#Wine Exhibition and Fair

[pearlprincess02]

dating and date (taurus version)

taurus: (taurus venus/mars/5th house/7th house)

dating someone with prominent taurus placements is a journey of stability, sensuality, and deep commitment. taurus energy is grounded and seeks a connection that feels secure, steady, and filled with genuine care. if you’re dating someone with these placements, it’s important to match their pace and offer a sense of consistency. they value touch, comfort, and a love that grows steadily over time. for taurus venus, love is expressed through physical affection and material gestures; they appreciate thoughtfulness and tangible proof of devotion. taurus mars brings a determined and sensual approach to relationships; they’re patient but expect loyalty and sincerity. taurus in the 5th house shows a playful, yet steady, approach to romance, with a love for traditions and shared pleasures. lastly, taurus in the 7th house emphasizes long-term partnership goals—they seek someone they can build a life with, rooted in trust and dependability. if you’re patient, authentic, and willing to share life’s luxuries, you’ll win their heart.

date night ideas

wine & cheese tasting event, shopping for high-quality perfumes or accessories together, a cozy night cooking their favorite meal at home (taurus venus), attending a food festival or street fair (taurus venus, taurus 5th house), stargazing with blankets & snacks, sharing a dessert-tasting menu at a fancy café, exploring a local antique market, going on a sailing or river cruise (taurus venus, taurus 7th house), visiting a luxury home goods store just to browse, a lazy sunday brunch with mimosas, touring a vineyard or brewery, shopping for plants or flowers at a nursery (taurus venus, taurus mars), a massage or spa day, gardening or planting flowers together, a cooking class focusing on hearty/gourmet dishes (taurus mars), going to a botanical garden or flower show, candle-making workshop (taurus mars, taurus 5th house), taking a slow/scenic walk in a nearby park or trail, going horseback riding or trying a calming yoga retreat (taurus mars, taurus 7th house), exploring an art exhibit or pottery class, a classic movie night with lots of snacks, visiting a farmer’s market to pick out ingredients (taurus 5th house), visiting a music festival or jazz night (taurus 5th house, taurus 7th house), a candlelit dinner at a scenic restaurant, a weekend getaway to a charming countryside inn, attending a musical or theatrical performance (taurus 7th house), a wine & paint night (taurus venus, taurus mars, taurus 5th house), having a picnic with fresh/homemade dishes (taurus venus, taurus 5th house, taurus 7th house)

over 18+ spicy bonus 🔞

taurus: (taurus mars/cupido/eros/lust/amor)

taurus-dominant individuals in the realm of sexuality are deeply sensual, indulgent, and patient lovers. their approach to intimacy is physical, grounded, and rooted in pleasure, with an appreciation for all the senses—touch, taste, smell, sight, and sound. they value comfort, luxury, and a slow, steady buildup of desire that allows them to fully immerse themselves in the experience. there’s a natural magnetism in their performance, as they take their time to please their partner while ensuring their own needs are met. they thrive in an environment of trust, consistency, and physical connection, making intimacy with them both passionate and dependable. taurus mars is assertive yet patient, with a love for sensuality and physicality that borders on indulgence—they prefer a slow, tantalizing approach to intimacy. taurus cupido adds a playful, teasing energy to their sexual expression, often thriving on the anticipation and buildup of desire. taurus eros takes pleasure in fully experiencing and expressing their sexuality, with a focus on shared pleasure and luxurious, intimate moments. taurus lust brings an earthy, raw passion to the table, exuding an irresistible confidence and craving physical intensity. finally, taurus amor softens their approach with a deep romantic undertone, emphasizing love, emotional connection, and sensual devotion.

kinks you might have

slow/seductive teasing with a focus on physical sensations, emphasis on body worship & prolonged foreplay (taurus mars), a night of blindfolded exploration, a playful/flirtatious strip tease (taurus mars, taurus cupido), scent play with perfumes or essential oils (taurus mars, taurus eros), trying silk or satin restraints, engaging in soft dominance/submission dynamics, exploring primal roleplay in a safe/consensual way (taurus mars, taurus lust), playful teasing with elements of flirtation & light dominance, heightened anticipation through sensory deprivation or slow buildup (taurus cupido), wearing luxurious lingerie or outfits for roleplay (taurus cupido, taurus eros), playing with temperature *ice or wax play* (taurus cupido, taurus lust), sharing intimate fantasies during pillow talk, slow dancing that leads to intimacy (taurus cupido, taurus amor), exploring mutual pleasure with luxurious settings or props, incorporating sensual stimulation like massage oils or scented candles (taurus eros), adding mirrors for visual stimulation, incorporating edible elements like chocolate or whipped cream (taurus eros, taurus lust), a sensual bubble bath with candles & soft music, trying a romantic sensory experience like feeding each other (taurus eros, taurus amor), intense physical exploration with a focus on raw/passionate energy, incorporating primal themes or uninhibited expressions of desire (taurus lust), gentle/romantic intimacy with emotional depth, a focus on trust-building activities that enhance closeness (taurus amor), sharing an erotic massage (taurus mars, taurus eros, taurus lust)

all observations are done by me !!! @pearlprincess02

main masterlist

[elodieunderglass]

Re: your tags on the fungus and petrochemicals:

Excuse me, bramble wine? That sounds absolutely divine, how lucky you are! I hope you enjoyed it (and that I get to make/taste this one day)

(In reference to this post: https://www.tumblr.com/elodieunderglass/757191605386084352/oh-heavens-im-sorry-i-dont-remember-this-at I had to apologise for not being especially coherent in my response to an extraordinarily kind and friendly person as I was several days into a group camping, and had touched too much grass to be coherent, setting aside the bramble wine.)

The camping expedition consisted of seven+ families with children who all know each other extremely well and are growing up in a feral pack together that averages about 30 members. The pack forms at the conjunction of any five children, and therefore often exists in multiple places at once; a mini version can be assembled from as few as two of the core families, but when you have seven of the core, the pack becomes its own entity. For example, exhibiting a fascinating reflection of the hunting behavior of ancestral humans, ten of them together once managed to stalk, hunt and bring down a dragon costume performer at a local festival and sit on it in a few seconds when the adults weren’t looking. They had the light of the hunt in their eyes and they were GOING to have that dragon. Anyway this is not conducive to clear and accurate science communication at the best of times, especially since the usual reason that the pack manages to slip the leash is because the grownups are ordering pints.

For this camping expedition there was one family I didn’t know, but they live on a boat and we could vibe. They were the ones who brought the bramble wine. They were the people who sometimes evolve into Whiskey Hamishes. The bramble wine was made from foraged blackberries, and had been stored in a box on the roof of the boat (so essentially: outside) since 2019. The bottles were covered in rotten leaves and spiderwebs. This is not how you usually treat wine. Even home-brew. Even hedgerow. This is a recipe for converting free materials into as much alcohol as possible without interference.

The wine itself was similar to dark port, very heavy and thick, headachy around the edges. The alcohol percentage was estimated in the double digits. It is hard to explain but the dark black-purple color had no red in it. It was like ink.

Then, after coming into your campsite and kicking most of the party around lightly, it kissed you on the mouth one last time with a mouthful of blackberries and wandered off.

I’ve never had a hangover (hobbit liver) but I didn’t spend much time in dalliance with it. a lot of dads were pretty flat the next morning, but, to be completely fair to them, they DID rouse themselves to take the kids swimming in the river, where they (the dads) laid around recovering like beautiful crocodiles. Thus, all they had to do was lie in the cool mud while children rolled over them like puppies.

Bramble wine!

[weirdly-specific-but-ok]

i explain india but i'm drunk.

Hello maggots of mine you're all such babygirls and bastards just like Aziraphale and Crowley. I'm so proud of you all for existing. Yes i'm a wholesome drunk you now know this about me. The wine tastes like rotten grapes and smells of battery acid and cost 245 rupees INR. Speaking of INR, thanks to a maggot's ask, I'm here to explain India. I've never set foot outside of this country. But I'm also very very shit at general knowledge.

To any non-Indians reading this, this is a totally legit 1000% everything covered all-inclusive summary. To any Indians reading this, I'm so so fucking sorry.

India, explained.

So there's south india and there's north india and there's north east india. north india is very racist about south india and they're both very racist about north east india. Most of these people are also probably racist either to other countries or they have internalised racism. It's a wild trip.

There are. A lot of languages here. And a LOT of scripts. I can read two scripts, understand four Indian languages and speak in two of them (badly), and those two are not my native tongues. I cannot speak in my native tongues. It's basically English at this point. These aren't dialects, those are separate. Picture like, Europe, but more, in terms of how many languages.

Everyone hates each other which is valid for the entire planet honestly.

In south india we have a lot of coconuts. Like a lot. There are so many coconuts you have no fucking idea guys you cannot escape the coconuts. I was nearly killed by a shower of coconuts when I was 5 I escaped by one second.

There are also cows. People will tell you that you are being racist when you say India has cows everywhere. But it's true. Two weeks ago I had the pleasure to be stuck in a traffic jam. Next to the street barrier thing (what divides a street im too drunk for this) I saw a huge bull fucking HUMPING a cow. The vehicles just had to move around them. They were having sex right there.

If you're a middle class Indian kid, your career options are: doctor, engineer, scientist, CA, lawyer, government official or family disappointment.

Needless to say, I was going to be doctor and am now instead family disappointment. I'm babygirling so hard it's insane. The prodigal son.

It's very ace-friendly and heterophobic in the sense that you are not supposed to be exhibiting any sexuality whatever in a respectable household. Just shut up and give virgin birth already. But be married. That's crucial.

Oh yeah gay marriage isn't legal trans people are constantly othered by society and/or given no respect whatsover and we're just all vibing here this is totally not why I'm finishing a small bottle of cheap wine on a thursday past midnight alone in my room.

Foreigners are like a zoo species you see them you're instantly concerned like what are they doing outside the TV screens and then either people are normal (rarely), they run up and take photos or try to slip into conversation (more often than you'd think, even I've been guilty of the conversation thing as a kid) OR they start talking about how 'this western culture is ruining our culture'. Which is fair but honestly both the 'cultures' these people are talking about usually involve incredible amounts of bigotry and are more similar than they think.

I think the lesson here is that humans just suck as a species. Except for you maggots. I love you all and I will defend you with my life.

THE CHAAT. THE CHAAT IS INSANELY AMAZING. YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THE CHAAT. I HAVE NO SPICE TOLERANCE SO I HAVE TO BEG ON MY KNEES FOR THE SPICES TO BE REDUCED BUT STILL. THE CHAAT. THE CHAAT, YOU GUYS. YOU NEED IT.

Sorry yes I'm normal. ALSO THE STREET DOGS. THE INDIES. THEY'RE SO LOVELY AND SWEET AND CHAOTIC AND I KEEP TALKING TO THEM. Once when I was crying I made the dog distress while and like five dogs that I didn't know came running to me and comforted me and licked me.

INDIAN DANCE MUSIC. I FUCKING LOVE IT IT'S INSANE. My family were elitist as fuck so I never got to listen to Bollywood music as a kid but it's AMAZING I'm so glad it exists. Bhangra too.

Beaches very very pretty hills very very pretty honestly the nature is fucking beautiful if you can just quickly pretend humans don't exist, which again is true of this entire planet. Yeah. Okay I'm so fucking drunk.

Yeah lots of diversity which is very nice when the humans aren't screaming at each other about it but the rest of the time it's very nice

The garbage and sewer stories? yeah they're all true im sorry

Traffic rules more like traffic suggestions amirite

Well, we still have far better healthcare access than america. so. there is that.

If you speak English well you'll be mocked and isolated. If you speak English poorly you'll be mocked and isolated. Honestly, just be rich. That'll fix it all.

All the conservatives hate each other and don't realise they're the exact same but in like different flavours.

Oh yeah we have auto rickshaws. Look them up. They're so much better than cars I don't get motion sick as easily in them. But the drivers all hate you and never want to take you anywhere.

Eyyyyyyyyyy it's so fucking fun here *drinsk more alcohol* I am so fucking not looking forward to college.

Please someone crowdfund me out of here let's all go chill in Alpha Centauri I've heard it's nice this time of the year.

I will, however, miss the casual live cow pornos. A true highlight.

[I got this peer-reviewed by my friend in India's top law school, just in case, because I'm too drunk and generally dumb. They say I will not be killed. And they've been on Twitter so.]

Irrefutable legal proof y'all. I don't mean to offend anyone except bigots. Fuck you, bigots, if you're not offended then I've disappointed my community.

[stardust-swan]

Lifestyle of the Refined, Cultured City Girl

She takes advantage of living somewhere with access to many cultural activities. She attends the symphony, the theatre, the ballet, and the orchestra. She visits art galleries and museums. She attends book readings, poetry readings, lectures by experts in various subjects, and writer's talks. She watches independent films in small cinemas. She goes to fashion shows. She unwinds by reading in a beautiful, old library. Many of these activities are free or cheap, so money is rarely a concern.

She has social hobbies, like playing an instrument in a local band, attending a book club or writer's group, participating in poetry readings, and taking evening classes and workshops on subjects like painting, fashion, learning a language, culinary classes, learning an instrument, etc.

She has private hobbies too, like writing a novel, creating art, studying, reading, and taking private music lessons.

On dates, she goes to painting classes where her and her date paint each other's portrait, pottery classes where they make each other something special, fine restaurants where she and her date try new cuisine, and upscale hotels for a fine afternoon tea.

She is always studying. Whether it's in University for a degree that will help her get her dream job, or a less formal education like learning about the world of art from her trips to the galleries, or learning about the history and culture of her city by exploring it, she's always taking advantage of the opportunities she has to expand her knowledge.

She participates in cultural festivities that may be held in her city, such as wine tastings, cheese tastings, art exhibits, film festivals, and book fairs.

She visits historical landmarks and sites to learn about her city's past and culture.

She visits rooftop bars and lounges, both to socialise and admire the view of the city.

She networks with people in high positions, and socialises at events and gatherings like cocktail parties, charity functions, and dinner parties.

She visits both high end boutiques and small, locally owned shops.

She spends time in nature by going to parks and botanical gardens.

She gives back to her community by support or volunteering with a charity or non-profit

She attends a yoga or meditation class at a wellness centre.

She discovers her local patisseries and bakeries and enjoys fresh baked goods.

She takes walking or cycling tours of the city's historic districts to learn about its culture and landmarks.

She visits a local farmers market for fresh produce and unique artisanal products.

She's always dressed impeccably. You will never see her in ratty old clothes, gym gear unless she's actually in the gym, or flip-flops unless she's at the beach. Her hair is always tidy, and her makeup never looks caked on. Her nails are always clean and neat. Her skincare routine is down to a T. She never says "I'm just going to the store" as an excuse to dress frumpily, as she knows there's always the risk of running into someone important and does not want to look like a slob. She does not hold onto clothes that are worn out, damaged, or unflattering, leaving only chic outfits available to dress in. She checks herself from all angles before leaving home to make sure there's no wardrobe malfunctions happening at the back of her outfit, e.g a hole in the back of her jeans. She honours herself, those around her, and her city by looking presentable and neat everyday.

Her home is never cluttered. It is decorated with art, including some paintings or pictures of the city, and she has photographs on the mantelpiece of the friends she's made there. She has a variety of books on a range of subjects that interest her. Her kitchen is well-equipped - no living on takeout for her. She has a set of high quality china and luxurious bedding and linen. She plays classical and jazz music instead of keeping the TV on for background noise. She treats herself to a bouquet of flowers to put in a vase occasionally, and may have a houseplant. She lights candles for a beautiful smell. She may have a collection of herbal teas to help her relax in the evenings. She may even have a well-stocked mini bar, space and funds permitting. Her wardrobe is carefully selected. Her home is stylish, yet comfortable, and always feels ready for guests. She practices the art of entertaining, and does it well.

She knows about hidden treasures in her city that one can't find out about just from doing an internet search. For example, in Paris, a string quartet of musicians meet up on a random day each week and play a free concert in the courtyard of the Louvre, but you wouldn't know this from looking up places to visit in Paris. It's something you must discover on your own or hear about by word of mouth. It could be a small unassuming café that makes the best dish you've ever tasted, or a beautiful building people rarely visit (like the medieval church/graveyard in my neighbourhood that's usually locked up and difficult to see into because of the high walls surrounding it, but if you pass by at the right time, the groundskeepers may be there and let you in to see the blooming flowers and trees beyond the graveyard gates if you ask nicely), an out-of-the-way boutique that sells gorgeous garments, a hidden park tucked away from the main streets, or a secret or exclusive bar or nightclub.

[loveroftoomanyfandoms]

Every Little Thing *He* Does is Magic, Chapter 1

Pairing: Platonic Steven Grant x Reader (for now)

Rating: T

Word count: ~1,250

Story Summary: The events of Every Little Thing She Does is Magic, retold from Reader's perspective after the fact to her best friend.

Tags/Warnings: Companion fic, canon Divergent since Steven still works for the British Museum post-canon, No Jake Lockley, developing friendship, spoilers for ELTSDiM

A/N: Reader wanted to publicly lust over Steven. I don't make the rules. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Once I get this caught up to the present timeline in ELTSDiM, I will be posting the chapters concurrently (or as concurrent as possible, anyway).

Y/F/N Y/L/N sighed as she unlocked the door to her apartment and walked inside.

She shut the door and hung her bag on the hook before setting her keys in the bowl on the side table in the hall. Thank goodness this place came furnished.

She had just walked into the kitchen when her phone rang with a FaceTime request.

Y/N grinned and swiped to answer. “Hey, Ames.”

“Tell me everything,” Amy, Y/N’s best friend since college, said in reply. “How was your first day as director of the British Museum?”

Y/N let out a light laugh. “It was interesting, to say the least. I just walked in the door, so give me a second to pour myself a glass of wine and I'll tell you all about it.”

She opened a cabinet and grabbed a wine glass before setting it on the counter. “I still can't believe I actually got the job.”

“I can,” Amy replied. “You single-handedly turned the university’s museum from a struggling, run-down relic into one of the most prestigious in the country in less than 5 years. You deserved this, girl.”

Y/N took a bottle of wine out of her refrigerator and poured herself a glass. “Thanks, Ames. That means a lot.”

She put the bottle back in the refrigerator then picked up her glass and moved to the sofa. “Okay, so… first thing I did when I got there was meet my assistant, Helen, who's this kinda older lady but seems pretty cool. Then I met the board of trustees, then I took a little break and was able to wander around the museum a bit.”

“You went straight to the Egyptian exhibit, didn't you?” Amy asked.

Y/N grinned. “How’d you guess?”

“Well let's see, you took every single Egyptology class you could in college, you were Dr. Reynolds’s only choice for T.A., and your doctoral thesis was on the excavation of King Tut’s tomb and whether or not it had been done ethically.”

Y/N laughed. “Okay, fair. Anyway, while I was in there, this guy came up to me and started talking --”

Amy gasped. “Wait, you met a guy? Why didn't you lead with that? Tell me more!”

Y/N shook her head with a grin. Amy, who had gone on to become a best-selling writer after college, was a hopeless romantic and had seemingly made it her life’s mission to ensure that Y/N was just as happy as she and her husband Blake were. “Okay, so there I was, looking at the statue of Mekhit, when this really attractive British guy comes up and tells me that the sign on it is wrong.”

“Was it?”

“Yeah, it actually was. The placard said it was Menhit, who is a completely different goddess. Anyway, so the guy starts explaining the difference between the two, but not in like, a mansplainy way or anything, and he was so adorably cute and excited about it that I just stood there and listened to him talk.”

“Did you get his number?”

Y/N shook her head. 

“What? Why not?”

Y/N took a sip of her wine before answering. “So we're vibing, right? Then I make a joke about accidentally praying to the wrong god because of a spelling error when suddenly the guy says, ‘oh yeah, I've been trying to get my bosses to fix this one for months now. Took them ages to fix the banner depicting the Ennead’.”

Amy's face fell. “Oh, you're shitting me.”

Y/N shook her head. “Nope. I shit you not.”

“He works there?”

“Yep. His name is Steven and he works in the gift shop.”

“Hold up, he's not even a tour guide?”

“Nope, he’s just really knowledgeable about Egyptian history. Trust me, I was just as shocked when I figured that out.”

“So then what happened?”

“Then he asked me if he could show me his favorite exhibit and took me to see Hathor.”

Amy groaned. “Ugh, that would have been so romantic had he not been an employee.”

“I know.” Y/N shook her head. “Anyway, he was telling me about how cool Hathor is when we were interrupted by this woman who I figured must've been another employee, because as soon as Steven tried to make a break for it she started in on him about ‘not bothering the museum visitors’ and how he ‘wasn’t a bloody tour guide’ and how his job is to ‘sell rubbish to whiny brats and their caretakers’, then said that the new museum director was ‘some poncy American’ when Steven asked her who it was -- all while still within earshot of me, mind you.”

Amy made a face. “Ugh, she sounds like a real piece of work. Who the hell even does that?”

Y/N took another sip of wine. “I know, right?”

“Oh, honey, I'm sorry.”

Y/N shrugged. “It's just as well. Steven had no idea who I was at the time either, and honestly, now that I think about it I'm not even sure he even had been flirting with me.”

“Still, though, that sucks.”

“It actually turned out okay, because when I got back to my office I had Helen pull Steven’s employee information file and girl, he was SO overqualified to be working in a museum gift shop.” Y/N grinned. “You remember how I told you that the tours were boring and that the first thing I wanted to do was to try to update them but the position for the head of programming and tours was vacant?”

Amy nodded. “Yeah.”

“Well, guess who's now the new Visitor Engagement Specialist?”

Amy shook her head with a light laugh. “Look at you, making lemonade out of lemons.”

“And not only that, but it turns out that the woman that had been rude to Steven was the gift shop manager, so after I talked to Steven again this afternoon and offered him the Visitor Engagement Specialist position I called her to my office for a little ‘chat’. Oh, Ames, you should've seen the look of sheer panic when she sauntered into my office, saw me standing there, and realized that she had both berated a subordinate and shit-talked me basically to my face.”

Amy nodded in approval. “Slay, queen, slay.”

Y/N shook her head. “Because it was my first day and I didn't want to have to fire someone right off the bat I reminded her of the museum’s policy on bullying and harassment and gave her a warning instead.”

“That's very diplomatic of you.”

“Anyway, I'm meeting with Steven on Friday to discuss his ideas for revamping the tours, and since we're getting some new artifacts in on Thursday I asked him to also sit in on my meeting with the curatorial staff while we discuss placement.”

Amy wiggled her eyebrows. “Hey, at least you'll have some eye candy.”

Y/N laughed and shook her head. “Not even gonna think about that since there's no point.”

“Ah well, at least you tried.” Amy glanced down at the corner of her screen. “I gotta run -- I have a Zoom meeting with my editor in 5 minutes.”

Y/N nodded. “Okay, I'll talk to you again soon. Give Blake my love.”

“Will do. Bye!”

Y/N tapped at her phone to end the call and smiled. Despite getting off on the wrong foot with Donna, all in all her first day as director of the British Museum had turned out pretty well. I think I'm going to like it there.

[profesors]

◾Serbian young men in national costume, holding a large bunch of grapes, Smederevo 2018 🇷🇸

◾The "Smedervska jesen" is one of the most important agricultural-tourism-economic events in Serbia. It is held every year in September in Smederevo, with the aim of presenting high-quality agricultural products, a rich tourist offer as well as the economic potential of the Smederevo region. The first manifestation was held at the end of the 19th century. For the first three exhibitions that were held before the Second World War, the central event was the Exhibition of Grapes and the selection of winegrowers. During the first exhibition, a festive party with a dance was held on the first day, and a banquet was organized on the last day of the exhibition. The program included a visit to the vineyard of His Majesty the King of Serbia Aleksandar I Obrenović in Plavinac and private vineyards, as well as a demonstration of working with a mulcher. After the Second World War, the preparation of the exhibition is only one segment in a multitude of programs of a different character. The event is conditionally divided into an economic, sports, cultural and entertainment part. The commercial part presents an exhibition of grapes, wine and fruit and other economic branches of the city. In addition to this, the manifestation has a number of content and programs of a sports, entertainment and cultural character, the number, content and quality of which vary from manifestation to manifestation. In 1989, the event began with a ceremonial parade through the streets of the city with about 500 participants. That practice has been maintained to this day. Since 2000, a larger number of programs have been introduced that have the prefix ethno in their name. In this period, the program of cultural and historical content, which takes place in the Smederevo Fortress, is established. It is, first of all, the program of the knightly brotherhood "SVIBOR" and stage representations of the despot Đurđ Branković and his family. At the same time, an agricultural exhibition program is established, in which each village of the Smederevo region gets its own exhibition space and within it the opportunity for agricultural and ethnic presentation. The event also has its fair part located in the large city of Smederevo Fortress. There are merry-go-rounds, tents with food and music, stalls with various goods.

[pearwaldorf]

[edit 12/27] Hey go reblog this instead thx

--

It’s a really fucking boring party. Phillip is here purely for lack of anything better to do, including sitting on his couch and binging Parks and Recreation, which he’s done three times this year already. 

(Lyndie glared at him when he demurred yet again, but then softened.

“Babes, I know it’s been hard on you, but you have to get out there. Not in a find yourself a nice rebound way, although I do think it would be beneficial, but you have to get out and talk to people.” 

“And who exactly am I going to talk to, love?” He was fine with Tim getting pretty much the entire friend group after the breakup initially, but it was real fucking depressing looking at his contacts and realizing there wasn’t anybody who wanted to hear from him. 

“Somebody. Anybody. Not everybody in the fucking world is part of Tim’s circle.” Lyndie’s trying her best, bless her, but that’s what sisters (or close as) do, right? It’s not fair to her to be his one social lifeline.

“All right. For you.” 

She beamed that damnable grin that makes everybody fall over themselves to do what she wants, him included, and kissed his cheek. “Thanks babes. You won’t regret this.”

“We’ll see.”)

It’s an exhibit opening, and now that Phillip’s looked at the art (pedestrian, derivative) and nibbled at the platters (Costco, of all things. Not that they’re bad, but absolutely not in keeping with the atmosphere), he’s taken his plastic glass of Three Buck Chuck to find a corner to people-watch.

In the back next to the one actually interesting sculpture, he nods to a man dressed in the most fascinatingly archaic suit. No, that’s not the right word. It’s like he bought all his clothes at one time and never bothered to replace them because they really don’t make them like they used to. They’re at least forty years out of style, but they fit well. 

Phillip takes a sip of the wine. Oh god, he’d forgotten how awful this plonk is, not really being a person who frequents places where the quantity of alcohol is more desirable than the quality. 

“I regret I don’t have a fine vintage to offer you, but this has to be better than whatever swill they’re providing.” The other man holds up a flask, smiling. He’s not exactly handsome—his eyes are too small and his ears stick out too much for that, but he has a sharp, curious demeanor that makes Phillip want to know more. 

He takes the flask, ignoring how their fingers brush,  and downs more than is probably polite. It’s whiskey of some sort, burning sweet on the way down. 

“Thank you,” he says, handing it back. “It is very much an improvement.” 

The man screws the lid back on, puts the flask back in his jacket pocket. “A fine bourbon, American of course. Certainly other countries produce it, but it never tastes quite right. Like a bagel made outside of New York.” His accent is something Phillip has heard but never actually encountered in person, almost parodic in its intensity. It’s fascinating.

“They do make bagels elsewhere. And they’re nothing like the ones in New York.” Phillip says, just to be a shit. 

“Indeed, and I do not mean to impugn their quality. But I suppose we latch onto the examples we first encounter as the ideal.” He puts out his hand. “Benoit Blanc. If we’re going to have a conversation I suppose we should get a little more acquainted.”

“Phillip Owen.” The other man’s hand is warm, his grip assertive and confident. 

“A pleasure, Mr. Owen.” It might be the whiskey, but Phillip swears Blanc’s voice is warmer, more friendly. 

“I don’t mean to be presumptuous or rude, but your name does not strike me as particularly Southern.” 

Instead of bristling in offense like Phillip expected, Blanc just smirks, a little reproving. “How quickly we forget history, Phillip.” His smile takes any sting there might have been from the words.

“Now that I’m to get a lecture it’s Phillip?” He keeps his voice light. This is probably the most interesting conversation he’s had in a long time, which is probably a bit sad when he thinks about it, but he’s a little buzzed from the whiskey and he’s enjoying himself much more than he thought he would tonight.

“Lecture is such a stuffy word. Call it a gentle reminder of things that should be more prominent in your memory.” Blanc’s kind of a shit too, and god help him, Phillip is into it. 

“Then tell me what I should remember, Benoit,” he says, as gravely as he can. 

The other man winces, like he’s physically pained. “I hate that name. By the love of whatever you consider holy, Blanc, please.” 

Impulsively, he reaches for Blanc’s hand. “I’ll call you whatever you like if we get out this stuffy hellhole into a place with better liquor and a place to sit.” Is it forward? Absolutely. But it’s been a long time since he’s had anybody besides Lyndie to talk to, and he didn’t realize how much he missed it until now. 

Blanc looks a bit surprised, but his mouth curls slow into a smile that might promise something more. “That sounds like a wonderful idea.”

[cabin-12-resident-daddy-issues]

Here

BEFORE YOU READ: This is not canon (yet), so do not respond in character! This is entirely self indulgent, and while I was trying to write another angsty piece, this ended up overtaking it.

It’d been years since Marjorie left Camp.

The truth had come out, she’d tried to kill herself, and then decided to evaporate. Told herself she’d come back when she felt like herself again.

Her and Sage set out to fix things.

She was doing well, going to school to become a history major, living in a studio apartment with her girlfriend, and was medicated. By all means, she should’ve gone back to camp.

But she didn’t feel like herself, not entirely. There was one thing intrinsically missing.

CJ. Her older brother. She wanted her brother, her only brother, as far as she was aware. Pollux, Castor, and Jax probably disowned her, which was fair, she supposed, she was a lieutenant in the Titan Army.

Sighing, she got up from her and Sage’s bed, Sage had left for Camp, she always went back for summer. Marjorie admired that particular strength.

Flicking on the light, she mutters “Let there be light, I guess.”

Wake up, bathroom, meds, breakfast, get dressed, grab bag, grab keys, and get her ass to work.

That was her morning routine.

The museum paid fairly well, enough for Marjorie to cover rent for the summer months on her own and not worry about food. It was entertaining, too, to walk through the different exhibits.

She avoided the ancient civilizations exhibit like the fucking plague, though. Too difficult, too many memories, too many references to her mistakes- 

“In and Out, Marjorie.” She reminds herself.

It’s moments like these she thinks about relapsing. She’d been sober since she left, had to be, her meds didn’t allow her to drink, or smoke, or do anything she used to.

The cost of being healthy, she supposed.

Work flew by, it was easy, mindless work.

She pulled into the allotted parking spot, confused by a really, really shitty 70’s Ford Pinto in the spot next to hers.

“The fuck?” She mutters to herself.

She shakes her head, getting out of her car and walking to her apartment.

Get home, drop off keys and bag, grab a Coke, say hi to CJ-

Wait-

What!?

Marjorie snaps her head up, staring at CJ’s amused smirk, before checking if she took her meds today.

“You took them.”

“Then I need to up my dosage.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m hallucinating my godsdamn older brother!?”

“You’re not hallucinating.”

“I gotta be! You, the real you, hates me.”

“You really think that?”

“Yup. I mean obviously, I betrayed camp, hid it from everyone, tried to off myself multiple times, and then just dipped. If he still loves me after all that, he is a godsdamn fool.”

“.......Marj.”

“What? It’s tru-”

He’s hugging her before she can finish the sentence, and before she realizes, she’s crying like a fucking baby.

Her older brother was here, he was here and he was hugging her and saying something she can’t quite hear, but he was here.

CJ was here, and he didn’t hate her, although it was an objectively dumb thing to do.

Things would be okay now, because her big brother was here.

@likeapriceless-wine

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 8.16

Holidays

Bennington Battle Day (Vermont)

Children’s Day (Paraguay)

Cotton Day (French Republic)

CPAN Day

Cyrene Asteroid Day

Debian Day

Direct Action Day (India)

816 Day

Ekka People’s Day

Elvis Presley Commemoration Day

Eyeglasses Day

Festival of the Minstrels (Tutbury Castle, UK)

Follow Your Nose Day

GERS Day (Scotland)

Gold Cup Parade (Prince Edward Island, Canada)

Gozan no Okuribi (a.k.a. Daimonji; Kyoto, Japan)

Harmonic Convergence Day

Hestia Asteroid Day

Indie Animation Day

INXS Day

Joe Miller’s Joke Day (UK)

Madonna Day

Madonna del Voto Day (Siena, Italy)

Monty Python Day

National Airborne Day

National Apprenticeship Day

National Authenticity Day

National Backflow Prevention Day

National Energy Day

National Energy Multiplier Day

National Fasting Day

National Independent Worker Day

National Love Your Loss Day

National Roller Coaster Day

National Tell A Joke Day

National Work From Home For Wellness

Palio di Siena (Siena, Italy horse race) [also 7.2]

Patton Takes Messina Anniversary Day

Pine Crest Boys Varsity Tennis Team Day (Florida)

Remember What Your Spouse Wore the First Time You Met Day

Salem Heritage Day (Massachusetts)

Surveillance Day (f.k.a. Wave at the Surveillance Cameras Day)

Tell-A-Joke Day

Thai Peace Day (Win Santiphap Thai; Thailand)

Tipperary Day (Ireland)

True Love Forever Day

Whitmer Fednapping Day

Yukon Discovery Day (Canada)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Baba Au Rhum Day

International Rum Day [also 6.23]

National Rum Day

World Bratwurst Day

Xicolatada (Hot Chocolate Festival; Palau-de-Cerdagne, France)

Independence & Related Days

Anniversary of the Restoration of the Republic (Dominican Republic; 1924)

Constitution Day (Equatorial Guinea)

Cyprus (from UK, 1960; but celebrated 10.1)

De Jure Transfer Day (Puducherry, India)

Fête de l'Indépendance (National Day; Gabon)

Independence Referendum Day (Bermuda; 1995)

New Year’s Days

Parsi New Year (Gujarat, Maharashtra; India)

3rd Friday in August

Carrot Fest begins (a.k.a. The World’s Greatest Carrot Fest; Canada) [3rd Friday & Saturday]

Flashback Friday [Every Friday]

Fry Day (Pastafarian; Fritism) [Every Friday]

GME Professionals Day [3rd Friday]

Hawaii Statehood Day (observed) [3rd Friday] (also 7.4)

Hug Your Boss Day [3rd Friday]

Kool-Aid Day [3rd Friday] (also 2nd Friday)

Men’s Grooming Day [3rd Friday]

National Day of Action Against Bullying & Violence (Australia) [3rd Friday]

National Hawaiian Shirt Day [3rd Friday]

National Men's Grooming Day [3rd Friday]

Weekly Holidays beginning August 16 (2nd Full Week of August)

Elvis Week (Week of 8.16)

National Balayage Week (Week of 8.16)

Festivals Beginning August 16, 2024

Alaska Greek Festival (Anchorage, Alaska) [thru 8.18]

Alaska State Fair (Palmer, Alaska) [thru 9.2]

BBQ & Fly-in on the River (Excelsior Springs, Missouri) [thru 8.17]

BBQ Music Fest (Huntington Beach, California) [thru 8.18]

Bear Creek Folk Festival (Grand Prairie, Alberta, Canada) [thru 8.18]

Beautiful Days (Ottery St Mary, United Kingdom) [thru 8.18]

Bite of Tacoma (Tacoma, Washington) [thru 8.19]

Canadian National Exhibition (Toronto, Canada) [thru 9.2]

Celebrate Erie (Erie, Pennsylvania) [thru 8.18]

Centralia Balloon Festival (Centralia, Illinois) [thru 8.18]

Copenhagen Cooking & Food Festival (Copenhagen, Denmark) [thru 8.25]

Cornfest (Ortonville, Minnesota) [thru 8.18]

Dead on the Creek (Laytonville, California) [thru 8.18]

Electric Picnic (Stradbally, Ireland) [thru 8.18]

Eurocon [European Science Fiction Convention] (Rotterdam, Netherlands) [thru 8.19]

Fan Expo Chicago [f.k.a. Wizard World Chicago] (Chicago, Illinois) [thru 8.18]

Florence Wine Fest (Florence, Alabama) [thru 8.17]

FolkEast (Little Glemham, England) [thru 8.18]

Franklin County Watermelon Festival (Russellville, Alabama) [thru 8.17]

Georgia Mountain Fair (Hiawassee, Georgia) [thru 8.24]

Kool-Aid Days (Hastings, Nebraska) [thru 8.18]

Machias Wild Blueberry Festival (Machias, Maine) [thru 8.18]

Macomb Balloon Rally (Macomb, Illinois) [thru 8.18]

Madison Ribberfest - BBQ & Blues (Madison, Indiana) [thru 8.17]

Nebraska Balloon & Wine Festival (Elkhorn, Nebraska) [thru 8.17]

New Orleans North Festival (Joliet, Illinois)

Northampton Balloon Festival (Northampton, United Kingdom) [thru 8.18]

Old Time Power Show (Cedar Falls, Iowa) [thru 8.18]

Palio di Siena (Siena, Spain)

Philadelphia Folk Festival (Schwenksville, Pennsylvania) [thru 8.18]

Sabin Harvest Days (Sabin, Minnesota) [thru 8.17]

Sarajevo Film Festival (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina) [thru 8.23]

Seoul POPCON (Seoul, South Korea) [thru 8.18]

Summerfest (Sleepy Eye, Minnesota) [thru 8.18]

Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival (Owen Sound, Canada) [thru 8.18]

Sutherlin Blackberry Festival (Sutherlin, Oregon) [thru 8.18]

Wallace Huckleberry Festival (Wallace, Idaho) [thru 8.18]

Western Idaho Fair (Boise, Idaho) [thru 8.25]

Wicomico County Fair (Salisbury, Maryland) [thru 8.18]

Wild Blueberry Festival (Paradise, Michigan) [thru 8.18]

Zoo Brew (Idaho Falls, Idaho)

Feast Days

Agostino Carracci (Artology)

Ana Petra Pérez Florido (Christian; Saint)

Armel (a.k.a. Armagillus; Christian; Saint)

Arsacius (Christian; Saint)

Benjamin Alire Sáenz (Writerism)

Carista (Day of Peace in the Family; Pagan)

Carle Vernet (Artology)

Charles Bukowski (Writerism)

Diana Wynne Jones (Writerism)

Diomedes of Tarsus (Christian; Saint)

The Ditzies (Muppetism)

Edrinios (Arbitration Time; Celtic Book of Days)

Hal Foster (Artology)

Harmonic Convergence Day (Everyday Wicca)

Herbed Butter Day (for Vesta’s Bread; Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Ivan Bilibin (Artology)

Joachim (Christian; Saint)

Napier (Positivist; Saint)

Otto Messmer (Artology)

Roch (Christian; Saint)

Shahenshahi (Parsi New Year; India)

Simplician (Christian; Saint)

Solarinite Day (Church of the SubGenius)

Stephen I of Hungary (Christian; Saint)

Translation of the Acheiropoietos icon from Edessa to Constantinople (Eastern Orthodox Church)

Wave at the Surveillance Cameras Day (Pastafarian)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Premieres

American Flyers (Film; 1985)

Austenland (Film; 2013)

Blind Faith, by Blind Faith (Album; 1969)

Blue Crush (Film; 2002)

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl (Novel; 1964)

The Commitments (Film; 1991)

Crow De Guerre (The Inspector Cartoon; 1967)

Dear God, by XTC (Song; 1986)

The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, by Tom Wolfe (Novel; 1968)

Fiddlesticks (Ub Iwerks MGM Cartoon; 1930) [1st Color Sound Cartoon]

Firemen’s Picnic (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1937)

Foreign Correspondent (Film; 1940)

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (Animated TV Series; 2002)

If I Had a Hammer, by Peter, Paul & Mary (Song; 1962)

Last Train to Clarksville, by The Monkees (Song; 1966)

LazyTown (Children’s TV Series; 2004)

Lover, by Taylor Swift (Song; 2019)

Midnight in a Toy Shop (Silly Symphony Disney Cartoon; 1930)

Olympic Hymn, by Richard Strauss (Hymn; 1936)

Rodeo Romeo (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1946)

The Roman Hat Mystery, by Ellery Queen (Novel; 1929)

Rules of the Ring, by Jack Broughton (Boxing Code; 1743) [1st Rules of Boxing]

The Scarlatti Inheritance, by Robert Ludlum (Novel; 1971)

Siegfried, by Richard Wagner (Opera; 1876) [Ring of the Nibelung #3]

The Tate Gallery (Museum; 1897)

Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes (WB Animated Film; 2010)

Uncle Buck (Film; 1989)

The Usual Suspects (Film; 1995)

The Vanishing Prairie (Documentary Film; 1954)

Volunteers (Film; 1985)

What a Wonderful World, recorded by Louis Armstrong (Song; 1967)

Wimmin Hadn’t Oughta Drive (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1940)

Winning the West (Mighty Mouse Cartoon; 1946)

Today’s Name Days

Alfred, Rochus, Stefan, Theodor (Austria)

Krunoslav, Roko, Stjepan (Croatia)

Jáchym (Czech Republic)

Rochus (Denmark)

Aulis, Aurel, Kuldar, Kullar, Kullo (Estonia)

Aulis (Finland)

Armel, Roch (France)

Alfred, Rochus, Stefan, Stephanie (Germany)

Alkiviadis, Apostolos, Diomedes , Diomidis, Gerasimos, Sarantis, Seraphim, Stamatia, Stamatis (Greece)

Ábrahám (Hungary)

Rocco, Serena, Stefano (Italy)

Aistars, Astra, Astrīda (Latvia)

Alvita, Butvydas, Jokimas, Rokas (Lithuania)

Brynhild, Brynjulf (Norway)

Alfons, Alfonsyna, Ambroży, Domarad, Domarat, Joachim, Joachima, Roch (Poland)

Leonard (Slovakia)

Esteban, Roque (Spain)

Brynolf (Sweden)

Yukhym (Ukraine)

Craig, Kraig, Roch, Rochelle, Rochester, Rock, Rocky, Serena, Serenity, Serina (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 229 of 2024; 137 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 5 of Week 33 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Coll (Hazel) [Day 14 of 28]

Chinese: Month 7 (Ren-Shen), Day 13 (Red-Zi)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 12 Av 5784

Islamic: 10 Safar 1446

J Cal: 19 Purple; Fryday [19 of 30]

Julian: 3 August 2024

Moon: 87%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 4 Gutenberg (9th Month) [Napier]

Runic Half Month: As (Gods) [Day 9 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 58 of 94)

Week: 2nd Full Week of August

Zodiac: Leo (Day 26 of 31)

[ewanmitchelll]

Imagine you are the good girl Aemond Targaryen needs.(I)

Warnings: smut/fluff.

***

Aemond usually prefers more aggressive women. The ones who dominate him, who know how to make him weak. He still bears in mind the one time Aegon took him to the brothel... And in the rare times he felt the need to go back, he knew whom to come for.

Perhaps this evening is a good occasion to be under a woman's...care. Such is his thought as he is obliged to attend some feast the dowager queen is giving. Dressed in green robes, Aemond is taking his duty seriously--as he was educated to--, but his mind is wandering to a way to flee this very boring feast.

Until the purest being comes along, who successfully captures this prince's eyes. Dressed in a green-ish blue silk gown with two long braids dropping each side of yours, you walk in the great salon without any pretense.

Rather shy, you are hoping not to get anyone's attentions despite exhibiting an almost ethereal beauty with your y/c hair and y/c smooth skin. Your long gown falls perfectly in your body, reinforcing your curves at the same time it is so discreet. You are unaware many men, young and old, are looking at you, hoping for an opportunity to get to you.

Aemond hates competition, though. Like a hunter he comes for you. Without your notice, he sits right beside you.

"I wonder what has been in my lady's thoughts to distract her from the feast."

You blush, eyes going slightly wide when seeing the prince has come to speak to you. Why would he do that is beyond your understanding.

Graciously, however, you answer him:

"I do apologize for not seeing you earlier, lord. I am not one who goes out frequently. In fact I fear to say I am hardly the most appropriate companion to a prince."

Aemond is amused by your behavior. Whilst it's true he is not usually attracted by timid, quiet individuals of your sex, there is something so alluring about you, so invitive, perhaps a sort of redemption he aims to purchase. And of course you are the fairest damsel of that salon.

"Allow me to disagree, my Lady. My mother, the Queen, is most pleased to have your family joining us to celebrate my brother's ascension as the king of the realm", so says Aemond, quietly so.

As he takes a seat by your side, you try not to overthink too much that the handsomest Prince of Westeros is next to you.

"I heard many things about you, Lord", you tell him, daring to cast a look at the prince. Aemond is watching you with his good eye. "Should I presume your reputation preceeds you?"

He chuckles. Aemond realizes there is quite a wit underneath your sweet demeanor. He is more intrigued to get to know you.

"That depends of what you heard. Should I fear what has come to my lady's ears?"

You take the opportunity to divert away from his inquiry gaze so you take your time to taste the wine. Only then you tell him.

"That you are dutiful, but a man who possesses a dark soul."

"What is your judgement?"

"I cannot judge by others's perceptions", you tell him. "Though no one seems to ask or care, I can think by myself."

Aemond's smile spreads before your sharp answer. Oh, Lady Y/N. Aren't you an interesting little thing?

"Very well. That is wise. I should like to give time to hear your views about me, fair lady. Though I should warn you that there might be some truth in what you have heard about me."

You blush at how intent he stares into your y/c eyes. There is a difference to perceive in how he seeks to denude your soul and the provocation in his words.

"Well. I am not like the ladies you deal with", you dare to respond him.

And that amuses the prince.

"How so?"

You part the gaze as the feast officially begins when the king rises to make his speech.

"You wait and you will see, lord."

The challenge is posed. But you barely knew what is yet to come and how it will change the lives of you both.

(to be continue)

[holdyourwine]

Oh Eywa, Is She Not The Word Beauty Itself?

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ featuring Neteyam Te Suli Tsyeyk’itan, Omaticayan female self-insert character 2.8k words, timeskip mentioned; Neteyam and his beloved are 17 years old, suggestive theme, fluff

HIS BEAUTEOUS BRIDE ;

˗ˏˋ(.n) He yielded the universe for her, to make his love its way to be poured upon her fair skin. Far from home, Awa’atlu, reminding the promise he had made in the last minute of their feet upon the ground of their homeland. ´ˎ˗

Somewhere in Pandora during an eclipse, where the sea breeze sweeps its cold into their faces, where the fire illuminates the glee that etched on everyone’s visages. Where the music has not stopped playing its harmony until dawn reaches them. The Navi, and their consorts and descendants, following with Sullys, are showered with the opulence of foods and wine— that dine of warriors worthy of their fights.

As if the musician’s lyre is not enough to cradle their blithesome all night, the sight of two dancing flower girls set their feet near the fire in their midst sure gives all Metkayinan a surprised yet amused complexion. Just one man that stands with most different glint in his eyes, you happen to see the glamorous feelings within his golden eyes. His orbs meet hers, down to the scene of her soft hands which reaching, curling, swaying, just to create dance movements, as those golden hands of Tyan; the musician, start strumming upon those strings to create a mellifluous melody.

“Oho? Is she not, the sweet lover of Neteyam?” Ao’nung’s question for sure pulls a proud yet sheepish glare from the eldest of Sully; Neteyam, as he laughs it off. The son of Tonowari only chuckles to nothing but his friend, Rotxo, feeling his own content of being able to tease his friend��� as if Neteyam is sure enough his smitten side is not overlooked in his expression amongst the other Na’vi, in truth, it is not. It is not even a secret that there is a spark, such an attachment entangles the two souls.

Ignoring their furor upon the two dancing angels; Neteyam’s lovely woman and Tsireya, he sits in silence as he enjoys the music, and the curve of her body, barely noticing his little brother ; Lo’ak, joining his clarity of watching their beloved. The youngest son of Sully moves the cup made by a dried fruit shell in his hand slightly, to see how the liquid brushes its container before it fills his mouth. With the beauty of that Metkayinan whose skin becomes one with his darling’s during the entertainment, Neteyam notices the spark that Tsireya throws is giving an effect to his little brother. “Are they not lovely, bro?”

With one proud glance, Neteyam nods. “Indeed, she is.”

Another strum upon the lyre hits the atmosphere as his darling gracefully swaying her body, thin arms divide the air alongside the soft strands of her crown brushes her glimmering countenance— she dances, dances, with the splendor of her own beauty. For his yellow eyes, the whole scenery is enchanted by the charm of her, stopping the time as the only souls left were him and his dearest. Neteyam rests his face atop his palm as he savors the sight before him ; the minimal white silk and chiffon fabric that covers her chest and lower body, still exhibits the curvature of her body due to the transparent cloth. Yet his gaze also catches the other males’ liking to the delicate move of the half-blood Na’vi’s blue body, some has a concealed lust within their irises, to that very body he hugged the night before, where his hands roamed, and the said thoughts once again providing him such pride.

O how he really wants to rip their filthy eyes out of its skull, for the treason of besmirching his darling’s body with their full of lust glances. They do not deserve to look at her tame eyes, and her skin is not a mere entertainment to please their hungry looks.

Ah, seems like her shimmering orbs meet his golden ones. A satisfied hum leaves Neteyam’s lips as he realizes his darling has not put any effort let alone intention to break their tender locked gaze. The last minute of lyre reaches the end as a sweet smile etches her ripe lips, her feets bring her slender arms swaying its way to the dance, meeting with Tsireya’s body before dividing the air back to her own chest, her eyelashes that shadied the dark irises beneath them just giving the more spice for her unvoiced loving stare. She is such a sweet woman, and Neteyam feels pleased enough to know that she is.

The furor coming from their cheering fills the air following with praises, before others get occupied with the previous meal they had minutes prior to the fascinating show, still, in some of their topics, they talk about the attractive (former) Omaticayan and flatter her still. Just by the moment, Neteyam realizes his family members have a silly smile on their face as their stare lingers on him. “Uh, what?”

“You sure be lucky to have her, bro.” A nudge from Lo’ak can be felt on his bicep.

“Shush now, Lo’ak.”

“Really? You are dismissing it? Oh, have you already grown bored of her?” An annoying tease comes unexpectedly from Kiri who laughs, later waving her hand in the direction of his lover.

Neteyam grunts, placing his hand on top of her head to disarray her hair. “What a lie, I would never be enough with the sight of her, Skxawng.”

“Really?” A soft voice joins the siblings’ jest, as the maiden bends down a bit to caress Neteyam’s shoulder; trying to get his attention.

A wide smile is shown on his face, as his hand joins hers. “Of course, my love. Have I looked like it?”

“Nope, but if so, then you would not mind coming with me?”

A whistle comes from his younger brother’s lips, which to be answered with a nudge on his arm from Kiri. “Come one, we should give the couple their space.”

As they leave with laughter, joining Tuk and their parents, Neteyam glances back to those doe yellow eyes, feeling her tail trails its trace softly on his thigh. A content sigh leaves his lips as he stands up, hand resting on her hip as he escorts her out of the place. As the crowd’s noises mute down, he can hear the happy giggle, as it pulls the same delicate smile on his face, Neteyam feels her hand now guiding him to a place near the shore.

“That place?”

“Huum!” She nods, linking her arm on his as she drops her head on his bicep. Neteyam chuckles, another hand flies to pat her soft straight hair, showing no sign of rejection upon visiting their special place that they discovered a year ago not long after they first arrived in Awa’atlu. Times like this, in silence, are the ones he cherishes; to have his darling by his side.

As they arrived there: a secluded cave that meets the water below, has a soft gasp. She tilts her head in happy demeanor as she urges him to sit, on the cozy spot they usually take for sleeping, but now, it is adorned with some cushions and mat; which she herself made. Noticing the confused yet amazed look on his face, she gives the explanation. “I want to sleep comfortably tonight, in here.”

“Then, sleep comfortably you will.” Neteyam answers with a relaxed manner as he rests his back against the rock wall, hand patting the spot beside him to signal that he wants her to be on his side.

To his surprise, his lover shakes her head in rejection, as she places her foot in front of another on the ground— left hand is placed on her chest, whilst another one is holding the edge of her bottom skirt in the air, slightly bending her body; a form of honor before one starts her dance. Noticing something, a small ‘oh’ leaves Neteyam’s lips. A big smile comes to her face as she sways her body in a jolly manner.

“Lady, not enough dancing minutes ago?” Neteyam finds a comfortable position to watch his darling; letting his elbow be his pedestal, half laying.

“Oh, not enough indeed, for I have not been an amusement for your own eyes.”

An eye roll is his answer, yet he still hypes her up with every slow movements; becoming exotic. Yes, the smile never falters from his face, proudly examining the curve of her body. And, indeed. She is for his eyes only, times like this. His brows rise, when the sight of her hand slowly detaches the white cloth on her chest in her dancing.

Eywa, she is so magnificent. So perfect.

Her yellow bright orbs wander, eyelashes illuminating the look in her eyes as she comes close, seductively moving her body near his but not enough to make a skinship. He straightens his position, ought to place his hands on her hips. “Come here.”

The bioluminescent dots glow at its finest on her bare body, as she finally places herself on his lap. He can feel her tail once again trailing on his thigh, as he runs his hand on her back. Those hands of hers start caressing his biceps, up to his shoulders as she holds them tightly, feeling his muscle. “Oh, how lucky I am to have such a mighty warrior like you, Nete.”

Her sweet voice drips like a honey on his skin, cradling his very being in its sweetness. As he disguises the yellow orbs, Neteyam grasps the plush skin of her hip. “And how fortunate I am to have such a rare beauty like you, Love.”

Eyelids batting open, all he can see is just her white teeth showing the canine fangs in between her wide smile. Returning the smile, Neteyam brings his fingertips to brush her spine, from just above of her tail to her nape, ever so slow, ever so soft it makes her shudder.

She can see how he closes his eyes, absorbing the feeling within as he lets his hands roam on her body, slowly slipping to her upper cloth. The maiden leans close, hands cradling his round face close to her as she peppers soft pecks on his cheeks.

Oh, she is so beautiful in his eyes; heavy breath fanning on his cheek, he can feel their chest colliding as his free hands drag her body close to his chest. “Neteyam …”

“Mhm?” He makes eye contact, noticing how the black pupils of hers dilated, in love, in admiration.

Her fingers trace the bioluminescence dots on his face, letting her lips meet the soft skin. She spends the whole time alone for her to appreciate her man’s beauty, kissing every inch of his cheeks, jaw, and neck. Neteyam lets out a groan when he feels her roaming hand on his chest, up and down just to caress him softly as she softly sucks on the skin near his collarbone; his sensitive area.

Whine leaves her lips when he grabs her chin, lifting her face up. As they said, eyes are windows to their souls; what his beloved can only see within those honey eyes is something equivalent to any loving words ever existed. Something equivalent to any prayers a devoted worshiper chants to his deity. Neteyam is smitten, oh so badly.

It feels like forever to take for granted, for their lips to finally meet in union. The plush texture of his lips meeting her soft and sweet pair, demonstrating the unspoken feeling. To say that they are two souls being one is an understatement, in this intimacy, Neteyam is her, and she is him. One. Each nibble on their lips, tongue slipping past to explore each other’s mouth, hands traveling on their body is never enough for them. They need more.

But, the constant need of air they breathe has to interfere. Breaking the contact, her fingers ghosting upon his cheekbones, before she snuggles close to his side. “I love you, I love you.”

It sounds like a prayer, a music, worthy of its elegant tone.

Neteyam places his hand on her nape, closing the distance between two yearning pairs of lips, swallowing what she left to say. His hold is gentle, speaking of how his big arm wraps her waist, chest to chest colliding, with her desperation to feel his love. With the difference their height have, and the chants his lips grant her, those legs of hers on each side of his body almost lost their composure for how weak they are under his dominance ; her arms cling around his neck, head looks up high to let the man devour herself.

The attachment of their bodies sure do give peculiar, and sweet sparks within ; which give him a strong attraction, and what he never felt before with anyone else but her, a sense of protectiveness and feeling that builds up in his stomach up to his chest. Only him who can taste her this way. He stops his kisses as his hands hike down to her thighs, making way for his lips to her jaw, down to her neck.

She tangles her fingertips between his braided hair, holding the butterflies from breaking free through her lower tummy. Oh, how she does not know what she has to react when Neteyam lowers her body on the soft surface of the sheet-covered ground, placing her head on the cushion pillow and gently letting her back meet it without breaking the kiss he performs on her body.

Small popping sounds are created in each open-mouthed wet kiss across her chest, yet his eyes trail up to meet her eyes once he feels he has done enough to smear his markings.

“Teyam—“

“Stop.”

And stop he does. The movement of his hands is not the only thing that stops, his heart too. Distancing from her plush skin, a puzzled look is evident in his poor eyes. She needs to make haste to avoid misunderstanding, so she lets her arms circle around his neck, pulling him into her embrace softly; letting his body rest on top of hers, head on her breasts.

“Home. Take me as your mate, in our home.”

Tranquility follows her voice, putting his heart in ease; he did think he had made a mistake. Later, Neteyam sneaks his arms beneath her to comfortably make her within his hold, lifting his head to let his chin rest on the middle part of her chest, eyes lovingly stare into her soul.

“Ah, right. I had promised you for it.”

Low hum vibrates on her chest which he lays upon, lips do not say a word yet her soft hands wander on her beloved’s back, up to his nape; Neteyam notices that her slim fingers pull the knot of his choker, letting it loose before she puts it beside her.

Drowned in her gentle act, he continues his sentences as she travels down to his right bicep; ever so slow doing the same on his armband. “What should I do to deserve a loving woman such as you, my love?”

A lovesick small smile comes into her lips, observing how he lowly purrs as he lays his cheek on her breast, feeling soft and relaxed as his darling softly caresses his bicep which is slightly reddened from the use of tight armband all day long. “Oh, darling. You need not do anything. I am just an ordinary one.”

By that answer, that oldest son of Sully makes a switch of their position, now having his little lover cuddled up on top of him in warmth. Neteyam places a loving kiss here and there on her forehead, dragging his lips on her soft hair; burying his mouth as prior to his confession.

“No. You, the one that Eywa has crafted by Herself; to take your maidenhood before Eywa, is it even enough to prove me worthy of Her creature?”

His fingers find the different texture of her upper back skin; a scar, bullet scar from the war almost 1 year ago. That remembrance itself brings a woeful smile on his lips. “You have me at your service, to protect you in a lifetime.”

A single tear that falls gracefully from her right eye, dripping onto his left chest; where his heart is located. Oh, she really wants to tell Eywa that she is indeed the happiest Na’vi alive on Pandora.

“Neteyam, my beloved, please stop. You own me, Eywa blesses this for She is always leading me to you, you to me.”

Trying to hide the tremble of her lips, she buries her face on the crook of his neck, hiding the joy, the blithesome feeling that breaks through her body. “I see you, love.”

“I see you.”

Surely, they shall walk amongst the ground as one of Omaticaya people, once again, back in their home, soon. For now, skin to skin shall they fall into slumber.

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ [] repost bec TUMBLR DIDNT SHOW MY FICS UNDER THE TAG ARGHH anyway she really did detach her bra (??? whatever it is called) as a part of the dance movement kayy

[brookston]

Holidays 8.22

Holidays

America’s Cup Day

Baltic Unity Day (Latvia)

Be An Angel Day

Chuck Brown Day

Dia do Folclore (Folklore Day; Brazil)

Exercise Day

Feast of the Queenship of Mary

Flag Day (Russia)

Folklore Day (Brazil)

Fortuna Asteroid Day

International Apostasy Day

International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief (UN)

International Museum Meme Day

International Tongue Twister Day

Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance Day (Ukraine)

Liquid Soap Day

Loch Ness Monster Day

Madras Day (India)

Miriam Asteroid Day

National Firefighters Day (Mexico)

National Pamela Day

National Punctuation Day

National Rainbow Baby Day

National Surgical Oncologist Day

National Tooth Fairy Day (also 2.28)

Never Bean Better Day

Pocketphone Day

Rumpleskunkskin’s Wedding (Goblin celebration)

Salmon Day (French Republic)

Southern Hemisphere Hoodie-Hoo Day

Take Your Cat to the Vet Day

Timothy Herb Day

Tunamint (Natural Chimneys, Virginia)

World Folklore Day

World Rainbow Baby Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Burgers to Beat MS Day (Canada)

Eat a Peach Day

National Bao Day

National Pecan Torte Day

World Jollof Rice Day

World Plant Milk Day

Independence & Related Days

Arstotzkan Union (Declared, 2019) [unrecognized]

Korea (Annexed by Japan; 1910)

New Mexico (Annexed by US; 1846)

Sierra Leone (Founded as Slave Asylum; UK; 1788)

Wakamawabla (Declared, 2016) [unrecognized]

4th Thursday in August

California Public Radio Day (California) [4th Thursday]

National Bra Fitting Day [4th Thursday]

National Burger Day (a.k.a. Mr. Hyde National Burger Day; UK) [Thursday before August bank holiday]

Thinking Thursday [4th Thursday of Each Month]

Thirsty Thursday [Every Thursday]

Three for Thursday [Every Thursday]

Thrift Store Thursday [Every Thursday]

Throwback Thursday [Every Thursday]

Thuringer Thursday [4th Thursday of Each Month]

Festivals Beginning August 22, 2024

Acton Fair (Acton, Maine) [thru 8.25]

Brewed In Minnesota Exhibit (Minnesota State Fair, Minnesota) [thru 9.2]

Buttermilk Days Festival (Bardstown, Kentucky) [thru 8.24]

Evergreen State Fair (Monroe, Washington) [thru 9.2]

Fan Expo Canada (Toronto, Ontario) [thru 8.25]

Gillespie County Fair (Fredericksburg, Texas) [thru 8.25]

Gueydan Duck Festival (Gueydan, Louisiana) [thru 8.25]

Loyal CornFest (Loyal, Wisconsin) [thru 8.25]

Maryland State Fair (Timonium, Maryland) [thru 9.8]

Minnesota State Fair (Falcon Heights, Minnesota) [thru 9.2]

Piscataquis Valley Fair (Dover-Foxcroft, Maine) [thru 8.25]

Swiss Wine Festival (Vevay, Indiana) [thru 8.25]

A Taste of New England (Stowe, Vermont) [thru 8.25]

Taste of Tennis (New York, New York)

Winterville Watermelon Festival (Winterville, North Carolina) [thru 8.25]

Feast Days

Andrew of Fiesole (Christian; Saint)

Annie Proulx (Writerism)

Archibald Willard (Artology)

Dorothy Parker (Writerism)

Fabrizio (Christian; Saint)

Feast of Hathor and Min (Ancient Egypt)

Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Roman Catholic)

Feast of the Queenship of Mary

George Herriman (Artology)

Guinefort (Christian; Saint)

Harrison (Positivist; Saint)

Hippolytus (Christian; Saint)

Ignatius Reilly Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Jacques Lipchitz (Artology)

Janmashtami (Festival celebrating birth of Krishna; India)

Kelly Freas (Artology)

Muin (Blackberry; Celtic Book of Days)

Nu Kea Day (Chinese Healing Goddess; Everyday Wicca)

Order of the Rosy Cross Foundation Day

Philibert (Christian; Saint)

Queenship of Mary (Christian; Saint)

Ray Bradbury (Writerism)

Roberto Aizenberg (Artology)

Rumpleskunkskin’s Wedding (Goblin Celebration; Shamanism)

Sigfrid (Christian; Saint)

Symphorian (Christian; Saint)

Tarantula Teasing Day (Pastafarian)

Timotheus (Christian; Saint)

Timothy, Hippolytus & Symphorian (Christian; Martyrs)

Virgo zodiac sign begins (Pagan)

The Weatherberries (Muppetism)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Premieres

Alice in the Big League (Disney Cartoon; 1927)

And Now For Something Completely Different (Film; 1972)

Another One Bites the Dust, by Queen (Song; 1980)

Bimbo’s Express (Betty Boop Cartoon; 1931)

Blitz Wolf (Tex Avery MGM Cartoon; 1942)

Bojack Horseman (Animated TV Series; 2014)

Bootle Beetle (Disney Cartoon; 1947)

Clown on the Farm (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1957)

The Cocktail Party, by T.S. Eliot (Play; 1949)

Dancing in the Streets, recorded by Martha and the Vandellas (Song; 1966)

Ghosts, by Henrik Ibsen (Play; 1883)

G.I. Jane (Film; 1997)

Hamlet 2 (Film; 2008)

High Plains Drifter (Film; 1973)

The House Bunny (Film; 2008)

The Ice Carnival (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1941)

If I Stay (Film; 2014)

Joy in the Morning, by P.G. Wodehouse (Novel; 1947) [Jeeves #8]

Jumpin’ at the Woodside, recorded by Count Basie (Song; 1938)

The Mild West (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1947)

Top-pop-a-da, Two Bass Hit and Ow!, recorded by Dizzy Gillespie (Song; 1947)

Plop Goes the Weasel (WB LT Cartoon; 1953)

Porky’s Poultry Plant (WB LT Cartoon; 1936)

The Saint, by Burt Barer (Film Novelization; 1997) [Saint #51]

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (Film; 2014)

The Skeleton Dance (Silly Symphonies Disney Cartoon; 1929)

Stand By Me (Film; 1986)

Stormy Seas (Ub Iwerks MGM Cartoon; 1932)

Toby Tortoise Returns (Silly Symphonies Disney Cartoon; 1936)

Travelaffs (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1958)

Today’s Name Days

Regina, Siegfried (Austria)

Marija, Regina, Vladislava (Croatia)

Bohuslav (Czech Republic)

Symphorian (Denmark)

Iivo, Ivalo, Ivar, Ivari, Ivo (Estonia)

Iivari, Iivo (Finland)

Fabrice (France)

Maria Regina, Regina, Sigfried (Germany)

Menyhért, Mirjam (Hungary)

Fabrizio, Maria, Regina (Italy)

Nadīna, Rudīte (Latvia)

Ipolitas, Karijotas, Rimantė, Sigitas, Zygfridas (Lithuania)

Harriet, Harry (Norway)

Cezary, Dalegor, Fabrycjan, Fabrycy, Hipolit, Hipolita, Maria, Namysław, Oswald, Oswalda, Tymoteusz, Zygfryd (Poland)

Tichomír (Slovakia)

María, Timoteo (Spain)

Henrietta, Henrika (Sweden)

Florence, Florent (Ukraine)

Hayden, Hazel, Heath, Heather, Hector (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 235 of 2024; 131 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 4 of Week 34 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Coll (Hazel) [Day 20 of 28]

Chinese: Month 7 (Ren-Shen), Day 19 (Wu-Wu)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 18 Av 5784

Islamic: 16 Safar 1446

J Cal: 25 Purple; Foursday [25 of 30]

Julian: 9 August 2024

Moon: 88%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 10 Gutenberg (9th Month) [Harrison]

Runic Half Month: As (Gods) [Day 15 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 64 of 94)

Week: 3rd Full Week of August

Zodiac: Virgo (Day 1 of 32)

Calendar Changes

Virgo (The Virgin) begins [Zodiac Sign 6; thru 9.22]

[wellingtonwellsdaily]

News Hour

Good day, my lovely Wellingtons! It’s Uncle Jack here, ready to bring you the latest news from our beautiful town. Have you taken your Joy today? I certainly hope so, because it’s time for News Hour, where we keep you informed about all the wonderful things happening in Wellington Wells.

Let’s start with some exciting news from the Wellington Wells Arts Council. They’ve just announced a brand-new art exhibition that will be opening next week at the Wellington Wells Museum. The exhibit, titled Colours of Joy, features works from some of our most talented local artists, each piece bursting with vibrant colors and positive energy. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or just looking for something beautiful to brighten your day, this exhibition is not to be missed. The grand opening will be on Thursday evening, complete with a wine and cheese reception – how delightful!

In other news, our town’s beloved Wellington Wells Bakery is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month! To mark the occasion, they’re hosting a week-long celebration starting Monday, with special offers on all their most popular treats, including the famous Wellington Wells Jammy Dodgers and their mouth-watering sticky buns. There will also be baking demonstrations, giveaways, and a chance to win a year’s supply of bread! So, if you have a sweet tooth, be sure to stop by and join in the festivities.

Now, onto a bit of health news. The Wellington Wells Health Department has issued a friendly reminder to all residents to stay hydrated, especially as the summer heat continues. They recommend drinking at least eight glasses of water a day and avoiding too much time in direct sunlight. If you’re planning to spend time outdoors, don’t forget to wear a hat, apply sunscreen, and of course, take your Joy! Staying hydrated and cheerful is the key to enjoying these sunny days to the fullest.

Speaking of summer fun, the Wellington Wells Summer Fair is just around the corner! This year’s fair promises to be bigger and better than ever, with rides, games, food stalls, and live entertainment. It’s the perfect event for families, friends, and anyone looking to soak up the festive atmosphere. The fair will be held in Victory Park next weekend, so be sure to bring your Joy and your sense of adventure!

Finally, a quick note from the Wellington Wells Post Office. They’ve recently updated their mailing hours and services to better accommodate our busy lives. The post office will now be open until 7 PM on weekdays, making it easier than ever to send letters, packages, and of course, postcards to your loved ones. After all, a little note from a friend is often just the thing to brighten someone’s day, don’t you think?

Well, I'm afraid we've come to the end of our time, my dear Wellingtons. I hope you feel more connected to our wonderful community and ready to take on the day with a smile. Remember, staying informed is a part of staying Joyful, so keep tuning in for all the latest updates. Until next time, keep smiling, keep spreading Joy, and always remember: happiness is a choice. Choose Joy!

[queenofcandynsoda]

Harvest Day/Day of Grapes and Grains

The Day of Grapes and Grains, also known as the Harvest Festival, celebrates the beginning of the harvest season in Sol Fertilis. 

Farmers prepare their best produce for the festival in the morning. They arrange baskets and crates filled with freshly harvested fruits, vegetables, and grains, which are often displayed at local markets or designated areas in the town square. In both Neo-Pagan and Catholic counties, Beta Neutral farmers play a role in the religious or spiritual aspects of the day. They bring offerings from their harvest, such as wheat sheaves, fruits, and vegetables, to place on altars or in front of churches. On this day, alewives play a significant role in the celebrations by giving away wine to all ranks in churches. 

Festival shows include theatrical performances by local theater groups that celebrate the harvest and local legends, as well as concerts featuring traditional and contemporary music. Barbecues and picnics are common, with families enjoying grilled meats, fresh salads, and homemade desserts. Larger community picnics are organized in parks, with communal tables and shared dishes. Traditional folk dances, circle dances, and line dances are performed, inviting everyone to join in. Evening dance parties with live music take place in public squares and parks, extending the celebrations into the night.

Religious and spiritual observances play a significant role in the Harvest Festival. Churches hold special services to bless the harvest and pray for a bountiful season, with attendees bringing offerings of grains, fruits, and vegetables to place on the altar.

In Neo-Pagan communities, rituals involving the symbolic sacrifice of crops or animals are performed to honor Ceres Gaia and ensure a successful harvest. Incense is burned, and prayers are recited to give thanks for the abundance and seek protection for the coming months. The rituals involving the symbolic sacrifice of crops or animals are performed to honor the gods and ensure a successful harvest. Attendees bring offerings of grains, fruits, and vegetables to place on the altar.

Crafts and arts are an integral part of the festival. Participants engage in harvest crafts like making crowns and garlands from wheat, flowers, and grapevines to wear during the festivities. Families and communities build scarecrows to protect their crops, often holding contests for the most creative scarecrow. Art exhibitions featuring local artists' works that depict harvest themes are held in galleries and public spaces, while craft fairs offer handmade goods such as pottery, textiles, and jewelry inspired by the harvest season.

Couples engage in handfasting ceremonies, a symbolic act of unity and commitment, performed in parks or gardens. All ranks perform this but the middle ranks, which are Beta Pluses and Delta Minuses, are often seen doing this more. 

Special foods and drinks are enjoyed throughout the Harvest Festival. Traditional meals include roast meats such as lamb, pork, and chicken, served with seasonal vegetables. Grain-based dishes like various bread, pasta, and grain salads are prepared using freshly harvested ingredients. Desserts such as fruit pies made from apples, berries, and other seasonal fruits, along with honey cakes and sweet breads flavored with spices and dried fruits, are popular. Drinks include local wines and beers brewed from the harvest, and freshly pressed grape, apple, and pear juices are served, particularly to children.

Towards the end of the meal, there are final toasts. In Neo-Pagan counties, the toasts may involve traditional toasts to the gods and goddesses of harvest and fertility, such as Ceres Gaia, Venus Bellona, and Mars Sol. In Catholic counties, toasts might be directed toward the saints, or God, thanking them for the blessings of the harvest. Alewives and other key figures often lead these toasts, sharing words of gratitude and hope for the future.

Following the feast, a large bonfire is lit in a central location. This fire symbolizes the burning away of the old season's remnants and the welcoming of a new cycle. Around the bonfire, people gather to sing traditional songs, dance, and share stories. The music often includes a mix of folk tunes and contemporary favorites, played on traditional instruments like lutes, flutes, and drums, creating a lively and joyous atmosphere.

A priest may give a final blessing or prayer, asking for continued prosperity and protection over the community and its land. In Neo-Pagan traditions, this may involve a ritual offering to the gods, while in Catholic areas, it could include a collective prayer or hymn.

[lauvra]

I shot guns in a videogame. I abstained from sex and masturbation. I quit caffeine. I wrote your last words, painted over them then turned them into an acrostic poem. I smoked one cigarette every ten minutes to fill a rental apartment with smoke and my lungs with tar. I sugar-soaped the walls and moved into the crawlspace of a place by the beach. I ushered the wrong people into forgiveness and said far too much to curious folks who didn't care. I wouldn't watch romance in movies or hug men. I danced in gay clubs and bought drugs. I walked on the opposite side of the street from the bar. I screamed while my friends apologised to strangers, laughed and corrected chairs in my path of destruction. You messaged a day later, asked how I was doing, "fine," I said. I drank coffee 'til 2am and sold my car. I leaned over the rooftop facing Luna Park, looking for you in happy strangers on the street below. I put the link in bio. I took on debt to move farther from you but ended up in a studio beside a skate park. Yikes. With each move I refused to let others carry your painting, fearing they'd damage it. I tanned, stretched, lifted iron and listened to subliminal sleep tapes for self esteem. I quit smoking and stopped answering calls. I caught planes not caring whether they'd land. I underlined text in A Lover's Discourse in Prahran square. I bought a piano and passed you in the rain. I convinced myself I caused the earthquake. I had a second ocean baptism and got a new job. When I panicked in the second week, my boss said I had stuff to resolve. I watched milestone fireworks and felt nothing at all. I grew sharp claws, painted them cherry red. You walked past me standing with a friend, caught the wrong end of context. Karma, I guess. I lived by your perception and treated everybody with suspicion. I got a gym membership and therapist. He dropped me, said "maybe you aren't ready to change yet". I touched a petal on every roadside flower and thought about something you said. Mouthed thank-you in silence at pedestrian crossings remembering, "they can't hear you!" I got a new job and two cherubs tattooed on my forearm. They did not bring love. Cops checked my welfare again. I went on a date to a jazz bar, then an open mic poetry night and fled before the end. I wrote you bad, I wrote you fair, I wrote you real. I had sex with a divorcee. I sang sad things and sought religious experiences at gigs. I met with a deployed American soldier thinking maybe he'd kill me, a mercy, then didn't give him an opportunity. I searched up, beneath and inside. I bought a gold ring to feel a little like you at the end of each day. I wished the non-follower view was you, knowing it wasn't. I got a new job, moved to the other side of the city and said I was free. Two weeks later you tagged down my street. My bad, another Goliath mishap. I brushed my hands against the paint, drank four bottles of wine in a week and wrote in recollection. I moved once more. Quit the workforce. I had Penny's teeth cleaned, mine pulled and stumbled through the city in a borrowed jacket. I wondered what exactly you were afraid to say under general anaesthetic. I forgot I, then remembered again. I put a painting in an exhibit, got a new therapist and joined a support group. I've walked you off, taken over a thousand showers, laughed, cried, scowled, searched obituaries and whispered sorry too quietly for the wind to carry. I've read, turned you into art, prayed for and ignored you, envied people you moved onto, forgiven but still can't walk past the stranger I loved on Rose Street without my knees weakening. But really, when I write to you it's another brick wall spoken to. It's as Steinbeck once said: money removes the charge of insanity. At least I gained one penny for my grief. It was real for me but you were right, we have nothing to say to one another. I've felt, thought and written it all. You were more precise: "All good, I'm out."

[gingerwerk]

Spent all day absolutely Sweating setting up our exhibit for the county fair so imma get wine drunk and eat fried chicken and try to ignore the fact that I gotta go back to work tomorrow and finish setting up the exhibit in that sweatbox of a building