#a true tast of India

[mylunchisatvdinner]

Not medium spice in my opinion, pretty mild. But it is pretty good overall.

[sceneloc8]

Top Restaurant and cafes Location For Shooting in Mumbai

Mumbai, India’s lively city, is not just a great place to eat, it’s also a great place to work on creative projects. SceneLoc8 has compiled a list of the best restaurants and cafes in Mumbai for your pre-wedding shoot, photography session, music video, or vlog. These places have the perfect mix of atmosphere and style to make your vision come true.

Possibilities for creative content:

Pre-Wedding Shoots: To add a touch of class to your pre-wedding photos, take pictures of timeless moments of love and romance in stylish cafes or fancy restaurants.

Photography: Look into the unique interiors and architectural details of Mumbai’s best cafes and restaurants to take pictures that show off both delicious food and artistic skill.

Set the scene for your music video in a trendy café or a cozy bistro. The atmosphere and energy of these busy spots will come through in your images.

Vlogs: Show your viewers your cooking adventures and dining experiences through interesting vlogs shot at Mumbai’s famous restaurants and cafes, giving viewers a taste of the city’s lively food scene.

Filming: To make your scenes seem more real, use famous Mumbai cafes or high-end restaurants. This will immerse viewers in the city’s rich cultural tapestry.

Advice for people who make content:

If you want to shoot in a Mumbai restaurant or cafe, keep these things in mind:

Permission and Cooperation: Make sure you get the right permissions from the business before filming or taking pictures. This will make sure the shoot goes smoothly and without any problems.

Time: Plan your shoot for a time when it’s not busy so that there aren’t too many people around and you can get a good sense of the atmosphere of the place.

Respectful Behavior: When you’re shooting, be aware of other customers and staff and treat them with respect. Stay professional and polite the whole time.

Creative Composition: Use the restaurant or cafe’s unique features and atmosphere to your advantage by experimenting with lighting, angles, and composition to make content that looks stunning.

Showing Off the Experience: In your content, talk about the venue’s atmosphere and tasty treats, giving people a tantalizing look into the dining experience.

Why You Should Write Content in Restaurants and Cafes:

The restaurants and cafes in Mumbai are great for content creators in many ways:

Aesthetic Appeal: These places, from trendy cafes to high-end restaurants, have stylish interiors and interesting decor that make them perfect for posting visually appealing content.

Flexibility: Mumbai’s restaurants and cafes can be used for a variety of creative purposes. They can be used as quiet places for intimate scenes or as busy places for lively visuals.

Cultural Significance: Many famous restaurants and cafes in Mumbai have cultural significance. Showing the city’s culinary history will give your content more depth and authenticity.

Accessibility: These places are in different neighborhoods across the city, so they are easy to get to for your shoot because of logistics and transportation.

Unlock the culinary charm and creative potential of Mumbai’s top restaurants and cafes with SceneLoc8. Whether you’re a photographer, filmmaker, or content creator, these iconic locations offer the perfect setting to bring your vision to life. Explore, create, and capture unforgettable moments amidst the vibrant backdrop of Mumbai’s dining scene.

#RestaurantShoot #CafeLocations #MumbaiPhotography #ContentCreation #SceneLoc8 #PreWeddingShoot #MusicVideos

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@SceneLoc8 Mumbai

[onenicebugperday]

@billionneuronscurious submitted: Cicada excreting fluid.

(Location: Maharashtra, India.)

Ha! Great shot!

For those that don’t know, there are a lot of true bugs (including cicadas) that feed on sap and other plant fluids. As they feed, they excrete excess fluid and sugars via their anus - this fluid is often called honeydew. There are other bugs that will feed on honeydew (especially ants!) and bees sometimes make honey out of it. I have a jar of honey that was made primarily from bees that collected spotted lanternfly honeydew. That one in particular doesn’t taste very good, imo! It has an aftertaste that’s reminiscent of burnt rubber.

[secretearthquakecheesecake]

GOOᗪ EᐯEᑎIᑎG

In every bite of a samosa, you taste the true essence of India. Samosas are like little pockets of love filled with spices and flavors...

Samosa lovers unite: let’s celebrate the joy of these triangular treats on forthcoming Holi festival of colours.

Meanwhile recipe for your practice..Now a days Samosas have become a popular entrée, appetiser, Or snack in the cuisines around the world..

🌼𑜞᭄with ℒℴѵℯ 🌹💞

[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.

[eatmangoesnekkid]

No matter what you may be going through, I can honestly say that when you become devoted to weaving the great beauty of life, tantra, into your daily life, your life naturally and instinctively starts to transform. The fear, doubts, hopelessness, or anxiety starts to fall away. Beauty is truth-- a deeply internal spiritual experience, a cleansing from the field of love. When you allow yourself to plug into beauty, this electromagnetic field, the spark of divine love and aliveness that has been powering and populating the entire planet for eternity, you create more and more energy and your body changes for the brighter. What else you could ever desire other than knowing beauty in the present moment? With divine love, no matter what you are doing, life becomes more energy-giving than energy-taking.Whether making a fresh juice for your family, giving yourself a breast massage, cleaning your floors, picking up your child from daycare, sitting down relaxed while eating a meal, or working behind a computer, taking a moment to calibrate to true beauty in the present moment changes you into a more advanced version of yourself overtime. Slow down. Take a breath. Give yourself over to the unknown. Taste your food. Relax more. Check your posture. Be soft in your tailbone. Think of fuchsia flowers. All of this is true beauty. I’m not saying that you should try to remove all pain from your life because doing so would be inauthentic and pain, when present, plays an important role in our bodies and lives. I mainly want you to know that you have so more capacity for new beautiful narratives but better, energy-giving thoughts and actions are needed in the meantime. Then all the patterns, worries and thoughts that have been making you sad, regretful, afraid, obsessive, or anxious begin to dissolve into an offering of fuchsia flowers. Care enough about your body to be responsible for orienting your energy towards bliss at any given moment. This is true beauty. This is living in divine love. -India Ame'ye, Author

[winterlogysblog]

Fairy Scents ft. Kiane Kids Scent Headcanons

It's well established that each fairy has a scent that is associated with a flower or a herb. So far we have confirmed scents for each notable fairy we have been introduced to.

So after some quick research I found some info about these flowers and their scents

King - Gold Osmanthus

Osmanthus Wine tastes same as I remember, but where are those who share the memory XD

Origins: China

In the language of flowers, they carry the meaning of love and romance, symbolising true love and faithfulness

Smells like a mix of juicy peaches, ripe apricots with soft leather or suede.

Elaine - Lavender

Origins: Mediterranean

Represent purity, silence, devotion, serenity, grace, and calmness.

Biblical meaning of lavender symbolizes purity, devotion, and love

Delicate, sweet smell that is floral, herbal, and evergreen woodsy at the same time

Helbram - White Rose

Origins: Ancient Greece

Symbolize loyalty, purity, and innocence.

Combination of floral and fruity notes, with hints of honey and jasmine

Fun fact: A White Rose is what King used to kill Helbram (the first time) it turned red because of the blood

Gerheade - Mint

Origins: Mediterranean

Symbol of Hospitality and Wisdom

Gloxinia - Ginger

Origins: Maritime Southeast Asia

In many cultures, ginger is considered a symbol of love

Used in religious rituals to symbolize cleansing, protection and blessing.

Warm and spicy, with a hint of sweetness

Lancelot - Lemon

Origins: Unknown (said to be first grown in Northeast India, Northern Myanmar, or China)

Symbol of purity and cleansing

Headcanon Time

Since Nakaba hasn't spoken out about their scents I'll give my thoughts on the matter.

Lancelot introduced fruits into the mix of scents and Gloxinia smells like Ginger which is a root so I went ham with this.

Nasiens - Oleander or Sunflower

Oleander are toxic which is very fitting for our Mad Herbalist

Smells like Vanilla

Oleander symbolizes love, beauty, and resilience

I want one of Kiane's kids to smell like Sunflowers cause you know... Sunflower

Sunflowers also don't have a distinct smell so it's actually fitting for Nasiens since he grew up thinking he's human so there's really no natural fairy-like smell he could have detected from himself

Sunflower represents longevity, lasting happiness, adoration, and loyalty

Sixtus - Peach

Since Sixtus looks extremely like King I think it's only fitting if his scent is close to King's as well

Peaches symbolizes longevity

Belte - Jasmine

Belte gives Helbram energy and he kinda looks like him too so his scent also needs to give Helbram energy

Jasmine stands for purity, simplicity, modesty and strength.

Zana and Zillian - Blackberry and Raspberry

Since they're twins I want their scents to match

Blackberries are mild, sweet and slightly acidic scent, with earthy and woody nuances.

Some believed that blackberries contain properties of abundance and prosperity

Raspberries are fruity, sweet and slightly acidic

Raspberries are symbol of kindness in Christian art.

Tioreh - Pink Hyacinth

Phao - Lily of the Valley

Symbol of purity, joy, love, sincerity, happiness and luck,

Has a floral and green scent, with fresh and slightly sweet notes

I want one of Kiane's kids scents to come from the earth, something underground. There's an underground Orchid but it smells bad so that won't do so I specifically looked for a flower that has an earthy scent. I also want it to be PINK for Tioreh

Sweet, robust, and earthy

Pink hyacinths symbolize playful joy.

[oct0bra1ns]

HONESTLY; Indian yandere who knows so many languages and learns your state language, culture, and everything. because India is diverse, and he just wants to appeal more to you. AND if you are from a different religion, well, he could just pretend y'know. it's not like such marriages are uncommon in India, and in the end, he will just kidnap you ! but don't worry, you can still practice your religion. Or if you are Pakistani/Bangladeshi.... well all he will have to do is prepare some cash, pull some strings and you will be on his lap in no time.

SO TRUE

the north/south troupe with yandere is just too YUMMY, like, he'll go above and beyond to learn your culture, language, your favourite dishes and if he can't match the taste, he'll book a flight for you to enjoy it

EXACTLY, if appealing to your parents isn't good enough, he'll settle for whisking you away, not much they can do when registering a marriage is hella simple now a days, besides, who's going to object or question him when he has the entire police in his pockets

AND PLS, i feel that would be a veryyyy last measure, i mean, he'll do everything to gain the approval of the parents, hell, if they want their child to settle abroad, he'll pull some strings and get everything ready, if that's not good enough, he'll even send money everything, as much as they ask :P

[fatehbaz]

Because most medicines were produced from [...] plants [...] these early “pharmaceutical monopolies” required full control of the production and trade of a species. Russia successfully managed the rhubarb trade in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, while Spain controlled the distribution [...] from Spanish America, mainly cinchona from Peru, in the same period. “True” cinnamon grew only on Sri Lanka, so whoever controlled the island could dominate the cinnamon trade. The Portuguese were the first to create a monopoly on the cinnamon trade there in the early seventeenth century. That monopoly was later optimized by the Dutch in the late eighteenth century [...].

“True” should indeed be in quotation marks here - the term reflects the historically contingent tastes of Europeans, rather than any botanical category [...]. The rarity of cinnamon in the early modern period made it one of the most coveted spices of that era, and European countries without direct access to the cinnamon trade tried to imitate, substitute, steal, smuggle, or transplant the “true” product from Sri Lanka. [...]

---

In the early modern period, cinnamon was also important both as an exotic commodity and as an important therapeutic substance. The Dutch East India Company (VOC), which controlled Sri Lanka between 1658 and 1796, was well aware of this. The VOC vigorously exploited the Salagama - [...] specialized Sri Lankan cinnamon peelers - to supply enough cinnamon, which for a long time was gathered from forests. Only after the peelers rebelled, leading to a war that lasted between 1760 and 1766, did the company revise its production policy. 

Experiments with “cinnamon gardens” (kaneeltuinen in Dutch) led to enormous successes, and the company eventually grew millions of cinnamon trees on plantations in the final decades of the eighteenth century. Meanwhile, competitors of the Dutch had come up with their own solutions [...]: Spain had started growing other Cinnamomum species on plantations in the Philippines, while France and Britain succeeded in transplanting cinnamon to islands in the Caribbean. But the Dutch monopoly was not simply threatened by outside competition. Smuggling, by peelers or VOC personnel, was strictly forbidden and severely punished. [...]

---

Hendrik Adriaan van Rheede tot Drakenstein (1636–1691) was the VOC administrator on India’s Malabar Coast when he started experimenting with cinnamon oil in the 1670s.

He concluded that the oil, which he extracted from the roots of local cinnamon trees, was of better quality than oil from cinnamon trees on Sri Lanka. Van Rheede reported these results in his entry on cinnamon in volume 1 of the Hortus Indicus Malabaricus, the twelve-volume book that was produced by a team of local and European scholars, and supervised by Van Rheede himself.

Van Rheede’s assessment of cinnamon - in fact, the very publication of a multi-volume work about the flora of Malabar - infuriated the governor of Sri Lanka, Rijckloff van Goens, who had secured the cinnamon monopoly of Sri Lanka for the Dutch. Van Goens insisted that Van Rheede stop his medical experiments, claiming that the monopoly was at risk if the cinnamon trade was extended beyond the island of Sri Lanka. 

But Van Goens was not so much concerned about the therapeutic efficacy of cinnamon from either of the two regions. He was motivated by an imperial agenda and regarded the natural products of Sri Lanka as superior to anything similar in the region.

The experiments of Van Rheede, who was his former protégé, threatened not so much the botanical quality of the product, or the commercial interests of the Dutch East India Company, but rather the central position of Sri Lanka in the Dutch colonial system and the position of Van Goens as the representative of that system.

---

Even when Sri Lanka still only produced cinnamon that grew in the wild, the Dutch harvested enough to supply an international market and were able to dictate the availability and price level throughout the world. The monopoly, whether defined in commercial or pharmaceutical terms, was not easily put at risk by efforts like Van Rheede’s. Those involved in the early modern cinnamon trade were motivated by various reasons to defend or undermine the central position of Sri Lankan cinnamon: botanical, medical, commercial, or imperial. These motives often overlapped.

---

All text above by: Wouter Klein. “Plant of the Month: Cinnamon.” JSTOR Daily. 17 February 2021. “Plant of the Month” series is part of the Plant Humanities Initiative, a partnership of Dumbarton Oaks and JSTOR Labs. [Bold emphasis and some paragraph breaks/contractions added by me. Presented here for commentary, teaching, criticism purposes.]

[leftoverenvy]

Tastes Like Sugar (ch. 32)

Summary: India Mae, or Indi, is a music major, struggling to pay bills, tuition, work, and make good grades.  Emily Prentiss is a BAU profiler, as well as a DC socialite thanks to her huge family fortune.  The two enter into a mutually beneficial arrangement: Emily will pay for Indi's school if Indi accompanies Emily to her social functions for a few months, posing as her girlfriend.  As weeks go by, the lines between their arrangement and their true feelings start to blur.  But money can't buy love, right?

Pairing: India Mae Banks x Emily Prentiss; OC x Emily Prentiss

Warnings: smut; sugar baby relationships; age gap (16 years - but all over 18)

Word Count: 2.9 k

Read on Wattpad | Ao3 | Previous Chapters

Taglist: @ssa-sapphic 🧸; @5raysofsunshine 🌮; @reidselle🦭; @swiftfiles 🐝💚 ; @scorpsik 🎨

Chapter 32 - Birthday Wishes

A/n: thank you everyone for your patience with updates!  If you're still following along, thank you.  Your readership means everything to me.

- - -

"Pen!" I protested, pushing my hair out of my face once again.  "This fan is blowing my hair around, and I can assure you it is NOT sexy."

"Oh, I assure you it will be, my pet," she purred as she continued snapping photos.  "Just do something sexier with your face."

I huffed in annoyance.  "Very helpful!" I said sarcastically.  "I never should have let you talk me into this," I complained, gesturing around at the makeshift photography studio Penelope had set up to take some boudoir photos for Emily's birthday present.  "I'm just not good at being sexy."

"I'll bet there's a certain brunette who would beg to differ…"  She raised a knowing eyebrow.  "In fact," she started, "You should hear how they tease her at work."

"What do you mean?" I asked in concern.

Penelope walked over to position my arms in what I assumed was a much less awkward pose.  "Emily is so…" she trailed off.  "So cold, hard."  My brows furrowed in disagreement.  Before I could protest, Penelope amended, "She's a total badass, don't get me wrong.  Like a super spy babe…But when you call…"  She trailed off again finding the right words.

With bated breath, "when I call…" I prompted.

"She's a total cheeseball!"  She laughed.  "She's so head over heels for you, Indi.  I guess the team has just never seen her like that before."  She paused, letting me soak it all in, but then added, "For example, the other day, she had just taken down this unsub.  I'm talkin' heeled boot to the stomach, gun pointed at his head.  And she was so focused."  I could picture it now.  My stomach tightened pleasantly thinking about how wonderful it was to be the object of Emily's focus.  "And then when she got back to Quantico to call you, it's like she visibly softens."

I tried to reconcile what Penelope was telling me with my own perceptions of Emily.  A wide smile spread over my face, pleased that I caused such a change in her.  "And," Penelope continued conspiratorially, "Derek has a theory that Emily and JJ were more than friends, especially seeing how cold JJ is towards you."  I gulped, unsure if this was a secret Emily purposefully kept from the team even after they had broken up.  "And apparently, she NEVER looked at JJ like she looks at you."

Butterflies flooded my tummy.  Even though Emily had told me she loved me, it still never ceased to amaze me that others saw the proof in her eyes as I did.  "All the more reason for these photos to turn out well.  I can't buy anything for the woman who has more money than god – if she wants something, she just buys it for herself.  This is my only option for her birthday present, Pen.  And I'm just hopeless at this stuff."

"You landed Emily," she pointed out.

"You know what I mean," I grumbled, pulling at the tight lingerie, uncomfortable and out of my element.

A knowing glint illuminated Penelope's eyes.  "Let's try something new," she suggested.  "What song makes you feel sexy?"

"I don't know…" I bit my lip, embarrassed.

"Fine."  Penelope grabbed her phone and changed the playlist.  Deep bass and a slow beat reverberated around the room contrasted with the singer's keening, crooning voice.  I had no idea what this song was, but the vibe immediately shifted into something more intimate.  I continued worrying my lip, steeling myself to be sexy for Emily.

She seemed to have enjoyed the photos I had taken in front of her standing mirror.  But I hadn't let myself think about it or talk myself out of hitting send.  I begged myself to get out of my own head, trying to reason with my own insecurities.

"Maybe start without my face in them?" I suggested, trying to find a way to ease myself into this.

"Wonderful idea, Indi!  What part of you does Emily like best?"  I had no idea.  I knew which parts of her I liked best.  The smooth lines of her back, the tattoo on her hip, the slope of her jaw as she threw her head back in pleasure… 

"Earth to India!" Penelope got my attention.

"Sorry!" I apologized, my face heating in embarrassment.  I pulled one leg up to my chest, trying to fold in on myself.  "I was just…"

"Fantasizing?  Don't think I haven't seen that look in Emily's eyes either."  Butterflies swarmed my stomach again, overwhelming joy causing a shy smile to stretch across my face.  The click of the camera caught my attention.  "Just be yourself," Penelope instructed softly, trying not to break the moment.  "You're beautiful when you think of her."

"She's beautiful," I whispered.  I could never compare, I thought ruefully.

"Let's try from behind," Penelope suggested.  "Look over your shoulder.  That way you don't have to think too much about what we're doing.  Just keep thinking about Emily."

And once we got started, it really was much easier.  Thinking about Emily got me out of my head.   While I didn't think these had a hope of coming out good enough for Emily, Penelope – of course – worked her magic and made me look amazing.  She thought of the best poses to look teasing and sexy.  I hoped Emily liked them well enough.

_ _ _

I woke up with a start, realizing what day it was.  I rolled over and gently pressed kisses against Emily's skin to wake her up.  When she finally roused, she smiled and pulled me in for a proper kiss.  "Happy birthday," I whispered against Emily's lips.

"Thank you."  She flopped back into bed, snuggling back into our warm cocoon.  "I'm not much for celebrating my birthday," she admitted after a beat.

Hesitantly, I asked, "Because of your mom?"

She blew out a puff of air, a sound I had come to realize meant she was uneasy about something.   "I don't know," she admitted softly.  "Maybe."

"Well, I'd like to celebrate you."  I snuggled into her side, tracing soft patterns against the tattoo on her hip.  "Because you're so special to me, Em.  I'm so grateful to have you.  And you are worth celebrating."

"I love you, sweet girl," she responded simply.

"I got you something," I started hesitantly.

"Mmm," she hummed, pulling me closer.  She turned so we were face to face.  "I already have everything I need."  She kissed my nose softly, her thumb brushing tenderly over my cheek bone.

I huffed in mock annoyance.  "I know you have everything already!  Do you know how impossible it was to buy you a gift?!" 

She chuckled against my skin, pressing more light kisses to my face.  "I don't need a gift when I have you."

"But you have me every day.  I wanted to get you something special."  I got nervous again, thinking that I wasn't special enough to be Emily's gift.  How could I have been so stupid as to think she would want photos of me for her birthday?

She rolled me onto my back and started pressing kisses into my neck.  "How about you let me decide what I want as a present?"  Thoughts flooded out of my head with each swipe of her tongue on my skin.

"Okay," I breathed.  She nipped softly with her teeth at my ear lobe.  "Emily," I sighed.

"So where's my present?" she asked.

"What?"

She chuckled again, her soft exhale tickling the sensitive skin at my neck.  "Can I have my present now?"  I nodded, still dazed from her morning kisses.  "And then we'll go to breakfast?"

"Okay, babe!" I agreed, cupping her cheek, stunned at her beauty.  "I'm paying though!"  She opened her mouth to argue, but I quickly slid my hand over it before she could protest.  "No way are you paying for breakfast, my birthday girl."

She grabbed my wrist to hold it steady as she placed a soft kiss to the palm of my hand.  "Only if I can have you for dessert later."

My stomach flipped pleasantly, the skin at my neck still electrified from where she had been teasing me earlier.  "Okay," I said a bit breathlessly.

"Come on," she said rolling out of bed, "I want to go to that little Benedict place downtown.  And then don't forget!  The FBI picnic is this evening."

"It's a crime you have to go to a work event on your birthday," I griped.  "I mean, what's the point of having a birthday on a Saturday if you still have to go to work?"

She smiled at my scowl, but pressed a kiss to my forehead.  "Just how it shook out this year, angel.  But, I think there will be cake!" 

"There better be cake!" I grumbled.

Once Emily and I had gotten dressed for the day, we made our way downstairs.  When she saw her wrapped present sitting on the kitchen island she made a beeline for it.  I smirked, noting that even though Emily said she didn't think it was necessary to celebrate her, it seemed to be a distancing tactic she previously used to keep herself from feeling disappointment when her mom let her down.

"When did you have time to do all this?" she asked, gesturing to the present and the balloons and flowers.

Sheepishly, I responded, "When you were in the shower last night."

She wrapped me in a big hug, burying her face against my neck.  "You're so special, babe."  I wrapped my own arms around her tightly, drawing her closer.  "I wish you could feel how much I mean that."

"I do," she whispered.  "Thank you, angel."

Nervous, and ready to get any negative reactions about her present out of the way, I pulled out of her embrace and grabbed her present.  "Happy birthday, babe.  I love you, and I wanted to get you something special-"

"I'm going to love it," she interrupted, sensing my nerves.  I handed her the package and watched her carefully take the wrapping paper off. 

As the first photo was revealed to her, she stopped breathing.  "Oh," she gasped in surprise.  Reverently, she traced the lines of my silhouette from the first photo.  I saw how her eyes drank me in, eyelids drooping with lust.  "Baby, I-"  I gulped nervously.  "Well I just don't know what to say," she said huskily. 

I shuffled my feet, worrying my lip.  I also did not know what to say.  Carefully, as if the picture frames would crumble, she took the first out and set it on the counter.  "Fuck," she whispered revealing the second photo.  "You're fucking gorgeous."

My stomach warmed pleasantly, pleased she seemed to like her present.  Her hand shook slightly as she placed the second on the counter just as gently as she had the first.  When the third photo was revealed, her eyes widened.  It was the most revealing, the most teasing.  She put the box on the counter and grabbed me roughly.  "When do I get the live show?" she husked, her tongue wrapping deliciously around the shell of my ear. 

"You want to see me in that corset?"  My heart pounded in my chest as Emily's hands kneaded my ass.

"Fuck yes," she groaned, pulling me closer.  I wrapped my arms around her neck and kissed her deeply.  No matter how roughly she tugged me to her, no matter how her body sloped around mine as she leaned me back on the counter, nothing was close enough.

"Emily," I whined.  She pulled me up to sit me on the counter.  I groaned as she pulled back to pull my shirt off.  My skin, buzzing with the electricity of my desire, ached where she wasn't touching me.  "Emily, please," I begged.  I needed her hands and lips back on me.  I needed her.  I felt the frenzy in me grow, the desire sparking to life between us.

She pressed a flat palm in the middle of my chest, pushing me back to lay flat.  Her capable hands made quick work of my jeans, peeling them down my legs in no time at all.  She put my feel up on the counter, spreading me out in front of her.  "Don't tease," I begged, unable to bear the thought of her relentlessly slow pace.

She grabbed my thighs and pushed them apart to make room for herself.  She chuckled darkly before she dove in, licking up my slit.  "Fuck," I groaned.  I grabbed her head, weaving my fingers in her hair.  I rolled my hips against Emily's mouth, feeling her tongue caress my clit in that way that made my eyes roll back in my head.  "Please," I whispered.  "Fuck me, Em, please."

She didn't change anything, and I passively wondered if she heard me.  My legs were wrapped pretty tightly over her ears.  As if she could read my mind, her hands smoothed down my thighs and yanked them apart.  She then slowly slipped one finger inside me, her tongue never breaking its rhythm against my clit.

I sighed, content in the feeling.  Nothing compared to Emily loving me, even with the cold marble of the countertop against my skin.  My hips began bucking against my will, my head thrashing back and forth.  Emily forced me to the precipice faster than lighting.  My hands slammed to my side, clipping the side of one of the picture frames.  The clatter startled Emily, and she pulled back, her lips releasing my clit with a soft pop.

"Careful, Indi.  I would be quite sad if you broke my present."  Though her fingers still pushed into me, her mouth was no longer on my clit, and I did not finish.

"I know where to get you another one," I grumbled impatiently.  I tried to grab her head and force her back between my legs, but she resisted.

"I'm partial to the original," she teased, her tongue swiping against my clit once.  "It has…sentimental value," she continued.  Her tongue teased at my clit softly.  It was enough to keep me squirming but not what I needed.  I needed what she had been doing before.  I needed it like air.  "Best birthday present I've ever gotten, in fact."

"Emily!" I complained.  She chuckled, pleased with herself.  She added a second finger, but continued teasing with her tongue.

"You know," she said against my labia.  "You're mighty impatient today."  I whimpered as she licked against my clit a bit harder.  "Shouldn't I get to enjoy you how I see fit on my birthday?"  I looked down my body, her eyes sparkling with mischief between my legs.

I quirked a brow, unable to keep myself from teasing back.  "I thought you weren't one to celebrate your birthday."

"I'm starting to see the merit," she amended, her mouth wrapping back around my clit how I liked.

"Oh god," I groaned, my head falling back against the counter.  She sucked slightly and her fingers hit the perfect spot inside me.  "Emily!" I screamed, my hand flying to her head to keep her there.  "Please, please, please," I pleaded, my hips thrusting against her mouth in time with my begging.  She didn't relent, pleasure crashing over every inch of me.  I slumped against the counter, her tongue and fingers slowing to help me ride it out.  "Fuck," I exhaled, stroking the back of Emily's head.  She looked up at me, love overflowing in her eyes.

"Come," she commanded, pulling back.  I sat up, confusion furrowed my brow.  She tugged on my arms until I slid off the counter.  I leaned up to kiss her, but instead, Emily pushed on my shoulder until I was kneeling in front of her.  She looked down at me with eyes dark with lust as her fingers undid her jeans.  Her intense gaze never wavered.  I licked my lips in anticipation.

I helped her pull her jeans and underwear down her soft legs.  She slipped a leg over my shoulder and gripped the counter for balance.  Immediately, I pressed my lips to her clit.  Gathering up wetness with my tongue, I licked up and down her pussy.  "That's it, Indi," she cooed.  My pride swelled as I pleased Emily.

Gently she brushed my curls away from my face, gazing down at me warmly.  "I love you, angel."  I blinked slowly, not daring to slow my pace.  She bit her lip, her brow furrowed in concentration as she chased her own orgasm.  "My sweet girl," she cooed, "You're doing so good for me.  Don't stop," she ordered.  Her hips started bucking against my mouth in earnest, her head thrown back in pleasure.

I moaned at the sight, unable to contain myself.  She gripped my hair so tightly, I felt the sting of the pull.  "Yessss," she hissed, falling more heavily against the countertop, unable to hold up her weight fully.  Her chest heaved as she came down from her high.

After a few seconds, she helped me stand up.  My knees popped in the quiet kitchen as I stood up, a bit sore from kneeling on the hardwood.  She immediately wrapped me in her arms, both of us naked from the waist down.  "I love you, Emily," I whispered into her neck.  "Happy birthday, my love."  She squeezed me tighter, both of us content in the warmth of our love.

[elysianightsss]

Baker!Techno x reader

Wont ever stop plum.

Warning: beware of the honeycomb, PTSD, hinted drugging, mention of gunshots.

Your eyes blink open taking in the sight of the white sheer curtains flowing softly in the warm breeze, the feel of the gentle cotton sheets against your body did nothing to pull you out of your hazy sleep.

Things you don’t remember, places you’ve never been, a true dream if you’ve ever had one full of fiction and mistrustful information. It could never be true so you don’t dwell on the fragments of you in the desert that are fracturing your already fragile state of mind.

Your delicious baker always tells you not to think too much, with everything you’ve been through all you should be doing is relaxing.

But what had you been through is the real question.

You breathe deeply taking in the breath taking smell of cinnamon sweet buns downstairs, ears twitching at what you think is the radio playing in the background. Someone muttering something about India, hotel alpha victor echo, hotel echo Romeo, you don’t know not paying attention to such frivolous matters.

Instead you roll over onto your side eyes going to the French doors that are open giving you a full view of the blue sky, sun shining but not high enough for it to be midday. You recon it’s nine, possibly ten. The smell of fresh cut grass tells you that Techno had been up since about six am to do all the chores before you could even offer.

He was very passionate about you finishing the last two books of your favourite series and you can’t do that if you’re distracting yourself with silly things like chores. His words, not yours.

Breathing deeply once more not wanting to spike your heart rate, somehow your man always knows. It’s rather strange but it’s another thing on the list of things you shouldn’t dwell on. Catching a wiff of rain in the air, you can tell that the vineyard, you have as your beautiful back garden, got the drink it desperately needed last night.

Finally thinking you’ve given your baker enough time to ice those sweet buns you pull yourself from the sheets however groggy, you manage to slip on a silk robe and stagger your way through your home.

Your kitchen was Techno’s pride and joy, besides you of course, he designed it and got some friends of his to help build it. It is the definition of a baker’s dream, equipped with a state of the art pizza oven and four electric ovens for his exquisite bakery dishes adding a crisp texture, to delightful cookies and puffs.

Your tired eyes scan the kitchen quickly latching onto the sight of sixteen sweet buns waiting for you. You pad over ready to reach for one of the freshly iced cinnamon buns only to be stopped by your baker.

“Ah ah ah, this first.” A smooth piece of golden honeycomb appears in front of your face instantly making you salivate. You take it putting it to your lips, taking small licks before sucking on an edge missing the way Techno groans under his breath.

“Take such good care of me.” You mumble mouth a little full, eyes fluttering shut with a soft hum.

“Won’t ever stop plum.” His lips skim your forehead. He’s so sweet and so sincere. He’s genuine and loving. Everything he is always is. Not even a hint of darkness swirling in his eyes. Not even a spec.

Gunshots and the smell of dusty sand echo through his senses as his darkening orbs dart around your face while you suck on the sweet honeycomb.

“How’d you sleep plum?” He asks an arm curling around your waist pulling you against his warm body. With no shirt covering his hairy chest and a bit of pudge from all the taste testing. Wearing a simple pair of basketball shorts you whimper at the feel of him pressed up against you.

You nod eyes still closed, taking more of the honeycomb into your mouth to suckle on laying your head on his chest too. “Maybe you could use a bit more of it hm?” He hums in your ear before sucking your earlobe into his mouth, raking his teeth over it. “I think that’s a good idea, why don’t we cuddle for a while hmm?”

You nod, feeling disoriented letting Techno guide you to the bed you’d just left. His thick fingers stroking your head gently as he slips in behind you, holding you tight. “Let it happen plum.” He whispers, and you do eyes fluttering shut. All memories of that desert that had started to form in your head, gone.

[politijohn]

Hey, I was a bit curious. You mentioned you support democratic socialism. Most of the historical examples we can pick of socialism are inherently non democratic, we can also take examples of some current ones like Venezuela. We can take that a bit further if we include communism in this conversation. How do you propose that fits in today's world, especially when socialism (or communism) is not sought after by world leaders? Even countries who claim to be socialists (for example India) are moving towards capitalism, they are in fact capitalists in everything but name. So I was curious as to how America could be a democratic socialist when it was the one who proposed and actively advocated for capitalism. I suppose what I really want to know is, is that even plausible? And if so, how do you think that could practically happen?

Also wanted to add that I really love the content you put out! Very informative. Sorry if I went too over board!

You posed good questions! It's my view that the next realistic step the US should make is to social democracy, which still adheres to the capitalist framework. Imagine a country where Bernie Sanders' platform is the norm rather than our broken neoliberal status quo.

This is not the end goal, however. Even though social democracies significantly improve their citizen's quality of life, they still perpetuate injustices globally.

Socialism - true socialism - ensures a truly democratic society while addressing injustices. But it is also fragile; greedy entities, which the world is full of, can quickly corrupt the system because the state, by its publicly-owned nature, has been given sole power over societal services and goods.

Socialism, today, has a sour taste to the average American because of propaganda and bad-faith actors co-opting socialist movements did terrible things in its name (We can't forget many of these states were forced into terrible conditions by Western imperialism in the first place). This sour taste poses a real challenge to convince Americans that socialism is a worthwhile goal. Anything progressive in the political realm is painted as socialism, as if it is some evil to be avoided at all costs.

To shift the narrative, we must continue fighting for leftist policy and interventions. They're widely popular, despite what politicians and mainstream media say, and we must make them a reality by demanding that of our public officials. Running more leftist candidates, engaging in direct action, and participating in organized civil disobedience will help hold government institutions accountable. During the FDR years, we saw how our government can work FOR us in a more socially democratic fashion. Convince people that these policies propel society further compared to the status quo and force an 'ah-ha' moment that socialist government and policies aren't so bad.

This, I believe, will allow us to keep moving further left toward democratic socialism. When people's basic needs are met under social democracy, they can increasingly turn their attention and energy to bigger issues like climate change, imperialism, and other global crises.

[notyouraryang0dd3ss]

lil bro's okay, but grandfather's not so good. it's still stable, but they're talking about travelling down west it's cooler, but it's gonna be costly oof. lil bro has scool in like 4 days, and it's likely they'll put out a circular to postpone school openings.

anyways have i mentioned i hate taylor swift? because i do so badly. one of my mutuals reblogged a "fav song" post with a taylor swift song and i got a papercut, she's bad luck see proved.

gooooooddd im so sick of all these edits with her lyrics. fandoms are polluted with her word and all these super cool gifs so talented and then i see her words "who else decode you" and i feel like throwing my laptop im so so so so sick of her and her brand of sickening white conservative "feminism".

i'm thankful she doesn't come to india i don't think i can handle the cooties. the other desi anon saying upper middle class girls liked her? totally true. i moved schools to like a richer more renowned one and i started hearing about her way more than i ever needed to.

anyways if you ever need recs to hindi songs, do let me know! i promise you every single lyric arjit singh has ever sung has contained more romanticism, more poetry that the entirety of her 30 albums and 900 copy paste songs, and that's after you translate it in english using google translate (bad translator for hindi).

I’m so sorry to hear that about your grandfather. I hope your family will find a way to travel west without it hurting financially. Also, your brother has school? In the U.S. this is around the time the school year ends. Is this the beginning of the school year or is this resuming school?

Right! Fandom is totally ruined because of Swifties. The only music they use in edits are hers and completely bulldoze any conversation when it comes to Taylor Swift, saying their faves would be swifties, no matter how OOC it is for the character. Like the “Hobie Brown is secretly a swiftie” post. HE WOULD NOT BE A SWIFTIE! Hobie is a fucking radical punk! He is the ANTITHESIS OF A SWIFTIE!

(Also-I was so confused by the “I got a papercut see bad luck proved,” because I genuinely thought that was a song title of hers. Her songwriting is just that bad.)

This is so damning, the correlation of wealth and Desi Swifties. This is what it’s like in the U.S. too but it’s crossed over with racial politics too. But generally richer = more likely to be a Swiftie. At least this is like anecdotal proof now rather than conjecture that I was accused of by other people.

Please send in the recs! I love expanding my music taste and from my limited exposure to Bollywood films, their soundtracks are always so fucking fire!

[beautifulpersonpeach]

I feel like the reason why people are pointing to JM akgaes is because there are more people in the current process of becoming JM akgaes, because the breaking point for a bunch of superbiased Jimin-biased Jikookers was the Face v. 7 comparison. Felt like this 'turnover' point for KTH akgaes from Tkkrs was 2017-18. The mistreatment rhetoric was everywhere and even today the Burn the Stage documentary is the holy grail of mistreatment for KTHs.

I wanted to ask you, BPP, what do you make of V's reduced streaming numbers in USA? I was surprised. Does this represent Army's true power with JM / JK's numbers being an additional cherry on top (or whole sundae on top) because of GP / casuals / solos ; or is this a sign of the 'split focus' so-called OT7s with a bias towards members who are central to BTS' image in the USA; or have KTHs done permanent damage to goodwill among Army?

I know you're not V biased but if you have a breakdown to offer I would be greatly interested. (Vminimin bias here).

***

I wanted to ask you, BPP, what do you make of V's reduced streaming numbers in USA? I was surprised. Does this represent Army's true power with JM / JK's numbers being an additional cherry on top (or whole sundae on top) because of GP / casuals / solos ; or is this a sign of the 'split focus' so-called OT7s with a bias towards members who are central to BTS' image in the USA; or have KTHs done permanent damage to goodwill among Army?

Ngl, this reminds me of the discourse about the difference in streaming performance between JITB and Indigo, where RM's streaming numbers were more than Hobi's in the US (and globally). Hobi akgaes thought it was weird considering Hobi had just done Lollapalooza and had a huge turnout. Just like back then, people discounted just how much the fandom shows that everyone here really just does what they want, how people's music preferences show up in their streaming habits, and they aren't coerced to stream like mindless orangutans in the fandom. Tae's album, just like Hobi's album, is really good, but it's also not in a genre a lot of people find accessible, very enjoyable, and can withstand streaming incessantly.

Look at the difference in streams between Yet to Come and RUN BTS.

All that aside, my perception is that the maknae-line have many people who bias them from the USA, but far as I can tell, Jimin has the most dedicated fans in the US, UK and Korea + Japan; Jungkook in the US, India, France and Japan; and Taehyung in China, SEA, and to a lesser degree, Japan and the US. I recall I've seen a few surveys here and there a few years ago (before 2019) that showed popularity rankings in various regions, but those rankings are no longer reliable as they've been gamed to hell by akgaes (usually Taehyung solos based on the instances and call-outs I've seen).

So, coupled with the fact not a lot of people care to constantly stream V's sleepy, vibey, but admittedly tasteful album because it's not their taste, it's also possible Taehyung has fewer heavily-biased fans in the US to compulsively stream his album, compared to Jimin or Jungkook. The fact any of the members show up on the charts at all is because of OT7 ARMYs, who have the absolute numbers to place the members high enough to chart even if each ARMY only contributes a handful of streams. Any group of akgaes who have been trying and failing to rechart on the most exclusive charts will tell you the same thing. It's literally a numbers game and ARMYs simply have the numbers.

Those who are biased generally push for the members they bias more, other factors like the genre and listenability of the song influences how the wider fandom responds, and the core of the fandom remains OT7 ARMYs who push each project in any case, and are the reason any of these projects can get those sort of recognitions to begin with.

These aren't comparisons that matter to me for any member, not for my biases and not for the maknae-line, because I do think they're unhelpful, generally very reductive, and only serve the purpose of inflating the egos of various akgaes who weaponize this data to show other members in the group are less deserving of their accomplishments and/or any support those members receive.

It's not like Tae's doing bad either lol.

[valorousflower]

@starsmuserainbow - closed starter

Superyacht in Heroism

Kanagawa, Japan

The most impressive and expensive superyacht in the world was the Shīarukadia, clocking in at hundreds of billions of dollars, nearing even a trillion. It was garrisoned by Miura Beach in Kanagawa. There was much to do in this astronomical-sized superyacht, and it was left to the heroes of the world, but most notably to those in Asia. Not to say that there aren't heroes from other places in the superyacht that aren't present in Shīarukadia, for Classic Order soldiers have gathered about as well, who are true heroes from America in Fumiko's eyes.

Of course, there were heroes from Japan, and those from China, India, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand. Even those from France, England, and America.

Shīarukadia was beautiful and astonishing-looking in every single way. The lights, overall aesthetic and design of it was a commission that Hiroshi Arai, who hosted this party, that he hoped to turn out most incredibly, and was a true success.

Meanwhile, in the dead center of Shīarukadia, where the dining room, arcade, coffee shop and tea stores were, Fumiko and her translator approached a young heroine from Long Island, New York, U.S.A. named Rowena Titterington, who seemed to be enjoying some water, sauteed mushrooms, fries and a medium-rare kobe beef ribeye by her own table in the dining room. Rowena grinned with utmost happiness upon tasting another bite of the kobe beef.

"[sign language]: The Sawblade Maestro, I hope your meal has been immaculate~"

With the translations given, Rowena nodded with a grin of her own, although not quite as angelic as Fumiko.

"Yes! This is.. mmph!.. so good!.."

"[sign language]: That is wonderful."

Classic Order soldiers around her were having good small talk as a group, some heroes walked on by, and a waitress poured in some more water for Rowena.

Fumiko only hoped for the best for everyone in this party!

[awalkoflife]

sometimes i'm totally fine and then i'll think about india's reaction to felix's death.

this is purely based on my own headcanons and my interpretation of india as a character so feel free to disengage entirely, i just needed to write it down. i think that india and felix were close friends before they ever became lovers. there isn't a lot of evidence to back this up but there is a level of comfort and familiarity and consistency with the two of them that would suggest they have a bond that extends beyond just mere sexual intimacy and attraction. she respects him for who he is, for his quirks and charms and yes, even his flaws. she understands him, can relate to him, is aware of the pressure and the pedestal that he's been placed upon.

india was the girl born into privilege, who was given everything from a young age not only because she was wealthy but because she was beautiful. i think she shared this burden with felix --- both of them yearned for a deeper connection, to find a sense of clarity and purpose. she is spoiled and entitled and a princess in every sense of the word but she isn't cruel. her heart is easily bruised and although defiant in nature, she craves the idealisation of belonging. she never wanted to solely belong to a world of materialistic aristocracy, she wanted to belong to him. to experience genuine love with someone who knew what it was already like to have everything else in the world handed to you on a silver platter. she wanted the kind of love with felix that wasn't easily obtained. true love. the kind of love money or privilege or status couldn't buy. something that would forever be just theirs.

the night of felix's death, i don't think it was their first rendezvous in the maze. yes, they were a little drunk and intoxicated but they were also giddy and laughing and holding hands. they knew what they were about to get up to and they were revelling in it together. that sense of familiarity is echoed in this scene; with each other, with the location, with the utter excitement both are experiencing as a result. there's also something to be noted about the way that they escaped together. they wanted to be alone, to detach themselves from the suffocating confines of oliver's party inside of the saltburn estate. it wasn't just about sex for them. it was about being alone, just the two of them, in their own private domain where they could give each other pleasure and intimacy and a taste of the connection they were craving. to me, this decision on their part made a statement: it wasn't just a quickie, it hinted a lot more about the precious, sacred nature of their relationship.

although not included in the canon event of the movie, there's an alternate reality where my portrayal of india would have gone up to felix's bed and slept there the night of the party. she would have waited on him even though they were interrupted, fallen asleep and would have woken the following morning to her worst nightmare come true. grief, up until that day, was a foreign concept to india --- a girl who had never lost anything of importance. while she worshipped felix the same way that everyone else did, it wasn't as straight forward as simple infatuation. in truth, it didn't start out that way for her. india first fell in love with felix while they were friends, before they ever became lovers. she loved him for the man that he was. the vivacious, fun, gorgeous, silly, wondrous creation. he was a dear friend first and foremost, someone who she wanted to protect, to cherish and to hopefully be with in the end. the loss of felix in her life represented more than just the loss of love. it stole away a part of herself that she'll never be able to retain, a part of herself that he awakened within her. she'll never forgive herself for leaving him in the maze and for not going back to check on him. life, inevitably, is never the same without felix river catton.