#Kalesa

[kirkeyeeeart]

kalesa

[tunastime]

hi i’m here to make you worse, can i get uhhh “it’s fine. you’re here now.” + hiccuping tears into their shoulder with Kalesa and Julian? extra points if Julian is the one crying :]

"It's fine. You're here now." (1076 words) (x)

It's late when the rhythmic sound of whetstone and blade drifts up from the back garden and through the open window of the study. The sound is sharp, distinctly metallic as it should be, underlain by something smooth and careful in the way the metal grates against fine-toothed, dampened stone. Kalesa knows the hands that guide it almost as well as her own—she could certainly tell by the sound that they worked with a precision she'd only now begun to practice with her own blade. The noise is a comfort, even with its oddly steel-tasting sound. It reminded her of fires, and smoke, and laughter. And, even now, with the slight smell of oak wood smoke, it fills her with that comfort, all the way up until the sound of stone clattering against metal breaks through.

Kalesa stands all at once, journal left open and forgotten as she leans out of the open window and casts a wide glance to the firepit, glowing warm red in the early evening light. A cold breeze floats up and through the twisting curtains. Julian, sat quietly, staring into the blade carefully balanced on his knees, clutches his hand to his chest.

Kalesa swallows. Something cold rushes up to meet her, clamoring up her throat even as she tries to steel her resolve and back away without any noise. It takes a moment of pressing her nails to her palm to bring her energy center, and, even then, she falters. They'd both long since cast the cloak of adventuring from their shoulders and yet, whatever he found before she really knew him, whatever lurked behind her husbands eyes when they seemed just a touch too far away to properly read, seemed to linger. Seemed to fester. Not an anxious state. Not a paranoia. A rot that wasn't his. Something only magic could touch.

Kalesa rounds the stairs and steps into the evening greeted only for a moment by the sound of the lake on the shore and fireflies. She moves carefully, shoulders and elbows tense with worry as she rounds the side of the house, careful not to let the anxiety show in the shake of her breath or the sound of her voice.

"Jules," she says, soft and comforting, like talking to a spooked animal. Her hand comes out, right hand, ring heavy on her left, palm out. She steps to him, not slow, but deliberate. Julian's eyes don't leave the blade. Not until Kalesa removes the weighty weapon from his knees, the wrap and hilt warm in her hand from where it used to soak up his, and the fire's, heat. The blade seems to hum ever so in her grip. She isn't afraid, though—not of the blade. Not of Julian. Not even of the weapon in his hands. As Kalesa sets the blade in the grass, Julian's eyes snap up. He gags on a breath as he startles.

"Kal."

"Hi, JJ," Kalesa starts. She smiles weakly as Julian's dark eyes rove her face for some beat of recognition. There's a moment of held breath and silence before Julian's forehead collides dully with her right shoulder with enough force to briefly wind her. She wobbles on her heels, sinks to her knees as Julian crumples into her.

"Oh," she startles, holding fast to the back of his neck, turning her face into it, kissing the clammy skin. His pulse races. He tastes like sweat. "It's okay. It's okay. Jules..."

Julian shakes his head, pressing firmer against her shoulder as he does, curled still around his hand. Kalesa drags her hand down his neck, pushing into thick, corded muscle, trying to force anything to give. She feels him shudder, hiccup, sink into the touch.

"What happened? Where did you go?" she asks, quiet against the soft skin of his throat.

"I don't know," he hiccups, voice wobbling with tears. Her platitudes begin with the space between his shoulderblades, running her hand as far as she can reach down the center of his spine to ground him. Julian's crying is a quiet, sniffling thing. She feels Julian wheeze as he coughs out a breath, as he pulls another tight in through his teeth. Her tail curls around his ankle.

"You don't need to," she murmurs, trying to unclench her jaw, eyes screwed shut. It's been a long time since Julian fell into the half state of clarity, of seeing visions that weren't his, feeling the inky black of the hand he thought was his god reach through him. It had been many, many years since he'd been that weapon. And still, he held himself as if he were the knife's edge, the sword's blade, the downswing of an axe. The same sword that killed now moved in slow motions to teach. The same weapon that crawled out of possession to find the party he loved now cradled himself in Kalesa's arms, worming his way back to warm reality.

She says, "Just be here with me," and Julian's wet sigh makes her feel like he will. Julian sighs again, deeper now, hiccup softer as he readjusts. His hands fall to his lap, and for the first time, Kalesa gets a glimpse at the angry red cut across the heel of his hand. It isn't deep or wide, a thin thing bleeding more than it should, seen mostly from the tacky blood on his wrist at the small stain on his beige tunic. Kalesa takes Julian's wrist in one hand, careful not to jostle too much. She hums once. The sound is a mix of displeasure and concern. Holding his wrist, other arm still curled over his shoulders, she tucks her face into his neck again, sighs once, and says:

"I want to clean this up," and kisses the high of his shoulder.

Julian nods, letting out a damp huff of breath.

"Me too," he says softly. Kalesa smiles against his neck.

"Let's go then," she says, and tugs Julian up with her, limbs tangling, resting and rocking up together, until they both can stand. They both leave the sword and the embers of the fire to their wishes until they return to lay them to rest, in scabbard and soil.

[punk-rawk-pkmn]

i just finished fixing up the old carriage i found in our storage unit but now i just found???? a kalesa???? howd my grandparents get that here what the hell i havent seen one of these in ages

i guess i have another way for my mudsdales to pull around passengers

[anyonghalimaw]

i just need bakya and ill be normal

[rds-passerine]

Hors

Thus reminds me of you

Literally how

[random-brushstrokes]

Cesar Buenaventura - Kalesa (1978)

[kairiscorner]

spider noir in a noli au

i can imagine him at the first chapter (yun ba yun) of noli where they were shit talking the native filipinos and noir just chimes in saying, "well you know, the people here are probably only uneducated because... you won't give them an education? hence, you lot (the colonizers) are backwards for not providing them with the necessary graces these lovely people need to live. you're blaming them for your own lack of a mind."

he'd see you as a PERSON and not as a SLAVE. especially if you were a poor indio forced into slavery for a big mestizo/mestiza, HE'D WORK, FIGHT, AND BUY YOUR WAY OUT OF SERVITUDE FOR THEM BECAUSE HE LOVES YOU AND HATES SEEING YOU CHAINED DOWN TO THIS KIND OF LIFE.

he'd be so close to basilio and crispin, and when crispin crispun down the stairs... he was never the same : ( he felt super bad for sisa and was so regretful that he couldn't get those boys out of there any quicker.

i think the guardia civil and higher ups there would've hated him LMAO, but he doesn't care, he's gonna fight his way out of this, keep you safe, and marry you one day.

he wants half-filipino kids, he knows they'd have the cutest eyes and the prettiest complexion to him

HE'D TAKE YOU OUT ON A BOAT RIDE AT NIGHT AND UNDER THE LIGHT OF THE STARS AND THE MOON, AS THE CRICKETS SING AND AS THE ALITAPTAP SURROUND YOU GUYS, HE'D SING OLD LOVE SONGS HE LEARNED IN TAGALOG WITH YOUUUU

he refuses to speak spanish and only talks to in tagalog.

HE BURNS COPIES OF TANDANG BASIO MACUNAT BECAUSE HE KNOWS IT'S BULLSHIT

when you two are riding a kalesa, he holds on to you tightly because he doesn't want you to get hurt when the roads get bumpy, and bc it's an excuse to get close to you :)

HE DOESN'T HATE THE TULISANES TBH, he gets why they're the way they are, but he will not hesitate to FUCK THEM UP IF THEY SO MUCH AS TOUCH A SINGLE STRAND OF HAIR ON YOUR HEAD

he has expressed wanting to marry you and love you for the rest of his life so many times, and how eager he is to wait for your answer, be it a yes or a no, be it today, tonight, tomorrow, or until he's old--just never leave him without telling him a yes or no.

"aking minamahal... hindi ko masasabi sayo ang lahat ng pagmamahal na nararamdaman ko para sayo. ngunit, kung papayagan mo ako, mamahalin kita panghabangbuhay. hihintayin kita para sayong sagot, kahit ibibigay mo ngayong araw, ngayong gabi, bukas o hanggang ako'y matanda na... ikaw parin ang mamahalin ko't hihintayin ko. huwag mo lang akong iwanan ng hindi mo pa akong sinasagot; kahit 'oo' o 'hindi' ang iyong sagot... ikaw parin ang tanging minamahal at mamahalin ko."

a/n: I CAN'T HE'S SO RIZAL CODED

tags !! @thecoolerdor @binibinileonara @connors-cumslurper @luvstarrstruck @maxoloqy @k4tsu3

[hehehuhuhihi]

Budhi Hin Tanu Janike

Sumirau Pavan Kumar

Bal budhi Vidya dehu mohe

Harahu Kalesa Vikar

Sare kalesh filhal toh unhone harr hi liye hai 😋

Bas abb buddhi Or vidhya dedo mohe

[fuyuluvr]

IT'S THE WAY INTRAMUROS IS JUST A RIDE AWAY FROM MY UNI

𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐈𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐋𝐀 with Mikey

Mikey's life in Manila with you ♡

♱ a/n: this is for all the Manila Mikey lovers and Filipino girlies ♡ (belated) Happy birthday to our man ❤️‍🔥

🦇 @hiraethsdesires @sukunassuka @anahryal @half-baked-biscuit @fuyuluvr @iluvizana @saenora

Mikey sat in his tiny apartment in the heart of Manila, looking at the photograph of his late brother on the wall. He had dreamed of this moment for years, ever since his brother told him of the bustling streets, the delicious food, and the warm, tropical islands of the Philippines, his favorite destination. It had taken time, but Mikey was finally here, living in the place of his brother's dreams. And then, the doorbell rang. It was [ Y / N ], the love of his life. “You look beautiful,” he said to [ Y / N ], smiling as he held open the door for her. “Thank you, Mikey,” she smiled. “You look wonderful yourself.” she blushes, eyeing down Mikey’s simple black pants and camisole outfit; layered with a plain white button-up shirt that exposed his toned shoulders.

They usually plan to have a date around Manila, a city that Mikey had only ever imagined. During jeepney rides with Mikey, he would let [ Y / N ] rest her head on his shoulder and hold her hand the entire ride. And on occasions when the wind blows harshly through her hair, he reaches around her shoulder to hold it for her.

Getting street foods and strolling around the park is a regular occurrence in the relationship. Given that everything that Mikey loves is in it; cheap and delicious food to satisfy his sweet tooth, the town, and you! Mikey’s favorite has to be the pink, frozen dessert, Ice scramble and Turon. And on times when he misses the dorayaki and taiyaki back home, he would just take [ Y / N ] to Mitsukoshi Mall, a big Japan-themed mall in the southern part of the Metro.

But Mikey and [ Y / N ]’s favorite place in the city is Intramuros. While it was now mostly a tourist attraction, there was still a sense of history and beauty in the air. They walked through the ancient walls and narrow streets, passing by old churches and museums, each one with a story to tell. Carriages run by horses still strolled the roads of the historic city, making Mikey ang [ Y / N ] excited to be on a date around Intramuros every time.

The two of them climbed into the classic, horse-drawn Kalesa and settled into their soft, leather seats. The driver smiled and called out a greeting in Tagalog, and the couple greeted back. The Kalesa began to move through the quaint streets of Intramuros, and Mikey and [ Y / N ] watched as the city came to life around them in a unique, old-fashioned way.

Mikey never had a deep interest for the fine arts, but when [ Y / N ] asks to visit the National Museum, he couldn’t pass it up. As they walked through the museum, their hands entwined, they felt the weight of history pressing down on them. It was almost as if they were walking through the pages of a history book, each exhibit a new chapter in the story of this incredible country.

After spending some time exploring the museum, they made their way to Fort Santiago, a historic fortification in the heart of Manila. As they walked through the ancient halls, their footsteps echoing with the weight of history, they knew that they were standing on sacred ground.

As they wound their way through the city, they passed by ancient doorways and carved archways, the scent of incense wafting in the air from the nearby churches, and they made a stop on perhaps the most famous one. As they entered the church, the air grew thicker still with the weight of history. The stained glass windows cast colorful rainbows across the floor, and the faint sounds of prayer and song echoed through the ancient halls.

Mikey and [ Y / N ] found a pew near the back and sat down, hands entwined as they looked around. They marveled at the intricate carvings and the ornate altar, feeling like they were in a different world entirely.

As they sat in the dim light of the cathedral, their hands tightly intertwined as they admired the beautiful architecture and the historic artifacts. Mikey couldn't help but feel a deep sense of love and adoration for her, and he knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. As they sat there, Mikey leaned in close and whispered in her ear, “I want to marry you here.”

[ Y / N ] stood still, stunned by his sudden confession. But she had always known that Mikey was special, and truly meant what he said. “Mikey,” she whispered back, feeling tears well up in her eyes. “I would love nothing more.”

Mikey and [ Y / N ] return to the Kalesa, watching as the ancient city of Manila passed by. They had had a beautiful day, exploring the National Museum, Fort Santiago, and the San Agustin Church, and now they were ready for one last adventure.

The driver of the Kalesa pulled up to the shores of Manila Bay, and Mikey and [ Y / N ] climbed out, eager to take in the sights and sounds of the ocean. They walked along the coast, watching the waves rock parked yachts and crash against the shore.

The sun was setting, casting a golden glow across the water, and the lights of the city glittered on the horizon. They made their way to the edge of the water, where they found a quiet spot to sit and enjoy the view. They watched as the sun began to sink below the horizon, turning the sky into an endless canvas of red and orange, and the waves crashed against the shore in a steady rhythm.

As they sat there, taking in the beauty of the moment, Mikey leaned in close to [ Y / N ] and whispered, "I want to spend every sunset like this with you. You make me feel like the luckiest man in the world."

[ Y / N ]'s eyes widened in surprise, and she turned to look at Mikey, her heart aching with love and joy. "I feel the same way," she said softly. "I never imagined that I could find love like this, in this place, with you."

As they sat there, hand in hand, surrounded by the beauty of Manila Bay and the magic of the sunset, they knew that they had found something truly special. A love that would last a lifetime, and a lifetime filled with memories of this quaint place that had brought them together.

[kirkeyeeeart]

tartanilya vs kalesa

[onenettvchannel]

FLASH REPORT: American YouTuber 'IShowSpeed' arrives in the Philippines, causes Fan Frenzy for meet-and-greet in BGC [#TeleRadyoSerbisyoEXCLUSIVE]

(Written by Rhayniel Saldasal Calimpong / Freelanced News Writer, Online Media Reporter and News Presenter of OneNETnews)

TAGUIG, NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION -- The American variety and veteran YouTube sensation 'Mr. Darren Jason Watkins Jr.', finally set foot in the country today, part of his highly anticipated Southeast Asia tour. This arrival of the 19 y/o Ohio state native, straight from the United States of America (U.S.A.), created frenzy among his Filipino fanbase, which led to huge masses of crowds and traffic jams across Metro Manila.

Indeed, his Philippine adventure started off with a bang. He played at a local basketball court in 'Brgy. 39, Zone 3, District 1' in 'Tondo, Metro Manila, National Capital Region'. The place was thronged with fans as the eagerness got the better of everyone to get a glimpse of the male YouTube star. It set the tone for a day that became truly frenzy-filled and filled with fervor.

Before going to the heart of the city, IShowSpeed made a quick detour to a local Chowking branch on Bustos Street, Sta. Cruz, this said city and province. The fast-food stop served as an emergency impromptu meet-and-greet location, where he was sat and hydrate himself in plain cold water, as eager fans were gathered outside to catch a glimpse of their online male YouTuber idol. He followed up his interest in Filipino culture by riding on top of a Kalesa, a horse-drawn transportation contraption, waving a Philippine flag to the delight of all that watched, helping spur his growing entourage on in excitement.

The joyride to BGC turned out to be a spectacle in its own right, as the male YouTube star replaced Kalesa with a motorbike, knowingly called as 'habal-habal'. The ride through busy Manila attracted even more attention; traffic came to a halt with fans trying to stay alongside their idol.

The chaotic night concluded before 7:30pm at 5th Avenue, BGC, in a Mercedes-Benz showroom, where IShowSpeed found refuge amidst a sea of people. Outside the unforgettable local dealership at Cats Motors Incorporated (CMI), chaos was at nothing less than pandemonium. If this day wasn't exciting enough, IShowSpeed teasingly posted to the internet media, including 'TeleRadyo Serbisyo: Dumaguete' and 'OneNETnews' that he would be meeting the Boxing legend and former senator "Manny Dapidran 'PacMan' Pacquiao", scheduled for tomorrow on Thursday (September 12th, 2024 -- Manila local time) when social media would once again go ablaze in the star-studded encounter.

In LIVE chats throughout the night, rumors are rife that the IShowSpeed Philippine Tour may well extend to the Visayas region on Day 2, including Cebu, Bacolod, Dumaguete and Siquijor. For now, unfortunately much however, Mindanao appears to be out of its itinerary.

IShowSpeed's arrival most certainly has left an indelible mark within the Philippines, and his livestream drew in more than 300,000 viewers from around the world, over half from the Philippines with 56% online audience share in this video sharing platform. And as this male YouTube star still goes on a rampage in this South East Asian adventure, one thing is for sure: IShowSpeed fever has finally swept the nation of the Philippines, and it isn't going away anytime soon.

This ongoing tour to South East Asia would be continued across the continent, first stopping in Thailand and later adding probably with the likes of Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia -- all for this month of September 2024.

SCREENGRAB COURTESY: IShowSpeed via YouTube LIVE VIDEO

SOURCE: *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWuJYrEZBkw [Referenced YT LIVE VIDEO via IShowSpeed] and *https://www.youtube.com/post/Ugkx685Idjol8tdYoSpnEhUNmxqKLfMVUOTW [Referenced YT Poster PHOTO via IShowSpeed]

-- OneNETnews Online Publication Team

[444names]

Names generated from Greek and Ukrainian female given names

Acachka Acana Acandra Adone Adoslaida Aeoda Aeodo Afroda Afrosia Afrosyna Agara Agarisa Agatina Aikia Aikilina Albia Aldana Alefthouni Alekla Alektrysa Alene Aleophi Aleria Aleristina Aleroubov Aleta Alexa Alexanaia Alexisia Aliaris Alikolia Alinia Alippate Allika Allisa Althi Althy Andia Anditlana Andra Andronoula Anesa Angeli Angeliana Angeliya Angena Angene Angeni Anjelikia Antha Anthea Anthi Anthina Antiniya Anzhene Anzheris Apheodiya Argareiana Argia Arika Arine Arinie Arisoula Arissanka Arterina Artha Artra Athoe...

Basika Bohda Bohdanya Calefanda Calena Callana Calya Casha Caskevi Cassiantia Chalya Chana Chlome Chlomeda Chlometa Chria Chriana Chriantora Chrinia Chrisa Chrisia Chriya Chropi Chroslata Chryna Chrysa Chrysena Clexana Clianya Cosia Costia Cosyna Creia Crena Cymara Damalia Damarina Damfiline Dania Danie Danthilia Danya Darise Darya Deinia Deissia Delenya Demedochka Demia Demilia Demis Demisia Demotimoni Denie Dessa Didina Didrista Dioulana Dorespina Dorysa Drudocha Drudoxisia Druno Drunya Drusla Effira Effrona Effrostira Efpra Efthae Eftia Eftijani Eftippe Ekasilia Ekasta Ekatia Eleksa Elektorisa Elene Elera Elerista Eleriya Elesia Elesyna Elewte Elexi Eliana Elianna Elisiliya Eliya Emara Emarisanna Emiana Emini Eminia Erissa Eudmis Eudorina Eugena Euphea Euphrina Evdijandra Evdoria Fayis Fayithi Fayiti Fayiza Filania Filiya Galika Galiki Ganya Halewte Hanta Helyna Herina Heris Herya Hloria Iannateria Ilenia Inesyna Inesypa Ioandroda Iphilika Ireis Irena Ireta Irisenie Iristaniya Iriya Iryska Ivandra Izola Julia Junced Junoubov Junya Kalena Kalesa Kaletamfie Kaline Kalissa Kalla Kaloe Kalya Katea Kateftina Katera Kathi Katinaina Katsa Khlora Kilia Kiliani Koria Krissa Ksena Kyrone Kyrosika Lamfia Lavetzia Leska Lessa Lexia Lidana Lidiandra Lilippe Linia Lioni Liudores Lugatine Lugelanna Lugeleni Lugeliya Lyania Lyudonia Lyura Maidiya Maidoki Maliya Margiris Marianna Maris Marisa Marisia Marista Marka Marysa Marysandra Marytani Mayidra Melia Meliki Meliky Melinayis Metantina Metigorya Metra Miria Miriya Myria Myrodora Myronoula Nadne Nafie Nafympra Nasha Nasia Nasina Natala Natemine Nateriana Natheodora Natia Natija Natinia Natippa Neone Neria Neristina Nespa Nitlana Oksanthe Olefthe Oleina Olektra Olenia Olera Olycana Olyna Ophana Ophina Ophria Orytacia Ourossa Ourosya Palia Palioris Palymara Pamfirhi Panastina Pandra Pargira Paria Parista Phalaretra Pharia Phemedra Phina Phippe Rayis Rayista Reniya Rheoris Roditsia Roksa Rozalia Rozavanais Rozavetra Salafyma Selia Serenayia Serinasia Smala Smara Sofila Sopina Sotiana Sotiania Sounia Staciana Stalyca Stasia Staxia Steme Sterisia Stylia Styna Stynie Taina Tamarysa Tamfia Tasikilia Tataliya Tatea Taterina Tatina Tatrinia Tatta Tattalia Tayine Tayis Tayma Teklahna Tektryni Tetanta Tethe Tethi Tethoe Tetja Tetraxi Tetrudoxia Tetya Thaidia Thaina Thaisiani Thalcyone Thana Thanesi Thanya Thanyaksa Thara Thedorgira Theni Theodia Theodijane Theonasta Thera Timilia Toulana Ulyna Valeklyna Valexia Valia Valiya Valoriya Valya Valyna Vanthea Vargia Varia Vasili Vasiliadia Vassa Vassia Vastia Vastya Verisa Victone Vikilika Viola Vionia Viotina Virhaisa Virosouno Xania Xantalia Xrina Xristi Xylina Xylla Yandija Yantaxiana Yanthe Yelana Yelenira Yevanna Yevgeletya Yevgena Yevheopi Yosia Yosyna Zachana Zacia Zelioula Zhaia Zhara Zoresa Zorgiopi Zorgirhia Zorina Zorinie Zorkaska Zoyana Zoyanae

[tunastime]

okay for kalesa and julian again, i imagined them getting caught in the rain and having to take shelter somewhere and just waiting it out and having a moment, so…. “you’re my happy place.” & “don’t get cheesy on me.” + watching the rainfall — do with that what you will :3

"You're my happy place." "Don't get cheesy on me." / watching the rainfall (914 words) (x)

The first raindrop hits Julian square in the head. He blinks—startled when another thumps his shoulder, the drizzle picking up pace through the leaves. The air smells like wet grass and dirt in an instant as all the tiny blades of grass and flowers and leaves shake awake to receive all the water they can. He holds his hand out, tests the strength of the rain, and when nothing falls into his open palm, he turns his gaze back from where he was standing against the house, back into the small field in front, where the collection of kids smack around small wooden practice swords. A few of them have abandoned the lesson entirely to run in the slight drizzle of rain. 

Kalesa practices easy, calculated movements across the way as well, sparring in slow motion with one of the teenagers. He watches her for a moment, her tail flicking as she makes a hundred micro-adjustments to her stance, her sword form, the power she puts behind the wooden swing of the blade. Her brow is drawn tight in concentration as the rain falls, darkening her shirtsleeves. She drops her stance slowly as she notices the rain, stretching her hand out to test it, startling when the drops fall on her head. She looks over to Julian with wide eyes, face breaking into a grin. He doesn't see her nod to her partner or send her off, but he hears her laugh from across the small field as she makes her way over, weaving between the kids.

"Just going to leave me out there to melt?" Kalesa teases. "How very saintly of you."

"You know divinity was never my aim," Julian snorts, carefully sheathing the silver-coated blade he'd been holding. It sits tightly in its scabbard, the gem-inlaid hilt glittering as he sets it carefully against the front door. He's draped his tabard over the banister. A breeze tugs at the loose bits of his tunic, ruffling his hair, tossing about his boot laces. He sinks down against the wooden steps, stretching out his legs. 

Dressed in matching, simple pants and hide armor, Kalesa looks so similar to the knights he went to school with: slightly out of breath, beaming with pride, hair pulled tightly away from her face. The hide is dark in spots from rain and sweat and as she sits, he waves her over.

"It's just a little rain," he soothes, hands working to loosen the side straps of her leather chestplate. She moves without question to the other side. "You won't die."

"You never know," she argues. Julian laughs, pulling the chestpiece off in one motion as Kalesa ducks her head, pulling at her linen shirt to unstick it from her back. 

"I think I know," Julian says. Kalesa makes a noise in the back of her throat, one Julian has come to know too well to not catch. Thin ice, it says. It's not much of a threat, though. Not as Kalesa shuffles over and makes space in the curve of his side for her to sit. Her hand slides back around him and falls to his hip, tracing a soft line over where she knows a long, thin scar tracks, raised but healed. He lets out the rest of the breath caught in his chest as he easily burdens himself with her weight and leans to accommodate. The rain patters down into puddles in the front garden, soaking the shirts of the children running around in the sand and mud and grass. The warmth that weasels up in his chest sits right between his lungs and his heart, forcing him to swallow and breathe around it, to feel every stretch of that new ligament illuminated by love and light. It feels a lot like hope—a muscle he'd forgotten to work the knots out of, a muscle that strained and tore when pulled the wrong way, one he'd begun to cultivate again, to tug at, to foster. And as his heart thuds around it and through it and it moves with him, it feels. Easy. To breathe. Kalesa makes a warm line from shoulder to hip bone. Her clothes carry a scent like campfire ashes and charcoal, and he's never so badly wanted to smell like a bonfire.

"I think you're my happy place," he breathes, squeezing a little closer. Kalesa laughs, pressing her face into his shoulder.

"Are you getting cheesy on me?"

He snorts, warmth rising to his face. He can feel the cool band around his left ring finger, the fine, woven pieces of metal that made its latticework. He presses his cheek to the space between her horns, sighing sweetly.

"I sure hope so," he says. "I've always been the sappy one."

Kalesa laughs again, squeezing his side. A shudder of warmth prickles up his ribcage, curling around his stomach. Squeezing his eyes shut, he kisses the top of her head. The tingling feels a lot like love. It feels a lot like being wanted. And, with enough of it, and if he let himself, as he always did, he could drown in it. 

"I'm glad," Kalesa says quietly to his collarbone. "It's been long enough at this point. What, six years?"

"Just hit six," he hums. He hears her sigh, relax a little further, and return to the soft soothing of his side.

"Let's try for six more, mm?" she says. 

Julian hums his agreement, smiling into her hair.

[qrstuvvvvv]

SINING NG ILOCOS

Sa pagbigay ng pagkakataon na muling makumpleto ang pamilya ko, hindi namin ito sinayang at nagplanong maglakbay. Noong February 2024, napagdesisyunan ng aking pamilya na libutin at pasyalan ang lugar ng Ilocos, bago muling umalis ng bansa ang aking tatay. 

Alas-otso ng umaga nang magsimula kami patungo sa una naming pupuntahan, ang Vigan City. Ang binalak ng aking pamilya na puntahan sa Vigan City ay ang kilalang Calle Crisologo, kung saan ipinagmamalaki nito ang mga siglong lumang bahay na bato, magagandang tungsten lamp, at ang paggamit nito sa mga karwahe o kalesa na hinihila ng kabayo bilang transportasyon.

Mga alas-dos ng hapon kami nakarating sa Vigan City at nagcheck-in muna kami sa isang Airbnb na Happy Grey Hotel upang makapagpahinga nang saglit. Paglipas ng ilang oras na pahinga, nag-ayos na muli kami para sana pumunta sa Baluarte Resort and Mini Zoo, ngunit sarado na ito nung kami ay makarating. Kaya naman, dumiretso na kami sa Calle Crisologo nang mga alas-singko ng hapon. Pag-apak ko pa lamang ay manghang-mangha ako sa ganda ng mga bahay doon. Naglakad-lakad kami at ninais naming sumakay sa kalesa. Sumakay kami ng aking mga kapatid at ang isa kong pinsan sa karwahe o kalesa. Sa halagang dalawang daan ay inikot na kami sa mga lugar sa Calle Crisologo at makikita talagang makaluma ang mga bahay doon, ganoon din ang mga kainan, banko, at bilihan ng medisina. Pagkatapos kaming ilibot ay bumili kaming ang dirty ice cream na kilala rin doon. Nagikot-ikot muli kami para makabili ng mga pasalubong at mga souvenirs. Binilhan ko ang mga kaibigan ko ng mga pasalubong ko sa kanila. Ilang oras din kaming naglilibot sa Calle Crisologo at naisipan na naming umalis. Ang kasunod na pinuntahan namin ay ang Musical Dancing Fountain sa kanilang plaza. Bilib na bilib akong panuorin ang paggalaw ng tubig at ang mga ilaw. Pagkatapos ng show ay nag-hapunan kami sa isang sea food restaurant. Umuwi na kami at napagpasyahang magpahinga para sa muling paglakbay kinabukasan.

Alas-sais ng umaga, naglakbay kami papunta naman sa Bangui kung saan nandoon ang sikat na mga windmill. Apat na oras ang byahe papunta doon ngunit hindi ko ito naramdaman dahil sa ganda ng mga dagat at tanawin na nadadaanan namin. Pagkarating naming doon, kumuha lamang kami ng litrato at nilusong ko ang aking mga paa sa dagat. Ang panandaliang oras na iyon ay nakakawala ng pagod at problema, kasama ko lamang ang hangin, dagat, at ang aking pamilya. Napagdesisyunan naming umalis na dahil din mainit. Sinagad na namin at tumungo pa sa Pagudpud sa Patapat Viaduct. Sumaglit lamang kami doon para lamang pagmasdan ang tanawin at kumuha muli ng litrato. Naglakbay na kami pabalik para kumain dahil nakakaramdam na kami ng gutom. Kasunod ng pagkain namin, ay nilakbay namin pabalik ang Rock Formation, isang tourist attraction sa Ilocos. Mga alas-dos ng tanghali kami nakarating doon kaya init na init kami pero hindi naming sinayang ang bawat oras kaya itinuloy namin ito. Lumakad kami ng konti para makalapit sa Rock Formation at kumuha ulit ng mga litrato. Ayan ang huli naming pinuntahan bago kami umuwi. Sa lakbay namin pauwi ay kumain kami sa Jollibee sa may La Union. Tuloy-tuloy na ang byahe naming pauwi at umabot kami ng alas-dose ng madaling araw para makarating sa aming tahanan. 

Ang kamakailan na paglalakbay na ito ay naging isang magandang ala-ala na madadala ko habang buhay. Lahat kami ay umuwing may bitbit na memoryang hindi malilimutan. Ang paglalakbay na ito ay nagsilbi na oras namin para sa isa’t-isa. Ang tanging hiling ko na lamang ay maulit muli ang ganitong uri ng paglalakbay sa panahon na kami ay makumpleto muli.

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Kalesa Coffee by Joshua Minnich

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169?

Her chest ached like she’d been kicked by one of the sturdy ponies that drew kalesa through the streets.

From my Saints of Storm and Sorrow Ask Game! Pick a number between 1 and 463 and maybe I'll share a line from my pass pages