#Customized Gifts From Maven Gifts

[mavengifts1]

Buy New Year Gifting Products in Bulk in India – Maven Gifts: Your Ultimate Discount

New Year approaches, the season of gifting takes center stage. It’s a time of joy, gratitude, and sharing happiness with friends, family, employees, and clients. For businesses, New Year gifts are an excellent way to strengthen relationships and show appreciation. Maven Gifts, a leading name in corporate and personal gifting solutions, is your one-stop shop to buy New Year gifting products in bulk in India.

In this blog, we’ll explore why Maven Gifts is the ideal choice for bulk gifting, the diverse range of products available, and tips for selecting the perfect New Year gifts.

Why Choose Maven Gifts for Bulk New Year Gifting?

When it comes to bulk gifting, reliability, quality, and variety are crucial. Maven Gifts excels in all these aspects, making it a top choice for New Year gifts in India.

Also Read more - Buy New Year Gifting Products in Bulk in India-Maven Gifts

Extensive Product Range Maven Gifts offers a wide array of options catering to diverse preferences. Whether you’re looking for premium gift hampers, customized corporate gifts, or budget-friendly options, Maven Gifts has it all.

Customizable Gifting Solutions Personalization adds a unique touch to gifts. Maven Gifts provides customization options, allowing businesses to include logos, personalized messages, or brand colors on the items.

Affordable Pricing Bulk purchasing often comes with budget constraints. Maven Gifts ensures competitive pricing without compromising on quality, making it possible to spread cheer without overspending.

Nationwide Delivery With its robust logistics network, Maven Gifts ensures timely delivery across India, making the gifting process hassle-free for businesses and individuals alike.

Eco-Friendly Options Sustainability is a growing priority. Maven Gifts offers eco-friendly gifting options, perfect for organizations aiming to align with green practices.

Top New Year Gifting Products at Maven Gifts

Here’s a glimpse into the diverse gifting options Maven Gifts provides:

Gift Hampers

Gourmet food hampers featuring chocolates, cookies, and exotic teas.

Wellness hampers with organic products, essential oils, and spa kits.

Festive hampers with traditional sweets, dry fruits, and decorative items.

Customized Corporate Gifts

Personalized diaries, planners, and calendars.

Branded tech gadgets like power banks, Bluetooth speakers, and USB drives.

Elegant desk accessories such as pen holders and nameplates.

Eco-Friendly Gifts

Reusable water bottles, tote bags, and bamboo products.

Plant kits for a green and thoughtful touch.

Lifestyle and Utility Products

Premium leather wallets, belts, and keychains.

Luxury skincare and grooming kits.

Home decor items like candles, photo frames, and cushions.

Promotional Items

Customized mugs, t-shirts, and caps with branding.

Affordable yet impactful options for large-scale distribution.

Tips for Choosing the Perfect New Year Gifts

Selecting the right gift can make a lasting impression. Keep these tips in mind to make the process easier:

Understand Your Audience Consider the recipient's preferences, cultural sensitivities, and practical needs. For corporate gifting, align with the organization’s branding and values.

Focus on Quality A high-quality gift reflects thoughtfulness and professionalism. Opt for durable and well-crafted products to leave a positive impact.

Incorporate Personalization Adding a personalized note, name, or logo makes the gift memorable. Maven Gifts’ customization services simplify this process.

Set a Budget Define a budget to streamline your choices. Maven Gifts provides options across price ranges, ensuring something for everyone.

Prioritize Timely Delivery Place orders in advance to avoid last-minute rushes. Maven Gifts ensures prompt delivery, even for bulk orders.

Benefits of Bulk Gifting with Maven Gifts

Cost Efficiency Buying in bulk significantly reduces per-unit costs, making it an economical option for businesses.

Consistent Branding Uniform gifts create a cohesive brand image, especially for corporate clients and employees.

Time-Saving Bulk ordering eliminates the hassle of selecting individual gifts, saving valuable time during the busy holiday season.

Builds Strong Relationships Thoughtful gifts enhance relationships with clients, employees, and business partners, contributing to goodwill and loyalty.

Why Maven Gifts Stands Out

Maven Gifts isn’t just about selling products; it’s about creating experiences. With a focus on customer satisfaction, they offer end-to-end solutions, including gift selection, packaging, customization, and delivery. Their commitment to quality and innovation ensures that every gift resonates with the spirit of New Year celebrations.

Conclusion

The New Year is an opportunity to express gratitude and build lasting connections through thoughtful gifting. With Maven Gifts, you can buy New Year gifting products in bulk in India with ease and confidence. From exquisite gift hampers to practical corporate gifts, Maven Gifts caters to every requirement, ensuring your celebrations are both memorable and impactful.

So, why wait? Explore the exceptional range of products at Maven Gifts and make this New Year truly special for your loved ones and business associates.

Visit Maven Gifts today and place

Call Now:  +91-8745038495

Visit Our Website:   https://mavengifts.in

Email Us:  info@mavengifts.in

WhatsApp Us: +91-8745038495    

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] Shoppers Stop, India’s premium fashion, beauty, and gifting omnichannel destination, is thrilled to announce its groundbreaking revolution in the beauty world – Glamfluencer 2025 by SSBeauty. India’s first-ever beauty reality show is designed to discover India's next Super Beauty Influencer. This pioneering concept marks a transformative moment in both the beauty and entertainment industries, combining passion, education, and storytelling to create an unforgettable platform for aspiring influencers.   Glamfluencer by SSBeauty   This one-of-a-kind IP by SSBeauty promises unmatched drama, thrilling challenges, and transformative training. Contestants from across the country will undergo rigorous training in beauty techniques, content creation and digital trends while participating in challenges that test their creativity, knowledge, and resilience. Covering all aspects of beauty, the show will encompass makeup, skincare, fragrances, and haircare & styling, ensuring that contestants are equipped to inspire across every facet of the beauty industry.   The winner will claim the ultimate opportunity to cement their place as India’s next beauty icon, redefining what it means to inspire and influence in the beauty space.   Why Glamfluencer? India’s First-of-its-Kind: A beauty influencer reality show where talent meets opportunity. Exclusive Mentoring: Industry leaders, digital mavens, and beauty experts will guide contestants. Big Rewards: More than just a title – it’s a launchpad into the dazzling world of beauty and influence.   Commenting on the launch, Mr. Biju Kassim, Customer Care Associate and CEO of Beauty, Shoppers Stop said, “At SSBeauty, we believe in empowering individuals to redefine beauty and creativity in the Indian market. The launch of this unique IP aims to give India its very own Super Beauty Influencer. With Glamfluencer, we are not just launching a reality show – we are creating a transformative platform that celebrates talent, fosters innovation, and sets new benchmarks for the beauty industry, while positioning our country globally. This initiative aligns with our vision to inspire, educate, and amplify voices, bringing consumers and brands closer through unforgettable experiences.”   Stay tuned as the search for the Super Beauty Influencer unfolds on your favorite OTT channel. Glamfluencer – where beauty meets drama and dreams turn into reality!   Think you’ve got what it takes? Stay tuned for audition details and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. The glam revolution is here – and it’s yours to own.   About SSBeauty As a division of Shoppers Stop, SSBeauty is dedicated to empowering every woman to embrace her uniqueness and inspire others. Our ethos of "Inspiring Elegance" defines our innovative approach to beauty retail. Beyond mere shopping, SSBeauty offers a haven of indulgence, it includes dedicated Treatment Rooms, offering indulgent facials and spas, providing customers with a luxurious and rejuvenating experience. Beauty enthusiasts can indulge in the latest nail trends at the Nail Bar, featuring a wide range of nail care and styling options.At SSBeauty, luxury meets diversity with an impressive lineup of global powerhouses including Dior, NARS, Armani Beauty, Kilian, Laura Mercier, Givenchy, Clarins, Lancome, Kiehl's, Shiseido, Jo Malone, and Tom Ford, alongside Indian favourites like Forest Essentials, Kay Beauty, Colorbar, and Kama Ayurveda. From makeup to skincare, fragrances, and grooming for men, SSBeauty curates a comprehensive collection to cater to every beauty need and desire. About Shoppers Stop Limited Shoppers Stop Ltd. is the nation's leading premier retailer of fashion and beauty brands, established in 1991. As of September 30, 2024, Shoppers Stop is spread across 112 department stores in 65 cities, the Company also operates

11 premium home concept stores under the name Home Stop, 87 Specialty Beauty stores of M.A.C, Estée Lauder, Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Jo Malone, Too Faced, SSBeauty, and 20 Airport doors, 50 INTUNE Stores occupying an area of 4.4 M sq. ft.Shoppers Stop is home to one of the country's longest-running and most coveted loyalty programs 'First Citizen'. The Company's one-of-a-kind shopping assistance service, 'Personal Shopper' is revolutionising the way Indians shop, bringing more value, comfort, and convenience to customer experiences. The brand's diversified Omni channel offers over 800+ recognized and trusted brands across an incomparable range of products that together serve our overarching objective of delivering customer delight. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window,document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '311356416665414'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] Shoppers Stop, India’s premium fashion, beauty, and gifting omnichannel destination, is thrilled to announce its groundbreaking revolution in the beauty world – Glamfluencer 2025 by SSBeauty. India’s first-ever beauty reality show is designed to discover India's next Super Beauty Influencer. This pioneering concept marks a transformative moment in both the beauty and entertainment industries, combining passion, education, and storytelling to create an unforgettable platform for aspiring influencers.   Glamfluencer by SSBeauty   This one-of-a-kind IP by SSBeauty promises unmatched drama, thrilling challenges, and transformative training. Contestants from across the country will undergo rigorous training in beauty techniques, content creation and digital trends while participating in challenges that test their creativity, knowledge, and resilience. Covering all aspects of beauty, the show will encompass makeup, skincare, fragrances, and haircare & styling, ensuring that contestants are equipped to inspire across every facet of the beauty industry.   The winner will claim the ultimate opportunity to cement their place as India’s next beauty icon, redefining what it means to inspire and influence in the beauty space.   Why Glamfluencer? India’s First-of-its-Kind: A beauty influencer reality show where talent meets opportunity. Exclusive Mentoring: Industry leaders, digital mavens, and beauty experts will guide contestants. Big Rewards: More than just a title – it’s a launchpad into the dazzling world of beauty and influence.   Commenting on the launch, Mr. Biju Kassim, Customer Care Associate and CEO of Beauty, Shoppers Stop said, “At SSBeauty, we believe in empowering individuals to redefine beauty and creativity in the Indian market. The launch of this unique IP aims to give India its very own Super Beauty Influencer. With Glamfluencer, we are not just launching a reality show – we are creating a transformative platform that celebrates talent, fosters innovation, and sets new benchmarks for the beauty industry, while positioning our country globally. This initiative aligns with our vision to inspire, educate, and amplify voices, bringing consumers and brands closer through unforgettable experiences.”   Stay tuned as the search for the Super Beauty Influencer unfolds on your favorite OTT channel. Glamfluencer – where beauty meets drama and dreams turn into reality!   Think you’ve got what it takes? Stay tuned for audition details and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. The glam revolution is here – and it’s yours to own.   About SSBeauty As a division of Shoppers Stop, SSBeauty is dedicated to empowering every woman to embrace her uniqueness and inspire others. Our ethos of "Inspiring Elegance" defines our innovative approach to beauty retail. Beyond mere shopping, SSBeauty offers a haven of indulgence, it includes dedicated Treatment Rooms, offering indulgent facials and spas, providing customers with a luxurious and rejuvenating experience. Beauty enthusiasts can indulge in the latest nail trends at the Nail Bar, featuring a wide range of nail care and styling options.At SSBeauty, luxury meets diversity with an impressive lineup of global powerhouses including Dior, NARS, Armani Beauty, Kilian, Laura Mercier, Givenchy, Clarins, Lancome, Kiehl's, Shiseido, Jo Malone, and Tom Ford, alongside Indian favourites like Forest Essentials, Kay Beauty, Colorbar, and Kama Ayurveda. From makeup to skincare, fragrances, and grooming for men, SSBeauty curates a comprehensive collection to cater to every beauty need and desire. About Shoppers Stop Limited Shoppers Stop Ltd. is the nation's leading premier retailer of fashion and beauty brands, established in 1991. As of September 30, 2024, Shoppers Stop is spread across 112 department stores in 65 cities, the Company also operates

11 premium home concept stores under the name Home Stop, 87 Specialty Beauty stores of M.A.C, Estée Lauder, Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Jo Malone, Too Faced, SSBeauty, and 20 Airport doors, 50 INTUNE Stores occupying an area of 4.4 M sq. ft.Shoppers Stop is home to one of the country's longest-running and most coveted loyalty programs 'First Citizen'. The Company's one-of-a-kind shopping assistance service, 'Personal Shopper' is revolutionising the way Indians shop, bringing more value, comfort, and convenience to customer experiences. The brand's diversified Omni channel offers over 800+ recognized and trusted brands across an incomparable range of products that together serve our overarching objective of delivering customer delight. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window,document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '311356416665414'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); [ad_2] Source link

[istoreq8]

Unveiling the Charm of iStore Q8: Your Ultimate Gift Shop in Kuwait

In the bustling retail landscape of Kuwait, finding the perfect gift that combines innovation, elegance, and functionality can be a challenge. Enter iStore Q8, a premier gift shop that redefines the art of gift-giving with its curated selection of cutting-edge technology and stylish accessories. Whether you're searching for the latest gadgets, chic wearables, or unique tech-inspired presents, iStore Q8 offers an unparalleled shopping experience tailored to meet the discerning tastes of modern consumers. This introduction explores the distinctive qualities of iStore Q8, showcasing why it stands out as the go-to destination for memorable and sophisticated gifts in Kuwait. Join us as we delve into the world of iStore Q8, where every gift is an opportunity to impress and delight.

Step into the enchanting world of iStore Q8, the premier gift shop destination in Kuwait that promises an extraordinary shopping experience like no other. Nestled in the heart of Kuwait City, iStore Q8 welcomes you with open arms to discover a treasure trove of exquisite gifts and souvenirs that are sure to captivate your senses.

An Abundance of Gift Choices for Every Occasion

In the heart of Kuwait lies a haven for those seeking the perfect gift—iStore Q8. Renowned for its extensive array of premium products, this unique gift shop in Kuwait caters to every occasion, ensuring that each visit is met with a treasure trove of options. From the latest in cutting-edge technology to chic accessories and beyond, iStore Q8 prides itself on offering an abundance of choices that are sure to impress. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, or an anniversary, or simply want to show appreciation, iStore Q8 has something special for everyone. Dive into a world where quality meets variety, and discover why iStore Q8 is the ultimate destination for finding that perfect gift for any occasion.

Whether you are searching for a thoughtful gift for a loved one's birthday, a special token of appreciation for a colleague or a memento to commemorate a milestone, iStore Q8 Presents a diverse selection to accommodate every taste and preference.. From luxurious accessories to charming trinkets, you are bound to find the perfect gift that conveys your heartfelt sentiments.

Explore a world filled with ingenuity and originality.

At iStore Q8, each gift item tells a unique story and exudes a sense of artistry and craftsmanship that is second to none. The vibrant colors, intricate designs, and attention to detail showcased in every product reflect a dedication to quality and creativity that sets iStore Q8 apart as a beacon of inspiration in the realm of gift-giving.

Step into iStore Q8 and immerse yourself in a world where creativity and innovation come to life. Located in the vibrant heart of Kuwait, iStore Q8 is more than just a gift shop in Kuwait—it's a dynamic experience that inspires and delights. From the latest tech gadgets to stylish and functional accessories, each item is thoughtfully curated to spark imagination and enhance modern living. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a style maven, or simply on the hunt for a unique and memorable gift, iStore Q8 offers an unparalleled selection that caters to all tastes and occasions. Join us as we explore the endless possibilities and discover why iStore Q8 is the premier destination for those who seek to elevate their gifting experience with creativity and innovation.

Unparalleled Customer Service and Personalized Assistance

What truly sets iStore Q8 apart is its unwavering commitment to providing exceptional customer service and personalized assistance to every visitor. The friendly and knowledgeable staff members are always on hand to offer guidance, recommendations, and expert advice to help you find the perfect gift that resonates with your emotions and conveys your message with grace and elegance. At iStore Q8, exceptional shopping is defined by more than just an impressive array of products; it's also about the unparalleled customer service and personalized assistance that each visitor receives. Located in the heart of Kuwait, iStore Q8 has established itself as a beacon of excellence in customer care. Every customer is greeted with a warm welcome and guided through their shopping journey by knowledgeable and friendly staff. Whether you're seeking advice on the latest tech gadgets or need help finding the perfect gift, the team at iStore Q8 is dedicated to ensuring your experience is seamless and enjoyable. Discover the difference that genuine care and expertise can make, and see why iStore Q8 is the preferred destination for discerning shoppers who value both quality and service.

Embrace the Art of Gift-Giving at iStore Q8

In a world filled with fleeting trends and mass-produced goods, iStore Q8 stands as a sanctuary of authenticity and sophistication, where each gift is handpicked with care and consideration to ensure a meaningful and memorable experience for both the giver and the recipient. Embrace the art of gift-giving and let iStore Q8 be your trusted companion on the journey to creating lasting memories and forging meaningful connections through the timeless tradition of thoughtful gifting.

Embrace the art of gift-giving at iStore Q8, where every visit is an opportunity to find something extraordinary. Situated in the bustling heart of Kuwait, iStore Q8 is not just a store, but a destination where the perfect gift awaits discovery. With a diverse selection of innovative tech products, stylish accessories, and unique finds, iStore Q8 caters to all tastes and occasions. 

CONCLUSION

The store’s commitment to exceptional quality and thoughtful curation ensures that every gift is special and memorable. Whether you are celebrating a milestone, expressing gratitude, or simply surprising a loved one, iStore Q8 makes the art of gift-giving an effortless and delightful experience. Join us as we explore the endless possibilities and discover why iStore Q8 is the ultimate destination for gifts that truly stand out.

In conclusion, iStore Q8 stands as more than just a gift shop in Kuwait; it's a haven for innovation, style, and exceptional service in Kuwait. With its curated selection of cutting-edge technology, stylish accessories, and unique gifts, iStore Q8 offers something for everyone and every occasion. Whether you're searching for the latest gadgets, elegant accessories, or thoughtful presents, iStore Q8 provides an unmatched shopping experience.

With a commitment to unparalleled customer service and personalized assistance, iStore Q8 ensures that every visitor finds the perfect gift with ease and enjoyment. From the moment you step through the doors, you're welcomed into a world where the art of gift-giving is celebrated and elevated.

So, whether you're looking to surprise a friend, celebrate a special occasion, or simply treat yourself to something extraordinary, iStore Q8 invites you to explore, discover, and experience the joy of giving in a whole new way. Visit iStore Q8 today and make every gift-giving moment truly unforgettable.

At iStore Q8, we believe that each gift should tell a story and evoke emotions that last a lifetime. With our diverse range of products and unwavering dedication to quality, we strive to make every gift-giving experience meaningful and memorable. Trust in iStore Q8 to help you find that perfect gift that reflects your style and thoughtfulness. Come visit us today and discover why iStore Q8 is the premier destination for exceptional gifts in Kuwait.

Unleash your creativity and spread joy and happiness with the exquisite selection of gifts at iStore Q8. Come and experience the magic for yourself at the ultimate gift shop in Kuwait, where every purchase is a celebration of love, beauty, and the art of giving.

[webscarlet]

Car Repair in Lehi: Maven Mechanics Brings the Garage to You

When your car breaks down, the remaining thing you want is the trouble of getting it into storage. That's where Maven Mechanics is available. As a leading cellular mechanic carrier in Lehi, we bring the storage to you, providing a handy and efficient option to your automobile repair wishes.

Convenience and Efficiency

Our cellular mechanics provide on-site services, saving you the time and hassle of riding to a traditional garage. Whether you are at home, work, or stranded on the facet of the road, Maven Mechanics can come to your place. Our team is equipped with all the gear and devices needed to diagnose and repair your car instantaneously, getting you returned on the street right away.

Comprehensive Services

Maven Mechanics gives an extensive range of offerings to satisfy your vehicle repair wishes. From diagnostics and minor maintenance to main overhauls, our experienced mechanics can cope with it all. We work all makes and models of vehicles, making sure that your vehicle is in accurate hands.

Quality and Professionalism

At Maven Mechanics, we pleasure ourselves by imparting extremely good service to all our clients. Our technicians are fantastically skilled and undergo regular training to stay updated at the cutting-edge car technologies. We use handiest true elements and observe enterprise-preferred practices to make certain that your vehicle is repaired to the very best requirements.

Cost-Effectiveness and Transparency

Contrary to famous perception, cellular mechanics may be fee-effective in comparison to conventional garages. With Maven Mechanics, you do not have to fear overhead expenses or hidden fees. We provide obvious pricing and may even offer discounts or unique gifts to help you shop money for your repairs.

Customer Satisfaction

Customer delight is our top precedence at Maven Mechanics. We have an extended listing of glad customers who have praised our professionalism, understanding, and performance. Whether you need a simple oil change or a complicated engine repair, we can cross above and beyond to make sure which you are glad with our provider.

Safety and Environmentally Friendly Practices

Safety is some other crucial consideration in relation to vehicle repair. Maven Mechanics takes safety very significantly and adheres to all safety standards and rules. We use the trendy protection device and observe quality practices to make certain that both you and your car are safe all through the restore technique. Additionally, we attempt to minimize our environmental impact through the use of environmentally pleasant fluids and disposing of waste responsibly.

The Future of Mobile Mechanics

As the automobile industry continues to evolve, the demand for cell mechanics is anticipated to grow. Maven Mechanics is nicely-positioned to capitalize on this trend, with plans to amplify our services and attain new clients. Whether you are in want of a short restoration or a prime repair, Maven Mechanics is the go-to desire for all your automobile restore desires in Lehi.

In conclusion, Maven Mechanics is a dependable and expert cell mechanic service that brings the garage to you. With our handy scheduling, extremely good service, and commitment to purchaser pleasure, Maven Mechanics is the correct preference for all of your vehicle restore needs in Lehi. Contact Maven Mechanics at 801-210-9233 to schedule an appointment and enjoy the benefit of cellular mechanics for yourself.

[mavengifts]

Best Online Anniversary Gifts for Couples in 2024-Maven gifts

Discover a world of luxury and elegance with Maven Gifts stunning collection of Online Anniversary Gifts for Couples in 2024. From private yacht cruises to customized fine dining experiences, each option is carefully chosen to capture the essence of romance and sophistication. Indulge in artisanal treats and personalized mementos that redefine luxury. Celebrate their love story with a touch of class from Maven Gifts, where each gift reflects the enduring beauty of partnership and commitment.

. . DM on Instagram OR Whatsapp for Order {+91–8745038495 } . . Follow us: @mavengifts

[kicksaddictny]

Paris Saint-Germain x Lids x Fanatics Toronto Flagship Store

Paris Saint-Germain continues its global business success story and brand expansion opening stores in collaboration with Lids and Fanatics and will officially open their new Club official store on December 15th, located at 399 Queen Street W in Toronto.

As part of the football club's long-term partnership with Fanatics, Lids oversees the operations for PSG store locations to create one-of-a-kind and consistent retail experiences worldwide for sports fans and fashion mavens alike to enjoy. The Paris Saint-Germain store in Toronto is the first flagship store of the Rouge & Bleu in Canada, the fourth in North America (New York, Miami, Las Vegas, Toronto), and the 14th worldwide (France (3), London (1), Seoul (1), Tokyo (3), Doha (2).

Fabien Allègre, Chief Brand Officer at Paris Saint-Germain, stated, "Creating a connection between the City of Light and the Queen City by opening this 14th Official Boutique in the heart of Toronto is another contribution to the construction of our global brand and also a way to thank our fans in Canadian territory. We hope to capture the heart of Toronto, spread the magic of football to every corner of Ontario, and that this store will be a symbol of a shared adventure where Parisian dreams meet Toronto's energy."

Upon opening, the numerous supporters of the Club in Canada, especially the members of the Paris Saint-Germain fan club in Toronto, will have the opportunity to explore an exclusive capsule collection in the store created in collaboration with the Canadian concept store Better Gift Shop. The drop includes an exclusive line of clothing and a limited-edition jersey. For this opening, which marks a new milestone in the Club's development, Paris Saint-Germain has decided to engage with the local community. The club is partnering with the Play Forever Association, which implements its sports programs for the youth of Toronto with a focus on education, entertainment, and care.

The Paris Saint-Germain and Play Forever partnership will kick off with a holiday event, inviting local kids to receive gifted products at the boutique. Next year, Paris Saint-Germain will fly-in expert coaches from PSG Academy to train local coaches as well as offering Toronto youngsters with dedicated football camps. On the longer term, a specific program will allow the girls participating in the program "Allez Les Filles" in Parisian suburbs to meet with their counterparts in Toronto.

Lawrence Berger, Co-Founder and Partner at Ames Watson, owner of Lids, and Chairman of FanzzLids Holdings, stated, "We are excited to expand our successful partnership with PSG and connect with Canadian consumers in the beautiful city of Toronto. Our latest store will include staples that fans and fashion enthusiasts enjoy including licensed local team apparel, along with other exciting features that we know will be loved by all who visit."

The new Paris Saint-Germain store will feature an impressive assortment of products including team jerseys, headwear, accessories, a full range of Nike and Jordan teamwear, one-of-a-kind collaborations, and Paris Saint-Germain designs exclusively available for purchase at the new location. This store is a one-stop destination for Paris Saint-Germain fans in Toronto and those traveling from all over the world, providing them with experiences like a customization station, a signature feature present in many Lids retail locations for fans to further personalize their Paris Saint-Germain gear on-site. In addition, collectibles such as exclusive signed game and non-game jerseys as well as other team items will be available for purchase in-store starting on December 15th.

[muzzamilblogger]

Trauma Treatment: How to Do It The Trauma Treatment Handbook: Protocols Across the Spectrum

What a terrific ee-e book. Plainly written, full of facts and resources, the writer demonstrates an staggering intensity of knowledge, draw close of rankings of trauma treatment plans, at the side of compassion and heat empathy for trauma survivors. All this underscored with a systematic objectivity and a energetic feel of humor.

Not best does Shapiro gift the reader with targeted courses to many styles of remedy for supporting humans who`ve suffered a trauma (starting from early life abuse to sexual attack to vehicle crashes to the fear of war) however there may be a bankruptcy for therapists ourselves for whom taking note of the regularly heart-wrenching memories from customers is itself traumatic.

A wealthy preference of strategies for recuperation trauma affords the reader with clean courses to the familiar (e.g. psychodynamic theories advanced from the musings of Freud) to much less not unusualplace or uncommon treatment plans (which includes Brainspotting and Dialectical Behavior Therapy).

For the ones folks now no longer bathed withinside the holy waters of DSM -IV(Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) the writer lists dozens of the acronyms that constitute labels for lots styles of human distress, and the fantastic sort of treatment plans to fight trauma in particular. (Shapiro ends this exhaustive -web page listing with "WTF?: reaction to such a lot of acronyms!") The author (who already has posted books at the subject) describes EMDR [Eye Movement and Desensitization] in high-quality element and indicates that a higher label could have been "reprocessing remedy" as it includes BLS (bi-lateral stimulation). EMDR also "consists of factors of mindfulness, somatic awareness, exposure, and cognitive treatment plans."

The "strength psychologies' with their cappotential to therapy phobias in a unmarried session, are given their due from the unique TFT (Thought-Field Therapy) thru EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), to TAT (Tapas Acupressure Technique) and the paintings of scientific psychologist David Feinstein who is "married to Donna Eden, the maven of strength medicine." (Which well-knownshows my lack of understanding as I'd by no means heard of her).

In the bankruptcy on hypnotherapy, Shapiro cleverly consists of Ericksonian language that gives the reader a short enjoy of hypnosis. Several hypnotic strategies for managing trauma illustrate the strength of this approach. (Only Hypnotic Olfactory Conditioning is missing).

This ee-e book offers the therapist -- beginner or experienced -- a large preference of methods to use to a selected traumatized client. There also are specialised chapters on grief, the army and borderline character disorders. Within every bankruptcy and on the stop of the text, are wealthy references for similarly learning.

Read More: Review of the book Why Mars and Venus Collision by Dr. John Gray

[ambiguouspuzuma]

A slice of worldbuilding from Archipelago:

“I’ll try to look the part.” She always did. Carmen had been used to working from the shadows, especially in the early days, needing to hide her face from parts of Old Ulbar and avoid the envy of the rank and file. For years, she’d dressed in simple tunics, grown out her hair, and tried to blend in to the backdrop of her work as much as she could: her clothes always smelling faintly of candle-smoke, her ink-stained finger-tips leaving whorled patterns on the pages she touched, and wearing black marks on her lips and teeth from biting her quill. Having grown up in in the middle tiers, elaborate silks were a foreign concept to her anyway. But she’d scrubbed up well today. Although they mattered little to her, Carmen had learnt appearances were important in her position, both to impress other people and to bring confidence to herself. Her noble’s robes helped her feel like a captain, an exoskeleton which kept her standing tall. Rather than hiding, she wanted her clothes to draw as much attention as possible, even as a way for her to hide in plain side. They drew people’s eyes to what they expected to see, all of the dressings of a real noble, and so they didn’t look too closely at the woman inside. Today her robes were cloth of gold, with leaves and birds picked out in satin greens and reds. Over the top was another coat of green, a cloak sewn from a thousand iridescent scales: they were the wing cases of jewel beetles which lived for a few weeks, collected after their deaths and crafted into something even more beautiful. They made Carmen feel like the dragonflies which danced over the Stem, gliding on two broad pairs of translucent wings: a gauze like Elisan stained glass, patches of red or blue above a slender, elegant body. They were some of their world’s greatest hunters, but they proved that death could gleam and killers could be glamorous. Carmen didn’t have to choose between being a commanding general and dressing like a queen. She could master both at the same time. Her crown topped the portrait off. In the past age of captain-kings each city had worn one, but now, with power split between five pentarch posts, most had removed them entirely. In places like Lakebridge, captains simply wore the three-pointed hats originally worn on ships, a call-back to their nautical past: if the archipelago was shaped slightly differently, no doubt their mavens would have named them the tricorn isles instead. Evenfall had split their white stone crown in equal shares, with each pentarch wearing a shard, symbolising that together they still held the power of a king or queen. Victory’s captain wore a golden belt around their waist instead, reflecting the strange customs of that war-forged state. The captain of the Silo wore a simple steel band. Highcliff had made five crowns, styled differently for each new role. As captain, Carmen was the new queen of war, and so hers was a circlet of tiny metal swords. The navigator wore a similar ring, but his featured ten different coloured pillars to match the ten-spoked tattoo on his neck. The rainmaker’s crown was a wreath of fossilised roots, to symbolise how life flowed through nature through Serena’s precious gift. The purser had a ring of different coins of various metals, silver ormers, iron chitons, bronze limpets, and other shells that weren’t even produced any more. Kel wore a rough iron ring like the manacles her executors used, to demonstrate her hold on and commitment to order. “Are you joking? You look like the part was made for you.”

Daily Sip 1/27

You can reblog this post.

You can make your own post.

You reblog someone else's snip!

Just tag it sipofsnips so everyone can find each other. ^.-

[mavengifts1]

Best Customized Christmas Gifts for Brothers  - Maven Gifts

Christmas is a season of joy, love, and giving, and nothing makes the holiday more special than finding the perfect gift for your loved ones. When it comes to brothers, the task can be both exciting and challenging. Whether your brother is your lifelong best friend or your occasional rival, choosing a customized Christmas gift can add a personal and heartfelt touch to the celebration. Maven Gifts, a trusted name in personalized presents, offers a wide range of options to make your best customized christmas gifts for brothers .

Why Choose Customized Gifts?

Customized gifts hold a unique charm as they go beyond the ordinary. They show thoughtfulness, effort, and attention to detail, making the recipient feel truly special. A personalized gift reflects the bond you share with your brother, reminding him of your shared memories and the love that binds you together. With Maven Gifts, you can explore endless possibilities for tailored presents that match his personality and interests.

Top Customized Christmas Gift Ideas for Brothers

1. Customized Apparel

Clothing is a practical and timeless gift. Maven Gifts allows you to personalize T-shirts, hoodies, or jackets with your brother's favorite quotes, jokes, or designs. Opt for a theme that resonates with his hobbies, such as gaming, sports, or music, to make it extra special.

2. Personalized Watches

A classic watch with a personal touch can be a stylish and meaningful gift. Maven Gifts offers engraving options where you can add a heartfelt message, initials, or a significant date on the watch's back.

3. Engraved Wallets

A sleek leather wallet is a gift that blends style and functionality. Add a customized engraving, such as his name, a special date, or a short message, to make it unique and memorable.

4. Photo Collage or Frame

A photo collage or frame filled with cherished moments is a perfect way to relive fond memories. You can include pictures from childhood, family vacations, or milestone celebrations, making it a nostalgic treasure. Maven Gifts offers a range of customizable photo frames to suit any style.

5. Customized Tech Accessories

For tech-savvy brothers, personalized gadgets or accessories can be an excellent choice. Consider customized phone cases, laptop sleeves, or wireless earbuds engraved with his initials or a cool design.

6. Personalized Sports Gear

If your brother is a sports enthusiast, surprise him with customized sports equipment. Maven Gifts provides options such as engraved cricket bats, footballs, or gym gear. Adding his name or a motivational quote can inspire him to excel in his favorite sport.

7. Customized Mugs and Tumblers

A personalized mug or tumbler is a simple yet thoughtful gift. You can add funny captions, heartfelt messages, or even caricatures that reflect his personality.

8. Customized Books or Journals

For brothers who enjoy reading or writing, a customized book or journal is a fantastic option. Include his name or an inspiring quote on the cover, or opt for a book that compiles memories or anecdotes about your relationship.

9. Monogrammed Bathrobe or Towels

Give the gift of luxury with monogrammed bathrobes or towels. Adding his initials or a quirky design can elevate this everyday essential into a cherished keepsake.

10. Customized Keychains

A personalized keychain is a small but significant gift. Choose from options like engraved metal keychains, photo keychains, or quirky designs that resonate with his style.

How to Choose the Perfect Gift for Your Brother? Maven Gifts

Maven gifts Selecting the ideal customized gift requires consideration of your brother’s preferences, hobbies, and lifestyle. Here are a few tips:

Know His Interests: Think about what he loves most. Is he a gamer, a foodie, a fitness enthusiast, or an artist? Tailor the gift to his passion.

Consider Practicality: While personalized gifts are sentimental, ensuring they are practical adds extra value.

Focus on Quality: Opt for high-quality products from reliable brands like Maven Gifts to ensure longevity.

Add a Personal Touch: Whether it’s a heartfelt message, an inside joke, or a shared memory, personalization is key to making the gift meaningful.

Read more - Best Customized Christmas Gifts for Brothers - Maven Gifts

Why Maven Gifts?

Maven Gifts specializes in providing high-quality, customized gifts for all occasions. With a commitment to customer satisfaction, they offer:

Wide Range of Options: From apparel to accessories, there’s something for everyone.

Easy Customization Process: A user-friendly platform makes personalizing gifts quick and hassle-free.

High-Quality Products: Premium materials and craftsmanship ensure your gift stands out.

Affordable Pricing: Maven Gifts offers competitive pricing, making it accessible for all budgets.

Timely Delivery: Their reliable shipping ensures your gift arrives on time for Christmas.

Conclusion

This Christmas, surprise your brother with a gift that speaks volumes about your love and appreciation. Customized gifts from Maven Gifts are not only unique but also hold sentimental value, making them perfect for the festive season. Whether it’s a personalized watch, an engraved wallet, or a customized T-shirt, each gift tells a story and creates lasting memories.

[wickedobsessed101]

"Sewing It Up" Oneshot #13: "Guiding Light"

3.9K words of more mother-daughter fun fluff with Villy & Nyris ‘cause I was in the mood.

This was supposed to be the final oneshot in the series, but I’m writing one more after this!

~~~

“Nyris, the bus is coming in fifteen minutes, whether we’re at the stop or not,” Villy sighed from the doorway. “Personally, I’d like to be there.”

“Where’s my bag?” the ten-year-old groaned as she ran around her room.

“Wherever you left it. Maybe you’d be able to find something if you cleaned your room.”

“It’s not a mess. It’s organized chaos.”

The blind seamstress rolled her eyes with a huff. “There’s no such thing, especially in this house with me.”

“Found it!” Nyris giggled triumphantly. She made sure she had her allowance (she had been saving for almost three months), slipped her plastic cat ears headband onto her head, and fixed the long strap over her shoulder, matching her stepmother. “Let’s go!”

The two had been looking forward to this special day all week: shopping together at the Sheplin Mall. It was something they didn’t get to do as much, since Nyris was busy with school and ballet, and Villy was busy in the boutique. But the dressmaker had taken the weekend off, leaving Scarly and Maven in charge of the shop, for some much-needed quality time. She remembered teasing her former-employee-now-princess about being a workaholic, and didn’t want to slip into that hypocrite area.

“Put on a sweater. It's getting cooler.”

She went into her closet and grabbed her sky blue, button-up cardigan. “Okay! Let’s go!” She bounced past her stepmother and down the steps with her in tow. “C’mon, Mimsey! We’ve gotta catch the bus!”

The dressmaker reached for her cane on the hook by the door and unfolded it. “I don’t know why you’re rushing me. I’m not the one who spent twenty minutes trying to figure out which skirt to wear.”

“I had to make sure it matched my leggings!” she said like it was obvious.

Villy couldn't blame her, knowing she picked up the fashion tips from her, and locked the door behind them. The two walked down the street to the bus stop hand-in-hand, Nyris excitedly swinging their arms. They made it with five minutes to spare, and Villy got out her wallet for the bus fare, mimicked by Nyris.

“I have my own bus money.”

“I thought you wanted to use your money at the mall.”

“Big girls pay for themselves. I wanna use my own money.”

Villy gave her a light hand squeeze, knowing she wanted to feel grown-up, and nodded. “Okay.”

Once the bus arrived, the young girl proudly paid her fare with a wide grin, then led her stepmother to a two-seater near the middle. “Mimsey?”

“Yeah?”

“No seamstressing.”

Her eyebrow quirked. “What does that mean?”

“You don’t have to talk about fabrics or hemstitches or anything seamstressy. No work talk.”

She nodded. “I promise not to stress over seams.”

“Mimsey.”

Villy had been dreading the day her stepdaughter’s love and interest in her profession would diminish. Now ten, Nyris was starting to develop her own interests, and Villy saw she was starting to lose her “magical dressmaker” persona. But she had to appreciate her honesty. “Okay, Jellybean. This is our special time together, and I’ll make sure my seamstress side doesn’t take over my mother side.”

She snuggled closer. “Thank you.”

Since work-talk was off the table, Villy asked about school and extracurriculars. Nyris indulged her excitedly. The young girl was more than happy to talk about her best friends, how much she liked her music teacher, the boy she liked, and the boy she didn’t.

“I’m ready for my vocabulary test next week, but there’s one word I’m having trouble using in a sentence.”

“What word?”

“Innuendo.”

She thought for a moment. “Okay, here’s one: As long as you’re living under my roof, you better not let me catch any boys sneaking in-ya-window.”

Nyris burst into a fit of giggles. “You’re silly, Mimsey!”

Villy immediately joined her, hugging her close. The driver announced their destination and the bus stopped down the street from the front entrance to the mall. The young girl led her stepmother through the double doors and excitedly looked around at all the stores.

“Let’s get a map. There should be a large board map with little maps inside a pocket near the door.”

“Over here.” Nyris took her hand and lead her towards the large map. She pulled one out and unfolded it. “Got one.”

“Let’s start on the ground floor first, then work our way up. How does that sound?”

“Okay,” Nyris said. She took her hand, this time intertwining their fingers, before she began to walk with her through the mall.

Villy tried to identify a few stores based on smell, or by the context of conversations she overheard. Some stores played music, while others didn’t. She knew when they passed a shoe store and a perfume store by their different, distinct smells. Nyris seemed to sense what she was trying to do and began to describe the stores as they passed them, which made Villy smile.

“This is Tessy’s,” Nyris said, leading her into a store.

“What do they sell here?”

“Mostly dressy clothes, like blouses, dress pants, business suits, skirts, and dresses.”

“Is it a big store?”

“Um… I guess so,” Nyris said, already half-distracted by a rack of pink skirts.

Villy nodded and followed her around the store. The aisles in between the racks of clothes were wide, not creating much of an obstacle. She followed the sounds of her stepdaughter’s giggles and contemplation hums. She knew she wasn’t actively thinking to hold her hand and lead her through the store, so she used the other skills she had to make sure she didn’t get lost or lose her. “What’s the golden rule?”

She looked up from the table of collared sweaters. “Stripes never go with plaids or florals.”

“And who taught you that?”

“You did, Mimsey.”

The seamstress grinned. Those were the only work-related words of wisdom she offered during their trip.

“Look at this!” Nyris smiled, gently pressing a piece of fabric into her hands.

Villy took the fabric and examined it. It was a silky material with sleeves that felt like they would stop at elbow length. She felt the collar and the buttons of the front and realized that it was a blouse. “This is nice,” she commented. “But it’s so light. It feels see-through.” Her stepdaughter hadn’t started wearing a bra yet, and a see-through blouse wouldn’t be ideal.

“I can wear a camisole underneath it,” Nyris said logically.

Villy shook her head and gave it back. “Find something that’s not see-through.”

“Okay,” she said glumly as she put the blouse back.

A few minutes later, the ten-year-old decided on a cotton candy pink, non-see-through blouse, a navy, gathered, mini-skirt (that Villy made sure wasn’t too mini), and baby blue maxi dress with a smocked bodice, ruffled tiered silhouette, and little hearts all over, before they made their way to the checkout counter.

“Your total is twenty-two dollars and fifty cents,” the cashier said.

Nyris pulled out her money and handed it to the cashier. “Thank you!”

“Ready?” Villy asked.

“Uh-huh!”

They made their way to the second floor, where Nyris wanted to go into another clothing store. Villy suspected that it was like the previous store since she recognized some of the fabrics that brushed against her arm. She found her way to a rack of skirts and felt through the items.

“What about this one?” she asked, pulling out a wool skirt and holding it up to where she thought her stepdaughter was standing. “Nyris?” When she didn’t get a response, she called her again. Still nothing. Taking a deep breath, she tried not to panic. She couldn’t have left the store, but then where was she?

“Is everything alright, Miss?” a sales associate to her left asked.

Villy turned towards her. “I seem to have been separated from my daughter.”

“What does she look like?”

“Um… she’s ten, wearing a cat ears headband, and –”

“Mimsey!” Nyris exclaimed, hurrying towards her.

“Found her,” the associate chuckled before excusing herself to help another customer.

“Nyris, where were you?” Villy asked, relief evident in her voice.

“I found this really cute blue dress and wanted to try it on.”

“That’s fine, but you need to let me know where you’re going before you go off like that.”

Nyris quickly realized her mistake. “Oh. I’m sorry.”

Villy sighed, rubbing her face. “It’s okay. Do you like the dress?”

“Yeah. It’s nice,” she said, handing it to her to feel.

After inspecting it, Villy gave her approval and showed Nyris the wool skirt she found. Nyris took a clear interest in it and held it up to her body.

“It looks like it’ll fit.”

“You wanna buy it?”

Nyris hummed in consent, and they went to the register. As they walked out of the store, the young girl continued to chat happily with her stepmother, happily walking side-by-side. They went inside a few more stores, but didn’t buy anything, since Nyris didn’t see anything she was interested in.

Carousel music in the distance caught the dressmaker’s attention and she stopped. “Do you remember riding the carousel?”

“A bit. It was fun, but you weren’t feeling well afterwards.”

The seamstress fought to keep the smile on her face. “Do you wanna go again? You’re ten now. I think that’s old enough to go by yourself.”

“No. I’m okay.”

She swallowed. “I’ll go on with you, if it would make you more comfortable. You used to love carousels.”

“I don’t want to now. Carousels are for little kids.”

She could tell she didn’t believe what she just said, but was led away from the music before she could comment further.

“Can we go into the sweets shop?” Nyris asked, stopping in front of a sweet shop.

Villy turned and smiled at the strong scent of chocolate. “Okay.”

“They’re having a truffle sale. We can fill a gift bag with fifty pieces for fifteen dollars.”

The seamstress had no idea what they were gonna do with fifty truffles, but Nyris led her around, telling her all the chocolate flavors on the wall.

“There’s cappuccino, coconut, red velvet, almond, strawberries and cream, caramel, and white peppermint.”

They worked together to fill their bag (Villy’s selection consisted of mostly red velvet, and Nyris’s got coconut) with the assorted flavors.

“Let’s have some lunch before snacking of truffles,” the dressmaker said as they left and Nyris reached into the bag, sneaking a snack.

After salads in the food court, followed by a few pieces of their treats, they made their way to the top floor. They walked around, mostly window shopping (with descriptions of the window displays), then Nyris found a tween clothing store and picked out a denim jumper and pink plaid overall dress. As they walked out, Nyris gasped loudly, and Villy stopped abruptly.

“What is it?”

“You need new clothes, too!”

The seamstress relaxed. “Alright. Let’s go to Keada’s. It should be down this way.” She turned and led Nyris down the way they came. She recognized the store by the soft music and led her inside.

“What are you looking for?” Nyris asked.

“Um… something for fall, that will be warm without trapping body heat. They should have their fall clothes out.” She found a table and felt through the blazers and skirts, feeling for fabrics and shapes she liked.

“Look at this!” Nyris took her hand and guided her to a nearby mannequin.

Villy examined the dress. It was a polar fleece dress with an elbow-length cloak over the shoulders, short sleeves, and midi length, swing skirt that billowed out. “Okay. What color is it?”

“Magenta. And it has little, light pink roses on the skirt.”

She groped around for the dress rack. “Is it on this one?”

“Yeah. It comes in magenta, red, and dark green.”

“Which one’s the magenta?”

“The ones in the front right side. And they’re in size order.”

She sifted through the dresses, figuring the mediums would be in the middle. She pulled out a dress and held it against her body. “What size is this?”

“Medium.”

“Great. Let’s find the fitting rooms.”

Nyris saw the large fitting room sign on the other side of the store, followed by Villy. She played a game of invisible hopscotch as Villy tried the dress on.

“Nyris?” Villy asked, emerging from the room, smoothing out the skirt, which stopped at her knees in soft pleats.

The young girl turned with a wide grin. “Wow! You look spectaculary, Mimsey!”

“Thank you. I like the way this feels.”

“Buy it! Buy it!”

She smiled and disappeared back into the fitting room, reemerging in her regular clothes and the dress in her free hand. As they left the store, she checked her watch. “We have time for one more store.”

“Why one? I thought we were gonna spend the day together.”

“We are. It’s a surprise, so pick your final store.”

She glanced down at the map in her hands, then grinned and led the way down the path.

“What store is this?”

“Klaire’s!”

The dressmaker braced herself for the over-excitedness of a ten-year-old girl surrounded by sparkly accessories. She knew exactly what to expect, and Nyris didn’t disappoint. She wasn’t surprised when Nyris made her hold the bags as she flitted around the store, looking at all the accessories. The sparkly accessories caught Villy’s attention, and she suggested a glittery, heart-pendant necklace, which Nyris immediately fawned over.

Nyris declared their shopping day a success as she exited the store with her bag of new headbands, silk scrunchies with long ribbons attached, sparkly hair clips, and the heart-pendant necklace. “Where are we going now?” she asked once she and Villy exited the mall.

“The Peach Oasis.”

The little girl gasped. “The fancy spa?”

“I booked the mother-daughter twinning package, complete with facials, massages, and mani-pedis.”

“Really? Thank you, Mimsey!” She threw her arms around her.

Villy eagerly returned the hug. “You’re welcome. Our appointment’s at four. It’s across town, so we have to take the bus, then walk.”

“I like walking with you.”

She chuckled. “I like walking with you, too. Let’s get going. Can you put your bags in mine?” She was given a big bag at Keada’s, despite only buying one dress.

Nyris’s multiple purchases easily fit in the big bag. They made it to the bus stop just in time, taking it a few stops to the other side of the city. Once they got off, Villy took the lead as they headed down the street. With one hand holding the bag and the other maneuvering her cane, it left no free hand for Nyris to hold. Instead, the younger girl looped her arm with her stepmother’s bag arm, falling in step beside her.

Villy chose to think that this was a mother-daughter thing, rather than a guiding thing. Nyris was at the age where she was very eager to help everyone do everything. Whether it was stapling papers for her father, helping Chozon learn his colors and numbers, or leading and handing her stepmother things, she was always in ‘all hands on deck’ mode.

While the seamstress appreciated the help (since she knew it would probably vanish in her teenage years), she had to gently explain to Nyris that she didn’t need help with everything all the time. The little girl was very sweet and caring, with her heart in the right place, and didn’t want to discourage her, so they had to work on finding that balance together.

Now that she was more susceptible to outside influences, that’s where it probably came from. But at the end of the day, she was still a child, albeit a naturally precocious one, and Villy didn’t want to throw the extra responsibility onto her.

“There’s a sign up ahead,” Nyris pointed out.

“What does it say?”

“‘Contortion Ahead’.”

Villy’s eyebrow rose. “Contortion? I don’t think –” Loud banging noises and drilling grew louder, and she abruptly stopped. “Construction ahead,” she corrected.

"Oh. The sidewalk's blocked off."

Villy bit her lip. She hated approaching a surprise construction zone. It made traveling independently more challenging than normal, since she couldn’t hear the traffic flow. “Um…” She paused to think of a solution. It was loud, but sounded a bit far off, towards the end of the block.

“We can cross the street. They’re working on just this side of the sidewalk and street.”

She hated crossing the street outside a crosswalk. Crosswalks were safer, since cars had to slow down and had the chance to see that she couldn’t see them. “Okay. We can go back.”

“There’s a crosswalk in the middle of the street, so we don’t have to go all the way back.”

She wasn’t aware of this mid-street crosswalk, but led the way back, her cane sweeping and searching for the dip in the curb. Her cane hit something metal, and she reached out her hand, feeling the hard octagon. A stop sign signaling the pedestrian crossing, but the curb didn’t dip, nor did she feel the tactile ground marking. She listened for traffic, still a bit harder due to the construction noise, and took Nyris’s hand, looping the bag around her wrist.

Safely across, the seamstress let out a silent breath and turned to go back down the street. She held back a wince at the noise as they approached, but knew they weren’t walking towards the blocked-off path. They rounded the corner and she relaxed, letting go of Nyris’s hand.

“How much farther?”

“We’ll be there in a few minutes.”

“How many minutes is ‘a few’?”

“Seven.” An arbitrary number, but it satisfied her. She just hoped Nyris wasn’t keeping track of the time to a ‘T’ and wouldn’t ask why they weren’t there in seven minutes.

Their walk was quiet, and she heard Nyris jumping beside her, probably playing a game of invisible hopscotch. Suddenly, she stopped and took her arm. “There’s a crack here.”

“Sweetie, you don’t have to warn me about every little obstacle.”

She gently pulled her out of the crack’s path.

“No, Nyris.” She gently pulled her arm away and turned to her. “You’re walking with me. I’m the one leading the way.”

“But you’re –”

“The adult and the protector in charge of making the decisions. I prefer it when we walk together. I…” She took a breath. She knew Nyris knew she was more than capable of doing these types of things. All those times when she was little, and they went to the playground, or when she stayed with her in the boutique, or when they went to the ice cream parlor, Nyris would just hold her hand and follow her without question or hesitation. “I can find where things are and ways around them. I don’t need things handed to me unless I ask. And I don’t like being pulled and dragged. It’s not your responsibility to always guide me because I don't want it to be.”

“Okay,” she agreed softly. She locked her hands behind her back, hanging her head.

The dressmaker missed the subtle body language change and continued walking, feeling her stepdaughter fall in step beside her. She was able to maneuver around a bike in the middle of the sidewalk and a car parked over the curb without her stepdaughter’s assistance. “We’re almost there,” she announced to break the silence. “Has it been seven minutes yet?”

“I don’t know.” A pause and she grabbed her arm.

Villy frowned. Could she not even try to be discreet after what she just said? “Nyris –”

“There are tree branches hanging down.”

She stopped. Low-hanging tree branches were undetectable with her cane, and a danger to her getting scratched in the face. “Okay. Wait,” she quickly added when Nyris started gently pulling her. “No pulling.” If she was so insistent on doing this, she was old enough to learn to do it properly. She placed her hand on her shoulder and stepped behind her. “Let me know when we’re past it.”

Nyris looked up at her, but walked around the sharp, protruding nature. “Okay. We’re good now.”

“Thank you, Jellybean,” Villy said, stepping beside her. She took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

She hurriedly wrapped her arms around her in a tight hug. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, sweetheart.”

Once the tension of the moment released, they continued their walk. Villy checked her watch, discovering they had five minutes to get to the spa and check-in before their appointment.

“I see the spa!” Nyris smiled, bouncing as she pointed across the street.

“And we’re right on schedule,” Villy added, about to lead the way across the quiet street, but stopped short.

“We can cross now.”

“Wait, Nyris.”

“But we have the green person.”

“I know, but wait.”

“Why?” Nyris looked down the street. “I don’t see any cars coming.”

Villy squeezed her hand to hush her. Sure enough, a distant siren soon reached Nyris’s ears, and she looked up just as two police cars turned the corner and sped in front of them, bypassing the red light.

“You knew the police cars were coming?” she asked once they safely crossed the street.

“I heard the sirens getting closer, but wasn’t sure if they were turning this way.”

The path leading to the front door was cobblestone, and she felt the terrain change from the concrete. She felt for the door handle and opened the door for her daughter, following her inside.

“Welcome to The Peach Oasis Day Spa. Do you have an appointment?” the receptionist behind the counter asked.

“Yes. Moxx for four o’clock,” Villy said, walking towards the voice and stopping when her cane hit the counter.

She checked them off her list. “Wonderful. Your personal masseuses will be out when your private room’s ready.”

“We’re ready for the Moxx party now, Aysmin,” one of the young masseuses said, coming out with her co-worker.

“Yay!” Nyris clapped, her excitement bubbling over.

The masseuses introduced themselves (Uilia and Eshlin) and instructed them to follow them to the locker room to put their bags away.

“May I take your arm?” Villy asked.

“Of course.” One of the masseuses stepped forward and brushed her arm against Villy’s.

The dressmaker lightly gripped her arm right above her elbow and followed them to the locker room. “You’re Eshlin, right?”

“Yup. I’ll be your personal masseuse, and Uilia’s with your daughter.”

Once their bags were safely away, they were led to the changing room to change into fuzzy robes and soft headbands. Their private room was quiet, save for the soft trickling of water from a small fountain. The full-body massages were first, followed by the facials (Nyris couldn’t stop snacking on the cucumbers), then the mani-pedis. Villy chose lavender polish, while Nyris chose a sparkly dark blue.

After two hours of pampering, the two left feeling super relaxed and rejuvenated. Nyris stayed in step with her stepmother, letting her lead and navigate around obstacles herself. She made sure not to grab or pull, settling for occasional hand squeezes. It took the seamstress a moment to realize the hand squeezes weren’t discreet warnings, but affectionate pulses, and she squeezed back every time.

“Thank you for today, Mimsey,” Nyris smiled, snuggling closer to Villy as the bus approached their home stop. “I had lots of fun.”

“You’re welcome, Jellybean. I had lots of fun with you, too.” She rested her chin atop her head. “And I appreciate your help.”

The young girl’s smile widened and she kissed her cheek. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

[plumdrops]

Redhead Sims Coconut Trees S3 Conversion

Simblreen Gift Public Release

Although all of these pictures look very similar, I am offering six downloads for you lovely people.  Row 1 is the fuller hair and Row 2 is the infant hair.  The infant hair is also shaved at the back.

The two hairs at the end on the right are using Leahlilith’s bobble from her Maven hair (S4/S3) whereas the original Coconut Tree bobble by Redhead Sims is more of a scrunchie style. 

(Click the images to see the differences!)

Download (in picture order):

Coconut Tree | Coconut | Coconut Tree V2

Coconut Tree Infant | Coconut Infant | Coconut Tree Infant V2

Credits: RedHead Sims for the mashup, Original hairs:  Cazy’s Joey Hair and BFlySims Hair 081, Plumblobs for the textures and control, Leahlilith for the bobble on V2, Newsea for the scalp textures for the infant hair (second row)

Info:  Custom Thumbnail, All LODs | Coconut Tree: Toddler Female only, Recolourable bobble, Hat Section Only | Coconut: Toddler Universal

[the-hilda-librarians-wife]

Silver Lining

Summary:  My sketchbook twist on what happened in the episode The Storm while Johanna was alone in her car. You know, technically, it could have happened...

Inspired by something I said in this rewatch post

Notes:  Okay so originally this was going to be something very different with lots of obliviousness and mutual pining, but then it hit me that outside of the angsty hell that is The Mistakes We Made, I have no established relationship fics??? Time to fix that. Also I wanted to jump into the “librarian and Johanna were secretly dating during season 1” bandwagon before season 2 comes along and crushes our dreams.

Read it on ao3

The art supply store had been deserted, presumably because of the storm raging outside, which seemed to only get worse by the minute. Uneasy over the weather, Johanna’s shopping was quick, and she only bought what was absolutely essential, even though she promised herself to come back some other time.

She couldn’t fathom what was happening that day. Even in the height of winter, it never snowed like that in Trolberg, not as far as she remembered. It could be one of those freaky effects of global warming, she supposed, but it still was weird that it had happened so suddenly.

Returning home was not an option. The roads were completely blocked by heaps of pristine snow, and she’d certainly catch her death if she attempted the walk back, thus why she’d called Hilda. She’d wanted to tell her why she wouldn’t be returning home so soon, but knowing her daughter as she did, she also found it wise to warn her not to leave the house. Just in case she had any grand ideas.

After putting down the phone, she looked around only to realize that the stores were all closing, turning off their lights and closing their curtains. Johanna could see where they were coming from, seeing as no customer would face this storm for things like art supplies or doughnuts, but she had hoped at least one of them would be available for her to stay inside and make use of the heating. Seeing no other option, though, she returned to her car.

Her cellphone had no signal, and she was sure that that, too, was due to the weather. The supplies she’d bought weren’t enough for her to get ahead on her work, or even to doodle, so she was stuck with people-watching to pass her time. Everyone she saw looked like they were hurrying somewhere, and Johanna silently wished good luck to each of them, even though she knew that they would only be able to go so far before being forced to find somewhere to stay immediately.

None of the anxious faces she saw evoked more than a brief memory from her, either people who frequented her favorite cafe at the same time as her, or perhaps people she’d helped during her time working at the hardware store. Until one did.

Johanna recognized her colours before her face, because even though she was looking down at the ground, stepping carefully on the snowy street, her black clothes and purple hair always gave her away. She was curled in on herself, apparently clutching something to her belly to protect it from the snow.

Her house wasn’t nearby, Johanna knew this. The only reason she was outside at all was because of the weekly coven meeting that the witches of Trolberg did every Sunday morning. She must have been caught abruptly by the storm when she was already on her way.

Feeling icy wind on her face as she opened the car’s door, Johanna waved her hand in the air and tried to shout to get her attention.

“Maven!” Though she knew the woman to get lost in thought while she walked, Maven heard her right away, and a look of recognition overtook her face when she glanced at the yellow car. “Come here, you’ll freeze to death!”

There was barely a second of deliberation before the librarian crossed the street and headed for the passenger seat. When she opened the door, Johanna was already sitting down again, and she helped herself inside the car.

“Thank you, Anna.” She said, incredibly relieved that Johanna had been there in the exact moment she’d needed her. “You just saved me.”

The smile Johanna gave her stole her breath, making her feel warmer in spite of the freezing cold she’d just come out of. She always had that power of making the room feel like it was filled with a light so strong that it seeped all the way into Maven’s heart, and it was one of those things Maven knew she’d never tire of.

“Well, I’m glad to be of help. How was the meeting?”

Maven shrugged, opening her coat’s zipper to get rid of the icy garment.

“It was alright. Harvesting season is coming closer and we are planning on blessing the crops nearby.” She said, throwing the coat on the backseats. “Heavens know they’ll need it with this storm. The elders also warned me that they’ll be coming to the library this week with a group of children who showed gifts to the occult arts. You know, to teach them about the path. So I guess that will be interesting.”

The most intriguing topic on the reunion had been, by far, the concern over a group of kids who had caused a commotion in the cemetery. One member of their coven had recently made contact with a ghost, only to find it unwilling to help her ‘because of the human children of their town that had been disrespecting their eternal slumber’. Maven had to admit that she’d had to make an effort not to laugh when their spirit worker told this story, but unless she had a death wish, she should not let Johanna in on this. It wasn’t lying, she told herself. It was simply not snitching on Hilda. Besides, since Johanna wasn’t a witch, Maven shouldn’t even be telling her any of that to begin with.

“What about you?” She asked, trying to shake the ghosts away from her mind. “What are you doing out here in this storm?”

“Oh, I came for art supplies.” Johanna pointed at the shopping bag on the backseat. “Wasn’t quite this bad when I left home. I wonder what on earth brought on this crazy weather.”

“Oh, weather spirits undoubtedly.” Maven said as she took off her gloves, rubbing her hands together for warmth.

“Weather spirits?”

“Yes, I can sense they’re the ones behind this. Besides, the coven has been observing some very unusual weather spirit activity in town. We could be here for a while.”

Looking worriedly at the sky, Johanna only noticed that Maven was offering her something when she all but shoved it under her nose. She blinked, picking a cupcake up on her hands. It was still warm and exhaled a sweet apple scent, with cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on top of it.

Maven’s left hand was inside a paper bag, which Johanna assumed was what she’d been trying to protect from the snow when she’d been outside. After taking another cupcake, she folded the bag closed.

“One of the witches made too many cupcakes and brought them to give us. Very convenient to have them right now.”

“Oh, that smells lovely.” Johanna said. “Are you sure you don’t want to take it home for yourself? I’m not going to starve if I have to wait a few more hours to eat.”

Maven smiled right before taking a bite of her own cupcake, shaking her head fondly in exasperation.

“I’m your girlfriend, Johanna.” She said when she finished chewing. “If I don’t feed you, who will?”

Johanna rolled her eyes playfully as she brought the cake to her lips, humming in satisfaction at the sweet taste. Along with seeing Hilda happy and with new friends, her newfound relationship with Maven was what made her be thankful every day that they’d moved back to Trolberg.

“So, these weather spirits.” Johanna began while each of them focused on their sweet. “Any idea of why they went haywire?”

“Hard to tell, really. They’ll pick fights with each other over anything, but for a storm this strong it has got to be an enormous gathering of them. I honestly don’t know what could have caused this, but one of the elders specifies in weather magic. Maybe he knows, I’ll ask him about it when he goes to the library with the initiates.”

Frowning, Johanna felt herself getting more worried.

“So there’s no way to know when this will stop.”

“I’m afraid not.” Noticing her girlfriend’s unease, Maven tried to catch her gaze, but Johanna seemed to look everywhere but at her. “Anna? Are you okay?”

“I’m just a little worried about Hilda.” She answered. “She’s alone at home with Alfur. I told her to stay put, but even so… she’s just a kid, and if anything happens, she has no way to talk to me.”

“Hey.” Maven put a hand on Johanna’s shoulder, trying to ground her to the moment and not leave her to imagine every bad scenario she could. “I know I don’t know her like you do, but from what you’ve told me she’s a smart and brave little girl. She’ll be fine. If you want to worry about anything, I’d suggest worrying about us at the moment. We’re due to become icicles any minute now.”

Johanna chuckled, grateful for Maven being with her in that moment. She always seemed to know what to say to make her feel better.

“Yeah, you’re right.” She sighed, relaxing the weight of her body against the seat and taking one more bite. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw that Maven had taken a pen out of her pocket and was now scribbling something on the paper bag the cupcakes had been on.

“I’m not kidding, if this storm gets any worse I don’t know if the car’s heating will keep up.” She said when Johanna shot her a questioning look. “I don’t have many sigils memorized, but luckily Ruth packed a heat one with the cupcakes. I’ll just activate a few and we should be fine.”

Indeed, on top of her tight there was a small paper square with a doodle in it, which Maven had already copied three times on the bag, and was now doing a fourth one. If Johanna saw that symbol and no one told her of its meaning, she’d wave it off as some sort of stylized drawing of a spider, or perhaps of a flame from a certain point of view, so she was glad to be with someone who knew better.

After finishing the drawings, she put the pen aside and began to carefully rip the sigils from each other. When she had the four pieces of paper, she pressed the first one against her window and recited some words that Johanna couldn’t recognize. Listening to witch language always felt singular to Johanna, like even though she’d never learned it, something deep inside her felt awake when she heard it, like it was in her blood. She’d asked Maven about it once, receiving the answer that this wasn’t an unusual feeling. The language of witches is the language of the Earth, which we’re all part of, she’d said. Johanna couldn’t say in all honesty that she’d understood, but it had seemed to make sense to her girlfriend so she hadn’t pressed any further.

When she removed her hand from the glass, the paper had disappeared, and only the symbol remained on the window, shining with orange light as if it was on fire. Then, it vanished leaving no trace on the window.

Johanna continued to stare at where the sigil had been while Maven maneuvered herself to the back of the car to repeat the process with the back windows. Magic never failed to leave her astonished.

It registered on the back of her mind that the car was indeed getting warmer, especially when the librarian activated the third sigil on the window behind Johanna’s seat. After Maven had done that too, Johanna felt her put her elbow on her seat, near her neck, leaning the other against the passenger seat. She was kneeling on the car’s floor, practically by Johanna’s side in the gap between the two front seats. The look she was wearing immediately gave away to Johanna that she wanted to talk about something.

“Anna, I wanted to ask you…” She began, proving her right. “When do you think it will be okay to tell her about us?”

“Her?” Johanna frowned.

“Hilda, I mean. Obviously I’ll understand if you want to keep our relationship just between ourselves for some time. But what do you think she’ll think of me?”

Johanna opened a smile and leaned towards Maven, kissing her cheek. When she retreated, she had to bite back a giggle at how flustered her girlfriend looked.

“Hilda will love you.” Johanna answered honestly. She’d admittedly thought about how Hilda and Maven’s relationship would be, and she was afraid, just not the way one would expect. Her fear was that they’d get along a little too much and Johanna would have to run after them every other day, trying to stop them from getting killed at the hands of a magical creature they’d attempted to befriend or a spirit they’d summoned. Though it was possible that there would be some unease between them at the beginning, the thought that they wouldn’t see eye to eye didn’t even sound possible to Johanna.

“The only reason I haven’t told her yet is because she seems to have a lot on her mind right now. Some trouble with her friends, I think, but she won’t tell me yet. But it’s a conversation I want to have with her as soon as she’s alright again.”

Maven looked away from Johanna, now feeling silly for having asked. It wasn’t like her to be insecure like that, but this truly mattered to her. Whether Hilda approved of her or not would be decisive for how far she and Johanna would be able to take their relationship. Besides, if Johanna told her daughter about them, then that would mean that she took their relationship seriously, so she couldn’t help but care about it.

At least Johanna hadn’t taken it the wrong way, her pursed smile as she put a stray lock of Maven’s hair behind her ear telling her that her girlfriend was probably very amused. She could practically hear Johanna calling her ‘adorable’, stopping herself from doing so only because she knew how Maven didn’t like being called cute.

“I’m… very happy to hear you think so. And I hope whatever is troubling Hilda gets solved soon.”

“I do too. Are you done with your sigils already?”

Between her fingers, she was still holding one last piece of paper, and she flickered her wrist so that it was in front of Johanna’s eyes.

“There’s one more, but I’ll need your help this time.”

“How so- oh.” Before Johanna had time to wonder in what way she could possibly help Maven with magic, her girlfriend had already deposited herself in her lap.

Johanna wasn’t one to blush often, but she was certain the heat on her cheeks was not because of the sigils.

“Just keep this up. I only need to activate this one near your corner of the car.”

Maven then pressed her palm with the sigil to the window, repeating the incantation. This time Johanna was distracted by more than just the magic, in a way that she barely noticed it when the casting was finished and the car was filled by cozy warmth.

“That’s good.” Maven said, approving her own work. “I can go to my seat now, if you want me to.”

Realizing that she’d abstractedly put her arms around Maven’s waist, interlacing her fingers near her side, Johanna shrugged and then caught Maven by surprise by learning in to kiss her lips sweetly. It would have been a very romantic cenario, snug with her love while snow piled outside, if only they weren’t there because they were trapped inside a car due to a mysterious storm. Still, she was with Maven and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I don’t want you to go anywhere, dearest.”

_#_#_#_

Maven did go back to her seat eventually, but it was only because Johanna remembered a deck of cards that she kept in the glove compartment and after some time they decided to play something. It didn’t take long at all for the librarian to realize that she was pretty bad at that, but seeing Johanna’s childlike joy every time she won a match, she couldn’t even be annoyed.

Safe and sound inside the car, the storm hadn’t really been on the forefront of their minds. The magic kept them comfortable and the flow of people running from the weather outside was all but nonexistent at that point. But they did realize when the few rays of sunshine that made it through the thick layers of clouds became stronger.

Both of them put their cards down, the change so noticeable that they wanted to get a good look at what had happened. While Maven only lowered her window and stuck her head out, Johanna stepped out of the car to look at the sky.

“At last!” Johanna sighed with relief as the clouds became smaller, making a gap just above them.

From her side of the car, Maven was more interested in another thing she’d noticed than in the changing weather. Either her eyes deceived her, or a thunderbird was flying away at that very moment. What it had been doing in the middle of that tempest was anyone’s guess.

However, they were soon startled by the booming sound of thunder, and watched in stunned silence as one of the remaining clouds seemed to swell unnaturally, darkening at each moment that passed. Johanna closed the door by her side just in time to not get hit by the first drops of water.

They were static while they watched the rain pour down, not believing in the situation even though it was happening right in front of their eyes. Stunned by the abrupt turns, a laugh escaped Johanna’s lips, and soon the absurd picture that she made, laughing like a madwoman while monstrous rain surrounded them made Maven break into giggles as well.

“Well dearest, I think we’re going to be here for even longer.” She said after she had gathered herself enough to form a coherent sentence.

Picking up her girlfriend’s cards as well as her own, she began shuffling them together.

“In that case, I would like a revenge match.”

“Alright, but I warn you that you’ll regret it.”

Huffing in feigned outrage, Maven began distributing their cards, and the ones that were left she put to the side.

“In the end I’m glad, you know.” Johanna said after they began their match, making the librarian frown at her. “For the storm. If it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t even see you today, let alone spend some time with you.”

“Me too, Anna.” Maven smiled. “Me too.”

[elliemarchetti]

Red Queen Soulmate AU (Mare and Cal)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Other Marecal fics:

A Wonderful Mistake (part 2) (part 3) (part 4) (part 5) (part 6) (part 7)

Holiday Inconveniences (part 2) (part 3)

The Scam (part 2)

The Epilogue

Words: 1771

Kilorn would find her wherever she hid, so she kept running, as if she could escape from what she had done to Gisa. The plan was thought out well, certainly risky but doable, if only her sister had adhered to what she had told her. But was she wrong, if she wanted to help save their friend too? After all, Mare hadn’t thought of anything else since Kilorn woke her up in the middle of the night to tell her his employer died and that they would send him to the front in two weeks. And now, for that stupid idea of ​​hers, it would’ve happened to Gisa too. Mare tried to get the thought out of her head, to tell herself that her sister still had time, that she would find her soulmate and that her hand would heal, but she couldn't convince herself, so she kept running, running away from the disappointment she had inflicted to her family, to the fact she has destroyed everything. Wasn't it always like this? Hadn’t she always destroyed everything she touched? Knowing it didn’t help to make her stop crying. When she finally slowed to catch her breath, she found herself a few miles from the village, on the infamous northern street. Behind the turn, among the trees, the lights of an inn seized with people could be glimpsed. There were many of them, scattered around the old streets, and in those area, during the summer, they were filled with domestic and seasonal workers at the royal family’s service, all people who didn’t live in the Stilts, who didn’t know her, easy prey to clean up. She did it every summer, usually with Kilorn, who smiled in front of his jug as he watched her at work. As a group of drunks came out, she told herself that she was doing it for that, to see his smile again, to make sure that everyone continued, even if tiredly, to smile. It didn't take long to fill her coat pockets. At short intervals, someone at least tipsy came out, she approached showing a big smile to divert their attention from her hands and then walked away, vanishing without anyone noticing, anyone caring, because nobody remembers the shadows and now she was just that and she continued to be until midnight, then until one a.m. When yet another customer came out of the inn, she didn't think about it too much: he kept his eyes focused on the firmament and she was sure he wouldn't notice her, so she reached out and hooked the ropes of the pouch with one finger, but indeed he noticed and grabbed her wrist firmly. Mare tried to resist, but his grip was too strong and his fiery eyes filled her with fear, the same she had felt that morning. Whatever punishment he intended to inflict on her, she would’ve deserved it all. Instead he merely noted that she was a thief and let her go, even throwing her a silver coin, a tetrarch, which was worth much more than any stolen change she had in her pockets.

"This should be enough for a long time." he commented, before she could say anything. In the light of the inn, his eyes sparkled with a golden red glow, a warm color. The years spent studying people didn’t betray her: his black hair was too shiny and his complexion too light for a servant but his body was that of a lumberjack, with broad shoulders and sturdy legs. He was quite young, not much older than her, but didn’t sport the typical confidence of guys in their twenties. However, it wasn’t important: whoever he was, she  should’ve kissed his feet for giving her such a gift but curiosity, as always, prevailed, and she asked him, in a cold and hard voice, why he had done it.

"You need it more than me." he replied, and although there was no trace of pity in his tone, Mare wanted to throw the coin in his face and tell him that she knew how to take care of herself, that this wasn’t how the world worked, that kind strangers wanted something in return most of the time and those who were really good at heart, like Gisa and Kilorn, were crushed, but she said nothing and grudgingly thanked him, snatching him a laugh. He was the strangest person she had ever met, and for a moment she hoped his name was Maven, that after so much pain fate or whatever controlled their lives had a joy in store for her.

"You live in the village, right?" he asked, as if with her faded hair, her dirty clothes and her dejected expression wasn’t obvious. But probably the question was rhetorical, because even before she could answer he asked her if she liked living there, as if someone could really answer affirmatively.

"Do you go home?" he asked after a long pause, during which he had seemed somewhat worried, even though she was beginning to think she was imagining things and that this meeting was all a dream or a hallucination.

"Why, are you afraid of the dark?" she mumbled, crossing her arms over her chest. Maybe she shouldn't have hoped he was her soulmate, maybe she should’ve been afraid of him; after all, he seemed to be strong and fast while she was there all alone. When he smiled, however, she felt destabilized again by the feeling of relief he conveyed to her.

"I just want to make sure you keep your hands for yourself for the rest of the night. I certainly can't let you take your half of the inn’s earnings, don't you think? My name is Cal, anyway." he concluded, holding out his hand, and Mare felt a small twinge of disappointment. It was perhaps her only chance to meet strangers before her time to go to the front and seeing how the First Fridays were going, she doubted that she would meet her soulmate before being recruited. Mare didn’t shook it, remembering his skin’s extreme warmth, and rather took the way home, with rapid and silent thief steps.

"Mare Barrow" she introduced herself, looking over her shoulder. For a moment the boy seemed to stiffen, but it had to be another one of her impressions to which her tired mind gave too much importance because, with his long legs, he didn't take him long to reach her and mock her for her unfriendly attitude. The cold metal of the coin she held in her hand helped her stay focused, reminding her why she had gone so far from the village, what she was and that, if she studied a good plan, she could’ve access to what was in the boy’s pockets, more money for Farley.

"Your master must pay you quite a lot." she said, in hope to casually study the situation.

"I have a good job." he explained, without giving it too much importance nor wasting time in details. He didn't even realize how lucky he was and how many would kill just to be in his place. Of course, if she had killed him there, in the middle of nowhere, Kilorn could’ve taken his place. If only he had told her where he worked and for whom... But then, would she really be able to kill him? It wasn’t against the luckier Reds they had to act but against the Silvers, while among the poor it was necessary to help each other and it was exactly was Cal was doing, probably even while investigating her lack of employment and how long she had before the call to arms.  

"That's why you steal." he said, and Mare couldn't tell if his was a question or a statement. Certainly he wasn’t judging her, though she was sure he had never been in her place, but she still felt compelled to justify herself, perhaps to remind herself that she wasn’t only good at hurting others but every contemptible act she had done was for the sake of her family.

"Were you at Summerton today?" he asked, but he already seemed to know the answer. Had he seen them? Did he know what had happened to Gisa? Or had he recognized only her? However, it didn't matter, because it was like digging a hole in a dam and in a moment the words came out of her mouth like a river in flood; even if she wanted to, and she didn’t, she couldn’t hold back. She made no reference to Farley, the Scarlet Guard or even Kilorn, but she told how her sister had made her sneak into the Grand Garden and helped her steal the money they needed to survive but that she had been discovered and that was why her hand had been broken and what it meant to them. Suddenly she caught a silver glow from the corner of her eye: another coin, another pitiful gesture.

"I'm really sorry, Mare. Things shouldn't be like this."

She couldn’t even find the strength to look at him, completely emptied by that confession and by the gratitude she couldn’t express: "There are people who have it much worse, don't worry about me."

  Arriving at the village gates, Cal greeted Mare and let her go on alone among the stilts. It had taken all his willpower to not give her everything he had in the bag but above all not to reveal to her what was on his right wrist. On the dimly lit street, he looked over and over at the black letters in sharp contrast to his fair skin. As much as he wanted to be able to change it, her name remained there, he could almost feel it physically burn, barely hidden by the bracelet that generated the spark that allowed him to use his skill. He should’ve burned that village, razed it to the ground and forgotten her, moved on and faced the Queenstrial with a clear mind. But how could he, how would he succeed, knowing that the proud spirit of his soulmate lay in the body of a Red? He had been told several times that when things like that happened, they were homonyms, that no Silver could have a Red soulmate, but now that he had seen her face, that he had seen her try to stubbornly save her family with the little she could do, he couldn’t believe it was true. The next day, he told himself, he would talk to his uncle. Julian Jacos was the only one able to give him the answers he needed.

[mavengifts]

Personalized Online Gifts for Everyone 2024 - Maven Gifts welcome to Maven Gifts, where we specialize in offering Online Personalized Gifts for Everyone 2024. Our platform features a diverse range of personalized gifts tailored to suit every individual. In a world filled with generic presents, we stand out by providing unique and thoughtful options that are sure to make any occasion unforgettable. Whether you’re shopping for a close friend, family member, or colleague, our platform offers a seamless and intuitive experience to help you find the perfect gift. From custom engravings to bespoke designs, our collection features something for everyone, ensuring that your gesture is as special and one-of-a-kind as the recipient themselves. Explore our curated selection today and discover the joy of giving with Maven Gifts. . . DM on Instagram OR Whatsapp for Order {+91–8745038495 } . . Follow us: @mavengifts