#IC Da Vinci – Comes

[darabeatha]

❝ Please do not wear glasses with wrong prescriptions nor purchase regular fantasy contact lenses if you have astigmatism ❞

[outoftheirdifferences]

@nemekii​ like (x) for a Da Vinci starter!

“Whoooooa...”

Looking up from her current street-arting project - one in a comfortably more secluded corner than her last fiasco had been - the spotted girl could hardly help but stare at the most unusual sight: of all things, an elephant soaring overhead. She thought, in fact, for half a moment that he might even have noticed her, and wide-eyed gaze followed him for several moments.

Other puppies in her family might have pursued the sight. Not Da Vinci: back into her paint pots went her paws.

Specifically into the grey and the yellow. The sight had been fantastic enough that she knew the only thing to do to preserve it was, quite naturally, to add it into her current masterpiece.

[lospeakerscorner]

Mai più violenza sulle donne

Mai più violenza sulle donne

[betterthanyalls]

Birthday Night

Hello! This is a birthday gift for my pookie wookie even tho her bday was a few days ago <3 Love youuuuu

Words: 792

Published: 3/8/2024

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The sound of the front door shutting echoed throughout the calm house. Shoes kicked off and sat cozily in the entryway, and coats hung from the hooks near the door. Sighing, Y/n threw off her shoes and placed her scarf and coat next to each other on the hooks. She had just gotten done with being dragged from place to place all around the city by her best friends, Mk and Mei, for her birthday celebration. Now she was finally home late at night and genuinely ready to collapse. Slowly, Y/n shuffled her way into the kitchen, the warm smell of sweets wafting around her. A smile graced her features when she walked into the room to find her boyfriend hard at work decorating a cake and not noticing her come in. Not wanting to disturb him, Y/n leaned on the doorframe tiredly and listened to the mumbling coming from her partner. 

Soon enough, Y/n realized he would never figure out she was standing behind him. “Redson?” She asked gently, not wanting to scare her boyfriend. But her efforts were in vain, as the boy jumped in surprise and whipped around to face his love. “Oh Y/n! I didn’t think you’d be back so soon.” He spoke nervously, trying (and failing) to hide the cake behind him. “What do you have there?” The young woman asked, gesturing behind Redson. “Nothing! Nothing at all, haha!” His actions betrayed his words. A doubtful look placed itself on Y/n’s expression. Letting out a defeated sigh, Redson noticed it was time to show her anyway. Stepping out of the way, he let her see the cake he put his heart into making. 

The art on the cake couldn’t be described in words. It rivaled those of Van Gogh or Da Vinci. The icing depicted Redson, Y/n, and all their friends sitting on a couch and watching Y/n’s favorite show, Toon Quest. Awe filled her eyes when she saw it. The decoration was so detailed that she couldn’t form words to express her admiration and joy. Y/n turned to Redson, seeing him waiting for her reaction. All she could do in the moment was wrap her arms around him in a tight hug. Not being one for physical touch, Redson would’ve shoved her off and reminded her coldly how he hated touch. But something about the way Y/n held him, the way she spoke to him, the way she looked at him, the ways she’d acknowledge him and let him be heard, the way she loved. He wouldn’t even dare move her, slowly putting his arms around her too. 

The duo stood like that for a bit before Y/n pulled away, still smiling. Redson smiled back before remembrance struck him. “Oh, I got you a gift. Sit down, please.” He told her as he walked to the living room, returning a few seconds later with a small box. Y/n found her spot at the circular dinner table and waited patiently. Her partner sat down across from her and slid the box over. “Go ahead, open it.” A glimmer of anticipation was dancing through his eyes. Y/n quickly opened it, excited to see the present. When she got the wrapping paper off, a pure white box was left. Taking off the lid, Y/n carefully lifted a small wooden box from within and set it on the table. She gracefully opened up the wooden box as music began to move in the air. A soft tune, almost like a kalimba, of Ladyfingers wafted elegantly throughout the room. Astonishment rang through Y/n’s face as she watched two small figurines spin in a circle at the center of the box. The figures were dressed in formal wear, but she could immediately recognize them as her and Redson waltzing. On the inside of the box’s cover was a photo of the couple. The very first photo they took together. It was the two of them on top of a nearby skyscraper, watching the sunset. As the music began to come to a close, so did the night. 

Redson stood up and held his hand out to his lover. “May we?” 

“We may.” Y/n accepted his hand as he brought her to the living room, grabbing two pieces of cake on the way. Redson quickly switched on the television and put on the newest episodes of Toon Quest. They settled down on the couch, both with a piece of cake in their laps, and snuggled close. Y/n leaned on Redson that it looked like they belonged in a jigsaw puzzle. The light of the TV cast a soft glow in the unlit room. 

“Happy birthday, dear.”  

[ravingramblings]

Fated Order: Twisted Wonderland

Ch 1: No Rest for the Wicked

    The Remnant Order is underway and you've already solved 2 of the Psuedo-Singularities. After having a debriefing with Mash and Da Vinci, you head to your room to shower and get some well deserved rest. You turn the lights off and climb into your bed, pulling the covers up and getting comfortable. Closing your eyes, you swiftly drift off to sleep, exhausted. 

    In your dreams, you see a mirror. Green flames flicker in the mirror's reflection. An unknown male speaks.

    "Ah, my dear esteemed benefactor… My proud, beautiful flower of evil. You are truly the fairest one of all. O magic mirror, thy wisdom I entreat… Reveal unto me the visage I seek…"

    A black carriage is drawn by horses toward a gate. On the other side stands what seems to be a massive castle with many spires. The full moon illuminates the path ahead. The scene returns to that of the mirror, and the voice speaks once more.

    "You, whose image the Dark Mirror did beckon forth… If your heart bids it, take the hand of the one reflected in the mirror."

     The silhouette of a hand takes shape within the mirror, enticing. The image is replaced by that of a vermillion flame.

    "As flame reduces even the stars to ash…"

    A shard of ice appears next.

   "As ice seals away even time itself…"

    Vibrant green energy swirls within the glass.

    "As great trees even swallow the sky…"

The imagery fades to black once more. 

    "Fear not the power of darkness. Now – demonstrate your power."

    A bright light grows, originating from the mirror, until it completely overtakes your vision. Then, nothing but darkness and that mysterious voice.

    "To me. To them. To yourself. The hour grows long and time is scarce. Keep steady your grip, no matter what may come…"

     You're startled out of the dream by the sound of something trying to open a locked door. You open your eyes to complete darkness. Feeling around, you seem to be in an enclosed space. Had you been unconscious in your coffin upon your return from a rayshift? That can't be right, considering there would probably be a lot more commotion had that been the case. So what happened then?

    "I better hurry up and find that uniform before someone spots me…" Somewhat of a nasally, quirky, whiny voice speaks from the other side of the door.

     This is also a voice you've never heard before. Could this be a random staff member you've never spoken to before? Why are they looking for a uniform in your coffin? Why do they fear getting caught?

      "Urggggh… This lid weighs a ton!" 

       Did the coffin door get stuck? You try pushing on it from the inside. 

       "Try this on for size! Mya-ha!" 

        You don't think you like where this is going. Suddenly, blue flames overtake the front of the coffin and you yelp. You kick open the door at the same time it gives way. The first thing that occurs to you is that this is not Chaldea. But that's to focus more on later; more importantly you bat down the bit of flame sparking on your robes, of which you've never seen before. 

        "What?! You ain't supposed to be awake!" You now see that the voice belongs to a gray, cat-like creature with flaming ears and a forked tail. You assume it's a magical beast or something, because last time you checked cats don't look like that, nor do they talk. 

         "What are you? A hellcat?" You squint at the small creature in front of you.

          "How… How DARE YOU! I am no mere CAT! I'm Grim, sorcerer extraordinaire!" 

          "Fou!" Out from your coffin pops none other than Fou. Curious how he always manages to sneak along with you. The small beast scampers onto your shoulder and perches there. 

          "That thing is more of an animal than I am! Tch. Whatever. You… human! Just gimme your uniform, and be quick about it!"

          You cross your arms. "I have a name, you know? And why would I give you the clothes that I'm wearing? They're the only thing I'm wearing and they wouldn't fit you, since they're human sized." Fou makes a sound in what seems to be agreement.

         "Oh-ho! You got a lotta nerve talking back to me, human! The name's Grim. Believe me, you won't forget it! Now gimme your uniform, and be quick about it! Cause if you don't… you're going to regret it!" Blue flames flicker to life again and lick at your legs.

          Jumping back, you yell at him, "Hey! Stop trying to roast me, you little rat! You're gonna set this whole place ablaze!" 

          You start to hear a muffled yelp from another coffin, accompanied by some commotion from inside. Next thing you know, the lid flies open and out jumps your dearest kouhai, Mash. 

         "Senpai, are you in trouble? I'm here to help!" She rushes over to you with a determined look on her face. 

         "Hey, come on! I'm on a tight schedule here!" 

          More fire spews forth from the cat-like beast and Mash maneuvers you both away from its reach, grabbing your hand and making a run for it. You burst through a set of doors and dash down an open corridor. You pass what seem to be classrooms and a perfectly trimmed courtyard. At last you both flee into a library. It's like one you've never seen before, and there are a couple of books literally floating around. You take a second to catch your breath.

          "Hey, Mash? Do you happen to know where we are? Cause I have no clue." 

          As soon as you finish speaking, you feel a flare of heat and Mash pushes you away from it again. Standing there, looking smug, is the hellspawn. 

          "Foolish humans! Did you really think you could slip away from ME? Now, unless you wanna get burned to a crisp, take off those– Me-YEOW! That hurt! What gives?"

         Behind Grim stands a pale man, dressed in a suit, holding the offending whip. He hosts a coat with an impressive blue collar and plenty of dark feathers. On his face is a crow-like mask that covers only the top half of his face. The man has beady gold eyes, pointed ears, and wavy black hair. The black top hat on his head has a blue ribbon around the base, with a decorative mirror, keys, and a feather arranged aesthetically. 

        "Consider it tough love," he starts to scold the gray beast. He then turns to you and Mash. "Ah, I've found you at last. Splendid. I trust you both are some of this year's new students? My, were you ever eager to make your debut." He crosses his arms. "And bringing a poorly trained familiar with you? That is a clear violation of the school's rules."

          His voice rings a bell, but you can't tell why. Also, this does seem to be a school, but not any that you are familiar with. 

          "As if I'd serve some lowly human! Now lemme go!"

          "Yes, yes. Rebellious familiars always say that. Do be quiet for a bit, won't you?" The mysterious man places a hand over Grim's mouth.

          "Mmmrrph!"

          "Yeah, he's not my familiar, I've never even seen his species before today. If anything, Fou here is more like my familiar than that little guy." You shake your head, disagreeing with the man's assumption, before motioning to the small beast still perched on your shoulder. 

          Unfortunately, it seems he completely ignores you. "Dear me. Of all the students I've dealt with, you two are the first with temerity enough to open their own gates and step out of them." 

           You go to speak up, but he continues to scold you.

           "Does the very notion of patience elude you? No matter. Your orientation has already begun. Let us return to the Mirror Chamber."

           "Uhhh, student? I don't recall signing up for school." You look over at Mash and she shrugs back at you. 

          "You awakened in a room full of gates, did you not? All of the students here at the campus arrived by passing through such gates. Although typically the students have restraint enough to wait until I open them before waking up."

          "Yeah, so, that hellcat totally tried to cremate me within mine, so no way I was staying in there. Then Mash heard the commotion and decided to help me not get roasted alive."

          "Yes, I helped my senpai evade the flames and we ended up running down here." She nods resolutely.

          "Fou-fouuu!"

          "You're the one who insisted on bringing it, so curtailing its behavior is your responsibility!" He raises a hand to his chin, "But now is not the time for such prattle. You've a student orientation to attend! Go on, now. Make haste." 

           You deadpan. He's been prattling this entire time. "Well, first of all, where are we exactly?" 

           Mash nods. "Yes, this does not seem to be the Clocktower, nor the Atlas Institute." 

           "Hm? Have neither of you fully regained consciousness? The timespace teleportation must have addled your memories… Well, these things happen, I suppose. I shall explain it to you while we walk. Truly, my magnanimity is boundless."

         With that the man turns and starts to walk back the way you came, Mash and yourself following after him. However, you both follow at a distance, so you can speak to one another without him hearing. 

         "So far, our situation seems pretty bizarre, but that's not too unordinary for us. I think I remember going to sleep in my bed last night, so I have no clue how we got here; I assume that's the same for you. We don't know where 'here' is yet, he didn't seem to recognize the Clocktower, nor the Atlas Institute. We seem to be in more modern times, considering our surroundings, and they know of magic,  however not of some of the most famous modern magic institutions."

          Mash nods and enters her own input, "These uniforms are not any I recognize either, and the magical energy feels different here. It's not quite on the same scale as the Age of Gods, but not quite the same as our modern magic either. We need to see if we can set up a connection with Chaldea, so we can communicate with them."

          "Let's prioritize finding the nearest leyline, if any, and finding out more information on where we are." 

           Mash nods in response to your order, "Yes, Master, orders received!"

           You find yourselves back in the courtyard when the man begins to speak again, "Ahem. This is Night Raven College. It is an institution for students the world over who demonstrate a rare aptitude for magic. It is the most prestigious academy of its sort in all of Twisted Wonderland. And I am Dire Crowley. Having been entrusted with its care by the chairman, I serve as headmage.” 

“Twisted… Wonderland?” You question, your expression scrunching up in confusion. You and Mash share an inquisitive look, then direct your attention back to Crowley. “And you have magic here?”

“Only those who the Dark Mirror perceives as having a talent for magic are admitted to the college. Those who are selected are summoned to the campus through those “gates”, which can appear anywhere. A black carriage bearing one such gate should have come to meet you.”

This elicits a hum from your throat as you bring a hand up to your mouth in contemplation. What he’s describing sounds like the strange dream or vision that lingers in the recesses of your mind. “I recall a dark forest…” You mutter to yourself. Mash looks at you curiously.

“Senpai?”

“That black carriage serves to receive a student chosen by the Dark Mirror. It too bears a gate that connects to this campus. And, as you know, sending a carriage to meet someone on a special day is a time-honored tradition,” Crowley says matter-of-factly. 

“Huh? Time-honored tradition? Where and since when?” You shake your head in confusion. Mash looks at you and shrugs, looking just as lost as you are. 

Grim starts to fuss at this, squirming in Crowley’s grasp. “Mmfff! Mmmmmmfff!”

“Now, let us attend to your orientation,” the headmage ushers you all along, bringing you all back to the mirror chamber. 

As your group enters, you hear voices speaking, the first of which being a boy with hair as red as a rose and eyes a striking silver. “We’re done with orientation and dorm assignments? All right, new students - let me be clear. At Heartslabyul House, I am the law. Break the rules, and it’s off with your head!” 

The next to speak up is a dark-skinned boy with long, brown hair, sharp green eyes, and lion ears that occasionally twitch, proving their authenticity. It’s a bit odd, as you don’t quite know what he is, but he’s certainly not a Servant. He yawns, looking extremely done with everything. “Well, that ceremony was as boring as ever. I’m going back to the dorm. If you’re in Savanaclaw House, follow me.” 

“New students! Allow me to be the first to congratulate you on your achievement,” this comes from a boy with glasses, silvery hair and eyes, and a beauty mark near the bottom corner of his mouth. “As dorm leader of Octavinelle House, I am honored to have the opportunity to support you in what I hope will be a fulfilling campus experience.”

Another voice speaks up to address the group, the owner being a very handsome boy with lilac colored eyes and shiny, blonde hair with purple highlights. “Hey, does anyone know where the headmage went? He disappeared midway through the ceremony…”  He trails off.

Before any from your group can announce your presence, yet another voice chimes in. Though, when you look for the origin, you notice it comes from a floating tablet. “Some headmage he is.” 

“Maybe he had a tummyache?” Another boy with dark skin responds; he has short, white hair and ruby red eyes. 

Crowley finally pipes up, “I most certainly did not!”

“Ah, speak of the devil,” the first boy mutters once more.

Ignoring this, the headmage continues. “If you must know, I was searching for the new students who’d failed to show for orientation. You two are the only ones who have yet to be assigned to a dorm. Step up to the Dark Mirror, and be quick about it. I’ll watch your weasel.” 

Grim growls in response to this.

“Again, not mine, but whatever,” you mutter under your breath as you and Mash step up to the Dark Mirror. 

Mash goes first, gazing deep into the mirror as it sizes her up.

“State your name.” A face that looks more like a mask is present within the mirror, a scowl etched into its features. 

“I am Mash, Mash Kyrielight,” she states, clearly and confidently.

“Mash. The nature of your soul is… unclear to me.”

“What did you just say?” Crowley questions in bewilderment.

“Magic resides in her, this much is true. However, it does not suit this place. The sound of it, its color, and its shape are not any that I’ve bore witness to before. Therefore, no dorm would be appropriate.” 

Everything is silent for a moment, then the headmage gestures for you to take your place in front of the mirror.

“State your name,” the mirror states again.

“Y/F/N Y/L/N.”

“Y/F/N. The nature of your soul… is the same, it does not suit this place.”

Silence takes over once more, then Crowley asks, “Are you suggesting that the black carriage went to retrieve two people who are incompatible? But that is absurd! The student selection process has not erred once in its century of existence! How could this have happened?” He brings his hand up to his face curiously.

Grim struggles until he frees himself. “Mmmph! Nnnrgggh… ME! Let ME have this student’s seat!” 

The headmage glares at the small beast, “Not so fast, you hyperactive weasel!”

“Unlike those humans, I totally belong here! So let me be a student here!” Grim crosses his arms with a smirk. “Look, I’ll show you! My spells’re the cat’s meow!”

Almost as if sensing the coming chaos, the red haired boy shouts out in warning, “Everyone, get down!”

With what seems to be his best attempt at a roar, Grim unleashes a burst of blue flames within the room. Mash quickly covers you with her body, materializing into her Servant’s attire and manifesting her shield. 

The boy with red eyes begins to yell. “AHHHHH! HELP! I’m on fire over here!” He frantically hops about, his tail end smoking. You rush over to help pat out the flame. 

“Someone catch that blasted animal before it sets the entire school ablaze!” The headmage shouts out.

The boy with the lion ears sighs, “Ugh. Can I go now, or…?”

“Oh? I thought you fancied yourself a hunter. Go and help yourself to that plump little morsel!” The handsome boy raises a brow with a smirk.

“Too much effort. Do it yourself,” the lion eared boy immediately quips back.

“Allow me to handle this, Headmage Crowley. If none of you are up to the task of catching a small animal, I will accept the responsibility.” Magnanimously, the boy with the glasses offers.

“WTG Azul. Rackin’ up those participation credits,” the tablet sounds off.

The boy with the red eyes looks at you with a bright smile. “Ah! Thank you! You really saved me there!”

“I’m sorry, were my instructions unclear?!” Crowley exclaims, frustrated. 

Entirely uncaring, the green eyed boy responds, “Preeetty sure you can handle catching one mangy weasel all on your lonesome there, headmage.” 

  “How many times do I gotta say it? I’m Grim, spellcaster extraordinaire! I am NOT a weasel!” The offending creature continues to run his mouth, much to all of your chagrin. 

Azul chimes in, “Aren’t you a spunky little fellow? Riddle, would you be so kind…?”

“Furry miscreant. I will abide no rule-breaking. You will be judged by my hand.” 

Riddle and Azul begin to chase after the creature and you turn to look at Mash. “Mash, go and help them. I’ll stay and help out here!”

“Orders received, Master!” And with that, Mash runs off to aid the two mages in subduing the cat beast. 

**I do not own Disney's Twisted Wonderland, Fate: Grand Order, or any of the characters present in either series, all proper rights belong to the proper owners.**

[youarebeingshaggedbyarareparrot]

Worse things happen at sea: Art in the Paris 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony

So everyone has been sounding off about the Paris' Olympic Opening Ceremony. Mainly about the supposed 'insult to Christians everywhere' with the recreation of Di Vinci's 'The Last Supper'.

(I'd like to go on the record that 1. you pose any group of folk in a line facing the viewer with a barrier at hip height and it's gonna look a little 'The Last Supper'-y, 2. clearly the hand wringers had forgotten that the artist was Di Vinci. The man would be pointing and laughing at them and be living it up on that bridge between Nicky Doll and DJ Butch, and 3. Da Vinci painted enough portraits of Bacchus, he would have known what's up.)

Anyway, a lot of art was incorporated and celebrated but there's one piece that did featured that had me performing a mental emergency stop and NO ONE ELSE is talking about it so I need to know I wasn't the only one to spot this.

So, opening ceremony, we're following our mysterious torch bearer as they race through the the Louvre to the strains of 'Danse macabre', (French composer Camille Saint-Saëns). The eyes of the paintings occupants follow their progress until we see frames with empty back drops, the paintings' subjects having come alive to watch the festivities from the windows. But the last empty frame... my people...

Our mystery guide stands in front of this for nearly 3 seconds, at the 1hr 42min 11sec mark in the BBC coverage. Now, I can't make out the plaque at the bottom of the frame, but I am prepared to place good money that this is Théodore Géricault's 'Le Radeau de la Méduse', or 'The Raft of the Medusa'.

Completed in 1819, this piece is considered the best work of its' French artist and an icon of the French Romanticism movement. It's chuffing huge, over 16ft by 23ft, and it is stunning.

It also depicts one of the worst events in French maritime history.

In June of 1816, the French frigate The Medusa left France for Senegal on the west coast of Africa. At her helm was a captain who had not sailed in 20 odd years and got the post through connections and political clout. And he fucked it up royally. The Medusa drifted 100 miles off course and ran aground off Mauritania. After 3 days of failing to shift the boat, the 400 or so people aboard has choices to make. They were 30 miles from land and there were 6 boats, room for 250 people. Some stayed aboard the stranded vessel but at least 146 men and one woman boarded a jerry-rigged raft. The plan was for it to be towed by some of the boats, but after only a few miles it was turned loose.

For 13 days, exposure, mutiny, disease, dehydration and starvation ravaged the survivors, whittling nearly 150 down to 15. It was in my fact checking for this that I learnt the lovely little term ‘a custom of the sea’. In layman’s terms, cannibalising your crew mates to survive. They were spotted by chance, no search effort had been made by the French. A further 5 died in the days following rescue. British naval officers helped the survivors to return to France because aid from the French government didn’t appear and the captain, who had made it to land fine, was more interested in recovering the gold on board the Medusa. He was court marshalled and should have been executed, but in the end served 3 years in prison. He was the inciting incident for a law to passed that ensured that promotions in the French military would thereafter be based on merit.

Now all this came hurtling into my head because I remember reading a book called 'Severed' by Frances Larson, all about the cultural and historical fascination with decapitation. There's a section in the chapter of severed heads in art about how Géricault went hard on the research for this painting; visited morgues and hospitals, brought home specimens to watch decay rate, y'know, stuff that absolutely wouldn't blow your safety deposit. But yeah, I'm there with dawning horror and ice in my blood as we look at a very French painting, of a French maritime tragedy, brought about by the hubris and arrogance and incompetence of the higher ups who had no right being there, where comrades and crew turn on each other in a horrific fight for survival, with the spooky dancing bones classical piece playing in the background...

And not 20 seconds later we are rejoining the action of the flotilla on the Seine, 'Fraternité' writ large over the boat with Cyprus, Columbia and Comoros waving excitedly and soggily at us.

Thomas Jolly, opening ceremony artistic director, I need to buy you a drink and we need to chat. I need to study you. I have been turning this over in my brain for a week, what are you trying to say?! Was I the only one to hear it?!

[fuckyeahfightlock]

Hi Poppy! How was your trip? :D

Ooh, lots of fun! It was hub's and my 25th wedding anniversary trip, the first trip we've taken, just the two of us, since our honeymoon. It was my husband's first trip outside N. America (my second; we're so adventurous).

Edinburgh was lovely as always and I got to visit (twice!) my favourite painting of Achilles Lamenting the Death of Patroclus by Gavin Hamilton.

It's so much more beautiful in person, and I could talk about it all day. Just ask my Facebook friends, they'll tell you that's no lie.

"Enbra" was P A C K E D with tourists, shoulder to shoulder every damn where, but that's to be expected in summer. We took a day trip to Rosslyn Chapel (made famous in The Da Vinci Code, but that's not why we went), visited the National Gallery and the National Museum of Scotland (Dolly the cloned sheep is preserved there, and they have a very good Fashion gallery, including a few items by Alexander McQueen), and took a tour of a whisky distillery (with tasting!). I tried Irn Bru and Monster Munch, both for the first time. We went in Boots once, to get an emery board (my nails all decided to crack, peel, and become snaggly/scratchy for the duration of this trip, it was weird), and there was a DJ! Hilarious. Scottish people are lovely and kind, and no matter how fashionable/dressed up an Edinburgh woman is, she wears sensible shoes. I admire this immensely.

We spent a day in Melrose, Scotland, which is south of Edinburgh in what They call "the Borders" area of the UK. Melrose Abbey was impressive, we had lunch in a very British hotel restaurant (like the one in Fawlty Towers), and experienced how truly dog-mad Scotland is; we met about 60 local dogs and only about 40 local people. I swear you must get a dog with the key to yr flat, there. We also visited a small museum of Roman artifacts from the site of a nearby fort.

Spent one evening/overnight in Berwick-Upon-Tweed, the northernmost town in England--it was still light out at 10:15 when we left the restaurant where we ate dinner--which may be a name familiar to you if you are a fan of my fight!lock stories. Solely because it was a long journey by train from London, and sounded quaint, I sent John there to do some doctoring when he wasn't with Sherlock. Turns out it's the closest place to get a train to London, from Melrose.

London was London-y. We did all the things: the Tower of London, walked the south bank of the Thames, Big Ben/Parliament, stood at the fence of Buckingham Palace awaiting a guard change that never happened, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Borough Market, Camden Market/Camden High Street, V & A Museum, National Gallery.

A definite highlight was seeing Richard III performed by a fantastic all-female cast in Shakespeare's Globe theater. Absolutely recommend seeing Shakespeare at the Globe if you go to London; a completely unique experience.

The weather was H O T and if you ever needed proof that first world countries aren't coping quickly or well with climate change, just ride the London tube, or spend time in almost any indoor space in Britain. There is no air conditioning. It's no wonder heat waves have been killing Britons for the last few summers; the infrastructure is not set up to cope with the temperatures they're getting. We stood aside at one tube station to let cops and medics rush by us to attend to someone who had just been taken off a train and left on the platform (as signage instructs passengers to do) because of fainting from the heat.

There is no such thing as a cold drink in the UK! You can go into a shop and buy a can of Coke or sparkling water, and it is cool, but not cold. When servers heard our accents they would put two ice cubes in our glass at restaurants, but that's not enough. The only truly cold drinks I had there all ten days were gin & tonics, Aperol spritzes, and ciders. Alcohol comes iced; everything else--even the tap water!--just doesn't come cold. It was my only complaint.

Thanks for asking! Great to be home, of course, but it was a lovely ten days.

[mins-fins]

TO MY FIRST LOVE (K.JH)

SUMMARY . . . a letter to his first love, kum junhyeon, and the memories that follow.

PAIRING . . . kum junhyeon x male!reader

GENRE . . . fluff+angst (deadly combination)

WARNINGS . . . none i'm pretty sure!

WORD COUNT . . . 777 (wow shorter than i expected!)

NOTES . . . here we go with junhyeon!! haha, can't tell if this is supposed to be sad or cute but you can decide that for yourself

dear kum junhyeon,

it's been a while, it has. i like to think that i'm a consistent person, but the last time we talked was almost three months ago, and i just wanna check up on you! i hope your okay, how's the performance art major going? i know your passing with no issue, you've always been insanely talented, i have no doubt that your the star student, especially with how much of a lovable person you are.

i hope you haven't forgotten me, because i haven't forgotten you. i know you've responded to my letters, all of them, but it's been three months, and even though this might make me sound like a clingy bitch, i assume you'd forget me already, because.. i just don't really think i'm memorable. i also just wouldn't be surprised if you forgot me at all, because your busy and having fun, i wish i could be there with you, but the world really just hates my guts.

if your interested, art has been going well. my teachers have told me that my paintings are so good that they could get accepted into an art museum someday, you told me that once, remember? when we were twelve and you saw my painting of that house by the lake, you told me i was gonna become the next 'da vinci', which resulted in me punching you in the shoulder.

i dislike thinking about the fact that we haven't talked for the past few months. i constantly check my phone and frown when i see no notifications from you. did you know, the picture i chose for you is the one from your twelfth birthday, when i put icing on your noise. you always said that photo was embarrassing, but you looked cute, even though you would always vehemently deny that.

it's difficult these days, you know student loans and all, but thinking about you always seems to help me forget about all the horrible stuff going on in my life (you better not call me cringey in the return letter), because.. i don't know, i just like thinking about you for some reason. years ago, i could have never imagined myself saying that, but now, it's kind of hard to go on without you, if you get what i mean.

i could never imagine my life without you years ago..

i hate writing like this, because.. well— i sound stupid when i write about stuff like this. sometimes, i wish i could have convinced my parents to not move me to new york for college, but then again, i am "successful" now, so i guess in the end it all amounted to something. of course, i still have a long way to go, i'm only nineteen, there's still so much for me to do and accomplish, but it's disappointing to think i have done this all without you by my side.

i still have that painting you made me, your a really talented artist, i can't believe you called it "just a small hobby for when i'm bored", when you've made some better paintings than me, and that's saying something. i miss you, like a lot, junhyeon, writing my feelings on paper makes me feel stupid, because expressing myself through writing has always been difficult for me to do, as i've told you before.

i know what we have has always been a little complicated, our feelings are mutual are they not? i'd like to think i'm right in this instance, hopefully, because it would be super embarrassing if i was wrong, but at the same time, how long will it be until we see each other again? how long will it be until i actually get to see you face to face and tell you how i feel all over again?

this is getting kinda depressing, sorry, i just— i really miss you a lot okay? this may come off as desperate and stupid, but honestly, it gets kinda difficult knowing your all the way across the ocean and i could be right there with you if the circumstances were different, but alas, not everything is gonna be in my favor, i realize that now.

anyway, kum junhyeon! it'll be nice to catch up much more personally sometimes, if we ever get the chance to see each other in person once again, which is probably highly unlikely but hey! we all need to have at least a little bit of hope.

of course, make sure to take care of yourself, love, stay hydrated, and get a full eight hours of sleep everyday, i'll talk to you again soon :).

xoxo,♡ y/n

[icarus-suraki]

Book asks: 8, 15, 42, 46, and/or 48

8) What is your favorite opening line? "A screaming comes across the sky" is iconic. The typesetting for "Stately, plump Buck Mulligan..." is iconic (in my edition of Ulysses especially because the S takes up the entire page, as it should). "See the child" is magnificent. But I really think the opening line of 100 Years of Solitude is my favorite:

Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice.

Yeah, I'll play the 100 Years of Solitude drinking game (take a shot every time someone is named Aureliano) but I really love that novel and I really love that opening line.

15) What makes you close a book and walk away forever? Really cringy, weird, awkward phrases. Let me give you an example or two:

I tried, I really tried, to read the first Elric of Melniboné book (Michael Moorcock) but I got to this one line where the main character and his lover ride out to a cave on a beach whereupon "they tethered their steeds." I was just so done at that point. I tried, but I just couldn't do it.

Likewise! I was working at a Barnes & Noble starting around Thanksgiving 2004 (baby's first full-time job after undergrad) and that was the era of Dan Brown and The Da Vinci Code. We sold so many copies of Holy Blood Holy Grail--shit was so cash. So it seemed like it would behoove me, professionally, to read The Da Vinci Code. Once again, I tried. Oh my God, did I try. I even got ahold of a super fun illustrated edition with pictures in the margins like some kind of weird Eyewitness Book but for Paris and Jesus conspiracies. So I started reading and I got into the first chapter and it…wasn't great, but I was going to do my best because it would benefit me professionally. And then I got this one line--this is 20 years ago and I still remember it like it was yesterday--about the male protagonist which described him as having "a thicket of dark brown hair." And I close the book and I never looked back. It was just Too Much.

42) Do you read one book at a time, or several at once? Generally speaking, I'll read one at a time. I might fool around with another book or two, but I usually read one at a time, though not fixedly. I tend to get hooked on one book and not want to read others. It's not a conscious decision.

46) Who is your favorite author? This is tough because it has changed through the years. In high school it was mostly Ray Bradbury, and I like to joke that Fahrenheit 451 got me into college and I wept openly at my library job when he died. But J. D. Salinger started edging in there in high school after my mom gave me her copy of The Catcher in the Rye. By college it was J. D. Salinger, up to and including my senior project, but James Joyce was swiftly encroaching on his territory (a teacher got me to read Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and I was doomed). By college graduation it was definitely James Joyce, and he hung around through a decidedly disastrous trip through Europe until I got back to the States and started reading Haruki Murakami (in translation) and Murakami was moving up in the ranks. And then plucked up the courage to read Gravity's Rainbow (I bought it with my own money from that same B&N) and I think it was a tie between James Joyce and Thomas Pynchon. I finally started reading Cormac McCarthy when I was in graduate school and Blood Meridian made me want to fucking bite things it's so good.

And this isn't getting into all my favorites as a kid (Roald Dahl, Norton Juster, Susan Cooper, among others) nor any of the poets I obsessed over in college lmao.

Right now I'm honestly not sure. I don't know that I have One Favorite Author. There are a lot that I really like. There are a lot that I'll read when they have something new published. I've been reading a lot of Japanese authors in translation. I wish there was more a works-in-translation market here in the states. Anyway, If someone mentions a book that's "really fucked up" or "weird" or "too hard to really read," I will seek that out. I love fucked up books. I love "transgressive literature." And if something wins the Booker Prize, I also will probably love it.

48) What line has stuck with you for years? "The heaventree of stars hung with humid nightblue fruit."

Happy Bloomsday. This line is from the Ithaca chapter of Ulysses. Stephen Dedalus and Leopold Bloom are outside pissing in Bloom's back garden and they look up and witness the night sky. And that is a pale description of the scene, but you understand.

Like, I'm not into tattoos. But if I were to get a tattoo? It might be this line. (And/or the Doodles Family from Finnegans Wake and/or a Muted Posthorn. My mother would kill me and then disown me lmao.)

[wastewaifs]

@inrovina said: xeno has ushered ruth and funke over to the couch, encouraging them to sit down, relax, chill out. it looks like he’s about to make some dramatic declaration, until he pulls out two wrapped presents. for ruth, there is a small figurine, carved from ice, of a dragon with flames coming out of her nose. a juxtaposition — fire made out of ice — but that’s them. “it’s badass, right? like you! and it won’t melt, ‘cause i made it.” for funke, a small painting is presented of funke himself, made to look regal, the style intentionally replicating that once used for portraits of royalty. xeno thought funke might find it funny, but, painted by his own hand, it could also be considered a genuine masterpiece. “it’s you! professor funke! or king funke! do you like it?”

ruth's tummy flutters wildly as she and funke take their seats. she hears the blaster in her head, muffled and barely intelligible, wondering what's going on? and she's thinking back at him -- although she has no idea if hears her -- nor if he's even thinking directly at her, or just experiencing a thought in general, which is a thing people are allowed to do -- i don't know! but he's leaving! he's leaving us and it's probably because of you and your incessant need to deprive us of oxygen or maybe it's because of me yes i think it might be me and my nagging and my complaining and my temper and my fussiness and my and my and my

(she's like a record player with its needle stuck. no way funke's getting all of that.)

xeno hands over the goods.

funke gasps, then cackles joyously. "no way! is that... that's ME! did you make this?! no way! ruth! look at this! ruthie!"

ruth won't look, just yet. ruth is admiring the perfect little creature that sits so neatly in her palm. ruth is stroking her lovingly.

funke's stamping his feet. he has no other way to convey his excitement, since his hands are full of his portrait. "xeno, i have never looked better. we're hanging this on a wall! where should we hang it? guys? it has to be somewhere that everybody's gonna see it." a💡moment occurs. "above the toilet! everybody's gotta take a piss at some point. then they'll see it! and me!"

"no," ruth says, even though she's still not looking at it. when she does eventually prise her eyes away from the figure, she'll admire xeno's enormous multimedium talent, and she'll even chuckle at funke's uncharacteristic portrayal. but right now it's dragon time. she regards the other man so fondly. "xeno, she's wonderful."

"she's gnarly as hell. and i do look badass. you're good, man, so fucking good. this looks exactly like me." with a few adjustments, for the better. "wonder where i could get a robe like that..."

"you should really think about commissions," ruth advises.

"yes! xeno can do commissions, and i--"

"can be quiet."

he lowers his voice. "...can do emissions."

ruth considers their very own michaelangelo (and da vinci, and picasso, all rolled into one.) "can you carve me a knife, next? no particular reason."

[outoftheirdifferences]

respond to the following prompts out of character, then tag others you'd like to get to know a little bit better.

ROLEPLAYER NAME: Cheetah

ROLEPLAYER PRONOUNS: he/him

MUSE NAME(S): Angel; Vanellope Von Schweetz; Webby Vanderquack; Gosalyn Mallard; Angry; Connie Maheswaran; Cera; Annette, Collette and Danielle; Da Vinci Dalmatian; Terra; Lauren Salvage; Lilo Pelekai; Margo Gru.

PREFERRED COMMUNICATION: Tumblr IMs

EXPERIENCE: RPing since 2010, on tumblr since 2013

PREFERRED ROLEPLAY TYPE: Multi-para, only because I genuinely struggle to keep my posts any shorter than that!

PET PEEVES & DEALBREAKERS: Dealbreakers are typically things like an RP blog being substantially more unrelated ooc content than ic (I'll still interact with them as a partner but won't follow back); consistently getting single-line responses to multi-paragraph posts (I don't ever expect or ask for a partner to match my length, but I do need enough to work with!); untagged NS.FW posts; sometimes duplicates, depending on a) the muse and b) how much their understanding of the character clashes with mine. (Angel is the one I'm most awkward about, just because I've built up so much headcanon for her over the years that it can be too jarring for me to interact with a portrayal of her that takes a very different perspective on such details.)

PLOTS OR MEMES: Yes please!

BEST TIME TO WRITE: In the evening, last couple of hours before I go to bed.

ARE YOU LIKE YOUR MUSE: I'd tend to say not; I'm sure I have similarities with some of them (Webby and Connie come to mind as possibly sharing certain traits with me), but on the whole, not so much amongst this cast. Closest to me, I think, would be Da Vinci who, according to the directors, is canonically on the autistic spectrum so I relate to her in regards to that - although some of those similarities I see may be more me projecting on her than being fully canonical!

Tagged: @spirits-of-nature16

Tagging: @talesofourworlds, @starsweepers, @let-me-be-surprised and anyone else who wants to!

[mute-call]

Valentine's Day Application

{SUBMITTED BY :  @red-hemlock​  || LINK }

Your name: Riversong, but please, call me River.

Romantic or platonic?: Hmm…

A night in or dinner out or an activity?: I love to move, but I get the funny feeling that you’re a bit of an ‘inside guy’. Nothing wrong with doing something nice and easy, once in a while.

Ice cream or chocolate covered strawberries?: Oh the latter, always. They can be so very fun to feed other people.

What’s your perfect date?: Let’s ‘expand’ a little, on the activity question from above. Picture this, darling: Curtains closed, lights dimmed low. Just me and you in the center of the room, dancing slow to a tune on the radio.

Would you cook for me?: Erm-… I’d remember to put the pizza in the oven, after you turn it on?

Would you let me cook for you?: Oh yes, I’d NEVER turn down free food, darling!

Can we make-out?: Hmmm…

Make out in private or in public?: Probably private, for the public’s sake. I do love a good ‘show’, but I can’t promise we wouldn’t get arrested. Public indecency laws, and everything.

Do you like to cuddle?: Does the Pope have a silly hat, darling?

Blankets or no blankets for cuddling?: Blankets, please. The warmer the comfier, after all!

Couch or bed?: Both have their little positives, but-… Whichever one’s the most 'sturdy’, really. Take that info as you will. >;3c

What are at least 3 hobbies of yours?: Nothing too fancy, really. Flower-crown making, whittling, though I’m afraid I’m no Da Vinci still when it comes to that yet; and extreme gardening! 'Extreme’, as in all of the pretty little plants that I grow could very well kill you if you’re not paying the right amount of attention, haha.

Tell me something about you no else knows: Hah! Going for the real meat and potatoes now, are we? Ohhh alright, I’ll indulge since it’s you, dear. Now don’t go around telling everyone and their mother this, but I LOVE a good romance flick; and sometimes, well, most times I tend to get more than a bit emotional when I watch said flicks.

Why do you want to be my valentine?: At first I just wanted to apologize for before. I really was kind-of a jerk to you, not to mention the whole… Dumpster-thing… But you’ve got more guts to you than I think you realize, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you at your side. If you’ll let me, of course.

What makes you a good Valentine?: Oh plenty, dear! I’m funny, I can fold people into pretzels if they’re bothering you, I’m good with my hands… But all jokes aside, I’m loyal to a fault, and I’ll always come running to pull you from the fire should you call. I might not be the most 'morally sound’ sometimes, but who cares about silly things like that, anyway! R-Right?

Oh, those are the good kind of “hmm”s. Much to,,, think about!!!

How is it that River just gets more and more attractive impressive with every passing day? Those hobbies of hers? Steven could listen to her talk about those for hours. She has this effortless charm, this balance of deadly allure and feminine grace and lovable playfulness and–

Okay, Steven. Calm down. He can still give an enthusiastic “yes” without making a fool of himself. But, really, can anyone blame him for getting a little worked up? River’s perfect. And she’s left plenty of room for his mind to wander–

[therealnuclearplatypus]

this is a belated wedding gift for @shittygaypornmagazinedotcom and a mwa to @petulant-poet

gay 😩💅

may i present ...

You're My Work Of Art.

sometime in the late renaissance

The paintbrush glided across the canvas with practised ease. He had his lower lip between his teeth, eyebrows furrowed in concentration. A masterpiece was in the making. He could feel it.

Across from him, a young man sat on a stool, as still as he could be. He watched the young painter do what he did best, and smiled to himself. Leo was always asking to paint him. Frank was always the model. No one else. Never anyone else.

Leo sat back, his features easing into a grin. "You know that painting by Leonardo? Of Jesus?"

Frank snorted. "Is there only one?"

"Well. He always painted him on the model of his lover. The figure of Jesus we worship is actually da Vinci's lover. Am I not doing the same?"

"Are you comparing yourself to da Vinci himself, love?" Frank chuckled.

"Let me dream, fool." Leo shot him a cheeky glance. "You know. We get on our knees to pray to the Lord. I bet ol' Leonardo got on his knees for his Jesus, too."

"Leo!" Frank admonished, barely holding in a laugh. Leo could see the suppressed laughter and smiled to himself.

"Stay still. I'm almost finished," Leo ordered, and Frank obeyed. Some time later, Frank was free to go. He stayed to watch Leo perfect his latest artwork. Frank thought he always made him look much handsomer than he truly was.

"The painting is prettier than me," he complained.

"On the contrary," Leo countered, "not even the finest artist can do you justice, my dear."

Frank blushed. Only Leo knew how to make him do that.

As Leo finished up, Frank went to get himself a drink. He sipped it slowly, watching the love of his life hum a lively tune and smile to himself as he touched up what was bound to be a true masterpiece. Leo was really talented.

He went to sit by him, head on the painter's shoulder.

"Why do you only ever draw me?" he asked, genuinely curious.

"Because," Leo said, still focused on the canvas, "I appreciate beautiful things, and wish to paint them. I see a rainbow and paint it. I see a sunset and paint it. And you. You are the most beautiful thing in creation. You are worth more than any of the paintings I make of you trying to capture your loveliness."

Frank blushed again. "Stop that."

"Stop what?"

"Being so poetic. I'm the poet. Stop stealing my expertise."

Leo turned to him and laughed. "Ah, right. Spin a tale for me, then. Weave me an intricacy of words while I work."

"That was an alliteration," Frank told him.

"And I told you to write me a poem. Or, scratch that. Say it aloud now. I love your voice. Make something up now."

Frank kissed his curly hair and tried to think. "Summer nights and summer days/pass me by in a haze,/but you part the mists of woe and sorrow/and make me feel like I have a tomorrow."

Leo smiled softly and kept painting.

Frank continued: "Then let me spend those days with you/summer days in skies of blue,/and let the nights live long and loud/'til winter comes in a hateful cloud."

Frank hugged Leo from behind and kissed his hair again. "But I need not fear the cold snow's ire/for with you the ice melts in raging fire/and we'll be safe in our little den/until the summer comes again."

"Beautiful," Leo whispered, eyes shining. "That was beautiful. And so are you. I love you so much."

"I love you too, my darling," Frank whispered back. "I love you too."

[futurefind]

No Time for Cleaning

Or: A Hypothetical Master Sasume vs Camelot Singularity

There's blood on her hands.

On her skin, under her nails. Pouring out of her past the ice and the bandages and the stitches, and she can't tell where she ends and her losses begin.

It's too easy to imagine awake, and when she closes her eyes her skull sears with the crimson spilt and so she doesn't close them at all.

The Lion King's soldiers spill the blood of men and mothers and women and children hot against her face, and she thinks to finally get it off would require clawing her flesh off with it.

Rushd still smiles when he thanks her for water, whether it's the first or the tenth or the hundreth time and god knows how many hours spent absently filling wells.

Entire towns are eradicated by starlight that seers itself beneath her eyelids, the same as Stella as Arash breathes his last.

There's blood on her hands.

She doesn't know if it's hers, or where it's come from, but it doesn't matter. One clang of her sword erupts a shielding wall of ice, bisecting one of the knight's arms in the process. Another sends in speeding down in dagger-shards. She twists around one's sword, pinning them in place for her Servants with a frosted grip as she sends a flaming kick into another's helmet and sends them alight with a stench that makes her stomach roil and her shoulder itch.

She roars back, iron and ash alight in her dead mouth, and keeps moving through the fray.

Bedivere smiles away her concern— just as he smiles away her dismissals of being called 'Lady'— even as she offers him a knowing gaze. They talk around it more than they talk about it, because many things are better left unsaid, especially what's most familiar.

The Pharoah stares her dead in the eye with his throat cleaved in two, and she glares right back, almost wondering if he can see the crimson trail she leaves in her footsteps.

Da Vinci laughs like she always does, regardless of the tension. Laughs like she always does, even as she happily rushes off to her own death to leave her behind (she's always left behind, isn't she?).

There's blood on her hands.

There's blood on her hands and she's screaming. Ripped apart from the inside out 'til it's erupting from her throat in a numbing cacophony, pulsing in time with the pain in her heart.

Bedivere's dying.

Da Vinci, dying.

Arash, those she's never known the names off and those she's forgotten, all people she's sworn to protect—

Her mother, her—

Her everyone, it seems like.

She shoves her way out of the Coffin—and isn't that ironic, isn't that fitting?— and past the others, past Romani, numbly following her feet even as the world itself burns with too-much.

She's in the training hall, and she—

She cuts and slices and slams her sword so hard her teeth rattle, so fierce that before she knows it her palms are too raw and slick to hold a proper grip.

"I'M SICK—!

AND TIRED—!

OF LOSING PEOPLE—!"

She throws her mother's blade away from her with a shout, letting it clatter from wall to wall to floor as she tightens her gloves.

Punches and pivots and hits with her fists with just as little (none) relent until her knuckles bruise and her skin tears and she. Keeps. Going.

Resorts to kicks and knees when even her arms start to fail.

And she—

She screams. Screams and screams and screams, until she's deaf to the sound. Until the pain rips out of her ribcage with it, spreading her heart and gore and viscera splattering against the room as much as her voice.

She crumbles.

Stares at the ceiling (the wall?) until she's staring past it in its entirety. Maybe if she stares hard enough, stares-past enough, she can see those she's lost again if she tries hard enough.

She wonder's if she's laughing, or sobbing, or screaming, or if it's just her heart rattling in her ears as unsteadily as the world around her.

There's blood on her hands.

...She can worry about getting it off tomorrow.

[bietrica]

Find Your New Favorite Dish: Bietri’s Top 10 Recommendations

In today’s fast-paced world, where food options seem endless, finding one particular dish can be a challenge. Enter Bietri Restaurant Review App, the best dining experience, your ultimate food discovery partner who helps you explore new culinary talents and connects you with food enthusiasts and critics worldwide. Whether you are a sophisticated foodie or a casual diner, Bietri has something for everyone. In this article, we’ll dive into Bietri’s top 10 recommendations that will become your new favourite foods. Let’s start a sweet journey!

1. Spicy Tuna Tartare from The Coastal Kitchen

If you love fresh seafood with a kick, The Coastal Kitchen’s Spicy Tuna Tartare is an absolute must-try. This dish combines sushi-style tuna with a zesty blend of chilli oil, soy sauce, and a hint of lime. Served over crispy wonton chips and garnished with fresh avocado and sesame seeds, this tartare is a symphony of flavours and textures dancing in your mouth. It’s a dish that encapsulates the essence of coastal cuisine with a modern twist.

2. Truffle Risotto from Bella Notte

Bella Notte’s Truffle Risotto epitomises comfort and luxury. Creamy and rich, this risotto was perfectly cooked with arborio rice and infused with an earthy truffle aroma. Adding Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of truffle oil elevates the dish, making every bite an enjoyable experience. Whether celebrating a special occasion or treating yourself, this risotto is a great option.

3. Korean BBQ Beef Tacos from Seoul Fusion

Seoul Fusion’s Korean BBQ Beef Tacos are an exciting blend of Korean and Mexican flavours. Tender ground beef is ground to perfection and served in a soft, warm tortilla. Topped with tangy kimchi slaw and spicy Sriracha aioli, these tacos offer a unique combination of traditional flavours. These tacos will surely be a hit, perfect for dinner with friends or a quick hearty lunch.

4. Classic Margherita Pizza from Da Vinci’s Pizzeria

When it comes to classic Italian pizza, Da Vinci’s Pizza does it right with the Classic Margherita Pizza. This pizza has fresh tomato sauce, creamy mozzarella cheese and fragrant basil leaves. The ingredients' simplicity emphasises each ingredient's quality, making this pizza a timeless favourite. It’s a perfect example of how less can be more regarding pizza.

5. Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken from The Rustic Table

For those who appreciate a hearty home-cooked meal, The Rustic Table’s Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken is a great choice. This dish has perfectly grilled chicken stuffed with fresh herbs, garlic and lemon. The result is a juicy, flavorful bird with skin that is hard to resist. Made with roasted vegetables and creamy mashed potatoes, this dish brings the comfort of a traditional Sunday dinner to your table any day of the week

6. Vegetarian Pad Thai from Lotus Garden

Lotus Garden’s Vegetarian Pad Thai is a warm and delicious accompaniment to a plant-based dish. This classic Thai noodle dish features a generous mix of fresh vegetables, tofu, and rice noodles, all soaked in a tangy tamarind sauce and garnished with cornflakes, bean sprouts, and lime wedges. This Pad Thai is satisfying and nutritious. It is an excellent choice for anyone who loves a delicious meatless meal.

7. Salted Caramel Brownie Sundae from Sweet Tooth Café

For sweet tooth lovers, Sweet Tooth Café’s Salted Caramel Brownie Sundae is a dream come true. This decadent dessert features rich, fudgy brownies dipped in creamy vanilla ice cream and drizzled with salted caramel. Finished with a sprinkling of sea salt and cherries, this sundae perfectly ends any meal. The delightful combination of sweet and salty will satisfy your thirst.

8. Mediterranean Mezze Platter from The Olive Grove

Olive Grove’s Mediterranean Mezze Platter is an excellent choice for those with varied tastes. This platter includes a selection of hummus, baba garnish, tzatziki and dolmas, along with warm pita bread and crispy vegetable sticks The array of dips and spreads offers something for everyone, making it the best it can be chosen for a casual gathering or as an appetiser before a special meal.

9. Spaghetti Carbonara from Trattoria Bella Roma

Trattoria Bella Roma’s Spaghetti Carbonara is a classic Italian dish that never fails to impress. Made with eggs, Parmesan cheese, pancetta and black pepper, this sweet and creamy pasta makes for a hearty and satisfying meal. The key to this recipe’s simplicity is the quality of the ingredients, which together make for a comforting and delicious plate of pasta.

10. Duck Confit from The French Bistro

Last but certainly not least, The French Bistro’s Duck Confit is a dish that epitomises the art of French cooking. Goat legs simmer the fat until tender and tender, and crispy skin is hard to resist. Served with creamy polenta and sautéed greens, this dish is a luxurious and fun choice for a special night out.

Conclusion

Finding a dish that appeals to you can be a thrill in a world whole of recipes. Bietri’s top 10 recommendations are your gateway to such experiences. From hot spicy tuna tartare to savoury duck confit, these sophisticated dishes promise to tempt your palate and offer a variety of flavours. Whether you enjoy the rich creaminess of Truffle Risotto, the zesty twist of Korean BBQ Beef Tacos, or the decadent flavours of the Salted Caramel Brownie Sundae, Bietri guides you through a culinary journey of dining experiences that is filled with wonder. Find these tips, share your culinary adventures, and let Bietri help you find your next favourite dish. Bon hunger!

About Bietri 

Welcome to Bietri, where we turn your love of food into an unforgettable journey. Our platform is dedicated to connecting food enthusiasts with fantastic dining experiences. Whether looking for hidden gems or exploring famous culinary hotspots, Bietri is your guide to finding, reviewing and sharing the best dining experiences. Every meal should be memorable, and we’re here to help you discover and experience unique flavours. Our local foodies share their insights, tips and ideas to ensure you never miss the next great dining experience. Join us to celebrate the joys of exceptional food and let Bietri enhance your culinary journey.

For more information!

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[brookston]

Holidays 7.23

Holidays

Air Force Day (Peru)

Apolinario Mabini Day (Philippines)

Asian Corpsetwt Day [Every 23rd]

Body Painting Day (New York)

Cassandra Asteroid Day

Children’s Day (Indonesia, Vanuatu)

Construction Day (Quebec)

Gorgeous Grandma Day

Guanacaste Day (Costa Rica)

Guayaquil Day (Ecuador)

Historic County Flags Day (UK)

Hot and Bothered Day

Hot Enough For Ya Day

International Forgiveness Day

International Hello My Name Is Day

International My Chemical Romance Day

International Yada, Yada, Yada Day

Khao Phansa Day (Thailand)

Mayan Sun Festival

Mayhem New Year

Mosquito Day

National Broadcasting Day (India)

National Care for Your Coworker Day

National Dachshund Day

National Human-Animal Bond Awareness Day (UK)

National Pwnage Day

National Remembrance Day (Papua New Guinea)

National Russell Day

National Touch Grass Day

National Women Touched by Addiction Day

Private Eye Day

Ram Day (French Republic)

Remembrance Day (Papua New Guinea)

Renaissance Day (Oman)

Revolution Day (Egypt)

Simón Bolívar Day (Venezuela)

Soma No Umadi (Wild Horse Chasing; Japan)

Sumarauki (Iceland)

World Castleman Disease Day

World Sjögren's Day

World Whale and Dolphin Day

Yada, Yada, Yada Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Dessert First Day

National Lemon Day

National Spongecake Day

National Sprout Day

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Day

Sprinkle Day

Vanilla Ice Cream Day

Independence & Related Days

Arab Egyptian Revolution Day (Egypt)

Abkhazia (Declared from USSR, 1992) [partially recognized]

Batangas City Foundation Day (Philippines)

Union of Upper and Lower Canada (Parliamentary Act Day; Canada)

4th Tuesday in July

Waterton-Glacier Science & History Day [4th Tuesday]

Festivals Beginning July 23, 2024

Broome County Fair (Whitney Point, New York) [thru 7.28]

Paléo Festival (Nylon, Switzerland) [thru 7.28]

Plainfield Farmers' Fair (Plainfield Farmer's Grove, Pennsylvania) [thru 7.27]

Rock County 4-H Fair (Janesville, Wisconsin) [thru 7.28]

Feast Days

Anne (a.k.a. Susanna; Christian; Saint)

Apollinaris of Ravenna (Christian; Saint)

Beachball (Muppetism)

Bonaventura Peeters the Elder (Artology)

Bridget of Sweden (Christian; Saint)

Ezekiel (Christian; Prophet)

Feast of Sulis (Goddess of Mineral Springs)

Feast of the Three Wise Men, that is the Magi, called Balthazar, Melchior and Caspar (Christian)

Francesco Granacci (Artology)

Free Hugs Day (Pastafarian)

Groucho Marx Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Haile Selassie Day (Rastafarian)

Heiromartyr Phocas (Eastern Orthodox)

John Cassian (Western Christianity; Saint)

Laurence of Brindisi (Christian; Saint)

Leonardo Da Vinci (Positivist; Saint)

Liborius of Le Mans (Christian; Saint)

Margarita María (Christian; Saint)

Mercè Prat i Prat (Christian; Saint)

Nassos Daphnis (Artology)

Neptunalia (Old Roman festival honoring Neptune; Pagan)

Peder Severin Krøyer (Artology)

Philipp Otto Runge (Artology)

Phocas the Gardener (Christian; Saint)

Rasyphus and Ravennus (Christian; Saint)

Raymond Chandler (Writerism)

Romula and her Companions (Christian; Saint & Virgin)

Virgil Finlay (Artology)

Hebrew Calendar Holidays [Begins at Sundown Day Before]

Seventeenth of Tammuz [17 Tammuz]

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Premieres

Batman: The Killing Joke (WB Animated Film; 2016)

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Film; 1982)

Boneheads (Film; 1993)

Bosko at the Beach (WB LT Cartoon; 1932)

The Bourne Supremacy (Film; 2004)

Catwoman (Film 2004)

Cinderella Meets Fella (WB LT Cartoon; 1938)

Cold As Ice, by Foreigner (Song; 1977)

Chris Columbus, Jr. (Oswald the Lucky Cartoon; 1934)

The Cuckoo I.Q. (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1941)

Double or Mutton (WB LT Cartoon; 1955)

Dragonflight, by Anne McCaffrey (Novel; 1968) [Dragonriders of Peru #1]

Drop Dead Gorgeous (Film; 1999)

Fanny in the Lion’s Den (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1933)

The Fly in the Ointment (Phantasies Cartoon; 1943)

Here Comes Mr. Jordan (Film; 1941)

The Homeless Pup (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1937)

How Green Was My Valley, by Richard Llewellyn (Novel; 1939)

Hyde and Sneak (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1962)

Inspector Gadget (Film; 1999)

Labyrinths: Selected Stories & Other Writings, by Jorge Luis Borges (Short Stories; 1962)

The Milagro Beanfield War, by John Nichols (Novel; 1974)

Poor Elmer (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1938)

Ramona and Beezus (Film; 2010)

Salt (Film; 2010)

Scooby-Doo! Adventures: The Mystery Map (WB Animated Film; 2013)

Sexus, by Henry Miller (Novel; 1949) [Rosy Crucifixion #1]

Sleigh Bells (Ub Iwerks Disney Oswald the Lucky Cartoon; 1928)

Slingshot 6 7/8 (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1951)

Springtime for Pluto (Disney Cartoon; 1944)

Tidal, by Fiona Apple (Album; 1996)

The World According to Garp (Film; 1982)

Today’s Name Days

Birgit, Birgitta, Brigita, Liborius (Austria)

Apolinar, Brigita, Ezekijel (Croatia)

Libor (Czech Republic)

Apollinaris (Denmark)

Saida, Seida, Senta, Siina (Estonia)

Oili, Olga (Finland)

Brigitte (France)

Birgitta (Germany)

Lenke (Hungary)

Apollinare, Brigida (Italy)

Ada, Madala, Magda, Magone (Latvia)

Apolinaras, Brigita, Gilmina, Tarvilas (Lithuania)

Brit, Brita, Britt (Norway)

Apolinary, Bogna, Żelisław (Poland)

Oľga (Slovakia)

Brígida (Spain)

Emma (Sweden)

Apollinary (Ukraine)

Bridget, Bridgett, Bridgette, Bridie, Brigette, Brigid, Brigitta, Brigitte, Romeo (Universal)

Roma, Roman, Romaine, Romana, Romelia, Romeo, Romina, Seymour (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 205 of 2024; 161 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 2 of Week 30 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Tinne (Holly) [Day 17 of 28]

Chinese: Month 6 (Xin-Wei), Day 18 (Wu-Zi)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 17 Tammuz 5784

Islamic: 16 Muharram 1446

J Cal: 25 Red; Foursday [25 of 30]

Julian: 10 July 2024

Moon: 94%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 8 Dante (8th Month) [Leonardo Da Vinci]

Runic Half Month: Ur (Primal Strength) [Day 15 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 34 of 94)

Week: 4th Week of July

Zodiac: Leo (Day 2 of 31)