#Hong Kong tourist places

[atlysvisaservice]

Explore the captivating sights of Hong Kong with our comprehensive infographic. Discover top attractions, hidden gems, and essential e-visa information for a seamless travel experience.

[waitmyturtles]

(Source)

The Lower House (House of Representatives) will be hearing Thailand’s marriage equality bill at 9:30 am Bangkok time (10:30 pm Eastern for those of us in the States). The bill, if passed, would still have to be approved in Thailand’s Senate.

(Source and source)

Below the fold is Bloomberg.com's report on the happenings (source):

Bill to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage in Thailand Heads to Parliament

Bill is supported by most major parties, needs king approval

Thailand would be first in region to codify marriage equality

By Patpicha Tanakasempipat, March 26, 2024 at 2:00 PM PDT

A bill to legalize same-sex marriage could face a vote in Thailand’s parliament as early as Wednesday. If it passes, the country will be the first in Southeast Asia to establish marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples.

The House of Representatives will take up the legislation, technically an amendment to the Civil and Commercial Code, for second and third readings when it meets at 9 a.m. Lawmakers may vote later in the day.

The bill would legalize marriage for same-sex partners aged 18 and above, along with rights to inheritance, tax allowances and child adoption, among others. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s administration has made it a signature issue, and advocates say it would also burnish Thailand’s reputation as an LGBTQ-friendly tourist destination.

Taiwan and Nepal are the only places in Asia that currently recognize same-sex marriage, and recent efforts elsewhere in the region have had mixed results. Hong Kong has yet to comply with a 2023 court order to establish laws recognizing same-sex partnerships, and India’s Supreme Court refused to legalize same-sex marriage, saying it’s an issue for parliament to consider.

The Thai bill would change the composition of a marriage from “a man and a woman” to “two individuals,” and change the official legal status from “husband and wife” to “married couple.”

Thai laws have protected LGBTQ people from most kinds of discrimination since 2015, but attempts to formalize marriage rights have stalled. In 2021, the Constitutional Court upheld the law recognizing marriage as exclusively between a man and a woman. Last year, a bill to recognize same-sex civil partnerships failed to clear parliament ahead of elections.

Rights advocates have higher hopes for the bill pending now, noting that it has broad support from most of the major parties. If it passes, it will need to be approved by the Senate and endorsed by the King. Then it would be published in the Royal Gazette and take effect 120 days later.

Srettha’s government has also promised to work on a bill to recognize gender identity, and the health ministry has also proposed legalizing commercial surrogacy to allow LGBTQ couples to adopt children. Thailand is seeking to host the WorldPride events in Bangkok in 2028.

Legalizing same-sex marriage could have positive effects on tourism, which contributes about 12% to the nation’s $500 billion economy. In 2019, before the pandemic froze international tourism, LGBTQ travel and tourism to Thailand generated about $6.5 billion, or 1.2% of gross domestic product, according to industry consultant LGBT Capital.

Formal recognition could boost the reputation of a place already considered one of Asia’s best for LGBTQ visitors, said Wittaya Luangsasipong, managing director of Siam Pride, an LGBTQ-friendly travel agency in Bangkok.

“It will become a selling point for Thailand and raise our strength in the global stage,” Wittaya said. “It will create a relaxed and safe atmosphere for tourism and help attract more and more LGBTQ visitors. We could also see more weddings by LGBTQ couples, which could generate income across industries and local communities.”

[elbiotipo]

If you're from Argentina, you've probably heard about the Iberá wetlands, and you know the tourist pitch: a vast expanse of natural wonders in the middle of Corrientes, full of beautiful lapachos, cute carpinchos and yacarés, and now home to the fastest-growing wild yaguareté population, all with the unique Guaraní influenced culture of rural Corrientes.

Now, things aren't as shiny as they look, since the creation and management of the new national park is still a point of contention in many ways, but you will be suprised that this kind of thinking about the Iberá is very, very recent. Most people considered it an obstacle to progress, a big bunch of swamp in the middle of what could be a very productive ranching province. In a geography book from the 1910s (unfortunately I lost the screencap) it says something like "the biggest obstacle for the development of the province is this swamp, and it should be drained"

This took me to the other side of the world, to the Netherlands. They're known for land reclamation, from literally building their country from the sea. Especially when we're facing rising sea levels because of climate change, the Dutch seem like miracle workers, a look into our future. You will find no shortage of praise about how with some windmills and dams, the Dutch took land "from the sea", and turned it into quaint little polders, making a tiny country in Europe a food exporter and don't they look so nice? But when you look about it, you can barely find anything about what came before those polders. You have to dig and dig to find any mentions of not "sea", but of complex tidal marshes and wetlands, things I've learned are ecologically diverse and protected in many places, but you won't find people talking about that at all when talking about the Netherlands. It's all just polders now. What came before was useless swamp, or a sea to be triumphantly conquered. It's like they were erased from history

The use of that language reminded me of the failed vision of draining Iberá... and the triumphing vision in the Netherlands, and many other places. Maybe those wonderful places, those unique wetlands, would have been a footnote, you wouldn't find anything unless you were a bored ecologist who looked, and not even then. Now, far it be from me to accuse the medieval Dutch, who wanted to have more space to farm, of ecocide. And don't think this is going to be a rant against European ecological imperialism either, as the most anthropized places you can find are actually in China and India. But it does get me thinking.

I work with the concept of landscape, and landscape managing. (Not landscaping, those guys get better paid than me) The concept of landscape is somewhat similar to the concept of ecosystem you know from basic biology, but besides biotic and abiotic factors, you also have to involve cultural factors, that is, humans. There is not a single area of "pristine" untouched nature in the world, that is a myth. Humans have managed these landscapes for as long as they have lived in them. The Amazon, what many people think about when they think about "unspoilt" nature, has a high proportion of domesticated plants growing on it, which were and are still used by the people who live on it, and there once were great civilizations thriving on it. Forests and gardens leave their mark, so much that we can use them to find abandoned settlements. From hunter-gatherers tending and preserving the species vital to their survival in the tundra to engineers in Hong-Kong creating new islands for airports, every human culture has managed their natural resources, creating a landscape.

And this means these landscapes we enjoy are not natural creations. They are affected by natural enviroments; biomes do exist, species have a natural distribution. But they are created and managed by humans. Humans who decide what is valuable to them and what is not. The Dutch, seemingly, found the tidal marshes useless, and they created a new landscape, which changed the history of their nation forever. We here in modern Argentina changed our perception of Iberá, decided to take another approach, and now we made it a cherished part of our heritage, which will also speak about us in the future.

Ultimately, what is a useless swamp to be drained or a beautiful expanse of nature to be cherished depends in our culture, in us humans. We are the ones who manage and change ecosystems based in our economics, our culture, our society. This will become increasingly important, as climate change and ecological degradation becomes harsher and undeniable. We will have to decide what nature is worth to us. Think about what is it worth to you.

[script-a-world]

Submitted via Google Form:

Do you have any ideas on how to world build a massive overpopulated city but it isn't dirty or in shambles. Basically, everything is neat, clean and works well. Just a massive population density. I'm thinking 30k people per km2 with a total area of 1200km2. When I find images or descriptions of such high density populations I often see buildings that kind of look all rundown and slummy (not to mention high crime rates and poor if not in poverty) Or is that like.. impossible if you have such a massive crowd in one spot?

Tex: “Overpopulated” implies “more residents than the infrastructure can accommodate”. What’s considered dirty or in shambles is the result of a garbage disposal system that isn’t structured to the amount of residents + guests (tourists, relatives, holiday-goers, etc). To have a city or other area properly equipped with the amount of employees to maintain sanitation and employees to repair buildings degrading over time, it must have properly-allocated funds, and enough of it. This is at its core a governance and taxation issue, not a morality issue of “just don’t make it dirty”. Crime and poverty are the natural result of neglect by one’s government, both at a local and larger level, which requires a lot of forethought in the amount of space an individual needs to live in private and public spaces.

Utuabzu: I’m going to assume you want a prosperous city with very high density. Happily for you, there are many examples of this in the real world. Density occurs when the demand for living/working space in an area is greater than the physical space available, meaning it is worthwhile to create more space by building upwards. This naturally occurs in the centres of all cities, because proximity to one another is a big draw for both people and organisations. In the absence of any limiting factors, this is usually counterbalanced by cost making it cheaper to build outwards and simply accept longer travel times, resulting in a relatively gradual gradient of density from rural periphery to urban core.

You get greater density when there are limiting factors on outward expansion. These can be geographic, like in the case of Singapore, Hong Kong and Manhattan (all islands), legal, like in the case of Vancouver, London and many other cities (laws and policies preserving green belts or valuable farmland), or political, such as was the case for Hong Kong and still is for Singapore (an international border acting as a constraint). Often it’s more than one of these. While places like Kowloon Walled City can exist - and it in particular is a very interesting case study in urban form - for the most part very high density occurs when people want to live and work somewhere, which usually means it’s a pretty nice place to be (at least in comparison to the other options anyway). Tokyō is the world’s largest city, with 36 million people (11 million more than the entire continent of Australia), but I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone accuse it of being dirty or in a shambles.

It is also worth noting that density doesn’t necessarily look like skyscrapers towering overhead. Paris has a population density of almost 25k/km² when one excludes the outlying woodland park areas, and is predominantly mid-rise buildings. The 11th Arrondissement of Paris outdoes what you ask for, with a population density just under 40k/km², and is mostly historic midrise buildings. Other European cities like Barcelona, Naples and Thessaloniki have a similar development pattern, largely due to having been built mostly before elevators existed or were commonplace, which naturally limited building heights to around 5 to 6 floors (any higher becoming increasingly impractical for the sheer number of stairs).

Feral: The International Residential Code has the minimum size required for a house to be 120 sq ft/11.1 sq m. That’s a pretty standard secondary bedroom size in suburban USA. Your population density would have one person per 33.3 sq meters, which sounds great except that doesn’t account for any non-residential use space. Given your desire for the entire city to be exceptionally well-maintained, free of crime, and presumably a wonderful place to live, that means you need great air quality, multiple green spaces, art, food, entertainment. And your city’s overall size is massive. It’s 20.5 times the size of Manhattan, 11.3x the size of Paris, and 1.6x the size of Singapore - to name a few of the cities brought up in previous answers. This kind of sprawl does not make for good urbanization - just ask the city of Los Angeles, which is almost exactly the same overall size as what you’re aiming for but has a tenth of the density.

A few articles to get you started on density, urbanization, and sprawl:

Cities Really Can Be Both Denser and Greener by Emma Marris

Is There a Perfect Density? By Michael Lewyn

When is density good, and when is it harmful to cities? By Philip Langdon

Making cities more dense always sparks resistance. Here’s how to overcome it. By David Roberts

[eilwen]

Visiting the Dragon's Nest District

Most cities and towns in No Man's Land have been similar in appearance, with a ship or a portion of a ship watching over its people. However, in Ryutsu, where many things happen, the ship is not the only structure that dominates the landscape.

I wanted to do a dive into the city, what inspired it (and speculate on some of the visuals) and what we can potentially understand about No Man's Land.

Some spoilers for Vol. 4 and 5. Also, this is long.

Even without the baos and wonton-fonts on signage, Ryutsu visually does not match with other cities in No Man's Land. It’s not just the citadel which can be seen from afar, but it’s also the crammed housing and confusing architecture. The tone of Vol. 4 shifts and leans towards neo-noir. As this arc's villains move into the city, Hoppered says: "This place is truly the bottom of the dark. [...] We'll walk into a place where the light does not enter." These lines may not be literal but it certainly brings ideas of seedy places. They move through pitch black and eventually…

The big showdown happens at the city's main feature: the Dragon’s Nest District - an area that brings up memories of the old Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong. No Man's Land is a sparsely populated planet, yet for whatever reason, people have sardined themselves into this city and into this district.

Kowloon Walled City had been called ���City of Darkness’ and it was possible to move through the city without ever seeing daylight. It carries a bit of romantised nostalgia because of its weird part in Hong Kong colonial history, its uncontrolled and chaotic construction, and its lawlessness (though apparently the ungoverned city was tight-knit and communal). The city became a source of inspiration for a lot of media, but not many films were shot in the city itself. Those that I had seen tended to use the city as a 'cool film location' so apart from the examples below, there aren't many I know to recommend (happy to take suggestions for films I may have missed).

Clip from Bloodsport (Arnold, 1988)

"No joke, man. It's a random piece of No Man's Land in the middle of a tourist paradise. It goes way back to the old lease agreement between Great Britain and China. Once you step out of the sunlight into the narrow corridors, it's time to protect your nuts, guys."

Clip from Crime Story (Wong, 1993). This is the climax of the film, which featured actual explosions from Kowloon's demolition, according to its wiki page.

Off the top of my head, good fiction film substitutes (unrelated and unlike Trigun/Trimax) which more illustrate what life might have been like in these places, may be films like Wong Kar Wai's Fallen Angels (1995) and Chungking Express (1994) - though these films take place at the Chungking Mansions, Kowloon Walled City's more modern cousin. I thought of Wong's films because he treated the mansions as a character more than as a location. His films showed examples of immense density, globalisation, and a bit of that noir crime stuff within small and unusually intimate spaces. They also reflected Hong Kong's complicated anxiety as the city was approaching its handover from British to Chinese rule.

Panel from Vol. 4 Ch. 7; Screencap from Chungking Express (Wong, 1994).

To talk more about Hong Kong cinema itself would be much longer than a tumblr post but if Nightow is connected with Rodriguez's films via Desperado (1995), Rodriguez and his collaborative friend Tarantino are connected with Hong Kong films from those like John Woo and Ringo Lam. One example: Mexican standoffs are tropes used in various films, but we see them frequently enough in Tarantino's films and in Hong Kong action cinema that it becomes noteworthy.

Panel from Vol. 5 Ch. 3

Panel from Vol. 5 Ch. 5

Kowloon Walled City which was demolished in 1993, was visually ‘resurrected’ as Ryutsu's Dragon's Nest. Kowloon Walled City was not a city that just looked interesting. It was an agreement between China and Great Britain that was then kind of weirdly botched, thus leaving it pretty much ungoverned. Trimax Vol. 4 was released in 2000, three years after Hong Kong's handover from Britain to China. We don’t get Ryutsu’s history and with the multiple panels of silhouetted buildings against the night sky and hanging laundry in balconies, Ryutsu’s citadel falls into the 'cool manga location' category. Also, I should be clear: these chapters in Trimax are not an analysis or an allegory of Hong Kong's colonial history.

Panel from Vol. 4 Ch. 4; Photo of Kowloon Walled City's alleyway from wiki article.

At the same time, many eyes, including those outside of Great Britain and China, were on the news when the handover occurred. The point is not if Nightow was considering that historic moment or if he happened to be watching Hong Kong films when he was working on these chapters. Instead, I wonder if readers, when they picked up these volumes from the bookshelves, had thought about Hong Kong, Hong Kong’s movies, and Hong Kong’s past and uncertain future, as they were skimming through the pages. But you know… this is 2023 me thinking about 23 years ago. All of this is daydreaming.

I bring up Hong Kong's history and cinema because I wanted to see what I can envision and interpret about Ryutsu and thus about No Man's Land. If Hong Kong via cinema brings imaginations of transnationalism then Ryutsu via Vol. 4 and 5 could do the same for No Man's Land.

There is no literal ocean to divide cities and there are no named countries. There is a broad ‘Federal Government’, so I assume that means the government concerns itself with all settlements in the entire planet. If Ryutsu itself is No Man’s Land’s ‘Hong Kong’ (which opens another discussion of the use and/or misuse of Hong Kong in media - some other time), then despite No Man’s Land being an incredible dystopia, the elimination of borders is, very plainly, very interesting. I am leaning to this being a good thing, considering that one major problem in No Man’s Land tends to be ‘Humans vs. X’ (plants, worms, the planet’s environment etc.). Also, No Man’s Land is already very sparse. No spoilers for later volumes but I am curious about the planet’s future if the population demographic changes.

Panel from Vol. 4 Ch. 4. Western and Eastern hats in the same panel.

There are also thoughts about its class struggles. Vash says in Vol. 4 Ch. 4: "There are too many people here. I don't like it. The lower and upper class all cramped together." ... which really made me think about the conditions the upper class were living in. Kowloon Walled City was known to be unhygienic, dark and cramped and the wealthy did not live there, so how rough was it to live in Ryutsu when a rich person might still need to live in the citadel? I didn't interpret Vash's statement to mean 'citadel plus those outside of it' when the high stakes in these volumes were because of the high density and maze-like streets.

Panels from Vol. 4 Ch. 6; Ch. 7; Ch. 7.

The above panels remind me of establishing shots in gritty crime thrillers than the sci-fi western I had been reading up to this point.

Featured is the Juukei Building - a building that looks pulled from the 20th century. It is tall, drawn sometimes in narrow panels to emphasize its height and to show how small the characters are in the claustrophobic space as they navigate towards it. As characters move through the structure once inside, it becomes more difficult to tell where in the building they are or if they are somewhere adjacent. Combining historical and futuristic designs in Trigun/Trimax isn't new, but it's not often you see 20th century structures. Maybe wealthier residents lived in buildings like this, though the interiors of Juukei look like abandoned offices.

Panel from Vol. 5 Ch. 3.

Or maybe this was meant to be a mixed-use building? But it seems the entire building is abandoned anyway.... So I'm not sure where the upper class is supposed to live or how I should imagine the upper class to be.

Panel from Vol 5. Ch 6.

... After the end of the battle, once morning comes, we no longer see the citadel. The landscapes return to those reminiscent of American Southwestern deserts. Like we dipped into darkness then we returned to the light.

Anyone who knows about Kowloon Walled City would instantly recognise it in Trimax. The imitative Ryutsu Citadel could be read as a cool manga location where a massive shootout plus some serious revelations occur, but I personally am always interested in what else a location can do. It matters if you set a film in New York City versus a nameless location and how you visually convey that city because it can tell us about its people and helps us understand its characters. So to me, I thought it would be fun to look at certain locations in Trimax (with all of Nightow's free-form inconsistencies and confusions) and imagine or interpret what they can tell us about No Man's Land and by extension, the people in No Man's Land.

Other fun facts include: "[...] Japan, in particular, developed a keen interest towards Kowloon. Its demolition in 1993 was broadcast on national television."

[nkjemisin]

Hi there! I wanted to hear your opinion about this specific, and common obstacle authors might face. What do you think about writing places you've never been in or barely; and by extension, writing about its people, communities you've never really met, or not often? I'd like for my story to be set in NYC, and the people there, to feel real, but I wonder how legitimate I am with only research (can't travel there atm unfortunately). Love your work and eager to read more of Great Cities. Take care!

Well, I had to deal with this in writing the Great Cities quite a bit, so I can't tell you how to do it, but I can at least tell you how I dealt with it. Never been to São Paulo, for example, or Hong Kong or Istanbul or several of the cities that I "characterized" in the story. Some of that was because I was dealing with a lot of other stuff while working on TCWB (my mom had just died, buying my first home and moving, etc.) and didn't have time for research travel like I usually do, and for TWWM I stopped traveling due to covid. So I had to wing it.

I would say that a lot depends on how much you intend to use the location you're writing about. If it's just background, then you can do a surprising amount with remote observation and research. I used a lot of Google Street View, for example. I popped into Reddit threads for those cities and asked questions -- which is always a little fraught with Reddit, but people were mostly pleased to talk about their towns. I also picked up the Not For Tourists guides for a few cities. Basic info about any city is pretty readily available all over the place.

(Writing about communities is a different story, particularly if those are marginalized communities of some flavor. I always recommend starting with Writing the Other, if you're writing outside your own identity... and even if you're writing your own. It's helpful for reducing stereotypes and replicating exploitative traditions, period.)

If you're using a setting for a whole chapter or something, though, you need to either go there, get locals to talk to you about the place, or -- ideally -- both. In my case that meant talking to friends as well as paying several "expert readers" (like, a person born and raised in Istanbul) to read segments of my writing and offer critical advice. I even needed expert readers for NYC-related stuff -- the chapter of TWWM where Brooklyn goes to court, for example. I know nothing about the city's legal system or even which court is right for which kind of proceeding (we have A LOT of courts, both in the city and the boroughs).

You also need to be okay with making minor mistakes. Recognize that it really isn't possible for any one person to know everything, or even most things, about a city with a population of millions and which effectively sprawls across three different states. I've lived in NYC on and off all my life, and I still got several things wrong when I wrote the Great Cities. I read books and went on tours and learned things about my own city that I've never heard before. While I could and did walk right out my front door and have conversations with people who've lived here all their lives, sometimes there were mistakes in stuff they told me, and only research caught some (not all) of those. I feel like I got the stuff that mattered right, however -- the attitudes, the language, the power dynamics, the way parts of NYC absolutely love to talk shit about other parts of NYC, but will square up in solidarity the instant an outsider tries the same thing.

If your story is about the city, though? Set here? You really need to not just visit but live here for a while. There's nuance you're just not going to get from research or even talking to people. For some things, there's no substitute for experience.

Anyway, hope that helps.

[beasiannow]

Lucky Cat Indeed!

In their latest act of extreme trickery, a rouge group of chaotic Taoist magicians has empowered a collection of "Chinese Lucky Cat" statues, including "Lightning Tiger Dao." The results? See below:

Spread throughout tourist gift shows in Singapore, Hong Kong, and various Chinatowns in America and Canada, the cat bestows a different sort of luck. Remaking the person nearest to them when they activate into a 100% Chinese version of themselves.

So that Jimmy Smith though he was giving his girl friend as cute will present of a lucky cat statue to his girlfriend Laura Fields

What he was really doing was giving himself the chance to get to know her as Xiang Li Fang.

Renée Taylor, while visiting Hong Kong, thought that a Lucky Cat was just the souvenir to bring home to Montana. "Maybe it'll help me visit again soon." she thought.

Ren Liu Tian instead found she would be looking for a place to live in the city instead. To say nothing about now needing a whole new passport and a need to relearn English.

Hanna Field thought the little shop in Chinatown was the cutest, most quant thing she had ever seen.

As Yu Ming Han, a new employee of the shop, it became a lot less quant and turned into just someplace where she worked.

One of the more interesting bits of their Taoist Chaos magic happens when Desiree and Bill Costello take a short rest as one of the Lightning Tiger Lucky Cats acted up.

So that after a dizzy moment, they became Deng Cai and Bill Costello. So that before most of their meals had come via Grub Hub deliveries, then became home cooked better-than-Chinese restaurant dinners.

[thanktripp]

Hot Instagram Check-in Spots in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is famous for its unique and beautiful locations, where every corner can become an artistic photo. Below are the hottest check-in locations today, which are the places that attract many tourists to take photos and share on Instagram, which ThankTrip has compiled below.

[qapsiel]

Cas, where's your favourite place on Earth that you've been?

"I've visited a lot of beautiful places. There was a magnificent glacier on Gondwana in what is called Saudi Arabia today. I loved the tropical rainforest of the Sahara. I also really enjoyed standing on top of Mount Everest on sunny days. Of course, now there are a ton of tourists every day." He makes a face that expresses what he thinks of people climbing up there (and dying). "I recently discovered Hong Kong Park, which I think is my favorite place in this century."

[schrijverr]

Tomorrow Will Be Different 1

Chapter 1 out of 26

Instead of managing to meet up later, Oliver has to keep running with Akio. The only way to keep them safe is to go public with Oliver being alive, leaving him back home in charge of Akio, while Tatsu and Maseo are still in the wind.

Oliver has to get used to being back home where he doesn’t fit there anymore, while also taking care of a child and getting caught up in a larger conspiracy that keeps the existence of the Alpha-Omega virus secret. In the meantime, his primary mission is to reunite Akio with his parents, something that isn’t the easiest when being back from the dead and in the spotlight.

On AO3.

Ships: none

Warnings: none

~~~

Chapter 1: A Fucking Shitshow

Oliver is mentally cursing as loudly as he can, but trying not to do it out loud. If they all make it out of here alive, he doesn’t want to risk facing Tatsu’s wrath should Akio pick up anything from him and repeat it.

He wishes he could swear, though, because the situation is an absolute shit show.

What feels like only hours early, everyone was in good spirits, saying their goodbyes, before finally being able to go home. Then there was gunfire everywhere, the four of them crossed by Amanda, if the agents were anything to go off. Now, he’s on the run with Maseo and Tatsu’s kid in tow, suddenly responsible for keeping something so very precious safe.

If he’s honest with himself, he doesn’t think he’ll ever forget Akio’s screams for his parents as Oliver held him close, so that he couldn’t run to them. Maseo told him to get Akio out of there and he knows the two Yamashiros still out there can handle themselves, but if they’ve died, if Akio never sees his parents again after that moment, Oliver isn’t sure he’ll be able to forgive himself. If Akio will ever forgive him.

However, he can’t think like that. His own fate has taught him that he shouldn’t assume anyone is dead until he’s sure, that people can survive some crazy shit. He just needs to trust that he can reunite Akio with his parents, he just has to keep him alive until then…

Which is the shit show in question that Oliver has found himself in. Sure, he’s gotten pretty skilled at disappearing in crowds and keeping an eye out for those after him, but he’s never had to do it with a kid. He’s never been responsible for a life other than his own.

Right now, he mostly feels lucky that Akio is a tough one, who is used to his parents’ life and all it entails, having already been uprooted before. And that he idolizes Oliver enough to trust him when he says it’s all going to be okay, letting Oliver lead him through the crowd with the blind belief that he will get him back to his parents safely. Oliver hopes he’ll never have to break his heart by letting him down about that.

Hong Kong is a busy city, for that Oliver is grateful, because it makes disappearing into a crowd that much easier, no matter how foreign he looks.

The two of them get some looks, however. Probably because Oliver looks like a kidnapper next to Akio. The fact that Akio is complaining about wanting to go home, doesn’t help their case either. It might only be because they’re in Triad territory that no one steps in.

Oliver should probably get them to a more tourist-y part of town. Not only will Oliver look less out of place, but Amanda should be less likely to start shooting there, not wanting to risk an international incident by accidentally getting a vacationing American in the cross fire.

These plans get ruined when Akio runs off suddenly, calling out for his father. Oliver sets chase, but it seems his assumption was right. While people don’t actively stop him, they do hinder him. If Akio is set on running, they’re giving him a chance. The crowd has closed up and Akio is out of sight, leaving Oliver to try and breathe through his panic as he scans everyone, hoping to catch a flash of the kid.

Without Akio there, Oliver allows himself to curse out loud. “What a fucking shit show.”

“Oliver?” Akio’s voice is right behind him. Oliver whirs around as fast as he can, unable to process the wave of relief crashing over him other than kneeling down and sweeping Akio up in his arms.

People are still giving them wary looks, but Akio came back voluntarily and no one wants explicit trouble. All continue on with their day as if the past minute or two hasn’t happened. Oliver can’t even find it within himself to be mad about it. Still, he cradles Akio close, not wanting to lose him all over.

Eventually, he forces himself to let go, scolding Akio about never disappearing like that again. His heart breaks slightly when Akio responds: “I thought I saw my father, but it wasn’t him.”

He knows this isn’t easy on him. All Akio wants is to see his parents again, Oliver understands the feeling, just hours earlier he thought he was going to see his mom again – properly this time – having that ripped away is soul crushing.

Fortunately, it seems that Akio’s reunion is closer than Oliver’s, because Tatsu and Maseo were smart enough to agree on a meeting point in case this exact situation arrived. The two always knew the possible dangers, shielding Akio as much as they could from the kind of life they lived, but never leaving him unprepared. Oliver has always admired that about them.

However, the botanical garden is a bust.

Oliver should have known it wasn’t going to be that easy, but he can’t help but feel crushed that this nightmare isn’t over for Akio yet.

His hand feels so small in Oliver’s, wrist fragile, easily broken by his hands. Oliver isn’t made to care for fragile things, why did he ever think running with Akio was a good idea? Why did Maseo think it was a good idea to tell him to run with Akio?

Those aren’t thoughts he has time to contemplate now, even if they cross his mind as they run for their lives.

With men hot on their trail and Oliver standing out as an American, it becomes clear that Akio doesn’t have the stamina to outrun them. Much like he’d done at the docks, Oliver makes the executive decision that Akio’s life is more important than his immediate comfort, so he scoops the kid up, tossing him over his shoulder and sets out in a proper sprint, like he couldn’t do before.

Akio jostles in his grip and lets out a complaint as he grips Oliver’s shirt as tightly as he can to avoid getting bounced too badly.

Hong Kong is crawling with Amanda’s men, they have to go underground for now and look for Tatsu and Maseo later. It’s no use to go looking when they’re probably also hiding. Hopefully Akio will understand, he thinks.

They’ve put enough distance between the men following them and themselves that Oliver risks putting Akio down on his feet again. The boy frowns at him and says: “That was the worst piggy back ride ever.”

It’s so out of pocket seeing the circumstances that it tears a surprise laugh out of Oliver. Despite the horrible day, Akio manages to stay himself, a small bright point in the shit show. Oliver smiles and ruffles his hair. “I’m sorry, buddy.”

“Forgiven,” Akio smiles back easily, taking Oliver’s hand so that the two can make their way through the crowd.

They’re in the more tourist part and look less out of place. Still, Oliver ducks into a shop, pulling out some of the clothes for him and Akio, tugging a cap onto Akio’s head and offering him a jacket, while Oliver himself stuffs his jacket in a backpack along with his hat, replacing it with a cap of his own and a different sweater that has the sky line of Hong Kong on it.

With their appearance properly altered to look more like tourists, they fit back into the crowd. Oliver takes Akio to get some ice cream, tucking the two of them away in the back of the shop.

Akio seems delighted by the big desert Oliver lets him order, happily scooping the sweet treat while Oliver mentally regroups and keeps an eye on the passing crowd to see if Amanda’s men are still nearby.

He doesn’t know anyone here that would owe him a favor and let him stay. He contemplates going to the American embassy, but quickly disregards the idea again. Amanda is part of the American government, she would get him there easily. Best to stay under the radar.

There are a lot of hotels nearby, if he can sneak into an unoccupied room he can probably pass for one of the many visitors. Akio would have to stay in the room to remain unspotted and out of danger, but it would keep him safe while Oliver looks for his parents. But hotel rooms are unlikely to remain unoccupied. Maybe he can just check in? But he doesn’t have a lot of money, not to mention no ID. Plus, what if someone recognizes him?

The second rumors about returned billionaire Oliver Queen start doing the rounds is when Amanda will move in. Too risky.

He’ll have more chance in the business district, he thinks. He can play the part of American business man well enough to not get noticed in the crowds. He and Akio can take refuge in an abandoned office building, his days of finding sniper’s nests in the city finally paying off, since he knows where those are.

A lot of them are also known and used by A.R.G.U.S., but Oliver knows which ones aren’t. If he’s lucky, he might be able to get his hands on a proper gun so he’ll be able to turn it into an actual sniper’s nest to keep Akio safe.

With a plan in mind, he feels much better. Akio is done with his ice cream and Oliver leaves some cash behind, not wanting to attract attention by not paying.

He keeps his head on a swivel – the only way to survive and basically second nature – as they stroll over the streets. Their pace is leisurely, fitting in by moving at everyone else’s speed. Oliver tries not to think about the fact that people likely assume he’s Akio’s father, both because he doesn’t want to think about everything that has led him to temporarily taking up the roll as guardian and because he’s only twenty-five and Akio nine. He’s way too young to be Akio’s dad.

Right now he can’t conceptualize how he almost was a father before he left on the yacht. He didn’t feel ready then, his lifestyle way too rowdy and free to fit in a kid. He’s double glad he isn’t a father now, with the kind of man he has become, the darkness inside of him, he shouldn’t be allowed near a kid.

It makes his mind boggle again that Maseo trusted him enough to tell him to take Akio and run. He knows what kind of man Oliver is, the things he has done.

Sure, Maseo also killed for Amanda, worked for A.R.G.U.S., and Oliver has seen enough from Tatsu to know she isn’t innocent either. However, they still love so easily. Their darkness isn’t overpowering. They found the right balance, the kind Shado had been talking about. Oliver doesn’t know if he’ll ever have that or if he’ll always be shrouded in the dark.

He shakes the thoughts off, he has a mission to focus on not his own meandering mind.

Oliver spots another clothing store. He’s still grimy from all the running around, which isn’t the best, but clothes help a lot. It’ll be their third outfit today, harder to follow them that way.

Akio is confused and a little annoyed. He complains: “Why are we getting new clothes again? We already did that. When are we going to see my parents?”

How Oliver wishes he had answers to that, but he doesn’t. All he can do is give a sad sigh and squad down in front of the kid. He says: “Akio, your parents are hiding, like we are. We’re going to find them, but it’s going to be tomorrow. Tonight you and I are going to have a sleep over, okay? Like camping. You’ve ever been camping?”

“No,” Akio answers reluctantly. “But why are they hiding? Why are we?”

“It’s like hide and seek,” Oliver tries to explain. “The bad men are seeking and we’re hiding. It’s hard to hide and seek at the same time, so we have to wait until the bad men stop seeking until we can start seeking your parents.”

“I guess,” Akio pouts, shoulders slumping.

Oliver wants to do more for him, make him promises, but he won’t keep them. It can take a while before they find Tatsu and Maseo again and it won’t be easy for Akio. He feels wholly out of his depth. Hopefully he won’t royally fuck this up.

There is nothing he can say right now, but Akio has given up fighting and easily lets himself be led to the clothing store. Oliver picks out a button up for both of them, deciding that with the jeans they might pass for business casual, father taking his son out to show him around the business part of town.

He can still remember his own father showing him around Queen Consolidated, even as a small child. Back then, he had no clue what it meant to be the owner of that building, now – having seen the dirty parts of power – he understands better than ever. He still doesn’t know what his father means exactly by not being the man Oliver thinks he is, something he said both on the life raft and in the video, but Oliver can imagine.

But it isn’t the time to dwell on that. He puts all of their stuff in a suitcase, makes Akio’s hair as neat as he can and ties his own up in as sleek a pony tail as he can get. His hair isn’t as long as Maseo’s, but it’s getting there and tying it up like that will make him fit in better and alter his appearance more.

With that done, the two set off to the business part of town, the one close to the botanical garden, just in case. Sheung Wan, Oliver thinks it’s called.

Like Oliver suspected, they don’t turn many heads and his apparent confidence in where he’s going, means that no one questions them. An abandoned office building is easily found and with a final glance around, Oliver breaks a lock and they go inside.

Oliver picks the office on the highest floor that is closest to the fire escape, but has the best sight lines. It’s not perfect, but it’s the safest they’re gonna get.

Leaving Akio there by himself is hard, but he knows it’ll be easier to move around on his own, so if they want supplies, it has to be done. Still, he checks a thousand times if Akio is okay before he leaves, making the boy promise that he’ll stay under the desk.

Scrounging things up to make their stay more comfortable while staying inconspicuously isn’t the easiest, but Oliver manages to get some food and a blanket at least. Hopefully that will be enough to keep Akio comfortable, Oliver is used to sleep without anything, he’ll manage. He just doesn’t want to deliver Akio back to Tatsu and Maseo having made something horrible even worse.

They probably won’t approve of his snacks for dinner, but he sold this as a sleep over and Akio’s eyes light up when he shows off his haul. He can be a good bad influence for a night. The kind he used to be before he drowned, though perhaps a little less destructive.

He entertains Akio with stories from his own childhood, editing them slightly so they’re more kid friendly. It’s reminiscent of the days he has spend with Thea and he misses her now more than ever, even more than after when he just saw her. She has changed so much now, all grown up …falling into the same bad habits he had. He wonders if he’ll ever get the chance to go home and be a better influence to her, like he is to Akio now.

The whole thing leaves him feeling morose and he’s glad when Akio finally drops off.

Akio is using his thigh as a pillow, the blanket wrapped around him both against the cold and to give him something softer to lie on than the musty office carpet. It’s the best Oliver can do for the moment, but he hopes for Akio’s sake that their circumstances will change soon.

Oliver himself sleeps fitfully, keeping himself semi-alert as he dozes sitting upright under that desk they have hidden under ever since their got there. He can’t help but wonder if they’re ever going to make it out of this alive. If Tatsu and Maseo did. What tomorrow will bring.

He doesn’t have any answers, but he feels like this is another turning point in his life, much like getting to Lian Yu had been or waking up in Hong Kong. Something new is coming for him, he just hasn’t figured out if that’s a good thing or not.

[to-taiwan-from-fanny]

Independent Excursion 1: Academic Cultural Reflection of Night Markets.

I’ve gone to an absurd amount of night markets throughout our numerous days in Taiwan, both independently and with the entire study abroad group as an excursion. I’ve been to most night markets around the Taipei area but the one I’ve gone to the most by far (a whole three times!) is Shilin Night Market. Not going to lie, I’ve definitely spent well over $4000 NTD within the few hours I’ve been there. There’s such a huge variety of different stalls, ranging from clothing stores, to arcade style challenges, to claw machines, and of course food. 

Faith and I had gone to the Shilin Night Market on our 2nd day officially in Taiwan (we had come to the country a few days before the main group arrived) and it was my first real experience of one. I’ve been to Chinatown in New York and have heard tales of my mother’s haggling adventures in Hong Kong secondhand but the reality was even better than what I could imagine. There was so much to see and do it was almost overstimulating. 

When googling “things to do in Taiwan”, night markets are guaranteed to be on the list. Frequented by both natives and tourists alike, they’re a crucial part of Taiwanese society. It’s a center for fostering community, stimulating economic growth, preserving current culture and innovation. But what draws people to night markets in the first place? This study from Chuang et al. (2014) finds that the main contributors to the high number of people going to night markets being “the low unit prices, with products under US$3.30 compromising approximately 70% of [the market]”, the festivals/performances, and the servitude of the vendors. 

Being someone who has gone to multiple night markets in my short time in Taiwan (just a bit over 2 weeks!), I completely attest to all points given. I've noticed that the pricing of things here are pretty similar or even more expensive than it is in America, with the main price disparity being the food costs. How could I resist myself from trying as much food as possible when it’s so cheap? 

But don’t let all my yapping about food fool you: night markets aren’t just a place to eat. Because of how ingrained they are into Taiwanese culture, they also act as social gathering spots where family, friends, and colleagues alike can come together to mingle about and enjoy a unique atmosphere unlike anywhere else. I had such a fun time going around the night market, both alone, with Faith, and with a huge group. It’s a different experience every time and I’ll really miss it when I go back to boring Gainesville. 

In recent years, though, local Taiwanese government has been actively trying to curtail the prevalence of night markets, they continue to flourish in modern times, though not to the same extent (Taipei Times, issue 09/05/2009). I didn’t initially understand why the government would be trying to make night markets less prevalent in society considering how it makes up such a huge part of its society, but upon further research, I understand why. 

It’s not the most hygienic place: the stalls are tightly packed and air-flow isn’t the best. COVID-19 only exemplified these concerns, as the crowded nature of night markets was a super-spreader hub. The noise and waste generated by the night market can also be detrimental to the environment and the people living next to them. Despite all these downsides though, the importance the night markets serve cannot be denied by anyone, which is why they’re still so many today despite such a large number of concerns. They also act as competition with more formal business - the ones we see more often in America. It's a delicate balance between preserving culture and reducing health and safety concerns. Tai, W. P., & Chang, J. (2015)

These night markets are a livelihood for thousands of Taiwanese citizens but contrary to what I had assumed before, the vendors at the night market aren’t only those who can’t find employment elsewhere but, in fact, are mostly people who chose this profession as an alternative to the traditional “dead-end laborious 9-5 white collar jobs” (Liu, Yu. 2009). 

Though I hadn’t put much thought into this initially, this really does make sense. East Asian societies put a huge emphasis on education, big company jobs, etc, and Taiwan is no exception. Being a child of Chinese immigrant parents myself, I know just how much the pressure is to “succeed” both academically and professionally. I completely understand why the youth would be drawn to this. To those who are tired of the mundaneness of everyday life, tending a stall in the very night market they might have grown up going to seems like such a wonderful escape from the “rat race”. 

[pearls-notes-from-asia]

Day 24

It was a very suburban day, which was just what we needed.

We slept in and left the hotel around lunchtime. I wasn't feeling great, so I took a Tylenol and hoped for the best. Gratefully by the end of the day any vestige of a cold had left.

Lunch was tempura udon and tamago kake gohan. The weather was significantly cooler than in Hong Kong so I changed into jeans, the ones I bought in Tokyo, which I didn't think I would wear until I could deal with the stains but I couldn't help it—I immediately felt more like myself once they were on.

We went to a nearby outdoor mall to find a linen shirt for my brother. I found a gorgeous one at a place called Urban Research Doors (obscure name, cool clothes) and bought some very nice tops for myself too. I had finally found a white blouse that I liked! We walked around and had our favorite shopping experience there at Namba Parks. Obscure names, cool clothes.

Dinner was at Kura, which to me, was significantly better than the ones in Southern California, but to Josh, not that much better. It was fun and it was good. Josh said Osaka felt like LA.

In the evening we went to Shinsekai Market and I bought a bunch of snacks at the duty-free store. It was packed with Chinese and Korean tourists. Are there even any Japanese people in Osaka? Lol. To round out the day of shopping, we stopped by Mega Don Quijote where I got a Zojirushi thermos for my dad (the perfect amount for a cup of coffee to go) and Josh got a little razor.

Dessert was this heavenly strawberry milk.

[anxiouspotatorants]

Maura and Daniel fic ideas because I’m going through brainrot and I need y’all to give me more fics of them:

Season 2 AU (?) where the space setting is another simulation but only Maura knows. As in everyone else has a new script they’re convinced is their life. Including Daniel. And now it’s Maura’s turn to help him remember, all the while dealing with grief over knowing what she’d made herself forget for so long.

AU where everything is fine actually. Daniel and Maura go fishing with Elliot and have date nights and sick days and gossip about all their cooky coworkers and who’s dating who (like what is going on with that French trio?). Life is still life, but theirs is as close to that wonderful moment that Maura wishes could last forever as possible.

Fantasy/Sleeping Beauty AU where Ciaran has put Maura under a sleeping spell or she put herself under one after the death of Elliot and now Daniel has to find her and wake her up.

Season 2 AU (?) where 2099 is real and everyone immediately finds Daniel and him and Maura have to figure out what they are to each other after everything and guess what they still love each other and are still in love they just need some time to grieve their child both individually and together and get comfortable with being together as the people they’ve become.

Normal AU without any sci fi plot twists where everyone on the Kerberos live in the same small town/neighbourhood. Either Maura and Daniel meet and fall in love or they’re already together and just have a lovely life while also getting to know and love everyone around them. I’m talking Elliot and Ada being forced to hang out because they’re the only kids around. Ling Yi and Olek are international students and the sparks are flying. Eyk is their sweet but tortured neighbour who just started therapy and gets invited to dinner at the Franklin/Solaces more than once a week.

An in depth fic depicting everything from when Maura and Daniel first met until they had Elliot. Cute crushes, awkward flirting, moving in together, how they dealt with the in-laws etc.

Total angst AU where both Maura is Ciaran and Daniel is an AI copy of his dead self. Maura can’t face who she became in order to escape her grief. Daniel can’t accept that he’s the digital spectre of his dead human self. A complete tragedy. I’m ready to cry.

Gothic romance AU. It’s the late 1800s and Maura is moving to a small town that has grown desperate enough to request a female doctor for their hospital/asylum. There are a lot of tortured souls in town and Maura keeps feeling like this place is familiar. Also there’s this guy dressed in black named Daniel who always stares at her like he’s about to break down. She gets caught up in a mystery and ends up solving the one of her own disappearance because she was so distraught at the death of her and Daniel’s son that she got memory loss and moved away, losing years of her life. Also please give this a bittersweet ending where she gets time to grieve Elliot but ultimately decides to live a life again with her husband and all her new friends and found family.

Vampire AU where instead of sci-fi solutions Maura turned Elliot into a vampire to save him. She also turned Daniel and herself, but somewhere in her own transformation she was compelled to forget her human life by the vampire that she got to turn them all (Ciaran? Henry?). So now Daniel and Elliot are following Maura onto a ship to New York to get her back, all the while trying not to get found out or kill the other passengers out of bloodthirst.

Modern cruise comedy AU. All the passengers are there on vacation and meet and interact. Maura is there with her husband and child and meet all these wacky people. They practically adopt Eyk who lets Elliot hang out in the bridge. They get caught between an arguing French trio and a blossoming romance between a tourist from Hong Kong and a Polish crew-member in the buffet line. Some tense Danish people keep setting their youngest child up on playdates with Elliot. Maura has to comfort the Danish boy when he gets caught up in a love triangle with a Spaniard and a Portuguese guy. Daniel somehow finds himself comforting the Portuguese guy. Elliot and Ángel just play Nintendo games together.

[choti12]

The Best Time to Visit Hong Kong: A Comprehensive Guide

Hong Kong, with its towering skyscrapers, bustling streets, and vibrant culture, is a city that captivates travelers year-round. However, choosing the optimal time to visit can greatly enhance your experience and ensure you make the most of what this dynamic destination has to offer. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you decide the best time to visit Hong Kong:

1. Weather Considerations:

Spring (March to May): Spring brings mild temperatures and blooming flora to Hong Kong. It's an ideal time for outdoor activities such as hiking, exploring parks, and enjoying the city's scenic views.

Summer (June to August): Hong Kong summers are hot and humid, with temperatures often soaring above 30°C (86°F). While it's not the most comfortable time to visit, summer is perfect for beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts.

Autumn (September to November): With clear skies and pleasant temperatures, autumn is arguably the best time to visit Hong Kong. It's perfect for sightseeing, attending festivals, and sampling seasonal delicacies.

Winter (December to February): Hong Kong's winters are mild and relatively dry, making it an attractive option for travelers looking to escape colder climates. The city is adorned with festive decorations during the holiday season, adding to its charm.

2. Festivals and Events:

Chinese New Year: Celebrated in January or February, Chinese New Year is one of Hong Kong's most significant festivals. The city comes alive with colorful parades, traditional performances, and dazzling fireworks displays.

Spring Lantern Festival: Held in conjunction with the Chinese New Year, the Spring Lantern Festival takes place on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Visitors can admire beautifully crafted lanterns and participate in various cultural activities.

Hong Kong Arts Festival: Taking place from February to March, the Hong Kong Arts Festival showcases a diverse range of performances, including music, dance, theater, and visual arts.

Dragon Boat Festival: Celebrated in June, the Dragon Boat Festival features exhilarating dragon boat races, traditional ceremonies, and delicious rice dumplings known as zongzi.

3. Peak Tourist Seasons:

Golden Week: The first week of October sees an influx of tourists from mainland China due to the National Day holiday. Accommodation prices tend to surge during this period, so it's advisable to book well in advance.

Christmas and New Year: Hong Kong is a popular destination for holidaymakers during the festive season. Hotels and attractions may be crowded, but the city's festive atmosphere is truly magical.

4. Considerations for Budget Travelers:

Off-Peak Travel: Visiting Hong Kong during the shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) can offer significant savings on accommodation and flights while still enjoying favorable weather and fewer crowds.

Midweek Stays: Opting for midweek travel instead of weekends can also result in lower hotel rates and dining expenses.

In conclusion, the best time to visit Hong Kong ultimately depends on your preferences, budget, and the experiences you wish to have. Whether you're drawn to the city's cultural festivities, outdoor adventures, or culinary delights, Hong Kong promises an unforgettable journey regardless of the season. So, pack your bags and get ready to immerse yourself in the enchanting tapestry of sights, sounds, and flavors that define this cosmopolitan metropolis.

[ofmagicandmusic]

The Dawn of Dangerous Affections - Jade/Roy

Word Count: 1.2k

Rating: T

Details: First Meetings, Undercover Missions, Assassins, Secret Relationship, Developing Relationship, Implied Sexual Content, Missing Scene, During Canon, Romance, Falling in Love

from “Shot Through the Heart: A Roy Harper Zine”

————————————————————————–

It was supposed to be easy. Just an average mission, find the source of the drug trafficking and get info on a person involved. Two birds with one stone. Little did he know, things would be anything but simple, not for the rest of his life.

Or Roy's mission investigating Cheshire does not go as planned...

(Takes place before New Teen Titans(1986) Vol. 2 #20-21 showing how Jade and Roy met)

Read below or on Ao3

It was supposed to be easy. Just an average mission, find the source of the drug trafficking and get info on a person involved. Two birds with one stone. Little did he know, things would be anything but simple, not for the rest of his life.

The streets of Hong Kong were bustling at this hour. Between the masses of people, colorful signs, and his limited knowledge of Chinese, he almost missed their meeting point. Tucked between a warehouse and boarded up shop, he knew it was her. 

His shoes scuffed the concrete as he rounded the corner. Taking care to look casual, Roy continued towards his target.

He couldn’t deny she was beautiful. Her hair was long and full, glistening in the light from the streetlamps. The angle of her cheekbones was as sharp as her nails. She was gorgeous in a brutal sort of way like sunlight glinting off broken glass.

“Got the stuff?” She nodded and he handed her the cash, slipping it into her fingers out of sight of any passersby. Her eyes shone in the evening light as she passed him a small plastic bag. It felt strange going through this routine again, since he had no intention of using anything. But that’s what the CBI wanted, he was only there to be undercover, to use his past connections.

“Thanks.” His finger brushed his badge as he put the bag in his pocket with a glance over his shoulder.

“Same time and place next week?” The red of her lips matched the vibrant signs around them yet she spoke in a cool tone.

“Eager to see me again that soon?” He smirked. “We’ll see--as you can probably tell, I’m a bit of a tourist here.” Roy ran a hand through his hair that was a striking sunset in a sea of black. “You seem like someone who knows a good time, any recommendations nearby?”

The gun concealed at his ankle was suddenly heavy under her gaze.

“I know a place.” Her fingers flicked, pointing further down the road. Roy’s stomach jolted when she grabbed his arm, guiding him across the street past crowds and noisy vendors. Her nails traced the inside of his wrist.

“You can call me Cheshire in this line of work.” Her flingers slipped away, leaving Roy both relieved and disappointed. 

“Such mystery, I like that in a woman.” The corners of her mouth turned up at his words.

She turned around, pausing a couple doors down from a club. Red lanterns adorned with gold hung outside another restaurant, their light casting shadows under her cheekbones. There was something dangerous in her eyes, like animal stalking its prey; it was thrilling.

“Well, you’re certainly one yourself, Red.” She smiled like the edge of a knife. “Perhaps we should explore these mysteries together.” She ran her hand along his forearm, sending a tingle of pleasure through his skin.

“I was thinking the same thing.” He tilted his sunglasses down with bravado that came more from his heart pounding than his cover. The words slipped out of his mouth. 

“Join me for dinner?”

He could track her down to the trafficking operation another day. His job was to gather intel, and this counted, right? But he couldn’t let his guard down, she wasn’t one of the world’s most dangerous assassins for no reason.

But, if there’s anything Roy knew about himself, he was easily distracted by dangerously beautiful things and giving in to things he shouldn’t.

With hidden identities, secret missions, and deadly skill, they we as similar as they were different. But here in Roy’s hotel room, they could get away from all that.

They’d done this a few times now, days and weeks blending in a tangle of limbs. The morning sun laid down across the bed, caressing bare skin and fabric alike.

He didn’t ask what she did when she disappeared some nights; she never questioned what he was doing in Hong Kong. Delving into the mysteries of Cheshire was his favorite part of the trip so far, whether out dancing in clubs or with her legs wrapped around him.

Right now, she was resting her head on his chest, breath ghosting across his skin. Their bodies seemed to fit together perfectly, soft and sharp in all the right ways.

“Good morning, beautiful…” He ran a hand through her hair, fingertips brushing her skin.

“Call me Jade.”

The picture in her file had left her looking angular, but he could see the softness in her features now, the curve of her cheekbones, the warmth in her eyes. Jade. Like the precious stone so many have fought for. It was fitting for her.

“My new favorite color.” Roy smiled.

Her fingers found his, green talons wrapping around his calloused palms, but where her nails ended her skin was soft. Roy looked up quickly, meeting her amber eyes. Something kind flickered in her expression, and she smiled.

Jade. A pang of guilt flickered in Roy’s chest.

Though he knew the cruelty she was capable of—the CBI had a detailed list—it didn’t seem right to gain her trust like this. He almost wished they hadn’t met this way, that he really was just a tourist meeting a gorgeous woman abroad. That he could tell her his name and he could hear her say it throughout the night.

What if it could be just them, away from mistakes of the past? He pulled Jade closer, her shoulder blade fitting perfectly in his hand. Her body was warm against his and things felt right.

But that was probably just the lust talking. He couldn’t actually feel that way about her, a sociopathic international assassin.

Still, something ached at the thought of deluding her. Every time they went out for dinner or ended up at his hotel room, it itched at the back of his mind. Yet Roy couldn’t help but fall deeper into the charade; what was good for the mission was good for getting to know her better.

Her fingers circled the hair at the nape of his neck, slowly making their way to his head. He felt Jade shift, pulling his head closer until their lips met.

Something light fluttered in Roy’s chest as they kissed.

Her hand made its way onto his cheek and when they finally parted, he was sure that was the sweetest smile he had ever seen.

The man turned around in his chair slowly, rolling a cigarette between his fingers. 

“You surprised me Harper, you haven’t screwed up a mission till now, unlike some of our other agents.” He exhaled smoke alongside the insult, lips pursing into a frown.

“I put you on this case because I knew you could handle it and we needed it handled! You know how dangerous she is, how cruel.” Roy nodded, eyes downcast. “Now we have another assassin we’ve just let go, because you lost the trail.”

The man flipped through the file, “-- which I don’t know how you did with all the info we have in here.”

“I’m sorry Sir, I don’t know how it happened either.” Roy put his hand on the back of his neck sheepishly. “One moment she was there, then she was gone.”

Bare skin in the sunlight flashed in his mind. 

“I won’t let it happen again.”