#River Grille Barbecue Parts

[bu1410]

Good afternoon TUMBLR - April 9th - 2024

''Mr. Plant has owed me a shoe since July 5, 1971."

Aksai, Kazakhstan - July 2000 - December 2001.

Part 3.

TUNGUSH As often happens in all parts of the world, when an oil field expands, the risk is of incorporating pre-existing villages in the area. A small village inhabited by about a hundred souls, nestled on the banks of a small lake where carp and trout were fished, Tungush was evacuated after the commissioning of the enormous crude oil treatment plant. The inhabitants were provided accommodation in Aksai at Microrayon 10 apartments, and were given a small monetary compensation. Thus they lost forever the place where their ancestors had lived, a place that, despite being lost in the steppe, had something pleasant about it. During the construction of the Oil Processing Units, some of the inhabitants of Tangush had worked with us. Simple, strong and honest people. On the occasion of their Nowruz celebration, on March 21st, they used to invite us for a barbecue or as they say in those parts ''''shashlick''. They grill chicken, lamb, pork - all accompanied by rivers of beer, and the grand finale is based on local desserts and artisanal vodka. I have very fond memories of those people, with whom it was difficult to communicate - many of them didn't even speak Russian, only Kazakh - but with whom the spontaneous language created an atmosphere of friendship and sincere camaraderie.

SAMARA

Like many other cities in Russia, Samara has also changed its name over the decades - until 25 January 1990 it was called Kujbyšev, in honor of the Soviet revolutionary Valerian Vladimirovič Kujbyšev. With 1,160,000 inhabitants, Samara is the sixth largest city in Russia. It is located in the central eastern part of European Russia, known as the Volga Federal District, at the confluence of the Volga River and the Samara River. Despite a past as a closed city, today Samara has become an important city, especially from a social, political, economic, industrial and cultural point of view. The city is located on the left bank of the Volga river, and is accessed from the eastern part via a long bridge, always crowded with fishermen. Near the bridge, some children offer passers-by large fish, mostly carp and trout. Our Company was always looking for alternative routes to/from Italy, given that the only direct flight to Uralsk was the AGIP charter, but there were not always seats available. I was therefore chosen as a guinea pig to test the Samara – Frankfurt – Milan flight, operated by Lufhtansa. The problem was the distance of Samara from Aksai: 390 km, which became impossible during winter. I left accompanied by the driver and the Director's personal bodyguard, a former Russian professional boxer. The journey was quite boring, the monotonous landscape of the steppe, the rare traffic and the comfort of the Toyota Land Cruiser made it easy to sleep. We arrived in Samara well in advance, so we went to visit the bazaar. The city appeared like many others of the Soviet era: the usual microrayons, the usual crumbling prefabricated buildings, the center with the eternal statues of some ''hero'' indicating the ''future ''. The bazaar was crowded (the era of shopping centers had not yet arrived in Russia in 2000) and the stalls selling all sorts of goods – from dried fish to Chinese-made plastic shoes – were all run by huddled women (it was April , but the cold was still biting). Samara was an important city on the ancient Silk Road, which connected China to Europe. Its inhabitants, therefore, are the most varied one can imagine, following the passage of travelers and merchants. Above all, I noticed women with eyes of incredible colors, never seen again anywhere else in the world. I learned that the airport was quite far from the city, because it served the Samara – Togliattigrad industrial area (the city renamed in honor of the Italian Communist politician, and home to the FIAT factories where the Zhiguli' is still built, a Russian copy of then Fiat 124). Once at the airport, I greeted my traveling companions and proceeded with the boarding formalities. Once arrived at passport control, here's the ''unexpected'' (can the unexpected be missing from a trip through Great Mother Russia?). The Russian VISA at the time was printed on a blue card stapled to the passport, and when the border policeman (a tall, thin guy with a mustache like a French actor supporting Louis De Funes in comedy films) checked my VISA , he noticed an inconsistency: instead of reporting my date date of birth – 14.10.1951 – on the card it was written (in pen) 10.14.1951. When the policeman pointed out that the dates did not coincide with the one on the passport, and I ''kindly'' replied that: 1 – The month ''14'' did not exist 2 – The mistake was made by the Russian clerk at the Embassy in Almaty, who had filled out the VISA. Daa…kaniashno…the policeman replied, but we have to check anyway, so follow me to the office.

Reluctantly I followed him into his ramshackle office, he made me sit on a wooden chair in front of his desk, where two black rotary telephones ''towered''. And here it must be said that it was Saturday, and that normally the Embassies work until Thursday afternoon. The policeman began a long and exhausting sequence of attempts to call the Russian Embassy in Almaty, with the dial of the phone making that "taratatac" noise when it was released (which I hadn't heard in ages). Every time he finished the sequence of numbers, the policeman held the phone to his ear and after a while he handed it to me, so that I could verify the ''tuu…tuu…tuu'' and that no one answered. Then whle I was giving back the phone, the policeman repeated:

Patom… (after I will try again…) We went on like this for about 40-45 minutes, the plane's take-off time had passed. At one moment a police officer entered the office, and the policeman jumped to attention. The officer apparently asked what was going on, and the cop showed him my passport and VISA. At which the officer raised his voice, giving peremptory orders to the cop, who snapped back to attention, saying in a loud voice:

YES SIR........SURE SIR!! And he gave me back my passport, making me understand that we had to hurry, because the plane was late (as if it had been my fault…) I then got on the plane, greeted by a murmur of impatience from the passengers, all of whom had been sitting waiting for almost an hour for someone .................

RETURN FLIGHT Milan – Frankfurt – Samara. The return on the same route was characterized by two curious facts. First one happened when I was sitting outside Gate 38 waiting for the flight to be called. Near me I noticed three gigantic Nigerian women: dressed in multicolored traditional costumes, heads bandaged, and dozens of bags and packages on the ground. I wondered how they managed to avoid the surveillance of the security scanners and bring all that merchandise to the boarding gate. The flight to Lagos was called at Gate 39 and all passengers passed the final check before boarding the bus that would take them under the plane. But the Nigerians didn't move. The ground hostess called over the loudspeaker:

Last call for flight LH 357 to Lagos! All of a sudden the Nigerians sprinted in unison, throwing all the luggage, bags and packages on the other side of the X-ray machine and pressing with their large bodies on the two hostesses who were trying to resist the breakthrough maneuver. In the meantime, many of the bags that landed on the other side of the scanner had opened, revealing their contents: old shoes, clothes, jeans, chains, T shirts etc. Two policemen had come to help the hostesses, but the Nigerians had started screaming in their loud voices:

You can't touch me I am a woman!! Remove your hand from my bodyyyyyyyy!!! A drama both hilarious and vulgar at the same time, as only Nigerians can do. And who won in the end? Them, the women of course! They passed through check point with all their merchandise and got on the bus. I think the German policemen thought: ''Let the Nigerian policemen handle it…''

But that wasn't the end of it, Frankfurt had the second episode of the day in store for me shortly thereafter. After going through security, I got on the plane to Samara and immediately realized that there were 4 drunk Russians on board. Coincidentally I was sitting in the seat right after them. After repeated attempts by the hostesses to calm down the agitated Russians, the plane Caètain himself intervened. At the Captain's request to stay seated and fasten their seat belts, the Russians responded with laughter, belches and pats on the back, and offered the officer vodka. The Captain returned to the cabin, and shortly thereafter he decided to call the airport police. Two green and white vans arrived under the plane, from which five policemen got out. Once they got on board and identified the drunk Russians, they wasted no more time: they grabbed three of them, dragged them into the corridor of the plane, they throw the guys from the ladder without letting them almost touch the steps, then bringing them inside the van and going away. A spontaneous applause broke out inside the plane, but the fourth russian had managed to get away with the toubles, remaining hidden between the seats rows. Now he sat down again, fastened his seat belt and remained calm, while the stewardess gave him a last look. Shortly after take-off the Russian, sitting in front of me, turned his head and said in a ''conspiratorial'' way, laughing out loud:

But they haven't seen these!!! (showing me the three bottles of vodka and one of brandy that he had managed to hide under the seats)

Let's drink them together!! He said.

No thanks bro.......it's too early for me, but thanks anyway! The rest of the trip was fairly uneventful. I arrived in Samara late in the afternoon. My driver Sacha was waiting for me, and together we began the long journey that led to Aksai. In the evening we stopped at a strange ''service station'' along the state road. It wanted to be a bit ''American style'' and had a couple of railway carriages in the vast car park, perhaps as an attraction for the children of passing tourists. We arrived in Aksai late at night, after having crossed the Russia – Kazakhstan border without any problem.

BRITH HSE GUY There was a guy, Mr. Alan Robertson, an Englishman in his 50s, tall and stocky, with a mustache - his occupation was HSE Supervisor. I'm write about him to make people understand the substantial difference how people are treated, according to their nationality, in any context of international projects. First of all, as mentioned several times, these people generally have 28/28 work shifts: that is, 28 days on site, and 28 at home (one of Mr. Zinno's most famous sentence was '' 28/28 rotation is such good working shift that it's not even done in Heaven…). Than salary wise there's no comparison: any Supervisor, as long as he was British or American, during Karachaganak project earned around 20,000+ USD/month (plus food, accommodation, paid flights, pocket money). While an Italian Supervisor did not earn more than 5-6000 USD/month. Returning to our Alan, he was married for the second time to a Spanish woman (what the latter found in him will remain a mystery forever). During his "28 days at home" Alan worked in his wife's restaurant on the Costa Brava as waiter. When he returned to his duty in Aksai Alan used to be very tired. Given his size (and the color of his nose also betrayed his habits) Alan certainly didn't feel like banging himself too much. During meetings he used to fall asleep dramatically, but he had the foresight to always sit next to his friend the Superintendent. - so when the exhausted Alan leaned on his shoulder, his friend would stomp him under the table, suddenly waking him up.

[prismatranslates-cue]

Girls meet meat! à la carte Part 6

Previously: Part 5

Maika: By the way, where’s Shiho? I told her to come here.

Honoka: Oh, she was here earlier but…she wandered off somewhere.

Maika: What the heck? Where did she go?

Honoka: She mentioned she was gonna go for a walk…

Maika: Ugh, looks like I gotta go find her…

Haruna: Hey Maika-chan! I cleaned up over there.

Maika: Thanks, Haruna. I’ll be right back, I’m gonna go track Shiho down.

Maika: You two can start putting the cut veggies on a platter.

Haruna: Yepperoni~

Honoka: Is that a thing people say now? Since when?

Haruna: I think it’s just Shiho, really. But I guess it kinda rubbed off on me at some point too.

Honoka: Hehe. Okay, let’s get plating these veggies!

Haruna: Ta-daaa! Look! We cut them nice and big!

Honoka: Ooh, looks good!

Haruna: And the sausages we basically left as-is, for the best biting experience!

Honoka: Yeah! That’s how it should be for a barbecue.

Haruna: My thoughts exactly. …Oh no! I forgot to cut the tomatoes…

Honoka: I think that’s fine. Just leave them uncut too.

Haruna: You think that’ll be okay?

Honoka: We’ll add a dash of salt and have at it. Let out your wild side a little, you know?

Haruna: I guess… Wouldn’t it be bad manners, though…?

Honoka: Don’t you worry about that! We’re not in some fancy restaurant or anything out here.

Honoka: We’re on a barbecue out in the field! No one can stop us from pigging out a little.

Haruna: But people can still see us…like that family over there in the next spot over.

Haruna: What if their little one saw us? We’d be setting a really bad example…

Honoka: Biting into tomatoes whole and making them look really tasty? What’s bad about that?

Haruna: Well...nothing, when you put it like that, but…

Honoka: You know, I bet that kid isn’t a fan of tomatoes right now.

Haruna: What makes you say that?

Honoka: I mean, most kids aren’t. Go ahead and look it up online.

Haruna looks at her phone.

Haruna: …You’re right. This list of kids’ most disliked vegetables says it’s 7th.

Honoka: 7th? I honestly thought it would be higher…

Haruna: While we’re at it, do you want to guess what’s number 1?

Honoka: Number 1? Hmm…maybe bell peppers?

Haruna: Bzzzt. Bell peppers are 5th.

Honoka: …I give up. Just tell me!

Haruna: Number 1 is…celery~

Honoka: Ohhhh, of course! …Wait, what were we talking about again?

Haruna: How kids don’t like tomatoes.

Honoka: Right! So…imagine if that kid saw us biting into them whole and absolutely wolfing them down.

Honoka: It would make tomatoes look really tasty and wonderful to them, right?

Haruna: That’s true…okay, you’ve convinced me!

Honoka: That’s what I’m talking about! So to really make the tomato-crunching experience as good as can be…

Honoka: Why don’t we let them chill in the river? I did buy this mesh bag and all.

Haruna: But Maika-chan said we shouldn’t…

Honoka: It’ll be fine. Look, there isn’t even anyone playing in the river right now. Come on, it’s not everyday we go out in the great outdoors and get to use the Earth’s natural fridge like this!

Haruna: Well…I do also want to try it!

Honoka: It’ll be good, I promise. This is what going on a barbecue is all about!

---

Maika: Shihoooo! Where are you?

Shiho: Hm? What’s up, Maika?

Maika: Don’t “What’s up” me! What are you doing wandering off while everyone else does the work?

Shiho: Honoka made it pretty clear she didn’t want my help…

Maika: What were you doing here?

Shiho: Can’t you tell? I’m sketching.

Maika: Huh, you really brought your sketchbook.

Shiho: I found a good spot here.

Shiho: Beautiful flowers, rare wildlife…so many sights, I just had to commit them to paper.

Maika: I guess you can find all sorts of cool stuff in the wild, yeah…

Crows flap their wings.

Shiho: There are quite a few crows about, as well.

Maika: They better not think about messing with our ingredients…

Maika: Come on, let’s head back. If you don’t hurry, we’ll eat all the food without you.

Maika leaves.

Shiho: Ah! Wait!

---

Maika: Alrighty, it’s time to get grilling!

Honoka: At long last!

Shiho: Let’s start with the meat.

Honoka: Hold on, it’s better to start with the vegetables.

Honoka: If you start right away with meat, your blood sugar level spikes really suddenly. You’ll gain more weight if you do that.

Shiho: Very well, let us start with the veggies.

Maika: Hm? Where’d the tomatoes go?

Haruna: You see…we put them in the river to chill…

Honoka: Sorry, I just really couldn’t help myself! I want to eat river-chilled veggies!

Maika: Oh, fine…it’s probably time to go grab ‘em, though.

Honoka: I’m on it! Be right back!

Maika: The rest of us will get the meat on the fire. That big block of meat will take a while to cook all the way through, after all…

Shiho: I approve. Don’t mind if I do, then…

Maika: Whoa! You can’t go touching it with your bare hands.

Shiho: Whyever not?

Maika: Raw meat is covered in all kinds of germs! Plus, you wouldn’t want to risk burning your hand.

Haruna: What should we use, then? We can’t possibly pick this up with chopsticks, it’s too big.

Maika: I forgot to bring tongs…ugh, how could I forget?

Haruna: Should I go ask if we can borrow a pair?

Maika: I’ll do it. You guys sit tight.

Haruna: What shall the two of us do in the meantime? Should we get started on the veggies?

Shiho: Indeed. Let’s do it.

Haruna: Okay, let’s start with the onions…

Shiho: Hm? Honoka appears to be running back like her life depends on it.

Haruna: …She sure is. I wonder what’s wrong?

Honoka: Help! We’ve got a big problem on our hands!

To be continued...in Part 7

[realtorjamier]

How to Host a Banner BBQ!

If you aspire to have your friends and family describe your backyard barbecues using words like “epic” and “legendary,” our hosting guide will help you plan a shindig that’s sure to please. The popularity of the neo-Western television series “Yellowstone” will undoubtedly elevate interest in this entertainment option. Take it up a notch and draw from these tips to create an unforgettable BBQ bash.

Pre-party Pump-up

Create a buzz early by sending fun invitations out to your guest list. Include cute graphics and catchy phrases: “Grill and chill,” “We’re fired up,” “Pig out at our cookout,” “Smokin’ hot,” – you get the idea. Consider asking your guests to dress the part in denim and cowboy hats!

Set the Stage

Your decor will help guests get into the spirit of the party. When gathering items for decorating, think thematically: cowboys, ranches and farms, upscale rustic, the wild west, “Yellowstone.” Here are some ideas to keep your design unified:

Gingham tablecloths, table runners

Bandana napkins

Faux cowhides

Denim

Rustic wood

Wildflowers (buckets of daisies, Queen Ann’s Lace, etc.)

Mason jars

Lanterns

Hay bales

Galvanized metal

Set the Tone: Music

If you Google “Yellowstone playlist,” you’ll be able to create yours based on all the songs that have been included in the hit series. You’ll also find other options within the same musical genre. If you want a “Yellowstone” vibe, here’s a sampling of what you can include:

“What Cowboys Do” by Casey Donahew

“Summertime Blues” by Zach Bryan

“Watermelon Moonshine” by Lainey Wilson

“Last Call” by 49 Winchester

“Hands on the Wheel” by Willie Nelson

“Life of Sin” by Sturgill Simpson

“Wrong Side of the River” by Myon Elkins

“Far from Home” by Aubrie Sellers

“Off the Wagon” by Isaac Hoskins

“Dance the Night Away” by Shane Smith and the Saints

“Mule Skinner Blues” by Dolly Parton

“Peace in the Pines” by Kolton Moore & the Clever Few

“Chess” by Honey County

“Dear Rodeo” by Cody Johnson

“The Cowboy in Me” by Tim McGraw

“West Texas in My Eye” by The Panhandlers

“Cowpoke” by Colter Wall

“The Low Road” by Shooter Jennings

“Hey Delilah” by Blackberry Smoke

Fun and Games

When it comes to backyard BBQ games, let’s face it: you’ve got to have horseshoes and cornhole. Consider creating a customized cornhole board and/or beanbags.

Let kids pan for “gold” by setting up a kiddie pool filled with sand. Bury coins in the sand, add water and provide metal pans for kids to search for their loot.

Set up a checkerboard station. You can use black and red painted stones and a flat stump painted with a checkerboard pattern or create an oversized checkerboard table using painted mason jar lids as checkers.

Make an Instagram-worthy photo “booth” for guests to take pictures behind a giant “WANTED” poster frame.

Here are more ideas to keep kids and adults entertained:

Wild West themed Trivial Pursuit

Croquet

Lawn bowling

Giant Jenga

Water balloon bin

Fire pit for s’mores

Ring toss using old soda crates with vintage glass bottles 

9-hole mini golf using the naturally challenging elements of your yard

Sidewalk chalk

Be a Pitmaster

 

Make sure to prepare as much food in advance as you can. Marinate meats and vegetables, cut and refrigerate meats, fruits and vegetables, and chill beverages. Make sure to also offer vegan options like grilled or Buffalo cauliflower wings, vegetable skewers, mushroom BBQ ribs, Portobello mushroom fajitas, mushroom burgers, etc.

Create menu item signs with fun names that go with the BBQ theme. Some possibilities include “Grazing Board” (charcuterie), “Cowboy Caviar,” “Cheesy Ranch Potatoes.”

Make a “Watering Hole” beverage station and a “Soda Float Bar” for fun refreshment. (For less work during the party, ice cream can be pre-scooped into cupcake liners and kept frozen until ready to serve.) You could also create an old-fashioned lemonade stand with optional spiked varieties.

Freeze red and black water-filled balloons and place them in galvanized metal tubs for a fun take on a beverage cooler.

Party Favors

Gifting your guests with inexpensive but useful items will make your event even more memorable. Consider packaging these items in a bandana, cowboy hat, or other cute container:

Cheap sunglasses

Bug spray

Sunscreen

Hand wipes

Bubbles

Hand fans

Sidewalk chalk 

Post Party 

Store all your reusable decor to make the next BBQ bash even easier!

And to make the BBQ buzz linger longer, your post-party plan can include social media posts featuring flattering pictures of your party guests having fun!

[jlsf3]

Black Tiger Prawns: The Majestic Jewels of the Ocean

In the world of seafood, Black Tiger Prawns (Penaeus Monodon) stand as majestic jewels that beckon to both culinary enthusiasts and lovers of exquisite marine life. With their bold appearance and delectable flavor, these prawns reign supreme as a true delicacy from the depths of the ocean.

A Regal Appearance: Black Tiger Prawns are aptly named for their regal and captivating appearance. Their dark, tiger-like stripes etched against a rich background serve as a testament to the diversity of life beneath the waves. These prawns are not only a culinary delight but also a visual spectacle that showcases the beauty of marine biodiversity.

Size and Splendor: As one of the largest species of prawns, Black Tigers command attention with their impressive size. Both male and female prawns can grow to an impressive length of around 36 centimeters (14 inches). With females capable of weighing up to 650 grams, these prawns are truly a majestic presence in the aquatic world.

Aquaculture Marvel: Black Tiger Prawns are nurtured through aquaculture, a process that involves cultivating them in earthen ponds close to estuarine parts of river systems or bays. This meticulous care ensures that these prawns thrive in controlled environments, providing optimal conditions for growth and flavor development.

Culinary Artistry: Renowned for their distinctive taste and texture, Black Tiger Prawns have become a canvas for culinary artistry. Their succulent flesh boasts a bold flavor profile that ranges from subtly sweet to slightly briny. This versatility allows chefs and home cooks alike to explore an array of culinary creations, from the simplest grilling techniques to elaborate gourmet dishes.

A World of Possibilities: Whether enjoyed as a standalone dish, incorporated into stir-fries, curries, or served as the highlight of a seafood barbecue, Black Tiger Prawns offer a world of culinary possibilities. Their large size makes them ideal for impressive presentations, while their rich taste elevates every bite into an unforgettable experience.

Jayalakshmi Sea Foods' Commitment: Jayalakshmi Sea Foods Pvt. Ltd. continues to uphold their commitment to quality with their offering of Black Tiger Prawns. These prawns bear the mark of excellence, a testament to the company's dedication to delivering top-tier products to seafood enthusiasts around the world.

A Regal Feast: In the realm of seafood, Black Tiger Prawns reign as a regal feast that tantalizes the senses and ignites the imagination. From their striking appearance to their gourmet potential, these prawns encapsulate the splendor of the ocean's offerings. As they grace dining tables and tantalize taste buds, Black Tiger Prawns shine as a true jewel of the sea, a testament to the wonders that the deep blue holds within its depths.

[brideofcthulhu10]

What Other Cities Would the Boys Live in?

David would prefer the streets of New York, were it not for it's lack of hideaways. Sure you could go to abandoned apartments or old subways, but there was less of a guarantee you'd have privacy. Even still all it'd take is one big ol' wrecking ball and boom- he's ash. Not to mention the dense population was very high alert. There was so much competition for a hunt with no guarantees of success. You can't exactly fly around in such a dense city plucking up unsuspecting victims without being spotted. Not to mention that's when you had to get picky, you would never know where your food had been! It's hard to deny the allure of neon streets crowded with a plethora of individuals, and sure the shops are filled to the brim oddities that delighted his curiosities. The nightlife practically sang with energy. Utterly intoxicating. He still vividly remembered every corner with refined detail. However, it was a cruel city that'd eat you alive if you weren't careful. Santa Carla was certainly slower, but still had enough going on to entertain him without taking away his privacy. And if there's anything he values, it's being left the fuck alone. 

Dwayne was born in Utah and grew up in Nevada. There's part of him that wishes he could go back. Rhere was a simple beauty to the red clay hills and bronze caverns that dipped into the land sprinkled with blooming cacti. The rare blossoms of plant life, blue sky perfectly contrasting the burnt orange surface beneath it with big, fluffy white clouds above. The sunsets were incredible and the whole desert could come to life in a blaze of glory. Nights were equally stunning. Drive out a little ways in, lay a blanket in the back of your pickup with a dew beers and you would see just what he meant. The reservation he lived on didn't have many street lights, and that meant there was a silver lining- less light pollution. The stars would spread as far as the eye could see in plumes, the moon lighting up the land into a chilling hue of misty blue. If you were quiet you could hear the owls calling, crickets singing. Oh a coyote's howl could send shivers down his spine. There was always something so alluring to the desert, it was cruel and unyielding but magic. Old, ancient, filled with hidden life. Rolls of thunder on stormy days bode a light show of sparks that struck into the earth, like the gods were touching the dirt below. However, the summers would get sweltering, even a breeze would feel like a dragon breathing in your face. He still remembers working week days at a grocery store, circling the desert on his bike after a late shift before he went home caked in dust and sweat. 

Paul insists if they ever leave Santa Carla that they have to go to Los Angeles! Hollywood, bright lights and gorgeous sun kissed babes! All the best rockers party it out in L.A., just think of all the celebrities you could spot there! Beer in rivers, beaches stretching for miles and a party on every corner! How could you say no?!

David can. Easily. Tightly packed cities means nosey brats wandering into their territory, more cops keeping their eyes out for guys like them, busy well lit beaches where someone could quickly spot them. Sure, Santa Carla was big with plenty of tourists, but half of them stayed to the boardwalk and pier, away from their hotel. Not to mention the police force was so busy with a million other cases that they were too overwhelmed to look into every missing persons case, and honestly who's gonna try to search for some filthy surfer scruff puppies?  If they went to somewhere on high alert like LA, they'd be more likely to get caught and that's just a hassle. The only reason Paul doesn't go is he refuses to leave without his brothers, and if David says no, that means Dwayne says no. Marko is the peace keeper, so he'll just remind Paul that the beach babes are usually out in bikinis during the day time in LA, and there were more junkies too. The blood would taste terrible!

Marko is pretty content where he is, but if he really had to choose, he'd want to go further than just the United States. Across the ocean, London's calling to the faraway towns! Midnight concerts in dirty old pubs, orgies upstairs on rank old mattresses on the floor, plenty of rain to wash away the blood, lots of runaway rockers who'd love to run with the vampires! Unlike the busy streets of L.A or New York, London held a beastly night life with plenty of chances to lure a cutie for dinner. Cops were way behind, and if the heat ever got too hot they could bolt to the coast or country side for a few days to chill out. There were tons of old buildings and abandoned churches to hide out in, it'd be the next best thing from the hotel. With the bursts of punk flooding beer stained streets, its practically a rocker's wonderland. 

If only there wasn't such a massive gap. Even an airplane would take 10 hours or more to reach England. That was risky business for them. They were fast, but not jet engine speed fast. When the sun barbecues you like a fat on a grill, such a huge trip could mean they explode over the ocean in a fiery death leaving clouds of ash where they once were. Not exactly worth it. Besides, they still had their hotel so there was no need to relocate anyways. But a guy can dream, can't he?

[olympianpandback]

My cousin Melissa not able to come back on Monday to talk more about the family because her youngest daughter got sick and it turned out she had appendicitis. Everything is OK but we were sorry we didn't get to visit with her some more. That afternoon our neighbors in the campground behind us came home with a smoker grill.  I asked if he needed any unloading it, but they were OK. We watch them put that grill together for the next 2 and a 1/2 hours. They worked really well together, unlike most married couples. After it was over, he asked if I wanted a beer. My initial reaction was no, but then my upbringing kicked in and if someone offers you a beer you take it and we socialized with them for an hour or so. They had just sold their house and bought a fixer upper at quite a discount so there having it remodeled. Russ is a pipeline inspector and he had worked for a Tulsa company for a while but had never been there or met the owners. It turns out his family is from Sicily and we had a lot to talk about. His wife Sandra is retired Special ED teacher at a junior college . We had a really good visit for a couple of hours before they had to make dinner and get ready for work the next day.  We tried to find 2 batteries for the RV at Sam's Club but they only had one so we headed for Rocklin to visit that evening with Allison and her friend/fiancé’ Andre. We didn't know what to expect, but it was a warm welcoming. They had ordered brisket and barbecue chicken with baked potatoes and some corn bread rolls.  It couldn't have been better. They are also members of a local winery so they had some of their own wine that we could try. We spent the next 4 hours reminiscing, recalling visits with her dad and his memorial service, etc. Turns out they had traveled to New Zealand on the North island. When I said I had jumped out an airplane in Australia Allison said she had done the same thing recently. She is a nurse at a urgent care center and Andre is a project manager for PGE so he works out of his home. They were both physical fitness buffs and Andre has a wall of medals and certificates from all the half marathons, five-and-ten K races and triathlons he has done. Allison did CrossFit until she tore ACL and her right bicep. I think now they more or less just try to stay in shape. They are really a fun couple and we predict years of happiness for them in the future. They are just moved into their new house a few months before we got there and they have been able to make a lot of the selections for the granite flooring etc. They live in a strict HOA a community and are still awaiting approval for their backyard landscaping even though no one could see it but them. It's a weed patch now. 

 May 5

 We drove to Beale Air Force base by way of Forest Hills bridge, a cantilever bridge that is 730' above the river.  It’s the tallest bridge in California and either the 3rd or 4th highest bridge above the river in United States. I just had to go see it. When we got to the Air Force Base we had to get a visitor's pass versus just going on base like we have been doing. They were very friendly and helped us get it done as quickly as possible. We thought we only had one night with full hookups and one night dry camping, but as luck would have it the person who was coming in on the 6th cancelled so we got to spend 2 nights in a regular campsite. It's nice with a lot of families living here who probably work on base.

May 6

It is very warm 91 yesterday and a high of 86 today. There is a good breeze and the AC is working. Not sure where we will head tomorrow because a lot of the national parks we want to see and some have roads still blocked by snow pack. Again, we won't get to see everything we thought we would on this trip. It's better than nothing though.

My freezer hinge repair didn't hold up so I had to find a piece of sheet metal to repair the hinge today. Luckily, I found a guy who thought Outside the Box. The auto repair shop Lady said I would have to go to the Body repair shop to get a piece of metal, but this young gentleman said we have a scrap metal box outback. He said let's go look there and the 1st thing I saw was an old fluorescent light fixture that had “tab” on it that was exactly what I needed. He got some tin snips and we fashioned a piece to match the paper model I had. I predict he will go far wherever he works. The part worked perfectly and we think our hinge will work well enough to get us back home. One of our neighbors stopped to talk. She and her family had just arrived a week ago from Madrid.  Her husband is a fighter pilot and they have 2 young children 2 and 5. We had a nice conversation with Jennifer. Their background is farming from Illinois, around Springfield. She said you probably don't know where that is. It’s just where my ex-wife was born. We had a nice talk and they are living in the RV waiting for housing on the base. More to follow in a few days.

[itsuki-minamy]

“BBQ IN THE JUNGLE”

Translation: Naru-kun Raws: Ridia

"Let's have a barbecue!"

It all started with Iwafune's words.

"What are you saying suddenly, Iwa-san?"

Yukari asked, who has been doing a skin care treatment. Iwafune takes a sip of beer, wiping away the foam at the end of his mouth.

“Well, is it almost time for that? On the river bank, drink beer while grilling meat in the sun. Oh, I can't help but think!”

"Well, do you want to do that now? Is it going to move around a lot from now on?”

Sukuna says stunned, while playing tanmatsu, Iwafune looked at Sukuna and shook his head.

“I am just saying this now because it is going to move a lot. If you sell a fight to the blue boys, we're fine. After that, the barbecue will not be possible for a while.”

"But is it necessary to have a barbecue now?"

"Yes, because now is summer!"

Looking at Iwafune's emphasis on his fist, Sukuna looked at him and said, "How stupid."

While looking at the monitor, with a fishing game,

"Sure. Sometimes it's good to remember the old days and have a barbecue!”

"Eh?!"

"Did you do it in the past?"

At Yukari's question, Nagare answers.

"Yes. Before challenging the "Golden King" and being chased, he barbecued every year."

"When it comes to barbecue, it feels weird..."

Despite Sukuna's comment, Iwafune does a guts pose,

"Good! We must do that, let's get ready to go out!”

"Please wait, Iwa-san. There is a point in what Sukuna says. Unnecessary behaviors should be avoided just before big actions. Then we can't go out.”

Iwafune opened her mouth. He asks in a tone that he cannot believe.

"Hey, rarely you, you're not going to barbecue here, are you? In a space so underground that the sun cannot enter!”

"In part yes. I agree with the fact that barbecue in the basement is not fun. So, while staying underground, I discovered a way to feel better.”

Nagare's eyes sparkle. Looking at him, Iwafune was caught in a bad feeling.

++++++++++

In front of Iwafune, a refreshing landscape stretched alongside the river.

The blue sky, the bright sun and the crystal clear water surface. The grass under his feet stretches out and you can hear kids playing baseball from a distance. The breeze of early summer incense caresses his cheeks, and the fragrant smell of meat grease falls on the charcoal fire, tickling his nose.

Faced with such wonderful barbecue weather, Iwafune wailed loudly.

"Nagare! After all, this is different!”

"Why, Iwa-san? Is something wrong with your device?”

"It is not a bad thing! In a way, this is different!”

Nagare removed the virtual reality device that covers his eyes.

As the refreshing early summer landscape rose, there was a picturesque underground sanctuary. Stone pillars in a forest. Inorganic concrete floor. In addition to that, a barbecue is placed on the table, they also have a virtual reality device.

The scenery is virtual, but the members, the barbecue tables, the grilled meat and the beer are real. To give a more realistic feel, the blower output and the influence of the wind on the video are linked.

"Uuuuuuuh..."

Iwafune looked at the blower. He knows that the nature of the pleasant wind is created by a machine, but he is saddened by that.

Then, he takes the roast meat on a plate and brings it to Nagare.

"Nagare-chan, I baked stir-fried meat. Do you want to add lemon?”

"Please."

"So it's a yes, huh."

"Yes."

Nagare continues explaining while eating the roast meat.

"Vision represents 80% of the information received by humans. Although it is not completely real, it should have been reproduced with considerable precision.”

"Iwa-san, here are the roast ribs too. You do not eat?"

Sukuna says that using a virtual reality device, while gripping the meat with the tweezers. After thinking for a moment, Iwafune put on his own virtual reality device and screamed a bit.

"I will eat. Eat. I should just eat!”

"What? I'm not saying you force yourself to eat.”

"Cheers! I am sorry! After all, the barbecue goes with a beer!”

Overall, Iwafune screamed just to get rid of himself and ate the roast ribs with beer.

[roundtheworldrambles]

Luang Prabang, Laos - Part 1

Day 161 – Chiang Mai, Thailand to Luang Prabang, Laos

In the afternoon, I packed up my bag and hailed a Red Songthaew to Chiang Mai’s airport, boarding a small, propeller plane that would take me to Luang Prabang, Laos. The flight was short, about an hour and a half east, over the mountainous green highlands. The air outside was thick and hazy, caused by smoke from burning farmer’s fields. I learned that between February-April, this was fairly common for northern Thailand and Laos, as farmers burn their fields before reseeding the soil.

Arriving at the small, red roofed airport in Luang Prabang, I quickly passed through customs, paying for my visa on arrival with US dollars. It was an interesting visa experience for me, as the visa application fee varied depending on the home country of the traveller – with Canadians paying the highest amount of any listed country. After doing some research after the fact, it appears that this is based on the reciprocal cost a Laotian would need to pay to visit Canada. Furthermore, the visa costs are also apparently related to the amount of international aid provided to Laos, where citizens of countries which have provided a higher level of aid pay lower visa costs as a result. I had not given much thought to the reciprocity of international visas before my arrival in Laos, and this was an eye-opening, educational experience for me.

As I was negotiating for a ride into town in the arrivals hall, I had the very good fortune of meeting a fellow traveller from San Francisco, Tonya, who was also travelling by herself. We quickly found out that we were also staying at the same guesthouse, and became immediate friends! Sharing a ride into town on a multi-coloured tuk-tuk, we also realized that we had a very similar itinerary planned around Asia for the coming few months! After settling into our hostel for the evening, we headed out into the town as the sun was setting.

Luang Prabang

The small city of Luang Prabang is built on a peninsula at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, surrounded by lush green mountains. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, Luang Prabang was once the capital of the historic Lane Xang Kingdom from the 14th to 16th centuries (also known as the “Kingdom of a Million Elephants”). Luang Prabang was also a historic trade centre in Southeast Asia, given its proximity to the meandering Mekong Rivier, which runs for almost 5,000 km through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Luang Prabang is also known for being the centre for Buddhism in Laos, and has many active temples, or “Vats” scattered throughout the town centre. The town was part of a French protectorate between 1893 and 1954, and the colonial influences of this era can still be seen in the architecture throughout the urban centre. Modern day Luang Prabang showcases traditional and French colonial styles throughout the town. Given the current UNESCO protections, the historic town centre was also remarkably free of the overdevelopment that can come with tourism. It was evident to me that the town had taken great care to protect their cultural heritage and architecture, with conservation and sustainability in mind.

Luang Prabang Night Market

As evening fell, Tonya and I wandered over a short distance to Sisavangvong Road, the main street through the peninsula, which was bustling with a vibrant night market.  The street had been closed off to vehicles and scooters, and there were hundreds of red and blue covered stalls and bamboo mats lining the street, selling countless beautiful and unique wares. There was an incredible collection of handicrafts, ceramics, silks, clothing, antiques and other souvenirs for sale. Many of the items sold were handmade by ethnic groups in the nearby hills, although some stalls also sold cheap, imported trinkets. Overall, the market had a relaxed atmosphere, with the vendors typically waiting for the visitor to inquire about the items rather than making sales pitches. One stall in particular caught my eye – where the trader was selling jewellery and cutlery which were apparently made by recycling fragments of bombs which had been dropped on Laos by the United States during the Vietnam War.

I had no previous knowledge of the bombing campaign in Laos during the war, and was stunned to learn that there were close to 600,000 bombing campaigns in Laos between 1964-1973, with the goal to cut off supply lines along the Ho Chi Minh Trail running into Vietnam. To this day, there are estimated to be almost 80 million unexploded bombs throughout the country, which continue to kill innocent men, women and children who happen to come upon them – near half a century later. It sickened me to think about all of the bombs lying dormant in fields and forests throughout this picturesque, welcoming country.

Tonya and I briefly stopped by a money exchange to switch out our US dollars to Laotian Kip. The local denominations were huge - with banknote amounts ranging between K500 to K100,000. For the remainder of my time in Laos, this made it quite challenging to monitor just how much money I had, as the many “zeros” on the banknotes automatically tricked my brain into thinking I had more money than I actually did!

One of the Many Fresh Smoothie Stands in the Market

We spent the remainder of the evening browsing the night market, sampling spicy Laotian dishes at the food stalls along the street, and enjoying passionfruit smoothies. It was a great first day in Laos, and I was lucky to have equally terrific company with Tonya!

Day 162 – Luang Prabang

After grabbing breakfast at our hostel and befriending a few other travellers, Tonya and I headed out to explore town, passing first through the morning farmer’s market just along the street outside. The vendors start setting up before sunrise, and it was already busy as we walked through around 8:30am. Local produce and the catch-of-the-day were set up for sale on mats on the ground. Ready-to-eat snacks were also for sale, such as charcoal-grilled honeycomb, baelfruit, mung-bean rice cakes, Mok Pa (a dish cooked with catfish caught in the Mekong), Lao Khao Soi, various meats cooked in banana leaf, Khao Jee Pate (a Laotian take on a Banh Mi Baguette sandwich) barbecued frog, water buffalo sausage, coconut milk pancakes, young coconuts, various noodle dishes, and even grilled rat – just to name a few snacks! We enjoyed stolling along the street, chatting with the friendly vendors, and taking in the vibrant colours, sights and smells of the market.

We continued onwards to the bank of the Mekong River, lined with palm and banana trees. Long, shallow river boats churned through the milky brown water below. Beyond the wide, lazy river, we could see lush green mountains in the distance. As we walked along the embankment, various tour operators approached us, trying to sell us tours in these slow riverboats. While we were certainly interested, Tonya and I had done our research on reputable tours, and planned to purchase our trip up the Mekong for the following day.

Drying Orange Robes in a Monastery in Luang Prabang

Turning inland, we began to meander along the quieter streets of town, lined with traditional Lao houses and guesthomes, many of which were constructed with bamboo materials during the colonial period. The UNESCO protections in the town continued to be evident, as there were no high-rise buildings or large tour buses anywhere in the town centre. Tuk-tuks and scooters were by far the most common means of transportation for locals and visitors. As we walked, we occasionally passed some active Buddhist monasteries, and while we could not enter, we could see the laundered orange robes of the monks hanging out to dry.  

Wat Xieng Thong

We visited one of the best-known monasteries in the town centre, Wat Xieng Thong. Dating back to the 16th century, the temple complex housed a gilded ordination hall, with large, sweeping roofs, along with numerous stupas, chapels, a library, a drum tower, and a funeral carriage - historically used to carry the urns of Lao royalty. The architecture throughout Wat Xieng Thong was simply stunning, with every structure richly decorated with engravings, colourful mosaics, paintings, gilding and elaborate sculptures.  

A close-up of mosaics at Wat Xieng Thong

Ready for some shade and bite to eat, Tonya and I headed to the banks of the Nam Khan River, crossing a bamboo footbridge to the far bank. The bamboo bridges of Luang Prabang are built by local families on an annual basis, facilitating the journey to and from the old quarter of the city. Incredibly, though these bridges are solely built from bamboo and rope, they are very sturdy! As visitors to Luang Prabang, Tonya and I paid a small toll to cross the bridge, which contributes to the upkeep and annual bridge replacement.

Bamboo Bridge across the Nam Khan River

On the far banks of the river, we arrived at Dyen Sabai  – a restaurant recommended by a friend of mine from Western, Brandon - who had briefly lived abroad in Laos, and had generously given me all sorts of local recommendations! He had highly recommended that I visit Dyen Sabai for their Lao Buffalo Fondue. The setting was peaceful – Tonya and I sat on low futons at a riverside table, surrounded by a beautiful bamboo garden. The buffalo fondue dish turned out to be cooked in a similar way to Chinese hot pot/Korean BBQ. The servers prepared a small charcoal fire in a metal container built into the table, before placing a specialized cover overtop. This set-up allowed Tonya and I to cook the meat ourselves on the grill and cook the vegetables in the broth. It was a delicious (and interactive!) meal, a recommendation well worth it.

Buffalo Fondue at Dyen Sabai

After lunch, we traversed back over the bridge, and walked along the banks of the Nam Khan river to Utopia, a outdoor bar and bucket-list destination for any backpacker to the area (I think I had about 10 different friends recommend I go!). Tonya and I spent several hours of the late afternoon enjoying several Beer Lao while sitting on the floor cushions, chatting with other travellers and taking in the incredible ambiance of this lively riverside bar.

Nam Khan River

As evening began to fall, we returned to the town centre to climb Mount Phousi for sunset. A small mountain located in the heart of the historic town centre, Phou-si literally translates to “sacred hill”, and stands approximately 100m tall. While it was a bit of a climb to the top, I was happy for the exercise! Along the trail as we ascended were many gilded statues of Buddha, with a small temple and golden stupa at the summit. Arriving just on time for sunset, we took in an incredible 360-degree view of Luang Prabang, the Mekong River shimmering in a deep shade of orange, reflecting the mesmerizing sky above. The distant mountains were blanketed in a smoky haze from the burning of brush and farmers fields.  While the hill was packed with tourists who had the same idea as us – it was still a wonderful way to end a day of exploring the city. Ready to tuck into some more of Laos’ famous street food, Tonya and I returned to the night market along Sisavangvong Road, taking in the brightly lit red and blue booths framed by tall palm trees and the opulent Royal Palace. After sharing and sampling countless delicious dishes, we headed back to our hostel, stopping at a booth on the main road to purchase tickets for our boat trip up the Mekong River the following day. I crashed almost immediately, as I was planning to wake up before dawn to view the morning Almsgiving ceremony, a daily tradition of local Buddhist monks.

Sunset from Mount Phousi

[akemiozawa]

Big Sister

note:

This’ll be a 3 part story, and of course inspired by @sintheyokai and her scenario of Vil’s niece, Ebony.

————————————————————

Trina, you have a call!

Trina snatches her phone off her desk and held it to her ear, while tugging on her other boot.

“Trina here!” She chirped.

“Hi Trina!” A bright voice sounded.

The brunette’s eyes widened. “Aunt Momokase?!”

“Yes! How’re you doing?”

The girl stood, awestruck, before stammering out,

“I-I’m fine. And you?” She tucked some hair behind her ear.

“Well...” Momo sighed before continuing, “I’m in a bit of a pickle right now. I’ve got a giant sushi order that needs to be taken care of for a cocktail party this weekend. And my usual babysitter got sick with the flu. So...would it be too much to ask of you to watch the kids for me this weekend?”

Trina’s surprise grew, then her lips set into a smile.

“No! It’s no trouble at all!” And she wasn’t lying. She loved her little cousins more than anything!

“Oh, thanks so much!” Her aunt was relieved.

“So, when would be a good day to start watching them?”

“Uh...about that, I’m actually waiting in the main hall with the Headmaster at this moment....”

And cue the sound of a record scratching.

“Oh...” Trina trailed off, completely caught off guard. She whipped her head to the clock on her desk. It wasn’t that late for a Friday afternoon. All her classes were finished and she had plenty of time before the dinner bell.

“Hold on, Mo! I’ll be right there!” She declared and clicked off her phone before her aunt could respond.

————————————————

Ortho knocked on the dark blue door, and stepped back waiting for an answer. Not five seconds have passed before Trina’s face appears in the open doorway.

“Oh, hey, Ortho!” She smiled.

“Hi Trina! I just got a notice from the Headmaster, he needs to see you!” The younger Shroud brother informed.

“Don’t worry, I’m on my way!” She smirked and ran through the dark halls, not looking back.

——————————————————

By the time she got to the front doors, she had a light row of sweat along her forehead. But through her ragged breathing, she could clearly see her aunt speaking with Crowley with two small bodies clutching close to her legs.

“Auntie!” She waved and sped over.

The young woman with medium-long black hair with blue highlights and green eyes, with a delicate face turned towards her voice and smiled. But as she opened her mouth to speak, the two smaller bodies ran in the opposite direction towards Trina, simultaneously crying,

“Big Sis!!!”

Trina knelt down just in time as the two children were enveloped in her arms. She cradled them close to her as she smiled gently.

She drew back to look at the two.

“Hello Breelyn! Hi Brayden!”

The two in question looked up at her: one had bright green eyes, matching Aunt Mo’s, and mid-back length brown hair in gently curled waves. The other had electric blue eyes, mirroring Trina’s, and noticeable combed down black hair. But both had matching beige skin and wide smiles.

“We missed you!” The blue-eyed boy exclaimed.

“When will you come home?” The brunette girl whined.

Trina smiles with sympathy, “I’m sorry, little ones. I’ve still time here until I can come back. But I promise, I’d never forget you two!” She lightly pinched their cheeks before hugging them again.

Aunt Mo, who was watching the heartfelt exchange with a smile, laughs delicately. “It’s so good to see you, Trinity.”

“Hi, Aunt Mo.” She smiled back. After Trina left for Night Raven, her aunt called her to congratulate her on the news. Even before NRC, Momokase was the only person Trina had trusted with everything. Well, most things. After being accepted, they maintained contact with each other despite the borders of Night Raven.

“While you were on your way, I was speaking with the Headmaster. I’ve told him how Bree and Brad looked up to you and wanted to follow in your footsteps.”

“Yes, if these two are extraordinary as you claim, Ms. Mikazuchi, I’d be glad to take them in when they’re of age.” Headmaster Crowley stood on Mo’s right, smiling in agreement.

Trina knew the whole story: Mo’s husband, Trina’s uncle, got called in for a job halfway across the country a year and a half ago, and wouldn’t be back for quite a while. But video called the family when he had the chance. During this time, Trina decide to step in her uncle’s place and help Mo around the house. It was a hassle: juggling her academics and houselife, against her father’s wishes, but Trina loved her aunt. During the time spent, Trina became a regular face around Mo’s house, the twins made it a regular habit to call her “Big Sister” due to their attachment towards her as an older figure they’ll never have. They loved watching her build gadgets from their age, and still do. After learning about Trina’s new abilities during a get together, it was around the time as well when they, too, developed their own magical attributes. While Bree was growing in Ambient Energy Manipulation and Force Field Generation, Brad had a knack for Quantum Artillery and Digital Weaponry. Both of which had amazed Mo and Trina.

“I’d bet they’d be wonderful!” Trina giggled. After getting back up, with the twins now glued to her, Mo handed her two kid sized suitcases.

“Okay, I’ve packed them some extra clothes, bathroom appliances and a first aid kit, books and things if they ever get bored, snacks, drinks, and some little things they’ve been working on.” Trina nodded in understandment.

“Bye you two!” She cradled the two children in her arms, giving them raspberries as they giggled. “Take care of each other and Trina!”

“Yes, mom.” They said in sync. After another exchanged goodbye, aunt Mo was jogging out the door, while the two twins cling to Trina’s outstretched hands as the three walked back to Ignihyde.

————————————————————

It was around 6:30 in the evening when it was time to eat. In the common room, which was fairly empty, save for a few students dotted here and there, Trina heated up the twin’s favorite food: Noodle burgers, and popped in a DVD of Big Chibi 6 cartoons for the twins to watch on the big tv. Meanwhile, Trina sat at the couch while fidgeting with her a few of her Scan Jammers, which had busted a few weeks back. That was the last time she’d let the Diasomnia first years use them. Just as she put her nose pliers down,

“Sis! We’re done!” Bree sounded. Trina looked up to see the twins with their plates and cups empty on the coffee table’s end.

“Okay, go ahead and put the dishes away, wash up and we’ll get started on our video games!” Trina instructed. Silently nodding, the two grabbed them and ran off to the small kitchen.

As Trina gathered her tools, she felt someone watching her. Smiling, she turned to see Idia walking into the common room.

“Oh! Uh...hello, Trina...” the dorm leader waved anxiously, a small smile present.

“Hey, Idia. Another leader meeting?” She walked over to him.

“Y-Yea.” He answered shortly. “Wh-what are you doing out here? You’re...normally in your room at this time...”

Before Trina could answer,

“IDIA!!!!”

And cue the twins running in and koala-hugging his long-ass legs while he gasps in surprise, while trying not to fall on his back.

He looks up at Trina in confusion, who mouths to him “That’s why” as her answer. Smiling, she says, “Okay, you two. Give him some room before he passes out.” And like nice, the two scurry to their Sister.

The third year looks in confusion at the Trio. “Idia, say hello to Brayden-” the boy at her left waves. “-and Breelyn.” The girl at her right smiles sweetly. “They’re my aunt Mo’s kids. I’m watching ‘em for the weekend. Bree, Brad, Idia Shroud. He’s in charge of Ignihyde. And he and his little brother, Ortho, are close friends of mine.” At the mention of his brother’s name, Ortho comes walking in.

“Oh! Hi Big Brother! Hi Trina! And hey Bree; Brad!” The lil bot waves. The twins wave back with equal enthusiasm.

“They...th-hey know m-me?” Idia stuttered one disbelief. Trina nods.

“After I moved into Night Raven, I’ve talked with my aunt and told her about you and the others. And let’s just say, you, and the other leads, got some pretty big fans.” At that, the twins scurried to Idia and started spewing one question after another. They were talking too fast for the third year to keep up.

“What kind of things did you invent?”

“Do you really use the River of Styx as your personal swimming pool?”

“How mad do you have to be for your hair to turn red?!”

“I heard some students in Octavinelle use your head as a barbecue grill, and for roasting marshmallows!”

“IS IT TRUE YOU HAVE A CYBORG BOYFRIEND NAMED AL?!”

Trina tried to hide her grin behind her hand, as did Ortho, but Idia looked close to fainting at that question.

“Okay, you two! That’s enough!” Trina laughed. She motioned for Ortho to take Idia to his room. The younger Shroud nodded and gently took his brother’s hand.

“Cmon, big brother! Let’s get you settled from the meeting.” In a daze, Idia didn’t bother responding and followed silently.

As soon as the two were out of sight, Trina smirked at the kids down at her.

“Who’s up for some Mario Kart?”

“ME!!!!”

———————————————————-

The headcanons belong to @twistedwonderlandimagines and a brief cameo of @oiseaunoir11 b/c Idia and Al are so cute! pt. 2 is coming soon.

[catsworldlytravels]

Gooooooood morning Vietnam

It’s actually over 3 years since I went to Vietnam, better late than never in writing up about it! This trip was March 2017.

I had a direct flight from London to Hanoi with Vietnam Airlines, an extremely reasonable flight price of around £450 return if I remember rightly. After a 12+ hour flight, I landed at 4.30am local time, and after swiftly clearing immigration (British citizens didn’t – at time of travel – require a visa for stays under 15 days) I had quite a long wait for my bag as it was basically the last one round the carousel – always a slightly worrying time! I’d arranged a transfer to my hotel in central Hanoi, and after arriving at the hotel at around 6.30am I took myself off to bed. Top tip, especially when travelling somewhere where accommodation is cheap by western standards – if you are arriving somewhere first thing in the morning, book a hotel room for the previous night so you can check in and either get some kip for a few hours, or freshen up before you start exploring. The hotel I was staying in was approx £30 per night which was worth every penny to be able to crash for a few hours.

As it turned out, I was absolutely knackered, the product of being in a job I didn’t enjoy (part of the reason I’d gone on sabbatical the year before), and at the time I’d actually just been successful in interviewing for another job in the same company which I would start shortly after returning from this trip. Much less stress and a better work/life balance, but that isn’t the topic of this blog, and as such I pretty much slept through the entire day. Fortunately I’d arrived a day early to join the trip so I didn’t miss out on that much, and it gave my body clock a chance to adjust.

After a long sleep, I awoke refreshed on the second day and after breakfasting in the hotel, I set off exploring Hanoi. One thing I had been warned about prior to this trip was that attempting to cross the street in Hanoi would be an interesting experience, certainly if you waited as you would in the U.K. for a break in the traffic, I’d still be stuck on the wrong side of the street now! It is a little unnerving basically having to walk out into traffic but, unbelievably, it works. Most people in Vietnam ride scooters as the taxes on (usually imported) cars are prohibitively expensive, and they are used to adjusting their speeds for pedestrians. After building up confidence to cross the street, I made my way to Hoan Kiam Lake and walked around it, enjoying the early morning sights including the locals enjoying some early morning yoga/meditation along the shores.

Hoan Kiam Lake, Hanoi

After some more wandering to a temple and to the market, I headed back to my hotel for some much needed air-con. After a short break from the heat, I ventured back outside and grabbed lunch – a delicious Bánh Mì from Banh Mi 25, one of the top-rated places for Bánh Mì in Hanoi. Bánh Mì are a delicious fusion sandwich, a baguette-style bread roll filled with pate, grilled meat, cucumber and pickled veg, and an absolute bargain with a Bánh Mì and bottle of water costing the equivalent of 75p!

In the afternoon I walked to the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum complex and around the botanical gardens before retreating back to the hotel. In the evening I met the rest of the group (a G Adventures trip) and we headed out for dinner.

An early start the next morning as we headed to Halong Bay. It was a 4 hour drive punctuated by a stop at a project which creates employment for disabled people by teaching them crafts and needlework which is then sold. A very interesting idea.

We arrived at Halong Bay and boarded our overnight junk boat in time for lunch. As we set sail through the bay, the limestone karsts that we passed through reminded me a little bit of Milford Sound. I’ve since also been to Khao Sok in Thailand which was very reminiscent of Halong Bay. We sailed through the bay in the afternoon, stopping off in a couple of places including Ti Top Island where we climbed up 400 steps to take in the views.

Halong Bay

We had dinner on the boat, all freshly made on board and plate after plate of delicious food was served up. After enjoying the stars with a couple of drinks, I retreated to bed. Another early start the following morning with breakfast at 7am before we visited a Sung Sot Cave, the largest cave in Halong Bay, which had this amazing, wave-like ceiling.

Sung Sot Cave, Halong Bay

We then headed back to land and late morning got off the boat and headed on the 4 hour journey back to Hanoi. We were taking the overnight train south to Hue but had a few hours spare before then, so I went on a street food tour. If you haven’t already gathered, I absolutely loved the food in Vietnam. I think it’s the best food I’ve had anywhere, and certainly the cheapest. We wandered the streets of Hanoi, sampling lots of delicious food before ending up in Hanoi Food Culture where we had the Vietnamese speciality of egg coffee (or egg chocolate in my case as I’m not a coffee drinker)

Egg chocolate – an alternate version of the Vietnamese speciality egg coffee

We boarded the train in the evening, around 9pm. We were travelling in first class which comprised of 4-berth bunks with shared toilets/squats at the ends of the carriages. Second class was 6-berth bunks, followed by soft seats and hard seats (as you might recall from the Top Gear Vietnam special). I took a top bunk. The journey itself was very loud and the train was very shaky, and I don’t remember sleeping too much. The overnight train I’ve since been on in Thailand was a much more comfortable ride.

We arrived in Hue at 10.30am the next morning. It was noticeably hotter and more humid. Despite arriving early, we were able to check in to our hotel where I promptly showered before heading out for a quick wander before we went on our included trips in the afternoon. I ventured for a walk along the Perfume River before retreating to the air con ahead of our afternoon tours. Firstly we went to the Tien Mu Pagoda:

Tien Mu Pagoda, Hue

We then went to the main attraction in Hue, the Imperial Citadel. An imposing collection of buildings, and much, much larger than I imagined. The citadel was built in the early 1800s and was targeted during the Vietnam War. You can see the bullet holes from the Vietnam War in some of the walls.

Imperial citadel, Hue

We also squeezed in a visit to the Royal Tombs on an busy sightseeing afternoon.

At the Royal Tombs, Hue

The next morning I did a motorbike tour (as backseat passenger!) – an absolute must-do in a country where motorbikes/scooters are the primary form of transport. We were taken out to the countryside outside of Hue, seeing rice fields, monasteries and a colosseum where elephants and tigers once fought. We had an included vegetarian lunch at the monastery which was, once again, absolutely delicious.

Colosseum; Biker pose; River views

We arrived back in Hue after lunch and then headed south over the Hai Van Pass towards Hoi An. Unfortunately it was a bit cloudier than ideal which didn’t make for the best photos, but we still saw some great views.

Views on the drive to Hoi An.

We arrived in Hoi An in the late afternoon. Our guide took us on a brief orientation tour as we had 3 nights here to explore. We bumped into Jack Whitehall and his dad filming their Netflix travel series whilst we were wandering down tailors row – an unexpected sight! Hoi An is famous for getting cheap tailoring which can be ready in as little as 24 hours, but I didn’t partake on this occasion.

The following day we had an included excursion in the morning to Planeterra’s project here, Oodles of Noodles. This project taught local kids both the skills of cooking in a professional environment, as well as some English language. We learned to make rice pancakes, and then enjoyed a delicious bowl of noodles for lunch:

Lunch at Oodles of Noodles, Hoi An

We had a free afternoon where I enjoyed walking around Hoi An old town. Sincerely the prettiest place I’ve ever been.

Sights of Hoi An, the prettiest place I’ve ever been

The next day was a free day. The weather was a bit dodgy, grey with the occasionally downpour but still very warm, so after a relaxing morning at the hotel, I went for a hot stone massage in the afternoon. £20 for a 90 minute massage was an absolute bargain, even if I was a bit sore the following day! In the evening we enjoyed a walk (and some bargains) in the night markets.

The next morning was an early start for a flight from nearby Danang to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), formerly Saigon. Even hotter and more sticky than Hue. After checking in to the hotel mid morning, and then going for lunch to have pho (finally!), we then had a free afternoon. Ho Chi Minh City has some pretty spectacular architecture, including many remnants of the French colonial era:

Notre Dame Cathedral, HCMC; City Hall; The Post Office, HCMC

The following day we had an included trip out to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a network of tunnels built by the Viet Cong outside of Saigon during the Vietnam War. It was fascinating to learn about the guerilla tactics used by the Viet Cong, and amazing to see the size of the tunnels, which were utterly minuscule.

Cu Chi Tunnels, barely big enough for a body to fit through

We came back to HCMC for lunch and then had a free afternoon. I decided to go to the War Remnants museum which is is a sobering affair. Be warned – there are some very graphic pictures of the effects of the chemical warfare. It was also horrifying to learn that people still live with the effects having been exposed at the time, but also because some of the effects can be passed on to offspring. A sobering reminder of the legacy of war, and well worth a visit.

That evening was our final group dinner before I left the following day. More delicious food, this time Vietnamese barbecue.

Vietnamese BBQ – cook your own dinner!

I had most of the next day free before an evening flight back to London via Hanoi. It was extremely hot and sticky again, and after a walk in the morning to the Reunification Palace and a failed attempt to find the Jade Emperor Pagoda, I retreated back to the hotel and air con and a shower before heading to the airport in the late afternoon.

So, what were my impressions of Vietnam? Genuinely part of the reason I went was after I’d seen the Top Gear Vietnam show, it looked a beautiful and fascinating country. A few people I’d met on my previous travels had also been and talked about what a wonderful country it is. And it certainly was. Everyone was friendly, I didn’t feel afraid walking around by myself, a solo female traveller (albeit on a group tour). It was very cheap – obviously I’d paid for the trip and accommodation/transport beforehand, and so all I had to buy whilst there was food, drinks, excursions and souvenirs. I was there for 10 days and spent less than £150 – and that included a $40 motorbike trip and a £20 massage. The absolute best food I’ve had anywhere I’ve been either before or since (with Peru close behind). And a fascinating, and devastating, recent history. Would absolutely recommend, and when I do go back again to South East Asia, I wouldn’t think twice about going back.

from WordPress https://catsgreatadventure.wordpress.com/2020/07/25/gooooooood-morning-vietnam/

[rabbitcruiser]

Eagle Point Park, Clinton (No. 6)

Overlooking the Mississippi River and General Zebulon Pike Lock and Dam are the 164 acres known as Eagle Point Park. Visitors are provided with spectacular views of the river and parts of Illinois, and Iowa. Shelter buildings constructed from native stone are available by reservation. The park offers many more amenities, such as: picnic tables, barbecue grills, tennis courts, wading pool, viewing towers, playground equipment, horseshoe courts, and a band shell.

Situated in the northern section of Clinton is one of the best assets of our fair city, beautiful Eagle Point Park well-maintained, unusual and very delightful.

There is a stone look-out tower that the locals refer to as the “Castle”.  Kids have played in and around it for years as they crawl in and out of the lower holes or jump out of the windows which are 4 feet off the ground.  The Castle has a spiral stone staircase winding around twice before it reaches the top of the building.  It was built by the WPA along with two bridges, a recirculating waterfall and a stone staircase which goes down the bluff although part of the stairwell is now gone since the bluff has fallen away somewhat.  There is also a wooden lodge that was built by the WPA.

In 1888, mule-drawn cars ran on a narrow-gauge rail from Main Street to what was at that time named Joyce’s Park, which is now called Eagle Point Park. When the Clinton Street Railway (owners of the park) changed to electric-driven cars in 1891, it was necessary to enlarge its tracks. Because there was no entrance to the park except by rail, the company ran an eight-mile line to the park in 1902. From that time on, there were open cars to the park during the summer months, and service all year to within a short distance of the park.

Rail fare was five cents per person, but entrance to the park was free. Four pavilions, concession stands and a variety of amusement equipment were located in the park. Free movies were shown every night and many dances were held in the early part of the century.

Source

[prismatranslates-cue]

Girls meet meat! à la carte Part 5

Previously: Part 4

Maika: Alright, here we are! Now then, let the barbecue…commence!

Honoka: At long last!

Maika: That said, we’ve still got a lot of setup work to do, like prepping the ingredients.

Maika: Anyone feeling particularly confident in their knife skills?

Silence.

Maika: …What, really? No one?

Haruna: The way you said it really turned up the pressure…

Honoka: I’d have to say I’m probably below average…

Shiho: I’m completely hopeless with a knife.

Maika: …Alright, Haruna, please and thank you.

Haruna: O-okay. I’ll do my best.

Maika: Then, Honoka, can I get you to start the fire?

Honoka: Can do, boss!

Maika: If you need help with it, you can ask the person on duty. They’ll be at the place where we rented the equipment.

Honoka: I’ll be fine! I’ll get this fire going with my own two hands!

Maika: Geez, no need to get all stubborn about it… Anything you feel like you could do, Shiho?

Shiho: I assume besides drawing pictures?

Maika: Yes, preferably something related to the barbecue…

Shiho: I’ll try and think of something. Ask me again in an hour.

Maika: Uh, it’s fine, I’ll just get you to wash the vegetables for now. Let me know when you’re done and I’ll think of something else.

Shiho: Yepperoni~

Honoka: The river back there looked really clean. You could use that?

Maika: Please just use tap water.

Honoka: Come on, shouldn’t we try and do things naturally if we can? It’ll reinforce the barbecue atmosphere.

Maika: But we don’t know what’s in the river, especially with people playing in the water there. Just use tap water, it’s safer.

Shiho: What will you do, Maika?

Maika: I’ll go around checking on all of you and giving directions.

Honoka: Our own commander-in-chief!

Maika: Everyone’s got something to do? Okay, break!

---

Maika: While we wait for Shiho to finish with the vegetables, you and I can get started with the sausages.

Haruna: How big should I cut them?

Maika: We’re grilling them, so you can honestly make them pretty chunky. Nothing beats biting into a big juicy piece of sausage, yeah?

Haruna: In that case, we could probably leave them as-is, no?

Maika: Sure! I guess just score them a little with the knife to make sure they cook through.

Shiho: Veggies are washed~

Haruna: Whoa, already?

Shiho: It’s not like we pulled them straight out of the field. We bought them from the supermarket, they were pretty clean to begin with.

Maika: Good work. Next, could you go see how Honoka’s doing?

Shiho: Yepperoni~

Haruna: Is that her new favourite phrase or something…?

Maika: Alright, let’s cut the onions next.

Haruna: Onions, huh…the tears always get to me, so this might not turn out well.

Maika: Not to worry. You know there’s ways to cut them without having to deal with the tears?

Haruna: Oh, like wearing swimming goggles and stuff?

Maika: Don’t even need to make it all complicated! All you need is this one simple trick.

Maika: All you gotta do…is cut them all in one go, before the tears can come!

Haruna: I…see…

Maika: Alright, ready? And…go!

---

Honoka: Ugh, no good…I’m not getting anywhere with this fire…

Shiho: How’s it going, Honoka?

Honoka: Oh, uh…well, you know! It’s going, it’s going.

Shiho: Are you okay? You’re sweating pretty hard.

Honoka: Well… I’m trying to get this fire started with just matchsticks and a fan, so it takes a lot of elbow grease…

Shiho: Why not use a block of firelighter or borrow a torch? That sign over there says they have some.

Honoka: I really want to try not to rely on stuff like that. …It would feel like giving in, you know?

Shiho: So you’ve chosen stubbornness.

Honoka: Between a flame lit naturally with the good old match, and one lit with stuff like firelighters and torches…

Honoka: Which one do you think will cook tastier meat?

Shiho: Either would be fine, surely.

Honoka: No way! The fire you lit through grit and hard work is obviously better! It’s all about the emotion, you know.

Shiho: I don’t get it…

Honoka: Feel free to leave if you don’t! I’ll do this myself.

Shiho: Yepperoni~ I’ll go for a walk, then.

Shiho leaves.

Honoka: …All that said, all the other groups I can see from here got their fires going so easily.

Honoka: Like that family in the spot next to us. The dad didn’t even break a sweat, and now they’re having so much fun…

Honoka: …No, keep it together! I won’t lose! I’ll get this fire going with blood, sweat, and matches and fans…!

---

Maika: …Alright, that should be pretty much it for food prep.

Haruna: What about the meat?

Maika: We’ll grill it whole! And then we’ll slice it up nice and thin after.

Haruna: Sounds good! Gosh, that sounds downright fancy!

Maika: Can you handle cleaning this up on your own? I’m gonna go check on how Honoka and Shiho are doing.

Haruna: Yepperoni~

Maika: Damn, now she’s got you doing it too…

---

Honoka: Oh, hey Maika. I got the fire going, no problem.

Maika: Way to go! That must’ve been tough.

Honoka: Not at all. Piece of cake!

Maika: Oh, you ended up using a firelighter.

Honoka: Yeah…that family next to us gave me some of theirs. I guess…taking the easier route is okay too, sometimes.

To be continued...in Part 6

[sepublic]

Tawahi

Tawahi is a village built upon a series of flattened, hill-like plains near the base of a stable, active volcano, named Mount Mangai. Mangai is constantly, steadily, streaming a flow of lava, with two streams of lava having been diverted to flow past and around Tawahi in the form of a moat- Skull Spiders are vulnerable to the extreme heat of lava, with only Armored Spiders surviving initially, before melting under the blazing temperatures like their brethren.

           Caught between these two lethal rivers, the Tawahans manage to exit and enter Tawahi by using cranes built atop the walls surrounded by the lava moat. These cranes hoist massive platforms to carry passengers over the lava moat to either side of the steaming river. Like the bridges of Kokoro, the Tawahan cranes are carefully monitored, and improvements are always being made to make the cranes faster, more accurate, and more stable.

           Past the massive walls, made from a mixture of recently-forged metal and stone, is the main village of Tawahi. Tawahi is divided into three, flattened slopes, each one leading to another with a sloping dirt path. Atop these hills, the people of Tawahi have built a village of various huts and buildings, all of them designed to withstand the heat, be more or less fireproof, and likewise allow maximum ventilation and cooling with conditioners created by Marn engineers and fueled by Kokoran Bitterbite.

           Tawahans specialize in blacksmithing, as the nearby plethora of accessible, extreme heat allows them to heat up their forges. Countless blacksmith shops are scattered throughout Tawahi, where metals and ores mined from Marn are brought in by the Gukko Airforce to be melted down and reforged into the proper tools and materials, before being delivered back to the rest of Okoto for use. Swords, hammers, and other metallic tools of the finest, highest quality are born and/or re-forged here, leading some to dub Tawahi as the new City of the Mask Makers.

           This steady stream of metal, some used for more luxury purposes, has outfitted the Tawahan Guard with a constant supply of the latest armors and weapons, making the Tawahi Military amongst the most well-armed in all of Okoto. Aside from melting down ores, though, the latent heat bubbling within the Region of Fire is also used for another purpose- The famous, beloved Tawahi Hot Springs!

           The Tawahi Hot Springs are exactly what their names imply them to be- A series of pools of water that are heated up by the underground heat to soothing temperatures. In the Tawahi Hot Springs, many elders and other experts tend to visitors, often supplying them with back massages and other special treatments, taking care to utilize the pumice found in the Region of Fire, as well as other materials. Many who visit the Tawahi Hot Springs leave feeling reportedly fresher and more energetic, as if their whole being has been rekindled and cleansed. Members of the Tawahan Guard are given discounts to the Hot Springs, and Gukko Airforce pilots are always treated to a relaxing massage and therapy as thanks for their hard work, before being sent off to fly the skies of Okoto once more.

           Despite its harsh heat, the Region of Fire continues to kindle the flame of life and survival for Okotans yet again- The nearby soil produced by the volcanoes is incredibly fertile, constantly being requested for by various farmers across Okoto. Lava Farmers use the fertile soil produced by volcanoes to breed healthy crops that contribute either to Tawahan cuisine, or the nutrition of the other Mega Villages.

           Aside from Levato, Tawahi is the second-most popular home for Kolhii. Other forms of entertainment include Ignalu Surfing, as well as the famous Tawahan Fireworks; Powdered rockets that when lit soar into the air and detonated in the most dazzling, colorful arrays of light. Needless to say, Tawahi’s exports usually consist of its newly-forged ores, fertile soils, the occasional vegetable or fruit, and fireworks. Materials for an at-home Spa therapy and treatment is also sold by the Tawahan Hot Springs, with the majority of funds going into supporting the Tawahan Military. Tawahi is also known for its delicious, fire-roasted cuisine. Barbecue, hot pot, roasts, etc.,- Tawahi has it all, and cooking competitions are a frequent event. Every now and then, Tawahi will hold a massive potluck where villagers can go about, trying out the roasted foods that others have to offer. All of these attractions have made Tawahi a popular tourist site for vacations and relaxation, one of its specialties.

           Tawahi is overlooked by Narmoto, the current Protector of Fire, village leader, and an Okotan with a mysterious past and a strange, seemingly sentient turret grafted to his spine. Narmoto claims he randomly found it in an abandoned temple, where it attached itself to him- Attempts to reverse-engineer his turret have ended poorly, with most agreeing to leave it alone lest Narmoto suffer for it. Like Marn, Tawahi is mostly military-run, although to a lesser extent, by the Tawahan Military.

           Many Okotans are stoked by blazes of the Region of Fire in Tawahi. Among them is Aft, a veteran of the Tawahan Military, who now dedicates his remaining life as a therapist, usually for soldiers suffering from PTSD. Having achieved peace through rediscovered books on meditation and mental and emotional health delivered from Kokoro, Aft sits down with his patients, listening to them about their nightmares and problems, and helping them calm down and confront their emotions. Aft is always quick to note that courage is not fearlessness, but rather being scared, and going on ahead regardless. His words always inspire many to continue their duties in defending Tawahi.

           Brander is a stout blacksmith, and one of Tawahi’s best, with Jaller of the Military preferring his tools most. Constantly supervising his forge, he crafts all manner of weapons, and more mundane tools, from the constant supplies of ore shipped in from Marn. Using the transferred heat from the lava moat, Brander softens his materials and reshapes them to his heart’s content, and has had made many luxury items and jewelry in conjunction with crafters from Marn and smelted art with Levan carvers. Brander is also a bit of an experimental barbecue chef, using his stove to try barbecuing all manner of ingredients from across Okoto.

           Aodhan is an elderly lady who works at the Tawahi Hot Springs, supervising guests to ensure that they achieve maximum comfort and relief in the bubbling soak. Aodhan also specializes in massages of many kind, as well as skin treatments, and she frequently thanks visitors with a specially-wrapped treat of her famous lava cookies, freshly baked!

           Binyo is the head chef at his famous grill, where he cooks right in front of the customer over an open stove, often amusing many with his famous ‘Onion Volcano’ trick. Binyo treats the business of his art very seriously, prioritizing speed, freshness, quality, and entertainment. Binyo is currently looking to train an apprentice, as his son has invested in a career as a Sumo wrestler.

           Tiribomba is, as his name might imply, a pyrotechnics expert. While he does dabble in explosives in collaboration with others across Okoto, from Pekka of Leva to Nuparu of Marn, his main passion and dream career is creating fireworks with his family. Hailing from a long family line, Tiribomba’s family holds a secret on how to make the brightest, most varied, and most complex patterns in a firework. Their ‘Family Recipe’ is coveted by many, but Tiribomba insists that they marry a relative –or even himself, ha!- before they can learn his family’s hidden art. The sky is frequently littered with some of his family’s experiments and prototypes, and while they don’t match the quality Tiribomba aspires to, as far as anyone else is concerned, they’re perfect.

           Kalama is another member of the Tawahan forging process, although his assignment is particularly grim. Kalama oversees the process of recycling Skull Spider bodies, shipped in from all across Okoto, usually from Levato. Kalama helps his fellow workers break down the bodies of the fallen creatures, melting down their metal limbs to be reforged into new blades, and breaking the rest down to its base components to be recycled and reused. This morbid occupation brings him in frequent contact with the faces of the despised swarms, and some fear for Kalama’s mental health- Some have sighted Kalama actually talking to the empty faces of the dead Skull Spiders, and the recent incident of a Skull Spider that feigned death, just to infiltrate Tawahi, has put him on further edge. Aft sometimes swings by to offer therapy, but Kalama just sticks to his job.

           Maglya is a Lava Farmer in her spare time- As the name suggests, others of her occupation use the lava flows of the nearby moat and fresh volcanic soil to farm healthy gardens. Always having something to offer on her stall, Maglya is in frequent collaboration with Vohon to sell her soil to other farmers, in particular her pen pal Orkahm of the Vuata Maca. Despite her apparently idle job, Maglya also has a thrill for the dangerous sport of Ignalu Surfing, and is a professional at it.

           Vohon is Tawahi’s main trader. An enthusiastic marketer with a magnetic personality, Vohon has a unique ‘loyalty’ program for her frequent customers. Said system involves a series of tickets given to customers that, when amassed, can grant them free prizes. Other parts of this Loyalty program include exclusive scratch cards, the occasional discount, and an inevitable gift for Naming Day. Despite the encouragement of these programs, Vohon is also courteous enough to advise shoppers to be careful about their spending, a lesson that is always heeded well. Vohon is a big fan of the poppers that Tiribomba’s family makes.

           Lhii is the young, impressionable son of Narmoto. Despite his mother’s death, Lhii retains his excitable demeanor, frequently running about Tawahi and playing with the other children, even making friends with older villagers. His status as the Protector’s son has made him beloved, if reverent, to the Tawahan Military, but Lhii does not throw his status around, instead preferring to hang out with the guards and be friends with them as well. Despite the death toll against the Skull Spiders, Lhii aspires to follow in his father’s footsteps and defend Tawahi when he’s old enough, perhaps even replacing him as Protector of Fire.

           The Tawahan Military is a local militia of volunteers, all armed with the freshest, sturdiest weaponry, tools, and armor, fresh and hot from the forge. While mostly voluntary, there is an unspoken agreement that the militia must have a certain minimum number of members that, if not met, would be gathered from a draw of the capable. Thankfully, such a scenario has never happened, as the courage of Tawahi blazes in its inhabitants’ hearts. The Tawahan Military frequently patrols the walls of the village, overseeing the smelting of ores, defending against Skull Spider threats, and occasionally going beyond the lava moat for expeditions or hunts.

           Members of the Tawahan Military are frequently imbued with a powerful sense of honor, chivalry, and code. They are led by Jaller, captain of the guard, and heir to Narmoto’s status as Protector of Fire. A natural leader who takes heed of his followers’ opinions, Jaller possesses a powerful sense of loyalty and a simmering caution, always on the lookout for Skull Spiders and assessing their tactics. Despite his loyalty, Jaller is not blind to authority, not even his own, and he is willing to call out those above him in case he feels there is injustice- Such solid morals and other values are what has led him to be the disciplined Captain of the Tawahan Military. His spare time is usually combat training.

           Kapura is one of the older members of the Tawahan Military, and among its more mysterious and eccentric ones. Functioning differently in the mental sense, Kapura is naturally physically slower than everyone else, a trait that has led him to be careful, diligent, and analytical. In the heat of battle, Kapura’s more slowed and calmed approach to the situation allows him to sometimes notice things that aren’t quite right, or observe what others have missed. This analytical and purposeful methodology of his has made him one of Narmoto’s advisors.

Paradoxically enough, Kapura seems to have the ability to move quickly, perhaps even teleport- He claims he can travel fast by moving slowly, by concentrating on where he is not, and thus inevitably being there. Kapura tends to practice this habit of his in the Charred Forest at his own risk, and it seems to work- How is anyone’s guess. Attempts to imitate have failed. Kapura also has a strange intuition regarding the Skull Spiders, and a knowledge of some parts of the Okotan pantheon of Deities. When not guarding or practicing, Kapura works at Tawahi’s theaters, occasionally partaking in its shadow theather or puppet shows, telling the old stories of Okoto.

Keahi’s role in the Tawahan Military is the regular patrol of the walls. In her spare time, Keahi also serves as a geisha performer and guest entertainer for visitors, often working at nearby restauraunts or in the Tawahi Hot Springs, and is a frequent member of the theater. Despite her graceful and reserved nature, Keahi also has a bit of a sharp tone if she chooses and is not to be underestimated- Jaller has cited her to be the bravest Tawahan there is. According to him, Keahi is actually very afraid, but she continues on diligently and stows away her fear, conquering it.

Agni is a dedicated Tawahan soldier who is obsessed with a moral code of honor. Rumor has it that his father once ran away in battle against the Skull Spiders, a disgrace and cowardice that Agni intends to make up for in his service by being the first to volunteer for missions. A master at the martial arts, Agni helps instruct his fellow guards on weaponless combat and is quick to remind people of the weak points that the Skull Spiders like to exploit. His mother has encouraged him to find a girlfriend, or boyfriend, whichever, but Agni is disinterested.

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Third Date

Third Date: A Joey Hudson Fanfiction

Relationship: Joey Hudson x OFC!Deputy

Rating: NSFW 18+

Summary: Joey and Maddy have their third date.

Warnings: Smut. Just smut. Not virginity loss but almost. 

Word Count: 3021

Author’s Note: I’m a FOOL for posting this when New Dawn comes out but idc. It’s still Valentines day for me so here’s my gays getting it on.

It’s their third date, they’re sitting on the tailgate of Joey’s beat up truck eating some food from The Grill Steak. They’re at some overlook up in the Whitetails, nothing but forest and river below them, the moon shimmers on the water and the food tastes delicious. It’s a perfect date so far. Joey has a bit of barbecue sauce dribbling down her chin and Maddy has to resist the urge to lick it off. She’s never connected with anyone like she’s connected with Joey and it drives her insane. She’s never believed in all those lesbian stereotypes before, but she’s five minutes away from hiring a moving company and buying a ring, and if she’s reading Joey’s vibes right, Joey is too. Or she was. Until of course, Maddy ruined the little questions game they were playing by asking something dumb. ‘When did you lose your virginity?’ The words had flown from her mouth before she’d even had time to properly think about them. Maybe it was the horny young adult male in her--’what’s your bra size?’--everyone had at least a little bit of that inside of them. Joey had gone silent, staring at the empty wrapper of her food like it could answer all her questions or swallow her whole. Maddy felt like an ass, Joey wasn’t even out yet. It was a sensitive topic, she knew it was. But her brain and mouth had apparently forgotten how to communicate and now all future plans of moving companies and white dresses--or maybe suits--were ruined. “Sorry.” It feels empty, hollow, but it’s all she can think to say. Her brain and mouth are now better in sync, and she recognizes that anything else she says might just make it worse, and she really doesn’t want to make it worse. Her companion sighs heavily, shakes her head like she’s just finished arguing with herself. “No, it’s-it’s fine.” “It was stupid forget it.” “I haven’t I guess.” She pauses, on some level, she knew that. But hearing it confirmed is something else. “Really?” And they were back out of sync again. Maddy winces, wishing she could go back in time and smack a gag in her mouth or something. Joey shrugs, not meeting her eyes. “There was a girl in Missoula but it was never that serious. Just-ah,” She stops to scratch the back of her head, stumbling over her wording, “nothing that serious.” How stereotypical, Joey had gone to college part-time in Missoula pursuing a Criminal Justice degree, her only gay experiences had been college fumblings. It somehow makes Maddy feel even worse. She’s about to apologize again when Joey continues. “She was curious, just curious. I was head over heels.” She shrugs again, a nervous habit maybe. “It never went past a few awkward fumblings.” Joey takes a swig of her lemonade, still looking away from Maddy. “So, you’ve only ever been fingerblasted?” Mouth. Brain. The lemonade comes out of Joey’s mouth and her nose, synced up better than Maddy’s brain and mouth could ever hope to be. Shut. Up. Joey coughs and sputters and all Maddy can do is sympathetically pat her on her back. Then the coughing turns into laughing, and she isn’t quite sure what to do. “Yeah, yeah I guess.” Her voice is raspy from the choking and Maddy’s ears grow warm, she’s such an idiot. “Sorry, that was.” She can’t find words other than sorry. Her date shakes her head, still chuckling to herself. “No, that was great--you’re great.” A snort escapes her, she’s far from great. She’s just put her thumb so far up her ass she isn’t sure if she’ll ever be able to get it out. But Joey is grinning at her, a shy flash of teeth with a look in her eyes like Maddy’s hung the moon. There’s an awkward silence, where Joey is still clearing her throat and snorting to herself and Maddy is trying to will herself to turn to dust to be caught by the breeze and taken anywhere but here. She’s not good with silences, God she wishes she was. “So, you’ve never had someone go down on you?” Brain. Mouth. Joey stares at her for a long minute, a grandfather clock ticking in the back of Maddy’s head, before shaking her head and picking up her lemonade again. This time she doesn’t drink it but instead swirls it around in the Styrofoam cup, keeping her hands busy. “No, guess not.” “Would you like to?” Joey’s jaw drops, eyes wide and cheeks heated at the suggestion. Thank God she hadn’t taken another drink of the lemonade, unlike Maddy she can learn from her mistakes. “Are you-?” Serious. The word hangs between them. She looks confused, hesitant, and almost--hopeful? Maddy’s stomach flutters at the implication. She keeps forgetting that this is all new to Joey, completely uncharted territory. Joey doesn’t know how to be gay, hasn’t quite found out how to be herself. As she chews her lip, Maddy realizes that she’s perfectly okay with helping Joey find out. The barbecue sauce is still on her chin and the urge to lick it off comes back with a vengeance. She was serious, so serious she has to cross her thighs at the thought of it. “Well, it is our third date.” Now she just looks confused, brows furrowing, her head taking on a curious tilt as she tries to decipher the meaning of that. Right, Joey doesn’t even have cable or Netflix. She’s likely never heard of that stupid dating rule. Then realization dawns on Joey’s face and that hopeful look is back. “You’re right, it is.” Her words are hesitant like she’s afraid of scaring Maddy away, completely unaware that Maddy’s mind is racing with thoughts of Joey panting and crying out beneath her. With a jerky movement and a clean swipe of Maddy’s tongue, the barbecue sauce is gone from Joey’s chin. Their lips collide and their tongues tangle. The kiss tastes like Chad’s homemade sauce and heaven, though arguably those could be the same thing. Her hand fists into Joey’s hair--worn loose for once because Maddy had mentioned that she liked Joey’s hair down--and the girl groans into the kiss. Breathlessly they pull away from each other, eyes lingering on the other's lips as they attempt to catch their breath. “You had sauce,” Maddy explains, licking her lips as she continues to stare at Joey’s. Joey doesn’t reply, just grabs onto Maddy’s sweater and pulls her closer until their lips connect again. It’s tender and aggressive, passionate and delicate all at once. Maddy doesn’t want to scare her, doesn’t want this to end, but craves her. Joey is much the same, afraid of ruining this, but recklessly charging ahead and hoping for the best. For someone who has little experience Joey sure knows how to kiss, the press of her lips against Maddy’s has her mind dizzied and her heart tied in a knot. Three dates in and this is their first time kissing, they’ve held hands once before but nothing like this. For lack of a better word, it’s intoxicating and Maddy isn’t sure she’ll ever get enough of Joey. She has to make up for lost time, two prior dates and the numerous times they’ve run into each other out on the town--it’s a small town. All time wasted not kissing Joey. Joey has never had a kiss like this, with the girl from college she thought had experienced the best of the best, at one point even thought it was love. But kissing Maddy is a whole new world. Her gay chakras have aligned and she’s seen the light. Is three dates too soon to call it love? However, all good things must come to an end and they need air, so they reluctantly pull apart, a trail of spit glistening in the moonlight. Normally, Maddy finds spit to be repulsive, but at that moment in time Joey could spit on her, hell, even in her mouth and she’d thank her. But that’s something to unpack another time. “My place isn’t far.” Joey’s voice is husky and Maddy shivers at the thought of Joey saying her name in that same voice. “Too far.” She’s being petulant, and she knows it but the thought of having to last the entire ten-minute drive back to Joey’s is agony. “We could just-” Her sentences trails off into what’s almost a question, her eyebrows waggling in suggestion as she eyes the truck bed. Joey snorts but she doesn’t look completely opposed, her eyes flicking to the truck bed before going back to Maddy’s face. “You do remember that I’m a cop right?” “And?” “We’re in public.” She doesn’t even sound like she’s trying to convince herself. “And?” “I’m a cop.” Her hand finds a place on Maddy’s thigh causing a delightful shiver to run through the freckled girl despite the unusual warmth of the night. “And?” “Someone could see us.” Joey’s hand squeezes her thigh, her voice getting back into that husky tone as she leans into Maddy. They’re very nearly kissing again, lips hovering so close they can almost feel each other. “Fuck it.” With that Joey closes the distance once more, both hands grabbing onto Maddy’s thighs and pulling the girl onto her lap. A quick squeal escapes from Maddy before being swallowed by Joey. The kiss is messy and urgent, Maddy’s hands tangling in Joey’s hair as Joey slides a hand up her sweater. She nips at Joey’s lip, tongue darting out to soothe before venturing into her mouth. The hand leaves her back and returns to gripping her thigh, leverage as Joey awkwardly shuffles them further back onto the truck bed. She whines as Maddy pulls away, yanking her sweater over her head and shoving it behind Joey before connecting their lips once again. Gently she pushes Joey back, laying her against the sweater turned pillow. Her lips migrate down, pressing sloppy kisses to her neck, nipping at the exposed column of her throat. A hand shimmies up Joey’s flannel, hesitantly cupping her breast, thumb swiping over a covered nipple. It’s thrilling to Joey, doing something like this in public. She’s not out yet, but this pushes that. She might not be out but she’s kissing a girl in public, nobody is around but she’s being gay in public. Her breath hitched in her throat, maybe because Maddy had just shoved her bra up and the breeze hit her bare chest or maybe because they could be caught and she almost doesn’t care. She feels high. “Wait, wait, wait.” Maddy pulls away, leaving Joey vulnerable--exposed--ready to fall. “What?” Her throat is sore, had she been mouth breathing that entire time? “This isn’t right.” She sits up, reading to scoot off of Joey’s lap. Her heart plummets. “This is your first time, I shouldn’t be copping a feel on a truck bed there should be candles and wine, Marvin Gaye maybe-” She’s rambling, attempting to run a hand through her messy curls. That’s it? “Shut up.” Joey fists her hand into the girls tank-top, pulling her back down onto her. Their lips connect and Maddy mumbles protests. It’s sweet that she’s so worried about Joey’s comfort, but in this moment there is nothing Joey wants more than Maddy between her thighs. “Shut up. My first time, my choice.” Well, how can Maddy argue with that? She pulls away, searches Joey’s eyes for something, she isn’t sure what she’s looking for but she finds it. Reassured she scoots lower, pressing a wet kiss in between Joey’s breasts, one hand moving to cup one breast while her mouth moves to cover the other. Maddy presses another kiss to her skin, but this time to the sensitive flesh of her nipple before pulling away. Joey squirms as the breeze cools the saliva, then gasps as the warmth of Maddy’s mouth captures the sensitive bud once more. Her teeth ever so gently graze the soft skin, feather-light in their attention as her hand squeezes the breast her mouth can’t cover. The most attention her breasts have ever gotten was a quick tweak of the nipple, nothing more. But Maddy has her lips wrapped around her nipple, tongue tracing the peak in slow motions that have Joey squirming in anticipation. She can feel Maddy’s hand on her belt, fumbling with the obnoxiously oversized belt buckle. Somehow, maybe there’s an angel out the rooting for Joey to get her pussy eaten, Maddy undoes the belt with one hand. Not pausing for even a moment to celebrate her victory, which Joey has learned is not like Maddy at all, she moves her attentions to lavish Joey’s other nipple.  When she pulls away Joey lets out a whine, pouting as Maddy scoots down her lap until she’s sitting on Joey’s thighs. The look on Maddy’s face is one of pure determination as she undoes Joey’s pants, it’s kind of cute how her eyebrows furrow and her tongue pokes out of the side of her mouth. Without prompting Joey lifts her hips, allowing Maddy to shimmy the jeans part way down her legs. It takes her a moment to realize that she’ll have to climb off of Joey to get her pants all the way off. When she does realize it, it’s with a huff and a frown, now she’s the one pouting. She clambers off joey just long enough to get her pants around her ankles and then wiggle herself back between Joey’s legs, a leg on each shoulder. It’s awkward, but Joey approves. If someone drives by at least she’ll have her pants halfway on and she won’t have to hunt for them. For a minute she feels self-conscious about her simple blue briefs, but then Maddy presses a kiss to her thigh and she doesn’t have the brain power to think about anything else other than the girl between her legs. A finger traces over her clothed mound and she lets out a surprised whine, unable to keep her hips from wiggling. “Shit, you’re really wet.” Maddy mumbles, a throaty chuckle escapes her lips and Joey can’t stop the goosebumps that erupt over her skin. The clever reply she had dies on her lips as Maddy looks at her, lids heavy with a devilish look shining in her eyes. All Joey can do is chew on her lip as Maddy ghosts her lips over her covered pussy. She wants to watch it all but she gives in to temptation and lets her head loll back onto the sweater. Her legs tense when Maddy pulls her underwear to the side and she feels the cool breeze. She feels exposed, and she quite literally is exposed. They’re on the side of the road in a truck bed, anyone could drive by. Then the cold is replaced by Maddy’s hot breath and then by her tongue. Joey doesn’t know how to describe the feeling, but as she tries to come up with words Maddy does it again. Her tongue licking Joey in a broad stripe, a hand tracing soothing circles on her thigh. She hadn’t realized how tense she was until Maddy whispers a soft ‘relax’ against her before sliding her tongue through her folds. She’s almost embarrassed at how loud she’s undoubtedly being Maddy has barely touched her and her skins already on fire. Her legs shake with anticipation as Maddy began to tongue fuck her, slow and languidly at first. Then more earnestly, nose rubbing against her clit as she tried to taste every available inch of Joey’s cunt. Fingers replace her tongue, two pumping gently in and out as she focuses her attention on her clit. She kisses her clit like she’d kissed Joey earlier wet, messy, and desperate. She calls Maddy’s name or rather moans it and she swears she can feel the girl smile against her. Her fingers curve up ever so slightly and Joey feels a pressure building, then her thumb joins her tongue and she feels herself reach a peak. But her orgasm doesn’t come, she’s sitting on the edge with her ass out ready to fall. But it doesn’t come. One look into Maddy’s eyes and she knows the girl is doing it on purpose, her pupils are blown to hell but there’s still a mischievous spark there. She keeps the same pace, never varying, never giving Joey that little push she needs. “You.” It was meant to be accusing but Maddy does something with her fingers that cuts the sentence short with a gasp. Unwilling to pull away she hums around Joey in response, the humming does something fantastic, sending tingles down Joey’s spine. “Maddy,” Joey is fully ready to beg, to set aside any ounce of pride she may have left and beg for the girl to let her come. But she doesn’t have to, at the sound of her name spilling from Joey’s lips Maddy picks up the pace. If Joey thought it was good before then this is fucking fantastic. Her fingers are everywhere, pumping into Joey so fast it seems like she’s vibrating. Where her fingers aren’t her tongue is, licking until Joey feels her legs spasm. Over the sound of her own moans and incomprehensible babble, she can almost hear the sound of her own wetness as Maddy furiously finger fucks her and teaches her the true meaning of being finger blasted. The girl is Gifted, with a capital G. Her orgasm isn’t one of those explosions, it creeps over her entire body until every inch of her is on fire. She’s no longer dangling over the edge, she’s plummeting. For a moment she blacks out, legs tightening around Maddy’s head and locking the girl in place. Maddy guides her through it, slowing her motions as Joey turns to goo. She’s still shaking as Maddy pulls away and rights her underwear, her breath coming out in little pants as she struggles to find words. “Good for you too?” Maddy’s chin is dripping with Joey’s wetness, the moonlight reflecting off of it as she grins smugly. “Fuck. You.”