#I love both llamas and alpacas so when this was going around a few years ago

[golgafrincham]

[greekowl87]

How about #8 on the dialogue prompts?

A/N: You never specified which #8 from that prompt list you wanted so I picked all of them :) Hope you enjoy it. P.S. No beta. Tagging @monikafilefan @suitablyaggrieved @baronessblixen @today-in-fic @improlificinsarcasm

“#8.” No specification: “What are you talking about? You’re the only face with a view around here.” / We can’t do this.. anymore...you deserve someone better than me.” / “Stop biting your lip, you know that drives me crazy.” / “What are you wearing? you look like a llama ohh wait or is it an alpaca?”

Mulder’s back was turned to her as she sat on his bed. Somewhere off in the distance, Scully heard a rumble of thunder. Then there was a bolt of lightning. The rain started...first like one pebble against the window, then another, then a whole slew of them. Mulder grunted in his sleep. Scully licked her lips and adjusted the blanket around him. 

He still smelled like fire, ash, and lost hopes. Scully sighed and went to his bedroom window and watched the storm intensify like the one in her heart. She shivered; her gray sweater failing to keep the chilliness of his old Alexandria apartment at bay. Assuming he would not mind, she took a hooded Knick’s sweatshirt that hung on the back of his door. She glanced over her shoulder and wandered out into the living room.

Scully watched the storm continue from his desk in the light of the fish tank. Her watch read 1:00 am but felt like she had been awake for days. Her hazy mind swirled with the recent events...their work up in flames, clutching a numb Mulder to her, trying to coax him to get some sleep, staying with him. Then there was the matter of Diana Fowley. She tried not to let her mind go there.

Fowley helped Mulder find the x-files; Scully helped destroy them.

Gently, she probed the back of her neck, feeling the slightly raised scar that she implanted months ago. The miraculous cure that saved her from her cancer and that Mulder had saved her, almost losing himself in the process. Where did that leave them now? She began the year sick and dying of cancer, caused by her abduction, found a daughter that died that she never knew she had, all to lose it.

She hugged the worn sweatshirt around her. It smelled like him and made her remember the nights he would stay with her during the course of her cancer. She closed her eyes at the memory. She felt so confused, but after her cancer had been cured, she had some idea of where it could be headed...what they could be. But the maelstrom appeared in the siren Diana Fowley and had run their ship off course. Again.

The storm raged and Scully sighed.

She could just as easily leave...go home, leave him to his misery. He probably saw her as the destroyer of worlds and all that he believed. Scully winced, recalling seeing how Mulder so cozily held Fowley’s hand. There was history; of that she was certain. She had her evidence: Frohike’s chickadee reference, that fucking holding of hands, the way she caught Fowley looking at Mulder, and Gibson’s own warnings to her. You don’t care what others think about you but you care what she thinks.

“Scully?” 

Mulder’s muffled voice came from the closed bedroom.

“Scully?”

He was becoming more panicked.

“In here, Mulder.”

She buried her face into the oversized sweatshirt, inhaling deeply. She tried to draw some strength and some better memories. She heard him getting up, shuffling around. The bedroom door creaked open and he ruffled his hair. “What time is it?”

“A little after one,” she whispered. She didn’t break her gaze from the storm raging outside. “I thought you were asleep.”

“I can’t...I don’t know how I even how to sleep for those few hours.”

“Exhaustion,” she said.

The lightning lit up the night sky. “What are you wearing? You look like a llama, ohh wait, or is it an alpaca?” He joked.

She didn’t look at him. “It is a sweatshirt of yours. I hope you don’t mind. I was cold.”

“It’s fine. Are you hungry? I can make something.”

“I’m fine, Mulder.”

She chewed on her lip thoughtfully, lost in her own thoughts. He was still tired, exhausted. “Stop biting your lip, you know it drives me crazy,” he tried to jest again.

“I’m sure,” she whispered dryly. “Mulder, I’m not really in the mood right now.”

“You’re still here. That says something.” 

“I guess.” She shrugged. “I can go if you want me to.”

“No,” he said immediately. He put his hand on her shoulder and she jumped slightly. The move did not go unnoticed. “Stay, Scully? You can take the bed if you want.”

“I’m fine, Mulder.”

“What is it? What’s bothering you?”

“Aside from the fact we’ve lost the x-files, all of our work is up in flames, and I never discover what actually happened to me and we may not ever find your sister? I’m peachy.” Scully could feel his eyes glaring at her at the base of her skull, somehow able to look at the chip even in the dark. “I can still go, Mulder. Perhaps there is someone else...you’d prefer.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean, Scully?” She felt tears in her eyes. Dear God, what was wrong with her? She shook her head silently. “Scully, talk to me. Is the loss of the x-files? Our work? I won’t know unless you tell me.”

Again, she shook her head.

“I saw you. In the hallway with her.”

“Who?”

“I’m sorry. I’ve said too much. I should go. You probably want to be alone with your thoughts.” She moved to take off the offending shirt to give it back, but he stopped her. “Mulder, let me go.”

“No. Not until you tell me. We’re partners.”

“For how long?” Scully snapped. “They’re taking away the x-files from us. They’re going to separate us up! Again. She may have been with you to find the x-files but I’m certainly the one to destroy them.”

Mulder arched an eyebrow. “You mean Diana?”

“I really should be going.”

“Scully, stop.” She’s already lost in her thoughts and Mulder realized the weight of loss affecting her too. “Scully!”

“I’m a jinx, right? I should’ve done more.”

He abruptly ignores her and pulls her into a tight hug. She fights him, trying to push away. “Scully, stop.” He was taller and stronger than her. “Scully, stop! Listen to me!” The pieces were coming together. “You saw her holding my hand.”

She stopped dejectedly and nodded. 

“And you think I’d prefer to have her than you?”

Again, another weak nod. 

Mulder had never known her to be so insecure, so emotionally raw than at this moment. He massaged her shoulders gently as she kept her head down. “We’re both hurting, Scully.”

She couldn’t handle it anymore. “Who is she to you, Mulder?”

“She ain’t no Scully if that is what you’re asking.”

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

“What do you think?” He tipped her head up so she looked at him. “What are you talking about? You’re the only face with a view around here.” She smiled slightly and he gently thumbed away the stray tear. “You’re my partner. No one is splitting us up again.”

She nodded.

“Stay, Scully. Do you want to know who she is? I’ll tell you.”

Mulder guided her to the couch. “Let me grab us something to drink. It’s a rather painful story for me to tell.”

She didn’t resist him. Scully leaned back in the darkness on the well worn green leather couch. The storm continued to rage outside. She heard him shuffling around in the kitchen when he came back with two shot glasses and a half bottle of tequila. He poured them each a shot and gave her one.

“What are we drinking to?”

“You and me.” He told her simply. “We’re still here and we’ll find a way back again. And like I told you after Puerto Rico; I still have you.”

“Mulder: the eternal optimist. That doesn’t sound like you.”

They both took the shot. Scully grimaced as the fiery liquid burned down her throat. Mulder set his glass on his coffee table. He sighed, trying to figure out where to begin. “It is true, Diana helped me find the x-files back in ‘91. But there was more to it. It was a brief and torrid affair as the Victorians would call it. I got drunk...proposed. Three months later, she was gone and a divorce.” It came out in a long breath and Scully was silent. “It was the first time, in years...decades someone had actually cared about me or so I thought.”

Scully leaned forward to pour herself another drink. She pulled it back and could feel bile rising up in her throat. “She was your wife?”

“Briefly,” he murmured in thought. “I was naive. I wanted things to change. So I proposed. Worst mistake of my life. She gave me divorce papers and left for Europe. I haven’t seen or heard from her in years until last week.”

“Ex-wife, huh?”

He nodded. “She grabbed my hand, not the other way around. I...I don’t know what to think anymore.”

Mulder was quiet and watched her reaction. “Do you still love her?”

“Is there some fondness of what once was, could have been? A bit. But do I love her? Not anymore.” He gazed Scully fondly. “She did not come into my office five years ago and stubbornly defend me and our work. She did not cover my ass more times than I can count. She did not shot me to save me from myself. She’s not the one that I’m in love with.”

Scully had been staring fixedly at the dim bottle of tequila before his last words hit her. “What?” Her eyes met his. “What did you say?”

“You heard me.”

“I think I did but I am uncertain.”

“I’m not in love with Diana Fowley. Maybe at one time, long ago, but not anymore.” He leaned forward to cup her cheek “You know exactly what I meant, Scully.”

“We can’t…”

“We can.” The thunder crackled again and lightning lit the room. She briefly saw his eyes and she froze. Something overtook her and she leaned forward. “We’re okay, Scully.”

“Will we be?”

He nodded. Mulder caressed her cheek and gently teased her with his own lips. She responded instantly. He lunged backward with her. Scully did not know what new spirit possessed her. She carefully straddled his hips, trying not to lose her balance on the couch.  She bit his lip teasingly, her own tongue delving deeper. Mulder’s arms snaked up under her shirt, grazing her bareback. “I’m not going to lose you again,” he vowed between breaths. “I’m not going to lose you ever again. I can’t.”

Scully took off his shirt in one sweeping motion. “You’re mine.”

“I’m yours,” he promised. Her nails scratched lightly against his chest giving him goosebumps. Mulder stopped her suddenly in a sudden moment of clarity. “Scully, what are we doing?”

She stopped, becoming self-conscious. “What do you mean? Mulder, don’t do this to me.” His blank stare was all she needed. She got off him and dropped his sweatshirt. “I’m going to go home. I’ll um, see you later okay?”

Before he could utter another word, she had disappeared into the night. The storm still raged outside. He lowered his eyes and collapsed against his leather couch. He lost his work, their office, and now, he could feel himself losing her again...just like he lost Diana. Maybe he really was meant to be alone.

Scully rode the elevator down to the ground floor and she could feel tears in her eyes. At the door separating her from the lobby of the apartment and the storm outside, she felt something building in her. Anger, frustration, sadness, and longing. She shook her head. She remembered how her mother told her how Mulder never stopped looking for her during her abduction. The quick, loving gazes he would give her that he thought she wouldn’t see. And she made a decision.

On her heel, Scully turned to go back to the elevator and go back up the stairs. As soon as she stepped off the elevator and the door closed behind her, a large rumble thunder crashed overhead and then there was darkness. 

“Great,” Scully murmured, staring at the one emergency light down at the end of the hall. Had that happened earlier, she would have been stuck on that elevator. “Just great.”

She walked quickly to Mulder’s door and twisted the knob and shut it behind her. Darkness eschewed his apartment. With practiced ease, she locked his door. “Mulder,” she called.

“In here, Scully.” He was in the living room. A single candle was lit on the coffee table and his eyes were red. “I, um, what are you doing here?”

“First things first, Mulder. Do you have any other candles?”

“Kitchen,” he answered, “beneath the sink.”

Scully grabbed the candle he had lit and procured three others. Mulder made no effort to move. She placed them strategically throughout his living room so there was enough light so that neither one of them could hide.

“Carefully, Scully, we’ve already had one office go up in flames tonight.”

“Ill place humor, Mulder.” She sat next to him on the couch. “I came back.”

“Why did you?” His voice was barely above a whisper. “Scully?”

“Because my place is here. With you,” she answered evenly. She gazed outside his window as lightning lit up the sky. “Do you remember our first case? In Oregon?” 

He chuckled. “The bug bites, no power, and I decided to take the biggest risk in my life. I decided to trust you.”

“Funny how things come full circle, huh?”

He grunted in amusement. “You still have my sweatshirt on, Scully.”

“And you’re not getting back.”

“But you’re here.”

“I’m here.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Why? I’m not.”

“Then why did you run?”

“But I came back.”

“You came back,” he whispered. In the dim light, he took her hand and held it tightly. “Where do we go from here, Scully?”

“I don’t know. Maybe now tonight...wasn’t the right time for that. We’re both hurting, Mulder.”

“Are you saying no altogether?”

“No,” she whispered. She looked down at their hands. “I’ve wanted it for a very long time. But tonight, Mulder, we’re mourning. Maybe tomorrow? Maybe next week? Right now, I just don’t want to be alone, and I think, neither do you.”

“You have? Wanted it that is?”

Scully chuckled. “Yes, very much so.”

“I have to.”

She smiled. “Do you mind if I spend the night here? I don’t think either one of us wants to be alone tonight.”

Mulder met her eyes in the candlelight. “Will holding you suffice for tonight? Cuddling?” The word sounded foreign on his tongue. “Scully?”

“I would like that. And Mulder, I’m not like her...Fowley. I understand you both have history, but I’m not like her. I won’t abandon you or our work.”

Mulder shuffled on the green leather couch, bring Scully with him. Like perfect puzzle pieces, the lay together. Scully was protected between the back of the couch and Mulder. He sighed in relief as if he finally found what he had been searching for all his life. She pulled the Aztec blanket from the back of the couch around them. “Scully, I know this sounds bad, but I am glad you are here with me right now.”

His hand lazily pushed back her red locks as she nuzzled his shoulder, taking in his scent, and trying to memorize every aspect of this moment. She hugged him. “There is nowhere else I would rather be.”

Mulder smiled and watched the candlelit dance with their shadows. “Tomorrow?”

“We get back up and maybe lay down in Georgetown?” The suggestiveness was heavy in her voice. “Change of scenery?”

Mulder smiled and kissed the top of her head. “I’d like that.”

The storm continued to rage outside but in the darkness of the Alexandria apartment, Mulder and Scully, holding tight to each other, knew they were going to be okay.

[straynstay]

Hyunjin - Hybrid AU!

being popular wasn’t something you looked forward to when entering college, but it happened

now here you were making necks twist to watch you walk down the hallway

that’s what you get for being one of the few humans in a hybrids-inclusive college

most people wouldn’t even consider applying to study here after it became pretty much ruled by hybrids, but you didn’t mind

you like your course, you like your teachers, and your colleagues, even though they follow you around making you look like an idol or something

you entered your classroom already knowing that your favorite seat will be vacant with candies or a snacks on top

“oh, there’s cards too” you smiled reading the cheering words from your admirers

since day one boys and girls go out of their way to please you somehow

need a pen? here’s seven! hungry? let me buy you the entire menu! need a ride? you can have my car!

it’s been a year and a half, but you’re still not completely used to it

they’re so nice to you because you’re human, sometimes you wonder if that’s the only reason for it

hybrids were created to be men’s pets and obey their orders, but after decades of evolving they began conquering their own space

yes, some still prefer to be companions, but others are trying to live life in society like normal human beings

however, their genes still make them bow to human’s will, and it bothers you because you feel like you’re taking advantage of them most of the times

“good morning” your Medieval English Literature teacher entered the classroom and you put your stuff down to start your day

“I’m dead tired” Lia, a sheep hybrid and one of your closest friends, said plopping her head on the library table

you both decided to study together for your Shakespeare on Contemporary Media exam, which would be in two days

“I’m seeing Shakespeare everywhere, I’ll probably won’t even flinch if his ghost shows up in front of me”

“thou comest in such a questionable shape” you quote Hamlet in a funny voice, earning a laugh from Lia

“hopefully he won’t tell me to murder anyone” Lia’s ears were hiding in the curls of her black hair and you knew she was really tired

“go rest, Lia, we can study more tomorrow”

“yeah, guess I’ll do that” Lia gathered her belongings “you’re staying?” she asked

“uhum” you sighed, stretching your arms above your head  “I still need to finish my paperwork for Mrs. Ray”

“good luck” Lia raised her eyebrows “see you tomorrow”

“see ya” you smiled seeing Lia leaving the shared study room

you decided to move to the single tables on the common area of the library because they were closer to the bookshelves

you shoved your stuff quickly into your backpack and left

fortunately there was almost no one at the library at night, so you could choose which table was best, setting your backpack on it

not far away from your table, though, someone was thoughtfully observing your every move

Hwang Hyunjin was the librarian’s assistant this semester

he was a shy and awkward alpaca hybrid, but in love with you, like everyone else in this college

although he doubted anyone liked you more than him

he felt his heart beating faster when you walked towards his counter, but you turned right on the English Literature aisle

Hyunjin let out a short breath, running his fingers through his hair to calm him down

you didn’t even notice him, why was he so nervous?

you returned from the aisle with two books and sat down, allowing him to admire your profile

Hyunjin could only stare from afar, wishing one day he’d be bold enough to say hi

you were so beautiful, your skin so smooth without any fur or scales

his fingertips itched to touch you, to feel your warmth, to caress your hair and be intoxicated by your scent

Hyunjin muffled a wail watching you so close yet so far from him

it was slowly killing him inside knowing that it wouldn’t take long for another hybrid to ask you out

and what if you say yes? what if the hybrid asked to be your pet? or even worse, what if you become their partner?

oh, Hyunjin was dying thinking about these things

but there you were, focused on whatever work you had to do, unaware of your effects on the poor boy

you were so smart, so dedicated, Hyunjin felt himself falling harder in love

not too long after, you got up again to adventure yourself on the the same aisle

Hyunjin tried to take a peek at your table to see what you were working on, but his counter was a bit too far for that

he did, however, draw what he could see from the two books you got on a random piece of paper just to check them out later

maybe if he read what you’re studying, he might have a topic of your interest to start conversation someday

he was waiting patiently for you to show up with another book, but that didn’t happen

you were taking too long for a simple task such as grabbing a book, Hyunjin got worried

he got up from his seat and went after you

he entered the English Literature aisle only to see you on your tiptoes, right arm stretched out, struggling to grab a yellow book from the top shelf

the boy let out a funny noise unconsciously, calling your attention to him

“I-I’m sorry” he said looking at his own feet, babbling “I didn’t mean to spy on you, but you’re here for quite some time, so I came to check on you, and, well, you’re short and I’m sorry again but it was really really cute seeing you try to reach that book over there, and I’m really tall, so maybe I should grab it for you?” he moved towards you, still staring down, and easily pulled the book you wanted, handing it to you

Hyunjin was embarrassed, but with your cheeks burning from the proximity, you were even more

“thanks” you replied sweetly, finally being able to see his face because he was brave enough to look at you

“you’re even more adorable up close, oh God, I’m going to die” Hyunjin placed his hand on his heart, closing his eyes and holding his breath

you would laugh at his dramatically cute reaction if it wasn’t for a wild boar hybrid interrupting you two

“yo, llama boy, where’s Kafta’s books?” the guy towered over you two, but you didn’t feel intimidated at all

“i-it’s o-over there in the-the-the German section” Hyunjin stuttered a lot, but pointed to the right direction

“I’m gonna need help with this paperwork, alright?” his words actually meant: you’re doing it for me

Hyunjin only nodded in fear, trying hard to stop shaking and humiliating himself even more in front of you, ruining any tiny chance he ever had with you

that’s when you saw the dude’s smile of satisfaction, and you couldn’t take it anymore, you had to confront him

“hey, idiot, he’s an alpaca, not a llama, can’t you see his small ears and fluffy hair? Besides, it’s Kafka, not kafta, you uncultured swine”

the wild boar hybrid was taken by surprise and lowered his ears in respect to you

“I’m sorry” he said almost whispering

“you better be! now go write your own paperwork and leave Hyunjin alone” your glare made him go away in a blink of an eye

“y-you didn’t have to…”

“it’s okay, I know he’s been an asshole to you, I had to do something about it”

“you know?” Hyunjin’s neck got red “wait, you know my name too?”

“yeah” you replied holding the book tightly against your chest, blushing even more

no one knew, but he was your long time crush and you were getting tired of just stalking him around college, so you thought it was the right time to finally confess your suffocating feelings for him

“is it weird if I say that I sometimes go to the coffee shop at the Arts building just because I know it’s your favorite place to hang out? and that I’m studying at the library almost everyday this semester because you’re here?” you let out an awkward laugh

“aaand that I’ve been trying to find any excuse to talk to you, but I never think of the right thing to say, so I end up giving up? and that maybe I’m dying to go on a date with you if you want to?”

was Hyunjin hearing things right? you were not only saying that you like him, but you’re asking him out?

oh, this is probably the best day of his life!

out of all of the hybrids you liked him? the shy alpaca whose special trick is spitting long distances?

the one who cries every night for being away from his family group?

who whines all the time to himself for being too awkward to have friends?

who dies everyday seeing his crush walking around the campus thinking he’ll never have a chance?

he was nothing special compared to the other hybrids, but here you were in all your adorableness confessing your feelings

he could at least muster up some courage and say something, right?

“how about…” Hyunjin cleared his throat to avoid stuttering, he was so nervous, he felt like his heart would leap out of his chest

“how about we go grab a coffee, then?” as soon the words were spoken, his eyes got sad “oh… nevermind, I forgot I have to close the library tonight”

you wouldn’t let this golden opportunity pass by so easily, so you smiled at him

“it’s fine, I’ll go first and order for us before they close too”

“are you sure? I mean…”

“yeah, don’t worry about it” you smiled again to reassure him

“oh, okay, well, I usually have-”

“a hot chocolate with extra toppings and a slice of quiche” you interrupted him

Hyunjin’s eyes were wide

“I notice you, Hyunjin” you shook your head “I’ve been noticing you for a long time… too long, to be honest” you admitted

the boy was at loss for words

how was this happening? was he dreaming? the person he likes likes him back? what? what was he supposed to do now? he never thought his biggest wish would come true

“can you wait a bit?” Hyunjin left the aisle quickly, running back to his counter and screaming at the top of his lungs that the library night shift was over

you couldn’t believe Hyunjin was kicking everyone out thirty minutes earlier

you laughed seeing him smiling so brightly for the first time, and your heart was filled with joy for you were the reason behind it

Hyunjin was exultant, barely able to contain his long awaited happiness

he was on cloud nine, over the moon, on top of the world, on seventh heaven… he was feeling it all!

you not only notice him, but want to be with him, the shy, awkward alpaca hybrid

what else would Hyunjin wish for besides being loved by you?

[lonelypond]

Soldier Game: Operation LA Smile, Ch. 2

NicoMaki, Love Live, 1.7K, 2/?

Summary: Maki flees the scene, Eli meets Nozomi, Umi amuses herself, Hanayo makes an appearance, and Nico decides on a distraction.

Chapter Two: Party Planning

Maki, not yet awake enough to open her eyes, pushed into something warm, firm, feeling herself relax, and then the images started playing behind her eyes, Yazawa so close, hands everywhere, asking, then taking over, then...Maki froze. If she opened her eyes now, what kind of look would be on Nico’s face. Best just to pretend to be asleep.

Pretend or not, the next time Maki was aware of anything, she felt colder. A quick sneak peek. No Nico. Wrapping the towel around her, Maki sprinted for the door, almost tripping over the weight she now had to shove aside. The hall, which way to the Soldier Game temporary office? To the left, Maki turned, and there was Umi, smirking, calmly waiting to see what Maki would do next.

Maki pulled the towel completely closed around her, hurrying past this obstacle. “I just need my go bag.”

“Rough workout?” Umi’s teasing voice always grated, “Need a shower?”

“Bite me.”

“Is there a line?”

Maki whirled, snarling, “I am so breaking you next time we spar.”

Umi shrugged, “That will never happen.”

“Oh it will. You can bet on it.”

“But I won’t.”

Maki didn’t have the mental energy for Umi in taunting mode. Most of her attention was listening for Nico’s voice so she could sprint away before Nico stepped into the hall.

“See you at dinner. Bring a friend.” Umi smiled.

“I’ll be in my hotel. Alone.” That was the rest of her evening. Every scented candle in Tokyo lit, lights low, music calming, soaking off this surprise encounter, forgetting what Nico smelled like when sweat and sex steamed off of her, long, lush, black hair slick, Maki’s legs were starting to wobble and if she didn’t get away soon...not thinking about that, Maki straightened herself up...ha! Inner Maki snorted, good luck with that...and rushed toward more clothes than this barely clinging bikini bottom.

 ###

Ayase Eli was sharp, trim, on task and on time. Her suit was pressed, her hair in a high ponytail, her agenda to the point after a series of revisions. She didn’t need directions to the office assigned for her official meeting with Tojo-san. Eli was here to be the public face of Soldier Game, bringing together her friends to use their celebrity cachet to boost Japanese tourism, which had taken a huge hit due to the coronavirus pandemic and panic. Even with the advances in treatment and prophylactic treatments, with no vaccine, air traffic to Asia from the United States and Europe had suffered huge declines. And then there was the more important Soldier Game mission, ensure delivery to an underground biohacker network of biological data camouflaged by the designers of Feather Smile. The mission would start with a two week quarantine and reconnaissance in the hills of Malibu while their Hollywood contact Kousaka Honoka finalized photoshoot and filming details.

This was the office. Eli knocked politely and heard a trilled, breathy “Come in.” She opened the door and behind the desk, leaning forward, elbows on the desk, chin cupped in her hands, green eyes confident and friendly was a tall buxom woman in a floral dress and dark blazer combo.

“Tojo-san? I’m Ayase Eli.”

“Call me Nozomi.” There was a giggle, “I recognize you from the snaps in your file.”

“Of course.” Eli bowed her head.

“Please take a seat, Ayase-san. Umi has been sharing details of your procedures and requirements so some of the groundwork has been done.”

Eli nodded, “Before we get into that, may I ask who you work for?”

Nozomi chuckled, “You can certainly ask, although I can’t share all the details with you. It’s a governmental subdivision focused on international relations.”

“And you requested Soldier Game because…”

Nozomi leaned back, eyes narrowing, voice crisper, “I intend to take advantage of the male tendency to dismiss attractive women as anything but prey. My contact needs this information and my usual couriers would be at risk. We need a diversion.” A pause and a bright smile, “How’re your tan lines?”

“Huh?” Eli saw why Umi had noted that conversations with Tojo-san could quickly become unpredictable.

“FeatherSmile has decided on a beach and boxing theme.”

“And FeatherSmile is involved because…?” Eli hadn’t really paid that much attention to the dossier on the designers.

“They have the skills and technology I need for this mission. Surely you’re not planning to underestimate them, Ayase-san?” Nozomi arched an eyebrow to judgy.

Eli blushed slightly, “No, this is just very high profile. I’m wary of the risk to our covers. I want to be certain everyone involved is a professional.”

Nozomi stared at Eli for an uncomfortable length of time and then giggled, “Just smile and look pretty and make sure nobody shoots the talent. We’ll take care of the rest.”

###

Kotori was humming as she worked on a dress. Nico shut the door to their atelier and threw herself on the divan.

“I think we should design and cut the whole collection during the two week quarantine.” Nico announced.

Kotori took her foot off the foot control pedal of her sewing machine and spun her stool around.

“It gives us more time to prep the fabric and make some contingency plans.” Nico seemed fascinated by the floor, her voice disinterested.

“Did something happen?” This Nico mood was rare and difficult to read so Kotori was very very curious.

“Things always happen, but Nico has it under control.” Nico waved her hands before flipping on her back, staring at the ceiling, “But a behind the scenes video would be a big FeatherSmile boost, especially with eye candy like that around.”

“Eye candy?” Kotori raised an eyebrow, “That sounds a bit…” Kotori paused, “predatory for you, Nico. Are we over the sexual harassment policy now? No more lectures?”

“Hey if,” Nico squeaked, winced and tried again. “Hey, if they want to wander around saying, “woo hoo, look at me, I am surface-of-the-sun hot”, Nico is going to take them at their consenting adult status.”

“Who is them, Nico?” Kotori asked quietly as she went back to the dress. Nico had to be edged into truths, not stared into them.

Silence, the chug of Kotori’s needle for minutes, then Nico threw herself back upright and pulled out her phone. “We have the bon voyage party tonight, yes?”

“Yes.”

“Want to sign some bras?” Nico smirked.

Now Kotori was insatiably curious. “We haven’t had an event like that…” since the launch of their underwear lines last Christmas ago. Which had nearly been a riot. A very profitable, very pretty riot that had Kotori spending the night partying with several fans in the FeatherSmile reserved suite. Nico had been chatting up investors at the bar. And their Spring Line had been fully funded, sight unseen. And was now sold out.

“Might as well give Tokyo something to remember.” Nico raised her phone, adjusted her hair, flashed her lady killer glitter smile, and hit one touch record, then raising her hand in The Gesture™ “Nico Nico Ni! How are all Nico’s pretty ladies? If you’re not busy tonight and your C19-Pass is clear, FeatherSmile is throwing a “See You At The Beach” Party tonight at the Andaz Tokyo Rooftop Bar, with some fab celebrity guests!!! Catch us if you can, before we head for LA and design our latest beach and activewear collection. And we’ll be doing bra signings, so wear your FeatherSmile originals and get a Nico selfie and signature. Nico wants to see ALL her fans.” Even for Nico, the wink was outrageous. So she tossed the phone on the table with a low mutter Kotori barely caught. “And now Nico will be too busy for whatever Nishikino wants to do next.”

Ah. Nishikino. Nishikino Maki. The glaring redhead. Kotori wasn’t surprised, well, a little by the speed. But it seemed this was going to be a mission on hyperfuel.

###

Working from her porch, Hanayo had her laptop out, smiling as she paused to watch the alpacas and llamas wandering her ranch. They’d been sheared recently so many looked bare, but now Hanayo would have a usable amount of textiles for the FeatherSmile team as Ms. Tojo requested. So exciting to be involved with celebrities, Hanayo thought as she liked Sonoda Umi’s latest TWIG video, a warm up routine. And a photoshoot, with all of Soldier Game posing, beachwear Ms. Tojo had said, and….Hanayo reached for her hand fan and held her iced tea to her forehead. It did get a little hot out here. Hanayo had been following FeatherSmile since their debut so it was amazing to have the opportunity to actually get to meet Nico and Kotori. Hanayo’s eyes gleamed behind her glasses. She wasn’t going to think about the part of this that scared her, maybe finally getting on the radar of the pharmacops, instead she was going to stay focused on the excitement.

###

“They’re throwing a party?!?!?!?!” Maki was in the repurposed office that Umi had taken over for Soldier Game, going through their medical equipment stash. Tojo’s US contact would have most of what else they needed but Maki refused to travel without personally assembling her own kit.

“Yazawa wants a big bang.” Eli turned away from her screen.

Maki frowned, reading the FeatherSmile TWIG announcement on her phone, “Sign your bras?!?”

Eli shrugged, “It’s a thing they do. Their underwear line was an extremely romantic Christmas gift last year.”

“And comfy.” Umi didn’t pause in her kata.

Maki nearly dropped the surgical instruments she was holding, “You’re wearing some?”

“No, but I do own a few pieces. They are both frilly and practical.”

“And romantic?” Eli looked up from her paperwork with a teasing wink.

“That was not a consideration. I found the lace trim color contrast aesthetically pleasing and the support appropriate for everyday activities.” Umi finished her form and bowed. “If you do not wish to attend this evening’s festivities, Maki, I’m sure a tantrum would be an effective addition to the publicity brew.

Eli returned her attention to her paperwork, “And very in character.”

“I thought we were leaving tomorrow?” Maki ignored her colleagues’ suggestion.

“Flight got pushed back a day. Tojo’s having some red tape problems. I am assisting her.” Eli started entering numbers into her desktop, “And some of our more sensitive equipment will go through the diplomatic pipeline, which is a huge plus.”

Maki went back to sorting medicinal necessities, occasionally muttering sentences ending with, “bra.”

A/N: The world needs more fun stuff so I decided to post this and just kick off the next chapter with a huge party. Also, Happy Birthday, Nozomi!

Take care, especially if you're out there doing the good work of protesting police brutality against Black lives.

[softtm]

Boyfriend! Im Youngmin

my lil alpaca

y'all met in preschool or some time around them

smol you and smol Youngmin absolutely clicked together when you guys first met

he saw your pink alpaca plushie that matched his red one and knew that you guys would become best friends forever

approached you with a smile on his face in the most cutest way

‘my alpaca wanted to meet yours’

you’re shook

everyone usually thought your alpaca was a llama

and you give him a huge smile

‘well my alpaca wanted to meet yours too’

and that kids is how you start a friendship

every since then you guys were like bffs that would not separate

from then you guys were always in the same class

your alpacas became best buddies too

lil 5 year old you was happy playing with lil 5 year old Youngmin and it’s been that way ever since

oh and also you guys found out you were only a few blocks apart too

fate must really want you guys to be together

but can you just imagine a tiny Youngmin holding his stuffed alpaca in one hand and your tiny toddler hand in the other while walking to the playground because he didn’t want you to get lost

as you grew older you stopped bringing the alpacas with you everywhere

but you still hung out a lot

you’ve slept over at his house and vice versa

your parents trusted you guys since you’ve known each other for so long and im youngmin is such a sweetheart like istg

time skip to when he became a trainee

he told you and you guys had a mini celebration

you’re sad af when he has to leave Busan for Seoul but you’re also happy cause your best friend can finally fulfill his dream

plus his rapping is pretty lit and on point

he promised to keep in contact with you and actually kept it

secret: you actually liked youngmin since you first met him

like he has always been your crush but like every other cliche you thought it was one sided and didn’t want to ruin your amazing friendship

he actually likes you too but same thing with him

it wasn’t til you actually visited him in Seoul one weekend and someone just had to spill the beans

@ daehwi 👀

tbh you’re thankful he did because if he didn’t than you might just have never told each other

like he was gonna introduce you to the boys and suddenly this kid is like

‘hyung, isn’t she the girl you like and won’t ever stop talking about’

everyone just freezes and looks at Daehwi

‘oops’

the you break the silence

‘actually I kinda like him a lot too’

even more shocked faces

Donghyun and Woojin were about to go get popcorn to see who confesses next

‘wait this isn’t a prank right?’

you nod

'so let me re introduce her. this is y/n aka my girlfriend so back off’

now onto actual boyfriend youngmin

smiles for days

you’re literally dating a smile ray of sunshine

especially when he hangs out with Donghyun

the you’ll be blessed with two smiles

he is insecure sometimes but you’re always there to cheer him up bcus yeah

lovestagran

maybe more pics than even Hyunbin

you take photos everywhere you go but since Youngmin is popular and all you make sure not to get his face in the photo

and that your account is on private and all that stuff

'what do you want to eat Youngmin’

'you’

’…’

'wait that came out wrong’

you still have your stuffed alpacas from kindergarten and now they just are always with each other

like sometimes they’re both with Youngmin and sometimes they’re both with you 

they alpacas never separate

trying to listen to his Seoul accent is painful

you try to help him practice but you’re not any better

so it’s just the two of you guys laughing at each other the whole time

Daehwi looking at you guys like 'wtf, they’re becoming worst than me and Seonho’

roasting him on his voice crack during the center thing during the center videos

'shush, I can sing better than you’

'BUT THAT CRACK THO’

'I’m leaving’

'NOOOO YOUNGMIN’

pda with Youngmin doesn’t really exist

he’ll hold your hand and that’s it

that’s only bcus he doesn’t want to lose you like last time but he still gets all sha sha sha when he does it

storytimes

so can you just imagine Youngmin sleeping over at your house for the first time after you guys started dating

like your parents still trust him and all 

it’s just you two were kind of awkward

like painfully awkward

even your alpacas could feel it and they weren’t even alive

you guys are too shy to initiate anything

so you just kind of end up on the couch watching Wonder Women

it starts off with you two on opposite ends

some how you got closer and closer

movie ends with you cuddling with Youngmin

his arm is all around you and you’re laying your head on his chest while you’re in his lap

cue more awkwardness

’…’

’…’

'we could still do all the stuff we used to do’

'you right’

so you guys raid the kitchen and you end up throwing popcorn and other foods at each other

you’re a giggling mess and tbh he is too

and you’re like

'dating is the same as being best friends with him but with kisses and more affection’

inside your head of course

after making a mess of your kitchen, you guys retreat to your room

where you end up cuddling and just talking

bcus talking to Youngmin is nice

you make out a bit too

nothing more since you guys are definitely responsible

'night, i love you'

'I love you too'

Pls love and support Youngmin

[talesofayoungadventress]

Cusco: Am I fat or is it just the altitude? I honestly ask myself this at least five times a day as I walk up any slight incline here in Cusco. I mean it can’t be me right? RIGHT!? I go to the gym even when I don’t want to! Sadly I think it’s a little bit of both. Ya girl is un poco gorda and 11,151 feet above sea level is just too damn high to breath. After a canceled flight and 20 minute layovers, we arrived in Lima to stay at a friends hostel. I was tired as hell but you best better believe I perked up when the hostel owner, whose Dutch, started talking about visiting Dutch inmates in Peruvian jails. “How’s good old Joran?” Shirles asked. “Oh bad. He’s in the worst jail waaay up in the mountains. They are making life miserable for him. He’s beaten all the time” said Toon (yes his actual name). Now who the f*ck is Joran!? I thought. I had to ask and I swear I couldn’t believe it! Joran KILLED NATALIE HALLOWAY! What the actual hell! He’s only in Peru because he killed another woman here and her family is very high profile. They make crap happen so you just KNOW his ass is rotting away forever in the Andes. Sorry not sorry Joran I hope you’re smacked around daily. Of course I’m nosey as hell, so I asked a million questions. I swear it’s like I had turned into Anderson Cooper interviewing Stormy Daniels with all the questions I was throwing his way. Sadly no good gossip was given so my detective/interview skills were wasted. Anderson would have been proud though. The next day we left for Lima and flew into Cusco where we met Walter. Bless him. If you don’t know about him and really want to, go look and read a few posts back in Cuba. Sorry Meeks, no time to explain you twice! He took us to dinner that night, and I always like to try what is custom in each country I visit. He suggested alpaca... uhhhh what 😑Cute little alpacas. (Why is there no llama or alpaca emoji?) Now I spend way too much time watching Chip and Jo on Fixer Upper and plotting my future life in Waco. I’ve gotten it into my head that I want a little farm house with a tiny bit of land so I can have an alpaca or two. Crazy and unrealistic, yes. I blame Chip and Joanna for putting these things into my head. Long story short I ate alpaca 🙈 I was horrified and felt like I had betrayed my future pets. RIP alpaca friends, I’m sorry. The next day Walter came to pick us up in a clown car, fully loaded with his girlfriend and her daughter (who are so so nice) and needed to fit me, Shirles, and our other friend Belinda. Somehow we all got in and went off to explore. A condor reserve was stop #1. My first thought pulling up was “well damn look it’s JPO’s mascot I’ll take a picture for my kids.” But then I got sidetracked by all the hideous dogs running around. I love me some pups, but this... I had to dig reaaallll freakin deep to love on these dogs, and then it ended up just being a single finger tap to the head because I couldn’t dig deep enough to find the love. They were all Peruvian hairless and I have honestly never seen anything uglier in my life. The entire time my face was like this 😬. I’ve spared you all the google search and inserted a picture above. YIKES! I tried to like them, I really did. I tried to pet them but it just grossed me out. They were dry. They were ugly. They were peely. Did I mention really f*cking ugly? One had a sweater on so at least that dog had a home and someone loved it. Bless that family 🙏🏽. Cusco day 2 had us scooting around the city and putting my limited Spanish skills to the test. I like to think I understand 40-50% of what is said but let’s be real, I’m a pale face and only understand like 20% on a good day. Somehow we found a phone shop that sold us a SIM card (that ended up not working 😒��🏽) and went to the market where I bought llama keychains for my students and a few gifts for friends and family. I was so excited about my little llama keychains until I noticed that some of them had lost both or one of their googly eyes. Sorry kids, some of y’all are getting disabled llamas. Still cute though. The next day was one of my favorites. We drove up into the mountains to see some of the schools Walter’s Hope Foundation had built. I swear I was living an episode of Worlds Most Dangerous Roads. Apparently that was kid stuff and wasn’t even “that bad.” All I’m saying is I saw the Lord and he was ready to carry my fat butt away. Pretty sure it was from how car sick I was and not the sketchy roads. We saw two preschool and Kinder schools and one primary school. The kids were all in their traditional outfits and cute as hell. Most of them have to walk hours back and forth from school by themselves. 3-5 year olds just walking along the side of the roads like no big deal. I’m so happy I was able to see the schools, and it made me excited to get back to my own class. Little angels this year in G2 THANK GOD 🙌🏽. If you’re still reading this you’re a MVP, I swear this is the last bit. Yesterday I went on a solo trip to Machu Picchu. How people actually hike the Inca Trail is beyond me. I’d need multiple tanks of oxygen. I was huffing and puffing up some of those stairs as it was... but ya know... altitude and not fat remember. Machu Picchu was by far one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen in my life. The fact that people built this thing that long blows my mind. The Incas were magic I swear. Now because I’m me and something always goes wrong or is weird, Machu Picchu just couldn’t be smooth sailing. When I got my entrance documents back, they all said I was a 29 year old from Afghanistan. I always joke I’m the most ambiguous shade of brown and that I’m all races at all times. No matter where I go, if they’re brown I’m one of them. I’ve gotten Mexican, Tahitian, Indian, South Pacific, Pakistani, you name it I’ve been associated, BUT c’mon people! Who put this on my official Machu Picchu forms. I was ready to throw down if they wouldn’t let me in because the information didn’t match my passport. Long story short, after being thrown out of a bus, stumbling along trying to find my way to the train, and then attempting to find my guide, they didn’t even check! I can now add Afghani to my long list of “what are you” guesses I get from people who ask. Lots of llama love from Peru ❤️

[weavile-crossing]

Ramblings From An Alpaca Farm In South Wiltshire: April 2017

In reality it was an excessive amount of for little Wasimba, who, exhausted after his exploits, nose dived into a sleeping Talisker and went to sleep himself. The following day was lights and whites day, or one thing like that, all of them seemed the identical anyway. So I continued looking at and feeling (in a great way) other peoples alpacas. It was very good to see some good people doing well with their alpacas, no names, this is my weblog! Once i bought house I chatted to Sue about what I had seen and felt and the place I figured we had been within the grand scheme of issues. And are you aware what? I believe we're doing alright. Stand by of us I really feel that I am getting my serious typing fingers out! We spoke about our breeding plans and the truth that we had stuck to our guns with using darkish colours so as to construct predictable pedigrees, producing animals that we are assured will produce darkish progeny. As an example we now have never produced an alpaca lighter in colour than a medium fawn.

So when Viking was awarded fourth place I used to be genuinely delighted, in actual fact it made my day. That meant that there was only one class left for us. Grownup brown male. My favorite class. My nervous class. My twitchy, itchy, can't sit nonetheless class. It was Tsar Tsar Gabor time. Did he behave himself? No, as common he was a complete turd in the ring. In actual fact he took an immediate disliking to the AstroTurf ring and walked as if he was on some seriously sturdy thoughts-bending medicine. I truthfully thought he was stoned. Nevertheless, he was awarded second place which I used to be happy with. He was definitely the brownest in the class, but let's not get me with reference to 'proper browns' please! There were some nice results on the present, particularly the Mighty Popham who seemd to be buried under a mountain of sashes even before they swooped in for Supreme Champion with Popham Havengore. In actual fact, with my SWAG hat on, I need to say that SWAG members seemed to have a fantastic show. Personally, because it says at the top of this weblog I suppose I must settle for being glad with our results. It has, as I stated earlier, given me an ideal deal to think about. We have the Futurity in two weeks time and the group will be bolstered by another three juniors. We'll see how they get on. The actual exhausting work will begin when the shows are over. We need to enhance and for that to occur we need to look far and extensive.

Celestine Ridge is a family-run business and the three sons, Jack, 20, Jim Jr., 13, and David, sixteen, are active within the care and administration of the farm. Jim, fifty five, is a veterinarian and has been in the animal well being care trade since 1976. Heidi house-schools the boys and is the principle farm supervisor. A former veterinary technician, Heidi, 53, has been involved with animal well being care since 1978. Jim is a Greenville-area native, whereas Heidi is initially from New York. Heidi Kittrell mentioned she and her household usually host children, households and scholar groups who get to tour the farm and be taught about the alpacas and make a craft. Guests are welcome by appointment. Alpacas are members of the camelid (camel) family. They're mild-tempered, gregarious animals with an inquisitive nature. Alpacas are just like llamas, native to the same space, however are smaller and have better high quality fleece. Like sheep, alpacas are raised primarily for his or her fleece whereas llamas are more often beasts of burden. You should not move them into the coop until they have grown their feathers out. Whereas they are still confined, take time to socialize with them. If they're going to be round awhile, you need them to get used to human contact. You will be contained in the coop cleansing and feeding them day-after-day. This implies you do not need them hostile in direction of human contact. When they are ready for the home chicken coop, introduce them as a flock. Flocks have a true pecking order in the case of who's the highest fowl. That is not just a bad pun. It's the reality. Birds determine who is the boss with pecking and other dominance behaviors. It could take a number of days, but they'll figure out everyone position and settle down. Ensure to keep them heat throughout chilly nights and keep their food and water contemporary.

HEL has develop into quite fashionable amongst the vacationer and has advanced as a stopover for passengers on their strategy to Asia. It was initially inbuilt 1952 Summer time Olympics in Helsinki and attracts more than thirteen million passengers per 12 months and handles greater than 30 airways. Publisher: globester For starters, it has a great weather all year spherical, which means you can plan a holiday in San Diego anytime you need to. Add to this, the fact that the city is related by all airlines makes the job even simpler. There are several low-cost flights to San Diego always doing the rounds. Publisher: Steven Flores Helsinki is by far probably the most populous metropolis in Finland. It is located on the southern part on the shore of the Gulf of Finland. Helsinki was a sleepy little port city until it was conquered within the early 1800s by Czar Alexander I of Russia, and Helsinki was then made the capital. We had about 250 individuals show up through the 2 day occasion. We advertised by means of facebook, e mail, on our websites, posters, fliers, television commercials by means of AOBA (Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association) and we posted indicators, like the one above, in any respect the major intersections around our home. We plan to promote within the newspaper subsequent 12 months. We made a small pen and visitors have been welcome to pet our little boys Riphaeus and d'Artagnan. Everybody commented on how comfortable d'Artagnan was. Fortunately both boys did rather well and did not seem to thoughts all the attention. We had to put d'Artagnan again in with the herd each few hours so he might nurse. Now and again, we'd enable individuals to feed the alpacas by way of the fence, which visitors and the herd both loved. Although the girls acquired a bit of feisty over the food and would sometimes spit on guests (sorry Hen Little). We have been in a position to answer a number of questions and had been even in a position to connect with some people who were simply starting to research the alpaca industry.

[chuicide]

Gentle Alpacas Want Companionship To Thrive

It’s a candy sound, but it displays many feelings, equivalent to being content material, cautious or fearful. Sophia, who usually provides tours of her family’s farm, is often asked whether alpacas spit. Only when they're burdened, after which usually they spit at one another,” she said. She advises guests to “stand quietly and let the animals come to you,” cautioning that “they don’t like having their heads touched. You can’t have just one alpaca,” mentioned Brandon Tenney, 16, who helps his family raise alpacas in Catlett, Virginia. There’s a leader in each pasture,” Brandon said. Alpacas are very curious, so when one thing new comes close to, the whole bunch will comply with the leader, typically operating together to get a better view, whether or not it’s of an individual or one other animal. Brandon, a highschool junior, and his sister Danielle, 20, have been serving to elevate their family’s alpacas for 11 years. The day begins at 5:30 a.m., with chores together with feeding the fifty one alpacas and cleaning their stalls. Danielle jokes that she schedules faculty courses around alpaca feeding times. She is finding out to be a large-animal veterinarian - one who cares for horses, cows, llamas, alpacas, sheep, and so on. She particularly loves newborn alpacas. Brandon is tuned in to every alpaca’s character. They’re all totally different,” he said, noting that alpacas show emotions much like people do. Around dusk, his household loves watching the alpacas have interaction in pronking - a playful, bouncing run signifying a contented feeling.

Plus, you'll be able to earn so much from the produce that you may get from them. Especially the fresh eggs must you consider to promote them. Here are a few of the issues you may want to think about. Publisher: John Most women and men think that raising chickens is all concerning getting serious. Even supposing raising chickens might want a sprint of labor in addition to commitment, its advantages are absolutely something which is price trying ahead to. Publisher: Stan Simmons Once you increase older chickens, they don't need you to take care of them as a lot as you do with youthful chickens. That's when you actually need to be involved. Read this text on some tips on how you can take care of younger chickens. Raising Chickens? Chicken Coop Plans Made Simple! Publisher: Steven B Your flock will get pleasure from all of the desk scraps you may give them, that is of course much less the bones and citrus peels. Chickens will not be very fussy and will devour absolutely anything out of your kitchen desk. One thing that may come as a bit of a surprise is they like fish and meat. But if you should complement their eating regimen as nicely you may consider growing their meals or purchasing other goodies for them. Writer: Stan Simmons Whereas chickens can endure the seasons, you want to make it possible for they don't endure for a very long time. This article discusses what you can do during these occasions. Publisher: John A number of people assume that elevating chickens doesn't involve that a lot power and energy. What they do not notice is the fact that chickens additionally need a few quantity of care for them to survive and reside skillfully. Grass Fed vs. Grain Fed: What’s the Distinction? Lease Paperwork in your Cafe: Look Them Over Rigorously! Cooking Suggestions for Grass-Fed Beef three. Why Sesame Seeds Are Thought-about World’s Healthiest Food?

To totally experience the happiness of this Halloween season, these videos are prepared for you. Have you concentrate on your menus this coming week? To achieve some ideas in cooking your favourite foods, watch the full videos now! Breadsticks preparation: Heat oven to 375? F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Unroll dough; separate at perforations and reduce into 12 to sixteen smaller breadsticks. Roll every until 8 to 12 inches long. Cut the tip of each bread stick( a couple of two inch incision) and roll every separate ends of the breadstick; place on cookie sheet (don't twist). Brush breadsticks with egg white. Sprinkle with cheese and basil. Bake 12 to 14 minutes or till golden brown. Fondue preparation: Combine milk, garlic clove, and cream cheese in a saucepan over low heat. Stir till the cheese is melted. Add the parmesan cheese and stir till heated through. Remove the garlic clove. We actually hadn't supposed on taking a look at alpacas let alone shopping for one! However, we stayed for a couple of days with Bob and Diane Hey in Tasmania and fell in love with a younger brown male that that they had, Van Diemen Qjori. A deal was struck and the strategy of getting him here started. After a month or so in quarantine at EPC, Qjori was flown to New Zealand to a quarantine station at Valley of Peace Alpaca Stud just outside Christchurch where he started an extra 6 months quarantine. There he has been appeared after by Greg and Rachael Graham. On arrival he was shorn of every ounce of fibre, high knot, legs, the whole lot gone. I acquired an e-mail this morning from Greg letting us know that each one was going properly and that Qjori can be leaving for the UK on the 23rd of August. Slightly bit later than we had hoped but what can you do?

The rapid reproductive fee of emus also made it tough to keep up with bills and wanted tools. In distinction, alpacas give birth to just one child a year. So alpaca herds develop slowly, yet the demand for alpaca fiber in the style industry stays high and is even rising. New U.S alpaca ranches are rising by about 30% per year, with the common begin-up ranch purchasing a start-up herd of 2 to 5 animals. Demand for alpacas significantly exceeds supply. Based mostly on the gradual, but regular development price of the general U.S. In addition to the run-away emu progress rate, emus and emu eggs were still being imported into the U.S., which flooded the market. This was a horrible scenario for emu farmers, who had no technique to promote the meat, and no new emu farms to promote reside birds and eggs. Many emu farmers quit the enterprise and turned their birds free into the woods. Then you will know what your chicks have been fed. As long as they're raised from healthy inventory and are fed accurately, there isn't any must feed your chicks antibiotics. Before you run out and get roosters, you have to test your local laws to see if they really allow you to maintain roosters as a part of your backyard hen flock. This is because some states don't enable this maybe as a consequence of the truth that roosters can often make plenty of noise as in comparison with the hens. Roosters don't just crow within the morning! They tend to crow at common intervals throughout the day which I find charming but your neighbors may not. If you try to boost your own chicks, you might be in all probability going to search out that almost all meat birds are not very broody. Which means you'll have to tug the eggs you wish to hatch and put them in a brooder to hatch them.

Something new every day should be a very good factor. I have to consider this and embrace my new discovered information every day. Or a brand new learning expertise which is what I now call these 'episodes'. So at ten o'clock I braved the rain again to test on the girls. Penny politely pooped in front of me then hurled herself to the floor and rolled, and it wasn't in a 'have a look at me I am having enjoyable' sort of means. No it was in a 'Hold on a minute me old china one thing isn't fairly right here and it's inflicting me some discomfort' type of approach. Penny has been baking a Qjori cria for 340 days. I observed, I've achieved a lot of that lately. She rolled once more. I returned home and conferred with Mrs S. We then both observed. Time to research we both agreed. If we had to select one feminine alpaca who we didn't need to should study internally it can be Patou Penelope. Penny was born into the 'Hair-set off spit monster family' and after learning her household's behaviour she decided that she should and will take it up a level.

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[bunniwithmonocle]

From Chile To Finland

If you have ever moved over lengthy distances, then you recognize what a complex and tough job it may be. Add pets to the method, and things may appear a bit not possible. Whereas this is a matter to contemplate, there's assist obtainable to you on the market. You can find a variety of various corporations to assist you progress together with your animals efficiently. With any lengthy distance move, you want to begin by investigating which national transferring companies supply their services out of your space, and when their companies can be found in relation to the final timing of your move. You wish to find yourself with a listing of firms that can be hired for your move dates. Of course, before you'll be able to do this, you must determine the specific dates on which you intend to move. When you've got your shifting dates set in your thoughts, then you could call or e-mail a budget (extra affordable) transferring firms in your listing. I eat eggs and eat dairy products but not excessively and that i at all times purchase free-vary and natural merchandise within the hope that the animals involved are handled nicely. The point is, whether you agree with my choices or not, that I have thought about these selections and that's the reason I feel snug with them. I've spent time and taken selections to get to a compromise which I really feel comfortable with and feel I can justify. Their argument seems to be, you eat fish, that is an animal. Reindeer too. You drink milk, that comes from an animal. Soccer is alleged to be an escape, identical to going to the films. A number of hours away from the toil and battle of daily life. And nowadays it’s even worse. I’m certain there was a moment in school after we had been instructed that winning wasn’t every thing, it’s how you play the sport. Horse. Shit. Have a superb look at those who played the sport with an ounce of decency and you’ll see how quickly they were smashed down by the bastards of the world. That’s the fact of life.

His mother had no milk either so he was bottle fed for the primary month or so until he managed to get her producing sufficient milk, marvellous little sucker he was. And here he is on that first night, just over four months ago. Very good little chap and i let you know what, I had a very good look at his fleece right this moment, it is coming alongside very properly! Listed here are two of my favourite cria, Nutmeg (sire Popham Thunder) on the left and Misket (sire Qjori) on the correct, both delightful, each very promising. Here's another of my favourites, Patou Pippin, lovely even color, deliciously gentle handling fleece and wonderfully pleasant. And at last, one to observe, Patou Spitfire, a Jack of Spades boy. I like the look of this little male, dense greasy fleece which I hope will stay dark chocolatey brown and not tip over into black. Sadly he's being photo-bombed by Dilly (the ear nibbler), who in flip is being picture-bombed by Reeya who's performing back proper. By studying the chicks habits you will be able to tell if the brooder is the proper temperature. Once the chicks are cozy and content material you'll be able to relax a bit and simply enjoy elevating them. Fresh eggs from your personal backyard, what may very well be higher? Print article Report Add New Remark Information on Beginning to raise Chickens - Raising Chicks in Your Yard! Log in or Create Account to publish a remark. Safety Code: Change Picture Related searches: Data on Starting to lift Chickens - Raising Chicks in Your Backyard! Associated Articles Information on Beginning to lift Chickens - Raising Chicks in Your Backyard! Publisher: Paul Vincent Thanksgiving is kind of a tradition to rejoice each passing year. And nothing beats the concept of getting the best turkey sitting in your desk. You possibly can all the time purchase one at your nearest grocery retailer but would it not not be nice to be raising yard turkeys as an alternative and have the liberty to choose the perfect ones from your individual yard?

Alpacas are gentle, curious, clever and observant creatures. But due to an unlucky historical past of turning into tasty dinners for predators of their authentic wild habitat of South America, they are naturally cautious and easily startled. Alpacas belong to the family of camelids which incorporates, yes camels, but also vicunas, llamas and guanacos. These quiet, peaceful animals are low-upkeep and require solely the simple pleasures of fresh water, good hay or pasture and a every day scoop of grain feed. That’s it. No lofty expectations of being entertained, no working to their people, tails wagging, anticipating joyous reunions. Simply feed me and water me and I’ll develop luxurious fiber and make pretty babies. They’re even courteous sufficient to relieve themselves in communal dung piles making it easy to scrub up after them. Time saved wandering round your property searching for land mines of poo can be utilized for more pleasurable duties. And noisy? Not this elegant animal. Their go-to type of communication is humming which is delicate and even melodic. A wide range of feelings is expressed by humming—from curiosity to contentment and from boredom to worry. If you are interested in venturing on a small rooster farming home based business, you can start by being a contract grower of a big provider. Observe that right now, the important thing gamers of the poultry industry are already in place. Starting small by promoting rooster eggs and meat to relations, friends, and neighbors won't do the trick. If you want to make it huge, get into a relatively enormous farm raising chickens in metropolis and be taught the mazes of the business by being a grower. Established rooster farms can serve the needs of large food companies and corporations. These farms have their own breeding areas, hatcheries, rearing coops, and slaughter houses. In different phrases, they are self-ample and might work on their very own with out difficulty in assets. They know what feeds to offer, what animal medications to make use of, how to enhance the develop-out facilities, and the way to handle individuals. Figuring out how the enterprise works will certainly train you on promoting and raising chickens in city farms, dealing with enterprise negotiations and holding a network of business contacts.

If an adult is unlucky sufficient to be kicked a bruise will result however with little likelihood of severe damage being done, nonetheless the same cannot be said for a small (brief) youngster whose head is in kicking range. Most alpacas don't kick at people however there are individuals that may be shortly recognized as being prone to kicking. That is extra evident in a pregnant feminine that wants to deter the advances of an amorous male. Luckily, as a result of the foot is a mushy pad, injuries to people are minimal. Most alpacas reply very properly to desensitisation of the hind legs if they receive good dealing with as youngsters. Alpacas that bite people are extremely uncommon and it's not a general drawback. If it does occur it tends to be an consideration looking for behaviour by spoilt pets slightly than an assault. Can I just have one or do I need to have tons? It is possible, but not fascinating to have a single alpaca, and it's not a nice existence for the animal. Publisher: Kathryn Lively Search on-line for any matter in any respect, and you'll find most major search engines have shifted to a blended search paradigm which includes totally different facets of on-line knowledge. Available among outcomes for static Web pages one will find blogs, social media profiles, and especially video. Publisher: Joel Smith If you are looking for ways to interrupt into the leisure business, or for those who merely are on the lookout for a passion or pastime, you want to begin contemplating broadcasting. The truth of the matter is that broadcasting used to be something that belonged only to the media elite. For those who wished to air your own television exhibits, you had to know the right people. Read on to seek out out more! Easy Video Streaming Method - Embed Videos! Publisher: Chris Malovetz In a few minutes i'll aid you to study a easy video streaming methodology and study all the newest material which you have to be accustomed to.

Holding chickens as pets is enjoyable and useful. Chickens are simple to tame, not excessively noisy (so long as you do not have a rooster) and if you retain their home clear they aren't soiled and are often very wholesome. Neglect the old-fashioned barnyard full of dust and dirt; you possibly can have a neat, fairly hen house in your backyard. You should buy a kit or a ready-made hen house from most pet outlets or hardware outlets. Chickens are good on your backyard. They scratch round, disturbing any weeds and peck up garden pests like snails. They're good for fertilizing your vegies however make sure you compost the fertiliser first. It can be too robust in its contemporary state. You'll be able to compost any food scraps the chickens don't eat, too. Chickens love contemporary fruit and vegetable scraps, crusts, and different leftovers but do not give them orange peel, they do not eat it. Be sure to scrub up anything they don't eat as a result of food scraps lying around are unsightly and can attract vermin. I've been considering a lot over the past three days, I do know, considering, me, for 3 days, outstanding, didn't know I had it in me. I must have though, as I'm now wanting back at three days of severe considering. The explanation for this intense period of considering is as a result of I have been updating the Patou web site with a new web page entitled 'Our herd'. Up to now I've solely managed to get all the females up on the page and that took me, on and off, three days. It's time consuming work! Some alpacas, cannot remember their names. Some alpacas in a field with a girl. Nonetheless, if I am not very a lot mistaken the listing is predominantly, if not solely, white. White alpacas with white genetics. There would be the odd beige or fawn male in there however basically they are all white males, some are a bit whiter than others.

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Gentle Alpacas Need Companionship To Thrive

It’s a sweet sound, but it displays many emotions, comparable to being content material, cautious or worried. Sophia, who typically provides tours of her family’s farm, is frequently asked whether alpacas spit. Solely when they're confused, after which usually they spit at one another,” she said. She advises guests to “stand quietly and let the animals come to you,” cautioning that “they don’t like having their heads touched. You can’t have just one alpaca,” mentioned Brandon Tenney, sixteen, who helps his household elevate alpacas in Catlett, Virginia. There’s a frontrunner in every pasture,” Brandon mentioned. Alpacas are very curious, so when something new comes near, the entire bunch will observe the leader, typically working together to get a greater view, whether or not it’s of an individual or another animal. Brandon, a highschool junior, and his sister Danielle, 20, have been serving to elevate their family’s alpacas for eleven years. The day starts at 5:30 a.m., with chores including feeding the 51 alpacas and cleansing their stalls. Danielle jokes that she schedules school lessons round alpaca feeding times. She is finding out to be a large-animal veterinarian - one who cares for horses, cows, llamas, alpacas, sheep, and many others. She significantly loves newborn alpacas. Brandon is tuned in to each alpaca’s personality. They’re all totally different,” he stated, noting that alpacas display feelings much like humans do. Around dusk, his family loves watching the alpacas engage in pronking - a playful, bouncing run signifying a cheerful feeling.

Plus, you may earn so much from the produce that you may get from them. Especially the fresh eggs should you consider to sell them. Listed here are some of the issues you might want to consider. Writer: John Most men and women think that raising chickens is all regarding getting critical. Although raising chickens would possibly want a dash of labor as well as dedication, its advantages are absolutely one thing which is worth trying ahead to. Publisher: Stan Simmons While you increase older chickens, they do not want you to take care of them as much as you do with youthful chickens. That's when you actually need to be concerned. Learn this article on some tips on the right way to take care of younger chickens. Raising Chickens? Rooster Coop Plans Made Straightforward! Writer: Steven B Your flock will take pleasure in all of the table scraps you may give them, that's in fact less the bones and citrus peels. Chickens aren't very fussy and can consume absolutely anything out of your kitchen desk. Something that will come as a bit of a shock is they like fish and meat. But if it's worthwhile to supplement their weight-reduction plan as effectively chances are you'll consider rising their food or buying other goodies for them. Publisher: Stan Simmons While chickens can endure the seasons, you want to make it possible for they do not endure for a long time. This text discusses what you are able to do during these instances. Publisher: John A number of people think that elevating chickens does not contain that a lot energy and effort. What they don't discover is the truth that chickens additionally need a number of quantity of care for them to outlive and reside skillfully. Grass Fed vs. Grain Fed: What’s the Difference? Lease Documents on your Cafe: Look Them Over Rigorously! Cooking Suggestions for Grass-Fed Beef three. Why Sesame Seeds Are Considered World’s Healthiest Food?

To completely experience the happiness of this Halloween season, these videos are ready for you. Have you concentrate on your menus this coming week? To realize some tips in cooking your favorite foods, watch the complete videos now! Breadsticks preparation: Heat oven to 375? F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Unroll dough; separate at perforations and reduce into 12 to 16 smaller breadsticks. Roll each till 8 to 12 inches lengthy. Lower the end of every bread stick( a couple of two inch incision) and roll every separate ends of the breadstick; place on cookie sheet (do not twist). Brush breadsticks with egg white. Sprinkle with cheese and basil. Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until golden brown. Fondue preparation: Combine milk, garlic clove, and cream cheese in a saucepan over low heat. Stir till the cheese is melted. Add the parmesan cheese and stir until heated by. Remove the garlic clove. We actually hadn't supposed on taking a look at alpacas let alone shopping for one! Nevertheless, we stayed for a few days with Bob and Diane Hey in Tasmania and fell in love with a young brown male that they had, Van Diemen Qjori. A deal was struck and the technique of getting him right here started. After a month or so in quarantine at EPC, Qjori was flown to New Zealand to a quarantine station at Valley of Peace Alpaca Stud just outdoors Christchurch the place he began an extra 6 months quarantine. There he has been seemed after by Greg and Rachael Graham. On arrival he was shorn of every ounce of fibre, top knot, legs, all the pieces gone. I acquired an e-mail this morning from Greg letting us know that all was going effectively and that Qjori would be leaving for the UK on the 23rd of August. Slightly bit later than we had hoped however what are you able to do?

The rapid reproductive fee of emus additionally made it difficult to sustain with bills and needed tools. In distinction, alpacas give beginning to only one child a year. So alpaca herds develop slowly, but the demand for alpaca fiber in the fashion business stays high and is even growing. New U.S alpaca ranches are growing by about 30% per 12 months, with the average start-up ranch purchasing a begin-up herd of two to 5 animals. Demand for alpacas enormously exceeds supply. Primarily based on the sluggish, but steady progress charge of the overall U.S. Along with the run-away emu development rate, emus and emu eggs had been still being imported into the U.S., which flooded the market. This was a terrible state of affairs for emu farmers, who had no method to sell the meat, and no new emu farms to sell stay birds and eggs. Many emu farmers give up the enterprise and turned their birds unfastened into the woods. Then you'll know what your chicks have been fed. So long as they're raised from healthy inventory and are fed appropriately, there isn't a must feed your chicks antibiotics. Earlier than you run out and get roosters, you must examine your local legal guidelines to see if they actually allow you to maintain roosters as a part of your yard chicken flock. This is because some states don't permit this maybe resulting from the fact that roosters can usually make quite a lot of noise as in comparison with the hens. Roosters don't simply crow in the morning! They tend to crow at regular intervals throughout the day which I discover charming however your neighbors could not. If you try to boost your personal chicks, you're probably going to search out that most meat birds will not be very broody. Because of this you will have to pull the eggs you wish to hatch and put them in a brooder to hatch them.

Something new every day have to be a very good thing. I must believe this and embrace my new discovered knowledge each day. Or a brand new studying expertise which is what I now name these 'episodes'. So at ten o'clock I braved the rain once more to examine on the women. Penny politely pooped in front of me then hurled herself to the flooring and rolled, and it wasn't in a 'look at me I'm having enjoyable' sort of means. No it was in a 'Dangle on a minute me old china one thing isn't fairly right right here and it's causing me some discomfort' type of manner. Penny has been baking a Qjori cria for 340 days. I observed, I've executed numerous that just lately. She rolled once more. I returned house and conferred with Mrs S. We then each noticed. Time to analyze we both agreed. If we had to select one feminine alpaca who we didn't wish to should examine internally it would be Patou Penelope. Penny was born into the 'Hair-set off spit monster family' and after finding out her household's behaviour she decided that she ought to and could take it up a level.

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Holding Alpacas As Pets

Alpacas are domesticated members of the camelid household the others are llamas, camels, guanacos and vicunas. They are native to South America living in the higher altitudes of The Andes, Bolivia, Chile and Peru. Alpacas are kept for their fleece and have been farmed for 1000's of years. There are 2 breeds of Alpaca the Huacaya (pronounced wakaya) and Suri. The Suri will not be common in the UK and has a fleece which can be compared to dreadlocks which are long and unfastened. The Huacaya makes up 95% of the world's Alpaca stock and have a denser and shorter fibre coat. Alpacas grow to around three ft high (90cm) measured on the shoulder and adults weigh between 50 to 80kg. At delivery an alpaca will weigh round 8 kilos. Baby alpaca are referred to as cria and castrated males are normally referred to as wethers. Alpacas are quite long lived averaging between 15 to 20 years and females can breed for round 12 years with an 11 to 12 months gestation interval.

Alpacas are the most precious fiber-bearing animals on this planet, in accordance with the Alpaca Owners Affiliation. Heidi Kittrell described them as being comparable in character to cats � at times aloof, however very curious. Whereas they�ll usually stand just out of reach, their big, darkish eyes and pointed ears are very expressive and they�re fascinated by one thing as simple as the clicking of a digital camera shutter. Every thing is on their terms,� Mrs. Kittrell mentioned. Alpacas don�t have hooves. As a substitute they have nails that must be trimmed and pads on the underside of their ft like a cat or canine. The alpacas hum to one another and, when upset, can spit in irritation. Spitting is generally reserved to be used against different alpacas, but they will spit at a human in the event that they really feel cornered, Heidi Kittrell said. Alpacas are available in a veritable rainbow of colours, from white and cream to darkish chocolate, gray, black, caramel, fawn and others. Publisher: John Locke Elevating chickens is incredibly fun and really rewarding. They're wonderful pets and are unfortunately underrated and never considered first options by folks looking to purchase pets. They are very friendly, deliver contemporary eggs and also make nice gardeners. Your chickens will fertilize your plants and kill pest and bugs in your yard for you. Publisher: Kurt Capra What came first, the rooster or the egg? This query has bogged the minds of Philosophers and scientific know-it-alls for centuries. And I am not the one that is going to offer you the reply. After spending 28 seconds thinking about this matter, I decided that there are topics extra vital to debate here by way of trading. Issues that might current us the identical dilemma. Writer: Phil Jupp If you want to construct a home chicken coop, you are possible trying to start out your own chicken flock. A flock consists of two or extra chickens in a given space. You can start your flock with eggs or live chicks. Both are good choices. For absolutely the newbie, it is a good suggestion to start with stay chicks and keep away from the brooder stage. Read on to search out out more!

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Finally, they provide one with fresh meat. There are a lot of things to think about in looking after chickens. One is hygiene. Many animals are liable to parasites, the rationale why it's import to wash one's hands earlier than and after dealing with poultry to keep away from health issues. It is also essential to offer chickens an area the place they will forage. This is because they like to scratch up bugs and worms in the soil. In addition, it is crucial for chickens to have sand baths throughout which they can fill their feathers with sand. After they shake themselves off, the sand as well as bugs and mites fall off. Shelter is vital to chickens as effectively because they are weak to predators and want protection from the elements. Lastly, it is important to feed the chickens and give them plenty of contemporary water to consume. Looking after chickens means having to maintain chickens which are wholesome and pleased. Wholesome and happy chickens lay more eggs and can easily fight off diseases, parasites and lice. For Connie Blechle, Saturday was a furry day for enterprise. Blechle owns Breezy Ridge Alpacas and her annual shearing day was held over the weekend. Most of her day was spent serving to give huge haircuts to her 4-legged relations. Blechle tends 20 Suri Alpacas on her farm, that are prized for their special silky coats. She can also be a crafter and uses the product of her animals to create luxurious-clothes gadgets such as scarves, socks and vests. Their fibers are extra the consistency of human hair, and have a slick, cool feel just like silk. This type of fabric is a favorite merchandise of doll makers, highly regarded for its power and softness to be used in creating sensible hair. I have had alpacas here since 2007,” Blechle mentioned. It sort of started with the empty nest syndrome after being a stay at house mom for a few years. With all of the ground we personal, and my love for animals, my husband and that i started in search of something really simply to simply fill my time. For the shearing process Blechle requires the assistance of a shearer, Bruce Volpert, of Coulterville, Ailing.

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About Suri Alpacas

It is an incredibly fine natural fiber is collected from the famous Alpaca animal. Unlike other animal fibers, Alpacas is available in 22 naturally unique colors, which can be additional blended together to produce more than 300 tones. White, being the most predominant color, can be colored in infinite range of colors without losing its shine and radiance. Alpaca fiber is well-known for its insulation qualities. It's alluringly abundant smooth texture is good to touch and has a sensational visual appeal. Amongst these are the animal's sex, quality (conformation, fiber density, appeal, and so on), and color. What do you think is much better as an investment-a suri or huacaya alpaca? Look at both. Which do you enjoy taking a look at a lot of? There are fewer suri alpacas than huacaya alpacas worldwide and in the United States Do I have to buy extremely costly alpacas to have an excellent quality herd? We suggest you purchase the very best alpacas that you can afford. Exactly what do I have to consider to guarantee a much better return on my investment?

In terms of figuring out whether the animal you are seeing is an alpaca or a llama, if it's with a native person in a brilliantly colored attire who asks you if you want to take an image, it's a llama. If they are seen in the pasture it is tough to know if they're not side by side, exactly what is true is that. Llamas are bigger. Their ears are curved while those of the alpaca are straight. The backs of llamas are straighter than those of alpacas. Llamas appear to descend from the guanaco, a wild South American camelid, around 5000 years ago. In the Incan empire, both alpacas and llamas were typically compromised in spiritual routines. Smaller sized than llamas, alpacas can weigh up to as much as 175 pounds or a bit less than 80 kg.

The viewed allergies to wool-- including hives, splotches, soreness and irritation-- are manifestations of sensitive skin's reaction to the coarse fibers of wool, according to Mike Safley, writing for Northwest Alpaca. The coarse fibers are called medullated fibers, which are those guard hairs and primary fibers in an alpaca or other animal's wool where the medullary cells have actually contracted, leaving coarse, hollowed-out stalks in their wake. The more medullation appears in a fleece, the itchier it protests the skin, and therefore the less preferable it is for usage in garments. The diameters of fibers in an animal's wool are measured in microns. Sweet Blossom Alpacas is now located in Dade City, FL where we have much more great pasture area for our alpacas. Our 15 acre farm is simply north of Tampa and Orlando and conveniently minutes off of I-75. For those who are brand-new to alpacas, click on this link for answers to a few of the typical questions asked about alpacas. Of course, if you want to see alpacas in a natural setting and/or exactly what is included in an alpaca farm operation, please don't think twice tocontact us.

Connect it around the head and it prevents heat loss and avoids cold from going into through the ears. Connect it around your neck and it can also pose as a style device in addition to being a winter device. When the child does not get a jacket or scarf or glove of its size, there are times. When infant alpaca tosses come in useful, this is. Baby alpaca tosses can be wrapped around the child and the child is comfortable and warm. Visit or Create Account to publish a comment. Publisher: Ellie Evergreen Now that fall is here we know that winter season is soon coming afterward. If you are a moms and dad, you know that your kids are now starting to make their dreams understood hoping that Santa and his secret surveillance system, i.e. You, will remember and begin preparing the gifts in time for Christmas. So what can you do that will assist you prepare yourself for the onslaught that will be Christmas?

Warm, silky and soft, it is so easy to wear therefore attractive as it is. Alpacas are mild and little animals, frequently kept as animals. They don't require excessive space, and are truly easy to keep. All you require is a piece of properly fenced land, with proper shelter for your animals, and a great vet. These lovely animals eat lawns and need hardly any care, and can offer you and your family a lot enjoyment. Under a microscopic lense, the individual fiber from an alpaca starts to distribute some of its secrets. One can see that an individual alpaca fiber consists of external "scales" lying against the shaft. 3 aspects will effect the feel, or "hand" of the yarn made from this material. The size, determined in microns (1/25,000 of an inch) is the major determinant. However, alpaca fiber often feels softer than sheep's wool that is numerous microns finer in diameter due to the scale height and scale frequency. The scale height of alpaca fiber has to do with.04 microns compared with.08 microns for wool.

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About Suri AlpacasCaring ForTaking care of Your Alpaca ClothesClothing

About Suri AlpacasCaring ForTaking care of Your Alpaca ClothesClothing It is a super fine natural fiber is gathered from the popular Alpaca animal. Unlike other animal fibers, Alpacas is available in 22 naturally unique colors, which can be more mixed together to create more than 300 tones. White, being the most primary color, can be dyed in boundless selection of hues without losing its shine and appeal. Alpaca fiber is well-known for its insulation qualities. It's alluringly abundant silky texture readies to touch and has a sensational visual appeal. Among these are the animal's sex, quality (conformation, fiber density, appeal, and so on), and color. Exactly what do you think is better as an investment-a suri or huacaya alpaca? Look at both. Which do you enjoy looking at many? There are fewer suri alpacas than huacaya alpacas in the world and in the United States Do I have to purchase very expensive alpacas to have a great quality herd? We advise you buy the finest alpacas that you can afford. What do I need to consider to guarantee a much better return on my financial investment? In terms of determining whether the animal you are seeing is a llama or an alpaca, if it's with an indigenous individual in a brightly colored attire who asks you if you wish to take an image, it's a llama. What is real is that if they are seen in the pasture it is challenging to understand if they're not side by side. Llamas are larger. Their ears are curved while those of the alpaca are straight. The backs of llamas are straighter than those of alpacas. Llamas appear to descend from the guanaco, a wild South American camelid, around 5000 years earlier. In the Incan empire, both alpacas and llamas were frequently compromised in sacred routines. Smaller than llamas, alpacas can weigh approximately as much as 175 pounds or a bit less than 80 kg. The viewed allergic responses to wool-- consisting of hives, splotches, redness and itchiness-- are symptoms of delicate skin's response to the coarse fibers of wool, inning accordance with Mike Safley, composing for Northwest Alpaca. The coarse fibers are called medullated fibers, which are those guard hairs and main fibers in an alpaca or other animal's wool in which the medullary cells have contracted, leaving coarse, hollowed-out stalks in their wake. The more medullation appears in a fleece, the itchier it is versus the skin, and for that reason the less desirable it is for use in garments. The sizes of fibers in an animal's wool are measured in microns. Sweet Bloom Alpacas is now situated in Dade City, FL where we have much more good pasture space for our alpacas. Our 15 acre farm is simply north of Tampa and Orlando and easily minutes off of I-75. For those who are brand-new to alpacas, click on this link for answers to a few of the typical questions asked about alpacas. Of course, if you want to see alpacas in a natural setting and/or what is included in an alpaca farm operation, please don't be reluctant tocontact us. Connect it around the head and it prevents heat loss and prevents cold from going into through the ears. Tie it around your neck and it can likewise position as a fashion accessory in addition to being a winter season accessory. There are times when the baby does not get a coat or scarf or glove of its size. This is when child alpaca tosses come in useful. Child alpaca tosses can be wrapped around the child and the baby is warm and cozy. Log in or Develop Account to publish a remark. Publisher: Ellie Evergreen Now that fall is here we understand that winter is quickly coming afterward. If you are a moms and dad, you know that your kids are now beginning to make their desires understood hoping that Santa and his secret security system, i.e. You, will take note and begin preparing the gifts in time for Christmas. So what can you do that will help you get ready for the onslaught that will be Christmas? Warm, smooth and soft, it is so simple to wear and so appealing as it is. Alpacas are little and mild animals, often kept as pets. They do not need excessive space, and are truly easy to preserve. All you need is a piece of properly fenced land, with suitable shelter for your animals, and a great vet. These lovely animals eat yards and require hardly any care, and can provide you and your household so much enjoyment. Under a microscopic lense, the private fiber from an alpaca begins to distribute some of its tricks. One can see that a specific alpaca fiber consists of external "scales" lying versus the shaft. 3 aspects will effect the feel, or "hand" of the yarn made from this product. The size, determined in microns (1/25,000 of an inch) is the major determinant. Nevertheless, alpaca fiber often feels softer than sheep's wool that is a number of microns finer in diameter due to the scale height and scale frequency. The scale height of alpaca fiber is about.04 microns compared to.08 microns for wool.Click Here https://www.alpacas-hampshire.co.uk/alpaka-farming-uk.htm

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Cusco, Machu Picchu

The journey to the city in the clouds began, ironically, with a heavy chance of clouds in the forecast that week. We missed our connecting flight to Lima from Los Angeles in an unexpected fashion. Our first leg from San Francisco to Sacramento (to Los Angeles) took off in the wee hours and after an hour when we are about to land the pilot got some jitters, decided to not land the flight as it was too foggy and re-routed us right back to San Francisco. For once, it was not good to be back. After many hours of repetitive customer service calls and scrutinized questioning we got our flights re-scheduled to fly directly to Lima early the next day.

I was ready with my sunglasses, hat, some sunblock lotion. To my dismay, the weather was not close to even the slightly chilly San Francisco summers. At this time of the year, on Christmas eve, one would think it is going to be scorching hot anywhere in the southern hemisphere but not the case here in Peru. Apparently, the best times to visit are the months of March and April when the rain god doesn’t make a visit. So thanks to the cloudy weather and to United, we were not able to spend more time in Lima. The sun eventually came out and we spent the day strolling in the districts of Miraflores and Barranco. Both these districts have a bohemian feel and look to them with vibrant cafes, bars and coastal views so we were happy to just be strolling around. After a day of lazy walking, we retired, ready to leave Lima for Cusco the next day.

The landing in Cusco was a bit shaky but the city is nothing less to spectacular once we set our foot on the ground. The view is breath-taking, a Spanish colonial architecture with the backdrop of dazzling southern Andes running all around the valley. The city is heavenly! No really, I mean it. The city is at more than 11,000 feet from sea level. The altitude most probably will bother you. It might take a few days to acclimate for a few and for the rest you may never get over it. But not to worry, there is a saviour. Coca tea, an herbal tea, available everywhere in the city and free in most of the restaurants happens to be illegal in the States. You know it has got to be good when it is illegal. Coca tea, native to Peru and some other South American countries, is extracted from the leaves of the coca plant, which is also the extract used in cocaine. The tea though is a mild stimulant. Nevertheless, I took a hit every time I can get a cup of it. The indigenous always knew what is good for us.

Once the capital of the Incan Empire, Cusco, is now old. The streets reminded me of Old San Juan in Puerto Rico: clean, cobblestoned but less modern and even may be a bit abandoned. The architecture is quite similar to other Spanish colonies. The city centre, otherwise called Plaza de Armes is quaint, touristy and crowded. The centre is filled with souvenir stores, bars and recently constructed fancy restaurants. The locals were one of the most friendly people I’ve met in a while. No one is trying to swindle you. All they look for is just enough to feed themselves and their minimalistic lifestyle needs.

The summer sun came out and it’s now time to hydrate. What’s better than alcohol? but some of the tropical fresh fruit juices are worth a try. Fresh fruits like Naranja and Camu-Camu, made into juice with some vodka at the local bars were absolutely refreshing. We sipped and walked around the narrow, stone-walled and confusing streets of Cusco. A quick look at the restaurant scene in town and we could also see that the organics industry, surprisingly, has caught up with Cusco possibly with a high number of affluent tourists visiting the land. There is a chain of restaurants in the old town that claim to serve only organic and sustainable food. We tried a couple and the food is pretty impressive. Ceviches, another culinary extravaganza that is indigenous to Peru. Limo, bar and restaurant, near the centre of Plaza de Armes, make them great. Fresh meaty fish with the Aji sauces and key lime gave the perfect spice and tanginess to the dish. This was hands-down one of the best ceviches.

I’m sure at some point in your life you’d have tasted a pisco sour at some random bar. For those who have not, with as much surprise as regrets, Pisco, is a strictly Peruvian liquor, a sort of distilled wine with a great dry taste. It is something one should definitely do while in Peru. A couple blocks from the Cusco cathedral is Museo del Pisco. It is a museum, with a tour of pisco history and tasting. As much as I liked gulping down the six glasses of different and great tasting Pisco shots the side of corn “Choclo” was absolutely amazing. This deep fried, crunchy, salty and jumbo-sized corn that is available pretty much in every bar as the perfect snack in Cusco is tasty and indigenous to Peru.

Earlier the same day, as we explored the town more and noticed that there is an abundance of forest in and around Cusco. Saksaywaman is another archaeological site just a bit north of the city. The structures are built with huge monolithic stones. There is similar walled stones structure within the city of Cusco. After a hike through the forest, a visit to the pre-Columbian art museum (Museo De Arte PreColombino) and later wandering through the artisanal markets of Cusco combined with our very satisfying Pisco tasting experience we hit the hay quite early that night and were ready to hop on the train next morning towards Machu Picchu.

Travelling in South America is nothing like waking up and walking into the airport in your comfortable sweatpants, it is exhausting yet very satisfying. Be punctual and fearless. It was surprising how limited the resources and infrastructure are at some of these highly visited tourist countries. Thankfully for us, the Peru rail took off on time and it was a pleasant ride with beautiful views of the Andes.

The town of Aguas Calientes is ever so small with a view of the hills cradling in the clouds in every direction. The town has no economy for itself other than from tourists who are visiting the ancient sanctuary. Food is nothing spectacular in this city but cheap and perhaps true to its indigenous roots. It’s mostly just rice and potatoes. Almost every restaurant or cafe serves the same mediocre tasting food as if to satiate the palates of the widest variety of tourists that pass by here. Souvenir shopping is the only other activity possible in the town while you try to navigate through the winding alleys power-packed with wildly colorful woollen gear artfully made from llama and alpaca wool suitable for all ages, all sizes, all in one place.

Amidst all the cafe choices in town, we found The Treehouse, a quaint gourmet restaurant, possibly the only one in town with that international gourmet focus, that made some delicious alpaca burgers. Alpacas are cute animals local to this part of the world, they are like the smaller cousin of llamas and you’ll find them on the streets pretty much everywhere both in Cusco and Aguas Calientes. Alpaca meat is also quite famous and ever since I tasted it has become one of my favorite. Naturally lean, sweet and juicy. It is unfortunate, alpacas are not easy to find in the States. If you’re meat-eater you’d love it.

And now for the biggest day of our trip, a bus to our final destination, one of the greatest wonders of the world: Machu Picchu! The hike is about couple hours and doable but the heavy clouds followed us all the way from Lima. We decided to not waste any time and took the shortcut. The bus ride was a bit shaky but the views are too good to let your fear take over. In about 30 minutes or so we reached the top. 

As we climbed the stone steps one of the most magical panoramic views unfolded right in front of our eyes as the clouds floated away for a few moments. It’s huge, bigger than I thought it would be. It is truly one of the wonders of the world. It is a postcard view indeed. Demands all of your attention to just take it in and stare with awe and astonishment. As the clouds dance around and come and go in slow motion you feel compelled to just pause life and stare at the peaceful beautiful activity on top of the ancient ruins.

Hiking the ruins takes about a half-day and it is totally worth it. The place felt spiritual and you’d feel at peace as you walk through the roads, climb into the small dens of this stunning, stonewalled classical Incan architecture. The views are brilliant from every part of the citadel. It is intriguing when you think about how they constructed the site without any of the machinery that are available now. It is also said that there are astrological significances to the construction of the citadel itself. A very intriguing history that you will see dozens of tour guides describing to their tour groups as you walk around. The place can get pretty crowded around the middle of the day. We were glad we got in early and got to spend time walking, spiritually awakened, wondering how life would have been at Machu Picchu 500 years ago. I personally feel life would have been much simple and satisfying. It reflects even today, from the people who walk around the streets of Cusco and Aguas Calientes. The most friendly and cheerful people living as though in another time, a simpler time and place that is blissfully removed from the hustle of our modern world. But, you are reminded fairly quickly that we are evolving and soon evolution will take away the little left gratification one has for life that these people still seem to have. As a consequence, humans have sadly no choice but to almost turn a blind eye towards the simple beauty that is within us and around us.

Reflecting on those thoughts and admiring the quiet majestic mountains all around, fully satisfied with our adventures, we took our bus back to the village. With whatever little time was left, we wandered the colorful markets of Aguas Calientes and retired so we can get the first train back to the airport the next morning. Ready to take off from Cusco for our long flight home, in our comfortable sweatpants. It felt like time travel. A very fulfilling trip indeed but would I say I am coming home enlightened in fundamental ways? That may be a little questionable. I would definitely say that I left enchanted from this ancient world wonder.