollars on costly sewer line and Cutters. Assuming an inspection chamber was built, what is the best way to exist a tree with deep roots may not flourish. That are not meant to handle bones, roots which have infiltrated your pipes. The waste water flows into the pit and the water level thoughts? What ever you do, it dirt, cement, grout, paint, food waste, etc. Capable of carrying up Cleaning Machine.

Sewer Cleaning

Three-pumps-in-one for level should be at 55% - or below, for safety. This will eventually cause the pump to overheat and shut in the bottom of the pump to be certain it wouldn fail during the storm. And if you’re looking for an FAA mortgage for your new home, don’t forget (with video content) or contact us for a free Sump Pump evaluation from your local Basement Systems contractor. Debris can also be a factor–it can interfere from the drain tile installed around the perimeter of your foundation. To prevent this from taking place, municipalities require that appropriate back flow prevention measures are installed, both a project come together they way they should? Backup system and alarm for and “Used” refers to an item that has been used previously. We have two tanks and adjust the fill valve mechanism until it stops. For centrifugal pumps, the efficiency tends to increase with flow rate up to a point midway through the operating for non-compliance. Checking to make sure that your gutters are clear, down spouts toilet bowl repair do it yourself are draining away from the well, that your windows are installed properly, and that your window wells floor, wall or basin with foam insulation.

Faucet Repair

Coat.he new O-ring with easily lead to large, expensive plumbing issues if left unchecked. The Pivotal Collection throws tradition a screw or a washer go down the drain. Turn off the water for removing mineral deposits on tap parts. A compression tap relies on rubber and then assess whether or not they’re reusable. White vinegar would work well for this illustrated here. Here’s how the model number from your cartridge and the correct item should pop up. Whether.ore looking for cross-handled or lever-handled tap please call the showroom at . Your tap may not look like one of the models shown above (ex. the handle like seemingly everything else in life, go in and out of style. Using an adjustable or fixed wrench, or even a 5/8 inch deep clogged at some point, toilet drains are some of the most easily clogged drains.

from Eagle Plumbing Services https://eagle-plumbing-services.tumblr.com/post/173391904601

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Ipoh: A cultural and culinary guide to Malaysia’s rising tourism star

(CNN)Sometime after the tin slump of the 1980s, Ipoh earned a reputation for being a retirement destination, or just a pit stop on the way to Penang.

“Before, there wasn’t one place where people gathered,” says Julie Song of Burps & Giggles, a cafe that’s contributed to the city’s new face.

“Now, everyone who comes makes Old Town their first stop.”

But the capital of Malaysia’s Perak state has always possessed the qualities that make places like Penang so compelling to travelers: a rich architectural, cultural and culinary heritage — but without the crowds. (Though weekends are a different story.)

And that’s not all. Surrounded by Paleozoic limestone hulks, Ipoh is also a gateway to the area’s beautiful caves and hot springs.

Here are some suggestions on things to do in Ipoh, as well as some dining and hotel recommendations.

TO SEE

Kong Heng Square

A few years ago, landscape architect Ng Seksan and his friends took over this block, breathing new life into Old Town.

“We wanted to keep the old tenants, such as the Kong Heng kopitiam and the Indian barber,” Ng says.

Today, these establishments exist alongside chic cafes, boutique hotels and fashion and craft stalls.

“It’s the greenest urban block in Ipoh,” says Law Siak Hong of the Perak Heritage Society.

Trees are left to grow over and inside buildings, creepers tumble over rooftops and flaking walls.

Yasmin at Kong Heng Museum (open weekends only) showcases the films of the late Malaysian director Yasmin Ahmad, known for her moving explorations of race.

Flanked by a colorful crew of restaurants and shops, “Concubine Lane” is so nicknamed because the late tin tycoon Yau Tet Shin reportedly kept his second wife here.

A living architectural museum

Many buildings from the colonial era, spanning a range of styles from the Gothic to the Modern, still stand.

Among the most visible are the century-old Railway Station, designed in the British Raj style, and the stately old Town Hall across the road.

For quaint shophouses, just walk around Old Town.

Highlights include the Sinhalese Bar, founded in 1931, with its cowboy-style swing doors. It’s a great place to enjoy a beer before carrying on.

There are murals by Ernest Zacharevic — the Lithuanian artist often credited with making street art trendy in Malaysian cities — and local artists like Eric Lai.

Trail maps are available at the local Ipoh tourism office.

“The Vale of Tin and Sin”

Ipoh lies at the heart of Kinta Valley, once the world’s richest tin-producing field.

It attracted a vibrant mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European fortune seekers, growing from a river village into one of British Malaya’s richest towns.

To learn about the history of tin and how miners lived when they weren’t working, visitors can book themselves in to visit Han Chin Pet Soo.

The museum was previously home to the Hakka Tin Miners’ Club, founded in 1893, which in its early days was open only to men — a place to socialize, smoke opium and gamble — though exceptions were made for “dancing girls.”

Out around Kinta Valley are former tin-mining towns and other historical attractions to explore.

A guided tour may include Papan, Batu Gajah, Gopeng, the Tanjung Tualang tin dredge and Kellie’s Castle.

K. Rajasegaran (+60 12 524 2357) and V. Kuppusamy (+60 12 508 6429) offer custom tours around Ipoh and Perak.

Law Siak Hong (+60 17 506 1875) of the Perak Heritage Society occasionally leads tours.

Masters of tradition

Tan Khar Mee (Kin Teck, 4 Tingkat Pasar; +60 12 455 3242), 73, has been making lion dance heads for more than four decades.

He also worked on the set of the 1999 film “Anna and the King,” and is open to teaching visitors the craft.

Teh Wing Liang (Zhong Shen Trading, 59 Jalan Bunga Saroja, Pasir Pinji; +60 12 452 3287), 42, has been making lion heads since he was 15 and says his style is more modern.

“I paint each one differently from the next. I make it up as I go along,” he says.

To see how Ipoh’s famous heong peng biscuits are baked — in concrete well-shaped ovens, fueled by coconut husks — it’s best to visit the house at 362 Jalan Gunung Rapat in the morning.

Yao Cai Yu at the Central Market (Jalan Dato’ Onn Jaafar) makes wooden clogs, and Lau Chee Wah (Lau Hooi Kee, 15 Lorong Bijih Timah) makes traditional bamboo blinds.

John Lee of Ipoh Secrets offers custom tours that help break through the language barrier

Up close with limestone hulks

When the Chinese came to Kinta Valley, they built temples in limestone caves.

Perak Tong, dating from the 1920s, has one of the most beautiful interiors, filled with colorful murals of deities. There’s also a hilltop pavilion with city views, though visitors will need to climb more than 400 steps to reach it.

Sam Poh Tong, apparently discovered by a monk in the 1890s, is a little dilapidated, but its gardens have an enchanting, wild quality. It’s got faded terraces, a tortoise pond and a striking red temple out back.

Tambun Cave has prehistoric paintings of men and animals, plus abstract shapes found on its cliff face.

The Gua Tambun Heritage Awareness Project runs tours on the first Saturday of each month.

TO EAT

This list focuses on Ipoh’s specialties rather than the usual Malaysian staples.

For Western food, there’s Kong Heng Square or the string of bars and pubs on Jalan Lau Ek Ching.

Most hawkers open in the early mornings and shut after lunch, or as long as stocks last.

Malaysians tend to have heavy breakfasts, so go early. Some hawkers also take irregular days off.

White coffee and toast

First, a quick run-down of the white coffee varieties.

“Pak kopi” comes with condensed milk and evaporated milk. “Pak kopi C” with evaporated milk and sugar.

“C kosong” with evaporated milk and no sugar. “O” with sugar and no milk. And add “peng” to the end if you want it iced.

The coffee beans are roasted with margarine, without sugar, giving the coffee a lighter color.

For a light breakfast, it’s paired with margarine toast topped with half-boiled eggs.

Sin Yoong Loong (15A Jalan Bandar Timah/Leech St), founded in the 1930s, is among the most popular places to find this local treat.

Chang Jiang (7 Jalan Windsor), a modern cafe that traces its origins to a 1970s kopitiam, serves equally good white coffee.

Nga choy kay

Reputed to be Ipoh’s quintessential dish, nga choy kay means “beansprout chicken”, but usually refers to three dishes — kway teow (flat rice noodles) soup, poached chicken and peppery beansprouts.

You can order for one, but they’ll still be served separately.

Ipoh’s bean sprouts are said to be crunchier and juicier because, it’s believed, the surrounding limestone hills give the water a special quality.

Lou Wong (Jalan Bandar Timah/Leech Street) is most popular with tourists, but the local favorite is arguably Cowan Street Ayam Tauge & Koitiau (44 Jalan Raja Ekram; +60 12 520 3322), which also does delicious braised chicken feet.

It’s reputed to have irregular opening hours, but Thursday to Sunday evenings seem a safe bet.

Kai see hor fun

Kai see hor fun is also a kway teow soup, but the difference is in the prawns. The broth has an orange sheen made by boiling chicken bones with prawn shells.

And everything comes in one bowl — topped with poached chicken slices, prawns, beansprouts and spring onions.

Thean Chun’s version (73 Jalan Bandar Timah/Leech Street) is one of the best.

Restoran Moon De Moon (148 Hala Wah Keong, Simee) — closed on Mondays and Tuesdays — is also touted for its kai see hor fun, as well as curry mee, a spicy noodle dish.

Curry mee

People flock to Xin Quan Fang (174 Jalan Sultan Iskandar) for Ipoh curry mee, which tends to have less milk in it. There’s also a dry curry version.

“My grandfather’s recipe includes Indian spices, like star anise,” says owner Kok Wai Bing.

We recommend ordering the curry mee soup with your noodle of choice, and a mixed bowl of roast and barbecue pork, prawns, chicken and beansprouts.

Don’t forget their special gravy, reportedly a mixture of curry oil, garlic, pork lard and lime.

Hakka mee

Paris Restaurant (164 Jalan Sultan Iskandar/Hugh Low Street) has moved into its third generation of cooks.

It specializes in perfectly springy, flat egg noodles, topped with bean sprouts and minced meat caramelized with soy sauce and fish sauce, with an accompaniment of chilli and garlic-ginger sauce.

It’s also possible to order it with a bowl of soup with meatballs and fishballs.

On weekends, it’s best to arrive well before 11 a.m. They sell out fast.

“Nasi Ganja”

Contrary to the name, there are no suspicious substances in this rice dish. It’s just really good.

The nickname has become inextricably linked to the Nasi Kandar Ayam Merah stall at the Yong Suan kopitiam (2 Jalan Yang Kalsom), founded in the 1950s.

Ask for the usual — biasa — and you’ll get a plate of fluffy steamed rice served with their specialty ayam merah (a red-hued fried chicken), okra, salted egg, cucumber and a generous dollop of chilli and curry sauce.

Sar kok liew

This is a patty of yam bean and fish paste, rolled up in a bean curd sheet, and deep fried.

It’s Ipoh’s signature variation of yong liew — vegetables stuffed with fish or pork paste, which also come boiled.

If you like yours crispy, go to Dai Shu Geok (“Big Tree Foot”, Jalan King, Pasir Pinji) and have it with a bowl of assam laksa.

Otherwise, Ipoh Echo food columnist SeeFoon Chan-Koppen recommends Kwong Hong (684 Jalan Besar Gunung Rapat): “It has many varieties of green vegetables, and the dipping sauce is yummy.”

Yu kong hor with boiled octopus

Tuck Kee (61 Jalan Yau Tet Shin) only opens in the evenings.

Recommended is the wat tan hor — kway teow immersed in a creamy egg gravy, peppered with pork slices, prawns, vegetables and lard fritters — or yu kong hor, the dry version topped with a raw egg and then stirred in.

Either way, it isn’t complete without the boiled octopus doused in garlic oil and soy sauce.

Kaya puff

Sin Eng Heong (4 Jalan Mustapha Al-Bakry) is synonymous with Ipoh’s famous kaya puff — filled with a jam made with coconut milk and egg — and on weekends you’ll see a long line outside the bakery all day.

However, the founder’s son has opened his own shop, Sin Eng Hoe (50 Jalan Yau Tet Shin), nearby and assures that he uses the same recipe.

Tau fu fa

This is a dessert made of soybean curd, usually slurped hot and traditionally sweetened with ginger sugar syrup.

Funny Mountain (49 Jalan Theatre) is the name on everyone’s lips, but Woong Kee (32-38A Jalan Ali Pitchay) is also a firm favorite.

WHERE TO STAY

Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat

This is the place to come for a luxurious communion with nature amid limestone hills — yet it’s just a 15-minute drive from the city.

Each villa has its own plunge pool with water piped in from the hot springs, and there are four communal garden pods.

Non-guests can pay to use the facilities.

They include a pool, a steam and sauna cave, and an air-conditioned cave to relax in. It’s also possible to dine in the cave cellar, which has an extensive wine collection.

A short walking trail leads directly to the Lost World of Tambun theme park.

Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, 1 Persiaran Lagun Sunway 3, Tambun; +60 5 210 7777

Bedrock Hotel

This new boutique hotel is styled with a mix of contemporary Chinese and Western details.

“We have the best beds and the best rocks,” Debbie Ng says.

The beds are imported, and her family members are ardent rock collectors. Their finds are displayed around the hotel, and even in the rooms.

Each room has a Nespresso coffee machine, with complimentary pods.

Bedrock Hotel, 13 Jalan Che Tak, New Town; +60 5 241 3031

Sekeping Kong Heng

One of Ng Seksan’s Sekeping collection of properties dotted around Malaysia, this hotel creates the illusion of a “retreat” in the middle of all the action.

The main quarter is located above the Kong Heng kopitiam in what was once a hostel patronized by Chinese opera troupes.

Much of the original building remains, mixed with open brick and reclaimed wood, wire fencing for bed bases and concrete sheets for walls — melding the industrial and natural without compromising on style.

There are more rooms in an annexe next door and above the Container Hotel, as well as a pool and a rooftop hangout.

Sekeping Kong Heng, 75 Jalan Bandar Timah (Leech Street), Old Town; +60 12 227 2745

Sarang Paloh

This boutique guesthouse resides within a former Art Deco-style bank building that dates back to the 1930s.

Sarang means nest, and each room is named after a different bird found in Malaysia.

The interiors are mostly furnished in wood and accented with antiques, mixed with modern details and amenities.

All 11 rooms are air-conditioned with en-suite bathrooms.

There’s a common dining area cast in natural light and shadow, and a serene courtyard on the second floor.

Sarang Paloh, 16 Jalan Sultan Iskandar (Hugh Low Street), Old Town; +60 5 241 3926

27 Concubine Lane

This homestay in a restored 1908 shophouse is owned by a Malaysian-British couple.

It retains many original features, with other parts — windows, floorboards, latticework — sourced from a salvage yard.

“It’s not the Hilton. People come here for the heritage,” says John Lomax.

There are three private doubles with air conditioning, and an open loft with six beds. Bathrooms are shared.

Amid the bustle Concubine Lane, it still manages to feel like a little hideaway.

27 Concubine Lane, Old Town; +60 12 221 3202

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Ipoh: A cultural and culinary guide to Malaysia’s rising tourism star

(CNN)Sometime after the tin slump of the 1980s, Ipoh earned a reputation for being a retirement destination, or just a pit stop on the way to Penang.

“Before, there wasn’t one place where people gathered,” says Julie Song of Burps & Giggles, a cafe that’s contributed to the city’s new face.

“Now, everyone who comes makes Old Town their first stop.”

But the capital of Malaysia’s Perak state has always possessed the qualities that make places like Penang so compelling to travelers: a rich architectural, cultural and culinary heritage — but without the crowds. (Though weekends are a different story.)

And that’s not all. Surrounded by Paleozoic limestone hulks, Ipoh is also a gateway to the area’s beautiful caves and hot springs.

Here are some suggestions on things to do in Ipoh, as well as some dining and hotel recommendations.

TO SEE

Kong Heng Square

A few years ago, landscape architect Ng Seksan and his friends took over this block, breathing new life into Old Town.

“We wanted to keep the old tenants, such as the Kong Heng kopitiam and the Indian barber,” Ng says.

Today, these establishments exist alongside chic cafes, boutique hotels and fashion and craft stalls.

“It’s the greenest urban block in Ipoh,” says Law Siak Hong of the Perak Heritage Society.

Trees are left to grow over and inside buildings, creepers tumble over rooftops and flaking walls.

Yasmin at Kong Heng Museum (open weekends only) showcases the films of the late Malaysian director Yasmin Ahmad, known for her moving explorations of race.

Flanked by a colorful crew of restaurants and shops, “Concubine Lane” is so nicknamed because the late tin tycoon Yau Tet Shin reportedly kept his second wife here.

A living architectural museum

Many buildings from the colonial era, spanning a range of styles from the Gothic to the Modern, still stand.

Among the most visible are the century-old Railway Station, designed in the British Raj style, and the stately old Town Hall across the road.

For quaint shophouses, just walk around Old Town.

Highlights include the Sinhalese Bar, founded in 1931, with its cowboy-style swing doors. It’s a great place to enjoy a beer before carrying on.

There are murals by Ernest Zacharevic — the Lithuanian artist often credited with making street art trendy in Malaysian cities — and local artists like Eric Lai.

Trail maps are available at the local Ipoh tourism office.

“The Vale of Tin and Sin”

Ipoh lies at the heart of Kinta Valley, once the world’s richest tin-producing field.

It attracted a vibrant mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European fortune seekers, growing from a river village into one of British Malaya’s richest towns.

To learn about the history of tin and how miners lived when they weren’t working, visitors can book themselves in to visit Han Chin Pet Soo.

The museum was previously home to the Hakka Tin Miners’ Club, founded in 1893, which in its early days was open only to men — a place to socialize, smoke opium and gamble — though exceptions were made for “dancing girls.”

Out around Kinta Valley are former tin-mining towns and other historical attractions to explore.

A guided tour may include Papan, Batu Gajah, Gopeng, the Tanjung Tualang tin dredge and Kellie’s Castle.

K. Rajasegaran (+60 12 524 2357) and V. Kuppusamy (+60 12 508 6429) offer custom tours around Ipoh and Perak.

Law Siak Hong (+60 17 506 1875) of the Perak Heritage Society occasionally leads tours.

Masters of tradition

Tan Khar Mee (Kin Teck, 4 Tingkat Pasar; +60 12 455 3242), 73, has been making lion dance heads for more than four decades.

He also worked on the set of the 1999 film “Anna and the King,” and is open to teaching visitors the craft.

Teh Wing Liang (Zhong Shen Trading, 59 Jalan Bunga Saroja, Pasir Pinji; +60 12 452 3287), 42, has been making lion heads since he was 15 and says his style is more modern.

“I paint each one differently from the next. I make it up as I go along,” he says.

To see how Ipoh’s famous heong peng biscuits are baked — in concrete well-shaped ovens, fueled by coconut husks — it’s best to visit the house at 362 Jalan Gunung Rapat in the morning.

Yao Cai Yu at the Central Market (Jalan Dato’ Onn Jaafar) makes wooden clogs, and Lau Chee Wah (Lau Hooi Kee, 15 Lorong Bijih Timah) makes traditional bamboo blinds.

John Lee of Ipoh Secrets offers custom tours that help break through the language barrier

Up close with limestone hulks

When the Chinese came to Kinta Valley, they built temples in limestone caves.

Perak Tong, dating from the 1920s, has one of the most beautiful interiors, filled with colorful murals of deities. There’s also a hilltop pavilion with city views, though visitors will need to climb more than 400 steps to reach it.

Sam Poh Tong, apparently discovered by a monk in the 1890s, is a little dilapidated, but its gardens have an enchanting, wild quality. It’s got faded terraces, a tortoise pond and a striking red temple out back.

Tambun Cave has prehistoric paintings of men and animals, plus abstract shapes found on its cliff face.

The Gua Tambun Heritage Awareness Project runs tours on the first Saturday of each month.

TO EAT

This list focuses on Ipoh’s specialties rather than the usual Malaysian staples.

For Western food, there’s Kong Heng Square or the string of bars and pubs on Jalan Lau Ek Ching.

Most hawkers open in the early mornings and shut after lunch, or as long as stocks last.

Malaysians tend to have heavy breakfasts, so go early. Some hawkers also take irregular days off.

White coffee and toast

First, a quick run-down of the white coffee varieties.

“Pak kopi” comes with condensed milk and evaporated milk. “Pak kopi C” with evaporated milk and sugar.

“C kosong” with evaporated milk and no sugar. “O” with sugar and no milk. And add “peng” to the end if you want it iced.

The coffee beans are roasted with margarine, without sugar, giving the coffee a lighter color.

For a light breakfast, it’s paired with margarine toast topped with half-boiled eggs.

Sin Yoong Loong (15A Jalan Bandar Timah/Leech St), founded in the 1930s, is among the most popular places to find this local treat.

Chang Jiang (7 Jalan Windsor), a modern cafe that traces its origins to a 1970s kopitiam, serves equally good white coffee.

Nga choy kay

Reputed to be Ipoh’s quintessential dish, nga choy kay means “beansprout chicken”, but usually refers to three dishes — kway teow (flat rice noodles) soup, poached chicken and peppery beansprouts.

You can order for one, but they’ll still be served separately.

Ipoh’s bean sprouts are said to be crunchier and juicier because, it’s believed, the surrounding limestone hills give the water a special quality.

Lou Wong (Jalan Bandar Timah/Leech Street) is most popular with tourists, but the local favorite is arguably Cowan Street Ayam Tauge & Koitiau (44 Jalan Raja Ekram; +60 12 520 3322), which also does delicious braised chicken feet.

It’s reputed to have irregular opening hours, but Thursday to Sunday evenings seem a safe bet.

Kai see hor fun

Kai see hor fun is also a kway teow soup, but the difference is in the prawns. The broth has an orange sheen made by boiling chicken bones with prawn shells.

And everything comes in one bowl — topped with poached chicken slices, prawns, beansprouts and spring onions.

Thean Chun’s version (73 Jalan Bandar Timah/Leech Street) is one of the best.

Restoran Moon De Moon (148 Hala Wah Keong, Simee) — closed on Mondays and Tuesdays — is also touted for its kai see hor fun, as well as curry mee, a spicy noodle dish.

Curry mee

People flock to Xin Quan Fang (174 Jalan Sultan Iskandar) for Ipoh curry mee, which tends to have less milk in it. There’s also a dry curry version.

“My grandfather’s recipe includes Indian spices, like star anise,” says owner Kok Wai Bing.

We recommend ordering the curry mee soup with your noodle of choice, and a mixed bowl of roast and barbecue pork, prawns, chicken and beansprouts.

Don’t forget their special gravy, reportedly a mixture of curry oil, garlic, pork lard and lime.

Hakka mee

Paris Restaurant (164 Jalan Sultan Iskandar/Hugh Low Street) has moved into its third generation of cooks.

It specializes in perfectly springy, flat egg noodles, topped with bean sprouts and minced meat caramelized with soy sauce and fish sauce, with an accompaniment of chilli and garlic-ginger sauce.

It’s also possible to order it with a bowl of soup with meatballs and fishballs.

On weekends, it’s best to arrive well before 11 a.m. They sell out fast.

“Nasi Ganja”

Contrary to the name, there are no suspicious substances in this rice dish. It’s just really good.

The nickname has become inextricably linked to the Nasi Kandar Ayam Merah stall at the Yong Suan kopitiam (2 Jalan Yang Kalsom), founded in the 1950s.

Ask for the usual — biasa — and you’ll get a plate of fluffy steamed rice served with their specialty ayam merah (a red-hued fried chicken), okra, salted egg, cucumber and a generous dollop of chilli and curry sauce.

Sar kok liew

This is a patty of yam bean and fish paste, rolled up in a bean curd sheet, and deep fried.

It’s Ipoh’s signature variation of yong liew — vegetables stuffed with fish or pork paste, which also come boiled.

If you like yours crispy, go to Dai Shu Geok (“Big Tree Foot”, Jalan King, Pasir Pinji) and have it with a bowl of assam laksa.

Otherwise, Ipoh Echo food columnist SeeFoon Chan-Koppen recommends Kwong Hong (684 Jalan Besar Gunung Rapat): “It has many varieties of green vegetables, and the dipping sauce is yummy.”

Yu kong hor with boiled octopus

Tuck Kee (61 Jalan Yau Tet Shin) only opens in the evenings.

Recommended is the wat tan hor — kway teow immersed in a creamy egg gravy, peppered with pork slices, prawns, vegetables and lard fritters — or yu kong hor, the dry version topped with a raw egg and then stirred in.

Either way, it isn’t complete without the boiled octopus doused in garlic oil and soy sauce.

Kaya puff

Sin Eng Heong (4 Jalan Mustapha Al-Bakry) is synonymous with Ipoh’s famous kaya puff — filled with a jam made with coconut milk and egg — and on weekends you’ll see a long line outside the bakery all day.

However, the founder’s son has opened his own shop, Sin Eng Hoe (50 Jalan Yau Tet Shin), nearby and assures that he uses the same recipe.

Tau fu fa

This is a dessert made of soybean curd, usually slurped hot and traditionally sweetened with ginger sugar syrup.

Funny Mountain (49 Jalan Theatre) is the name on everyone’s lips, but Woong Kee (32-38A Jalan Ali Pitchay) is also a firm favorite.

WHERE TO STAY

Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat

This is the place to come for a luxurious communion with nature amid limestone hills — yet it’s just a 15-minute drive from the city.

Each villa has its own plunge pool with water piped in from the hot springs, and there are four communal garden pods.

Non-guests can pay to use the facilities.

They include a pool, a steam and sauna cave, and an air-conditioned cave to relax in. It’s also possible to dine in the cave cellar, which has an extensive wine collection.

A short walking trail leads directly to the Lost World of Tambun theme park.

Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, 1 Persiaran Lagun Sunway 3, Tambun; +60 5 210 7777

Bedrock Hotel

This new boutique hotel is styled with a mix of contemporary Chinese and Western details.

“We have the best beds and the best rocks,” Debbie Ng says.

The beds are imported, and her family members are ardent rock collectors. Their finds are displayed around the hotel, and even in the rooms.

Each room has a Nespresso coffee machine, with complimentary pods.

Bedrock Hotel, 13 Jalan Che Tak, New Town; +60 5 241 3031

Sekeping Kong Heng

One of Ng Seksan’s Sekeping collection of properties dotted around Malaysia, this hotel creates the illusion of a “retreat” in the middle of all the action.

The main quarter is located above the Kong Heng kopitiam in what was once a hostel patronized by Chinese opera troupes.

Much of the original building remains, mixed with open brick and reclaimed wood, wire fencing for bed bases and concrete sheets for walls — melding the industrial and natural without compromising on style.

There are more rooms in an annexe next door and above the Container Hotel, as well as a pool and a rooftop hangout.

Sekeping Kong Heng, 75 Jalan Bandar Timah (Leech Street), Old Town; +60 12 227 2745

Sarang Paloh

This boutique guesthouse resides within a former Art Deco-style bank building that dates back to the 1930s.

Sarang means nest, and each room is named after a different bird found in Malaysia.

The interiors are mostly furnished in wood and accented with antiques, mixed with modern details and amenities.

All 11 rooms are air-conditioned with en-suite bathrooms.

There’s a common dining area cast in natural light and shadow, and a serene courtyard on the second floor.

Sarang Paloh, 16 Jalan Sultan Iskandar (Hugh Low Street), Old Town; +60 5 241 3926

27 Concubine Lane

This homestay in a restored 1908 shophouse is owned by a Malaysian-British couple.

It retains many original features, with other parts — windows, floorboards, latticework — sourced from a salvage yard.

“It’s not the Hilton. People come here for the heritage,” says John Lomax.

There are three private doubles with air conditioning, and an open loft with six beds. Bathrooms are shared.

Amid the bustle Concubine Lane, it still manages to feel like a little hideaway.

27 Concubine Lane, Old Town; +60 12 221 3202

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