#PIE AREN'T SQUARED PIE ARE ROUND

[fromkenari]

Every field is like this, though. I am an engineer, IT, musician, and math person. I started as the only girl-presenting person in the electrician class interested in physics and chemistry. I also took many humanities classes in college, and memes are everywhere. It wasn't just in Biology, people.

For instance, just yesterday, I was explaining all the ways to say "standby power" in electrical terms, which started out because someone thought it was funny we say "vampire load" and babes... It's an entire spooky thesaurus.

Mnemonics and mnemonics becoming memes were a way of life in sciences AND music. Math was all the acronyms. Physics and engineering courses (aka more math and physics but worse) were all plays on dude's (and occasionally a dudette, never a duderino :() names, and electromagnetics involved a lot of obscene hand gestures that had you groping and poking the air because electromagnetism is invisible and having nail polish on fleek helped. Chemistry never made sense because it wasn't mnemonics or acronyms. It was nonsensical words that stood for chemical equivalents or reactions.

Also, I had the most ridiculous color-coded notes in the intro computer science courses because the dude would show you all the wrong ways to do it on the same slide with different color markers and finally the correct way in green, making learning array sorting a nightmare and looking back at the notes worse.

I think the funniest thing I had to remember though was all the phonetic sounds in my linguistics class because there is a finite number per language, and you haven't lived until you've had your timid special little guy TA come into class one day speaking Zulu aka a Khoisan language aka "African clicking language." Wait. I've spiraled off memes.

I really don't think you understand how overly tired 20-something me couldn't remember if I was supposed to use my right or left hand for electromagnetics. (Secret: IT'S ALWAYS THE RIGHT AND YOU NEED TO PUT DOWN YOUR PENCIL.)

CRISPR was already on thin fucking ice as a serious name for a biotech technique and now they made up CRISPY-BRED are you joking

[hypnagogics]

haiii pludawg… 😇

i’m thinking about sloppy and wet ab riding with sub!sevika, pinning her to the bed with your thighs and riding her into the mattress, she’d get so flustered as you overpower her and she’d just gawk at you like the cutie pie she is while you leave a sticky trail all over her abs… continue this however u want 🤎

thanks a million!!! 😋

☆: hey chat, have something new hehe. sev has been turning me into a MONSTER lately and i had to get this outta my system. ok enna this idea. i have no words. this is the most scrumdiddlyumptious thing ive literally ever heard im gonna start freaking the fart out are u fr...omg. wow...i love u sm for this💚AHHHH I NEED HER.

you gazed down at sevika from your spot, lovingly straddling her torso, intently watching every microscopic change in her features. she helplessly stared up at you, eyes as gray as the goddess athena's, round and teary, near overflowing with pure, unadulterated need.

you wanted her just as much, if not more, only you were better at acting, so you didn't let her sense it and take the chance to rip this moment away from you. you knew her, and she'd give her all to try.

your hot, naked bodies pressed together, it had been eons of simple messing around— neither had their sweet release just yet.

you were planning on making this exhilarating for you, while being torturous for the woman underneath you.

her eyes flickered up and down your bare form, eying every curve and valley hungrily, she took in every little detail before bringing her eyes back up to meet yours. “you plan on doing anything? sometime tonight, preferably.” she huffed in exasperation, her low voice gravelly, yet there's the unmistakable trembling only someone who'd give anything to cum possesses. “oh? i'm fine doing this all night, actually. don't rush me.” stern, but sweet, the sound of your voice makes her break eye contact bashfully. you aren't able to stop the smirk that stretches across your lips, and you tighten your grip on her arms—both flesh and mechanical—on either side of her head. sevika's dark hair is disheveled, sprawled across the pale pillow, her toffee skin gleaming with sweat, she looked ethereal. every move you make is slow, calculated, enticing. designed to drive her insane, make her whine and clench around nothing but air—and she does exactly that when she feels your dripping folds make contact with her quivering abs. she squirms below you, taking her bottom lip between her teeth, and closing her eyes as tight as she can, inhaling sharply.

you hadn't even started moving yet, but the wetness, the slick sound, the warmth of you on her skin was driving her over the edge. if so much as a gust of wind kissed her pussy, she'd be crying out and gushing all over the place. unfortunately you were indoors, so she'd have to suffer a little longer.

on your end, the contact is so good. you rock your hips back and forth on her just once, experimentally, but right away the pleasure pools in your abdomen, and you start rutting against her, chasing the mind-numbing feeling.

and sevika? she can't do anything but just gawk at you, observe how you throw your head back in ecstasy, your pretty moans filling the room, along with the obscene slapping sounds of skin against skin. you transition to a circular motion, gyrating your hips against her taut abdomen, soaking every square inch of her, including her happy trail. can't forget that, can we.

at this point, she can barely keep her eyes open, poor thing, so mesmerized by you in all your glory, grinding your hard clit selfishly against her like this, it was almost enough to make her finish just like that. within a fraction of a second.

“b-baby—ah”, words are failing her, her voice high pitched and shaky. her hands find their way to your hips, and she assists you in your mission, the sensation of the cold metal of her mechanical arm sending shocks up your spine.

words have failed you as well, nothing but grunts and whimpers resembling sevika's name falling from your lips. your ruts speed up, no longer following any rhyme or reason, all you can think about is getting to that peak. you're so absorbed in how her muscles feel against your pussy, you are almost brought to the point of forgetting where you were.

rhythmic “ah, hah, ah, ah—” following every thrust, the intensity of the impending orgasm swirling inside you, and she can't help but moan with you, the ache in her drooling core growing more uncomfortable by the moment.

with a cry you're hit with blinding pleasure, all your senses cutting out. you hump against her some more, riding out the high as much as you could before the throes of overstimulation took their hold, and your body was enveloped with waves of relaxation.

you come to, and look down, your eyes meeting those of sev’s, her mouth slightly open, arms limp by her sides, chest heaving up and down as she—and you—register what happened. you climb off of her and fall in an embrace, burying your face in the crook of her neck. the heat of embarrassment and realization spreads throughout the surface of the skin, only you're brought out of it by sevika's sugary voice. she sounds dazed, high as a kite, speaking slowly, “that…was so hot. you're so hot. my turn?”

because this is my first fic for sev, im not gonna tag people but i will add her as an option and put my taglist here anyway ♡

[mossyivy]

Yearn | '24 Alphabet Challenge

Leon S. Kennedy x Fem!Reader

Summary: You break off your FWB relationship with Leon after being feed up with his lack of commitment. But even after years of being apart and marrying another man you realize moving on was a lot harder than expected. An the feeling might just be mutual.

Words: 7.3k

Content Warning: 18+ content, pet names (sweetheart, angel, baby), cheating, possessive behavior, desperate Leon, p in v, unprotected sex (wrap it before you tap it please!), cream pie, oral (f receiving), dirty talk, praise, degredation(if you squint), spit and marking.

Authors Note: Listen... This is my first time ever putting something like this online so please be nice to me. I tried and think I did decent enough.

"You want a drink?" Leon asks, pouring whiskey over some ice in a lowball glass. Looking up at you in your seat in one of his armchairs

"No, I need to go soon. Wouldn't be a good idea."

This has become the norm for you two. You come over to his apartment on the weekends. Both of you have packed schedules due to working for the D.S.O. and being on the same team. But coming over usually meant it lead to much-needed stress relief in the form of sex.

Something mutually beneficial for both of you. Leon wouldn't have to worry about you getting attached, since you knew the dangers of your job. And you... Well, you didn't really get much out of this arrangement except to stay connected to him in some form. Even if it wasn't what you wanted.

Leon wanted no string attach, no commitment. No feelings involved in the deal.

But you failed miserably in that department. Already having some kind of undefined feelings for him before starting these weekly meetings. Repeatedly getting hurt by your own actions, knowing full well how he was with this arrangement and what you agreed to.

"You got plans?" His eyebrow rises as he sips his whiskey, rounding the corner of his kitchen island and sitting on the arm of the couch next to you. Sipping his drink leisurely.

"Actually yes." You smile to yourself, gaze meeting Leon's as you look up at him. Finally, feeling happy at the thought of moving on, possibly.

"I have a date with a guy from the office. Shepard from accounting."

Leon nearly choked, covering his mouth with his arm as he coughed. Clearing his throat, his expression shifted to one of annoyance. His eyes fix on you, glaring sharply and unable to hide his obvious jealousy. Something he hasn't felt in ages now.

"And... you just decided to tell me now? What about our agreement?"

You raise a brow, confused by his reaction.

"We agreed what happens in our private lives is our business unless it directly affects one of us."

"But if you date someone, that's my business. You don't think that doesn't affect me too?" His nose wrinkles as he stands up from the arm of the couch, setting his glass on the coffee table.

He can't believe he has to even have this conversation with you. He thought it was obvious enough to not have to say anything.

"I haven't kissed him, slept with him or even held his hand. No germs or possible diseases have been swapped. How is this your problem exactly? We aren't together, we're just in a..."

You stop to ponder for a moment, really thinking about how to phrase this without coming off as a total bitch.

"We're friends with benefits. No exclusivity."

"And if you're seeing another guy, that would stop. I really don't feel like looking for someone else when what we have is good right now."

The thought of replacing you was disheartening and uncomfortable. It took him long enough to open up to you to begin with. Starting at square one again just wasn't an option he wanted to take. Your arrangement was just what he wanted, what he needed to keep his shit together.

"And what exactly did you expect of me, to just sit around and cater to just your needs?"

Your face turns to a scowl, eyes burning with a certain kind of fire that hardly anyone gets to see. You glare at him, hard. He can feel the tension rise between you two.

"I can't just wait around for someone who 'doesn't do relationships,' Leon. I have the right to be happy with someone."

"I didn't say-" He cuts himself off, swallowing the lump in his throat as he feels his face heat up. The irritation in him bubbled up in his very soul as your eyes met. He stares you down trying to get you to crack and look away first, but you don't back down.

"I didn't say you had to wait around for me. I just..." His glare faltered for a second, irritation turning to discomfort at the accusation. "I thought I'd have more time. Not just have you spring this on me so suddenly."

"Why do you think I told you? He just asked me out today, and it was out of the blue. He's a decent enough guy, so I thought I'd give him a chance."

You stand up from your chair, grab your bag from the floor and slide it over your shoulder.

"It's not like you caught me sneaking around, I told you before anything could happen. You're just pissed because you don't want to lose the only connection you have with someone outside of work that gives you the tiniest shred of normalcy."

As much as he hates to admit it, you're completely right. He knows you're right. But he's definitely too stubborn, closed off and selfish to admit it. Stepping in front of the entrance to his apartment, he crosses his arms, determined not to let you leave until everything is settled and hopefully in his favor.

"Listen, I know I'm not a relationship guy. But I'm human. I have feelings and... And needs still."

"So am I." You turn, crossing your arms as you stare back at him.

"The only reason I agreed to this situation to begin with is because... I just wanted to be closer to you and I knew you didn't do relationships." Your own words sting, admitting what you felt. And even with the new revaluation, you looked hurt over the situation.

"And I can't just sit around hanging on to the tiniest shred of hope that you'll change. That's not healthy... So I think it's time for, whatever we have, to just stop and for me to move on. And finally get fulfillment out of a relationship someone can commit to me in."

But your words cut deep. You were completely justified, Leon knew that. Despite knowing you were in the right, Leon couldn't help but feel like he was being slapped in the face. Like all the time you spent together was just nothing.

"You're just going to throw us away then? For some guy at work... What was his name? Shepard? What the hell kind of name is that!?"

"I'm not throwing it away for some guy, I'm walking away for my own sake." Your brows furrow as you glare at him again, not wanting to be hostile, but at this point it only feels like you can get the point across this way.

"I thought you of all people would understand what it's like wanting to move on from something that hurts you constantly. But I guess I was wrong."

You feel the burning behind your eyes, trying to ignore it. You sniff, blinking repeatedly to keep the tears at bay.

"All I want is not be in a situation where I know someone can't or refuses to love me like I want to be. Not anymore. I don't think that's too much to ask for."

Leon feels like he's shrinking seeing your eyes glaze with tears. He didn't even realize he was causing this much pain. Even if he hadn't intended to, he strung you along with the hopes of something he wasn't even considering. Not until now at least.

"Listen..." Taking in a deep breath, he frowns, looking into your teary eyes, "I'm sorry. I didn't know I was hurting you. I wasn't trying to hurt you."

"Trying and doing are two different things. That's why I want to call it quits now... Before I end up resenting you or... Or we feel bitter towards each other. We still have to work together, and I'd rather not think about how much I hate you every time I have to look at you."

You sniffle again, a few tears escaping before you can wipe them away and step towards him.

"It's just best if we just go back to being only colleagues."

"So that's it? We're just..." He stops himself again. It's not worth arguing, you've clearly made up your mind, and he should just be the bigger man and respect that. His head hits the door as he looks up at the ceiling, feeling a pain wash over his chest. He's not ready to let you go, and it's clear to him that even he got attached.

"Fuck... Okay." Rubbing his eyes, he steps away from the door, not blocking you from leaving anymore. "You're right. I'm sorry."

Reaching the door knob, you clutch it tightly as he jerks towards you. Not stepping in front of you but making sure he's visible.

"Wait. Can... Can we have one last kiss? For old times sake."

Every part of you is screaming no, but you tighten your shoulders with a nod.

"Yeah... I can do that." Moving in, you slot your hands onto his biceps, leaning in. Your lips land on his, applying a light pressure. Nothing remotely close to some of the more passionate kisses you've shared over your time together.

For Leon, it takes everything in him to not give in and kiss you exactly like he wants to. To wrap his arms around you and suffocate you completely with him. Make his last mark on you before you go your separate way. Show you how much he loves... the company you give him.

But this is for the best, to just go back to normal like nothing ever happened. His hands meet the small of your back as he takes in one last long look at you. Not wanting to let go until you step back.

As you pull back, you look up at him as his eyes meet yours. Almost like they're silently pleading for you to stay. Giving a quick rub to his biceps, you step past him, a small smile meeting your lips.

Saying goodbye just feels wrong to you, so you settle for a see you later.

"I'll see you at work on Monday..." Opening the front door, you give him a quick nod, closing the door behind you as you leave his apartment one last time.

He stares at the front door, hoping you'll come back any second now and just tell him it was some kind of fucked up joke you're pulling. You never do.

Walking back over, he slumps over on the couch, holding his head in his hands. Trying to think of where exactly he went wrong with this entire thing. Glancing up at the coffee table, he spotted his whiskey, swiftly picking it up and downing the almost full glass with a dissatisfied grunt. All before he gets up and makes his way towards his liquor cabinet once again.

You're not paying attention when one of your coworkers is droning on about whatever to Shepard next to you.

Connie? Chloe? Cassie? Whatever her name was, it wasn't important right now. What was important was the glances being thrown at the end of the sturdy brewery table.

"Are you okay, hun?" Your trance was snapped, eyes shooting back to your husband as his smile filled with concern.

"Yeah." Your voice is half-hearted and still slightly dazed. "Just thinking too much."

Thinking too much about the blue eyes burning into you from a few seats down.

You didn't blame him, it's been 4 years since you two had any real conversation outside of work. Being married for 2 years, you've tried to respect your husband and steer clear of Leon at any point. Shepard didn't know your past, and you wanted to keep it that way.

But now that you're all in the same place due to a work retreat. You don't know how long that's going to stay hidden. Who knows what could happen?

You quickly smile, as you've trained yourself to do, as you look at Shepard. He smiles back before sipping his rum and coke. Looking back at the brunette across the table talking.

"What were you saying, Cassidy?" Shepard asks. The woman nodded, sipped her wine and set it back on the table.

"I asked, are you happy she's changing departments? I bet it's unnerving having your wife risk her life every time she leaves and not knowing if you'll see her again."

"He is, he always hated how much I was away or just scared something would happen, y'know?"

"I'm always worried about my special girl. I love her." Shepard squeezes your thigh with a smile. Rubbing his thumb across your bare skin.

You feel nothing when he touches you. You never have and probably never will. He always talks about this spark between the two of you, but you feel no spark at all. Not even a little buzz.

You just smile back at him and continue to sip your wine, glancing down the table at Leon, talking with one of your other colleagues. You feel uneasy but still somehow calm. Even after being apart for so long, he always seems to draw your attention.

Leon's having a conversation with another coworker. Or at the very least tries to have a conversation...

He's watching you out of the corner of his eye, observing with a Stoic expression as it usually is these days. But to the trained eye, he's completely obvious. He honestly can't help himself from looking at you.

Just as beautiful as the day you left...

His mind wanders as his side glance lingers too long, he's still so in love even after all this time. He thought it faded from your separation, but if anything, it's gotten worse with such little contact outside important assignments or the occasional workplace banter.

It's slowly driving him nuts that sometimes he wonders if this isn't just an obsession but physically seeing you brings him right back to earth. The thumping in his chest became harder to ignore.

God, he wishes he was Shepard. To spare him the looks you gave your husband. The thought of being able to touch your thigh again without care nearly gives him a hard on.

But he catches himself. Teetering on the edge of his mind, wandering too far. He swallows it, forcing it down. Knotting the pit of his stomach to not let it show. He takes a long sip of the whiskey sour in his hand and tries turning back to the conversation.

You try your hardest to put on a fake smile as you listen to Cassidy and Shepard rattle on. Sipping your wine, you feel that familiar rubbing.

Glancing down, you see Shepard's hand gripping your thigh with a firmness you've felt before. His large hand dawned with the wedding ring matching yours staring back at you as his thumb glided across your bare skin.

For any other woman, this would be an instant turn on. But for you, that's all it is, just a hand. Nothing special or thrilling. But you look at your husband as he gives you that sultry look he thinks is flirtatious, but it just makes your skin crawl.

And not in a fun way. This is getting to be too much.

"I think I'm going to go for a smoke." You cut off the chatty Cassidy. Shepard's head turned to you with a smirk.

"You want me to come with you?" Shepard sits forward, ready to stand when you put a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.

"No, no. I need to make a phone call anyway. Could you watch my drink though?"

He nods as you take your phone off the table and step back from your seat. Shepard clears his throat as you lean over giving him a kiss, almost as if you've been trained to do so.

Finally, you walk out of the brewery, past tables filled with chatting people and around the side of the building to the secluded smoking balcony. Surprisingly empty as you show up. Grabbing one of the two chairs, you have a seat in front of the railing.

You lean back against the seat, looking up at the dark night sky full of stars, mind wandering to the man inside.

Not your husband...

"Fuck..." You mumble, pulling the pack of Marlboro's out of your jacket and slipping one of the sticks between your lips.

You retrieve your lighter, flicking the button repeatedly. Only a tiny spark igniting with a soft click. You groan in irritation, trying again.

"This seat taken?" You nearly lurch out of your seat, quickly turning to see Leon standing next to the empty chair, drink in hand.

"Jesus Christ! You scared the shit out of me..." Putting your hand on your heart you feel it pound from fear, glancing up at Leon you almost swear you could feel it skip for a split second.

"Is that a yes?" He asks, his lips curling into a smirk as he looks down at you.

"Yeah, sit. I don't care." You flick your lighter repeatedly, finally getting it to light as he sits. You make brief eye contact, slipping your lighter back in your pocket.

"Following me isn't really a great look for you, Kennedy." Leon scoffs, brows knitting as he takes in your figure far longer than appropriate.

“Can’t a guy just enjoy sitting next to a beautiful woman for a while?” It's your turn to grin, taking in his old cheesy way of talking. Your eyes start to linger now, taking in his appearance.

You can see the once lively eyes he had now grown into tired and strained. Hair darkens with age to match the beginnings of crows' feet. But he still looked handsome as ever. He always will.

"It's a free country, I can't tell you no." You continue with the banter, turning your attention back to the cigarette as you take in a drag. Glancing at him, you exhale, thinking of a way to break the building tension.

"So..." You knock some ash off your cigarette into the tray between the chairs and look at him again. "How've you been? I heard you're taking my spot as team lead. Congrats."

"Thanks, I'm doing okay." His hands move as he tries looking anywhere but you. Licking his lips, he finally looks at you again.

“What about you? You're happy about the change? Being off the field completely and all.”

"If you like sitting behind a desk all day slowly rotting from the inside out, sure... You know I'm a woman of action." You wince at your own bitterness and sigh.

"I took the new job for Shepard. He's been on my ass about taking care of myself since we..." You stop yourself, looking down at the wedding band, just another reminder of what once was between you and Leon.

"I just wanted to make him happy." You slip the cigarette between your lips again, looking down at the phone as it goes off in your lap.

Leon bites his tongue before saying the first thing to come to mind and nods instead.

Yeah, if she took that job for Shepard, she probably wouldn’t be pleased with it.

He can probably guess how much you do for him by that reaction alone.

��So... you do love him, then?”

You're mid-drag when the coughing starts, caught off guard by the sudden question. Your head snaps to Leon, coughing into your closed fist.

"Excuse me?" Leon shrugs, looking unbothered by your reaction.

"You took the job for his sake. So you must love him... Or at least want to keep the peace between the two of you. But you've always been a pretty good actor."

"He's my husband, isn't he?"

You almost sound defensive, not really giving him a yes or no response. You know the answer. Leon took note of the lack of one.

"Why are you asking?"

"Just curious." He takes a sip of his whiskey sour, shaking the glass, loose ice clanking against the misty sides as he stares down at it.

“I just thought, maybe... you were looking at me earlier. During dinner, during cocktails. I know I was staring at you. And the way you looked at Shepard. It seemed like you were almost... bored with him?”

You both loved and hated how perceptive Leon can be sometimes.

"Wow, I had no idea you were suddenly an expert at what I wanted. Little late for that, don't you think?" Your tone was sarcastic, but you knew what he was saying was true to an extent.

Even if you don't want to admit it.

He takes in your response, sipping his drink again as he nods. He has your down pat and the smirk forming on his face says he's completely aware of it.

“So am I right?” He asks, not really expecting much of an answer.

"Leon, you can't..." You look away, scrunching your nose, frowning at his question.

“Accuse you of settling? You just sort of settled on Shepard? Because he’s safe? Because he’s a good guy?” Leon continues, setting his drink down next to the ashtray. He leans forward, trying to get a glimpse of your face.

"It's not fair of you to ask that. Not from you of all people." But it's true, you settled for Shepard. Knowing he loved you and was looking out for your best interest.

"He loves me and I..." You stare at the street below, unable to finish what you started saying. The ring on your finger starts to feel heavier as it weighs on your hand and conscience.

The obvious truth was that you didn't love him, you tried. Really, really tried to but never got the same kind of attachment to him like you did with him.

With Leon...

"Sweetheart."

God no, his voice is so charming still...

"You don't love him, do you? You've... Never loved him." Finally, you look at him again, wanting to curse him out desperately.

But he's so smug, the look on his face says he already knows how to make you admit it. And you both know he'll drag the truth out of you one way or another.

"I hate that you can read me so well still." You finally answer, unable to keep up the lie. Taking in a deep breath, you extinguish the cigarette, leaving it in the ashtray. You look back at the street below, feeling Leon's eyes on you still.

"We both know how well I know you sweetheart." His voice is barely above a whisper. He leans in watching your eyes flicker at him. That natural shine he's used to seeing back again, to greet him like an old friend from years past.

It's enough of a greeting that you both know how this could end, easily.

You know that look all too well, feeling your heart thumping in your chest, harder than it has in years now. You know exactly what he's thinking about.

"N-No Leon." Your voice can't even carry a stern tone as he makes you weak in the knees with a single look. Your stomach does a flip as he just stares, look unwavering.

"I'm married!"

"You think I'm not aware of that?" He leans even closer, his hand sliding onto your thigh.

You say nothing, watching him put his hand on you, squeeze you like Shepard does.

Like when you feel nothing...

You know it's wrong, you should stop him from touching you. But the familiarity is so comforting as his thumb glides over your silky skin.

God, it feels so different with Leon... So good... So wrong, but so right at the same time.

The feeling of fireworks fills your chest and butterflies materialize in your stomach. That same feeling from years ago is rearing its ugly little head to claw its way back around your heart again. You just stare at each other, not saying a word.

“You’re married,” he speaks again, just repeating what you said. “But you’re still in love with me, aren't you?"

You swallow again, the gulp making an audible noise. Almost like you just sucked down a golf ball.

"I want to hear you say it." His voice sounds like he's on the verge of begging for it. You grab his shoulder and push him back to arms length.

"Leon, no... It's wrong. Happy or not."

"But, I want you." The words slipped out of him so easily, making you ache.

Ache in a lot of ways, in a lot of places you definitely shouldn't for someone who isn't your husband.

"Please... Just one kiss to see if the sparks are still there." He's quite literally begging now, grabbing your hand.

"Honey?" You shoot up from your chair the second you hear his voice, yanking your hand away. You quickly step past Leon as Shepard appears around the corner.

"Honey, hi!" You sound unnaturally excited to see him.

"Hey Shepard." Leon stood from his chair and sounded cold. Honestly, not caring to cover his bitterness about the situation.

"Oh, hey Leon." Shepard greets him, noticeably a bit intoxicated by how he's standing. "I didn't know you smoked."

"He doesn't!" You blurt out, gaining your husband's attention again. "He was just asking me for advice about being the new team lead. Just helping a co-worker out."

"Aww, that's so sweet of you, baby." Shepard smiles sheepishly at his wife, not even realizing you're lying through your teeth. "Speaking of baby... Could you help me get Cassidy to stop talking about her kids? Pretty please?"

You sigh with a fake chuckle. "Yeah just... Give me a minute."

Shepard nods, giving you a kiss on the cheek and walks back into the brewery.

"So, you're okay with that?" Leon crosses his arms, gesturing between you and the door.

You glare at him, not bothering to hide your annoyance.

"You're insufferable..." You rub your eyes thinking before you speak.

"Look, I don't... Love him... But I don't want to hurt him either. He's still a good guy..."

“A good guy, huh?” He whispers, stepping forward, taking your hands in his.

“But not enough to make you feel anything when he’s around. That's strictly reserved for me, yeah?” You feel your skin warm up as you pull your hands away.

"Jesus Christ..." His cocky attitude makes you groan in irritation.

"I could honestly choke you right now... I swear."

"You know, I know what buttons to push to get you all riled up. Just to come right back into my arms."

You roll your eyes looking back into the brewery, seeing Shepard start to wobble in his chair slightly. You know that he's at his drink limit now.

"Leon... Just... We'll talk later." You start walking away towards the door to inside the brewery when he grabs your wrist. Not painfully tight, just enough to get you to stop walking.

"Or we can talk now." You sigh, thinking of a solution, as Leon let go of your wrist.

"What hotel room number did they stick you in for the work retreat?"

"Why?" He grins, leaning in again. "You're going to drop by for a special visit later?"

"To talk." You emphasize, getting more irritated as you lean in closer "And only talk..."

"Fuck, you're so hot when you're mad." You groan watching him bite his lip as he looks you up and down.

"Room number Leon. Now."

"Can't ever let me have my fun, can you? Room 407." Your eyebrows furrow, of course he'd only be two doors down from you.

"I'll be over at midnight."

"I'll be waiting with bated breath." You shoot him a glare, making him chuckle as you walk back into the brewery.

Collecting your husband, with a lot of effort and his cooperation, you make it back to the hotel in a good amount of time. Unlocking the door, you help him over to the bed, laying him on his side.

Getting him plenty of water and making him take Tylenol before he inevitably passes out to avoid the hangover you know he'd definitely be having if it weren't for you.

Soon it's midnight, and you make your way two doors down. Knocking on room 407.

You hear heavy quick footsteps coming towards the door. Leon opens the door, his hair messy and his shirt's top three notches unbuttoned. This was starting to feel really reminiscent of your old hook-up days.

“Come on in, sweetheart. I was starting to think midnight would never come.”

You push your way into his room, shutting the door behind yourself, so none of your coworkers see them together. You glare at him, crossing your arms over your chest.

"You got a lot of nerve pulling the shit you did earlier."

"Oh I'm aware," Leon locks the door, stepping up to you slowly. His eyes trailing your figure again, "you'd be lying though if you said you didn't like it."

"So you think betraying his trust is better than cheating on him?"

"Y'know, I hate how you keep avoiding what I've been asking you today." His hand comes up, caressing your cheek, you grab his wrist to move his hand, but your eyes meet with his. His thumb runs along your jawline, leaning in closer, his voice becomes warm against your ears, a sultry tone tickling you in all the right ways.

"He doesn't get you like I do. Make your knees weak with a simple touch or feel how easily your pussy throbs if you're called the right name in bed... He doesn't know that side of you."

He smirks, feeling your skin become warm underneath his fingertips.

"I fucking hate you." Leon snickers, bringing himself closer to you.

"No you don't. You love me." His eyes flick from yours to your lips. Lingering for a split second before you speak.

"Do you have it in you to love me like I want?"

"Of course I do." He's known since you left how he felt.

"Prove it. Tell me how you feel then."

“I love you." He speaks without hesitation, running his thumb across your bottom lip.

"I’ve always felt this way. I get that feeling in my stomach when I look at you, that feeling whenever I touch your skin, I’ve needed you for years now. I’ve known it almost as long as you’ve known you don’t love Shepard... I miss you." Your breath hitches, hearing what you've wanted to for so long. Leon drew closer, lips centimeters from each other.

"Do you miss me?" With that question your little shred of resolve disappears.

"I miss everything... How you make me feel. Your touch... How you always know exactly what I'm thinking even when I can't put the words together..." You frown, looking at him before leaning on him. Wrapping yourself around his entire being.

Your noses touch, lips slightly parted as you look deeply into each others eyes. The beautiful blue in his eyes surrounding your reflection, encasing you completely.

"Tell me how much you want me." Your body quivers, hearing his borderline demanding tone.

"He loves me, but he's never made me feel like a woman. Not like you did before... And I want you so badly, I can feel it in my bones."

Your lips glide over each other's. Not able to hold back much longer.

"How badly do you want me?" You ask, watching him pull back from your lips. Smug smirk staring at you, almost like he's watching his next meal.

He reaches out, brushing the back of his hand across your cheek, feeling the warmth of your skin radiate into his. His hand moves down to your chin, tilting your head up towards him.

"I could show you instead, if you'll allow me." He stares into your eyes, waiting for a response, any sign that you'll let him in again.

You give in with a short, simple nod.

His lips are on you, fiercely pressing his tongue against your lips, possessively pushing his way in. His hand goes to the back of your neck, hitting the hotel room door with a loud rattle.

Your hands fly to paw at his open chest, his hands prodding at your thighs under your dress, pulling your legs around his waist. Hands gliding up to your ass, squeezing it while you're carried to the bed.

He breaks the kiss, pushing your body to the bed. Leon pulls off his dress shirt, popping buttons as he rushes, tossing it to the side as he climbs on top of you. Soon, his hands are back on you, gliding up your thighs, pushing your dress up past your hips to pool at your waist.

"Well, I'll be damned. My favorite pair." Leon breathes out, sounding like a laugh as she looks at his favorite pair of blue lace panties covering your lower half. His lip curls up as he kisses above the edge of the fabric. Making your hips jolt for a second, acutely aware of how wet you actually are.

His hands travel up, pushing your dress up and over your head. Sitting up on his knees, he takes you in. Biting his bottom lip as his eyes wandered, wondering where to start first.

"I missed this body so badly." Leon traces his lips across your skin, starting to kiss under your ear and down your neck. His hands gliding under you to unclasp your bra, freeing your chest.

"Do you know what I want to do to you right now?" He growls into your ear, making you whimper in response.

You try to think straight at the moment, but all you can focus on is his strong hands roaming down your side, slowly towards the wetness pooling between your legs.

"To fuck me like you'll never see me again." He smirks against your ear, feeling your warm breath against his cheek. He chuckles darkly, knowing exactly what he wants, what you both want as his hands pull your panties off, dropping them on the floor with your dress.

"Good girl. You've always been so smart, angel." You watched him sit up and undo his belt, pulling it through the loops of his pants. Quickly making work of his pants and boxers, he stands over you naked. His thick cock standing at attention against his lower stomach.

Your legs come together as he pulls you towards the edge of the bed, grip tight around your thighs as he sinks to his knees. He spreads your legs, eyes landing on your wet slit, he playfully leans over, kissing your knee as he puts your legs over her shoulders.

His lips roam, kissing down your inner thigh. Reaching up, his finger spread your folds open. Watching the wetness from your arousal glisten against your skin, Leon let out a throaty groan in satisfaction.

"Fuck, you're so perfect like this. Ready as ever for me aren't you, sweetheart?" His lips turn to a smirk as he leans down, licking a slow gentle strip up your folds. Forgetting how much he enjoyed the sweet taste of you.

A soft moan erupts from your lips, arching off the bed to grind into his mouth, Leon placing a calloused hand on your abdomen to keep you in place. His other hand digging his short nails into your plush thigh.

With a final lick to your fold, Lean spits your juices back in you entrance, burying himself in your pussy, nose on her clit and deep in your tight hole with his tongue working your g-spot expertly.

As if he never forgot where it was in the first place.

The ridiculous amount of squelching alone would be embarrassing, but it felt too good to care. You hadn't felt like this in years.

Leon feels your walls convulse around his tongue as his eyes flick up to watch you quake in pleasure. A moan leaving your lips as your fingers bury themselves into the silky hotel bedsheets. Shaky breathing breaking as you feel his mouth pull off you. Your eyes shoot down watching him lick his lips clean of your juices.

"Fuck I missed making you feel this good." Leon lines up 2 of his fingers with your core, gliding them inside you. Feeling your walls clench around his thick digits. Eliciting a moan from him as he curled into the spongy spot.

"Could have you gushing on my fingers like this forever." Leaning down nibbling at the sensitive flesh of your thighs. Leaving behind subtle teeth marks. Not caring in the slightest if your husband saw it or not.

You're finally his again, and he'd be damned if he wasn't marking his territory this time. Staring at them for a moment makes his cock twitch.

Leaving one final bite, he focuses back on your pussy, his tongue slips from between his lips, gliding across your clit. Lips move to latch on and suck gently. Your legs quiver, shaky breathing signaling you're getting close to release. His fingers move in perfect tandem with your body.

"C'mon beautiful, cum for me." Your eyes roll back, glazing over as you bite down on your lower lip muffling a cry of pleasure. Climaxing on Leon's fingers and hand as he works you through your orgasm. Feeling your body relax, tension leaving as relief washes over you after what feels like forever.

Panting softly, you lift yourself onto your elbows to watch Leon lick his slick fingers clean, savoring the taste before diving back into your dripping entrance to clean things up properly as you watch him with a close eye.

"I've been thinking about this moment for years. Been dreaming about being buried deep inside this tight little pussy again." Pulling away and licking his lips, he kisses your thigh once more.

"Has he ever made you cum like that? Or has he been depriving my angel?" Your head spins at the question, swallowing hard as you try thinking of an answer as he caresses your face.

"No, never as good as you..." He moves, pulling you up onto the bed, putting you up against the pillows, crawling on top of you. Moving to kiss your collarbone up to your ear. His full weight pressed down on you, cock pressed against your inner thigh.

"Can I fuck you? Need to be buried inside you, feel you around me again." His voice sounds borderline desperate as he asks, your eyes turning away.

"You should let me show you how good it could be to be claimed as mine again," his hot breath trickles against your ear. He moves his hand down to grip onto your chin firmly, making you meet his hot gaze again.

Desperation not only poured from his words, but his expression too.

"Tell me you'll let me have you again, so I can make you mine... Fully. Just like we both know we want." You know you want to, you feel nothing for Shepard.

Nothing comparable to what you feel with Leon.

Your lips part as you give him an answer.

"I'm yours, only yours, Leon. Every part of me." His eyes lit up, leaning in and pulling you into a passionate kiss. Happy to finally have you again in every way.

"Do you remember how good I used to make you feel?" He moves forward, positioning himself at your entrance, ready to claim you completely.

"You're mine and mine alone." Sliding into you, you feel that familiar fullness of his cock inside you. Digging your nails into his shoulders as he huffs into your neck, your legs wrap around his waist out of instinct.

"Fuck, I forgot how good you feel." He mumbles against your neck, leaving a trail of kisses down your throat to the top of your breasts. A deep groan leaves his chest as he rolls his hips into your tightness.

You feel your walls contract around him, almost like your molding to perfectly fit him and only him.

"Oh fuck, Leon." You breathed out, hand running up to the base of his neck, pulling at his hair.

"Feels too much like home," Leon's voice is thick with pleasure as he continues to drive into your wet pussy, feeling every bit of your heat surround him, "he definitely hasn't been fucking you right... Of course not. He's not me. Doesn't know shit about your body like I do, does he?"

He grunts into your neck, body trembling at the effort it takes not to cum immediately from how good you feel against him.

Reaching down, he grabs your ass, pulling you tighter to him, starting to pound into you. Moving his hand, he lifts your leg, hitting that angle that turns you into a hopeless puddle beneath him.

You let out a string of broken moans, louder than intended, but you're at the point of no return. Feeling the intense knot in your stomach building quickly. You can see his face getting red as he pulls back from your neck to look in your eyes.

"Close, so close." He watches your face contort in ecstasy, smirking.

"Mine to take care of, mine to pleasure, mine to claim... " He reaches in-between your bodies and starts to circle your clit, his voice becoming more unsteady as he gets closer to his climax.

He feels that quiver around his cock, your nails digging into his back and pulling at his roots as you finish around him.

"Fuck, fuck. I'm-" His voice breaks, burying himself deep inside you, he fills you, a pathetic moan slipping from his lips as he collapses on top of you.

You're both panting heavily, his head on your chest listening to your heart thump against your ribcage. He smiles, still trying to catch his breath, kissing over your chest. Your hand weeds through his hair, pushing his bangs back from his face.

"I didn't even know you could make a sound like that." He grumbles against your skin, biting your chest lightly. You giggle as he rolls over off you, bringing you to his chest.

"Shut up." But he smiles down at you, watching how easily you curl into his side. Bringing your hand up, you caress his cheek, brushing over the bone with your thumb. He takes it, brushing his thumb over your knuckles. Taking note of your wedding ring.

"Are you okay?" He questions, voice sounding a bit worried. "I wasn't too much?"

"No. You were perfect. Are you okay?" He just nods in response, rubbing his hand across your lower back slowly.

"Why don't you take a nap before heading back? You look tuckered out." His smirk returns, you simply nod, cuddling up to him. Nuzzling your head into the crook of his neck and putting your arm around him as he holds you close.

He knows he's going to struggle to let you go again.

"I don't see it out here either." You say, look around the hallway. Shepard raises his head from dragging your luggage out of the door. He slides the card into the door, locking it before turning back to you.

"Baby, it's fine. We'll get you a new one." His irritation is obvious as he walks past you towards the elevator when one of the doors in the hallway opens. Out stepped Leon from his room, bag over his shoulder as you lock eyes. He smiles before noticing Shepard, his face dropping to its usual Stoic expression.

"New what?" Leon questions, watching your husband turn his head.

"She lost her wedding ring." Shepard pushes the button, calling the elevator as you and Leon walk up behind him.

"You seemed pretty drunk last night. Maybe she lost it helping you back to your room?" Shepard looks at Leon, his face dropping and irritation evaporating in an instance.

"Was I that bad? Jesus, honey, I'm sorry." Shepard puts an arm around your waist. You look at Leon from the corner of your eyes.

Leon's shooting daggers at Shepard, who's none the wiser.

"Just check the lost and found before you leave." He suggests, looking back at the elevator doors as they open. You all step in, stuck in-between Leon and Shepard.

Leon fidgets next to you, he stares straight ahead. Trying to ignore your skirt tapping his leg, or your perfume taking over his senses from how close you are.

But in the end, he can't help himself.

His pinkie finger pops out, brushing against your fingers, fully expecting rejection in the form of your hand pulling away.

Thankfully, he's greeted with your pinkie, interlocking with his until the door rings again. You walk out ahead, Shepard, carrying your bags. You spare him one last glance and a smile before leaving around the corner to the hotel lobby. Leon smiled to himself, stepping out of the elevator.

Shoving his hand in his pocket as he walks, feeling the cool metal of your wedding ring brushing against his fingertips.

All the while knowing, he isn't losing you this time.

[rememberthisham]

All He Ever Wanted Ch. 16

About five hours later Dib stretched his arms over his head. His back was mad at him for standing so hunched for so long but he'd done it. All nine hundred and eighty squares. All three thousand nine hundred and twenty corners were shocked and tested. It wasn't as bad as he thought it would be, some did interesting things when tested. One of them made Zim start to hiccup. One of them rapidly opened and closed the four smaller panels on the PAK's shell while it was being shocked. One of them made a ding like a toaster oven and GIR shouted "Pie's done!"

Overall it was an interesting experience, and he'd gotten a lot faster at it the more he'd done. The only issue was the lack of one.

Every single node had responded as it was supposed to, there were no errors and no loose wires. Zim scratched at his arms in thought.

"If the wiring is flawless, as it should be, then the issue must lie in the gray matter." He reasoned. Dib furrowed his eyebrows. 

"Like the brain?"

"Similar," Zim responded simply. "Carefully twist the inside wall of the PAK clockwise, pressing just above where the wires are."

Dib did as instructed, surprised as the strip of the inner wall where the wires connected to the PAK clicked and slid clockwise until it could be slid up and out of the container. He lifted the wire mesh carefully out of the PAK on its hoop and set it aside. The underside of the square nodes he'd been testing all protruded with a larger wire, about the width of yarn, and ran back into the PAK. They were capped in insulating caps, much like rubber, that couldn't be disconnected from the…

The…

The very bottom layer of Zim's PAK appeared to be a brain. The delicate light green color was the only differentiation between it and the brains Dib was more familiar with. It was at the bottom and therefore the largest part of the PAK so it was significant in size. 

Something most people who aren't prodigy sons of scientists don't know is that the brain is not solid, it's not even gelatinous, it's liquid. More accurately it's snot-like in texture. A gross flemmy liquidly organ that fills the space of any container it's in. This brain filled the bottom of Zim's PAK and was about the size of a basketball if it were to be made round. It attached to the wire mesh through the yarn-like wires and appeared to connect to the reinforced rods that held Zim's PAK to his back. Dib stared in wonder at the pure science fiction of it. No wonder Zim was hesitant to share the secrets of his PAKs technology, it really was amazing.

"It's a brain," Dib said finally. Zim smiled to himself but made sure Dib didn't see.

 

"Yes, silly monkey, that is my PAK's brain. Make sure it's properly connected to the wires." Dib examined every rubber wire cap carefully in search of a breach or imperfection. There was nothing, it was perfect. Dib found the whole mechanism a little breathtaking.

"It's all good." He said finally and Zim growled in frustration.

"Your inferior eyes are missing something, check again." He hissed. Dib once again examined the wiring, tugging lightly to test and still finding nothing amiss.

"It's really fully connected." He reaffirmed. Zim balled his fists, raging in silence for a moment before calming himself. 

"What about the greater connection?" He asked.

"What's that?"

"Where it wires to my central column." He explained. Dib gingerly pulled the brain away from the edge of the PAK where it connected to Zim's back. There were wires there as well being fed through the tubes and directly into Zim's body.

"I'd have to take it off to see," Dib admitted.

"Very well." 

With some effort, Dib managed to reassemble the Pak's innards. He replaced the wire mesh carefully sliding it counterclockwise and clicking it back into position. He reassembled the tools and PAK legs, marveling one more time at how they all fit complexly and perfectly no matter what order he put them back in. He closed the panel on top and took a deep breath. 

"Now that I know what's in it, I don't wanna break it." He admitted. Zim huffed.

"When the exoskeleton is closed it's practically indestructible." The alien assured him. "Computer," Zim commanded, "set a timer for nine minutes and thirty seconds."

"If you say so…" the computer answered hesitantly. Carefully Dib removed the PAK from Zim in its entirety.

Dib set the PAK on the table and looked at the remaining metal socket embedded permanently in Zim's back.

If he knew his sockets, which the six-time international engineering and robotics champion had better, he knew these were wire sockets. Unsurprising with how many wires he'd encountered so far. They were an easy conduit for two sets of wires to attach and detach to each other at will. It was likely if not definite that the socket attached to wires in the inside of his body perfectly matched the ones coming from the brain so electrical pulses of information could be carried between the two.

"There's wires behind your exoskeleton?" He asked.

"Yes, they lead to Zim's brain." He answered. Dib hummed lightly.

"There's no problem with any of this machinery, if you really wanted to dig deeper I'd have to crack your skull open." He laughed. Zim pressed a button on his PAK and it extended its tubes from its attachment socket, automatically finding Zims back and reattaching itself. 

"You've been helpful, human." Zim dismissed his joke, a grim yet distracted expression overtaking his face. Dib crossed his arms and looked at the floor.

He really thought this would feel better. He thought finding out the mysteries of the PAK would make him feel satisfied in some way, but the failure to actually fix the problem just felt bitter, even if he didn't have a lot of stake in the issue, to begin with. He could look deeper into it if he could just get into Zim's head to see where those last few wires went, but that was absurd…

Wait.

"Actually," Dib got another idea that felt madder than the one that had gotten him here. 

"What is it now?" Zim spat, clearly just as bitter as Dib had been.

"I might not have to cut you open to keep trying, my dad's Lab has an MRI machine." He suggested lightly. Zim narrowed his eyes in unvoiced confusion. "It stands for Magnetic…uh…magnetic something imaging. I wanna say radiation but I know that's not it." He explained. "It uses magnetic waves to make an image of someone's brain for study. It might help give us some insight into whether or not your problem's all the way in your head." He finished. Zim put his hands on his hips and thought. He was over getting help from the human but he was also running out of options. If he couldn't figure this out he'd never get his position in life back. He didn't like Dib or his Lab and he wasn't going to just voluntarily return to where he'd been imprisoned and threatened with vivisection.

"You're crazy if you think I'm going to go with you into your weird…human liar." He decided. Dib had to admit that was fair. He thought about the way he'd trapped Zim and felt momentary embarrassment for what he'd done. How he thought he was saving the world. How he thought his dad's little home lab would intimidate an intergalactic mad scientist. Zim had been rescued by his minions, perhaps a little insurance would make him more comfortable?

"How about this time you bring GIR and Minimoose? As a show of good faith?" He suggested tentatively. Zim stuck out his lip and thought hard about the offer.

"That would be…fractionally more acceptable." He admitted. "We leave immediately!"

"What?" Dib panicked this time, why did he think Zim wouldn't want to go right away?

"No, we can't go now."

"Explain!"

"My da–"

EXPLAIN!"

"...My dad's home right now so I can't use his lab." He said. Zim leaned back at the waist, letting his arms dangle behind him.

"The monarch…" he scowled to himself.

"He…" Dib remembered a recent conversation with relief. "He leaves next week for Tokyo, we can do it then." He promised.

"I see." Zim closed his eyes and stared simply. "I guess I'll see you some time next week then."

"Good–"

"Now GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!"

Next

[bindupthesebrokenbones]

Man I'm really dropping the ball this week aren't I? After failing to post this yesterday, I thought about just skipping a day, but I don't like to do that. So I definitely need to load up two posts today!

Today I'm gonna give you all some suggestions/ideas for grazing trays. These are great for a lot of things - I use them for both parties and low energy days, but you could also use them for when you have just one or two friends hanging out, or if you have kids and they have team activities that you need to provide food/snacks for!

Grazing trays are trays full of bite-sized foods, somewhat similar to/inspired by a charcuterie board, that you can pick at throughout the day, or over the course of a few hours. I often use them in place of a full, single plate meal if I don't want to cook.

Although I say these are low energy, I want to emphasize that they do take prep work! Normally I have a day where I do all my food prep - washing, cutting, portioning, etc. - and so on low energy days I already have those things ready to toss onto a tray and go.

If you don't do that, then this is gonna take a little bit more work. But let's get into it!

What to Put on Your Tray

The most important step is deciding WHAT is going on your tray. Keep in mind that most fruits and vegetables will be fine at room temperature for a long while, but meats and cheeses are only safe at room temperature for about 4 hours, and cooked foods taken off the heat should be eaten or refrigerated within 2-4 hours.

Cold Grazing Options

Fruits

Vegetables

Sliced or Diced cheeses

Deli meats

Nuts

Crackers

Bread/Rolls

Pretzels

Granola

Dry Cereal

Pickles

Jams/Preserves

Honey

Condiments/Dips

Tiny Sandwiches

Warm/Hot Grazing Options

Pigs in Blankets

Egg Rolls

Wantons

Chicken Wings

Tiny Grilled Sandwiches

Garlic Knots

Sweet Tray Options

Candy

Marshmallows

Chocolate

Caramel

Mints

The Anatomy of the Grazing Tray

There are no rules when it comes to how you set up your tray. I searched up a few ideas on Google (I only have round trays and wanted to show off some more options!), and there are a lot of common layouts:

The Round Tray

Round trays seem to be the top choice for rainbow/color sorting enthusiasts. I suppose no true artist can resist a color wheel.

[Image ID: a round grazing tray featuring sweets/desserts arranged by color in a striped pattern around the circumference]

[Image ID: a round grazing tray with sweet and savory foods arranged by color in pie slice sections]

[Image ID: A round grazing tray featuring fruits and vegetables, meats and cheeses, and flowers, all cut and arranged in a decorative/floral aesthetic rainbow pattern]

The Square/Rectangle Tray

Square and Rectangle trays tend to be the standard, and people really let their creativity fly with these. I have a few images here, but if you're into creative trays and want to take the time to make yours extra fancy, search for "Themed Charcuterie Board" on your favorite search engine to find ideas for holidays, movies, game nights, and more.

[Image ID: An Easter-themed rectangle grazing tray featuring fruits, vegetables, meats, cheese, crackers, eggs, nuts, and chocolate]

[Image ID: A densely packed rectangle grazing tray with fruits, vegetables, meats, cookie sandwiches, and condiments]

[Image ID: A mostly savory rectangle grazing board with vegetables, cheese, crackers, meats, and condiments, with a portion of fruits in two corners]

The Grazing Table

Grazing tables are essentially a snack buffet. These are ideal for large groups and parties.

[Image ID: A long outdoor table with multiple trays and baskets of food laid out from end to end. Foods include fruit, vegetables, crackers, breads, meals, cheeses, and macarons. Greenery is added to the table as filler/decoration]

The Sectioned Tray

[Image ID: A divided serving tray in a rattan basket featuring fruits, nuts, and crackers]

[Image ID: A box with removable bowl sections filled with fruits and cheeses]

[Image ID: A muffin/cupcake baking pan being used as a sectioned snack tray for fruits, vegetables, cheese, meat, crackers, and nuts]

The Fun and Unusual Tray

Just about anything can be used as a grazing tray. If you have any oddly shaped platters or storage containers, give them a try! You can also use normal rectangle or round trays, but arrange your food in a fun or unusual way.

[Image ID: A "Snacklebox", a plastic tackle box where the adjustable sections inside are used for snack foods. This example has fruits, crackers, popcorn, vegetables, cheese, and nuts]

[Image ID: A tray of fruits, cheeses, and meats arranged to look like a Christmas tree]

[unpredictablestuff]

Pie day

Pie aren't square. Pie are round!

--Gracie Allen on the Burns and Allen Show

[stareyeddistinguishment]

🎉Midam Birthday Bash One-shot🧇

"Holy shit!"

"Good morning, Adam," Michael returned peaceably. "As well, Happy Birthday."

Dressed in his Star Wars pajama pants, a long-sleeved black t-shirt, and his yellow fuzzy slippers, Adam stood gaping at the entrance of their apartment’s tiny kitchen. After running a startled hand through his sleep-mussed hair, Adam rubbed his eyes. Then, as his gaze traveled the tiny kitchen workspace, Michael noted with satisfaction what Adam observed. First, the kitchen was fastidiously clean. All surfaces were polished, and all kitchen objects were perfectly placed, perfectly oriented. Second, and of greater importance-

"Did you bake all that?" Adam's tone was as incredulous as it was impressed.

All available space on the tiny kitchen counter was laden with food objects. These were classified as delicacies by Adam’s Midwestern culture. There were chocolate cupcakes, peanut butter cookies, a latticed apple pie, marshmallow rice squares, and of course, the crowning glory, a carrot cake with creamed cheese frosting.

"Indeed," Michael humbly acknowledged. "This I did bake."

"Michael."

"Adam, this is your first birthday since leaving Hell. Never have we celebrated a birthday during which you could consume the prescribed birthday treats."

"So, you made me everything your E.A.M. could think of?" Adam gently teased.

"Perhaps," Michael allowed, teasing Adam back.

As Adam's best friend and beloved, it was Michael's duty to provide Adam with birthday treats on Adam's birthday. As well, it was Michael's privilege and pleasure.

"However, first, you must partake in the traditional birthday breakfast," Michael directed.

Adam's eyebrows rose high on his forehead. "Wait? Holdup. There's more?"

"Indeed," the Archangel agreed proudly.

Then, Michael's apparition shepherded Adam out of the tiny kitchen and into the apartment's tiny eating nook. Here, the kitchen table was laden with a variety of breakfast food objects.

Blue eyes widened. "Scrambled eggs, toast, sausage, melon, strawberries, oranges slices," Adam recounted, staring dazedly at the spread. "Blueberry muffins?"

"Yes."

"-chocolate chip pancakes, and-" Adam stopped, and his eyes suddenly became glassy. "Oh, holy shit! Michael, those are banana cinnamon waffles, aren't they?"

Michael nodded. "Indeed."

"I used to get banana cinnamon waffles for my birthday breakfast when I was a kid," Adam recalled. "Mom made them for me every birthday. It was like a birthday tradition.” Adam paused to gaze tenderly at Michael. “And you remembered me telling you about that," Adam concluded softly.

Once more, Michael nodded. "Indeed."

“Indeed,” Adam repeated fondly. Blue eyes gleamed.

Then, abruptly, Adam frowned. "Wait. We own a waffle iron?"

"Yes. Now, we do."

Adam snorted in amusement. “Yeah, of course, now, we do. Because you went out and got one, just so you could make me these birthday waffles. Bejeezus, you’re amazing.”

Then, rounding on Michael, Adam was suddenly standing in front of the Archangel. A loving smile was etched upon Adam's face. Carelessly, Adam wove his arms about Michael's neck and pulled the Archangel's apparition into a fond kiss. Immediately and effortlessly, Michael responded to the very human expression of romantic love and affection. After all, kissing Adam was one of Michael's favorite things.

When they finished with the kiss, Adam pulled back to rest his forehead against Michael's.

"Thank you, love," Adam spoke quietly. Michael could hear the happy smile in his beloved's voice. "This was a great surprise."

"You are welcomed, Adam," Michael returned. Happily, Michael smiled, as well.

"But it's also the feast of Michaelmas, so it's your birthday today, too. So, you'd better help me eat some of this." Adam moved to take in the view of the kitchen table. "Bejeezus, this is a ton of sugar." Adam snorted. He shook his head disbelievingly, still smiling.

"Adam, always we can freeze the leftovers," Michael observed. Dutifully, the Archangel reported, "Only did I select recipes that included instructions for freezing for later consumption."

Readily was Michael aware of Adam's predilection for healthy eating. Adam was adamant about maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and always did Michael encourage his human's wellness regime.

"You're always thinking of everything," Adam returned fondly.

"Always, I am thinking of you," Michael corrected, equally as fond.

Adam's smile widened. In response, Michael's smile widened, as well.

.

"Mmm, everything is so good. This is an amazing birthday breakfast!"

"Thank you, Adam."

"I'm really impressed with how fluffy the scrambled eggs are."

"Indeed. This is because I whisked the eggs until 'light and frothy.'"

"Well, I can tell! Oh, hey, I'm going to have some of the banana cinnamon waffles now!"

"Very well."

"Can you pass the syrup?"

"Yes."

"Thanks. And, wow, this waffle is- It's um. It's delicious! And the texture of it is so ... interesting."

"Yes."

"Hey, Michael, did you ... erm ... You did peel the bananas before you chopped them, right?"

"Of course, Adam. I followed the recipe explicitly. After peeling the banana, I chopped the fruit into 'small bite-sized chunks, no larger than one-quarter of an inch.' Furthermore, to ensure a consistent texture, I chopped the fruit into bite-sized chunks of exactly one-quarter of an inch."

"Okay. Yeah, okay. And when you were chopping the banana, did you chop the entire fruit — like, peel and all?"

"Of course, Adam. As I said, I followed the recipe explicitly."

"Awesome. Just checking."

"Indeed."

"Hey, I'm going to move to the chocolate chip pancakes now. Let’s make sure to freeze the rest of the banana cinnamon waffles for later."

“Indeed.”

.

"Michael, this has been an amazing birthday!"

[madammuffins]

Fairy Summers is a short story request by @vhum for my 300 follower celebration.

It is a World of Make Believe AU featuring Chelsea x Puck told over a series of summers as they age together and manouver through lifes struggles, fantastical and mortal.

I will be uploading in parts just for easier reading. Also, playlist.

CW: Contains coming-of-age themes, familial abuse suggestion.

~*~*~*~

She didn't really understand what the old lady in black was saying. Chelsea did like being able to wear her blue sparkly dress though, and her shoes echoed on the wood floors. ʻAnakē Susie placed a hard hand on her shoulder, stilling her squirming body.

"Seeing as no other relatives are here to claim the child, we've already run over an hour on this case, and sadly Mr. and Mrs. Kalua's living will was not legally notarized… " The old lady leaned forward, "Chelsea, dear?"

The young girls hands gripped the chair, ʻAnakē Susie's hand still on her shoulder, her thumb digging in against her shoulder. "Yes?"

"Do you like your mother's cousin?" She motioned, her sleeve billowed. "Would you like to stay with them?"

"Oh I love sleepovers!" Chelsea beamed. "We always sleepover when we visit Hawaii." She kicked her legs, bouncing against the chair. "For weeks!"

"Yes." The judge grinned, her face softening kindly. "Would you like to live with your mother's cousins? Now that your parents aren't with us."

Chelsea frowned at that, "I guess." She answered slow, chipped nail finding a divot in the wood, "but I'll have to go home with them when they come back."

"I'm afraid she still doesn't completely understand, Your Honor." Susan's arm snaked around her soon-to-be ward, the picture of concern. "It's such a terrible concept-"

"And she is so young." The judge nodded. "Very well. Let's wrap this up, shall we? The court rules in favor of the plaintiff Susan Kalua suing for legal guardianship of Chelsea Kalua. As her foster mother you will receive monthly sums to offset the cost of support. From here on out you, Mrs. Kalua, and your husband," Hard grey eyes moved to the bodies on the first bench just behind Susan, "will be expected to treat Chelsea as a member of your family. A daughter of your own."

"Of course!" Susan nodded, eyes glistening, matte pink lips pressed together and wobbling.

Chelsea wriggled against the fingers digging into her arms. In the muggy heat of Hawaiian summer the blue dress had become suffocating.

~*~*~

Chelsea pulled her knees to her chin, watching Anakala Joe pull the pig from the kalua. The smell of roasted pineapple and coconut and spices hit her square in the stomach.

"Anakē," she shifted on the tree root, "Anakē Susie I'm so hungry."

"Excuse me, Sis." Susie turned from the table, "I gotta lolo keiki."

The auntie chuckled as she continued chopping. Chelsea's brows furrowed as she watched Susan wipe her hands on a rag that she shoved back into her apron.

Chelsea unraveled slowly, I'm not crazy.

Susan's hand was still sticky when she grabbed Chelsea's arm. Her dark hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail but the summer had the loose strands sticking to her neck. Chelsea didn't like that she smelled of mangos and onions. The combination made her feel sick as her bare feet stumbled hard over uneven ground, struggling to keep up with too long strides.

"Anakē-" Chelsea's protest cutoff when Susan threw her arm like it was scalding her.

"I am your mother now, keiki." She crouched down, voice hard and scratching. Her eyes were cold. "Tsk, aisus."

Chelsea shuddered at the warmth flooding into her skin through fingertips that now stroked instead of clenched. "I-I want Mama."

"I know, Chells." Susan's eyes closed, her voice was heavy. "I want her, too. But, darling, she's gone. She's never coming back. I'm your Mama now. I'm your mom. Call me mom." Lids snapped open as fingers tightened, shaking the child quick, tight, violent. "Call me mom."

The demand was hot and tight in Chelsea's chest. "I-I want Daddy. I want Dad…" The breeze rustling the trees nearly swallowed her words.

"Call me Mom."

It hurt, the demand. Weaving up into Chelsea's head mingling with the smell making her eyes water.

"Okay, Mom."

Susan's grip loosened, soothing over the sore fingerprint sized aches. "That wasn't so hard now, was it?" Those eyes dipped below unruly hair to peer into tearing eyes. "Don't cry."

"Okay, Mom." Chelsea knew obedience would make her new mom happy; she swallowed the confusion and pain.

"Ah my good girl." Mom stood, patting Chelsea's head. "I need to finish cooking. Dinner smells amazing. Be back in half an hour we won't wait for you. Tardy girls don't get Haupia Pie and Uncle's made the best this year."

"Yes, Mom…" Chelsea watched the woman stand and walk away toward the large strung lights and revelry.

And she immediately went in the opposite direction. Her feet carried her over the smooth path. Her Uncle's house was far from the tourist attractions, the ground lush from volcanic fertile growth. The stars peeked around the fading velvety pink and navy sky. She passed by The Spot, a not so local secret swimming place, watching a few of her older cousins and her new brother splashing before continuing on; as if she could outrun the nightmare by wandering the wilds.

Night caught up to her quickly, the sky so full of starlight it looked as though it were diseased. Chelsea felt the prick of worry grip her stomach. She knew the island well, but not at night. At night the land was different, wilder, stranger. At night the trees were taller, the noises louder, the shadows were things creeping around to grab at her. Chelsea's hands tangled in her My Little Pony shirt as her legs churned faster. Red glowing blurs blinked and vanished in the distance.

Faster.

Something in the dark chuckled.

Faster.

The hair on her arms and neck pricked, chicken skin flooded over her as she broke into a run, her chest heaving. She could hear a second set of footfalls behind her. Heavier. Faster.

"No!" Her little voice cried out, her eyes watered. "Please!"

A fork in the road, she veered off the path she didn't recognize. The footsteps slowed, walking after her. She could feel it enjoying this. Her body shuddered as her lungs burned, her feet felt like lead as she rounded a sharp turn.

Ahead was a cave. She could hide there.

Chelsea ran for it, training her eyes on the rocky maw. The footsteps behind picking up pace, loping after her. It didn't matter. It wouldn't catch her now.

She crossed from dirt onto the smooth rock, going slow to avoid cutting her feet. The thing screeched and howled and paced just feet beyond the entrance, but didn't follow. Couldn't follow.

Chelsea didn't look back. Wouldn't look back. She knew better. Chelsea had heard the stories of the things that walked on the islands. She knew if she looked it would have her. Besides, deeper in the cave she could hear music and there was a glow.

Laughter like none she'd ever heard before, clear and musical. Like running water and bells and violins. It all echoed down the cave to her, beckoning her. And so she followed. The rock turned to moss, vines, fern, and mushrooms began springing up thicker and thicker as she continued, as the light got brighter and the voices louder.

A blinding light greeted her; enveloped her. When her eyes adjusted she saw the most fantastical party of imaginary people she had never dreamed. Moving through them they welcomed her, touching her hair, twirling her to the beat, using their butterfly wings to take her higher, higher above the trees and gently floating back down.

Some had goat legs, some had hair made of flowers, others had eyes of red fire. It was the one with hair like water that grabbed her hand at last, stopping the endless twirling and dipping and spinning.

"Come, my child." Its voice rang like three people were talking at once. "Let's feed you. You are hungry are you not, my sweet?"

Awed at the way its skin glimmered gold Chelsea could only nod. She was suddenly very hungry; so hungry she could eat everything at the table the beautiful imaginary person led her to.

There were pies and tarts and breads and custards. Cakes and treacle and juices.

"We're cooking a pig back at Uncle's house." Chelsea grinned up at the creature, lost in the galaxy eyes.

"Were you, my doll?" Its long hand grabbed a wooden cup, filling it with a honey colored juice that smelled like poplars. "We don't eat much meat here. That's for the other kind."

Chelsea reached for her juice. "Oh I'm thirsty."

"I know, sweet one." Fingers dropped to her hair, tangled in it, slid down, repeated. "We have so few children play with us these days. You're such a delight. Will you drink and stay longer?"

Chelsea looked up, "I can't stay long. My new mom-my mom. She doesn't like being my new mom. She's just mom now…" Little fingers dug into the grooves of the cup. "She said I have to be home in half an hour. I won't get dinner if I'm not."

"Oh, Dear." It smiled softly, hand wrapping around her own. "We have so much food for you here."

Chelsea's eyes lit with glee. "You do! Mom won't mind if I already eat, right?"

"No, little one. Now drink and eat. Stay and dance with me? Be my friend. Please?"

Those endless eyes gazed at her and Chelsea smiled, raising the cup to her lips when a blur smacked it out of her hands.

"No!"

"Puck!" The imaginary person rose, eyes narrowed. "How dare-"

"Oh, look!" The little imaginary person craned around to gaze at the table, "Pigsnout, Taft, and Luffkin are fighting over the pies again!"

The imaginary being tensed, mouth opening and closing before turning and storming off towards the mess of bodies on the table.

"Don't you know anything!" The little green and gold person turned on her. "You humans are all so stupid."

Chelsea squeaked when he grabbed her hand.

"You don't eat the food, you don't drink the- Hey!"

She pulled out of his grip, hands tracing over his wings. "Are you real?" Moving to knocking on his horns, "Are you imaginary?" She pinched at his skin. "Am I-"

"Stop!" He stomped, turning to her. "My name is Puck. Oh!" He covered his mouth, "I shouldn't have told you that."

"Why not?" Chelsea's head tilted as he grabbed a handful of treats.

"It's a fairy thing." He shrugged, popping a piece of food in his mouth. "C'Mon. I'll take you home."

"I…" Chelsea looked back at the fae dancing and playing. "What if I want to stay here?"

It was his turn to look at her curiously. "You would be stuck as a kid and finally returned home after a hundred years."

Brown eyes widened. "A HUNDRED YEARS?! That's like a whole lifetime."

Puck snorted, wings fluttering. "Yeah. Let's go."

He grabbed her hand again, leading her further away from the fairies and music and food. Chelsea's feet found smooth volcanic rock again.

"Oh." She tugged on his hand, making him pause midchew. "There was a-a thing out there."

He frowned, swallowed. "I think I know. It won't bother us."

Chelsea's stomach growled. "Puck…"

The grass was soft under her feet, the stars winked through the trees.

"Puck I'm hungry." He shrugged, eating another bread piece. "Puck, share your food." Chelsea stomped, surprised when nearly immediately he offered his outstretched hand. "O-oh. Thank you."

"You…" he frowned, watching as she grabbed two pieces. "You shouldn't eat those."

"Too late." Chelsea swallowed guiltily. "Sorry."

Her hand found his again and he stared at it for a while. "How did you find the fairy ring? Most people who wander into them are lost or want to be lost."

"My new mom." Chelsea shuddered, moving closer to a less green, more skin colored Puck. "She's not nice. My real mom and dad are gone. They're dead. And my new mom…" Chelsea bit her lip, fingers knotting in a loose thread at her hem. "Your wings and horns are gone."

"It's my disguise." Puck's grip tightened as they passed by the still noisy swimming hole. "We're friends, right?"

Chelsea blinked, nodded. "I'm Chelsea Kalua!" She pulled her hand from his grip and presented it proudly, chest puffed out.

With a laugh he took it, "Puck Goodfellow." They shook once before interweaving their fingers again.

"But we're leaving tomorrow." Chelsea frowned.

"Don't worry, 'Little One'." He winked, smiling at her giggle as they approached the family. "I'll find you next year."

Her head snapped to him. "You will?!"

He nodded, pushing her forward as he faded to the shadows. "I know your name now. We're friends. Besides," his eyes glowed heavy green in the darkness as the rest of him vanished, "you owe me a favor."

~*~*~

Since I want to represent the Hawaiian heritage there are Pidgin and Hawaiian terms used in this short story. If something was used incorrectly please feel free to let me know.

Terms:

Aisus- sigh, shucks, darn, etc

ʻAnakē - Auntie (related)

ʻAnakala - Uncle (older brother, related)

Kalua - underground oven for pig/turkey roasts traditionally

Lolo - crazy

Keiki - Child

Haupia - A coconut pudding

Uncle - a friendly, respectful term used to refer to older men. Relation doesn't matter.

~*~*~

Tag List: @vhum @thelastoftheflyinggraysons @nemothesurvivor

If you'd like to be added/removed to the tag list please comment or message me.

[silverlingthewitch]

Crystal Grid Masterpost

A grid can be defined so many ways. At the heart of its definitions however, it is a geometric pattern made of crystals; minerals and sometimes even herbs, flowers and other harvested flora; arranged with purpose and focused intent with the will to affect a change in our world.

***It's a magick mandala, folks.***

After they do a ritual act like a prayer, skit, meditation or chant, they ceremoniously destroy the work of beauty and art to symbolize impermanence and break material attachment.

Tibetan Buddhist Monks lay these elaborate, colored sand mandalas on a sacred surface. It takes days, sweat and an exceptional amount of stamina to pour that amount of energy into these mandalas. The end result is a gorgeous, aesthetically pleasing design of geometric shapes, patterns, symbols, words of intent and prayers.

***"Sounds fun! Let's go!"***

No. Hold your horses. This is the slow boring part but the good news is that all the time and energy you pour into preparing for the Crystal Grid, it counts! It only adds to solidifying your intent and building power for the ceremonious or ritual aspect of laying a grid. First things first, vision.

Crystal Gridding is a lot like this. You'll find a need, set your purpose, solidify your intent, select your crystals, assemble materials, prepare your materials, prepare your space, prepare yourself, arrange your crystals with intent, maybe add a bit of ceremony to it, activate your grid and after awhile, you'll destroy it.

What is your need? Guidance? Protection? Self Confidence? Prosperity? Okay, now we know. Try to clearly see this in your mind and work it down to one or two words for focus. Now is not the time to worry about details.

Good, now you have your need. It's going to become a purpose as you start to formulate your plan! Start thinking up things that correspond to your need, if it's prosperity we can surely think of a few things that represent money and gain! Pennies, currency symbols, basil is a common money herb, specific crystals and metals! Gold, copper, silver, etc. Oh, and squares have always been well know for prosperity as they symbolize buildings where business is done, dollar bills, service bills themselves! What about numerology? Four is a good money number, seven could be too but it doesn't match very well with a square, eight is awesome in a grid but doesn't really match the purpose so perhaps it would be better to stick with four?

So now we are focusing our intent by putting all these puzzle pieces together and drawing inspiration from those aligned influences or correspondences. This is the hardest part. It's the artistic part. This is where the details become more important and where everyone will "see" a different grid. Some may decide to add artistic flourishes, maybe add an appropriately colored candle or add the appropriate herbs to the layout. Maybe you'll go with a square grid. Perhaps round. Maybe asymmetrical! Could literally be in the shape of a currency symbol or laid into a runic shape. This is your grid, you makes the rules.

A word of caution here, just because you can do anything with your crystals doesn't necessarily mean you should do anything with your crystals. I'm all for individuality but there is a reason things have always been done certain ways. Do the runic shape, use a random herb you were called to use. Add that strange avocado shaped candle. Do what you have to do but if you're doing it, know why. The more your grid elements "tie in" to each other and purpose, the easier it will be for your intent and energy to flow through them.

Yup. I said it.

Now you have this awesome vision for a Crystal Grid, you've researched correspondences and squished them all together with the purpose of forming a power packed intention. Time to select your crystals.

Just because Jade and Green Aventurine are both linked to prosperity doesn't mean that they should appear in the same grid. Check your crystal definitions well and try to make them "tell a story" make them mean something by putting them next to each other. For example, I might use Green Aventurine to symbolize my wealth but pair it with Imperial Topaz for Manifestation of Will and Desires. Create a relationship between your crystals.

There are nearly endless possibilities here.

Like with your materials, correspondences and vision, you'll want to make sure your crystals are all aligned with your intent.

Furthermore, you'll want to make sure that your crystals are all aligned with each other.

Now we know what, why and which so now let's focus on the how.

I like to start from the bottom up with my grids, so lets talk grid mats. Some folks use them, some don't. It all depends on your preference, really. As for me, I find that one design, like a Flower of Life grid mat, doesn't really suit all of my grid intentions! I like to wing it on a bare surface. Which leads me to my next point, if you are not using a grid mat, try to find a small table, box top, slab of wood, stone, etc. to devote as your grid surface. As luck would have it, I found a pretty pie crust side table while walking through a flea market one day and for $10 it was my new grid table! I have also used grid mats, scarfs, swaths of fabric, a slice of oak and a sheet of slate. When selecting your surface, try to correspond it with your intent! For example, a grid for protection would do really well on a slice of oak with it's strong, earthy, protective vibes but a grid for increased focus and production would probably do best on a uniformed, clearly lined grid mat.

Now to prepare your space, materials and yourself for a gridding session! How exciting!

There are a fair number of ways you can do this, I usually go for two of the easiest and quickest ways. Sage smudge smoke or a bell. With the smudge smoke, you'll gently waft it's smoke around your gridding room or area, waft it over the materials, surface, anything that has to do with your grid... then waft the smoke over you! Like a waterfall of burning herbal smoke-water, let the sage cleanse your auric field and wash away any negative energy. You can also use a bell, which is excellent if you aren't able to use smoke, in which case you would ring the bell around the area, you and over the materials, visualizing it's sound waves vibrating and dissipating any negative energy.

Wow, that's a lot of work. We haven't even laid the grid yet and we have already done so much! Don't worry, you're almost through it!

1.) Clockwise directions represent opening or increasing energy. Counterclockwise directions represent closing or decreasing energy.

2.) Outwards directions represent sending out of energy. Inwards directions represent the drawing in of energy.

Why not rope that in to a Crystal Grid working? Now I don't make the rules, you do, but I really, really, really recommend laying your crystal grid down, center to edge, clockwise direction.

So start with the center stone. Some people like to use a candle here, or place a paper with the intention written under the center stone. Whatever floats your boat, the sky is the limit. But the very next stone should be the next layer OUTWARDS in the EASTERN side of your grid, the third stone should be a clockwise progression from the east. Think about how a spiral looks!

Now you've done all that work, your crystals are all laid out, everything is in place, now what? Seems strange to just walk away! Well, we won't do that then. Now we are going to activate our grids!

Wait, what energy?

So we are going to draw energy from one of two things. Either the cosmos or the earth. This is another thing that you should correspond with your intent! A grid for spiritual progress would be better activated by cosmos energy from the universe. An earthy need grid for prosperity would be better activated by the earth energy.

Here comes the fun bit! Laying the grid!

Now, there are a few things I have come to know about magick.

3.) East is a really nice direction to start any project in. As the sun rises there and sets in the west. What a lovely natural rhythm to tune into.

4.) The more thought and ceremony that goes into a magickal working, the more "oomph" you get out of it whether it is literal strength of power or quickness of it's influence.

Don't stress if you get excited and skip over one, gently refocus without selfjudgement, go back, do the thing and keep going. I usually take a moment to readjust my grid layers as I finish each full circle.

Either way, go out into the stars or down into the earth to pull down or up on the energy you find there. See it flowing from the center stone, down the paths, through your crystals and into your environment. Take as much time with this visualization, try to make it as strong in your mind as possible.

You may be a little dizzy or faint after pulling energy like this and working with the stones. Don't forget to eat something to ground you and rehydrate! If you have trouble grounding and centering after crystal gridding, try sitting or laying on the floor or earth. Send that extra energy into the earth.

A lot of people will tell you that you need a wand to activate a grid but that just isn't true. You can use your pointer finger or use your open palms to send the energy into the grid.

How long do I leave a Crystal Grid up?

This is at your discretion. Some people leave it up until their intention manifests. Some people take it down as soon as a curious cat compromises the energy flow (lol) and even still, others leave it up for 24-48 hours and deconstruct it.

How do I take down my Crystal Grid?

Very easily! Just the opposite as how it went up! So instead of going from the inside to the outside in a clockwise fashion starting in the east; start with the last stone you laid down and go counterclockwise from the east, outside to the inside, ending with picking up the center stone. It's nice to say a little thank you as you're doing this and any herbs or biodegradable materials used in your grid should be returned to the earth.

Thank you so much for reading through this tutorial, remember that it isn't a set in stone, only one way, thing. Play with my technique, create your own techniques, experiment, learn, enjoy!

Love n Light!

-Silverling

[rncareergroup]

CDS COACHING IN CHANDIGARH - RN CAREER GROUP

RN Defence Academy offers the simplest CDS coaching in CHANDIGARH. It prepares the candidates for CDSE/OTA examination. The candidates who are willing to serve Indian soldiers , our academy guide them to realize their goal of getting entry into Defence sector. we've experienced faculty members and mentors for training sessions. Our academy also provides an enormous campus and good infrastructure to the scholars . We also specialise in maintaining discipline, etiquettes, communication classes, personality development classes for the betterment of the scholars . The candidates curious about CDSE/OTA examination can join our academy to urge Best CDS coaching in Chandigarh

CDSE/OTA may be a written examination that's conducted by UPSC twice during a year. There are three different tests includes in CDSE/OTA examination- English, public knowledge and arithmetic . per annum thousands of candidates apply for the examination and really few deserving candidates get shortlisted for the ultimate selection procedure.

Eligibility to use for CDSE/OTA

We have listed the eligibility criteria to use for CDSE/OTA. All the candidates interested must have fulfilled these criteria before applying for the examination. Get admissions in RN Defence Academy for the simplest CDS coaching in CHANDIGARH.

The candidates must be an Indian national to use for CDSE/OTA.

The candidates who belong to Nepal, Bhutan & Tibetan refugee, Burma, East African countries of Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania, Malawi, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Zambia, Zaire and Vietnam also can apply for the examination (provided they fulfill the eligibility criteria as per the principles of Govt. of India.

The age of the candidates should be from 20 to 24 years.

The candidates must be unmarried also .

For IMA, the candidates must have a

Examination Syllabus for CDSE/OTA

The knowledge of the examination syllabus is extremely important permanently preparation. RN Defence Academy describes the syllabus initially to its students before they begin coaching classes. we offer the simplest CDS coaching in CHANDIGARH to interested and deserving candidates. Here is that the syllabus for CDSE/OTA.

Syllabus for English subject

The syllabus of English includes comprehension, word meanings, vocabulary, synonyms & antonyms etc.

Syllabus for GK subject

General Knowledge is to check the knowledge of the candidates about current affairs. The candidates got to stay updated with current happening round the country. It also includes questions from History and Geography.

Syllabus for Mathematics subject

Mathematics may be a subject that covers large area of topics associated with Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration and Statistics. The detailed syllabus of mathematics is given below.

Statistics Graphical representation, Histograms, Pie charts, Measures of tendency, Collection & tabulation of statistical data, Frequency polygons, bar charts etc.

Arithmetic Numbers, Integers, Ratio & Proportion, addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Square Roots, Decimal fractions, Time, Distance & Work, Percentage, Simple & interest , Division Algorithm, HCF & LCM, Prime & Composite Nos. etc.

Algebra HCF & LCM, simple factors, Basic Operations, Polynomials, Quadratic equations, Linear equations, variables, Set Language & Set Notation, Rational expressions, Laws of Indices etc.

Geometry Lines, Angles, Planes, Pane figures, Theorems etc.

Trigonometry Sine X, Cosine X, Tangent X, Values of Sin X, Cos X, tan X, Simple identities of trigonometry, Trigonometric tables’ uses, Simple cases of heights and distances etc.

Mensuration Parallelograms, Triangles, Circles, Areas of squares & rectangles, area , a lateral surface, area & volume of spheres, Volume of cuboids, Volume of right circular cones & cylinders etc.

Selection procedure of CDSE/OTA examination

If a candidate has qualified CDSE/OTA written examination, it doesn't mean that he has finally got the entry in Defence. There are still more stages that candidates need to qualify to urge a final entry. These stages of selection procedure are-

CDSE/OTA written examination

Personal Interview

Verification of candidates and documents

Medical examination of the shortlisted candidates

Graduation degree or equivalent from a recognized University.

For academy , the candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in B.Sc with Physics and arithmetic as subjects OR Bachelor’s Degree in Eng.

For Airforce Academy, the candidates must have qualified Graduation degree from a recognized University with Physics and arithmetic OR Eng. Degree.

The candidates appearing within the final year of Bachelor’s degree also are eligible to use (provided they need to submit the proof of passing the examination).

The candidates even have to be physically fit as per the standards of the Ministry of Defence.

Examination Pattern of CDSE/OTA

RN Defence Academy provides the simplest CDS coaching in CHANDIGARH. We teach our students as per the examination pattern for CDSE/OTA. The candidates should conscious of the examination pattern in order that they will prepare accordingly. The examination pattern for CDSE/OTA is as follows-

The question paper will have 3 section- English, GK and arithmetic for IMA, academy and Airforce Academy except for OTA question paper will have only 2 sections- English and GK.

The question paper will have MCQ type questions.

The duration of the examination are going to be 2 hours.

The question paper are going to be available both in Hindi and English except English subject.

The candidates aren't allowed to use a calculator within the examination.

There will be a complete of 300 marks allotted for IMA, academy and Airforce Academy, whereas for OTA total marks are going to be 200 within the written examination.

Brief information about the question paper for IMA, academy , Airforce Academy and OTA has been given below.

Question paper for IMA

Subject Duration for Exam

Total marks allotted

English 2 Hours 100 Mark's

GK 2 Hours 100 Mark's

Mathematics 2 Hours 100 Mark's

Question paper for OTA

Subject Duration for Exam

Total marks allotted

English 2 Hours100 Mark's

GK 2 Hours100 Mark's

Source : https://medium.com/@rncareergroup/cds-coaching-in-chandigarh-rn-career-group-4772db883b16

RN CAREER GROUP

Sco 54 55 fourth floor near mukat hospital sector 34A Chandigarh

7399973929

[belairresident55-blog]

season 1 episode 1

Uncle Phil! Man! How are you doing? l am not your uncle Philip. My fault, man. l must have got the wrong crib. l didn't know there were so many brothers living in this neighborhood. We're doing all right, huh? You have the right house. l am Geoffrey, your uncle's butler. Okay, well, l. Cheerio and all that rot. Bring the horses round, would you? lf you will follow me l will show you to your room, Master William. Hey, man, it's cool if you just call me Will. Master William tradition dictates that a clean, unbreakable line be drawn between a family and their butler. Therefore, it is necessary for the operation of a household that you address me as Geoffrey and l, in turn, address you by your proper title: Master William. Who are you, Robo-butler, man? Come with me, Master William. Yo, G. Let me rap to you for a second. All this Master William stuff, l'm not down with that, man. Make it sound like we're back on the plantation, like: ''Massa William ! Massa William ! '' Let's come up with something better that you could call me. What would you prefer? Check this: ''His Royal Freshness. '' That's dope. Master William, walk this way. No. -Willie! -Hey, Aunt Viv! -Sweetie, hi. -How you doing? My goodness, let me look at you. Turn around. The last time we saw you, you were this funny little boy. Now look at you. My goodness, you are a man. That was the plan. lt is amazing. You certainly have grown, Will. Well, we all have. Did you enjoy the trip? The plane ride was stupid. All the way first-class-- Excuse me? -l'm saying the plane was dope-- -Excuse me? No. Stupid, dope. No, that doesn't mean what you. How would he say. The flight was really neat. Geoffrey, would you take Will to his room, and help him get settled in? -Yes, Madam. -Nice seeing you. -Master William. -You got to love this guy, right? -Did you see the way he was dressed? -What's wrong with it? -You hear that language? -We used slang when we were kids. Do you remember our first date? You took one look at me and said: ''That is a bad dress. '' You could've just said it was a good dress. l could have, if l liked it. Actually, it was a bad dress. That's stupid. Now, take it for whatever meaning you want. Now he's got you doing it. Philip, cut him some slack, please. He's my nephew. And l would just appreciate it if you would try to understand him. Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad. -Hi, sweetie pie. -Hi, Ashley. Yo, this place is huge, man. Next time l go to my room, l'm gonna take some bread crumbs. -Will, this is Ashley. -Hi. My little Scottish cousin. Pleased to make your acquaintance. l'm your humble servant. -He's cute. -l know he is. -l'm gonna take a swim before dinner. -Good luck. The pool heater's broken. -Don't you just hate it when that happens? -Yes, that is my pet peeve. -You got your own pool here? -And a tennis court, too. Yo, this is better than Love Boat. This boy gonna be maxing and relaxing. Hold on just a minute, son. We promised your mother that you're here to work hard, straighten out and learn some good old-fashioned American values. Dad, l need $300. Hilary, your cousin Will is here. Hi. Dad, l need $300. That's a lot of money, Hilary. What for? l need a new hat. -For what? -Probably her head. Okay, l'm going on the Save the Ozone celebrity bus next Saturday. lt's gonna be Bruce Willis and Demi, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez or Charlie Sheen, l can't remember which. We're taking the bus all over town to protest air pollution and then we're gonna motor to the beach and have a big bonfire. What? l'm not an expert or anything, but don't you think driving a big old bus around town and then having a bonfire is sort of adding to the problem of pollution? Look, if this weren't a good idea l really don't think Ally Sheedy would be involved. Hey, look who's here. Benson. -This is for you. -But l didn't get you anything. Your uncle has invited several of the partners from his law firm to dinner. At the time of the invitation, he did not realize you'd be descending upon him today. And regrettably, it was too late to cancel. Yo, are we having a party? We're gonna get stupid, right? For some of us, that will require very little effort indeed. -Miss Ashley. -That will be all, Geoffrey. That's all you had to say to get rid of him? l've been racking my brain. -This is for you. -Thank you, Ashley. This is nice. You're very talented. Well, l'm glad l'm good at something. l tried out for the school chorus today, but l didn't get in. How come? Well, when l auditioned for Mrs. Berkley l couldn't remember all the words to the song. The part l remembered was fantastic. -l'm sure it was. l bet you're def. -That's what she said. Not deaf. D-E-F. That's just slang. Means terrific, good. Thank you. You should try rapping. When you're rapping, you mess up the words and make up some new ones right there on the spot. Let's try this. l'll sing one line, you make up a line to rhyme it. -Okay. -All right. Let's see. ''You didn't get into Miss Berkley's chorus'' -l'm thinking, all right? -That's all right. We got all day. -Okay, l've got it. -Here we go. ''You didn't get into Miss Berkley's chorus'' ''l'd like to hit her in the head with Roget's Thesaurus'' ''Don't need no choir when you're a rapper'' ''Gonna hunt Miss Berkley down and zap her'' ''Got this whole town of Bel-Air buzzing'' ''Get a load of me and my rapping cousin'' Ashley, why don't you go downstairs and get ready for dinner. -Okay, Daddy. Bye, Will. -Check you later, Ash. Look who's here, Will. Who is he? lt's your cousin, Carlton. Don't you remember? When you two were little, people thought you were twins. You looked exactly alike. l guess some things never change. -How's it going there, Will? -lt's going all right. -Malcolm X. -He's sort of my hero. Well, he was a great man. l don't know if l'd call him my hero exactly. -Really? Who are your heroes? -Well, my dad. And Bryant Gumbel. He's darn good. Oh, my, yes! l see they brought your tuxedo. Tell me something, Will. Have you ever attended a formal dinner before? Other than that thing at Buckingham Palace, no. The important thing to remember is to relax, enjoy yourself and when in doubt, do whatever Carlton's doing. -You got it, man. -Okay, l'll see you at dinner. -That's a really neat tux, isn't it, Will? -Yes. lt's definitely the cat's meow. Wait till we come downstairs in those tuxes. People may not think we're twins, but l bet they'll think we're brothers. l don't think you have to worry about anybody mistaking you for a brother. Touche. This is going to be great. Your first formal dinner. And tomorrow, l'll introduce you to the gang. Maybe we'll play a set of tennis or two. Yes, this is going to be wild. -Where is he? -He's upstairs changing. Not Will. President Reagan. -You didn't? -What do you mean, l didn't? -You invited him again. -Why not? He's our neighbor. He's turned down the last 16 invitations. When are you gonna take a hint? -Maybe l should call his house. -Don't. l don't want him here. -Why not? -Because he'll bring her. Anyway, Bruce, Demi and l all feel that the ozone layer must be protected. l mean, every square foot of rain forest that's cut down brings us just one step closer to global warming. We have to learn to protect the earth. Not just for ourselves and not just for our children but for the future of all mankind. l had no idea it was such a serious problem. l really commend you for getting involved in such a good cause. Thanks. lt's my passion. -Where can l send a donation? -l don't know. Oh, my God! Philip, don't make a big thing out of it. lf this is how he feels comfortable. He's not killing anybody. Aren't you going to introduce Will? lntroduce him. Well, Steve, David, Henry. This is Will, my nephew by marriage. Will, these are my partners in the law firm of Furth, Winn and Meyer. Earth, Wind & Fire! When's your next album coming out? Will is going to go to Bel-Air Academy with Carlton. Good for you, Will. l used to fence at Bel-Air. Really? How much do you think we could get for that stereo? These hors d'oeuvres look tempting. Don't mind if l do. -How could you do that? -lt's all in the tongue. l'll show you later. There are other people at this table. You're right. Any requests? -Sweetie, would you say grace, please? -Yes, Mommy. ''Hey, there, Lord My name is Ashley Banks ''My family and friends Want to give you some thanks ''So before this dinner's All swallowed and chewed ''Thank you, God, for this stupid food'' Hey, Geoffrey, home butler. l'm glad to see you, man. lt is a special thrill for me as well. Check this out. l'm gonna be down here for a while. Why don't you hop on in the kitchen and get me some cocoa? Master William while it is my natural inclination to accede to your every demand l officially go off duty at 9:00 p. m. And if you care to look at your watch, you will note that the long hand is on 12, and the short hand is on 9. lt is 9:00, Master William. And do you know what that means? Masterpiece Theatre is on. Sir, do you require anything further of me? No, Geoffrey. Then l shall retire. Man, he took that hard. l want to talk to you. -About what? -You know. From the minute you came, you've been a one-man wrecking crew trying to tear down what's taken a lot of hard work to build up skewering everything with your flippant shenanigans! Man, l was with you up till ''skewering. '' You know what l'm talking about. You deliberately tried to embarrass me tonight and l don't get it. Your aunt and l went through a lot of trouble to bring you here. -This is the thanks we get? -l ain't asked to come. Everyone's talking about shipping me off, and dressing me up and changing me into something l don't wanna be. Nobody wants to change you. You told me yourself l got to straighten out. ''When in doubt, act as Carlton acts. '' Man, l don't wanna be like Carlton. l'm a joker. l play around. l have fun. Being a joker is what's gotten you into trouble. You may think it's cool to be on the streets when you're 17 but when you're my age, it's a waste. l can't think that far ahead. That's your problem. You can't take anything seriously. Look, man, l don't have the problem. You have the problem. l remind you of where you came from and what you used to be. l don't know, somewhere between Princeton or the office, you got soft. You forgot who you are and where you came from. You think you're so wise. Look at me when l'm talking to you. Let me tell you something, son. l grew up on the streets just like you. l encountered bigotry you could not imagine. Now, you have a nice poster of Malcolm X on your wall. l heard the brother speak. l read every word he wrote. Believe me, l know where l come from. -You actually heard Malcolm speak, man? -That's right. So before you criticize somebody, you find out what he's all about. l'll take care of you in the morning. l'm going to bed. Hold on. l can't tell my side of the story? No, you can't. l know what you're all about. Believe me, the very thought of it makes me very tired. Good night. Ladies and gentlemen, my fly girl, Ashley Banks. -Would you teach me how to dance? -Yeah. Not in here. Even l lose my rhythm in this room. Okay. -Could you do me a favor? -Sure. l seem to be missing a Walkman. So if it shows up anywhere, like, l don't know, on your head, maybe maybe you could get that to me. -Sorry. Dad won't let me get one. -How come? He says he wants to hear everything l'm listening to, to make sure it's not bad. -What record does he think is good? -He really likes the Care Bears. Ash, from time to time, your father's gonna say or do things that may seem irrational or hard for you to understand. lt's not because he's mean, or a bad guy, or that he doesn't care about you. lt's that he's from Mars, Ashley. -l gotta get washed up. -Me, too. -l'm really glad you're living here. -Thanks, Ash. You're like the big brother l never had. What are you talking about? You got. You're right. l see your point. How many bathrooms you got in this place? Four and a half. A half bath? How does that work? lt doesn't have everything a full bathroom has. You better show me a full bathroom. l don't want to take no chances. Next bathroom. Can't a person gargle in peace? Hilary, are you gonna be in there for long or is this just like a pit stop? Stop hounding me. l'm trying to take off my makeup. Now, go away. Okay, good night, Hilary. l knew it! Read more: http://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/view_episode_scripts.php?tv-show=the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air&episode=s01e01