#Santa at the Kebab Stand

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Santa at Kebab Stand

* * * * *

“A lovely thing about Christmas is that it’s compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together.” ― Garrison Keillor, Leaving Home

[seancekitsch]

Out of the Rain: a Marko x Reader fic

Warnings: bloodplay goes without saying bc vamp, rough sex, dirty talk, semi public sex, telepathy?? me projecting my music taste on this fic again. drug use, fast and loose use of vampire lore bc when i write i am god and u cannot stop me. also can u tell i have like…. v clear descriptions of the setting like i used to work at the place im describing but its not in california

No one had come in for hours. What's the point of staying open? You dim some of the lights in the store, which is one of three head shops in Santa Carla, but the only one open late. You're not really sure why this is the only store that stays open, why everyone else if worried about the three am walk back to their car on a weekend night. You've never seen anything of suspicion, just sometimes that biker gang watches people shuffle out. That was almost comforting, though. People didn't like those guys, so no one would make you use your switchblade if they were around.

The bright while fluorescent lights of your typical daytime ambiance faded away, and now green light bathes you in the “mood” lighting your boss thought was a good idea. The green lighting reflects off of the glass counters, shining it back at the ceiling and making everything that much more green. It fits, you think with the overall vibe of the store. The stale scent of weed, gently and miserably covered up by some nag champa incense, always burning in at least four different spots within the store. You'd long since gotten used to the smoke in your eyes. The music does everything to add to the ambiance. You always have full control of the music in the shop, usually because no one else is willing to take the night shift in Santa Carla. In fact, most of the boardwalk shops had a revolving door of night shift workers. You never got why, something clearly spooks them that does not spook you. Whether that makes you brave or stupid, you dont know. Jefferson Airplane’s Surrealistic Pillow pumps through the speakers in the store. But I suppose no one knows, you're my plastic fantastic lover.

The rain batters the boardwalk outside, a roar much different than the typical hustle and bustle of drunk teens, of the cliques and crews that come in and out; the few that sit and snicker in the doorway, never entering. Some too afraid to be associated with the implication of being spotted in the shop. We sell jewelry and vinyl too, you always say, when they balk at the idea of being in the same room as a bong or incense.

But then there's the other group that stands and idles in the threshold, also not entering. It's that biker gang. Four guys, a girl, a kid. Maybe he’s the brat of the girl and the one who takes himself too seriously, but maybe not. She looks too young for that. They'd been hovering around quite a bit lately, always after dark. You’d spoken to them, at least the ones that are talkative. The hair metal wannabe and the cute short one. Paul and Marko. You knew the dark haired one was Dwayne, but all he ever offered you was a curt nod and a tight lipped smile, respectful but indifferent. They're nice, not worth the spooky reputation they have. Any time it's not just you at the shop, your boss tries to spook them away. Good thing your boss isn't here tonight, because one of them is prowling around the storefront in the rain. That is, if it's not your spliff induced haze playing tricks on you.

No, one of them is out there. Without his little pack. The cute one. Marko.

You walk over to the door, which you haven't had propped open since the rain trickled in as a drizzle at the beginning of your shift. At least he had enough sense to be huddling under the awning. Fuck, he’s handsome even when he looks like a drowned rat.

“What are you doing out here?” You scrunch up your nose as you ask.

“Y’know, waiting for you to show up.” Wanted a look at that cute ass.

You blink at him. Did he really just say that?

“Okay… well, you know it's raining out there, right?”

“I might,” he offers noncommittally, eyeing the spliff still in the hand that's not holding the door. If it were anyone but him, you'd probably get fired for it.

Why is he just hanging around out here? That's hella weird. His curls are getting matted to his forehead, slick with rain, his jacket starting to look a little sad.

“C’mon in, Marko. It’s too wet out here. You’ll fuck up your jacket.” You nod towards the interior of the shop holding the door open as he passes you.

Wrong move, sweet cheeks.

“What did you say?” What did he mean, wrong move?

“I didn't say anything,” he offers nonchalantly as he thumbs at one of the tapestries on the wall. A garish mess that’s supposed to be the worm from Alice in Wonderland, but it’s distorted by a botched tie dye job of dark muddy colors. Every time you look at it, you assume one of the day workers did it.

“No, you said something.”

“Do you want me to say something?” there's both a threat and an innuendo in his tone. Maybe you do, but you just laugh, a sharp exhale through your nose, and bring the spliff to your lips again as he follows you deeper into the store.

You jump up onto the counter next to the ash tray, easy reach for each time you need to ash.

“So why are you really here?” your eyes narrow at him, kicking your sandal off on the floor where it lands a few inches from his boots. He looks uneasy in the space, like for all the wild shit you assume he’s into, he might not actually belong in it. He sways a little to the music, perfectly in tune with the rhythm. You sway along too, and suddenly he fills the space like he belongs. He just needed someone along for the ride with him.

“Do you ever come around during the day, or just at night because I’m so fun?” You’re teasing him, but it’s a nice easy feeling between you.

“Not really a sun guy,” bullshit, he would look beautiful with a tan, “but I do drag everyone here just to see you.”

“Awww, all for me? Do you have a crush, Marko?”

It’s more than that. You hear the words clearly, but his smile doesn’t move. You kick the other sandal off.

“I can hear you, I don’t know how, but I can. I bet you can hear me too.”

I can. You’re wrong about the tan thing.

You straighten up, mind clearing as you blurt out your next question. Something absolutely stupid.

“So what are you, a vampire or something?” he laughs at you, but his big toothy smile doesn't reach his eyes. No, there's something predatory, extremely dark in his eyes. Otherworldly.

How could you guess?  

“Well, that for one big fucking clue.” You ash the spliff for the final time, leaving the roach in the tray. You would think you’d be more surprised, more upset that you just found out vampires were real, and that you were in the same room as one. You have to say, weirder things are probably afoot in Santa Carla. Murder capital of the world can’t all be from some rowdy teens and a ten year old.

“You do those surf nazis?” is all that leaves your mouth. You kind of hope it was. They were the fucking worst. Racist, misogynistic, destructive. You’d had to threaten them a few times to leave your store on your shift.

“The—? Oh! Surf nazis. Yeah that was us. Ate a few of them.”

“Good for you. I mean— murder. bad. But they were nazis, and now they’re dead. so…” you trail off. Not really sure what to say next, but then you keep going. Remember everything you know about Marko.

“No, no I mean, it makes sense. Right? You and the guys only hang around at night. Aren’t vampires solitary hunters though? I don’t remember Dracula being in a frat.”

“They’re my pack. We take care of each other.” He says it with such fondness and devotion.

You feel a pang of jealousy run through you. You work alone for the most part, live alone, you’ve got friends but they’re all over the place. He belongs to something.

“And you're down with this?” he’s legitimately asking. You nod. You don't really have a choice, you're down or you get eaten, but like genuinely you are down with it. If he was going to eat you, he probably would have by now. There's probably a reason they've been hanging around the store, and in your sightline while you close up. You're putting things together.

“Like really?”

“Well, you haven't made me a kebab yet.”

He shrugs, frowns.

“Could still skewer you on something.”

Laughter erupts from your lips while you roll your eyes, music to Marko’s ears. This is why he took a shine to you, it's easy to get along with you, and you're not one of his brothers.

Something heavy falls in the room, and it's not the haze of the incense. He steps towards you, big blue eyes raking over your body, but always coming back to meet your gaze. He closes the space between you, easily fitting between your thighs; the rough patches of his jacket brushing against your bare skin where your shorts ride up. He leans in, like he's about to kiss you, and against all better judgement, you're going to let him.

You're going to let him.

The record skips. He holds out his hand, more like a gentleman than a biker gang killer, and helps you off the counter.

“Hold on, let me pick out a new record,” you turn without waiting for his confirmation, not at all surprised when Marko follows hot on your heels to the back room. Your boss’ office, the record room. Whatever you wanted to call it. His hands ghost over your arms as you push past the wooden bead curtain to enter the room. You can feel his presence close enough to touch. That's it, right where I want you. There’s his voice again.

He lets you actually pick out a new record. You slide it out of the sleeve and walk it over to the player. The static buzzes and pops as the needle finds the groove.

“Ocean Rain, you heard it?” No. He shakes his head, and you can feel it as he leans into your back.

“Echo and the Bunnymen. They've got a new album coming out this year.”

You turn to face him and his fingerless leather glove clad hands cover your cheeks.

He kisses you gently, tenderly. Not at all the way you’d expect. He’s eager, kissing like there’s something to prove. He licks his way into your mouth, tongue pushing your lips apart and you let him. His arms tighten around you as you kiss, tongues now greeting each other playfully. Your tongue explores his mouth, running along each and every tooth in his mouth. Huh, no fangs, you realize, and maybe he isn't actually a vampire. As if he reads your mind (maybe he does), he pulls away.

“They're, uh, hiding,’ he nods, almost to himself more than you. You nod as well, slow and uneasy, not quite believing him, but he pulls you back into a harsh kiss, more of what you expected. His hands roam your body as yours bury themselves in his curls. Still damp, but long and beautiful just as well. He shrugs the jacket off his shoulders, and his hands only briefly leave you to throw it and his gloves somewhere else, leaving him just in a thin white tank top. His mouth leaves yours to trail lower, kissing your neck. Your pulse point. Fucking irresistable. No, that's definitely his voice. Is this the end? Could be.

“I can smell you, hot stuff,” he moans into your ear, sending shivers down your spine. You find yourself gripping onto his shoulders a little tighter, but he lets you sink. He guides you, again more gently than you thought he would; bare knees brushing the threadbare carpet floor before you plant yourself. You look up at him through your lashes and he all but bites back a groan.

“You gonna join me down here?” You lick your lips, waiting for something.

“Nah, I’m gonna let you have a head start,” there's a joke in his tone. You're learning that’s normal for him. He’s silent, or playing jester. It’ll be interesting when you let him fuck you. Shit, did he hear that?

“Quit thinkin’ so loud!” he runs an affectionate hand through your hair. “But yes, I heard you. Glad you're as eager as I am.”

That's encouraging. You take your time undoing his belt, connected to faded and soft leather chaps, not bothering to push them down his thighs before you move to the top of his jeans, teasing your fingers at the skin just above the waistline. He shudders under your touch, extremely reactive. Does he get touched like this often? Or is it just quick fucks? You don't want to think about who else he might be doing this with, focusing again on his body, and all of the offending clothing covering it. You unbutton them slowly, teasing. For a member of the undead, he seems to be out of breath under your movements. The zipper is pulled down just as slowly. You run your palms flat along the bottom of his stomach, to his hips before pushing his jeans down to around his ankles, hooking his boxers on your finger along with them. He’s beautiful, and you can help but stare. Hard, eager, and thick, greeting you with a small trimmed patch of golden blonde curls. You wrap your hand around the base.

You never expected a vampire to whimper, but that's exactly what happens when your tongue darts out of your mouth to lick the head of his cock. Quick, tentative little lick, testing the waters. Your tongue swipes across the slit at the tip of his thick member and his hands animate like you flipped a switch, rising up, going to your hair, rising up again, slamming down against the desk. Your boss’ desk. You lick a long stripe to the underside of his cock, paying close attention to the prominent vein there.

“So good, so good, oh you feel so-” he pants out, hands white knuckling the edge of the desk. Heat pools in your core, loving that he’s so vocal. Fuck, if he could just keep speaking. Your other hand moves to your shorts, sloppily and hastily undoing them and wiggling them down to your knees. You wrap your lips around the head of his cock and sink down on it, taking him as far as you can, until you couch when he hits the back of your throat.

“You look fucking beautiful like that. Please move, Please move, you’re so fucking good at this.”

You do, starting to bob your head up and down on the length of him, hollowing out your cheeks and flattening your tongue against him, cupping and massaging his balls in your hand. Your free finds itself between your legs, rubbing gently at your clit, stirred and encouraged by his praise.

“Does sucking me off get you hot and bothered?” Yesitdoes.

You keep bobbing your head, rubbing your clit, eyes trained on his until his eyes squeeze shut. His cock twitches in your mouth.

“Don't wanna- don't wanna finish in your mouth,” he’s urgent, grabbing you by the chin and pulling your mouth off of his cock. He pushes you back by your shoulders, letting you guide yourself back to lay on the rug. He pulls your loose shorts easily off your legs and settles himself between your legs, too eager to bother with removing his boots and everything.

“I’ve been wanting to do this for so long. Do you know how bad I wanted this?”

“Fuck me, Marko, dont say it. Just do it,” youre breathless under him, wanting nothing more than for him to be fucking you. He pauses.

“I dunno…” his thumb swipes up along your clit, drawing a whine from your throat, “For some reason I think you like it when I say things.”

You nod, knowing words will fail you. And he gives you what you want, lining himself up and sinking into you, groaning as he buries his head into the crook of your neck.

“Oh I knew your pussy would feel like fucking heaven,” he pants against your neck, pressing a harsh kiss to the underside of your jaw. He sets the pace quickly, unmerciful and fast, fucking hard and deep into you. His hands push up your thin tee shirt, and you can feel his sigh of relief when he gets a handful of bare breast. He doesn't have to deal with a bra tonight. You hike your knees up, opening yourself as much as you can to him, wanting him to fill you to the brim. He looks into your eyes while he fucks you, which comes as a surprise to you. Maybe it shouldn't. You wonder what it would be like to be a victim of his. Does he treat them well? Have fun with them like this? Or is he vicious? You don't know if you could picture him like that… vamped out.

“What does it feel like?”

“What?” he thrusts sharply, snapping his hips into you, making you yelp.

“To be fed on, but not to die.”

Are you serious? You hear him in your head.

YesIam. He thrusts like that again, earning an identical yelp, now coupled with your thighs squeezing him around the middle. You're close already, and he can tell.

He nods, a question; You nod, confirmation.

He pulls at the neckline of your shirt, already scooping so it doesn’t ruin, and exposes your shoulder. Somewhere non lethal. His other hand comes up to grip your jaw, covering your neck but being careful not to squeeze it. You hope he bruises your jaw, you realize. A physical way to feel him when dawn comes. He slows his pace to a rocking, grinding into you, staying deep.

Then he bites. Stars erupt behind your eyes, and it feels like your blood has turned to seltzer. Every nerve in your body is in overdrive as you moan and shake and come undone around his cock. You're the kind of girl that comes from the bite of a vampire, apparently. He doesn’t let up. You can faintly hear him moaning against the open wound in your shoulder, and you hope you taste good to him. He licks the wound a few times more, softly, carefully, like he’s trying to soothe you when he finally lets you come down from your high.

When he pulls back to let you see him, his features are gruesome, full vampire with sharp brows and cheekbones, pointed nose even that much more so almost birdlike. Fangs and bottom half of his face covered in blood.Your blood.  He’s panting like an animal after the kill. But he doesn't scare you. Maybe he should, but he doesn't.  It's just Marko, no matter what, and if he wanted to eat you he would have. Several times now. His hand finally releases your jaw, to wipe the blood from his face. He wipes his hand then on your face, covering you in your own blood, hot on his fingers and palm.

“Fuckin sexy,” he pants, voice deeper and distorted. His thrusts speed up, trying to find his own release as your nails dig into his back, maybe making him bleed as well. You feel the rug burn forming on your back, you feel tears in your eyes. It's never felt this good with other guys.

When he comes, he comes with a howl, buried deep inside you as he shouts and shivers then stills above you. Your chest is heaving, trying to regain yourself as his face slowly fades to normal, and he slumps down on top of you. He buries his face in the crook of your neck, near the wound he tore open, now no longer bleeding. He mouths at any bare skin he can find, lazy half kisses as he spreads more mess and blood on you. Your fingers find his curls again, winding them around your digits as you stare up at the sickly green mood lighting bathing the walls of the room.

An hour later, Marko is helping you lock up early.

He makes sure to dump out all of the ashes from spliffs and incense, makes sure the vinyl is all in its right place while you make sure the register and inventory is all in its rightful place and order.

“You’re dangerous, you know.”

“Me?” you scoff, “That rich, coming from you.”

I’d do a lot of things I’m not supposed to for you. You kinda don't want to ask him what he means by that. For some reason that feels like a conversation you shouldn't have tonight. 

He leaves the store before you, holding the door open for you and letting you lock the doors. He slings an easy arm over your shoulder, not bothering to shield either of you from the rain as he steers you towards your car. You can feel the rain cleaning your face, the blood flowing away and saving you the shower you were going to take before collapsing into bed tonight.

“Where’s your bike?”

“I flew here,” he says with that devilish smile, and you're really not sure if he's joking or not. Your arm sneaks its way into his jacket and wraps around his waist, holding him close as he makes sure you get home same. Marko makes you feel calm, in a way you didn't feel before you moved to Santa Carla. How long had he been waiting to make his move? And does this mean he and his brothers would be coming around more often? Maybe being more friendly towards you. Each step towards your car feels heavy; You don't want to go home alone without him, but somehow you know he won't come with you. 

“Will I see you again?”

He grabs your car keys from your hand, and sticks them in the door handle. Of course you will.

Right. You just have to be near the beach at night. You know, where you work.

He kisses you full on the mouth, holding you close and tight, like you could slip away at any second. When he finally lets you go you pull away to be met with his face, full on grinning, his eyes still closed from the kiss. He doesn't look like a killer.

Marko watches you as you pull open the door to your car and more or less throw your ass into the seat.  He holds the door as he gives you one last smile, and says:

“You know, you should never invite a vampire into your life. Renders you powerless.”

And he winks. 

[malecsecretsanta]

Merry Christmas, notquiteascrazy!

For @notquiteascrazy​. I hope you'll enjoy it Lex, I tried to stick to your likes as much as I could!!! Merry Xmas, darling!

Read On AO3

*****

The air was thick with snow and the smell of roasted chestnuts and marshmallows, and Alec was staring out from the window of the subway that was taking him home.

He sighed in relief thinking about the fact that at least for the Christmas week, he had a job. At least he wouldn't be forced to stay home alone, drinking a beer and eating a microwave heated pizza, and thinking.

He couldn't go home, not this festivities, not after having left his family business shoving his car and house keys on his father’s desk, shouting that the price was too high for his mental health, seeing all his family's eyes widen in disbelief, because Alec had never said no to anything. Never a quarrel, never an argument, never a sign of disappointment. Anything.

He had endured through high school and university, studying something that made his stomach twitch in disgust still he brought home the best grades, the best results, the best graduation a parent could have ever asked for.

But working more than twelve hours per day for it? It soon became too much to bear.

After two years of sleepless nights, pills, too much coffee, and the beginning of panic attacks, he'd decided to quit and leave that horrible life he crazily had thought he could force himself into.

Sometimes he would say to himself that maybe he hadn't tried hard enough, that maybe if he'd resisted a couple of months more, it would have become a routine, but he was aware that that could have never happened.

Alec hated numbers with all his heart, since he was a kid and that really wouldn't do in his family. For centuries, the Lightwoods held a huge business accountant studio that worked with the most outstanding industries, firms of the country, and even some others abroad. He was the eldest, he was supposed to be the heir. But he wasn't. He'd never been, and he never would be.

Izzy, she was the right one. Strong, sharp, determined, assertive and good enough to bring the best out for the family business. She was, and Alec loved her so much. He loved her fierce steps along the corridor when she was angry at someone, the way her voice turned sharp and hard on the phone when she discovered something she didn't like, the way her decisions were quick and always right.

He, instead, had always loved crayons and pencils. He loved the feeling of wood between his fingers, the smell of paper whenever he bought a new sketchbook, the rustling sound of his sleeve or his arm when it slid on the paper, and the brush of the pencil lead as it traced lines that gave life to the images that filled his head.

He wanted to become an artist, to go to an art school and then to an academy of arts, but he never had the courage to ask, never dared to hope, Alec ended up letting the days flow by until it was too late.

So there he was now, living alone in a one-room apartment in the outskirts, shifting from one temporary job to another. Apparently, he was "too much" for every position he applied for.

Too qualified, too experienced, too well paid, too grown up, too tall, too clumsy, too smart, too handsome, too… everything.

Izzy and Jace promised him they would come to visit during the holidays, but Alec knew that his family’s Christmas celebrations were something that they couldn't escape from that easily, with relatives, colleagues and business partners coming from all over the place and staying there until the late hours.

He dropped off the subway and walked home, grabbing a kebab along the way.

He switched on the kettle and slumped on the small couch he opened to sleep in at night, covering his legs with a blanket, patiently waiting for the little electric stove to heat the small room, picking up his phone and texting his siblings he had found a job for the Christmas’ month.

He stood and grabbed the kettle, pouring the boiling water into a mug filled with tea leaves, letting the steam soothe his icy red nose and warm him up. He looked outside the small window at the snow silently falling on the buildings.

He opened the bed and threw himself on it, still clothed. He took his sketchbook and started drawing, staring at his hand gently swaying on it, until he fell asleep, his head dropped on one side of the pillow, his hand clutching the pencil, as the Christmas lights and decorations glimmered on his black locks.

Magnus strolled into his office, his eyes shadowed, his beard a little longer than usual, his tie hanging loose around his neck, as if he hadn't the time to fix it properly.

"Are you ok?" Raphael asked him, a worried look on his face.

"Yes. No. I'm definitely not. It's been the worst night I had in years. Max has thrown up six times to the point his face turned green and I spent the night on the phone with Cat trying to figure out how to stop it and making him drink small sips of water, so he wouldn’t be dehydrated. I'm... fuck , I need another coffee, Raphael," he stopped and crashed on the huge armchair behind his long desk.

Raphael went to the coffee pot and filled a cup, putting some cream in it.

"You could have taken the day off you know? You're the boss here. No one is checking if you come to work or not."

"Are you insane?" Magnus glared at him as he sipped his coffee, it's December, the mall is going to be full and I have to check everything and I … I…"

"You don't want to be alone, I know."

Magnus' expression turned sad and distant. He sighed deeply, staring into the void.

"Probably not," he added, "Anyway, let's get back to work, is everything fixed? The extra decorations, the elves, the little presents for the kids coming and...oh my god, Santa? Have you found him?"

Raphael nodded smiling.

"Your kind of guy to be honest, dark, tall and handsome."

"Ah, stop this Raphael. He's gonna be dressed in a Santa costume, a huge pillow on his belly and a white long beard. Also…you should know that Mr. no one  has become my favourite kind of guy."

"If you say so,"  he smirked.

Magnus stood up and left the cup on his desk, waving his hands in the air, dismissing whatever Raphael wanted to argue back.

"Anyway, let's go and see the elves, I'm curious," and he opened the door, gesturing to Raphael to follow him.

Alec woke up earlier than usual, waiting like twenty minutes for the water to warm and finally shower.

He knotted the towel low on his waist, cursing the cold wind that crawled from underneath the gaps in the window’s frames and went to the sink, grabbing his razor to shave. He stared at his image in the mirror. Why was he even shaving? He was about to wear a long white beard for a week. He brushed his knuckles on his stubble and smiled. It looked good on him. His father never wanted him to grow a beard. He used to say it made him look scruffy and that wouldn't go over well with their clients and partners. But now, who cared anymore? He put the razor back in the drawer and went to the stove to make some coffee. He dressed up slowly,  and ate some toast, while chatting with Jace.

The subway was full of people going to work, some of them dressed in their grey and black suits and he felt relieved; he didn't miss that life at all. He took his sketchbook from his backpack and started portraying their faces, the worried and the sad ones, the abandoned lover and the happy newly wedded one. All of them in their morning run to face the day.

The receptionist stopped him as soon as he entered.

"I'm Alec Lightwood, ehm, Santa Claus…"

"Oh, yes Mr. Lightwood, you're a little early, but since you are already here you can go to the locker room and change. Here's your costume."

She was staring at him, a goofy smile on her face. As he walked away he heard her murmur to the other lady next to her that it was a pity to cover all that glory with a Santa's costume.

He chuckled and took the elevator.

The pillow on his belly was soft but huge and it made him uncomfortably hot, and the faint beard itched a bit on his neck. He wore the heavy boots and realized he was already covered in sweat. It was going to be a very long month.

He entered the Children's Land and spotted the man who interviewed him last week. He was standing next to the most enchanting creature Alec had ever laid his eyes on. He stood frozen in the middle of the large hall of the toy shop, just staring, until Raphael noticed him.

"Oh, there you are! Magnus, he's our Santa Claus," he said and pulled Magnus from his wrist toward the tall red and white figure.

"Alec? Oh, can I call you Alec, right? This is Magnus, the real boss here."

Alec was glad to be disguised when Magnus fully turned to look at him. The man was strikingly beautiful, probably just a little older than he was.

He extended his hand and Magnus mirrored him, shaking it for a split second that to Alec seemed like an eternity.

"Strong grip," Magnus said smiling, "perfect for Santa. Also, your height is just perfect. Let me hear your voice, have you practiced lowering it a bit?"

Alec nodded and was about to let him hear his best Ho Ho Ho , when Magnus' phone rang.

"Cat? How is Max feeling? Better? Oh, thank god, he needed some good sleep. Any fever? No? That's good."

Alec knew he shouldn't have been listening, but he just couldn't help it.

Of course he was married. Of course he had a kid and a beautiful wife waiting for him at home.

He was jolted out of his thoughts when Raphael suddenly asked him to follow him toward the big wooden sleigh they had put on the right end corner of the shop.

"This will be your place. You will have a big jute sack behind where you’ll put the letters and a basket full of candies and lollipops for the kids after they have told you their wishes."

Alec listened and nodded.

"Can I make a little drawing for them? Just a sketch of their name or favourite hero?" he asked.

Raphael looked at him amused.

"You can draw?"

"Yes, I'll be quick, I promise."

"Of course you can Alec. It will be an amazing surprise for all of them."

Alec turned and saw Magnus talking to his kid on the phone. His face was soft and he was smiling as if the child could see him. His mind went back to an image of a younger Robert smiling at him. He felt a rush of longing for those days when he was exactly the son their parents had dreamed of. Responsible, always on track, confident, always in the right place at the right moment.

While they were happy, he was overwhelmed. The more they grew proud, the more he was ashamed of himself. The longer they seemed sure of who he was, the further he didn't even know where to begin.

He spun and found Raphael looking at him, brows up to his forehead.

Fuck! He realized he had been staring at what was technically his boss.

He scratched his fingers on the back of his neck trying to think about something good to say and justify his weird behaviour.

"Ahm… he's good with children...not many men are … ehm… it's kinda rare I mean…"

Raphael delighted in the embarrassment he glimpsed in the young man in front of him, and waited amused until Alec fell silent with a frustrated grunt.

Raphael took pity on him and finally laughed, wholeheartedly.

"Yeah, he is.  They love him before he even starts to speak and he can convince them to do whatever he asks. They're kinda spellbound ."

"Yeah I know the feeling."

Alec’s cheeks reddened a bit and he closed his eyes cursing himself for talking without filters, realizing what comment had just left his mouth.

"I mean," he tried, "I know the feeling of being spellbound."

Raphael turned around a little  smirking, “Yeah, he has this effect on everyone he meets."

Alec walked toward the sleigh, checked the basket filled with sweets and sat down, adjusting the pillow on his belly and stretching his legs. He knew they would be bent until late that afternoon. He was glad he hadn’t shaved that morning, otherwise, his pale and delicate skin would have been scratchy in the evening.

He took his sketchbook from his backpack and the crayons, the beautiful watercolour ones that he received on his last birthday from Izzy and Jace, and set them on his left side.

Raphael instructed a couple of photographers where to position the cameras and searched for Magnus again, leaving the last decision up to him. He was the best organizer but he really lacked any sense of aesthetics, which, instead, Magnus was overflowing with. The man was fixing the red berry and frosted pine cone garland on the railing of the stairs, fully concentrated on the task.

"Magnus? Have a look here," he said, "our Santa's sleigh is ready. Just waiting for your last touch.”

Magnus revolved toward the voice and stared for a moment at Alec and the setting, his gaze so intense that Alec felt the urge to divert his eyes. Magnus moved slowly toward the sleigh, bending near the footboards to fix the fake snowflakes and the pine branches.

His movements were slow and graceful, the back of his neck was flexing sinuously following the motion of his hands and fingers, and Alec couldn't keep from staring. His nails were painted in a dark green polish, matching the colour of the spikes in his faux hawk. He was elegant and extremely professional, but there was something sensual too in his overall outfit.

His eyes were stuck to Magnus' fingers that were now fixing the red velvet cloth and cushions on the sled.

"You like the color of the polish or my rings?" Magnus asked abruptly without turning his head and Alec rolled his eyes, because of course he wasn’t able to do anything without being noticed.

He didn't know what to say because, honestly, he liked them both, a lot.

Magnus must have realized his embarrassment because he resumed his talk without even looking at him.

"I picked the dark green this morning because it matches the beautiful colour of the pine needles and also because it matches perfectly with the burgundy red suit I am wearing. The rings...well, they are just a sort of second skin, I never remove them, not even when I sleep or shower."

Alec remained still and silent, lost in Magnus' voice.

"I don't bite, you know. You're allowed to answer or say something," Magnus added seriously, just before bursting into the softest laughter Alec had ever heard, "I'm just teasing you, I was joking."

Alec smiled behind the white soft beard, "Both, I like them both," he whispered.

Magnus stopped his movements and finally raised his head to look at him. He was kneeled on one leg, looking at those hazel big eyes standing out from the furry grey brows. They shined like two emerald gems.

Magnus then stood up and leaned toward Alec, grabbing his white fluffy collar and adjusting it around his neck, next his palms swept over his shoulders and tugged at the fabric a little, to make it adhere to Alec's shoulders. They were broad and straight. The last touch was reserved for his hat. He fixed the pom-pom and then his fingers curled up the mustaches above Alec's lips.

He cocked his head and took a moment to check what he had just done, "Now you're perfect, the perfect Santa. Raphael is the best at making real what I have in mind."

"Raphael knows so well what the boss likes," a voice replied.

"He's right," Magnus said to Alec smirking, "he knows me so well. Ok now. I know he already told you what this whole Santa's thing is about, but I will remind you anyway. Kids will queue here, you will take them on your lap and have a little chat, then ask them for a wish, pick up a candy, and offer them to take a picture with you. Remember the pictures are for free, it's  just for the joy of the kids, and…"

"And while they are waiting for the print I will make them a little sketch."

Magnus frowned.

"Raphael told me I could. I'll be quick, I promise."

"You draw?" Magnus asked.

"Yes."

"As long as you don't make the people wait too long, I think it's a wonderful idea. Keep the last one for me, ok?"

Magnus turned to Raphael.

"Let the kids come. We're ready for the magic to happen."

Alec's first week flew by quicker than he had imagined. He enjoyed talking to the kids and smiled at the incredible, sweet, improbable desires they shared with him. He gave them the sweets and a quick sketch; an animal, a toy, a star, a word, something he made just for them.

Raphael was amazed by how quickly Alec actually sketched. The queue was flowing regularly and no clients complained about waiting too long. Their Santa smiled and laughed with the kids and he didn't seem to become annoyed or bored.

Alec always listened with the same attention, always gave the children space and time to talk, enjoyed their sense of wonder, comforted the sad ones, knew how to deal with tantrums and tears, and never missed to give an encouraging smile to the parents waiting.

In that week, he fell asleep happily after such a long time.

Working at the mall turned out to be very exciting and interesting. Alec had always been fond of people, even if he wasn't very talkative and extroverted. He mostly loved to observe them, the quick glances between the ones in love, the farewell and welcome embraces, the arguments and the tears, the gazes lost in nowhere, the grandparents holding the hands of the kids, and of course, the kisses.

In the days he spent there, especially at the times his shift started and finished, when the mall was emptying, he loved watching Magnus interact with his employees. He was struck by how different Magnus was from his father.  

Magnus was always the first to arrive and the last one to leave, he always had a smile for everyone, he paid attention to all their needs, and always found the right words to say, supportive, encouraging, and caring. He brought coffee and sweets, he offered them lunch and then sat eating with them, laughing and having fun, and whenever he could, he would help them.

There was something in that man that had Alec yearning for his presence whenever he wasn’t around, that had him staring at him when Magnus wasn’t noticing, admiring him. He was beautiful inside and out.

"His wife must be so happy," he absentmindedly said to a cleaner one night as he was helping him pull up all the trash bags. Wei was the oldest one at the mall, and Alec had become his friend. He loved to listen to his stories and his memories, and got his fill of wisdom every day. Alec opened up to him like a father, sharing his personal life, his dreams and his sorrows. He remained with him long after his Santa’s duty was over, listened and helped along the way.

"Who?" said the man.

"Mr. Bane."

Wei stopped moving and cleaning, putting his mop on the floor, smiling at Alec.

"Magnus?"

Alec looked at the old man and smiled, hoisting up two other bags.

"Yes, Magnus."

The man looked back at him, pensively, and then talked.

"Magnus isn't married, and never has been. If you are referring to the fact that he has a child, I will tell you a story worthy of this time of the year. Tea first," and he went to the counter of the locker room and poured some in two cups, handing one to Alec.

"Three years ago, Anne, a young girl that worked at the bookstore, died unexpectedly in a car accident. She was the mother of a two-year-old boy, named Max. When Magnus heard that the social services were searching for a place for Max to stay for the night, he offered to take him home with him, and never left him since then. He applied for adoption, since he was the closest thing to family for that girl and her boy and since he was raised in foster care…"

The man looked at Alec, an unreadable expression on his face, something between awe and seriousness.

"I hope you'll have the chance to know him better, Alec. Magnus is one of the kindest souls that tread on this earth. He's caring, gentle, soft, selfless, he holds a special place in his heart for each of us. He knows all our histories, he never misses a birthday or an anniversary, he covers our shifts when we need a day off and no one can replace us. He's so incredible, that he's almost unreal."

He stood up and took the mop again, "I have noticed the way you look at him."

Alec swallowed, his cheeks getting crimson, "I… I don't…"

"There's nothing to be ashamed of, he doesn't deserve to be alone," and he bent to grab some empty bottles.

"Leave that to me," Alec said and was quickly on his knees to collect them.

"You're just as kind as he is," Wei said and threw some paper cups in the bin.

Alec remained with him, and they talked until Wei had finished cleaning.

"Your dad will understand sooner or later," he said putting his coat and scarf on.

"He might, but he'll never forgive me," Alec sighed.

"He will understand one day that there's nothing to forgive Alec, you don't have to apologize to anyone for giving voice to your true self, he will understand, believe me. Just give him time."

Alec nodded as they went outside and decided to take a walk. He looked up at the grey thick sky, thinking about Magnus.

He opened his drawing book and checked all the sketches and portraits he'd made of Magnus while he wasn't watching. It would have been really nice to know him better, but December was almost over and he did not even have the chance to present himself.

He exhaled. In another life, maybe.

On his part, Magnus realized he was always finding an excuse to go to the children's store. There was something in that Santa that drew him closer, even if he had never seen his face. The way he moved, his soft, tender voice, the way he got lost in his drawing, and the way he answered the kids. Raphael always made jokes about the fact that he should go to the locker room and have a closer look at the man, but Magnus always dismissed him with a wave of his hand.

As Christmas approached, Alec noticed that Magnus was often around and he never missed the chance to draw him on many different occasions.

“You should show him," he heard Raphael say behind his back as he peeked at the sketch Alec had just made of Magnus standing beside one of the Xmas trees of the mall, sipping from a coffee cup, absorbed in reading, his brows furrowed, his lips curled in concentration.

Alec suddenly felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him.

"Magnus loves beautiful things, and your portrait is amazing, you really should," Raphael stated as he walked away.

Alec closed his sketchbook when a loud thud tore him out of his thoughts. He rushed and found a crying kid on the floor, his knees up to his chin, a thin rivulet of blood on his wrist.

Alec knelt beside him, his voice soft and tender, "Hey, it's all right, I'm here. Can I have a look at your wrist?"

The boy raised his head and found Santa Claus kneeling beside him, asking him to have a look at his injury. He looked around confused, not really knowing what to do, until his eyes rested on another man standing behind his back.

"I'd let him if I were you, his touch might be magical."

Alec looked up and saw Magnus looking at him, gently nodding, encouraging him to go on. So he took the boy's hand and lifted his wrist to have a look at it; then he took out two small packages from his right pocket. He showed them to the kid.

"What's your name?" he asked softly.

"Tom," the boy whispered.

"Okay, Tom. Now I will wipe your wound and disinfect it, it won't burn or hurt, I promise. Then I am going to put a magical Santa patch on it, how does this sound? Will you pick up the drawing while I clean it?"

"Mr. Bane…" Alec started only to stop when Magnus stepped in.

"Magnus." Magnus corrected.

"Magnus can help you pick one, if that's all right?"

The boy smiled and nodded.

Alec passed the small box to Magnus and for a moment their eyes locked. Magnus smiled at him, wide and open, and his gaze softened as their fingers softly brushed, and Alec felt something cracking inside of him, like an egg breaking to let a new life peek through.

He made quick work of the little wound, covering it with a candy cane-shaped patch.

"Now,” he added, “since you have been really brave, why don’t you follow me to pick some candies out from my basket near the sleigh?"

"And I will go and search for your parents," Magnus added, "remain here with Santa."

Later that evening, he was putting his black coat on ready to go home when he heard someone coming.

"Who are you?" Magnus asked, looking surprised at the handsome man standing outside the locker room.

Alec turned and saw him, he seemed almost in a rush. He was about to answer, but he realized he couldn't breathe.

“You don’t look like a thief, so, care to tell me who you are?”

"I’m Santa. I mean, the guy dressed as Santa. My name is Alec," his voice came out barely a whisper.

"Pardon?" Magnus asked him, almost not believing he had heard well.

Alec swallowed as he felt those chocolate eyes scanning him from his feet to the last of his black locks.

Magnus blinked as his heart skipped a beat. Damn Raphael, he was right.

They both remained silent as the veil was raised, staring at each other as their hearts were fluttering.

Finally, Magnus extended his hand to him, "Actually I was searching just for you."

Alec grabbed his hand and squeezed it, his grip strong and certain, "Why?"

"I wanted to thank you for today. The way you acted with that boy…,"

"It was nothing...”

"You turned a bad event into an amazing one, one he will remember for all his life. Plus, you didn't have to, and you did anyway. This says a lot about the kind of person you are, and I never take such things for granted."

Alec was still holding his hand, stuck in a sort of trance. When he realized that, he retracted his palm, "I'm sorry, I need to go…, my sister is waiting for me outside…,"

Magnus nodded.

Alec adjusted the scarf around his neck and moved toward the exit.

"Ah, Alec? We are having a small Christmas party on the 24th, after the mall closes for the clients, why don't you come? It's an open party, we all bring families or partners…," he stopped, waiting for Alec to say something.

"I'd love to, yes, thank you. See you tomorrow," he left and headed to Izzy's car, his heart racing, his head a bit spinning.

Izzy needed just a glance to understand, "Are you ok?"

Alec looked at her and licked his lips, twice, "I don't really think so."

"What's wrong?"

He pressed his fingers at the corner of his eyes, exhaling, "Fuck, Izzy, I think I've fallen in love."

"And what's so terrible about it?"

Alec looked back at her, almost desperate, "He's the owner of the mall, beautiful and sexy as fuck, smart, and kind, and...what do I have to offer him?"

"Yourself, Alec. And believe me, it's not something you easily find around nowadays." She turned the engine on and drove him away.

After the last bowl of popcorn was over, Max was almost asleep against Magnus' chest.

"Dad?"

"Mm?"

"You were happy tonight when you came back from work, did something happen?"

Magnus kissed him on his head, gently, "Maybe, yes. I was thinking...We have a special Santa this year, do you want to come and make your wish?"

"You'd let me again?”

Magnus nodded and heard Max hum happily.

In that last week, Magnus found every excuse to be around Alec, and Alec always welcomed him with his bright eyes and his soft smile. The more Magnus stayed with him, the more he felt the desire to know him better. Magnus found himself thinking about which books Alec liked reading, what kind of movies did he watch, or what was the food he wanted to eat on a snowy night.

Magnus really wanted to invite him for a drink, but it was Christmas week and Max was at home with Cat the whole day, waiting for him to come home. That was what being a father was about. Putting Max first, every time, and Magnus knew not many would want a committed relationship with a lone parent.

Christmas Eve was really busy. Alec was searching for Magnus, but he never showed up. He wanted to see him one last time, since he’d decided not to show up to the party. He wanted to thank him for having made this month the best he had in years. All the customers had almost left when he spotted him at the end of the queue, holding a little boy in his arms, and chatting with him.

Max was the last kid of the day. Magnus knelt, putting him down and letting him walk toward Alec, to make his wish for this Christmas.

He knew that Max always asked for one thing, no matter if it was Christmas or if he was blowing his birthday candle, or watching a shooting star. All the others Santa had always given him silly answers, -- this is not a thing you can ask Santa, or this is a thing you should ask in your bedtime prayers, or Santa brings only toys-- , leaving Max always sad and deluded.

Why was he expecting Alec to give a different answer, he didn’t know.

As Max came closer, Alec opened his arms and pulled him up on his thighs, looking at him.

“And you are?”

“Max. Dad said you are a special Santa, so maybe you are the one who can finally help me with my wish?”

“I’ll do my best. What is it?”

"Can you bring my mum back?"

Alec felt like he had been slapped by a cold hand right on his face, as his eyes filled with tears.

He raised a hand and caressed Max’s cheek, staying silent as some seconds passed by, conscious of the other pair of eyes that were staring at him, aside from Max’s.

Alec thought carefully about the answer and then he started talking, “I wish I could, Max, but I can't. There are many things that happen in life that we can’t turn back or change, no matter how much we’d want or try to. Your mum has passed now and this means she can't come back, but there is something you can do about this. You can find her in the small things of your life, in the scents that remind you of her, in the melody she used to sing when she lulled you to sleep, in the words of a story she used to tell you at bedtime, in the way your smile probably looks like hers, and…,” he raised his gaze to look at Magnus who seemed visibly touched by his words, "... in the love your dad is giving you. In this way, it will be as if she never really left you. I know you miss her presence, her touch, and her voice, but if you close your eyes and search into your heart, you will find her there.”

Max looked intensely at the man in front of him, processing the words, serious and concentrated, then his face brightened in a sunny smile.

“Dad was right, you’re the best Santa I have ever met.” Max replied as he looked between his dad and Santa. He may not have his mom’s warm hugs anymore but Max did have his Dad’s embrace and bedtime stories. “Thank you Santa. I think you’re right.”

Alec let out a startled laugh as he held the candy basket out for Max, “Now, any other wish I can help you with?”

“Is there something you wish to have back and can’t, just like me?”  Max finally asked, picking up a candy cane.

Alec inhaled a sharp breath, “Of course there is.”

Max smiled and looked up at Alec, “Then come and spend Christmas with us, so you can tell me.”

Alec cleared his throat, “Leave a plate with cookies and a mug of hot chocolate, and I’ll see what I can do, ok?”

Then he kissed Max on his head, picked his sketchbook and drew a big comet on it. Giving it to the kid he told him, “Never stop believing Max, the best things come to us when we less expect them. Merry Christmas.”

He stood up, tearing another sheet from it, walked toward Magnus who was still kneeling and staring at him, handing him the drawing, “This is for you.”

Magnus looked at his portrait on the paper. He wanted to say something, but voices and laughters were coming from the hall of the mall, signalling that the Christmas party was about to begin.

“Magnus, Max?” they heard Raphael call.

Alec stepped back, grabbed his pencils and went to change his clothes, leaving Magnus and Max there.

He felt his heart aching at the idea of leaving without a word, but he knew that going to the party would have only meant to feel even worse when he had to say goodbye. He dressed up and before leaving he put a drawing next to the locker of each of the persons he had met and worked with, in those days.

“So you’re not coming,” he heard Wei say.

He turned, his eyes were red with unshed tears, that he wasn’t ashamed to show. “It would only be worse later. I’m already lost. I don’t want this to be out in the open, and if I ever get in there, with him, with them, I won’t be able to disguise it. Thank you for being my friend and confidant while I was here,” he told Wei as he hugged him, “Watch over him and make sure he’ll give his heart to someone worthy. Say goodbye to everyone, it’s been an honour working here.”

He patted the man on his back one more time, and then made his way out, deciding to walk home and let the snowflakes wash away the tears that were streaming down his face.

At the party, Magnus was trying to get distracted, but his mind was fixed on Alec, on the way he answered Max, and on the way the boy had seemed to want Alec in their lives.

Maybe he was the right one.

He would have asked him out, if only the man would show up, but he didn't, and Magnus had lost his hopes.

He was standing next to the bar, drinking and staring into the void.

"Drinking to celebrate or to forget?" Wei asked him.

"Neither of these, just drinking and enjoying the two days of rest we have ahead of us."

The old man hummed and took a glass himself.

"It seemed you were searching and waiting for someone who didn't come," he said, “Alec went away."

Magnus frowned and then exhaled, his voice turning sharp and bitter, "Ah yes, I call it the lone parent effect. It never fails to strike."

Wei looked at him, savouring his cocktail. The man looked to be weighing something in his mind before he spoke.

"He went away because he has feelings, and feared that these weren't reciprocated."

Magnus put down his glass on the counter.

"Who told you?"

"He did, just before leaving. And that's not the only thing I know about him."

Magnus shook his head, smiling, feeling his heart expand.

"Sit here with me and let's have a talk, Magnus."

The morning sun hit Alec right in the eyes and he cursed himself for not closing the curtains enough last night when he’d come home. He remembered feeling sad and being a bit tipsy, after stopping along the way to have a couple of beers.

He wasn't really used to drinking, so he always ended up confused and hobbling, until there was a couch or a bed to fall into.

Alec got up and stretched his arms and legs, staring at the thick snow already covering the roofs, and still falling from the pearly grey sky.

Jace and Izzy were out of reach for a couple of days, trapped in all those pompous meetings his parents always held at their place.

He put the coffee pot on the stove and took a pan, opened the fridge and looked at the watch. Nine o'clock. It was going to be a very long day.

He toasted some bread and cooked two sunny side up eggs, and put the plate on the table. He was scrolling his phone while eating, chuckling at the secret pics his siblings were sending him, before taking the still fuming cup of coffee, and going back to the couch, opening a book.

After a while he went to take a shower and then warmed some other coffee before getting dressed.

That's when he heard the doorbell ring.

He quickly put on a thorn old sweater he used at home and a pair of loose sweatpants. It must have been the old lady on the first floor, she knew he was alone.

He opened the door, threading his hand through his already ruffled hair and lost all his capacity to think and speak when he saw Magnus and Max, hand in hand, standing on the threshold of his small apartment, on that Christmas morning.

He wanted to say something, but didn't know where to start from. Magnus was looking at him, a shy smile on his face, a doubtful look in his eyes, as if he was sorry for showing up without calling him first.

Luckily Max was there too.

"So your real name is Alec?" the boy asked him.

Alec looked at Magnus, asking for silent permission, before nodding back.

"Me and dad had a talk about Santa," Max giggled, "he says that mall Santas are only interns right now. Like high ranking elves! Now I know why no one could help me, but at least, your words were honest, and we are here for a reason," and he elbowed his father on his leg.

Magnus seemed lost for a moment, trying to find the right words, then looked at Alec and said, "We were wondering if you would come and spend these two Holiday days with us. Our home is big enough and we have a spare room."

Alec looked at him and shrugged, incredulous.

"I want you to come, Santa Alec, please."

"And you?" Alec asked Magnus.

"I would love to. I would love to know you better, if you'd let me."

Alec smiled and it felt as if the sun had ripped through the clouds, even if it was still snowing, "I would love that too."

Magnus winked at him, "So that's settled. We will wait for you in the car while…"

Alec grabbed his wrist, pulling him inside.

"I'm sorry I didn't invite you in, I was… distracted. If you both don't mind the small place, I have some warm coffee and I can make you a hot chocolate Max."

As they sat on the couch, Alec warmed the coffee and prepared the chocolate.

The radio was playing in the background -- It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas --, Alec looked at Magnus intensely as he handed him the cup, and maybe, from now on, life was really beginning to look a lot like something they had been waiting for, for a long time.

[shootwinterfest]

Give Me Kisses For Christmas

Shoot Secret Santa Gift by @maybesomedaysameen

As she walked into the Great Hall, Root looked around at the Christmas decorations. Hogwarts was always beautiful, but this time of year, the whole castle sparkled. Candles hung in the air above the tables, illuminating the garlands and ornaments suspended above the hall. On the small stage where the teachers sat, a huge tree glittered with its own ornaments and lights.

The ceiling showed the early afternoon sky, lazy snowflakes drifting down and fading to nothing. Outside, it was freezing, but inside the castle, it was warm and cozy. Root walked to the Slytherin table, her winter cloak flowing around her. She’d worn her uniform, even though classes had ended. It still felt wrong to wear muggle clothing around the castle.

Getting to her table, Root climbed over the bench and sat next to Shaw, travel mug clutched in her hand. It was the second day of the Christmas Holiday and she was ready to try an experiment. She’d found the recipe for Veritaserum in the restricted section on one of her late night visits. Technically, she wasn’t allowed in after she’d summoned a lightning storm in her dorm room, but ‘forbidden’ had never stopped her before.

Root was going to trick Shaw into drinking it and then ask if she liked Root, if she like-liked Root. She grinned at Shaw, putting the travel mug on the table between them. Shaw winked at her, a half-eaten sausage in her hand. There was a Quidditch match after lunch, and Shaw was a Slytherin Beater. She needed the energy. Root looked over her food options and started filling her plate.

“Great news,” Zoe said, sitting appearing across from them. “I found some old radio shows on vinyl and Headmaster McGonagall said she’d lend us her Gramophone. Not as good as a television, but it’s something.”

“Radio shows?” Shaw repeated with her mouth full. Rolling her eyes, she tossed the last bite of her sausage onto her plate. “Jesus, I might as well have gone to visit my grandmother.”

“But then you wouldn’t get to spend time with me,” Root joked. She spread butter over a bread roll. It had been her suggestion to stay at school over the break. “I’m better than your grandma.”

Shaw snorted, pushing her plate away. “That’s debatable.”

Root didn’t take the insult to heart. She knew that Shaw liked spending time with her. That’s why she was going to give her the Veritaserum. Shaw was interested in her; she just needed a little push. Root bit into her roll and smiled happily.

A hand lightly touched her jaw, turning her face. Shaw raised an eyebrow, her eyes glittering with amusement. Licking her lips, Root blushed at the feel of Shaw’s firm grip. Tilting her head, Shaw picked up a napkin from the table with her free hand and wiped the side of Root’s mouth.

“Butter,” Shaw told her. She released Root’s face. “You’re a mess.”

Root just took a giant bit of bread, making sure that even more butter covered her mouth this time. “Whoops.”

“Wow,” Zoe laughed. “You two are so gross. Get a room!”

Shaw picked up a piece of fish from the large dish in the center of the table and tossed it at her. Zoe dodged with a squeal. She glared at Shaw, dipping her fingers into her glass of pumpkin juice and flicking the liquid across the table. This time Shaw had to dodge, sliding away from Root to avoid the splatter.

“Watch the uniform!” Shaw grabbed her napkin again, wiping off the bench. “I have a game soon. I need to look sharp for my fans.”

Shaw brushed imaginary juice from her uniform, and Root took the opportunity to look her over. She loved when Shaw played Quidditch, because the uniform suited her so well. The long-sleeve shirt accentuated her biceps, and the pants emphasized her thighs. She wore pants most days, instead of the usual skirt, but those were dress pants and these were flexible cotton, much more flattering.

She moved back into her place, her arm brushing against Root’s. Resisting the urge to lean against her, Root looked at her travel mug. This wasn’t the best idea. Root and Shaw had been friends ever since they’d both landed in detention with Professor Flitwick for starting a fire in his class. Technically, they’d been learning Lumos, but Root had bragged that she already knew Incendio and Shaw had dared her to prove it. Root couldn’t say no to a dare.

That had been their first year. Now, they were sixth years and still just friends. Root wanted more than that, but she didn’t want to risk their friendship. So, instead, she was contemplating a scheme that was actually a horrible idea. Shaw trusted her, and Root didn’t really want to force Shaw into anything. They’d always avoided the subject of dating.

Root had never told Shaw that she liked girls, and Shaw had never said it either. She knew she did, though. A few times over the years, Root had caught her making out with girls in dark corners of the hallways. She’d caught her with boys, too, but that didn’t make Root as jealous. It was seeing Shaw with girls that hurt.

Of course, Root had some doubt that Shaw liked her. It was impossible to know for sure. Without a truth potion, anyway. What if she did like Root, but didn’t want a relationship? Would she even say anything about it in the Great Hall? Maybe this should be done privately. With a sigh, she decided not to go through with her plan. She used her napkin to wipe her face off and finished her bread.

“Are you coming to the game?” Shaw asked her. “It’s a sure win for us. Hufflepuff’s seeker is garbage.”

Root smiled. “Of course.” She gestured to her Slytherin scarf. “I have to support my girl.”

An odd look crossed Shaw’s face and she turned away to stare down at her plate. Root opened her mouth to ask what was wrong, but a shadow fell across the table and distracted her. She saw their friends standing behind them and grinned.

Fusco was wearing his Quidditch robes, too, yellow and black for Hufflepuff. He was a beater, like Shaw. Reese, Harold, and Joss all wore Hufflepuff scarves, even though Harold was in Ravenclaw and Reese and Joss were in Gryffindor. Shaw looked at them and scowled.

“Oh, come on.” She waved to their scarves. “I know you have to cheer for both of us, but why do you have to wear his colors?”

“Us guys have to stick together,” Fusco told her. Her jerked his thumb at Joss. “She owes me a galleon.”

Joss rolled her eyes. “I’m going to burn this after the game.”

“I’ll help,” Zoe joked, grinning. “We’ll burn all the losers’ scarves.”

A bell rang from the tower above them, signaling the new hour. The Quidditch game was going to start soon and Fusco and his ‘fans’ hurried away, taking Zoe with them. Technically, the Quidditch season was over because of the winter break, but a game had gotten delayed after a bad flu had gone around the castle. After today, the castle would be almost empty as everyone who was only staying for the game went home.

Shaw sighed, picking up one last sausage and climbing off the bench. If she had the choice, Shaw would sit in front of feast until it disappeared. There was always the dinner feast, though. Shaw had also befriended the elves in the kitchen and she got snacks whenever she wanted them. She’d already asked them to pack a basket for the listening party they had planned later.

Root lifted her knees, holding her skirt as she swung her legs over the bench. Even after six years, she forgot that she wore skirts sometimes. There had been some embarrassing moments after late night study sessions or adventures, when she was too sleepy to care about modesty. Shaw smirked at her as she stood up carefully.

“Don’t forget your mug,” Shaw said, picking it up. She popped the lid open and sniffed it. “Did you put water in a thermos?”

“Yup,” Root lied. She shrugged, trying to look casual. “It’s got some, uh, herbs. For focus. Yeah, I need to do some studying today. Later.”

Shaw gave her a skeptical look. “Studying? During the holiday? I can’t let you be that nerd.”

Laughing, Root relaxed, glad that the lie had worked. She held her hand out. “Can I just have my drink, please?”

“No.”

Shaw lifted the mug, but Root leapt forward, snatching it from her hands. Panicked, Root chugged it. It burned her throat and she knew right away that it had worked. She lowered the mug, gasping for air after her long drink. Shaw was staring at her like she had a second head.

“Ok, weirdo.” Shaw chuckled. She pointed a finger at Root, narrowing her eyes. “You’re not using that focus to study. You’ll focus on something fun, like Wizard’s Chess or eating cake.”

Root smiled nervously, trying not to speak. She wasn’t entirely sure if Veritaserum made you blurt out the truth, or if it just made you incapable of lying. Either way, if Shaw asked her a direct question, then she wouldn’t be able to get out of answering.

“Uh, Root? Is there something on my face?”

“No.” Root realized she’d been staring at Shaw. “No. Sorry. Um, we should go. To the game. It starts in… an hour.”

They left the Great Hall, heading for the Quidditch Field with the rest of the late lunch crowd. Shaw didn’t start a conversation, and Root relaxed. She liked that they could be quiet together. Sometimes, Root needed to get away from people, but she never needed to get away from Shaw. They could spend hours sitting in the same room, absorbed in their own activities.

It’s one of the reasons Root had fallen in love with her. It was so easy to be with Shaw. She never asked Root to be anything she wasn’t, to be any less. They could talk about anything, and Shaw always seemed interested in her thoughts. Root was grateful to have found such a great friend and she was glad she hadn’t gone through with her plan.

Now, she just had to make it through the night without confessing her feelings. Luckily, Zoe and Joss weren’t leaving until tomorrow morning and they’d be a buffer. Root could just bring up a controversial topic, like what shop in London made the best kebabs, and the three of them would go for hours.

After a short walk through the snow, they got to the Quidditch Field, and Root gave Shaw a smile. She wasn’t allowed in the locker rooms because she wasn’t on the team. Rules didn’t really stop her, but Martine was the captain this year, and she hated Root. One accident in Potions, and Root had made an enemy. Waving goodbye to Shaw, Root started for the steps to the stands, lifting her heavy winter cloak out of the way.

She was stopped by a hand on her arm and she followed it back to Shaw. “Something wrong?” she asked, frowning. She looked up at the tower the steps were in, seeing the familiar green and silver of Slytherin. “Am I in the wrong section?”

“No,” Shaw answered. She pulled her hand away, running it along her ponytail. “I just wanted to say that you look good today.”

Looking down at the same robes she wore most days, she laughed. “I look the same as I do every day. Do you suddenly have a thing for robes and cloaks?”

Rolling her eyes, Shaw pushed Root lightly toward the stairs. “Whatever, nerd. Just go.”

Root watched her walk into the hallway that led to the locker rooms, wondering what that was about. Shaw never complimented her in such a straightforward way. It was usually “copying my style? At least you look good in ponytails” or “Want to do our homework together? You’re the only one in our year I can stand.” Root had gotten really good at de-coding what Shaw meant, and it was strange to get a clear message.

Shaking her head, Root hurried up to the stands, finding Zoe. They didn’t really like anyone else in Slytherin besides Shaw, and they spent most of their time in the Gryffindor common room, especially now that Joss was a prefect. She gave them the password every time it changed.

Quidditch was always fun to watch, but Root loved when Shaw was playing. She was so confident in the air, and with a bat in her hand. Her ponytail streamed from her helmet as she flew, whipping in the wind. Occasionally, she’d glance at Root, winking or just grinning. She loved to show off, hitting beaters clear across the pitch. When they played Hufflepuff, she’d always aim for Hersch.

The game was over in two hours. Slytherin won by an embarrassing number of points. They’d had nearly 200 by the time Harper caught the Snitch, a clear win no matter what. Fusco gave Shaw the middle finger instead of a handshake and Shaw whacked him in the arm with her bat, nearly knocking him off his broom.

After following the crowd down the stairs, Root leaned against the wall outside the Slytherin locker room, turning her travel mug over in her hands. She hadn’t been able to talk to Zoe too much during the game, but she’d tried a few times to lie. Zoe had asked her the name of the Hufflepuff Chaser, and Root had tried to say Fusco, but when she opened her mouth, ‘Hersch’ had come out instead. She’d also been unable to say the wrong score, or that she needed to leave and go study.

Clearly, she’d made a good potion. Veritaserum was pretty advanced, and usually only N.E.W.T students knew how to make it. It had been easy for Root. The hardest part was waiting a whole month for it to finish maturing. Patience wasn’t her strong suit.

The locker room door opened, and Root looked up. Shaw saw her and nodded, hiking her bag on her shoulder. She’d showered, apparently, her long hair loose and hanging around her shoulders. Her uniform was also gone. Instead, she wore muggle clothing, black sweatpants and a thick Slytherin sweatshirt.

“You look great,” Root said instead of a normal greeting. She blushed. “I mean, you obviously showered. You smell really nice.”

She felt her face heat up even more and looked away, cursing herself silently. Sticking her travel mug under her arm, she wrapped her cloak around herself and walked toward the exit. It was warm in the hallway by the locker rooms, but it would be freezing outside. The sun had just started setting and it was taking the meager warmth with it.

“Thanks,” Shaw muttered behind her. She moved to Root’s side and followed her out into the snowy grounds. “I know that Zoe hates when I get sweat on the Common Room’s couches.”

“Zoe also hates when you leave your stinky socks lying around,” Root said, smiling. “That never stops you, though.”

Shaw snorted. “No, it doesn’t.”

They walked back to the castle, talking about the game, and Root somehow managed to keep herself from complimenting Shaw again. It was going to be hard to keep her thoughts to herself until the potion wore off. She could distract them until they started the radio shows. Then, knowing Joss, there wouldn’t be any talking allowed.

Once they got back to the castle, they made their way down to the dungeons and the Slytherin common room. Since it was just a girls’ night, Joss was coming to them. Root led the way up to their room, thankfully shedding her heavy cloak and hanging it on the coat rack.

She kicked off her shoes as Shaw dropped her bag onto her bed. They’d been roommates since first year and knew each other’s habits well. Shaw liked to empty her bag before she got comfortable, putting her uniform in her clothes hamper and her shoes in the wardrobe. Then, she’d disappear into the bathroom for a bit, coming back out to fall on her bed and wait for someone to make her be social.

Root liked to change into comfortable clothes immediately. She started undressing, feeling better with every piece gone. Once she was only in her bra and underwear, she moved to her wardrobe, opening drawers until she found her pajamas. They were thick flannel, red gingham, and the most comfortable thing she’d ever worn. They’d been a gift from Shaw three Christmases ago, after her final growth spurt.

She finished buttoning the shirt and dug her wand out of her cloak pocket before climbing into her bed. Her travel mug sat on her side table, taunting her. She waved her wand at it, turning it to dust. Being in bed, wearing her pajamas, made her want to just go to sleep and wake up once the effects had gone away.

Shaw came out of the bathroom and dramatically flung herself up onto her bed. Rolling onto her back, she let her head hang off the edge, staring at Root upside down. Root lay on her stomach, feet kicking in the air as she waited for Shaw to say something. With another flick of her wand, she conjured spectral butterflies.

They watched them flicker around the room until one landed on Shaw’s nose. She swatted it, turning it to smoke. With a sigh, she rolled over onto her stomach, too, looking around the room.

“When is Joss coming over?”

“I don’t know,” Root answered truthfully. She remembered to watch her words. “Zoe didn’t give us a time.”

“Great,” Shaw mumbled, rolling her eyes. “That means she wants to spend hours making out with Reese. God knows when we’ll start the shows.”

“I would never kiss a boy,” Root said, unprompted. She gasped, her face warming up. Licking her lips, she tried again. “I like girls.”

Shaw stared across the room at her, face unreadable. Root stayed as still as possible. She felt like she could spook Shaw if she moved too quickly, or said anything else. Over the years, Root had learned that Shaw had a very strong fight-or-flight reaction. She hoped she hadn’t ruined their night.

“Boys are gross,” Shaw finally said, looking away. “Reese even more, so. I’d rather die than kiss him.”

Root laughed, the tension draining from her body. “Zoe just likes that he’s tall.”

Shaw shrugged. “I like tall people.”

“I’m tall,” Root blurted out before she could stop herself. Shaw tilted her head, giving her a thoughtful look. Taking a breath, Root opened her mouth to just tell Shaw that she liked her, but Zoe walked into the room and she lost her nerve. “Zoe!”

Shaw sat up, apparently distracted by Zoe’s entrance. “When are we doing this? It’s almost dinner time.”

“Hold your horses,” Zoe told her, crossing between their beds to get to her own. “Joss is going to come down after the feast and we’ll set up in here.” She stopped at her desk and pulled out a small scroll. “It wouldn’t be much of a girls’ ‘night’ if it started before it was even dark.”

“Good point.”

Sitting up, Root looked down at her pajamas and sighed. “It’s not acceptable to eat dinner in pajamas.”

“Since when has ‘acceptable’ stopped you?” Shaw asked her, grinning. “Everyone’s gone, anyway. Just put the shoes on.”

Returning her grin, Root scrambled out of bed to her wardrobe. The pajamas had come with a pair of bunny slippers, large ears standing straight up. Root hardly wore them because she didn’t want to get them dirty, but now seemed like the perfect time. She dropped them to the floor and slid her feet into them, wiggling her toes to move the ears.

“I love when you give me gifts,” Root said, happily. She closed her wardrobe and turned to face the other girls. “I like knowing you think about me.”

Zoe gave her an amused glance before continuing to write on her scroll. She was probably writing down a piece of gossip she’d just heard so she wouldn’t forget. Realizing that she’d said something weird again, Root sighed, rubbing her forehead. Maybe she should just stop talking altogether. Looking at Shaw, she met her narrowed eyes. She seemed to be thinking about something and Root gave her a nervous smile.

“Dinner?” she asked them, pointing at the door with her thumb. “I’m hungry.”

Shaw nodded, sliding off her bed. She picked up her wand from where she’d tossed it on her pillow and slid into the front pocket of her sweatshirt. That reminded Root to get hers and she picked it up off her bed. There weren’t any pockets in her pajamas and she wasn’t sure where to put it.

“Here,” Shaw murmured from beside her. She took the wand from Root, their hands brushing. Shaw’s hand was callused from riding her broom, and her soft touch always accentuated rough skin. She put Root’s wand in her pocket with her own. “I’ll hold it.”

She walked away before Root could thank her, disappearing out the door. Root rubbed her hands together, trying to save the feeling of Shaw’s hand on hers. Zoe put her note back in her desk and headed for the door. She hooked her arm through Root’s, dragging her out of their bedroom. They caught up with Shaw quickly, the three of them ready for dinner.

As they walked, Shaw kept a close watch on her. It made Root hyper aware of herself, and she made an extra effort not to speak. Zoe chatted idly about Joss and her new boyfriend, but Root barely heard a word of it. All of her focus was on keeping herself from saying something embarrassing.

When they got to the Great Hall, Zoe peeled off to sit with other friends and Shaw and Root made their way to their usual spot at the Slytherin table. It was weird to see the Great Hall so empty, even though Root had spent every holiday break at the castle. It was always packed during the school year and the quiet of the holiday was loud in the large space. There were even fewer people than there had been at lunch. Apparently, the Quidditch game ending caused a mass exodus.

They sat down and Shaw immediately started stacking food on her plate. Root laughed, taking food at a reasonable pace. Shaw was a bottomless pit, always hungry and never gaining weight. Root had been watching her exercise for years, and knew how many calories she burned. Taking a large bite of turkey sandwich, Shaw shifted in her chair, pulling up a leg and facing Root.

“So,” Shaw said with her mouth full, “I have a theory.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes.” She narrowed her eyes, squinting dangerously at Root. “I think something is different about you.”

Root’s eyes widened and she busied herself cutting a piece of steak into bite-sized pieces. “Something is different about me.” She closed her eyes, cursing herself. She quickly tried to think of something that was different about her other than ‘I can’t tell lies.’ “I… usually wear my skin color hearing aid, but I’m today, I’m wearing my black hearing aid.”

She stuffed a piece of steak into her mouth to avoid saying anything else. A glance at Shaw told her that her excuse wasn’t good enough. Shaw took another bite of her sandwich, chewing slowly as she looked Root over. If Shaw asked again, Root could say she was wearing pajamas at lunch, or she’d forgotten to floss.

“That’s not it.” She put her sandwich down, leaning her arms on the table and sweeping her eyes over Root again. “You’re acting weirdly.”

Root clenched her jaw and didn’t answer. Anything that came out of her mouth right now would be bad. She chewed with determination, staring down at the table. Swallowing, she picked up a glass of water, taking slow sips.

Shaw’s gaze landed on the glass and a slow smiled spread across her face. She shook a finger at Root, clicking her tongue. Chuckling, she leaned toward Root and lowered her voice.

“You’re drunk.”

Root frowned, surprised at Shaw’s conclusion. She put her glass down. “I’m not drunk.”

“Don’t deny it,” Shaw teased, winking. “That wasn’t water in your travel mug, was it?”

“No,” Root answered, sighing. “It was not just water.”

Shaw laughed, clapping her hands. “You dog! I can’t believe you didn’t share! I didn’t even smell alcohol. Was there a charm on it?”

“No,” Root said again. She shook her head. “It wasn’t alcohol. I’m not drunk. I promise.”

“Then what?” Shaw demanded, crossing her arms. “Something is going on. You never compliment me.”

Root frowned. “I compliment you.”

“No, you don’t.” Shaw shrugged. “I don’t care. I’m just saying that you don’t.”

“I think you’re wonderful. You’re beautiful, smart, talented, and a great friend. I think about you constantly, and you look really hot in your Quidditch uniform.”

Root gasped, slapping a hand over her mouth. She couldn’t believe she’d just said all that, unprompted. The other compliments had been casual, and she could pass it off as friendship, but friends didn’t call each other hot. She could feel her face and neck grow warm, and new she was completely red. All this blushing was going to give her a headache.

Shaw just scratched her chin and looked away, turning back to her food. “Thanks.”

Taking a deep breath, Root looked around the Great Hall for an out. She wasn’t sure what was worse, Shaw turning her down or Shaw only saying ‘thanks’ to her compliments. It didn’t have to be a big display, but Root would like a clue into what she was thinking. Sighing, she reached across the table for a cinnamon roll, deciding she felt more like dessert than dinner.

“You’re pretty hot, too.”

Root’s hands froze as they tore the roll apart. The sentence had been so quiet that she thought she might have imagined it. Shaw was eating her sandwich again, not looking at Root. It had never felt awkward to be together, but Root was about ready to run away. She wasn’t sure what to do, and just sat still, her fingers still inside the cinnamon roll.

“If it wasn’t alcohol,” Shaw mumbled around her food, “what was in your mug?”

“Veritaserum.”

Shaw’s eyes widened and she coughed, dropping the last piece of her sandwich on to her plate and hitting her chest with her fist. Root handed her a glass of water, watching her gulp it down. Gasping, she put it on the table and wiped her mouth on the sleeve of her sweatshirt.

“Veritaserum?” she repeated, surprised. “A whole mug of-“

“No! I’m not an idiot. It was just a few drops in water.”

“Still,” she breathed. She crossed her legs in front of her on the bench, facing Root fully. “That means you can’t lie right now, right?”

Root nodded, pushing her hand behind her ear. “It only lasts twelve hours, so I’ll be back to normal tomorrow.

Shaw counting on her fingers and grinned. “I have until one am to learn all your secrets.”

“Oh no,” Root laughed, holding her hands up. “Don’t take this as a challenge.”

Another odd look crossed her face, and she licked her lips. “Do you keep a lot of secrets from me?”

Taking a deep breath, Root wasn’t sure how to answer. She didn’t know what the truth was. There were things she hadn’t told Shaw, but did that mean they were secrets? Shaw didn’t know about her feelings, or her late night trips to the Astronomy tour to stargaze, or the bone deep need she had to prove her worth and skill. Root didn’t talk about that, about how much she ached to be an adult and really explore the limits of her magic.

“Only a few,” she said, giving her a small smile. “I like having something of my own.”

Shaw nodded sharply, her lips pursed. “Yeah. I get that.”

Root licked her lips, fiddling with the stem of her goblet. It felt like she should offer a secret to Shaw, but she didn’t know what to say. There should be a spell that made you say the right thing at the right time. Shaw would love that. Root smiled, and tapped on Shaw’s knee.

“Here’s a secret,” she breathed, leaning close. “I saw you kissing Kelly after a Quidditch game last year.”

Shaw sniffed, shrugging. “Did you? Whatever. I’m not embarrassed.”

“You never are.” Root tapped her knee again, grinning. “I like that about you.”

“Ok, drunkie,” Shaw snorted. She pushed Root away half-heartedly. “You’re the one without shame. Wearing gingham pajamas and bunny slippers to the dinner feast?”

Root gasped, her mouth dropping open. “You told me to!”

“I know,” Shaw joked, her nose crinkling with mirth. “Gotcha.”

They laughed, and Root felt relieved that they were still joking. Whether or not she admitted her feelings tonight, she wanted to have fun. It was nearly Christmas and midterm exams had been difficult. They deserved to have a good time over the break.

“Hey,” Zoe said, appearing on the other side of the table with Joss. “Ready?”

Root nodded, and climbed over the bench, grabbing her cinnamon roll. “For the road,” she told Shaw. “I don’t like wasting food.”

“Well, in that case…” Shaw spread out a napkin and put a sandwich in the middle of it. She carefully placed two bread rolls, and two sausages on top and tied it into a neat package. Picked it up, she winked at Root. “For the road.”

By the time the four of them got to the Slytherin Dormitory, Shaw had eaten almost everything she’d packed away. Root’s cinnamon bun was gone, too, and she licked her fingers clean, savoring the sweetness. There was a pack of cookies beneath Shaw’s bed that Root might bring out later. Nothing said ‘Christmas’ like sweets.

They walked through the Common Room to the dorms, and Root looked up. The Slytherin Common Room was below the Great Lake, and Root loved to watch the various creatures that lived in the lake. She’d made friends with a few merfolk who knew sign language, and sometimes when she couldn’t sleep, she’d lay against a glass wall and watch them tell stories.

“Want the last sausage?” Shaw asked, bringing Root’s attention back to their group.

She shook her head, following the others up the stairs. “No, thanks. You eat it.”

Shaw nodded, finishing it in two large bites. Root laughed at her, amazed as always by her bottomless stomach. She climbed onto Shaw’s bed, kicking her slippers off and pulling the covers up over herself.

Zoe was setting the Gramophone up on her desk, carefully handling one of the vinyls she’d found. There was a large basket on Shaw’s trunk from the house elves. Shaw rubbed her hands together excitedly and opened it. She pulled out various Christmas cookies and cakes, putting them onto Root’s bed.

“Tonight, we dine like kings!” Shaw announced loudly. Joss came over to look at the selection and Shaw grinned proudly, as if she’d made it all herself. “I love Hogwarts.”

“Me too,” Root agreed. She burrowed into the blankets, pouting at Shaw. “Bring me cookies?”

Rolling her eyes, Shaw picked up the package of snickerdoodles and climbed onto her bed. She gave them to Root before taking her shoes off, putting their wands on her nightstand, and getting into bed, too. Scooting close to Shaw, Root took a cookie from the package, taking a bite and humming with pleasure.

“Alright,” Zoe said, winding the Gramophone. “The first one is a murder mystery.”

The night passed uneventfully, with jokes and kebab debates. Root almost forgot that she was still under the effects of Veritaserum. They listened to old radio shows for hours, eating sweets and laying in bed. Like Root had predicted, Joss kept them quiet during the shows. Shaw didn’t even try and get any secrets out of her.

Root found herself dozing off around 10, warm and comfortable in Shaw’s bed. They’d fallen asleep in the same bed before, and Root always said that Shaw’s bed was better than hers. It must be bigger, or have a better mattress, or some enchantment that made it nearly impossible to leave. The best benefit to being in Shaw’s bed was, of course, Shaw herself.

Throughout the evening, Shaw and Root had gotten closer, and now Root lay in the circle of Shaw’s arms, their legs tangled together, and her head on Shaw’s chest. She couldn’t bring herself to feel shy or nervous. It felt so right to be held by Shaw like this, and Root just wished she could press a kiss to Shaw’s collarbone.

She was almost asleep when the last record finished and she groaned as Shaw shifted beneath her. “No,” she mumbled into Shaw’s sweatshirt. “I want to fall asleep against you.”

Shaw stiffened for a moment before settling back into the bed. She pulled away for a moment and then came back. Her arm moved and Root opened her eyes just enough to see the food on their bed floating back over to Root’s. Smiling, she wrapped her arms around Shaw, brushing her face against thick fabric.

“I’m going to sleep in Joss’ room,” Zoe said quietly. “Have a good night.”

Root didn’t hear Shaw answer, so she just stayed where she was, relishing the closeness. They’d never fallen asleep like this before, and she wasn’t sure if she’d wake up to find Shaw gone. Yawning, Root pushed her hands under the back of Shaw’s sweatshirt, pressing them against her skin, slightly sweaty from the hours of lying in bed.

“I still have 15 minutes.”

“Hmm?” Root sucked in air through her nose, struggling to stay awake. “Til what?”

“Until you can lie again,” Shaw answered. She brushed a hand over Root’s hair, tucking it behind her ear. “Did you think I forgot?”

Root had hoped she did forget. No one had talked for a while, and she’d managed to keep her mouth shut. Shaw’s fingers ran through her hair again, nails scratching lightly on her scalp, and Root melted into the bed.

“Your hands feel amazing,” Root breathed. “Keep touching me.”

Shaw’s hand stilled. “Can I ask you a question?”

Root felt her stomach drop, the warm, sleepy mood leaving her. She nodded against Shaw’s chest. “Of course.”

“Do you…” She took a slow breath. “Do you… like anyone?”

Chuckling, Root looked up at her. Shaw almost looked scared, her jaw clenched and her eyes narrow. She wasn’t really scared, and even if Root said no, she’d be fine, but it was nice that she wanted to know if Root liked her. When Root didn’t answer right away, Shaw clicked her tongue and smoothed her face.

“Whatever. I don’t care. It doesn’t- “

“I’ve been in love with you for four years.” Root sighed, closing her eyes. She hadn’t meant to say that. So much for playing it cool and just saying she had a crush. “Since you fixed my nose after Martine broke it second year.”

Shaw’s eyes widened. “Four years? Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Well, you started kissing people the next year, and I figured if you liked me, too, you would say something.”

“I thought you would say something!” Shaw pulled away, scooting down the bed so her head was level with Root’s on the pillows. “You never hold back when you want something.”

“I’d rather be your friend forever than lose you.” Root sighed, taking her arms back and pulling the blanket up to her chin. “I hate seeing you kiss other girls. You should be kissing me.” She smiled. “See, it’s the truth.”

Shaw rolled her eyes. “That’s not how Veritaserum works. It just makes you say what you think is true. Doesn’t make it a universal truth.”

That hurt her. She knew how Shaw was, blunt and unempathetic, but it still didn’t feel good to hear her say they shouldn’t kiss like it was obvious. Root blinked, fighting back tears. She thought this would be her best Christmas ever, but it was starting to be her worst. Pushing the blankets down, she sat up.

“I’ll sleep in my own bed,” she whispered. “Forget I said anything.”

“What?” Shaw sat up, frowning. “Why?”

“You don’t like me back. It’s ok. It just really hurts.” She started getting out of the bed. “I’ll be fine tomorrow. We can pretend this never happened.”

Shaw grabbed her arm, keeping her in the bed. Closing her eyes, Root didn’t look at her. If she saw Shaw looking even the tiniest bit apologetic, she’d break completely. She took a deep breath and tried to tug her arm away, but Shaw wouldn’t let it go.

“Root,” Shaw said, pulling on her arm. “Don’t be an idiot. Of course I like you back. Just because I explained how Veritaserum works doesn’t mean I don’t want to kiss you. You’re so dramatic.”

Root laughed, wiping her eyes with her free hand. “I’m not dramatic. You just can’t read an emotional situation.”

Her hand dropped off Root’s arm. “Is that bad? You’ve never said anything about it.”

“I don’t care.” She looked over her shoulder now. Shaw was frowning at her, eyebrows drawn down. “I don’t care about any of it. I like that you’re always clear-headed and observant. It’s refreshing, and honest. It just gets annoying sometimes.”

Shaw stuck her tongue out playfully. “Well, your relentless optimism can be annoying, too. Try finishing a scroll with you at two in the morning. I’d need five cups of coffee to keep up.”

Root got back into bed, pulling the covers over her legs. Instead of laying down, she rested her back against the headboard, gazing down at Shaw. “So, what now?”

“What do you mean?”

Rolling her eyes, Root tugged on Shaw’s still loose hair. “Are we girlfriends? Are we pretending this never happened?”

Pushing herself up, Shaw close the distance between them, kissing Root and climbing onto her lap. Their bodies pressed together and Root opened her mouth to deepen the kiss, her eyes fluttering closed. Shaw’s hands tangled in her hair, and she wrapped her arms around her waist.

The kiss was better than she’d imagined, somehow familiar and dangerous at once. It felt like the start of something new, a new way to grow and change. At the same time, they were still the same. Still best friends, roommates, partners. Shaw pressed one last kiss to her lips and pulled away.

“Why did you drink Veritaserum?”

Root blinked at the sudden question. “Just an experiment.”

Looking at her watch, Shaw sighed. “Two minutes passed one. I’ll never know.”

“It’s the truth!” Root laughed, relieved that she was free of the truth potion. She’d answered truthfully anyway. “Trying to test my skills.”

“Oh,” Shaw chuckled, winking, “we’ll test your skills.”

They kissed slowly, like they had all the time in the world. After all, they were only sixteen and had their whole lives ahead of them. Once they graduated, there would be Ministry training, and work after that. Whatever they did, and wherever they went, they would have each other. That was the best Christmas present Root could ask for.

[loscristianosbusinessclub]

Mercado Nuestra Senora de Africa

El Mercado Nuestra Senora de Africa, or "Market of Our Lady of Africa", is a famous and imposing collection that houses market stalls, shops with delicious food for all taste buds.

The large, salmon colored building that stands to the south of Barranco de Santos is not only a part of history in itself; it also marks one boundary for what was once considered "the other side" - Santa Cruz. The construction on this market began back when Portugal still occupied parts of or all over Latin America (including modern day Brazil) and eventually led up into South America with its creation along natural geographic features like cliffs.

History of Mercado Nuestra Senora de Africa

The growth of a small town is always accompanied by the need for expansion. This became evident when General Serrador, who was once responsible for managing this market's affairs grew convinced that it could no longer handle its increased traffic and trade volume on one side alone; he decided to build another larger structure.  

The 1960s was a golden era for the market, which became not only Santa Cruz's but also Tenerife’s major center of food trade and distribution. Though crisis loomed in the 80’s and 90’s, recent improvements were made such as market security and cleaning services, longer opening hours,  new businesses and free car park.

Main Areas

The Market - You will find various stalls around the outside, selling fresh fruit and vegetables. There's also a large supermarket on bottom floor that has everything from meat to fish! And if all those options aren't enough there is another "foreign market" below it where you can go shopping for more exotic items such as parmesan cheese or wine step inside into your new home away from home.

The Commercial Centre - The Mall is a popular shopping area for locals and tourists alike. It has all the latest fashion brands, clothing stores as well other things like beauty products or jewelry to suit any need.

Blue Rambla - The outside of the building is characterised by its blue colour and bright, stripy awnings which make for an enjoyable experience when browsing through all those stalls.

The Courtyard - The Central Market has a place for visitors to sit and relax, whether it's taking in some fresh air or enjoying one of the cafes. There are also shops which sell everything from produce stalls with delicious-looking foodstuffs that you can't wait to try out when they're ready (and maybe buy), clothing galore if your shopping list wasn’t already finished by now plus all sorts of more fun activities too numerous to mention.

The Market has a variety of restaurants to suit any appetite, with options ranging from fast food chains such as Doner kebab shop or Latino cuisine- specialty shops that serve only Canarian dishes. If you're looking for something more authentic and flavourful then head over the patio bar where they have delicious sandwiches served fresh off the grill alongside refreshing smoothies made right before your eyes.

This market in Tenerife is a great place to taste the delicious food from this island. Visitors can enjoy gourmet tastings and purchase fresh produce while they are at it, all under one roof! You won't want any part of your trip back home without trying some barraquitas or papas arrugadas con mojo picón (‘wrinkled potatoes served with spicy sauce).

The weekly market is a great place to enjoy some fresh air and meet with friends. It’s not just about shopping for food, but it's also an event where you can attend workshops such as "La Recova Nights'' or “The Flavours of La Recova."

Local Member Business Profile

Mokelino Tapas & Cocktails

C.C. Ledesbell, Paseo Maritimo, 17, 

38650 Los Cristianos, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 

Spain

https://www.mokelino.com/

Whenever in Tenerife, drop by at the best tapas restaurant in Los Cristianos. Visit the website to know more and for reservations.

About Us

Mokelino Tapas & Cocktails is a restaurant in Los Cristianos famous for its fresh offerings of Mediterranean dishes and a beach-front relaxing environment.

[warehousestevesworld]

Auckland 2018/19

We spent almost five months in Auckland and visted a few places other than the city centre, here they are.

Devonport

As we got off the bus in the city centre we walked staight into the Christmas street parade. The streets were lined with families ready to show their kids Santa Claus and immerse themselves in the Christmas spirit. Although i love Christmas i was more than happy to leave all the screaming kids behind and spend a day in peace somewhere else.

We took the short but very scenic ferry from Auckland city centre into Devonport harbour to explore the small little town just a stone's throw from Auckland itself. Once we stepped off the it felt as if we'd landed in another country. The town had it's own character which we were instantly drawn to and we both said it felt more like Spain or Greece (Or more like Porvoo old town to the Finns) somewhere like that.

We were both hungry as we walked into town so we stopped off and dived straight into some fish and chips. With our hunger satisfied we left to do the mini hike up Mt Victoria..not the best idea with a belly full of greasy fish and chips but we did it anyway. We were treated to great views of the Auckland city skyline and across to Rangitoto Island. Little toadstool buffets were scattered across the gardens with people getting their much needed instagram shots....including Ria. We took our pictures and left back into the town where we stopped off at a pub for a well earnt pint in the baking afternoon sun...and to make the most of the Wi-Fi to watch a much anticipated boxing match that I'd been hoping to find.

The rest of the trip was spent wandering around the place stopping off at a few shops along the way, a Scandinavian shop was a surprise find, and then back on the sunset ferry into Auckland. A nice change to the boring routine of the city, well worth the day out.

One Tree Hill

We were due to leave Auckland in a few days time and wanted to squeeze one last day trip in before we did. One tree hill is a famous viewpoint situated about a 45 minute bus journey out of the city centre. The 'One tree' doesn't actually exist anymore and a memorial monument stands in it's place.

Once we'd made the journey to the start of the track we walked through a park full of huge trees, people sat having picnics, people walking their dogs. We passed the all too familiar sight (To me anyway) of fields full of Sheep and Cows, before making our way up the steep climb to the summit.

Whilst walking up we saw far too many 'fitness people' attempting to run or fast walk it and i couldn't decide whether they made me feel unfit or make me laugh at the effort they were putting in to get there. Eventually we made it and nearly got blown straight back down as the wind was so strong...my cap nearly took it's own life but was rescued by a fellow tourist.

We took time to enjoy the panoramic views and read the memorial, before slowly making our way back down into the town to enjoy a post workout kebab. 

Rangitoto Island

Today we would hike a volcano...well, a long ago extinct grass covered Volcano, but still. We managed to miss our first ferry so had to wait around for the next one..a 2 hour wait, pretty frustrating. Again the weather was perfect for the hike, if not a bit too warm.

The walk started as soon as we left the ferry. Our thinking was to just start straightaway, get to the summit..enjoy the views, and then enjoy a steady walk down and relax before the ferry back. The hike to the top was steady but tough enough in the heat, around 1 hour 30 mins. The views from the summit were well worth the sweat, and there was plenty of that.

At the too we sat and enjoyed some water and our snacks, then started the walk down, making a stop off to walk through some caves. The walk back down was a lot easier and we had no rush at all so stopped off whenever we liked to take photos and take a drink.

When at the bottom we finished the rest of our food, had a short walk around the area admiring the coastline and distant Auckland skykine, before taking the ferry back to the city.  Another day trip ticked off.

[apartyinmymouth]

I’m a Writer. Yeah, When’s The Last Time You Fucking Wrote?!

It’s been close to three years since I last penned an entry. To be clear, I’ve kept  a journal and written consistently in the interim, mostly introspectively to make  sense of all the changes, good and bad, taking place in my life during the past  1,096 days! (2016 played LeapFrog). To be exact, OUR (my pen, this computer  and the virtual universe’s) last twirl in the series of “Mashariki’s Insane Life Thru Food” occurred on April 7, 2014. Since then I’ve been on, what feels like, one  and half orbits around the moon. More specifically and less dramatically, I’ve  traversed along the terrain of the Sahara and clambered to the peak of the Santa  Lucia Mountains in Big Sur. Accompanied by a panini and cucumber water from  a stout young nun who offered me her homemade beverage after narrowly  escaping what would have been an unplanned game in rescue (or a scene from  Vertigo), climbed the Cupola (551 of the narrowest steps I’d ever walked) to  touch the ceiling of St. Peter’s Basilica. I almost stroked the hand of both God  and Adam in the Vatican but was politely escorted out of the Sistine Chapel for  having snuck a photo (hey, images matter right and this being a bucket list  moment, I took a shot- pun intended), my intuition told me Michelangelo  wouldn’t have mind. I fell in love with Rome!

I ate patatas bravas, cocido madrileño and churros on the streets of Madrid and  meandered along the sidewalks of Istanbul eating kebabs with a group of  friendly strangers. They’re now my friends :-) I discovered Menemen (a Turkish  omelet) might just be my favorite omelet of all time! On a hot day in August  2015, I picked and ate at nauseam, fresh figs off the trees in Provence- Côte  d’Azur (Gordes & Arles) and on the eve of my 37th birthday, drank stout and  sambuca before falling asleep in a medieval castle in Wales. After a decade of  eating, drinking and loving in Paris, last spring I stumbled upon the yummiest  anchovy stuffed olives at a quaint specialty store near the Sorbonne. Mobbing  thru the streets of East London last June with my British by way of Iran - brother-in-food, scarfed down in my opinion, the BEST, most mouth-watering  Indian food outside of any road side in Delhi. (Catford, I may be calling you  home soon) On holiday with friends in the South of France last summer, one  evening for dinner, we drove from Le Muy to Ventimiglia and Sanremo (France to  Italy, approx. 1.5hrs) to feast on the sweetest and most succulent tiger prawns

that side of the Mediterranean. I caressed the palms of Michelangelo’s David  (yes, I felt a tinge between my thighs; his marble hands were so strong) and  managed to go unnoticed by the guards. Alone in my thoughts on a late-night  stroll through Florence, I noshed on pistachio gelato listening to “No Church In The Wild '' LOUDLY while standing in front of the Duomo. I clocked in at 11:39pm to be  exact.  

One afternoon last March sauntering along the alleyways in the Medina (old city)  in Marrakesh, I was introduced to a kindred spirit (a la, Anne of Green Gables)  through a sister and fellow foodie. New friends, we reminisced the day away  over homemade couscous and peppermint tea. Allowing dusk to guide our  movements, the evening met us at a sexy, swanky Riad/hotel sipping on mojitos  and arranging plans for the following day. This sweet soul reminded me of how it  felt to connect with a human on a pure level and proceeded to engage me  during what would prove to be one of the best trips of my life to date. I became  acquainted with his country, culture and traditions. We strolled the sidewalks of  the old city, bargained with the local shop owners for the perfect caftan at an  inexpensive price, devoured handmade donuts because he insisted they were a  must have and we danced into the early morning at a cool discotheque in  downtown. We made love in a private cabin on a train across Morocco…For  Real! I sang (well, attempted to sing) Back to Black and Stay at a speak-easy in  Casablanca (Amy and Rih would give me a big E for effort ;) while my Arabian  Prince cheered along as if it were Ms. Winehouse on stage (told you, kindred  spirit). Our love affair lasted the duration of my trip – a full 11 days and though it  was difficult to say goodbye to that magical place and this sweet gentleman  who remains my dear friend to this day, our time together had come to an end.  People come into our lives for reasons, seasons or lifetimes. It was my  38th birthday holiday and he made me feel like Stella :-)

I returned to the states renewed and overjoyed with the feeling that the only  way to go from there was up! Eight months into a new career, three months after my relocation from New York to Los Angeles and one month after my  return from North Africa, my life shifted yet again. One fateful day last April, on  the drive from LA to Indio, CA for the Coachella music festival, I learned that my  college best friend, my sister, the woman who during our sophomore year at  Temple University taught me how to efficiently pack a suitcase (a method I still  use to this day), my proverbial energy partner in crime had unexpectedly passed  away…one month shy of her 38th birthday. Heartbreak and heartache set in….  HEAVY. This occurrence and what would transpire because of it, is one of those  moments when John Lennon’s famous quote, “Life is What Happens When You’re Busy Making Other Plans' ' takes on a deeper meaning. With every ounce  of my being I did the very best I could to “power through” (catch phrase from  last presidential election) fulfilling my professional obligations and wrapping up the  weekend. I was on the first flight back to New York the following Monday. At her  funeral, I was reunited with an adolescent sweetheart, more of an “old friend” to be honest. Allow me to preface the following revelation with this affirmation- for  the past few years, quietly – calmly- patiently and almost certainly, I held on to a  belief- the belief that the Universe had already shown me who was intended for me, a soul mate so to speak (we’ll dive into this more later) and in time (divine  intervention perhaps) we would become one. Since that moment of  understanding, I’ve loved and loved honestly but somewhere buried deep below  the surface, if things with other people went awry I rested assured and comforted by this belief.

Now for the first time in close to a decade, this belief was being challenged.  Overwhelmed with emotion and disbelief as to the way in which my “friend” and  I were reunited, I’d convinced myself that I’d been wrong all along and that THIS  is truly what the universe wanted for me. That this reconnection was meant to  be, almost ordained by God. I proceeded forward on this new path with an old  flame and happily, readily looked towards our future together. Being of a certain  age, us both and the familiarity of it all, we were on the fast track to official  grown up stuff- Like super, duper fast! Perhaps he’d realized I was the one all  along or maybe we were both just like fuck it, this works- surprisingly enough  and unbeknownst to what I’d thought previously about my future, this – right  here- works! I’m with this! I’m about this!… HA! I tell you, man, I be thinkin’ I  know what the deal is and put forth the best intentions and without fail the  Universe stops me dead in my tracks and presents a situation so detrimental to  the balance of the current dynamic that it becomes impossible for me to remain  on the path I’d set out on without completely comprising my beliefs and values.  On everything, it felt as if she’d whispered into my ear “there are things going on that you’re unaware of…underlying issues that haven’t really come to the surface yet but believe me, things are not what they seem. This right here, not so much!” and since I’m no longer in the practice of confusing the Gods, the Moon  or the Stars with my indecision or ignoring red-flags from jump street and care taking, I stopped it- str8 halt, did an about face and walked away. I got a  glimpse of what my life would look like if I would’ve overlooked this red flag and  remained and realized it wasn’t for me.

Over a bowl of sautéed cockles’ w/ garlic and scallion I pondered an important  life lesson, sentiment can create false realities. Nostalgia, sometimes, is just  that. History, years together, time put in, etc. are fruitless once trust is broken,  boundaries are severely crossed and the connection is gone. We can only co exist, bring value and have meaningful relationships once we’ve become whole  on our own. When we no longer “need” anyone to have purpose, feel worthy,  relevant or complete- when we’ve taken the time to channel our energy inward  toward self-care, self-love and understanding of who we are, that is when we  can truly love someone else and create a lasting connection with another  person. We start to understand how to love correctly – w/out control,  manipulation, fear or hidden agendas. You love someone as they are and accept  them for who they are. There are a plethora of perfectly “put together on the

outside” people, wandering this earth with the most broken souls battling  demons they may never share or deal with. It’s much easier to focus the  attention outward and try and “fix” other people than it is to take that long, hard,  often-times, life-saving look at the person in the mirror and begin the process of  true growth and evolution. Some people are simply afraid to be alone. Being  alone doesn’t necessarily equate to loneliness. I can tell you from first-hand  experience, there is no lonelier feeling than to be with someone or in a  relationship and still feel alone. Herein lies the slow, torturous death and if left  untreated will eventually kill you…your spirit that is.

When I began this virtual diary, almost four and half years ago, I started it out of  necessity. I was engulfed in a deeply toxic, emotionally- spiritually-mentally and  sometimes physically damaging and dangerous relationship. Leading up to the  

birth of this opus, I’d already clocked in two years into what would eventually go  down as one of the most parasitic dynamics I’d ever experienced. By the time I’d  written my first entry in January 2013, the relationship should have long been  over. Boundaries of unprecedented levels had already been crossed, bonds had  been compromised, ties severed and my trust had been broken and then some.  But back thenI didn’t truly understand what self-love meant. All I “knew” was my  perspective of what real love, Ride or Die Love is - hard, intense and  complicated, mistake #1 (The Mis-Education of Mashariki and a million other  people in the world) So I stayed, because I’m a rider and I love hard, it’s us against the world. (for the record, I still subscribe to this mantra but only when  it’s healthy and reciprocated). My word is my bond! I believed I was a highly evolved person, a bit of an intuit who could weather any storm. I was Foolish! to  say the least, and brainwashed probably medicated half the time as I was truly  living in an alternate reality where my mind, needs and values, weren’t my own. I  was being controlled and manipulated at the highest level by a dark energy I’d  never encountered before. Once over a campfire and in a moment of honesty,  said person admitted to being “wicked”, one of the few times they were ever  honest with me. I was blindsided and ill prepared. I knew nothing, much less  what real love really was. (for the record, I’d had several long standing deeply  loving relationships prior to this one but this was something else).

What I was, was an enabler and a care-taker. My relationships for the greater part of  my adult life (good and bad) have been drenched in codependency. I fell in love  with these complicated types, broken souled individuals, some of whom had  difficult lives and felt it was my duty to love them in a way they’d never been  loved before because for the most part, I believed I was good. My love would  awaken their true gifts and help them reach the optimum potential. The lunacy of  my thinking especially considering most people never reach their max potential.  How pompous of me! Who the hell did I think I was, Mother Teresa?! I’m not a  savior, I’m not a martyr, (I am a magical creature, yes;) But I can’t walk on water  and I damn sure can’t save anyone much less help people who aren’t willing to  acknowledge or assume responsibility for themselves. More importantly, I shouldn’t want to! (*cues in J. Cole’s No Role Models) That’s a distraction from  wanting to deal with myself. For the most part, this has been my pattern since I  started dating as a teenager. And then I met my match. The universe gave me  something I thought I wanted and it almost got the best of me.  

Trust and Believe, if I wasn’t who I am at my core, or my foundation wasn’t as  strong as it was through all the bullshit, I would’ve been done. I fell and boy did I  ever fall! My world came crashing down August 2012. At my lowest I was a 113- pound skeleton (stress is the ONLY thing that comes between me and food) I’m  5’8” so you can visualize the distribution of weight or lack thereof. Not cute! I  had my first and only anxiety attack and a few times, felt as if I was having a  nervous breakdown. For the following 2 years, I suffered a series of proverbial  falls until August 2014 when I’d finally had enough. Now, let me be very clear,  I’m no victim- not for one second. I’m awake for real! Everything that I endured,  or allowed to happen, despite someone else’s intentions- good and bad, is on  me! People show you who they really are and if you choose to ignore it and  remain, then perhaps you deserve what you’re given. An interesting study in  interpersonal relationships, nonetheless. By this time, I’d listened to the last lie,  felt the final pangs of betrayal, endured the last act of cruelty and deception. I  said “PEACE THE FUCK OUT” to the narcissist who’d dominated my very  existence up until that point. I processed it, filed it in my memory bank and  closed the book on that volume of The Story of My Life. I’d been in back to back  relationships since I was a teenager and for the first time in my life willingly  began a deeply spiritual relationship with the one person I should’ve had with all  along, ME.

I re-focused my energy, all of it, and turned it inward. No Boyfriends, No love  interests, No Dates, No desire for attention from anyone outside of my family or  focus my energy on anything or anyone aside from Mashariki. I was liberated. I  was free. For the first time in my life I felt in control, real control of me! My  emotions, my process, I started to see the world through a different lens and gained  a genuine sense of self awareness, I’d never had before. The more work I did on  myself, the happier I became, the freer I felt. The more I started to learn and  educate myself on Codependency, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, etc. the more I wanted to spread truth anyway I could. I recognized when someone  was projecting their issues onto others and instead of holding them, I allowed  everyone to be responsible for themselves, own their own “stuff”, including me.  By no means am I trying to sound like an Oracle, I’m just a girl who’s been on a  quest for real knowledge of self, people and the world. I just wanted to start  loving and protecting Mashariki and show her how much I value her! I made a  promise to never abandon her again and never allow situations to compromise  her beliefs, boundaries and expectations she has for herself. I found the courage  to walk away, something I couldn’t do in previous years. I cut the “cancer” out  of my life once and for all.

Six months free from my addiction (to bad love that is lol) while in France for my  birthday and the Paris Fashion Week overlap, I started spotting (light bleeding).  Then the spotting turned a bit heavier. I called my doctor and scheduled an  appointment immediately upon my return home. On the examination table in Dr.  Berg’s office and after having had both external and internal sonograms, three  large fibroids the size of oranges were detected on my uterus. Fuck me, man!  Like, why?! Can a bitch get a break?! I’m like “Is this punishment for early masturbation, for being too juicy, What?!” I calmed down, quelled the  melodrama and learned that this was quite common in women. In my case, it’s  genetic. Two of my first cousins and two aunts were diagnosed with the same  thing years before. Clearly, the universe thinks I’m made of Teflon and can  survive anything! Well, I scheduled my surgery for Friday December 18, roughly  2 weeks before the end of 2015 and gave Dr. Berg the green light to cut the  bitches out. I recall the holidays that year being especially pleasant and  peaceful. During my post-op visit, Doc confirmed the surgery was a tremendous  success. He told me I healed like a champion and in record time (2 weeks total)  and that my uterus was strong! I guess I had the best kind of fibroids since they  attached outside as opposed to inside, so no incisions in utero, no scar tissue to  form making it difficult for a fertilized egg to attach. I’m still very much able to  have babies! Hallelujah!!!

So, it’s the beginning of a New Year, 2016 to be exact. My heart is clear, my  mind is clear and now my body is clearrrrrr! I truly feel like a new person. My  aura is renewed :-) My frequency is high again and I’m living in gratitude every  single day of my life. As I mentioned before, when I started this diary, it was  meant to give me a voice. Even if no one read it, it served as an outlet for me to  explore and/or dissect my life objectively. Deal with the internal pain I was  feeling and offer something positive to focus my energy on outside of day to day  work. As the years progressed and my responsibilities shifted, the journaling for  “public consumption” declined, I guess but I never stopped Eating, Praying or  Loving! I shifted careers a bit, accepted a new job and moved to LA. As much  as I loved all the changes in my life, somewhere deep inside I knew that I as  putting my dreams and wishes on hold, maybe for financial security (a false  sense of security because nothing is guaranteed) or perhaps I no longer needed  this portal as I was healing and establishing my voice again in real time.

I’ve been to more countries and visited more cities in the last three years than I  had in my entire life. Last year alone I visited five new countries and returned to  several. I’ve loved again and lost again. But here’s the irony in all this (I’m a  Pisces, the ultimate dreamer- intuit) Earlier In this exchange, I started on this  idea of soul mates. Through it all, the ups & downs, highs and lows, loves and  losses etc. deep in the pit of my belly I believed that my soul had been  connected to someone else. Far away, in the distance, a connection rarely  spoken of, I knew that at one point, my spirit had me it’s true mate. Every time  since then that I attempted to quell the feeling and open myself up to a different love or connection, as each of those experiences came to an end, my belief was  reinforced. Now, soul connections are a peculiar thing because most people  never make that connection. The few of us who are fortunate enough to meet  that level of soul parallels the likelihood that it would manifest into real life  partnership is that of legend. It’s the fairy tale! It’s as if the stars must align in  perfect divinity. Soul connection is a once in a lifetime occurrence and it can last  a second or an eternity. It’s rare! As rare as it is to score a last-minute table for  two at Le Coucou at 8:30pm on a Friday Night. Consider yourself very lucky ;-)  So we move forward, loving other people to the deepest levels we can and have  great relationships with them. Life is all about timing. Timing is everything!

I’m not a wizard and I don’t have a pied-à-terre in Oz. I’d be hard pressed to  even attempt to convince you that I’ve been this enlightened on this level for  years. Absolutely Not! I’ve messed up more times than I’ve gotten it right. I’ve  obsessed over things, I’ve been a control freak, manipulative though not  deceptively, I’ve hurt and been hurt. But overall, I’ve always done my best to do  unto others as I would want done to me and I’ve never intentionally wronged  anyone! Karma’s a bitch and definite. Energy is real and what we emit into the  universe most certainly finds its way back to us. The biggest lesson I have  learned through all of this and over the years in general, is very simple. Take It  Easy, Baby! What is meant for you will always be for you. It may take forever to  find its way, but it will always be for you. What isn’t, no matter how much you  fight, hold on, and do your best to control the outcome, will never be for you. All  holding on does is block your blessings and the bounty that the mother universe  wants to bestow upon you. Maktab – It Was Written.

I know this isn’t one of my funnier or more salacious entries but I felt an  explanation for my three-year hiatus was in order. I’m back and better than I  was before I ever started writing. For what it’s worth, these past two years have  been some of the best years of my 39 trips around the sun and I got stories to  last several lifetimes. And guess what?! I’m still alive, loving and eating very well! Back to the laughs, food-gasams and bloopers. I’m excited to share them  all with you again. It feels so good to be home! I finally got out of my own way :- ) - APIMM

Playlist for this entry from my schizophrenic IPod (Yup, I still have one)

“YeYo” -Erykah Badu “Beauty” -Dru Hill “For The First Time” -Maya “I’m Still Waiting” -Jodeci “You Remind Me” -Mary J. Blige “(No One Knows Me) Like the Piano” -Sampha “Weary” -Solange “Cranes in the Sky” -Solange “Junie” -Solange “Intentions” –Terri & Monica “U Don’t Have to Call” –Erykah Badu “What’s Your Phone Number” –Erykah Badu “Hold Up” –Beyoncé “Burn Slow” –Ro James “Already Knew That” –Ro James “Get Away” –The Internet “Girl” –The Internet feat. KAYTRANDA “All About Me” –Syd “Trippin” – Total “Brujas” –Princess Nokia “All For The Love” -The Lox  “Nigga What, Nigga Who” -JAY Z “Shining” -DJ Khaled feat Beyoncé & JAY Z “Formation” -Beyoncé “Tomboy” -Princess Nokia “I’m Better” -Missy Elliot feat. Lamb “Heard It All Before” -Sunshine Anderson “Optimistic” -Sounds of Blackness “Keep The Faith” -Faith Evans  “Just Right For Me” -Monica feat. Lil Wayne   “Faux Friends” -Hooligan Rad Guitar 5 “Money Dance” -Rick Ross feat. The-Dream “Cinnamon Apple” -Fabolous  “Neighbors” -J. Cole “Foldin Clothes” -J. Cole “Riot” -Childish Gambino “Call Me” -Tweet “Jam Jam (If You Can)” -The Gyrlz “Your Sweetness” -The Good Girls “Dress You Up” -Madonna “Do Ya Wanna Funk” -Sylvester “Ritual Union” -Little Dragon “I Know You, I Live You” -Chaka Khan “Wind Parade” -Donald Byrd “Cherish the Day” -Robert Glasper feat. Lalah Hathaway “Hello” -Erykah Badu & Andre 3000

[jbinbcn]

Palma de Mallorca

18 & 21.07.2019

I’ve visited a little bit of Mallorca but here I’ll write only about the capital - Palma.

Well, the airport in Palma - I think the biggest in my life (ok, maybe Madrid) but I was so surprised. I didn’t expect that. So if you plan to fly to Palma have in mind that you need some time to get from place A to place B. And by night only taxi - it’s quite organized but at the same time expensive ~30euro to the center.

About the port - from Valencia for sure there are cruises and it’s during the night, around 7h, like Ibiza. And it’s not cheaper (depends), but if you have your moto it’s better option. Mallorca is perfect for a moto adventure.

I can not recommend any hostel because we slept in - CAMPER VAN! (we found it on airbnb, it’s perfect when you are a group of 4 and want to see more than Palma)

And to be honest wasn’t hard to park up. Outside of the city (to sleep better) - https://goo.gl/maps/uENTXNQai55qaRhE8 It was a huge parking with always free place.

And in the city we parked up on the Carrer Jaon Maragall.

And inside? It was cool! I was afraid that will be too hot during the day, and too cold during the night - nope! Was really nice, the bed quite comfortable (we had 2 double beds), the shower is bigger than those in some flats, just the warm water finished or something but it was last day so no drama. And the worst thing - toilet. I MEAN THE CLEANING. omg it was super disgusting to take it out xD From that shock I cleaned my hands in the sun cream by accident xD Not recommended...

(sorry, I’m speaking in polish, but maybe maybe you will get it xD)

So what to see in Palma de Mallorca? Well... not a lot 🙈

We spent few hours in total. Like this first day maybe 3-4h and then last night but more to drink and have fun.

But I recommend to enter Tourist Info and take a map with the spots. But seriously it’s 3-4h “con calma”.

The center is cute, the streets are very narrow and old.

Aaaaa and I would forget. Mallorca is German-English island.... Like everywhere you see and hear English/German...

The most important thing to see is Cathedral. It’s huuuuuge. They built it almost 400 years! Only 6.600 m2.... The aisle has 44m and it’s the second the highest in the world (first Beauvais in France). The most impressing thing are stained glasses - if you like those things - check in Google because there is something special about them. The entrance is 4 euro and the queue was like 2h standing - no gracias.

If you wanna take part in a mass. But better to check the hours online because it changes for sure.

So the visiting is focused to make a circle around the Cathedral xD And then you see everything.

But ok, there were more points to see. And you can be as well a lazy tourist.

Palma is very green city. And full of palms so kind of paradise for polish people ;) 

 very green as I said xD

Look at the ship! It was huuuge! And soooo close! The ships will always impress me.

OK, so that’s all what I saw there during the day. Then we went to see the best part of the island - caves! (There will be second post about it)

And then we came back here for the last night so a little bit about night life in Palma.

Sunday, July, night - so boring xD But I think we were just unlucky or lost in the wrong part of the city. First we tried very traditional food - kebab xD And then we went to look for the partyyyyyy. But we didn’t find it.

Generally - Santa Catalina quarter - bars, clubs, night life. We did a pub crawling, like walking and entering the bars which looked nice. The thing was - everything was full of “old” German and British tourists. WHERE ARE THE YOUNG ONES?!?! We didn’t find them... But then we found some salsa club and there we stayed till our brain and eyes had enough XD I mean, watching drunk +50 British women trying to repeat the movements of Latin young girls - like twerking etc - well... too much.

But the city is beautiful during the night. The lights, water and palms <3

So that’s all about Palma de Mallorca. There will be more about the caves!

[asentientlife-blog]

A Letter to Life

Hi Life, I’d like to write you a letter after being around a while! Dear Life and Anyone Reading, This is my point of view after many experiences. I hope my daughter gets to read It, she is foremost in my mind as I write. Here is my list.... Always be kind Say Thank you, in fact write a hand written note and say “Thank you".  Making the effort it really does mean you are full of thanks! Aim to turn left on a plane but don’t give your heart away to do it! Always tip a cab driver Never queue for food but always give back to others who have too Always Listen Learn from others who’ve been before you Your heart will be broken, probably a few times, it is shit but honestly everyone in your life will have the same experience at some point. Trust your heart, your head can and will be a little biased sometimes.  Your gut feeling will tell you! Follow that feeling. Dreams do come true, just believe in them and never ever stop striving for them! Anything is possible. Loading a dishwasher is a work of art! Good luck! It’s ok to cry, it really is. Be honest, with others but firstly and most importantly with yourself, you’ll then find the answers! Don’t take any s**t nor bullying, just smile and walk away, you are better, it’s their stuff not yours! Santa is real. Break the rules! Skip! Cheat at monopoly, then admit it! Learn to trust. Be trustworthy. Actions speak louder than any words! In a world of Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat and the rest, it’s easy to write words, be the change – Do something but do it selflessly without any return. That’s the gift. You are going to get fired one day – That’s ok, learn, grow and know it’s ok. Laugh, a lot. Running is bloody hard work! Never walk past a homeless person without giving a moment of your time to have a conversation, sometimes that’s enough. Drugs are bad, they make you who you are not! Cost a fortune and will kill you in the end, if only in your spiritual soul. Trust me. Always have flowers in your home. Eat the cake! If yu are in trouble , it’s ok, be honest, reach out and asking for help is just fine. Be proud of YOU! Own a pet! Buy a blank canvas and paint and make your own picture. It’s yours for life. Hiccups Brown bag or carrier bag, breath in and out of it for a couple of minutes, hiccups gone! Trust me on this I’ve tried everything! Cereal for dinner is wholly acceptable! It’s ok to struggle sometimes. It’s ok to tell someone you are struggling. Look out for your friends. Call some one and make their day Toothache is horrific! You are never ever going to please everyone – trust me I tried, bad bad idea, just be you. YOU are enough. YOU are YOU! Be YOU! What you wear does not define YOU! I work with the biggest star in the world, he wears jeans and a jumper! Sometimes even a t shirt, Actually both with holes in, it’s not what is on the outside it’s what’s on the inside! You’ll always regret the kebab! Have no fear, on the other side of it is a freedom you’ll not believe! You got this! If You book a holiday with wooden sunbeds you are winning ! Stretch your arm out, touch the wall with the tip of your fingers, take it back, rub your elbow for 2 minutes, try and touch the wall again and it won’t reach the wall! You’ll do this and you can thank me later! You will never ever get the wires behind your TV neat and tidy! Read a book. You will be a creature of habit! Change the habit now and then! Love yourself Dunk a biscuit in a cuppa tea. Lose your biscuit in a cuppa tea! Being famous is not the greatest thing in life ! You only have today. Forgive. Laugh at yourself. Dance to music on your own. Nobody’s watching! The scone/scone debate will drive you mad but it’s always jam before the cream! Stand up for what you believe in. Hold your friends close. Go to the gym, even for a look around! Copy and paste! Tap water is as good as any water and it’s free! Treat yourself before you treat anyone else. Its ok to screw up, trust me I hold the record! A roof over your head, food in your mouth, heating, a tv and music is all you will ever need. But strive to be better! Sometimes step back and wait and see before reacting, not everything is what it seems. Hug don’t handshake. There is nothing more powerful than a hug. Progression not perfection! We have the power to make our day beautiful and change that of another’s. Be that change! Why? Because you can! Remember your passwords! Go to Vegas, the Maldives, Blackpool, Brighton, Scotland and to Ikea on a Sunday! Start everything from a foundation of love, Have boundaries Eat butterscotch Angel delight! Don' beat yourself up, you are doing just  fine. Empower people. Spare battery around the house  along with lights bulbs are a necessity. Don' hurt people to better yourself.  One day they will be able to better you. Be real. Melted ice cream is better than any other ice cream. Support a football team! It's a life constant  you'll hold forever. (May I suggest  Liverpool FC!) Go to Santorini. Throw the odd socks away! Smoking is not cool, will cost you a fortune and a life. Do the right thing! Book a last-minute holiday. A PowerPoint presentation is boring. Fall asleep during the above, nobody will blame YOU! Dance on a table! Men - Buy the best shaver.  Ladies...it' ours not yours! Self love is everything. Kindness and thoughtfulness, it’s a brilliant starting line. Have the best day and thank you for reading. Yes I’ve just eaten cake! Read the full article

[dailynynews-blog]

The Best Fusion Tacos in Los Angeles

New Post has been published on https://www.usatelegraph.com/2018/best-fusion-tacos-los-angeles/

The Best Fusion Tacos in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has more than its fair share of authentic Mexican tacos, but it’s also have the richest selection of fusion tacos with flavors from around the world. Whether you like your tortilla made with flour or corn and stuffed with Korean bulgogi, North African pozole tagine or Mediterranean kebabs with tzatziki, you’ll find amazing taste sensations to discover.

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Mondo Taco

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Mondo Taco translates as Taco World, and they aim to provide as many world flavors as possible wrapped in their handmade corn tortillas. (For the gluten-intolerant out there, note that they use a little flour in their regular corn tortillas, but they have gluten free and paleo options available on request.). Offerings range from El Greco, with lamb, tzatziki and diced tomato and the Amore with grilled chicken breast, bruschetta and pesto sauce to Tokyo Shrimp, Bayou Fish, Taj Majal coconut shrimp, Thailicious chicken with chipotle peanut sauce or the Yo Adrian ribeye with provolone. All variations are also available in a wrap or a bowl. Sides include cabbage, horseradish slaw, and hot or cold quinoa in addition to the more traditional chips and salsa and guacamole. As a bonus, they have a nice patio and serve beer, wine, and margaritas.

  02of 14

Kogi Korean Tacos

•••

Roy Choi’s original Korean-Mexican Kogi BBQ truck is still an LA favorite with four trucks on the road, but his signature specialties are now also available at the Alibi Room near Culver City and the Kogi Taqueria in Palms. Tacos have corn tortillas, slaw, cilantro, onions, salsa roja and a choice of short rib, bbq chicken, spicy pork or tofu. Korean-themed mulitas, quesadillas and burritos are also on the menu as well as a selection of bowls and sliders.

  03of 14

Komodo

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The Komodo franchise was created by Indonesian-born, East LA-raised, Cordon Bleu-trained chef, Erwin Tjahyadi. The Asian-Mexican fusion street food with a little French technique thrown in started in a truck, but is now available at two brick and mortar locations in Pico-Roberson and Venice. The truck is only brought out for catering events these days. The four taco Killer Combo gives you a chance to try four different fusion tacos from Singaporean-style shrimp or Indonesian-style pork rendang braised in coconut milk to Hawaiian seared Angus ground beef patty with pineapple teriyaki sauce, white rice and sunny-side up egg; Deep fried fish and grapes; or chicken with marinated oranges, among others. Salads and dinner plates are also available.

  04of 14

Revolutionario

•••

When you read this, North-African-influenced Revolutionario may or may not have a physical location, since their original Exposition Park location was sold out from under them, but if they don’t currently have a fixed location, keep a look out for the Revolutionario on Wheels food truck. Corn tortillas can be topped with duck hash; pozole tagine with lamb, beef, chicken, hominy and vegetables; smoked lamb; black-eyed pea falafel and more. Burritos, quesadillas and bowls are also available. Follow @ChefZadi on twitter to keep up with what’s going on.

05of 14

Kaya Street Kitchen

Kaya Street Kitchen is frequently referred to as a Southeast Asian inspired Chipotle because you choose your platform of non-GMO flour roti taco, whole wheat burrito, rice or noodle bowl, or salad, then choose your protein, then your veggie toppings and sauces. Proteins include grilled chicken satay, shrimp and pork meatballs, coconut lemongrass beef, or tofu.

  06of 14

TLT Food

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TLT Tacos – named in honor of its predecessor, The Lime Truck – calls itself “New American cuisine without boundaries”. Taco flavors include sweet & spicy steak with Asian slaw; beef short ribs with horseradish crema; pork belly with mojo sauce; and grilled ahi tuna with honey-chipotle sauce. Other specialties include the ahi poke bowl or chimi noodle bowl; a short rib grilled cheese on sourdough; and a quesadilla with pork belly, sweet potato or short rib, in addition to more traditional options. They also serve craft beer, keg and specialty bottled wine.

TLT Food has additional locations in Pasadena and in Orange County in Irvine and Newport Beach.

  07of 14

Cha Cha Chili Asian/Korean

•••

Another contender on the Korean-Mexican stage is Cha Cha Chili, which is basically a burger and taco stand with outdoor seating located next to a car wash in an industrial area in El Sereno. You’re not likely to stumble upon it by accident unless you live in the area, however, fans make the pilgrimage for the seriously good Korean-Mexican specialties. In addition to their Kimchee quesadilla, bulgogi beef, kalbi short rib and spicy pork tacos, burritos, chimichangas and Hawaiian bread sliders, there are chicken, battered fish and tofu options and Korean or Chorizo Angus burgers. There’s even a Korean Philly Cheese Steak.

  08of 14

Mandoline Grill Food Truck

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Mandoline Grill is a Vietnamese food truck that includes Vietamese fusion tacos in corn tortillas with your choice of meat topped with fresh cucumber slices, pickled carrot and daikon, cilantro, and sriracha aioli. They also serve bun (rice vermicelli noodles), bahn mi (baguette sandwiches) and Vietnamese nachos topped with meat, jalapeno, mint, cilantro, scallion oil and sriracha oil. Their schedule is listed on their website about a week at a time.

09of 14

The KooKoo Grill

The KooKoo Grill in Bellflower, south of LA, is a Japanese-Mexican fusion. They only offer two meats in their tacos, chicken or beef, both topped with cucumbers, onions, teriyaki sauce, sesame seeds and hot sauce, with avocados available as an add on. You can also get the same combo wrapped as a burrito or as a bowl or plate. The California burrito is teriyaki beef, french fries, 1000 island, pico, guacamole, lettuce, and hot sauce. The full menu includes salads, noodles, fried fish and shrimp, and the house special Kookoo Ball, a deep-fried fried rice ball resembling Italian arancini.

The original owners sold the Bellflower location and opened another KooKoo Grill in Anaheim. They both get stellar reviews.

  10of 14

White Boy Tacos

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White Boy Tacos is one guy with a cart who can be found at his regular spot in front of 740 South Broadway most nights from 9 or 10 pm to 3 am. The guy is Ben, who puts his unique spin on tacos like whiskey marinated steak with hash browns; BBQ pork with bacon and coleslaw; Albariño and Dijon marinated tilapia; sake marinated chicken breast with scrambled eggs, pepper and onions; and orange juice marinated tofu and grilled banana.

  11of 14

HomeState

HomeState is on this list, rather than my Best Authentic Tacos list because they’re hipster Austin-style Tex-Mex, rather than pure Mexican. They’re especially known for their breakfast tacos on fresh tortillas, including non-traditional options like the Blanco with organic egg whites, mushrooms and jack cheese. Other options include Austin-style chips and queso, Texas toast, Frito Pie in a Bag, or Kale Cabbage Salad. They also serve Cuvée Coffee imported from Austin, Mexican Coke and Hibiscus Limeade. Expect challenging parking and long lines especially for weekend breakfast/brunch.

  12of 14

Trois Familia

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Under a rainbow sign in a Sunset Blvd strip mall in Silver Lake, you’ll find the French-Mexican concept from celebrity chef Ludo Lefebvre, Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo. Open for breakfast and lunch, the only actual tacos on the menu are the double decker potato tacos with lime, crème fraiche, carrot pico and jack cheese. The menu is not completely meat-free, but  concoctions like the beet tartare tostada and carrot mole enchiladas find favor with vegetarians. Compared to other fusion tacos on this list, servings are quite small for the price. 18% service charge is added to all bills. No additional tipping is necessary.

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Kabob Express Fusion Truck – Mediterranean

The Kabob Express Fusion Truck offers traditional Mediterranean food in a pita, or you can choose from the Mexi-terranean Tacos, including a choice of chicken kabobs, shawarma, gyro slices or falafel in soft corn tortillas with hummus, pico de gallo, lemon juice and salsa, served with a side of dill cucumber salad and tzaziki sauce. Also available as a burrito. They don’t seem to have a website, but can often be found in Santa Monica at lunchtime on Food Truck Row at 31st and Ocean Park.

  14of 14

Falasophy

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Falasophy doesn’t just fuse Lebanese with Mexican in their Spicy Modern Tacos with falafel, avocado, pickled red cabbage, cilantro garlic-crema, house-pickled jalapeños in a flour tortilla. They also serve Banh Mi inspired Pita with pickled daikon and carrots, fresh cilantro, jalapeños garlic sauce or tahini with chicken shawarma or falafel. The rest of the menu is pretty traditional Lebanese.

[ozsaill]

Colombia for cruisers: a different attraction

It wasn’t many years ago that Colombia was considered dangerous to visit: cruisers lured by pretty Venezuelan islands towards South America rarely made the hop next door. While care must be taken, the story has flipped: improved domestic stability makes Colombia a relatively secure destination and economic collapse had turned Venezuela into a no-go zone.

We arrived in Santa Marta, Colombia with plans to stay not much more than a week: just long enough for Jamie to fly up to Puerto Rico for rigging work on a friends’s boat, a quick overland trip to Cartagena, and then we’d be off. Delays getting watermaker parts threw a wrench in that (what started as an overnight delivery from St Thomas to Puerto Rico took nearly three weeks to reach us in Colombia). That’s just part of cruising, and it turns out it was a gift: there was more to enjoy every day we extended. Here’s what stands out: the landscape, people, food,  culture, and more that made Colombia a vibrant and memorable stop.

Sierras not seas

Cruising gives us many opportunities to experience warm, clear water and sunny clean beaches…neither of which are abundant in the Colombia we saw. Sewage from Santa Marta runs into the bay, and while the beaches were packed with domestic holiday goers in December and January—they didn’t look much more appealing than the water. On the other hand: as a visitor, Colombia’s inland scenery is stunning. Among the highest coastal mountain ranges in the world, the Sierra Nevada present a dramatic horizon upon arrival and beg exploring.

Weaving into the foothills on a two-lane road, bustle of Santa Marta faded with startling rapidity and the quiet rhythm of early morning in the countryside descended. Mairen, Siobhan and I traveled a couple of hours east to Buritaca for horseback riding, fulfilling a Christmas promise. Clearing the limits of town, gaining altitude, the jungle crept closer. Villages sprang up as clusters around the main road and enveloped our senses. Just steps from the narrow motorway were vendors cooking fragrant sausages over charcoal, flipping the ubiquitous arepa (a maize flour patty) on a griddle, and serving hot tinto (Colombian coffee) to wash them down. At one roadstead stop, a Kogi family—an indigenous people to the Sierra Nevada—got in, startlingly different in all-white homespun clothes, small stature and features. Mere days into our stay, it was startling to see indigenous people preserving what appeared to be a strictly traditional way of life despite close access to development.

Photo, Dwayne Reilander; licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International

Rio Buritaca runs from the Sierra Nevadas to the ocean. Our ride was planned for time on the beach and time in the river, but king tides took most of the beach away (temporarily!) and heavy rains overnight made horses balk at the swollen rio. Jungle trail it is, then!

Mairen has always felt perfectly at home on the back of a horse

Siobhan’s horse refused to cross one edge of the river until led by the guide

Another morning we headed directly inland to Minca, a village almost directly inland at about 2,000’ elevation. Again, the city quickly fell away: hiking to visit an organic coffee plantation opened spectacular views.

On the trail with the Utopia II crew… and horses carrying firewood

Up into the clouds: at least the elevation kept the temperature down.

Coffee ripening at the organic ‘finca’ (farm) of La Candelaria

In each case, the buses were cheap- just a few dollars to be transported into a new and marvelous landscape. For cruisers with more time and bigger budgets, the Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) is a four to six-day trek into these mountains to an archaeological site that predates Machu Picchu, more than 20 miles through the mountains and Kogi villages. Probably abandoned during the Spanish conquest, it was once a city of thousands.

Historic and cultural interest

Indigenous tradition layered with Spanish influence create a richer, more nuanced, and vibrantly presented way of life than we’ve seen in a long time. For all their unique qualities, after a while I confess that many of the Caribbean islands blend together as variations on a theme: it seems our traveling spirits thrive on learning from the new. Colombia was a welcome whiplash of streaming language, arts, literature, history… all playing into the experiences awaiting. And then, the Old Town in Cartagena de Indias is simply spectacular. A couple of days there was only enough to tease.

Kids listen (mostly) to the Cartagena Free Tours guide in Old Town: more informative than the tour we paid for!

Cartagenas inquisition museum, the seat of a perfect record for executing 100% of those accused of witchcraft or heresy – 800 over about 250 years

Culinary imprint

Tastes enhance the memory of a place, and Colombia added a few in particular. You cannot go to Colombia without eating arepas (well, you could, but it would be very wrong!). My favorite was con huevo, a fried egg tucked within; con queso a close second. Paired with a sizzling chorizo from a streetside vendor, that’s better fast food than any chain!

Arepas vary regionally: these thicker cheese arepas were sold on the street in Cartagena.

Patacones (twice-fried green plantain slices) are standard accompaniments to a meal. Colombia produces more arabica beans than any country in the world, and coffee is woven into culinary culture: vendors push carts laden with thermoses down the street, paused by Colombianos to buy a caffeine jolt in small cups.

We fell into the habit the Almuerzo Ejecutivo, Executive Lunch. It includes a soup starter, a main course of rice, beans, patacones, and your choice from the chalkboard selection of the days stews and grilled meat, and served with a fresh juice. It costs less than a Starbucks coffee. Perhaps the bandeja paisa, farmer’s plate, a sampler with a range of dishes (below) is more; still less than a latte. Shoehorned in among lively tables in establishments set up in the street front room of a family home (restaurant sign optional), listening to street musicians play for small change while taste buds were treated to a sampler of Colombian cooking.

Colombian lunch of champions, the Bandeja Paisa: SO GOOD

Affordable

After so many months in more expensive Caribbean islands, it was good to be in back in low-cost-of-living territory. Groceries are a big chunk of our monthly budget, and Colombia helped bring the average down again. It also afforded little luxuries we’d forgo elsewhere. Multi-course lunch? Around $3-$4. Why not get a break from cutting my own hair when a fancy salon is just $11, including the coffee? Packed kebabs from a street vendor—marinated beef, chicken, and vegetables—only a dollar? One per person carried steaming back home to Totem made for an easy dinner.

On the other hand: staying in the marina, a security necessity, was not cheap…but could have been worse.

Warm people

At every turn Colombians were engaging and helpful. Our Spanish is basic at best, and in everyday life the Colombians we met rarely spoke English. It wasn’t an obstacle: friendliness and interest saw every interaction through, with a little help from Google translate and a pocket dictionary. When I had my hair cut in a salon, none of the staff spoke English but found another patron who could translate enough to ensure they understood my wishes. Our Spanish skills improved daily.

Arriving between Christmas and New Year’s opened a peek into a vital, family-centered domestic life. Santa Marta is a destination for Colombians on holiday, and they know how to take time out: the beach was packed with families. Vendors pitching tourists weren’t focused on hawking wares to us gringos as much as their fellow sudamericanos. It was hard to tell weekends from weekdays in the busy marina, where local powerboats daily transported multi-generational families with coolers and platters and nightly cranked up the tunes for dockside entertainment.

It’s always about the people, isn’t it?

More to follow on our experiences in Colombia…meanwhile a few more pictures.

Kids displaying classic ABM face – Another Bloody Museum

Third-generation coffee grower sharing his favorite method to prepare the beverage… what do you think?

Resident toucan at La Candelaria.

An education on politics, economics, agriculture learning about the farm.

  from Sailing Totem http://ift.tt/2nVuSVf via IFTTT

[jeromenathen]

One Day, One Place, Santa Cruz: A beach town like no other

A weathered, gray-haired guy lugging a weathered black guitar case and a black folding chair lumbers up. No place else has its swirl, its mix of redwood-shadowed, wave-washed natural beauty and its alchemic blend of residents and visitors — the surfers at Steamer Lane, the guitar strummers and sculptors, the UC Santa Cruz marine scientists, the getting-sunburned-crowds-screaming at the thrill rides on the Boardwalk, the solitary sunset hiker at Natural Bridges State Beach, peering out into Monterey Bay and thinking, Is that a whale? — and then answering, yes. For something more substantial, head to the restaurant side for items like the Buttery Benny — their excellent version of eggs Benedict — or huevos rancheros. Another option, in the Seabright neighborhood, is tidy, yellow-and-blue Linda’s Seabreeze Cafe. Omelets (like the Castroville, with artichoke hearts, tomatoes and cheese) are the standouts here, and be sure to bring cash, because they don’t take credit cards. With its historic, faux-historic and contemporary buildings, downtown Santa Cruz remains one of the most aesthetically pleasing business districts in California. Art is handled by installations like “We Who Work,” beautiful tapestries and mixed-media prints by Chinese artist Hung Liu (this runs through June 25). History gets its own floor, filled with exhibits on the people who shaped Santa Cruz city and county, from the Ohlone tribe to loggers and farmworkers and ’60s commune dwellers. Make sure to go up to the third-floor outdoor sculpture garden, which has a lofty view of downtown. [...] there is Bookshop Santa Cruz, the very model of what a good independent bookstore should be: ample, welcoming, well-stocked with books ranging from best-sellers to Santa Cruz history. Just outside the bookstore stands another gem: a small kiosk selling cones and cups from Santa Cruz’s own Penny Ice Creamery (the main store is a few blocks away). In other words, you can read the book you’ve just bought while eating a New Orleans Coffee/ Salted Butter Toffee double scoop cone. At first glance, the collection of former Brussels sprouts packing houses (and newer buildings that look like former Brussels sprouts packing houses) seems an unlikely locale for creative shopping and dining. If you’re in need of caffeine, hit local roaster Verve, where powerful single-origin coffees are served in a light-filled setting. (They have equally appealing cafes downtown and in Seabright.) If you’re in need of caffeine and sumptuous baked goods, try Kelly’s French Bakery, which among other items serves phenomenal bread pudding. (Kelly’s also has sandwiches and the like, too, if you don’t want to head straight to dessert.) For carnivores, El Salchichero is an artisan butcher shop that will sell you wagyu beef, pushing-the-envelope cured meats (e.g. lavender and rose salami), chutneys and barbecue sauces. West End Tap Room and Kitchen offers a half-dozen of their own beers and ales, plus more choices from other brewers, and a menu that ranges from salads to flatbreads to ribs and pasta. Cameron Marks offers elegantly curated housewares and jewelry, Illuminee elegantly displayed light fixtures. Run by UCSC, Seymour Marine Discovery Center is a nice alternative to the Monterey Bay Aquarium on the opposite side of the bay: much smaller, and much less crowded, it has exhibits that provide an intimate and kid-friendly introduction to the crabs and jellies and sharks that inhabit Monterey Bay. Just to its east, Natural Bridges State Beach has the picturesque rock arch that earns the park its name, along with unusually good tide pools. From here, you can take the bay-hugging path along West Cliff Drive to the fun little Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, where you can also watch wetsuited surfers thronging the swells at Steamer Lane. Santa Cruz is many things, but lovers of amusement parks know it primarily for the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the 110-year-old home of charming carousels (the 1911 Looff) and the kind of thrill rides that after one go-round you swear you will never ride again until two minutes later when you decide you will. Boardwalk news this year includes a new $12 million main entrance and an important cinematic anniversary: this is the 30th birthday of the spooky, pre-Jack Bauer Kiefer Sutherland movie “Lost Boys,” many scenes of which were filmed at the Boardwalk. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center is a terrific counterpoint to the Seymour center; its exhibits and films will take you deep beneath Monterey Bay. [...] the Picnic Basket serves some of Santa Cruz’s best salads and sandwiches, not to mention Penny ice cream. Downtown, 515 Kitchen and Cocktails pours a mean Corpse Reviver No. 2 (made with both gin and absinthe), among other powerful potables. For dinner, Laili, also downtown, serves Afghan/Mediterranean food (garlic lime beef filet kebab) in one of the city’s most glamorous settings. [...] back on the Westside, stylish Bantam has a menu that varies seasonally, but you’ll always find intriguing entrees like clam and halibut stew with chickpeas, and a number of tasty pizza options. [...] Santa Cruz has more than its share of evening entertainment spots. Kuumbwa Jazz Center is one of Northern California’s best jazz venues, and the Catalyst has been hosting rockers, established and aspiring, for decades.

from Travel News and Features http://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/One-Day-One-Place-Santa-Cruz-A-beach-town-like-11078824.php

[dailynynews-blog]

The Best Fusion Tacos in Los Angeles

New Post has been published on https://www.dailynynews.com/2018/best-fusion-tacos-los-angeles/

The Best Fusion Tacos in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has more than its fair share of authentic Mexican tacos, but it’s also have the richest selection of fusion tacos with flavors from around the world. Whether you like your tortilla made with flour or corn and stuffed with Korean bulgogi, North African pozole tagine or Mediterranean kebabs with tzatziki, you’ll find amazing taste sensations to discover.

01of 14

Mondo Taco

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Mondo Taco translates as Taco World, and they aim to provide as many world flavors as possible wrapped in their handmade corn tortillas. (For the gluten-intolerant out there, note that they use a little flour in their regular corn tortillas, but they have gluten free and paleo options available on request.). Offerings range from El Greco, with lamb, tzatziki and diced tomato and the Amore with grilled chicken breast, bruschetta and pesto sauce to Tokyo Shrimp, Bayou Fish, Taj Majal coconut shrimp, Thailicious chicken with chipotle peanut sauce or the Yo Adrian ribeye with provolone. All variations are also available in a wrap or a bowl. Sides include cabbage, horseradish slaw, and hot or cold quinoa in addition to the more traditional chips and salsa and guacamole. As a bonus, they have a nice patio and serve beer, wine, and margaritas.

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Kogi Korean Tacos

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Roy Choi’s original Korean-Mexican Kogi BBQ truck is still an LA favorite with four trucks on the road, but his signature specialties are now also available at the Alibi Room near Culver City and the Kogi Taqueria in Palms. Tacos have corn tortillas, slaw, cilantro, onions, salsa roja and a choice of short rib, bbq chicken, spicy pork or tofu. Korean-themed mulitas, quesadillas and burritos are also on the menu as well as a selection of bowls and sliders.

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Komodo

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The Komodo franchise was created by Indonesian-born, East LA-raised, Cordon Bleu-trained chef, Erwin Tjahyadi. The Asian-Mexican fusion street food with a little French technique thrown in started in a truck, but is now available at two brick and mortar locations in Pico-Roberson and Venice. The truck is only brought out for catering events these days. The four taco Killer Combo gives you a chance to try four different fusion tacos from Singaporean-style shrimp or Indonesian-style pork rendang braised in coconut milk to Hawaiian seared Angus ground beef patty with pineapple teriyaki sauce, white rice and sunny-side up egg; Deep fried fish and grapes; or chicken with marinated oranges, among others. Salads and dinner plates are also available.

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Revolutionario

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When you read this, North-African-influenced Revolutionario may or may not have a physical location, since their original Exposition Park location was sold out from under them, but if they don’t currently have a fixed location, keep a look out for the Revolutionario on Wheels food truck. Corn tortillas can be topped with duck hash; pozole tagine with lamb, beef, chicken, hominy and vegetables; smoked lamb; black-eyed pea falafel and more. Burritos, quesadillas and bowls are also available. Follow @ChefZadi on twitter to keep up with what’s going on.

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Kaya Street Kitchen

Kaya Street Kitchen is frequently referred to as a Southeast Asian inspired Chipotle because you choose your platform of non-GMO flour roti taco, whole wheat burrito, rice or noodle bowl, or salad, then choose your protein, then your veggie toppings and sauces. Proteins include grilled chicken satay, shrimp and pork meatballs, coconut lemongrass beef, or tofu.

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TLT Food

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TLT Tacos – named in honor of its predecessor, The Lime Truck – calls itself “New American cuisine without boundaries”. Taco flavors include sweet & spicy steak with Asian slaw; beef short ribs with horseradish crema; pork belly with mojo sauce; and grilled ahi tuna with honey-chipotle sauce. Other specialties include the ahi poke bowl or chimi noodle bowl; a short rib grilled cheese on sourdough; and a quesadilla with pork belly, sweet potato or short rib, in addition to more traditional options. They also serve craft beer, keg and specialty bottled wine.

TLT Food has additional locations in Pasadena and in Orange County in Irvine and Newport Beach.

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Cha Cha Chili Asian/Korean

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Another contender on the Korean-Mexican stage is Cha Cha Chili, which is basically a burger and taco stand with outdoor seating located next to a car wash in an industrial area in El Sereno. You’re not likely to stumble upon it by accident unless you live in the area, however, fans make the pilgrimage for the seriously good Korean-Mexican specialties. In addition to their Kimchee quesadilla, bulgogi beef, kalbi short rib and spicy pork tacos, burritos, chimichangas and Hawaiian bread sliders, there are chicken, battered fish and tofu options and Korean or Chorizo Angus burgers. There’s even a Korean Philly Cheese Steak.

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Mandoline Grill Food Truck

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Mandoline Grill is a Vietnamese food truck that includes Vietamese fusion tacos in corn tortillas with your choice of meat topped with fresh cucumber slices, pickled carrot and daikon, cilantro, and sriracha aioli. They also serve bun (rice vermicelli noodles), bahn mi (baguette sandwiches) and Vietnamese nachos topped with meat, jalapeno, mint, cilantro, scallion oil and sriracha oil. Their schedule is listed on their website about a week at a time.

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The KooKoo Grill

The KooKoo Grill in Bellflower, south of LA, is a Japanese-Mexican fusion. They only offer two meats in their tacos, chicken or beef, both topped with cucumbers, onions, teriyaki sauce, sesame seeds and hot sauce, with avocados available as an add on. You can also get the same combo wrapped as a burrito or as a bowl or plate. The California burrito is teriyaki beef, french fries, 1000 island, pico, guacamole, lettuce, and hot sauce. The full menu includes salads, noodles, fried fish and shrimp, and the house special Kookoo Ball, a deep-fried fried rice ball resembling Italian arancini.

The original owners sold the Bellflower location and opened another KooKoo Grill in Anaheim. They both get stellar reviews.

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White Boy Tacos

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White Boy Tacos is one guy with a cart who can be found at his regular spot in front of 740 South Broadway most nights from 9 or 10 pm to 3 am. The guy is Ben, who puts his unique spin on tacos like whiskey marinated steak with hash browns; BBQ pork with bacon and coleslaw; Albariño and Dijon marinated tilapia; sake marinated chicken breast with scrambled eggs, pepper and onions; and orange juice marinated tofu and grilled banana.

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HomeState

HomeState is on this list, rather than my Best Authentic Tacos list because they’re hipster Austin-style Tex-Mex, rather than pure Mexican. They’re especially known for their breakfast tacos on fresh tortillas, including non-traditional options like the Blanco with organic egg whites, mushrooms and jack cheese. Other options include Austin-style chips and queso, Texas toast, Frito Pie in a Bag, or Kale Cabbage Salad. They also serve Cuvée Coffee imported from Austin, Mexican Coke and Hibiscus Limeade. Expect challenging parking and long lines especially for weekend breakfast/brunch.

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Trois Familia

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Under a rainbow sign in a Sunset Blvd strip mall in Silver Lake, you’ll find the French-Mexican concept from celebrity chef Ludo Lefebvre, Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo. Open for breakfast and lunch, the only actual tacos on the menu are the double decker potato tacos with lime, crème fraiche, carrot pico and jack cheese. The menu is not completely meat-free, but  concoctions like the beet tartare tostada and carrot mole enchiladas find favor with vegetarians. Compared to other fusion tacos on this list, servings are quite small for the price. 18% service charge is added to all bills. No additional tipping is necessary.

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Kabob Express Fusion Truck – Mediterranean

The Kabob Express Fusion Truck offers traditional Mediterranean food in a pita, or you can choose from the Mexi-terranean Tacos, including a choice of chicken kabobs, shawarma, gyro slices or falafel in soft corn tortillas with hummus, pico de gallo, lemon juice and salsa, served with a side of dill cucumber salad and tzaziki sauce. Also available as a burrito. They don’t seem to have a website, but can often be found in Santa Monica at lunchtime on Food Truck Row at 31st and Ocean Park.

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Falasophy

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Falasophy doesn’t just fuse Lebanese with Mexican in their Spicy Modern Tacos with falafel, avocado, pickled red cabbage, cilantro garlic-crema, house-pickled jalapeños in a flour tortilla. They also serve Banh Mi inspired Pita with pickled daikon and carrots, fresh cilantro, jalapeños garlic sauce or tahini with chicken shawarma or falafel. The rest of the menu is pretty traditional Lebanese.