#San Giovanni Water

[sy666th]

L'Acqua di San Giovanni (the water of San Giovanni)

Sage and rosemary, basil and a vine leaf, an olive branch, the now withered leaves of the St. Anthony's lilies, and then roses, jasmine, poppies and all the flowers in my garden. The night between 23 and 24 June is magical, it is the last night with the sun at its maximum light….and then it begins to set to fall towards the autumn equinox. Plants and flowers are at their peak. June 24th is San Giovanni, patron saint of Florence, but the tradition of Acqua di San Giovanni is celebrated throughout Tuscany (they tell me that it is now spreading throughout Italy: well done!) A bowl of water filled with plants and flowers, left at night to absorb the moonlight and in the morning to collect the magical dew of dawn. And with this water in the morning you wash your face, hands, chest, if you have done enough, your whole body, otherwise your face and hands are enough. Praying while preparing water and while taking a bath strengthens the effect of the water. Blessed water that brings health, protection, abundance, beauty, fertility and wealth. A wish from the rural world that the harvest is plentiful, the animals fertile and that there is health, beauty and wealth in the home. And for young women, finding a good husband and keeping your face, hair (and everything else, too) beautiful. With the devotion due to millennial traditions (certainly from well before Christianity, like many traditions linked to the cult of the sun and the moon), tonight I prepared my tray for St. John's water, and tomorrow morning I will use it for wash me. And we'll see if it keeps its promises of health, wealth and beauty…

[violetmoondaughter]

Saint John’s water or Faery Water is made with specific herbs such as: hypericum (Saint John’s Wort), yarrow, rue, verbena, fern, wild fennel, marigold, elder, laurel, lavender, mugworth, mauve, mint, rosemary, sage, chamomile, rose, poppy, cornflower, and wildflowers. According to the tradition, these herbs must be gathered at sunset by fasting women and infused in spring water for an entire night. During the night it's believed that gods and spirits of nature are going to put their blessing to the water giving it magical properties. This magical water is used to bring love, prosperity, luck and health.

[calabria-mediterranea]

Torre Cavallo, Villa San Giovanni - Calabria, Italy

Torre Cavallo is one of the ancient sixteenth-century watchtowers that stand in the Reggio Calabria area, forming part of the defense system of the Strait of Messina. The tower stands on the sheer cliffs of the Calabrian shore between Villa San Giovanni and Scilla. Origin of the name Torre Cavallo It is thought that the promontory of Torre Cavallo may have been named after a popular abbreviation from the Latin "caput valli" (head of defence). It is probably on these cliffs that Octavian climbed after the naval defeat in the waters off Scylla, before the decisive victory against Sextus Pompey. The term "Horse" has also been attributed to the presence of a stable, adjacent to the tower, where a horse was kept for prompt information to the inhabitants. Another possible origin of the name is attributed to the presence of a motte, a fortification where the inhabitants temporarily moved to escape the Saracen incursions. In the absence of nearby mottes, which were located closer to the town of Reggio, they found refuge on the hills, thus favoring the continuity of work in the fields.

Video by @massimobellantoni77

Follow us on Instagram, @calabria_mediterranea

[sciatu]

Palazzolo Acreide -Festa di San Paolo, Licata -Festa di Sant'Antonio, Scicli- Festa di san Sebastiano, Piazza Armerina-Palio dei Normanni, Mondello - Festa in spiaggia, Ragusa-Festa San Giovanni, Castelbuono-festa Rock, Aci - Festa San Sebastiano, Trapani-I Misteri, Fiumedinisi-Festa della Vara

Il mondo è fatto di uomini soli di donne che nessuno ama di ragazze che non hanno amici di ragazzi messi da parte di vecchi che nessuno ascolta. Eppure gli uomini amano le feste grandi banchetti pieni di risate balli in piazza per tutta la notte cantare, con mille altri se stessi. Eppure gli uomini amano amare stringersi di notte con un cuore coprirsi con coperte di tenerezza per scambiarsi le anime in silenzio Allora di chi è la nera colpa? Chi costruisce i muri invisibili che nel silenzio ci imprigionano? Chi ci chiude in tombe senza fiori o in giorni senza sorrisi rendendoci fiumi senza acqua. Qual’è il male che ci infetta? quale morbo ci avvelena? quale virus ci distrugge chiudendoci in un angolo? chi nasconde i nostri domani chi ci fa odiare ogni voce ci fa fuggire ogni sguardo Senza essere poi salvati da un piccolo lieto fine da un semplice amore da una rima baciata? Il mondo è fatto da uomini soli li vedi camminare in silenzio scrivere versi sui muri sbrecciati sognare nelle notti senza stelle danzare soli nelle piazze vuote, amare senza sapere chi e come senza sapere fino a quando solo perché amare è l’unica salvezza che conoscono

The world is made up of lonely men, of women that no one loves, of girls who have no friends, of boys pushed aside, of old men that no one listens to. Yet men love parties, big banquets filled with laughter, all-night square dancing, singing, with a thousand other selves. Yet men love to love, hug each other at night with a heart, cover themselves with blankets of tenderness, to exchange souls in silence. So whose black fault is it? Who builds the invisible walls that imprison us in silence? Who closes us in tombs without flowers, or in days without smiles, making us rivers without water. What is the evil that infects us? what disease poisons us? which virus destroys us by locking us in a corner? who hides our tomorrows who makes us hate every voice, makes us flee every glance. Without being saved, by a little happy ending, by a simple love, by a rhyming couplet? The world is made up of lonely men, you see them walking in silence, writing verses on chipped walls, dreaming in starless nights, dancing alone in empty squares, loving without knowing who and how, without knowing until when, just because loving is the only salvation they know

[sunriseseance]

Post OF QUEER LITERATURE I'VE CURATED

1. The City and The Pillar by Gore Vidal

-finished reading

-absolutely beautiful book about historical queer identity, queer community, queer isolation, and life

2. Johnny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead

-finished reading

-a meditation on indigenous queerness, Canada, and love.

3. Fullmetal Indigiqueer by Joshua Whitehead

-finished reading

-same as above but ALSO thinks about humanity, and technology.

-I love Joshua Whitehead.

4. City of Night by John Rechy

-finished reading

- meditation on queer identity, loneliness, and urbanism. My fave Book.

5. Buddah of Suburbia by Hanef Kureshi

- finished reading

-man. Funny, historical, interesting, and queer as fuck.

6. Zami: A New Spelling of my Name by Audre Lorde

-to read!

-about queer black identity. I'm excited.

7. Giovanni's room by James Baldwin

-to read!

-I love Baldwin.

8. Faggots by Larry Kramer

-to read!

-about gay community in the 70s. Kramer founded Act Up! I am so excited for this.

9. Ruby Fruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown

- a book about lesbianism! Woo.

10. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

- to read!

-considered by many to be THE modern novel

11. Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin

-to read!

-collection of short stories about queerness in San Francisco.

12. Loving in the War Years by Cherrie L Moraga

-to read!

-a book about latine identity and queerness and war and colonialism. Nonfiction collection of short stories

13. The Price of Salt

-to read!

-carol is based on this

13. Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters

-to read!

-lesbian!

14. Dancer from the Dance by Andrew Holleran

-to read!

-a truely high literature gay romance

15. Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg

-to read!

-a seminal text.

15. Black Jesus and Other Superheroes by Venita Blackburn

-Read and loved

-my favorite short story collection of all time. About blackness and modern life and has many queer elements

AND LAST BUT NO LEAST

16. Angels in America

-The Best Play I Have Ever Seen

-about life and joy and AIDS and love

[tinydooms]

I was tagged by @counterwiddershins, for this meme game where I tell you a bit about me so that you can get to know me better. Thanks, friend! :-)

favorite color: green, almost all shades, from olive to darkest pine. I don't love yellow-greens, though. They need to have some blue in them.

song stuck in my head: Dragula by Rob Zombie (I think?). I saw a tiktok this morning where the "Everybody Wants to Be a Cat" scene in The Aristocats was replaced with "Dragula" and it's been stuck in my head ever since.

last song I listened to: see: "The Aristocats" as scored by Rob Zombie. (I was trying to ease the earworm. It didn't work.) And then "Thunderstruck" by ACDC, "Mary on a Cross" by Ghost, and then the Act One Finale of Don Giovanni (criminally overshadowed by the Act Two Finale; this is one of the most baller ensembles in opera, period). I've still got Dragula stuck in my head, though.

three favorite foods: just three? I am She Who Eats All the Things. Hmm...I love bulgogi meatballs with rice and salad; I love taco bowls with good salsa and guacamole; I love fresh brioche slathered with salted butter and red plum jam, a cup of milky coffee on the side. I am also appallingly delighted these days by a plain bowl of Cheerios with very cold milk, a fact which made a teenage friend of mine put her hand on my arm and ask, in all earnestness, if I was okay.

"Something terrible has happened," I replied. "I like Cheerios now. I don't understand it but I cannot stop."

"Do you need to be smoke cleansed?" she asked. "Holy water might work."

Last thing I googled: "bookstores near San Francisco International Airport". I have to go up there tomorrow to pick up my mom and want to at least get my money's worth.

Dream trip: a Nile Cruise from Aswan to Cairo on a small private boat, like they did a hundred years ago. Do I realize that my fascination with the history of archaeology/Egyptology can be considered Problematic? Yes. But people have been cruising the Nile for millenia and I am a woman of science*, damnit, and I just want to see the panolpy of Egyptian history unfolding before my eyes like a goddamn Romantic, so that I can marvel at the wondrousness of the human condition and ponder mankind's infinite smallness in the face of the relentless march of history, yada yada yada. I am a simple woman. I want to stand in awe at the beauty and greatness of mankind and I want to do it from a small ship in the middle of the river.

I would also really like to visit Italy, particularly Venice and Rome.

*in my heart of hearts. I tried to be an academic, I truly did. I was not made for that world. But so help me, I can be an interested amateur!

[maddie-kungs-emporium]

Kung’s Intro to Vampire: the Masquerade: Part IV (Disciplines)

Welcome to Kung’s Intro to Vampire: the Masquerade! This is a deep dive where I’m going to go fully into explaining kindred society, told in eight parts. This is the fourth part, and is also the fun part where I get to dissect the cool vampire powers that the Kindred get to use. The Disciplines are special refinements of kindred Vitae that vampires use in order to further their goals, with these manifesting as abilities considered unnatural by the uninitiated. In this chapter, we explore the secrets of the ten disciplines of the kindred, as well as Thin-Blood Alchemy.

Important Disclaimer: While this chapter contains the least amount of homebrew and apocrypha, this chapter yet again reflects Biveretican Canon as opposed to official canon. Please be warned that some of the material may not be present in your Storyteller’s game, and that it’s best to check in before you decide to use any material for your character.

Note on the Hecata: Some members of certain Hecata bloodlines can use a slightly different array of disciplines, due to the Hecata’s blood being mutable. These are not listed with the rest of the entry, but presented here for convenience, they are:

Flesh Eaters: Fortitude Dominate

Gorgons: Auspex Potence

La Famiglia Giovanni: Auspex Dominate

Nayson San An: Auspex Obfuscate

Note on the Caitiff: The Caitiff, it should be noted, don’t have Clan Disciplines. They can learn any Discipline without a teacher just by absorbing the appropriate blood resonance, albeit with more difficulty than otherwise. Of course, they still cannot learn Rituals or Ceremonies without a teacher.

Animalism

Although often overlooked by younger kindred, Animalism is one of the most important disciplines for the kindred, as it is one of the few reliable ways to control the Beast, which is the personification of the bases instincts within the Kindred. The Beast is not an easy thing to deal with, but Animalism allows you to control it, as well as control wild animals, those which are entirely dominated by basic urges. 

Clan Discipline: Gangrel, Nosferatu, Ravnos, Tzimisce

Basic Uses: The powers of Animalism predominantly relate to both the animal and human psyche, but not in the way other powers would. Whereas something like Dominate would exert direct control over another’s mind, and Presence deals more with one’s emotions, Animalism targets the soul within all living things, the one which allows creatures to survive. 

Humor: Beast

Auspex

Auspex is the Discipline which allows the kindred to understand the world around them on a level deeper than humans can. While mortal senses are limited to the obvious, kindred have significantly better understanding of the world, as their Vitae can allow them to surpass the limits of sensation into the world unseen.

Clan Discipline: Hecata, Malkavians, Salubri, Toreador, Tremere

Basic Uses: Seeing is believing, but with Auspex, seeing is knowing. One can utilize this discipline to enhance their existing senses, as well as to utilize supernatural perception beyond what mortals can achieve. Among other things, this can be used to detect Obfuscated kindred or diablerie, gather insight into the past and future, or assess the thoughts of others perfectly. Knowledge of Auspex is also sometimes required for abilities requiring finer control of a target.

Humor: Phlegmatic

Celerity

The kindred physiology is one which is capable of athleticism without peer, and nothing is indicative of this more than Celerity. With the power of vitae granting their dead bodies incredible swiftness, vampires can move with unnatural vigor, with a number of applications. 

Clan Discipline: Banu Haqim, Brujah, Toreador

Basic Uses: Celerity makes you go fast, plain and simple. Even those who understand the rudimentary elements of the discipline are able to act more quickly than any normal human can, with masters being able to run across water, catch bullets with their bare hands or evade users of other Disciplines through their agility. 

Humor: Celerity

Dominate

Occasionally, direct control over a mortal mind is needed, which warrants the use of Dominate. A rather unsubtle discipline, this essentially places the mind of the victim under your direct control, which gives you control over their body, though not necessarily their thoughts. 

Clan Discipline: Lasombra, Malkavian, Salubri, Tremere, Tzimisce, Ventrue

Basic Uses: Dominate is predominantly used to temporarily command a mortal body, though it can also be used to alter memories or blood bonds with practiced discipline. 

Humor: Phlegmatic

Fortitude

The Kindred are already resilient creatures who can survive getting shot, but Fortitude can turn them into walking tanks, giving the ability to make bold decisions without worrying about reprisal. In ancient times this made them immune to nearly every weapon, though nowadays some modern weapons are able to overcome even Fortitude-enhanced durability. 

Clan Discipline: Gangrel, Hecata, Ravnos, Salubri, Ventrue

Basic Uses: Fortitude is the most reactive discipline, and comes into play only when sources of harm come to the user. It can reduce mundane harm and provides some protection from fire and sunlight as well. 

Humor: Melancholic

Obfuscate

There are stories of vampires who can pass through many areas without being detected using perfect stealth, which mere likely inspired by Obfuscate. Those vampires who learn Obfuscate are not truly changed, but rather alter the mortal minds around them, so that they are not perceived despite being present. 

Clan Discipline: Banu Haqim, Ministry, Malkavians, Nosferatu, Ravnos

Basic Uses: The Obfuscated vampire can easily alter the senses of sight and hearing, and with some practice can not only pass undetected but can alter their presence on a more advanced level, appearing as someone else or even affecting recordings of their presence. 

Humor: Melancholic

Potence

The strength some vampires showcase is beyond mortal limits, with them able to lift impossible weight, break down walls with their fists or otherwise accomplish mythical feats. In modern times this is less effective in massed combat due to the advent of firearms, but can still be lethal against an unarmed foe. 

Clan Discipline: Brujah, Lasombra, Nosferatu

Basic Uses: The tremendous power which some kindred have access to is often used for destructive purposes, especially unarmed combat and breaking objects, but is also possible to channel into utilitarian purposes, such as climbing, leaping or lifting.

Humor: Choleric

Presence

A subtler and more precise application of vampiric mind control, Presence is a careful emotional manipulation which functions almost like a mind trick, making a target more susceptible to persuasion.

Clan Discipline: Brujah, Ministry, Ravnos, Toreador, Ventrue

Basic Uses: While usually only applied to simple interactions, Presence can also reshape one’s subconsciousness, either drastically with them being lured into acts they would never otherwise consider, or subtly bending them to your will. 

Humor: Sanguine

Protean

Still impressive even after so many inventions by mortals, the power of shapechanging is also the least subtle tool in the vampiric arsenal. It cannot be used casually, but when brought out to play, Protean is one of the most devastating disciplines the kindred can learn.

Clan Discipline: Gangrel, Ministry, Tzimisce

Basic Uses: Protean can be used to reshape one’s body to suit their current circumstances, whether by being able to gain the features of animals, or to reshape their flesh as they wish. Rumor has it some can even remove their own heart and place it in a jar.

Humor: Beast

Blood Sorcery

The vampiric practice of Blood Sorcery expands on their properties of blood, with them being able to unleash hidden depths of power. Furthermore, certain rituals can also be enacted to tap into secret refinements of vampiric power not available to normal kindred.

Clan Discipline: Banu Haqim, Tremere

Basic Uses: On the exoteric level, Blood Sorcery allows direct control over blood itself, which is useful in a number of ways. It can be made into a potent weapon, and can also be used to refine existing vampiric gifts. 

Humor: Sanguine

Rituals: Of course, on the esoteric level, Blood Sorcery can allow the Kindred to refine their vitae into magical power, unlocking secrets beyond normal disciplines. These powers usually require some kind of outside stimulus as well as time and preparation, but can be incredibly potent. 

Oblivion

Oblivion is perhaps the most dangerous discipline, because it deals with death itself. In the Biveretican World of Darkness, the Abyss is the realm of the dead, and is a dimension of reality which will consume everything it touches. This gives control over darkness, corpses and ghosts, but should never be used lightly.

Clan Discipline: Hecata, Lasombra

Basic Uses: Oblivion is one of the most powerful disciplines, and allows for manipulation of the Underworld. Usually, without a Ceremony this only can manifest on a base level, 

Humor: None (Learned from blood without humors)

Ceremonies: Some Oblivion powers are so complicated, they can only be performed as elaborate Ceremonies, which are usually more technical applications. Most users of Oblivion never learn Ceremonies, but the ones that do can master death like no other.

Thin Blooded Alchemy

The Thin Blooded have no Disciplines per se, but they can use the limited power of their vitae combined with various strange materials cooked into a concoction to temporarily stimulate themselves, gaining Discipline-like effects. 

Clan Disciplines: Thin Bloods Only

Formulas: The effects of what Thin Blooded Alchemy actually does are poorly understood, and aside from mimicking various disciplines, could be potentially anything. Everything from telekinesis to gas manipulation has been reported.

Humor: N/A (It’s a discipline, not a Discipline)

[numberjuantravels]

Ciao, amici! 🇮🇹 We are super excited to share with you one of Italy's most colorful and charming destinations, Burano! This picturesque island is located in the Venetian Lagoon and is just a short vaporetto (water bus) ride from Venice. Get ready to be enchanted by its vividly painted houses, stunning canals, and captivating history. Here are our top 5 things to do in Burano to make your trip truly unforgettable:

1. 📸 Capture the Rainbow: Burano is renowned for its vibrant houses, which are painted in a kaleidoscope of colors. You'll want to spend some time wandering the narrow streets and canals, snapping photos and marveling at the unique atmosphere. Be sure to stop by the famous Bepi's House, known for its intricate and colorful geometric designs.

2. 🧶 Discover the Art of Lace: Burano has a rich history of lace-making dating back to the 16th century. Visit the Museo del Merletto (Lace Museum) to learn more about this intricate craft and see some exceptional examples of Burano lace. Don't forget to stop by a local lace shop to pick up a beautiful souvenir or even watch a live demonstration.

3. ⛪ Explore the Church of San Martino: Admire the leaning bell tower and stunning architecture of the Church of San Martino. This historic landmark is home to several beautiful artworks, including a painting by Venetian artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. The church's unique tilted bell tower is a must-see and makes for an interesting photo opportunity.

4. 🍴 Savor Local Cuisine: Burano offers a variety of delicious seafood dishes, as well as traditional Venetian cuisine. Treat yourself to a mouthwatering meal at one of the island's cozy trattorias or osterias. Be sure to try the local specialty, Risotto de Gò, a creamy rice dish made with goby fish, and pair it with a refreshing glass of Prosecco.

5. 🌅 Enjoy a Sunset Stroll: End your day by taking a romantic sunset stroll along the island's picturesque canals. The reflections of the colorful houses on the water create an enchanting atmosphere that will take your breath away. It's the perfect way to bid "arrivederci" to the magical island of Burano.

And there you have it, our top 5 things to do in beautiful Burano, Italy! 🇮🇹

If you're planning a trip to Venice, be sure to add this charming island to your itinerary. We guarantee you'll fall in love with its vibrant colors, rich history, and warm hospitality. Buon viaggio! ✈️

[misscrawfords]

Hello, Rose. :) I'm sorry if I'm mistaken but I have the impression you've been to Venice somewhat recently (probably before pandemic, but still). If so, if you don't mind me asking, how did you get from the airport (if it were the case) to the city centre? Any other recs? If everything goes according to the plan I am to go there at the end of the month. Thanks in advance. :)

Oooh Venice! That is so lovely. I haven't actually been for over 10 years now (yikes!!) but I used to live there as a child and visited many times since so I do know it very well. In terms of getting from the airport to the city centre, I've always just got the public bus from outside the airport to Piazzale Roma which is the only part of Venice accessible to motor vehicles. You can get a water taxi I believe but I expect that's really expensive. The bus ride is not the comfiest but it's convenient and affordable. When you get to Piazzale Roma you can get a vaporetto (water bus) down the Grand Canal to wherever you need to go or proceed on foot. Most of the time you will be on foot unless you want to take the extremely expensive water taxies (I've literally never taken one) and there are lots of bridges so I'd bear that in mind when considering packing.

A lot of my food and drink recs are decades out of date, but here are a few things I wouldn't miss in terms of sight-seeing:

Piazza San Marco including the Basilica, Doge's Palace and Campanile. I recommend going up the Campanile on a clear, bright day. You can see as far as the Alps on a good day! That was one of my favourite things to do in Venice. Go back to the piazza in the evening with an ice-cream and watch the musicians. (Better to do that and have a wander between the different cafes than actually have a drink at the cafes - they're super expensive and you're stuck in one spot.)

Accademia art gallery

Scuola Dalmata di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni - tiny but the paintings are amazing. As featured prominently in my fanfic Consolation Prize. :P

Take a day to get the boat to Torcello and Burano. Torcello has an ancient church and is just incredibly remote and peaceful. Burano is extremely pretty with brightly coloured houses.

Walk all the way along the Riva degli Schiavoni from Piazza San Marco right down to Giardini - that's where the Biennale is held and one of the only real green spaces in Venice. The atmosphere feels different down there. Return via Arsenale.

Go to the Zattere - on the other side of the Grand Canal from San Marco - combine this with the Accademia perhaps. It's a lovely walk along the Canale della Giudecca and much less crowded than the Riva degli Schiavoni. You can also hop on a vaporetto here to the Giudecca and have a wander there, though I admit I don't know that area very well.

Visit the Ghetto in Canareggio, the old Jewish quarter. You'll notice the houses are so much taller than elsewhere in the city because of the need to fit so many people in. I'm pretty sure there's an old Synagogue you can visit but tbh I can't remember.

Other lovely churches beyond San Marco are the Frari, Santi Giovanni e Paulo, Santa Maria dei Miracoli.

Nice campi to sit in with an aperitivo - Santa Margarita, Santa Maria Formosa, Santo Stefano, Erberia by the Rialto (also go there in the morning for the fish and veg market)

That's all I can think of at the moment! I hope you have the most FABULOUS time! Do you know where you're staying yet? My primary school friend's family owns a hotel which I can recommend you if you like! I am feeling so sad/happy/nostalgic now. It's been so long since I've been there but I don't know if I can go back because when I do it won't be there same. It would be like stepping into a memory but the place and I will have changed so much... It's almost better to preserve the memories untouched, you know? But at the same time, I long for it. I can feel Venice in my very bones. It is the most deeply held and profoundly important part of my soul!

[kgdrendel]

The Elijah Complex and the Whisper of God

We may have an Elijah complex when we think we are the only ones following God.

BRESCIA, ITALY – MAY 23, 2016: The painting Prophet Elijah Receiving Bread and Water from an Angel in church Chiesa di San Giovanni Evangelista by Alessandro Bonvicino – Moretto Do you identify with Elijah? Do you squirm thinking about his zeal? Do you feel guilty about not sharing the Gospel with your neighbor? Then, maybe a new look at Elijah may resonate with you. We know Elijah for his zeal…

[thescarletmansion]

Yellow holds the paper they found. The child’s drawing. They focus, hand going over the little drop of water, and …

“let me read your heart. Tell me what you’re hiding.”

When she asked that, the droplet appeared to move backwards from where it had fallen, rising up into the air. There was that song, that singing once more. Yuri's voice again, though she was right there. The song began...

And everything began to reverse in time all around them.

Items rolling backwards to where they once been, griminess peeling off and rising into nothingness in the air as everything changed. The light of the room becoming cozier, brighter, a different shade from the red still spilling in and affecting everything.

From the door Rika stood next to, it suddenly opened, right into her. But like a phantom, she passed through it. Or did the door pass through her? It was uncertain, but it would give her a chill as it did. The vision continued as Yuri came in, followed by an uninjured Elrick. The man was looking quite hale, managing to pick up a large pipe and banging the door's mechanism to 'lock' it.

Yuri heaved a sigh, taking a breath, but started when she heard banging on the other side. She rubbed her temples in annoyance.

"Wow, that D Fuji really doesn't give up. Hey, asshole--" The Yuri who was watching this seemed to flinch when the vision Yuri swore. "--women don't like men who are too persistent!"

"Hey, Yuri!"

"What? They don't!"

The banging continued, now followed by a voice, quite familiar, especially to Red and Giovanni. Though the man of the mountain would be more used to his more aged voice, Giovanni would have no trouble recalling the younger timbre of the scientist he once knew.

"Amber!" he called, almost crying. "Amber, I know it's you. Why won't you talk to your father? I've been waiting so long for you! You finally came back! Let me in...!"

Yuri just couldn't believe her ears and slammed a fist back on the door. "For the billionth time, you crazy guy, I'm not Amber! Ugh, okay whatever -- hey, Erick-san we should probably get a move on. Maybe drag in a few things to make it harder for him to get through."

"Good idea," Elrick said, getting started on gathering things to block the doorways and the path in general, followed by Yuri's aid.

The young woman looked tired, but also sad it seemed. She looked ready to shed tears, despite the bravado she had. Perhaps being chased by a madman who called her by another's name was simply just frustrating. Yet whatever the cause, she shed a tear, which was when the memory ended, fading away. Revealing the rotted, mess they are now inside once more.

[lunamagicablu]

L'Acqua di San Giovanni è legata al potere della Natura e secondo la leggenda, sarebbe capace di portare fortuna, salute e amore. Prepararla è in realtà molto semplice. Ti servirà: Una ciotola di vetro; Acqua; Fiori di stagione. Prendi una ciotola di vetro, simbolo di purezza, e un po' d'acqua, che durante il Solstizio d'Estate evoca poteri curativi e purificatori. Le erbe "magiche", tipicamente legate al Solstizio d'Estate e adatte per questo preparato, sono: i fiori di iperico, l'erba dei miracoli, detta anche erba di San Giovanni; la lavanda; l'artemisia, che protegge dal malocchio; il papavero; la camomilla; la rosa; la salvia; la calendula, che si dice vi sia raccolta l'energia stessa del sole; la verbena, portatrice di abbondanza; il timo; la maggiorana; l'alloro; il rosmarino; la malva; il fiordaliso. Metti in ammollo le piante raccolte e lascia la ciotola col preparato fuori di casa per tutta la notte tra il 23 e il 24 giugno, meglio in un luogo dove i raggi della luna possano sfiorarlo. Durante la notte, l'acqua e i fiori assorbiranno non solo l'energia lunare, ma all'alba raccoglieranno anche la rugiada di San Giovanni. Infine, per acquisire queste energie, la mattina seguente lavati viso, mani e corpo con quest'acqua di fiori, lasciando così che salute, amore e fortuna ti abbraccino. Ciò che resterà puoi farlo seccare o usarlo come concime per le piante, ripristinando così il ciclo naturale. Anna Silvia Armenise ******************** San Giovanni water is linked to the power of nature and according to legend, it is capable of bringing luck, health and love. Preparing it is actually very simple. You will need: A glass bowl; Waterfall; Seasonal flowers. Take a glass bowl, a symbol of purity, and some water, which evokes healing and purifying powers during the Summer Solstice. The "magic" herbs, typically linked to the Summer Solstice and suitable for this preparation, are: hypericum flowers, the miracle herb, also known as St. John's wort; lavender; artemisia, which protects against the evil eye; the poppy; chamomile; the Rose; the sage; the calendula, which is said to contain the very energy of the sun; verbena, bringer of abundance; thyme; marjoram; the laurel; rosemary; mallow; the cornflower. Soak the collected plants and leave the bowl with the preparation out of the house for the whole night between June 23rd and 24th, preferably in a place where the moon's rays can touch it. During the night, the water and flowers will absorb not only lunar energy, but at dawn they will also collect St. John's dew. Finally, to acquire these energies, the following morning wash your face, hands and body with this flower water, thus letting health, love and luck embrace you. What will remain can be dried or used as a fertilizer for plants, thus restoring the natural cycle. Anna Silvia Armenise 

[sins-of-the-sea]

"Ah hah hah, stupid silly little sailor... you sacrifice the one thing you could never get back, and those of others too so selfishly, all for the illusion to be loved - but you don't even know what love is! Hee hee hee... no wonder they call you Greed! For one so enamored with sirens such as I, you would make a fine one yourself methinks! With your beautiful face and charming voice, and an endless avarice hungering in your heart... you even lack a soul! How amusing!"

"-but you don't even know what love is!"

That statement has triggered something within Giovanni he tried to suppress so very long ago. A fact he once acknowledged but actively tried to forget. And he knows why. And he doesn't care. Without even experiencing the city proper, Venice has taught him how love and greed are one and the same. How there is no value in humanity beyond what you can bring to them. The coin. The wealth. The grandiosity. The lavishness. The material possessions. Everything and anything they ever wanted.

Guangzhou was replacing Giovanni. The hospital. The business. The Mission. The gang. Mrs. Cheung. Miss Ju. Father Fu-Lam. Sing-Lung. San-Gwong. Arcelia.

Being told he even lacks a soul was just icing on the cake.

"Of course I don't have a soul! I never had one! What God has given me was never mine to keep! It had a purpose: to bring misfortune upon everyone around me. And I am defying it! I gave my soul away willingly to someone who actually had my best interests in mind! I serve him for he has never broken his promises with me--unlike the Lord Himself. Guangzhou was a blessing that had to be taken away! The Crew forgot about their Pact!

"I will not….. I will not go to Hell alone… they will not leave me. They're mine….

"Mine….

"Mine….

"Mine….

"Mine….

"Mine….

"MINE!!"

"If the world must burn so everyone I cherish and love will never be taken away from me again, so be it!

"Hell or high water!"

[alexandradea]

Adoro ammirare inerte l'Arte, da tutte le prospettive... . . . #feet #art #instagood #instamood #instagram #insta #feetmodel #model #feetfetishcommunity #yolo #lifestyle #style #transgender #clouds #nature #fitness #travelphotography #travel #relax #water #travelphotography #instalike #instapic #picture #nails #nailart #arte (presso San Giovanni degli Eremiti) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpNFS4zNSBg/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[new-royston-cursebreakers]

‘

Comic sans intro for my WIP here we go

Image description under the cut:

A series of powerpoint slides, all with a white background, blue, pink, and purple vapor trails, and the comic sans font.

slide one; The Curse of New Royston [line break] A comic sans PPT about my first novel [line break] Fun fact that’s the font that I do my first drafts in

slide two; YAAAAAY THE PLOT

There are as many main characters as letters in that yay (my workshop thought I was crazy)

They all live in a little cursed town in early 2000s Connecticut

The curse is that however much money you have, that’s how big you are, but only in the borders of that town

So like if you’ve got a big net worth and you’re one of the richest people in town you’d be like 30 feet tall and if you’re living paycheck to paycheck you might be like 6 inches tall

Yeah it’s weird but there’s a lot of world building at the beginning and it’ll answer all your questions I promise

But anyway the main characters all kinda wanna break the curse but they fight about it and also Things Get In The Way

Also there’s ghosts

slide three; FAQ

Question

Why are all 7 of your main characters male

How does ____ work in New Royston

What the fuck are you even on

Answer

I transed my gender and am sick of pretending to be Woman and also friendships and queer relationships between boys are nice

If it’s not already answered in the first ~100 pages of the book I’d be surprised

The zeal of life baby!!!!!!!

The next seven slides are character slides; each one begins with their name and has a small picture of the character represented by a Nintendo Mii.

slide four; Gio

Focal character of the odd-numbered chapters

Like 20 feet tallHis full name is Giovanni Violett but he hates it with a passion

Non-lethally drowned when he crossed the curse’s border in the water and Came Back Wrong

Ocean metaphors my beloved

Certified Greek myth nerd

A bit prejudiced but trying his best

Angy boi

Being followed by a mysterious man in a pirate hat who broke his computer once

slide five; Cricket

Focal character of the even-numbered chapters

Like a foot tall

Can chirp like a Cricket

REALLY loves bugs

His parents left town to save up enough money to get him out too so he’s been alone for like a year when the book begins Jewish

13 and 30

Absolute ball of sunshine but will not listen to anything anyone tells him to do

He will drag you kicking and screaming into his house to feed you soup and tuck you into bed

slide six; Fletcher

About 25 feet tall but it changes a lot

Gio’s best friend

Has some serious anxiety problems only matched by some serious memory problems

But we don’t need to get into all that [smile] he covers it up by being loud and obnoxious

Kinda sorta threatened Cricket’s life on the first day of school

May or may not be harboring Secrets

Hopelessly gay

I’m not saying he’s a self insert but I am saying he’s substantially more like me than the others

slide seven; Eneas

Only like seven inches tall

Has a track record of social advocacy (he calls it ‘being annoying until I get what I want’)

Walking spoiler

I literally wanted him to be a focal character but he Knows Too Much

Everybody has something to say about him

Terrifies Fletcher

Terrified of Fletcher

Cares so so much about everyone

Yells at Cricket when he inevitably doesn’t listen to him

slide eight; Caelan

About 17 feet tallHomophobic homosexualWhen he voted for the Leopards Eating People’s Faces Party he didn’t expect that a leopard would eat HIS face!!!Carrying on a secret relationship. ShhhhFruity afThe mayor’s sonInto embroidery and being an absolute dipshitReally doesn’t know how to handle things rn ok

slide nine; Auster

About eight inches tall

Cricket and Eneas’ longtime friendA WITCH

Okay he’s a cunning man but he’s very similar to a witch

Transed his gender

An orphan

Helping his chronically ill sister take care of his younger siblings

Is always so so tired

Has a lot of “secrets” (he’s just too tired to talk about them and doesn’t wanna get into all that rn)

Actually very sweet deep down

slide ten; Cameron

About 30 feet tall (the biggest!!!)

But still an outcast in the rich people placeNo one really knows why

No one knows where he came from

No one knows why he’s so weird

No one knows where his weird ass dialect came from

But he seems to be doing okay…?

Basically another walking spoiler

Gio feels every emotion at once toward him

Everyone else really doesn’t know what to do with him

Was the Great Sage in my first Miitopia playthrough

slide eleven; Other Things That Happen

All of the MCs are queer in some way but they don’t all get mentioned in the book so I didn’t include it in their bios [sad face]

The Forest holds Secrets

Gio gets traumatized

Cricket faces literal microaggressions (and also gets traumatized)

But dw the story’s actually kinda optimistic

Someone wields a chainsaw without proper safety measures

People find out things about their families

You’ll learn some things about bugs [smile]

Find more @new-royston-cursebreakers!

slide twelve; Memes

image one; the Spongebob “aight imma head out” meme has been edited to read “Fletcher as soon as anything happens”.

image two; the Kombucha girl reacts negatively to “Making the angry character fire-themed and the kind character light-themed” and reacts positively to “Making the angry character water-themed and the kind character darkness-themed.”

image three; a screenshot reading “Gio knows he’s going to Hell” in comic sans.

image four; the car exiting a highway meme. The car is labeled “Eneas” and the signs are labeled “Explaining why what they did is dangerous” and “Yelling at them some more” with the car angling toward the latter.

image five; the “I love all my children equally meme” has been editing to read “I love all my characters equally” in the first panel and “I don’t care for Caelan” in the second panel.

image six; a girl overwhelmed with eating pancakes that are being handed to her by a lot of people. The pancakes are labeled: “’Normal’ as we define it is impossible to achieve,” “We will never progress while we still hold onto fear,” “The way we as society treat kids is abhorrent,” “Activism happens in small steps,” “Understanding our past is integral to shaping our future,” “Lawful and good are two different things,” “Wow American Christianity kinda sucks ngl,” “You don’t have to understand others to treat them kindly,” and “Capitalism bad”.

image seven; a screenshot in which spellcheck is suggesting that “Caelan’s” be corrected to “Cain’s”.

image eight; Jason Mamoa sneaking up on Henry Cavill. Henry Cavill is labeled “Me, who thinks I have my story structure figured out” and Jason Momoa is labeled “’what if chiastic structure tho’“.

[hana-no-seiiki]

Good morning/evening The light of my life and One of my reasons to exist~!

Hope you're having an absolutely lovely day btw also don't forget to drink water or I'll force you to remember~! /J

Also! I was looking through my old notes and I saw this long ass name

Benito Giovanni Paolo Santos-Concio Chase Constantino Raphael Sigfrid Fortun Del Martin Karlos Rivera Vicente De Manolo Jericho Guiverra San Juan Dela Games

(Games is pronounced as Gah-mez)

But his nickname is just Totoy-

:D

Idk but this is one of the funniest shit I've come up with- 😭😭

-Your Junie

I-I’m fasting but thank you for your concern over my hydration.

Tempted to give totoy a cameo in midnight darling fr fr